The Testimony of Jesus by George W. Reaser

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Jan 16, 1912

The Testimony of Jesus

By George W. Reaser

III — The Existence of Jehovah Proved by Fulfilled Prophecy

Remember the former things of old: for I am God, . . . and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure. Isa. 46:9, 10.

READER, in your own mind, what is the strongest and most convincing manner in which the intelligences of heaven can testify to truth, and to the very existence of the eternal God?

A Personal Appearance of Jehovah to Men Not Consistent

In order that Jehovah might by a personal appearance convince all men in all ages of His existence, He must personally appear to them all, in each successive generation. This, in a sense, would be a standing witness of His existence, and especially if He would perform some mighty works to prove Himself to be the Supreme Being. But it must be apparent that this could not well be possible. Yet He has not left "Himself without witness." For reasons which we will not stop to discuss in this connection, it is a matter of divine wisdom that He has not chosen to give to mortal man a view of His person. But He has chosen a special agent to reveal Himself to mankind, as it is written, "No man hath seen God at any time; the only-begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, He hath declared Him." John 1:18. And the Father and the Son have agreed as to the most effectual way in which the Son could bear witness, which, as we have seen, is by "the spirit of prophecy."

Jehovah Only Can Declare the End from the Beginning

It is within the power of divinity only to make a chart, as it were, of the world's history in advance, and then, in due time and exact order, each specification in the diagram be fulfilled in perfect accuracy of detail. And such has been done, not alone by one line of prophecy, but by more than half a score of such prophetic outlines. And each of these outlines of a portion of the world's history, written centuries in advance of their fulfilment, constitutes a part of the "testimony of Jesus," for "the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy;" and how else could He witness with such undeniable assurance to the ages?

Each and every prophet, then, who was used of Heaven to employ his prophetic pen in unfolding the plans of Jehovah concerning our world, or to sketch the history of nations or individuals in advance, was simply a mouthpiece through whom Jesus spoke by His Spirit, to give faithful warning of impending events and to witness for God and His truth.

Abstract statements do not supply sufficient foundation for the building of intelligent faith, nor do they alone prove the things of God true. But when God's Word is put in concrete form, as it is by fulfilled prophecy, then do we behold the granite blocks, erected in majestic strength, constituting a monumental structure, standing in all its beauty, as a witness to the ages of the existence of God and of the truthfulness of His Word. Such is prophecy, and such is "the testimony of Jesus," which "is the spirit of prophecy."

Jesus Witnessing to the Fundamental Truth

Jehovah said of Jesus, "I have given Him for a witness to the people." In response to Pilate's question, Jesus said in part, "For this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth." John 18:37. While His answer would comprehend all truth, yet there is essentially a fundamental truth of all truths. Witnessing for this would really embrace all others. The basic truth of all truths is the existence of Jehovah. We may pursue our research for the fundamental truth of all truths to any possible limit, but we can not penetrate beyond the great truth of God's existence. It is "the first cause," the very foundation of the universe, for this primal truth involves

both the existence and the stability of the universe.

In what way did Jesus witness to this fundamental truth? In answering this question it may be well to consider another; namely, What is the climax of all witnessing? Let the Saviour Himself answer. He says, "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life" (Rev. 2:10); and again, "They loved not their lives unto the death" (Rev. 12:11). Persecution reaches its climax at the death of the persecuted, and witnessing for truth reaches its climax at the same point. When Jesus answered Pilate's question, He was standing face to face with death.

Martyrs Witness to Truth

The two quotations last above given refer to the martyrs of Jesus. The hope held out before the martyr is eternal life, based on the fundamental truth that God exists, and will fulfil His promise in bringing him from the dead. This hope sustains him in his loyalty to God, as the fagots are kindled at his feet, and while the cruel flames encircle his body. Every martyr who thus surrenders his life, refusing to renounce his allegiance to truth, thereby reaches the very climax of witnessing to his faith in the existence of God.

None would lay down their lives as Christian martyrs, were it not for their profound faith in the existence and faithfulness of Jehovah, to bring them from the dead to a glorious life in immortality.

Unless we are ready, if need be, to lay down our lives upon the altar of sacrifice to bear witness to truth and to the faithfulness of God to bring us from the dead, we are not faithful and true witnesses. And thus it was with Jesus. In the surrender of Himself to be nailed to the tree, in laying down His life upon the cross, He reached the very climax of all witnessing to the truth of God's existence, and His faithfulness to His promise.

Through David, Christ had spoken these prophetic words: "My flesh also shall rest in hope. For Thou [God] wilt not leave My soul in hell; neither wilt Thou suffer Thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou wilt show Me the path of life." Ps. 16:9-11, with Acts 2:23-32. At the crucial point of the test of His faith, with the Father's presence withdrawn from Him, note His dying words: "Father, into Thy hands I commend My spirit"—the keeping of My life. Luke 23:46. These words were a firm, unshaken expression of His faith in the fulfilment of the prophecy, "Thou wilt not leave My soul in hell," based on the very existence of God. Jehovah proved the truth of His existence and of His faithfulness to His prophetic word in bringing Christ from the dead, and at the same time gave to humanity a risen Saviour, triumphant over death and the grave. This splendid proof was the living answer to Christ's expressed faith in the fundamental truth of all truths; namely, in—

God's Existence

Not only is God's existence proved by this the most brilliant beacon light of all fulfilled prophecy, but "prophecy, unmistakably outlining events beforehand, shows that God is behind the curtain, and that His hand controls and shapes the history and destiny of men." ("Many Infallible Proofs," page 31.) Thus each Bible prophecy fulfilled is the witnessing, "the testimony of Jesus." In fact, each prophecy fulfilled proves God's existence, and leaves unbelievers without excuse.

Things Proved by the Testimony of Jesus

While "the testimony of Jesus" in fulfilled prophecy gives infallible proof of the existence and sovereignty of God, adversely it disproves the claims and assumptions of all rivals. While it establishes beyond reasonable controversy the true Messiahship of Christ, it places the brand of "false christ" or "antichrist" upon each and all who assume to be Christ or "vicars of Christ." In supplying absolute proof of the truthfulness of the Bible, "the testimony of Jesus" undermines the very foundations of all rivals of the sacred Book. The same witness places its official seal upon the true characteristics and manifestations of the Holy Spirit, and declares the manner of working of every false spirit. In proving the true religion of Jesus Christ, it disproves all false religions. While designating and identifying the true church, it sets forth the errors and warns against every false church. It foretells the second coming of Christ, and all associated events. It warns against all fatal deceptions. It is the safest of all safeguards. It declares that Satan will finally be destroyed, and that sin will be forever dethroned. It vividly portrays the future life. How could it be possible for the human family to have any hope whatever of the hereafter, were it not for prophetic promise? And each prophetic promise is an essential part of "the testimony of Jesus."