Jesus: The True Spirit of Prophecy

The Testimony of Jesus' Birth and Purpose

John 18:37 CSB
"You are a king then?" Pilate asked. "You say that I'm a king," Jesus replied. "I was born for this, and I have come into the world for this: to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice."

Isaiah 55:4 CSB
Since I have made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander for the peoples,

Luke 24:44-47 CSB
He told them, "These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you-that everything written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms must be fulfilled." [45] Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. [46] He also said to them, "This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead the third day, [47] and repentance for forgiveness of sins will be proclaimed in his name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

Jesus: The Culminating Prophet of the Last Days

Hebrews 1:1-2 CSB
Long ago God spoke to our ancestors by the prophets at different times and in different ways. [2] In these last days, he has spoken to us by his Son. God has appointed him heir of all things and made the universe through him.

Deuteronomy 18:15,18-19 CSB
"The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own brothers. You must listen to him. [18] I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. I will put my words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him. [19] I will hold accountable whoever does not listen to my words that he speaks in my name.

1 John 2:18 CSB
Children, it is the last hour. And as you have heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. By this we know that it is the last hour.

1 Peter 1:20 CSB
He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was revealed in these last times for you.

Revelation 22:18-19 CSB
I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book. [19] And if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share of the tree of life and the holy city, which are written about in this book.

The Central Role of Jesus' Testimony in the New Testament

John 1:7-8 CSB
He came as a witness to testify about the light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but he came to testify about the light.

John 5:31-39 CSB
If I testify about myself, my testimony is not true. There is another who testifies about me, and I know that the testimony he gives about me is true.

John 8:18 CSB
I am the one who testifies about myself, and the Father who sent me testifies about me."

The Affirmation of the Spirit, Water, and Blood

1 John 5:6-13 CSB
Jesus Christ—he is the one who came by water and blood, not by water only, but by water and by blood. And the Spirit is the one who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. For there are three that testify: the Spirit, the water, and the blood—and these three are in agreement. If we accept human testimony, God's testimony is greater, because it is God's testimony that he has given about his Son.

Romans 8:16 CSB
The Spirit himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God's children,

The Culmination at the Cross

John 19:31-37 CSB
But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once blood and water came out. He who saw this has testified so that you also may believe. His testimony is true, and he knows he is telling the truth.

Revelation 1:5 CSB
and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has set us free from our sins by his blood,

Colossians 1:19-20 CSB
For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, [20] and through him to reconcile everything to himself, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

The Prophetic Nature of Jesus' Testimony

Acts 10:43 CSB
All the prophets testify about him that through his name everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins.

Revelation 19:10 CSB
Then I fell at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, "Don't do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers and sisters who hold firmly to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God, because the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

Revelation 12:17 CSB
So the dragon was furious with the woman and went off to wage war against the rest of her offspring-those who keep the commands of God and hold firmly to the testimony about Jesus.

Conclusion

Scripture doesn't merely mention Jesus as an important figure—it illuminates Him as the pinnacle of prophecy, the very heart and culmination of God's revelation to humanity. Every prophet, every vision, every divine whisper that echoed throughout the ages converged in the person and message of Jesus Christ. From Genesis to Revelation, the Word of God pivots around Him, unequivocally confirming that Jesus is not just a part of the story, but He IS the story. The mosaic of verses unfurled before us weaves a tapestry that unmistakably portrays Jesus as the true Spirit of prophecy. The Bible cautions us, with stern clarity, against seeking or adding any prophetic word beyond Him. For in Jesus, prophecy found its fulfillment; in Him, the voice of God found its most profound expression. In a cacophony of voices claiming to possess truth, the voice of Jesus remains peerless, reverberating through time and eternity as the unalterable, undiluted, and absolute truth of God. It is in Jesus, and only in Jesus, that we find the true spirit of prophecy.

Questions that Challenge Your Current Understanding

1. If we take Hebrews 1:1-2 to heart, which states that in the "last days" God spoke through His Son, how does this align with the claims of modern-day prophets? Are they adding to what has been already spoken?
   
   
2. Reflecting on John 18:37, if Jesus came to testify to the truth and those of the truth listen to Him, how should believers discern between His testimony and the words of those who claim to be modern prophets?
   
   
3. Given Deuteronomy 18:15,18-19, if Jesus is the ultimate prophet that the LORD has raised, what is the necessity for further prophets? What can they offer that Jesus hasn’t already?
   
   
4. Considering Revelation 22:18-19's stern warning about adding or subtracting from the words of prophecy, how does this caution against accepting new prophetic revelations that might diverge from biblical teachings?
   
   
5. If Jesus is the culmination of God's revelation to humanity, what implications does this have for those who believe they've received new prophetic messages outside of this revelation?
   
   
6. With 1 John 2:18 indicating that it is the "last hour" and many antichrists have come, how should believers guard against being led astray by individuals claiming to possess new prophetic insights?