[Pastor Ralph]

Q4. (1:13-14) These verses contain two analogies: (1) seal and (2) downpayment, with the balance to be paid in a lump sum at the end of the term. When does the "end of the term" occur? How do these analogies help explain how the Holy Spirit functions in our lives?

[Ken7]

Sealed by His Spirit means I have received and fully believed Gods doctrine. I have yielded my heart to the influence of all of Gods teaching. I’m working on yielding as we speak... (in anticipation).

God’s ‘earnest money’ is the safest money on earth! It is possibly second only to His ‘balloon payment’ for each of us. His Holy Spirit in my life is my proof – positive that God is alive, real, and in my life.

[Jezemeg]

I believe the reference to 'end of term' is when the Kingdom of God is once more established here on Earth, after Jesus Second Coming. The analogies of the seal and downpayment help explain the workings of the Holy Spirit in our lives by:
the seal is bestowed on each believer at the moment of salvation, it distinguishes to all that you are now an adopted member of God's family.
the downpayment is just as a downpayment in any transaction, provided the transaction is completed (in this case that one remains true and faithful to God, and doesn't turn back to Satan), when God's Kingdom is once more on this earth, we will be welcomed in, fully entitled to share in the glories of the kingdom just as Jesus does.

[Helenmm]

Q4. (1:13-14) These verses contain two analogies: (1) seal and (2) downpayment, with the balance to be paid in a lump sum at the end of the term. When does the "end of the term" occur? How do these analogies help explain how the Holy Spirit functions in our lives?

I think possibly the end of the term is finalised and celebrated at the Wedding Feast of the Lamb. There will be stages before that, like the rapture, but the feast is the finality and the beginning of "The Family"

When we receive Jesus we are marked out by His Spirit. We can never be the same again because we have known Him, connected with Heaven, been touched by His grace, are known to Him. In response to being known by Jesus, we are sealed by the Holy Spirit whom He sent at Pentecost. Perhaps this is the reason why both God and Jesus can be mistreated by us and we can be forgiven, but we cannot abuse the Holy Spirit, our "guarantee", lest we lose Him, and with Him our salvation. Luke 12:10 declares "Anyone who speaks blasphemies against the HolySpirit will never be forgiven." To blaspheme the Spirit of Truth, whom God has breathed into us a second time (Adam, by believing a lie, choked Him - the breath of the Creator - out and lost his "Life") at Pentecost, is to finalise our chances with God. To turn again and believe a lie, having had the mark of the HolySpirit, is to become too hardened. The blasphemy of the Spirit of Truth, who lives in us and is our breath of Life, will choke Him out again.

We are to honour the Spirit of Truth within us (who has the mind of Christ,) as teacher, counsellor and friend, and finally we will join the ranks of the children of God at the wedding feast.

[pickledilly]

When I heard the Word of truth, believed in that Word made flesh, and confessed Him as my Savior, the Holy Spirit arrived into my heart. In that instant, my soul was purchased out of the bondage of sin and its resulting death penalty. The Spirit is the seal that legalized this transaction, this exchange of my sin for Christ's pardon. My spirit has been redeemed through Christ, but my flesh and earthly body were not saved and I still reside in this sinful world where the devil is presently allowed to rule. An unimaginable inheritance has been promised that I cannot yet completely receive as long I am here. The final balance due has already been paid in full by Christ's blood, but is in "escrow" until my spirit is released from my physical housing in this world.

So much of the reward of full redemption is spiritual gain, and I can only receive tiny nibbles of it as long as I'm confined here. Perhaps the "end of the term" when the lump sum balance is released may be at my physical death, when my spirit goes to be united with Christ in heaven, or at His calling of the Church out of this world, when I will be instantly transformed and caught up with Christ in the air. Whichever way the LORD chooses, then I'll receive the full benefit of redemption, the full inheritance promised me as a joint heir with Christ. I will be freed of sin and from sin to be perfected in holiness. I will be released from the confines and inabilities and imperfections of the natural realm to dwell in the infinities of eternity. I will fully obtain the divine inheritance that securely awaits me right now. I'll be received into the Father's arms and welcomed into His house as His beloved daughter. Nothing can alter this binding agreement because nothing/no one can break the seal of the Holy Spirit except Yahweh, God Himself - and He will never violate His covenant "contract".

My adoption has been legalized and finalized, but not yet fully realized. The Holy Spirit is an awesome gift and presence in my life, but according to Romans 8:23, He is only the firstfruits of my inheritance - a foretaste of glory divine! The Spirit brings into my natural life whatever degree of the divine that can be humanly contained as I progressively die to more of myself to make room for more of Him. He provides little glimpses of my Father in the Word and tastes of my future through His activity in my daily experiences. Even when trials come and things seem impossible, my life is blessed with spiritual peace, joy, insight, power, victory…the list could go on and on. All of that is out of this deposit of the Spirit given by Christ to guarantee His claim on me and to give assurance to me that I truly am His - and will be for all eternity.

I've never adopted a child, but I know someone who has. Before ever even meeting that little one, this friend's heart was overflowing with love and the driving desire to hold that child as her own. Every legal requirement had to be met and completed before she could "take full possession" of her child. My Father has provided for me, chosen me, and fully secured me as His own. I'm already in His possession, but not yet in His presence. He can hardly wait to welcome me into His arms and endow me with my full inheritance when my journey here has been completed. Even though I don't reside there yet, I am a child of heaven, not a child of this world. The presence of the Spirit in me is my guarantee. How humbling, but my goodness, how empowering!

[Eudora]

Q4. (1:13-14) These verses contain two analogies: (1) seal and (2) down payment, with the balance to be paid in a lump sum at the end of the term. When does the "end of the term" occur?

When we believed in Christ, He identified us as His own. The end of the term is un-ending for in Christ, we have eternity. When we become one with Christ, we become eternal souls, destined for the eternal life.

How do these analogies help explain how the Holy Spirit functions in our lives?

The Holy Spirit guarantees that we belong to Him and that He will do exactly as He promised. The Holy Spirit is the validating signature of Jesus Christ in our lives. We signed a contract with Jesus Christ and His Holy Spirit is His deposit on the contract. Our life given unto Him, is our gift as our down payment.

The rest of our lives is our annual payment towards His saving grace. It is through the power of His signature that we have instilled in us that helps us keep our name signed on the dotted line, so to speak. Amazing as it sounds, what we experience now is only a foretaste of the total change we will experience in eternity.

Called, chosen, forgiven, redeemed, adopted, sealed with the Holy Spirit. These are all action words on His part as His gift to us. What we do with His gift, is our gift to Him. Blessed be the name of The Lord!

[heavenlymann]

The end of the term occurs at our resurrection:Romans 8:23.
The fact that we are SEALED means He (Holy Spirit )keeps us in Christ to the final day. As down payment Holy Spirit is our GUARENTEE that we are children of God here and now and forever more! Praise His Holy Name!

[BJB123]

Question #1

"The end of Term" occurs when Christ returns to rapture the Church and we are carried away to be with the Father (in Heaven). Those carried away will be those that are marked with God's seal that we received when we got saved. God promised the Holy Spirit and we received it. Glory to the Lamb of God.

Question #2

The Holy Spirit works in and through us to help carry out God's (predestined) Plans. We are used as instruments (tools if you will) of God with the use of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit comforts us, strengthens us and holds us up during our trials and tribulations. We communicate with God through the Holy Spirit, through prayer/intercession. God reveals himself to us through the Holy Spirit. God shows us things through the Holy Spirit. We receive glimpses of God's glory through the Holy Spirit. I thank God for the Holy Spirit.

I love this Bible Study.....Amen!

[charisbarak]

Greetings!
I was sealed with the Holy Spirit showing that I was His. He is at work in me, and leading me each day.
He is the earnest--the promise of more to come at the end of the ages when Christ comes to take His own & claim the earth back to Himself and to His Father. The Holy Spirit's function is to draw us to God, help us to remember His Word and lead us according to God' Word. Praise Him!

[kiqstart]

God's plan for our salvation is continued by the sealing work of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit's work within us guarantees our identity as God's adopted child. This is all made possible by Jesus Christ and his saving work on ourbehalf and it becomes a reality in our life when we place our faith in him.

[Diane44]

Pastor Ralph, on Jul 18 2006, 01:53 AM, said:

Q4. (1:13-14) These verses contain two analogies: (1) seal and (2) downpayment, with the balance to be paid in a lump sum at the end of the term. When does the "end of the term" occur? How do these analogies help explain how the Holy Spirit functions in our lives?

When something is sealed or a seal placed upon it, then no decay can come to that particular thing. This seal tell me when accepting Christ as our Saviour we are sealed from sin and set free to be all that He wants us to be. To live a joyous, adventerous life for His glory.

The end term I believe is just that the end of what was started. However, even though we are sealed, isn't it correct that during the tribulation if someone takes the mark of the beast 666 that they too will be cast into the lake of fire? Let me know. Thanks

[JustJeff]

"For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trum(pet) of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord." 1 Thes 4:16-17. The end of the term, when our labor in the Lord comes to fruition, the Rapture.
The Holy Ghost is our seal, our downpayment that keeps us as His own and gives us the ability to pay our debt by our testimony, by our witness, by our works, by our praise, by our worship, by our Christlikeness, until the Lord comes to get the balance due and we shall reign with Him as priests forever more. Amen.

[warrior]

Q4. (1:13-14) These verses contain two analogies: (1) seal and (2) downpayment, with the balance to be paid in a lump sum at the end of the term. When does the "end of the term" occur? How do these analogies help explain how the Holy Spirit functions in our lives?
We are sealed by his Holy spirit and He is our downpayment for a future with Christ through eternity but He is also our inheritance even now as Christ is our inheritance.
The "end of the term" will be when Jesus returns to claim those that have endured to the end.
The Holy Spirit within us assures us we abide in Jesus and he abides in us, it is the daily power to keep us sealed and teach us how we ought to live to stay sealed until the rapture

[johnd]

Pastor Ralph, on Jul 18 2006, 06:53 AM, said:

Q4. (1:13-14) These verses contain two analogies: (1) seal and (2) downpayment, with the balance to be paid in a lump sum at the end of the term. When does the "end of the term" occur? How do these analogies help explain how the Holy Spirit functions in our lives?

I'm not sure when the end of term is. Could it be our physical death when we will meet Jesus. Is it the rapture of the church.

The Holy spirit guides us. He is God's guarantee that we belong to him. The Holy Spirit is like a downpayment - a validating signature on the contract.

[Huby]

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Pastor Ralph, on Jul 17 2006, 11:53 PM, said:

Q4. (1:13-14) These verses contain two analogies: (1) seal and (2) downpayment, with the balance to be paid in a lump sum at the end of the term. When does the "end of the term" occur? How do these analogies help explain how the Holy Spirit functions in our lives?

The moment I beleived the Lord Jesus Christ to be my Savior - He came in the Form of the Holy Spirirt and therefore I am sealed in Him . I am able to enjoy God's power and presence now -when Jesus comes again it will be fully revealed -

(I would like to think about it more, but I am very tired now and if I do not answer the questions daily I find it difficult to stay on track)

[Donvan]

Pastor Ralph, on Jul 18 2006, 05:53 AM, said:

Q4. (1:13-14) These verses contain two analogies: (1) seal and (2) downpayment, with the balance to be paid in a lump sum at the end of the term. When does the "end of the term" occur? How do these analogies help explain how the Holy Spirit functions in our lives?

I agree with 'Warrior' that the 'end of term' occurs when Jesus returns.

I like the idea of being sealed by the Holy Spirit and delivered at the "end of the term".
My name signed in the book of life. Sealed by the Holy Spirit. Delivered at the day of redemption. A package deal.
For me the Holy Spirit's sealing made me aware of His presence so that I knew I belonged to God. This sense of belonging remains after 33 years. Later I came to understand and appreciate being marked as God's property. It's nice to belong to someone and get to know them before you meet them, if that makes sense, and to know this is one relationship that only gets better with time.

'Downpayment' gives me a sense of value. It's interesting that the Holy Spirit is referred to as Spiritual Currency of sorts. Divine Coinage put down as a guarantee on future delivery. Him in me, very cool. The value of my spiritual stock went from less than nothing to unimaginable at the moment of repentance. Can't imagine what the lump sum payoff will be like.
I think Paul was probably a good businessman as well as fine apostle.

[Lisa Rupert]

Q4. (1:13-14) These verses contain two analogies: (1) seal and (2) downpayment, with the balance to be paid in a lump sum at the end of the term. When does the "end of the term" occur?
The "End of the term" is "to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment--to bring all things in heaven and earth together under one head, even Christ."

How do these analogies help explain how the Holy Spirit functions in our lives?
Having become a believer after hearing the word of truth, the gospel of salvation, we were marked with a seal, a promise, a stamp of approval, the promise of the Holy Spirit which guarantees our inheritance. We have been blessed with being holy and blameless. With full inheritance rights, we live for God's glory. We are blessed with redemption, the payment which bought us from the slavery and bondage of sin.

[June]

The end of the term will be when Jesus returns and raptures us out of this world.
We were bought with a price and sealed with the Holy Spirit. We are made aware of good & evil through this third person of the Trinity. The Holy Spirit is our communication link with God.

[sahala p.s.]

Pastor Ralph, on Jul 18 2006, 05:53 AM, said:

Q4. (1:13-14) These verses contain two analogies: (1) seal and (2) downpayment, with the balance to be paid in a lump sum at the end of the term. When does the "end of the term" occur? How do these analogies help explain how the Holy Spirit functions in our lives?

The” end of the term” occurs in the day of redemption, that is, the day of the rapture of the church and Christ’s second coming.

Of an analogy with the seal, it explains that the Holy Spirit in us will always give us identification and protection as sons of God and God’s heirs while we live on earth until the day of redemption. In those days, no one, no power, no rule can have a legal authority to change it, only God. Therefore, we do not grieve Holy Spirit through our bad deeds.

Of an another analogy with down payment, it explains that through Holy Spirit in us now we already belong to God although the full payment is not yet to come but it is guarantee that He will pay the rest to complete the purchase. And also through Holy Spirit in us here on earth we can have a bit heaven in our lives, God can speak to us and we to God, power of Kingdom of God can work in and through us, we can glimpse God and heaven.