“32 There is another who bears witness about me, and I know that the testimony that he bears about me is true. 36 But the testimony that I have is greater than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to accomplish, the very works that I am doing, bear witness about me that the Father has sent me. 37 And the Father who sent me has himself borne witness about me. His voice you have never heard, his form you have never seen, (John5:32 – 37)

18 I am the one who bears witness about myself, and the Father who sent me bears witness about me.” John 8:18

9 If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater, for this is the testimony of God that he has borne concerning his Son. 10 Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne concerning his Son. 11 And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 1 John 5:9 -11

  2.  Jesus self – testimony during his earthly life

Jesus contains in himself the totality of the fullness of the witness of God because he is the eternal Word (John 1:1; 1 John 1:1).  His whole identity is that of a witness.

39 You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me…46 If you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me.  John 5:39, 46

14 Jesus answered, “Even if I do bear witness about myself, my testimony is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going, but you do not know where I come from or where I am going. (John 8:14cf. v.18)

37 Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” (John 18:37)

11 Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony… 32 He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony. 33 Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true. (John 3:11, 32-33)

16 So Jesus answered them, “My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me. (John 7:16)

40 but now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did. (John 8:40)

36 But the testimony that I have is greater than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to accomplish, the very works that I am doing, bear witness about me that the Father has sent me. (John 5:36)

  3. Jesus post- ascension testimony

17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last,Rev 1:17

8 “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life. Rev 2:8

‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation.”Rev 3:14

12 “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay everyone for what he has done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” Rev 22:12 – 13

  4. The Spirit Witnesses to Jesus

26 “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. John 15:26

“And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.” Acts5:32  (Compare Acts 1:8.)

7 For there are three that testify: 8 the Spirit and the water and the blood; and these three agree. (1 John 5:7- 8)

  5.  Miscellaneous Pre –Christian Witnesses to Jesus

There are various earthly witnesses to Jesus: John the Baptist 34 And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.” (John 1:29- 34) 33 You sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth. (John5:33);the Samaritan woman 39 Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me all that I ever did.”  (John 4:39)

  6. Apostles are witnesses.

a. To Jesus own testimony

13 I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, (1 Tim 6:13) Rev 1:5 5 and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth.

b. To his resurrection

Acts 1:22;2:32;3:15;4:33 And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.;5:32;10:39- 42;13:31

c. This witness constitutes their apostolicity

1. Corporately – Acts 1:8, 21- 22.

2. Individually

a. Peter

1 Pet 5:1 So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed:

b. John

In his Gospel (John 19:35; 25:24); the letters 2 the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us 1 John 1:2; Revelation The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, 2 who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. 3 Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near. Rev 1:1- 2

John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus (Rev 1:9).

c. Paul

His call to be an apostle is a call to be a witness

14 And he said, ‘The God of our fathers appointed you to know his will, to see the Righteous One and to hear a voice from his mouth; 15 for you will be a witness for him to everyone of what you have seen and heard. Acts 22:14 – 15 16 But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you, Acts 26:16  Cf. if Christ did not rise we are false witnesses 1 Cor 15:15

  7. All Christians are Witnesses to Jesus

Paul expects this of Timothy (2 Tim 1:8).  However, almost all the material is in the Johannine wrings (1 John 4:14- 15), especially Revelation.  Antipas, my witness Rev 2:13; those slain for their testimony Rev 6:9; 11 And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death….17 Then the dragon became furious with the woman and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus. And he stood on the sand of the sea. (Rev 12:11, 17)

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 cf. Rev 20:4)

7. The Accumulated Witness

God is amassing evidence against the human race for its rebellion.  This evidence is embedded in the history of the struggle of his people against the forces of darkness, human and spiritual.

C: The Nature of Witness

1.  The Content of Testimony is the History of the Word Incarnate

The life of Jesus as the Word made flesh (John 1:14) i.e. spoken (Heb 1:2) is the/his testimony to the Father.  Nothing is excluded from this truth which is the person of Jesus (John 14:6;18:37; Eph 4:21).  It was this Word who was spoken through the Old Testament prophets e.g. Luke 24:25-27, 44- 47; John 5:45 -47; 1 Pet 1:11.

The “coming” of the Word (“the Word of the LORD came to”) constitutes the reality of Old Testament prophecy – Gen 15:1; 1 Sam 15:10; 1 Ki 17:2; Isa 38:4; Jer 1:2; Ezek 1:1; Hos 1:1; Joel 1:1; Jon 1:1; Mic 1:1; Zeph 1:1; Hag 1:1; Zech 1:1.  The last example of this phenomenon seems to be John the Baptist (Luke 3:2).

The Word of the Lord never “came” to Jesus.  This is because the history of Jesus is the history of the Word in the world (John 1:9- 10).  Since Jesus is the utterance of the Word, the Father gives the Spirit to Jesus “without measure”.  34 For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. 35 The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. (John 3:34 -35 cf. John 17:2; Matt 28:18). The prophetic testimony of Jesus not a dimension of his life, it is its full expression.

When Jesus speaks, his “Truly, truly, I say unto you…” (John 1:51; 3:3, 5, 11, 5:19, 24; 6:26, 32, 47, 57; 8:34, 51, 58; 10:1, 7; 12:24; 13:16, 20, 21, 38, 14:12, 16:20, 23; 21:18) is equivalent to the Old Testament “thus says the LORD”.  This use, that is, of a double non – responsive “Amen” as an opening formula, is unique in all extant literature.

The title of Jesus in Revelation 3:14, “‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation.” refers back to Isaiah 65:16 16 So that he who blesses himself in the land shall bless himself by the God of truth (Elohe amen), and he who takes an oath in the land shall swear by the God of truth; because the former troubles are forgotten and are hidden from my eyes. N.b. the Greek word for “true” witness is the same as that in the L.X.X.  for “God of truth” (alethinos).  These are the only two places in the Bible where “Amen” is a title.  (Cf. “the faithful witness in heaven” Ps 88:38 LXX; Job 16:19 “my witness is in heaven, and he who testifies for me is on high”)

This means Jesus words are fully God’s words.

2. The Testimony of Jesus includes all the Purposes of the Father

In defining himself against false gods in the Old Testament, particularly in Isaiah 40 -55, the LORD makes various claims to the uniqueness of his deity.  This comes across in references to his eternity (Isa 41:4; 44:6; 48:12) and his ability to declare the future (Isa 44:7; 48:3, 5, 6).

6 Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: “I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god. 7 Who is like me? Let him proclaim it.  Let him declare and set it before me, since I appointed an ancient people. Let them declare what is to come, and what will happen. 8 Fear not, nor be afraid; have I not told you from of old and declared it? And you are my witnesses! Is there a God besides me? There is no Rock; I know not any.” (Isa 44:6 -8)

Unlike the idols, his creatorship (Isa 48:13) gives him sovereignty over history (Isa 41:2- 4).  This means that glory is his alone (Isa 48:11).

3 “The former things I declared of old; they went out from my mouth and I announced them; then suddenly I did them and they came to pass.4 Because I know that you are obstinate, and your neck is an iron sinew and your forehead brass,5 I declared them to you from of old , before they came to pass I announced them to you, lest you should say, ‘My idol did them, my carved image and my metal image commanded them.’6 “You have heard; now see all this; and will you not declare it? From this time forth I announce to you new things, hidden things that you have not known. 7 They are created now, not long ago; before today you have never heard of them, lest you should say, ‘Behold, I knew them.’ 8 You have never heard, you have never known, from of old your ear has not been opened. For I knew that you would surely deal treacherously, and that from before birth you were called a rebel. 9 “For my name’s sake I defer my anger, for the sake of my praise I restrain it for you, that I may not cut you off. 10 Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tried you in the furnace of affliction. 11 For my own sake, for my own sake, I do it, for how should my name be profaned? My glory I will not give to another. 12 “Listen to me, O Jacob, and Israel, whom I called! I am he; I am the first, and I am the last. 13 My hand laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand spread out the heavens; when I call to them, they stand forth together. (Isa 48:3- 13)

The incarnation means that these prerogatives are now shared with the humanity of Jesus.  In terms of the declaration of “things to come”, these now no longer focus on salvation – history as it relates to Israel’s place amongst the nations, but the future of Jesus Christ, in particular, his second coming.  In the End, Christ will head up all things (1 Cor 15:25 – 27; Eph 1:10; Heb 1:2) and fill all things (Eph 1:22-23;4:10)

In relation to glory, the glory of God is now inseparable from that of Jesus (Matt 16:27; John 1:14 “we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father”; 17:5; 2 Cor 3:18; 4:4, 6; Heb 1:3 “He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature”; Rev 5:13). The express identification between God’s self -witness in Isaiah and Jesus’ testimony to himself is found in Revelation.

Jesus is the “first and last” (Rev. 1: 17; 2: 8; 22: 13) the “Alpha and Omega” (Rev. 22: 13), the “beginning and the end” (Rev. 22: 13). As the “beginning”, he is the starting point of creation, and as the “end” he is its goal. In the purpose of the Father creation moves from Christ to Christ,” all things have been created through him and for him” (Col. 1:16).  Jesus is both origin and goal of creation.  Implicit in this is his sovereignty over all events in between.

As the “firstborn of all creation” he is its leader, chief, Lord and pilot (Col. 1: 15). To say “in him all things hold together” (Col. 1: 17) is to state that he is the source of the inner ordering of the cosmos, the basis of all its true relationships.

The title in Revelation 3:14 ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation.” seems to add another dimension.  If the background to the “Amen” formula is Isaiah 65:16, the background to the witness appears to be Isaiah 43:10, 12- 13 (L.X.X).  This states that Israel(v.10, 12), the Servant of the Lord (v.10) and God are witnesses (vv 10, 12), and in God’s case, “from the beginning” (v.13).  In Isaiah 43:18- 19 the restoration God is about to achieve is a new creation.  This suggests that Jesus is the inaugurator the new creation.  In his resurrection and exaltation to heaven, he is the first stage of the fulfilment of Isaiah’s (ch. 65:17 ff.) prophecy of a new creation.  This is what qualifies him to be the faithful and true witness to God’s (achieved) purposes for the restoration of all things.

3. The Testimony relates to the Mystery of God

5 And the angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land raised his right hand to heaven 6 and swore by him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and what is in it, the earth and what is in it, and the sea and what is in it, that there would be no more delay, 7 but that in the days of the trumpet call to be sounded by the seventh angel, the mystery of God would be fulfilled, just as he announced to his servants the prophets….11 And I was told, “You must again prophesy about many peoples and nations and languages and kings.” (Rev 10: 5- 7,11).

25 Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept *secret for long ages 26 but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings (scriptures of the prophets) has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith— 27 to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen. (Rom 16:25 -27)

a. The mystery is hidden in God.

The content of the revelation is a mystery because it is something that has eternally existed (“the one living unto the ages of the ages” (Rev 10:6); kept secret for long ages (Rom 16:25, 27)  in God ( “sealed up” Deut 32:34- 35; “of God” Rev 10:7) Cf. “and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things” (Eph 3:9).

b. The mystery revealed to prophets and apostles is the gospel.

This mystery is made known to God’s servants the OT prophets (Am 3:7; Dan 12:7) and to NT prophets and apostles (Luke 11:49; Rom 16:26; Eph 3:5; Rev 10:10). Since this eternal plan is “announced (euangelidzo) to his servants the prophets” (Rev 10:7; Luke 24:44, 47; Acts 3:21) and apostles it concerns the gospel.( euangelion).

c. The revealed mystery constitutes testimony.

When the mystery is made public it constitutes testimony. (It is no longer “sealed” in God (Deut 32:34; 10 And he said to me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near.Rev 22:10). Since in Christ are all the treasures of judgement and salvation (Col 2:3) this is co- extensive with the testimony of Jesus.

d. Suffering is central to the mystery.

An essential aspect of the mystery is that the witnesses of God suffer defeat in this world.  This is the case for the Israelites in Egypt (Ex 2:23; 6:5), the theme of Job, the cry of the psalmist (Ps 25:16 -18; 34:1919 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. etc.).

Suffering is a characteristic of the prophets (1 Ki 18:4; 2 Chron 24:21; Jer 15:18; 45:3).  Jesus suffers (Isa 53:3; Matt 26:37- 38; Luke 24:26; 46 etc.) for his witness to the truth, “For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth” (John 18:37).

The disciples of Jesus must suffer for following him (Matt 10:38; Acts 9:16; Phil 1:29 29 For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake; 1 Thess 3:3 that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this.; 2 Tim 1:8 8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God; Rev 1:9 9 I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.; 2:9 – 10; 6:10; 7:14; 12:11; 16:6; 18:24; 19:2 etc.

d. Testimony increases suffering.

Giving testimony actually increases suffering by causing moral and spiritual pain to those who refuse it.  This is explicit in the response to the two witnesses in Revelation 11:9 -10 9 For three and a half days some from the peoples and tribes and languages and nations will gaze at their dead bodies and refuse to let them be placed in a tomb, 10 and those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them and make merry and exchange presents, because these two prophets had been a torment to those who dwell on the earth.  The hurt the testimony brings to the opponents of God provokes persecution.

The witness to the glory of Christ is taken by evil man as robbing them of the glory that their idols bring them. 44 How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God? John 5:44 (Compare John 12:43; Rom 1:23).

e. The mystery is that the defeat of the righteous leads to the judgement of the wicked.

The language of Revelation 10:6b -7 “that there would be no more delay (hoti chronos ouketi..), 7 but that (hotan)…the mystery of God would be fulfilled (etelesthe)”, parallels the cry of the slain saints in 6:11, 9 When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne. 10 They cried out with a loud voice, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” 11 Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer (eti chronon micron), until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete (heos plerothosin), who were to be killed as they themselves had been.

This reveals that the content of the mystery is that God’s saints suffer, which leads directly to the judgement of their adversaries. (Against the background of Daniel 12:6-  “How long shall it be till the end of these wonders?” 7 And I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream; he raised his right hand and his left hand toward heaven and swore by him who lives forever that it would be for a time, times, and half a time, and that when the shattering of the power of the holy people comes to an end all these things would be finished.  Final judgement comes after the saints are shattered.

Compare Rev 13:5- 7 5 And the beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months. 6 It opened its mouth to utter blasphemies against God, blaspheming his name and his dwelling,  that is, those who dwell in heaven. 7 Also it was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them. And authority was given it over every tribe and people and language and nation, .

There seems to be a consistent biblical sequence relating to the mystery, only after restraint will be removed and the power of evil is released in a seemingly invincible way does the plan of God reach its fulfilment. E.g. Daniel 7:20-27; 2 Thess 2:3 -12 (the restrainer is removed, anti – Christ will be revealed, he leads the rebellion, he is destroyed by the return of Jesus). God’s plan is suddenly and mysteriously fulfilled as the prophets had declared.

This prophetic testimony coheres only in those who abide in God’s word in the midst of suffering.  This is their testimony to the suffering and victory of Jesus.

Luke 24:25 -27  25 And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. Revelation  5:5- 65 And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.” 6 And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain i.e. crucified and raised.

When a person receives the testimony of Jesus, they enter into the line of prophecy that has existed “from the ages” (ap’  aionos),

21 (Jesus) whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago. 22 Moses said, ‘The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you. 23 And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people.’ 24 And all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those who came after him, also proclaimed these days. (Acts 3:21-24)

All the prophets (10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, 11 inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. 1 Pet 1:10-11) embody in themselves God’s testimony of defeat and victory (Matt 23:29- 35).  The apostles understood this was a matter of divine necessity (2 Cor 4:12-12). “that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.” (Phil 3:10-11)

This theme underlies the entire book of Revelation e.g. in the promises to the seven churches, “to him who overcomes….” (2:7, 11, 17, 26, 3:5, 12, 21), also 12:11; 15:2;21:17.  10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. (Rev 2:10).

If only at the End the wisdom of God will be finally revealed to all creation, the wisdom and glory of God is now made known through the gospel (Rom 16:27; Col 1:27;etc) concerning all nations BEFORE the End comes. This is because the plan of God in the creation, redemption and consummation of all things, out of which will come the new heavens and earth, over which God’s family will reign forever, is being enacted in their own lives through their union with Christ.

Out of this universal scope of revelation (Acts 17:26;Rev 10:11) arises the impetus to preach the gospel to all nations.

4. Our Testimony is a Response to the Word of God

The “testimony of Jesus” (Rev 19:10) is a more precise designation of the Word of God (Rev 1:2, 9;12:11; 20:4; Isa 8:20).  The revealed Word spoken is the content and reality of the testimony

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— 2 the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— 3 that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you.  (1 John 1:1 -3)

Revelation is God’s Word to us; testimony is our witness to that word.

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, (2 Pet 1:3) n.b. the immediacy or livingness of the Word must relate to Jesus’ resurrection; the state in which the Word now exists.

21 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. 2 Pet 1:21

Jesus testifies to the content of his resurrected life.  It is a revelation to the disciples of what the Father has shown him, “The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants” Rev 1:1.  The content of our testimony is the testimony of Jesus, the content of his testimony is the testimony of his Father.  This witness of Jesus is communicated to us in union with Christ.  It is our testimony to Jesus because it is a share in the testimony of Jesus.

“the testimony borne by Jesus is the concern or burden of the Spirit who inspires prophecy.” (Beasley –Murray)

“It is the Gospel of the Cross that gives to the prophets their assurance of their mission and ultimate success.” (Caird)

“the self –revelation of Jesus moves the Christian prophets…the impulse and subject of their utterances.  The motives and material for genuine prophecy consist in the readiness to allow the Spirit of Jesus to bring the truth of God before the mind and conscience.”  (Moffat)

5. Sharing in the Testimony of Jesus Requires Abiding in the Word

Abiding is a spiritual union that brings about an internalisation of the incarnate Word, the result of which is having the testimony of Jesus. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. (Col 3:16).

Abiding in the love of the Father and Son brings revelation of their relationship as it has worked itself out in the history of Jesus.

9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. (John 15:9- 10).

24 Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father. (1 John 2:24)

15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. (1 John 4:15)

9 Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. (2 John 9)

Believers are said to “have the testimony” (1 John 5:10a; Rev 6:9; 12:17; 19:10). 10 Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne concerning his Son. 1 John 5:10a

By communion with the risen Lord, we know the difference between the spirit of truth and of error.

4 Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 5 They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them. 6 We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error. 1 John 4:4- 6 (n.b. parallel with John18:3737. for this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”)

6. The Spirit Empowers the Witness

The language of S/spirit is the language of intimacy.  63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is of no avail. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. John 6:63.  Because Jesus’ words are “spirit” and not flesh (cf. John 3:6) they are creative and life communicating.  30 When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. (John 19:30) For Jesus to give up spirit is for him to give up his life to the Father.

Paul relates S/spirit to the life of the sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him Rom 8:15- 17

Since the Spirit is the Spirit of Jesus (Acts 16:7), he can only bear witness to Jesus’ sonship.  This is to testify to a Father who endows an inheritance received through ordeal and apparent defeat.

The Word of Christ (Rom10:17;Col3:16) is given in revelation and the testimony is spoken through the S/spirit.  To speak out of our spirits is to speak out of our relationship with the Father and Son in the Spirit.  (Rom8:16; 1Cor14:3232 and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets; Gal 4:4- 6; Rev 22:6 6 And he said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. And the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants what must soon take place.”) This is prophecy.  It is a function of that life known and constituted by revelation.

The apostle John understands all prophecy to be a testimony of the human spirit that has received the revelation of Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit.

9 I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet 11 saying, 1 John 1:9- 11

10 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

The life of the Holy Spirit is the knowledge (as participation) that he has of the Father – Son relationship.  He knows the deep things of God.

10 these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. 11 For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. 13 And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual (1 Cor2:10 -13)

This impartation must be the testimony of Jesus from within the life of God himself.

7. There is a False Testimony in the World

Humanity’s guilt consists not in the fact that it lacks testimony, but that it rejects and distorts what is revealed.  False witness is exposed by true witness.

a. In the context of the witness of God in creation

Rom 1:19 -2319 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they did not honour him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles. Acts 14:15,17 15 “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them….17 “Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.”

b. In the impotency of idols to declare saving history.

The one Creator God is replaced with a multiplicity of gods so that his glory is stolen.  This is a recurrent theme in Israel’s religious history Isa 43:10, 12; 44:6; 48:5 I declared them to you from of old , before they came to pass I announced them to you, lest you should say, ‘My idol did them, my carved image and my metal image commanded them.’  It is also an issue with the nations e.g. Deut 32:16- 17; Ps 106:36; Acts 17:16; Rev 13:14

Breaking the covenant testimony in nature and revealed law is what provokes God to jealousy Ex 20:5; 34:14; Deut 5:9; 4:23 -24; 6:14 – 15; 32:16, 21; Josh 24:19; 1 Ki 19:10; Ezek 8:3; 36:5 -6; Rev 9:20.

c. In relation to human empires

God’s word to those nations who testify to their own sovereign glory is always an oracle of judgement

 ● Assyria– 15 This is the exultant city that lived securely, that said in her heart, “I am, and there is no one else.” What a desolation she has become, a lair for wild beasts! Everyone who passes by her hisses and shakes his fist. (Zephaniah 2:15)

● Babylon – 8 Now therefore hear this, you lover of pleasures,
who sit securely, who say in your heart, “I am, and there is no one besides me; I shall not sit as a widow or know the loss of children”: 9 These two things shall come to you in a moment, in one day; the loss of children and widowhood shall come upon you in full measure, in spite of your many sorceries and the great power of your enchantments. (Isaiah 47:8 – 9)

● Rome –7 As she glorified herself and lived in luxury, so give her a like measure of torment and mourning, since in her heart she says, ‘I sit as a queen, I am no widow, and mourning I shall never see.’ 8 For this reason her plagues will come in a single day, death and mourning and famine, and she will be burned up with fire;
for mighty is the Lord God who has judged her.” (Rev 18:7- 8)

d. In relation to the witness of false prophets

Both Old (Deut 18:9- 14, 21- 22; Jer14:14-16;5:30- 31;23:23- 32; Ezek12:24- 25 etc.) and New Testaments (Matt 24:23- 27; 2 Thess2:10-12; Rev 13;16:13) warn against false prophecy

Wherever “false prophet” is used in the Gospels and letters it speaks of falsehood within the covenant community (Matt 7:15; 24:11, 24; Mark 13:22; Luke 6:26; Acts 13:6; 2 Pet 2:1; 1 John 4:1).  This suggests that “the false prophet” of Revelation is also operative (at least) within the church.

11 Then I saw another beast rising out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb and it spoke like a dragon. 12 It exercises all the authority of the first beast in its presence, and makes the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose mortal wound was healed. 13 It performs great signs, even making fire come down from heaven to earth in front of people, 14 and by the signs that it is allowed to work in the presence of the beast it deceives those who dwell on earth, telling them to make an image for the beast that was wounded by the sword and yet lived. 15 And it was allowed to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast might even speak and might cause those who would not worship the image of the beast to be slain. 16 Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave,  to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, 17 so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name. 18 This calls for wisdom: let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666 (Rev 13:11- 18; cf. Rev 16:13- 14.)

Such false witnesses are always pictured as condemned 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Matt 7:19; 26 “Woe to you, when all people speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets.” Luke 6:26; 10 (Paul) said, “You son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord? 11 And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and unable to see the sun for a time.” Immediately mist and darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking people to lead him by the hand. Acts 13:10- 11; But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. 2 Pet 2:1;Rev 19:20;20:10)

e. In relation to the perverse testimony of antichrist.

These texts always terminate in judgement.

● Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction,  4 who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God. 5 Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? 6 And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time. 7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way. 8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming. (2 Thess 2:3 – 4, 8)

● And the ten horns that you saw are ten kings who have not yet received royal power, but they are to receive authority as kings for one hour, together with the beast. 13 These are of one mind and hand over their power and authority to the beast. 14 They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.”Rev 19:2020 And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence had done the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulphur.Rev 20:1010 and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulphur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. (Rev 17:12- 14)

To accept the testimony of Jesus is to accept the restoration that is in Christ (that is Christ), to reject the testimony is to remain in corruption and to perish.

8. The Purpose of Prophetic Testimony

Fallen human beings have a “future shaped blank” inside of themselves.  Those systems that promise a future without moral demands upon a person are most acceptable.  (This would seem to be the case for many contemporary prosperity based theologies.)

Sometimes the community is not prophetically functional.  Most of the churches in Revelation 2- 3 are denying the Word of God.  Without the word of truth, or witness, “(no) true impact is made in and upon a world that lives a lie.” (Bingham). Without prophecy, the truth is never communicated.

18 Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law. (Prov 29:18) “when God does not speak directly to man, and especially to his people, they imagine, in their sinfulness, that God is no longer directly concerned with them.”  (Bingham).  In other words, the life of the people of God will always reflect the status of and submission to the prophetic word.  For this reason, the prophetic witness is essential to human life.

Prophetic truth is “the testimony of Jesus” to God.  Unless God gives this to his servants there is no effective proclamation.  According to scripture (Isa 55:10- 11) the prophetic word is always dynamic, God himself was speaking demanding a response. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. (2 Cor 5:20)

The prophet’s word is intended to prepare the people for what will happen and motivate them to obedience. Jesus’ testimony to the Father did not conclude at the ascension but includes what he is now doing. The prophetic role is essentially to motivate the church to share in this testimony

“To bear testimony to Jesus means to have his testimony within us, and to have it as the primary consideration within our lives.  The propagation of this is the very purpose of our lives.”  (Bingham) The whole life of the Christian community is meant to be prophetic.