Revelation 1:4 “…and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne,…”
Revelation 4:5 gives more commentary on these Spirits which associate them with the seven lamps: “… And there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.” The concept of the “seven spirits” of God is a common theme in the book of Revelation (3:1; 4:5; 5:6). We are told in Ephesians 4:4, however, that there is, but, ONE Spirit in relation to God. Then there is John 4:24, which defines God as “Spirit.” Therefore, God is, but, ONE Spirit, in the strictest manner of speaking. Yet, here, we are told that God has “seven Spirits.” Because of the nature of apocalyptic literature, we know that the “seven Spirits” of God must be understood in the light of symbolic language. The reader of Revelation is informed that the language of the manuscript is symbolic; in Revelation 1:1, he is told that the Revelation would be shown to John by significations (esēmanen). Since seven (7) is the biblical number of completion, the Spirit of God is presented in the Apocalypse as seven attributes of one complete, and total, Holy Spirit. Furthermore, the passage, here, is an echo of Zechariah 4:2-10 (a reference to the Lampstand of the tabernacle), where the prophet Zechariah saw the seven Spirits of God as seven lamps (4:5).
The Seven Spirits of God Are These:
1. The Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding ................Isaiah 11:2
2. The Spirit of Council and Might ...............................Isaiah 11:2
3. The Spirit of Knowledge and Fear of the LORD ....Isaiah 11:2
4. The Spirit of Judgment ....................................Isaiah 4:4; 28:26
5. The Spirit of Truth .....................John 14:17; 15:26; 1 John 4:7
6. The Spirit of Faith ....................................... 2 Corinthians 4:13
7. The Spirit of Life ...............................................Revelation 11:11
When rightly divided, the Word of Truth demonstrates the “seven Spirits” of God to be, in fact, seven attributes of the Holy Spirit. The number seven symbolizes fullness, completeness, and/or perfection. One could, and probably should, speak of the sevenfold Spirit of God that is personified in the person of the Incarnate God. In point of fact, it is none other than Jesus Himself, that announces that it is He, Himself, who has the Seven Spirits of God (Rev 3:1). Paul writes it very well, “For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:” Colossians 2:9-10
Apostolically Speaking
☩☩ Jerry L Hayes
Be sure to listen and subscribe to the Bishop's Podcast: Apostolic Bishop, at:
Apostolically Speaking
☩☩ Jerry L Hayes
Be sure to listen and subscribe to the Bishop's Podcast: Apostolic Bishop, at:
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