In his introduction to the book of Revelation, after giving a blessing of grace and peace to him who is, was, and is to come, John also says that the blessing is from "the seven spirits who are before his throne" (Rev 1:4)..

The Seven Spirits (Part 1)

Rev 1:4-7

seven spirits"...from Him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and has made us kings and priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion, for ever and ever, Amen. Behold he is coming with clouds, and every eye shall see him... Even so, Amen." (Rev 1:4-7).

We look at this passage again in other lessons, but for now we will consider the seven Spirits mentioned in Rev 1:4 and who are referred to in the first two visions.

• In the first vision (where the glorified Christ addresses the seven churches) Jesus Christ is described as "He who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars" (Rev 3:1).
• In the second vision scene 1 (where the elders worship around the throne) seven lamps of fire burning before the throne are "the seven Spirits of God" (Rev 4:5).
• In the second vision scene 3 (where the Lamb opens the sealed scroll) the Lamb's seven eyes are "the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth" (Rev 5:6).

What the Seven Spirits Represent

There are seven Spirits to match the seven churches addressed by the Revelation. Each Spirit is a representation of the Holy Spirit's personal work through prophets ministering to each of the seven churches, delivering to them the God-breathed testimony or gospel of Jesus.

The expression "the seven Spirits of God" (Rev 5:6) is parallel to the expression "the God of the spirits of the prophets" (Rev 22:6).

By representing the Holy Spirit and his work as seven spirits, the visions reassure us that God has a personal relationship with each congregation of Christ, and each congregation has its own independent responsibility in that relationship.

 Seven Spirits and Seven Churches