![]() ![]() The second perspective argues that the seven spirits are seven spiritual beings or angels who watch over the Churches of Asia minor. “I said, “I have seen, and behold, a lamp stand all of gold, with its bowl on the top of it, and its seven lamps on it there are seven pipes to each of the lamps, which are on the top of it…… Then he answered and spoke to me, saying, “This is Yahweh’s word to Zerubbabel, saying, ‘Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says Yahweh of Armies.” The Seven Spirits are Angels Others have also pointed out that the description of the seven spirits in Revelation 5:6 shares many similarities with the description of the Holy Spirit in Zechariah 4:1-6. The image of the seven Spirits in Revelation could be a reference to these passages and the tradition of describing the one Spirit as a collection of seven. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith if it is serving, then serve if it is teaching, then teach if it is to encourage, then give encouragement if it is giving, then give generously if it is to lead, do it diligently if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.” Romans 12:4-8 “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. In the New Testament, Paul breaks the Gifts of the Spirit into seven categories. All of these attributes can be seen working on their own in different parts of the Old Testament. He then goes on to brake up the Holy Spirit into six of its attributes. The writer says the Spirit of the Lord will descend upon an individual from the line of Jesse. The Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.” “There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse,Īnd a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.Īnd the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, In Isaiah 11, the writer prophesies about the Spirit like this. ![]() This is also not the first time in scripture the Holy Spirit is described as a set of seven. Including the Spirits in the opening portion of the letter strongly indicates that the Trinity is greeting the churches. In this section, the churches are greeted by the Father, the Son, and the Seven Spirits. John 1:5 is located in the middle of the greeting portion of the letter. Consequently, many suggest that the “seven spirits” is a roundabout way of describing the Holy Spirit.Īnother piece of evidence for this position can be found in the passage’s immediate context. The number often, if not always, is used as a representation of perfection or completeness. Some good examples can be seen in the seven-day creation of the world or Israel’s seven marches around the walls of Jericho. Like the number three, seven is loaded down with Biblical and theological significance. This idea is predominantly based on the context of Revelation 1:5, other Biblical descriptions of the Spirit, and the cultural significance of the number seven. This first and most popular possibility argues that the seven spirits are the Holy Spirit itself. On the other side, you have those who believe they are special angels or spirits tasked with watching over the church. On one side, you have those who think they represent the Holy Spirit. Opinions tend to fall into one of two camps. These are the seven spirits of God.”Īs is typical with interpretations of Revelation, there is some debate over who the seven spirits are. In front of the throne, seven lamps were blazing. ![]() Revelation 5:6 “From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder.Revelation 4:5 “To the angel of the church in Sardis write: These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God.Revelation 3:1 “To the angel of the church in Sardis write: These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God.John, To the seven churches in the province of Asia: Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, Revelation 1:4Īside from this instance, the seven spirits are mentioned about four more times in the text. In the Book’s opening chapters, John talks about seven Spirits who are before the through of God. The Book is full of spectacular and horrific images that many believe could tell of times to come. Of all the books in the Bible, few, if any, have managed to capture the imagination and curiosity of humanity, like John’s Revelation. ![]()
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