THE EMBLEMS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Bible uses several emblems to represent the Holy Spirit. An emblem represents something. It is a symbol which has a special meaning. The following are emblems used in the Bible to represent the Holy Spirit:
THE DOVE:
The Holy Spirit was revealed in the form of a dove at the time of the baptism of Jesus. This emblem of the Holy Spirit indicates approval, purity, and peace: And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon Him. (John 1:32)
Approval: And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon Him. (John 1:32)
Peace: And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest. (Psalms 55:6)
Purity: My dove, my undefiled, is but one… (Song of Solomon 6:9)
OIL:
Oil is used in the Bible as a symbol or emblem of the Holy Spirit. Oil indicates light, healing, and anointing for service. All of these are given to a believer through the Holy Spirit: The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; He hath sent me to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised (Luke 4:18). How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with Him (Acts 10:38). Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. (Hebrews 1:9)
WATER:
Water signifies the new life and cleansing from sin that the Holy Spirit brings to the believer. Jesus spoke of the Holy Spirit being like water: In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow
rivers of living water. But this spake He of the Spirit, which they that believe on Him should receive; for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified (John 7:37-39). For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my Spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring (Isaiah 44:3).
A SEAL:
A seal is a special mark indicating ownership. It also indicates a finished transaction. The Holy Spirit has sealed believers as belonging to God. It indicates their salvation is a finished work: In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also, after that ye believed, were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise (Ephesians 1:13). And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption (Ephesians 4:30). Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts (II Corinthians 1:22).
WIND:
The wind is also an emblem of the Holy Spirit. It represents the power of the Holy Spirit: The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth; so is every one that is born of the Spirit (John 3:8). And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting (Acts 2:1-2). You cannot see the wind in the natural world, but you can certainly see visible effects of the wind. In the natural world the wind has special functions. These functions are natural parallels of the functions of the “wind” of the Holy Spirit:
Wind Produces Life: It scatters seeds as it blows and this brings new growth. The Holy Spirit produces life through the seeds of the Word of God as they are scattered in the hearts and minds of men. This life is not only eternal life of salvation, but mature spiritual life through spiritual fruit which result from the seed of the Word.
Wind Separates The Wheat From The Chaff: It purifies as it blows away the debris. The Holy Spirit serves as a purifying power in the life of the believer.
Wind Fans Dying Coals And Sets Them Ablaze: The wind of the Holy Spirit “fans” God’s people in revival and makes them a flaming fire of ministry to the world.
FIRE:
Fire is another emblem of the Holy Spirit. Fire signifies:
The Presence Of The Lord: And the Angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of the bush: and he looked, and behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed. (Exodus 3:2)
Approval Of The Lord: And there came a fire out from before the Lord, and consumed upon the altar the burnt offering and the fat; and when the people saw, they shouted, and fell on their faces. (Leviticus 9:24)
Protection And Guidance: And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them in the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night. (Exodus 13:21)
Purifying: Isaiah 6:1-8 tells of the Prophet Isaiah being purified by the fire of the Holy Spirit. Read this passage in your Bible.
