The Seven Spirits of GOD

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 of the fear of the LORD Isaiah 11:2

The seven spirits of the LORD, as manifested in our savior Jesus, are identified in the verse above.  The Seven Spirits of GOD are referenced in scripture many times.  These Seven Spirits are important to the church (you and me).  These spirits should be operating in us individually and corporately as a body of believers.  When that happens our "light" shines as a burning candlestick sending forth light in the "darkness around us.

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.  Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.  Matthew 5:14-16

The candlestick, or Menorah is a biblical symbol used in both the Old and New Testaments.  It symbolizes many things such as Israel, the Church, the Holy Spirit, the Word of God and the Seven Spirits of GOD. Jesus is "the light of the world" and can be symbolized by the Menorah as well.  The most used numerical pattern seen in the Menorah is the number seven.  There are many "sevens" in scripture; seven thunders, seven trumpets, seven eyes of the Lord, seven horns, seven angels, seven bowls, seven lamps, seven sealed scroll and the Seven Spirits of GOD. The number seven represents GOD's perfection, fullness and completeness.

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 1:4

The seven Spirits mentioned above in the opening verses of the Book of Revelation convey messages to the Apostle John and to the seven churches of Asia.  Seven distinct messages were sent to seven churches.  The nature of each of the Seven Spirits of GOD can be seen manifested in the seven separate messages given to each individual church (see Revelation chapters 2 and 3), and are shown below:

A careful study of each of these letters to the churches reveals that the manifestation of the Seven Spirits of GOD are revealed and expressed to each individual church.

For us, today, what practical expression is there of the Seven Spirits of GOD?  Each of us can possess one or more manifestations.  With these characteristics in our possession we can be overcomers as encouraged in the letters to the churches of Asia. 

The Spirit of the Lord is manifested in Love.  All God's commands can be reduced to simply and only, love God and love others.  The word love best describes the very essence of who and what our Lord is.  A person manifesting this spirit loves GOD, is devoted to other believers and has a burden for the lost.  The church at Ephesus had left their first love.  Since most of the Book of Ephesians is devoted to instruction on the need for love within the body of Christ, maybe the people at Ephesus were busy doing the work but had forgotten to love.  Jesus told us that by our love all men would know we were his disciples.  It is most significant that love is associated with the first Spirit of GOD.  GOD IS love.

The Spirit of Might enables us to persevere and be saved from destruction.  Satan is the destroyer.  The Spirit of Might is manifested in preservation.  The church at Smyrna was under intense persecution.  They were encouraged to be faithful unto death, the result being that they would be preserved and would receive a crown of life (the opposite of death).  A person manifesting the Spirit of Might will be anointed to support and preserve the weaker members of the body of Christ.  There are many weak around us; the homeless, the poor, the forsaken, and in our culture, even the unborn.  Meeting needs of other believers, honorable or not, is foremost for someone who is enabled by the Spirit of Might.

The Spirit of Counsel is manifested in remembrance.  The church at Pergamos needed remembrance or counsel to return to the pure Word of God.  They were holding to the doctrine of Balaam and the Nicolaitans, both of which encouraged immorality and worldliness.  To remember is to put back together or reconnect.  One reason the Old Testament feasts (Passover, Pentecost, Tabernacles et al.) were instituted was for a remembrance.  We celebrate communion regularly as a remembrance of our Savior Jesus.  A person anointed by the Spirit of Counsel is an approachable person in whom you can confide that can help with any phase of remembrance, counsel and reconnection.

The Spirit of Understanding is manifested by revelation from the Lord.  The church at Thyatira was seduced to false teaching because they were listening to men instead of GOD.  GOD is the revealer.  GOD is the teacher.  Truth is revealed from the LORD.  A person anointed with the Spirit of Understanding knows that anything worth knowing comes from GOD and is a teacher that leads their listeners to seek the knowledge of the LORD not knowledge of men. 

The Spirit of Wisdom is manifested in perfection or maturity in the faith.  Some at the church at Sardis were maturing in the faith.most were not.   Those anointed with the Spirit of Wisdom are those who encourage those in the body of Christ to be spiritually mature and grow in the LORD.  The entire Book of Proverbs is devoted to becoming spiritually mature through the process of instruction in wisdom.

The publishing or spreading the Word Of GOD manifests the Spirit of Knowledge.  The church at Philadelphia had this key that opens and shuts doors.  They not only knew GOD's word but they kept it.  The declaration of the Word of GOD, written, verbal or otherwise is a powerful force.  Those anointed with the Spirit of Knowledge are compelled to see the earth filled with the knowledge (The Word) of the LORD, by any means possible.  The Word of the LORD is knowledge.

The Spirit of the Fear of the LORD is manifested in restoration.  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge.  Those in Laodicea were in great need of restoration.  They were so far from the Lord that they didn't even recognize their condition.  They were encouraged to repent and be restored through the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Those anointed with this Spirit refuse to give up on anyone. The LORD's will is that all be restored.  Remember the parable of the shepherd who left the ninety-nine to save the one that was lost.  All one hundred were his sheep.

Are the Seven Spirits of GOD active today?  Are any enabled in your life and/or ministry?  Which ones are not?  Can you see the expression of these Seven Spirits in others?  Is the world in which we live in darkness?  Is it getting darker?  Is your light shining as a burning candlestick?  Do you love others? Are you in need of preservation, counsel, understanding, wisdom, knowledge or restoration?  The Seven Spirits of GOD is a subject where intense and personal meditation is most certainly useful and fruitful.

Be blessed and meditate or meditate and be blessed!!!!.. the choice is yours!!