The Prophetic Power of Testimony: Revealing God's Heart and Mind

"The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” (Revelation 19:10)

When we hear the word "prophecy," many think of predicting the future. While biblical prophecy does include foretelling, it is just as much—if not more—about forth-telling: revealing God’s heart and mind to His people right there, right then.

 Luke 22:11-12 "And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say, 12. For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”

The prophets of the Old Testament were not just predictors of future events; they were spokespersons for God, calling His people to repentance, trust, and obedience. In the New Testament, we see an even deeper connection between prophecy and testimony. Revelation 19:10 declares: “The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”

This means that when we testify about what Jesus has done, we are engaging in a prophetic act—revealing His presence, power, and purpose in a way that invites others to encounter Him personally.

Prophecy as Sharing God's Heart

Paul exhorts believers to: “Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.” (1 Corinthians 14:1)

Why is prophecy emphasized? Because prophecy edifies, encourages, and comforts (1 Cor. 14:3). True prophecy expresses God's heart—His desires, His warnings, and His love for His people.

Old Testament prophets like Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Micah were not just predicting events; they were revealing God's grief over sin, His longing for repentance, and His promises of redemption.

“He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8)

This same prophetic purpose is fulfilled when believers share their testimony of what God has done in their lives.

"Come and See" vs. "Go and Tell"

In the Gospels, two powerful invitations emerge:

1. "Come and See"

When Philip invited Nathanael to meet Jesus, he simply said, "Come and see" (John 1:46). Similarly, the Samaritan woman told her town, "Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did" (John 4:29).

2. "Go and Tell"

Jesus often instructed those He healed or transformed to share their experience: “Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how He has had mercy on you.” (Mark 5:19)

After the resurrection, Jesus told His disciples, "Go and make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:19).

Both invitations apply to us today. Our testimony invites others to "come and see" what God has done, and it commissions us to "go and tell" how His grace has transformed our lives.

Your Testimony as a Prophetic Invitation

When you share your testimony, you are not just recounting past events—you are revealing God's active presence in your life. The Holy Spirit uses personal testimonies to convict, encourage, and draw people to Jesus.

“If all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all, the secrets of his heart are disclosed, and so, falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among you.” (1 Corinthians 14:24-25)

Your testimony can be a doorway for the Holy Spirit to speak into the lives of others.

Conclusion: Walking in the Prophetic Power of Testimony

To prophesy is to declare God's truth—His heart, His mind, and His redemptive work. Your testimony is a prophetic tool in God’s hands, revealing Christ to a world in need.

When you share what He has done and is doing in your life, you fulfill the calling to speak forth God's heart, bringing others into an encounter with Him.

So, let your life be a living prophecy. "Come and see." "Go and tell." Let the testimony of Jesus be the spirit of prophecy in your life, pointing others to the One who saves, transforms, and restores.

The Best Advice!

I think what Jesus told the woman caught in adultery when he said, "now go and sin no more," is the best advice anyone could be given. It is a call to all who have been forgiven to be “blameless.”

In John 8:11, Jesus tells the woman caught in adultery, "Neither do I condemn you," He follows with, Go, and from now on sin no more." This instruction is powerful, as it not only declares her forgiven but also sets a new standard for her life moving forward.

This directive can be seen as a call to live a life that aligns with God's will—a life of holiness and righteousness that reflects a change brought about by encountering Jesus. It emphasizes that forgiveness isn't just about absolution but also about a renewed commitment to living according to God’s principles. Thus, it suggests that those who are forgiven are called to pursue a blameless life as a response to the grace they have received.

The call to live a blameless life, as Jesus suggests, can feel daunting because, as humans, we are all prone to making mistakes and sinning—even with the best intentions.

The Bible acknowledges this human condition. For example, 1 John 1:8 says, "If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." This passage underscores the ongoing struggle with sin that believers face. However, it also points to the grace available through Christ, as the next verse offers reassurance: "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Trying and sometimes failing is a shared experience for those who are Born Again. It highlights the importance of grace, continuous repentance, and the Holy Spirit's role in sanctification—the process of being made holy over time. Rather than a demand for immediate perfection, Jesus' instruction to "go and sin no more" can be seen as an encouragement to pursue righteousness while relying on God’s strength and forgiveness when we fall short. This aligns with the idea of living a life dependent on God’s guidance and care, and being transformed by an ongoing relationship with Him through the Holy Spirit.

So, if we consider Jesus Christ our "Savior", by Grace. We should also consider Him "Lord" by that same grace. When we accept Him as Savior, acknowledging that it is by grace through faith that we are saved (Ephesians 2:8-9), we also recognize His sovereignty over our lives, thereby accepting Him as Lord.

The title "Lord" implies authority, leadership, and control. To call Jesus "Lord" is to submit to His will, obey His teachings, and align our lives according to His purposes. This is not just a declaration of belief but a commitment to action—it means actively seeking His guidance in all areas of life and striving to reflect His character.

This relationship of grace is reciprocal and dynamic. Just as we receive grace in salvation, we continue to depend on that grace to empower and enable us to live under His lordship. This understanding deeply connects with the idea of God’s Guidance, Provision and Care, and living out a radical dependence on Him.

By grace, He saves us. Through faith, we make Him Lord.

By grace, we are saved—this is entirely God's gift, not based on our works, so that no one can boast (Ephesians 2:8-9). This saving grace is accessed through faith, an act of trust and surrender to Jesus as our Savior.

Making Jesus Lord of our lives is the natural progression of that faith. When we believe in Him, we not only trust Him for salvation but also commit to His lordship, which means acknowledging His authority, obeying His commands, and conforming our lives to His will. This act of making Jesus Lord is both a decision and a process. It starts with a decision to give Him control but continues as a daily process of yielding to the Holy Spirit, who helps us to live according to God's ways.This concept also aligns with the Biblical principle that faith without works is dead (James 2:17). The faith that saves us is also supposed to transform us, leading to a life that evidences His lordship through our actions, decisions, and interactions. This transformative journey is underpinned by grace, enabling us to grow in Christ-likeness and to live out our calling in the kingdom of God effectively.

Our Salvation? Access! Hints to His Lordship. Our transformation.

Ephesians 3:11-12 NIV

11 according to His eternal purpose that He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 In Him and through faith in Him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.