Q&A: Revelation 1:4 — the seven spirits before the throne

Winger surveys interpretive options. Some connect it to Isaiah 11:2 (seven qualities of the Spirit resting on the Messiah — spirit of wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, fear of the Lord, plus the Spirit of the Lord = seven). He finds this a stretch. He prefers a symbolic interpretation rooted in Revelation's own usage: seven spirits = seven stars = seven churches (Rev 2-3); seven torches of fire = seven spirits (Rev 4:5); the Lamb has seven eyes = seven spirits sent into all the earth (Rev 5:6). He concludes the seven spirits represent Christ's omniscience — complete, searching knowledge of all seven churches and the whole earth.