Grace and peace to you from “he who is,” and who was, and who is still to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ—the faithful witness, the firstborn from among the dead, the ruler over the kings of the earth.
Revelation 1:2b-5a NET
Most of Paul’s letters and both of Peter’s start with a salutation that includes something like, “Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 1:7). John also does that here. But he adds something unique to the formula. Between God the Father (he who is, was, and is to come) and the Lord Jesus, we find mention of “the seven spirits who are before his [God’s] throne.” So, who are these seven spirits?
It is probably a way of referring to the Holy Spirit. To understand grace and peace as flowing from the triune God. And it is commonly understood that way, with the seven spirits signifying the complete manifestation of his being rather than seven distinct spirits.
The Septuagint rendering of Isaiah 11:2 supports that idea. “And the spirit of God shall rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and godliness. The spirit of the fear of God will fill him.”
Some understood these seven spirits to be archangels or other spiritual beings. However, the more traditional understanding that it refers to the Holy Spirit seems preferable. Especially since inserting archangels or other spiritual beings between the Father and Son as the source of grace and peace would seem to put those spirits on a par with the Father and the Son. A position that belongs only to the Holy Spirit.
The Seven Spirits
These seven spirits are mentioned three other times in the opening chapters of Revelation. In Revelation 3:1, the message to the church in Sardis comes from Jesus, “the one who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars.” The seven stars are described as the angels/messengers of the seven churches (Rev. 1:16, 20). So, does this reflect the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the local church and its leadership?
In Revelation 4:5, “Seven flaming torches, which are the seven spirits of God, were burning in front of the throne.” These seven flaming torches could refer to the seven-branched lamp that burned in the Tabernacle. A lamp that gave light to those who came into God’s presence. Potentially signifying the illuminating role of the Spirit in our lives.
And in Revelation 5:6, we are introduced to the Lamb of God. A lamb who “had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.” These spirits sent out into the earth could refer to the work of the Holy Spirit in the world. In John 16:7-11, Jesus told his disciples he would send the Spirit to “prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment.”
That the seven spirits before the throne are descriptive of the Holy Spirit seems preferable to the other alternatives. However, how the other three passages relate to the person and work of the Holy Spirit is unclear. But they do show that the Spirit is active in what is being described in Revelation.
Very well written, thank you! I appreciate your “A Note to Readers”, but more importantly I appreciate you sharing for the rest of us to grow and learn. I am glad I found your website.
Thanks for sharing your encouraging words.