SWAK.
Long before texters and smartphone users developed their own abbreviated lingo, this acronym was part of the American vernacular. People often closed love letters, Valentine’s cards, and everyday notes with the phrase, “Sealed with a kiss.” The shortened version of this abbreviation is simply an X—as in X’s and O’s (connoting kisses and hugs).
Even the X carries deeper meaning. Early Christians combined the first two letters of Christ’s name in Greek (Chi and Rho, χ and ρ) to abbreviate “Christ” in manuscripts and Church writings. This coded reference also had the advantage of avoiding persecution and pointing to the Cross itself in what was known as a crux decussata, symbolizing the crucifixion and the sacrifice of Jesus.
While modern Christians often puzzle over Paul’s instruction to “greet one another with a holy kiss,” we certainly embrace the Gospel truth that Jesus’ love was sealed at the Cross and poured into our lives ongoingly.
The May/June 2026 edition of the Lamplighter magazine explores the breaking of seals of a different kind—those described in Revelation 6—that unleash a series of judgments. The only Anointed One found worthy to open those seals in the entire cosmos is “the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David…[the] Lamb standing, as if slain” (Revelation 5:3-6).
He is worthy to break the seals and to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing (Revelation 5:9, 12).
It is a great deception to believe that Jesus will not judge the living and the dead. He affirmed in John 5:22 that the Father has given all judgment to the Son. Revelation 6:16 makes clear that the outpouring of wrath during the Seal Judgments is the wrath of the Lamb.
But before the seals are broken and His wrath is poured out on the rebellious world, He is calling His own sheep and sealing them for all eternity.
The urgent question remains: Are you sealed or awaiting the breaking of the seals that will unleash God’s wrath on the earth?
