The Christ Event and the Spirit of Prophecy

2007-2 Proclamation!, Dale Ratzlaff, Feature, Gospel, Jesus, Proclamation! Magazine Archive

DALE RATZLAFF | Pastor and Founder, Life Assurance Ministries (1936–2024)

Resurrection Sunday found two unnamed, sorrowing disciples walking the seven miles from Jerusalem to Emmaus. As they recounted the tragic events of the last few days, an unrecognized Traveler (the Risen Christ) joined them.1 But the two disciples did not recognize Him.2 Jesus picked up on their conversation, “And He said to them, ‘What are these words that you are exchanging with one another as you are walking?’”3 And they stood still, looking sad. Then they told this Traveler about Jesus of Nazareth. They said that He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed.4 We now come to the focus of this study.

And He said to them, “O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?” Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.5

This text is the first exegetical gospel sermon after the resurrection. A careful study of this verse reveals an amazing fact. In this verse the Risen Christ proclaims that all the prophets spoke concerning Him! But note carefully how Jesus communicated this truth. “And beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.” Here we have the Risen Lord, Himself, who could have given those two sorrowing disciples a full revelation of who He was and is in direct face to face communication. But he chose not to do this. Rather, He directed them to the Scriptures, and He made His point by explaining the Scriptures to them. He wanted their faith in Him as the Messiah and fulfillment of the Law, the Prophets and the Psalms not to be based on some supernatural encounter with God or someone’s prophetic utterance. Rather, he directed them to the Scriptures, the Word of God. By doing this Jesus not only gives us much insight as to the use and purpose of Scripture, but He also outlines a method of witness: proclaim the truth of Scripture from Scripture.

Some have missed the above truth by emphasizing the study of Scripture over the purpose of Scripture which is to lead us into relationship with the Lord of Scripture. The Jews of Christ’s day were well-versed in the Scriptures and saw the study of Scripture itself to be a discipline of great merit. To this one-sided practice, Jesus said, 

“You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me; and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life.6

That Jesus is the central theme and truth of all Scripture cannot be overemphasized.

Then He took the twelve aside and said to them, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all things which are written through the prophets about the Son of Man will be accomplished.”7

But the things which God announced beforehand by the mouth of all the prophets, that His Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled.8

…whom heaven must receive until the period of restoration of all things about which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time.9

And likewise, all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and his successors onward, also announced these days.10

It was the proclamation of this simple new covenant gospel that Peter articulated at the home of Cornelius that resulted in the baptism of the Holy Spirit being given to the Gentiles. 

“Of Him all the prophets bear witness that through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins.” While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the message.11 

This same truth is proclaimed in Revelation 19:10 which has often been misinterpreted. 

Then I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “Do not do that; I am a fellow servant of yours and your brethren who hold the testimony of Jesus; worship God. For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”

The fact that this verse has so often had a foreign interpretation placed upon it mandates that we do an in-depth study of it.

Testimony of Jesus

We start with the “testimony” part of the “testimony of Jesus”. The Greek word used in Revelation 19:10 is related to two other words. A witness (martus) is one who testifies (martureo) to the truth. The act of testifying is called his testimony (marturia). In ancient days, as at the present, this was a legal term designating the testimony given for or against one on trial before a court of law. In the Christian church this term came to mean the testimony given by Christians who witness to the truth of the Christ Event and His saving power.12 

Here we have the Risen Lord, Himself, who could have given those two sorrowing disciples a full revelation of who He was and is in direct face to face communication. But he chose not to do this. Rather, He directed them to the Scriptures

The “of Jesus” part of “the testimony of Jesus” can, in Greek, be either a subjective genitive or an objective genitive depending on context. If this is a subjective genitive, then this means the testimony is from Jesus as the source. If it is an objective genitive, then this means it is the testimony about Jesus. Both could be (and are) true, but I believe the context here leans toward this being an objective genitive. Therefore, this “testimony” is about or concerning Jesus. It is one giving witness to the truth of Jesus’ virgin birth, sinless life, death, resurrection and ascension into heaven. This “testimony” also includes the meaning of the Christ event: forgiveness of all sin, the imputed righteousness of God, the sealing and gifting of the Holy Spirit, the reception of eternal life, and the promised second coming.

We could summarize “the testimony of Jesus” by saying it is the proclamation of the entire truth of Christ regardless of consequences: it is “gospel truth!”

Let’s check our conclusion and see if it fits the context of how “testimony”, “witness”, and “martyr” are used in Revelation and the other writings of John. As we do this, also note the close association of “testimony” with “the word of God”. 

The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must shortly take place; and He sent and communicated it by His angel to His bond-servant John; who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw.13

I, John, your brother and fellow partaker in the tribulation and kingdom and perseverance which are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos, because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.14

And when He broke the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God, and because of the testimony which they had maintained.15

And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given to them. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of the testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received the mark upon their forehead and upon their hand; and they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.16

John uses these terms over seventy times in his writings. Here are a few.

He [John the Baptist] came as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light.17

But the testimony which I have is greater than the testimony of John; for the works which the Father has given Me to accomplish—the very works that I do—testify about Me, that the Father has sent Me.18

 So the people, who were with Him when He called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead, continued to testify about Him.19

When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me, and you will testify also, because you have been with Me from the beginning.20

These verses confirm our conclusion that “the testimony of Jesus” describes the event of someone testifying about the truth of who Jesus is and what He has done and is doing. This term is congruent with the proclamation of the gospel. 

Spirit of Prophecy

Now let us study “the Spirit of Prophecy” as used in Revelation 19:10.

Then I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “Do not do that; I am a fellow servant of yours and your brethren who hold the testimony of Jesus; worship God. For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”

The context (remember we always consider the context) is about the marriage supper of the Lamb. In verse 9 an unidentified speaker tells John, “Write, ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.’ And he said to me, ‘These are the true words of God’ ”(19:9). Here we see that Christ (the Lamb) is central. Note again the close association with the “word(s) of God.”

Following verse 9 there are numerous symbols of Christ: “Faithful”, “True”, “eyes a flame of fire”, “robe dipped in blood”, the “Word of God”, etc. Therefore, we conclude that the context of Revelation 19:10 is centered in Christ.

But what does the term “the spirit of prophecy” mean?  “Prophecy” is what a prophet writes or says. In Scripture prophecy includes more than predictive statements and is often used for the proclamation of the truth, especially gospel truth.21

Here the unnamed person says that he also holds the “testimony of Jesus.” In other words, the speaker also believes the truth about (or from) Jesus. Focusing on the last phrase, we read, “the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” To paraphrase, “The truth about Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” Notice how this verse is variously translated or paraphrased.

  • Those who bear testimony to Jesus are inspired like the prophets (The New English Bible).
  • For the truth revealed by Jesus is the inspiration of all prophecy (Weymouth).
  • For the testimony of Jesus is what inspires prophecy (Goodspeed).
  • It is the truth concerning Jesus which inspires all prophecy (Knox).
  • The purpose of all prophecy and of all I have shown you is to tell about Jesus (Living Bible).

These translators have captured the essence of what John is seeking to communicate. All prophecy, when rightly interpreted, in some way points to the truth concerning Jesus. 

We should be very careful not to follow or rely upon prophetic utterances outside of the Scriptures. Jesus chose to reveal Himself to the two sorrowing disciples on Resurrection Sunday by showing them that the Scriptures teach of Him. Peter, as we saw above, framed the gospel in these words, “…of Him all the prophets bear witness…” 22 

Now we can understand the full meaning intended in Revelation 19:10. 

Then I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “Do not do that; I am a fellow servant of yours and your brethren who hold the testimony of Jesus; worship God. For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”

Yes, the testimony of Jesus is the good news of the Christ Event, and the Christ Event is the spirit of prophecy—the theme of all the true, biblical prophets as recorded in Scripture. In our walk with God and our witness to others, let our “testimony of Jesus” be ever linked to the Christ Event and grounded in the Word of God. 

To say that “the spirit of prophecy” as used in Revelation 19:10 refers to some modern-day prophet creates major problems. The New American Standard Bible rightly captions Hebrews 1:1-3 with these words: “God’s Final Word in His Son”. Let us look carefully at this important truth.

God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world. And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.23

First we note the fragmentary, shadowy way the prophets foretold the Christ Event. They spoke long ago in many portions and in many ways. Colossians 2:16,17 lists the holy days of Israel that pointed forward to the Christ Event. It includes festivals (yearly Sabbaths), new moons (monthly celebrations) and Sabbaths (weekly Sabbaths) as “a mere shadow”. Hebrews 10:1 says, “For the Law, since it has only a shadow of the good things to come…” As we have seen all the prophets foretold the Christ Event, but all did so in incomplete and shadowy language.

The writer of Hebrews contrasts the incomplete, shadowy nature of prophecy to God’s final Word in His Son. “In these last days has spoken to us in His Son.” The Greek aorist tense conveys the finality of this superior revelation: “God spoke”. Note the clarity of the revelation of Christ. “He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature.” Greek scholar R.C.H. Linski rightly comments,

There is no one beyond the incarnate Son whom God might use for his speaking to us. This means that now, having spoken in the person of his Son, we have the ultimate Word and revelation of God. No more and nothing further will God ever say to men. They who look for more and for new revelation will never find it; Heb. 2:3 is God’s answer to them.24

To say that a modern prophet is needed to augment God’s final word in Christ is to undermine the content and finality of the Christ Event. It is a flat contradiction to the above Scripture. To hold the writings of a modern prophet as “a continuing and authoritative source of truth” is tantamount to heresy. To say that Revelation 19:10 points to the work of a modern prophet usurps the central place of Christ in Scripture. Those who hold that Revelation 19:10 points to a modern prophet whose writings are a source of authority cannot justly claim to be Protestants. Protestants hold to the Bible and the Bible only as the source of truth. We must accept the biblical definition of the spirit of prophecy for what it is: The Christ Event as foretold by all the biblical prophets and recorded in the canon of Scripture. The apostolic church recognized the finality of the revelation of the Christ Event.

To say that Revelation 19:10 points to the work of a modern prophet usurps the central place of Christ in Scripture. Those who hold that Revelation 19:10 points to a modern prophet whose writings are a source of authority cannot justly claim to be Protestants.

The early church likewise recognized that the 27 books of the New Testament were historically accurate and were written either by eye witnesses or those who had first-hand knowledge from eyewitnesses and were inspired by the Holy Spirit. With the revelation of God’s Final Word in Christ now written in the books of the New Testament the early Christian church rightly confirmed that the canon of Scripture is closed.

As we come to another celebration of the Christ Event—Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection—let us give thanks to God for His unspeakable gift in Christ, always proclaiming the good news of Scripture via the Scriptures. Here is the way that the Apostle Paul stated it:

Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.25

This is the authentic, new covenant gospel! It the focal point of the biblical spirit of prophecy! Yes, it is the gospel by which we are saved. God has spoken His final Word in Christ. Glory to God! He is risen! My sin is gone!

Endnotes

  1. God meets us at the point of our deepest need.
  2. God’s presence in our lives often goes unrecognized.
  3. God wants us to share our deepest disappointments, hopes, doubts and joys. Lk. 24:17
  4. Partial belief is not enough; we must see Jesus as the Divine Son of God.
  5. Lk. 24:25-27. Our disappointment, our discouragement, and our doubts may be caused by a lack of understanding Bible truth.
  6. Jn. 5:39, 40.
  7. Lk. 18:31.
  8. Acts 3:18.
  9. Acts 3:21.
  10. Acts 3:24.
  11. Acts 10:43, 44.
  12. See Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, edited by Walter A. Elwell, Baker Books, p. 1174.
  13. Rev. 1:1, 2.
  14. Rev. 1:9.
  15. Rev. 6:9.
  16. Rev. 20:4.
  17. Jn. 1:7-8.
  18. Jn. 5:36.
  19. Jn. 12:17.
  20. Jn. 15:26, 27.
  21. See 1 Cor. 14:1-3, 22-29.
  22. Acts 10:43.
  23. Heb. 1:1-3
  24. Commentary on the New Testament, Hebrews/James by R. C. H. Lenski, p. 33.
  25. 1 Cor. 15:1-4.

 

Dale Ratzlaff
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