2 Corinthians 1:18-22 says,   “18 But as Elohim is faithful, our word to you is not yes and no. 19 For the Son of Elohim, Messiah Yeshua, who was preached among you by us—by me and Silvanus and Timothy—was not yes and no, but is yes in Him.  [It is not double-minded and inconsistent.] 20 For as many as are the promises of Elohim, in Him [In Yeshua] they are yes; therefore also through Him [Yeshua] is our Amen to the glory of Elohim through us. 21 Now He who establishes us with you in Messiah and anointed us is Elohim, 22 who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge.” In the ancient near east, documents, as well as jars of merchandise, were sealed to show that no one had tampered with their contents. The stamp of the person witnessing a document would be pressed into the hot wax, which then dried over the string that was tied around the rolled-up document. We are that sealed up document when we receive Yeshua as Messiah and the Holy Spirit.  Paul goes onto to say that they had the Spirit in this present world as a “down payment” or the first taste of the life of the world to come.  We have the Spirit with measure, but it is a portent of the day when we will have the Spirit without measure.

2 Corinthians 5:1-5 says; “1 For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from Elohim, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For indeed in this house we groan, longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven, 3 inasmuch as we, having put it on, will not be found naked. 4 For indeed while we are in this tent, we groan, being burdened, because we do not want to be unclothed but to be clothed so that what is mortal will be swallowed up by life. 5 Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is Elohim, who gave to us the Spirit as a pledge.”  Paul is driving this point home in his second letter to the congregation of Corinth.

Ephesians 1:13-14 says, “13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of Elohim’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.” The “Pledge of our Inheritance” is like money given by a purchaser as a promise that the full payment is coming. The Holy Spirit is given to the believer in this life as a first installment of his full inheritance that is to come.

 To be filled daily with the Spirit of YHVH will not only fuel us for the day’s measure but should also serve as a reminder that we are sealed in Him and there is more to come if we continue in the faith!!

Have a blessed and shalom filled day!!

Tammy McLendon

Courtesy of
River of Life Tabernacle
Tammy McLendon
Great peace have they who love Your law. Psalm 119:165a