Unknown to the world, the Lord has been carrying on a grand and glorious work. The mighty power of God that raised Jesus from the dead is working in the hearts of those to whom God has given the Spirit of sonship. This mighty power is working in the hearts of those whom the world esteems not, for they are the weak and insignificant as compared to the world’s dignitaries. Despite their insignificance in worldly circles, “The foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men”. (1 Corinthians 1:25) This text implies that the Lord’s people are the weakest and least wise of his representatives, but they are still wiser and stronger than the forces pitted against them. How is this possible? Because of God’s Spirit that works in them.

When we understand that God’s holy Spirit is his holy influence or power which is invisible, operating in the hearts and lives of his people, it makes for a simpler understanding of so important a subject. It relieves us of the difficulty of endeavoring to associate a personality with the work of anointing and sealing of God’s holy Spirit. It prevents any from expecting a whisper from the Spirit as a witness, or a nudge, as an evidence of sonship. This subject must be understood in terms of operation and effect and must be divorced from personality, sentimentality and emotionalism.

ANOINTING OF THE SPIRIT

In the typical services of the tabernacle inaugurated under Moses, the first use is made of the term anointing. The High Priest was anointed with holy anointing oil when inaugurated into office (which occurred only once in each high priest’s lifetime). Later on the Kings of Israel were anointed when accepted of the Lord to occupy this stately office. From this it may be seen that the holy Spirit, compared to the holy anointing oil, is used to inaugurate the consecrated into the office which they shall occupy if faithful – kings and priests of the Millennial Age. Such an anointing is suggestive of the dignity of office awaiting these, and also that service and ministry is the purpose of this office.

There is a distinction between anointing and sealing which may be readily seen when viewed carefully. If the Lord did not intend to establish faithful Christians in the office of kings and priests in the age to come, it would not be necessary that they be anointed. This is not true with respect to the seal and begettal of the holy Spirit. Irrespective of their future work and office, the mere fact that they are called to the high calling involves the necessity that they ultimately be born on the spirit plane with the divine nature and so they must first be begotten with the holy Spirit to that nature, and they must receive the seal of assurance of the Spirit to qualify for the spirit birth on the divine plane. The seal of assurance is very important to establish faith.

INSTANT OR GRADUAL?

Is the anointing instantaneous or is it a gradual process? In Jesus’ case, the account tells us, “And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him”. (Mark 1:10) John records concerning Jesus, “For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him”. (John 3:34) In that it is the holy Spirit that anoints us, it must follow that Jesus’ anointing was instantaneous, for “straightway” as he rose out of the water the Spirit descended upon him, and that without measure. From that point forward there could be no question as to what position and work was to be his.

Jesus received the spirit without measure

While the Lord’s followers do not receive the holy Spirit in such a marked and manifest manner, still they do receive it, and its effect upon their lives is just as potent. It may not be possible for them to point to the hour or day or month when they were anointed with the Spirit, but still it may be a matter of knowledge and fact to them that at some time from consecration they have been anointed.

The Apostle John declares, “And you have an anointing from the holy one, and you all know it”. (1 John 2:20, Diaglott) “The anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you… the same anointing teacheth you of all things”. (1 John 2:27) Those anointed may “know it” by reason that they have felt drawn to Christ and to the Heavenly Father; they have responded to this drawing and have accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior and Redeemer, acknowledging their own unworthiness and sinfulness and trust in the blood of Christ to atone for their sins; they further consecrate their entire lives to God and take up their cross and follow their Master. When they have done this, they have done all required to receive the anointing of the Spirit, and may know they are now sons of God. Beyond this there is the witness of the Spirit to add to their assurance that they have been accepted of the Father.

The expression “anointing of the Spirit” is slightly different from the expression “begetting of the Spirit.” The thought of “begetting” is that of a work complete upon occurrence, while the thought of “anointing” suggests an immediate beginning accompanied with a gradual work of progression. We are under the process of anointing from the time we enter the Lord’s family, and receive a place in the glorious company of Royal Priests. We know that some fail to get their full anointing. Some of those who have been properly received, and begotten of the holy Spirit, will fail to be fully anointed, and therefore will fail to be of the Royal Priesthood class. They will be of the Great Company class instead. Thus the expression “anointing of the spirit” must include the mollifying and mellowing development which comes as we grow in grace and in knowledge, and not merely the time when we were anointed at the outset of our Christian experience.

INDIVIDUALLY OR COLLECTIVELY?

The question may present itself, are we anointed individually? The answer is no. In the type the high priest, Aaron, was anointed with the holy anointing oil upon inauguration into office. The underpriests did not receive this anointing, so that would preclude them having an individual anointing.

Psalms 133:2 says “It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments.” The word for “skirt;” literally translated, is “mouth” – the opening at the neck of the robe. The oil poured on the head reached the mouth of the garment and hence the body shared in the anointing. The oil did not necessarily deluge the whole body, but the oil did reach the body, and the lesson is complete, for we are a part of the “body of Christ.”

THE ANOINTING OIL

The mixture comprising the anointing oil was defined by God. “Take thou also unto thee principal spices, of pure myrrh 500 shekels, and of sweet cinnamon… 250 shekels, and of sweet calamus 250 shekels, and of cassia 500 shekels… and of oil olive an hin [about 5 quarts]”. (Exodus 30:23,24)

The particular spices do not seem significant in themselves, but by associating other scriptures we may see their significance. Of Bezaleel, the chief workman of the tabernacle, we read “I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship”. (Exodus 31:4) The antitype of Bezaleel is Christ. Of the antitypical anointing of Christ, Isaiah 11:2 says “The spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.” The only difference in the two verses is in respect to the terms “counsel and might” and “workmanship;’ but both embody the same idea, Le deputyship and ability to accomplish the same.

(At 1/2 ounce per shekel, there were close to 47 pounds of spices. If all of it was mixed with five quarts of olive oil it would be a paste; apparently only the essence of the spices was mixed with the oil.)

In the chart above calamus is parallel to knowledge, and cinnamon to understanding, and of each spice there was a like quantity, 250 shekels. We would expect in our anointing to find knowledge and understanding equal. Those coming under the antitypical anointing receive understanding of the knowledge that gradually unfolds to them.

The weight of myrrh is equivalent to the total of cinnamon and calamus (500 shekels), just as wisdom is proportionate to understanding and knowledge. Cassia, workmanship in the sense of deputyship or counsel or ability, was also 500 shekels, as workmanship is proportionate to wisdom, which is “pure… peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, without hypocrisy”. (James 3:17)

As we come in under such an anointing of the Spirit, with all its wonderful qualities, we are most blessed. The fragrance of the typical anointing oil must have been sweet smelling and lingering. So those receiving the antitypical anointing have its fragrance diffused into their lives, and their sacrifice in turn becomes a sweet-smelling savor to God. As the mollifying and mellowing effect of this anointing progresses, the sweeter and richer becomes the fragrance of such lives. “To one we are a savor of death unto death” – funeral flowers -“and to the other a savor of life unto life” – marriage flowers. (2 Corinthians 2:16) The same sweet aroma to one class speaks of death, and they withdraw from it; but to the Christian it speaks of the marriage to come.

THE SEAL OF THE SPIRIT

The basic meaning goes back to the ancient custom of using a signet to seal or notarize a letter, article or record. Sometimes this was to insure against intrusion, but more often to establish legality and authenticity. In Esther 8:8 we read, “Seal it with the king’s ring: for the writing which is written in the king’s name, and sealed with the king’s ring, may no man reverse.”

The seal is used to illustrate three truths: (1) authenticity, (2) impression of Christ’s character, (3) finality.

Authenticity.

“After that ye believed, ye were sealed with the holy spirit of the promise”. (Ephesians 1:13) As the word is used here it means a mark of attestation that guarantees us a future inheritance if we are faithful. It is the holy Spirit which constitutes this mark of attestation, and therefore it may be said of all those who have received the Spirit that they are sons of God and heirs of a glorious future with their Lord, on condition we finish the race triumphantly.

Impression of the Seal.

Ancient methods of sealing documents help us catch the force of this illustration. A stamp or die was engraved with some special design, and impressed into heated wax on the document until the wax solidified. The seal compares to Christ’s character likeness which is being impressed into the heart of each member. The heat is produced by the fiery trials, and the character likeness of our Lord is daily being impressed into the heart of each disciple. The impression is not complete until the fourth quarter mark of perfect love is reached – love even for our enemies. Even then, there must follow the hardening or crystallization of this impression in the heart, until finally the impression is permanent, to endure for eternity. Then the holy Spirit will have accomplished its work. Thus the seal of the Spirit is an advanced witness of our acceptance with God, and when accomplished it is the cream of Christian experience. None who have not reached the mark of perfect love have really enjoyed the richest experience in the Christian life. Clearly, such an impression in our hearts cannot be made instantaneously.

Finality of the Seal.

In Revelation four angels are seen in vision holding back the four winds of heaven while another angel, “having the seal of the living god,” cries “Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads”. (Revelation 7:1-3) This seal in the forehead has been properly understood to imply the recipients are given an intellectual appreciation of the plan of God, with its many beautiful phases, as a mark of attestation of their sonship and favor.

The sealing here, in Revelation 7, also seems to have a finality associated with it, for John records “And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel”. (Revelation 7:4) In that there are only a specified number so sealed it must be that this constitutes those marked as belonging to the “very elect”; those who are “called, and chosen, and faithful”. (Revelation 17:14, Matthew 24:24)

This work is accomplished before the loosing of the “four winds” climaxes the time of trouble with its greatest fury. Then conditions will no longer be favorable for new ones to enter the race for the heavenly prize. The faithful will all have been selected by that time, “accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass”. (Luke 21:36)

THE WITNESS OF THE SPIRIT

“The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God”. (Romans 8:16) This doctrine is important to God’s people because on it depends to a considerable extent their possession of peace and assurance of faith. If they lack this testimony of the Spirit, doubts and fears will assail them, and they will find themselves among those who sing the well-known hymn: “‘Tis a point I long to know Oft it causes anxious thought: Do I love the Lord or no? Am I his or am I not?”

Misconceptions about the witness of the Spirit have led to confusion and despair for some. They imagine the feelings and emotions of joy possessed in the beginning, when they first knew the Lord, were evidences of their sonship, and when the “woes” of life overtake them and the first impulses of joy fade into sorrow and disappointment, they become assailed with doubt. Alas! they cry, “Where is the blessedness I knew, when first I found the Lord?”

Any who allow their feelings to affect their course in life, even from a worldly standpoint, can never gain stability enough to live a life of accomplishments. One must persevere in what he has committed himself, irrespective of feelings.

Can we imagine a Christian, with the great warfare before him, with the lofty heights to attain, and the path of self- sacrifice and death before him, allowing feelings to dampen his zeal or weaken his conviction? No, there must be a more firm foundation than this. The Christian must be guided by knowledge from the Word of God. All who recognize they have been drawn to the Lord, and who have faith in the atoning merit of Christ, and who have consecrated their all to God, may have the witness of the Word of God that they are accepted as sons, as probationary members of the Church. The anointing and seal of the Spirit which they have received is a witness to them of their sonship. There are many other scriptural factors which augment this witness. Every evidence of our Heavenly Father’s discipline is a testimony that we are his sons. “Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth”. (Hebrews 12:6,7) “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten”. (Revelation 3:19) Every experience, if properly received, has a little note attached – if you look for it you will find it – “with love, from the Father:”

If we find purgings being made in ourselves, it is another evidence we are sons of God. The Master said, “I am the vine, and ye are the branches… every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit”. (John 15:5,2) We are subjected to experiences to cut off all tendencies to “woodmaking,” that is, all inclinations toward earthly attachments.

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance (Galatians 5:23,24) . As we find these graces increase and mature in our hearts, we may know that the Spirit is strongly testifying that we are sons of God. Ripeness and maturity in these fruits will make us meet for the promised inheritance. The completion of these graces should be sought as early in the Christian life as possible. There should be no procrastination, and no time or effort spared from so grand a work. This life is too short, and eternity too long, to be otherwise minded.

Another vital witness is when we are rejected or persecuted by fellowmen for preaching the message of truth. “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for their is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice… for great is your reward in heaven”. (Matthew 5:10-12)

Those in whom the Word dwells richly must find expression of it by telling the glad tidings to others. Whether men hear or forbear, they shall still feel impelled to preach and make known the Divine Plan far and wide. Every sorrow and pain that results from a close following of the Master becomes a witness of sonship, and an incentive to greater faithfulness.

If we find an increasing desire for spiritual wisdom, and a deeper knowledge of the truth, we know that the Spirit is confirming not only our sonship, but our growth also. “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth”. (Colossians 3:1,2)

There are many other witnesses of the Spirit, but the greatest may be summed up in the word love. “Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment… perfect love casteth out fear”. (1 John 4:17,18) If our love has been perfected, allowing only the sweet influence of love to guide and control in life’s affairs, we have one of the grandest testimony which can be had.

When once we divorce our relationship with the Lord from ephemeral emotions and place it on a surer foundation of understanding and knowledge, we are better prepared for a more effectual walk in the narrow way that leads to life. “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; for he is faithful that promised”. (Hebrews 10:23) “For I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day”. (2 Timothy 1:12)

– Eugene Burns

 

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