- From the throne issue flashes of lightning, and voices and peals of thunder, and before the throne burn seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God. (Revelation 4:5)
- And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders, I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. (Revelation 5:6)
- And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: “The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. ‘I know your works; you have the name of being alive, and you are dead’” (Revelation 3:1)
The Bible speaks of the Holy Spirit and the Spirit of God. In respect to the Spirit of God, we learn there are seven different spirits.
Some people think that these are different levels and there are seven levels that are to be experienced. To such individuals, they interpret the ladder that Jacob climbed as having seven rungs to Heaven.
Even when thinking of the Holy Spirit within us or among us or on us, we can speak of this being different levels of experience—which is probably what you mean with your question.
God thought all men should be saved. The Son of God, Lord Jesus Christ, loved the idea and came down to Earth, so every person could be saved. The Holy Spirit has been instrumental in bringing the idea to fruition, providing people are willing to exercise obedience of faith.
- Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 1:18)
- And the angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God.” (Luke 1:35)
The Holy Spirit can come upon a person, but not reside within the person’s spirit. For we know the Holy Spirit can fall upon people, but whether they actually possess the Spirit may be another matter.
- But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. (Matthew 12:28)
- While Peter was still saying this, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. (Acts 10:44)
- As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as on us at the beginning. (Acts 11:15)
- Not every one who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you evildoers .’ (Matthew 7:21-23)
When the Apostle Paul speaks of the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, this suggests that the Holy Spirit is among those who are walking in the light.
- But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. (1 John 1:7)
- The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. (2 Corinthians 13:14)
- So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any incentive of love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfishness or conceit, but in humility count others better than yourselves. (Philippians 2:1-3)
John the Baptist spoke of being baptized with the Holy Spirit. Lord Jesus said that those who possessed the Holy Spirit would have rivers of living water coming out of their hearts. The book of Acts tells us that disciples of Lord Jesus Christ are filled with the Holy Spirit.
- I myself did not know him; but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ John 1:33
- On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and proclaimed, “If any one thirst, let him come to me and drink. He who believes in me, as the scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water.’” Now this he said about the Spirit, which those who believed in him were to receive; for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. (John 7:37-39)
- And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. (Acts 13:52)
There appears to be different manifestations of the Holy Spirit. These manifestations may each take on a different dimension within a person’s life. In fact the Holy Spirit may even fall upon a person and perform mighty works, yet the person may not be known by Lord Jesus Christ. If the Spirit of God is manifest among a group of people, this is because they are walking in the light, but this does not necessarily mean that everybody present is filled with the Spirit. However, if Lord Jesus Christ baptizes a person in the Holy Spirit, then this would have to be a different matter, because the person would have to be known by Him.
Learning about the Infinite God is not like reading a books and regurgitating what other men have written. Learning about the Lord God requires us to be honest with ourselves and demonstrate that we desire the truth rather than self-exaltation. For it is possible to know about God and not be known by Lord Jesus Christ, the Savior of all men, even if all men are not saved.
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