Read: Revelation 3:1; 4:1-11
The words of him who has the seven spirits of God. (3:1)
In the book of Revelation, seven is the number of fullness or completeness. When Revelation speaks of the seven spirits of God as here (or in 4:5 or 1:4), it doesn’t mean that God has seven different spirits or that the Holy Spirit has somehow multiplied. It’s simply a reference to the Holy Spirit in all his fullness.
Throughout his earthly life, Jesus was continually identified with the Holy Spirit. He was conceived by the Spirit in his mother’s womb. He was anointed with the Spirit at his baptism. Full of the Spirit, Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness where he was tempted by the devil (Luke 4:1). He undertook his ministry in the power of the Spirit (Luke 4:14). He cast out demons by the Spirit (Matt. 12:28). And at the end of his life on earth, in the upper room, Jesus promised the Spirit to his disciples. He called the Spirit “another Helper” like himself, who would be his very presence with them and would remind them of all his teaching (John 14:16-18, 26).
In John’s vision, the same Jesus who had the Spirit also held the stars. We’ve already been told that the stars represent the seven messengers of the churches (Rev. 1:20). Happy the church whose pastor is filled with the Spirit, follows Jesus’ teaching, and faithfully preaches the Word of God. The ministry of the Word in the power of the Spirit can wake a sleeping church up, and make a dead church come alive. —David Bast
As you pray, remember your pastor before the Lord.
About the Author
Rev. Dave Bast retired as the President and Broadcast Minister of Words of Hope in January 2017, after 23 years with the ministry. Prior to his ministry and work at Words of Hope, Dave served as a pastor for 18 years in congregations in the Reformed Church in America. He is the author of several devotional books. A graduate of Hope College and Western Theological Seminary, he has also studied at both the Fuller and Calvin seminaries. Dave and his wife, Betty Jo, have four children and four grandchildren. Dave enjoys reading, growing tomatoes, and avidly follows the Detroit Tigers.
