Appropriately Called “Spirit of Prophecy”

The testimony of the prophet Ezekiel regarding the working of the Holy Spirit in his own case is: “The Spirit took me up, and brought me in a vision by the Spirit of God into Chaldea, to them of the captivity. So the vision that I had seen went up from me. Then I spake unto them of the captivity all the things that the Lord had showed me.” Ezek. 11:24, 25.AGP 51.3

After the captivity, Nehemiah was commissioned to lead the people to rebuild the city of Jerusalem. In the midst of his difficulties and perplexities he said in his prayer to the Lord: “Many years didst Thou bear with them [Israel], and testifiedst against them by Thy Spirit through Thy prophets.” Nehemiah 9:30, A. R. V.AGP 51.4

Further testimony regarding the relation of the Spirit of God to the prophetic gift is given in the New Testament by the apostle Peter. He says: “Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, whenAGP 51.5

it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.” 1 Peter 1:10, 11.AGP 52.1

Here it is declared that it was the Spirit of Christ in the prophets that revealed to them the prophecies they had written regarding the wonderful salvation Christ was to bring to the world, together with the plan of salvation that would follow. In harmony with this, the apostle further states that “the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” 2 Peter 1:21. These passages, and many others, show that the Spirit of God was the active agent in giving the instruction through this gift.AGP 52.2

Because of this very active participation by the Spirit of God in the working of the prophetic gift, that gift is very naturally and appropriately called “the spirit of prophecy.” Revelation 19:10. Fundamentally true it is, therefore, that “it is through the agency of the Holy Spirit that God communicates with man.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 405.AGP 52.3