The Testimony of Jesus by James White

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 18, 1855

The Testimony of Jesus.

By James White

"And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." Rev. xii, 17.

Sabbath-keepers often quote this text, yet we think but few understand and realize its full import. There can be no doubt but the "commandments of God," mentioned in the text, are the decalogue; but what is the "testimony of Jesus Christ?" Men may give different answers; but it should be distinctly understood that the Bible gives but one answer to this important question. Said the angel to John, "The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." Rev. xix, 10.

John fell at the angel's feet, and was about to worship him, when the angel said to him, "See thou do it not: 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." Compare this with the angel's testimony in Chap. xxii, 9. "See thou do it not; for I am thy fellow-servant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God." It will be seen that the two expressions—"thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus," and, "thy brethren the prophets"—mean one and the same thing. This is in harmony with the expression, "The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy."

The text [Rev. xii, 17] mentions two causes of the dragon's wrath; first, because the remnant "keep the commandments of God;" and, second, they "have the testimony of Jesus." The keeping of all ten of the holy commandments of God by the remnant is well calculated to make the dragon angry: already his ire is stirred; but for God to breathe upon them the spirit of prophecy, and reveal himself to those of his own choice, as he has spoken to men and women in past time, will wake up the hatred of those who have the spirit of the dragon to the utmost. But not only will the dragon host be stirred against the testimony of Jesus, but the children of light will be in danger of despising it. Paul addresses those who stand waiting for the approach of the day of the Lord as follows: "Quench not the spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which

is good." 1 Thess. v, 19-21. No believer in the soon coming of Christ will question the special application of this chapter to the present time.

"Quench not the Spirit." Would to God the Holy Spirit could freely flow to every believing child of grace. Then would the remnant walk in the light, in love, in union and perfect obedience. But alas! many have quenched, and grieved, and driven from them that tender Spirit. The Sanctifier is gone from them. The mind is beclouded by worldly treasures, cares and conversation, and they are in their own strength trying to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. O, that the remnant would turn fully to God; then will the Holy Spirit be breathed upon them.

"Despise not prophesyings." There have been men in all ages who have despised the prophecies; but this text is not addressed to those who reject and despise the Holy Scriptures. It is addressed to the children of light who are watching for the coming of the Son of man. But the text does not say, despise not the prophecies. It reads, "Despise not prophesyings." God has placed the gift of prophecy in the gospel church. He has never taken it away from the church. But he will not manifest the gifts in a dead church. He will manifest them in a living, acting church. The remnant will have the spirit of prophecy. This will stir the anger of the dragon. And, "Whosoever loveth and maketh a lie" will lose no time in acting their part in this matter. The dragon will make war on those who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. But when Christ is in the Christian by faith, the fear of men and devils is gone, and his language will be,

"Shall I, for fear of feeble man; The Spirit's course in me restrain? Or, undismay'd in deed, and word, Be a true witness of my Lord? "Aw'd by a mortal's frown, shall I Conceal the word of God Most High? How then before thee shall I dare To stand, or how thine anger bear? "Shall I, to soothe the unholy throng, Soften thy truth, or smooth my tongue, To gain earth's gilded toys, or flee The cross endur'd, my Lord, by thee? "What then is he whose scorn I dread? Whose wrath or hate makes me afraid? A man? An heir of death! A slave To sin! A bubble on the wave! "Yea, let men rage; since thou wilt spread Thy shadowing wings around my head; Since in all pain thy tender love Will still my sure refreshment prove."

"Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." This is evidently spoken in reference to "prophesyings," mentioned in the verse before it. Do any urge that prophesyings here refer to the writing of holy prophets of old? then we would ask them to show us their standard to prove them by. The idea of proving the prophecies, holding fast that portion of them which is good, and rejecting the bad, is preposterous!

The text evidently has a special application to the people of God, who are bending their footsteps to Mt. Zion, amid the perils of the last days. Satan is howling, the spirits of devils are "peeping, muttering," rapping, writing, &c., all around, yet amid all this clamor, the Shepherd's voice is heard. The counterfeit is not in the world alone, without the genuine. The remnant have the spirit of prophecy. Yet false prophets "show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect," and it is highly necessary that the remnant should "Prove all things, and hold fast that which is good." How shall we do this? The answer is plain. False prophets may be detected, also those through whom God may speak, can be known.

1. "By their fruits ye shall know them." Christ's words are to the point. "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them." Matt. vii, 15-20.

2. False prophets prophesy peace. "And mine hand shall be upon the prophets that see vanity, and that divine lies; they shall not be in the assembly of my people, neither shall they be written in the writing of the house of Israel, neither shall they enter into the land of Israel; and ye shall know that I am the Lord God. Because, even because they have seduced my people, saying, Peace; and there was no peace; and one built up a wall, and lo, others daubed it with untempered mortar." Eze. xiii, 9, 10.

"For from the least of them even unto the greatest of them every one is given to covetousness; and from the prophet even unto the priest everyone dealeth falsely. They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace." Jer. vi, 13, 14. "Then said the Lord unto me, Pray not for this people for their good. When they fast, I will not hear their cry; and when they offer burnt offering and an oblation, I will not accept them: but I will consume them by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence."

"Then said I, Ah, Lord God! behold, the prophets say unto them, Ye shall not see the sword, neither shall ye have famine; but I will give you assured peace in this place. Then the Lord said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart." Chap. xiv, 11-14.

God has ever thrust out those, through whom he has spoken, into the midst of sinners to reprove sin in all its forms; to rebuke, exhort, and utter warnings of danger and judgments.

3. By their teachings they may be known, the Bible being the standard. "Preach the word. . . . For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine." 2 Tim. iv, 1-3. "And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead? To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." Isa. viii, 19, 20.