 The Seven Spirits of God!
Revelation 1:4 speaks of the Seven Spirits of God. Most Christians agree that there is only one Spirit of God, usually known as the Holy Spirit of the Holy Ghost. John's reference to the Seven Spirits has to be referring to the Holy Spirit. There are at least seven reasons to believe that this is a reference to the Holy Spirit. I will present these seven reasons in no particular order.
I. THE FULLNESS OF THE GODHEAD! One reason that I have that makes me believe that John is referring to the Holy Spirit here is because it places the fullness of the Godhead into the picture. First John makes a reference to the Father as "the One Who is, Who was, and Who is coming" (Rv.1:4). In the next verse, John continues by mentioning, "and from Jesus Christ, the faithful Witness". Between these two members of the Godhead is mentioned the Seven Spirits.
II. SEVEN IS GOD'S NUMBER OF PERFECTION OR COMPLETENESS! The number seven is frequently seen throughout Scripture as "God's Number". It is nearly always given in reference to divine things. God created seven days within a week. God rested on the seventh day & instructed His followers to do so also. The prophet Daniel foresaw seventy groups of seven years. Jesus instructed His disciples to forgive seventy times seven times. Paul wrote epistles to seven New Testament Church groups. John wrote the Book of Revelation to Seven Churches in
III. THE HOLY SPIRIT IS THE SOURCE OF BOTH GRACE AND PEACE! Revelation 1:4 mentions that Grace and Peace was coming from the Seven Spirits of God. There are several other Scriptures that refer to grace and peace as being associated with the Holy Spirit. He is actually called the Spirit of Grace (Ze.12:10; He.10:29). He is seen as providing peace to the heart of a believer (Ga.5:22; Ep.4:3).
IV. THE PLURALITY AND FULLNESS OF THE SPIRIT'S WORKINGS! The term 'Seven Spirits' denotes the plurality of the Spirits workings and the fullness of His operations. Seven was a sacred number in the Jewish church: but it did not always imply a precise number. It sometimes is to be taken figuratively, to denote completeness or perfection. By these seven spirits, not seven created angels, but the Holy Ghost is to be understood. So Seven Spirits could be seen as another name or title for the Holy Spirit.
V. THERE ARE SEVEN MINISTRIES OF THE HOLY SPIRITS! (Jn.14:2,26-amp) Comforter = He is one who is called along our sides. He is the One who relieves irritation. There is no reason for any Christian to be lonely or bored. He wants to comfort us as well as comfort others through us.
Counselor = He is our aid and advisor. He is the One who has the ability to perceive and therefore advise wisely. He knows your future, therefore is able to provide the best counsel. His counsel produces wisdom and will stand eternally. He offers counsel to us and wants to offer counsel to others through us. (Ps.16:7; Pr.11:14;
Helper = He is the only One who can lead us and show us how to live. He is the One who helps and supports us in all our doings. I would hate to even attempt to live a Christian life without the Holy Spirit as my helper. He ?takes hold together with by association and companionship' (Rm.8:26-27). We can be bold and know that there is no need to fear anything or any body. He wants to be our helper and He wants to help others through us (He.13:6; Ac.1:8).
Advocate = He is the One who vocally supports us. He wants to speak on our behalf. He will plead our case before the Father as well as pleading our case in the presence of our enemies. (Rm.8:26-27)
Intercessor = He is One who prays and makes intercession for us. He will plead in favor of us and "fill the gap" for us. He intercedes for us and wants to intercede for others through us. (Rm.8:26)
Strengthener = He is One who gives power and support to us. He wants to enable us to endure various obstacles. He wants to make us strong and to increase our capacity. He is our strength and He wants to us to strengthen others through us. (Ac.18:23)
Stand-by = He is our Stand-by, Upholder, and Encourager. He is One who stands by you to defend you. He is One who desires to stand by to take your place in your absence. He is One who is there constantly as your friend.
VI. THERE ARE SEVEN CHARACTERISTICS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT! (Is.11:2) Spirit of the Lord = He is known as the Spirit of God and the Spirit of the Lord! He has all the divine qualities of God, because He IS God! He wants to manifest God in us as well as through us.
The Spirit of Wisdom = Wisdom is the ability to apply knowledge. The Holy Spirit certainly has the ability to apply all the knowledge of God. He wants to impart His supernatural divine wisdom in us and through us. (Mt.22:15-20; Lk.14:1-6)
The Spirit of Understanding = Understanding means to know something fully as it really is and perfectly knowing the meaning of things. This certainly is a quality that is encompassed in the personality of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit helps us to understand His Word, His plan, and His will for our lives. The Holy Spirit wants to illuminate our minds with divine knowledge and understanding.
The Spirit of Counsel = He is the Spirit of counsel because He has the ability to share His knowledge, wisdom, advise, and direction with us. When witnessing and testifying to others, we can be short on methods, but big on listening to the Spirit of Counsel. He wants to counsel us, but He also wants to counsel others through us.
The Spirit of Might = To call Him the Spirit of Might implies that He has the ability to conquer. It implies victory and triumph within His being and in all that He involves Himself in. He wants to demonstrate His power and might in and through us. (Mk.11:12-24;
The Spirit of Knowledge = There are two kinds of knowledge. It isn't hard to obtain head-knowledge, and certainly the Holy Spirit will help us with that. But I believe this is referring to experiential knowledge. In fact it seems like most of the references to "knowledge" in the Bible is referring to knowledge that is obtained through experience. The Holy Spirit wants us to not just know about Him intellectually, but He wants us to know Him intimately and to experience His Presence.
The Spirit of Reverence = God has not given us a spirit of fear ( Tm : ). The Holy Spirit is deeply involved in worship and reverence and wants to usher us into His presence through high praise, worship, adoration, and soaking referentially in His presence.
VII. THERE ARE SEVEN SYMBOLS OR EMBLEMS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT! Dove = The Holy Spirit was seen descending on Jesus in the form of a dove. This speaks to us of His gentleness, love, purity, peace, modesty, innocence, and beauty. (Mt.10:16; Lk.3:27; SS.1:15; 5:2; 6:2;
Water = The Holy Spirit is symbolized by water, depicting the cleansing and refreshing aspects of His ministry. (Jn.4:7-11;
Seal = There is one reference to the Seal of the Holy Spirit. This reveals the security that we have in Him. A seal is a mark of ownership and a symbol of secrecy and security. (Ep.1:15)
Oil = Frequently the Holy Spirit is symbolized through the emblem of Oil. This symbol is seen throughout both Testaments. There is a reference to the Oil of Gladness (He.1:9) which should be compared to the reference to the Spirit of Joy (I Th.1:6). People frequently refer to the anointing of the Spirit. The word anointing is a direct reference to the Oil of the Spirit.
New Wine = Most Christians leaders agree that when Jesus spoke about "New Wine", He was referring to the Holy Spirit. This reflects the joy that He provides within our hearts. (Mt.9:17; Mk.2:22; Lk.5:37; Ep.5:18)
Wind = The Greek word that we translate as "spirit" actually means "wind" or "breath". Jesus compares the Spirit to the wind. On the Day of Pentecost, the Spirit made His presence known by a sound of a rushing mighty wind. (Ac.2; Jn.3:3-5)
Fire = The Spirit of God has appeared in the manifestation of fire, both in Scripture as well as in modern testimony. (Ac.2) |
|
|
