The Seven Spirits of God
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. (Rev. 5:6 NKJ)
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, (Rev. 1:4 NKJ)
“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. (Rev. 3:1 NKJ)
And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices. Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. (Rev. 4:5 NKJ)
9 “The hands of Zerubbabel Have laid the foundation of this temple; His hands shall also finish it. Then you will know That the LORD of hosts has sent Me to you.
10 For who has despised the day of small things? For these seven rejoice to see The plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel. They are the eyes of the LORD, Which scan to and fro throughout the whole earth.” (Zech. 4:9-11 NKJ)
If Sherlock Holmes were to view this, he would piece the details given into a picture, like pieces of a puzzle.
Evidently there are “seven spirits” before the throne of God, just as there are seven angels (Re. 8:2) also called “stars” (Rev. 1:20) in scripture. These “seven spirits” “scan to and fro throughout the while earth” therefore they see everything that happens on the “seven seas” (The Artic Ocean, North Atlantic Ocean, South Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, North Pacific Ocean, and South Pacific Ocean, and Antarctic Ocean) and “seven continents” (Asia, Africa, Europe, North America, South America, Australia/Oceania and Antarctica), and report all to God.
They can empower whoever holds the “plumb line” of the LORD, to accomplish God’s will.
As all things have been subjected to Christ (1 Cor. 15:27-28) He is symbolized as a Lamb having the seven eyes or seven spirits of God under His command.
END NOTE
A sound principle of interpretation is misused when applied to prophecy. We see the meaning of words in the culture of the author, unless he is prophesying future events (like Daniel and the end time), where words can convey meaning the prophet didn’t know (1 Pt. 1:10-12; Compare Daniel 12:8-10). Yes, John may not have known about the “seven seas” and “seven continents”, but scripture testifies the “eyes” go everywhere on earth.