Interpretation Helps for Revelation 1-2

My posts the next several days will likely not be on individual topics but rather in the "interpretation helps" format with quick explanations of a number of items that might raise questions for readers. I feel this would be helpful because Revelation is actually can actually be pretty clear--and pretty incredible--when some of this "decoding" of words and phrases is done upfront. Here it is for the beginning chapters of Revelation:

• In 1:4 and when it comes up later in Revelations, "seven spirits" is a reference to the Holy Spirit. The "seven" might refer to the seven descriptions of the Holy Spirit in Isaiah 11:2.
• In 1:10 John says, "On the Lord's Day I was in the Spirit." The People's Bible says this is clearer as "in the spirit," meaning a spiritual mood or state.
• The Nicolatians, mentioned a couple times beginning at 2:6, may have encouraged open immorality since they felt we are forgiven anyway.
• In 2:9, "those who say they are Jews and are not," are the Judaizers. The real Jews, or descendants of Abraham, are not by genealogy but by faith (John 8:31-47).
• In 2:17 "hidden manna" represents Jesus and all he did for us. The idea behind the "white stone" mentioned in the same verse--juries used to use a white stone to represent acquittal. Here it symbolizes Christ's verdict of "not guilty" on all believers.
• In 2:20 "Jezebel" is the epithet for a woman who was leading the people into idolatry and sexual immorality. In verse 22 the "bed of suffering" actually refers to sexually transmitted diseases.
• In 2:28 the "morning star" is Jesus and his blessings.