1. Spirit of Holiness
Or the Fear of the Lord
2. Spirit of Truth &
Understanding
3. Spirit o fPower
Resurrection Power
4. Spirit of Zeal
Judgment/Burning
5. Spirit of Mercy
and compassion
6. Spirit of Joy
and Praise
7. Spirit of Weeping
Godly Sorrow
Seven Spirit of God
Complete PDF




Charles Pinkney

THE SPIRIT OF HOLINESS
(The Fear of the Lord)
"Worship the Lord in the Spirit of Holiness"

The 7 Spirits of God, spoken of in the Book of Revelation, are sent forth through all the earth to affect God's purposes:   Throughout scripture there are various references to specific spirits sent by God that impact or anoint people. A majority of writers have focused on the messianic text of Isaiah 11 as the key to the 7 Spirits taken from one single location:

The following texts suggest the profound, wondrous attributes of A Holy God which are beyond our ability to express; being so high above human understanding and experience, in wisdom, power and holiness.
Below are prophetic phrases which hint at the momentous impact when a mortal human encounters the Holy.

(Isaiah 55:8,9) For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

(Isaiah 6:1-3)In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.

The Commonly Taught Understanding of the Seven Spirits

(Isaiah 11:2) The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and might, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.

Although it is convenient to assume this single text answers the identity of the seven spirits. I am not thoroughly persuaded that these comprise the seven Spirits. There remain many other references to other Spirits throughout the Bible that seem to contend for spiritual anointings of God. So, I have sought to compile my own list for your consideration. I continue to maintain an open mind toward this mystery until the day comes that the Lord gives us perfect clarity about this question. In the mean time, I shall not be dogmatic about an official list of the seven spirits but share the wisdom and insights that seem to apply.
 

The Spirit of Holiness:
(Generating the Deepest Worship and Holy Fear)

I would call your attention to the graphic above; The Spirit of Holiness, Fear of the Lord, is the center pipe of the menorah typology. It is the source and wellspring, from which all other anointing "branches" emminate. Thus any and all of the other interacting Spirits of God come forth out of and are affected of "flavored" by the Spirit of Holiness.

It is this first cause anointing that separates truth from error and deception. It adds God's Holiness to the operation and action of any and all of the Spiritual gifts. (1Corinthians 12) The Spirit of Holiness separates itself from all false doctrines and idolatrous religions. God's ways are perfect because the Spirit of Holiness is pure and undefiled, free from pollution and admixture. The purity of the oil that supplied the lamp stand attests to the perfection of the Holy One. Jesus declared "abide in the Vine - - the branch can not bear fruit of itself, nor can you unless you abide in me." (John 15:4) All of the enablements and actions of the Spirit of God flows from that vine. It is the "vine" from which the God's enablements derive. The words and actions of Jesus are not his own but he does what the Father does, and says what the Father says. (John 8 and various)

Though there are numerous listings of the Spirit of Holiness it is hard to account it strictly as an anointing but as the source of all Godly virtue. Where other anointings find expression in action and word, the spirit of Holiness finds expression in inaction and awed reverence. This anointing is discovered in the deepest levels of worship when the things of this world diminish and God's presence invades the world of darkness and vanity. The closer we come to experiencing God face to face the more this power is revealed. No man can see God and live. We can perceive the merest glimpse and survive. God is Holy and so far above all that is human and mundane to be indescribable. The human 'son of man' who finds himself or herself in the proximity of God becomes as "one who is dead".  In this state we do not think, we do not speak, we do not carry on with any of the normal human senses, we are incapacitated toward any action but fear and awe. God only releases us to return to the world of flesh and material limitations.

True Worship is encompassed by the Spirit of Holiness. There is little that any created or begotten creature can do in the manifested presence of God other than to fall before him in total "awe-full" submission.

The Spirit of Holiness provides understanding to the phrase "fear of the Lord." Encounters with the Lord as depicted by Ezekiel, Isaiah, John and others describe the son of man falling as dead in His presence, in the Holy of Holies His awesome power is manifested; no priest can stand to minister; the angels cry 'holy'.

The elders and patriarchs bow in surrender, the earth trembles before him; every living thing waits breathlessly before Him in silence.

 
"And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:" ( -- Romans 1:4)
"Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness." ( -- 1 Chronicles 16:29)
"Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness." (-- Psalms 29:2)
"And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory."( -- Isaiah 6:3)
"Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts."( -- Isaiah 6:5)
"Then I arose, and went forth into the plain: and, behold, the glory of the LORD stood there, as the glory which I saw by the river of Chebar: and I fell on my face." ( -- Ezekiel 3:23)
"And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:" (-- Revelation 1:17)
"The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying," -- Rev 4:10
"Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created." ( -- Revelation 4:11)
"Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing."( -- Revelation 5:12)


The anointings of God await believers who desire to move deeper in God. Today many in Christian churches make no separation between the psychological realm, of emotion, mind and thought, with the spiritual. It is the power of God that fuels the spiritual while human abilities and efforts fuel the efforts of the natural man. Experiencing the Word of God in power is what the apostle's doctrine urges. God desires to manifest His virtue, thought, and powers through earthen vessels so that the excellence of manifestation may be attributed to God and not man.

The power of God through the Holy Spirit makes the experience of God's Holy presence a reality and supplies the child of God with a taste of that which is entirely from God. No eye has seen nor hear has heard what God has prepared for those who love Him. But now it is revealed by the Holy Spirit.- - 1Corinthians 2:9

 

 

additional Biblical themes

 

Updated 10-2023