The Martyrs Had No Middleman

No, no! Each individual died for the testimony of Jesus which he himself had read, or heard read that was written in the Book, and which he himself had, and had so thoroughly, that he would suffer indescribable tortures rather than give it up.GoPH 186.3

There were some individuals during those ages who claimed, and for whom the claim was made, that they only had “the testimony of Jesus,” that each alone in his day, was “the only infallible interpreter of Bible principles,” since it was Christ through this agency giving the “real meaning of Christ’s own words.” But these were popes, and they did not have “the testimony of Jesus.” But those who did have the testimony of Jesus, testified the testimony of Jesus against them, and it was for this testimony of Jesus which the many did hare but which the one did not have, that the many were slain at the command of the one.GoPH 186.4

And now may the Lord save the remnant from this awful error of the dark ages, which confines “the testimony of Jesus,” to a single individual and persecutes every one else who dares go to the fountain head, and learn from Jesus alone what is “the testimony of Jesus” and who testifies that testimony of Jesus, to the world as a free man in Christ Jesus.GoPH 186.5

It has been made plain that the “spirit of prophecy” which is the “testimony of Jesus,” was possessed by all the martyrs of Jesus during the long night of papal persecution. Revelation 6:9, 20:4. They had the testimony of Jesus as individuals. They did not have it because one man or woman in all the world had the testimony to impart to each of them. Each had the testimony of Jesus because he had Jesus’ testimony, the testimony which He testified, and which was written in the book.GoPH 187.1

“Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein. ” Revelation 1:3.GoPH 187.2

That it was the testimony of Jesus that was written in the book, is evident from the following “He [Jesus] which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly.” Revelation 22:20.GoPH 187.3

“I, Jesus, have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches.” Revelation 22:16.GoPH 187.4

“What thou seest write in a book and send it to the seven churches.” Revelation 1:11.GoPH 187.5

“I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book.” Revelation 22:18.GoPH 187.6

Therefore each of the martyrs had the testimony of Jesus if he had read or heard read, and kept the testimony of Jesus that was written in the book.GoPH 187.7

Not all the testimony of Jesus is to be found in “this book,” the book of Revelation. John tells us that he was in the Isle of Patino’s for the Word of God and “for the testimony of Jesus.” John already had the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus and had testified that testimony to the world, and in consequence was banished to the Isle of Patmos before he received and wrote that additional testimony of Jesus, “which is written in this book.”GoPH 187.8

No doubt the testimony of Jesus in the book of Revelation is the “many things” that Christ could not speak unto the disciples because they could not bear them, but which would be revealed later by His Spirit. “He will show you things to come.” John 16:12, 13.GoPH 187.9

No Protestant today will risk his reputation as a student of ecclesiastical history by claiming that there was one man or woman, or a succession of individuals from whom, or through whom, alone, the millions of martyrs received the testimony of Jesus which is the spirit of prophecy.GoPH 187.10

The martyrs did not receive the testimony of Jesus second-hand through some middle man or woman who claimed to be “the only infallible interpreter of Bible principles.” Men who die at the stake, or on the rack, or in the dungeon “for the testimony of Jesus” must know it is the testimony of Jesus, not because some middle man tells them it is, but because they have an ear to hear what Jesus by His Spirit says unto them. “I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book.”GoPH 188.1