The Revealing

Tiger75 · Posted: Wed Nov 13, 2002 7:43 am Post subject: The Revealing

Rev 1:1-3

In the Book of Revelation I think 'numbers' are symbolic i.e. the number 7 speaks of divine perfection. It is quite interesting that the revealing of the Revelation is a seven-fold process:

1) God gave
2) Jesus Christ
3) signified it by his angel
4) unto his servant John
5) to shew unto his servants
6) he that readeth
7) they that hear

Nobby · Posted: Wed Nov 13, 2002 11:08 am Post subject: The Revealing

Hi Tiger,
The number 7 is used many times in Revelation, also many places thru His Word!
But in the bible on my PC I typed in:
"Seven Spirits of God" This phrase is used
three times in the Revelation:
Re 3:1 ¶ And to the angel of the church in Sardis say: These things says he who has the Seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: I have knowledge of your works, that you seem to be living but are dead.
Re 4:5 And out of the high seat came flames and voices and thunders. And seven lights of fire were burning before the high seat, which are the seven Spirits of God;
Re 5:6 ¶ And I saw in the middle of the high seat and of the four beasts, and in the middle of the rulers, a Lamb in his place, which seemed as if it had been put to death, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth.

What are the seven Spirits of God?
I can't find it, but I know it must be in the book somewhere! Maybe someone could steer me in the right direction!
Nobby

[This message has been edited by Nobby (edited 11-13-2002).]

Zathrus · Posted: Thu Nov 14, 2002 4:33 pm Post subject: The Revealing

quote:
Originally posted by Nobby:
What are the seven Spirits of God?

The seven spirits of God, like most of the book of Revelation, are mentioned in the old testament.

"For behold the stone that I have laid before Joshua; upon one stone shall be seven eyes: behold, I will engrave the graving thereof, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day." Zech. 3:9. Clearly this is a messianic prophecy. Jesus is the cornerstone and the stone which the builders rejected.

And Zech 4:2: " And said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof".

Then skipping to verse 10, where this vision is explained:
" For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth."

What Zechariah was seeing, which John also saw in Revelation, was actually the candlestick that God showed Moses how to make as part of the tabernacle.

Exactly what the phrase "the 7 spirits of God" means, I've never been able to determine with certainty. But this continuity from Moses' time to Zechariah's to the 1st century when John again saw this candlestick is a marvelous testament to the harmony of scripture, and the continuity of God's plan for man.

Nobby · Posted: Thu Nov 14, 2002 9:57 pm Post subject: The Revealing

quote:
Originally posted by Zathrus:
The seven spirits of God, like most of the book of Revelation, are mentioned in the old testament.

------------------
Yes I've been studying them! Zechariah &
John's visions are so near alike it gives you goose bumps!
------------------

quote
Quote:

Exactly what the phrase "the 7 spirits of God" means, I've never been able to determine with certainty.

-------------------
Me neither! It must be in the book somewhere!
All though somethings we may never know until
He takes us to be with Him!
----------------------------

quote
Quote:

But this continuity from Moses' time to Zechariah's to the 1st century when John again saw this candlestick is a marvelous testament to the harmony of scripture, and the continuity of God's plan for man.

--------------------
"Zathrus", This ties it all together! Wow!!
Thank you for posting.
I had read that in Zech. before, but this time I went back and gave it a good study!
I am getting so much good out of these forums! Always someone to help you!
God Bless You Brother,
Nobby

[This message has been edited by Nobby (edited 11-18-2002).]

Tiger75 · Posted: Mon Nov 18, 2002 2:29 am Post subject: The Revealing

quote:
Originally posted by Zathrus:
" ... like most of the book of Revelation, are mentioned in the old testament."

Bravo, Zathrus. I totally agree and think this is one of the 'Big Keys' to interpreting Revelation.

Van · Posted: Fri Nov 28, 2003 4:38 pm Post subject:

shepreach · Cobra Joined: 08 Nov 2003 Posts: 493 Location: ga

Nobby wrote:

Van · Posted: Sat Nov 29, 2003 8:47 am Post subject:

Yes, I agree that the "fullness" might be the same as completeness or perfectness of the Spirit of God that descended like a dove and rested upon Christ. The empowered Christ was "the light" and will be the King of Kings, and sees into our hearts and judges righteously and perfectly.

Reaper · Hamster Joined: 11 Aug 2004 Posts: 86

Shepreach and Van are on the right tract.

The expression, THE SEVEN SPIRITS, occurs four times in the book of Revelation. A careful comparison of these usages should reveal the most likely interpretation of the meaning.

Rev 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”

This text shows the seven spirits BEFORE THE THRONE -- a symbol of the position of SERVICE.

Rev 3:1 “To the angel of the church in Sardis write, ‘these things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars…”

This text points out that Jesus also has these spirits. Furthermore the fact that Rev 1:4 showed them to be God's is here strengthened by stating that they are "OF GOD."

Rev 4:5 “And out of the throne proceeded lightning’s and thundering and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.”

This text "defines" these spirits by equating them with another symbol, SEVEN LAMPS OF FIRE (which also are "before the throne.") A lamp of course, is a light source: "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." (Psa. 119:105) This text testifies the totality of God's truth. These are lamps of fire because truth burns away error.

Rev 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.”

This text again equates the seven spirits with a symbol -- the seven eyes of the lamp (or, possibly, both the seven horns and the seven eyes.) That these eyes are "sent forth into all the earth" calls to mind (2 Chron 16:9) and (Zech 4:10). Chronicles is especially helpful in that it gives the reason these eyes (the watch care of wisdom) are sent throughout the earth: HORNS symbolize POWER, the seven horns (complete Divine power) and the seven eyes (complete divine wisdom) are combined on behalf of the church.

CONCLUSION: The seven spirits are, in essence, the Holy Spirit, thus the greeting in Rev. 1:4 and 5 lists God, the Holy Spirit (i.e. the seven spirits), and Jesus.

The number seven (a perfect or complete number) symbolizes the fact that the influence of God which we call the Holy Spirit is total in its ability to handle the affairs of the universe as well as the affairs of His church. Jesus intimated the far-reaching importance of this spirit for the good of the church, when, in John 14:26 and 16:7, he pointed out that the spirit would do things for them as a group (throughout the age) that he could not accomplish for them if he were personally present.

If the number seven is also used literally to show seven specific functions of the spirit, those seven are not obvious. POWER, WISDOM, and TRUTH were specified in these verses. Four more would have to be found.
The logical initial meaning, then, of the seven spirits is the Holy Spirit of God in its myriad applications, but most specifically in its particular services toward EACH of the seven stages of the church. The Holy Spirit has always been an active agent in both the lives and histories of the seven churches.

For example during the Sardis period of the church’s history many were expecting the Lord’s return in the late 1300’s, thus in this stage of the church’s history it was only appropriate that our Lord should remind them that there would be seven stages of the church -- SEVEN times when the SPIRIT (i.e., the Holy Spirit) says “hear”, (Rev 2:7,11,17,29; 3:6,13,22)

They were but the fifth, but of course we would not have expected them to understand this, for as our Lord had so stated to Daniel the Prophet, the Words (regarding the entire plan of God, together with the time features of it) would be closed up and sealed (would not be understood) till the time of the end (1799) and then only by the wise, not wise according to worldly wisdom, but rather according to the spirit.

Your servant, Reaper

joman · Tiger Joined: 07 Jun 2004 Posts: 823

Nobby,

Isaiah 11:1-2
“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 and of the fear of the Lord;…..

(1.) The spirit of the Lord.
(2.) The spirit of wisdom.
(3.) The spirit of understanding.
(4.) The spirit of counsel.
(5.) The spirit of might.
(6.) The spirit of knowledge.
(7.) The spirit of the fear of the Lord.

All but one is paired as are the eyes of a man.
(a) Wisdom with understanding: Wisdom makes good use of understanding.
(b) Counsel with might: Counsel makes good use of power.
(c) Knowledge with fear of the Lord: Knowledge is tempered by fear of the Lord. Also it is a obvious result of knowing God.
(d) The spirit of the Lord: The headship that makes use of all.

The reference of seven spirits to fire is the ability of each spirit to enlighten (truth, candlestick shining upon the shewbread:word), to speak (, Pentecost, Isaiah’s mouth), to purify (furnace of earth; heart of man), to sacrifice (worship, altar), give zeal (holy passion), glorify the Lord (pillar of fire). This isn’t an exhaustive list of course. But each aspect of the spirit of the Lord shares these abilities.
The reference of the seven spirits of God having eyes is the ability to see with each aspect described above. God has seven perspectives on every matter.
All of them are brought to bear upon every thing. For example, the spirit of might has the ability to do anything but, not without the counsel of God. The counsel of God relies upon wisdom, understanding, and knowledge. Fear of the Lord comes with knowledge of God and cannot be apart from it. The man that knows not God is the man who has no fear of him. Understanding makes use of knowledge. Wisdom directs the use of all attributes with the future in sight.
I’m not being adamant here. I’m only suggesting some thoughts.
Jesus Christ is the stone in Zechariah that has all seven spirits.

Wisdom hath seven pillars?

Joman.

Nobby · Posted: Thu Sep 16, 2004 10:47 am Post subject:

Thanks joman, good post. Smile

PS: Got a question? Do you ever answer your Private Messages & the top of the page? I wrote you one some time ago, that you have not looked at.
It should read "You have 1 new message" If you don't use the dropdown that tells you you have a message, you could check it once in a while just by looking at the top of the page. Wink

Has to do with an e-mail that you sent me.
_________________
Much Love Nobby
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Holywind · Goldfish Joined: 25 Jul 2004 Posts: 61

Hi Nobby

Blessings! Wonder if you could help me out here, I'm not the most computer literate person in the world and I haven't been able to figure out how all of you pull in the "QUOTES" from other postings. Would you mind walking me through the process? I'd deeply appreciate it. Thanks! Very Happy

_________________
Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be afraid, rightly dividing (correctly parsing) the word of truth.

Star · Posted: Sat Sep 18, 2004 12:28 pm Post subject:

Ok this is one of the funnest discussions watching you guys! Very Happy

I'm looking in because I don't understand all the symbolism and am eager to see what you guys unearth here.

I have a question myself, in regarding "sevens" can any of you guys see any corresponding usage of the verse in proverbs (you know me and verses) but you might be familiar with it.

By Wisdom a house is Built (we are His house/ living stones) and the verse in question (as it might relate here, I don't know) is...

Wisdom has hewn her Seven pillars.

If The Cross of Christ IS THE WISDOM OF GOD what do you think these seven pillars stand for? Because it surrounds "The lamb that was slain". The lamps are all burning.

Another thought as well is the Seventh day (not calendar days forget that thought) but the day God rested from His work which might be seen as Christ's Finished work seen as the lamb that was slain in Davids Child who died on the seventh day. It all corresponds. Maybe it is the fullness of time (seven) God rested (seventh day) Christ said it was finished (shown in a picture of davids child dying)??? The light of seven days in one day?

Ahhhhhhhhhh!!! Ok you guys got my juices going, I'm off to meditate on these things until my lamp burns lol!

In Him
Star <-------------- off to roast Gods word over the fire Very Happy

Nobby · Posted: Sat Sep 18, 2004 12:56 pm Post subject: Quoting

Holywind, you have a PM. Smile

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metothezero · Posted: Sun Sep 19, 2004 2:39 am Post subject:

STAR!!! The verse you want which is speaking about Wisdom's seven pillars is found in Proverbs 9. I too, like yourself, do not understand much of the imagery in the Scriptures. The truth of my lack of understanding is my fear of interpreting them wrongly. I would rather not attempt then to build an entire doctrine based upon an interpretation of mine of images that perhaps were not intended to be interpreted in such a way...understand?
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Atheism is a ferocious system, that leaves nothing above us to excite awe, nor around us to awaken tenderness. --R. Hall.