44. “The Testimony of Jesus Is the Spirit of Prophecy”

What is meant by the text, “The testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of Prophecy” (Revelation 19:10)?QSEW 36.5

In Revelation 19:10 the angel is quoted as saying to John, “I am ... of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus.” This phrase is parallel to “I am ... of thy brethren the prophets” in Revelation 22:9. In other words, one who had the testimony of Jesus had the prophetic gift. The term “spirit of prophecy,” as used in Revelation 19:10, must then apply to anyone who had the prophetic gift, including the angel, John, and John’s brethren.QSEW 36.6

Adventists believe that Ellen White had the “spirit of prophecy,” and commonly use the term as a title, applying to her writings. In the strictest Biblical sense, however, the phrase “spirit of prophecy” applies to the ministry and teachings of all the prophets, both ancient and modern.QSEW 36.7

According to Revelation 12:17 the remnant church was to have “the testimony of Jesus Christ.” This phrase, in English as in Greek, can mean either testimony about Christ or testimony from Christ. Since all Christian groups talk about Christ this could hardly be a distinguishing feature of God’s true church in the last days. However, to have divine communications from Christ—a renewal of the prophetic gift—would quite easily identify the true remnant from other church groups.QSEW 36.8

Seventh-day Adventists hold that the phrase “the testimony of Jesus” in Revelation 12:17 is a reference to the gift of prophecy as seen in the ministry of Ellen G. White. This interpretation is in harmony with the meaning of the phrase in Revelation 1:2 and 1:9.QSEW 37.1