The Testimony of Jesus Is The Spirit of Prophecy
by Wendell Winkler

Introduction

    The voices of God's prophets, whether they be Old Testament prophets or the voice of the prophet Jesus Christ, must be heard. "For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him" (Acts 13:27). "For Moses truly said unto the fathers, a prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you" (Acts 3:22). The design of this study will be to encourage and provoke "a listening hear" to "the voice of the prophets." Accordingly, let us begin our study.

    1. First, the text. "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 they brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy" (Revelation 19:10). Objectively, Jesus is the spirit of prophecy in that he is the object or subject of prophecy. Subjectively, Jesus is the spirit of prophecy in that he himself is a prophet. F.C. Cook, in his monumental commentary wrote, "The testimony of Jesus, as noted on Chapter 1:2, is to be understood both subjectively, and objectively; as denoting both the testimony borne by Jesus (John 3:31-33; 8:14--see Chapter 22:20), and the testimony borne to Jesus (John 5:37; 1 John 1-3)." Thus, in the body of this study we will so approach this study."

    2. Secondly, Biblical prophecy defined. The word "prophet" is from (pro, for and phetes, speak). Thus, the word prophet signifies one who speaks for another. Sometimes the Biblical prophet spoke for God by way of instruction. In this sense he was a "forth teller." At other times he foretold the future. In this sense was a "fore teller." From this perspective, Biblical prophecy was writing history before it occurred. Secular historians write looking back, whereas Biblical prophets (historians) wrote looking forward. Hence, we read in Isaiah 42:9, "Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them."

    3. Thirdly, the characteristics of true prophecy. Such characteristics are:

    (a) the unveiling of the future such as could not be guessed;

    (b) possessing a sufficient number of details so as to prevent any coincidence;

    (c) adequately separated in time so as to preclude the prophet's participation in bringing the prophecy to fulfillment; and

    (d) vindicated by a complete historical fulfillment. Hence, we read, "The prophet which prophesieth of peace, when the word of the prophet shall come to pass, then shall the prophet be known, that the Lord hath truly sent him" (Jeremiah 28:9). See also Deuteronomy 18:22. To illustrate, suppose we were to say that three-hundred years from now there will be a man born in Rutland, Vermont by the name of Euvia Reynolds, and that he will become president of the United States. During his administration, the president's cabinet will be reduced to two positions; secretary of state and secretary of treasury. Too, the postal system will be abolished. We also affirm that President Reynolds will die by drowning and be buried in Berea, Ohio, to be later exhumed and finally buried in Berea, Ohio. Now, suppose all such came to pass? Do you say "Impossible"? Yet, in principle this is what took place with the prophecies related to Jesus.

    4. Fourthly, there is a difference between Biblical prophecy and Calvinistic predestination. In Biblical prophecy God exercised his foreknowledge in keeping with man's free moral agency. Whereas, Calvinism matters are arbitrarily predetermined. To illustrate, God prophesied Judas would betray Jesus; but, foreseeing that such would be done as he exercised his freedom of choice.

    5. Fifthly, Biblical prophecy demonstrates God's omniscience; but does not militate against his omnibenevolence. Using Judas again, though in his all-knowing nature God could foresee that he would betray Christ, and thus prophesied the same (Psalms 41:9; John 13:18), God did not interfere and prevent such. Why? To have done so would have rendered man (Judas) a machine and not capable of self-determination. And since (a) God is love (1 John 4:8), and (b) the nature of love is to desire to be loved (1 John 4:19), and (c) a machine is incapable of rendering love, God did not step in and prevent the betrayal.

    With this background or introductory material behind us, let us enter into the body of our study.


I. Jesus, The Subject of Prophecy

    1. Indeed, Jesus was the subject of Old Testament prophecy. Jesus himself once said, "But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. For verily I say unto you, that many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them" (Matthew 13:16, 17). Luke 24:44 reads, "And he said unto them, these are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses and in the prophets and in the Psalms, concerning me." Jesus also said. "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me" (John 5:39). "Philip findeth Nathaniel and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph" (John 1:45). In the Solomon's porch sermon, Peter said, "But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled...Yea and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of those days" (Acts 3:18, 24). He preached to Cornelius, "To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins" (Acts 10:43). See also Acts 26:22, 23; 28:23. Then there is that classic text in I Peter 1:9-12: "Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost send down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into."

    2. Some prophetic word pictures of Christ.

    (a) He is spoken of as seed (Genesis 3:15; 22; 18; II Samuel 7:12-14), to portray his ancestry.

    (b) He is spoken of as Shiloh (Genesis 49:10), signifying the peace (Ephesians 2:14-16) and rest (Matthew 11:28-30) he gives.

    (c) He is spoken of as Immanuel (Isaiah 7:14), suggesting that God is with us (Matthew 1:18-23). Such was made possible through the virgin birth. He was as human as Mary and as divine as God. Thus, God with us.

    (d) He is spoken of as a fountain (Zechariah 13:1), because on the cross his side was riven and forthwith came blood and water (John 19:34) by which blood we are cleansed (I John 1:6-8).

    (e) He is spoken of as a plumline (Amos 7:8), since he is the standard of our conduct (I Peter 2:21, 22).

    (f) He is called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, and The Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6) for a variety of reasons.

    3. Some specific prophecies concerning the Christ. There are some 333 specific prophecies of Christ in the Old Testament. These prophecies fall into eight categories. Here is an abbreviated study of some of these prophecies and their fulfillment:

    First, prophecies concerning his genealogy.

    (a) He was to be seed of a woman (Genesis 3:15); fulfilled (Galatians 4:4).

    (b) He was to be of the seed of Abraham (Genesis 22:18; Galatians 3:16); fulfilled (Matthew 1:1).

    (c) He was to be of the tribe of Judah (Genesis 49:10); fulfilled (Hebrews 7:14).

    (d) He was to be of the seed of David (Isaiah 9:6, 7; 11:1, 10); fulfilled (Matthew 1:1).

    Second, prophecies concerning his birth.

    (a) He was to be born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14); fulfilled (Luke 1:26-32; 2:7).

    (b) He was to be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2); fulfilled (Luke 2:4-6).

    Third, prophecies concerning his character.

    (a) He was to be tender and kind (Isaiah 42:3); fulfilled (John 8:1-11).

    (b) He was to be a man of sorrows (Isaiah 53:3); fulfilled (Luke 19:41; John 11:35).

    Fourth, prophecies concerning his life and work.

    (a) He would be a prophet (Deuteronomy 18:18-19); fulfilled (Acts 3:22-23).

    (b) He would speak in parables (Psalms 78:2) and perform miracles (Isaiah 35:1-6); fulfilled (Matthew 13; John 20:30-31).

    Fifth, prophecies concerning his death and burial.

    (a) He was to be betrayed for thirty pieces of silver (Zechariah 11:12, 13); fulfilled (Matthew 25:5-7).

    (b) He was to die with transgressors (Isaiah 53:12); fulfilled (Matthew 27:38).

    (c) He was to die by crucifixion (Psalms 22:16); fulfilled (John 20:25-28).

    (d) Not a bone was to be broken (Psalms 34:20); fulfilled, (John 19:33).

    (e) He was to make his grave with the rich (Isaiah 53:9); fulfilled (Matthew 27:57-60).

    Sixth, prophecies concerning his resurrection.

    (a) His body was not to see corruption nor was his soul to be left in hades (Psalms 16:8-10); fulfilled (Acts 2:23-27).

    (b) He was to be raised on the third day (Matthew 13:40); fulfilled (I Corinthians 15:4).

    Seventh, prophecies concerning his ascension (Psalms 68:18); fulfilled (Mark 16:9; Acts 1:9-11; Ephesians 4:8-11).

    Eighth, prophecies concerning his exaltation (Daniel 7:13, 14; 6:12, 13); fulfilled (Mark 16:19; Hebrews 3:1; Acts 17:7).

    4. Jesus, the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy is a strong line of Biblical evidence. Such was used by Peter on Pentecost (Acts 2:22-37) and in the Solomon's porch sermon (Acts 3:18-26). Such was also used by Paul in Antioch of Pisidia (Acts 13:23-41). See also Acts 17:1-4; 28:23-24. It is still a strong line of evidence.

    (a) Such establishes the deity of Christ. The Messiah, was to fulfill certain specific prophecies Jesus did. Therefore, he is the messiah, the divine one of God. Again, study Acts 2:27-37.

    (b) Such establishes the inspiration, yea, the supernatural origin of the Bible.

    (c) And, such established the existence of God; for, only an omniscient mind could write history thousands and thousands of years in advance. Isaiah penned, "Thus saith the Lord the King of Israel, and his redeemer the Lord of Hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God. And who, as I, shall call and shall declare it, and set it in order for me, since I appointed the ancient people? and the things that are coming, and shall come, let them shew unto them" (Isaiah 44:6, 7). Also, he wrote, "Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together, ye that are escaped of nations: they have no knowledge that set up the wood of their graven image, and pray unto a god that cannot save. Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the Lord? and there is no God beside me; a just God and a Savior; there is none beside me. Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else" (Isaiah 45:20-22). See also Isaiah 41:21-29.


II. Jesus, The Prophet

    1. It was prophesied that he would be a prophet. "I will raise them up a prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and I will put my words into his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him" (Deuteronomy 18:18-19). Acts 3:22-23 explicitly instructs us that Christ fulfilled these words.

    An analysis of this prophecy is very interesting and instructive.

    (a) He was to be a prophet of God-- "I (God) will raise them up a prophet." He was not to be self-appointed or humanly elected. "Jesus said unto them, If God were your father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me" (John 8:42). "Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me. And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me" (John 12:44, 45).

    (b) He was to be of the Jews--"from among their brethren." Do we not read in John 4:22, "For salvation is of the Jews."

    (c) He was to be a prophet like unto Moses--"like unto thee." The type and the antetype is very striking. Both were born under the threat of death, but spared. Both were lawgivers. Both were deliverers. Both had spokesmen (Aaron, the apostles). Both performed miracles to confirm their messages. Both were God's mouthpieces.

    (d) He was to be God's spokesman--"and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I command them." Thus, we read, "For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him" (John 3;34). "Jesus answered them, and said, my doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me" (John 7:16). Jesus further said, "I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him" (John 8:26). And, "As my Father hath taught me, I speak these things" (John 8:28). John 12:49-50 reads, "For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that his commandment is everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak." See also John 14:24.

    (e) He is a prophet to be heeded--"whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him." Did not the Father exhort on the mount of transfiguration, "Hear ye him" (Matthew 17:5). John 12:48 is most thought-provoking, "He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day."

    2. It is repetitiously affirmed that Jesus is a prophet. Though he was none of those (Matthew 16:13-16), Jesus was like the prophet John the Baptist, in that he fearlessly condemned sin (Matthew 14:1-12; 23:13-39); like Elijah his ascension (II Kings 2:1-11; Acts 1:9-11); like Jeremiah in that he wept over the lost (Jeremiah 9:1; Luke 19:41-48); and, like the prophets in general, in that he was a servant (II Kings 17:13; Zechariah 1:6; Matthew 20:26-28). We read in John 7:40, "Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, of a truth this is the Prophet." Also we read in John 6:14, "Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, this is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world." But, the classic text on Jesus being a prophet is Hebrews 1:1-4, which reads, "God who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the majesty on high; Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they." This text not only affirms the prophetic office of Christ, but gives eight reasons why he is so superior to all other prophets. Thus, the modernists are wrong when they affirm that he was just a philosopher among philosophers.

    3. Being a prophet, he operated through three divine mediums.

    (a) He operated through instruction (Matthew 4:23; 5:2; 7:29; John 3:2; 7:46). As such, he was characterized by faith, prayer, knowledge, cheerfulness, patience, zeal and purity. As such, he used visual aids, questions, illustrations, concrete statements and frequent scripture quotations. As such, he primarily emphasized attitudes, the kingdom, prayer, stewardship and his coming. In this medium, he was a forth-teller. As a priest, he speaks to God for us. As a prophet he speaks to us for God.

    (b) He operated through fore telling; thus a fore-teller. He prophesied concerning people (Mark 14:9; Matthew 26:34; John 13:21-27; 16:2 plus Acts 23:1), cites (Matthew 11:21-24; 24:1ff), himself (betrayed and tried, Matthew 20:17-19; death, Matthew 16:21; resurrection, Matthew 20:19; ascension, John 6:62; 7:33; 20:17), the Holy Spirit (John 14:26; 16:13; Acts 2:1ff), the church (Matthew 16:18-19; John 4:22-24; Mark 9:1 plus Acts 1:8 plus Acts 2:1-4; Luke 22:18 plus I Corinthians 11:20ff; John 10:16 plus Ephesians 2:11-22) and his coming (John 14:1-6; Matthew 25:1-34).

    (c) he operated through miracles (John 3:2; 20:30-31). He manifested power over death (John 11), disease (Mark 2:1-12), demons (Matthew 8:16), material things (John 6:1-14) and nature (Matthew 8:23-27). The purpose of such was to vindicate his approval of God (Acts 2:22). We are to obey his instructions (Matthew 7:21-27), trust his prophecies and believe his miracles (John 20:30-31).

    4. As God's Prophet, he is to be heard and obeyed. We are to hear "all," yea "whatsoever" he saith, otherwise we "shall be destroyed from among the people" (Acts 3:22, 23). Thus, obedience is of utmost importance (Matthew 7:21; Luke 6:46; Revelation 22:14; II Thessalonians 1:7-9).

    (a) We are to obey him without reservation (Matthew 22:37). We must avoid being like King Saul (I Samuel 15) and like the prophet of I Kings 13.

    (b) We are to obey him without question. Naaman, at first, questioned God (II Kings 5:1ff). Paul presupposed this among the Corinthians (I Corinthians 15:35). Abraham could really have questioned (Genesis 22:1-14). but, he did not (Romans 4:20-22). A child does not question the parent. Why? The parent has a right to command; and the child has unquestionable trust in his father.

    (c) We are to obey regardless of how foolish it may seem (I Corinthians 1:18-29). Conquering Jericho (Joshua 6:1-5), the cleansing of Naaman (II Kings 5:1-14), the sparing of the first born (Exodus 12:23) and the healing of the blind man (John 9:1-7) are examples of this principle. Let us remember this if Acts 2:38, Acts 20:7 or Hebrews 10:25 seem foolish to us.

    (d) We are to obey regardless of the cost. Abraham (Genesis 22:1ff), Job (Job 1:1ff), Daniel (Daniel 6:10-17), the Hebrews (Daniel 3:13-25), Moses (Hebrews 11:24-28) and the apostles (Acts 4:18-19) all obeyed regardless of the cost. Christianity will cost (Matthew 16:24; Luke 14:28). Jereboam made religion easy (I Kings 12:28). "Though he slay me, yet will I trust him" (Job 13:15) must be our attitude.


III A Special Prophetic Study: Jesus, The Prophesied Seed and The Scheme of Redemption

    1. The Bible must be studied as a whole. "The sum of thy word is truth" (Psalms 119:160). We are to live by every word (Matthew 4:4). The Old Testament is the New Testament concealed and The New Testament is the Old Testament revealed. The Old Testament says Christ is coming, Matthew through John says Christ has come, and Acts through Revelation says Christ is coming again. The Bible needs to be viewed as having sixty-six chapters, rather than books, all of which are developing a single central theme.

    2. The Bible has only one theme. The theme of the Bible is (a) the salvation of man (b) through Christ (c) to the glory of God (Ephesians 1:1ff).

    3. The theme of the Bible is developed historically. The Bible is a book of sacred history. It is his-story. This should make all the difference in the world as to how we approach a study of the Bible.

    Now, let us study a development of the theme, which constitutes an unfolding of the scheme of redemption.

    1. Genesis 1:1-3:14 -- The Messiah is needed, man sinned.
    2. Genesis 3:15 -- The Messiah promised.
    3. Genesis 4-5 -- The Messianic line, Adam to Noah.
    4. Genesis 6-9 -- The Messianic line preserved in Noah.
    5. Genesis 10-11 -- The Messianic line, Noah to Abraham
    6. Genesis 12-50 -- The Messianic line and Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob [God makes a two-fold promise to Abraham -- a nation promise, Genesis 12:1-4, and a seed promise, Genesis 22:18. The seed promise centers in Christ, Galatians 3:16. These two promises amalgamate into one in that the nation becomes the vehicle through which the Christ is to come into the world. Now, concerning the nation, let us not forget that there must be a people, a law, and a territory for a nation to be born.]
    7. Exodus 1-19 -- The Messianic nation being formed, a people is formed.
    8. Exodus 20-Deut. -- The Messianic nation being formed, a law is given.
    9. Joshua -- The Messianic nation being formed, a territory is conquered.
    10. Judges - I Samuel 10 -- The Messianic nation after being formed, but before becoming a kingdom.
    11. I Samuel 10 - Malachi -- The Messianic nation after becoming a kingdom.
    12. Malachi - Matthew -- The Messianic nation/kingdom and the "silent years" between the Testaments.
    13. Matthew - John -- The Messiah appears.
    14. Acts -- The Messianic spiritual kingdom/church established.
    15. Romans - Jude -- The Messianic spiritual kingdom/church and life therein.
    16. Revelation -- The Messianic spiritual kingdom/church and its eternal destiny.


Conclusion

    1. Review. After discussing some general matters of importance, we have studied (a) Jesus, the subject of prophecy and (b) Jesus, the prophet.

    2. Exhortation. May our faith be strengthened as we study Christ's fulfillment of prophecy. May we resolve to hear Christ, God's prophet, "in all things whatsoever he shall say" lest we "be destroyed from among the people" (Acts 3:22-23).