Testing Ellen G. White
Testing Ellen G. White
Test 1: Reliable Predictions
Jeremiah 28:9. Ellen accurately predicted things like the 1906 San Francisco/Oakland earthquake that was so bad, it caused insurance companies to go bankrupt. She also predicted things like the civil war.
Jeremiah 28:9 — The prophet which prophesieth of peace, when the word of the prophet shall come to pass, then shall the prophet be known, that the LORD hath truly sent him.
Test 2: Lift up Jesus
John 16:13. Matt. 7:16-20. The theme above all themes that pervaded all of Ellen’s writings was Jesus. She constantly pointed others to Him, never to herself. This is especially apparent in books like the Desire of Ages.
John 16:13 — Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
Matthew 7:15-20 — Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
Test 3: Nothing Secret
2 Peter 1:20-21. 2 Tim. 3:15-17. 2 Tim 2:16. Ellen never made up her own interpretation. Other believers tested her dreams and visions by the Bible, and found them to be true. She never did things secret like other figures who claimed the title of prophet.
2 Peter 1:19-21 — We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 — All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
2 Timothy 2:15 — Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Test 4: No Sugar Coating
Micah 3:5-8; 1 Kings 17-19. Ellen was also called to deliver rebukes and messages of warning. While it was a difficult task, she was faithful to this calling. You can read about these rebukes in her 9 volume Testimonies to the Church Series.
Micah 3:5-8 — Thus saith the LORD concerning the prophets that make my people err, that bite with their teeth, and cry, Peace; and he that putteth not into their mouths, they even prepare war against him. Therefore night shall be unto you, that ye shall not have a vision; and it shall be dark unto you, that ye shall not divine; and the sun shall go down over the prophets, and the day shall be dark over them. Then shall the seers be ashamed, and the diviners confounded: yea, they shall all cover their lips; for there is no answer of God. But truly I am full of power by the spirit of the LORD, and of judgment, and of might, to declare unto Jacob his transgression, and to Israel his sin.
1 Kings 17-19
Test 5: Warning of Judgments
Isaiah 24:20-21. Ellen warned of judgments as God showed them to her. She warned of the aforementioned earthquake, as well as city fires, and major end time judgments that we will see fulfilled soon.
Isaiah 24:20 — The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed like a cottage; and the transgression thereof shall be heavy upon it; and it shall fall, and not rise again.
Test 6: Builders
1 Cor. 14:3-4. Ellen also sought to build up the church, not tear it down like many have attempted to do throughout history. This is largely what her 9 volume Testimonies to the Church Series was for.
1 Corinthians 14:3-5 — But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.
Test 7: Bible Based
Isaiah 8:20, 1 Cor. 14:32. While many contest this, a prayer study of the Bible and Ellen’s writings reveal that both are in perfect harmony. Rather than stoop to deliver what people wanted to hear, she upheld Bible truth, such as the true Sabbath.
Isaiah 8:20 — To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
1 Corinthians 14:32 — And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
Test 8: Physical Proof
Numbers 24:4, Daniel 10:7-9, Daniel 10:16-17. While in vision, Ellen was documented to not breathe, as well as not the fact that she didn’t blink. She also was incredibly weak when first going into vision, but was made supernaturalto strong. She once held a 17 lb Bible for over 2 hours in one hand.
Numbers 24:4 — He hath said, which heard the words of God, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open:
Daniel 10:7-9 — And I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves. 8 Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength. 9 Yet heard I the voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground.
Daniel 10:16-17 — And, behold, one like the similitude of the sons of men touched my lips: then I opened my mouth, and spake, and said unto him that stood before me, O my lord, by the vision my sorrows are turned upon me, and I have retained no strength. For how can the servant of this my lord talk with this my lord? for as for me, straightway there remained no strength in me, neither is there breath left in me.
Test 9: Christlike Fruit
She was known to be a kind and tender individual, treating everyone with respect, even those of her day whom many saw as property. Matthew 7:16-20. James 5:17.
Matthew 7:15-20 — Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
James 5:17 — Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.
Test 10: Obedient
While Ellen was at first hesitant, and learned some hard lessons, she was obedient to the calling God placed on her life. She loved Jesus with all her heart, willing to do whatever He commanded. Deuteronomy 18:18, Isaiah 8:20, Prov. 29:18, Rev. 12:17.
Deuteronomy 18:18 — I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.
Isaiah 8:20 — To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
Proverbs 29:18 — Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.
Revelation 12:17 — And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
All Scriptures used are KJV unless otherwise noted
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