Revelation 4:5; Thunderings and the Seven Spirits of God

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Revelation 4:5 And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. 

Goodwin observed well, “By thunders and lightnings are meant the judgments of God.

Psalm 18:13-14 The LORD also thundered in the heavens, and the Highest gave his voice; hail stones and coals of fire. Yea, he sent out his arrows, and scattered them; and he shot out lightnings, and discomfited them. 

Psalm 29:3 The voice of the LORD is upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth: the LORD is upon many waters. 

They are said to come “out of the throne,” because all judgments do come from God, as sitting in His church, and for His church’s sake doth God use them.”

What about the seven lamps of fire? It is the reference to the Holy Spirit. These are not seven separate spirits in heaven or angels. They are to be understood as the Holy Spirit in His sevenfold character or manifestations (Isaiah 11:2-3) as follows:

Isaiah 11:2-3 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; 3 And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears:

  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

The presence of the Godhead, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, in God’s throne room. This is the headquarters of the universe. And from here will be unfolded the events of the Great Tribulation, the Millennium and the New Heavens and New Earth. We are given a preview of the future.

I am reminded of Daniel who was burdened to know the future of His people Israel at the close of the 70 years of Babylonian captivity (Daniel 9). Here is revealed to John the future of the church. What knowledge!

“To set up a church on earth is to set up God and Christ a throne. A church is His only visible throne on earth, till the kingdoms of the world become His visibly.” (Goodwin)

We notice that movement in world events culminating to the church’s coming glory!

May the Lord grant us His grace to live circumspectly in the light of the glory to come. Amen.