Revelation 4:5
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. 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.
Revelation 4:5 belongs to the vision in which John was shown the throne of God and the glories of heaven. In that vision God's plan for future ages was opened to him, with the throne set before his enraptured sight while anthems of joy resounded through the heavenly courts. It belongs to symbolic scenes that reveal matters of great importance. Those scenes foretell the history and conflicts of the church through the close of time.
The vision was given about half a century after Jesus ascended to present His church before God and to prepare mansions for His faithful ones. It shows that He still loved His people in coming to His aged servant to reveal God's plans for the future. Its description makes readers long to stand with the redeemed in the presence of God.
The verse shows seven lamps of fire burning before God's throne in the heavenly sanctuary, where John saw the heavenly candlestick shining. That scene is the first apartment of the heavenly sanctuary, the holy place where Jesus ministers in behalf of people. The seven lamps are the heavenly reality represented on earth by the golden candlestick in the first apartment of the earthly sanctuary. Moses built that earthly sanctuary according to the heavenly pattern as a copy and representation of heavenly things. Their light is reflected in the golden walls of the earthly sanctuary. The splendor of the earthly sanctuary gives only a faint reflection of the glory of the heavenly temple.
The verse shows the throne of God surrounded by worshipers above engaged in prayer and praise, with light and glory shining forth from before the throne. Believers on earth as active workers come near to that heavenly worship when they assemble together in meetings for prayer and praise. Keeping their lamps trimmed and burning causes them to reflect the light and glory of God brightly. Neglecting religious services and absenting themselves from meetings causes them to reflect that light and glory only feebly, and laying off their spiritual garments leaves them in the same feeble condition.