Daily Journal: 15 October

The Seven-Fold Spirit

Seven is the number of completion and perfection in the bible.

There are many instances in the bible where the number seven carries significance, not least of which is the Old Testament redeemer covenant.

From the old to the new testament, then, the book of Revelation emphasises seven churches, seven candlesticks, seven stars, seven lamps, seven angels, seven spirits, seven seals, and seven plagues. Naaman, an army commander, was healed from leprosy after dipping himself seven times in the Jordan River (2 Kings 5:10-14). In Joshua 6, seven priests carried seven trumpets and when the Israelites had marched around the walls of Jericho city seven times, the walls collapsed. Now we have the Holy Spirit living inside us and the Revelation tells of the seven-fold Spirit.

Revelation 1:4 (NLT)

This letter is from John to the seven churches in the province of Asia. Grace and peace to you from the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come; from the sevenfold Spirit before his throne;

Isaiah describes what this means.

Isaiah 11:2-3 (AMPC)

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 reverential and obedient fear of the Lord—And shall make Him of quick understanding, and His delight shall be in the reverential and obedient fear of the Lord. And He shall not judge by the sight of His eyes, neither decide by the hearing of His ears; (verse 4 but with righteousness and justice shall he judge…)

These are the attributes of the Holy Spirit, who has been gifted to believers, and seals us until we are with Jesus.

1 Corinthians 1:21-22 (NIV)

Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

Being called into the inner circle of fellowship with Father, Son and the Seven-fold Holy Spirit, we are sealed and redeemed to live now in His fullness, and on into an unimaginably joyful everlasting life.

As you reflect on the seven-fold ministry of the Holy Spirit, how does this affect your idea of being made complete in Christ Jesus?

Lord, we can't fully comprehend your greatness. Help us, though, to better understand the ministry of the Holy Spirit in us and how we can live with greater boldness, power and freedom.