The Seven-Fold Ministry of the Holy Spirit
Jesus acknowledged the Spirit of the Lord upon Him (Luke 4:18), which speaks of the anointing and power present to destroy the works of the enemy.
This refers in particular, to the seven-fold ministry of the Holy Spirit.
“And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: And 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; And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears.” – Isaiah 11:1 - 3
The Spirit of the Lord
The Holy Spirit, the Third Person of the Trinity, co-equal in glory, substance and essence with the Father and the Son, is the very Breath of God. He represents the total authority and rule of God, the very life of God, and the essence of who God is. Believers need to express God and pour out the life of God by the anointing, with the authority He has given to believers.
The Spirit of Wisdom
The ministry of the Holy Spirit gives believers the ability to discern a situation, to receive an understanding of the right course of action, and anointed skill in carrying that action out by the power of the Holy Spirit (Eph. 1:17).
It is important to be separated from scornful people and to be around people of faith (Prov. 14:6). The Spirit of wisdom that comes from God gives a Christian favour (Luke 2:52).
The Spirit of Understanding
This is a thorough acquaintance with the ways of God and expertise in the practice of God’s works. Believers may be totally familiar with the way God operates and be able to co-operate expertly in that operation because they know it and are familiar with it, having been granted understanding by the Holy Spirit.
The Spirit of Counsel
Having consulted with God, knowing His plan of action, and having the ability to give right advice to others, believers may, by the anointing, be able to correctly instruct and advise others. They may also receive God’s counsel on issues in their own lives.
The Spirit of Might
This expression refers to the strength, boldness, intensity, energy, power, authority, and resources of God, making believers skilled in battle.
Believers under the anointing of the Spirit of God are enabled to accomplish God’s desires. The Holy Spirit is a Man of war, and believers may be skilful in spiritual battle, exercising the might of the Spirit.
The Spirit of Knowledge
This refers to knowing God and His ways through experience. Anointed believers may know the things and secrets of God and have an intimate knowledge of Him through His Word and by His Spirit.
The Spirit of Fear of the Lord
Believers, by the anointing, will develop a profound love and respect for God, and instill the same in others through the expression of the anointing.
Expressions of the anointing
The seven-fold ministry of the Holy Spirit should be experienced by every believer.
The term “seven Spirits of God” describe the different kinds of expression of the anointing. These are different manifestations of the same Holy Spirit.
Believers have the anointing upon them by the Spirit of God, and should be expressing that anointing in all of these ways.
There are different rivers of the anointing that flow from believers, represented by the seven-fold ministry of the Spirit of God flowing from the throne of God (John 7:38). Each of these expressions should flow out of the lives of Christians.
The seven-fold ministry of the Holy Spirit causes believers to be anointed in the following ways: (Isaiah 11:3):
* By the anointing, minds are made sharp and discerning.
* By the anointing, believers are able to rightly judge and discern with God’s wisdom, even when the facts are difficult or deceptive.
* By the anointing, believers may lovingly correct, not being judgmental or critical, but knowing God’s heart for each person.
* By the anointing, believers will have a right attitude toward those experiencing hardship.
* By the anointing, they will be able to discern and act according to God’s law of justice, free from bias or favoritism of the flesh and judging rightly with the mind of God.
The Eyes of the Lord
The book of Revelation gives a glimpse of the things that will soon come to pass, but the ultimate purpose of this book is to reveal Jesus Christ. The keys to interpreting the book of Revelation are found in the Old Testament.
The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose hearts are completely His (2 Chron. 16:9 ).
Further references to the seven-fold ministry of the Holy Spirit are found in the Book of Revelation.
“John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;” – Revelation 1:4 (KJV).
“And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.” – Revelation 3:1(KJV).
“And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.” – Revelation 4:5 (KJV).
“And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.” – Revelation 5:6 (KJV).
Nothing escapes the eyes of God. The person whose heart is loyal to God will experience the power of God, even if life is stacked against them.
God searches the hearts and tests the minds to give each person according to their ways and the fruit of their works (Jer. 17:10).
Many of the references to Christ in the Old Testament include the ministry of the Holy Spirit, which is in complete agreement with the passages in Revelation.
Though the Old Testament prophets did not know Him by name, Christ clearly revealed to them that He is the same yesterday, today and forever (Heb. 13:8).
The Old Testament revealed His attributes; the virgin birth revealed His name; the Cross revealed His plan; and the book of Revelation reveals His glory.
The Anointed One and the Anointing work hand-in-hand.
Compounded Anointing
The seven-fold ministry of the Spirit of God is manifested in the anointing that empowers the believer for every aspect of life.
The holy anointing oil, compounded as described in Exod. 30:23-25, is a type of the compound ministry of the Spirit of God, in the same way that the seven lamps and the seven eyes are symbolical of the working of the Holy Spirit in the Church.
