Earlier this week, someone asked me what exactly is meant by the phrase “the testimony of Jesus”? Here is the results of my study of it.
The phrase is found in Revelation 12:17 in its description of the people with whom the “dragon” went out to make war against: “those who obey God’s commands and hold to the testimony of Jesus” (emphasis mine). This phrase is found only in Revelation (and only three times). However, the idea within this phrase can be understood throughout the New Testament.
First, we should look at the passages that contain the phase. We’ve already seen one, Revelation 12:17—it is part of the identifying characteristic of an obedient group of God’s people whom the dragon [Satan] makes war against. It is also found in the beginning of the book of Revelation, Revelation 1:9. In this verse, John says, “I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus” (emphasis mine). So part of the reason for John’s imprisonment on Patmos was this “testimony of Jesus.” However, this verse does not explain what it is, only that it was understood and available in John’s day.
The only other passage in which the phrase is found, Revelation 19:10, says this: “Then I fell down at his feet to worship him [an angel], 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.” This passage reiterates that John, and the other disciples, held on to the testimony of Jesus. Then it ends with what many use as a definition: “For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” If this is a definition, however, we are left with a greater mystery: what is this “spirit of prophecy”? (The phrase is only found in this verse.)
We must be careful to not make it overly complicated. First of all, the word “is” does not necessarily mean “equal to.” If we said “the sky is blue,” we understand that blue is a description of the sky, not that everything blue is sky or that blue is the definition of sky. I suggest that we can understand it best as a description rather than a definition. Why? The spirit of prophecy is not a proper noun, as in referring to a specific thing, but rather it expands what the testimony of Jesus is about. As a descriptive phrase, we could understand it as describing the testimony of Jesus as being the spirit, or breath or essence, of prophecy—it is what prophecy is all about.
We need to also understand the phrase itself. It is not cryptic. It is straight forward: the testimony of Jesus. What is a testimony? The Greek word it is translated from means “to provide information [or, if a noun, simply the information itself] about a person or an event concerning which the speaker has direct knowledge.” It is most often translated “testimony” or “witness” (and sometimes even “martyr”—we get our English word martyr from this word). In addition, the grammar of the Greek shows this to be a “possessive” phrase. In other words, it is not a testimony about Jesus, but is His testimony. Therefore, what John, the disciples, and the people in Revelation 12 are holding onto is “information about a person or an event concerning which Jesus has direct knowledge.”
When Jesus walked this earth, He testified about the things He knew. In Matthew 5, Jesus used the formula, “you have heard… but I say to you,” to re-teach the truths of Scripture. Throughout His ministry, Jesus revealed the truth of salvation, heaven, and many other subjects. He wasn’t just teaching His opinions either: “My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me” (John 7:16), and “I speak of what I have seen with my Father” (John 8:38). On several other occasions, He made it clear that His teachings were coming from God. Part of His witness was in His teachings on the Word of God.
The greatest testimony from Jesus, however, was his testimony about His Father. “No one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him” (Matthew 11:27). In His last hours with His disciples, he reminded them of this: “If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. … whoever has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:7, 9). Jesus brought a new, clearer understanding of His Father to us. Many have expressed a dislike of God the Father (due to a misunderstanding of actions in the Old Testament), while having a fondness for Jesus (because of grace). Yet, according to Him, if you want to know what the Father is like, watch Him. The character of Jesus in the New Testament is the same as the God of the Old Testament. Hebrews 1:3 says of Jesus, “He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature.” Therefore, Jesus testifies, through His teachings and His character, the true nature of the Father.
This is why Jesus is described as the “faithful and true witness” (Revelation 3:14). Throughout His life and teachings, Jesus testified of the truth of our Father in heaven, who is merciful and loving, and of His word. This is the testimony of Jesus—the testimony that John, the disciples, and the end-time people of Revelation 12 hold on to. For Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching you are really my disciples” (John 8:31 NIV).