Discovering the New Covenant by Greg Taylor - exAdventist Outreach

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DISCOVERING THE NEW COVENANT
stand the truth about her gift. But there was such a backlash
against those who were trying to clarify the truth, that some
key Bible teachers were terminated. Unfortunately, the
denomination stepped away from disclosing the full truth
about Ellen G. White. An atmosphere of fear to discuss these
issues prevailed. Today, Adventists have to face this reality
after many more years of ingrained misconceptions.
The Revelation 12:17 statement that the remnant will
keep the commandments of God (which SDAs take to mean
the Ten Commandments) is part of this remnant identity in
the church. The second part of the passage states that this
“remnant” will have the testimony of Jesus. The Adventists
then teach that the Revelation 19:10 statement, "The
testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy,” indicates that
the testimony of Jesus and the prophetic gift are one and the
same. Thus they conclude that the “true church” of the last
days will teach all of God’s commandments, including the
fourth, and will have a prophet. Many SDAs affectionately
call the writings of Ellen White the “Spirit of Prophecy.”
The problem with this interpretation is that it does
injustice to the linguistics and to the context of Revelation.
In Revelation 19:10, the “spirit of prophecy” is a clear
reference to the Holy Spirit. It is another name for the Holy
Spirit that inspired the prophets. This same Spirit is behind
all proclamation of the Gospel. To interpret that the
testimony of Jesus always refers to the prophetic voice
would be to ignore what the rest of Revelation says about the
testimony of Jesus. For example, in Revelation 1:2 it says
that John “bore witness to the word of God and to the
testimony of Jesus Christ, and to all things that he saw.” This
was clearly not a reference to the prophetic gift. He certainly
was not making a reference to Ellen White. In context, it
appears to be a reference to the Gospel message. Now notice
verse 9. Here, John says he was on the Isle of Patmos for
“the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.” Does
this refer to the prophetic gift? No, it is not even a reference