John before God

“From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and before the throne were burning seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God” Revelation 4:5.

The lightning and thunder are reminiscent of the divine appearance in Exodus 19:16: “On the morning of the third day there were thunders and lightnings and a thick cloud on the mountain and a very loud trumpet blast, so that all the people in the camp trembled.”

The seven fiery torches are reminiscent of the menorah in the tabernacle. They are a type of the “sevenfold spirit” described in Isaiah 11:2: ” And the Spirit of the LORD (YHWH) shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord“.

Seven means that the Holy Spirit is present in all its fullness.

Although John speaks of thunder and lightning, the whole description exudes calm, order, holiness, and devotion. It’s nothing terrifying, just something majestic and holy.

God is holy (Leviticus 11:45).