The Testimony of Jesus Is The Spirit of Prophecy

The cries of God's people for salvation have been heard, says the prophet. As they cried out, "Hallelu-Jah" (LORD save us), salvation has come. He has judged Rome (Babylon), "the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality and has avenged on her the blood of his servants" (Rev. 19:2). So they cry out again, "Hallelu-Jah! The smoke from Babylon goes up forever and ever."

This chapter is filled with praise, "For the LORD our God the Almighty reigns." This is the reason the Bride rejoices. The marriage feast is coming. The Bride of Christ has made herself ready, for she is given fine linen, bright and pure. These are the righteous deeds of the saints and in these she is clothed.

As I write news comes that persecution of the saints continues on the earth. On Easter Sunday of this year (2016) 70 people were indiscriminately killed by the Taliban. In the previous year two Christian churches in LaHore were attacked. 17 people were killed. Another 85 were killed when a suicide bomber targeted a church in Peshawar in 2013. So the cry continues, "Hallelu-Jah!" LORD, save us. By faith we join the multitude revealed in Rev. 19:2-10, as we join them as guests invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.

And how can we be certain that "these are the true words of God"? The answer stands in the rebuke of the angel who spoke about the invitation: "The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." At the very center of all that is proclaimed in the Bible and in all true teaching is "the testimony of Jesus." What do we proclaim? We proclaim Jesus! He was to come. So said all the prophets. And so He came. He lived and taught. He healed and walked throughout the land. Thousands upon thousands rejoiced at His coming, even as the harsh and evil-minded Pharisees and rulers rejected Him and condemned Him to death upon the cross. But what was the result of all their wickedness. He destroyed the power of sin and death and He rose from the dead! This is the message of Easter. Jesus lives! And because He lives, we shall live also. Death has been conquered. His kingdom is eternal and we are invited to the marriage feast of the Lamb.

This is the great message of the season of Easter. This is the "testimony of Jesus" the angel speaks about. Jesus, our LORD, sits upon a white horse! He is Faithful and True, and in righteousness he

Jesus My Lord

judges and makes war upon the evil of this world.

His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. - Rev 19:12-15 ESV

He speaks and His word is a sharp sword, for what He says comes true, even as He lives and has conquered death. So He will "rule them with a rod of iron and tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty" (Isa. 11:4).

So we believe. So we rejoice, not in what is now visible, but in what is to come. And how may we be certain of this prophecy? Our confidence rests in "the testimony of Jesus," the witness we all bear to His glorious resurrection. He is not dead. He lives! Hallelujah!