READING: 1 Pet. 1:3-12
… who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory. – Eph. 1:14
The seal of the Holy Spirit accompanies you throughout your life as a believer. Through Him, you know you are secure in Christ, safe with God the Father, and strengthened by His Spirit. However, the work and presence of the Spirit extend beyond this life.
The Spirit is also the guarantee of your inheritance, which awaits you if you persevere in faith (1 Pet. 1:4). The Spirit is the guarantee of this: He is like a down payment on what is promised for the last day.
He already gives you a beginning of eternal life! He works something in you now that will shine in perfection later. His presence and work are also a guarantee that in His power you will reach that moment despite all tribulation.
The ultimate goal of the indwelling, work and sealing (v.13) of the Spirit, is described in verse 14 as: “until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.” This means: you are sealed until the redemption, in which you already share, becomes complete.
In Christ, you already possess redemption. But the Spirit ensures through His sealing that your redemption, both body and soul, will be complete on the last day. Thus, the 144,000 sealed ones will know perfect happiness on the last day, with a glorified body and a perfect soul (Rev. 7).
The Spirit brings the children of God to glory (Rom. 8:21) with indescribable joy (1 Pet. 1:7-8). But then the perfect final goal of our creation also comes into view: the praise of God’s glory. All of God’s work must culminate in the glorification of His name as the Triune God who created everything for His honor and praise.
Thus, this hymn ends where it begins: the praise of God. This is repeated in verses 1, 6, 12, and 14. Let us also remain focused on this!
Do you ever think about the inheritance to come?
Singing: Ps. 138:4