THE TESTIMONY OF CHRIST IS THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY?


“...I am thy fellow servant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus; worship God. For the testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of prophecy”. Revelation 19:10

More emphasis has been laid on prophecy, prophetic utterances and the prophet in recent times. In fact, the office of a prophet has so much been exalted that everyone desires to be addressed as a 21st century prophet.

The scripture above clearly states that the testimony of Christ is the Spirit of prophecy. The honest inquirer would then ask, ‘What is the testimony of Christ?’ because in that answer lies the true meaning of prophecy.

The New Testament mentions the gift of prophecy several times, especially in the writings of Apostle Paul, but we are not certain about what the prophet said except for the instance of Agabus as related in the twenty first chapter of the book of the Acts of the Apostles. He took the girdle of Paul and bound his own hands and feet and said, ‘thus saith the Holy Ghost, so shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owns this girdle and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles. The utterance was affirmed by the recipient and even much more. For Apostle Paul said that he was not only prepared to be bound but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.

Disciples of Christ are admonished to test every spirit to know if they were of God. What then should be our yardstick? In these words, ‘the testimony of Jesus’ we find answer to that question.

John bore record of the testimony of Jesus in the first chapter of the book of Revelation and he also affirms in the ninth verse that he was in the Isle that is called Patmos for the testimony of Jesus Christ. The twelfth chapter of Revelation also paints the picture of the Dragon going after the remnant of the seed of the woman that have the testimony of Jesus. From these accounts, we can conclude that Antipas, the martyrs, the two witnesses, and the victors also bore record or had this testimony.

What is then this testimony that often creates uproar in the world?

The declaration of the Lordship of Christ! Notice that the angel in the nineteenth chapter of Revelation made that declaration when John bowed down to worship him - worship God, he said.

Prophecy and prophetic utterances can thus be viewed and affirmed in that light. The spirit (heart, basis, root, and source) of prophecy is in the testimony of Jesus. His death, his crucifixion, his burial, his resurrection, and his glorification – are the testimony we bare record of and thus declare.

We can test all spirits to know if they are of God in the light of this testimony.

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