Written by: John Sernaque
Call to Worship
Ezekiel 9: 2-4
9:2 And, behold, six men came from the way of the higher gate, which lieth toward the north, and every man a slaughter weapon in his hand; and one man among them [was] clothed with linen, with a writer's inkhorn by his side: and they went in, and stood beside the brazen altar.
9:3 And the glory of the God of Israel was gone up from the cherub, whereupon he was, to the threshold of the house. And he called to the man clothed with linen, which [had] the writer's inkhorn by his side;
9:4 And the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.
A Mark Which Angels Read-
What is the seal of the living God, which is placed on the foreheads of His people? It is a mark which angels, but not human eyes, can read; for the destroying angel must see this mark of redemption.
The angel with the writer’s ink horn is to place a mark upon the foreheads of all who are separated from sin and sinners, and the destroying angel follows this angel (Letter 12, 1886). {4BC 1161.5}
(Revelation 7:2.)
Seal Is a Settling Into Truth—
Just as soon as the people of God are sealed in their foreheads—it is not any seal or mark that can be seen, but a settling into the truth, both intellectually and spiritually, so they cannot be moved—just as soon as God’s people are sealed and prepared for the shaking, it will come. Indeed, it has begun already; the judgments of God are now upon the land, to give us warning, that we may know what is coming (Manuscript 173, 1902). {4BC 1161.6}
So many speculate as to what is the mark of the beast. Is it the number 666, a bar code, or an implant placed in one’s body or even in the brain? Well, we know from the Bible who will place the seal of God on the saints. It is the angel who carries the inkhorn that is entrusted with the work of placing the mark, or seal on God’s children. Humans will not see the seal, only angels will see the seal. When the work is done, the angel will report to God to let Him know “I have done as thou hast commanded me.” Christ will then declare “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.” The names of the saved are written to life in the Book of Life. Michael the Archangel (Christ Jesus) stands up, ceases to be High Priest, to take His Kingdom as King of kings and Lord of Lords. When Christ ceases to be High Priest as the only mediator between God and man, there will be no one to plead for guilty man, and the wrath of God will be poured out upon the wicked. Thus will begin the work of the seven angels in bringing forth the seven last plagues. However, as David says in Psalms 91- 1-10, no plague will come near the righteous. For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?
Our Father, almighty God,
We thank You for giving us the honor, privilege, and yet another opportunity to come into Your presence in thanksgiving, praise, and prayer. You are our God and called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. You are the alpha and the omega, the beginning and the end. We claim Your promise to give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. Blessed are they which hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. We thirst and pray for living water. We hunger for righteousness, for You are righteous and love righteousness. It shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all Your commandments before You, as You have commanded us, for all thy commandments are righteousness. We praise You according to Your righteousness. We declare Your righteousness to all who have an ear to hear and shall speak of thy righteousness all the day long. We pray that You lead us on the paths of righteousness for Your name’s sake. For in the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death. That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. If we know that he is righteous, we know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him. For those being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth. We pray for all Your goodness, righteousness, and truth. We pray to sow ourselves in righteousness until You come and let the skies pour down righteousness upon us. Your Word says there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them that love his appearing. Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the LORD. We thank You for hearing and answering our prayers, in the name of Christ Jesus, we pray. Amen.
