meaning of ellen white as lesser light

8/9/2019 Meaning of Ellen White as Lesser Light

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Ellen White as the LesserLight


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Believe His Prophets

Therefore I have hewnthem by the prophets(Hosea 6:5, RSV).

Believe in Jehovahyour God, so shall ye

be established; believehis prophets, so shallye prosper. (2 Chron.20:20, ASV).


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The Objective

The subjects which we present to the world must

be to us a living reality. It is important that in

defending the doctrines which we consider

fundamental articles of faith, we should never allowourselves to employ arguments that are not wholly

sound. These may avail to silence an opposer, but

they do not honor the truth. We should present

sound arguments, that will not only silence ouropponents, but will bear the closest and most

searching scrutiny (Gospel Workers, p. 299).


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Gods Method of Communication

Before sin: God and His angels communicated withthem face-to-face.

After sin:

i. Conscience (Rom 2:15, Joh 1:9)

ii. Nature (Rom 1:20, Ps 19:1-4)

iii. Sanctuary and its services; Urim and Thummim

iv. Dreams e.g. Pharaohs, Nebuchadnezzars

v. Prophets e.g. Moses

vi. Jesus (Joh 14:9, Heb 1:1,2; Joh 17:3-7)

vii. Bible


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The Revealer and the Revealed

The Son reveals GodHeb 1:1 God who at sundry times andin divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by theprophets, 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by hisSon

The Spirit reveals the Son John 15:26 The Helper will comethe Spirit, who reveals the truth about God and who comesfrom the Father. I will send him to you from the Father, and hewill speak about me (TEV)

The Spirit will do this by leading us into all truth John 16:13Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he shall guideyou into all the truth: for he shall not speak from himself; butwhat things soever he shall hear, these shall he speak: andhe shall declare unto you the things that are to come. 14 Heshall glorify me: for he shall take of mine, and shall declare itunto you.


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Prophets Most Used

Amos 3:7 Surely the Lord God does nothing,unless He reveals His secret to His servants theprophets

2 Chron. 36:15 The Lord God of their fathers sentwarnings to them by His messengers, rising upearly and sending them, because He had

compassion on His people

Starting from Enoch, there is a long line of splendor


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Low Success Rate

Jer 36:23 And it came to pass, when Jehudi had

read three or four leaves, that the kingcut it with the

penknife, and cast it into the fire that was in the

brazier, until all the roll was consumed in the fire thatwas in the brazier. 24 And they were not afraid, nor

rent their garments, neither the king, nor any of his

servants that heard all these words.

2 Sam 12:13 And David said unto Nathan, I havesinned against Jehovah. And Nathan said unto

David, Jehovah also hath put away thy sin; thou

shalt not die.


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How God Interacts with Prophets

2 Pet. 1:21 Prophecy never came by the will of man, but holymen of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit

Eze. 2:2 Then the Spirit entered me when He spoke to me,and set me on my feet; and I heard Him who spoke to me

Dan 10:7 And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision; for the men thatwere with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell uponthem, and they fled to hide themselves. 8 So I was left alone,and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength inme; for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and Iretained no strength. 9 Yet heard I the voice of his words;and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I fallen intoa deep sleep on my face, with my face toward the ground.

Num 12:6 If there is a prophet among you, I, the Lord, makeMyself known to him in a vision, and I speak to him in a dream


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How Prophets Interact with People

Orally: Acts 2; Deuteronomy; Beatitudes;

Nathan with David; Jeremiah with

Zedekiah (Jer. 38:14-19)

Written: Daniel 12:4; 9:2; Pauls letters; 2

Pet 3:1

Dramatisation: Parables; Jeremiah not to

marry (Jer 16:1,2); Valley of dry bones (Ez

37)


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Literary Assistants

Baruch (Jer 36:17, 18)

Tertius (Romans 16:22), Sosthenes (1 Cor

1:1)

Obvious difference between quality of

Greek between 1 Peter and 2 Peter

Presenting compilations by recording eye-witness accounts, e.g. Luke and Mark


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4 Classifications of Prophets

Prophets who wrote some of the Bible

Prophets in the Bible but did not write a part

Who gave oral testimonies not preserved inthe Bible (Num 11:24,25; 1 Sam 10:5,6,10;

Acts 21:9; Huldah consulted by Josiah)

Those who wrote books not preserved in

the Bible (Nathan and Gad - 1 Chr 29:29;

Jehu 2 Chr 20:34; Enoch Jude 14)


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God is Gender Impartial

Besides men, God also used women as

His prophets

Miriam (sister to Moses) Ex 15:20-21

Deborah Judges 4:4

Huldah 2 Kings 22:14

Isaiahs wife Isaiah 8:3 Anna Luke 2:6


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Is the Bible Insufficient?

"The Bible is a perfect and complete

revelation. It is our only rule of faith and

practice. But this is no reason, why God may

not show the past, present, and futurefulfillment of His word, in these last days, by

dreams and visions; according to Peter's

testimony. True visions are given to lead us to

God, and His written word; but those that aregiven for a new rule of faith and practice,

separate from the Bible, cannot be from God,

and should be rejected," James White "A

Word to the Little Flock," p. I3, May 30, I847.


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Tests of a Prophet

1. The physical condition of the prophet

when in vision.

2. The personal life of the prophet. That

person is dedicated to Jesus and lives in

obedience and harmony with Biblical

principles.

3. The messages given by the prophet are

in full agreement with Biblical standards,

promises, doctrines, and laws.


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Physical Phenomena

i. The prophet loses his strength and falls to the ground in adeep sleep.

ii. Despite the sleep, he hears a voice speaking to him.

iii. In the vision, and at times in physical action, the prophetarises to his hands and knees and then to his feet when

the being touches him.iv. At first he is dumb; but, when his lips are touched, he is

enabled to speak.

v. Throughout the vision he is without breath of any kind. Hisbreathing totally ceases.

vi. Strength is given him during the vision.

vii. Add to this the sign given in Numbers 24:4. During thevision his eyes are open.

- Prophet of the EndHarvestime Editorpp38


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The Weakest of the Weak

When Ellen reached the meeting place [in a private home],she found a large room filled with people eager to hear herdescribe the vision. But when she stood up to speak, hervoice was so weak and hoarse that she could scarcely beheard. For five minutes she tried, while her listeners leanedforward to catch her whispered words.

Then suddenly, to the surprise of all, her voice changed. Itrang out clear as a bell. She spoke for two hours, describingthe travels of Gods people to the holy City, the coming ofJesus, and their heavenly home. Many tears were shed, butthey were tears of joy. Every heart was cheered. When Ellensat down and tried to talk with those near her, her voice wasas hoarse as before, and she could only whisper.


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Some people have wondered why God chose one soweak to bring His messages to His people. There was areason. When that company . . saw Ellen stand up andtry in her weakness to make them hear, and then whenthe power of God came upon her, enabling her to speak

clearly, they knew she was not doing it aloneGod washelping her.

That night as the company broke up, there were shoutsof joy: We are going home! We are going home! Somewho watched Ellens friends support her as she went

back to the sleigh were thinking of the Apostle Paulswords: God hath chosen the weak things of the world toconfound the things which are mighty . . that no fleshshould glory in His presence.

Ella M. Robinson, Stories of My Grandmother, pp. 25-26.


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The time Mrs. White is in this condition has varied fromfifteen minutes to one hundred and eighty. During this timethe heart and pulse continue to beat, the eyes are alwayswide open, and seem to be gazing at some far-distantobject, and are never fixed on any person or thing in the

room. They are always directed upward. They exhibit apleasant expression. There is no ghastly look or anyresemblance of fainting. The brightest light may be suddenlybrought near her eyes, or feints made as if to thrustsomething into the eye, and there is never the slightest winkor change in expression on that account; and it is

sometimes hours and even days after she comes out of thiscondition before she recovers her natural sight.

While she is in vision, her breathing entirely ceases. Nobreath ever escapes her nostrils or lips when in thiscondition


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It has been proved many times by tightly holding the nostrils andmouth with the hand, and by putting a looking glass so close thatany escape of the moisture of the breath would be detected. In thiscondition she often speaks words and short sentences, yet not theslightest breath escapes. When she goes into this condition, there is

no appearance of swooning or faintness, her face retains its naturalcolor, and the blood circulates as usual. Often she loses herstrength temporarily and reclines or sits; but at other times shestands up. She moves her arms gracefully, and often her face islighted up with radiance as though the glory of heaven rested uponher. She is utterly unconscious of everything going on around her

while she is in vision, having no knowledge whatever of what is saidand done in her presence. Persons may pinch her flesh, and dothings which would cause great and sudden pain in her ordinarycondition, and she will not notice it by the slightest tremor.

- George I. Butler, in Review and Herald, June 9, 1874.


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Dr. Drummond, a physician . . who (before he saw her in

vision) had declared her visions to be of mesmeric

[hypnotic] origin and that he could give her a vision,

stepped forward and, after a thorough examination,

turned very pale and remarked, She doesnt breathe!Prophet of the End p45

One was Dr. Brown of Parkville, Michigan, a medical

doctor who was also a practicing spiritualist. Hearing of

her visions, he declared confidently that they were fromspiritualism and that if he could examine her while in

vision he would be able to prove itfor he would quickly

get in contact with the floating spirit guiding her, and

then directly control her himself.


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Elder White said, Will the doctor report hercondition? He replied, She does not breathe,

and rapidly made his way to the door. Those at

the door who knew of his boasting, said, Go

back, and do as you said you would; bring that

woman out of the vision. In great agitation he

grasped the knob of the door, but was not

permitted to open it until inquiry was made bythose near the door, Doctor, what is it? He

replied, God only knows; let me out of this

house! Statement by J.N. Loughborough.


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Development of Doctrine

Case studies

Sabbath 1846

Sanctuary 1846

Church order 1851

The law in Galatians and Righteousness by

Faith 1888

25


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James White: Place of Visions

The question naturally arises, if the visions are given

to correct the erring, why did she [Mrs. White] not

sooner see the error of the six o'clock time?....

It does not appear to be the desire of the Lord toteach His people by the gifts of the Spirit on the Bible

questions until His servants have diligently searched

His wordLet the gifts have their proper place in the

church. God has never set them in the very front, andcommanded us to look to them to lead us in the path

of truth, and the way to heaven. Feb. 25, 1868


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Confirmation

I asked the angel if the frown of God had been uponHis people for commencing the Sabbath as they had. Iwas directed back to the first rise of the Sabbath, andfollowed the people of God up to this time, but did not

see that the Lord was displeased, or frowned uponthem. I inquired why it had been thus, that at this lateday we must change the time of commencing theSabbath.

Said the angel, 'Ye shall understand, but not yet, not

yet.' Said the angel, 'If light come, and that light is setaside or rejected, then comes condemnation and thefrown of God; but before the light comes, there is nosin, for there is no light for them to reject.

1T, p. 116


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Case: Law in Galatians Debate

Why was it that I lost the manuscript

and for two years could not find it?

God has a purpose in this. He wants us

to go to the Bible and get the Scriptureevidence.

1888 Materials, vol. 1, p. 153


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Verbal and Thought Inspiration

Inspiration acts not on the mans words or hisexpressions but on the man himself, who, under theinfluence of the Holy Ghost, is imbued withthoughts. But the words receive the impress of the

individual mind. . . . The divine mind and will iscombined with the human mind and will; thus theutterances of the man are the word of God. 1SM 21

"Although I am as dependent upon the Spirit of the

Lord in writing my views as I am in receiving them,yet the words I employ in describing what I haveseen are my own, unless they be those spoken tome by an angel, which I always enclose in marks ofquotation. Review and Herald, Oct. 8, 1867.


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Controversy on Revisions

Fears came from two directions: Leaders knew (1) that criticsof the denomination would jump at the opportunity to showthat the Adventist prophet was unreliable, that she wasmanipulated by circumstances and other people; (2) thatchanges in published writings would unsettle some

Adventists, causing them to feel they had been misled andthat Ellen White was not a safe guide.

Were these fears justified? Yes and No. Fears were justifiedwhen leaders observed that many people, both Adventistsand non-Adventists, held an inadequate view of how God

speaks to His human messengers; they believed that Goddictated the exact words that prophets used in revealingdivine messages.

However, fears were unnecessary whenever peopleunderstood that God inspired the messenger with thoughts,

not words.


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1883 Revision Revised

We have reset many pages of that which wascriticized at Battle Creek, and have madehundreds of changes in the plates so as to bringthe phraseology of the new edition as nearly aspossible to that of the old without making thestatements awkward and the grammar positivelyincorrect.

Moon, W. C. White and Ellen G. White, p. 128.


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Revision by Jeremiah

Jer 36:2 Take thee a roll of a book, and write therein allthe words that I have spoken unto thee against Israel, andagainst Judah, and against all the nations, from the day Ispoke unto thee, from the days of Josiah, even unto thisday.

Jer 36:27 Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah,after that the king had burned the roll, and the words whichBaruch wrote at the mouth of Jeremiah, saying,

Jer 36:28 Take thee again another roll, and write in it allthe former words that were in the first roll, which Jehoiakimthe king of Judah hath burned.

Jer 36:32 Then took Jeremiah another roll, and gave it toBaruch the scribe, the son of Neriah; who wrote thereinfrom the mouth of Jeremiah all the words of the book whichJehoiakim king of Judah had burned in the fire: and therewere added besides unto them many like words.


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Ellen White as the Lesser

Light


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Leading Bible Texts

[There is] one glory ofthe sun, and anotherglory of the moon, andanother glory of the

stars: for [one] stardiffereth from [another]star in glory.

I Corithians 15:41


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Leading Bible Texts

1:16 And God made two great lights;

the greater light to rule the day, andthe lesser light to rule the night: [hemade] the stars also.

1:17 And God set them in thefirmament of the heaven to give lightupon the earth,

1:18 And to rule over the day andover the night, and to divide the lightfrom the darkness: and God saw that[it was] good.

Genesis 1: 16-17


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Leading Bible Texts

5:13 But all things that arereproved are made manifest bythe light: for whatsoever dothmake manifest is light.

5:14 Wherefore he saith,Awake thou that sleepest, andarise from the dead, and Christshall give thee light.

Ephesians 5:13, 14


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God made the

moonBut just as soon as some enter collegeand get a little bit of knowledge they thinkthey know more than God. And you hearof the higher critics. Who is the Higher

Critic? It is the Lord God of the universe,who has spread the canopy of theheavens above us, and has made thestars and called them forth in their order;that has created the lesser light, the gloryof the moon, to come in its order and toshine in our world.

Miscellaneous Collection ST Vol 1, p256


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John the Baptist, the Lesser Light

John was the lesser light, which was to befollowed by a greater light. He was to shake theconfidence of the people in their traditions, and calltheir sins to their remembrance, and lead them to

repentance; that they might be prepared toappreciate the work of Christ. God communicatedto John by inspiration, illuminating the prophet thathe might remove the superstition and darkness

from the minds of the honest Jews, which hadbeen, through false teachings for generations,gathering upon them. Second Advent Review andSabbath Herald04-08-73


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TEST EVERY LIGHTACCORDING TOTHE BIBLE

John was not thatLight

All things were made by [the Word]; and withoutHim was not any thing made that was made. InHim was life; and the life was the lightof men.And the light shineth in darkness; and the

darkness comprehended it not. There was aman sent from God, whose name was John. Thesame came for a witness, to bear witness of theLight, that all men through him might believe. Hewas not that Light, but was sentto bear witness

of that Light. Thatwas the true Light, whichlighteth every man that cometh into the world.

John 1:3-9


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TEST EVERY LIGHTACCORDING TOTHE BIBLE

John was not thatLight

He was a burning and a shining light: and

ye were willing for a season to rejoice in

his light.

John 5:35


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The Law important

With the first advent of Christ there wasushered in an era of greater light and glory;but it would indeed be sinful ingratitude todespise and ridicule the lesser lightbecause

a fuller and more glorious light haddawnedThe brightness of the Father'sglory, and the excellence and perfection ofhis sacred law, are only understood throughthe atonement made upon Calvary by his

dear Son; but even the atonement loses itssignificance when the law of God is rejected.-- Signs of the Times 08-25-87


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Even the Old was glorious

For even that which was made glorious had no gloryin this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth.

For if that which is done away [was] glorious, muchmore that which remaineth [is] glorious....

And not as Moses, [which] put a veil over his face,that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look tothe end of that which is abolished:

But their minds were blinded: for until this dayremaineth the same veil untaken away in the readingof the old testament; which [veil] is done away in

Christ.But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the veilis upon their heart.

Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the veilshall be taken away. 2 Cor 3:10-16


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Believe Moses, Believe Christ

For had ye believed Moses, ye would

have believed me: for he wrote of me.

But if ye believe not his writings, how

shall ye believe my words?

John 5:46-47


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How John referred to himself

And this is the record of John, when the

Jews sent priests and Levites from

Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou? And he

confessed, and denied not; but confessed, Iam not the Christ. And they asked him, What

then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not.

Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No.

Then said they unto him, Who art thou? thatwe may give an answer to them that sent us.

What sayest thou of thyself?John 1:19-22


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Jesus reference to John

But what went ye out for to see?A prophet?

Yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet.

For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I

send my messenger before thy face, whichshall prepare thy way before thee. Verily I say

unto you, Among them that are born of

women there hath not risen a greater than

John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that isleast in the kingdom of heaven is greater

than he. Matthew 11:7-13.


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Not new light?

Brother J would confuse the mind byseeking to make it appear that thelight God has given through the

Testimonies is an addition to the wordof God, but in this he presents thematter in a false light.

Selected Messages3, p. 30


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Christ did not reveal new light

But the sayings of Christ are not a newrevelation. The principles which he expoundedwere announced to Moses from the pillar ofcloud, and to the prophets, who spoke and wrote

as they were moved upon by the Holy Spirit. Butthe Jews had departed from the light and thegrace that had been given them, and had notpractised the sacred teachings that wereessential for their present, spiritual help and for

their eternal interests. Because of this, the wordsof Christ fell upon the ears of the Jewish nationas a new revelation.


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Principles of Truth abide

But although the long line of events

extends through so many centuries, and

new and important truths are from time to

time developed, that which was truth in thebeginning is the truth still. The increased

light of the present day does not contradict

or make of none effect the dimmer light ofthe past.

Signs of the Times, 06-03-86


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Seeing truth in a new light

If those who have received the light will

appreciate and respect the testimonies of the

Lord, they will see the religious life in a new light.

They will be convicted. They will see the key thatunlocks the mysteries that they have never

understood. They will lay hold of the precious

things that God has given them to profit withal

and will be translated from the kingdom ofdarkness into God's marvelous light.

My Life Today, p. 42


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Testimonies reveal new light

We should bear in mind that Christian

experience is progressive, and that the

Testimonies have taught advanced

principles year by year as the work hasprogressed and as the people have been

prepared to receive new light.

Ellen White Biographies, vol. 6, p. 266


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The Bible is infallible

The Bible presents a perfect standard of

character; it is an infallible guide under all

circumstances, even to the end of the

journey of life. Take it as the man of yourcounsel, the rule of your daily life. {5T 264.2}

The Word of the only true God is infallible.In Heavenly Places, p137


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God is infallible

We have many lessons to learn,

and many, many to unlearn. God

and heaven alone are infallible.

Counsels to Editors and Writers p37

55


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Man is NOT infallible

I wish that self should be hid in Jesus. I wish selfto be crucified. I do not claim infallibility, or evenperfection of Christian character. I am not freefrom mistakes and errors in my life. Had Ifollowed my Saviour more closely, I should not

have to mourn so much my unlikeness to Hisdear image. {Daughters of God 272.6}

Though some of these men wrote under the

inspiration of the Spirit of God, yet when notunder its direct influence they sometimes erred.It will be remembered that on one occasion Paulwithstood Peter to the face because he wasacting a double part. {6BC 1065.4}


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Mans word fails

Man's word fails, and he who takes the

assertions of man as his dependence may well

tremble, for he will one day be as a shipwrecked

vessel. But God's Word is infallible and enduresforever. Christ declares, "Verily I say unto you,

Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle

shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be

fulfilled" (Matt. 5:18). God's Word will endurethrough the ceaseless ages of eternity.

{The Upward Look 96.5}


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Possible Discrepancies

Regarding Mothers writings, she has never wished our brethrento treat them as authority on the dates or details of history.When Great Controversy was written, she oftentimes gave apartial description of some scene presented to her, and whenSister Davis made inquiry regarding time and place, Motherreferred to what was already written in the books of [Uriah]

Smith and in secular histories. When Controversy was written,Mother never thought that the readers would take it as authorityon historical dates and use it to settle controversies, and shedoes not now feel that it ought to be used in that way . . . . If ithad been essential to the salvation of men that he [humanbeings] should have a clear and harmonious understanding of

the chronology of the world, the Lord would not have permittedthe disagreements and discrepancies which we find in thewritings of the Bible historians. W. C. White and Ellen G. White

p431, 432

At the end of this letter Ellen White penned in her ownhandwriting, I approve of the remarks made in this letter.


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Literary Work

In some cases where a historian has so grouped togetherevents as to afford, in brief, a comprehensive view of thesubject, or has summarized details in a convenient manner,his words have been quoted; but in some instances nospecific credit has been given, since the quotations are not

given for the purpose of citing that writer as authority, butbecause his statement affords a ready and forciblepresentation of the subject. In narrating the experience andviews of those carrying forward the work of reform in our time,similar use has been made of their published works.

Authors Preface, Great Controversy, p. xii.

Compare: Jude 4-18 with 2 Peter 2:1-3; the gospels; Luke 1:1-4; 2 Chronicles 36: 22-23 with Ezra 1: 1-3


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Why God uses fallible beings

Ellen White understood thought inspiration and justifiedwhy God chose this mode of communication. Sheunderstood that sin has marred man to such an extent thathe cannot comprehend any or fully if God were to speak tohim directly. Neither can he bear it. Thought inspiration is an

extension of Gods mercy to fallen man speaking to manin mans language. Notice what happened at theresurrection of Lazarus when God spoke directly.

John 12:28 Father, glorify thy name. Then came there avoice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and willglorify itagain.

John 12:29 The people therefore, that stood by, and heardit, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him.


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Imperfect expression

"God has been pleased to communicate Histruth to the world by human agencies, and HeHimself, by His Holy Spirit, qualified men andenabled them to do His work. He guided the

mind in the selection of what to speak and whatto write. The treasure was entrusted to earthenvessels, yet it is, none the less, from Heaven.The testimony is conveyed through theimperfect expression of human language, yet

it is the testimony of God; and the obedient,believing child of God beholds in it the glory of adivine power, full of grace and truth."

{1SM 26.1}


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Could there be mistakes?

All the mistakes will not cause troubleto one soul, or cause any feet tostumble, that would not manufacturedifficulties from the plainest revealed

truth.

{1SM 16.2}


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Common and Sacred

There are times when common things must be stated,common thoughts must occupy the mind, commonletters must be written and information given that haspassed from one to another of the workers. Such words,such information, are not given under the specialinspiration of the Spirit of God. Questions are asked attimes that are not upon religious subjects at all, andthese questions must be answered. We converse abouthouses and lands, trades to be made, and locations forour institutions, their advantages and disadvantages. Ireceive letters asking for advice on many strangesubjects, and I advise according to the light that hasbeen given me. (1SM 38, 39)


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Which parts are inspired?

Those who think to make the supposeddifficulties of Scripture plain, in measuringby their finite rule that which is inspired andthat which is not inspired, had better cover

their faces, as Elijah when the still smallvoice spoke to him; for they are in thepresence of God and holy angels, who for ageshave communicated to men light and

knowledge, telling them what to do and what notto do, unfolding before them scenes of thrillinginterest, waymark by waymark in symbols andsigns and illustrations.

{1SM 17.1}


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Man cannot cherry-pick too

And He [God] has not, while presenting theperils clustering about the last days, qualifiedany finite man to unravel hidden mysteries orinspired one man or any class of men to

pronounce judgment as to that which is inspiredor is not. When men, in their finite judgment,find it necessary to go into an examination ofscriptures to define that which is inspiredand that which is not, they have stepped

before Jesus to show Him a better way thanHe has led us. I take the Bible just as it is, asthe Inspired Word. I believe its utterances in anentire Bible.

{1SM 17.2}


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EGW was like John the Baptist

To claim to be a prophetess is something that I havenever done. If others call me by that name, I have nocontroversy with them. But my work has covered somany lines that I cannot call myself other than amessenger, sent to bear a message from the Lord to Hispeople, and to take up work in any line that He pointsout.

Why have I not claimed to be a prophet? Because inthese days many who boldly claim that they are prophets

are a reproach to the cause of Christ; and because mywork includes much more than the word prophetsignifies.

Review and Herald, July 26, 1906, cited in1SM p. 32.


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How to treat her writings

Yet now when I send you a testimony of warning andreproof, many of you declare it to be merely the opinionof Sister White. You have thereby insulted the Spirit ofGod. You know how the Lord has manifested Himselfthrough the Spirit of prophecy. Past, present, and future

have passed before meYou might say that thiscommunication was only a letter. Yes, it was a letter, butprompted by the Spirit of God, to bring before your mindsthings that had been shown me. In these letters which Iwrite, in the testimonies I bear, I am presenting to youthat which the Lord has presented to me. I do not write

one article in the paper, expressing merely my ownideas. They are what God has opened before me invision--the precious rays of light shining from thethrone.... {1SM 27.2}


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The Bible is infallible

The Word of the only true God is

infallible.

In Heavenly Places, p137


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No Middle Ground

God is either teaching His church, reproving theirwrongs and strengthening their faith, or He is not. Thiswork is of God or it is not. God does nothing inpartnership with Satan. My work . . bears the stamp ofGod or the stamp of the enemy. There is no halfwaywork in the matter. The Testimonies are of the Spiritof God or of the spirit of the devil.

5 Testimonies, p. 671.

The testimonies I have borne you have in truth beenpresented to me by the Lord. I am sorry that yourejected the light given. . . . It is not I whom you arebetraying. It is not I against whom you are soembittered. It is the Lord, who has given me amessage to bear to you.

Selected Messages, Book 3, p. 84;


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Is it a burden?

Jer 23:32 Behold, I [am] against them that prophesy false dreams, saiththe LORD, and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and

by their lightness; yet I sent them not, nor commanded them: therefore

they shall not profit this people at all, saith the LORD.

Jer 23:33 And when this people, or the prophet, or a priest, shall ask

thee, saying, What [is] the burden of the LORD? thou shalt then say unto

them, What burden? I will even forsake you, saith the LORD.

Jer 23:34 And [as for] the prophet, and the priest, and the people, that

shall say, The burden of the LORD, I will even punish that man and his

house.

Jer 23:35 Thus shall ye say every one to his neighbour, and every one to

his brother, What hath the LORD answered? and, What hath the LORDspoken?

Jer 23:36 And the burden of the LORD shall ye mention no more: for

every man's word shall be his burden; for ye have perverted the words of

the living God, of the LORD of hosts our God.

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Not a burden

Jer 23:37 Thus shalt thou say to the prophet, What hath theLORD answered thee? and, What hath the LORD spoken?

23:38 But since ye say, The burden of the LORD; therefore

thus saith the LORD; Because ye say this word, The burden

of the LORD, and I have sent unto you, saying, Ye shall not

say, The burden of the LORD;

23:39 Therefore, behold, I, even I, will utterly forget you,

and I will forsake you, and the city that I gave you and your

fathers, [and cast you] out of my presence:

23:40 And I will bring an everlasting reproach upon you,and a perpetual shame, which shall not be forgotten.

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SUMMARY

John was asked if he was a prophetand he said no(John 1:19-26). If not a prophet, then what was he? Luke7:27: He was the messenger of the Lord(see also,Malachi 3:1).

John the Baptist had the testimony of Jesus(John

5:31-33; 1:15). John the Baptist was more than a prophet(Luke 7:26). John denied that he was the light(phos; John 1:6-8).

His purpose was to bear witness to the light. Yet Jesuscalled John a bright and shining light (luchnos: portable

lamp or candle; John 5:35). In other words, John was alesser lightwhich was to lead men and women to thegreater lightJesus Christ (see John 5:36 where Jesusactually uses the word greater to refer to Himself).


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Scriptures and Testimony

But notice that the Scriptures also gave witness to Jesus (John5:39). Thus there are two sourceswhich testify of Jesus: Johnthe Baptist and the written Scriptures of the Old Testament.There was a canonicaland a non-canonicalsource to givewitness to Jesus.

The questionimmediately suggests itself: Why did the people

need a non-canonical source if they had the written Scriptures ofthe Old Testament? Or, even further, why would they even needa lesser light if they would soon have the greater lightin theirmidst?

The answer is actually quite simple: The people had fallen intogross darknessand gone astray because of theirneglect of

the Scriptures. All kinds of false teachings and practices camein during this period (John 1:5; Isaiah 60:1-2) They therefore

needed a lesser light to draw attention to the greater light. 1:5And the light shineth in darkness; and the darknesscomprehended it not. John 1:5


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Rejecting lesser, rejecting greater

You see, those who claimed to be Gods peopleandboasted at having the Old Testamentwere violatingevery principleof the Word of God. They professed tobe waiting for the Messiah. They professedto loveGod. They claimed to have a close relationshipwith

Him and yet they crucified Christ because theymisunderstood the Old Testament and rejected theclarification given by the lesser light. We can imagine theJews saying, We have Moses, but they did notunderstand or practice the teachings of Moses. Theyboasted of their knowledge of the Scriptures and yet did

not understand them at all. John was called to attractattention to the Word already given. If the Jews hadunderstood and obeyed the writings of Moses, Johnwould never have been raised up by God!!!


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John: Revivalist and Reformer

He exalted the Old Testament and made it vivid, aliveand present truth. He rebuked, reproved, was a flyinthe ointment, a painin the neck, a speckin the eye. Hewas no pushover(see Matthew 11:7-8)

The role of John was to preparea people for the firstcoming of Jesus (Luke 1:17). By revival(repentance)and reformation (bearing fruit) the people were to waitexpectantly for theirbridegroom. John was the liaisonorgo-between, between Jesus Christ (the groom) and

Israel (the bride). He was to prepare the way for thewedding (John 3:28-30).


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S Ell Whi


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So was Ellen White

Ellen White preferred not to be called aprophet, she claimed to be the Messenger ofthe Lord(I SM 32)

Ellen White had the Testimony of Jesus

(Revelation 12:17; 19:10; 22:9). The work of Ellen White was fargreater thanthat of a conventional prophet(I SM 32, 34,36).

Ellen White was a lesser lightto lead men andwomen to the greater light, Jesus Christ

S i t d T ti


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Scriptures and Testimony

As with John, two sources give witness to Jesus,one canonical(the Bible) and the othernon-

canonical(the writings of Ellen G. White). As

with John, the purpose of her writings is to bring

attention to the written Scriptureswhich had

been trampled upon and misinterpreted during

the dark ages. If Gods people had studied the

Word of God with the sincere desire to obey it,Ellen White would never have been called by

God.

F i h h ki f id


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Faith, the outworking of evidence

"What voice will you acknowledge as the voiceof God? What power has the Lord in reserve to

correct your errors and show you your course as

it is? What power to work in the church? If you

refuse to believe until every shadow of

uncertainty and every possibility of doubt is

removed, you will never believe. The doubt

that demands perfect knowledge will never yieldto faith. Faith rests upon evidence, not

demonstration.

{1SM 27.3}


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P t d I t ti


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Present-day Instruction

In ancient times God spoke to men by themouth of prophets and apostles. In these days

He speaks to them by the

testimonies of His Spirit.There was never a time when God instructed

His people more earnestly than He instructs

them now concerning His will, and the course

that He would have them pursue.Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 661. (1889) {Ev 255}

84


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N t t d th Bibl


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Not to supersede the Bible

The testimonies of Sister White should not be carriedto the front. God's Word is the unerring standard. The

Testimonies are not to take the place of the Word.

Great care should be exercised by all believers to

advance these questions carefully, and always stopwhen you have said enough. Let all prove their

positions from the Scriptures and substantiate every

point they claim as truth from the revealed Word of

God.Letter 12, 1890. {Ev 256.2}

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P f th T ti i


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Purpose of the Testimonies

The written testimonies are not to give new light,but to impress vividly upon the heart the truths ofinspiration already revealed. Man's duty to Godand to his fellow man has been distinctlyspecified in God's word; yet but few of you areobedient to the light given. Additional truth is notbrought out; but God has through theTestimonies simplified the great truths alreadygiven and in His own chosen way brought them

before the people to awaken and impress themind with them, that all may be left withoutexcuse.

Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2, p. 605

P f th T ti i


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Purpose of the Testimonies

The Word of God is sufficient to enlighten the most becloudedmind, and may be understood by those who have any desire

to understand it. But notwithstanding all this, some who

profess to make the Word of God their study, are found living

in direct opposition to its plainest teachings. Then, to leave

men and women without excuse, God gives plain and pointed

testimonies, bringing them back to the Word that they have

neglected to follow. The Word of God abounds in general

principles for the formation of correct habits of living, and the

Testimonies, general and personal, have been calculated to

call their attention more especially to these principles.

Testimonies, vol. 5, pp. 663, 664. (1889) {Ev 256.4}

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Telescope analogy


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Telescope analogy

Everything depends upon our relation to it[telescope] and the use which we make of it. Initself it is only a glass through which to look; but inthe hand of the divine Director, properly mounted,set at the right angle and adjusted to the eye of

the observer, with a field, clear of clouds, it willreveal truth such as will quicken the blood,gladden the heart, and open a wide door ofexpectations.. . . . The failure has been inunderstanding what the Testimoniesare and how

to use them. They are not the heavens, palpitatingwith countless orbs of truth, but they do lead theeye and give it power to penetrate into the gloriesof the mysterious living word of God.

Mrs S.M.I. Henry quoted in Good Health

M f (FAQ )


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Mafunso (FAQs)

Kodi Ellen White tingamuyelekeze ndiyani?Mneneri wina aliyense mBaibulo, maka Yohane Mbatizi chifukwaYohaneyo ananenera kubwera kwa Yesu koyamba ndipo EGWkwachiwiri.

Nanga ngati Baibulo ndilokwanira, nchifukwa ninji mukuti zolembera za

Ellen White ndizofunika?Zolemberazi ndizotithandiza kumvetsetsa Baibulo.

Ndiye kuti munthu ukhoza kusankha kugwiritsa ntchito Baibulo lokha?

Inde, ndipo monga okhulupirira Baibulo, Mulungu akutsogolerakukhulupiriranso zolembera za EGW.

Kodi ndingatayike nditakhulupirira Baibulo lokha, kapena ndingatayikepokhulupirira EGW yekha?

Mungatayike ngati simukhulupirira mwa Yesu. Baibulo ndi Ellen Whitezimalozera kwa Yesu. Izo ndizotengera zomwe zikutiunikira kutsata njirayoona ya kwa Yesu.

Maf nso (FAQs)


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Mafunso (FAQs)

Kodi nchifukwa chiani EGW anadzitcha lesser light (kuwala kochepa)?Kuwalako kukuyerekezedwa ndi Kuwala kwina kwakukulu ndiko kwaBaibulo ndi kwa Yesu

Inu simukuona kuti ndizosokoneza pamenepa? Bwanji sanangolembakuti kwakeko ndikuwala basi?

Ayi, sizikusokoneza. Chilichonse chomwe EGW analemba chinalichochokera kumfundo za mu Baibulo. Mwa ichi, Baibulo ndikuwalakwakukulu chifukwa kuwala kwa EGW sikukubweretsa kuwalakwatsopano koma kukuwalitsa kuwala kwa kale kwa Baibulo.

Kodi kuchita zosemphana ndi zolembera za EGW ndikuchimwa?

Popeza EGW ananenera za mu Baibulo, kusemphana ndizolemberazondichimodzimodzi kusemphana ndi Baibulo. Ngati tamva chidzudzulochovuta kutsatira, tipemphere mwa Mzimu kuti atitsogolere PAKUTIWAKUCHITA MWA INU KUFUNA NDI KUCHITA KOMWE, CHIFUKWACHA KUKOMA MTIMA KWACE, NDIYE MULUNGU Phil 2:13

Mafunso (FAQs)


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Mafunso (FAQs)

Ellen White akusiyana bwanji ndi JosephSmith wa Latter Day Saints (Mormonism)?

The Book of Mormon ndi ena a Smith

amatengedwa ngati ophatikizira(supplement) Baibulo chifukwa ali ndi

zoona zina zomwe mu Baibulo mulibe.

Mabuku a Ellen White amaunikira(complement) Baibulo.

Joseph Smith v Ellen White


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Joseph Smith v Ellen White When the Latter Day Saints pay a visit, theirfirst taskis to

try and convince the prospective student that JosephSmithwas a true prophet. As the studies continue, theBook of Mormon and the Bible are used together.

With Seventh-day Adventist the process is reversed. Thestudent is taught the truth from Scripture alone and once all

the doctrines have been clearly presented from Scripture,then the Spirit of Prophecy is presented last as acomplement(not supplement) of the Bible. This is notdone because the Spirit of Prophecy is of secondaryimportance but rather because the function of the writingsof Ellen White is not to supplement Scripture but rather to

complement it! Ellen White magnifies, explains, amplifiessimplifiesand highlightsthe great truths of Scripture butdoes not add any new truth!! Ellen White is like atelescopeor a microscope. The telescope does not createstars but rather helps us see them more clearly.

Do not be deceived: read for yourself


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Do not be deceived: read for yourself

I never form an opinion of a person or a churchon the basis of what its enemies say(because

the enemies distortwhat they believe) or even

on the basis of what theirfriends say(because

they often embellishthe truth).

If you want to know the truth about Ellen White,

go directly to the source, read her writingsfor yourself. Get your information first hand!!

(Steven Bohr: Lesser Light)

Prayerful study honesty


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Prayerful study, honesty

Many a portion of Scripture which learned menpronounce a mystery, or pass over as unimportant, is

full of comfort and instruction to him who has been

taught in the school of Christ. One reason why many

theologians have no clearer understanding of God'sword is, they close their eyes to truths which they do

not wish to practice. An understanding of Bible truth

depends not so much on the power of intellect

brought to the search as on the singleness of

purpose, the earnest longing after righteousness.

{CSW 38.1}

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Ellen White

exalted the

Bible: read

her writings

YOURSELF

Mabuku ndi zolemba zina


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Mabuku ndi zolemba zina

Messenger of the LordbyDr Herbert Douglass, (Andrews University,and Advisor toAmazing Facts) Messenger to the RemnantbyArthur L. White (son and trustee of Ellen

White Estate) Lesser LightbySteven Bohr, (a converted Pastor of the SDA Church) Ellen White as the Lesser LightbyEugene Prewitt

Ellen White & Her CriticsbyF.D. Nichol (once trustee of the Estate) Defending Spirit of ProphecybyVance Ferrell, (a powerful SDA Pastor) Believe His ProphetsbyD.E. Rebok (member of Ellen G. White

Publications staff) The Abiding Gift of ProphecybyArthur G. Daniells, (once President of

the General Conference of SDAs and original trustee of the Estate)

Ellen White and the SDA ChurchbyD.A. Delafield The Testimony of JesusbyFrancis McLellan Wilcox (last surviving

member of the original six Board of Trustees in Ellen Whites will)

Websites


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Websites

www.maranathamedia.com

www.threeangels.com.au

www.secretsunsealed.org

www.remnant-prophecy.com

www.harvestimebooks.com

www.ellenwhitedefend.com www.whiteestate.org
http://www.maranathamedia.com/http://www.threeangels.com.au/http://www.secretsunsealed.org/http://www.remnant-prophecy.com/http://www.harvestimebooks.com/http://www.ellenwhitedefend.com/http://www.whiteestate.org/http://www.whiteestate.org/http://www.ellenwhitedefend.com/http://www.harvestimebooks.com/http://www.remnant-prophecy.com/http://www.secretsunsealed.org/http://www.threeangels.com.au/http://www.maranathamedia.com/

meaning of ellen white as lesser light

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