The Holy Spirit in Revelation

“And I saw between the throne (with the four living creatures) and the elders a Lamb standing, as if slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth.”

– Revelation 5:6, NAU

Introduction

Our text falls right in the middle of John’s vision about the book with seven Seals in Revelation 5:1-14. In 5:1-4 John sees this book in the hand of “Him who sat on the throne.” As God holds the book, an angel asks, “‘Who is worthy to open the book and to break its seals?'” No one in heaven or earth was able, and John began to weep greatly.

Then, in 5:5-6, one of the twenty-four elders, who were around the throne, told John to stop weeping because “the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome so as to open the book and its seven seals.” At this point John saw “a Lamb standing, as if slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth.”

As 5:7-10 records, the Lamb took the book from the right hand of God. When he had taken the book, the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb to worship Him. Each one had a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which were the prayers of the saints. Then they began singing a new song.

Now, in 5:11-14, John sees many angels, the four living creatures, and the twenty-four elders around the throne worshipping the Lamb. The number of angels was “myriads and myriads.” All of them exalted the Lamb who was worthy or all praise.

The Four Living Creatures

John again mentions the four living creatures. He had described these creatures in 4:6-8. The first beast was like a lion; the second like a calf; the third had a face as a man; and the fourth was like a flying eagle. The Old Testament Scriptures provide the background for these creatures. According to Ladd (p. 77):

The four living creatures represent all aspects of God’s creation. As Horton (p. 78) explains:

The Lamb Standing

According to 5:5, Christ is “the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah,” and He has overcome so as to open the book and the seven seals. However, in 5:6 John sees Christ the Lamb standing as if slain. Ladd (p. 86) explains that “The metaphor of a lamb is central in the great prophecy of the suffering servant in Isa. 53.” As he says (p. 85), “The final victory of Christ as the Lion of the tribe of Judah–as the conquering Messiah–is possible only because he has first suffered as the Lamb. The great paradox is that Christ conquered through His death.

The Seven Spirits of God

The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes. Mounce (p. 145) writes: “The seven horns of the Lamb symbolize his irresistible might. His seven eyes speak of that completeness of vision which leads to perfect knowledge.” Similarly, Lenski (p. 197) says:

Now, John says “which are the Spirits of God.” Scholars debate whether the antecedent of the relative “which” is the eyes only or both the eyes and the horns. Most seem to favor the eyes only. John identifies the seven eyes as the seven Spirits of God. Obviously, there is a close relationship between Christ and the Spirit. The seven eyes are the eyes of Christ, but they are also the Seven Spirits of God. Christ and the Spirit are one and yet different.

The Spirit’s Mission

The seven Spirits of God are sent out into the world on a mission. With regard to the mission of the Spirit, Ladd (p. 88) makes these comments:

Conclusion

Our text specifically connects the Spirit of God with Christ’s mission. The Spirit of God guides, gives wisdom, knows all things, and fulfills the mission of Christ. He is the Great Helper (Paraclete) who continues the work of Christ in the world. We do not work alone to build the Kingdom of God; rather, we are the hands and feet of the Triune God Himself. With His power the Kingdom will be built.

For Further Study

Horton, Stanley M. The Ultimate Victory. Springfield: Gospel Publishing House, 1991.
Ladd, George Eldon. A Commentary on the Revelation of John. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1972.
Lenski, R. C. H. The Epistles of St. Peter, St. John, and St. Jude. Minneapolis: Augsburg Publishing House, 1966.
Mounce, Robert H. The Book of Revelation. Grand Rapids: Willliam B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1977.
Newport, John P. The Lion and the Lamb. Nashville: Broadman Press, 1986.
Ramsay, W. M. The Letters to the Seven Churches of Asia. 1904.
Robertson, A. T. Word Pictures in the New Testament, Vols. 1-6. Nashville: Broadman Press, 1930.
Swete, Henry Barclay. The Holy Spirit in the New Testament. London: Macmillan and Company, 1910.
Tenney, Merrill C. Interpreting Revelation. Grand Rapids: Wm B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1978.
Walvoord, John F. The Revelation of Jesus Christ. Chicago: Moody Press, 1966.

Copyright © 2005 By George M. Flattery