The Genesis Parable

In our last video, we considered the following from Genesis, Chapter 17, where God expanded on and reiterated His covenant with Abraham and declared circumcision to be a “sign” of this covenant. Here’s our main passage from the King James.

 

Genesis 17:11 (KJV)
11 And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a TOKEN (sign; NKJV) of the COVENANT betwixt me and you.

 

Our word “sign” in Genesis 17:11 is rendered “token” in the King James. This is our word ʾôt, the same word used for our word “mark” concerning Cain in Genesis 4:15 and our word “signs” in Genesis 1:14 in regard to the sun and moon. Coincidence? I don’t think so! As we have learned, the mark of Cain reflects the mark of the beast in Revelation 13 and this “sign” or “mark” is the Old Covenant Law of God. This being the case, it is simple logic to see that our other “sign” or “mark” or “seal” as it were, regards the spiritual nature of this same law, exemplified in the New Covenant Promise as stipulated by Jeremiah 31:31-40 and Hebrews 8:6-13.

 

Our focal point for the “seal of God” is found in 2nd Timothy 2:19.

 

2 Timothy 2:19 (NKJV)
19 Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this SEAL: "The Lord knows those who are His," and, "Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity."

 

What is quite enlightening is that our word “seal” in 2nd Timothy 2:19 is found 16 times in the King James. Here’s Stephen Jones’ explanation of its spiritual meaning, quote, “To write sixteen in Hebrew, they wrote two Hebrew letters: yod-vav. These signify the hand (outworking) of the nail, which joins the hearts of two people as one. Sixteen is the number of love. It was because of the love of God that Jesus was nailed to the cross for the sin of the world. The cross manifested the love of God for all mankind,” end quote.

 

Since the mark of Cain is found in the book of the Revelation as the mark of the beast, then simple logic dictates that the “mark” or “seal of God” should also be found there; and it is. In fact, of the 16 times it is found in the King James, 13 of those are in the book of the Revelation. The first time it is used is quite significant, found in Revelation 5:1.

 

Revelation 5:1 (ESV)
1 Then I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven SEALS.

 

Our word “seals” is the Greek transliteration sphragis which we considered in the previous study, the same word used in 2nd Timothy 2:19. As we have found, the “seal” of God speaks of the covenants of God, both Old and New, so it is appropriate to say that within the scope of these two covenants, “THE LORD KNOWS THOSE WHO ARE HIS.”

 

The fact that there are “seven seals” speaks of the “fullness” of God’s purpose in His people. And what does the “scroll” represent? I believe the following passages show us.

 

Matthew 5:17-20 (ESV)
17 "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. 19 Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

 

John 4:34 (NKJV)
34 Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to FINISH His work.

 

In Matthew 5, we see the purpose of Christ Jesus, both when He was on earth and now while seated at the “right hand” of the Father. This purpose is to “fulfill” every detail of the law “until all is accomplished.” As we see in John 4:34, Jesus made it quite clear that His very life was dedicated THEN and NOW to FINISHING the will and work of God. I believe this “work” is what is symbolized by the “scroll” in the “right hand” of the Father, “sealed with seven seals,” denoting the “fullness” or “finish” of God’s work through our precious Savior.

 

Now, just as our passages in 2nd Timothy 2 incorporate both “vessels of gold and silver” and “vessels of wood and clay,” so too we find the same contrast in what Jesus said in Matthew 5:19. “Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” Those who are called “least” are found at the left hand of God while those who are called “great” at the right. And allow me to emphasize this—the “vessels of wood and clay,” i.e. those who are called “least,” ARE NOT CONSIGNED TO ETERNAL TORMENT as tradition has led us to believe. Rather, they remain under the “wrath” or passion of God’s law until such time that they awaken to its righteous essence and nature. The fact that it is called a “fiery law” in Deuteronomy 33:2 explains what Jesus meant when He said “everlasting fire” in Matthew 25:41. God’s law is “everlasting,” therefore the “fiery” nature of it is also “everlasting.” Beloved, God’s “fiery law” only torments us when we conduct ourselves by the carnal mind in resistance to the goodness of His righteous nature as reflected in His law. Once our own will aligns with His, this “torment” ends; see Deuteronomy 25, verses one through three. As John 4:34 indicates, the Lord’s will was in full and perfect agreement with the Father. No doubt, this is why He is found “worthy” to “open the scroll and its seven seals” (Rev. 5:5; ESV).