ETERNITY

[MIB]

Good morning and Blessed Lord's day ALL!

Some more notes on Veritas's direct question regarding the ministry of the Holy Spirit in O.T. saints.

Not EVERYONE will agree 100 percent but this is what I believe from the scriptures sealing by the Spirit in the O.T.

Regarding the INDWELLING of the SPIRIT

The sealing of the Holy Spirit takes place in the hearts of believers (2 Corinthians 1:22) (look up the greek here)

The Bible definitely states that the Holy Spirit did indwell believers prior to the crucifixion. Matthew 10:20 declares that the Holy Spirit will speak in the apostles the same expression used in John 14:17, He will be in you). Joseph (Genesis 41:38), Joshua (Numbers 27:18), David (1 Samuel 16:12–13), and Daniel (Daniel 4:8, 5:11–14, 6:3) all had the Spirit in them. To dismiss these examples as being a temporary and limited indwelling of the Spirit is not sound exegesis. There is no statement in scripture that the Spirit departed from any of these men.

It is true that David prays that the Lord will not take His Holy Spirit away (Psalm 51:11). It is also stated that the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul (1 Samuel 16:14).

We have seen that INDWELLING was clearly the case with O.T. saints just as it is with N.T. saints, which demonstrates that the Spirit was working in the presence of men in both ages. Let's now look at another ministry of the Holy Spirit with regard to SEALING those whom He has Indwelt.

The Ministry of Sealing
Enns writes,
The principal idea of sealing is that of ownership. The believer is sealed with the Spirit to identify the believer as belonging to God. Branding cattle would be a parallel; the rancher puts his brand on the steer as a sign that the steer belongs to him. God has put His seal, the Holy Spirit, within the believer to verify that the believer belongs to Him. Second Corinthians 1:22 indicates that the Holy Spirit Himself is the seal … Moreover, the sealing is permanent--with a view to the believer’s ultimate glorification (Eph. 4:30). Hence, the sealing not only emphasizes ownership but also security. The Holy Spirit verifies that the believer permanently belongs to God [emphasis in the original]

Now, that being stated, the Old Testament does not speak of believers being sealed for the day of redemption. However, all the features of sealing are spoken of in the Old Testament. Who can miss the matter of God’s ownership of Israel (Leviticus 26:12; Deuteronomy 26:17–19, etc.) and of individual believers (1 Kings 19:18; Psalm 1:6; Nahum 1:7, cp. 2 Timothy 2:19)? The indwelling Holy Spirit is the seal (2 Corinthians 1:22) and it has been demonstrated that the Old Testament saints were indwelt by the Spirit. As to the matter of the security of the believer, the saints of former dispensations were regenerated and indwelt and, therefore, must be as secure as those regenerated and indwelt today.

It is my prayer that this will enlighten and edify God's people for the purpose of being able to teach others the things of God.

This was from some text books of mine and from brother Clifford Rapp of Chafer Theological Seminary, and Dr. CHarles Ryrie of Moody Bible.

Blessings this Lord's Day,

mib