Ellen's Words Barricaded by a "Thus Saith the Lord"

 

Before reading any of Ellen's written works, it is important to be aware that Ellen claimed all of her writings in her letters, diary entries, papers, testimonies, and books held truth and the authority of God. If one is to put their faith in Ellen as a true messenger of God as the Spirit of Prophecy, they must believe what she herself testified; to take all of her writings as from God Himself. Paul, however, stated that the scriptures have already provided everything a believer needs in order to understand salvation and live a life of obedience. If, as Ellen claimed, a person is required to obey her testimonies in addition to what is already taught by God in scripture, then Paul was incorrect.

The quotes below will reveal Ellen's claim that her words were sent directly to her from God. It is important for believers to test her claim and her messages against scripture, remembering that God warns believers that there will be false prophets with false visions and dreams, and to test the spirits. 

 

Scripture:

  • “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:14-17

 

  • “I did not send these prophets, yet they have run with their message; I did not speak to them, yet they have prophesied.” … “I have heard what the prophets say who prophesy lies in my name. They say, ‘I had a dream! I had a dream!’ How long will this continue in the hearts of these lying prophets, who prophesy the delusions of their own minds?” … “Therefore,” declares the Lord, “I am against the prophets who steal from one another words supposedly from me. Yes,” declares the Lord, “I am against the prophets who wag their own tongues and yet declare, ‘The Lord declares.’ Indeed, I am against those who prophesy false dreams,” declares the Lord. “They tell them and lead my people astray with their reckless lies, yet I did not send or appoint them. They do not benefit these people in the least,” declares the Lord.” Jeremiah 23:12-32

 

  • “Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel who prophesy, and say to those who prophesy from their own inspiration, ‘Listen to the word of the Lord! This is what the Lord God says: “Woe to the foolish prophets who are following their own spirit and have seen nothing! Israel, your prophets have been like jackals among ruins. You have not gone up into the breaches, nor did you build up a stone wall around the house of Israel to stand in the battle on the day of the Lord. They see deceit and lying divination, those who are saying, ‘The Lord declares,’ when the Lord has not sent them; yet they wait for the fulfillment of their word! Did you not see a false vision and tell a lying divination when you said, ‘The Lord declares,’ but it is not I who have spoken?” Ezekiel 13:2-7

 

  • "For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall show signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect." Mark 13:22

 

  • "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves." Matthew 7:15

 

  • "And I will keep on doing what I am doing in order to cut the ground from under those who want an opportunity to be considered equal with us in the things they boast about. For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness." 2 Corinthians 11:12-15

 

  • “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.” 1 John 4:1

 

 

Ellen G. White:

 

Divine Origin of Visions

     

    • “In the line of my work I speak the things the Lord gives me. And in my words to you I would ...[not] dare to say that the Lord did not move me to make the remarks which I made in that talk all the way through.” Letter 18d, (890) https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/14056.5573001#5573008 

     

    • “Men may get up scheme after scheme and the enemy will seek to seduce souls from the truth, but all who believe that the Lord has spoken through Sister White and has given her a message will be safe from the many delusions that will come in these last days.” Selected Messages Vol. 3, pp. 83, 84 (1906) https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/39.238#246  

     

    • ”What a battle I am obliged to fight! My brethren seem to judge me as taking positions that are not necessary. They do not see that God in His own wisdom has made revelations to me which cannot successfully be contradicted or disputed. Nothing can rub out that which has been presented to me and imprinted on the tablets of my soul. All the oppositions or gainsaying to make my testimony of none effect only compels from me, by the urgency of the Spirit of God, a more decided repetition, and to stand on the light revealed with all the force of the strength God has given me.” Manuscript 25, 1890, pp. 1 ( Untitled Manuscript, January 7, 1890.) https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/59.1135#1141

     

    • “As inquiries are frequently made as to my state in vision, and after I come out, I would say that when the Lord sees fit to give a vision, I am taken into the presence of Jesus and angels, and am entirely lost to earthly things. I can see no farther than the angel directs me. My attention is often directed to scenes transpiring upon earth.” Selected Messages, Book 1, Ch 2 https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/98.174#175 

     

    • “During this whole time I could not understand the reasoning of the brethren. My mind was locked, as it were, and I could not comprehend the meaning of the scriptures we were studying. This was one of the greatest sorrows of my life. I was in this condition of mind until all the principal points of our faith were made clear to our minds, in harmony with the Word of God. The brethren knew that when not in vision, I could not understand these matters, and they accepted as light direct from heaven the revelations given.” Selected Messages, Vol. 1, pp. 207 https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/668.1131#1133 

     

    • “At times I am carried far ahead into the future and shown what is to take place. Then again I am shown things as they have occurred in the past. After I come out of vision I do not at once remember all that I have seen, and the matter is not so clear before me until I write, then the scene rises before me as was presented in vision, and I can write with freedom. Sometimes the things which I have seen are hid from me after I come out of vision, and I cannot call them to mind until I am brought before a company where that vision applies, then the things which I have seen come to my mind with force. I am just as dependent upon the Spirit of the Lord in relating or writing a vision, as in having the vision. It is impossible for me to call up things which have been shown me unless the Lord brings them before me at the time that He is pleased to have me relate or write them.” Spiritual Gifts Vol. 2, pp. 292, 293 (1860). https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/98.174#176 

     

    • “While in Roosevelt, New York, August 3, 1861, different churches and families were presented before me." ..."In the last vision given at Battle Creek I was shown that an unwise course was taken at —— in regard to the visions at the time of the organization of the church there. There were some in —— who were God’s children, and yet doubted the visions. Others had no opposition, yet dared not take a decided stand in regard to them. Some were skeptical, and they had sufficient cause to make them so. The false visions and fanatical exercises, and the wretched fruits following, had an influence upon the cause in Wisconsin to make minds jealous of everything bearing the name of visions. All these things should have been taken into consideration, and wisdom exercised. There should be no trial or labor with those who have never seen the individual having visions, and who have had no personal knowledge of the influence of the visions. Such should not be deprived of the benefits and privileges of the church, if their Christian course is otherwise correct, and they have formed a good Christian character. Some, I was shown, could receive the published visions, judging of the tree by its fruits. Others are like doubting Thomas; they cannot believe the published Testimonies, nor receive evidence through the testimony of others; but must see and have the evidence for themselves. Such must not be set aside, but long patience and brotherly love should be exercised toward them until they find their position and become established for or against. If they fight against the visions, of which they have no knowledge; if they carry their opposition so far as to oppose that in which they have had no experience, and feel annoyed when those who believe that the visions are of God speak of them in meeting, and comfort themselves with the instruction given through vision, the church may know that they are not right. God’s people should not cringe and yield, and give up their liberty to such disaffected ones. God has placed the gifts in the church that the church may be benefited by them; and when professed believers in the truth oppose these gifts, and fight against the visions, souls are in danger through their influence, and it is time then to labor with them, that the weak may not be led astray by their influence. It has been very hard for the servants of God to labor in ——, for there has been a class of self-righteous, talkative, unruly ones there, who have stood in the way of the work of God. If received into the church, they would tear it to pieces. They would not be subject to the body, and would never be satisfied unless the reins of church government were in their own hands. Brother G sought to move with great caution. He knew that the class who opposed the visions were wrong, that they were not genuine believers in the truth; and therefore, to shake off these clogs, he proposed to receive none into the church who did not believe the third angel’s message and the visions. This kept out some few precious souls who had not fought against the visions. They dared not unite with the church, fearing that they should commit themselves upon that which they did not understand and fully believe. And there were those at hand ready to prejudice these conscientious ones, and to place matters before them in the worst possible light. Some have felt grieved and offended because of the condition of membership, and since the organization their feelings of dissatisfaction have greatly increased. Strong prejudice has governed them. I was shown the case of Sister H. She was presented before me in connection with a professed sister who was strongly prejudiced against my husband and myself, and opposed to the visions." ..."Since Sister H has been at ——, she has despised the visions, and has related hearsay reports, as though she knew that they were true. She has resisted no influence calculated to injure me. She did not know but that the visions were of God; she had no personal acquaintance with the humble instrument; and yet she has united with unconsecrated ones in —— to exert a strong influence against me. They have strengthened one another by loving and reporting false stories coming from different sources, and in this way have nourished their prejudice. There can be no union between their spirit and the spirit of the messages which the Lord sees fit to give for the benefit of His humble people. The spirit which dwells in their hearts cannot harmonize with the light given of God. Many poor souls do not know what they are doing. They unite their influence with Satan’s forces, and aid him in his work. They manifest great zeal and earnestness in their blind opposition, as though they were verily doing God’s service by fighting against the visions. All who desire to do so can acquaint themselves with the fruits of these visions. For seventeen years God has seen fit to let them survive and strengthen against the opposition of Satan’s forces, and the influence of human agencies that have aided Satan in his work.” Testimonies for the Church, Vol.1, pp. 328 https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/116.1570#1571 

     

    • “The question is asked, How does Sister White know in regard to the matters of which she speaks so decidedly, as if she had authority to say these things? I speak thus because they flash upon my mind when in perplexity like lightning out of a dark cloud in the fury of a storm. Some scenes presented before me years ago have not been retained in my memory, but when the instruction then given is needed, sometimes even when I am standing before the people, the remembrance comes sharp and clear, like a flash of lightning, bringing to mind distinctly that particular instruction. At such times I cannot refrain from saying the things that flash into my mind, not because I have had a new vision, but because that which was presented to me perhaps years in the past has been recalled to my mind forcibly.” The Writing and Sending Out of the Testimonies, 24 https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/98.174#180
      • Ellen's explanation for the "authority" of words was not backed up with scripture. She claimed she had authority simply because she had visions and revelations. She herself did not test the spirits who were speaking to her against the word of God in order to discern whether they were angels of God or demons. Rather, she took whatever was revealed to her as the "truth," often referring to "present truth" or "truth for this time." She expected others to simply believe and obey the messages of these visions as well without testing the spirits against the word of God, which the Bible commands believers to do. 

     

    • "As the Spirit of God has opened to my mind the great truths of his Word, and the scenes of the past and the future, I have been bidden to make known to others that which has thus been revealed.” The Great Controversy - Introduction / Selected Messages, Book 3, pp. 48 https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/132.21#53 

     

    • "Bro. Bourdeau," ... "I write this for I dare not withhold it. You are far from doing the will of God, far from Jesus, far from heaven. It is no marvel to me that God has not blessed your labors. You may say, God has not given Sr. White a vision in my case; why, then, does she write as she does? I have seen the cases of others who like you are neglecting their duties. I have seen many things in your case in your past experience. And when I enter a family and see a course pursued that God has reproved and condemned, I am in grief and distress, whether the special sins have been shown me or the sins of another who has neglected similar duties. I know whereof I speak. I feel deeply over the matter. I say, then, for Christ’s sake make haste to come on the right ground, and harness up for the battle.” … “I tell you that God is displeased with you, and you need to empty yourself of your self-esteem and self-righteousness before He can manifest Himself unto you and work with your efforts.” Letters and Manuscripts, Letter 52 (1886)  https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/14054.3915001#3915022 

     

     

    Divine Origin of Writings

     

    • “As soon as I take my pen in hand I am not in darkness as to what to write. It is as plain and clear as a voice speaking to me, “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go.” “In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct [make plain] thy paths.” Manuscript 89 (1900) https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/14065.8721001#8721013 

     

    • “The Holy Ghost is the author of the Scriptures and of the Spirit of Prophecy. These are not to be twisted and turned to mean what man may want them to mean, to carry out man’s ideas and sentiments, to carry forward man’s schemes at all hazards. “Many shall follow their pernicious ways, by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of, and through covetousness shall with feigned words make merchandise of you”. We must stand as vigilant soldiers, guarding against the entrance of one wrong principle.” Letter 92 (1900) https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/73.1851#987  

         

       

      Divine Origin of Diaries and Letters

       

      • “On the twenty-sixth of November I shall be seventy-eight years old... I am now looking over my diaries and copies of letters written for several years back.... I have the most precious matter to reproduce and place before the people in testimony form. While I am able to do this work, the people must have things to revive past history, that they may see that there is one straight chain of truth, without one heretical sentence, in that which I have written.This, I am instructed, is to be a living letter to all in regard to my faith.” Letter 329a (1905) https://m.egwwritings.org/pt/book/8117.1#9  

       

       

      Divine Origin of Articles in the Paper

      • “When I went to Colorado I was so burdened for you that, in my weakness, I wrote many pages to be read at your camp meeting. Weak and trembling, I arose at three o’clock in the morning to write to you. God was speaking through clay. You might say that this communication was only a letter. Yes, it was a letter, but prompted by the Spirit of God, to bring before your minds things that had been shown me. In these letters which I write, in the testimonies I bear, I am presenting to you that which the Lord has presented to me. I do not write one article in the paper expressing merely my own ideas. They are what God has opened before me in vision—the precious rays of light shining from the throne...I was much in prayer and burdened with anxiety and grief. But the Lord swept back the darkness at one time while I was in prayer, and a great light filled the room. An angel of God was by my side, and I seemed to be in Battle Creek. I was in your councils; I heard words uttered, I saw and heard things that, if God willed, I wish could be forever blotted from my memory. My soul was so wounded I knew not what to do or what to say. Some things I cannot mention. I was bidden to let no one know in regard to this, for much was yet to be developed.  I was told to gather up the light that had been given me and let its rays shine forth to God’s people. I have been doing this in articles in the papers. I arose at three o’clock nearly every morning for months and gathered the different items written after the last two testimonies were given me in Battle Creek. I wrote out these matters and hurried them on to you; but I had neglected to take proper care of myself, and the result was that I sank under the burden; my writings were not all finished to reach you at the General Conference. Again, while in prayer, the Lord revealed Himself. I was once more in Battle Creek. I was in many houses and heard your words around your tables. The particulars I have no liberty now to relate. I hope never to be called to mention them. I had also several most striking dreams. ” Testimonies for the Church, Vol 5. , pp. 67 https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/113.310#337 

       

       

      Divine Origin of Testimonies

      • "In ancient times God spoke to men by the mouth 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 for the Church Vol. 5, pp. 661 https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/100.2866#128 

       

      • “It is not alone those who openly reject the testimonies, or who cherish doubt concerning them, that are on dangerous ground. To disregard light is to reject it... Many are going directly contrary to the light which God has given to His people, because they do not read the books which contain the light and knowledge in cautions, reproofs, and warnings. The cares of the world, the love of fashion, and the lack of religion have turned the attention from the light God has so graciously given, while books and periodicals containing error are traveling all over the country. Skepticism and infidelity are increasing everywhere. Light so precious, coming from the throne of God, is hid under a bushel. God will make His people responsible for this neglect.” Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5, pp. 680 https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/113.3312#3313 

       

      • “I am instructed to say to our churches, Study the Testimonies. They are written for our admonition and encouragement upon whom the ends of the world are come. If God’s people will not study these messages that are sent to them from time to time, they are guilty of rejecting light. Line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little, God is sending instruction to His people. Heed the instruction; follow the light. The Lord has a controversy with His people because in the past they have not heeded His instruction and followed His guidance.” Manuscript Releases, Vol. 2, pp.191 https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/73.1851#997 
        • Ellen claimed by divine vision that her Testimonies were for those living in the last generation, which means that Adventists today must follow all of her Testimonies. They cannot be dismissed for use only in her century. Ellen was also quoting Isaiah in reference to her own writings; comparing her writings to that of scripture:
          • “But the word of the Lord was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.” Isaiah 28:13

       

      • “Perilous times are before us. Everyone who has a knowledge of the truth should awake and place himself, body, soul, and spirit, under the discipline of God. The enemy is on our track. We must be wide awake, on our guard against him. We must put on the whole armor of God. We must follow the directions given through the spirit of prophecy. We must love and obey the truth for this time. This will save us from accepting strong delusions. God has spoken to us through His word. He has spoken to us through the testimonies to the church and through the books that have helped to make plain our present duty and the position that we should now occupy. The warnings that have been given, line upon line, precept upon precept, should be heeded. If we disregard them, what excuse can we offer?” Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 8, pp. 298 https://m.egwwritings.org/ro/book/112.1795#1800 
        • As she did in the previous quote, Ellen again quoted from Isaiah 28, comparing her writings to that of scripture. She makes the blatant claim that God is speaking through her testimonies and books just as he did in his original word. The "truth for this time" also indicates that truth is different now than it was when it was presented in scripture.

       

      • “Those who carefully read the testimonies as they have appeared from the early days, need not be perplexed as to their origin. The many books, written by the help of the Spirit of God, bear a living witness to the character of the testimonies.” Letter 225 (1906) https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/14071.7929001#7929010 

       

      • “As the end draws near and the work of giving the last warning to the world extends, it becomes more important for those who accept present truth to have a clear understanding of the nature and influence of the testimonies, which God in His providence has linked with the work of the third angel’s message from its very rise.” Testimonies for the Church Vol. 5, pp. 654 (1889).  https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/39.238#245  

       

      • “If I act conscientiously, I must meet the crisis; for I believe that the precepts which the Lord has given concerning His work in the past and at the present time point out the right way. And His plans, His thoughts, are as much higher than man’s plans, man’s thoughts, as the heavens are higher than the earth. God’s voice is to be heard; His wisdom is to guide us. We must not be broken up by any human wisdom or devising. God has outlined His plan in His Word and in the testimonies He has sent to His people. O how sad it is that men allow themselves to be so wrought upon by the enemy that they dare venture to exalt their finite judgment in opposition to God’s plans and purposes. Man’s authority bears the signature of man. We are not to permit the rank and file of our people to come under the generalship of the weak, confused sentiments of man. God’s authority is to stand supreme. And I must call upon His people to recognize His authority, which bears the evidence of its divine origin. Every believer is called upon to unite inseparably with God’s authority.” Letter 216 (1903) https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/9950.1#26 

       

      • "Dear Brethren and Sisters,  The Lord has again manifested Himself to me. June 12, 1868, while speaking to the brethren in the house of worship at Battle Creek, Michigan, the Spirit of God came upon me, and in an instant I was in vision. The view was extensive. I had commenced to write the fifth volume of Spiritual Gifts; but as I had testimonies of a practical nature which you should have immediately, I left that work to prepare this little pamphlet. In this last vision I was shown that which fully justifies my course in publishing personal testimonies. When the Lord singles out individual cases and specifies their wrongs, others, who have not been shown in vision, frequently take it for granted that they are right, or nearly so. If one is reproved for a special wrong, brethren and sisters should carefully examine themselves to see wherein they have failed and wherein they have been guilty of the same sin. They should possess the spirit of humble confession. If others think them right, it does not make them so. God looks at the heart. He is proving and testing souls in this manner. In rebuking the wrongs of one, He designs to correct many. But if they fail to take the reproof to themselves, and flatter themselves that God passes over their errors because He does not especially single them out, they deceive their own souls and will be shut up in darkness and be left to their own ways to follow the imagination of their own hearts. Many are dealing falsely with their own souls and are in a great deception in regard to their true condition before God. He employs ways and means to best serve His purpose and to prove what is in the hearts of His professed followers. He makes plain the wrongs of some that others may thus be warned, and fear, and shun those errors. By self-examination they may find that they are doing the same things which God condemns in others. If they really desire to serve God, and fear to offend Him, they will not wait for their sins to be specified before they make confession and with humble repentance return unto the Lord. They will forsake the things which have displeased God, according to the light given to others. If, on the contrary, those who are not right see that they are guilty of the very sins that have been reproved in others, yet continue in the same unconsecrated course because they have not been specially named, they endanger their own souls, and will be led captive by Satan at his will." Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 2, pp. 112   https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/120.457#3091 

       

      • “Dear Brother Church: In the night season I was visited by a heavenly messenger who said, ‘Follow me.’ … “Brother Church, you have ever been a friend to me. I have appreciated your favors and your kindnesses, and I dare not be less kind to you. I dare not say it is well with you when I know it is not well. I dare not cry, “Peace! Peace!” when there is no peace. You cannot be a blessing to the church until you are a changed man. You are earnestly seeking to write your name as a great man in the earthly annals, but oh, what if it is not written in the Lamb’s book of life as the name of one who is pure, divested of selfishness, hiding self in Jesus, [one] who is unflinching in fidelity, rendering to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s, fully imbued with the spirit of this truth? It is righteousness alone which exalteth a nation. If you had this spirit and experience, you would not weaken the cords of Zion by depreciating the efforts of your brethren, simply because they do not meet your ideas. Your ideas are often out of harmony with the mind and will of God. Why do you and Elder Daniels stop short of cleansing yourselves from all sinfulness of the flesh and spirit? Why do you not make thorough work? Why do you not carry the battle to the very gate? Do you think it exalts you to depreciate men who are better than you are? There are mighty adversaries round about us, enemies whose name is Legion, who see no beauty in the truth, no attractiveness in the character of those who advocate it; and when God has reproved the wrongs of some who advocate the truth, you and Elder Daniels have joined with the Lord’s enemies in justifying wrongs condemned by His Spirit. You have declared with them that the charges of the Spirit of God were not true. Unbelief and selfishness are at the root of your failures, declensions, and defects of character. When God speaks, it is best for you to hear His voice, and to blame no one but yourself when you are reproved. Think how you have grieved and displeased the Spirit of God by your want of faith. You have refused to hear and to receive the correction of the Lord. You have controverted the words of the Lord by your carnal reasonings, justifying yourself as did Saul when he was reproved by the prophet Samuel. He stoutly declared in the very presence of the prophet, “I have obeyed the voice of the Lord.” Oh, that God would pity your blindness and the blindness of Elder E. P. Daniels! Oh, that you might break the snare of Satan and gain spiritual strength for spiritual conquest. You should be true to God, valiant, courageous, self-sacrificing.” … “Oh, that men would appreciate and act upon the light given them of God; then they would no longer walk in the sparks of their own kindling, but in the ways of the Lord.’ … “We should be careful not to harden our hearts against the warnings and admonitions of God. Manasseh’s sin was aggravated by his repeated, stubborn rejection of divine warning. “The Lord spake to Manasseh, and to his people: but they would not hearken.” 2 Chronicles 33:10. God has spoken to Elder Daniels in many ways and under varied circumstances. He has also spoken to you, Brother Church, but neither of you have practically accepted the blessing of correction, and He will speak to you both in chastisement that the arrow of conviction may be sent home to the soul. I desire you to consider, to think upon with patience, the forbearance of God with His guilty, daring, aggravating servants. He might cut them down in a moment. He might send them sudden disease ... [a line not readable] ... controlling power. The Lord says, “O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself, but in me is thy help come.” [Hosea 13:9.] My brethren, I write unto you because I dare not look on and see you ruin yourselves. Will you not now begin the work of reformation? Will you not permit your spirit to be subdued? Do now surrender your whole being to God, and place your heart and mind under divine influence. Have not a fickle faith, a presumptuous spirit, but in all humility follow where God leads the way. Be as clay in the hands of the potter, and have that simplicity of faith which takes the Lord at His word. Brother Church, you claim to believe the testimonies in regard to health reform, and you make your belief in this matter quite prominent. You have respect for the testimonies because you believe that God has spoken, but have you heeded the light that has been given to you through this instrumentality? Do you accept only that portion which meets your own ideas, and turn away from that which rebukes your error? God has given light to you in testimonies written in the plainest language, so that you could not misunderstand their import had you a desire to do so. You have had light on the tithing system. God devised that plan, but you have robbed Him in tithes and offerings as the whole nation has robbed Him. Is it not best for you to place yourself in harmony with God’s arrangements on every point, in place of devising a plan to meet your own ideas? Our God is a jealous God. He will not be trifled with; He will not be insulted by finite beings with whom He has entrusted His goods that they might be invested as He has designated. What can be plainer than the instructions contained in the book of Malachi? “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” What about your vows, my brother? How have you met them? How have you respected your pledges? Have you not failed to fulfil them? How can God look upon your defection in this respect? Will a man rob God? The question is asked as though such a thing could not be, and yet the Word of God testifies to the fact that men have robbed Him in tithes and offerings. Do you presume to imagine that you can devise a better plan than that which the wisdom of God has given? Now my brother, is it not best for you to devote some time to the reviewing of your past actions and to settling up your account with God? I have seen that money had been passed from your hands simply to exalt your own name. Would it not have been vastly better to let your name lie in the dust rather than deal dishonestly and unjustly with God? When you come to the judgment what can you say to the Lord for not having followed His injunctions to the letter? “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts. And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the Lord of hosts.” [Verses 10-12.] Let your name be unknown among men, but oh! be thoroughly anxious and diligent that it shall live among the holy angels and be immortalized in the books of heaven as the name of a man whose heart was honest toward ... [several words are unreadable] ... that “it is required of stewards that a man be found faithful.” [1 Corinthians 4:2.] Instead of seeking to exalt your name as a great man among men, exalt Jesus and let your life be hid with Christ in God. Let Christ alone appear as the One worthy to receive all honor, all majesty, all praise, for He is the first and the last. When men high or low, rich or poor, seek to obtain the praise of men, they always forfeit the commendation of God. They are wise in their own conceit, and show their greatest weakness in their over-estimation of themselves. A name written in the earth is as written in the sand, to be obliterated by the waves of the seas. See that your name is written in the Lamb’s book of life and it will live through eternal ages. I write thus plainly to you because you do not look upon these things in the correct light; you have not the mind of Christ. In many respects you are weak where you should be strong. You ought to be a good man, one who would exert an abiding influence that would not die with you. Your days are short at the very most, and the few days that you have of probationary time should not be spent as the past has been. Your work should be, from this time forth, to make your calling and election sure by adding grace to grace. You should give “all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: for so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 1:5-11. This is your work, Brother Church, and if you neglect to do it you will lose your soul. I desire you to have a crown of life. No earthly glory, no lifting up of yourself, will make you a great man in the sight of God.” ... “I was pained when I heard that you stated what strong faith you had in the testimonies and how you had advocated them, when I knew how inconsistent were your actions with this profession." ... "Which will the church at Fresno accept, the words of the testimonies of God’s Spirit or the statements of Brother Church? How much value can I place upon your profession of faith in the testimony? How can I measure your belief in the word of God? Brother Deiver accepted the testimonies upon temperance in eating, but he rejected them when they laid out before him in clear lines the duty of paying tithes, of making gifts and offerings to the cause of God. Of what weight were his professions of faith in the testimonies when he gave not the least heed to their practical teachings? He withheld from God His own; he was an unfaithful steward of the goods that the Lord had entrusted to him.” … “If you really believe the testimonies, you will not be partial in your observance of the messages, exalting one part—one portion—because it suits your own ideas and rejecting another because it fails to meet your mind and reproves a course of action that you choose to follow.” … “I know things were not all right at the Health Retreat, for I have had the matter placed before me by divine power, and have worked diligently to set things in order. Brother Church, you knew this, but in order that you might have an excuse to build an institution in Fresno, contrary to the light which God has given you, you sought to represent the Health Retreat in a bad light. In this instance you again have shown your lack of faith in the testimonies. God has signified His purpose that there should be an institution in St. Helena, but you have labored to build up that which God has shown should not be built up.” Letters and Manuscripts, Vol 6, Letter 8 (1890) Letters and Manuscripts, Vol. 6, Letter 8 (1890) https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/14056.5046001#5046001 
        • Ellen made the claim that her testimonies are God's direct words which must be obeyed. She claimed that unless brother Church changed his ways and began to follow her testimonies, he would lose his soul; his salvation. She also made the claim that tithe is required to be given to the Advent cause. This, however, goes directly against scripture which commands that all tithe, which God defines as a tenth of the increases from the promised land in Israel, was to be given directly to the tribe of Levi in place of a land portion. There is nowhere in scripture, neither Old or New Testament, which commands tithe to be given to anyone but the Levites. The Levites in turn were instructed to use the tithe for their service in the temple, their daily needs, and to care for the foreigner, widows, and orphans. There is nowhere in scripture which instructs that the tribe of Levi, with their allotted tithe in place of a land portion, has been replaced by church leaders and organized church denominations. Offerings, not tithes, are gifts encouraged in the New Testament and are instructed to be set aside to help believers in need. The offerings are to be an amount the individual decides on personally between them and God, and offerings are not to be given under compulsion from anyone else: 
          • “For it is superfluous for me to write to you about this ministry to the saints; for I know your willingness, of which I boast about you to the Macedonians, namely, that Achaia has been prepared since last year, and your zeal has stirred up most of them. But I have sent the brothers, in order that our boasting about you may not prove empty in this case, so that, as I was saying, you will be prepared; otherwise, if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we—not to mention you—would be put to shame by this confidence. So I considered it necessary to urge the brothers that they go on ahead to you and arrange in advance your previously promised generous gift, that the same would be ready as a generous gift, and not as one grudgingly given due to greediness. Now I say this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows generously will also reap generously. Each one must do just as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace overflow to you, so that, always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed; as it is written:  “He scattered abroad, he gave to the poor, His righteousness endures forever.” Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness; you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God. Because of the proof given by this ministry, they will glorify God for your obedience to your confession of the gospel of Christ and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all, while they also, by prayer on your behalf, yearn for you because of the surpassing grace of God in you. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” 2 Corinthians 9
        • See tab "Visions Demanding Money for the Advent Cause" in content list for a deeper exploration of tithing as explained by God in scripture. 

       

      •  "Some found fault with one thing, and some with another, as did the murmurers among the children of Israel when Moses was their leader. Some were censuring our course, saying that we were not as conservative as we ought to be; we did not seek to please the people as we might; we talked too plainly; we reproved too sharply. Some were talking in regard to Sister White’s dress, picking at straws. Others were expressing dissatisfaction with the course that Brother White pursued, and remarks were passing from one to another, questioning their course and finding fault. An angel stood before these persons, unseen by them, busily writing their words in the book which is to be opened to the view of God and angels.”... "For the future, I shall not belittle the testimonies that God has given me, to make explanations to try to satisfy such narrow minds, but shall treat all such questions as an insult to the Spirit of God. God has seen fit to thrust me into positions in which He has not placed any other one in our ranks. He has laid upon me burdens of reproof that He has not given to any other one.” Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 3, pp. 312 https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/119.1436#1442  

       

      • “The enemy has made his masterly efforts to unsettle the faith of our own people in the testimonies, and when these errors come in they claim to prove all the positions by the Bible, but they misinterpret the Scriptures. They make bold assertions, as did Elder Canright, and misapply the prophecies and the Scriptures to prove falsehood. And, after men have done their work in weakening the confidence of our churches in the testimonies, they have torn away the barrier, that unbelief in the truth shall become widespread, and there is no voice to be lifted up to stay the force of error. This is just as Satan designed it should be, and those who have been preparing the way for the people to pay no heed to the warnings and reproofs of the testimonies of the Spirit of God will see that a tide of errors of all kinds will spring into life. They will claim Scripture as their evidence, and deceptions of Satan in every form will prevail.” Letter 109, 1890, pp. 5. (To W. C. White and J. E. White and Wife, December 6, 1890).  https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/59.1135#1138 

       

      • “Some have taken the position that the warning, cautions, and reproofs given by the Lord through his servant, unless they come through special vision for each individual case, should have no more weight than the counsels and warnings from other sources. In some cases it has been represented that in giving a testimony for churches or individuals I have been influenced to write as I did by letters received from members of the church. There have been those who claimed that testimonies purporting to be given by the Spirit of God were merely the expression of my own judgment, based upon information gathered from human sources. This statement is utterly false…In a recent dream I was brought before an assembly of people, some of whom were making efforts to remove the impression of a most solemn testimony of warning that I had given them. They said: “We believe Sister White's testimonies; but when she tells us things that she has not directly seen in vision in the particular case under consideration, her words are of no more account to us than the words of any other person." The Spirit of the Lord came upon me, and I arose and rebuked them in the name of the Lord. I repeated in substance that which I have presented above in regard to the watchman. This, I said, is appropriate to your case and to mine. Now if those to whom these solemn warnings are addressed say, “It is only Sister White's individual opinion, I shall still follow my own judgment,” and if they continue to do the very things they were warned not to do, they show that they despise the counsel of God, and the result is just what the Spirit of God has shown me it would be—injury to the cause of God and ruin to themselves. Some who wish to strengthen their own position will bring forward from the Testimonies statements which they think will support their views, and will put the strongest possible construction upon them; but that which questions their course of action, or which does not coincide with their views, they pronounce Sister White's opinion, denying its heavenly origin and placing it on a level with their own judgment. If you, my brethren, who have been acquainted with me and my work for many years, take the position that my counsel is of no more value then the counsel of those who have not been specially educated for this work, then do not ask me to unite with you in labor; for while you occupy this position, you will inevitably counteract the influence of my work. If you feel just as safe in following your own impulses as in following the light given by God's delegated Servant, the peril is your own; you will be condemned because you rejected the light which Heaven had sent you…the Lord came to me in the night season and spoke precious words of encouragement concerning my work, repeating the same message that had been given me several times before. With regard to those who have turned from the light sent them, He said: “In slighting and rejecting the testimony that I have given you to bear, it is not you, but me, your Lord, that they have slighted.” Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5, pp. 687-688 https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/113.3326#3327 

       

      • “On the night of April 30, 1871, I retired to rest much depressed in spirits.” … “That night I had a dream which made a very happy impression upon my mind. I dreamed that I was attending an important meeting, at which a large company were assembled. Many were bowed before God in earnest prayer, and they seemed to be burdened. They were importuning the Lord for special light. A few seemed to be in agony of spirit; their feelings were intense; with tears they were crying aloud for help and light. Our most prominent brethren were engaged in this most impressive scene. Brother A. was prostrated upon the floor, apparently in deep distress. His wife was sitting among a company of indifferent scorners. She looked as though she desired all to understand that she scorned those who were thus humiliating themselves. I dreamed that the Spirit of the Lord came upon me, and I arose amid cries and prayers, and said: “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me. I feel urged to say to you that you must commence to work individually for yourselves. You are looking to God and desiring Him to do the work for you which He has left for you to do. If you will do the work for yourselves which you know that you ought to do, then God will help you when you need help. You have left undone the very things which God has left for you to do. You have been calling upon God to do your work. Had you followed the light which He has given you, then He would cause more light to shine upon you; but while you neglect the counsels, warnings, and reproofs that have been given, how can you expect God to give you more light and blessings to neglect and despise? God is not as man; He will not be trifled with.” I took the precious Bible, and surrounded it with the several “Testimonies for the Church,” given for the people of God. “Here,” said I, “the cases of nearly all are met. The sins they are to shun are pointed out. The counsel that they desire can be found here, given for other cases situated similarly to themselves. God has been pleased to give you line upon line and precept upon precept. But there are not many of you that really know what is contained in the Testimonies. You are not familiar with the Scriptures. If you had made God’s word your study, with a desire to reach the Bible standard and attain to Christian perfection, you would not have needed the Testimonies. It is because you have neglected to acquaint yourselves with God’s inspired book that He has sought to reach you by simple, direct testimonies, calling your attention to the words of inspiration which you had neglected to obey, and urging you to fashion your lives in accordance with its pure and elevated teachings. The Lord deigns to warn you, to reprove, to counsel, through the testimonies given, and to impress your minds with the importance of the truth of His word. 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.   “Pride, self-love, selfishness, hatred, envy, and jealousy have beclouded the perceptive powers, and the truth, which would make you wise unto salvation, has lost its power to charm and control the mind. The very essential principles of godliness are not understood, because there is not a hungering and thirsting for Bible knowledge, purity of heart, and holiness of life. 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.” I said further: “As the word of God is walled in with these books and pamphlets, so has God walled you in with reproofs, counsel, warnings, and encouragements. Here you are crying before God, in the anguish of your souls, for more light. I am authorized from God to tell you that not another ray of light through the Testimonies will shine upon your pathway, until you make a practical use of the light already given. The Lord has walled you about with light; but you have not appreciated the light; you have trampled upon it. While some have despised the light, others have neglected it, or followed it but indifferently. A few have set their hearts to obey the light which God has been pleased to give them.” … “I dreamed that, as I was speaking, the power of God fell upon me in a most remarkable manner, and I was deprived of all strength, yet I had no vision. I thought that my husband stood up before the people, and exclaimed: “This is the wonderful power of God. He has made the Testimonies a powerful means of reaching souls, and He will work yet more mightily through them than He has hitherto done. Who will be on the Lord’s side?” I dreamed that quite a number instantly sprang to their feet, and responded to the call. Others sat sullen, some manifested scorn and derision, and a few seemed wholly unmoved. One stood by my side, and said: “God has raised you up, and has given you words to speak to the people and to reach hearts, as He has given to no other one. He has shaped your testimonies to meet cases that are in need of help. You must be unmoved by scorn, derision, reproach, and censure. In order to be God’s special instrument, you should lean to no one, but hang upon Him alone, and, like the clinging vine, let your tendrils entwine about Him. He will make you a means through which to communicate His light to the people. You must daily gather strength from God, in order to be fortified, that your surroundings may not dim or eclipse the light that He has permitted to shine upon His people through you. It is Satan’s special object to prevent this light from coming to the people of God, who so greatly need it amid the perils of these last days. Your success is in your simplicity. As soon as you depart from this, and fashion your testimony to meet the minds of any, your power is gone. Almost everything in this age is glossed and unreal. The world abounds in testimonies given to please and charm for the moment, and to exalt self. Your testimony is of a different character. It is to come down to the minutiae of life, keeping the feeble faith from dying, and pressing home upon believers the necessity of shining as lights in the world. God has given you your testimony to set before the backslider and the sinner his true condition, and the immense loss he is sustaining by continuing a life of sin. God has impressed this upon you by opening it before your vision as He has to no other one now living; and according to the light He has given you, will He hold you responsible. ‘Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.’ ‘Lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show My people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.’” This dream had a powerful influence upon me. When I awoke, my depression was gone, my spirits were cheerful, and I realized great peace. Infirmities that had unfitted me for labor were removed, and I realized a strength and vigor to which I had for months been a stranger. It seemed to me that angels of God had been commissioned to bring me relief. Unspeakable gratitude filled my heart for this great change from despondency to light and happiness. I knew that help had come from God. This manifestation appeared to me like a miracle of God’s mercy, and I will not be ungrateful for His loving-kindness.” Life Sketches of Ellen G. White, Ch. 32 https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/41.1086#1087 
        • Ellen claimed that the "Testimonies" do not provide "new light," however this statement is false. Her testimonies contain numerous commandments which are not given within scripture, with a plethora of new laws for both the physical body and Christian living. She also claimed to have new knowledge opened before her in vision "as He has to no other one now living." One cannot come to obey the commandments listed within her testimonies by studying scripture alone.

       

      • "After the children of Israel were fully convinced of their wrong, in unjustly accusing Moses and Aaron, as they had done, they saw their past rebellion in its true light, and they were terrified. They spake unto Moses, saying, “Behold we die, we perish; we all perish.” They are at length compelled to believe the unwelcome truth, that their fate is to die in the wilderness. After they believed that it was indeed the Lord who had said they should not enter the promised land, but should die, they then acknowledged that Moses and Aaron were right, and that they had sinned against the Lord, in rebelling against their authority. They also confessed that Korah, and those who perished with him, were sinners against the Lord, and that they had justly suffered his wrath. The facts relative to Korah and his company, who rebelled against Moses and Aaron, and against Jehovah, are recorded for a warning to God’s people, especially those who live upon the earth near the close of time. Satan has led persons to imitate the example of Korah, Dathan and Abiram, in raising insurrection among the people of God. Those who permit themselves to rise in opposition to the plain testimony, become self-deceived, and have really thought that those upon whom God laid the burden of his work were exalted above the people of God, and that their counsels and reproofs were uncalled for. They have risen in opposition to the plain testimony which God would have them bear in rebuking the wrongs among God’s people. The testimonies borne against hurtful indulgences, as tea, coffee, snuff and tobacco, have irritated a certain class, because it would destroy their idols. Many for a while were undecided whether to make an entire sacrifice of all these hurtful things, or reject the plain testimonies borne, and yield to the clamors of appetite. They occupied an unsettled position. There was a conflict between their convictions of truth and their self-indulgences. Their state of indecision made them weak, and with many, appetite prevailed. Their sense of sacred things was perverted by the use of these slow poisons; and they at length fully decided, let the consequence be what it might, they would not deny self. This fearful decision at once raised a wall of separation between them and those who were cleansing themselves, as God has commanded, from all filthiness of the flesh, and of the spirit, and were perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord. The straight testimonies borne were in their way, and caused them great uneasiness, and they found relief in warring against them, and striving to make themselves and others believe that they were untrue. They said the people were all right, but it was the reproving testimonies which made the trouble. And when the rebellious unfurl their banner, all the disaffected rally around the standard, and all the spiritually defective, the lame, the halt, and the blind, unite their influence to scatter and sow discord. Every advance of God’s servants at the head of the work has been watched with suspicion by those who have had a spirit of insurrection, and all their actions have been misrepresented by the fault-finding, until honest souls have been drawn into the snare for want of correct knowledge. Those who lead them astray are so affected themselves by blind prejudice, and by rejecting the testimonies God has sent them, that they cannot see or hear aright. It is as difficult to undeceive some of these, who have permitted themselves to be led into rebellion, as it was to convince the rebellious Israelites that they were wrong, and Moses and Aaron were right. Even after God, in a miraculous manner, caused the earth to swallow up Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, the leaders in the rebellion, the people still would have it that Moses and Aaron were wrong, and that they had killed the people of the Lord. The Hebrews were not cured of their rebellion until fourteen thousand and seven hundred of the people had been slain who had joined the rebellious. And then, after all this, God in mercy condescended to perform a remarkable miracle upon the rod of Aaron, to settle their minds forever in regard to the priesthood.” Spiritual Gifts, Vol. 4, pp. 35 https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/107.142#143
        • Ellen compared herself to Moses as the mouthpiece of God and made the comparison that the rejection of her testimonies (specifically regarding appetite for tea, coffee, snuff and tobacco) was on par with the rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram against Moses and Aaron, which resulted in God opening up the earth swallowing Korah, his followers, and his family. 

       

      • “I have been looking over the testimonies given for the Sabbath-keeping people, especially those at B. C. I am astonished at the mercy of God and his care for his people in B. C., in giving them the many admonitions and warnings, pointing out their dangers, presenting before them the exalted position he would have them occupy. If they would keep themselves in his love, and separate from the world, he would make his especial blessings to rest upon them, and his light to shine around about them. Their influence for good might be felt in every part of the gospel field, in every branch of the work. If they failed to meet the mind of God, if they continued to have so little sense of the exalted character of the work as they had in the past, their influence and example would prove a terrible curse, they would harm, and only harm. The blood of precious souls would be found upon their garments.Testimonies of warning have been repeated. I inquire, Who have heeded them?” … “There has been less and less interest in, and devotion to, the cause of God. I ask, Wherein have they regarded the warnings given? Wherein have they heeded the instructions they have received? They profess confidence in the testimonies. Wherein have they sought to live according to the light given in them? I have been looking over the testimonies borne, the warnings given those connected with the Review Office, who profess confidence in them. Who have carried out the instructions which they admit the Lord has given them? At the very time the most pointed testimonies were borne, the very wrongs reproved were entered into more fully. Satan seemed to stand at the helm and to have the guidance himself, and carried things to suit his own ideas. The church, in like manner, have not regarded the light given. The church have professed to believe the testimonies, but have not heeded them." Appeal to the Battle Creek Church, pp. 69 https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/344.2#231 

       

      • “Repeatedly it has been shown me that in many cases you have worked upon minds to undermine confidence in the testimonies. The evil leaven that you have placed in these minds has destroyed their faith in the principles of the truth and in the testimonies. Since the reopening of the Sanitarium, you have placed this leaven in many minds, and it will do its work. One thing that can now be done to undo this work is for me to present to our people the testimonies as they have been given me, that others may not go on undermining the faith of their associates. They must not be left to retain the impressions that have been made on their minds as, after receiving a testimony of reproof from me, you have said, “Somebody has told her these things, but they are not so.” Over and over again you have told others how I once sent you a testimony reproving you for erecting a large building in Chicago, before any such building had been erected there. In the visions of the night a view of a large building was presented to me. I thought that it had been erected and wrote you immediately in regard to the matter. I learned afterward that the building which I saw had not been put up. When you received my letter, you were perplexed, and you said, “Some one has misinformed Sister White regarding our work.” But no mortal man had ever written to me or told me that this building had been put up. It was presented to me in vision. If this view had not been given me, and if I had not written to you about the matter, an effort would have been made to erect such a building in Chicago, a place in which the Lord has said that we are not to put up large buildings. At the time when the vision was given, influences were working for the erection of such a building. The message was received in time to prevent the development of the plans and the carrying out of the project. You should have had discernment to see that the Lord worked in this matter. The very feature of the message that perplexed you should have been received as an evidence that my information came from a higher source than human lips. But instead, you have over and over again related your version of the matter, saying that some one must have told me a falsehood. Many other scenes connected with your case have been presented to me. At one time you were represented to me as trying to push a long car up a steep ascent. But this car, instead of going up the hill, kept running down. This car represented the food business as a commercial enterprise, which has been carried forward in a way that God does not commend. At another time you were represented to me as a general mounted on a horse and carrying a banner. One came and took out of your hand the banner bearing the words, “The commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus,” and it was trampled in the dust. I saw you surrounded by men who were linking you up with the world…” Letters and Manuscripts, Vol. 18, Letter 239 (1903) https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/14068.10149001#10149010 

       

       

       Divine Origin of Books

      • “How many have read carefully Patriarchs and Prophets, The Great Controversy, and The Desire of Ages? I wish all to understand that my confidence in the light that God has given stands firm, because I know that the Holy Spirit's power magnified the truth, and made it honorable, saying: “This is the way, walk ye in it.” In my books, the truth is stated, barricaded by a "Thus saith the Lord." The Holy Spirit traced these truths upon my heart and mind as indelibly as the law was traced by the finger of God, upon the tables of stone.” Letter 90, (1906) / Colporter Ministry, Ch. 20 https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/14071.7783001ss=eyJwYXJhbXMiOnsicXVlcnkiOiJsZXR0ZXIgOTAgMTkwNiIsImxhbmciOiJlbiJ9LCJzZ19pbmRleCI6IjAifQ%3D%3D#7783019 
        • When Ellen said "the truth is stated," her words were "barricaded by a 'Thus saith the Lord,'" and "traced by the finger of God," she elevated her writings to be equal with scripture. The SDA denomination historically presents EGW as "the lesser light," and not equivalent to scripture. Ellen's statements regarding her own work are in direct contradiction with this notion. There is no higher authority than, "Thus saith the Lord." 

       

      • “The Conflict of the Ages Books: Sister White is not the originator of these books. They contain the instruction that during her lifework God has been giving her. They contain the precious, comforting light that God has graciously given his servant to be given to the world…The Lord has declared that these books are to be scattered throughout the world. There is in them truth which to the receiver is a savor of life unto life…in the future, these truths are to make the gospel plain to many others, revealing to them the way of salvation.” The Review and Herald, Jan 20, (1903) / Colporter Ministry, Ch. 20 https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/821.22459#22473 

       

       

       

      • "I was moved by the Spirit of the Lord to write that book…The Lord has set before me matters which are of urgent importance for the present time and which reach into the future. The words have been spoken in a charge to me, “Write in a book the things which thou hast seen and heard, and let it go to all the people; for the time is at hand when past history will be repeated.” I have been aroused at one, two, or three o'clock in the morning with some point forcibly impressed upon my mind, as if spoken by the voice of God...I was shown... that I should devote myself to writing out the important matters for volume 4.” Letter 1 (1890) /Colporter Ministry, Ch. 20 https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/14056.20043633#7194008 

       

       

      • “God gave me the light contained in The Great Controversy and Patriarchs and Prophets and this light was needed to arouse the people to prepare for the great day of God. These books contain God's direct appeal to the people. Thus He is speaking to the people in stirring words…I know that the statement made that these books cannot be sold, is untrue. I know; for the Lord has instructed me that this is said because human devising has blocked the way for their sale. It cannot be denied that these books were not the product of any human mind; they are the voice of God speaking to his people." Manuscript 23, (1890) / Colporter Ministry, Ch. 20 https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/14056.6062001?ss=eyJwYXJhbXMiOnsicXVlcnkiOiJtYW51c2NyaXB0IDIzIDE4OTAiLCJsYW5nIjoiZW4ifSwic2dfaW5kZXgiOiIwIn0%3D#6062013 

       

      • “Let there be an interest awakened in the sale of these books (Desire of Ages, Great Controversy). Their sale is essential… Those who make a careful study of the instruction contained in them, and will receive it as from the Lord, will be kept from receiving many of the errors that are being introduced. Those who accept the truths contained in these books will not be led into false paths.” Letters and Manuscripts, letter 229 (1903) https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/10175.1#12