Bible Question:
What is the the seal of God on their foreheads? Will those that are saved during the seven-year tribulation receive this same seal in their foreheads?
Bible Answer:
Our question is, “Who will have the seal of God on their foreheads during the tribulation?” This term is found in Revelation 9:4. Another term, the “seal of the living God” is found in Revelation 7:2. A third term, the “seal of God” appears in Revelation 9:4. These terms are unique to the book of Revelation. What follows is an explanation of the meanings of the terms and who will receive the seal of God in the tribulation.
Seal of God — Revelation 7:2-8
Revelation 7:2-3 refers to two seals: “seal of God” (v. 2) and the “seal of the living God” (v. 3). The “seal of God” will be worn by an angel who comes to the four angels standing at the four corners of the earth according to Revelation 7:1-2.
After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth, so that no wind would blow on the earth or on the sea or on any tree. And I saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun, having the seal of the living God; and he cried out with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea . . . Revelation 7:1-2 (NASB)
The term “seal of the living God” in Revelation 7:3 refers to a seal that will be placed on the bond-servants of God during the tribulation period. Also, notice that Revelation 7:3 says the seal will be placed on their foreheads.
. . . saying, “ Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees until we have sealed the bond-servants of our God on their foreheads.” Revelation 7:3 (NASB)
Revelation 7:4-8 describes these bond-servants. They are the 144,000 witnesses who will spread the gospel.
And I heard the number of those who were sealed, one hundred and forty-four thousand sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel:
from the tribe of Judah, twelve thousand were sealed, from the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand, from the tribe of Gad twelve thousand,
from the tribe of Asher twelve thousand, from the tribe of Naphtali twelve thousand, from the tribe of Manasseh twelve thousand,
from the tribe of Simeon twelve thousand, from the tribe of Levi twelve thousand, from the tribe of Issachar twelve thousand,
from the tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand, from the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand, from the tribe of Benjamin, twelve thousand were sealed. Revelation 7:4-8 (NASB)
Seal of God — Revelation 9:4
The term “seal of God on their foreheads” occurs in Revelation 9:4. Even though Revelation 7:3 refers to the term differently as “have sealed the bond-servants of our God on their foreheads” it is essentially the same thing. Revelation 9:1-3 begins the description of the fifth trumpet.
Then the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star from heaven which had fallen to the earth; and the key of the bottomless pit was given to him. He opened the bottomless pit, and smoke went up out of the pit, like the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by the smoke of the pit. Then out of the smoke came locusts upon the earth, and power was given them, as the scorpions of the earth have power. Revelation 9:1-3 (NASB)
Revelation 9:1-3 says that during the last half of the tribulation when the fifth trumpet sounds demons will be released from the bottomless pit of the Abyss. They will be released to torture people on the earth. These demons will be allowed to kill people on the earth, but not those who have the seal of God on their foreheads.
They were told not to hurt the grass of the earth, nor any green thing, nor any tree, but only the men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads. Revelation 9:4 (NASB)
These individuals will include the 144,000 bond-servants described in Revelation 7:4-8 and everyone else who becomes a Christian during the tribulation. This is consistent with other passages of Scripture which teach that Christians will be kept safe from suffering in the tribulation (1 Thessalonians 5:9; Revelation 3:10).
Seal of God Is Described
The Greek word for “seal” is sphragis, which refers to “the impression of a signet ring or a seal.” It is a sign of ownership. That is, the seal of God reveals that God owns every person who comes to faith in the tribulation. Revelation 14:1 defines the seal of God.
Then I looked, and behold, the Lamb was standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His name and the name of His Father written on their foreheads. Revelation 14:1 (NASB)
Since Revelation 7:3 says that the 144,000 witnesses will have the seal of God on their foreheads, this verse explains that the seal of God will be the name of Jesus Christ and the name of God the Father. No other information is given to us in Scripture about this seal.
Conclusion:
In sharp contrast, the individuals who have the mark of the beast will be allowed to buy or sell. The mark of the beast is “666” or six hundred and sixty-six. Those who have this mark will be followers of Satan (Revelation 13:16–18). So, there will be Christians with the seal of God and non-Christians who have the mark of the beast in the tribulation.
Suggested Links:
What does 666 mean in the Bible?Will a second chance be given those having the mark 666?
Does the mark of the beast come before or after the rapture?
The Evil Messiah
Will those in the Book of Life have to refuse the mark of the beast?