From an idealist perspective, what are the "seven spirits of God"? In Revelation, we see God along with the &quot;Seven Spirits before his throne&quot;.

Revelation 1:4 (NIV)
John,
To the seven churches in the province of Asia:
Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne,

We see it again later in Revelation:

Revelation 5:6 (NIV)
Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.

Who/what are these seven spirits?  How are they &quot;before the throne&quot; and also &quot;part of the lamb&quot;?  (Or are these seven different spirits?)
I'm seeking the answers from the view that Revelation should not be taken literally--that it is somewhat metaphorical.  I presume these seven spirits to be a metaphor, but for what?
The seven spirits referenced in Revelation may refer to the spirits mentioned in Isaiah 11.


Spirit of the Lord
Spirit of wisdom
Spirit of understanding
Spirit of counsel
Spirit of might
Spirit of knowledge
Spirit of fear of the LORD



  1 A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; 
  &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. 
  2 The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him— 
  &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, 
  &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;the Spirit of counsel and of might, 
  &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the LORD—


It may also refer to the seven qualities mentioned in 2 Peter 1:5-7.


goodness
knowledge
self-control
perseverence
godliness
mutual affection
love



  5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith
  goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge,
  self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance,
  godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual
  affection, love.


As is the case with a lot of Revelation, I take the different references to the seven spirits of God as figurative representations of the spirits.  I do not believe there are physical manifestations of His spirit.

I believe the 7 spirits represent communicable attributes of God.  When they are sent out over the earth, we will receive these attributes fully.