| Author | Message | ||
| Jan Registered user Username: Jan Post Number: 35 Registered: 1-2005 |
This may sound crazy, but I'm obsessed with trying to understand the phrase "spirit of prophecy." I've heard it all my life for EGW, of course, and so cannot imagine what it really means. It's like my brain is stuck, even though I know that the spirit of prophecy = testimony of Jesus. | ||
| Chris Registered user Username: Chris Post Number: 885 Registered: 7-2003  |
Jan, Here is an article that addresses the question of what the Spirit of Prophecy really is: Testimony of Jesus Chris | ||
| Belvalew Registered user Username: Belvalew Post Number: 570 Registered: 7-2004 |
Actually, the phrase "spirit of prophecy" is easy. All prophecy points to Christ, Messiah, Jesus Christ. So, the "spirit" of prophecy is Jesus. | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 2264 Registered: 12-2003  |
Jan, the link from Chris is detailed and good. Revelation 19:10 is the verse the SDAs so warp: "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.' " Many people dispute what the gift of prophecy to the church is. I find this text to define it amazingly well: the spirit of prophecy is our testimony about Jesusówhich we receive from our experience with Him. He gives us something about which we can testify. In other words, in the church, prophecy is for the building up of the body as is every other gift. If the spirit of prophecy (or the "essence" of prophecy, as the study notes clarify) is the testimony of Jesus, then the gift of prophecy cannot be about new doctrines, nor can it be limited to a single person's gift. The angel in Revelation 19:10 said he held the testimony of Jesus as did John and his brothers in Christ. Then the angel identified that testimony as the spirit of prophecy. When we speak the truth about Jesus from our own experience of surrender and commitment to truth, we are exercising the gift of prophecy. I believe that God gives some people especially strong gifting in being able to proclaim the truth to people about Jesus and His power available for their lives, but all Christ-followers have the spirit of prophecy. Like so many other "normal" Christian phrases, this one, too, has been warped by Adventism. Praise God for Jesus! Colleen |
