The Trinity

[Kol]

If there's one holy spirit, why does Rev 3:1 say that there are seven of them?

 

[unpardoned1]

Question: "What are the seven spirits of God?"

Answer: The "seven spirits of God" are mentioned in Revelation 1:4; 3:1; 4:5; and 5:6. The seven spirits of God are not specifically identified. It is therefore impossible to be dogmatic. Revelation 1:4 mentions that the seven spirits are before God's throne. Revelation 3:1 indicates that Jesus Christ "holds" the seven spirits of God. Revelation 4:5 links the seven spirits of God with seven burning lamps that are before God's throne. Revelation 5:6 identifies the seven spirits with the "seven eyes" of the Lamb and states that they are "sent out into all the earth."

There are at least three possible interpretations of the seven spirits of God. The first is that the seven spirits of God are symbolic of the Holy Spirit. The Bible, and especially the Book of Revelation, uses the number seven to refer to perfection and completion. If that is the meaning of the seven in the "seven spirits" then it is not referring to seven different spirits of God, but rather the perfect and complete Holy Spirit. The second view is that the seven spirits of God refer to seven angelic beings, possibly the seraphim, the cherubim. This would fit with the numerous others angelic beings that are described in the Book of Revelation (Revelation 4:6-9; 5:6-14; 19:4-5).


A third possibility is based on Isaiah 11:2 which says, “The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him — the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD.” This could possibly explain the seven spirits of God…(1) Spirit of the LORD, (2) Spirit of wisdom, (3) Spirit of understanding, (4) Spirit of counsel, (5) Spirit of power, (6) Spirit of knowledge, (7) Spirit of the fear of the Lord. With all that said, I "lean" towards the first view, that the "seven spirits of God" refer to the Holy Spirit.
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I tend to go with the last explaination, but the author goes with the first view.

Recommended Resource: The Holy Spirit by Charles Ryrie.

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[Kol]

Where does it say that there is only one holy spirit? What you've posted makes me think that there are seven holy spirits and that Christ's spirit is just the first of six others. Maybe I should just post this somewhere else..

 

[heavensangelwv]

I John 5:7
For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.

I would take that verse to mean that there is one Holy "Ghost" because the addition of the Father, the Word, and the Holy "Ghost" makes three.

Perhaps Revelation 3:1 isn't talking about 7 individual bodies, but one body possessing all seven characteristics.

 

[micbmac]

Hi Kol. I'm not going to pretend to understand the book of Revelation. It is full of symbolism and all. Even though i study, i find it hard to understand.

This is what i believe: Their is one Holy Spirit. Not 7.

The number 7 in oftn used in the bible to portray fullness or perfection.
I could be wrong of course but that's what i think. Maybe. i am half

 

[Aces High]

Revelations is awesome, it's so confusing

 

[kuntrygurl_26]

The book of revelation is so very confusing and you have to becareful in studying it in depth becuase I don't think anyone will ever fully understand it. As for the trinity-there is no trinity. Oneness is all in the bible. The first being deutormony 6:4-Hear O Isreal, the lord our God is ONE.

If there in fact was a trinity then when the bible says that he only way to the father is through the son. If Jesus Christ wasn't God manifested in the flesh then by praying to the son to get to the father we would be putting Jesus Christ before God. Jesus Christ was the flesh form of God. The Father, The son, The holy ghost--they are all titles. The name is in fact Jesus Christ

 

[Kol]

I John 5:7
For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.

I would take that verse to mean that there is one Holy "Ghost" because the addition of the Father, the Word, and the Holy "Ghost" makes three.

Perhaps Revelation 3:1 isn't talking about 7 individual bodies, but one body possessing all seven characteristics.

My Bible doesn't have that for 1 John 5:7.

For there are three that testify: the Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement.

That's verses 7 and 8.

 

[kuntrygurl_26]

Kol maybe the verse means that all of these 7 spirits are all dwelling in one body. You have power, wisdom etc. yet you are one person. They are yall spirits that we posess.

 

[heavensangelwv]

My Bible doesn't have that for 1 John 5:7.

For there are three that testify: the Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement.

That's verses 7 and 8.

I John 5 (King James Version)
7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
8 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.

 

[Kol]

well that's your problem, you're reading the wrong bible.

 

[heavensangelwv]

well that's your problem, you're reading the wrong bible.

My problem?.... Interesting. I wasn't aware that there was a "wrong Bible." Can I assume that you read the original in Hebrew and Greek then? I'll keep you in my prayers.

 

[QuantaCura]

For what it's worth, we Catholics (and Orthodox and some Anglicans) have this book called "Tobit" in our Bibles. In it, there is this verse:

Tobit 12:15 For I am the angel Raphael, one of the seven, who stand before the Lord.



That being said, even Catholic thinkers posit that it could instead refer to the seven-fold nature of the Holy Spirit referred to here by the Prophet Isaiah:

Isa. 11:2 And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him: the spirit of wisdom, and of understanding, the spirit of counsel, and of fortitude, the spirit of knowledge, and of godliness. 3 And he shall be filled with the spirit of the fear of the Lord.

 

[Timyone]

Where does it say that there is only one holy spirit? What you've posted makes me think that there are seven holy spirits and that Christ's spirit is just the first of six others. Maybe I should just post this somewhere else..

i reckon post it in one of the theology forums on here, they can give you a much better answer

 

[unpardoned1]

Yes, please, there are so many people more knowledgeable, perhaps the "ask a pastor" forum would be best.

 

[kingoffools13]

Where does it say that there is only one holy spirit? What you've posted makes me think that there are seven holy spirits and that Christ's spirit is just the first of six others. Maybe I should just post this somewhere else..

They are angels, read chapter one of Revelations again, near the end it explains who/what they are.

K
o
F

 

[Kol]

heavensangel, that verse was taken out of future translations because it was added by a scribe and not in earlier manuscripts.

KOF: thank you I'll reread it.

 

[Bubba1301]

Here is something to ponder and has yet to be mentioned.... the number 7 in scripture has typically been used to imply perfection, completeness, wholeness and the like.

Could it be that Jesus holding the 7 spirits of God implies that Jesus holds the perfect and complete power and authority of God?

 

[8462]

soooo... Tell me a little about what you think of the trinity