The Spirit’s Testimony – The Cross and the Crown

Brethren, the Spirit of Christ has never been silent. From the dawn of prophecy until the Word was made flesh, the same Spirit spoke, preparing the world for one great event: the cross and the crown.

Peter wrote, “The Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow” (1 Peter 1:11). Every prophet stood in that stream of divine revelation, declaring a story far greater than themselves.

The Voice of Suffering Heard Before Calvary

Friends, the prophets didn’t speak at random. The Spirit revealed the plan of redemption piece by piece. Isaiah saw it – “Surely He hath borne our griefs and carried our sorrows… He was wounded for our transgressions” (Isaiah 53:4–5). Do you feel the weight of that? Long before the nails, before the scourging, the Spirit painted the portrait of a suffering Savior who would take your guilt upon Himself.

And David saw it, too. In Psalm 22, he wrote of pierced hands and feet, mockers at the cross, and soldiers gambling for His garments. Tell me, who but the Spirit could move a shepherd-king to describe crucifixion centuries before it existed?

Zechariah saw the day coming when Israel would “look upon Me whom they have pierced” (Zechariah 12:10). There, mercy and mourning would meet – repentance flowing from the sight of the crucified Messiah. And Daniel, that prophet of precision, declared that Messiah would be “cut off, but not for Himself” (Daniel 9:26). Why? Because He was cut off for us. For your sins. For mine.

Even Micah saw where redemption would step into history: Bethlehem. “Whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting” (Micah 5:2). The eternal Word would take on flesh in a humble village. Imagine that – the Infinite wrapped in infant form.

The Glory That Followed

But the Spirit didn’t stop at the cross. Oh no, He pointed beyond the tomb! David again spoke by the Spirit: “Thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt Thou suffer Thine Holy One to see corruption” (Psalm 16:10). The grave could not hold Him. Life burst out of death.

Then the Spirit lifted our eyes to the throne: “The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit Thou at my right hand” (Psalm 110:1). There sits the risen Christ – exalted, reigning, waiting until His enemies are made His footstool.

Isaiah saw His everlasting dominion: “Unto us a child is born… and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God… Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end” (Isaiah 9:6–7). From cradle to kingdom, the Spirit proclaimed His glory.

And again, Isaiah saw the Branch from Jesse’s root, filled with the Spirit of the Lord – wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, and the fear of the Lord (Isaiah 11:1–2). Do you see it? The same Spirit who foretold His coming filled Him without measure.

And Habakkuk declared the final vision: “The earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea” (Habakkuk 2:14). From Calvary to the ends of the earth, the gospel spreads – the glory that follows the suffering.

The Spirit’s Testimony Fulfilled

Then the Word Himself walked the dusty road to Emmaus and opened the Scriptures, “beginning at Moses and all the prophets” (Luke 24:27). He showed them how everything – yes, everything – had pointed to Him.

On the day of Pentecost, Peter thundered, reminding the crowd that David spoke of the resurrection (Acts 2:30–31). “His soul was not left in hell, neither did His flesh see corruption.” What David foresaw, Christ fulfilled.

Later, Peter declared again: “Those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all His prophets, that Christ should suffer, He hath so fulfilled” (Acts 3:18). Not one word failed.

The Holy Ghost Himself bore witness through Jeremiah that God would write His law in our hearts and remember our sins no more (Hebrews 10:15–17). That covenant was sealed in blood at the cross.

And our Lord Jesus challenged the scholars: “Search the Scriptures; for they are they which testify of Me” (John 5:39). Every page, every prophecy, every promise – it all speaks of Him.

Finally, Paul declared that this gospel “was promised afore by His prophets in the Holy Scriptures… concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 1:2–4). Raised by the Spirit of holiness, He was declared the Son of God with power!

A Call to the Heart

O my soul, do you hear it? The same Spirit who spoke through the prophets now speaks to us. The testimony has not changed. The cross still saves. The resurrection still conquers. The glory still awaits.

From Genesis to Malachi, the whisper grew into a shout: The Lamb will suffer. The grave will open. The King will reign.

So what will you do with this testimony? Will you believe the Spirit’s witness or ignore His voice? The prophets saw it from afar, but you stand within reach of its fulfillment. The Spirit of Christ still speaks. Listen – and live.