And out from the throne went lightnings, and voices, and thunders, and seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of the God (Revelation 4:5).
The seven Spirits before the throne represent the Holy Spirit’s seven ministries to the Church. Their position before the throne indicates His residence is now in the heavens. During His time on earth with the Church, He works out seven ministries relating to salvation. He regenerated those who believed the gospel for salvation (Titus 3:5; 1 Corinthians 15:1–4). He then immersed the believer into the Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13). As part of the Christian’s relationship with God, the Holy Spirit indwelt him (1 Corinthians 3:16). As a guarantee of complete salvation, the Holy Spirit served as the sealing and earnest for the Church saints (Ephesians 1:13–14). Through Him, the Church partakes of the first fruits (Romans 8:32).
Thunder, lightning, and voices from the throne relate to fear and to the Holy Spirit’s different ministry to the tribulation saints. When lightning is used by itself, it indicates judgment, as seen with Satan being cast out of the third heaven in Luke 10:18. Lightning is also seen at the second coming of Christ, representing coming judgment (Matthew 24:27). However, the purpose of lightning and thunder is to cause fear for the LORD. When God brought Israel to the mountain to meet with Him, there was thunder, lightnings, and the sound of trumpets upon the mountain, with a thick cloud of smoke covering it (Exodus 19:16). The purpose for the lightnings, thunders, and sounds was for the people to understand the necessity of fearing the LORD, least they are destroyed by Him.
In contrast, Christians are not to fear the LORD because mature love casts out fear of judgment (1 John 4:17–18). Those in the Church have boldness on the day of judgment. In Revelation 1:17, the Church is instructed not to fear. However, for saints outside of the Church, fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom (Psalms 111:10). With the Church in the heavens fully glorified, God is now dealing with Israel as a nation again. Just as the Holy Spirit gave Israel fear in the Old Testament, He is again causing this fear among those who believe in the tribulation period (Deuteronomy 28:58).
The saints in the Tribulation period are not part of the Church; therefore, their relationship with the Holy Spirit is the same as He had with saints before Christians (Revelation 21:9). In John 14:17, Jesus explains this difference in relationship with the disciples. During Christ’s earthly ministry, the Holy Spirit was with them. After Christ’s resurrection, He will be within them. Thus, the Holy Spirit indwells those of the Church, but comes upon and mentally controls other saints outside of the Church.
The lamps of fire burning before the throne represent the work of the Holy Spirit in salvation among the Tribulation saints (Revelation 14:6). They are instructed to fear God (Revelation 14:7; 19:5). Through Isaiah 6:5–7, we understand that the purpose of this fire is for cleansing from guilt those who believe for service.
The Holy Spirit’s seven ministries to the Church are complete. Now, He is again dealing with Israel and the Gentiles who believe in the coming of Christ in the same manner as before the Church, causing fear and cleansing them for service.
