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Revelation 4:5
ESV 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,
NIV From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. In front of the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits of God.
NASB Out from the throne *came 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;
CSB Flashes of lightning and rumblings and peals of thunder came from the throne. Seven fiery torches were burning before the throne, which are the seven spirits of God.
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.
KJV And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.

What does Revelation 4:5 mean?

John tells us in this verse that he saw flashes of lightning and heard rumblings and peals of thunder. He also saw seven burning torches before the throne. He tells us further that the burning torches are the seven spirits of God. Exodus 19:16 informs us that thunder and lightning occurred on Mount Sinai when God came down to give Moses the Ten Commandments. This phenomenon caused the Israelites below the mountain to tremble. At the same time, God set limits around the mountain and told Moses to command the people not to break through to look (Exodus 19:21–23). It seems in view of this Mount Sinai event that lightning and thunder are signs that no one is allowed to approach God without His permission. The flashes of lightning and thunder in Revelation 4:5 may also indicate that God is all powerful, authoritative, and greatly opposed to sin.

The seven burning torches mentioned in this verse probably symbolizes seven attributes of the Holy Spirit (Isaiah 11:2–3), perhaps connected to the reference John made to seven spirits in Revelation 1:4.
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