Minister Boniface Waweru
Introduction
Malachi 4:5-6
Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.
Mark 9:11-13
And they asked Him, saying, "Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?" Then He answered and told them, "Indeed, Elijah is coming first and restores all things. And how is it written concerning the Son of Man, that He must suffer many things and be treated with contempt? But I say to you that Elijah has also come, and they did to him whatever they wished, as it is written of him."
Luke 1:17
He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, 'to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,' and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.
Matthew 26:32
But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee.
Matthew 28:8-10
So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples the word. And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, "Rejoice!" So they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him. Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me."
Luke 24:12
But Peter arose and ran to the tomb; and stooping down, he saw the linen cloths lying by themselves; and he departed, marvelling to himself at what had happened.
Luke 24:15
So it was, while they conversed and reasoned, that Jesus Himself drew near and went with them.
Luke 24:45
And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.
The Seal
The seal primarily refers to the HOLY SPIRIT, who marks, protects, and guarantees believers as God's permanent possession.
Importance of a Seal
Ownership: To show that an object or document belongs to them.
Protection: To show that the contents are secure and tamper-proof.
Authenticity: It is proof that the marked person or item is genuine.
Revelation 7:1-3
After these things I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, on the sea, or on any tree. Then I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God. And he cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea, saying, "Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads."
Ephesians 4:30
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
2 Timothy 2:19
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."
Matthew 24:14
And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.
This means that when the Gospel is preached, those who hear and believe are baptised by the Holy Spirit, hence being sealed. Those who refuse have no excuse on the day of judgement.
John 1:12
But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.
Note
The seal can lose value if you practise lawlessness.
Matthew 7:21-23
"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'"
Living a life that completely ignores or rebels against God's commands affects the value of the seal.
Types of Christians
1. Opaque (Wakristo wa Ukawaida) – Ordinary Christians
Judges 16:20
And she said, "The Philistines are upon you, Samson!" So he awoke from his sleep, and said, "I will go out as before, at other times, and shake myself free!" But he did not know that the Lord had departed from him.
Hebrews 10:26
For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins.
2. Translucent (Wakristo wa 50/50) – Half-Hearted Christians
Revelation 3:14-16
"And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, 'These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.'"
Isaiah 4:1
And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, "We will eat our own food and wear our own apparel; only let us be called by your name, to take away our reproach."
3. Transparent (Wakristo wa Kiroho) – Spiritual Christians
1 Chronicles 12:32
And of the sons of Issachar who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, their chiefs were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their command.
Ephesians 5:15-17
See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
Ephesians 6:10-13
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Conclusion
Do not be deceived by the god of this age (the devil, Satan), who blinds the eyes of people, lest the light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.
2 Corinthians 4:4
Whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.
That is why the devil was cast into a bottomless pit and bound by chains so that he should not deceive the nations no more.
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