Correct.
Keep up the good work!
And
I saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun, having the seal* of the
living God; and he cried out with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was
granted to harm the earth and the sea, 3saying, "Do not harm the
earth or the sea or the trees, until we
have sealed the bond-servants of our God on their foreheads." Revelation
7:2-3 (NAS)
* from the Greek word #4973 "sphragis" (pronounced
sfrag-ece'); meaning a signet (as fencing in or protecting from
misappropriation); by implication, the stamp impressed (as a mark of privacy, or
genuineness), literally or figuratively.
Angels told to wait:
The angels were told not to hurt the earth until the seal or stamp was used
on the foreheads of certain people (the bond-servants of God). Another
translation says it this way:
"Don't hurt the land or the sea or the trees before we put the sign on
the people who serve our God. We must put the sign on their foreheads."
(ERV)
A Seal:
So far we are looking at two different types of
seals in the Revelation:
- The first type is the seal used to seal up
the book that the Lamb was holding. Oftentimes seals on letters or scrolls were stamped
into material like wax. It would be evident if
the book or letter had been opened if the wax
seal was opened, removed or broken.
- The second type is a seal used to make a
stamp or mark on the foreheads of the
bond-servants of God (such as an ink seal or ink
stamp on a piece of paper).
The size, shape and stamp of the seals vary
immensely. Following are just few examples of
seals used in various countries and times throughout
recent history.
Common Types
of Seals |
Example of a seal
used in the latest century A.D. |
Example of a seals
used in earlier times: |
The Seal
(the instrument) |
The Seal
(the resulting sign or mark) |
The Seal
(the instrument) |
The Seal
(the resulting sign or mark) |
|
|
What was the mark or sign put on the foreheads of the people who
serve God? The text does not provide this explanation at this time...but
let's continue our lesson.
Click on the next question to continue...
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