The Orthodox Christian understanding of God is confessed as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit: the Trinity one in essence and undivided. One God, yet three distinct persons, co-equal and co-eternal. Evidence of this mystery is first found in the beginning of the Bible. For in the opening verses of the book of Genesis it reads that, “…God said, let US make man in OUR image…” (Genesis 1:26). So, here we see that ever since the beginning of time the person-hood of God is revealed as having a plural identity, and not just as a singular reference point. The mystery of the Trinity was further revealed in the person of Jesus Christ, who is the incarnate Son and Word of God. For as it is written, “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth (John 1:14). Later on in the New Testament the properties of God are even further revealed. For in the book of Revelation (the final book of the Bible) are we introduced to the seven Spirits of God which are before His throne (Revelation 1:4). The attempt of this work will be to reveal the mystery of the seven Spirits of God as taken directly from both the Old and New Testaments of the Holy Bible. So now, let us open the scriptures and may the mystery of the seven Spirits be revealed.
As previously touched upon, the seven Spirits of God stand before the throne of God as described in the book of Revelation. However, even though the seven Spirits of God are not mentioned in any other book of the New Testament, they are found in at least one book of the Old Testament, where they are even individually described and identified. Speaking on the future Messiah, the prophet Isaiah foretells that, “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). This Old Testament revelation concerning the seven Spirits of God expresses how the Old and New Testaments complement one another and also showcases their continuity. For what is prophesied in the Old Testament is fulfilled in the New Testament. Themes common to the Old also find their way into the teachings of the New. So, it can be understood that the Bible is one book broken into two distinct parts, while at the same time remaining inseparable from each other.
The seven Spirits of God may also be compared with the seven capital virtues, which stand in direct opposition to the seven deadly sins. These seven virtues are categorized as chastity, temperance, charity, diligence, patience, kindness, and humility. While inversely speaking, the seven deadly sins (contrary to the seven capital virtues) are listed as lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, wrath, envy, and pride. So the seven fold nature of virtue and vice is quite interesting when compared with the seven fold nature of the Spirits of God. Going further in St. Paul’s letter to the Romans 12:6-8, do we come across the seven graces or “charisma” which also reflects the character of the seven Spirits of God. These seven graces are as follows: 1. insight (prophecy); 2. helpfulness (service or ministry); 3. instruction (teaching); 4. encouragement; 5. generosity (giving); 6. guidance (leadership); and 7. compassion. This list of the seven spiritual graces in Romans is indeed a striking parallel when compared to the seven Spirits of God as identified in Isaiah 11:2. Yet again, another link in the chain uniting both the Old and New Testaments together as one.
Returning to the book of Revelation, are we faced with a most mysterious vision relating to the seven Spirits of God. For drawing close to the presence of the Almighty, into His very throne room it is written that, “…in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth” (Revelation 5:6). So from this verse it is evident that the seven Spirits of God are not static in nature, but are engaged in perpetual motion. This conclusion is supported by what Christ Himself utters in Revelation 2:23 where the Lord declares, “I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.” Again this verse of the New Testament is paralleled with a portion of the Old Testament, where the Lord speaking through Jeremiah says, “I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings (Jeremiah 17:10). So from these passages do we come to the understanding that the seven Spirits of God see everything which transpires upon the earth, and that they are sent into all of creation, just as Christ Himself searches the inner most intentions of man’s free will while also providing rewards to a life lived well. For as the eyes of the seven Spirits are continuously upon us, no one can hide from God.
In addition to the seven Spirits of God recorded in Revelation, are we also faced with seven churches of which the Lord has a certain message for each, and signifies it by his angel unto his servant John. John also sees a vision of seven golden candlesticks along with the risen Christ walking in the midst. John describes his vision of Christ as, “…one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength” (Revelation 1:13-16). Christ goes on to reveal unto John the mysteries of the seven stars and the seven golden candlesticks, by informing him that the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and that the seven candlesticks are the seven churches (Revelation 1:20). This recurrence of the number seven in Revelation and elsewhere in the Bible, must mean that seven is a special number. For the number seven is held by scholars to be symbolic of “fullness” or “completion” or as a number representing perfection.
In conclusion, from studying both the Old and New Testaments we can easily discern that God is a perfect God, and a complete and whole Being: The Almighty. God is filled with wisdom and strength and is the source of all life within His creation. Nothing escapes the eyes of the Lord and in addition to being omnipotent, God is also omnipresent. Though man is created in the image of God, man can do nothing without the spirit of God fueling man’s accomplishments. For it is the spirit which gives life, while the flesh alone can do nothing in and of itself. Since God is holy, then there can be no unrighteousness in Him. However, through Adam and Eve’s disobedience in Eden their one poor decision plunged the world into sin and death, something completely foreign to the very nature of God. So if we human beings are to acquire the gift of the Holy Spirit, then we must serve the Lord by repenting of our sins and by following God’s commandments. For God is like a benevolent supervisor managing His business by sending forth His servants to take care of certain responsibilities. And like a good employer, the kind hearted Lord grants abundant rewards unto His employees for all of their labors. So the choice is ours if we want to inherit life or death. For as it is written in Galatians 6:8, “…he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.”