A spirit of revelation (III) The testimony of Jesus

I was struck by hearing recently of a young man with whom two different people had shared the gospel.  With one it had gone completely over his head, in fact he was not even really listening.  With the other he sat, and although he said nothing,  was listing with rapt attention.The second person had recently been delivered cold turkey  from a six year crack cocaine addiction.  And perhaps the  difference in how it was received can be best described as “the power of a changed life.” It is not about being mature or having it all together. Frankly after six years of addiction his life is a mess. No,  it’s about being in the process of being changed,  and of having the joy and peace of the Lord. I have been saying that the words that accompany spiritual revelation are spiritually discerned, and are mostly nonsense to the World.  So it’s not primarily about the words that were spoken.  We get insight into what is happening here from the  command  “Worship God, for the testimony of Jesus, is the spirit of prophecy”  (Revelation 19:10).

So first, what is the difference/connection between the spirit of revelation and the spirit of prophecy?  Well in one sense nothing, for both are primary about revelation. The main emphasis of New Covenant prophecy is receiving something  (revelation) from God for someone with the purpose of  building  up, encouraging and comforting.  And that someone can be yourself.  I have been saying about Biblical revelation, that it comes with both a deep conviction of truth (I know, that I know, that I know), but also with Grace,  the wherewithal to facilitate the putting of that truth into practice, into incorporating it into our  lives.  And the testimony of Jesus is revelation,  and an invitation in the above tap into truth. In the case I was talking about above, the invitation to be set free (John 8:32).  And it comes with Grace that enables you to do what previously was impossible.  It’s possible, but not automatic. We need to respond!

Clearly not everybody is going to have the testimony of being  delivered from crack cocaine.  But the testimony of my friend is in fact prophetic to you and me in the sense that firstly,  it is an invitation to be in the process of being changed “from one degree of glory to another” (2 Corinthians 3:18).  Secondly since the spirit of prophecy is revelation it comes with available  Grace to do enter into this.  But,  as with all prophecy, we have to contend for it, it does not happen automatically.  And again as I keep saying over and over, part of this is our need to deal with the issues that keep us stuck. And we all have issues, I think it is fairly safe to say that none of us has arrived (1 Corinthians 10:12).  If you doubt that can you confess to having life in all it’s fullness (John 10:10b)? In any case we need  to press in and continue to present our bodies as living sacrifices holy and acceptable to God this is our reasonable service. In particular, in view of His tender mercies,  anything less is unreasonable (Romans 12:1 NKJV).

Father, I want to thank You this morning for the encouragement of young Christians. They are so on fire and so challenging. It is so easy for it to get old Lord. So I pray this morning for myself and all those reading this that You will restore the joy and passion of our salvation in Jesus Name Amen