Ellen G. White and Her Critics

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Spirit of Prophecy

In the light of all the foregoing considerations we feel there is good reason for understanding the expression “testimony of Jesus” as “His testimony,” or the testimony, or witness, Christ bears in and through His servants to whom the prophetic gift has been granted. EGWC 554.2

But what about the expression “spirit of prophecy”? What does this mean? We have already noticed that it is used but once in the entire Bible, and that in Revelation 19:10. Furthermore, we have no exact counterpart of this expression in Holy Scripture to guide us. There are, of course, terms similar in meaning, such as “the gift of the Holy Ghost.” There are also other expressions similar in form, such as “the Spirit of life” (Revelation 11:11), “the spirit of glory” (1 Peter 4:14), “the Spirit of grace” (Hebrews 10:29). But never do we find the expression “spirit of prophecy” in any other passage in the Sacred Scriptures. EGWC 554.3