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Q8. Seal and Downpayment


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

End of term: when Jesus comes back and separates those sealed and paid for from the ones who are not. The end of term is the beginning of forever with God. 

The two analogies identify us with Jesus, with our helper, the Holy Spirit, and therefore, with God the Father. The Holy Spirit is our guide, He helps us connect to God and by the means of that relationship, change to fulfill our purpose. 

“But Jesus looked at them and said, “With people [as far as it depends on them] it is impossible, but with God all things are possible.””
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭19:26‬ ‭AMP‬‬

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Q8. (Ephesians 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? At the 2nd coming to earth of The LORD Jesus Christ. 

How do these analogies help explain how the Holy Spirit functions in our lives? The Holy Spirit functions as The LORD Jesus Christ. 

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The mark of the Holy Spirit as a seal reminds me of the branding of domesticated animals. Sheep are branded (or tagged on their ears), which identifies their owner. This analogy may mean that God has branded or sealed us with a permanent mark that signifies to others (Satan? the unredeemed world? demonic powers?) that we are owned and part of His flock.

The Holy Spirit functioning as our deposit is an interesting analogy because of the "yet-not-yetness" of what He is doing. We are not the deposit -- He is. He has been left in us as a deposit, but what does this mean in the light of the completed action of Christ on the cross? The Holy Spirit, then, cannot be a deposit on our salvation but is a deposit on something yet to come, redemption. This is more like a promise than an identification.

After the historical years of Jesus, the Holy Spirit was left in and with believers as a deposit. I'm not certain how a deposit guarantees inheritance. An inheritance is guaranteed legally, in documents. This doesn't require a deposit, but a signature and notary/proof, so what does it mean to say that the HS guarantees our inheritance until redemption?

Perhaps, somehow, the HS has the authority to preserve us until the time of inheritance, which means He must keep us from losing our inheritance or dying prematurely before we can get it. The HS guarantees that nothing can happen between now and the time of our inheritance -- which is the time of redemption, but not redemption itself.

I hope I didn't type myself into circles ...

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Q8. (Ephesians 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? How do these analogies help explain how the Holy Spirit functions in our lives? 
The end of the term occurs when we become citizens of heaven (Philippians 3:20-21). As soon as we believe we are sealed with the Holy Spirit, that is we belong to God and that we will be kept safe by God until the time we receive our glorified bodies. The indwelling Spirit brands us as God's property (1 Cor 6:19-20), and guarantees that all God’s promises will be fulfilled. The Holy Spirit is the guarantee of our inheritance, and is a down payment, or deposit, promising that the full amount will be paid. The Holy Spirit also begins to reveal to us some of the riches that are ours in Christ, giving us a foretaste of the coming glory. These verses show us what a mighty and loving God we serve! 
 

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The "end of the term" occurs at the day of redemption, the day of Christ return and the rapture of the church.  The day that all believers, alive and dead, will be glorified.

The Holy Spirit is our guarantee that a deposit, the first installment, has been made on us ensuring that we are God's possession. The Holy Spirit validates the contract and secures the claim to right of ownership.  This right is sealed in that it is identified to be of God and His protection.  

 

 

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On 7/18/2006 at 1:53 AM, Pastor Ralph said:

Q8. (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?

Christ purchased us and we belong to Him. The end term is the day of His redemption, the second coming when He comes for His own.  When Christ ascended into heaven He sent His Holy Spirit to us to be with us, to lead and guide us in our Christian walk.  Making it possible to have fellowship with God and He with us.  He has sealed us by His Spirit, guaranteeing that He will give us all He has promised, our inheritance.     The down payment is a portion of His Spirit. The Holy Spirit is indeed a foretaste of glory divine. 

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Heaven is brought into our souls in this current life; our renewal of our souls is the beginning of heaven.  We have the pledge and assurance of more to follow; we are undergoing formation into the image of Christ. There will be final deliverance of our bodies and all evil in the end of all things.  Careful study of Revelation 20 will bear this out. Now we have a prospective inheritance.

Because we have the Divine Image of Christ-- Christ's character-impressed on our souls---we are beckoned to enter evermore to the Higher Life.  We are the peculiar property of God (1 Peter 2:9).  Our redemption is at this moment is still continuing.  It is crucial  that the fruits of the Spirit are present in the life of the believer (Galatians 5:22,23).  The first evidences of the showers of blessings are foretaste of heaven.

 

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1. 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?

The "end of the term" occurs when Jesus comes again and raptures the church/believers. It will be the end for believers on this earth, but the beginning of an everlasting life in Heaven, therefore, we will receive the full reward of everlasting gifts.

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

These analogies are extremely useful in showing us how the Holy Spirit works because these analogies are very relatable, therefore very easy to understand and grasp. Just like a seal protects a letter from being broken into by somebody other than the receiver, so the Holy Spirit protects us and keeps us only for God to "open"/receive us. Also, just how a down payment is a small amount of the full price given beforehand, so the Holy Spirit is a small reward that we receive beforehand on this earth, and when we do leave this earth, He provides us with the full reward of everlasting life and everlasting riches!!!

 

THANK YOU HOLY SPIRIT!!!!!!!

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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 is at the end of my earthly life.

The holy spirit is the one who helps us imitate heaven on earth it is through the holy spirit that we enjoy heaven on  earth for He directs us to what God considers good and his work in us makes us fill super human for this life cannot be experienced in those without the spirit.The life of remaining calm amidist trouble , knowing what one thinks before they tell you and so on.

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Jesus made the down payment when he was sent to the cross , then the Holy Spirit sealed it which is th deposit quranteening my inheritance. The end of the term  comes where Jesus has fulfilled the plan of redemption and hands us over to the Father where He and Jesus will rule together. 

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