Seven Spirits of God

[placebofactor]

Following is a question that has always confused me. Still not sure of it's meaning. Are there seven literal Spirits, or is it one Spirit manifesting himself in seven energies, operations, or attributes, which are rhetorically personified?

The following verses are in question: Revelation 1:4, “And from the seven Spirits which are before the throne; and from Jesus Christ who is the faithful witness,”

Revelation 4:5, “And there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.”

Isaiah wrote, "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." Only six are mentioned here.

Revelation 3:1, “These things saith he that has the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars;”

Revelation 5:6, “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.”

Your thoughts:

[William]

[Replying to placebofactor in post #1]

What is a "spirit"? Once that is explained, then we could proceed with answering the OPQ.

[placebofactor]

[Replying to placebofactor in post #1]

What is a "spirit"? Once that is explained, then we could proceed with answering the OPQ.

Good question
What is a spirit? They are incorporeal, real beings of a higher power, perfection, and dignity. Spirit creatures, intelligent, first in both rank and dignity among God's created beings, representing and fulfilling their offices as messengers of God and declaring His will. Nothing in Scripture states whether they are male or female. Their names appear to be masculine, as in Michael and Gabriel.

Hebrews 1:14, "Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?"
There are nine listed orders: Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones, Dominions, Virtues, Powers, Principalities, Archangels, and Angels. Some may apply to the same class?

They excel in strength, are immortal, and act as agents through which God accomplishes His special purposes. Angels may declare God's will, correct, teach, reprove, comfort, and enact judgments on persons, armies, or nations.Fallen angels are spoken of as,

Jude 6, "Not having kept their first estate," evil, rulers of the darkness, working spiritual wickedness, the enemies of God.

Eph.6:12, "For we (man) wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."

How may an angel appear to us?
In dreams, visions, human forum, and various other forms, as in tongues of fire, a dove, etc.

Matthew 22:30, "The angels of God in heaven, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage."

Hope that answers your question.

[William]

[Replying to placebofactor in post #3]

They are incorporeal...

So - "spirits" are not composed of matter?

Like "ghosts"? (Something that is not physical or does not have a physical form. Ghosts are often believed to be incorporeal beings.)

Incorporealt can describe intangible things like feelings or ideas, which are real but not physical... eg, Love is an incorporeal phenomenon that cannot be seen or touched.

[earl]

The 7 spirits are , from the first to the last of which only man possesses all 7 spirits. Mind below that of human life does not possess worship or wisdom.These are attached mind spirits to the holy spirit .
Intuition
understanding
courage
knowledge
council
worship
Wisdom
A complete 7 spirits like the list formed above are not found in the Bible.
There is only one book known to list all 7 spirits and their function,The Urantia Book.
The reader decides its authenticity

[placebofactor]

[Replying to placebofactor in post #3]

They are incorporeal...

So - "spirits" are not composed of matter?

Like "ghosts"? (Something that is not physical or does not have a physical form. Ghosts are often believed to be incorporeal beings.)

Incorporealt can describe intangible things like feelings or ideas, which are real but not physical... eg, Love is an incorporeal phenomenon that cannot be seen or touched.

I agree. Ghosts would be correct, as in the Holy Ghost. These spirit creatures cannot be seen unless they choose to be seen. They can veil themselves temporarily with flesh to communicate a message to men. We see the Lord Jesus do that in the Old Testament when he wrestled with Jacob, met Abram and Sara in the wilderness, was seen by Joshua, Moses, and walked with Adam in the garden etc.

[William]

[Replying to placebofactor in post #3]

They are incorporeal...

So - "spirits" are not composed of matter?

Like "ghosts"? (Something that is not physical or does not have a physical form. Ghosts are often believed to be incorporeal beings.)

Incorporealt can describe intangible things like feelings or ideas, which are real but not physical... eg, Love is an incorporeal phenomenon that cannot be seen or touched.

I agree. Ghosts would be correct, as in the Holy Ghost. These spirit creatures cannot be seen unless they choose to be seen.

So they are "creatures" - interesting terminology...

They can veil themselves temporarily with flesh to communicate a message to men.

Can they not "communicate a message to men" without dressing themselves in corporeal attire?

We see the Lord Jesus do that in the Old Testament when he wrestled with Jacob, met Abram and Sara in the wilderness, was seen by Joshua, Moses, and walked with Adam in the garden etc.

Was he also the talking donkey?

[placebofactor]

[Replying to placebofactor in post #3]

They are incorporeal...

So - "spirits" are not composed of matter?

Like "ghosts"? (Something that is not physical or does not have a physical form. Ghosts are often believed to be incorporeal beings.)

Incorporealt can describe intangible things like feelings or ideas, which are real but not physical... eg, Love is an incorporeal phenomenon that cannot be seen or touched.

I agree. Ghosts would be correct, as in the Holy Ghost. These spirit creatures cannot be seen unless they choose to be seen.

So they are "creatures" - interesting terminology...

They can veil themselves temporarily with flesh to communicate a message to men.

Can they not "communicate a message to men" without dressing themselves in corporeal attire?

Sure, they can, through prophets, visions, and dreams.

We see the Lord Jesus do that in the Old Testament when he wrestled with Jacob, met Abram and Sara in the wilderness, was seen by Joshua, Moses, and walked with Adam in the garden etc.

Was he also the talking donkey?

No, but I would say he had something to do with that Ass, because the guy riding him was a much bigger mule, you know stubborn!!!!

[William]

[Replying to placebofactor in post #8]

We see the Lord Jesus do that in the Old Testament when he wrestled with Jacob, met Abram and Sara in the wilderness, was seen by Joshua, Moses, and walked with Adam in the garden etc.

Was he also the talking donkey?

No,

Why not?

but I would say he had something to do with that Ass,

In what way other than being the ghosty thingy dressing itself temporarily with ass flesh to communicate a message to the man, Balaam?

[placebofactor]

[Replying to placebofactor in post #8]

We see the Lord Jesus do that in the Old Testament when he wrestled with Jacob, met Abram and Sara in the wilderness, was seen by Joshua, Moses, and walked with Adam in the garden etc.

Was he also the talking donkey?

No,

Why not?

but I would say he had something to do with that Ass,

In what way other than being the ghosty thingy dressing itself temporarily with ass flesh to communicate a message to the man, Balaam?

No, the LORD didn't make himself an Ass, like some people make of themselves, he spoke through the animal.