What heavenly act precedes the seal of God’s Spirit?
(Joel 2:28-32; Acts 2:1-33; 3:19-21 Revelation 3:17-21; 13:15-17; 14:6-12; 18:1)
Blog Jun. 16-22, 2024
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: <PresentTruthLRI@gmail.com>
REVIEW: Lucifer uses deception and force to turn people from God and his Commandments. God uses truth and love to bring people to himself. As this conflict draws to a close its intensity heightens. Being on the right side is of utmost importance.
You may wish to watch our video on Revelation 7:
Discernment
1. What characteristic of God’s last church makes understanding the issues in the final conflict very difficult? The blindness of God’s last church makes understanding the issues very difficult (Rev. 3:17).
2. What remedy for blindness does God offer his last days’ people? God offers his people eyesalve: spiritual discernment to know God’s will & to distinguish between right & wrong, truth & error (Eccl. 8:5; Eze. 44:23; 1 Cor. 2:14; Heb. 5:11-14; Rev. 3:18).
3. By what means does God bring wisdom and understanding to his people? Wisdom & understanding come to God’s people in the gift of the Holy Spirit (Ex. 31:3; Isa. 11:2; Eph. 1:17-19).
4. Primarily, through what means does the Holy Spirit come to us? The primary channel used by the Holy Spirit is the Word of God (2 Sam. 23:2; 1 Cor. 12:8; Eph. 6:17; Col. 3:16; Heb. 4:12).
5. Does God promise a special outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the last days? Yes, God promises a special outpouring of his Spirit like the blessing of the latter rain that ripens the harvest to perfection (Joel 2:23; Acts 3:19-21; Jam. 5:7).
6. What historical event corresponds to God’s outpouring of the former or early rain? The Christian church received the early rain on the day of Pentecost when God poured out the Holy Spirit on those gathered in the upper room (Hos. 6:3; Acts 2:1-4, 16-17, 33).
The Seal of God
7. What relationship exists between the gift of God’s Spirit and the seal of God? God seals people with his Holy Spirit (2 Cor. 1:22; Eph. 1:13; 4:30).
8. When does God seal people with the Holy Spirit? God seals people when they repent & believe the Gospel & God has a final sealing of his people in the latter rain (Acts 2:38; 3:19; Eph. 1:13; 4:30; Rev. 7:3).
9. What heavenly act precedes the “early rain” seal of God’s Spirit? The “early rain” seal of God’s Spirit is preceded by the heavenly act of forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38).
10. What heavenly act precedes the “latter rain” seal of God’s Spirit? The “latter rain” seal of God’s Spirit is preceded by the heavenly act of the blotting out of sins (Acts 3:19).
11. When filled with God’s Spirit in latter rain power, what will God’s people do? God’s people will go forth in the strength of his Spirit to proclaim the wonderful works of God, filling the earth with a view of God’s glory & pointing away from any glory in man (Joel 2:28-32; Acts 2:11; Matt. 24:14; Rev. 18:1).
12. Where is God’s glorious character and the seal of his authority most succinctly revealed? The Ten Commandments are a revelation of God’s character & the fourth commandment contains his seal of authority for it gives his name, title, & territory & it is the central issue separating worship of God from worship of the beast (Ex. 20:8-11; 34:6-7; Rev. 13:4, 15; 14:7).
Results
13. What will take place when all believers are sealed with God’s Spirit in the latter rain? When all God’s people are sealed, the winds of human passion will be released from the control of God’s Holy Spirit & there will be a time of trouble such as has never been on earth (Dan. 12:1; Rev. 7:1-3).
14. How will the beast and false prophet attempt to turn God’s loyal people from keeping his Commandments? The United States of America (the false prophet) will use economic embargoes & even the threat of death against those who refuse to worship the image to the Papacy (the beast) which she has formed (Rev. 13:15-17).
15. When sealed with the latter rain, will any of God’s people lose that seal and be lost? No. While it is possible that some who receive the seal of the early rain turn from God & are lost, those who receive the seal of the latter rain are settled into the truth & are eternally secure (Acts 3:19-21; Heb. 6:21; Rev. 22:11-12).
16. What three characteristics distinguish God’s people from those who receive the mark of the beast? God’s people are distinguished from those who worship the beast & his image by their perseverance, their faith in Jesus as their Savior, & their tight grasp of God’s Ten Commandments as the way to show their love to him even when false religion tramples on the fourth Commandment (Matt. 24:13; John 14:15; Rev. 14:7, 12).