When God gave directions to the Israelites for the Tabernacle and its Services, He described very specifically what the High Priest was to wear. One of those items was a golden band on his forehead across the front of the turban on his head.And thou shalt make a plate of pure gold, and grave upon it, like the engravings of a signet, HOLINESS TO THE LORD. And thou shalt put it on a blue lace, that it may be upon the miter; upon the forefront of the miter it shall be. And it shall be upon Aaron’s forehead, that Aaron may bear the iniquity of the holy things, which the children of Israel shall hallow in all their holy gifts; and it shall be always upon his forehead, that they may be accepted before the LORD. Exodus 28:36-38
The Hebrew word “signet” in verse 36 is:
H2368 (from Strong’s Concordance)
chôthâm
From H2856; a signature ring: – seal, signet.
The band on the High Priest’s forehead was like a seal that designated him as holy to the Lord. To be holy was to be consecrated exclusively for God’s purposes just as the anointing oil and incense used in the Tabernacle were holy and were not to be used for personal purposes. (see Exodus 30:22-38)
So the High Priest had the seal of God’s ownership on his forehead.
Now look at Revelation 7:3.
Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. Revelation 7:3
The Greek word for “seal” in this verse is:
G4972 (from Strong’s Concordance)
sphragizō
From G4973; to stamp (with a signet or private mark) for security or preservation (literally or figuratively); by implication to keep secret, to attest: – (set a, set to) seal up, stop.
If we look at Exodus 28:36 in the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Old Testament, we see that the Greek word used there for the High Priest’s headband is σφραγῖδος which is a form of σφραγίζω (shown in the definition above). The “seal” on the High Priest’s forehead is very much like the seal on the foreheads of the 144,000. In Revelation 14:1 we find out what is actually on the foreheads of the 144,000.
And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Zion, and with him a hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads. Revelation 14:1
To be sealed with God’s seal is to have His name in our foreheads, to be consecrated totally to Him for His purposes. It is the seal of His ownership.
We have often heard that the Sabbath is the Seal of God and many Seventh-day Adventists understand that keeping the Sabbath means they have God’s seal, but . . .
Not all who profess to keep the Sabbath will be sealed. There are many even among those who teach the truth to others who will not receive the seal of God in their foreheads. They had the light of truth, they knew their Master’s will, they understood every point of our faith, but they had not corresponding works. 5T 213
The seal of the living God will be placed upon those only who bear a likeness to Christ in character. RH 05-21-95
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. 1MR 249
So what does it really mean to be sealed by God? I would like to suggest that it means fully consecrating yourself to God and letting Him own and control your mind and thoughts so totally that nothing can turn you from Him; He acknowledges that committment with His (invisible) Seal of Approval and Protection; and you are among those who are described in this verse:
. . . they that are with him are called (invited), and chosen (selected), and faithful. Revelation 17:14
Let us strive with all the power that God has given us to be among the hundred and forty-four thousand. And let us do all that we can to help others to gain heaven. We are to have an intense interest in Christ Jesus; for he is our Saviour. RH 03-09-05