Revelation 4:4-5; 5:6, NKJV
Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads. And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices. Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God… And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth.
INTRODUCTION
This vision or revelation was given to the beloved apostle John on a Sunday while he was “in the Spirit” (Rev.1:10). We know that Jesus Christ gave this revelation from God to John by means of an angel (1:1), and that it told of things which were then, are now and shall be hereafter (1:19) for Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Heb.13:8).
In the text quoted above, John saw in Heaven, before the throne, symbols which represented the seven Spirits of God which are continually sent forth into all the earth. When we are born again and Jesus comes to live in us by the power of the Holy Spirit, and when we are baptized in the Holy Spirit and abide in the Word, the seven Spirits of God abide in our earthen vessel (2 Cor.4:7).
- THE SPIRIT OF ADOPTION
For you have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but you have received the Spirit of adoption whereby we cry, Abba Father (Rom. 8:15).
When we received Jesus into our hearts, we also received the power to become the sons of God (1 John 1:12). God becomes our “daddy.” As His children we receive the inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ (Eph.5:5) both now and eternally (Col.1:12; Heb.9:15). His royal blood now flows in our veins. We ask and receive from our Abba Father (Mark 14:36; Gal. 4:6) every need supplied.
- THE SPIRIT OF LIFE
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death (Rom.8:2).
That same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead comes to free us from the wages of sin (Eph.1:20; Rom.8:23). When we are born again the Spirit of life causes old things to pass away and all things to become new (2 Cor.5:17). We get a new perspective on life. We begin to act differently, think differently, speak differently, look different and smell different! We have a new fragrance about us that draws people to us. Jesus came to give us life—abundantly. And He wasn’t just talking about eternal life, but life now—a life that is joyful, fulfilling, and victorious (the very word victorious implies that there are battles). The Spirit of life resurrects the spirit, brings health to the body, and renews the soul (the mind, will and emotions). Thus, we become a “new creation.”
- THE SPIRIT OF HOLINESS
Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ … [who is] declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead (Rom.1:1,4).
The Spirit of holiness declares Jesus to be the Son of God; and untainted by evil or the sin in us, that Spirit searches out and destroys all impurities of the soul and spirit, leaving us free to be a sound person, whole, happy, and totally belonging to God and being consecrated for His use as a vessel of honor. The Spirit of holiness causes us to be the “righteousness of God in Christ Jesus” (2 Cor. 5:21).
- THE SPIRIT OF GRACE
Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? (Heb.10:29).
We are made righteous by the Spirit of Grace. It is by grace that we are saved (Eph.2:5), and by Grace that we grow in our new life (2 Pet.3:18). When we do things that we ought not to do, we have a heavenly lawyer, Jesus Christ, who sits with the Father and pleads our forgiveness (1 John 2:1). We must not continue to do things that we know are wrong (Rom.6:1-2). However, our Lord knew that living in the body on earth we would often find the spirit willing and the flesh weak (Matt.26:41), and that we would need forgiveness. In these situations, the Spirit of Grace is ever working on our behalf.
- THE SPIRIT OF SUPPLICATION
And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of Grace and supplication… Zech.12:10).
Jesus said that whoever believes on Him should receive the Holy Spirit and then out of his belly would flow rivers of living water (John 7:38-39)—water that will quench the thirst of those who are weary. Often these rivers flow as the Spirit of supplication rises up in us and begins to pray, intercede, plead on behalf of ourselves or others. Paul says that the Spirit helps our weakness because we don’t know what we should pray for; but the Spirit knows and if we let Him, He will make intercession for us (Rom. 8:26). As we let the Spirit speak for us, we know that He is praying the perfect will of God. We begin to rise up above the circumstances and see victories.
- THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH
And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you (John 14:16-17). … But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of Truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me (John 15:26). … However, when He, the Spirit of Truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come (John 16:13).
Jesus said, “I am the Truth” (John 14:6). The Spirit of the Lord is upon Jesus, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge, and of the fear of the Lord (Isa.11:2). Therefore, when the Spirit of Truth is operating in our lives it is the same Spirit that was upon Jesus. He gives us a word of wisdom, a word of knowledge for ourselves or a particular situation or person. He gives us the might—the strength and courage—the boldness to speak it forth. The Spirit of Truth comes from God Himself and everything He says lines up with God’s Word—it IS God’s Word.
- THE SPIRIT OF GLORY
If you be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are you; for the Spirit of Glory and of God rests upon you… (1 Peter 4:14).
The sufferings of this present time are nothing compared to what happens when the Spirit of Glory comes forth and shows others that we are sons of God and have found favor in His sight. He has made us victorious through Jesus Christ. We put on the whole armor of God that we may engage in spiritual battle. We are aggressive for the Lord because we know that the Spirit of His glory covers us and protects us from the back and His angel goes before us (Ezek.23:20).
CONCLUSION
The number seven (7) symbolizes “completeness” and thus the seven Spirits of God cannot be put into seven boxes as a simple formula. Rather, they include and encompass all of the work of the Holy Spirit of God.
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© C. Yvonne Karl. First published in The Olive Branch publication, February 1987. May be copied “as is” for bible study purposes. To print or publish in other publications, please contact the author to get permission in writing: yvonnekarl@gmail.com
Musings by Yvonne. Selah! 