Introduction
Throughout Scripture, God has used physical symbols and objects to represent His authority, position, and blessings. One such symbol is the signet ring, which was used in ancient times by kings and other authorities to designate power, authority, and ownership. In the Bible, God’s signet ring is mentioned several times, pointing to the great significance of this object. For believers in Christ, understanding the meaning behind God’s signet ring can give us insight into His sovereignty, authority, and desire to bless His people.
Key Takeaways
- In ancient times, signet rings were used to designate authority and ownership
- God’s signet ring represents His supreme power and authority
- The signet ring brings to mind God’s desire to bless His people
- As God’s children, Christians are marked with the seal of God’s signet ring
- The Holy Spirit is depicted as God’s signet ring that marks believers today
The Significance of Signet Rings in the Ancient World
In ancient Near Eastern culture, kings and other authorities often wore signet rings to designate their power and authority. A signet ring featured an official seal or insignia carved in reversed into a stone set in metal. These rings were used to make an imprint in clay or wax, leaving the impression of the insignia as an official signature or mark of authority. Owning and wearing a signet ring meant that one possessed significant power, authority, and influence.
Signet rings were guarded carefully and were considered extremely valuable. The insignia could not be forged without access to the actual ring. Because of this, the ring served as an official authorization and any decrees or documents marked with its seal were considered genuinely endorsed. Losing one’s signet ring could be devastating, as we see in the case of King Ahasuerus in the book of Esther (Esther 3:10). So signet rings took on immense meaning as visible symbols of authority, ownership, and power.
God’s Signet Ring in the Old Testament
The Bible contains several references to God’s signet ring, pointing to His supreme authority and ownership. One of the first mentions is in Haggai 2:23:
“‘On that day,’ says the Lord of Hosts, ‘I will take you, Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, My servant’—this is the Lord’s declaration—‘and make you like My signet ring, for I have chosen you.’ This is the declaration of the Lord of Hosts.” (Haggai 2:23, NKJV)
Here God refers to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, as His signet ring. This indicates that God saw Zerubbabel as His authorized representative to the people, marked with God’s authority.
Later in the song of Solomon, we get a beautiful picture of belonging to God as being marked with His signet ring:
Set me as a seal upon your heart, As a seal upon your arm; For love is as strong as death, Jealousy as cruel as the grave; Its flames are flames of fire, A most vehement flame. (Song of Solomon 8:6 NKJV)
Here the lover expresses her desire to be kept close to her beloved’s heart, like a signet ring worn on the chest. She longs to be set as a seal upon him, just as a ring bears the mark of its owner. This paints an intimate picture of being kept near to God’s heart, sealed with His authority and care.
Another clear reference to God’s signet ring comes from the prophet Jeremiah:
O Lord, though our iniquities testify against us, Do it for Your name’s sake; For our backslidings are many, We have sinned against You. O the Hope of Israel, his Savior in time of trouble, Why should You be like a stranger in the land, And like a traveler who turns aside to tarry for a night? Why should You be like a man astonished, Like a mighty one who cannot save? Yet You, O Lord, are in our midst, And we are called by Your name; Do not leave us! (Jeremiah 14:7-9 NKJV)
Even though the prophet acknowledges Israel’s sin and waywardness, he appeals to God’s compassion and honor. He reminds God that His people are called by His name, marked with His authority. The prophet pleads for God not to abandon them, even though they deserve it. This again reflects the idea of belonging to God like one who bears His insignia on a signet ring. Though we fail and stray, as believers we are securely marked with His seal and name.
God’s Signet Ring Brings Blessing and Prosperity
In addition to signifying authority, signet rings in the ancient world also conveyed power to bless others and authorize abundance. An example of this comes from the story of Joseph in Genesis 41:
Then Pharaoh took his signet ring off his hand and put it on Joseph’s hand; and he clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck. And he had him ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried out before him, “Bow the knee!” So he set him over all the land of Egypt. (Genesis 41:42-43 NKJV)
Pharaoh invested Joseph with his signet ring, clothing him with authority to oversee Egypt’s affairs. The ring gave Joseph the power to authorize abundance and blessing in the land. As God’s representatives, we are also given power through Christ to bless others, as Paul writes:
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. (Ephesians 1:3-6 NKJV)
God desires to bless us and make us a blessing. As His signet ring, we are endowed with the authority to bless others in His name. This represents an incredible privilege believers have through faith in Christ.
Christians Are Sealed with God’s Signet Ring
As amazing as these Old Testament references are, the New Testament takes the symbolism of God’s signet ring to a whole new level. Through faith in Christ, believers are marked with God’s Spirit as His seal and sign of authority:
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. (Ephesians 4:30 NKJV)
Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee. (2 Corinthians 1:21-22 NKJV)
In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory. (Ephesians 1:13-14 NKJV)
These verses reveal that the Holy Spirit Himself is God’s seal and signet ring for believers in Jesus. At salvation, the Spirit marks Christ-followers, setting God’s authoritative insignia upon their lives. What an incredible gift, to be permanently marked with God’s stamp of ownership! This seal guarantees our redemption and the full inheritance that is to come. No one can dispute our belonging to Christ when we are signed with God’s authorized seal.
The sealing work of the Holy Spirit means that as Christians, we can have confidence in our salvation and security in Christ. We have been stamped for eternity with the most powerful signet ring imaginable, so that no one can challenge our adoption into God’s family. However, this seal is not just passive but empowers us to bless others and advance God’s Kingdom here on earth. The presence of God’s Spirit enables us to walk in authority as ambassadors for Christ. As Jesus said:
“And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” (Mark 16:17-18)
As we walk in faith and submission to the Spirit, He empowers us to carry out the work of the Kingdom with supernatural authority. God’s signet ring is not merely a legal designation but means we can powerfully bless the world around us. How amazing that Almighty God would entrust lowly followers of Christ with such authority marked by His Spirit!
God’s Signet Ring Points to the Coming Messiah
Most incredibly, Bible prophecy points to an even greater fulfillment of the signet ring symbol when Jesus returns. Haggai 2:23 links Zerubbabel with God’s signet ring as a foreshadowing of the coming Messiah:
‘On that day,’ says the Lord of hosts, ‘I will take you, Zerubbabel my servant, the son of Shealtiel,’ declares the Lord, ‘and will make you like a signet ring, for I have chosen you,’” declares the Lord of hosts. (Haggai 2:23 ESV)
Though partially fulfilled in Zerubbabel, the complete messianic fulfillment comes through Jesus Christ, the Son of David and heir to the throne (Matthew 1:1-16). One day Christ will return to openly establish His Kingdom on earth, wearing full authority as the signet ring of Almighty God:
Let the saints be joyful in glory; Let them sing aloud on their beds. Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, And a two-edged sword in their hand, To execute vengeance on the nations, And punishments on the peoples; To bind their kings with chains, And their nobles with fetters of iron; To execute on them the written judgment— This honor have all His saints. Praise the Lord! (Psalm 149:5-9 NKJV)
As this Psalm describes, when Jesus returns, He will lead the saints to execute God’s judgment on earth, fully establishing His reign over the nations. Christ will openly exercise His authority as the legitimate King of Kings, marked with the insignia of God’s signet ring. What an incredible day that will be!
As we wait expectantly for the return of Christ, we can take joy that we are already marked here and now with God’s Holy Spirit, the down payment and guarantee of the full inheritance to come. The signet ring of God upon the church signifies that the best is yet to come. Maranatha!
Conclusion
Throughout Scripture, God’s signet ring emerges as a powerful symbol of authority, ownership, blessing, and sovereignty. As God’s representatives, believers have the amazing privilege of being marked with His insignia through the gift of the Holy Spirit. This sealing guarantees our redemption and empowers us to walk in Kingdom authority today. Most gloriously, the signet ring points us forward to the return of Christ, who will openly establish His sovereign reign on earth as the Messianic King. God’s signet ring is a rich biblical theme that gives us great assurance and insight into our identity and calling as children of God.
