Believe His Prophets

Names Applied to the Messages of the Prophets

It is important that we find the various terms used in the Bible to designate the messages spoken or written by the prophets. In these there is a clue as to their use, application, and significance. They are as follows: BHP 34.2

1. Prophecy or prophecies (2 Chronicles 9:29; 15:8; 1 Corinthians 13:8). BHP 34.3

2. Word of God (1 Samuel 9:27; 1 Kings 12:22). BHP 35.1

3. The Lord’s message (Haggai 1:13). BHP 35.2

4. Testimonies (2 Kings 17:15; Nehemiah 9:30). BHP 35.3

5. Counsel (Isaiah 44:26). BHP 35.4

6. Burden (Jeremiah 23:33, 38; Isaiah 13:1; 15:1). BHP 35.5

The word “testimony” or “testimonies” is frequently used, and carries with it, among other meanings, that of “intentions.” “The testimony of Jesus” would, therefore, be the “intentions” of God as revealed through Jesus, His angel, and His prophet to the people. The expression “the testimony of Jesus” is used but three times in the whole Bible, in Revelation 12:17 and 19:10. The Biblical meaning of the term is found in the latter verse, “For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” BHP 35.6

Seventh-day Adventists, accepting the whole Bible from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21, believe in God, and in His Word as a revelation of God’s “intentions,” or will, as revealed through the prophets. They believe the gifts of God are available in this our day the same as in apostolic times. BHP 35.7