Revelation 1:4-6
"John, to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen."
What is this all about? We've heard of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit, but we've seen no reference in the rest of the Bible to seven Spirits. While John writes of seven stars and candlesticks, representing the seven churches of Asia Minor, that still doesn't explain the seven Spirits.
John speaks of the seven Spirits again in verse 1, chapter 3 and verse 5, chapter 4. In the first reference, Jesus is said to be the one who has seven Spirits. In the second, the seven Spirits are equated with seven lamps burning incense before the throne. Still, we're no clearer as to why the Spirit is presented here in a multiple of seven.
Some have suggested that seven is added to the description of the Holy Spirit to emphasize the perfection of God's relationship with his church through the Spirit. I like this, for it goes well with the seven churches. God is letting us know that his Spirit abides in every church. Still, we can't be fully sure of this interpretation.
This will be one of the things I'll need to ask of the Lord one day when we meet face to face. Until then, I'll just view the Spirit's perfection in dealing with those who are of the church through faith in Jesus Christ.
LORD JESUS
Lord, I thank you for the perfection of your Spirit, indwelling your church and bringing our prayers before the throne. Amen.
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