The seven spirits of God—Who or what are they?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

The seven spirits are mentioned in Revelation 1:4, 3:1, 4:5, and 5:6. However, they are never explained. That means that any suggestion as to what they are is speculation. One view is that the seven spirits are seven aspects of the Holy Spirit or that they represent the fullness of the Spirit. This view is based on Isaiah 11:2, which can be read as listing seven characteristics of the Spirit. Another view sees the seven spirits as referring to seven angels. This is also plausible since there are seven churches (Revelation 2–3), each of which has a “messenger,” sometimes translated as “angel”. Additionally, there are seven angels before the throne, waiting to bring judgment (Revelation 8:2), much like the seven spirits are said to be before the throne (Revelation 4:5). In the end, it is not possible to be certain of what John saw. However, the lack of certainty tells us one thing: God did not intend for us to know, or He would have explained them. This means that understanding them is not crucial to our faith but is something we can add to our list of things to marvel about God and heaven!

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• The seven spirits of God are not mentioned in the Old Testament. However, some scholars believe that Isaiah 11:2 references them. If this is the case, then the seven spirits would be the spirit of 1) the LORD, 2) wisdom, 3) understanding, 4) counsel, 5) might, 6) knowledge, and 7) fear of the LORD.
• While an interesting connection, Isaiah 11:2 doesn’t describe the heavenly throne room like Revelation does when it mentions the seven spirits, so this connection is based entirely on an inference without other contextual clues to make the connection certain.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• The seven spirits are mentioned four times in Revelation: Revelation 1:4, 3:1, 4:5, and 5:6. Unfortunately, none of the verses describe who or what they are. Therefore, any suggestion is largely speculative.
• As mentioned in the Old Testament section, some see the seven different descriptions in Isaiah 11:2 as a reference to the seven spirits. If that is true, then the seven spirits are really seven aspects or descriptions of the one Holy Spirit. While plausible because Revelation uses metaphorical language, the “seven spirits” are said to be distinct from God. For example, John said, “before the throne were burning seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God” (Revelation 4:5b). In front of God (the throne) are seven lamps, which are the seven spirits. While describing the Spirit separately from God is possible, to represent the Holy Spirit using seven distinct objects, without clear language that they refer to the one Spirit, stretches the plausibility of this interpretation.
• Another view is that the lamps represent angels. There are, indeed, seven churches (Revelation 1:4a) with seven “messengers” (or angels), as well as seven angels who, like the lamps, are before God ready to bring judgment (Revelation 8:2). However, while also plausible, if they are the same, it seems odd that John would start by calling them spirits and then later start calling them angels.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

While Scripture is always very clear about what is important and necessary to be saved and to live in a way that pleases God, it occasionally opaquely references ancillary things. They are fascinating to consider, but we must be careful that a minor, albeit interesting, tidbit doesn’t take a disproportionate amount of our time trying to explain.

God has given us everything we need to please Him, and that’s where we should place the majority of our attention. Anything else that He mentions is done so purposefully, but that doesn’t mean that He intends us to understand everything mentioned. It may be that, in eternity, we will see these seven spirits and finally have an answer. However, it is also possible that we will see them before the throne of God and always marvel at what they mean. God is free to reveal and hide whatever He wishes (Deuteronomy 29:29).

So, as we think about these seven spirits, may they cause us to think about the God who has chosen to reveal and explain the important things that teach us what we need to know to be saved and to honor Him. Let us also think about all the great things, like these seven spirits, we have yet to see or understand and which, in His time, He may reveal to us in eternity!

UNDERSTAND

• The seven spirits of God in Revelation are mysterious and undefined.
• The seven spirits of God may represent seven aspects of the Holy Spirit or seven angels.
• God chose not to clearly reveal the meaning of the seven spirits of God; we must trust what we do know.

REFLECT

• How do you respond when Scripture presents mysteries like the seven spirits that are not fully explained?
• How are you challenged or encouraged to trust God’s wisdom in revealing what we need but not explaining everything?
• How might focusing on the essentials of faith, rather than every detail, impact your faith?

ENGAGE

• What do the different interpretations of the seven spirits reveal about how we, as believers, approach biblical mystery and the limits of human understanding?
• What does God’s choice to keep certain things mysterious teach us about our relationship with God?
• How can we balance curiosity about biblical mysteries with the need to focus on what is essential for salvation and obedience?