What are the Seven Spirits of God? The meaning of the Menorah

Most Christians know without a doubt that there is the Spirit of God. But actually, the Bible explicitly speaks of seven Spirits of God. They are mentioned multiple times in the Holy Scripture, both in the Old and New Testament. This article will shed light on what they are and their connection with the Menorah.

We can read about them in the Book of Isaiah in the Old Testament:

And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: 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 11:1-2, King James Version)

Jesus has all Spirits of God according to the Bible

Actually, this should be clear to everyone, but just like the Holy Spirit, the Spirits of God are not ghosts but rather spiritual gifts given to us by God. This could already be recognized in the above-quoted passage (Isaiah 11:1-2), as it is a prophecy about Jesus who possesses all seven Spirits.

Further evidence can be found in the Book of Revelation of the Bible:

These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars. (Revelation 3:1, KJV)

For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. (Colossians 2:9, KJV)

All children of God have the Seven Spirits of God as well

Not only Jesus is blessed with the seven Spirits of God, but also everyone who believes in Him and receives the Spirit of God. This is also the reason why Paul says that we have been blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ. (Ephesians 1:3, KJV)

This is confirmed again in the Book of Revelation, as John describes how through the slain Lamb (Jesus), all seven Spirits are sent out into the earth.

And I beheld, and, lo, 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, KJV)

The Bible reveals how this happens exactly in the following passage:

And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. (1 Corinthians 15:45, KJV)

Because Jesus dwells in us through the Holy Spirit, we also received the seven Spirits of God.

Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. (John 14:23, KJV)

In the New Testament, there are further examples in which Jesus calls us, and also John, burning lamps because we carry the Spirit of God within us.

He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light. (John 5:35, KJV)

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a 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, KJV)

But there is more to it. We will learn more about the connection between the flames and the seven Spirits of God in the further course of the article.

The seven Spirits of God are the seven angels of God

Actually, the seven Spirits of God are not only gifts, but indeed, they are also the seven angels of God.

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, KJV)

And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets. (Revelation 8:2, KJV)

For not only Jesus, as already quoted, was made a quickening spirit, but we also read in the Bible that God makes His angels spirits.

Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire. (Psalm 104:4, KJV)

And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire. (Hebrews 1:7, KJV)

Furthermore, the seven angels are also called the seven stars, which are ruled by Jesus (reference: Matthew 13:41-43).

Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter; The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches. (Revelation 1:19-20, KJV)

And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born. (Revelation 12:4, KJV)

The Menorah symbolizes the seven Spirits standing before the throne of God

Additionally, we read in the Old Testament how God commanded Moses to make a Menorah. It was to be a golden lamp stand with three branches on each side and one in the middle, a total of seven lamps.

And thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work shall the candlestick be made: his shaft, and his branches, his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, shall be of the same. And six branches shall come out of the sides of it; three branches of the candlestick out of the one side, and three branches of the candlestick out of the other side: Three bowls made like unto almonds, with a knop and a flower in one branch; and three bowls made like almonds in the other branch, with a knop and a flower: so in the six branches that come out of the candlestick. And in the candlestick shall be four bowls made like unto almonds, with their knops and their flowers. (Exodus 25:31-40, KJV)

Now, some may wonder what this has to do with the seven Spirits of God. The answer to that is quite a lot. Because the seven Spirits are not only angels but are also called the seven flames, torches, or, depending on the translation, candlesticks, which stand before the throne of God.

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, KJV)

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. (Revelation 4:5, KJV)

The remarkable connection between the Spirits of God standing before the throne and the symbolic nature of the Menorah cannot be denied. Especially since it is written about Jesus that He walks in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks.

These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks. (Revelation 2:1, KJV)

Conclusion

In summary, the seven Spirits of God stand before the throne of God and are named: the Spirit of the Lord, the Spirit of Wisdom, the Spirit of Understanding, the Spirit of Counsel, the Spirit of Might, the Spirit of Knowledge, and the Spirit of the Fear of the Lord. Both the Old and New Testaments confirm that Jesus has all of them, just as we do, when we receive the Holy Spirit. Furthermore, the seven Spirits are also called angels, stars, or flames, which are symbolically reflected in the Menorah.