From The Book of Revelation with reference to the Seven Spirits of God.
In 1 John 4 Christians are told to test the spirits. In order to test the spirits, we must know which spirits come from God.
Biblical References
The seven Spirits of God (Greek: τα επτά πνεύματα του θεού, ta hepta pneumata tou theou) are mentioned four times in the Book of Revelation, and in the Book of Isaiah it names each Spirit.
- Revelation 1:4: John 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 3:1: And 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 4:5: 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.
- Revelation 5:6: And 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.
The Sevenfold Ministry of the Spirit
In one interpretation, the "Seven Spirits" represent the sevenfold ministry of the Spirit as depicted in the Book of Isaiah.
As it is written: 1."The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the
2. Spirit of wisdom and 3. understanding, the 4. Spirit of counsel and 5. might, the 6.
Spirit of knowledge and of 7. the fear of the LORD, and He will delight in
the fear of the Lord." ~ Isaiah 11:2–3
Here are represented the seven Spirits, which are before the throne of God. The reference to the lamb in Revelation 5:6 relates it to the Seven Spirits which first appear in Revelation 1:4 and are associated with Jesus who holds them along with seven stars.
An alternative view is that the seven graces (charisma) of Romans 12:6–8 reflect the seven spirits of God. The Holy Spirit manifests in humankind through these graces, reflecting the seven spirits of God. The seven graces are: 1. insight (prophecy); 2. helpfulness (service or ministry); 3. instruction (teaching); 4. encouragement; 5. generosity (giving); 6. guidance (leadership); and 7. compassion. This agrees with Isaiah 11:2–3 if "the Spirit of the Lord" is recognized as categorical and "the delight in the fear (utmost respect, reverence) of the Lord" is added. (Isaiah 11:3, Berean Study Bible)
Seven Distinct Spiritual Beings
In the New Testament, the Greek term "Dunamis" (translated by some as "Power" - where we get the English word dynamite) suggests a class of exalted spiritual beings; perhaps parallel to the "chief Princes" (Sar rishown) in the Old Testament, of which the Archangel Michael is stated to be one (Daniel 10:13).
"Dunamis" is used by the Apostle Paul to refer to spiritual beings in Romans 8:38; Ephesians 1:21, 3:10, 6:12; and Colossians 1:16, 2:10, 2:15. "Powers and principalities" can apply to both angelic and devilish beings, but more often in the New Testament to devilish beings. However, most modern Protestant translators take "Dunamis" to mean "power," "strength", or "ability."
It is possible that these seven angels are a special entourage charged with special duties by the Lamb, about whom we have little to no specific knowledge.
Still others look to the apocryphal work 1 Enoch which refers to seven angels who are "watching" creation: Uriel, Raphael, Raguel, Michael, Sarakiel/Suriel (in 9.1), Gabriel, and Phanuel, who is mentioned as one of the four chief angels in 40.9.
Symbolic of Perfection
Sevenfold may also be connected with the biblical understanding of the number 7 representing perfection or spiritual completion. The "Seven Fold Spirit of God" could be the "perfect" Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit.
As it is written: For (absolutely without doubt) we who are in this tent (human body) groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed (incomplete), but further clothed (with our spirit body), that mortality (physical death) may be swallowed up by life (immortality). Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as [a]a guarantee. So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the (earthly) body we are absent from the Lord. ~ 2 Corinthians 5:4-6
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