At the conclusion of World War I, a period of optimism swept the country. It was a war, they said, which would end all wars. The future looked bright. Even the Christian community was caught up in the spirit of expectation. It became popular among some Christians to hold that the kingdom of God would be ushered in by the church, which would transform society to the point where the Lord would come to establish His reign upon the earth. Needless to say, this optimism did not last long. It certainly ended with onset of World War II. 

Ours is not an age of optimism, but rather one of pessimism and despair. The somber mood of our culture is perhaps most evident in the youth culture. The specter of disaster looms large in the minds of all men, but especially among the young. There is the death and destruction of war, which poses danger for civilians as well as combatants. I am told that during the civil war, 90% of the casualties were combatants. Now, 90% of the casualties are civilians.

Our environment seems to be unstoppably and irreversibly changing, and not for the better. The atomic bomb, biological weapons and other instruments of mass destruction are not only being produced at an alarming rate, but are being acquired in large quantities by mad men. Now, the size of a country has little to do with its threat to others. All a nation needs is a large enough store of nuclear and chemical weapons to destroy the civilized world. 

“There were always some things we thought we could count on, like a steady job, a comfortable retirement, and a sound economy. Not any longer. Those who have invested the better part of their productive lives working for one company now cannot count on long-term employment. Technology is changing so fast that many jobs cease to exist. More companies are failing, and so jobs die with the company. Retirement accounts run dry and the banking system seems to teeter on the brink of disaster. Overseas competition nibbles away at our competitive edge. World-wide recession is not an infrequent topic of conversation.” (http://www.bible.org/page.php?page_id=487, By: Bob Deffinbaugh , Th.M)

In the midst of all this, the Apostle Paul has a message of hope for you today. In one sublime paragraph, in fact, in one Greek Sentence, Paul gives us a detailed account of the blessings that we have in Christ Jesus. He tells us that in Christ, 

We may have hope because in Jesus Christ we have obtained a possession.

What is an inheritance?

A gift that costs the giver everything but the receiver nothing.

Something set aside for a future blessing.

A promised gift for the future that brings hope.

A sacrificial gift that you have no control over receiving.

A gift that often requires the death of another.

The idea of a promised possession, or an inheritance, has both soteriological and eschatological implications. That is to say, the notion of an inheritance impacts our understanding of our salvation, as well as the end times. At the heart of the biblical notion of an inheritance is the legal idea of an irrevocable trust. It is a contract at cannot be amended, nullified, nor modified. It is a permanent agreement.

Though your body will die, your soul will live with Christ forever. Though you may own a home here on earth, there is a mansion preserved for you in Glory. Though you may sinful, sick, and sorrowful here on earth, one day you will be holy, healthy and happy. Though you may be weary walking the dusty roads this life has to offer, you will walk the street of gold forever.

Though you don’t have two nickels to rub together on this planet, one day you will have riches in glory. Though you are alone, abandoned, and abused in this life, one day you will be with the God who created you, died for you, saved you, and loves you with a unblemished, unending, undying, and unfailing love. This should give you hope!

Do you possess this kind of hope? Do you feel that you have to cram all of your expectations and aspirations into the present, or that you have an eternal hope, in Christ? Does your hope end at the grave, or does it extend beyond it into eternity? Is your hope in God, and especially in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, or is it in material things, or in your own efforts? We have an inheritance! We have a possession.

We have hope because we have obtained a proof.

The proof of your salvation is the seal of the Holy Spirit that is placed upon the true believer in Jesus Christ. It is a seal that guarantees that one the appointed day, the contents it protects will be delivered without spot, or blemish, or fault.

Ephesians 1:13 says, “And you also included were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth the gospel of salvation.” The first thing I want you to see is that the word of God a necessary part of the salvation of the soul. There is no salvation that comes outside of the gospel, or the good news of Jesus Christ found in the Holy Word of God. 

The scripture declares in Romans 10:17 that “faith comes through hearing, and hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.”

Salvation is found in hearing the message of Jesus Christ and responding to it! And that message is this, “If thou shalt confess with thy mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, you shalt be saved.” The surrendering of your life to the Lordship of Jesus Christ passes you from death to life, a process known as the New Birth.

Eph. 1:13 continues, “Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit.” At the moment of your salvation, the believer is sealed with the Holy Spirit. Seals were widely used in Paul’s day. Often,

“A Seal consisted…of a signet ring with the insignia of an official engraved into the head of the ring. It was used to mark an image of the ring in hot wax. The image validated official documents, such as letters or public proclamations. We have the same kind of thing today. When companies form, the receive incorporation papers. Stamped onto the papers is a gold seal from the secretary of state, validating that this company was formed according to the laws of the state and that it has the approval of the secretary of state.” (Max Anders, Holman NT Commentary, vol. 8, p. 101)

Now there are two things that I want you to see about a seal.

First, there is power in a seal.“The seal is only as significant as the one owning the ring.” (Ibid.)

Now listen. It is God the Father who holds this signet ring in this case. It is He that holds the power. At the moment you believe, you are marked with His signet ring, which is the gift of the Holy Spirit.

At the moment of your salvation, the Holy Spirit of God indwells you, and fills you, and seals you, and the whole authority of the Godhead backs up that seal!

“Alexander the Great is said to have sent an emissary to Egypt. This emissary was without weapons or military escort, but he carried the seal of Alexander the Great. He met with the king of Egypt, who stood with his army behind him. The emissary communicated to the king the message from Alexander the Great: discontinue hostilities against Alexander’s interests. The king of Egypt, wishing to save face, said that he would consider the request and let the emissary know. The emissary drew a circle in the dirt around the king of Egypt and said, ‘Do not leave the circle without informing me of your response.’ What an audacious move. The emissary was unarmed and without military support. The king could have had him drawn and quartered for such a bold move against him. One unarmed man against the entire army of Egypt. Except for one thing. The emissary carried the seal of Alexander. He carried the authority and power of Alexander. To touch the emissary was to touch Alexander. To disobey the emissary was to disobey Alexander. The King of Egypt stood in silence, then said, ‘Tell Alexander he has his request,’ and stepped out of the circle.” (Anders, p. 101-102)

The true believer has the power that comes with the seal of the King of Kings. You are not just another man or woman; you are an ambassador of the King of Kings.

Second, a seal is a sign of ownership. The valuable things of the king were also marked with his seal, indicating ownership. In the same way, the believer is marked as God’s possession. “The real importance of the seal is a legal one; the owner puts his mark on his possessions…and thereby guards his property against theft.” (Colin Brown, NIDNT,vol. 3, p. 497).

There are so many believers that think that Satan or his demons can steal away your salvation. Listen to me: If Satan could steal your salvation, he already would have. If Satan could steal God’s property, He already would have.  But when Satan or a demon comes to steal away God’s property, the Holy Spirit of God stands as a seal and he says to Satan, “You can’t’ touch this, you can’t take this, you can’t tamper with this! This is the Property of God!” You see, 1 Cor. 6:19 declares, “You are not your own; you were bought with a price.” You have been sealed. The moment you trusted Christ as your Lord, God sealed you have obtained a proof! There is safety in this thought. There is security in this thought

We have hope because have obtained a pledge.

But Paul is not done with his encouragement. Verse 14 says that the Holy Spirit is a “deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession…”

“A deposit is literally a down payment on a purchase. In ancient documents, this word was used to refer to earnest money I the purchase of an animal or a slave…” (Anders, p. 103).

Paul uses a similar expression in 2 Cor. 5:1-5, Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling… Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.” The Holy Spirit is a gift to you, guaranteeing to fulfillment of your salvation. The Holy Spirit is a deposit that guarantees your safe arrival at the day of redemption

The only reason you need to worry about your eternally security, is if you have never been saved. But if you have been saved, you have the Spirit that guarantees the full price, your eternal reward, will one day be paid in full. The transaction is completed. The work has been done. You no longer are your own. God’s Holy Spirit is indwelling you and will until you are delivered into the arms of Jesus.

I know Christians who say, “I know God wouldn’t reject me, but what if I reject Him?” Your life is not your own! You can’t give away something that you don’t possess. The just demands of God’s Holy Law have been satisfied by Jesus’ sacrifice; the Spirit marks that transaction making the believer the eternally secure possession of God. You have a warranty that extends to the end of your walk on this planet or the glorious Rapture of the Church, whichever comes first!

“When we truly believe in Christ we have eternal life… The presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives guarantees our eternal salvation.That is our inheritance. Some day we will receive new bodies. Jesus went to heaven to prepare a place for us…Eternal life, of course, begins the moment we believe. But there will come a day when we will leave time and enter eternity. Then what we have hoped for and know to be true will be actually fulfilled. Death will be swallowed up in victory…our inheritance will be completely ours. Our redemption will be totally and completely realized. Until then…we have a guarantee!” (Getz, Looking Up When You Feel Down, p. 55)

I am Signed: Jesus Christ has marked my bill of debt – “PAID IN FULL!”

I am Sealed: The Holy Spirit has marked me as God’s possession.

One day I will be Delivered:  My deposit has been paid, assuring my safe arrival. And Glory, Hallelujah, one day my soul will be delivered to the glory of heaven. 

Do you have assurance today that you are saved? Are you confident that you are securely held in Christ Jesus? You can be set free from the bondage of sin today, and be eternally secure in the Hand of Christ Jesus.

Philip Bliss wrote a wonderful gospel song. The second verse reads,

Now are we free – there’s no condemnation,

Jesus provides a perfect salvation;

“Come unto Me,” O hear His sweet call,

Come, and He saves us once for all.

Once for all – O sister, receive it;

Once for all – O brother, believe it;

Cling to the cross, the burden will fall,

Christ has redeemed us once for all.