The Seven Spirits, What and Where?
“There were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God” (Revelation 4:5).
The Book of Revelation gives us the “Revelation of Jesus Christ” (Revelation 1:1). God gave this revelation to him, but it is Jesus who testifies it to John, through an angel. “He which testifies these things saith, Surely I come quickly … even so, come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20).
Revelation opens with three verses of introductory remarks. Then, in verse four, John presents greetings “to the seven churches” from the self-existing one, the Almighty, “him which is, and which was, and which is to come” – and then adds – “and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne” (Revelation 1:4).
This description of the Almighty draws from a vision recorded in chapter four, that depicts the Almighty upon His throne, and says “there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God (Revelation 4:5). John had seen that vision before writing the words of greetings in chapter one. That is the source for John’s description in Revelation 1:4, that was written down later, as John put his visions into a cohesive written form for distribution.
In Revelation 1:5, John continues with greetings from Jesus: “And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness and the first begotten of the dead.” The remainder of that verse, through and including verse seven, continues to refer to Jesus. “He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him; and they also which pierced him.”
SEVEN CANDLESTICKS
Revelation 1:12, 13, 16 records that John saw “seven golden candlesticks; and in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man … and he had in his right hand seven stars.” The word “candlesticks” is better rendered “lampstands,” as in the Wilson Diaglott. The Greek word is luchnia, which Strong’s Concordance defines as “a lampstand.”
These lampstands, and also the seven stars in the right hand of Jesus, are explained in verse 20. “The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches” (NIV). Jesus is in the midst, or center, of these. It is a picture of Jesus’ close association, attentiveness, and supervision for the churches, as their caretaker.
The lampstand in the tabernacle, mentioned in Exodus 25, was different, but symbolized essentially the same thing. There the lampstand is one piece, but it had seven branches. It was designed with six branches off the main center stem, three on each side. Each of those branches had three sets of ornamentation, and the center stem had four sets. The three ornaments on each side branch, added to the four sets on the center stem, summed to seven, a complete number.
If we compare this arrangement to the symbolism of the vine and branches in John chapter 15, perhaps the center stem relates to Jesus in a particular way, the “vine” with branches. In this case Jesus is in the center. This would be compatible with the Jesus in the “midst” of the lampstands in Revelation.
Lampstand from the Tabernacle
The ornaments that adorned the branches and center stem contained three elements – a bowl, a knop, and a flower. Perhaps this suggests the result of overcoming the three major foes of the church, namely, the world, the flesh, and the adversary. Perhaps the beauty of the adornments represents the development of faith (in the ransom), hope (of glory), and agape love. “I am the vine, ye are the branches, he that abides in me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit” (John 15:5).
SEVEN LAMPS
The lampstand in the tabernacle was made without lamps (Exodus 25:31-36, 39:37). The seven burning lamps were added to the lampstand, one for each branch and stem (Exodus 25:37-39). The fact that the lamps were removable facilitated the care of the lamps by the high priest. Each could be taken down filled, trimmed, dressed, relit, and put back in place, morning and evening, regularly.
In Revelation 4:5, the seven lamps of fire burned “before the throne.” This compares well with Exodus 40:25, that refers to the lamps in the tabernacle: “He lighted the lamps before Jehovah.” Revelation 4:5 tells us that these seven lamps are “the seven Spirits of God.” Probably the point is that the holy Spirit of God will be used for the seven stages of the church during the Gospel Age, in order to give enlightenment, instruction, and discipline.
SENT OUT
In Revelation 4:5, those lamps, those “seven spirits of God,” are stationary “before the throne.” In chapter five the vision introduces Jesus as a lamb slain, which refers to Jesus death as our ransom. Thereafter, the seven spirits of God are represented as being “sent out” to accomplish their mission. The verse is Revelation 5:6, cited here from the Diaglott. “And I saw in the midst of the throne, and of the four living ones [the four attributes of God], and in the midst of the elders, a little lamb standing, as if killed, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.”
Eyes indicate wisdom, and horns indicate power. Thus, in these symbols, the seven spirits of God express wisdom and power when “sent forth” to accomplish the will of God.
The seven lampstands (without lamps) are the seven churches. The seven lamps represent the holy Spirit. But how does the holy Spirit of God guide, direct, and influence the church during the Gospel Age? It is through the messages given to each church.
There are seven wise and productive messages, identified with the Lamb, sent forth to the seven churches. These seven messages to the seven churches are explicitly linked with the Spirit of God, within the closing expression of each message – “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.” The seven spirits are seven messages, as distinguished from the seven messengers. The messengers are the seven stars, or angels. The messages are the voice of God’s Spirit. They act as seven lamps to enlighten, encourage, warn, and counsel each and all of the seven churches with heavenly wisdom.
OIL AND WICKS
What burns in the lamps is oil, which is a common symbol of the holy Spirit. As we use or “burn” this oil, it brings enlightenment. The wicks used in the process represent the Lord’s people, in whom the Sprit of God dwells. “The Spirit of God dwelleth in you” (1 Corinthians 3:16). As “wicks” in this process, we must be trimmed so that oil will flow better and faster and burn brighter.
If we faithful let our light shine, conduct the oil of the holy Spirit well, and attend to the instruction of the holy Spirit, then we will have a place beyond “the vail” leading to the most holy, and enter into the direct presence of God.
Jesus, whose life force was expended during his service and ministry, was transferred from the court, into the holy, and into the most holy. Now he has been “set down with my Father in his throne” (Revelation 3:21).
Likewise the life force of the faithful ones are expended during their present service, transferred from the court, into the holy, and into the most holy. If faithful, we will sit with Jesus in his throne, as he has in his Father’s throne.
– Br. Tom Adams