Ellen White has been given the title "Spirit of Prophecy." Although this directly insinuates that she spoke as a prophet, many Adventists continue to claim that she was only a mere messenger, and that Ellen did not herself claim to be a prophet. The evidence shows, however, that she not only claimed her work "embraces the work of a prophet," but that her work went even beyond; including "much more" than a prophet's commission. The SDA church has also long claimed that Ellen’s failed prophecies were all "conditional prophesies," or that she simply did not understand the correct interpretation at first. Both of these principle are not biblical. When a conditional prophecy was given within scripture, the conditions were clearly stated at the time the prophecy was given. Scripture also states that prophets sent by God cannot misinterpret their own prophecies. 

 

Scripture: 

• "And you may say in your heart, 'How shall we know the word which the Lord has not spoken?' When a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the thing does not come about or come true, that is the thing which the Lord has not spoken. The prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him." Deuteronomy 18:21-22

 

• “We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” 2 Peter 1:19-21

 

• "Arise, go to Nineveh, the great city, and proclaim to it the proclamation which I am going to tell you.' When the word reached the king of Nineveh...he issued a proclamation...'they are not to eat or drink water. But every person and animal must be covered with sackcloth; and people are to call on God vehemently, and they are to turn, each one from his evil way, and from the violence which is in their hands. Who knows, God may turn from his burning anger so that we will not perish.' When God saw their deeds, that they turned from their evil way, then God relented of the disaster which he had declared he would bring on them. So He did not do it." Jonah Ch. 3
  • This prophecy is often used by the SDA defenders of Ellen in saying that because this prophecy was conditional, Ellen's are as well. However, the people of Nineveh were told at the time the prophecy was being spoken that God may spare them if they repented, fasted, and prayed. When they adhered to these conditions, God indeed spared them.

 

• "If at any time I announce that a nation or kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down, or destroyed, and if that nation I warned repents of its evil, then I will relent and not inflict on it the disaster that I had planned. And if at another time I announce that a nation or kingdom is to be built up and planted, and it does evil in my sight and does not obey me, then I will reconsider the good I had intended to do for it." Jeremiah 18:7-10
  • God spoke the conditions before prophecies took place.

 

 

Ellen G. White:

 

More than a Prophet

• “Early in my youth I was asked several times, Are you a prophet? I have ever responded, I am the Lord’s messenger. I know that many have called me a prophet, but I have made no claim to this title. My Saviour declared me to be His messenger. “Your work,” He instructed me, “is to bear My word. Strange things will arise, and in your youth I set you apart to bear the message to the erring ones, to carry the word before unbelievers, and with pen and voice to reprove from the Word actions that are not right. Exhort from the Word. I will make My Word open to you. It shall not be as a strange language. In the true eloquence of simplicity, with voice and pen, the messages that I give shall be heard from one who has never learned in the schools. My Spirit and My power shall be with you. “Be not afraid of man, for My shield shall protect you. It is not you that speaketh: it is the Lord that giveth the messages of warning and reproof. Never deviate from the truth under any circumstances. Give the light I shall give you. The messages for these last days shall be written in books, and shall stand immortalized, to testify against those who have once rejoiced in the light, but who have been led to give it up because of the seductive influences of evil. Why have I not claimed to be a prophet?—Because in these days many who boldly claim that they are prophets are a reproach to the cause of Christ; and because my work includes much more than the word “prophet” signifies. ” Selected Messages, Book 1, Ch 2 https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/98.135#142 

 

• “To claim to be a prophetess is something that I have never done. If others call me by that name, I have no controversy with them. But my work has covered so many lines that I cannot call myself other than a messenger, sent to bear a message from the Lord to His people, and to take up work in any line that He points out”… “I understood that some were anxious to know if Mrs. White still held the same views that she did years ago when they had heard her speak in the sanitarium grove, in the Tabernacle, and at the camp meetings held in the suburbs of Battle Creek. I assured them that the message she bears today is the same that she has borne during the sixty years of her public ministry. She has the same service to do for the Master that was laid upon her in her girlhood. She receives lessons from the same Instructor. The directions given her are, “Make known to others what I have revealed to you. Write out the messages that I give you, that the people may have them.” This is what she has endeavored to do. I have written many books, and they have been given a wide circulation. Of myself I could not have brought out the truth in these books, but the Lord has given me the help of His Holy Spirit. These books, giving the instruction that the Lord has given me during the past sixty years, contain light from heaven, and will bear the test of investigation. At the age of seventy-eight I am still toiling. We are all in the hands of the Lord. I trust in Him; for I know that He will never leave nor forsake those who put their trust in Him. I have committed myself to His keeping.” Review and Herald, July 26 (1906) / Selected Messages, Book 1, Ch 2 https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/98.135#161 

 

• “During the discourse, I said that I did not claim to be a prophetess. Some were surprised at this statement, and as much is being said in regard to it, I will make an explanation. Others have called me a prophetess, but I have never assumed that title. I have not felt that it was my duty thus to designate myself. Those who boldly assume that they are prophets in this our day are often a reproach to the cause of Christ. My work includes much more than this name signifies. I regard myself as a messenger, entrusted by the Lord with messages for His people.—Letter 55, 1905. https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/98.135#169 

 

• I am now instructed that I am not to be hindered in my work by those who engage in suppositions regarding its nature, whose minds are struggling with so many intricate problems connected with the supposed work of a prophet. My commission embraces the work of a prophet, but it does not end there. It embraces much more than the minds of those who have been sowing the seeds of unbelief can comprehend.” Letter 244, 1906. https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/98.135#173 

 

 

False Prophecies:

 

 Saints will know The Day and Hour of Jesus' Coming

• “As God has shown me in holy vision the travels of the Advent people to the Holy City, and the rich reward to be given those who wait the return of their Lord from the wedding, it may be my duty to give you a short sketch of what God has revealed to me.”... “They fell all the way along the path one after another, until we heard the voice of God like many waters, which gave us the day and hour of Jesus’ coming. The living saints, 144,000, in number, know and understand the voice, while the wicked thought it was thunder & an earthquake. When God spake the time, he poured on us the Holy Ghost, and our faces began to light up and shine with the glory of God as Moses did when he came down from Mount Sinai, (Ex. 34:30-34.) By this time the 144,000 were all sealed and perfectly united. On their foreheads was written, God, New Jerusalem, and a glorious Star containing Jesus’ new name. At our happy, holy state the wicked were enraged, and would rush violently up to lay hands on us to thrust us in prison, when we would stretch forth the hand in the name of the Lord, and the wicked would fall helpless to the ground.” The Ellen G. White Letters and Manuscripts: Volume 1, Letter 1 (1845) https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/12667.432#432 
  • Ellen prophesied (by divine vision) that the people of God in the very last days will be told the day and the hour of Jesus’ coming. Anyone who has read scripture and hears this statement should be alerted to the contradiction with Jesus’ words and ask what kind of spirit was giving her these revelations. Jesus specifically said that no one knows the day or hour, and he will come as a thief in the night to unbelievers and believers alike; speaking to his own disciples Jesus said “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” …”Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” Matthew 24: 36-44

 

The Synagogue of Satan will be none other than Ex-Adventists

• “You think, that those who worship before the saint’s feet, (Revelation 3:9), will at last be saved. Here I must differ with you; for God shew me that this class were professed Adventists, who had fallen away, and “crucified to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.” And in the “hour of temptation,” which is yet to come, to show out every one’s true character, they will know that they are forever lost; and overwhelmed with anguish of spirit, they will bow at the saint’s feet.” A Word to the Little Flock, P 12 https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/1445.15#25 
  • Revelation 3 refers to "the synagogue of Satan," and does not define this group to be anyone else but those who say they are Jews and are not: “To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write:  These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you.” Revelation 3:7-9
  • Synagogue of Satan: 
    • This could refer to ethnic Jews who claim to be ethnic Israel but are not, but lie as to their ethnicity.
    • This could refer to ethnic Jews who claim to be Israel but since they oppose their Messiah they are not the true Israel spiritually which Jesus (John 8) and Paul (Romans 2) speak of. 
    • This could be proclaimed gentile christians who claim they are grafted into spiritual Israel but are not, and lie; those Jesus says will call him "Lord, Lord," prophesying and doing miracles in His name yet He will tell them "I never knew you" and "Get away from me." (Matthew 7:21-23)
    • But scripture says nothing related to a people falling away from a denomination or special sect of fallen-away Christians as being the synagogue of Satan. It is nowhere in scripture. 

 

Jerusalem Will Not Be Built Up

 

• “I was pointed to some who are in the great error of believing that it is their duty to go to Old Jerusalem, and think they have a work to do there before the Lord comes. . . . I saw that Satan had greatly deceived some in this thing. . . . I also saw that Old Jerusalem never would be built up; and that Satan was doing his utmost to lead the minds of the children of the Lord into these things now, in the gathering time.” Early Writings, p. 75 https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/3.380#385 
  • At the time of Ellen’s writing, Jerusalem and Israel was a desolate place compared to what it is today. Since Israel's re-establishment in 1948, Israel has been replanted with crops and vineyards. Old Jerusalem has been since built up and is flourishing with people, business, and tourism. Ministries such as One For Israel report approximately 30,000 messianic Jewish believers in Israel today, who came to faith long after Ellen’s death. There have never been more Jewish believers in Israel today who are coming to faith in Jesus since the time Jesus walked there. Evidence shows that at the time Ellen claimed God’s people had no work to do there, God still had a plan to reach the Jewish people in Israel. 

 

 England Will Declare War 

• "Said the angel: “Hear, O heavens, the cry of the oppressed, and reward the oppressors double according to their deeds.” This nation will yet be humbled into the dust. England is studying whether it is best to take advantage of the present weak condition of our nation, and venture to make war upon her. She is weighing the matter, and trying to sound other nations. She fears, if she should commence war abroad, that she would be weak at home, and that other nations would take advantage of her weakness. Other nations are making quiet yet active preparations for war, and are hoping that England will make war with our nation, for then they would improve the opportunity to be revenged on her for the advantage she has taken of them in the past and the injustice done them. A portion of the queen’s subjects are waiting a favorable opportunity to break their yoke; but if England thinks it will pay, she will not hesitate a moment to improve her opportunities to exercise her power and humble our nation. When England does declare war, all nations will have an interest of their own to serve, and there will be general war, general confusion. England is acquainted with the diversity of feeling among those who are seeking to quell the rebellion. She well knows the perplexed condition of our Government; she has looked with astonishment at the prosecution of this war—the slow, inefficient moves, the inactivity of our armies, and the ruinous expenses of our nation. The weakness of our Government is fully open before other nations, and they now conclude that it is because it was not a monarchial government, and they admire their own government, and look down, some with pity, others with contempt, upon our nation, which they have regarded as the most powerful upon the globe. Had our nation remained united it would have had strength, but divided it must fall." Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 1, p. 259 https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/116.1251#1274 
  • England did not declare war on the United States at anytime after 1862.

 

Shut Door 

Ellen prophesied from vision that the door was “shut” and time was ending in just a few years.

• “Some are looking too far off for the coming of the Lord. Time has continued a few years longer than they expected; therefore they think it may continue a few years more, and in this way their minds are being led from present truth, out after the world. . . . I saw that the time for Jesus to be in the most holy place was nearly finished and that time can last but a little longer.” Early Writings, p. 58 (1850) https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/28.397#406 

 

• “My accompanying angel said, “Time is almost finished.” . . . Said the angel, “Get ready, get ready, get ready . . .”  I saw that there was a great work to do for them and but little time in which to do it. . . . Then I saw the seven last plagues were soon to be poured out upon those who have no shelter...” Early Writings, p. 64 https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/28.433#434 

 

• “I was shown the company present at the Conference. Said the angel: “Some food for worms, [Sister Clarissa M. Bonfoey, who fell asleep in Jesus only three days after this vision was given, was present in usual health, and was deeply impressed that she was one who would go into the grave, and stated her convictions to others.] some subjects of the seven last plagues, some will be alive and remain upon the earth to be translated at the coming of Jesus.” Ellen White, Testimonies to the Church Vol 1, p. 131 https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/385.66#85 

 

Ellen taught (by divine vision) that those who were converting to Christianity after the shut door were false converts, and their time of salvation had already passed: 

• “I was shown that the commandments of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ, relating to the shut door, could not be separated, and that the time for the commandments of God to shine out, with all their importance, and for God’s people to be tried on the Sabbath truth, was when the door was opened in the Most Holy Place of the Heavenly Sanctuary, where the Ark is, containing the ten commandments. This door was not opened, until the mediation of Jesus was finished in the Holy Place of the Sanctuary in 1844. Then, Jesus rose up, and shut the door in the Holy Place, and opened the door in the Most Holy, and passed within the second vail, where he now stands by the Ark; and where the faith of Israel now reaches.   I saw that Jesus had shut the door in the Holy Place, and no man can open it; and that he had opened the door in the Most Holy, and no man can shut it: and that since Jesus has opened the door in the Most Holy Place, which contains the Ark, the commandments have been shining out to God’s people, and they are being tested on the Sabbath question." ..."I saw that the mysterious signs and wonders and false reformations would increase and spread. The reformations that were shown me were not reformations from error to truth, but from bad to worse, for those who professed a change of heart had only wrapped about them a religious garb, which covered up the iniquity of a wicked heart. Some appeared to have been really converted, so as to deceive God’s people, but if their hearts could be seen they would appear as black as ever. My accompanying angel bade me look for the travail of soul for sinners as used to be. I looked, but could not see it, for the time for their salvation is past.” Present Truth, p. 21-22 (1849) https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/517.1#6 
  • This vision took place during the seven-year theory when Ellen was claiming, based on her vision, that the door of mercy had already been “shut” to anyone who ahd not already come to faith. Anyone who appeared to come to faith during the time after 1844 was now “past salvation." Ellen claimed to have seen this vision from an angel of God. Because these things never came to pass, and the time of salvation has not passed for people who are to this day continuously turning to God, the angel she spoke with does not appear to have come from God.

 

When the shut door became unpopular, Ellen claimed and published in 1883 that she did not receive her shut door theory in vision: 

• “For a time after the disappointment in 1844, I did hold in common with the advent body that the door of mercy was then forever closed to the world. This position was taken before my first vision was given me. It was the light given me of God that corrected our error and enabled us to see the true position.” Manuscript 4, par. 20 (1883) / Selected Messages, Book 1, Pg 63 https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/98.327#356 

 

However, she did in fact claim to have received the shut door in vision when she wrote of her vision to Bates (1847) during the seven-year theory when Jesus was still anticipated to be returning in 1851. This letter was hidden from the public until the 1980's:

• “Brother Bates, you write in a letter to James something about the Bridegroom's coming, as stated in the first published visions. By the letter you would like to know whether I had light on the Bridegroom's coming before I saw it in vision. I can readily answer, No. The Lord showed me the travail of the Advent band and midnight cry in December, but He did not show me the Bridegroom's coming until February following. Perhaps you would like to have me give a statement in relation to both visions. At the time I had the vision of the midnight cry I had given it up in the past and thought it future, as also most of the band had…There were but few out when he talked, so the next meeting I told my vision, and the band, believing my visions from God, received what God bade me to deliver to them. The view about the Bridegroom's coming I had about the middle of February, 1845. While in Exeter, Maine in meeting with Israel Dammon, James, and many others, many of them did not believe in a shut door. I suffered much at the commencement of the meeting. Unbelief seemed to be on every hand. There was one sister there that was called very spiritual. She had traveled and been a powerful preacher the most of the time for twenty years. She had been truly a mother in Israel. But a division had risen in the band on the shut door. She had great sympathy, and could not believe the door was shut. (I had known nothing of their differences.) Sister Durben got up to talk. I felt very, very sad. At length my soul seemed to be in an agony, and while she was talking I fell from my chair to the floor. It was then I had a view of Jesus rising from His mediatorial throne and going to the holiest as Bridegroom to receive His kingdom. They were all deeply interested in the view. They all said it was entirely new to them. The Lord worked in mighty power setting the truth home to their hearts. Sister Durben knew what the power of the Lord was, for she had felt it many times; and a short time after I fell she was struck down, and fell to the floor, crying to God to have mercy on her. When I came out of vision, my ears were saluted with Sister Durben's singing and shouting with a loud voice. Most of them received the vision, and were settled upon the shut door. Previous to this I had no light on the coming of the Bridegroom, but had expected him to this earth to deliver His people on the tenth day of the seventh month. I did not hear a lecture or a word in any way relating to the Bridegroom's going to the holiest… I know the light I received came from God, it was not taught me by man. I knew not how to write so that others could read it till God gave me my visions.” Manuscript Release, Letter 3 (1847) https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/2815.1#9