The EMBLEMS of the HOLY SPIRIT.

These Six  Emblems throw light upon His Nature and His Mission.

An emblem is an abstract or representational pictorial image that represents a concept, like a moral truth, or an allegory, or a person...en.wikipedia.org

A. DOVE : indicating His Purity, His Peace and His modesty.

John 1:32  John also gave testimony by stating: "I have seen the Spirit coming down like a dove out of Heaven; and it remained upon Him.

John 1:33  I did not yet know Him, but He who sent me to baptize in water said to me, "'The One on whom you see the Spirit coming down, and remaining, He it is who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.'

Psa 55:6  And I said, Who will give to me wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest.

Mat 3:16  And Jesus, when He had been baptized, went up immediately out of the water. And lo, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting upon Him.

Notes

"I have seen the Spirit coming down like a dove out of Heaven; and it remained upon Him”

John the Baptist, saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: “for this is what was promised to John, as a sign, which should confirm his faith in Jesus, as the true Messiah, and which he himself says he saw, and upon which he based the record and testimony he bore to Christ, as the Son of God; see Joh_1:32 not but that the descent of the Holy Ghost in this manner might be seen by Christ, as well as John, according to Mar_1:10. The Spirit of God, here said to descend and light on Christ, is the same, which in the first creation moved upon the face of the waters; and now comes down on Christ, just as he was coming up out of the waters of Jordan, where he had been baptized; and which the Jews (r) so often call המשיח רוח של מלד, "the Spirit of the king Messiah, and the spirit of the Messiah".

The descent of him was in a "bodily shape", as Luke says in Luk_3:22 either in the shape of a dove, which is a very fit emblem of the Spirit of God who descended, and the fruits thereof, such as simplicity, meekness, love, &c. and also of the dove-like innocence, humility, and affection of Christ, on whom he lighted; or it was in some other visible form, not expressed, which pretty much resembled the hovering and lighting of a dove upon anything: for it does not necessarily follow from any of the accounts the Evangelists give of this matter, that the holy Spirit assumed, or appeared in, the form of a dove; only that His visible descent and lighting on Christ was ωσει περιστερα, as a dove descends, hovers and lights; which does not necessarily design the form of the creature, but the manner of its motion.

However, who can read this account without thinking of Noah's dove, which brought in its mouth the olive leaf, a token of peace and reconciliation, when the waters were abated from off the earth?” John Gill

B. Water: Indicating life and cleansing.

Isa 44:3  For I will pour water on him who is thirsty, and floods on the dry ground. I will pour My spirit on your seed, and My blessing on your offspring; Isa_41:17, Isa_59:21; Eze_34:26; Joe_3:18; Joh_7:37-39; Rev_21:6, Rev_22:17

John 7:37  And in the last day of the great feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.

Joh 7:38  He who believes on Me, as the Scripture has said, "Out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water."

Joh 7:39  (But He spoke this about the Spirit, which they who believed on Him should receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.)

“It is dry in my part of the world this early winter of 2010. The weather experts say it will be dry through spring. When I go to the country and go down gravel and dirt roads, the dust is like powder – so fine that it seeps in through the seals on the doors and windows. Winter wheat and oats are stymied green shoots just out of the ground because there is not enough moisture to help them grow.

Our lives, our spirits, can feel parched and dry. All the big religious celebrations in the world can’t remove this dryness. They may make us forget it for awhile, but just for awhile. Our thirst can only be slaked by the Spirit of the Living God. Jesus poured out the Spirit when we first became his true followers. Yet even with the ongoing presence of the Spirit within us, we can lose sight of the living water within us. So let’s draw close to Jesus and ask that the Spirit’s presence have greater influence, power, and refreshment in our inner being.

Prayer:

O Father, God Almighty and God who is near, help me to sense the presence of the Holy Spirit in my life. May the Spirit have great influence over my heart and my behavior. I willingly offer myself to be shaped, empowered and refreshed by the Spirit as I am conformed to be more like Jesus. It is in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. <http://www.turnbacktogod.com/>

C. Oil

Luk 4:17  And the book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him [Jesus]. And unrolling the book, He found the place where it was written,

Luk 4:18  "The Spirit of the Lord is on Me; because of this He has anointed Me to proclaim the Gospel to the poor. He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim deliverance to the captives, and new sight to the blind, to set at liberty those having been crushed,

Luk 4:19  to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord."

Barnes Notes Hath anointed me - Anciently kings and prophets and the high priest were set apart to their work by anointing with oil, 1Ki_19:15-16; Exo_29:7; 1Sa_9:16, etc. This oil or ointment was made of various substances, and it was forbidden to imitate it, Exo_30:34-38. Hence, those who were set apart to the work of God as king, prophet, or priest, were called the Lord’s anointed, 1Sa_16:6; Psa_84:9; Isa_45:1. Hence, the Son of God is called the “Messiah,” a Hebrew word signifying the “Anointed,” or the “Christ,” a Greek word signifying the same thing.[i.e.Anointed] And by His being “anointed” is not meant that he was literally anointed, for he was never set apart in that manner, but that “God had set him apart” for this work; that “he” had constituted or appointed him to be the prophet, priest, and king of his people. “ His anointing was with the Spirit at His Baptism.” See the notes at Mat_1:1.

To preach the gospel to the poor - The English word “gospel” is derived from two words - “God” or “good,” and “spell,” an old Saxon word meaning “history, relation, narration, word, or speech,” and the word therefore means “a good communication” or “message.” This corresponds exactly with the meaning of the Greek word - “a good or joyful message - glad tidings.” By the “poor” are meant all those who are destitute of the comforts of this life, and who therefore may be more readily disposed to seek treasures in heaven; all those who are sensible of their sins, or are poor in spirit Mat_5:3; and all the “miserable” and the afflicted, Isa_58:7. Our Saviour gave it as one proof that he was the Messiah, or was from God, that he preached to “the poor,” Mat_11:5. The Pharisees and

Act 10:38  how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, and He went about doing good, and healing all those who were .

anointed [χρίω] Strongs concordance chriō khree'-o

Probably akin to G5530 through the idea of contact; to smear or rub with oil, that is, (by implication) to consecrate to an office or religious service: - anoint.

How God anointed ... - That is, set him apart to this work, and was with him, acknowledging him as the Messiah. See the notes on Mat_1:1.

With the Holy Ghost - See the notes on Luk_4:19. The act of anointing kings and priests seems to have been emblematic of the influences of the Holy Spirit. Here it means that God impaled to him the influences of the Holy Spirit, thus consecrating him for the work of the Messiah. See Mat_3:16-17; Joh_3:34, “God giveth not the Holy Spirit by measure unto him.”

And with power - The power of healing the sick, raising the dead, etc. Barnes

Heb 1:9  THOU HAST LOVED RIGHTEOUSNESS AND HATED LAWLESSNESS; THEREFORE GOD, THY GOD, HAS ANOINTED THEE WITH THE OIL OF GLADNESS BEYOND THY COMPANIONS."

Application

At Pentecost the Disciples were imbued, or clothed with the Holy Spirit so as to be Witnesses of our Lord Jesus Christ. Anointing is being set apart for Service for the Lord. Have you been anointed by the Holy Spirit to serve. Seek His setting apart today by the Anointing of the Spirit.

D. A Seal: indicating ownership, finished transaction, identification, security,genuineness, value and authority.

Eph 1:13  And in Him you Gentiles also, after listening to the Message of the truth, the Good News of your salvation--having believed in Him--were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit;

Jn 3:33 Hath set to his seal - To “seal” an instrument is to make it sure; to acknowledge it as ours; to pledge our veracity that it is true and binding, as when a man seals a bond, a deed, or a will. Believing a doctrine, therefore, in the heart, is expressed by “sealing it,” or by believing it we express our firm conviction that it is true, and that God who has spoken it is true. We vouch for the veracity of God, and assume as our own the proposition that it is the truth of God.

Ye were sealed - On the meaning of the word “seal,” see the notes at Joh_3:33; Joh_6:27, note. On the phrase “ye were sealed,” see the notes on 2Co_1:22.

With that Holy Spirit of promise - With the Holy Spirit that was promised; see Joh_16:7-11, Joh_16:13; Joh_15:26; Joh_14:16-17. It is not improbable, I think, that the apostle here refers particularly to the occurrence of which we have a record in Act_19:1-6. Paul, it is there said, having passed through the upper provinces of Asia Minor, came to Ephesus. Barnes Notes

2Co 1:22  and He has also set His seal upon us, and has put His Spirit into our hearts as a pledge and foretaste of future blessing.

To Seal :The word used here (from σφραγίζω  sphragizō) means to seal up; to close and make fast with a seal, or signet; as, e. g., books, letters, etc. that they may not be read. It is also used in the sense of setting a mark on anything, or a seal, to denote that it is genuine, authentic, confirmed, or approved, as when a deed, compact, or agreement is sealed. it is thus made sure; and is confirmed or established. Hence, it is applied to persons, as denoting that they are approved, as in Rev_7:3; “Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, until we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads;” compare Eze_9:4; see the note, Joh_6:27, were it is said of the Saviour, “for him hath God the Father sealed;” compare Joh_3:33. In a similar manner Christians are said to be sealed; to be sealed by the Holy Spirit Eph_1:13; Eph_4:30; that is, the Holy Spirit is given to them to confirm them as belonging to God. He grants them His Spirit. He renews and sanctifies them.

John MacArthur says, “As one means of guaranteeing His promises to those who have received Jesus Christ, God has sealed [them] in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise. Every believer is given the very Holy Spirit of God the moment he trusts in Christ. “You are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwell-s in you,” Paul declares (Rom. 8:9a). Conversely, he goes on to say, “If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him” (v. 9b). Incredibly, the body of every true Christian is actually “a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in [him]” (1 Cor. 6:19).

When a person becomes a Christian, the Holy Spirit takes up residence in his life. Life in Jesus Christ is different because the Spirit of God is now within. He is there to empower us, equip us for ministry, and function through the gifts He has given us. The Holy Spirit is our Helper and Advocate. He protects and encourages us. He also guarantees our inheritance in Jesus Christ. “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ” (Rom. 8:16–17). The Spirit of God is our securing force, our guarantee.

The sealing of which Paul speaks here refers to an official mark of identification that was placed on a letter, contract, or other important document. The seal usually was made from hot wax, which was placed on the document and then impressed with a signet ring. The document was thereby officially identified with and under the authority of the person to whom the signet belonged.

That is the idea behind our being sealed in Him [Christ] with the Holy Spirit of promise. The seal of God’s Spirit in the believer signifies four primary things: security, authenticity, ownership, and authority.

Note these examples  1. Sealing of the Lion’s den by Darius in Daniel 6:16-17

2. Used by Ahasuerus on the advice of the wicked Haman Esther 3:8-12

3. Pilate sealed the tomb of Jesus. Matt 27:66

E. Wind indicating Unseen Power.

John 3:7  Do not be astonished at my telling you, 'You must all be born anew.'

Joh 3:8  The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it is going. So is it with everyone who has been born of the Spirit."

Act 2:1  At length, on the day of the Harvest Festival, they had all met in one place;

Act 2:2  when suddenly there came from the sky a sound as of a strong rushing blast of wind. This filled the whole house where they were sitting

KJV a Rushing Mighty Wind.

as of a rushing mighty wind; it was not a wind, but like one; and the noise it made, was like the rushing noise of a strong and boisterous wind, that carries all before it: the Spirit of God is sometimes compared to the wind, because of the freeness of his operations; as that blows where it listeth, so he works when and where, and on whom he pleases; and also because of the power and efficacy of his grace, which is mighty and irresistible, and works with great energy upon the minds of men; and as the wind is secret and invisible, so the operations of the Spirit are in a manner secret and imperceptible unto men: this may likewise be applied to the Gospel, when it comes with the Holy Ghost, and with power; it makes its way into the heart, and throws down the strongholds of sin and Satan; there it works effectually, though secretly, and is the power of God to salvation:

F. Fire indicating presence, approval, protection, purifying, gift, judgment.

1. The Presence of the Lord.

Exo 3:2  And the Angel of Jehovah appeared to him in a flame of fire, out of the midst of a thorn bush. And he looked. And behold! The thorn bush burned with fire! And the thorn bush was not burned up.

2. The Approval of the Lord.

Lev 9:24  And there came a fire out from before Jehovah, and burned up the burnt offering and the fat on the altar. And all the people saw and shouted and fell on their faces.

3. The Protection of the Lord.

Exo 13:21  And Jehovah went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the right away, and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light, to go by day and night.

Exo 13:22  He did not take away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people.

4. The Purifying from the Lord. Isa 6:1-8

Isa 6:1  In the year that King Uzziah died I then saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and His train filled the temple.

Isa 6:2  Above it stood the seraphs; each one had six wings; with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew.

Isa 6:3  And one cried to another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is Jehovah of Hosts; the whole earth full of His glory.

Isa 6:4  And the doorposts moved at the voice of the one who cried, and the house was filled with smoke.

Isa 6:5  Then I said, Woe is me! For I am undone; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, Jehovah of Hosts.

Isa 6:6  Then one of the seraphs flew to me, having a live coal in his hand, snatched with tongs from the altar.

Isa 6:7  And he laid it on my mouth and said, Lo, this has touched your lips; and your iniquity is taken away, and your sin purged.

Isa 6:8  And I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then I said, Here am I; send me!

5. The Gift of the Lord

Act 2:3  And tongues as of fire appeared to them, being distributed; and it sat upon each of them.

6. The Judgment of the Lord.

Heb 12:29  for also, "Our God is a consuming fire."

John Gill: “Either God personally considered, God in the person of Christ; so the Shechinah, with the Jews, is called a consuming fire (n). Christ is truly God, and he is our God and Lord; and though he is full of grace and mercy, yet he will appear in great wrath to his enemies, who will not have him to reign over them: or rather God essentially considered; whose God he is, and in what sense, and how he comes to be so; see Gill on Heb_8:10, what is here said of him, that he is a consuming fire, may be understood of his jealousy in matters of worship, Deu_4:23, and so carries in it a reason why he is to be served acceptably, with reverence and godly fear. God, and he only, is to be worshipped; and he is to be worshipped in a way suitable to himself; and he has the sole right of fixing the manner of worship, both as to the external and internal parts of it: under the legal dispensation, he was worshipped in a way he then pitched upon, and suitable to it; and under the Gospel dispensation he is to be worshipped in an evangelical way; and he is to have all the glory in every part of worship; and the ordinances of Gospel worship are immovable;”

G. An earnest: indicating first-fruits; a down payment or deposit; a pledge; an assurance of the eventual complete payment.

2Co 1:21  But He confirming us and anointing us with you in Christ is God.

2Co 1:22  And He has sealed us and having given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

2Co 5:5  And He who has worked in us for this same thing is God, who also is giving to us the earnest of the Spirit.

And given the earnest of the Spirit - Τον αρραβωνα του Πνευματος. From this unction and sealing we have a clear testimony in our souls, the Divine Spirit dwelling constantly in us, of our acceptance with God, and that our ways please him. The αρῥαβων of the apostle is the same as the ערבן  erabon of Moses, Gen_38:17, Gen_38:18, Gen_38:20, which we there translate pledge. The word properly signifies an earnest of something promised; a part of the price agreed for between a buyer and seller, by giving and receiving of which the bargain was ratified; or a deposit, which was to be restored when the thing promised was given. From the use of the term in Genesis, which the apostle puts here in Greek letters, we may at once see his meaning above, and in Eph_1:14; the Holy Spirit being an earnest in the heart, and an earnest of the promised inheritance means a security given in hand for the fulfillment of all God’s promises relative to grace and eternal life. We may learn from this, that eternal life will be given in the great day to all who can produce the arrhabon, or pledge. He who is found then with the earnest of God’s Spirit in his heart, shall not only be saved from death, but have that eternal life of which it is the pledge, the earnest, and the evidence. Without this arrhabon there can be no glory. See the whole case of Judah and Tamar, Gen_38:15 (note), etc., and the notes there. A. Clark
*******************************