The writer of the Book of the Revelation, the beloved aged Apostle John, alludes several times to the seven Spirits of God.
" The seven Spirits which are before the throne " (Rev. 1:44John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne; (Revelation 1:4)). " These things saith He that hath the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars " (Rev. 3:11And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. (Revelation 3:1)). " There were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God " (Rev. 4:55And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. (Revelation 4:5)). " Stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth " (Rev. 5:66And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. (Revelation 5:6)).
The question is often asked, Are there seven Spirits of God? The answer is, that there is only one Holy Spirit of God. The symbol of the seven Spirits is to set forth the varied activities of the Holy Spirit.
An illustration may help. The golden candlestick in the Tabernacle was one candlestick, yet it was made up of seven stems each carrying a lamp. You might speak of the one candlestick or lampstand on one occasion, or of the seven lamps on another occasion. In both cases you would be correct. Isa. 11:1, 21And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: 2And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord; (Isaiah 11:1‑2), may further illustrate, "And there shall come forth a Rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: and the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD."
One Spirit, but seen in different aspects.
The Spirit of God as seen in the Book of the Revelation is active in judgment, first in the church of God, and then in the world. When our Lord is seen walking in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks, it is a figurative way of stating that our Lord reviews His church in its various phases, and passes judgment upon that which is not of Himself. Seven times over we read, " He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches " (Rev. 2: 7, 11, 17, 29; 3: 6, 13, 22).
When the present Church period, indicated by the seven Churches of Rev. 2 and 3, expires, judgment will branch out into the world. We read, " For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?" (1 Peter 4:1717For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? (1 Peter 4:17)).
Two Scriptures plainly show how the Holy Spirit of God will be active in judgment when the church period is over, "And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God " (Rev. 4:55And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. (Revelation 4:5)).
"And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne, and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders,
Seven lamps burning before the throne are symbolic of the intensity of the Holy Spirit's action in judgment in this world. The throne speaks of immutable and irresistible power. The seven horns speak of active judgment (see for illustration what is said of horns in Dan. 8). Seven eyes speak of full discrimination. These are identified with the Lamb, the Lord Jesus, and as fully identified with the Holy Spirit, showing the wonderful blending of Divine Persons in purpose, will and power.
The Spirit, too, is the power by which the Revelation of " the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter " (Rev. 1:1919Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter; (Revelation 1:19)) is given. The Apostle John was " In the Spirit on the Lord's day " (Rev. 1: 10), when this wonderful vision was unfolded to him.
Then when he was caught up in vision to Heaven to be shown the things which must be hereafter, we read again,
"And immediately I was in the Spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in Heaven, and One sat on the throne " (Rev. 4: 2).
Finally when he had the vision of the holy city, the New Jerusalem descending out of Heaven from God, the presentation of the Church in display and administration in the coming millennial age, we read, "And He carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of Heaven from God " (Rev. 21:1010And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, (Revelation 21:10)).
The last mention of the Holy Spirit in the Scriptures is very beautiful.
It is sweet to see the journey nearly finished, the church's pilgrimage almost ended, and the Spirit saying to the Lord to come, and take His own to be with Him forever; the church by the Spirit joining in with deep affection. Sweet it is to see the evangelistic touch at the very last, the Spirit of God yearning over the lost sons of men, seeking their eternal blessing.
The Book begins with the Spirit of God moving upon the face of the waters, and ends with the invitation of the thirsty to drink of the water of life.
What a wonderful place from start to finish has the Spirit of God, One with the Father and the Son in the unity of the Godhead. That day will at last most certainly arrive, when " From earths wide bounds, from ocean's farthest coast, Through gates of pearl streams in the countless host, Singing to FATHER, SON, and HOLY GHOST, Alleluia!"