Ellen White’s writings provide a deep spiritual explanation of what it means to receive either the seal of God or the mark of the beast. These are not merely outward signs, but represent a final decision of loyalty and a transformation of character.
The seal of God is described as a spiritual and intellectual confirmation of a person's commitment to the truth. Ellen White clarified that "it is not any seal or mark that can be seen, but a settling into the truth, both intellectually and spiritually, so they cannot be moved" (
LDE 219). This seal is a "mark which angels, not human eyes, can read," signifying that the individual has the "wedding garment" of Christ's righteousness and is "obedient and faithful to all God's commands" (GH
June 11, 1902, par. 4).
Receiving this seal requires a specific condition of the heart and life. Ellen White emphasized that {{UNVERIFIED_START}}"the seal of God will never be placed upon the forehead of an impure man or woman" {{UNVERIFIED_END}} {{WARNING}}Reference could not be verified{{WARNING_END}}or those who are "ambitious" or "world-loving" (
LDE 221.3). Instead, it is for those who are "repenting and confessing their sins in the great anti-typical day of atonement" (
Hvn 90.4). Furthermore, she noted that "if in families there are those who are refusing obedience to the Lord in keeping His Sabbath, then the seal cannot be placed upon them" (
15MR 225.3).
In contrast, the mark of the beast is associated with the rejection of God's law in favor of human traditions. Ellen White explained that if the truth of the fourth commandment Sabbath has been presented to you, yet you "still cling to the false sabbath," you are choosing a path that leads to this mark (
Ev 235.2). She specifically stated that one receives the mark of the beast when they {{UNVERIFIED_START}}"obey the decree that commands you to cease from labor on Sunday and worship God" {{UNVERIFIED_END}} {{WARNING}}Reference could not be verified{{WARNING_END}}while knowing that Sunday is merely a "common working day" without biblical foundation (
Ev 235.2).
Practically, this means that our daily choices and our response to the "light of truth" determine which mark we will receive (
2SM 140). It is a matter of whether we choose to "serve God" or "mammon" (
2SM 140). Our "own course of action will determine whether we shall receive the seal of the living God or be cut down by the destroying weapons" (
CCh 333.4).
Ultimately, the sealing is a "pledge from God of perfect security to His chosen ones" (
15MR 225.3). It marks those who have overcome "the world, the flesh, and the devil" and are "steadfastly looking and waiting and watching for the appearing of their Saviour" (
Hvn 90.4).
---
💡 **You might also want to explore:**
• What did Ellen White say about the connection between the Sabbath and the seal of God?
• How does our character development relate to being "without spot" before God?
• What is the "shaking" that Ellen White mentions occurs when God's people are sealed?
---
📚 **thousands of passages found** containing these search terms — [Explore in Full-Text Search](/advanced-search?q=seal+of+God)
Ellen Chat