1Jo 5:7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.

1Jo 5:8 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.

John is not giving new revelation with this teaching. He is making a commentary on the Old Testament using the method of interpretation that Jesus taught. ^[1] Unlike any other language, Hebrew words derive their meaning from the combined meaning of the letters.

There are 28 letter in the Hebrew alphabet, each deriving it's metaphoric meaning from the strokes within it. Everything that can be said or thought can be expressed by combining the strokes into letters and the letters into words. Considering that God spoke creation into existence, they are also the key to understanding all.

The word 'heaven' is shamayim שמים. The first letter, the shin ש, is a symbol for the metaphor of God's word coming to earth in grace, then returning to him in holiness with an increase. As a metaphor, it can represent:

the action of the word returning to God with an increase ^[2]

the joining of the word and the increase ^[3]

the Spirit which joins or gives life ^{[4] [5]}

1. ↑ This assertion will be demonstrated as the methods for interpreting sensus plenior are shown to be used and taught by Jesus.
2. ↑ Isa 55:11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper [in the thing] whereto I sent it.
3. ↑ Joh 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, [there] ye may be also.
4. ↑ Joh 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
5. ↑ Joh 16:7 ¶ Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.