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Do We Know The Holy Spirit?
Short explanations to 335 Bible texts that speak of the Holy Spirit
III. The Holy Spirit and the Apostles of Christ

9. The Holy Spirit in the Revelation of Jesus Christ to John

(written between 94-96 A.D.)


From the Letters to the Seven Churches
The worship of God and His Lamb
The Spirit of God and the Antichrist
The Holy Spirit and the New Creation


Revelation 1:4
John, to the seven churches which 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,

The word “seven” in Revelation mainly means the “completeness” of a thing, of an assembly, or of an alliance. In John´s greeting to the seven district churches, along with their satellite house fellowships, he first and foremost reminded them on the divine grace that had pardoned them from all sin. He spoke of the peace flowing from reconciliation with the Holy God, which in the past and in the present remained the same, and which will re-appear in glory in the end times.

Following that, John greeted all of the churches in the province of Asia from the seven Spirits, who stand before the throne of God. The apostle wanted the seven church leaders to know that for each of the seven district churches the fullness of the Holy Spirit was available. The entirety of the Spirit stood before the throne of God, reflecting the content and meaning of His might and glory.

Revelation 1:10-11
10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord´s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, 11 saying, … what you see, write it in a book and send it to the seven churches…

It was the Day of the Lord, Sunday, on the barren island of Patmos. John was praying and meditating over all that the Lord had done in the past. He thought on the church in Ephesus, and how the Lord had used Paul to found it, and he, John, to get it stabilized. He wondered how the threatening persecution, as a result of the Emperor worship, would play out on the seven church districts in the province of Asia.

The Spirit of the Lord then came over him and began to fill his thoughts and feelings. He heard behind him a rumbling voice commanding him to write everything in the vellum scroll. That was heaven´s answer to the question that came to him during his meditation. He was to send the entirety of this answer to the different churches on the mainland.

When the patriarch turned around he saw the glorious appearance of the Lord Jesus. He wrote: “And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do no be afraid; I am the First and the Last. 18 I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.” (Rev. 1:17-18) The Lord then proceeded to dictate to him seven letters to the church leaders of the seven churches.


From the Seven Letters

Revelation 2:7
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.

In His letter to the church leaders in Ephesus, Jesus presented Himself as the One who walks among the seven golden lampstands, as the One who preserved the seven stars in His hand of blessing. This meant that John need not fear the coming persecution, for He, the Lord, was watching over His churches, and preserving every leader with His strong hand.

Jesus began by praising the leader of the mother church in Ephesus because of his diligence, hard effort, and patience. He had correctly unmasked the lying prophets and had not grown weary under his burdens. Nevertheless, because of his many activities, he had left his first love. By so doing, he had become a routine-worker. In the event he did not quickly repent and sincerely return to his first love He, the Lord, would cast down his lampstand.

He who has an ear to hear should hear what the Spirit is saying to churches throughout the world until this very day! Whoever overcomes spiritual deficits in the power of Jesus and remains faithful to his Lord in the coming persecution, to him the Lord will give to eat from the tree of life in the Paradise of God. Thus, he will never die (Gen. 2:9; 3:22, 24; Rev. 22:2).

Revelation 2:11
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.

Jesus introduced Himself to the church leader from Smyrna (Izmir) as the First and the Last, as the One who was dead and who had come back to life. He comforted the troubled elder because of his distress, poverty, and the blasphemy he suffered from the local Jews. He commanded him: “Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Rev. 2:10).

Furthermore, Jesus encouraged all the church leaders: Whoever has an ear open to hear let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. Whoever overcomes his fear of death and suffering for the sake of Jesus, through the power of the Spirit of Comfort, will never enter into eternal damnation. Neither will he suffer the second death at a time when some, out of dread and horror, will long to die, yet be unable to.

Revelation 2:17
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.

Jesus revealed Himself to the church leader in Pergamon as the Judge with the sharp two-edged sword. He praised the faithful man for his courage and fearlessness, particularly considering where he lived, where Satan´s throne was. Yet the Lord had also to reprimand him for allowing some of his church members to participate in sacrifice offerings to foreign gods. This multi-cultural influence had to immediately end, or else He, the Lord, would come to judge those wavering in obedience.

Whoever has ears that are not plugged should hear what the Spirit says to all churches in all the world: The one who ultimately and categorically rejects the multi-cultural enticements in his environment, and who lives only for the church of the Lord, to him the Lord will give the bread of heaven. He will also be handed a victory medal on a white stone, in which his new name will be engraved.

Revelation 2:26-29
26 And he who overcomes, and keeps my words until the end, to him I will give power over the nations- 27 “He shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the potter´s vessels shall be broken to pieces” – as I also have received from My Father; 28 and I will give him the morning star. 29 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

Jesus presented Himself to the church leader in Thyatira as the Son of God, who would come with eyes flaming in holy wrath, and with blazing feet to grind to ashes all evil dwelling in His church. He praised the faith, the love, and the patience of the responsible leader, but reprimanded him sharply for being too good-natured and for allowing a spiritualist to introduce church members to the depths of Satan. He would give the seductress still time to repent, but if she didn´t, both she and her children would have to die.

Whoever holds fast to the works of Jesus and overcomes satanic influence in His church through the name of Jesus, to him the Lord would give authority for world mission – just as He, the Son of God, had received power from His Father to destroy the works of Satan. The one doing battle in the Holy Spirit should recognize the coming Lord, the bright and morning star, as the foremost and certain sign that a new day in the world has come. In regard to the influences of occultism, the churches are warned throughout all time: He who has an ear to hear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches!

Revelation 3:1.5.6
1 And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, “These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.” … 5 He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. 6 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

Jesus presented Himself to the spiritually dead church leader at Sardis as the Lord, in whom the entire fullness of the Holy Spirit stood available. He was already underway to awaken the one living in his imaginary self-assurance from spiritual death. He gave him five short commands to unsettle him and make him, once again, stand up to his responsibility. Theologically poisoned pastors need to read and comprehend this church letter!

To the one who had spiritually fallen asleep the Lord gave the most promises, even more than to other church leaders, in the event he would allow himself to be revived by the call of Jesus. If he did so, he would overcome in the power of the Holy Spirit. He would also, as one justified, be clothed with white clothing, reflecting the righteousness of God. His name would not be blotted out from the Book of Life, even though he was already dead. At the last judgment, Jesus would confess his name before His Father and His angels. If only many churches and church leaders would listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches!

Revelation 3:12-13
13 He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. And I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name. 13 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

Jesus presented Himself to the church leader in Philadelphia as the One who owned the key to all the storehouses. He knew the works of this responsible leader, and would open to him a door that no one could close. Although the church leader possessed only a little strength, he had still kept the words of Jesus. The Lord Himself would overcome stubborn Jews, so that they would come and worship God before this church leader, recognizing that he was the authorized of God in this city. For the sake of His faithfulness, the Lord would keep him from the coming worldwide hour of temptation. The Lord further revealed to him: “Behold, I come quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown” (Rev. 3:11).

Jesus then encouraged him with a promise: If he would, in the power of the Holy Spirit, overcome the trials, lovingly endure the opposition of the Jews, and not falter in faith in the coming Caesar cult, the Lord would make him a pillar in the temple of His God, and engrave the names of the Father, Son, and the name of the New Jerusalem in him. This would allow him to remain secure in the Holy Trinity throughout all eternity. Who is it that hears and understands what the Spirit is saying to the churches?

Revelation 3:21-22
21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. 22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

Jesus presented Himself to the indifferent, rich church leader in Laodicia as the Beginning of the creation of God, as the True Witness, who was crucified for the sake of His witness. This church leader, however, was for Jesus a cause to vomit. He threatened to spew him out of His mouth if he did not ultimately become hot or cold. His wealth availed for nothing, and his production of eye ointment pointed to the fact that he himself needed a spiritual eye salve. His clothing factory should, above all else, provide him with white garments of righteousness, so that his shame and miserable situation could be clothed. The Lord would punish him because He loved him, so that he might finally come to his senses. He needed to learn a quick and total repentance.

Jesus appealed to the supposedly rich leader with the greatest promise: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me” (Rev. 3:20). If this man would bury his trust in his riches, Jesus would set him on His throne with Him in heaven – just as He Himself had overcome the world and sat with His Father on the throne. Who is it that understands the seeking and saving love of the Son of God? Who hears what the Spirit is today saying to the rich churches in industrial countries? Who is still repenting today?


The Worship of God and His Lamb

Revelation 4:2-3
2 Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne. 3 And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald.

In the power and wisdom of the spirit, John was raptured to the door of the throne room of God. From there he could see the mighty throne of God. The throne was not empty, for One was sitting upon it who resembled the crystal-clear jasper stone of that day and the crimson-colored ruby. Our God is holy love, in whom the glow of His spotless holiness and His great mercy merge into one another. The light green emerald rainbow encircling the throne spoke of the power and energy of the Almighty, radiating His love and holiness.

Revelation 4:5
And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices. And there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.

The throne of God resembles an energy switchboard, from which all the worlds are steered and directed. Thunder and lightning are signs of the power and might of God, but also of His wrath and His judgments. The voices could be the cries of tortured followers of Christ, or the worship songs of the poor and destitute, who, in spite of suffering hunger and contempt, praised their Father in heaven. Exciting are the seven lamps burning with fire before the throne of God. Their light illuminates every dark region and brings all that is concealed to light. Arising from this flame were also the tongues of fire that had alighted upon those praying at Pentecost. The entirety of the Spirit of God desires to burn up the sin all over the world, and to kindle a new fire of faith and love in us.

Revelation 5:6
And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth.

John saw the dramatic enthronement of the Lamb of God. No one could take and open the holy book with the seven seals from the blessed hand of God, save the Lamb that had been slaughtered. He alone was worthy to take the power and the judgment over the whole world into His hands.

The innocent little Lamb was not, however, weak and helpless, for he had seven horns representing the omnipotence of God, and seven eyes, illustrative of the entirety of the Holy Spirit. These seven Spirits of God will be sent out by the Lamb into the whole world, so that they might save what there is to be saved, and to sanctify what there is to be sanctified. The world-mission of the Lamb goes on day and night, whether we recognize it or not, and whether we open ourselves to the Spirit or not. His kingdom comes and His will is being done. An amazing comfort lies concealed in the book of Revelation! Who thanks the Father and the Son for this holy love and for this heavenly victory in individuals all over the world?


The Spirit of God and the Antichrist

Revelation 11:8
And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.

The ruling Lamb of God will place Israel before a difficult decision in the last days. He will send them His two witnesses and equip them with great power, so that they might carry out the signs of judgment of Moses and Elijah on His obstinate people. Yet few will repent. Satan will get wind of this intrusion into his realm of power and send his son, the Antichrist, to kill the two witnesses of Christ.

The corpses of these two martyrs will not be buried, out of revenge for the miracles of punishment they brought about in godless Jerusalem. Instead, they will be publicly displayed, so that the dogs can come and devour them. Television will show close-ups of the corpses of these two men who were once so feared – to show the victory of the prince of this world. In those days Jerusalem will, spiritually considered, resemble Sodom, with all of its perverse sexual practices, and Egypt, with all of its occultism. For this reason those living will, once again, not be able to recognize their Lord, just as they could not recognize Him when they crucified Him.

Revelation 11:11-12
11 Now after the three and a half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them. 12 And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” And they ascended to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies saw them.

Three days after they were disgracefully treated and murdered, the spirit of life from God entered into the two corpses. Television will capture how the dead are brought back to life, and also play back the voice from heaven, which commanded the two resurrected witnesses to come up to heaven. Great numbers of people will shudder at the inevitable judgments of God. Troubled spectators will watch how the two witnesses are raptured to heaven in a cloud.

Revelation 14:13
Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, “Write: `Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.`” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labours, and their works follow them.”

The Antichrist and his false prophet will, following a time of pretended peacemaking, demand the masses to worship the tyrant. They will have all those tortured and killed who do not unconditionally give themselves up to them. That will become the hour of testing for Christians all over the world, and will show whether they love their own lives more than the Lamb of God, knowing their only certainty remains in the eternal Holy Spirit who indwells them.

A voice from heaven will bless the true followers of Christ, those who, amidst all of the trials of the last days, remain faithful to their Lord. They abide firm “in Him” even when they are killed in the midst of satanic fury. The Holy Spirit adds His loud “Yes”, and testifies that these martyrs will be translated from their torment into the rest of God. Everything they will have offered in love and prayer for their enemies will be preserved for their honor. (Matt. 25:34-36; 1 Cor. 13:3).

Revelation 17:3
So he carried me away in the Spirit into the wilderness. And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast which was full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.

John was the prophet of the prophets, who united Old and New Testament prophecy in the book of his revelation. The Spirit of God could transfer him into a wilderness, the symbol of destruction and death. There he saw an attractive woman sitting on a scarlet-red beast. This dragon had seven heads and ten horns. He could simultaneously allow seven different religions and philosophies to speak, even when each propagated just the opposite of what the other heads were speaking. The dragon was not only a master at lying, but also possessed control over ten world powers. The beast was besmeared with blasphemous names all over his body, making evident his rebellion against God.

The special aspect of this picture of the Antichrist is the woman sitting on his back, clothed in colours of bishops and cardinals, directing the beast with a gentle hand. Some interpreters see in this woman a power-hungry Judaism and the worldly church of Christ. It is important to the Spirit of God that the seven churches timely recognize this horror scenario of the future, so that they avoid the enticements of honour, cleverness and wealth.

Revelation 19:10
And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”

The messenger of God, appearing in the glorious light of his Lord, showed John the sudden destruction of the whore of Babylon, of the secularized synagogue, and the liberal church. He let him hear the worship song of angels and the saints taking place in heaven, announcing the end of this seductress. He assured him that the bride of Christ, His persecuted church, was cladding herself for the wedding in white garments of righteousness. The knowledge of this contrast was too much for the prophet. He fell down and wanted to worship the messenger of God who had shared this prophecy with him. This one, however, showed himself to be a true servant of Christ, immediately forbidding John any and all worship of angels and saints. He commanded him who had been overwhelmed by the show of judgment and the revelation of glory to worship the triune God alone.

This command contained wisdom in the Holy Spirit. The spirit of prophecy allows us to worship no creation of God, and give no excessive honour to any of his works or laws. Instead, we are lead to worship the Creator, Law-giver, and Redeemer alone. Belief in prophets, Buddha, Mary, the apostles or Mohammed, along with worship of them, is unbiblical, even blasphemous. The Lord alone is our God. He awaits our thanksgiving and devotion to Him (Luke 1:46-50). What is it you honour beside God? What do you invest your money and time in? What or whom do you love more than God? Turn around, and immediately worship your Lord once and for all.


The Holy Spirit and the New Creation

Revelation 21:9-11
9 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls filled with the seven last plagues came to me and talked with me, saying, “Come, I will show you the bride, the Lamb´s wife.” 10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, 11 having the glory of God. And her light was like a most precious stone, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal.

A voice from heaven revealed to John the mystery of the new Spirit-affected creation. It assured him that God Himself would dwell amidst His people, the saved saints from out of all the nations (Rev. 21:3-5). Afterwards, one of the seven angels of judgment came to the prophet and promised to show him the bride of Christ - the Lamb who had been slain.

John was led in the Spirit to a very high mountain to look upon a breathtaking spectacle-- a golden city in the form of an over-dimensional great cube was being let down from heaven. The glory of the Lord radiated from it (John 17:22-24), and the light of its glory was spotlessly pure. Just as a cube has equal measurement in height, width and breadth, so is the entirety of the church of Christ. She is kept secure in the triune God, who simultaneously indwells her. The heavenly Jerusalem will not be a city made of earthly elements. Instead, she will represent the unity of all the saved saints who will worship together in the presence of God.

Revelation 22:6
The angel said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent His angel to show His servants the things that must soon take place.”
(NIV)

The visions and pictures in Revelations do not always appear logical, and are not to be fathomed with the help of earthly comparisons. The revelation is spiritual, and can only be understood through the Spirit. Every true revelation comes directly from God, who sinks His Spirit into His prophets so that they might see and hear what the will of God is, and understand what they are to speak. Their words are true and certain, even when we often don´t immediately understand them. From time to time the Spirit of God speaks to us through His prophets, revealing what will come in the near or distant future. The church can, thereby, be prepared through faith and prayer, for all that is still to come.

Revelation 22:17
And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. And whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.

The work of the Holy Spirit is to prepare the church of the Lamb for the near return of Christ (Rev. 2:1-3, 22). The Spirit of God and the bloody persecutions of the Antichrist will cause the church of the last days to long for her glorious Bridegroom to come quickly. The church cries fervently: “Maranatha! Come soon Lord Jesus!”

The Spirit Himself helps us in our weakness and spurs us on to pray: “Come, our Lord! Come!” Temptations and the sin in the world will so increase that not a single person will, in and of himself, be blessed or happy. Therefore, the Spirit, with His cry of “Come” from time immemorial, reminds us that we are to long for the Lord´s return with every fibre of our being.

At the same time, the Holy Spirit flows unhindered, like a great and wide river running throughout all lands (Rev. 22:1-5). Whoever stoops down is invited to drink from this “living water” and be filled. He is also charged to call others to drink from this river of grace, which flows from the throne of God and His Lamb. Have you drunk from this water of life? Did you get enough? If so, then invite others to come and drink from the stream of grace. They, too, can drink and be filled with the love and the peace of God.

Prayer: We worship you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, for You have prepared a salvation that has not entered into the heart of man, that no ear has heard, and no eye has seen. We worship You for freely cleansing sinners and placing Your Holy Spirit in our mortal bodies -- a down-payment that we might love, as You love, and live forever, as You live forever. Forgive us when we think too much of ourselves and our families. Increase our understanding, so that we might love and bless all men who do not yet know Your salvation, that they might open themselves to Your grace. We thank the Lamb of God, who has sent His Spirit in power and authority into all lands, even until the dawning of the great day of His return. Hallelujah!

And I looked,
and behold, in the midst of the
throne and of the four
living creatures, and in
the midst of the elders,
stood a
Lamb as though it
had been slain,

having seven horns
and seven eyes,
which are the
seven Spirits of God
sent out into all
the earth.

(Revelation 5:6)

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