called "the spirit of prophecy." It was "the Spirit" of Christ which was in the prophets, "which did signify," or testify, "beforehand." Thus it is made clear as to why "the testimony of Jesus" is called "the spirit of prophecy."
Every line, then, of Heaven-sent prophecy, is "the testimony of Jesus," for He was especially commissioned of Heaven to testify, or bear witness, to the world, through the prophets.
The Text Made Clear by Paraphrasing
Let us now take a careful mental view of the words of our text, "The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." To get their meaning more clearly, we will paraphrase them, and in so doing associate them with the fact that Jesus was "given for a witness to the people," and that He witnesses by foretelling future events through the prophets. We will thus have the whole thought before us in this form: Jesus, who is given as the Witness of Heaven to the children of men, has chosen to bear witness by speaking through the prophets, who were inspired by His Spirit to write the prophecies to which they gave utterance.
The Importance of Prophetic Study
When we consider that when Enoch, Moses, David, Isaiah, and all the holy prophets, opened their lips in prophetic utterances, they spoke "the testimony of Jesus," or were mouthpieces through whom Jesus bore testimony to mankind, how important is the study of prophecy to every Christian, and what weight of interest should attach to such investigation!
Every true minister of the Gospel of Christ will bear witness to the importance of the prophetic portions of God's Word, for without prophecy the plan of salvation can not be established on a basis for intelligent faith. Therefore, the minister who does not preach prophecy, does not give his flock the mightiest evidence of God's existence, nor of the all-important truth that Christ is the true Messiah.
It is to be regretted that many so-called Christians hold that which is really Heaven-sent prophecy in a certain degree of contempt. Some even ridicule the figures and symbols employed in certain of the Bible prophecies. Possibly the degree of prejudice which exists in the minds of many Christians against prophecy, has been occasioned by false interpretations of prophetic statements. Nevertheless, we are assured by Inspiration, in the texts previously quoted, that prophecy, correctly understood, is the surest and safest possible guide for the seeker after truth, for it is Jesus' own method of witnessing to the ages.
Heaven Supplies the Basis for Faith
It is written that "without faith it is impossible to please God." But Jehovah does not exact faith of any being without first giving a firm basis for faith, even such as will stand the closest possible test of the highest order of intelligence, for He is absolutely "just and true" in all of His "ways."
Prophetic Symbols Originate in the Mind of Divinity
It should be remembered that each prophetic symbol originated in the mind of Divinity, and is not the conception of the mind of mortal man.
It is well worth while, in the study and presentation of every prophecy, to note the truths which God designs to have impressed upon the mind by each. One example of this will suffice. In the revealing and interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar's dream, in which the world's history was outlined by a great metallic image, Daniel emphasized the points which God desired to have impressed upon the mind, as follows: "There is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known . . . what shall be in the latter days;" and that all earthly kingdoms will terminate with the setting up of God's everlasting kingdom. Dan. 2:28, 44, 45. Keeping before the mind the fact that each prophecy is designed to substantiate some essential feature of the plan of salvation, and is the "testimony," the witnessing, of Jesus, should effectually undermine all objections to prophecy in the mind of every believer in Christ.
If every minister of the Gospel would preach prophecy as "the testimony of Jesus," the united effort thus put forth would be a mighty factor in stemming the fearful tide of so-called higher criticism, and consequent infidelity, which threatens to engulf the world in unbelief and final destruction.
Neglect of Prophecy
"While the world in its present condition is aptly described in Scripture as 'this present darkness,' we are not left to grope our way through that darkness." "We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day-star arise in your hearts." 2 Peter 1:19.
"Unfortunately for the whole world, this light of prophecy, given for the special purpose of guiding us through the present darkness, is sadly neglected by Christians." "Neglect of the Bible, and particularly of prophecy, directly serves Satan's purposes." "But God's people are waking up to the recognition of this neglect, and are beginning to realize the importance of studying that part of the Word which contains yet unfulfilled prophecy. This awakening is, indeed, one of the many and increasingly numerous signs which indicate the near approach of that long-expected time of the restitution of all things which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began. Dan. 12:4; Acts 3:21."—"The World and Its God," pages 95, 98.
Christ's Chosen Method of Witnessing
Reader, if you were chosen to bear witness to the absolute essentials of the plan of salvation, how would you witness so that all of the combined wisdom and cunning of skepticism could not overthrow your witnessing? Simply telling the story of divine love and of "things unseen" would not suffice. Are you willing to accord to Jesus Christ the right to choose His own medium of witnessing? Prophecy, fulfilled in every minutia, is His pre-eminent method of witnessing, and it is to-day and forever the most effectual and crushing weapon that Heaven has provided against skepticism, and at the same time the strongest foundation for intelligent faith.
While the gift of prophecy in the church is of priceless value as a guide and in giving instruction, reproof, and warning, and the study of the theme from that view-point is of great importance, yet the special design of these articles is to show the utility of prophecy in foretelling future events: first, that their fulfilment may provide the strongest possible foundation for faith in those things which are essential to the plan of salvation; and second, that God's people may be prepared for the events which decide the eternal destiny of our race.
A Threefold Meaning from the Text
We may get three harmonious thoughts from the expression, "The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." First, He witnesses to His church, of God and His truth, and through them to the world, by the spirit of prophecy. Second, the spirit of prophecy witnesses of Him, and proves Him to be the Messiah. Third, the gift of the Holy Spirit, as a divine guide to correct interpretation of prophecy, is a certain manifestation of the spirit of prophecy, as it is written, "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." John 14:26.