![]() ![]() This is the most common interpretation today, and indeed it makes sense of how the seven spirits fill the slot of the Holy Spirit in what would seem to be a Trinitarian greeting in Revelation 1:4. In Zechariah and Revelation, the number seven represents completion and wholeness so the seven or sevenfold spirit in Revelation could be a symbolic description of the Holy Spirit. In both these cases, the Spirit is associated with the number seven or a sevenfold description, and in Zechariah, in particular, the plural number seven points to the singular Spirit. There is also a possible allusion to the seven attributes of the Spirit in Isaiah 11:2 (i.e., a Spirit of the Lord, of wisdom, of understanding, of counsel, of strength, of knowledge, and of the fear of the Lord). First, John’s seven spirits could be an allusion to the seven lamps in Zechariah 4:2–10, where the seven lamps in the vision are associated both with God’s Spirit and the seven eyes of the Lord. Interpreters generally point to one main Old Testament allusion with a secondary possible relevant allusion. If a particular interpretation of Revelation would not have made any sense to the original hearers, it is likely incorrect. Our interpretations must focus, as much as we can determine, on what John would have meant to communicate and what his original hearers would have understood we must not interpret Revelation from our own historical and cultural perspective without regard for this original historical and literary context. Revelation is full of visionary and symbolic descriptions of reality, and it is often essential to identify both relevant allusions to the Old Testament and points of contact with ideas which would have been known to John’s original hearers. This is not a problem, however communication of symbolic meaning is more important than logical consistency throughout Revelation. The seven spirits of God are symbolically described two different ways in two consecutive chapters (as seven torches in 4:5 and seven eyes in 5:6). Symbolic apocalyptic visions defy all attempts at perfect systematization. These references raise an important question: Why does John replace an expected reference to the Holy Spirit with a reference to seven spirits of God? What does this mean? He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent into all the earth. Seven fiery torches were burning before the throne, which are the seven spirits of God. Thus says the one who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. These seven spirits appear three more times in Revelation: Grace and peace to you from the one who is, who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits, before his throne, and from Jesus Christ. In Revelation 1:4–5, John gives what appears to be a Trinitarian greeting from God, the Spirit, and Jesus but in place of the Spirit he highlights the “seven spirits before his throne.” It also corresponds to the “seven spirits” of Revelation 1:4, 3:1, 4:5, and 5:6.Facebook Twitter Reddit Pinterest Email LinkedIn The sevenfold nature of the Spirit in Isaiah 11:2 is therefore synonymous with the measureless fullness in John 3:34. Yeshua, however, was given the Spirit “without measure.” In Scripture, the number seven signifies perfection, completeness, or fullness. No one ever has all of the gifts because God has ordained that the members of the Church be mutually dependent. Because each believer only has a measure of the Spirit, each one has different gifts and ministries (I Cor. The New Testament teaches that all who believe in Yeshua as Messiah are given a measure of the Holy Spirit. When looking for the fulfillment of this prophecy in the life of Yeshua, we find that in John 3:34, John the Baptist describes Yeshua as having the fullness of the Spirit: For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God for He gives the Spirit without measure. The “Spirit of the Lord” is mentioned once, followed by three more references to “the Spirit of,” each one followed by two attributes. The description used here is representative of a Jewish menorah or seven-branched lampstand. In verse 2, we are told that this Messiah will have the sevenfold fullness of the Holy Spirit. The emphasis in verse 1 is on Messiah’s lowly origin. The references to the “seven spirits” of God in the book of Revelation have an Old Testament background, namely, Isaiah 11:1-2. ![]() ![]() I was wondering if you could enlighten me? I am having trouble understanding the “seven spirits” or the “sevenfold spirit” of Revelation. What are the “seven spirits” of Revelation?
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