What is the Spirit of Prophecy?

[miz3]

Question?

What does the term “Spirit of Prophecy” mean in the Bible?

This term appears only once in the Bible in Revelation 19:10.

The phrase “testimony of Jesus” appears four (4) times in the Bible and they all are in Revelation.

“who testifies to everything he saw—that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.”

Revelation 1:2 (NIV).

“I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.”

Revelation 1:9 (NIV).

“Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to make war against the rest of her offspring—those who obey God's commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus.”

Revelation 12:17 (NIV).

“At this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, "Do not do it! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”

Revelation 19:10 (NIV).

Are the “testimony of Jesus” and “spirit of prophecy” congruent phrases?

The next question is when did the “testimony of Jesus” and “spirit of prophecy” exist? Has it always existed? Did it only come into existence with the Seventh-day Adventist Church? Could it have occurred at various times in earth’s history? If it occurred at various times, when did such occurrences take place?

What is the “testimony of Jesus” and what is the “spirit of prophecy”?

Seventh-day Adventists believe that Ellen G. White is the “spirit of prophecy”. Are they correct?

[ClubV12]

Here's my thought on the matter, it may not be fully accurate as I'm still developing my fundamental understanding of such things.

The Spirit of Prophecy has been around since Adam, to whom was first revealed the prophetic plan of salvation. Adam carried forth both the prophecy and the message of a coming messiah (the testimony of Jesus). Additional aspects and details of the plan of salvation are the continuing theme of the bible and play a significant roll in prophecy through out history. Today more detail than ever, notably through EGW, has emerged about salvations plan and the continuing prophecies pointing to it's ultimate fulfillment.

EGW was just another in a long line of prophets down through the ages. I see EGW's work as STARTING right where Daniel's prophecy left off, thus a strong connection between these two prophets, ancient and modern, emerge. One of no less in importance than the other, each with message for OUR time.

[phkrause]

Question?

What does the term “Spirit of Prophecy” mean in the Bible?

This term appears only once in the Bible in Revelation 19:10.

The phrase “testimony of Jesus” appears four (4) times in the Bible and they all are in Revelation.

“who testifies to everything he saw—that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.”

Revelation 1:2 (NIV).

“I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.”

Revelation 1:9 (NIV).

“Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to make war against the rest of her offspring—those who obey God's commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus.”

Revelation 12:17 (NIV).

“At this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, "Do not do it! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”

Revelation 19:10 (NIV).

Are the “testimony of Jesus” and “spirit of prophecy” congruent phrases?

The next question is when did the “testimony of Jesus” and “spirit of prophecy” exist? Has it always existed? Did it only come into existence with the Seventh-day Adventist Church? Could it have occurred at various times in earth’s history? If it occurred at various times, when did such occurrences take place?

What is the “testimony of Jesus” and what is the “spirit of prophecy”?

Seventh-day Adventists believe that Ellen G. White is the “spirit of prophecy”. Are they correct?

What does the term “Spirit of Prophecy” mean in the Bible?

Well from what I read in the Bible it says that the spirit of prophecy is one of the gifts of the spirit.

Are the “testimony of Jesus” and “spirit of prophecy” congruent phrases?

I don't think so because if the “spirit of prophecy” is a gift than it can't be the same as the “testimony of Jesus”. I'd say that the testimony of Jesus is just what if says, his testimony or his words!

The next question is when did the “testimony of Jesus” and “spirit of prophecy” exist? Has it always existed? Did it only come into existence with the Seventh-day Adventist Church? Could it have occurred at various times in earth’s history? If it occurred at various times, when did such occurrences take place?

It seems to me if its in the Bible than it would've been since than, don't ya think? So yes it has always existed.

What is the “testimony of Jesus” and what is the “spirit of prophecy”?

Seems you've already asked this in your other questions!

Seventh-day Adventists believe that Ellen G. White is the “spirit of prophecy”. Are they correct?

If it is a gift that is dished out to some than yes she would be part of that, with all the other prophets that are in the Bible.

[miz3]

So is the "Spirit of Prophecy" a comprehensive message or is it a special "end time" message that is unique?

From the previous two posts I take it that Ellen White is not uniquely the "Spirit of Prophecy" but she is part of the "Spirit of Prophecy". Is this a fair statement of what has been said so far?

When Revelation used the term "Spirit of Prophecy" was the author looking down the lime of time to Ellen White? or was the author speaking of all the prophets and their messages?

[Tom Wetmore]

The phrase, "testimony of Jesus" refers to what Jesus said or testified to. The immediate context at the beginning of Revelation indicates that John was testifying to what he saw and what Jesus told him - the testimony of Jesus, the Revelation of Jesus. The Greek word used in a legal sense just as we still use the English word, testimony given in court, a statement of the truth of the matter.

So when the phrase "the testimony of Jesus" is identified as being "the spirit of prophecy" John is saying that the spirit - it's essence, breath, heart and soul, that which gives it life - of the prophecy John is giving (or any prophecy) is the words or testimony of Jesus. That which gives life to a prophecy, what it means, what it speaks to is understood by hearing what Jesus says. That is why when I teach the book of Revelation I start in the Gospels. The true understanding of Revelation is found in the Gospels, because that is where you find the testimony of Jesus.

[John317]

Question?

What does the term Spirit of Prophecy mean in the Bible?

...What is the testimony of Jesus and what is the “spirit of prophecy?

Seventh-day Adventists believe that Ellen G. White is the spirit of prophecy. Are they correct?

Essentially, the Spirit of prophecy is the Holy Spirit who manifests Himself in the prophets' ministry and writings.

In Rev. 12: 17, it is saying that the gift of prophecy will be manifested among the remnant. So the gift of prophecy is one of the identifying marks of this last-day group of believers. The other identifying marks are that it will arise about the time the sea-beast is receiving its deadly wound, and about the time the earth beast is coming on the world scene. Another identifying mark of this group is that they will keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Rev. 14: 12.

As you're aware, Seventh-day Adventists believe that Ellen White was a genuine prophet of God, and therefore they believe that her prophetic gift is a fulfillment of the prophecy found in Rev. 12: 17; 19: 10.

On a number of ocassions, Ellen White herself referred to her own writings as "the Spirit of prophecy." But she also referred to it in relation to Enoch and other prophets of the Bible.

The term is usually obejected to by people who either don't accept Ellen White as a true prophet or who don't believe the Seventh-day Adventist church is the "remnant" church (or last-day people) of God, who God raised up to give the Three Angels Messages and prepare a people for the second coming of Christ.

We've been over this many times on the Adventist Forum during the last 5 or 6 years, so there's a few other discussions on it that people can find by doing a search.

It's a subject that has also been studied at length in the church's Sabbath School quarterlies.

In all those discussions it is made clear that SDAs don't believe the expression refers exclusively to Ellen White. Her work is certainly a fulfillment of the prophecy, but SDAs have never believed or taught that she herself is "the Spriit of prophecy." This is made plain in her own writings as well as by statements made by James White, and many other publications of the church.

[phkrause]

So is the "Spirit of Prophecy" a comprehensive message or is it a special "end time" message that is unique?

From the previous two posts I take it that Ellen White is not uniquely the "Spirit of Prophecy" but she is part of the "Spirit of Prophecy". Is this a fair statement of what has been said so far?

When Revelation used the term "Spirit of Prophecy" was the author looking down the lime of time to Ellen White? or was the author speaking of all the prophets and their messages?

I know of one minister, I believe Doug Batchelor, who states that it is refering to EGW. I have no reason to disagree. If she is in line with all the other prophets than yes it is talking about all the prophets. starting from Moses.

[John317]

From the previous two posts I take it that Ellen White is not uniquely the "Spirit of Prophecy" but she is part of the "Spirit of Prophecy". Is this a fair statement of what has been said so far?

Yes.

[miz3]

What you have written sounds fascinating.

The only part I don't get is: "In Rev. 12: 17, it is saying that the gift of prophecy will be manifested among the remnant."

When I read that text it doesn't seem to be singling out only last day persons. It seems to me to be comprehensive of all the people throughout history who have kept God's Commandments and believe in the Testimony of Jesus Christ.

What am I missing?

[phkrause]

What you have written sounds fascinating.

The only part I don't get is: "In Rev. 12: 17, it is saying that the gift of prophecy will be manifested among the remnant."

When I read that text it doesn't seem to be singling out only last day persons. It seems to me to be comprehensive of all the people throughout history who have kept God's Commandments and believe in the Testimony of Jesus Christ.

What am I missing?

Our you sure you are meaning Rev 12:17? My Bible reads: The Dragon was infuriated over the woman and went off to fight the rest of her children, those who obey God's commands and bear witness to Yeshua. Doesn't say anything about gift of prophecy!

[Kevin H]

I heard a lecture recently that how we started applying the term "Spirit of Prophecy" to Ellen White was that she was writing the series of books titled "Spirit of Prophecy" and as the books came out people would talk about the books that came out and get ready for another "Spirit of Prophecy" book and that it was the title of the series origianlly and then kept getting applied by the layity to her books even when she was done with that series and moving on to other writings.

[John317]

....When I read that text it doesn't seem to be singling out only last day persons. It seems to me to be comprehensive of all the people throughout history who have kept God's Commandments and believe in the Testimony of Jesus Christ.

What am I missing?

Where does it say that "the remnant" "believe" in the Testimony of Jesus?

Rev. 12: 17 tells us that these people "have the Testimony of Jesus." "Have" is translated from the word "echo" (Strongs#2192) and means to hold, to possess; as in to "have or hold or possess in the hand."

For instance, it is used in 1 John 5: 13, where it says that "you have eternal life." Notice it wouldn't be correct to translate it as "believing in eternal life." If the writer intended to say they believed in the Testimony of Jesus, he would have used the verb, pisteuo.

Therefore it's a mistake to consider Rev. 12: 17 as describing a people who merely believe in something.

[miz3]

No it doesn't say anything about the "gift of prophecy". I wasn't trying to make that point.

It does use the phrase "testimony of Jesus". I was referring to that term. John317 was stating that this text referred to the "last day people" only. I don't see the text referring to only the last day people. As I stated before it appears to me to be referring to all those throughout history who have the "testimony of Jesus".

John317 stated that this means the "gift of Prophecy" would be given to the last day people. See his post above.

Is this true? How is it true when the text seems to be talking about all those who have kept the "testimony of Jesus" throughout history.

Help me out.

[John317]

Ellen White herself applies the phrase to her own writings as well as to the prophetic work of Enoch.

Do you believe it is appropriately applied to the prophetic gift and writings of Ellen White? Or do you believe Ellen White was wrong to apply it that way?

[John317]

...It does use the phrase "testimony of Jesus". I was referring to that term. John317 was stating that this text referred to the "last day people" only. I don't see the text referring to only the last day people.

No, I didn't say it only applies to the last day people. I said that "spirit of prophecy" applies to Ellen White's ministry and writings but that it also applies to the other prophets' work.

[miz3]

My question is right now on Revelation 12:7. Is the "testimony of Jesus" referring all those throughout history who "have" the "testimony of Jesus"? Or is this text referring only to a "last day" group of people?

Which is it?

[John317]

No it doesn't say anything about the "gift of prophecy". I wasn't trying to make that point.

John317 stated that this means the "gift of Prophecy" would be given to the last day people. See his post above.

Is this true? How is it true when the text seems to be talking about all those who have kept the "testimony of Jesus" throughout history.

Help me out.

Here's my position and the position of the Seventh-day Adventist church. It is also what is taught in Bible and in the writings of Ellen White.

Quote:

18. The Gift of Prophecy: One of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is prophecy. This gift is an identifying mark of the remnant

church and was manifested in the ministry of Ellen. G. White . As the Lord's messenger, her

writings are a continuing and authoritative source of truth which provide for the church comfort,

guidance, instruction, and correction. They also make clear that the Bible is the standard by

which all teaching and experience must be tested. (Joel 2:28, 29; Acts 2:14-21; Heb. 1:1-3;

Rev. 12:17; 19:10.)

[miz3]

Remaining on Revelation 12:7. How to we get from this text anything about the "Spirit of Prophecy"?

[Kevin H]

Ellen White herself applies the phrase to her own writings as well as to the prophetic work of Enoch.

Do you believe it is appropriately applied to the prophetic gift and writings of Ellen White? Or do you believe Ellen White was wrong to apply it that way?

It is a correct application

[miz3]

Why is a correct application? Are making it an application by fiat?

[John317]

Rev. 12:16-17

And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth. [17] 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. 19:10

And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

Rev. 14:12

Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

The context of Rev. 12 and 14 is the description of the end-time people who give the messages of the three angels of Rev. 14: 6-11. This message results in the people described in Rev. 14: 12. The very next verses (14-20) describe the second coming of Christ.

It is clear that it is not talking about all Christians throughtout history. The books of Daniel and Revelation show how the largest share of the Church has "fallen," or become spiritual Babylon, adopting many false doctrines.

You'll notice by looking around at the Christian churches in the world today that almost all of them don't keep all of the moral law of God but they believe that the 4th commandment has been either abolished or changed. The prophecy of Daniel 7: 25 predicted that a power would attempt to change the law of God, and this is indeed what happened. Today the vast majority of the Christian churches follow in the footsteps of that power which changed the law of God. Therefore, when the Bible predicts that near the time of Christ's return, there would be a relatively small group of people who will keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus, it was predicting accurately.

I'm sure you're already aware of this, or were at one time.

[John317]

Why is a correct application? Are making it an application by fiat?

It would not be a correct application if Ellen White was a false prophet. So whether it is a correct application depends largely on whether one believes Ellen White was a true or a false prophet.

Notice the spiritual gifts given to the church:

Ephes. 4:11-15

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, [12] to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, [13] until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, [14] so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. [15] Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,

[John317]

In Revelation, who gives the Three Angels' Messages to the world? What are those messages and what is their main purpose?

[miz3]

OK, Revelation 19:10 flat out states that the term "Spirit of Prophecy" and the term "Testimony of Jesus" are congruent terms. They mean the same thing. They are interchangeable terms.

Just like: 5 = 2 + 3. The term 5 is congruent with the term 2 + 3. These terms on either side of the equals sign are interchangeable. I makes no difference whether I use the term 5 or use the term 2 + 3 because they both say the same thing.

How am I doing so far?

[Kevin H]

I was responding to John that indeed it applys to prophet's works and that it is correct to apply the term to any prophet's work. That is how Mrs. White applied it in the book series, and for people who understand her to be a prophet, it would therefore be correct to apply to her as well as any other prophet.