Last week we ended our discussion of the prophets and others who were empowered by or who theHoly Spirit came upon or fell upon in the Old Testament.
We ended our discussion of those people with Zachariah who Jesus talked about when He told the people they would be held responsible for the murder of all God's prophets from Abel to Zechariah.
Luke 11:50-51 (NLT)50 “As a result, this generation will be held responsible for the murder of all God’s prophets from the creation of the world—51 from the murder of Abel to the murder of Zechariah, who was killed between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, it will certainly be charged against this generation.
What He was saying is that although they built monuments to to the prophets their forefathers built they, like them, rejected God's messengers, including Him who even though He was their Messiah, they rejected Him.
We then moved to a discussion of the Holy Spirit in Prophecies Concerning Israel’s Future. We looked at
Isaiah 59:20-21 (NLT)20 “The Redeemer will come to Jerusalem to buy back those in Israel who have turned from their sins,” says the LORD.21 “And this is my covenant with them,” says the LORD. “My Spirit will not leave them, and neither will these words I have given you. They will be on your lips and on the lips of your children and your children’s children forever. I, the LORD, have spoken!
Ezekiel 37:1-14, which was the vision of the valley of dry bones.
Ezekiel 37:9 (NLT) Then he said to me, “Speak a prophetic message to the winds, son of man. Speak a prophetic message and say, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Come, O breath, from the four winds! Breathe into these dead bodies so they may live again.’”
The breath of life was breathed into the nation of Israel restoring them after their captivity was ensed. The four winds of heaven is a symbol of the Holy Spirit.
Speaking of symbols of the Holy Spirit what are they?
- Dove
- Fire,
- Wind
- Water.
- Oil
- Cloud
- Author of Scripture
- Comforter / Counselor / Advocate
- Convictor of Sin
- Deposit / Seal / Earnest/Guarantee
- Guide
- Indweller of Believers
- Intercessor
- Spirit of Truth
- Spirit of God
- Spirit of the Lord
- Spirit of Christ
- Spirit of Life
- Teacher
- Witness
The attributes of the Holy Spirit being a person are what?
He has;
- intelligence
- feelings
- a will
- He prays
- He does miracles (humans can’t
- do this)
- He can be lied to
- He can be insulted
- He teaches
- He directs.
The attributes that He is also God are what?
Now back to our review of last week and the Holy Spirit in Prophecies Concerning Israel’s Future. We looked at the scripture in Joel 2:28-32, where Joel prophesied that the Holy Spirit would be poured out on all people no matter their age, or station in life.
Then we looked at passages in Haggai and Zechariah where God was telling the people who had come back to the land from captivity that His Spirit would be with them so they shouldn’t be afraid to rebuild the temple, the city of Jerusalem and the nation.
- Omnipotent - All powerful
- Omnipresent - Present everywhere
- Omniscient - All knowing
Now back to our review of last week and the Holy Spirit in Prophecies Concerning Israel’s Future. We looked at the scripture in Joel 2:28-32, where Joel prophesied that the Holy Spirit would be poured out on all people no matter their age, or station in life.
Then we looked at passages in Haggai and Zechariah where God was telling the people who had come back to the land from captivity that His Spirit would be with them so they shouldn’t be afraid to rebuild the temple, the city of Jerusalem and the nation.
The Holy Spirit will Empower the Messiah
The Old Testament prophets also tell us that the Holy Spirit will empower Israel's Messiah, who just happens to be our Savior Jesus Christ.
Isaiah 11:1-5 (NLT)1 Out of the stump of David’s family will grow a shoot— yes, a new Branch bearing fruit from the old root.2 And the Spirit of the LORD will rest on him— the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD.3 He will delight in obeying the LORD. He will not judge by appearance nor make a decision based on hearsay.4 He will give justice to the poor and make fair decisions for the exploited. The earth will shake at the force of his word, and one breath from his mouth will destroy the wicked.5 He will wear righteousness like a belt and truth like an undergarment.
Isaiah is talking about the Messiah here. He is telling the people what the Holy Spirit has revealed to Him.
The Messiah will be a descendant of David. Some people interpret this passage as that the Messiah will be supernaturally endowed by the sevenfold Holy Spirit of God (verse 1) Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the 2) Spirit of wisdom and 3)understanding, the 4)Spirit of counsel and 5) might, the 6) Spirit of knowledge and of the 7) fear of the LORD ).
The 7 spirits are mentioned in Revelations but not specifically identified.
Revelation 1:4 (NLT) This letter is from John to the seven churches in the province of Asia. Grace and peace to you from the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come; from the sevenfold Spirit before his throne;
Revelation 3:1 (NLT) “Write this letter to the angel of the church in Sardis. This is the message from the one who has the sevenfold Spirit of God and the seven stars: “I know all the things you do, and that you have a reputation for being alive—but you are dead.
Revelation 4:5 (NLT) From the throne came flashes of lightning and the rumble of thunder. And in front of the throne were seven torches with burning flames. This is the sevenfold Spirit of God.
Revelation 5:6 (NLT) Then I saw a Lamb that looked as if it had been slaughtered, but it was now standing between the throne and the four living beings and among the twenty-four elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which represent the sevenfold Spirit of God that is sent out into every part of the earth.
The Bible doesn’t tell us specifically who/what the seven spirits are, but that they are the Holy Spirit, seems the most likely.
The Bible, and especially the book of Revelation, uses the number 7 to refer to perfection and completion. If that is the meaning of the “seven” in the "seven spirits," then it is not referring to seven different spirits of God, but rather the perfect and complete Holy Spirit.
Another view is that the seven spirits of God refer to seven angelic beings, possibly the seraphim or the cherubim. This would fit with the numerous others angelic beings that are described in the book of Revelation (Revelation 4:6-9; 5:6-14; 19:4-5).
Isaiah 42:1-4 (NLT)1 “Look at my servant, whom I strengthen. He is my chosen one, who pleases me. I have put my Spirit upon him. He will bring justice to the nations.2 He will not shout or raise his voice in public.3 He will not crush the weakest reed or put out a flickering candle. He will bring justice to all who have been wronged.4 He will not falter or lose heart until justice prevails throughout the earth. Even distant lands beyond the sea will wait for his instruction.”
The ministry of the Holy Spirit in relation to Messiah would accomplish the atonement for the sin of the world and thus inaugurate the new covenant, on which the kingdom of God was based.
Hebrews 9:14 (NLT) Just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify our consciences from sinful deeds so that we can worship the living God. For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins.
The Messiah as the Chosen One, will be the Head of God's elect people. He would be especially empowered by the Holy Spirit. He would carry on a quiet and unassuming ministry (even though multitudes, as we now know, would flock to him out in the fields and hills). He would have a ministry to all nations, bringing to them judgment. The implication is that He will bring standards or principles of divine holiness and truth—the true faith of the Gospel). And this message and standard would happen throughout the world. - The Wycliffe Bible Commentary.
Isaiah 61:1-3 (NLT)1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is upon me, for the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed.2 He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the LORD’s favor has come, and with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies.3 To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the LORD has planted for his own glory.
Christ, or the Messiah is here represented as empowered by the Spirit to preach the liberating and life-transforming Gospel. The Gospel is especially intended for the meek (i.e., the humble, who recognize their own sin and need of a Saviour) and the brokenhearted (who repent of their sins). It is a message of deliverance from bondage, of consolation for sorrow, and of power from God for a new holiness of life—trees of righteousness, the planting of Jehovah (v. 3, asv). This Gospel also promises God's righteous judgment upon all the forces of unrepentant evil—the day of vengeance of our God (v. 2). - The Wycliffe Bible Commentary.
This is the text which our Jesus Himself cited at the outset of His public ministry and which He said was fulfilled in the hearing of His audience
Luke 4:16-21 (NLT)16 When he came to the village of Nazareth, his boyhood home, he went as usual to the synagogue on the Sabbath and stood up to read the Scriptures.17 The scroll of Isaiah the
prophet was handed to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where this was written:18 “The Spirit of the LORD is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free,19 and that the time of the LORD’s favor has come.”20 He rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the attendant, and sat down. All eyes in the synagogue looked at him intently.21 Then he began to speak to them. “The Scripture you’ve just heard has been fulfilled this very day!”
1 Corinthians 3:16 (NLT) Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you?
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NLT)19 Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, 20 for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.
2 Timothy 1:14 (NLT) Through the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within us, carefully guard the precious truth that has been entrusted to you.
Romans 8:11 (NLT) The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.
The Holy Spirit only indwells believers but He is active and interacting with nonbelievers. In fact, the Spirit is indispensable for anyone to be saved. His work can be divided into three general categories of activity: his pre-conversion work, conversion work and post-conversion work.
Prior to anyone placing his or her faith in Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit is involved in setting the conditions that allow for someone’s faith response to the gospel. One of these roles is the convicting of sin and truth.
John 16:8-10 (NLT)8 And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment.9 The world’s sin is that it refuses to believe in me.
10 Righteousness is available because I go to the Father, and you will see me no more.
Isaiah 11:1-5 (NLT)1 Out of the stump of David’s family will grow a shoot— yes, a new Branch bearing fruit from the old root.2 And the Spirit of the LORD will rest on him— the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD.3 He will delight in obeying the LORD. He will not judge by appearance nor make a decision based on hearsay.4 He will give justice to the poor and make fair decisions for the exploited. The earth will shake at the force of his word, and one breath from his mouth will destroy the wicked.5 He will wear righteousness like a belt and truth like an undergarment.
Isaiah is talking about the Messiah here. He is telling the people what the Holy Spirit has revealed to Him.
The Messiah will be a descendant of David. Some people interpret this passage as that the Messiah will be supernaturally endowed by the sevenfold Holy Spirit of God (verse 1) Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the 2) Spirit of wisdom and 3)understanding, the 4)Spirit of counsel and 5) might, the 6) Spirit of knowledge and of the 7) fear of the LORD ).
The 7 spirits are mentioned in Revelations but not specifically identified.
Revelation 1:4 (NLT) This letter is from John to the seven churches in the province of Asia. Grace and peace to you from the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come; from the sevenfold Spirit before his throne;
Revelation 3:1 (NLT) “Write this letter to the angel of the church in Sardis. This is the message from the one who has the sevenfold Spirit of God and the seven stars: “I know all the things you do, and that you have a reputation for being alive—but you are dead.
Revelation 4:5 (NLT) From the throne came flashes of lightning and the rumble of thunder. And in front of the throne were seven torches with burning flames. This is the sevenfold Spirit of God.
Revelation 5:6 (NLT) Then I saw a Lamb that looked as if it had been slaughtered, but it was now standing between the throne and the four living beings and among the twenty-four elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which represent the sevenfold Spirit of God that is sent out into every part of the earth.
The Bible doesn’t tell us specifically who/what the seven spirits are, but that they are the Holy Spirit, seems the most likely.
The Bible, and especially the book of Revelation, uses the number 7 to refer to perfection and completion. If that is the meaning of the “seven” in the "seven spirits," then it is not referring to seven different spirits of God, but rather the perfect and complete Holy Spirit.
Another view is that the seven spirits of God refer to seven angelic beings, possibly the seraphim or the cherubim. This would fit with the numerous others angelic beings that are described in the book of Revelation (Revelation 4:6-9; 5:6-14; 19:4-5).
Isaiah 42:1-4 (NLT)1 “Look at my servant, whom I strengthen. He is my chosen one, who pleases me. I have put my Spirit upon him. He will bring justice to the nations.2 He will not shout or raise his voice in public.3 He will not crush the weakest reed or put out a flickering candle. He will bring justice to all who have been wronged.4 He will not falter or lose heart until justice prevails throughout the earth. Even distant lands beyond the sea will wait for his instruction.”
The ministry of the Holy Spirit in relation to Messiah would accomplish the atonement for the sin of the world and thus inaugurate the new covenant, on which the kingdom of God was based.
Hebrews 9:14 (NLT) Just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify our consciences from sinful deeds so that we can worship the living God. For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins.
The Messiah as the Chosen One, will be the Head of God's elect people. He would be especially empowered by the Holy Spirit. He would carry on a quiet and unassuming ministry (even though multitudes, as we now know, would flock to him out in the fields and hills). He would have a ministry to all nations, bringing to them judgment. The implication is that He will bring standards or principles of divine holiness and truth—the true faith of the Gospel). And this message and standard would happen throughout the world. - The Wycliffe Bible Commentary.
Isaiah 61:1-3 (NLT)1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is upon me, for the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed.2 He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the LORD’s favor has come, and with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies.3 To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the LORD has planted for his own glory.
Christ, or the Messiah is here represented as empowered by the Spirit to preach the liberating and life-transforming Gospel. The Gospel is especially intended for the meek (i.e., the humble, who recognize their own sin and need of a Saviour) and the brokenhearted (who repent of their sins). It is a message of deliverance from bondage, of consolation for sorrow, and of power from God for a new holiness of life—trees of righteousness, the planting of Jehovah (v. 3, asv). This Gospel also promises God's righteous judgment upon all the forces of unrepentant evil—the day of vengeance of our God (v. 2). - The Wycliffe Bible Commentary.
This is the text which our Jesus Himself cited at the outset of His public ministry and which He said was fulfilled in the hearing of His audience
Luke 4:16-21 (NLT)16 When he came to the village of Nazareth, his boyhood home, he went as usual to the synagogue on the Sabbath and stood up to read the Scriptures.17 The scroll of Isaiah the prophet was handed to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where this was written:18 “The Spirit of the LORD is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free,19 and that the time of the LORD’s favor has come.”20 He rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the attendant, and sat down. All eyes in the synagogue looked at him intently.21 Then he began to speak to them. “The Scripture you’ve just heard has been fulfilled this very day!”
The Work of the Holy Spirit in Regard to Man's Salvation
This is a good place for us to start talking about the Holy Spirit and our relationship and interaction with Him today in the lives of the believer. Remember this is the same Holy Spirit that gave, power and ability to all those people we have talked about the last two months, who now dwells in us.1 Corinthians 3:16 (NLT) Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you?
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NLT)19 Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, 20 for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.
2 Timothy 1:14 (NLT) Through the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within us, carefully guard the precious truth that has been entrusted to you.
Romans 8:11 (NLT) The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.
The Holy Spirit only indwells believers but He is active and interacting with nonbelievers. In fact, the Spirit is indispensable for anyone to be saved. His work can be divided into three general categories of activity: his pre-conversion work, conversion work and post-conversion work.
The Pre-Conversion Work of the Holy Spirit
Prior to anyone placing his or her faith in Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit is involved in setting the conditions that allow for someone’s faith response to the gospel. One of these roles is the convicting of sin and truth.
John 16:8-10 (NLT)8 And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment.9 The world’s sin is that it refuses to believe in me.
10 Righteousness is available because I go to the Father, and you will see me no more.
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