The Seven Heads of Leviathan

Message for the Churches 

Kelly P. Gallagher

In this study, we will show how that the seven heads of the spirit of Leviathan represent the seven spirits of Satan and antichrist that are attacking the church today and also were demonstrated to attack the seven churches in Asia discussed in Revelation, chapters 2 and 3.  This study is a cooperative effort between this writer and Sal Munno, Jr. of Florida, who received the revelation of the seven spirits being specifically the opposite of the seven spirits of God and those attacking the seven churches of Asia.

(Psa 74:14)  Thou brakest the heads of leviathan in pieces, and gavest him to be meat to the people inhabiting the wilderness.

Notice that Leviathan has heads (plural).  Scripturally, this is Satan, the old serpent and dragon and he has seven heads.

(Rev 12:9)  And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

(Rev 12:3)  And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.

The Devil is a serpent, a dragon which has seven heads.  God’s throne has seven spirits in front of it.  These spirits, we believe, are the SEVEN-FOLD SPIRIT OF GOD.  Isaiah 11:2 speaks of the seven fold spirit of God.

(Isa 11:2)  And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;

Here are the seven spirits of God according to this verse, the matching church and the name of the anti-spirit attacking them.

1) The Spirit of the Lord – the church of Thyatira- Jezebel/anti prophetic

2) The Spirit of wisdom – the church of Pergamos- Balaam/Anti-wisdom

3) The Spirit of understanding – the church of Laodicea-Blindness/Deception

4) The Spirit of counsel – the church of Philadelphia – False Prophecy

5) The Spirit of might-the church of Sardis – Anti-Revival/Death

6) The Spirit of knowledge-the church of Ephesus – False Knowledge/Gnosis/Pride

7) The Spirit of the fear of the Lord-the church of Smyrna – Fear of Man/Satan/License for Sin

We will show from the scriptures, how that each of the seven churches of Asia were under siege from at least one of these seven antichrist spirits and that these seven heads of Leviathan are seven world-ruler demons directly under Satan, whose main mission is to destroy the church of Christ.  Jesus’ promise that the “gates of hell” would not prevail against the true church, means that we must attack these spirits in our lives and as a body and so that the DEFENSIVE GATES OF SATAN PROTECTING THESE SPIRITS WOULD NOT HOLD AGAINST OUR PRAYERS OF BINDING AND LOOSING.

The Spirit of the Lord

The first spirit of God and of the seven-fold Holy Spirit is the spirit of the Lord.  In the Chaldee translation, according to Barnes Notes says, “And there shall rest upon him the spirit of prophecy from before Jehovah.”

This is the spirit of Jehovah, of the Father and is also specifically the spirit of prophecy, for Messiah was a prophet.  Therefore the opposite of this spirit is the ANTI-PROPHETIC spirit, the spirit of Jezebel in the church of Thyatira, “who calleth herself a prophetess”.

(Rev 2:20)  Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.

(Rev 2:21)  And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.

(Rev 2:22)  Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.

(Rev 2:23)  And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.

(Rev 2:24)  But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.

We see from the above verses that the spirit of Jezebel is THE DEPTHS OF SATAN.  In other words, this spirit is the number one weapon against the church and is the direct replacement of the spirit of Jehovah and the Holy Spirit.  It manifests as false spiritual gifts, false prophecy, false anointings, and lying signs and wonders that will deceive, if possible, the very elect in the end of days.

As the feminine in Hebrew is often used to express a multitude, “prophetess” could mean a group of prophets, similar to the false prophets of Baal that ate at Jezebel’s table in the book of Kings.

(1Ki 18:4)  For it was so, when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the LORD, that Obadiah took an hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.)

She also cuts off the true prophetic anointing of God and the true prophets have to go underground, in “caves” because of the persecution of the false church, which has the power of the secular state behind it. 

(1Ki 18:4)  For it was so, when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the LORD, that Obadiah took an hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.)

(1Ki 18:19)  Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves four hundred, which eat at Jezebel's table.

Notice that the number of the prophets of Baal far outnumbered the true prophets and that they were nourished by the food (teaching) of Jezebel and her spirit.

The Spirit of Wisdom

Wisdom is the principal thing, the most important thing to search for and apprehend.

(Pro 4:7)  Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.

Wisdom is also linked with understanding, as it is coupled with this spirit in Isaiah 11:2.  The Greek Septuagint completely omits this verse.  The Greek Septuagint is the Catholic Greek Text of the Old Testament.  The Devil’s religion, Roman Catholicism is the opposite of wisdom from God, it is the wisdom of this world, that is earthly, sensual and devilish.  It is a mixture with pagan philosophies and religions and has an appearance of wisdom in outward works and sacraments, but has no power to heal or save.

(Mat 22:29)  Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.

(Jam 3:15)  This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.

(Col 2:8)  Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

(Col 2:18)  Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,

The spirit of anti-wisdom, or foolishness attacked which church in Revelation?

(Rev 2:12)  And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;

(Rev 2:13)  I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.

(Rev 2:14)  But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.

(Rev 2:15)  So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.

Pergamos was a place of persecution, but it was being attacked by the spirit of Balaam, the spirit of foolishness in abandoning the truth of God and foolishly following after the rewards of unrighteousness.

Pergamos means “height, elevation”.  It was the height of Satan’s activity, ”where Satan dwelleth.”  The spirit of Balaam seeks after glory and money, and that is the principal spirit of Roman Catholicism and many “Protestants” who are shameless kingdom-builders, building their own ego kingdoms, often prostituting the truth for the sake of more tithe-paying followers. 

(2Pe 2:15)  Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;

(2Pe 2:16)  But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet.

(2Pe 2:17)  These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.

(2Pe 2:18)  For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.

(2Pe 2:19)  While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.

They promise liberty, but themselves are slaves of corruption and bring bondage.  This would apply to those who want to bring us back under the law and not grace.  Those who try to add works to salvation, i.e., baptism, Sabbath keeping, or eating certain foods. 

(1Co 3:19)  For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.

The wisdom of this world is foolishness, or anti-wisdom.  It is craftiness, instead of wisdom.  The serpent in the garden of Eden was more subtle than all other creatures, the crafty serpent that replaces the wisdom of God with the craftiness of this world. 

(Pro 1:7)  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

The spirit of Nicolaitanism goes along with this.  The anti-wisdom spirit that is foolishness to God leads to domination and control of the laity by the priesthood of the clergy.  Victory over the people, or the laity is the literal meaning of this name, Nicolatian. 

The Spirit of Understanding

Specifically, the spirit of judgment, or wisdom in action, or discernment.  The counter of this spirit from God is the spirit of blindness, spiritual blindness.  The church of Laodicea was counseled to purchase eye salve from God so that they could see with perception and discernment.  This spirit of blindness is one of the most powerful spirits operating in the church today, because it leads to deception and delusion. 

(Rev 3:14)  And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;

(Rev 3:15)  I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.

(Rev 3:16)  So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

(Rev 3:17)  Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

(Rev 3:18)  I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

(Rev 3:19)  As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

The spirit of spiritual blindness and deceivableness is defeated by the word of God and being mature and skilful in the word of God.

(Heb 5:13)  For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.

(Heb 5:14)  But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

Spiritual “senses” including spiritual sight and perception are a by-product of being spiritual mature and skilful in the word of God.  Because many will turn from the truth of the word of God and sound doctrine in the last days, God will pour out a spirit of spiritual blindness and delusion on the church of apostates.

(2Th 2:10)  And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

(2Th 2:11)  And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:

(2Th 2:12)  That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

This spirit can lead to damnation and forfeiture of salvation among those who were once regenerated, but turn their ears away from sound doctrine.

(2Ti 4:3)  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

(2Ti 4:4)  And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

(Hos 4:6)  My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.

The love of riches can lead to this spiritual blindness, as this was the problem with the church of Laodicea, they were rich in goods, but those riches choked the word of God out of their lives and made it unfruitful and took away their discernment.

(Mar 4:19)  And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.

(1Ti 6:10)  For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

The Spirit of Counsel

The church of Philadelphia was given no negative rebuke by the Lord Jesus Christ.  The only thing said to the church was “hold fast that no man take thy crown.”  The counterfeit spirit of Satan is the spirit of false counsel, false leading and false direction.  He uses ministers who give false directive prophecy to confuse and mislead and derail true servants of God from doing the will of God.  Personal directive prophecy is dangerous and unbiblical.  Biblical prophecy is never intended to replace the individual’s ability to seek and hear the voice of God for themselves.  Biblical prophecy is for edification, exhortation and comfort. 

(1Co 14:3)  But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.

We are not to be led by prophecies.  Nowhere in the Bible was anyone led by prophecies. 

(1Ti 1:18)  This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare;

(1Ti 1:19)  Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:

These verses are sometimes used to show directive prophecy, but certainly they are not.  Paul is simply telling Timothy that the prophetic utterances of his calling and encouraging him to be strong and courageous.

(1Ti 4:14)  Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.

The prophetic gift that Timothy received did not impart a gift to him, but revealed the gifts and callings on his life, probably the gift of teaching and pasturing.  Rarely in the Bible does God lead through dreams and visions and certainly not through prophets not tested to be accurate.

God promises the church of Philadelphia that he would open and close doors, thus guiding them collectively and individually.  We have a more sure word of prophecy to lead us, the written word of God.

(2Pe 1:18)  And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.

(2Pe 1:19)  We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:

Peter is saying that the more sure word of prophecy is the written word of God, more sure than a voice from heaven, an angel or the prophetic utterances of people who are subject to error and deception.

(Rev 3:7)  And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;

(Rev 3:8)  I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.

(Rev 3:9)  Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.

(Rev 3:10)  Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

(Rev 3:11)  Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.

(Rev 3:12)  Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.

The church of Philadelphia was the only one not in danger of having their candlestick removed, however, false direction could lead to their crown being taken away.  God promised that because they kept the word of God, He would keep them from tribulation and that word would lead them into the open doors and avoid the closed doors that God shut for them.  When we overcome this spirit, we become a pillar in the temple of God, we rule and bear weight in God’s temple and we become stable, we are not tossed to and fro from every wind of doctrine or blown off course from the direction God has called us to by false prophets and false direction from this counterfeit to the true counsel of God.

The Spirit of Might

The church of Sardis was ready to die.  They had no strength, no power from God.  Yet they had a reputation of being alive.  They had a reputation of being in “revival”.  The spirit that is the counterpart of God’s spirit of might and power is false revival.  The false revival spirit is a false anointing and illusion of live and a vibrant church.  Even to the point of many souls being saved, Bibles printed, television stations and great meetings with many thousands of emotional, praising men and women.

What I have just described is the church in America today.  Even the worldly crowd was convinced that Sardis was a living church it had a good reputation among all men, but in the sight of God it was dead.  Its TRUE spiritual power had been sapped by the anti-revival spirit.  

(Rev 3:1)  And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.

(Rev 3:2)  Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.

(Rev 3:3)  Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.

(Rev 3:4)  Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.

The church in Sardis tried to hide their ungodly lives behind a cloak of religiosity.  Jesus Himself said that many would come before the judgment seat of Christ thinking that they were going to be great in heaven, yet Christ tells them they would not even enter in, because of their wicked and lawless behavior. 

(Mat 7:21)  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

(Mat 7:22)  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

(Mat 7:23)  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

(2Ti 3:5)  Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

The Spirit of Knowledge 

The spirit of knowledge from God teaches us about God.  This is not the knowledge of facts or information alone, but of God himself.  This is the knowledge that leads to eternal life. 

(Joh 17:3)  And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

The opposite of the spirit of knowledge of God is the spirit of gnosis, the false knowledge of the mystery religions in the days of the early churches.  The church at Colossae was steeped in gnosticism, the entire letter was written to combat Gnostic heresies.  The church of Ephesus was under siege by this as well and Jesus commends them for testing false apostles who taught these lies and for hating the lawless lifestyles of some of them who taught that the deeds of the flesh would not hinder spiritual growth, thus teaching a license for sin.  The same license for sin is taught today by the majority of churches who teach unconditional eternal security or “once saved, always saved.”  What Jesus said to the church of Ephesus alone blows this doctrine out of the water.  He said to this church that they were in danger of being removed permanently as a group from the life and light of God.  What was their sin?  They had apostatized from their first love, God.  God wants us to love Him with all our hearts and love those who are begotten of Him. 

Knowledge puffs up with pride, but love edifies.  Love does not parade itself in a show of religiosity.  It does not try to grasp after power and influence in the church, but has a servant’s heart.  The first commandment is to love God with all our hearts; the second, to love our brothers as ourselves.  The church is Ephesus had a false knowledge and discernment which cause their love to grow cold, even though they worked hard for God with patience and tested false apostles.  In their zeal for God, they, like the Pharisees began to be exclusive and legalistic in their religion and forgot the greater things of faith and mercy.

(Mat 23:23)  Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

(Mat 23:24)  Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.

(Mat 23:25)  Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.

(Mat 23:26)  Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.

(Rev 2:1)  Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;

(Rev 2:2)  I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:

(Rev 2:3)  And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.

(Rev 2:4)  Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

(Rev 2:5)  Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

The Spirit of the Fear of the Lord

The church of Smyrna was under Satan’s counterfeit to the spirit of the fear of the Lord, which is the fear of man and fear of Satan.  Many Christians today are afraid of the devil and this fear is also behind the refusal to believe that Christians can have demonic infestation in their lives.  They don’t want to believe it because then they would have to go to war.  The church of Smyrna had many good points, but God never tells someone not to fear who is not experiencing fear.  Those who would put the Smyrneans in prison were men who had authority in the state who were influenced by the Jews in power to persecute the Christians. 

(Rev 2:8)  And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;

(Rev 2:9)  I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.

(Rev 2:10)  Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

(Pro 29:25)  The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.

The fear of the Lord is also hatred for sin and the satanic counterfeit of this spirit is a spirit of Ahab, which is cavalier toward the things of God and of Saul, who is afraid of man’s opinion, more than the opinion of God.  It is a spirit that lightly esteems God and His Word and looks at man’s power, talent and charisma for leadership. 

Fearfulness is a sin.  It is first on the list of sins that damn the soul.

(Rev 21:8)  But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

Those who lightly esteem God and His Word are punished by God by being allowed to apostatize. 

(Deu 32:15)  But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked: thou art waxen fat, thou art grown thick, thou art covered with fatness; then he forsook God which made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation.