Sign, Seal, and Mark

What do the terms sign and seal mean?

By Clifton L. Taylor

In one text, Romans 4:11, the words "sign" and "seal" are used interchangeably. In many other instances the word "sign" is used where the word "seal" would be inadmissible. Contrariwise, other texts using the word "seal" could not use "sign" without violating the sense. (For example, see John 2:18; Cant. 8:6; Rev. 5:1.)

God's sign between Himself and His people is the Sabbath. A person may be said to pos­sess this sign when he sincerely accepts the true Sabbath. It is a sign of sanctification (Ex. 31:13); a sign of recognition of God as the Creator (Ex. 31:17); a "sign of man's allegiance to God" ("Patriarchs and Prophets," p. 309); and a sign of union between the in­dividual and his Maker. Eze. 20:20. There is also a seal of the Spirit "which is the ear­nest of our inheritance," which for ages has been the blessed experience of God's people. Eph. 1:13, 14.

The seal introduced in Revelation 7:1-8 is distinct from the foregoing, and pertains only to the 144,000. This seal is placed in the fore­heads of "the servants of our God." Rev. 7:3. It is the Father's name that is written in their foreheads (Rev. 14:1), therefore this seal is the Father's name. "And even after the saints are sealed with the seal of the living God, His elect will have trials individually. . . . The indelible mark of God is upon them. God can plead that His own name is written there."—"Testimonies to Ministers," p. 446.

It is often stated that the Sabbath is the seal of God. This is true in a general sense. (See "The Great Controversy," p. 640.) It is more accurate to say that "it contains the seal of God."—"Patriarchs and Prophets," p. 309.

Now the "angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God," is identical with "the third angel" of Revelation 14. (See "Daniel and the Revelation," comments on Revelation 7:1-3; "Early Writings," p. 89; and "Counsels to Teachers," p. 459.) A hint of his rank in the heavenly host is given when re­ferred to as "this highest angel."—"Testimo­nies to Ministers," p. 445.

The three messages of Revelation 14 are now being given to the world simultaneously by Seventh-day Adventists. (See "The Great Con­troversy," pp. 453, 454.) The first message contains a direct quotation from the fourth commandment, and is a call to worship God as the Creator; viz., to observe His memorial of creation, the Sabbath. The third message is a warning against false worship and its conse­quences. As a direct result of this world-wide proclamation, hundreds of thousands have al­ready heeded the call of God. From among this vast multitude, God is sealing a special group to be known as the 144,000. They are commandment keepers (Rev. 14:12), hence pos­sess the "sign" of union with God; and having developed characters like Christ (see "Testi­monies," Vol. V, p. 214), it is appropriate that He should write upon their foreheads His Father's name, a name that signifies His char­acter. Ex. 20:6, 7. This is the seal of God.

This seal is found exclusively in the fourth commandment, since only here is the name of God distinguished from those of other gods by His title as Creator. It is self-evident that God could place His seal, His name, only on the foreheads of those who observed the com­mandment containing His seal.

From the foregoing paragraphs it is plain that thousands in past ages have possessed the sign, but only a special company among the remnant people of God have the seal. More­over, this sealing of a special company of Sab­bath keepers is a sovereign act of God, a dem­onstration to the universe of His mighty grace in behalf of the last generation of men.

As God has a sign and a seal, so God's enemy, the beast power (Revelation 13) has a sign and a mark. Ti,2 Sunday sabbath is the sign of allegiance to this power. (See "The Great Controversy," p. 446.) Millions today and in centuries past have possessed this sign.

Next we inquire, What is the mark of the beast? In a general sense it may be answered that it is the false sabbath, or its observance. (See "Testimonies," Vol. VIII, p. 117.) More specifically, it is the name of the beast. "So that no one can buy or sell unless he bears the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the cipher of his name." Rev. 13:17, Moffatt.

The name of God signifies His character; the name of the beast signifies his assumed character: Viearius Filii Dei. Only those pos­sessing the sign of allegiance to God's enemy are in danger of receiving the mark. (Read Rev. 13:8, 15, 16.) Moreover, it is in the final issue only, not in ages of the past, that the mark is impressed. (See "The Great Contro­versy," p. 449.) The Sabbath will "become the special point of controversy throughout Christendom." "The Sabbath will be the great test of loyalty." "The Great Controversy," pp. 615, 605. This test will be world-wide. Rev. 13:12; 14:6, 9, 10. Those who then choose to obey God may be among those who sing the song of Moses and of the Lamb (Rev. 15:2, 3), while those choosing to obey the powers of earth will suffer the doom of the lost.

New Haven, Conn.


Ministry reserves the right to approve, disapprove, and delete comments at our discretion and will not be able to respond to inquiries about these comments. Please ensure that your words are respectful, courteous, and relevant.

comments powered by Disqus

By Clifton L. Taylor

August 1933

Download PDF
Ministry Cover

More Articles In This Issue

Apostates and Apostasy

Man must have a revelation from God in order to know God.

A Covenant of Separation Indicated

*Devotional hour May 3, 1933, based upon these words in Joshua 3 :5, 10: 4:24

Jewish Misconceptions of the Inspired Writings

Various ways to read scripture explored.

Greater Evangelism

Study of problems, plans, and principles.

Editorial Keynotes

The Term "Suppression" Misused

Let Us Guard Against Overspecialization

The gospel minister is a workman. He helps to build the most important thing in the world—the church of God. What kind of workmen or builders are we?

The Challenge of the East to World Peace—No. 2

Do we as workers, public heralds of heaven's last message, sense the seriousness of the days in which we are living?

Avoid Double Introductions

The method of introducing visiting ministers and speakers in our churches needs to be given greater thought by our workers generally.

Talking Over Mission Methods

The author addresses various questions on missions.

Our Relation to "Depression"

The Bible has the answers to life's problems.

View All Issue Contents

Digital delivery

If you're a print subscriber, we'll complement your print copy of Ministry with an electronic version.

Sign up
Advertisement - RevivalandReformation 300x250

Recent issues

See All
Advertisement - SermonView - WideSkyscraper (160x600)