“Out from the throne come flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder. And there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God;”
(Revelation 4:5)
John continues the description of what the scene looks like in heaven. "Out from the throne come flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder." This reminds us of God's revelation to the children of Israel in the giving of the Law, where the Lord descended upon the mountain "in fire" and "smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked violently" (Ex. 19:18). These symbols intend to heighten our understanding of God as the eternal judge, who will bring justice to His people who are suffering under the weight of persecution and oppression.
The piercing, searching work of the Spirit is identified for us as lamps burning before the throne. "For the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God" (1 Cor. 1:10), wrote the Apostle Paul. The Spirit reveals both our hearts in the desperate condition of sin, and the only hope for sinners in the gospel of Christ (John 16:7-11).
(Phil A. Newton)
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