"Spirit of Prophecy" and "Testimonies" - who coined the terms?

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

I would like to know who and when "Spirit of Prophecy" started referring to Ellen White. I would also like to know the same thing about "Testimonies" - it seems as though some believe these EGW Testimonies are the testimonies described in the Bible. I don't think they are.

[John317]

Ellen White herself refers to her writings as "the Spirit of prophecy," and as "the Testimonies of the Spirit of God." So SDAs have been talking about "the Spirit of prophecy" in that sense since the 1860s, at least.

One thing that should be clarified, though, is that "the Spirit of prophecy" has never been understood to be limited to Ellen White's writings. The Spirit of prophecy is the Holy Spirit which manifests Himself through the prophets. The Spirit of prophecy worked through the prophet Enoch, for instance.

But I don't believe anyone is thinking that the "the Testimonies" written by Ellen White are the same as the "testimony" referred to in the Bible. The "testimony" of the Bible is the Ten Commandments. That is why we refer to the "ark of the testimony" because the testimony-- or tables of God's law-- is in the ark.

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

ahh...okay..THANKS!! That's something I've been wondering about for a long time!!

[Gail]

Well put, John317. In the book, The Prophet and the Presidents, which I am just reading now, it states also that she herself preferred to call her messages "testimonies". I think that fits- she was testifying of what she had heard and seen.

Interesting book, BTW.

[skyblue888]

Well put John.

Gail, The Prophets and the Presidents!!!

What is this book all about???

Can you tell us a little bit about it? What have presidents and prophets in common?

sky

[teresaq]

I would like to know who and when "Spirit of Prophecy" started referring to Ellen White. I would also like to know the same thing about "Testimonies" - it seems as though some believe these EGW Testimonies are the testimonies described in the Bible. I don't think they are.

I do.

I agree with J about the HS and prophecy, which includes exhortation and pointing out the sins of the people which prevents God's blessing.

I also firmly believe that the "testimonies" written by EW were given her by God as principles of the 10c on a deeper level that we break either willfully or ignorantly. I see little difference between her exhortations and warnings than the prophets in the bible, who also warned both individuals and nations that they were breaking the 10c in some form or other.

If I stand alone in that understanding I can live with it. :)

[John317]

I think you asked very important questions that SDAs need to have answers for.

[skyblue888]

The Spirit of prophecy is the Holy Spirit, also called the Spirit of Christ or the Spirit of God. It was the Spirit that was in the prophets of old. (1 Peter 1:11) The Spirit of prophecy testifies of Jesus, it exalts Jesus, it magnifies the law and makes it honorable.

sky

[skyblue888]

The Spirit of Prophecy extols the merits of Jesus as man's only hope for time and eternity, that unless the sinner daily comes to God just as he is, sinful, helpless, dependent, trusting wholly in the merits of a crucified and risen Saviour to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit which brings all other blessings in its train, he cannot be saved.

sky

[Musicman1228]

Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, 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. Rev. 19:10.

It is clear from the context that it is those that hold to the testimony of Jesus will understand prophecy. That is because it is the words and teachings (testimony) of Jesus (only) that is 'the spirit of prophecy'. It is a giant stretch of the imagination to conclude from this that the 'spirit of prophecy' is/are the words or testimony of anyone other than Jesus Christ.

Why do SDA's make such a simple concept so unnecessarily difficult by applying it to another person?

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

Musicman, I always thought the "Testimonies" were the words of Christ, too.. that's why it bothers me to have some of EGW's writings referred to as the "Testimonies"...I think it gives people the wrong idea - that the Bible specifically is referring to Ellen White in Revelations. I just cannot accept that to be true.. it would essentially put Ellen White's writings as part and parcel of the Holy Scriptures. She herself said she was the lesser light..

[John317]

Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, 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. Rev. 19:10.

It is clear from the context that it is those that hold to the testimony of Jesus will understand prophecy. That is because it is the words and teachings (testimony) of Jesus (only) that is 'the spirit of prophecy'. It is a giant stretch of the imagination to conclude from this that the 'spirit of prophecy' is/are the words or testimony of anyone other than Jesus Christ.

Who are the "brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus"?

The answer is found in Rev. 22: 9--

Then saith he unto me, See [thou do it] not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.

So "the brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus" are the prophets.

The "testimony" can also be translated as "witness." The witness of Jesus-- the proof that Jesus is among the church-- is the Spirit that manifests Himself through the prophets.

Genuine prophets of God write the words of Jesus; that is, they write the messages that Jesus gives them, just as John the Beloved did in the book of Revelation.

[John317]

...it bothers me to have some of EGW's writings referred to as the "Testimonies"...I think it gives people the wrong idea - that the Bible specifically is referring to Ellen White in Revelations...

It's true that the book of Revelation is referring to the fact that God would raise up a prophet in the last days just before Christ's return. It is one of the marks of identity of the people described in Rev. 14. Some other marks of identity is that they would arise about the time the sea-beast was going into captivity and the sea-beast was coming onto the world scene. That time was about 1798. A third mark of identity is that they would keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. A fourth mark of identity is that it will have a world-wide mission field and proclaim the Three Angels' Messsages to every people on the face of the earth.

There is no doubt that the Seventh-day Adventist Church is the group described in those verses of Rev. 14.

Ellen White chose the name of some of her first books, "The Spirit of Prophecy." She also chose the title, The Testimonies For the Church. She frequently referred to the Testimonies as "the Testimonies of the Spirit of God," etc.

[skyblue888]

But don't forget that the prophet warned us about repeating the history of ancient Israel, that the history of the past will be rehearsed as we enter upon the closing work.

sky

[Lysimachus]

Please be careful rudywoofs. You're scaring me.

(P.S. To everyone: My computer is broke, and runs like a snail--I am waiting a new one. Every letter I type is delayed. So I cannot type very much. My apologies)

[John317]

Yes, you are right about that, sky. As a people, we are repeating many of the experiences of ancient Israel, including the rebellions against God's prophet and the wandering in the wilderness. But while the children of Israel only wandered for 40 years before crossing the Jordon, we have already wandered for 150 years on the borders of the Promised Land. Some day a generation of SDAs will become fully committed to crossing the Jordon and stop fooling around on the borders of the Promised Land. Will we be that generation? By God's grace, we could be.

[John317]

(P.S. To everyone: My computer is broke, and runs like a snail--I am waiting a new one. Every letter I type is delayed. So I cannot type very much. My apologies)

Sounds like it could be a problem with your "main board." If so, I found out you could get it replaced for about $140.00. But it sounds like you've already decided to get a new computer. I hope you're able to do it soon.

I was wondering where you were the last few days. :-)

[Lysimachus]

Hehe, thanks John317. Yes, this computer has had its day in court. I've owned it for 5 and 1/2 years. It was a top-of-the-line Dell XPS M1710, from back in 2006. I need more HD space, more memory, more everything. I can't wait for the new computer to arrive. I'll be able to save a lot more data, and get a lot more done. I should be back to normal posting in a few weeks, seeing I'm headed on a trip again this September.

I have been dreaming of a bright idea. Imagine a centralized website, approved by the conference, entitled "www.AdventistApologetics.com" Every single document, article, and apologetics material vindicating Adventism and Historicism, with every imaginable article--the largest Adventist apologetics database ever created! Even a forum for it! Imagine that! And special sections dealing with Dispensationalism and Futurism, and also special sections dealing with criticisms within Adventism as well. Also categories dealing with Preterism, Idealism, Calvinism, and also sections that vindicate our prophetic dates. Oh what a dream! :D

[John317]

I hope that bright idea becomes a reality, and the sooner the better.

Please hurry! Do it like yesterday.

[skyblue888]

Yes, you are right about that, sky. As a people, we are repeating many of the experiences of ancient Israel, including the rebellions against God's prophet and the wandering in the wilderness. But while the children of Israel only wandered for 40 years before crossing the Jordon, we have already wandered for 150 years on the borders of the Promised Land. Some day a generation of SDAs will become fully committed to crossing the Jordon and stop fooling around on the borders of the Promised Land. Will we be that generation? By God's grace, we could be.

Hopefully. I don't think God can wait much longer.

sky