Blessed be the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
Welcome to this Bible study—a reflection on the living and powerful Word of God that brings life, light, and strength to those who believe.
Sealed for the Day of Redemption
When we believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, are baptized, and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, the Bible tells us that we are sealed by the Spirit of God until the day of redemption.
Ephesians 4:30 (ESV)
“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.”
This “day of redemption” refers to the future redemption of our bodies, which will take place at the return of Christ. On that day—often called the rapture—our mortal bodies will be transformed into glorious, incorruptible bodies. This transformation will occur in an instant, at the sounding of the last trumpet.
1 Corinthians 15:52–54 (ESV)
“In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed… then shall come to pass the saying that is written: ‘Death is swallowed up in victory.’”
So then, salvation happens in stages:
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The Redemption of the Spirit – This happens when we receive Christ as Lord, are baptized, and are filled with the Holy Spirit. Our spirit is made alive in Christ, forgiven, and secure.
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The Redemption of the Body – This will happen when Christ returns and gives us new, glorified bodies.
Though our spirits have been redeemed, we still live in mortal bodies that experience pain, sickness, and weakness. That’s why even believers sometimes suffer, become ill, or endure hardship. These are not signs of spiritual failure but reminders that the full redemption of the body is yet to come.
Romans 8:23 (ESV)
“And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.”
Kept by the Power of God
Until that final day, those who are in Christ are kept and guarded by the power of God through faith.
1 Peter 1:5 (ESV)
“…who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”
This means that once we’ve received salvation through faith in Christ, God’s power begins to work in us—not only to protect us, but to strengthen and sustain us through life’s challenges. Every trial, temptation, or hardship is allowed by God with a purpose—to refine our faith and shape our character.
James 1:2–3 (ESV)
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.”
These are no longer destructive trials from the enemy meant to destroy us. Instead, they are God-permitted tests designed to grow us.
However, if a person is not yet in Christ—that is, has not believed in Jesus, been baptized, and received the Holy Spirit—then their struggles and sufferings are not redemptive in nature. The enemy uses them to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). Such people are outside the covering of God’s protective power.
Only by coming into Christ can we escape the destructive schemes of the enemy and come under the saving power of God.
How to Come Under the Power of God
This protective power of God is not obtained through someone laying hands on you or praying over you. It comes through believing the gospel—the message of Jesus Christ.
You must believe:
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That Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
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That He was born of a virgin over 2,000 years ago.
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That He died for your sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day.
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That He now lives forever, seated at the right hand of the Father.
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And that He is coming again to receive His church and to judge the world.
John 14:6 (ESV)
“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’”
Once you believe this, the next step is baptism. Jesus said:
Mark 16:16 (ESV)
“Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.”
Biblical baptism is immersion in water (John 3:23) and should be done in the name of Jesus Christ, which is the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38). Through this, you identify with His death, burial, and resurrection.
As you are baptized, the Holy Spirit will either come upon you or will have already begun His work in you. He will guide you into all truth and empower you to walk in obedience.
From that point forward, you are sealed by the Holy Spirit and kept by the power of God. Trials may still come, but they are now opportunities to grow and glorify God, not weapons to destroy you. And through every season, God’s power will sustain and protect you—until the day your body, too, is redeemed.
So the choice is yours:
Will you receive Christ, walk under the protection of God’s power, and await the redemption of your body?
Or will you remain outside of His grace, vulnerable to the enemy, and face eternal separation?
Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your heart (Hebrews 3:15). Come under the power of God.
May the Lord bless you and keep you, now and forever.
Amen.