40 blogs of Lent – Day 21
What are the seven spirits of God?
Messages to the churches – Day 17
Sardis – Day 1
And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars.
The website About Archaeology says: “Ancient Sardis is located on the banks of the Pactolus River in western Turkey, 60 miles inland from Ephesus and Smyrna. Previous to its major role in Greek and Roman history, Sardis was the capital of the Lydian empire and one of the most influential cities of the ancient world.
“Popular ruins at ancient Sardis include the huge acropolis, one of the popular temples to Artemis (Diana) in the region, the gymnasium and bath house complex, and other archaeology that reveal the true decadence of the ancient cultures there.”
Jesus is here revealed as the one who holds the seven spirits if God and the seven stars. We are told that the stars are the angels of the churches in Chapter 1. The seven spirits is harder, there are several interpretations including them being seven archangels, or seven virtues. What we do know from Revelation, both before and after this passage, is that the seven spirits are before the throne of God.
The meaning I prefer is that as the number even is used for completeness in Revelation and elsewhere in apocalyptic writings it means perfection I take this to mean the complete, perfect spirits of God, or the Holy Spirit.
It is comforting to know that Jesus Christ is holding all of the churches (another seven here), that he is before the Father’s throne and that the Holy Spirit is present in the churches.
Lord Jesus thank you that you are holding my church in your hand. Amen
And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars.
‘I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you. Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’
Revelation 3:1-6
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
Making an ass of myself 