Chapter Twelve—The Origin of the Testimonies

THE messages, either oral or in writing, that are imparted through the gift of prophecy are known as ” testimonies.” This is the Scriptural term for them.GoPH 83.1

This apparently comes from the idea that, the prophet is God’s mouthpiece, God’s spokesman. Therefore he speaks, or witnesses, or testifies for God, and what he testifies is testimony.GoPH 83.2

So Nehemiah wrote: “Nevertheless they were disobedient, and rebelled against Thee, and cast Thy law behind their backs, and slew Thy prophets which testified against them to turn them to Thee.” Nehemiah 9:26.GoPH 83.3

And again:GoPH 83.4

“Yet many years didst Thou forbear them, and testifiedst against them by Thy Spirit in Thy prophets.” Nehemiah 9:30.GoPH 83.5

Moses spoke of himself as testifying:GoPH 83.6

“He said unto them, Set your hearts unto all the words which I testify among you this day.” Deuteronomy 32:46.GoPH 83.7

Of the kingdom of Israel it is recorded that “They rejected His statutes, and His covenant that He made with their fathers, and His testimonies which He testified against them.” 2 Kings 17:15.GoPH 83.8

Nehemiah brought the same charge against Judah:GoPH 84.1

“Neither have our kings, our princes, our priests, nor our fathers, kept Thy law, nor hearkened unto Thy commandments and Thy testimonies, wherewith Thou didst testify against them.” Nehemiah 9:34.GoPH 84.2

There are instances where all that is in the word of God is referred to as “testimony,” and the ten-commandment law also. Sometimes, however, as in this passage of Nehemiah, a clear distinction is made between the law, the statutes, the judgments, and the testimonies. Indeed, the prophets are said to give their testimony, or to testify, in order to bring the people to the law of God.GoPH 84.3

“And testifiedst against them, that Thou mightest bring them again unto Thy law.” Nehemiah 9:29.GoPH 84.4

Paul writes that he “testified”:GoPH 84.5

“As we also have forewarned you and testified.” 1 Thessalonians 4:6.GoPH 84.6

His testimony, he declares, was “of God.” “We have testified of God” 1 Corinthians 15:15.GoPH 84.7

Again, he says that he testified in the Lord: “Thus I say therefore, and testify in the Lord.” Ephesians 4:17.GoPH 85.1

Their testimony was not out of their own hearts; it was what they had seen:GoPH 85.2

“We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen.” John 3:11.GoPH 85.3

“And we have seen and do testify.” 1 John 4:14.GoPH 85.4

In accordance with the true succession of Revelation 1:1, by which truth comes infallibly correct from God to man, so in the Bible God is said to “testify”:GoPH 85.5

“Hear, O My people, and I will testify unto thee: O Israel, if thou wilt hearken unto Me.” Psalms 81:8.GoPH 85.6

Jesus testifies:GoPH 85.7

“He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly.” Revelation 22:20.GoPH 85.8

“I Jesus have sent Mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches.” Revelation 22:16.GoPH 85.9

And John, the representative of those who have the gift of prophecy, also testified.GoPH 85.10

“For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book.” Revelation 22:18.GoPH 85.11

The “testimonies,” or the messages sent through the gift of prophecy, are associated with God’s law, and God’s statutes, as coming equally from Him; and the Israelites were admonished that their national welfare de-pended upon heeding God’s voice and instruction as contained in them all.GoPH 86.1

“Ye shall diligently keep the commandments of the Lord your God, and His testimonies, and His statutes, which He hath commanded thee.” Deuteronomy 6:17.GoPH 86.2

The failure to heed this admonition is given as the reason for the destruction which came upon them.GoPH 86.3

“Ye . . . have not obeyed the voice of the Lord, nor walked in His law, nor in His statutes, nor in His testimonies; therefore this evil is happened unto you, as at this day.” Jeremiah 44:23.GoPH 86.4

It is pointed out again and again in God’s word that in heeding His testimonies there is great blessing.GoPH 86.5

“All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep His covenant and His testimonies.” Psalms 25:10.GoPH 86.6

The authority and certainty of the testimonies is thus described:GoPH 86.7

“Thy testimonies are very sure.” Psalms 93:5.GoPH 86.8

The value of the testimonies, and the blessing of heeding and doing them, together with the counsel and wisdom that come through reading them are set before us in detail in the longest chapter in the Bible, the word testimonies being used in this one chapter twenty-three times. Read every passage, and let your soul be deeply impressed by God’s estimate of His testimonies.GoPH 86.9

“Blessed are they that keep His testimonies, and that seek Him with the whole heart.” Psalms 119:2.GoPH 87.1

“I have rejoiced in the way of Thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.” Verse 14.GoPH 87.2

“Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept Thy testimonies.” Verse 22.GoPH 87.3

“Thy testimonies are my delight and my counsellors.” Verse 24.GoPH 87.4

“I have stuck unto Thy testimonies: O Lord, put me not to shame.” Verse 32.GoPH 87.5

“Incline my heart unto Thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.” Verse 36.GoPH 87.6

“I will speak of Thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.” Verse 46.GoPH 87.7

“I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto Thy testimonies.” Verse 59.GoPH 87.8

“Let those that fear Thee turn unto me, and those that have known Thy testimonies.” Verse 79.GoPH 87.9

“Quicken me after Thy lovingkindness; so shall I keep the testimony of Thy mouth.” Verse 88.GoPH 87.10

“The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: but I will consider Thy testimonies.” Verse 95.GoPH 88.1

“I have more understanding than all my teachers: for Thy testimonies are my meditation.” Verse 99.GoPH 88.2

“Thy testimonies have I taken as a heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart.” Verse 111.GoPH 88.3

“Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross: therefore I love Thy testimonies.” Verse 119.GoPH 88.4

“I am Thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know Thy testimonies.” Verse 125.GoPH 88.5

“Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them.” Verse 129.GoPH 88.6

“Thy testimonies that Thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful.” Verse 138.GoPH 88.7

“The righteousness of Thy testimonies is everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live.” Verse 144.GoPH 88.8

“I cried unto Thee; save me, and I shall keep Thy testimonies.” Verse 146.GoPH 88.9

“Concerning Thy testimonies, I have known of old that Thou has founded them for ever.” Verse 152.GoPH 88.10

“Many are my persecutors and mine enemies; yet do I not decline from Thy testimonies.” Verse 157.GoPH 89.1

“My soul hath kept Thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly.” Verse 167.GoPH 89.2

“I have kept Thy precepts and Thy testimonies: for all my ways are before Thee.” Verse 168.GoPH 89.3