Sevenfold God

James Jordan points out that John gives seven titles to God in Revelation 1:4. There is a Trinitarian structure: “He who . . . Jesus Christ . . . seven Spirits.” That Trinitarian structure, though, unfolds in seven names, three for the Father, one for the Spirit, three for Jesus:

1. He who is

2. He who was

3. He who is coming

4. the seven Spirits

5. Faithful Witness

6. Firstborn of the Dead

7. Ruler of the kings of the earth

Jordan notes that the Spirit, associated with the sevenfold lampstand, which in turn is associated with the heavenly stars, corresponds to the fourth day of the creation week. Do the other names correspond? Not all are obvious, but there are some correlations:

1. He who is: First day, beginning, light

2. He who was: Firmament, separation of waters?

3. He who comes: Separation of water and earth (exodus image) and the springing up of grain and fruit from the earth

4. seven Spirits: correspond to the five planets, sun, and moon of the ancient cosmos

5. Faithful Witness: corresponds in some way to the teeming things?

6. Firstborn from the Dead: Jesus as New Adam, springing up from the earth by the power of the Father’s breath

7. Rulers of the kings of the earth: Jesus has been enthroned, taken his Sabbath rest, begun to judge