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NASB | Revelation 1:4 ¶ John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace, from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Revelation 1:4 ¶ John, to the seven churches that are in [the province of] Asia: Grace [be granted] to you and peace [inner calm and spiritual well-being], from Him Who is [existing forever] and Who was [continually existing in the past] and Who is to come, and from the seven Spirits that are before His throne, [Is 11:2] |
Bible Question: Who are the seven spirits before God's throne in Revelation 1:4? |
Bible Answer: Isa. 11:2 (NASB) The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him, The spirit of wisdom and understanding, The spirit of counsel and strength, The spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD. . . . “the seven Spirits. There are two possible meanings: 1) a reference to Isaiah’s prophecy concerning the 7-fold ministry of the Holy Spirit (Is 11:2); or . . . “2) more likely, it is a reference to the lampstand with 7 lamps (a menorah) in Zechariah (Zech 3:9)--also a description of the Holy Spirit." In either case, 7 is the number of completeness, so John” in Rev 1:4 “is identifying the fullness of the Holy Spirit.” (p. 1992, John MacArthur, MacArthur Study Bible, Nashville: Word, 1997) In many Bibles the center column references for Rev 1:4 will include references to Isa 11:2 and Zech 3:9. Looking up parallel or related Scriptures in a center column reference Bible will help answer many Bible questions one may have. The Bible is its own best interpreter. In other words, to look up related Scripture is to compare Scripture with Scripure, a very sound practice in interpreting the Bible. |