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The Testimony of Jesus

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Earlier this week, someone asked me what exactly is meant by the phrase “the testimony of Jesus”? Here is the results of my study of it.

The phrase is found in Revelation 12:17 in its description of the people with whom the “dragon” went out to make war against: “those who obey God’s commands and hold to the testimony of Jesus” (emphasis mine). This phrase is found only in Revelation (and only three times). However, the idea within this phrase can be understood throughout the New Testament.

First, we should look at the passages that contain the phase. We’ve already seen one, Revelation 12:17—it is part of the identifying characteristic of an obedient group of God’s people whom the dragon [Satan] makes war against. It is also found in the beginning of the book of Revelation, Revelation 1:9. In this verse, John says, “I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus” (emphasis mine). So part of the reason for John’s imprisonment on Patmos was this “testimony of Jesus.” However, this verse does not explain what it is, only that it was understood and available in John’s day.

The only other passage in which the phrase is found, Revelation 19:10, says this: “Then I fell down at his feet to worship him [an angel], but he said to me, ‘You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God. For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” This passage reiterates that John, and the other disciples, held on to the testimony of Jesus. Then it ends with what many use as a definition: “For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” If this is a definition, however, we are left with a greater mystery: what is this “spirit of prophecy”? (The phrase is only found in this verse.)

We must be careful to not make it overly complicated. First of all, the word “is” does not necessarily mean “equal to.” If we said “the sky is blue,” we understand that blue is a description of the sky, not that everything blue is sky or that blue is the definition of sky. I suggest that we can understand it best as a description rather than a definition. Why? The spirit of prophecy is not a proper noun, as in referring to a specific thing, but rather it expands what the testimony of Jesus is about. As a descriptive phrase, we could understand it as describing the testimony of Jesus as being the spirit, or breath or essence, of prophecy—it is what prophecy is all about.

We need to also understand the phrase itself. It is not cryptic. It is straight forward: the testimony of Jesus. What is a testimony? The Greek word it is translated from means “to provide information [or, if a noun, simply the information itself] about a person or an event concerning which the speaker has direct knowledge.” It is most often translated “testimony” or “witness” (and sometimes even “martyr”—we get our English word martyr from this word). In addition, the grammar of the Greek shows this to be a “possessive” phrase. In other words, it is not a testimony about Jesus, but is His testimony. Therefore, what John, the disciples, and the people in Revelation 12 are holding onto is “information about a person or an event concerning which Jesus has direct knowledge.”

When Jesus walked this earth, He testified about the things He knew. In Matthew 5, Jesus used the formula, “you have heard… but I say to you,” to re-teach the truths of Scripture. Throughout His ministry, Jesus revealed the truth of salvation, heaven, and many other subjects. He wasn’t just teaching His opinions either: “My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me” (John 7:16), and “I speak of what I have seen with my Father” (John 8:38). On several other occasions, He made it clear that His teachings were coming from God. Part of His witness was in His teachings on the Word of God.

The greatest testimony from Jesus, however, was his testimony about His Father. “No one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him” (Matthew 11:27). In His last hours with His disciples, he reminded them of this: “If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. … whoever has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:7, 9). Jesus brought a new, clearer understanding of His Father to us. Many have expressed a dislike of God the Father (due to a misunderstanding of actions in the Old Testament), while having a fondness for Jesus (because of grace). Yet, according to Him, if you want to know what the Father is like, watch Him. The character of Jesus in the New Testament is the same as the God of the Old Testament. Hebrews 1:3 says of Jesus, “He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature.” Therefore, Jesus testifies, through His teachings and His character, the true nature of the Father.

This is why Jesus is described as the “faithful and true witness” (Revelation 3:14). Throughout His life and teachings, Jesus testified of the truth of our Father in heaven, who is merciful and loving, and of His word. This is the testimony of Jesus—the testimony that John, the disciples, and the end-time people of Revelation 12 hold on to. For Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching you are really my disciples” (John 8:31 NIV).

The Purpose of Prophecy

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We are living in very exciting times. It seems as though prophetic signs are happening all around us. It is also possible, though, that we have become hyper-sensitive to things prophetic. What I mean is, while there are definitely signs occurring, not everything hyped up as a prophetic fulfillment is actually from a prophecy in the Bible.

Of course, I think sometimes we misunderstand the purpose of prophecy. I know I have. If you are like me, you might look at prophecy as “telling the future.” Because of this, we often think that prophecy was provided in the Bible simply to give us a future road-map. Another way to think of it is that it was given to us so we can solve the “puzzle” and know what will happen next. But is this what the Bible says about prophecy?

To start, we must understand that prophecies were always meant to be a blessing to us (see Revelation 1:3 and 22:7). Every prophecy in the Bible was given to benefit the people of God, not to scare or intimidate. The definition of the word “prophecy” is “an utterance of God.” A prophet is one to whom God speaks (Jeremiah 23:21) and then delivers God’s message to the people (Deuteronomy 18:18; Exodus 7:1). Anytime God speaks to His people through a prophet is considered prophecy.

This is why Paul says that the gift of prophecy is meant for believers (1 Corinthians 14:22)—because it is God’s message to them. Although we may be more familiar with the prophecies in which God reveals future events, there are many more prophecies that were given to the people as warnings of their wickedness. In fact, one of the major reasons for prophecies was to expose their sins and ward off captivity (Lamentations 2:14, see also 1 Corinthians 14:24). More prophecies in scripture consist of some kind of warning and a plea to return to God.

In fact, in Jeremiah 23:21, 22, God says that if the prophets had truly spoken His words, the people would have turned from their wicked ways. It is actually a false prophet who preaches peace and that no harm will come from sinning (Jeremiah 23:16–18; Jeremiah 28:9). We know it cannot be God speaking such words because He says, “Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked, declares the Lord God, and not rather that he should turn from his way and live?” (Ezekiel 18:23). Again He says in 2 Chronicles 7:14—“if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” This is why we should not treat such prophecies with contempt (1 Thessalonians 5:20), because they are often given to us to warn us, change us, and save us!

But what about the ones that do reveal the future? Part of the reason we have been given future prophecies is so we can know the times in which we live. Jesus, after telling the disciples some of the signs of His coming, said, “when you see all these things, you know that He is near, at the very gates” (Matthew 24:33). In Luke 21:28, He says, “Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” Basically, the signs were to tell us that Jesus is coming soon.

Notice, though, that Jesus doesn’t say, “when you see a sign fulfilled, figure out what will come next.” The signs weren’t meant to be puzzle pieces for us to figure out, but were a means to warn us that Jesus’ kingdom was near! Our reaction to seeing a sign, according to Jesus, should be raising our heads in preparation to greet Him when He comes. If anything, any prophetic fulfillment we recognize should prompt us to deepen our relationship with the King Who is coming!

More than this, though, future prophecies have a greater reason. According to Isaiah 46:9 10, knowing the future, and telling it with 100% accuracy, is something only God can do. In a somewhat humorous challenge to idols, God explains again that knowing what is to come is an attribute to being God (Isaiah 41:22–24). This idea is also established in Daniel 2:47.

The fact that He can reveal the future, and is always right about it, proves He is God (this is also why God’s prophecies of the future are so specific and not vague). It is not surprising, then, that God would say, “when this comes, then you will know that I am the Lord God” (Ezekiel 24:24). That phrase, “then you will know that I am the Lord,” shows up more than 50 times in the book of Ezekiel alone. Each time it is in the context of when something takes place as God said it would, then they would know He is God. Therefore, prophecy was meant to be recognized when it is happening, not necessarily figured out before. It is meant to prove that God knew it would happen. This is the greater purpose of prophecy: when we see what God said would happen, happening, we will trust Him even more.

Yes, it is good to study and know what the prophecies are so we can recognize them when they happen. Understand, though, that some claim that a prophecy is from God when it isn’t. Deuteronomy 18:21, 22 says that if someone proclaims something in the name of God, but it does not take place or come true, then God did not speak through them. Because of this, we must be faithful to test everything to make sure it is from God (1 Thessalonians 5:21)—remember, Jesus warned there would be false prophets (Matthew 7:15), which means there will be false prophecies as well.

God’s prophecies are found in scripture (not on Facebook or Google). They are specific and they will be fulfilled exactly as He said. And when you recognize one being fulfilled, you can know that God’s kingdom is near—it can serve as a reminder for you to hold on to Jesus.

It is not for us to try to figure out how the future will unfold (the Pharisees tried this with their interpretations of the Messianic prophecies and still did not recognize Jesus as the fulfillment). We are not to wait until some greater prophecy is fulfilled to get right with God. There are plenty of signs that show He is near. So let us look to the sky—and prepare to meet our Savior!