What Are the “Seven Spirits of God” From Revelation?

In John’s apocalyptic vision there are several curious reference to 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 1:4

“To the angel of the church in Sardis write: These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead.”

Revelation 3:1

From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. In front of the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits of God.

Revelation 4:5

Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.

Revelation 5:6

This is no doubt a reference to the Holy Spirit with the number seven figuratively illustrating fullness and perfection. Since the “Lamb” is a symbol of Christ, the “seven lamps” of 4:5 and the “seven horns,” “seven eyes” and “seven spirits of God” of 5:6 can only denote the fulness and power upon the Lamb and before the throne. On Earth, Christ was indwelt & anointed by the Holy Spirit before entering public ministry for 3.5 years (Matthew 3:16-17 & John 1:32), speaking of which….

Literally, the Holy Spirit is described in Scripture as having seven characteristics:

1A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse;

from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.

2The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him [Christ]—

the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,

the Spirit of counsel and of might,

the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the LORD—

3and he will delight in the fear of the LORD.

Isaiah 11:1-3

This refers to the Messiah being empowered by the Holy Ghost (Matthew 3:16), showing that the Spirit is:

1. of the LORD
2. of wisdom
3. of understanding
4. of counsel
5. of might
6. of the knowledge of the LORD
7. of the fear of the LORD

Related Topics:

Is the Holy Spirit God or a Divine Force?

What Is the HOLY SPIRIT’S ROLE in Human Redemption?

What Is the UNPARDONABLE SIN (Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit)?

Does God Have a Feminine side?