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Prophecy:  God’s  Guiding  Gift  

When  God  warned  the  ancient  world  of  the  coming  judgment,  He  used  prophets.  For  
example,  in  the  time  of  the  Exodus,  God  used  Moses  to  lead  the  people  out  of  Egypt  
to  Canaan.  

Moses  was  more  than  a  prophet,  he  was  also  the  leader  of  the  people.  Moses  had  to  
prepare  a  people  for  their  entry  into  the  Promised  Land  and  this  great  event  serves  
as  a  type  for  the  final  gathering  of  God's  people  and  their  entry  into  the  heavenly  
Canaan.  Surely,  if  a  prophet  was  deemed  necessary  for  the  preparation  for  earthly  
Canaan,  how  much  more  so  for  the  heavenly  Canaan.  The  Bible  predicts  that  the  
remnant  will  possess  the  Spirit  of  Prophecy  and  that  the  restoration  of  this  gift  
would  be  one  of  the  issues  that  Satan  would  war  against:  

And  the  dragon  was  wroth  with  the  woman,  and  went  to  make  war  with  the  remnant  
of  her  seed,  which  keep  the  commandments  of  God,  and  have  the  testimony  of  Jesus  
Christ  (Revelation  12:17).  

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

God's  remnant  must  thus  possess  the  Spirit  of  Prophecy  in  order  to  qualify  as  the  
remnant.  There  is  nothing  more  dangerous  to  Satan  than  the  clear  revelation  of  
God's  will,  which  is  why  Satan  tries  to  cast  doubt  on  or  counterfeit  God's  truths.  

It  is  therefore  vital  that  we  understand  the  Biblical  criteria  for  the  manifestation  of  
the  gift  of  prophecy,  and  that  we  understand  the  reasons  why  God  grants  this  gift  in  
the  first  place,  so  that  we  will  not  be  swept  away  by  Satan's  deceptions.  The  
following  articles  are  to  help  you  understand  the  issues  involved  so  you  will  not  be  
deceived.  

Why  Prophecy?    
Sin  Separated  Us  From  God  
When  Adam  and  Eve  sinned,  their  first  impulse  was  to  hide  themselves  from  God  
(Genesis  3:8).  They  hid  because  they  recognized  their  nakedness.  When  God  called  
Adam,  Adam  answered,  "I  heard  thy  voice  in  the  garden,  and  I  was  afraid  because  I  
was  naked;  and  I  hid  myself"  (Genesis  3:10).  

Adam  and  Eve  were  stripped  of  their  cloak  of  righteousness  and  stood  naked  before  
God.  Sin  caused  a  separation  between  God  and  humankind  (Isaiah  59:2),  and  only  in  
Christ  are  we  reconciled  to  God.  "For  if,  when  we  were  enemies,  we  were  reconciled  
to  God  by  the  death  of  his  Son,  much  more,  being  reconciled,  we  shall  be  saved  by  
his  life"  (Romans  5:10).  

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The  message  of  reconciliation  has  been  entrusted  to  the  Church—to  the  Old  
Testament  Church  in  type,  and  the  New  Testament  Church  in  truth.  

And  all  things  are  of  God,  who  hath  reconciled  us  to  himself  by  Jesus  Christ,  and  hath  
given  to  us  the  ministry  of  reconciliation;  To  wit,  that  God  was  in  Christ,  reconciling  
the  world  unto  himself,  not  imputing  their  trespasses  unto  them;  and  hath  committed  
unto  us  the  word  of  reconciliation.  Now  then  we  are  ambassadors  for  Christ,  as  though  
God  did  beseech  you  by  us:  we  pray  you  in  Christ's  stead,  be  ye  reconciled  to  God  (2  
Corinthians  5:18-­20).  

In  Christ  we  are  reconciled  with  God.  But  as  long  as  sin  exists,  face-­‐to-­‐face  
communication  with  God  is  not  possible.  The  brightness  of  His  glory  would  consume  
us.  Whenever  God  has  revealed  Himself  to  humans,  it  was  either  in  a  dream  or  God  
veiled  His  glory.  When  God  spoke  to  Israel  from  Mount  Sinai,  He  warned  them  that  
they  would  die  if  they  came  too  close.  

The  presence  of  God,  although  veiled  in  thick  clouds,  was  so  impressive  that  the  
people  requested  Moses  to  speak  to  them  the  words  of  God,  lest  they  should  die  
from  the  voice  of  God  (Exodus  20:19).  Even  in  vision,  the  prophets  felt  that  they  
would  die  in  the  presence  of  God.  

So  I  said,  'Woe  is  me,  for  I  am  undone!  Because  I  am  a  man  of  unclean  lips,  And  I  dwell  
in  the  midst  of  people  of  unclean  lips;  for  my  eyes  have  seen  the  King,  The  LORD  of  
hosts  (Isaiah  6:5  NKJV).  

In  New  Testament  times,  the  situation  was  no  different.  When  John  saw  Jesus  in  vision,  
he  fell  as  dead  (Revelation  1:17).  

One  day  it  will  be  possible  again  to  stand  before  God  and  speak  to  Him  face  to  face,  
"For  now  we  see  in  a  mirror,  dimly,  but  then  face  to  face:  Now  I  know  in  part,  but  then  
I  shall  know  just  as  I  also  am  known"  (1  Corinthians  13:12  NKJV).  

Our  communication  is  hindered,  but  it  will  be  restored.  "For  we  know  in  part  and  we  
prophesy  in  part:  But  when  that  which  is  perfect  has  come,  then  that  which  is  in  part  
will  be  done  away"  (1  Corinthians  13:9-­10  NKJV).  

How  God  Communicates  with  His  People  

The  greatest  gift  to  fallen  people  is  the  gift  of  God's  own  Son,  "For  God  so  loved  the  
world,  that  he  gave  his  only  begotten  Son,  that  whosoever  believeth  in  him  should  
not  perish,  but  have  everlasting  life"  (John  3:16).  

The  greatest  words  ever  spoken  were  the  words  of  Christ  when  He  walked  on  the  
earth.  God  did  not  leave  His  children  without  words  of  life  before  the  incarnation  of  
the  Son  of  God,  and  neither  did  He  leave  them  orphans  after  the  resurrection.  
Throughout  the  ages,  God  communicated  His  will  through  His  servants  the  
prophets:  

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Surely  the  Lord  GOD  will  do  nothing,  but  he  revealeth  his  secret  unto  his  servants  the  
prophets"  (Amos  3:7).  

These  prophets  did  not  speak  their  own  words,  but  revealed  God's  will  to  people:  

...for  the  prophecy  came  not  in  old  time  by  the  will  of  man,  but  holy  men  of  God  spake  
as  they  were  moved  by  the  Holy  Ghost"  (2  Peter  1:21).  

Prophets,  chosen  by  God,  have  been  used  by  God  since  the  fall  (Acts  3:21).  

Enoch  was  the  first  prophet  mentioned  in  the  Scriptures:  

And  Enoch  also,  the  seventh  from  Adam,  prophesied  of  these,  saying,  Behold,  the  Lord  
cometh  with  ten  thousands  of  saints  (Jude  14).  

Since  Enoch,  there  have  been  numerous  prophets,  both  male  and  female.  Some  
prophets  were  instructed  by  God  to  write  His  words  on  a  scroll,  and  some  of  these  
writings  form  a  part  of  the  Scriptures.  Other  prophets  and  prophetesses  are  
mentioned  in  the  Bible  whose  writings  were  not  taken  up  in  the  canon.  Old  
Testament  examples  include  Nathan,  Gad,  and  Huldah  the  prophetess.  How  did  the  
Early  Church  choose  what  to  include  in  the  canon?  

In  New  Testament  times,  the  prophets  included  Simeon,  Anna,  Agabus,  Barnabas,  
and  Philip's  four  daughters.  God  used  both  men  and  women  to  communicate  His  will  
to  His  people,  and  although  not  all  the  prophets'  writings  or  sayings  were  included  
in  the  Bible,  they  are  still  significant  messages.  Neither  is  there  any  reason  to  argue  
that  male  prophets  were  in  any  way  different  from  female  prophets  in  terms  of  the  
prophetic  gift.  Prophetesses  mentioned  in  the  Bible  include  Miriam,  Huldah,  
Deborah,  Anna,  and  the  four  daughters  of  Philip.  

The  Role  of  the  Prophet  

The  gift  of  prophecy  is  given  to  the  people  of  God  to  maintain  the  integrity  of  the  
Church  throughout  all  the  ages.  The  ancient  prophets  were  given  messages  of  
warning  and  reproof,  as  well  as  visions  of  future  and  past  events  to  keep  the  people  
of  God  on  track.  The  prophets  were,  as  it  were,  the  eyes  of  the  Church:  

For  as  the  body  is  one  and  hath  many  members,  and  all  the  members  of  that  one  body,  
being  many,  are  one  body,  so  also  is  Christ"  (1  Corinthians  12:12).  

Just  as  the  human  body  is  a  highly  organized  structure  with  many  parts  working  in  
unity,  so  the  people  of  God  form  a  unit  with  different  components.  Among  the  gifts  
given  by  Christ  to  the  Church,  the  gift  of  prophecy  features  prominently.  Not  
everyone  receives  the  same  gifts  (1  Corinthians  7:7  NKJV).  

Of  all  the  gifts,  the  greatest  is  love,  which  God  will  sow  in  all  who  accept  His  call.  The  
gifts  all  serve  a  common  purpose,  "For  the  perfecting  of  the  saints,  for  the  work  of  

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the  ministry,  for  the  edifying  of  the  body  of  Christ"  (Ephesians  4:12).  

The  prophetic  gift  has  always  had  a  position  of  prominence  within  the  Church  
throughout  the  ages,  and  has  played  a  major  role  in  keeping  God's  people  on  the  
path  of  truth.  Truth  is  eternal,  and  the  New  Testament  Church  is  built  on  this  truth,  
which  includes  the  truth  revealed  through  the  Old  Testament  prophets.  In  the  Dark  
Ages,  truth  was  thrown  to  the  ground  and  the  law  of  God  was  changed  by  the  papal  
power.  Since  the  prophet  Amos  declares  that  visions  cease  when  the  law  is  no  more,  
this  gift  of  prophecy  could  no  longer  operate  during  this  period.  

In  New  Testament  times,  the  gift  of  prophecy  is  equally  as  prominent  as  it  was  in  Old  
Testament  times,  and  still  offers  words  of  encouragement,  warning,  and  reproof  
from  God.  The  apostle  Paul  tells  us  this:  

And  are  built  upon  the  foundation  of  the  apostles  and  prophets,  Jesus  Christ  Himself  
being  the  chief  cornerstone,  in  whom  all  the  building,  fitly  framed  together,  groweth  
unto  an  holy  temple  in  the  Lord  (Ephesians  2:20-­21).  

It  was  through  prophets  that  the  fledgling  Christian  Church  initiated  its  mission  
outreach  (Acts  13:1;  16:6-­‐10).  Prophets  ensured  the  safety  of  the  believers  by  
warning  them  against  impending  dangers  such  as  famine.  Moreover,  the  prophets  
confirmed  doctrines  and  practices  (Acts  15:1-­‐15)  and  encouraged  the  Church.  

The  gift  of  prophecy  will  remain  until  the  end  of  time,  "so  that  you  come  short  in  no  
gift,  eagerly  waiting  for  the  revelation  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ"  (1  Corinthians  1:7-­‐8  
NKJV).  

In  light  of  Christ's  warning  against  false  prophets  (Matthew  24:24)  and  the  
admonishment  to  "test  the  Spirit"  (1  John  4:1),  it  is  vital  that  we  discern  between  the  
true  and  the  spurious.  

Testing  the  Prophets  

If  God  communicates  His  intention  through  His  servants  the  prophets,  and  Satan  
counterfeits  the  messages  of  God  through  false  prophets,  then  it  is  vital  that  we  test  
the  prophets  to  see  if  the  message  is  indeed  from  God.  On  one  hand,  the  Scriptures  
admonish  us  to  "Despise  not  prophesyings"  (1  Thessalonians  5:2)  and  to  "Believe  in  
the  LORD  your  God,  so  shall  ye  be  established;  believe  his  prophets,  so  shall  ye  
prosper"  (2  Chronicles  20:20).  

On  the  other  hand,  there  are  warnings  against  false  prophets:  

For  false  christs  and  false  prophets  will  rise  and  will  show  great  signs  and  wonders  to  
deceive,  if  possible,  even  the  elect"  (Matthew  24:24  NKJV).  

Beloved,  do  not  believe  every  spirit,  but  test  the  spirits  to  see  whether  they  are  from  
God;  because  many  false  prophets  have  gone  out  into  the  world"  (1  John  4:1  NKJV).  

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False  prophets  claim  to  have  dreams  and  to  see  visions,  so  the  Scriptures  must  
provide  criteria  whereby  the  authenticity  of  the  prophets'  statements  may  be  tested.  

Do  not  despise  prophecies,  test  all  things;  hold  fast  what  is  good"  (1  Thessalonians  
5:20-­21  NKJV).  

The  Bible  lists  a  series  of  tests  that  can  be  applied  to  prophets  to  determine  whether  
they  are  genuine  or  not.  Many  of  these  tests  can  be  individually  counterfeited,  but  
collectively,  they  provide  an  impassable  barrier  to  false  prophets.  False  prophets  
can  quote  Scripture  or  have  some  of  their  prophecies  come  true,  but  they  can  still  be  
false  prophets—subtly  using  every  opportunity  to  lead  God's  people  astray.  

A  true  prophet  of  God  will  meet  all  the  Biblical  criteria,  which  can  be  summarized  as  
follows:  

1.  A  true  prophet's  message  will  be  in  complete  harmony  with  the  word  of  God  
and  the  law  of  God.  
To  the  law  and  to  the  testimony!  If  they  speak  not  according  to  this  word,  it  is  because  
there  is  no  light  in  them  (Isaiah  8:20).  

Most  modern-­‐day  prophets  would  fail  this  test.  A  prophet  cannot  negate  what  God  
has  revealed  in  His  Word,  and  all  the  precepts  of  the  law  are  binding  (James  2:10).  
When  the  law  is  not  observed,  the  gift  of  prophecy  is  withdrawn  (Lamentations  2:9).  

2.  A  true  prophet's  predictions  must  come  to  pass.  

...when  a  prophet  speaks  in  the  name  of  the  Lord,  if  the  thing  does  not  happen  or  come  
to  pass,  that  is  the  thing  which  the  Lord  has  not  spoken;  the  prophet  has  spoken  it  
presumptuously;  you  shall  not  be  afraid  of  him"  (Deuteronomy  18:22  NKJV).  

A  word  of  warning:  A  prophet's  predictions  may  occur,  and  may  even  be  
accompanied  by  miracles.  But  if  they  do  not  pass  the  other  tests,  the  prophet  is  still  
false.  

If  there  arises  among  you  a  prophet  or  a  dreamer  of  dreams,  and  he  gives  you  a  sign  or  
a  wonder,  and  the  sign  or  the  wonder  comes  to  pass,  of  which  he  spoke  to  you,  saying  
'Let  us  go  after  other  gods'—which  you  have  not  known—and  let  us  serve  them,  you  
shall  not  listen  to  the  words  of  that  prophet  or  that  dreamer  of  dreams,  for  the  Lord  
your  God  is  testing  you  to  know  whether  you  love  the  Lord  your  God  with  all  your  heart  
and  with  all  your  soul.  You  shall  walk  after  the  Lord  your  God  and  fear  Him,  and  keep  
His  commandments  and  obey  His  voice;  you  shall  serve  Him  and  hold  fast  to  Him  
(Deuteronomy  13:1-­4  NKJV).  

Signs  and  wonders  alone  do  not  prove  a  prophet's  validity.  As  in  the  above  
Scriptural  example,  prophets'  words  are  not  always  in  harmony  with  the  law  of  God.  
Satan  will  work  miracles  in  the  last  days  to  deceive  many  (Revelation  16:14).  

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3.  A  true  prophet  prophesies  to  edify  the  Church,  counseling  and  advising  in  
religious  matters.  
But  he  that  prophesieth  speaketh  unto  men  to  edification  and  exhortation,  and  
comfort...but  he  that  prophesieth  edifieth  the  church  (1  Corinthians  14:3-­4).  

A  true  prophet  will  not  condone  sin  (1  John  3:4).  True  prophets  will  exhort  the  
church  to  a  higher  standard,  and  will  exemplify  God's  principles  in  their  own  lives.  
False  prophets,  such  as  16th-­‐century  seer  Nostradamus,  do  not  live  according  to  
God's  Word  and  do  not  build  up  the  Church  with  their  prophecies.  

4.  A  true  prophet  will  exalt  Christ  as  the  Son  of  God  and  the  Saviour  of  
humankind.  
No  one  has  seen  God  at  any  time.  If  we  love  one  another,  God  abides  in  us,  and  His  love  
has  been  perfected  in  us...Whoever  confesses  that  Jesus  is  the  Son  of  God,  God  abides  in  
him,  and  he  in  God  (1  John  4:12,15  NKJV).  

After  His  resurrection,  Jesus  expounded  the  Scriptures  to  His  disciples,  revealing  to  
them  the  prophetic  proclamations  regarding  Himself  (Luke  24:27).  

Again  a  word  of  warning  regarding  this  test:  many  false  prophets  will  say  to  Jesus  in  
the  last  judgment,  "Lord,  Lord,  have  we  not  prophesied  in  Thy  name?  in  Thy  name  
have  cast  out  devils?  and  in  Thy  name  done  many  wonderful  works"  (Matthew  
7:22)?  

The  Lord  will  not  recognize  them  as  His,  as  they  practiced  iniquity  (Greek:  anomia  
—  against  the  law  of  God).  They  seem  to  pass  the  test,  but  fail  in  regard  to  the  law.  

5.  The  true  prophet  will  speak  with  authority  (Matthew  7:29).  

Jesus  is  the  supreme  example,  and  He  spoke  those  things  which  He  had  seen  and  
heard  from  the  Father  (John  8:26,28,38).  A  prophet  will  likewise  reveal  those  things  
with  authority  that  have  been  revealed  to  him  by  God.  

6.  The  true  prophet  will  bear  good  fruit.  

Wherefore  by  their  fruits  ye  shall  know  them  (Matthew  7:20).  

This  test  is  compelling.  Does  the  prophet  live  a  life  in  harmony  with  the  will  of  God  
and  are  the  lives  of  those  touched  transformed  so  that  they  too  live  godly  lives?  
Once  again,  a  word  of  warning:  No  one  is  without  sin,  and  all  fall  short  of  the  glory  of  
God.  

Elijah  was  a  man  with  a  nature  like  ours,  and  he  prayed  earnestly  that  it  would  not  
rain;  and  it  did  not  rain  on  the  land  for  three  years  and  six  months  (James  5:17  NKJV).  

Although  Elijah  had  faults  and  passions  just  like  us,  he  strove  to  live  a  godly  life  and  
the  fruits  of  his  labor  testify  that  he  was  truly  a  prophet  of  God.  

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7.  The  true  prophet,  when  in  vision,  will  exhibit  physical  signs.  
In  vision,  the  prophet's  eyes  will  be  open.  

The  utterance  of  him  who  hears  the  words  of  God,  who  sees  the  vision  of  the  Almighty,  
who  falls  down,  with  eyes  wide  open  (Numbers  24:4  NKJV).  

Daniel  10  describes  the  physical  state  of  the  prophet  Daniel  while  in  vision.  

And  I,  Daniel,  alone  saw  the  vision,  for  the  men  that  were  with  me  saw  not  the  vision;  
but  a  great  quaking  fell  upon  them,  so  that  they  fled  to  hide  themselves.  Therefore  I  
was  left  alone  and  saw  this  great  vision,  and  there  remained  no  strength  in  me;  for  my  
comeliness  was  turned  in  me  into  corruption,  and  I  retained  no  strength.  Yet  heard  I  
the  voice  of  his  words;  and  when  I  heard  the  voice  of  his  words,  then  was  I  in  a  deep  
sleep  on  my  face,  and  my  face  to  the  ground  (Daniel  10:7-­9).  

Daniel  had  "no  strength,"  and  he  must  have  fallen  to  the  ground  as  he  lay  with  his  
"face  to  the  ground."  The  prophet  does  not,  however,  remain  in  this  helpless  state  on  
the  ground,  but  he  is  lifted  up  by  God,  and  while  still  in  vision,  stands  up  on  his  feet  
(Daniel  10:10-­‐11).  

In  vision,  the  prophet  will  have  no  breath  in  him,  and  no  strength.  

And  suddenly  one  having  the  likeness  of  the  sons  of  men  touched  my  lips;  then  I  opened  
my  mouth  and  spoke,  saying  to  him  who  stood  before  me,  My  Lord,  because  of  the  
vision,  my  sorrows  have  overwhelmed  me,  and  I  have  retained  no  strength.  For  how  
can  this  servant  of  my  Lord  talk  with  you  my  Lord?  As  for  me,  no  strength  remains  in  
me  now,  nor  is  any  breath  left  in  me.  Then  again,  the  one  having  the  likeness  of  a  man  
touched  me  and  strengthened  me  (Daniel  10:16-­17  NKJV).  

No  mention  is  made  of  the  restoration  of  breathing  while  in  vision.  The  prophet  is  
sustained  by  God  while  in  vision.  In  summary,  a  prophet  in  vision  shows  these  signs:  

             i)  Falls  down  weak  

             ii)  Is  raised  up  and  strengthened  by  God  

             iii)  Has  the  eyes  wide  open  during  the  vision  

             iv)  Does  not  breath,  even  when  speaking  

These  signs  cannot  be  readily  counterfeited.  In  fact,  modern  so-­‐called  visionaries  
tend  to  fall  down  with  their  eyes  closed,  and  they  have  breath  in  them,  because  only  
God  can  sustain  life  without  breath.  

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The  Gift  of  Prophecy  in  the  Time  of  the  End  
In  the  book  of  Revelation,  God  gave  us  a  picture  of  His  true  Church  in  our  time,  also  
called  the  remnant:  

And  the  dragon  was  wroth  with  the  woman,  and  went  to  make  war  with  the  remnant  
of  her  seed,  which  keep  the  commandments  of  God,  and  have  the  testimony  of  Jesus  
Christ  (Revelation  12:17).  

The  remnant  keeps  the  commandments  of  God,  and  the  law  is  therefore  restored  in  
its  fullness.  As  prophets  of  God  need  to  live  and  speak  in  harmony  with  God's  law,  
the  true  gift  of  prophecy  can  only  occur  if  the  law  forms  an  integral  part  of  the  
theology  of  the  prophet.  One  of  the  identifying  features  of  the  remnant  of  God  is  the  
Spirit  of  Prophecy.  The  testimony  of  Jesus  is  the  Spirit  of  Prophecy.  

And  I  fell  at  his  feet  to  worship  him.  But  he  said  to  me,  See  that  you  do  not  do  that!  I  
am  your  fellow  servant,  and  of  your  brethren  who  have  the  testimony  of  Jesus.  
Worship  God!  For  the  testimony  of  Jesus  is  the  spirit  of  prophecy  (Revelation  19:10  
NKJV).  

Christ  warns  against  false  prophets  in  the  last  days  who  will  mislead  God's  people.  
As  we  are  also  admonished  to  test  the  spirits  and  to  hold  on  to  what  is  good,  it  is  
vital  that  we  apply  the  criteria  provided  to  test  the  prophets  in  our  time.  

The  Recent  History  of  the  Gift  of  Prophecy  

After  the  death  of  the  apostles,  prophets  enjoyed  respect  in  many  circles  until  300  
AD,  but  the  decline  of  spirituality  in  the  Church  and  the  resulting  apostasy  led  to  a  
diminishing  of  both  the  presence  and  the  gifts  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  At  the  same  time,  
false  prophets  caused  a  loss  of  confidence  in  the  prophetic  gift.  

The  decline  of  the  prophetic  gift  during  certain  periods  of  Church  history  did  not  
mean  that  God  had  withdrawn  the  gift  permanently.  The  Bible  indicates  that  as  the  
end  approaches,  this  gift  will  be  present  to  assist  the  Church  through  these  difficult  
times.  More  than  that,  Scripture  even  points  to  an  increased  activity  of  this  gift.  

Before  the  First  Advent  of  Christ,  God  gave  the  gift  of  prophecy  to  John  the  Baptist  to  
prepare  the  way  for  His  coming.  In  a  similar  way,  the  prophetic  gift  must  be  restored  
before  the  Second  Advent,  so  that  everyone  will  have  the  opportunity  to  prepare  to  
meet  their  Saviour.  

Christ  mentions  the  rise  of  false  prophets  as  one  of  the  signs  that  His  coming  is  near  
(Matthew  24:11,  24).  If  there  were  to  be  no  true  prophets  during  the  time  of  the  end,  
Christ  would  have  warned  against  anyone  claiming  that  gift.  His  warning  against  
false  prophets  implies  that  there  would  be  true  prophets  as  well.  

The  Former  and  Latter  Rain  

The  prophet  Joel  predicted  a  special  outpouring  of  the  prophetic  gift  just  prior  to  

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Christ's  return:  

And  it  shall  come  to  pass  afterward  that  I  will  pour  out  My  Spirit  on  all  flesh;  and  your  
sons  and  your  daughters  shall  prophesy,  your  old  men  shall  dream  dreams,  your  young  
men  shall  see  visions;  and  also  upon  the  servants  and  upon  the  handmaids  in  those  
days  will  I  pour  out  My  Spirit.  And  I  will  shew  wonders  in  the  heavens  and  in  the  earth;  
blood  and  fire  and  pillars  of  smoke.  The  sun  shall  be  turned  into  darkness,  and  the  
moon  into  blood,  before  the  great  and  terrible  day  of  the  Lord  come  (Joel  2:28-­31).  

Pentecost  saw  a  remarkable  manifestation  of  the  Spirit.  Peter,  citing  Joel's  prophecy,  
pointed  out  that  God  had  promised  such  blessings  (Acts  2:21).  However,  Joel's  
prophecy  did  not  reach  complete  fulfillment  at  Pentecost,  as  the  "great  and  terrible  
day  of  the  Lord"  is  a  reference  to  the  Second  Coming  of  Christ.  

Pentecost,  then,  was  a  foretaste  of  the  full  manifestation  of  the  Spirit  before  the  
Second  Advent.  Like  Palestine's  early  rain,  which  fell  in  the  autumn  shortly  after  the  
crops  were  planted,  the  outpouring  of  the  Holy  Spirit  at  Pentecost  is  the  spiritual  
early  rain,  which  was  to  nurture  the  fledgling  Church.  The  complete  and  final  
fulfillment  of  Joel's  prophecy  corresponds  to  the  latter  rain,  which,  falling  in  the  
spring,  ripened  the  grain  (Joel  2:23).  Likewise,  the  final  bestowal  of  God's  Spirit  will  
take  place  just  before  the  Second  Advent  after  the  predicted  signs  in  the  sun,  moon,  
and  stars:  

The  sun  shall  be  turned  into  darkness,  and  the  moon  into  blood,  before  the  great  and  
terrible  day  of  the  LORD  come  (Joel  2:31,  see  also  Matthew  24:29;  Revelation  6:12-­17).  

Like  the  latter  rain,  this  final  outpouring  of  the  Spirit  will  ripen  the  harvest  of  the  
earth  (Matthew  13:30,  39),  and  "whoever  calls  on  the  name  of  the  Lord  shall  be  
saved"  (Joel  2:32).  

Joel's  prophecy  regarding  the  darkening  of  the  sun  and  the  falling  of  the  stars  was  
fulfilled  in  the  unexplained  Dark  Day  of  New  England  of  May  19,  1780.  Then,  on  
November  13,  1833,  the  world  witnessed  the  greatest  meteoric  event  in  recorded  
history  when  meteors  lit  up  the  sky,  falling  at  an  estimated  rate  of  200,000  per  hour.  

These  unusual  signs  signified  the  beginning  of  the  time  of  the  end.  It  was  during  this  
time  that  the  Millerites  were  studying  Bible  prophecy  and  discovering  the  truth  
about  the  end  of  time.  As  the  Millerites  studied  Scripture,  and  especially  the  2300-­‐
day  prophecy  of  Daniel,  they  realized  that  these  phenomena  were  linked  to  the  
prophecies  about  last-­‐day  events.  

Movements  Arising  in  the  Mid-­‐1800s  

As  the  world  neared  the  final  years  of  Earth's  history,  God  was  not  the  only  one  
awakening  in  many  an  interest  for  His  Word.  Satan  was  also  at  work  to  detract  from  
the  signficance  of  the  times  ahead.  Satan  has  always  been  an  ardent  student  of  the  
Bible.  He  has  had  ample  opportunity  to  learn  God's  plan  for  His  people  and  to  devise  
a  counterstrategy.  

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During  the  1800s,  there  was  a  resurgence  of  prophetic  claims  and  many  movements  
were  founded  by  various  false  prophets.  It  has  always  been  Satan's  strategy  to  
confound  true  issues  by  creating  numerous  diversions  to  hide  the  truth.  God  has  
always  used  prophets  to  support  His  people  and  to  lead  them  into  a  fuller  
understanding  of  His  truth.  God's  prophets  are  never  sent  to  start  new  movements  
that  contradict  God's  truths  already  given.  Nevertheless,  many  such  movements  
arose  in  and  around  1844:  

1.  The  Mormon  movement,  headed  by  their  prophet  Joseph  Smith  (1805-­‐1844),  
who  claimed  to  have  received  many  revelations  from  God.  Some  of  these  revelations  
led  to  abhorrent  practices,  such  as  baptism  for  the  dead  and  polygamy.  Joseph  Smith  
was  murdered  by  a  mob  in  1844  while  he  was  waiting  trial.  

2.  The  Shakers  featured  prominently  during  this  period  and  followed  their  prophet,  
Ann  Lee,  who  claimed  to  be  Christ  incarnate  in  woman's  flesh.  They  believed  in  the  
dual  (father-­‐mother)  personality  of  God  and  practiced  a  communal  form  of  life  in  
which  spiritism  formed  an  integral  part.  Read  about  Christian  Science,  another  
movement  that  sprung  up  in  the  mid-­‐19th  century  and  held  to  spiritism  and  a  father-­‐
mother  view  of  God  

3.  Modern  spiritism  commenced  in  1848  with  the  Fox  sisters  and  made  
communication  with  the  dead  fashionable.  

4.  The  modern  New  Age  movement  traces  its  roots  to  many  so-­‐called  prophets  
who  also  arose  during  this  crucial  time  period.  

All  these  movements  are  based  on  revelations  that  modify  the  Word  of  God  to  suit  
their  needs.  But  God  does  not  change:  

Every  good  and  perfect  gift  is  from  above,  coming  down  from  the  Father  of  the  
heavenly  lights,  who  does  not  change  like  shifting  shadows.  He  chose  to  give  us  birth  
through  the  word  of  truth,  that  we  might  be  a  kind  of  firstfruits  of  all  he  created  
(James  1:17-­18  NIV).  

So  did  a  true  prophet  arise  tin  preparation  for  the  time  of  the  end  that  fulfills  the  
Biblical  criteria  of  the  prophet  and  upholds  the  true  Word  of  God?  Read  the  next  
article,  A  Prophet  for  the  Remnant,  to  find  out.  

A  Prophet  for  the  Remnant    

The  year  1844  is  familiar  to  Seventh-­‐day  Adventists  as  the  year  that  a  group  of  
Millerites  mistakenly  expected  the  Second  Advent  of  Jesus  Christ.  

On  October  22,  1844,  these  men,  women,  and  children  longingly  expected  to  see  
their  Saviour  and  their  loved  ones  that  had  passed  away.  They  waited  for  the  signs  

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of  Christ’s  appearing.  As  night  fell,  they  faced  their  dashed  expectations  with  bitter  
disappointment.  Many  turned  their  backs  on  God  when  He  didn’t  deliver  on  their  
understanding  of  Scripture.  This  day  became  known  as  the  Great  Disappointment.  
But  some  did  not  give  up.  

Just  prior  to  1844,  two  men  received  similar  visions  regarding  the  Advent  
movement.  The  first  was  William  Foy,  a  member  of  the  Freewill  Baptist  Church  who  
was  studying  for  the  ministry.  In  1842,  in  Boston,  he  witnessed  the  reward  of  the  
faithful  and  the  punishment  of  the  wicked,  and  the  great  scenes  of  the  judgment  in  
three  steps,  the  books  of  record  in  heaven,  the  coming  of  Christ,  and  the  reward  of  
the  faithful  in  that  sequence.  Foy  related  these  visions  to  audiences,  but  when  he  
received  a  third  vision,  which  he  did  not  understand,  he  ceased  his  public  work.  

Hazen  Foss  also  received  a  vision  regarding  the  experience  of  the  Advent  people,  but  
refused  to  make  it  public  after  the  Great  Disappointment,  which  had  severely  
affected  him.  

Two  months  after  the  Great  Disappointment  in  December  1844,  a  young  girl  by  the  
name  of  Ellen  Harmon  was  given  a  vision  of  the  trials  of  the  Advent  people.  The  
vision  did  not  reveal  the  reasons  for  the  Disappointment,  but  did  offer  comfort  and  
greater  understanding  of  the  events  as  they  had,  and  would  be,  unfolding.  

The  vision  showed  Adventists  traveling  to  the  city  on  a  narrow  path  with  the  bright  
light  of  the  "midnight  cry"  behind  them,  and  the  path  lighted  to  its  end  so  that  they  
would  not  stumble.  Those  who  kept  their  eyes  on  Jesus  would  not  stumble  but  enter  
into  the  city,  the  New  Jerusalem.  She  witnessed  the  events  of  the  Second  Advent  and  
the  sealing  of  the  144,000,  the  ascent  to  the  New  Jerusalem  and  the  reward  of  the  
faithful.  

When  Ellen  Harmon  related  her  first  vision  early  in  1845,  Hazen  Foss  was  present  
and  was  overwhelmed  because  the  vision  was  the  same  as  he  had  received,  but  
which  he  had  refused  to  reveal.  

"After  I  had  the  vision,  and  God  gave  me  light,  He  bade  me  deliver  it...  but  I  shrank  
from  it.  I  was  young,  and  I  thought  they  would  not  receive  it  from  me."  

From  1844,  when  Ellen  Harmon  was  17  years  old,  until  1915,  when  she  died,  she  
had  more  than  2000  documented  visions.  During  this  time,  she  lived  and  worked  in  
America,  Europe,  and  Australia.  Her  work  was  often  met  with  skepticism  and  
ridicule,  particularly  since  she  was  a  woman  and  had  not  had  much  formal  
schooling.  At  the  age  of  nine,  Ellen  was  seriously  injured  when  a  classmate  hit  her  
with  a  stone.  For  three  weeks  she  was  unconscious,  and  it  was  thought  that  she  
would  not  recover.  After  her  initial  recovery,  she  returned  to  school,  but  never  got  
beyond  the  early  grades.  Ellen  was  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Church  and  was  
baptized  on  June  26,  1842.  She  was  an  ardent  student  of  the  Bible,  and  after  
attending  meetings  held  by  William  Miller  and  his  associates,  she  was  impressed  by  
the  message  she  had  heard.  

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On  August  30,  1846,  Ellen  married  James  White,  a  young  Adventist  preacher,  and  
they  had  four  sons:  Henry,  Edson,  William,  and  Herbert.  After  the  death  of  her  
husband  on  August  6,  1881,  Ellen  labored  alone  for  another  34  years,  during  which  
time  she  produced  some  of  the  most  profound  writings  on  God's  Word.  Her  ministry  
and  visions  did  several  things:  

1.  Guarded  the  Church  against  fanatical  influences  and  the  inroads  of  non-­‐Biblical  
doctrines.  

2.  Confirmed  the  pillars  of  the  Adventist  faith.  These  pillars  included  the  role  of  the  
law  of  God,  the  Sabbath,  the  sanctuary,  the  Second  Coming  of  Christ,  the  Three  
Angels'  Messages,  and  the  identity  and  role  of  Babylon  in  the  great  controversy  
between  Christ  and  Satan.  She  had  dreams  from  God  confirming  the  results  of  
ardent  Bible  study  by  a  host  of  Advent  believers.  She  also  corrected  those  who  were  
straying  from  the  truth.  

3.  Established  church  order  and  directed  the  ministry  on  the  spreading  of  the  final  
message  of  hope  and  reproof—the  Three  Angel's  Messages.  

4.  Established  a  worldwide  health  message  that  recognizes  that  people  have  

physical  as  well  as  spiritual  needs.  

Despite  her  physical  frailness  and  debilities  that  made  it  impossible  for  her  to  write,  
Ellen  White  became  one  of  the  most  prolific  authors  for  our  time.  No  other  female  
author  has  produced  as  much  published  religious  material.  

Numerous  books,  magazine  articles,  tracts,  pamphlets,  and  letters  have  flowed  from  
her  pen.  Her  writings  cover  a  wide  field  of  issues  from  doctrinal  practices  to  
Christian  living,  diet  and  health,  parental  care  and  guidance,  education,  medical  
ministry  and  the  illumination  of  Biblical  prophecies  and  historic  events.  This  work  
was,  according  to  her,  made  possible  by  the  direct  intervention  of  God.  After  being  
instructed  to  write  down  the  things  she  had  seen  in  vision,  she  had  felt  it  an  
impossible  request.  She  relates  the  experience  as  follows:  

The  Lord  has  said,  "Write  out  the  things,  which  I  shall  give  you."  And  I  commenced  
when  very  young  to  do  this  work.  My  hand  that  was  feeble  and  trembling  because  of  
infirmities  became  steady  as  soon  as  I  took  the  pen  in  my  hand,  and  since  those  first  
writings,  I  have  been  able  to  write.  God  has  given  me  the  ability  to  write...That  right  
hand  scarcely  ever  has  a  disagreeable  sensation.  It  never  wearies.  It  seldom  ever  
trembles.  I  wept,  and  said,  "impossible,  impossible."  The  words  came,  "Nothing  is  
impossible  with  God."  The  effort  was  made  and  my  hand  commenced  to  write  the  
things  that  had  been  given  me.  

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Applying  the  Test  to  Ellen  White  

 
There  is  nothing  worse  than  deception,  yet  deception  is  Satan's  greatest  weapon.  
While  we  must  be  aware  of  false  prophets,  we  are  counseled  to  take  heed  of  the  
word  of  the  prophets  (2  Peter  1:19).  The  only  way  out  of  this  dilemma  is  to  test  the  
prophet  by  applying  the  Biblical  criteria.  If  Ellen  White  truly  was  a  prophet  of  God,  
then  all  the  criteria  must  apply.  

Did  Ellen  White  Exalt  God's  Word  and  Law?  

 

The  Word  of  God  

Elen  White  wrote,  "The  Holy  Scriptures  are  to  be  accepted  as  an  authoritative,  
infallible  revelation  of  His  will.  They  are  the  standard  of  character,  the  revealer  of  
doctrines,  and  the  test  of  experience"  (Manuscript  88a,  1900).  

Her  writings,  which  collectively  are  referred  to  as  the  Spirit  of  Prophecy,  were  never  
intended  to  give  new  light,  but  were  always  intended  to  illuminate  the  greater  light,  
the  Scriptures.  She  wrote,  "Little  heed  is  given  to  the  Bible  and  the  Lord  has  given  a  
lesser  light  to  lead  men  and  women  to  the  greater  light."i  

The  written  testimonies  are  not  to  give  new  light,  but  to  impress  vividly  upon  the  heart  
the  truths  of  inspiration  already  revealed.  Man's  duty  to  God  and  to  his  fellow  man  has  
been  distinctly  specified  in  God's  word;  yet  but  few  of  you  are  obedient  to  the  light  
given.  Additional  truth  is  not  brought  out;  but  God  has  through  the  Testimonies  
simplified  the  great  truths  already  given  and  in  His  own  chosen  way  brought  them  
before  the  people  to  awaken,  and  impress  the  mind  with  them,  that  all  may  be  left  
without  excuse...The  Testimonies  are  not  to  belittle  the  word  of  God,  but  to  exalt  it  and  
attract  minds  to  it,  that  the  beautiful  simplicity  of  truth  may  impress  all  (Great  
Controversy,  7).  

 
To  those  who  criticized  the  Word  of  God,  she  wrote,  "Cling  to  your  Bible  as  it  reads  
and  stop  your  criticism  in  regard  to  its  validity  and  obey  the  word,  and  not  one  of  
you  will  be  lost...The  Bible  and  the  Bible  alone  is  to  be  our  creed,  the  role  bond  of  
union...God's  word  is  infallible...lift  up  the  banner  on  which  is  inscribed  the  Bible,  
our  rule  of  faith  and  discipline"  (Colporteur  Ministry,  125).  

Just  as  the  great  Reformers,  Ellen  G.  White  lifted  up  the  Bible  banner  against  false  
doctrines  and  practices.  She  wrote,  "As  darkness  thickens  and  error  increases,  we  
should  obtain  a  more  thorough  knowledge  of  the  truth,  and  be  prepared  to  maintain  
from  the  Scriptures  the  truth  of  our  position"  (Selected  Messages  Book  1,  18).  

Her  position  regarding  the  Word  of  God  is  the  same  as  that  held  by  Protestants  since  
the  beginning.  Protestants  have  always  rejected  the  claim  of  Roman  Catholicism  that  
tradition  as  well  as  Scriptures  should  dictate  beliefs.  

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The  Westminster  Confession  underscores  this  point:  

The  supreme  judge  by  which  all  controversies  of  religion  are  to  be  determined,  and  all  
decrees  of  councils,  opinions  of  ancient  writers,  doctrines  of  men,  and  private  spirits,  
are  to  be  examined,  and  in  whose  sentence  we  are  to  rest,  can  be  no  other  but  the  Holy  
Spirit  speaking  in  the  [Link]  

Ellen  G.  White  clearly  recognizes  the  role  of  the  Holy  Spirit  in  the  interpretation  of  
Scripture  as  outlined  in  the  Westminster  Confession.  She  wrote  this:  

We  can  attain  to  an  understanding  of  God's  word  only  through  the  illumination  of  that  
Spirit  by  which  the  word  was  given...The  fact  that  God  has  revealed  His  will  to  men  
through  His  word,  has  not  rendered  needless  the  continued  presence  and  guiding  of  
the  Holy  Spirit.  On  the  contrary,  the  Spirit  was  promised  by  our  Saviour,  to  open  the  
Word  to  His  servants,  to  illuminate  and  apply  its  teachings  (Review  and  Herald,  August  
11,  1853,  53;  Medical  Ministry  88,  1904).  

The  Law  of  God  

Ellen  White  repeatedly  pointed  to  the  binding  claims  of  God's  law.  Joseph  Bates,  an  
Adventist  pioneer  had  introduced  the  Sabbath  of  the  fourth  commandment  to  her.  
Although  she  was  first  skeptical,  she  and  her  husband  studied  the  Scriptures  and  
were  confirmed  in  the  view  that  the  Sabbath  was  as  binding  as  the  other  nine  
commandments.  

One  Sabbath,  April  3,  1847,  Ellen  White  was  given  a  vision  confirming  the  binding  
claims  of  the  Ten  Commandments  and  the  Sabbath.  Concerning  the  Law  of  God,  she  
writes  this:  

But  it  is  ever  the  purpose  of  Satan  to  make  void  the  law  of  God  and  to  pervert  the  true  
meaning  of  the  plan  of  salvation.  Therefore,  he  has  originated  the  falsehood  that  the  
sacrifice  of  Christ  on  Calvary's  cross  was  for  the  purpose  of  freeing  men  from  the  
obligation  of  keeping  the  commandments  of  God.  He  has  foisted  upon  the  world  the  
deception  that  God  has  abolished  His  constitution,  thrown  away  His  moral  standard,  
and  made  void  His  holy  and  perfect  law.  Had  He  done  this,  at  what  terrible  expense  
would  it  have  been  to  Heaven!  Instead  of  proclaiming  the  abolition  of  the  law,  
Calvary's  cross  proclaims  in  thunder  tones  its  immutable  and  eternal  character  (Early  
Writings,  118).  

Likewise  she  stated  that  it  was  the  duty  of  God's  children  to  enlighten  others  
regarding  the  prophecies  and  the  law  of  God.  

The  writings  of  Ellen  White  are  based  on  the  twin  pillars  of  faith  in  the  merits  of  
Jesus  Christ  and  obedience  to  His  righteous  law.  Jesus  said,  "If  ye  love  me  keep  my  
commandments"  (John  14:15).  In  Ellen  White's  writings  the  relationship  between  
law  and  grace  is  clearly  expounded.  Never  does  she  present  a  legalistic  view  of  the  
law  of  God  and  never  does  she  belittle  its  claims.  Never  does  she  claim  that  the  law  
has  saving  merits.  We  are  saved  by  grace  and  grace  alone,  but  a  consequence  of  
being  saved  is  that  through  the  merits  of  Jesus  Christ  one  is  once  more  brought  into  

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a  right  relationship  with  God,  which  includes  obedience  to  His  law.  

Did  Ellen  White's  Predictions  Come  True?  

Most  of  Ellen  White's  predictions  are  related  to  Biblical  prophecy,  which  is  to  be  
fulfilled  in  the  last  days.  She  wrote  extensively  on  events  as  they  would  unfold  in  the  
future,  and  also  issued  some  personal  warnings  as  to  disasters  that  would  strike  the  
inhabitants  of  the  world.  She  also  wrote  on  issues  of  health  and  made  astounding  
predictions  in  this  field—way  ahead  of  the  time  she  lived  in.  Most  of  her  prophetic  
words  are  only  being  fulfilled  at  present.  

Disasters  and  Wars    

In  1902,  she  warned  that  the  cities  around  the  bay  area  of  California  would  suffer  
disaster.  She  wrote  this:  

Not  long  hence,  these  cities  will  suffer  under  the  judgment  of  God.  San  Francisco  and  
Oakland  are  becoming  as  Sodom  and  Gomorrah,  and  the  Lord  will  visit  them  in  wrath  
(Evangelism,  403-­404).  

Those  who  heeded  Ellen  White’s  warning  left  this  area  and  avoided  the  earthquake  
of  April  18,  1906,  which  devastated  the  cities  mentioned!  In  1890,  when  peace  was  
prevalent,  she  wrote  this:  

The  tempest  is  coming....  We  shall  see  trouble  on  all  sides.  Thousands  of  ships  will  be  
hurled  into  the  depths  of  the  sea.  Navies  will  go  down  and  human  lives  will  be  
sacrificed  by  millions  (Signs  of  the  Times,  April  21,  1890).  

In  1904,  she  wrote  this:  

Soon  great  trouble  will  arise  among  nations—trouble  that  will  not  cease  until  Jesus  
comes  (Review  and  Herald,  February  11,  1906).  

The  world  has  seen  two  world  wars  and  numerous  skirmishes  since  then.  Currently,  
it  is  a  sad  fact  that  over  200  wars  between  ethnic  nations  are  raging  across  the  
globe,  leading  to  what  is  often  called  “ethnic  cleansing.”  Besides  these  global  
warnings,  Ellen  White  made  a  number  of  personal  predictions  regarding  individual  
church  members  who  refused  to  heed  the  counsel  of  God.  These  too  were  all  fulfilled  
to  the  letter.  

Health    
Regarding  the  establishment  of  the  health  ministry,  Ellen  White  received  numerous  
visions  with  detailed  instructions  as  to  what  constitutes  a  healthy  lifestyle.  The  
information  that  was  brought  to  light  was  way  ahead  of  its  time,  mostly  
contradictory  to  the  views  held  by  the  scientific  fraternity  of  her  time.  Her  
predictions  concerning  future  health  hazards  are  currently  unfolding.  

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The  health  message  was  designed  to  lift  humanity  out  of  the  quagmire  of  erroneous  
ideas  on  the  issue  of  health  and  to  provide  a  bulwark  against  disease.  The  health  
message  was  also  designed  to  prepare  a  people  spiritually  to  withstand  the  stresses  
and  spiritual  warfare  predicted  for  the  time  of  the  end.  God  intends,  through  the  
health  message,  to  lead  humanity  step  by  step  back  to  that  lifestyle  that  He  had  
originally  intended  for  us.  

When  God  called  the  Israelites,  through  His  prophet  Moses,  out  of  Egypt  and  led  
them  to  Canaan,  He  also  changed  their  lifestyle  and  diet  so  that  they  would  be  
prepared  for  the  rigours  of  this  experience.  Many  were  dissatisfied  and  rebelled  
against  God’s  plan,  even  wishing  to  return  to  Egypt.  Those  that  rebelled  turned  from  
their  allegiance  to  God  and  by  their  own  choice  severed  their  connection  with  their  
Creator.  

When  God  called  His  remnant  out  of  the  slavery  of  sin  to  prepare  them  for  their  
journey  to  the  heavenly  Canaan,  He  also  used  a  prophet  to  communicate  His  will  to  
His  people.  God  in  His  wisdom  provided  the  information  that  would  fit  His  people  
physically  and  spiritually  for  the  journey,  and  we  are  free  to  accept  or  reject  His  
counsel.  

Ellen  White  was  herself  very  frail  and  ill  when  she  received  her  first  visions  on  
health,  but  by  adopting  the  counsels  given,  was  gradually  restored  to  health  and  
lived  to  a  ripe  old  age.  Space  does  not  allow  a  detailed  discussion  on  her  health  
counsels,  but  a  few  issues  are  worthy  of  note.  As  far  back  as  1864,  when  the  medical  
world  was  unaware  of  the  dangers  of  tobacco,  and  indeed  often  prescribed  it  as  a  
cure  or  preventative  measure  against  certain  lung  ailments,  Ellen  White  wrote  this:  

Tobacco  is  a  poison  of  the  most  deceitful  and  malignant  kind,  having  an  exciting,  then  
a  paralysing  influence  upon  the  nerves  of  the  body.  It  is  all  the  more  dangerous  
because  its  effects  upon  the  system  are  so  slow,  and  at  first  scarcely  perceivable.  
Multitudes  have  fallen  victims  to  its  poisonous  influence  (Counsels  on  Health,  84).  

Not  until  1957  did  a  committee  of  scientists  appointed  by  the  American  Cancer  
Society  and  the  American  Heart  Association  conclude  that  smoking  was  a  causative  
factor  in  lung  cancer.  Counseling  physicians  on  how  to  regard  the  issue  of  smoking,  
she  wrote  this:  

The  physician  should  be  a  strictly  temperate  man.  The  physical  ailments  of  humanity  
are  numberless,  and  he  has  to  deal  with  disease  in  all  its  varied  forms.  He  knows  that  
much  of  the  suffering  he  seeks  to  relieve  is  the  result  of  intemperance  and  other  forms  
of  selfish  indulgence.  He  is  called  to  attend  young  men  and  men  in  the  prime  of  life  and  
in  mature  age,  who  have  brought  disease  upon  themselves  by  the  use  of  the  narcotic  
tobacco  (Counsels  on  Health,  321-­322).  

The  fact  that  Ellen  White  calls  tobacco  a  narcotic  is  indeed  surprising,  since  the  
narcotic  effects  of  nicotine  have  only  been  established  in  recent  times.  Given  this  
fact,  and  the  present  knowledge  that  the  use  of  tobacco  is  a  recognized  precursor  for  

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the  development  of  cravings  for  stronger  stimulants  such  as  drugs,  to  which  the  
youth  is  particularly  susceptible,  it  is  indeed  astounding  that  she  wrote  about  these  
issues  in  her  time.  

The  use  of  tobacco  and  strong  drinks  has  a  great  deal  to  do  with  the  increase  of  
disease  and  crime.  Tobacco  is  a  slow,  insidious,  but  most  malignant  poison,  and  its  use  
is  working  untold  harm...Boys  begin  the  use  of  tobacco  at  a  very  early  age.  The  habit  
thus  formed,  when  body  and  mind  are  especially  susceptible  to  its  effects,  undermines  
the  physical  strength  and  corrupts  the  morals  (Manuscripts  Releases,  115).  

The  Bible  teaches  that  the  body  is  the  temple  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  and  that  we  are  
admonished  to  preserve  our  bodies  as  living  sacrifices:  

I  beseech  you  therefore,  brethren,  by  the  mercies  of  God,  that  ye  present  your  bodies  a  
living  sacrifice,  holy,  acceptable  unto  God,  which  is  your  reasonable  service.  And  be  not  
conformed  to  this  world,  but  be  ye  transformed  by  the  renewing  of  your  mind,  that  ye  
may  prove  what  is  that  good  and  acceptable  and  perfect  will  of  God  (Romans  12:1-­2).  

This  call  would  include  the  avoidance  of  harmful  substances,  as  Ellen  White  
explains:  

Men  can  do  much  more  for  God  and  his  fellow-­man,  if  he  is  in  the  vigour  of  health,  than  
if  he  is  suffering  from  disease  and  pain.  Tobacco  using,  liquor-­drinking,  and  wrong  
habits  of  diet,  induce  disease  and  pain  which  incapacitate  man  for  the  use  he  might  be  
in  the  world  (Health  Reformer,  October  1,  1877).  

Ellen  White  counseled  that  the  use  of  animal  products  in  the  diet  was  harmful  and  
that  their  use  would  become  even  more  harmful  as  time  progressed.  The  following  
statements,  so  contradictory  to  the  views  of  her  day,  are  a  brief  extract  of  what  she  
wrote  on  the  issue.  

The  meat  diet  is  the  serious  question.  Shall  human  beings  live  on  the  flesh  of  dead  
animals?  The  answer,  from  the  light  that  God  has  given,  is  No,  decidedly  No.  Health  
reform  institutions  should  educate  on  this  question.  Physicians  who  claim  to  
understand  the  human  organism  ought  not  to  encourage  their  patients  to  subsist  on  
the  flesh  of  dead  animals.  They  should  point  out  the  increase  of  disease  in  the  animal  
kingdom.  This  testimony  of  examiners  is  that  very  few  animals  are  free  from  disease,  
and  that  the  practice  of  eating  largely  of  meat  is  contracting  diseases  of  all  kinds—  
cancers,  tumours,  scrofula,  tuberculosis,  and  numbers  of  other  like  affections  (Counsel  
for  Diet  and  Foods,  338).  

This  counsel  is  only  now  being  proved  by  the  scientific  fraternity.  The  link  between  
meat  consumption  and  the  diseases  listed  is  well  documented.  Worldwide  this  link  
has  been  established  beyond  [Link]  

Vegetarian  societies  have  a  much  lower  risk  of  contracting  the  diseases  listed  than  
omnivorous  societies.  Ellen  White  also  warned  that  the  time  would  come  when,  for  

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the  sake  of  health,  one  would  have  to  dispense  with  all  animal  products,  including  
milk  and  eggs.  Never  did  she,  however,  advocate  fanatical  views  on  this  issue  and  
even  cautioned  that  circumstances  should  be  taken  into  account  when  counseling  
those  who  did  not  always  have  access  to  alternative  foods.  In  1901,  she  wrote  this:  

We  see  that  cattle  are  becoming  greatly  diseased,  the  earth  itself  is  corrupted,  and  we  
know  that  the  time  will  come  when  it  will  not  be  best  to  use  milk  and  eggs.  But  that  
time  has  not  yet  come.  We  know  that  when  it  does  come,  the  Lord  will  provide.  The  
question  is  asked,  meaning  much  to  all  concerned,  Will  God  set  a  table  in  the  
wilderness?  I  think  the  answer  may  be  made,  Yea,  God  will  provide  food  for  His  people  
(Counsel  for  Diet  and  Foods,  359).  

Milk,  eggs,  and  butter  should  not  be  classed  with  flesh  meat.  In  some  cases,  the  use  of  
eggs  is  beneficial.  The  time  has  not  come  to  say  that  the  use  of  milk  and  eggs  should  be  
wholly  discarded.  There  are  poor  families  whose  diet  consists  largely  of  bread  and  
milk.  They  have  little  fruit,  and  cannot  afford  to  purchase  the  nut  foods.  In  teaching  
health  reform,  as  in  all  other  gospel  work,  we  are  to  meet  the  people  where  they  are.  
Until  we  can  teach  them  how  to  prepare  health  reform  foods  that  are  palatable,  
nourishing,  and  yet  inexpensive,  we  are  not  at  liberty  to  present  the  most  advanced  
propositions  regarding  health  reform  diet  (Counsel  for  Diet  and  Foods,  351).  

She  counseled  that  God  would  prepare  the  way  for  the  substitution  of  harmful  foods  
with  healthier  alternatives.  This  prediction  has  been  fulfilled  with  the  introduction  
of  new  cultivars,  such  as  the  soybean  and  its  by-­‐products,  as  well  as  the  expansion  of  
trade  and  communication  routes.  

In  all  parts  of  the  world,  provision  will  be  made  to  supply  the  place  of  milk  and  eggs.  
And  the  Lord  will  let  us  know  when  the  time  comes  to  give  up  these  articles.  He  desires  
all  to  feel  that  they  have  a  gracious  heavenly  Father  who  will  instruct  them  in  all  
things.  The  Lord  will  give  dietetic  art  and  skill  to  His  people  in  all  parts  of  the  world,  
teaching  them  how  to  use,  for  the  sustenance  of  life,  the  products  of  the  earth  (Counsel  
for  Diet  and  Foods,  359).  

The  time  will  come,  however,  come  when  these  items  were  to  be  discarded  from  the  
diet:  

Soon  butter  will  never  be  recommended,  and  after  a  time,  milk  will  be  entirely  
discarded,  for  disease  in  animals  is  increasing  in  proportion  to  the  increase  of  
wickedness  among  men.  The  time  will  come  when  there  will  be  no  safety  in  using  eggs,  
milk,  cream  or  butter  (Manuscript  Releases  Volume  8,  Letter  14,  1901,  3).  

In  our  time,  these  predictions  have  been  fulfilled  in  a  manner  that  has  astounded  
both  the  scientists  and  the  general  public.  Indeed,  even  governments  are  in  a  panic  
over  the  modern  flood  of  diseases  striking  the  farming  industry.  

In  Britain,  the  entire  stock  of  cattle  needs  to  be  exterminated  in  view  of  BSE  (mad  
cow  disease).  The  chicken  and  egg  industry  has  been  reeling  under  the  exponential  

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increase  in  transferable  infectious  diseases  caused  by  bacteria  such  as  Salmonella,  
forcing  governments  to  introduce  legislation  restricting  the  sale  of  uncooked  eggs  in  
restaurants.  

The  modern  animal  husbandry  industry  has  produced  a  new  breed  of  antibiotic  
resistant  bacteria  that  are  threatening  the  outbreak  of  worldwide  epidemics  of  food  
poisoning  from  the  consumption  of  animal  products.  The  outbreak  of  food  poisoning  
is  no  longer  confined  to  countries  or  institutions  with  poor  hygiene,  but  has  become  
universal.  

The  predictions  made  by  Ellen  White  regarding  political,  personal,  religious,  and  
health  issues  have  been  so  accurately  fulfilled  that  she  certainly  satisfies  the  
prophetic  criterion  that  the  prophet’s  predictions  must  come  true.  Moreover,  her  
counsels  are  not  given  to  satisfy  idle  curiosity,  but  are  given  for  the  benefit  of  not  
only  the  Church,  but  the  whole  of  humankind.  

Did  Ellen  White  Edify  the  Church?  

The  visions  given  to  Ellen  White  were  intended  to  lead  the  Church  into  a  greater  
understanding  of  the  Word  of  God,  and  to  correct  wrong  paths  that  were  sometimes  
taken  by  God’s  people.  

Just  as  the  letters  of  Paul  were  addressed  to  the  Church  in  his  day,  and  often  
contained  strong  words  of  reproof  even  to  individual  members,  so  the  testimonies  
of  the  Spirit  of  Prophecy  were  also  intended  for  the  remnant  Church.  Only  a  group  of  
people  fully  equipped  with  the  weapons  of  warfare—a  right  understanding  of  the  
Word  and  the  good  fruits  springing  from  their  relationship  with  God—could  bring  
the  saving  message  of  grace  to  a  dying  world.  

As  in  the  days  of  Paul,  the  message  addressed  to  the  Church  is  often  misapplied  to  
suit  the  ends  of  those  who  would  wish  to  pervert  the  truth.  Ellen  White  clearly  
warns  against  such  distortions:  

It  will  be  found  that  those  who  bear  false  messages  will  not  have  a  high  sense  of  
honour  and  integrity.  They  will  deceive  the  people,  and  mix  up  with  their  error,  the  
Testimonies  of  Sister  White,  and  use  her  name  to  give  influence  to  their  work.  They  
make  such  selections  from  the  Testimonies  as  they  think  they  can  twist  to  support  their  
positions,  and  place  them  in  a  setting  of  falsehood,  so  that  their  error  may  have  weight  
and  be  accepted  by  the  people.  They  misinterpret  and  misapply  that  which  God  has  
given  to  the  church  to  warn,  counsel,  reprove,  comfort  and  encourage  those  who  shall  
make  up  the  remnant  people  of  God.  Those  who  receive  the  Testimonies  as  the  message  
of  God  will  be  helped  and  blessed  thereby;  but  those  who  take  them  in  parts,  simply  to  
support  some  theory  or  idea  of  their  own,  to  vindicate  themselves  in  a  course  of  error,  
will  not  be  blessed  and  benefited  by  what  they  teach  (Testimonies  to  Ministers,  42-­43).  

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Individual  messages  were  often  written  to  those  who  had  strayed  from  the  truth,  
not  in  some  condescending  way,  but  to  assure  them  of  God’s  love.  Those  in  the  
Church  who  felt  no  need  to  work  to  tell  others  about  Christ  were  also  reproved:  

We  found  that  we  could  do  nothing  for  the  scattered  sheep  near  us  until  we  had  first  
corrected  the  wrongs  in  many  of  the  members  of  the  church.  They  had  let  these  poor  
souls  wander.  They  felt  no  burden  for  them.  I  wrote  out  pointed  testimonies,  not  only  
for  those  who  had  erred  greatly  and  were  out  of  the  church,  but  for  those  members  in  
the  church  who  had  erred  greatly  in  not  going  in  search  of  the  lost  sheep.  

The  fact  that  the  Spirit  of  Prophecy  is  intended  for  the  Church  does  not  imply  that  it  
must  be  hidden  under  a  bushel,  just  as  the  writings  of  Paul  were  not  to  be  hidden.  
The  world  needs  to  know  the  truth  as  communicated  by  God  through  His  servants  
the  prophets.  However,  while  the  truth  is  for  all,  reproof  and  correction  is  for  the  
Church.  

There  are  some  occupying  positions  of  responsibility  who  have  had  little  experience  in  
the  working  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  They  do  not  appreciate  the  light  in  warnings,  reproofs  
and  encouragement  given  to  the  church  in  these  last  days,  because  their  hearts  and  
minds  have  not  been  receiving  the  Spirit  of  divine  grace.  These  persons  are  disposed  to  
conceal  the  fact  that  in  connection  with  the  work  of  the  third  angel’s  message,  the  
Lord,  through  the  Spirit  of  Prophecy,  has  been  communicating  to  His  people  a  
knowledge  of  His  will.  They  think  that  the  truth  will  be  received  more  readily  if  this  
fact  is  not  made  prominent.  But  this  is  a  mere  human  reasoning.  The  very  fact  that  this  
light  coming  to  the  people  is  not  presented  as  having  originated  with  human  minds  
will  make  an  impression  upon  a  large  class  who  believe  that  the  gifts  of  the  Spirit  are  
to  be  manifested  in  the  church  in  the  last  days.  The  affection  of  many  will  thus  be  
arrested,  and  they  will  be  convicted  and  converted.  Many  will  thus  be  impressed  who  
would  not  otherwise  be  reached  (The  Ellen  G.  White  1888  Materials).  

Ellen  White  herself  never  claimed  the  title  prophetess,  but  referred  to  herself  as  
God’s  messenger.  She  did  not,  however,  correct  those  who  referred  to  her  as  
prophetess.  Her  testimonies  to  the  Church  were  so  extensive  that  all  people  will  find  
content  that  concerns  them.  If  accepted,  this  counsel  will  bring  about  that  change  of  
character,  which  God  intends  for  all  His  children.  Ellen  White  wrote  this:  

I  said  that  I  did  not  claim  to  be  a  prophetess.  I  have  not  stood  before  the  people  
claiming  this  title,  though  many  called  me  thus.  I  have  been  instructed  to  say,  ‘I  am  
God’s  messenger,  sent  to  bear  a  message  of  reproof  to  the  erring  and  of  
encouragement  to  the  meek  and  lowly.’  With  pen  and  with  voice,  I  am  to  bear  the  
messages  given  me.  The  word  given  me  is,  ‘You  are  faithfully  to  reprove  those  who  
would  mar  the  faith  of  the  people  of  God.  Write  out  the  things  which  I  shall  give  you,  
that  they  may  stand  as  a  witness  to  the  truth  till  the  end  of  time  (Review  and  Herald,  
January  26,  1905).  

Considering  the  lines  of  work  which  she  initiated,  Ellen  White  was  indeed  a  prophet  

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for  the  Church  and  beyond.  

Did  Ellen  White  Exalt  Christ  as  the  Son  of  God?  
Jesus  Christ  is  the  all-­‐pervading  theme  of  all  the  writings  of  Ellen  White.  She  wrote  
four  specific  books  on  the  life  and  teachings  of  Christ,  and  her  book  on  the  life  of  
Christ,  The  Desire  of  Ages,  has  been  hailed  the  best  devotional  book  ever  written  on  
the  life  and  ministry  of  Christ.  

Her  writings  draw  readers  to  Christ  and  produce  a  longing  to  commune  with  Him,  as  
we  see  in  the  book  The  Youth’s  Instructor:  

Jesus  Christ,  the  Majesty  of  Heaven,  was  not  discerned  in  the  disguise  of  humanity.  He  
was  the  divine  teacher  sent  from  God,  the  glorious  treasure  given  to  humanity.  He  was  
fairer  than  the  sons  of  men,  but  his  matchless  glory  was  hidden  under  a  cover  of  
poverty  and  suffering.  He  veiled  his  glory  in  order  that  divinity  might  touch  humanity,  
and  the  treasure  of  immense  value  was  not  discerned  by  the  human  race,  "but  as  many  
as  received  Him,  to  them  gave  He  power  to  become  the  sons  of  God,  even  to  them  that  
believe  on  His  name:  which  were  born,  not  of  blood,  nor  of  the  will  of  the  flesh,  nor  of  
the  will  of  man,  but  of  God."  The  man  who  finds  Christ,  the  man  who  beholds  the  
treasure  of  salvation,  has  found  the  field  and  the  hidden  treasure.  "The  Word  was  
made  flesh  and  dwelt  among  us  (and  we  beheld  his  glory,  the  glory  as  of  the  only  
begotten  of  the  Father,)  full  of  grace  and  truth...And  of  his  fullness  have  all  we  received,  
and  grace  for  grace."  The  treasure  indeed  is  hidden  under  the  garb  of  humanity.  Christ  
is  the  unsearchable  riches,  and  he  who  finds  Christ,  finds  heaven.  The  human  agent  
who  looks  upon  Jesus,  who  dwells  by  faith  on  his  matchless  charms,  finds  the  eternal  
treasure.  In  the  parable,  he  who  finds  the  treasure  is  represented  as  so  well  satisfied  
with  his  discovery  that  he  sells  all  that  he  has  to  purchase  that  field.  

In  a  further  statement,  Ellen  White  explains  the  development  of  the  relationship  
with  Christ  and  how  through  His  grace  we  can  once  more  become  children  of  God  
and  laborers  with  God:  

All  spiritual  life  is  derived  from  Jesus  Christ.  ‘As  many  as  received  Him,  to  them  gave  He  
power  to  become  the  sons  of  God.’  John  1:12  But  what  is  the  sure  result  of  becoming  a  
child  of  God?  The  result  is  that  we  become  labourers  together  with  God.  There  is  a  
great  work  to  be  done  for  your  own  soul’s  salvation,  and  to  qualify  you  to  win  others  
from  unbelief  to  a  life  sustained  by  faith  in  Christ  Jesus.  ‘Verily,  verily,  I  say  unto  you,  He  
that  believeth  on  me  (with  a  casual  faith?—No,  with  an  abiding  faith  that  works  by  
love  and  purifies  the  soul)  hath  everlasting  life.  I  am  that  bread  of  life...I  am  the  living  
bread  which  came  down  from  heaven;  if  any  man  eat  of  this  bread,  he  shall  live  
forever,  and  the  bread  that  I  will  give  is  my  flesh,  which  I  will  give  for  the  life  of  the  
world...Except  yet  eat  the  flesh  of  the  Son  of  man,  and  drink  His  blood,  ye  have  no  life  in  
you.  Whoso  eateth  my  flesh,  and  drinketh  my  blood,  hath  eternal  life,  and  I  will  raise  
him  up  at  the  last  day  (Selected  Messages  Volume  1,  137).  

The  writings  of  Ellen  White  place  our  relationship  with  Christ  in  the  right  

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perspective.  There  are  those  who  believe  that  to  know  Christ  is  sufficient  in  itself  to  
be  saved.  Christ  came  to  save  that  which  was  lost,  and  He  came  to  restore  us  to  the  
image  of  God.  We  cannot  claim  justification  and  then  refuse  sanctification,  which  are  
both  offered  as  gifts  from  God  through  the  merits  of  Jesus  Christ.  Ellen  White  tells  us  
this:  

In  this  age,  the  word  of  God  is  not  considered  reliable.  The  word  of  Christ,  that  cuts  
directly  across  human  desires  and  indulgences,  and  condemns  popular  habits  and  
practices,—the  Word  which  was  made  flesh  and  dwelt  among  us,—is  ignored  and  
despised.  The  teachings  and  example  of  Christ  are  not  made  the  criterion  for  the  life  of  
the  professed  follower  of  Christ.  Many  who  name  the  name  of  Christ  are  walking  in  the  
light  of  the  sparks  of  their  own  kindling,  rather  than  following  in  the  footsteps  of  their  
professed  Master.  They  do  not  represent  the  same  character  that  Christ  represented  in  
His  pure,  sincere  love  to  God,  and  in  His  love  for  fallen  man.  They  do  not  take  God  at  his  
word,  and  identify  their  interests  with  Jesus  Christ.  They  do  not  form  the  habit  of  
communing  with  Jesus,  of  taking  him  as  a  guide  and  counsellor,  and  thus  learn  the  
trade  of  living  a  well-­defined  Christian  life.  Those  who  not  only  hear  but  do  the  words  
of  Christ,  make  manifest  in  character  the  operation  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  The  result  of  the  
internal  operation  of  the  Holy  Spirit  is  demonstrated  in  the  outward  conduct.  The  life  
of  the  Christian  is  hid  with  Christ  in  God,  and  God  acknowledges  those  who  are  his,  
declaring,  “Ye  are  my  witnesses”.  They  testify  that  divine  power  is  influencing  their  
hearts  and  shaping  their  conduct.  Their  works  give  evidence  that  the  Spirit  is  moving  
upon  the  inward  man;  those  who  are  associated  with  them  are  convinced  that  they  are  
making  Jesus  Christ  their  Pattern  (Review  and  Herald,  January  12,  1896).  

Throughout  her  writings,  Christ  is  exalted  as  our  Redeemer,  the  only  One  through  
whom  we  can  be  saved:  

The  world’s  Redeemer  was  treated  as  we  deserve  to  be  treated,  in  order  that  we  might  
be  treated  as  He  deserved  to  be  treated.  He  came  to  our  world  and  took  our  sins  upon  
His  own  divine  soul,  that  we  might  receive  His  imputed  righteousness.  He  was  
condemned  for  our  sins,  in  which  He  had  no  share,  that  we  might  be  justified  by  His  
righteousness,  in  which  we  had  no  share.  The  world’s  Redeemer  gave  Himself  for  us.  
   Who  was  He?—The  Majesty  of  heaven,  pouring  out  His  blood  upon  the  altar  of  justice  
for  the  sins  of  guilty  man.  We  should  know  our  relationship  to  Christ  and  His  
relationship  to  us.  We  are  to  trust  God  fully,  and  ask  Him  to  supply  the  least  as  well  as  
the  greatest  want.  The  Lord  encourages  our  confidence;  and  the  great  proof  of  our  
union  with  Christ,  and  the  best  manifestation  of  our  love  to  Him,  is  in  yielding  
obedience  to  His  claims.  If  you  have  love  to  Jesus  Christ,  which  is  an  expression  of  the  
life  of  Christ  in  the  soul,  then  you  will  do  what  He  commands  you.  This  is  practical  
religion.  Redeemed  by  the  ransom  money  paid  for  your  souls,  you  will  go  forth  and  how  
much  you  love  Jesus  by  obedience  to  His  commandments.  You  are  to  bring  forth  fruit  
by  doing  His  commandments,  because  you  are  branches  of  the  living  Vine.  It  is  His  
prayer  that  His  joy  might  remain  in  you  and  that  your  joy  might  be  full  (Review  and  
Herald,  March  21,  1893).  

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Truly  Ellen  White  exalted  Jesus  Christ  as  the  Son  of  God.  

Did  Ellen  White  Speak  with  Authority?  

Ellen  White  had  to  wage  a  constant  battle  against  those  who  maligned  her  and  
ridiculed  her  message.  

She  faced  her  toughest  challenges  when  she  was  still  young  and  frail.  Humanly  
speaking,  there  is  no  way  in  which  she  could  have  exercised  the  authority  she  did  
without  the  direct  intervention  of  God.  God  chose  the  weakest  of  the  weak  to  
confound  the  strong.  

The  authority  she  had  was  the  authority  of  God.  The  Word  of  God  did  the  cutting.  
Without  this  authority,  the  pillars  of  the  Advent  faith  would  have  long  ago  been  torn  
down,  but  they  are  sustained  by  the  Word  and  will  stand  until  the  end  of  time.  Ellen  
White  explains  this:  

I  am  instructed  to  say  to  those  who  endeavour  to  tear  down  the  foundation  that  has  
made  us  Seventh-­day  Adventists—we  are  God’s  commandment  keeping  people.  For  the  
past  fifty  years  every  phase  of  heresy  has  been  brought  to  bear  upon  us,  to  becloud  our  
minds  regarding  the  teachings  of  the  word—especially  concerning  the  ministration  of  
Christ  in  the  heavenly  sanctuary,  and  the  message  of  heaven  of  these  last  days,  as  given  
by  the  angels  of  the  fourteenth  chapter  of  Revelation.      Messages  of  every  order  and  
kind  have  been  urged  upon  Seventh-­day  Adventists  to  take  the  place  of  the  truth  which,  
point  by  point,  has  been  sought  out  by  prayerful  study  and  testified  to  by  the  miracle-­
working  power  of  the  Lord.  But  the  waymarks  which  have  made  us  what  we  are,  are  to  
be  preserved,  and  they  will  be  preserved,  as  God  has  signified  through  His  word  and  the  
testimonies  of  His  Spirit.  He  calls  upon  us  to  hold  firmly  with  the  grip  of  faith,  to  the  
fundamental  principles  that  are  based  upon  unquestionable  authority  (Manuscript  
Releases  Volume  4,  246).  

Did  Ellen  White  Bear  Good  Fruit?  

Ellen  White’s  life  and  work  was  dedicated  to  the  service  of  God.  In  each  of  her  55  
published  volumes,  there  is  the  fruit  of  one  who  has  known  and  loved  Jesus.  In  her  
thousands  of  letters  to  individuals  she  always  spoke  the  truth  in  love  even  if  the  
message  was  one  of  reproof.  

She  went  out  of  her  way  to  uplift  others  and  practiced  what  she  preached,  as  we  see  
in  her  book  Education:  

Through  sin  the  divine  likeness  was  marred,  and  well-­nigh  obliterated.  Man’s  physical  
powers  were  weakened,  his  mental  capacity  was  lessened,  his  spiritual  vision  dimmed.  
He  had  become  subject  to  death.  Yet  the  race  was  not  left  without  hope.  By  infinite  love  
and  mercy  the  plan  of  salvation  had  been  devised,  and  a  life  of  probation  was  granted.  
To  restore  in  man  the  image  of  his  Maker,  to  bring  him  back  to  the  perfection  in  which  
he  was  created,  to  promote  the  development  of  body,  mind  and  soul,  that  the  divine  
purpose  in  his  creation  might  be  realized—this  was  to  be  the  work  of  redemption.  This  

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is  the  object  of  education,  the  great  object  of  life  (Education,  15-­16).  

Ellen  White  was  not  only  a  messenger,  but  worked  as  a  missionary.  She  helped  
establish  missions  in  several  places  in  the  world  and  encouraged  everyone  to  take  
part  in  the  great  work  of  spreading  the  Gospel.  

Today  the  Seventh-­‐day  Adventist  Church  is  the  single  most  widespread  Protestant  
denomination  in  the  world.  It  sponsors  over  5000  schools  and  350  academies  and  
colleges,  and  has  established  a  worldwide  health  ministry  that  supplies  healthy  
foods  to  millions  of  people  and  sponsors  over  200  hospitals  in  cities  and  areas  that  
are  often  inaccessible.  In  addition,  the  Church  runs  a  worldwide  relief  
organisation—ADRA—which  has  played  a  major  role  in  bringing  relief  to  areas  
stricken  by  natural  disasters  and  wars.  

These  great  achievements  in  such  a  short  time  would  have  been  impossible  without  
Ellen  White's  council  and  labor.  These  are  the  fruits  of  her  labors.  Ellen  White  died  
at  87  on  July  16,  1915.  She  was  buried  next  to  her  husband  in  Oak  Hill  Cemetery  at  
Battle  Creek,  Michigan.  Shortly  after  her  death,  the  New  York  Independent  carried  an  
article  stating  this:  

She  showed  no  spiritual  pride  and  she  sought  no  filthy  lucre.  She  lived  the  life  and  did  
the  work  of  a  worthy  prophetess,  the  most  admirable  of  the  American  [Link]  

The  press  made  these  statements  on  the  life  and  death  of  Ellen  White:  

The  life  of  Mrs.  White  is  an  example  worthy  of  emulation  by  all...  She  was  a  humble,  
devout  disciple  of  Christ  and  ever  went  about  doing  good...  She  was  honoured  and  
respected  by  all  who  appreciate  noble  womanhood,  consecrated  to  unselfish  labour  for  
the  uplifting  and  betterment  of  mankind.  Her  death  marks  the  calling  of  another  noted  
leader  of  the  religious  thought  and  one  whose  almost  90  years  were  full  to  overflowing  
with  good  deeds,  kind  words,  and  earnest  prayers  for  all  mankind.v  

In  spite  of  the  fact  that  the  works  of  Mrs.  White  were  written  long  before  the  advent  of  
modern  scientific  nutrition,  no  better  overall  guide  is  available  [Link]  

Did  Ellen  White  Exhibit  the  Physical  Signs?  

The  physical  signs  associated  with  a  true  prophet  of  God  are  so  astounding,  that  
they  can  only  be  explained  by  supernatural  intervention.  

False  prophets  have  always  been  a  plague  to  the  people  of  God  and  the  world  at  
large.  True  prophets  of  God  were  severely  persecuted,  tortured,  and  even  put  to  
death  in  the  most  cruel  fashion.  False  prophets,  on  the  other  hand,  mostly  make  
sensational  prophecies  of  prosperity  or  promise  redemption  on  the  grounds  of  
exclusivity  rather  than  redemption  in  Christ  and  obedience  to  His  requirements.  

God  in  His  wisdom  has  deemed  it  necessary  to  associate  physical  signs  with  the  true  
gift  of  prophecy—signs  that  cannot  be  counterfeited.  Because  of  all  the  criteria  

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applicable  to  a  prophet  of  God,  we  will  have  no  excuse  if  we  to  ignore  His  prophets.  

The  Physical  Signs  of  a  Prophet  in  Vision  

The  physical  signs  associated  with  a  prophet  in  vision,  as  discussed  previously  in  
Testing  the  Prophets,  are  as  follows:  

1.  The  prophet  falls  down  weak    

2.  The  prophet  is  strengthened  by  God  and  raised  up    

3.  The  prophet’s  eyes  are  wide  open  during  the  vision    

4.  The  prophet  does  not  breathe  during  the  vision  

In  the  case  of  Ellen  White,  God  saw  fit  to  establish  the  authenticity  of  her  visions  
publicly.  In  the  early  years  of  her  ministry,  she  frequently  went  into  vision  at  public  
meetings  where  many  skeptics  and  physicians  could  examine  her  while  she  was  
having  a  vision.  Eyewitness  accounts  prove  beyond  doubt  that  Ellen  G.  White  
exhibited  all  the  physical  criteria  specified  in  God's  Word.  

After  her  ministry  and  authenticity  had  been  established,  particularly  in  the  later  
years,  Ellen  White  received  most  of  her  vision  in  the  night,  as  was  also  the  case  with  
the  prophet  Daniel.  

Eyewitness  Accounts  of  Ellen  White  in  Vision    

J.N.  Loughborough,  a  long-­‐standing  acquaintance  of  Ellen  White  who  saw  her  in  
vision  50  times,  describes  the  events  as  follows:  

In  passing  into  vision,  she  gives  three  enrapturing  shouts  of  “Glory!”  which  echo  and  
re-­echo,  the  second,  and  especially  the  third,  fainter  but  more  thrilling  than  the  first,  
the  voice  resembling  that  of  one  quite  a  distance  from  you,  and  just  going  out  of  
hearing.  For  about  four  or  five  seconds  she  seems  to  drop  down  like  a  person  in  a  
swoon,  or  one  having  lost  his  strength;  she  then  seems  to  be  instantly  filled  with  
superhuman  strength,  sometimes  rising  at  once  to  her  feet  and  walking  about  the  
room.  There  are  frequent  movements  of  the  hands  and  arms,  pointing  to  the  right  or  
left  as  her  head  turns.  All  these  movements  are  made  in  a  most  graceful  manner.  In  
whatever  position  the  hand  or  arm  may  be  placed,  it  is  impossible  for  anyone  to  move  
it.  Her  eyes  are  always  open,  but  she  does  not  wink;  her  head  is  raised,  and  she  is  
looking  upward,  not  with  a  vacant  stare,  but  with  a  pleasant  expression,  only  differing  
from  the  normal  in  that  she  appears  to  be  looking  intently  at  some  distant  object.  She  
does  not  breathe,  yet  her  pulse  beats  regularly.  Her  countenance  is  pleasant,  and  
the  colour  of  her  face  is  florid  as  in  her  natural  state  (emphasis  added).vii  

 
All  four  of  the  criteria  mentioned  in  the  Scriptures,  in  the  right  sequence,  are  listed  
here,  and  were  verified  by  numerous  reputable  eyewitnesses.  A  further  eyewitness,  
Nellie  Sisley  Starr,  reports  the  events  associated  with  a  vision  that  Ellen  White  had  

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on  June  12,  1868  at  a  prayer  meeting  held  at  Battle  Creek:  

She  [Ellen  White]  walked  back  and  forth  and  talked  to  us,  and  as  she  walked,  she  fell  
right  down.  She  fell  down  gently.  She  went  down  as  if  an  angel’s  hands  were  under  
her...We  thought  she  had  fainted,  but  Brother  White  said  “Cause  yourselves  no  alarm.  
Wife  has  not  fainted,  but  has  fallen  in  vision.”  I  wish  I  could  describe  the  feeling  that  we  
all  had.  It  was  perfect  quietness;  even  the  children  made  no  noise...It  seemed  as  though  
heaven  was  settling  down  upon  us  and  closing  us  in...Sister  White  lay  perfectly  quiet  
and  unconscious.  Oh,  the  feeling  that  was  sensed  in  that  building.      

Brother  White  said,  “There  may  be  some  in  the  congregation  that  may  have  doubts  in  
regard  to  my  wife’s  inspiration.  If  there  are  any  such  we  would  be  glad  to  have  them  
come  forward  and  try  the  physical  tests  given  in  the  Bible.  It  may  help  some  of  you.”  I  
knew  my  mother  had  some  doubts.  We  had  come  over  from  England  and  she  had  come  
from  the  Church  of  England,  and  she  could  not  quite  understand  it,  so  I  said,  “Mother,  
let  us  go  right  up  and  stand  right  by  her  head”.  In  the  meantime,  Brother  White  had  
knelt  down,  and  raised  Sister  White’s  head  and  shoulders  on  his  knees.        

Others  came  up,  and  there  were  two  unusually  large  men.  They  stood  one  on  each  side  
of  her  shoulders.  “Now”,  Brother  White  said,  “we  all  saw  Sister  White  fall;  we  know  she  
lost  her  natural  strength.  Now  we  will  see  if  she  has  supernatural  strength.”  She  was  
lying  with  her  hands  gently  folded  over  her  chest.  She  was  lying  quietly  and  looking  up  
in  the  corner  of  the  building.  Her  eyes  were  open,  with  a  pleasant  expression  on  her  
face.  Nothing  unnatural  or  unusual.      

Brother  White  said  to  these  large  men,  “Take  her  hands  apart.  You  have  two  hands  to  
her  one.  Just  pull  her  hands  apart.”  So  they  tried.  They  pulled  and  pulled  till  some  of  us  
got  anxious  that  they  would  hurt  her.  Brother  White  said,  “Don’t  be  anxious;  she  is  safe  
in  God’s  keeping,  and  you  can  pull  until  you  are  perfectly  satisfied.”  They  said,  “We  are  
satisfied  now.  We  don’t  need  to  pull  anymore.”      

He  said,  “Take  up  one  finger  at  a  time.”  That  was  impossible.  They  could  not  do  
so  much  as  move  a  finger.  It  seemed  like  a  block  of  granite.  There  was  no  change  
in  appearance,  but  it  just  couldn’t  be  moved.      We  looked  to  see  if  her  eyes  were  closed  
and  see  if  she  was  breathing.  Then  she  took  her  hands  apart  and  waved  her  hands.  We  
said,  “We  will  see  when  she  comes  out  of  vision  that  she  has  been  flying.”  Brother  White  
said  to  these  men,  “Now  hold  her.”  I  think  they  thought  they  could.  They  grasped  her  by  
the  wrists,  but  they  could  not  retard  the  motion.  It  looked  like  any  child  could  hold  her,  
but  she  went  on  just  the  same.        

Elder  White  said,  “Now  we  are  satisfied  with  that.  Now  we  must  see  if  her  eyelids  will  
close.”  There  was  a  large  Rochester  (kerosene)  lamp  close  by  on  the  stand.  He  removed  
the  shade  and  put  this  light  right  in  front  of  her  eyes.  We  thought  she  would  move  her  
eyes  to  protect  them.  She  didn’t.  She  was  perfectly  unconscious.  The  expression  of  her  
countenance  changed  at  times.  Sometimes  she  look  pleased.  At  other  times  we  could  
see  that  there  was  something  distressing  her,  but  the  eyelids  did  not  close.      

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“Now,”  Brother  White  said,  we  must  see  if  there  is  any  breath  in  her  body.”  There  didn’t  
seem  to  be  any.  Everything  looked  all  right,  only  there  was  no  breath.  Brother  White  
said,  “No  we  will  send  out  and  get  a  mirror,  and  we  will  test  it.”  So  someone  went  to  the  
next  door  and  got  a  mirror,  and  it  was  held  close  to  her  face,  but  no  moisture  gathered.  
So  there  was  no  breathing  (emphasis  added).viii  

It  is  noteworthy  that  the  sequence  of  events  is  again  exactly  in  agreement  with  the  
Scriptures.  Ellen  White  had  to  often  contend  with  aggressive  opposition.  On  one  
such  occasion,  she  was  taken  into  vision  at  a  gathering  of  people  who  were  opposed  
to  her  visions.  The  opposers  shouted,  interjected,  read  loudly  from  the  Scriptures  
and  tried  every  means  possible  to  interrupt  her,  but  she  continued  to  speak  from  
about  midday  to  sunset  with  a  voice  that  cut  through  the  din  until  those  who  
opposed  her  were  exhausted.  

At  one  stage,  they  placed  a  heavy  Bible  in  her  hand  from  which  she  began  to  quote.  
She  held  the  Bible  up  above  her  head  with  the  one  hand,  and  paged  to  the  passages  
with  the  other  without  looking  where  she  pointed.  Otis  Nichols,  an  eyewitness  at  the  
meeting  describes  the  events  as  follows:  

Then  Thayer  took  a  heavy,  large  quarto  family  Bible  which  was  lying  on  the  table  and  
seldom  used,  and  opened  it,  and  laid  it  open  upon  the  breast  of  Ellen  while  in  vision,  as  
she  was  then  inclined  backward  against  the  wall  in  one  corner  of  the  room.  
Immediately  after  the  Bible  was  laid  upon  her,  she  arose  upon  her  feet  and  walked  into  
the  middle  of  the  room,  with  the  Bible  open  in  one  hand  and  lifted  up  as  high  as  she  
could  reach,  and  with  her  eyes  steadily  looking  upward,  declared  in  a  solemn  manner,  
“The  inspired  testimony  of  God”  or  words  of  the  same  import,  and  then  she  continued  
for  a  long  time,  while  the  Bible  was  extended  in  one  hand  and  her  eyes  [were]  looking  
upward  and  not  on  the  Bible,  to  turn  over  the  leaves  with  the  other  hand  and  place  her  
finger  upon  certain  passages  and  correctly  utter  their  words  with  a  solemn  voice.  
Many  present  looked  at  the  passages  where  her  finger  was  pointed  to  see  if  she  spoke  
them  correctly,  for  her  eyes  at  the  same  time  were  looking  upward.  Some  of  the  
passages  referred  to  were  judgments  against  the  wicked  and  blasphemous;  and  others  
were  admonitions  and  instructions  relative  to  our  present  condition.  In  this  state,  she  
continued  all  the  afternoon  until  nearly  sundown  when  she  came  out  of  [Link]  

Doctors'  Accounts  of  Ellen  White  in  Vision  

Note  the  testimony  of  these  medical  doctors  who  examined  Ellen  White  while  in  
vision.  Two  well-­‐documented  occasions  will  be  discussed  here.  The  first  was  at  a  
conference  held  in  June,  1854,  where  representatives  from  numerous  churches  
were  present.  The  second  was  at  a  conference  held  at  Hillsdale,  Michigan,  where  
there  were  also  numerous  people  present.  

At  the  first  meeting,  Ellen  White  went  into  vision  on  June  26,  1854  and  David  Seeley,  
corroborating  the  testimony  of  other  eyewitnesses  writes  as  follows:  

I  was  present  at  that  meeting  and  witnessed  the  examination.  I  agree  with  what  is  

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stated  by  Brother  and  Sister  Lamson,  and  would  say  further  that  it  was  Doctor  
Fleming  and  another  younger  physician  who  made  the  examination.  After  Mrs.  White  
rose  to  her  feet,  as  they  have  stated,  quoting  the  texts  of  Scripture,  Doctor  Fleming  
called  for  a  lighted  candle...He  held  this  candle  as  near  her  lips  as  possible  without  
burning,  and  in  direct  line  with  her  breath  in  case  she  breathed.  There  was  not  the  
slightest  flicker  of  the  blaze.  The  doctor  then  said,  with  emphasis,  "That  settles  it  
forever,  there  is  no  breath  in  her  body."x  

At  the  second  meeting,  James  White  called  for  a  doctor  to  examine  his  wife.  On  this  
occasion,  Dr.  Lord  was  in  the  audience  and  also  found  no  breath  in  her  while  she  
was  having  a  vision.  Two  reports  are  available  regarding  this  event.  The  first  is  from  
the  Fowler  couple,  who  testify  as  follows:  

We  were  present  when  Sister  E.G.  White  had  a  vision  in  Waldron’s  Hall,  Hillsdale.  Dr.  
Lord  made  an  examination,  and  said,  “Her  heart  beats,  but  there  is  no  breath.  There  is  
life,  but  no  action  of  the  lungs.  I  cannot  account  for  this  condition.”xi  

The  second  testimony  is  from  C.S.  Cover,  who  states  this:  

I  was  present  when  Sister  White  had  the  above-­named  vision  in  Waldron’s  Hall,  
Hillsdale.  In  addition  to  the  above  statement,  I  heard  the  doctor  say  that  Sister  White’s  
condition  in  vision  was  "beyond  his  knowledge".  He  also  said,  "There  is  something  
supernatural  about  that."xii  

A  True  Prophet  
Ellen  White  is  the  only  prophet  in  modern  history  who  satisfies  all  the  Biblical  
criteria  of  a  prophet  of  God.  She  wrote  pointed  testimonies  and  received  
instructions  from  God  that  were  to  provide  the  necessary  guidance  for  God’s  
remnant  at  the  end  of  time.  Those  who  take  this  instruction  to  heart  will  develop  a  
greater  understanding  of  the  will  of  God  and  will  be  led  into  a  closer  relationship  
with  God.  

She  wrote  this:  

Abundant  light  has  been  given  to  our  people  in  these  last  days.  Whether  or  not  my  life  
is  spared,  my  writings  will  constantly  speak,  and  their  work  will  go  forward  as  long  as  
time  shall  last.  My  writings  are  kept  on  file  in  the  office,  and  even  though  I  should  not  
live,  these  words  that  have  been  given  to  me  by  the  Lord  will  still  have  life  and  will  
speak  to  the  people.  But  my  strength  is  yet  spared,  and  I  hope  to  continue  to  do  much  
useful  work.  I  may  live  until  the  coming  of  the  Lord,  but  if  I  should  not,  I  trust  it  may  be  
said  of  me,  “Blessed  are  the  dead  which  die  in  the  Lord  from  henceforth;  Yea,  saith  the  
Spirit,  that  they  may  rest  from  their  labours;  and  their  works  do  follow  them”  (Selected  
Messages,  55-­56).  

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SOURCES:  

i.  Arthur  White,  Ellen  G.  White:  A  Biography  Volume  1  (Review  and  Herald,  1981-­‐1986).  
 
ii.    Westminster  Assembly,  "Of  the  Holy  Scripture,"  Westminster  Confession.  
 
iii  Walter  Veith,  Diet  and  Health:  New  Scientific  Perspectives  (Cape  Town:  Southern  Publishing  
Association,  1993).  
 
iv  New  York  Independent  (August  23,  1915).  
 
v  Star  (St.  Helena,  CA:  July  23,  1915).  
 
vi  Clive  M.  McCay,  "A  Nutrition  Authority  Discusses  Mrs.  E.G.  White,"  Review  and  Herald  (Feb  26,  1959)
10.  
 
vii.  J.  N.  Longborough,  as  quoted  at  [Link]  
 
viii  Biography  of  E.  G.  White  Volume  2:  232-­‐233.  
 
ix  Biography  of  E.  G.  White  Volume  1:  104.  
 
x  Ibid:  303.  
 
xi  Ibid:  351.  
 
xii  Ibid:  351-­‐352.  
 

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