The Spirit Of Prophecy And The Gift To Prophesy

(Fourth Edition)

The term “spirit of prophecy” is found but once in the Bible. It occurs in Revelation 19:10. “The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”GoPH 177.1

And since the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy, it follows that “the spirit of prophecy” is “the testimony of Jesus.”GoPH 177.2

The testimony of Jesus is not the Spirit of God, nor the Spirit to prophesy, as many have supposed. For then we would have the strange statement, “The Spirit of God is the testimony of Jesus.”GoPH 177.3

But the Spirit of God is not the testimony of Jesus. The Spirit of God is God’s Spirit, and the testimony of Jesus is Jesus’ testimony.GoPH 177.4

But does it not plainly say that “The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy”? Yes, it does. But the Spirit of God, or the Spirit to prophesy, is not the same as the spirit of prophecy.GoPH 177.5

In this text the word “spirit” is used as in John 6:63 where Christ says, “The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit and they are life.” The words of Christ are not the Holy Spirit. The words of Christ were spoken by the Holy Spirit, and in a sense are spirit and life; but they are not the Holy Spirit.GoPH 177.6

In like manner “the testimony of Jesus” is the spirit, that is, the life of prophecy. Take from the angel’s testimony or from John’s testimony or from the testimony of any servant of God who preaches the prophecies of Jesus, the fact that their testimony is “the testimony of Jesus” and you take the spirit or life out of that prophecy.GoPH 177.7

But why is it said that “these things” which are the testimony of Jesus,—why are they spoken of as the spirit of prophecy? Why is the word “spirit” used? Let us see why.GoPH 177.8

Note the setting of the text. The angel had been picturing to John the marvelous triumph of the bride, the Lamb’s wife, which suddenly follows the awful doom of the mother of harlots. The words seem too good to believe and it would ap-pear that there was danger of doubt, for the angel quickly assures John that “these are the true sayings of God.” Revelation 19:9.GoPH 178.1

Then with the overwhelming joy that comes with the conviction that this prophesied triumph of the bride is true, John falls down to worship the one who is bearing the testimony—who is prophesying the prophecy. The angel quickly stops him by telling him that he is only a servant like John, one who bears the testimony of Jesus; but adds that the testimony of Jesus is the spirit or life of prophecy.GoPH 178.2

The testimony of Jesus, instead of being the gift to prophesy, includes the whole prophetic revelation of God to men in Christ through the exercise of the gift of prophecy.GoPH 178.3

It includes the testimony of Jesus concerning the gospel as appears from the following:GoPH 178.4

“Be not thou ashamed of the testimony of our Lord ... but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel.” 2 Timothy 1:8.GoPH 178.5

The testimony of our Lord which is the testimony of Jesus, is here presented as the gospel.GoPH 178.6

The testimony of Jesus is also spoken of as “salvation.” and as “the gospel.” See 1 Peter 1:10, 12.GoPH 178.7

In the early history of the Seventh-day Adventists, “the testimony of Jesus” was understood to embrace “the prophetic word of both Testaments.”GoPH 178.8

Eld. James White on page nine of his little tract entitled, “Christ in the Old Testament,” No. 16 of “Bible Students’ Library,” Old Series, says: “When the angel said to John in Patmos, ‘The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy,’ he meant more than expositors generally suppose. His words reach far back to the days of fallen Adam when the plan of redemption was instituted, and embraced the entire prophetic Word of both Testaments.” (Italics mine.)GoPH 178.9

The testimony of Jesus is several times spoken of as “things” “seen,” “heard,” “written,” “showed,” etc.GoPH 178.10

Now the Spirit of God is not “things” as it would be if the testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of God as some say the text means.GoPH 179.1

“He which testifieth these things saith surely I come quickly.” Revelation 22:20.GoPH 179.2

It is Jesus who promises to come quickly. Therefore it is Jesus who testifies “these things.” “These things” are therefore the “testimony of Jesus.” But these things are not the Spirit of God, but are “things” spoken by the Spirit of God.GoPH 179.3