The Symbols:
Symbols are used in the Bible to identify and reveal the nature of our God, the Lord Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. He is called by symbols such as the Door, the Lamb, the True Vine, the Bread of Life, the Light, and the Lion of the tribe of Judah. Similarly, the Holy Spirit is symbolized by the Wind, Fire, the Finger of God, Living water, and the Dove.
The meaning behind some of the symbols the Bible uses for the Holy Spirit is:
I. The Wind, Acts 2:1-2.
John 3:8, our Lord told Nicodemus, the Holy Spirit is like the wind. He said the wind blows where ever it pleases. You can hear the sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. The wind tells us two important things. The Holy Spirit blows where He wills, not where we will.
II. The Fire, Acts 2:3.
Fire is often associated with judgment, purifying, and refining Isa 4:4. Also, fire is associated with cleansing and refining, Malachi 3:2, 1 Cor 3:13, 1 Thess 5:19.
III. The Seal. “After that ye believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, Ephesians 1:13.
The seal is the heavenly mark a believer receives at conversion. It is the seal of a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession. Seals also convey the importance of the person and the office and authority. It is a mark of recognition that a person is a son or daughter of God.
IV. Water, also the Living Water, John 7:38-39. Our Lord Jesus associated water and the Holy Spirit many times in the New Testament, John 3:5.
Water is a symbol of purification and cleansing. It is the medium for baptism, 1 Cor 12:13. Baptism in water represents death to the old life and raising to a new life and person. It is a symbol for renewed and cleansed life, Acts 1:5, John 7:38. The Holy Spirit is like life-giving water.
V. Wine.
VI. Oil. Oil is the symbol of anointing.
David was anointed with oil to consecrate them to God, 1 Sam 16:13. Jesus our Lord was anointed by the Holy Spirit, Luke 4:18. Therefore, there is a correlation between the oil of anointing and the anointing of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit anoints and consecrates anyone called to service.
VII. The Light, Lamps of Fire, Revelation 4:5.
VIII. The Dove, Matthew 3:16. The dove is the symbol representing purity, peace, gentleness, and new life.
The Holy Spirit is holy, pure truth, holiness, and purity in everything. Peace and gentleness are the fruit of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit gives life, new spiritual life. John 3:5.
IX. The Cloud.
X. The Feather of God, Psalms 91:4.
XI. The Wings of God, Psalms 91:4.
XII. The Finger of God, Psalms 8:3, Exodus 8:19.
XIII. The Hand of God, Job 27:11
XIV. The Palm of My Hand, Isaiah 49:16.
XV. The Arms of the Lord, Job 40:9.
XVI. The Eyes of the Lord, Deuteronomy 11:12, 2 Chronicles 16:9, Psalms 33:18.
XVII. The Nostril of God, Exodus 15:8
The last six biblical symbols starting from (XVII-XVII) are anthropomorphic, meaning the Lord uses parts of the human body to speak about Himself. The symbols X and XII are Angelo-morphic descriptions. These offer the believers a sure insight into the hidden mysteries of the Holy Spirit. They are also useful in describing the Face of the faceless God so that the believer can know intimately the person of the Holy Spirit.
Although, we see the Holy Spirit revealed with dramatic symbols in various parts of the scriptures. Yet without the Son revealing Him through the symbols, it is impossible to know Him.
Thus, the Bible shows God our Father using different symbolic imagery to prick and ignite our minds to seek after Him. Thus, symbols work to increase our level of intimacy and relationship with the Lord.
