Chosen, Sealed, and Wedded
The subjects used in the title are areas that are of significant importance to those that desire to become the “wife” of Jesus. We are shown the words “chosen” and “sealed” occur for the people who will become the wife of Jesus. We are very familiar with the words that tell us “many are called, but few are chosen”. That statement prompted me to look to see how the words, called and chosen, were used. I was quite surprised at the difference. The word chosen was used in 28 verses. This is how I understood their meaning: 3 referenced Jesus, 9 were in reference to the apostles including Paul, 10 in reference to the saints, 4 relating to a list of one kind or another, one speaking of Mary who chose to listen to Jesus and lastly a salute “Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine”. There is not a single verse that might question a person’s ability to continue in their “calling” or even that gives instruction for right doing. But when looking to the verses that use the word “calling” the following is found.
Gal 1:6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
Gal 5:13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
1Th 2:12 That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.
1Pe 1:15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
1Pe 3:9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
I see a significant difference in how the words were used. We can ask; why are there no instructions for right doing or for becoming righteous for those that are chosen? As I see it, when a person is “chosen” the Father knows the outcome of that persons calling. We are given very important verses that give us an understanding and an answer for the question.
Eph 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
2Th 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
These verses and others promote the question pertaining to the subject of “predestination”. I have broached the subject in a paper called “Predestination“.
The last thing I would like to mention is that there is instruction for the procedure by which God brings a person to the truth and it involves a “calling”.
Rev 17:14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.
Now for those who “were sealed”. The following is concerned with Revelation chapters 7 and 14. There is questioning regarding the 144,000 and their being “sealed”. The paper “Servants of God (sealed)” provides the evidence that the 144,000 of Rev chapter’s 7 and 14 are the same people. One of the principle questions was; why was the tribe of Dan not included in the 144,000 in chapter 7? Albert Barnes Commentary gives us the reason.
Albert Barnes: It has been supposed by some that the name Dan was omitted because that tribe was early devoted to idolatry, and continued idolatrous to the time of the captivity. Of that fact there can be no doubt, for it is expressly affirmed in Jdg_18:30; and that fact seems to be a sufficient reason for the omission of the name. As being thus idolatrous, it was in a measure separated from the people of God, and deserved not to be reckoned among them; and in enumerating those who were the servants of God, there seemed to be a propriety that a tribe devoted to idolatry should not be reckoned among the number. This will account for the omission,
Jdg 18:30 And the children of Dan set up the graven image: and Jonathan, the son of Gershom, the son of Manasseh, he and his sons were priests to the tribe of Dan until the day of the captivity of the land.
It is very important to understand that Rev 7:3 is speaking of the 144,000 in the present tense and Rev 7:4 is speaking of them in the past tense. I have looked at many translations, including the “literal” translations, and they are all in agreement. In other words Rev 7:3 is speaking of the chosen that will be alive at the end of the age while Rev 7:4 is speaking of all those sealed in the past. Evidently, God has or will place each of the 144,000 into the tribe of His choice. Remembering Eph 1:4; According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: This ability, by God, would be very difficult to understand and accept. Yet, this teaching is well documented in the Bible. (see PREDESTINATION)
Now we come to the question of how are the 144,000 sealed? We were shown that the firstfruit were foreknown and the Bible makes plain that they were given the Spirit of God. There are verses that show us that it is the “Spirit of God” that sealed them to become the servants of God being also the Church of God.
Eph 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
(Eph 4:30) And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealedG4972 unto the day of redemption.
Strong’s definition for “sealed” is helpful.
G4972: From G4973; to stamp (with a signet or private mark) for security or preservation. (literally or figuratively); by implication to keep secret, to attest:
Now we can ask that if a person is given Gods Spirit is that person also “sealed”?
Heb 6:4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
Heb 6:5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
Heb 6:6 If they shall fall away (having fallen away), to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
Heb 6:9 But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.
It is my understanding that God knows, from the beginning, who will be the firstfruit. I believe those who are chosen and sealed will be the firstfruit.
Now we come to the wedding. I don’t think that I am too far off by thinking that 95% of the New Testament relates to those who will become the firstfruit and wife of Jesus. The instruction in the Bible is complete that provides “the way” to become a firstfruit. I believe it is generally understood that the firstfruit will be the first of mankind that will be given eternal life. They will also become the wife of Jesus. But we can ask; why does the parable of Matthew 25 indicate that 1/2 of those, at the time of the resurrection of the saints, are denied acceptance. They were expecting to become part of those who will become the wife of Jesus, but will be prohibited from obtaining their desire.
Mat 25:7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
Mat 25:8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
Mat 25:9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
Mat 25:10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
Mat 25:11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
Mat 25:12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
I believe the answer, in part, is that many in the various Churches of God prefer 5 direct and 1 indirect versions of Jewish doctrine, that I know of, over Biblical direction. This statement is important enough to be repeated. The various Churches of God have a list of doctrinal teaching, being Jewish doctrine, that does not exist in the Bible. There are Bibles that are filled with errors and some of the errors are fairly easily discerned. That list would include the Jewish calendar and the absorption of the Jewish Feast of Trumpets into their Holy Day schedule. See “The Church MUST Pursue Truth” and “The Day of Teruah / The Feast of Trumpets?” When the letter to the Philadelphia Church, Rev 3:7-13, is carefully read we find it is directed to the over- comers who will become the “firstfruit” and the wife of Jesus. It does not include those spoken of in Rev 3:9. Notice, those people live to begin the millennium and will worship the wife of Jesus. The word “of” is so important in that there are those, in the Churches of God, that associate themselves with Jewish doctrine but it is only an association. As Rev 3:9 said, they “lay forth” they are Jews.
Rev 3:9 Behold, I will make them of (the word “of” is very important) the synagogue of Satan, which sayG3004 (“lay” forth) they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.
Ezekiel 5:4 is judgment against the “house of Israel”, which hadn’t existed for about 120 years, Ezekiel 5:5-6 are judgments against Jerusalem. These are end time prophecies for the house of Israel and Jerusalem.
Eze 5:5 Thus saith the Lord GOD; This is Jerusalem: I have set it in the midst of the nations and countries that are round about her.
Eze 5:6 And she hath changed my judgments into wickedness more than the nations, and my statutes more than the countries that are round about her: for they have refused my judgments and my statutes, they have not walked in them.
As a final thought, if there was one thing I would want to be I would want to be considered a vessel of mercy. I believe the following verses relates to those who are going to become the wife of Jesus.
Rom 9:23 And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,
Eph 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
Eph 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
