VERSE 5 “And from the throne preceded lightnings, thunderings, and voices. Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.”

NOTE: Here there is a transition in the narrative obscured by the verse division (or lack of it). The MIDDLE of verse five begins a discussion of things BEFORE THE THRONE —things which are to SERVE God’s judgment process.

“It is first necessary to give a basic definition to the terms “lightnings,” “thunderings,” and “voices”—all of which are, in a figurative sense, part of God’s arsenal, the weaponry of His warfare.

The lightnings represent God’s arrows shot forth to subjugate His enemies.

Primarily they are sharp, penetrating truths sent forth to slay His opponents in either of two ways:

(1) A change can be effected in the hearts of adversaries by their death to a former condition; i.e., God’s arrows of conviction sometimes so pointedly prick the hearts and the consciences of sinners that they are converted to the path of righteousness and cease to be His enemies.

(2) Others have so hardened their hearts that the lightnings, instead of causing them to fall down and prostrate themselves in adoration at His feet, bring down upon them condemnation and resultant confusion or destruction. “Yea, he [God] sent out his arrows, and scattered them [in panic]; and he shot out lightnings, and discomfited them” (Psa. 18:14). “Thine arrows also went abroad… the lightnings [en]-lightened the world” (Psa. 77:17, 18).

The lightnings also indicate (a) God’s awareness of the deeds of darkness, (b) His disfavor, and (c) the manifestation of His judgment through startling revelations of truth that publicly and dramatically disclose the object of His wrath (such as the rebellion of Korah—Num. 16:23–35).

The thunderings represent God’s voice of power and authority. “God thundered marvelously with his voice” (Job 37:5). “Canst thou thunder with a voice like him?” (Job 40:9). “The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty” (Psa. 29:4).

Who has not, at one time or another in his life, witnessed a violent thunderstorm, and who has not been enthralled in awesome wonder to hear “the God of glory thundered” (Psa. 29:3)? The more fortunate ones have even heard the voice of rumbling thunder literally roll across the floor of heaven—from one end to the other—to culminate in a fearsome crescendo or clap of thunder! Although a fragmentary and feeble representation of God’s actual authoritative voice, thunder is, nevertheless, a very powerful similitude . . . one that can be mentally grasped and, in a physical sense, thoroughly appreciated. Also frequently associated with thunder is the thought of dissatisfaction or God’s displeasure.

The voices emanating from the throne represent the multiple and varied agencies, both animate and inanimate, at God’s disposal and His resourcefulness in making His judgments unmistakably clear. Moreover, the voices indicate His ability to communicate, if necessary, to even the densest of His creatures in a language they cannot fail to understand.” (The Keys of Revelation)

To summarize:

“Lightning seems to represent truth, in that as we see in nature that a bolt of lightning lights up the darkness of the heavens, so we see that truth lights up the spiritual heavens. The thundering is more than likely the effects the lightning or truth has on the symbolic heavens. This thunderous truth shakes the spiritual heavens, especially if they are found not to be in harmony with the truth revealed. The voices are most likely teachers in the True Church, that see God’s word as it’s revealed in the lightning flashes, and they use their voices to spread the new truth throughout the spiritual heavens.” (Revelation Notes: Southern Wisconsin)

SEVEN LAMPS OF FIRE BURNING WHICH ARE THE SEVEN SPIRITS OF GOD:

These have already been identified (See comments on Rev 1:4) as the Holy Spirit —particularly in its function as distributor of the seven messages to the seven Church epochs. The first appearance of this symbol (1:4) fails to add the phrase: “Seven Lamps of Fire Burning.” The reference seems to be to the Holy of the Tabernacle with its single candlestick with seven lamps. This seems to show that the Holy Spirit working in and through the seven periods of the Church will keep God’s standards of truth perpetually present and active throughout the age as a standard of judgment (fire burning).”

We will continue on to Verse 6 in our next post.