The Seven Spirits in the Book of Revelation

 

John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. Revelation 1:4-5

“And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. “‘I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. 2 Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. Revelation 3:1-2

After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven! And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” 2 At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne. 3 And he who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald. 4 Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads. 5 From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and before the throne were burning seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God, 6 and before the throne there was as it were a sea of glass, like crystal. Revelation 4:1-6

And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. Revelation 5:6

The number ‘seven’ in Revelation represents completeness or perfection. What God does is complete. Seven churches, seven stars, seven seals, seven trumpets, seven horns, seven spirits, and other sevens in the book.

·         In 1:4, the seven spirits are before the throne of God.

·         In 3:1, Jesus has the seven spirits

·         In 4:5, the seven spirits are symbolized as seven torches of fire burning before God’s throne.

·         In 5:6 we have an image of a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.

The seven spirits are in the possession of Jesus, before God’s throne. They are the seven eyes of the Lamb slain, and sent out into all the earth.

The seven spirits symbolize the Holy Spirit.

Jesus received from the Father the Holy Spirit, and sent him to earth to begin the church. Acts 2:33.

In John 16:7-15, Jesus promises his disciples the Holy Spirit would take from Jesus all that the Father has given to Jesus, and come to earth to convict the world of sin, righteousness and judgment, and to guide the apostles into all truth.

The Holy spirit works hand in hand with Jesus and the Father to carry out their purposes in the world.

In Revelation the seven spirits are Jesus’ eyes that see everything. They represent the Holy Spirit and convey Jesus’ messages to the seven churches, as Jesus had promised his disciples while on earth. “He shall take of mine and disclose it to you.” John 16:15.

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’ Revelation 3:6

The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.”  And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price. Revelation 22:17

Are we listening to the seven spirits?

 

David Hunter