Last time I made the point that the Revelation of Jesus comes to us in the form of a testimony, His testimony, the Testimony of Jesus. Though messengers, like His angel, may testify on His behalf, it still remains His Testimony. Ultimately the Testimony of Jesus, whether carried by men or angels, are enabled to do so through the Holy Spirit, which is also called the ‘Spirit of Prophecy’.
The word testimony in ancient Greek is “martyria” (mar-too-ree’-ah) and is described as the responsibility committed to the prophets to testify concerning future events. But the word ‘testimony’ also has a legal connotation, meaning ‘one who testifies before a judge or gives testimony in a court of law’. When looking at the Testimony of Jesus from a legal perspective, we catch a glimpse into the courts of Heaven and the protocol being enacted. The Testimony of Jesus bears witness in the Heavenly Courts, of all that He is, all that He has accomplished and all that He is entitled to. For example, in nullifying the legal certificates and decrees against us, Col 2:13-15 reads “And even though you were dead in your transgressions and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, he nevertheless made you alive with him, having forgiven all your transgressions. He has destroyed what was against us, a certificate of indebtedness expressed in decrees opposed to us. He has taken it away by nailing it to the cross. Disarming the rulers and authorities, he has made a public disgrace of them, triumphing over them by the cross”. Jesus Testimony endures in the Heavenly courts and testifies in our defence against the rulers and authorities, disarming their claims of outstanding debt, because the Testimony of Jesus declares that the ransom for us has been paid in full, and the righteous requirements of the law have been met because He is the Lamb who was slain. In Revelation 5 we see this courtroom in session. The chapter begins “And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals. Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and to lose its seals?” We read there was no one worthy found anywhere, except the Lion of the tribe of Judah, and John sees the Lion as a Lamb, who comes and takes the scroll out of the right hand of Him who is sat on the throne. Jesus was able to take the scroll because of who He is, His Testimony makes Him worthy. Rev 5:9-10 “And they sang a new song, saying: ‘You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth.’”
The Testimony of Jesus not only reveals things to come, but is also used in a judicial sense. His Testimony is of the highest honour, and cannot be refuted by any power of hell, His Testimony gives the legal right to enforce and transact the Eternal Purpose of God. Now the Testimony of Jesus is part of who He is, and is embedded in His wonderful name. His name is higher than any other and is supported by His Testimony, so that when we pray “in the name of Jesus” we are calling upon His Testimony as in a court of law, which gives absolute authority and permission granted for the matter to proceed in our favour. When contemplating the name of Jesus, John Newton who wrote the hymn Amazing Grace also penned these words:
“How sweet the name of Jesus sounds in a believer’s ear! It soothes our sorrows, heals our wounds and drives away our fear.
It makes the wounded spirit whole and calms the troubled breast; ’tis manna to the hungry soul, and to the weary, rest.
O Jesus, shepherd, guardian, friend, my Prophet, Priest, and King, my Lord, my Life, my Way, my End, accept the praise I bring.
How weak the effort of my heart, how cold my warmest thought; but when I see you as you are, I’ll praise you as I ought.
Till then I would your love proclaim with every fleeting breath; and may the music of your name refresh my soul in death.
