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?
People want to know “when” and not what will be revealed first in terms of the aspects of the end times that are known to us. Jesus doesn’t know when the Father will say “Son, go get your Bride.” It’s done in an instant and the world is running around like crazy wondering what happened. Even when it becomes known, the world will still follow the Antichrist. It is those who are part of the Bride who watch for Him. Our hope is in the call from Jesus to “Come up here.” As those last days play out, into the Tribulation and the Second Coming of Jesus they still expect to appear before God with an excuse for their lives that causes Jesus to say “I never knew youl.” The devil is the greast of deceivers but man is well able to deceived themselves and most do. Even so, come Lord Jesus.
It’s good for people to know the judgments that are coming, so there’s time to be saved in
Christ. Nothing like it ever before in history. As the Mighty Angels of Revelation book says: With each snapping of a wax seal by Jesus Christ, we will encounter an expression of God’s wrath…a judgment…conceived and executed from the throne of the Almighty. There will be seven Seal Judgments followed by seven Trumpet judgments, and concluded by seven Bowl also called the Vial judgments. As each seal is broken, the judgments also parallel Jesus’ description in His Olivet Discourse about the horrific trials the world will face leading up to the Second Coming. (Matthew 24; Luke 21; Mark 13.). These birth pains, or “beginning sorrows,” Jesus explained would increase in frequency and intensity, much like a woman giving birth to a baby, as each judgment explodes with more and more pain. No man is in charge here, the Lamb, God, Jesus. He is! His purpose for the very 7 year Tribulation is now being opened with the first of the seven Seals. It is complete utter fulfillment of His desires and will for the planet.
The Minor Prophet Zephaniah called it the “Great Day of the Lord,” a Day of Wrath, and a Day of Trumpet and Alarm. Zephaniah 1:14-16.