Ellen G. White and Her Critics

An Objection Considered

As to the expression “testimony of Jesus” we have guidance, in that we have a divine definition. But let us lay this aside for the moment, and look to the Old and the New Testament records, to see whether we can ascertain what this expression means. EGWC 554.4

Some who are not too favorable to the Advent Movement tell us that this should be understood not as “the spirit of prophecy” but as “the spirit of this prophecy,” their evident intent being that it means the book of Revelation itself. Reference is made to seven expressions in the last chapter of the Bible; namely, “in this book” (verses 18, 19), “the sayings of the prophecy of this book” (verses 7, 10), “the sayings of this book ((verse 9), “the words of the prophecy of this book” ((verse 18), and “the words of the book of this prophecy” ((verse 19). EGWC 554.5

So they say, inasmuch as John used a similar expression with the word “this” seven times, he naturally indicates what prophecy he has in mind. It is this prophecy; it is this book of the prophecy—the Revelation—so the expression should read, “The spirit of this prophecy.” EGWC 555.1

This claim, however, will not bear the test of investigation, because in the original Greek there is no justification for the word “this” in connection with the expression “spirit of prophecy.” The Bible translators saw no reason to use the word “this,” for it is not in the Greek text of this expression. It is a fact, however, that in the seven references made to the book of this prophecy, the word “this” is found not only in our English text but also in the Greek text. Hence, it must be clear to anyone, that if the apostle John in recording the words of the angel had meant “this” to be understood with the expression “spirit of prophecy,” he would have used it in order to convey that meaning, but he did not do so. Hence we affirm that the contention is unsupported by the evidence and that this is not what was meant. EGWC 555.2