Great study notes:
Ephesians 1:13,14
In whom ye also [trusted], after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
That word EARNEST stands out. Why is the Holy Spirit called the earnest of of our inheritance?
A quick word study shows that the translation of the Greek word "earnest" (arrhabon) means:
"money which in purchases is given as a pledge or downpayment that the full amount will subsequently be paid" (Strongs 728)
In other word, all the joys, miracles, encouragements, insights, and wonders that the Holy Spirit brings to the Christian is just a small "down payment" - a glimpse of what Heaven will really be like!
"A church in the land without the Spirit is rather a curse than a blessing. If you have not the Spirit of God, Christian worker, remember that you stand in somebody else's way; you are a fruitless tree standing where a fruitful tree might grow." - Charles Spurgeon
