The Spirit of Prophecy eCourse


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The Spirit of Prophecy eCourse We have restored in the Scriptures quoted the Names of the Father and Son, as they were originally written by the inspired authors of the Bible. Click here to download the Restored Names Version (RNV) of Scripture. -WLC Team

1. What is a Prophet? 2. Prophets have Visions 3. Women Prophets in the Bible 4. Prophetic Messages at the Time of the End 5. Ellen White and the Great Disappointment 6. Ellen White and Fanaticism 7. Ellen White and Fundamental Doctrines 8. Ellen White and her Critics 9. Ellen White: Use and Abuse 10. Spirit of Prophecy at the Time of the End (Click any of the above links to view online.)

1. What is a Prophet? (Lesson) The Hebrew word naba’ is used very often in the Hebrew Scriptures, which make up our Old Testament. The word is translated to prophesy. A person who prophesies is a prophet or nabi in Hebrew. The first person to be called a prophet in the Bible was Abraham. “Now therefore restore the man his wife; for he is a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live: and if thou restore her not, know thou that thou shalt surely die, thou, and all that are thine.” Genesis 20:7. But many other people are called prophets in the Bible. Elijah (1 Kings 18:22), Elisha (2 Kings 9:1), Isaiah (2 Kings 19:2), and Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1:5) are among the most famous. But lesser-known ones are mentioned as well, such as Nathan (1 Chronicles 29:29), Gad (1 Samuel 22:5), and Ahijah (1 Kings 14:2). What do prophets do? Their main function is to speak on behalf of Yahuwah, giving His message to humankind. Even Aaron, who spoke on behalf of Moses, was called the prophet of Moses. “And Yahuwah said unto Moses, See, I have made thee as Elohim to Pharaoh: and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet.” Exodus 7:1. So a prophet is someone who speaks on behalf of another, usually Yahuwah. But false deities also have their prophets. “Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves four hundred, which eat at Jezebel’s table.” 1 Kings 18:19. We usually think that prophets speak directly on behalf of Yahuwah, bringing something new and never heard before. But most of the Bible prophets studied and learned the messages of earlier prophets and prophesied by repeating those messages. Saul met a band of such prophets in 1 Samuel 10:5. The schools of the prophets taught the Scriptures. Most people could not read and there were not many books in those days. The Scriptures were mostly transmitted orally by the prophets or sons of the prophets. There were many people who had this profession. “And fifty men of the sons of the prophets went, and stood to view afar off: and they two stood by Jordan.” 2 Kings 2:7. “For it was so, when Jezebel cut off the prophets of Yahuwah, that Obadiah took a hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.” 1 Kings 18:4. The musicians that David appointed for the temple service were prophets. They sang the holy Scriptures to the accompaniment of musical instruments. “Moreover David and the captains of the host separated to the service of the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who should prophesy with harps, with psalteries, and with cymbals:…” 1 Chronicles 25:1. Prophets in old times spoke on behalf of Yahuwah at His appointment. Some of what they spoke was written down and preserved for us as the Bible. But they also served as leaders such as Moses, educators such as Elisha, counselors and guides such as Nathan and Gad.

1. What is a Prophet? (QUIZ) 1. What does the Hebrew word naba’ mean? o

To pray for other people

o

To prophesy

o

To have visions

o To speak in unknown tongues 2. What does the Hebrew word nabi mean? o

A member of the royal family

o

Someone who likes to sleep and dream

o

A prophet

A hard worker 3. Who is the first person to be called a prophet in the Bible? o o

Isaac

o

Abraham

o

Noah

o Adam 4. Which of the following people are called prophets in the Bible? (3 answers) o

Jeremiah

o

Athaliah

o

Hezekiah

o

Isaiah

o

Nathan

o Jezebel 5. What is the main work of a prophet of Yahuwah? o

To give health lectures

o

To hold evangelistic meetings

o

To speak on behalf of Yahuwah

To bring water from a rock 6. Those who wrote the Bible were o o

People of royal ancestry

o

Babylonian astrologers

o

Inspired prophets of Yahuwah

o Pharaoh's head priests 7. The main tool of ancient prophets was o

A rod that could turn into a serpent

o

Stone-cutting tools to make images of the various deities

o

The harp

o The ballpoint pen 8. Prophets served as (4 answers) o

Farmers

o

Leaders

o

Butchers

o

Counselors to kings

o

Builders

o

Spokesmen for Yahuwah

o

Fishermen

o

Educators

o

Shepherds

2. Prophets have Visions (Lesson) The word nabi is the general word for prophet. But in Samuel and the Chronicles two other expressions are used, both translated “seer”. The one is ro’eh from the ordinary word “to see” in Hebrew. The other is khozeh, from the word especially used for seeing visions. Samuel is called a seer (1 Chronicles 9:22). The prophet Gad is also called a seer (1 Chronicles 21:9). Another seer is Iddo (2 Chronicles 9:29). Heman, Jeduthun and Hanani are also called seers. Even Asaph (2 Chronicles 29:30) is called a seer, although he appears to have served mainly in the ministry of temple music. “Beforetime in Israel, when a man went to inquire of Elohim, thus he spake, Come, and let us go to the seer: for he that is now called a Prophet was beforetime called a Seer.” 1 Samuel 9:9. So there is an older word and a newer word in Hebrew that mean the same thing. We have already learned that a prophet speaks on behalf of [Yahuwah]. This older word focuses on something else: that the prophet sees a vision from Yahuwah. That is why he can speak on behalf of Yahuwah. He tells what he sees. But we learn something perhaps even more important. When we have a problem and we think that we need to ask Yahuwah about it, the way to do so is to go “to the seer.” The Bible tells us much about how prophets see visions from Yahuwah. One remarkable case is when Isaiah saw Yahuwah sitting on His throne in Isaiah 6:1-4. It was a vision filled with glory, so that “the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.” (verse 4) Isaiah himself was greatly frightened and said “Woe is me!” (verse 5). The text does not say where Isaiah saw this vision, but it might have been on a visit to the temple, for that is where the posts of the doors shook and that is the house filled with smoke. Sometimes the prophet sees the vision at night in a dream. “In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel had a dream and visions of his head upon his bed.” Daniel 7:1. Scholars call the kind of vision Isaiah had and exterior vision, and the kind of vision Daniel had and interior vision. Scholars also know a third kind of vision, the intellectual vision, which is a strong spiritual impression without actually seeing images or pictures or physical events. We find many such visions in the Bible as well. “The word of Yahuwah that came unto Hosea, the son of Beeri, in the days of Uzziah,…” Hosea 1:1. This intellectual vision happened about the same time as Isaiah’s exterior vision. A vision can be a very impressive event for both the prophet and those around him. “And I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves. Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength.” Daniel 10:7,8. A prophet during vision may not only lose his strength and fall down, but also go into another mental state like a deep sleep. “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 10:9. The deep sleep here, or tardema in Hebrew, is not an ordinary sleep. The word is the same as used about the man in Genesis 2:21, when Yahuwah created the woman. It is a stunning with deep sleep or even death. In fact, it may appear very much like death, so that

even breathing stops for a long time. “As for me, straightway there remained no strength in me, neither is there breath left in me.” (Daniel 10:17).

2. Prophets have Visions (QUIZ) 1. Another word for Prophet in the Bible is o

Divine guide

o

Necromancer

o

Seer

o Astrologer 2. The word seer refers to a prophet and is (2 answers) (2 answers) o

A foreign loan word in Hebrew

o

Limited to prophets who help people find things

o

Used mainly in Samuel and Chronicles

o

A word for a more intense experience

An older word 3. The word seer is the English translation of the Hebrew word (2 answers). (2 answers) o o

Ro’eh

o

Eretz

o

Khozeh

Tardema 4. The following prophets are called seers in the Bible (3 answers). (3 answers) o o

Adam

o

Samuel

o

David

o

Gad

o

Jeremiah

o

Iddo

Isaiah 5. Who saw a vision of the glory of Yahuwah filling the temple? o o

Saul

o

Obadiah

o

Hannah

o

Isaiah

Deborah 6. The vision of Isaiah in Isaiah 6 was o o

An intellectual vision

o

An exterior vision

o

An interior vision

The apparition of a dead person 7. When the Bible says “the word of Yahuwah came to…” it is referring to o o

The apparition of a dead person come to comfort his relatives

o

An intellectual vision

o

A vision of flames and smoke

The sound of a great wind 8. When someone in ancient Israel needed to “inquire of Yahuwah, whom did he consult? o o

Balaam’s donkey

o

A Babylonian astrologer

o

A seer

o

An Egyptian magician

The witch of Endor 9. During a vision the prophet sometimes (2 answers) (2 answers) o o

Used astral projection to visit hell

o

Did not breathe

o

Examined the stars for indications of future events

o

Fell down without strength

o

Ate a good dinner

3. Women Prophets in the Bible (Lesson) Some people think that only men can be prophets. But the Bible mentions many women who served as prophets and some who were even called prophets. The earliest prophecy of the Messiah is thought by some to be that of Hannah, the mother of Samuel, in 1 Samuel 2:10. “The adversaries of Yahuwah shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall he thunder upon them: Yahuwah shall judge the ends of the earth, and he shall give strength unto his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed.” The first woman to whom Yahuwah spoke, giving a message, and even a prediction of the future, was Eve (Genesis 3:16). An angel appeared to Hagar with a message from Yahuwah in Genesis 16:7-14. One of the most famous women prophets was Deborah. Yahuwah used her because Barak was too weak a leader to serve alone (see Judges 4:8). It is easy to see in her prophecy the woman’s perspective. “To Sisera a prey of divers colors, a prey of divers colors of needlework, of divers colors of needlework on both sides, meet for the necks of them that take the spoil?” A man might not notice that a piece of embroidery was done so carefully that both sides are perfect. When Josiah wished to “inquire of Yahuwah”, he sent to “Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe; (now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college;) and they communed with her.” 2 Kings 22:14. At the time of Nehemiah there was also a woman prophet, named Noadiah. But she appears to have been a false prophet, for Nehemiah says “My Eloah, think thou upon Tobiah and Sanballat according to these their works, and on the prophetess Noadiah, and the rest of the prophets, that would have put me in fear.” Nehemiah 6:14. Although it may seem that prophecy had all but ceased by the time of the birth of Yahushua, even in the time of little prophecy, there were women prophets. One of these is reported in the Gospel itself. “And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher: she was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served Yahuwah with fastings and prayers night and day.” Luke 2:36,37. Women have served as prophets during all times. Sometimes they served alongside men in their own right. Sometimes they were called especially because men were too weak in leadership. Sometimes, just like men, they were false prophets. Women served as prophets at the time of Yahushua and in the early ekklesia. Yahuwah’s people have always had the blessing of prophecy to guide them. This is one of the marks of the true people of Yahuwah. “And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellow servant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Yahushua: worship Yahuwah: for the testimony of Yahushua is the spirit of prophecy.” Revelation 19:10. Those who have the testimony of Yahushua are led by the spirit of prophecy. That is the difference between the true woman or ekklesia of Revelation 12, and the false woman or church, who follow the false prophetess Jezebel. “Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a

prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.” Revelation 2:20. “And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of Yahuwah, and have the testimony of Yahushua, the Anointed.” Revelation 12:17.

3. Women Prophets in the Bible (QUIZ) 1. Can a woman be a prophet according to the Bible? o

No

Yes 2. Who is the first woman to whom Yahuwah spoke predicting the future? o o

Noah’s wife

o

Eve

o

Hagar

o

Sarah

o The wife of Cain 3. Of whom did Hannah, the mother of Samuel, prophesy? o

Jeremiah

o

The Messiah

o

Saul

David 4. To what woman did Yahuwah send an angel to predict that she would have a son who would become a great nation? o

o

Zipporah

o

Hagar

o

Lot’s wife

Jezebel 5. What woman was both a prophet and judge during the time of Barak? o o

Rebecca

o

Jochabed

o

Deborah

o Miriam 6. Who was the prophetess who counselled the king at the time of Josiah? o

Anna

o

Huldah

o

Elisabeth

Mary 7. Who was a false prophetess during the time of Nehemiah? o o

Abigail

o

Hezekiah

o

Noadiah

Jezebel 8. What New Testament woman was a true prophet of Yahuwah? o o

Chloe

o

Mary Magdalene

o

Anna

Salome 9. What woman called herself a prophetess, but was not really one? o o

Sarah

o

Jezebel

o

Ellen White

Martha 10. What is one mark of the true followers of Yahushua? o o

They call Mary the Mother of Yahuwah

o

They keep Sunday and all the feast days carefully

o

They follow the spirit of prophecy

o

They belong to the Roman Catholic Church

4. Prophetic Messages at the Time of the End (Lesson) Most Bible students and believers in the 1700s thought they were approaching the time of the end. Even such great men as Isaac Newton understood and wrote about the coming end of the world. Isaac Newton wrote extensively about the prophecies of Revelation. Many Bible students, such as Adam Clarke, understood the time of the end to begin when the papacy should be deprived of its power according to Daniel 7:26. When the French general Berthier took the pope prisoner in 1798, many people realized that human history had begun its closing phases. At that time several women became extremely popular for having prophetic messages. We can see that Satan was preparing the way to cause confusion and keep people from finding the truth when it would appear. Ann Lee was thought by many to be a prophet of Yahuwah. She started a movement that was well-known and popular first in England, and then in the United States until the end of the 1800s. During that time she and her followers, known as the Shakers, were far better known than Adventists. They taught that the second coming of Yahushua is a spiritual event, and not a literal, fiery end of the world. Another popular woman of the time was Joanna Southcote. She wrote many books of prophetic messages in poetry form and gained thousands of followers in England in the early 1800s. She claimed to be the woman clothed with the sun of Revelation 12, who would give birth to Shiloh by a virgin birth when she was over sixty years old. She became a laughing-stock and the affair caused women who claimed to bring messages from Yahuwah to be discredited. Later her followers, known as Christian Israelites, also kept the Sabbath. By the time that Ellen White appeared on the scene, women who preached the second coming of Yahushua and the Sabbath were either discredited or involved in confused doctrines. In this way Satan prepared the way for people to doubt truth when it came to them. At the time that Ellen White was most active in lecturing and writing, two other women where more popular than she in some circles. Mary Baker Eddy, the founder of Christian Science, led many people to doubt scientific medicine and the need to live according to scientific health principles. She focused on the power of the mind. Madame Blavatsky wrote several popular books on occult subjects, especially the multi-volume series The Secret Doctrine. Both of these women distracted minds from bible study and produced sentiments that discredited other women engaged in lecturing and writing on spiritual matters. Especially the health and temperance ministry of Ellen White suffered from these distractions. Yahushua gives the signs of his second coming as a help to avoid false prophets. “Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders, insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I have told you before. Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not. For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” Matthew 24: 23.27.

Ellen White stands out among the women claiming to bear prophetic messages in the 1800s. She taught the literal, visible, cataclysmic, soon coming of Yahushua. Ann Lee taught that it was a spiritual coming that was fulfilled in herself. Joanna Southcote taught that the second coming of Yahushua was to be a baby that she would give birth to as a virgin. Mary Baker Eddy taught that the second coming of Yahushua was when people learned to tap the spiritual powers of the mind. Madame Blavatsky taught that the second coming of Yahushua was the revelation of the secret doctrine that is hidden in all religions, especially the Eastern religions. Which of these women were right according to the Bible? Paul answers that question clearly. “For the Master himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of Yahuwah: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Master in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Master.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17. The best way to test whether someone bringing a prophetic message is to compare it with Scripture. If it conflicts with what we already know to be inspired Scripture, then we can be sure that it is false. But if it agrees, then it may be true guidance from Yahuwah. Compare Ellen White’s description of the second coming of Yahushua with Paul’s description above. Here is what she says: “Between the first and the second advent of Christ a wonderful contrast will be seen. No human language can portray the scenes of the second coming of the Son of man in the clouds of heaven. He is to come with His own glory, and with the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. He will come clad in the robe of light, which He has worn from the days of eternity. Angels will accompany Him. Ten thousand times ten thousand will escort Him on His way. The sound of the trumpet will be heard, calling the sleeping dead from the grave. The voice of Christ will penetrate the tomb, and pierce the ears of the dead, and "all that are in the graves . . . shall come forth." . . . {LHU 373.5}

4. Prophetic Messages at the Time of the End (QUIZ) 1. When did the time of the end begin according to many of the best scholars? o

2000

o

1798

o

1948

o 1844 2. What did the French general Berthier do in 1798? o

He joined the Lutheran Church

o

He kissed the pope’s toe

o

He took the pope prisoner

He attacked England 3. What remarkable thing happened in the religious world at the time of the end? o o

The ecumenical movement was established

o

Many women appeared claiming to bring a message from Yahuwah

o

The temple in Jerusalem was rebuilt

o The Ottoman Empire conquered Russia 4. What do Mother Ann Lee, Joanna Southcote, Mary Baker Eddy, and Madame Blavatsky all have in common? (3 answers) o

They married early and had many children

o

They founded churches or other religious communities

o

They were illiterate and could not write

o o

They agreed that the second coming of Yahushua was not a literal appearing in the clouds of heaven They were French

They were women who claimed to have a spiritual message for humankind 5. What did Ellen White teach about the second coming of Yahushua? o o

It is peace on earth for a thousand years when the United Nations gets it all together

o

It is the miraculous birth of a child from a virgin, just like Mary

o

It is a literal coming visibly in the clouds with angels

It is a spiritual coming in secret to every human heart 6. What did Yahushua say would keep people from being deceived by false prophets? o o o o

Keeping to a vegetarian diet Realizing that “as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be” Following preachers who work miracles and heal people

Keeping a good lookout to find Yahushua hidden in the desert 7. Based on their teaching about the second coming of Yahushua, which of the following are false prophets? (4 answers) o

o

Joanna Southcote

o

Ann Lee

o

Madame Blavatsky

o

Queen Elisabeth II

o

Mary Baker Eddy

Ellen White 8. Based on her teaching about the second coming of Yahushua, which of the following can be seen to bring a true message from Yahuwah? o

o

Joanna Southcote

o

Ellen White

o

Ann Lee

Mary Baker Eddy 9. Why is it difficult for some people to see that the belief in the visible, soon-coming of Yahushua helps us to avoid false prophets? o

o

They need more instruction in theology

o

They are blinded by the theory of evolution

o

They are confused by the many women who have brought conflicting messages about the second coming in the last two centuries

Genetic engineering is causing a lot of trouble 10. If someone claims to bring a message from Yahuwah, we know it is wrong if o o

It gets no news coverage

o

It is written by a woman

o

It conflicts with the Bible

o

It is not written in Arabic

5. Ellen White and the Great Disappointment (Lesson) Ellen White (1828-1915) was one of the young believers who experienced the Great Disappointment of 1844. Those who believed in the preaching of William Miller and his associates were disappointed when the second coming of Yahushua did not take place in 1844 as they had hoped. At the time, not only in New England, but much of the United States had been awakened by the Second Advent movement. Also, in many parts of the world, there were independent interpreters who preached the soon coming of Yahushua, contradicting the popular belief at the time that the world would soon enter a millennium of peace and righteousness. When the time passed and Yahushua did not appear, the movement met a crisis. Many people fell away, not only from their belief in the soon coming of Yahushua, but from the faith altogether. Others, though discouraged, reread their Bibles and began setting new dates for the event. Some began to view Yahushua's coming as a spiritual event. Others established fanciful doctrines about the kingdom of Yahuwah. Out of the preaching of William Miller a number of new Christian denominations arose. The most numerous of these are the Adventist churches, of which the Seventh-day Adventist is the largest, the Churches of God, and the Jehovah's Witnesses. Indeed, the Great Second Advent Movement was a turning point in Christian history and still has more influence on the world of faith today than anything that has risen since. In fact, since that time many churches that believed in a temporal millennium have accepted the teaching of the soon coming of Yahushua in some form, and it continues to be prevalent among Christian Bible believers. What was the position of Ellen White when the Great Disappointment happened? She was one of those disappointed, and one of those searching for an explanation for disappointment. At that very time Yahuwah chose to give her a revelation. Here is the way she describes it in Life Sketches of Ellen G. White (1915), chapter 7: My First Vision It was not long after the passing of the time in 1844, that my first vision was given me… While we were praying, the power of [Yahuwah] came upon me as I had never felt it before. I seemed to be surrounded with light, and to be rising higher and higher from the earth. I turned to look for the advent people in the world, but could not find them, when a voice said to me, "Look again, and look a little higher." At this I raised my eyes, and saw a straight and narrow path, cast up high above the world. On this path the advent people were travelling to the city which was at the farther end of the path. They had a bright light set up behind them… This light shone all along the path, and gave light for their feet, so that they might not stumble. If they kept their eyes fixed on [Yahushua], who was just before them, leading them to the city, they were safe. But soon some grew weary, and said the city was a great way off, and they expected to have entered it before. Then [Yahushua] would encourage… Others rashly denied the light behind them, and said that it was not [Yahuwah] that had led them out so far. The light behind them went out, leaving their feet in perfect darkness, and they stumbled and lost sight of the mark and of [Yahushua], and fell off the path down into the dark and wicked world below.

Soon we heard the voice of [Yahuwah] like many waters, which gave us the day and hour of [Yahushua's] coming. The living saints, 144,000 in number, knew and understood the voice, while the wicked thought it was thunder and an earthquake. When [Yahuwah] spoke the time, He poured upon us the Holy Ghost, and our faces began to light up and shine with the glory of [Yahuwah]…The 144,000 were all sealed and perfectly united. On their foreheads was written, "[Yahuwah], New Jerusalem," and a glorious star containing [Yahushua's] new name. At our happy, holy state the wicked were enraged, and would rush violently up to lay hands on us to thrust us into prison, when we would stretch forth the hand in the name of [Yahuwah], and they would fall helpless to the ground. Then it was that the synagogue of Satan knew that [Yahuwah] had loved us who could wash one another's feet, and salute the brethren with a holy kiss, and they worshiped at our feet. Soon our eyes were drawn to the east, for a small black cloud had appeared, about half as large as a man's hand. We all in solemn silence gazed on the cloud as it drew nearer, and became lighter, glorious, and still more glorious, till it was a great white cloud. The bottom appeared like fire; a rainbow was over the cloud, while around it were ten thousand angels, singing a most lovely song; and upon it sat the Son of man. His hair was white and curly, and lay on His shoulders; and upon His head were many crowns. His feet had the appearance of fire; in His right hand was a sharp sickle; in His left, a silver trumpet. His eyes were as a flame of fire, which searched His children through and through. Then all faces gathered paleness, and those that [Yahuwah] had rejected gathered blackness. Then we all cried out: "Who shall be able to stand? Is my robe spotless?'' Then the angels ceased to sing, and there was some time of awful silence, when [Yahushua] spoke: "Those who have clean hands and pure hearts shall be able to stand; My grace is sufficient for you." At this our faces lighted up, and joy filled every heart. And the angels struck a note higher and sang again, while the cloud drew still nearer the earth. Then [Yahushua's] silver trumpet sounded, as He descended on the cloud, wrapped in flames of fire. He gazed on the graves of the sleeping saints, then raised His eyes and hands to heaven, and cried, "Awake! awake! awake! ye that sleep in the dust, and arise." Then there was a mighty earthquake. The graves opened, and the dead came up clothed with immortality. The 144,000 shouted "Alleluia!" as they recognized their friends who had been torn from them by death, and in the same moment we were changed and caught up together with them to meet the [Master] in the air. We all entered the cloud together, and were seven days ascending to the sea of glass, when [Yahushua] brought the crowns, and with His own right hand placed them on our heads. He gave us harps of gold and palms of victory. Here on the sea of glass the 144,000 stood in a perfect square. Some of them had very bright crowns, others not so bright. Some crowns appeared heavy with stars, while others had but few. All were perfectly satisfied with their crowns. And they were all clothed with a glorious white mantle from their shoulders to their feet. Angels were all about us as we marched over the sea of glass to the gate of the city. [Yahushua] raised His mighty, glorious arm, laid hold of the pearly gate, swung it back on its glittering hinges, and said to us, "You have washed your robes in My blood, stood stiffly for My truth, enter in." We all marched in and felt that we had a perfect right in the city. Here we saw the tree of life and the throne of [Yahuwah]. Out of the throne came a pure river of water, and on either side of the river was the tree of life. On one side of the river was a trunk of a tree, and a trunk on the other side of the river, both of pure, transparent gold. At first I thought I saw two trees. I looked again, and saw that they were united at the top in one tree. So it was the tree of life on either side of the river of life. Its

branches bowed to the place where we stood, and the fruit was glorious; it looked like gold mixed with silver. We all went under the tree, and sat down to look at the glory of the place… We tried to call up our greatest trials, but they looked so small compared with the far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory that surrounded us, that we could not speak them out, and we all cried out, "Alleluia! heaven is cheap enough!" and we touched our glorious harps and made heaven's arches ring. After I came out of vision, everything seemed changed; a gloom was spread over all that I beheld. Oh, how dark this world looked to me! I wept when I found myself here, and felt homesick. I had seen a better world, and it had spoiled this for me. I related this vision to the believers in Portland, who had full confidence that it was from [Yahuwah]. They all believed that [Yahuwah] had chosen this way, after the great disappointment in October, to comfort and strengthen His people. The Spirit of [Yahuwah] attended the testimony, and the solemnity of eternity rested upon us. An unspeakable awe filled me, that I, so young and feeble, should be chosen as the instrument by which [Yahuwah] would give light to His people. While under the power of [Yahuwah], I was filled with joy, seeming to be surrounded by holy angels in the glorious courts of heaven, where all is peace and gladness; and it was a sad and bitter change to wake up to the realities of mortal life.

5. Ellen White and the Great Disappointment (QUIZ) 1. Ellen White lived o

During the Lisbon Earthquake

o

From 1798 to 1844

o

From 1828 to 1915

o At the time of Martin Luther 2. Ellen White and her family heard and believed the preaching of o

Mary Baker Eddy

o

William Miller

o

George Fox

John Wesley 3. The message of William Miller was that o o

The pope would lead the world to the final crisis

o

Bible prophecy revealed the near the end of this world's history

o

Everyone should keep the seventh-day Sabbath

o The world would be converted and live in peace for a thousand years 4. The Great Disappointment took place in o

1863

o

1844

o

1888

1798 5. The Great Disappointment took place because o o

The Seventh-day Adventist church had not yet been founded

o

The pope prevented Yahushua's coming by seeking to change times and laws

o

The coming of Yahushua was a spiritual event on earth

o Yahushua did not come as expected 6. After 1844 the followers of William Miller o

All lost their faith

o

All joined the Roman Catholic church

o

Were all elected to public offices

o

Were discouraged and tried to explain their disappointment

Founded the Old Catholic church in Australia 7. Some of the denominations that eventually arose as a result of Miller's preaching are (4 answers) o o

The Seventh Day Baptists

o

The Seventh-day Adventists

o

The Shakers

o

The Jehovah's Witnesses

o

The Worldwide Church of God

o

The Advent Christian church

The Wesleyan Methodist church 8. Ellen White's first vision o o

Brought the new concept of the tree of life having twelve fruits to the world

o

Showed that the pope was right after all

o

Encouraged people to be strong in their faith in the Second Coming

o Explained the reasons for the Great Disappointment 9. Yahuwah used Ellen White through her vision o

To confirm that the Millerites were wrong

o

To comfort and strengthen those who had been disappointed

To show the world the Millerites were right after all 10. Yahuwah used visions of prophets in Bible times to comfort Israel in the face of disappointment. o o

False

o True 11. The first vision of Ellen White describes heaven o

As a poetic fancy

o

As a real place

o

As a spiritual reality

o

Through symbols and figures

6. Ellen White and Fanaticism (Lesson) After the Great Disappointment in 1844, Ellen White had a vision of comfort and hope, reaffirming the fact that the 2300-year prophecy of Daniel 8:14 was correctly fulfilled in 1844. But that it was the event that was misinterpreted. Instead of Yahushua coming to earth in 1844, He entered into the second apartment of the sanctuary in heaven, the Most Holy Place, to complete the work of atonement for all those who repented of their sins and claimed the salvation offered. While traveling to share this message of affirmation and hope to the disappointed, Ellen White and later her husband James White, were faced with many kinds of fanaticism. This is the way she describes this period in Life Sketches, page 85: "As I returned to Portland, there were increasing evidences of the desolating effects of fanaticism. Some seemed to think that religion consisted in great excitement and noise. They would talk in a manner that would irritate unbelievers, and have an influence to arouse hatred against themselves and the doctrines they taught. Then they would rejoice that they suffered persecution. Unbelievers could see no consistency in such a course. The brethren in some places were prevented from assembling for meetings. The innocent suffered with the guilty. I carried a sad and heavy heart much of the time. It seemed so cruel that the cause of Christ should be injured by the course of these injudicious men. They were not only ruining their own souls, but placing upon the cause a stigma not easily removed. And Satan loved to have it so. It suited him well to see the truth handled by unsanctified men; to have it mixed with error, and then all together trampled in the dust. He looked with triumph upon the confused, scattered state of [Yahuwah's] children. We trembled for the churches that were to be subjected by this spirit of fanticism. My heart ached for [Yahuwah's] people. Must they be deceived and led away by this false enthusiasm? I faithfully pronounced the warnings given me of [Yahuwah]; but they seemed to have little effect, except to make these persons of extreme views jealous of me." False Humility. One of the first forms of fanaticism Ellen White combated was false humility. She mentions this in Life Sketches, pages 85, 86: "There were some who professed great humility, and advocated creeping on the floor like children, as an evidence of their humility. They claimed that the words of Christ in Matthew 18:1-6 must have a literal fulfillment at this period, when they were looking for their Saviour to return. They would creep around their houses, on the street, over bridges, and in the church itself. I told them plainly that this was not required; that the humility which [Yahuwah] looked for in His people was to be shown by a Christlike life, not by creeping on the floor. All spiritual things are to be treated with sacred dignity. Humility and meekness are in accordance with the life of Christ, but they are to be shown in a dignified way." "No-Work" Doctrine. The second form of fanaticism was the "no-work doctrine." Some taught that those waiting for Christ's second coming should not work (Life Sketches, page 86). Ellen White, by the direction of Yahuwah, worked against this

false teaching. Meeting fanaticism was not easy: “Those who had taken extreme views of certain texts of Scripture, refraining wholly from labor, and rejecting all who would not receive their ideas on this and other points pertaining to religious duty, charged me with conforming to the world. On the other hand, the nominal Adventists charged me with fanaticism, and I was falsely represented as the leader of the fanaticism which I was laboring constantly to arrest.” Life Sketches, page 88, 89. This work on behalf of humanity under the direction of Yahuwah continued throughout Ellen White's life. One of her main roles was to combat fanaticism. Some of the other fanatical movements she opposed included the following: The Messenger party. “At Jackson, Mich., we found the church in great confusion. While I was among them, [Yahuwah] instructed me regarding their condition, and I endeavored to bear a straightforward testimony. Some refused to heed the counsel given, and began to fight against my testimony; and here began what later became known as the Messenger party.” Life Sketches, page 149. The Holy Flesh doctrine. “In New Hampshire there were those who were active in disseminating false ideas in regard to [Yahuwah]. Light was given me that these men were making the truth of no effect by their ideas, some of which led to free-lovism. I was shown that these men were seducing souls by presenting speculative theories regarding [Yahuwah]. . . . “Among other views, they held that those once sanctified could not sin, and this they were presenting as gospel food. Their false theories, with their burden of deceptive influence, were working great harm to themselves and to others. They were gaining a spiritualistic power over those who could not see the evil of these beautifully clothed theories. Great evils had already resulted. The doctrine that all were holy had led to the belief that the affections of the sanctified were never in danger of leading astray. The result of this belief was the fulfillment of the evil desires of hearts which, though professedly sanctified, were far from purity of thought and practice. This is only one of the instances in which I was called upon to rebuke those who were presenting the doctrine of an impersonal [deity] diffused through nature, and the doctrine of holy flesh.” Evangelism, page 600. Fanatical Health Reforms. In December of 1865, Ellen White had a vision in regard to health issues. This vision corrected many of the strange health reform practices that were popular at the time, and laid the foundation for the health message for which Ellen White is still most famous. Separating the Law From the Gospel in 1888. At the Minneapolis General Conference session, Waggoner and Jones presented studies on righteousness by faith in Christ. Ellen White was instrumental in bringing the people to see that the recent detachment of the law from the Gospel was a fanatical approach that was running the Advent Message into the ground.

Spiritualism. A number of the most prominent Advent preachers, such as Moses Hull, lost their faith in the Bible and became spiritualist. The divine testimony through Ellen White prevented this popular movement of the time from destroying the Advent message. Dr. John Harvey Kellogg wrote a book entitled The Living Temple, in which he presented spiritualizing ideas about Yahuwah that were very much like oriental pantheism. Large numbers of Adventists especially in Battle Creek were deceived. Ellen White presented the divine testimony against this movement. Nevertheless, it bore fruit in tragic ways. Kellogg's spiritualistic theories resulted in the acceptance of the doctrine of the Trinity, a completely spiritualistic concept of Yahuwah. It further resulted in the movement around the Urantia Book. These fanatical tangents were met by Ellen White's testimony. Conflict over the "daily." In 1902, Ellen White had to meet the fanatical abuse of her own writings that created a division amongst the believers over the concept of the "daily" in the book of Daniel. A. G. Daniells and W. W. Prescott instigated this the new doctrine on the "daily." Their forcing of this issue, also based on a spiritualizing method of interpretation, split the Advent believers. Ellen White met this fanatical approach directly. “I was shown that Brother Daniells and Brother Prescott were weaving into their experience sentiments of a spiritualistic appearance and drawing our people to beautiful sentiments that would deceive, if possible, the very elect.” Manuscript Releases, pages 20, 21.

6. Ellen White and Fanaticism (Quiz) 1. After the Great Disappointment in 1844 Ellen White had a vision that o

Helped Abraham Lincoln to be elected as president of the United States

o

Made the infidels rejoice

o

Gave comfort and hope to those who awaited the second coming

o Made the believers fearful 2. In presenting her vision to the Advent believers, Ellen White had to face o

Heat and cold, storm and drought

o

Only acceptance and praise

o

Fanaticism of many kinds

People who advocated Sunday worship 3. Some people were fanatical in having o o

White ascension robes

o

Only peanut butter and potatoes to eat

o

The belief that the spirit of Yahuwah was in everything

o Cold, formal worship services 4. Ellen White o

From the beginning testified against showing humility by creeping on the ground

At first believed that true believers should always creep about on the floor, but then changed her mind 5. Ellen White taught that o

o

Everyone should stop working to show faith that Yahushua is coming soon

o

Everyone should work for a living until Yahushua comes

Everyone should work seven days a week, but then changed her mind and said they should keep the Sabbath 6. Ellen White's work was o

o

Easy because she could always be sure she was right, since Yahuwah gave her visions

Difficult because fanatics called her fanatical or worldly 7. Ellen White o o

Supported everything the health reformers of her time were teaching

o

Had a health vision in 1865 that continues to be a great blessing to the world

o Went from one fad to another in health matters 8. At the 1888 Minneapolis General Conference sessions Ellen White o

Brought the practice of Sabbath-keeping to Adventists for the first time

o

Supported the older brethren against the preaching of Waggoner and Jones

o

Rejected her prior legalism and discovered the beauty of Christ our Righteousness

Bore witness to the fact that the law must not be separated from the Gospel 9. Ellen White o o

Opposed the pantheistic ideas of Dr Kellogg which resulted in the acceptance of the doctrine of the Trinity

Supported the pantheistic ideas of Dr Kellogg which resulted in the acceptance of the doctrine of the Trinity 10. Ellen White o

o

Opposed the use of her writings in regard to Daniells' and Prescott's ideas about the “daily” in Daniel

o Supported using her writings to determine the true meaning of the “daily” in Daniel 11. Yahuwah used Ellen White to combat fanaticism from 1844 to the end of her life. o

False

o

True

7. Ellen White and Fundamental Doctrines (Lesson) Ellen White is known as one of the greatest lecturers on issues of health, temperance, social advancement, and Christian values of the nineteenth century. Her writings, published as books and articles at the time, continue to be published in new books and compilations to be read by millions. Her remarkable predictions and the amazing fact that she advocated reforms in diet and health that have only recently been discovered, obscure for many that her most important role was in the establishing of the system of doctrines that formed the heart of the message of commandment-keeping people awaiting the second coming of Yahushua. In 1848 the Sabbath Conferences began. Over a period of time, the Sabbath-keeping believers in the second coming gather for prayer, bible study as a group, evaluation of individual studies, fasting, and doctrinal formulation. They were impelled by the Great Disappointment to greater heights of effort not to make another mistake. Never in the history of Christianity was any group so highly motivated to get it right if at all possible. They had lost a great deal, including credibility, when Yahushua did not appear in 1844. They had no motivation to bolster pre-conceived ideas. Their only motivation was to find and accept truth. So they were uniquely prepared to find it. Other doctrinal systems were made on a different basis. The Christian Creeds were formulated under pressure from the Roman emperor to attain a system of doctrine that would unite the citizens of the empire and thus make them easier to rule and control. The doctrinal symbols of the Protestant Reformation were motivated by the concerns of the times, the political interests of the German princes, the Swiss cantons, Dutch and English politics. While there was a strong appeal to go back to the Bible, efforts were hampered by two factors. There was no vision to find truth as such, but rather only to reform Roman Catholic doctrine on the basis of Bible reading. Secondly, while bodies of representatives signed the new documents, they were almost always largely the work of one man, an academic scholar and leader. The Sabbath Conferences followed a different system. They were especially motived. They did not reproduce the doctrinal view of one particular man, such as Calvin, Luther, or Melanchthon. They were a truly group effort of study. They included fervent prayer and fasting. Finally, when each issue was established on the basis of the best Bible study they could manage, the doctrines were affirmed by the Spirit of Prophecy. The first conference was held at Rocky Hill, Connecticut at the home of Albert Belden. The main speakers were Joseph Bates, who presented the Ten Commandments, and Ellen White, who spoke about the Sabbath. Not all of the times and places of the conferences are known. But one was held in Volney, New York in August 1848. Bates, Chamberlain, Gurney, Edson, and James and Ellen White were the main speakers. Bates presented the Sabbath. James White presented the 10 virgins. Affirmation and agreement were gains on the subjects of the millennium, the shut door, and the communion service. There was strong disagreement, until Ellen White received a vision, during which she held up a family Bible in one hand and pointed to the texts with the other, repeating them correctly without looking at the Bible. These texts resolved the disagreements. Another conference was held in Port Gibson, New York at the end of August, 1848. At this conference too Ellen White was taken off in vision for one and a half hours, when she took a large family Bible in her hands and spoke from it without breathing during the whole time. These texts also affirmed the correct doctrines.

"Many of our people do not realize how firmly the foundation of our faith has been laid. My husband, Elder Joseph Bates, Father {Stephen} Pierce, Elder {Hiram} Edson, and others who were keen, noble, and true, were among those who, after the passing of the time in 1844, searched for the truth as for hidden treasure. I met with them, and we studied and prayed earnestly. Often we remained together until late at night, and sometimes through the entire night, praying for light and studying the Word. Again and again these brethren came together to study the Bible, in order that they might know its meaning, and be prepared to teach it with power. When they came to the point in their study where they said, "We can do nothing more," the Spirit of [Yahuwah] would come upon me, I would be taken off in vision, and a clear explanation of the passages (page 207) we had been studying would be given me, with instruction as to how we were to labor and teach effectively. Thus light was given that helped us to understand the scriptures in regard to Christ, His mission, and His priesthood. A line of truth extending from that time to the time when we shall enter the city of [Yahuwah], was made plain to me, and I gave to others the instruction that [Yahuwah] had given me." {1SM 206.4} "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 [Yahuwah]. 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. "For two or three years my mind continued to be locked to an understanding of the Scriptures. In the course of our labors, my husband and I visited Father {Edward} Andrews, who was suffering intensely with inflammatory rheumatism. We prayed for him. I laid my hands on his head, and said, "Father Andrews, the [Master Yahushua] maketh thee whole." He was healed instantly. He got up, and walked about the room, praising [Yahuwah], and saying, "I never saw it on this wise before. Angels of [Yahuwah] are in this room." The glory of [Yahuwah] was revealed. Light seemed to shine all through the house, and an angel's hand was laid upon my head. From that time to this I have been able to understand the Word of [Yahuwah]." 1 Selected Messages p. 206, 207. These were only three of the Sabbath and Sanctuary Conferences. Others were held in the ensuing months in various places, and the basic doctrines were established. The 2300 days and the cleansing of the sanctuary, along with the Sabbath, were the central teachings that were affirmed. The primacy of the Bible, and the unchangeability of the law of Yahuwah were assumed and studied. The visible and literal second coming of Yahushua had been established from earlier times, but the shut door doctrine was affirmed, along with the three angels' messages, the parable of the ten virgins, communion, the millennium, life only in Yahushua (no eternally burning hell), and the nature, mission, and priesthood of Yahushua. It is important to realize that Ellen White affirmed again and again that the principles established in those unique conferences were never to be changed or given up. Two of these principles are the nature of Yahushua and his priesthood. These are the fundamental doctrines that contrast with Evangelical Christianity today and with Catholic teachings: the Trinity and the Atonement finished on the cross. These gross errors have intruded into Seventh-day Adventist Fundamental Beliefs, and their acceptance constitutes apostasy from the original teachings, and implies an opposition to the Spirit of Prophecy as it appeared in Ellen White's ministry.

7. Ellen White and Fundamental Doctrines (Quiz) 1. Ellen White was a well-know lecturer on health and social issues in the 1800s and early 1900s. o

False

True 2. Ellen White provided diet and health guidance that has only recently been discovered by science. o o

False

True 3. When were the basic doctrines of commandment-keeping believers in the soon coming of Yahushua established? o

o

1888

o

1863

o

1848

o 1844 4. What was discussed and affirmed at the first Sabbath and Sanctuary Conference in Rocky Hill, Connecticut? o

The proper Hebrew name of Yahuwah and how to pronounce it

o

The annual feasts and when they should be held

o

The ten commandments and the Sabbath

o The Papacy 5. What was studied and confirmed at the Conference in Volney, New York? o

The Sabbath, the parable of the ten virgins, the millennium, the communion, and the shut door

o

The importance of the Apocrypha in establishing doctrine

o

The role of the Virgin Mary as co-redemptrice

How to ordain priests and bishops 6. What central doctrine was established in the Sabbath Conferences? o o

The Trinity

o

The nature, mission, and priesthood of Yahushua

o

Eternal punishment of the wicked in hell

The importance of baptizing infants 7. What doctrine of Evangelical Christianity was rejected? o o

The creation

o

The Atonement finished on the cross

o

The Bible as the only rule of faith and practice

The virgin birth of Yahushua 8. How did Yahuwah use Ellen White to correct false teaching and bring unity? o

o

He gave her the gift of automatic writing

o

He made sure she had a vegetarian diet

o

He gave her a vision in which He showed her the Bible texts that clarified the subject

He allowed her to heal the sick 9. The doctrines established through study, prayer, fasting, and the confirmation of the Spirit of Prophecy are still treasures of truth today. o

o

False

True 10. Which of the Sabbath and Sanctuary Conference doctrines has the Seventh-day Adventist church relinquished? o

o

The second coming of Yahushua

o

The millennium

o

The nature of Yahushua

o

The Sabbath

8. Ellen White and her Critics (Lesson) Ellen White has been criticized by many people from the beginning to this very day. Some of the more common criticisms are noted here. Criticism: Ellen White's visions were merely the product of a childhood injury, when she was hit on the face by a stone. Response: This criticism is based on speculation. Ellen White was injured, but no one knows how it affected her long term. Even if it were true that her injury facilitated visions, that does not prevent Yahuwah from using that very condition. It is a perverse idea to insist that Yahuwah must give visions only to people who are physiologically incapable of having them. The important issue is whether the content of her visions support Bible truth and foster the spread of the Gospel or not. Criticism: Ellen White strongly supported the shut-door doctrine in the early years and then reversed herself later. She at first taught that probation had closed for those who rejected the Millerite faith, and only those who accepted it could be saved. Response: During the first years, when Ellen and James White had no possibility of contact with anyone but those who had heard and either rejected or accepted the Millerite message of Yahushua's soon coming, they did teach the shut-door doctrine. They taught that those people who had grieved the Holy Spirit by their unbelief had shut themselves away from divine grace. The shut-door doctrine is fully Biblical and is still true today. Those who reject the light Yahuwah has sent them, and stubbornly refuse to hear the truth of the Gospel over and over, stifle the voice of the Holy Spirit and shut themselves from salvation. “Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.” Matt. 12:31. Criticism: Ellen White plagiarized much of her writings. Response: While the criticism has been made and published, the candid reader who compares the passages that are supposed to have been copied with the supposed sources will find only occasional words and phrases that are similar. What is surprising is that it is possible, after all that has been written about the Bible, that anyone could write as much as Ellen White did without producing a good deal more similarities. If ten people write about the same thing, there are bound to be many similarities. But in fact, Ellen White's style is so characteristic, that almost anyone, who is well-read in her books, can identify her as the author of any passage immediately. Such stylistic originality prevents the validity of all plagiarism charges. Ellen White wrote in another time, under other concepts of plagiarism, and yet no plagiarism charge could be validated in any court, even under the presently somewhat more stringent laws of today. Criticism: Ellen White believed that humans and animals could breed together and did so in earlier times, producing the monsters that made the Flood necessary and the diversity of animals and humans today. Response: The following are the texts that critics use to support this claim:

"But if there was one sin above another which called for the destruction of the race by the flood, it was the base crime of amalgamation of man and beast which defaced the image of [Yahuwah], and caused confusion everywhere." Spiritual Gifts, volume three, p. 64. "Every species of animal which [Yahuwah] had created were preserved in the ark. The confused species which [Yahuwah] did not create, which were the result of amalgamation, were destroyed by the flood. Since the flood there has been amalgamation of man and beast, as may be seen in the almost endless varieties of species of animals, and in certain races of men." Spiritual Gifts, volume three, p. 75. This is probably the most serious charge of the scores, if not hundreds, made against Ellen White. It is also the one that has been most difficult to meet, and a proliferation of speculation has made it a muddle of claims and counter-claims. The problem is that the text is ambiguous, and any understanding is speculatory. The critic assumes that the criticism is valid, if the statements can be understood to be incriminating. But this is false. The criticism is shown to be valid only if the statements must be understood to be incriminating. Given the volume of Ellen White writings, and the diligence of her many critics, it is only a wonder that more ambiguous statements have not been found. Two ambiguities are pivotal here. We cannot be certain what Ellen White means by amalgamation, on one hand, and we cannot be sure whether or not she intends to state that such amalgamation existed between humans and animals, or among humans on one hand and animals on the other. While the Enochian writings are considered late and apocryphal, and there was little opportunity for Ellen White to be acquainted with them, her views of pre-Flood society were that civilization was highly developed and that demonic activity was much in evidence. Generally speaking, Ellen White seems to favor the idea that the sons of Yahuwah who married the daughters of men were human. These statements can be read to suggest the intrusion of demonic forces, which is the understanding of modern interpreters of Genesis 6:2, which is the central text of this single Biblical passage that is under question. Given the rather far-fetched explanations of this text that contemporary readers, even creditable scholars, make, Ellen White's few cryptic remarks seem pale and unassuming. Why she should be singled out in her comments of this passage is incomprehensible. The candid reader can only come to the conclusion that the critic is grasping at straws. That being the case in the most difficult passages, what can be said of the other passages that critics single out? Ellen White is singularly unsusceptible to criticism. The statements can be understood to mean that intermarriage between believers and unbelievers before and after the Flood had horrible consequences on their offspring. At the same time, demonic action, possibly with human co-operation, upon the animal population also had horrible consequences. These consequences, both physical and spiritual, are evident in the world even today. But even this understanding is speculative, to say nothing of the paper dragons that critics make and destroy. Criticism: Ellen White copied her health principles from various other health reformers of her day. Response: Most of Ellen White's advice on health principles has been confirmed by recent science. None of her health advice, the two or three issues that lack confirmation, has been shown to be detrimental or false. By contrast, all other health reformers of her time have been shown to have taught a preponderance of health advice that is clearly rejected today. The fact that modern science confirms virtually all of Ellen White's health advice, and very little of that of other health reformers of the time, shows rather her uniqueness than her

similarity to other health reformers. It is true that most of her advice was given by one or another health reformer of the time. But the critic leaves unanswered the question of how she could have picked out the good from the enormous pile of nonsense without divine guidance.

8. Ellen White and her Critics (QUIZ) 1. Very few people have found reasons to criticize Ellen White. o

False

True 2. The fact that Ellen White suffered a head injury as a child is proof that Yahuwah could not and did not use her later by giving her visions and guidance. o

o

False

True 3. Scientist have shown conclusively that the effects of Ellen White's head injury lasted all through her life and contributed to her seeing visions. o

o

False

o True 4. Yahuwah uses at times weak human beings with all their physical frailties as prophets. o

False

True 5. The shut-door doctrine taught that those who heard and were convicted of the truth of Yahushua's soon coming during the preaching of William Miller, yet hardened their hearts to reject it, were lost. o

o

False

o True 6. The shut-door doctrine is still true today, in the sense that those who grieve the Holy Spirit as did the opposers of the second-coming message in the early 1800s, are also lost. o

False

True 7. Several people have written books and articles claiming that Ellen White plagiarized her writings. o o

False

True 8. Many passages have been found in Ellen White's writings that are the same or almost the same as those found in books written before her books. o

o

False

True 9. Ellen White's writing style is uniquely characteristic and readily identifiable, which is not the case in plagiarized writings. o

o

False

True 10. Ellen White claimed that the black race is a result of immoral amalgamation of humans and animals. o o

False

o

True

11. The health principles given through Ellen White were identical to those of the other health reformers of her time. o

False

True 12. The health principles given through Ellen White have nearly all been confirmed by recent scientific discoveries. o

o

False

True 13. Most of the health advice of other health reformers from Ellen White's time has also been confirmed by modern science. o

o

False

o

True

9. Ellen White: Use and Abuse (Lesson) Probably the most outrageous abuse of the writings of Ellen White is the claim that a certain denomination is the "church" of Yahuwah because they have the Spirit of Prophecy. And this denomination does not even adhere to the teachings to which she upheld until her death. The fact that a denomination was blessed with the presence of Ellen White does not guarantee that the denomination cannot go astray. Given that the SDA denomination has changed its Fundamental Beliefs several times since the death of Ellen White, each time bringing them closer to the stated doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church, makes the claim of having the Spirit of Prophecy as an indication of being the "church" of Yahuwah at the very least anachronistic (i.e. wrong in the time period it has been placed). Another abuse that Ellen White would refuse to accept is the claim that she was a prophet. That same denomination has drawn justified criticism to itself for being cultic in having a prophet. The following is what she says in Selected Messages, volume 1, pp. 31, 32, concerning this matter: Some have stumbled over the fact that I said I did not claim to be a prophet; and they have asked, Why is this? I have had no claims to make, only that I am instructed that I am [Yahuwah's] messenger; that He called me in my youth to be His messenger, to receive His word, and to give a clear and decided message in the name of the [Master Yahushua]. Early in my youth I was asked several times, Are you a prophet? I have ever responded, I am [Yahuwah'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 [Yahuwah] 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. When this work was first given me, I begged [Yahuwah] to lay the burden on someone else. The work was so large and broad and deep that I feared I could not do it. But by His Holy Spirit [Yahuwah] has enabled me to perform the work which He gave me to do. There are clear reasons why Ellen White should never have been called a prophet, and those reasons have become more and more apparent. To do so has drawn unwarranted criticism form people who would not otherwise have raised their voices. The result has been to lead others into sin and rebellion against Yahuwah's leading. Great care should have been taken to present her writings in a way that would inspire confidence rather than suspicion.

Another abuse has been the attitude and the even the outright statement that Ellen White is infallible. She contradicts this directly: “I wish that self should be hid in [Yahushua]. I wish self to be crucified. I do not claim infallibility, or even perfection of Christian character. I am not free from mistakes and errors in my life. Had I followed my Saviour more closely, I should not have to mourn so much my unlikeness to His dear image.” 20 Manuscript Releases p. 23. Nothing could be more dangerous than to establish doctrine on the basis of Ellen White's writings. That is diametrically opposed to the principle of Scripture only. To do so is to depart from the foundation of proper faith. This is part of the reason for the confusion that exists in the SDA church and its competitors, the Reformed movements and the Davidian movements. The habit of relying on Ellen White's books, when appeal should be made to the Bible, has been catastrophic. This too diminishes the effectiveness and role of those very books, which should have been a taste of grace as missionary tools for the reaching of souls and for bringing them into the light of the Bible. “[Yahuwah] has sent His people much instruction, line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little, and there a little. Little heed is given to the Bible, and [Yahuwah] has given a lesser light to lead men and women to the greater light. Oh, how much good would be accomplished if the books containing this light were read with a determination to carry out the principles they contain! There would be a thousandfold greater vigilance, a thousandfold more self-denial and resolute effort. And many more would now be rejoicing in the light of present truth.” Counsels to Ministers, p.125.2 “My brethren and sisters, work earnestly to circulate these books. Put your hearts into this work, and the blessing of [Yahuwah] will be with you. Go forth in faith, praying that [Yahuwah] will prepare hearts to receive the light. Be pleasant and courteous. Show by a consistent course that you are true Christians. Walk and work in the light of heaven, and your path will be as the path of the just, shining more and more unto the perfect day.” Review and Herald, Jan. 20, 1903. Ellen White especially recommends three of her books (Patriarchs and Prophets, The Great Controversy, and The Desire of Ages). By recommending them, she states that she wants to affirm her confidence in the light that Yahuwah has given. By that she obviously means the teachings that were originally confirmed by the “Spirit of Prophecy” during the Sabbath and Sanctuary Conferences in 1848 and 49 and were summarized in the Fundamental Beliefs published during her lifetime. She points out that the truth stated in her books is backed up with Scripture. She does not wish to be taken above Scripture. Rather, she sees her books as the vehicle of the Holy Spirit, which traced truth upon her heart. “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 [Yahuwah] 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 [Yahuwah].’ The Holy Spirit traced these truths upon my heart and mind as indelibly as the law was traced by the finger of [Yahuwah], upon the tables of stone, which are now in the ark, to be brought forth in that great day when sentence will be pronounced against every evil, seducing science produced by the father of lies.” Letter 90, 1906. Another use of the writings of Ellen White that has been neglected is their influence in softening and subduing the heart. Belligerence and arrogance are easy temptations for those who know Bible truth. Knowledge of

truth has to be tempered with sweetness. One of the best ways of attaining such sweetness is to be softened and subdued by reading the “Spirit of Prophecy” books written through Ellen White. “[Yahuwah] would be pleased to see The Desire of Ages in every home. In this book is contained the light He has given upon His word. To our canvassers I would say, Go forth with your hearts softened and subdued by reading of the life of Christ. Drink deeply of the water of salvation, that it may be in your heart as a living spring, flowing forth to refresh souls ready to perish.” Letter 75, 1900. A final, essential good use of the writings of Ellen White is their role in unmasking the challenges that face us in the time of the end. "The Great Controversy should be very widely circulated. It contains the story of the past, the present, and the future. In its outline of the closing scenes of this earth's history, it bears a powerful testimony in behalf of the truth. I am more anxious to see a wide circulation for this book than for any others I have written; for in The Great Controversy, the last message of warning to the world is given more distinctly than in any of my other books.” Letter 281, 1905.

9. Ellen White: Use and Abuse (Quiz) 1. The fact that Ellen White belonged to the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the 1800s and early 1900s proves that is the right church today, even though they have changed their beliefs several times since her death. o

False

o True 2. If you believe that Ellen White was a messenger from Yahuwah, the only consistent thing to do is join the Seventh-day Adventist Church. o

False

True 3. Ellen White was the final prophet of Yahuwah on earth, and she wanted everybody should acknowledge her as a prophet. o

o

False

True 4. Seventh-day Adventists calling Ellen White a prophet has caused many to regard her writings with suspicion, so they could not benefit from them. o

o

False

True 5. Ellen White considered herself infallible. o o

False

True 6. Yahuwah gave Ellen White visions so that they could know the many true doctrines that are not found in the Bible. o

o

False

o True 7. Great good would be accomplished if people read Ellen White's books with the determination to carry out the light that is in them. o

False

True 8. Ellen White's books are old-fashioned and no longer need to be circulated today. o o

False

o True 9. Why would Yahuwah be pleased to see the book The Desire of Ages in every home? o

Because it improves reading skills

o

Because a person cannot be saved unless he has read it

o

Because it subdues and softens the hearts of its readers

o

Because it would bring in plenty of money to the publishers

10. Why is The Great Controversy Ellen White's most important book? o

Because it gives the history of the Reformation

o

Because it gives warnings about the events of the last days as it unmasks the Papacy

o

Because it is the longest one she wrote

o

Because it is the last one she wrote

10. Spirit of Prophecy at the Time of the End (Lesson) Does the Bible assure us of prophetic guidance in the last days? Yes, the Father assures us through His word that prophecy is one of the spiritual gifts of the ekklesia in the apostolic age. “And Yahuwah hath set some in the ekklesia, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.” 1 Corinthians 12:28. Peter quotes Joel in fulfillment of his prophecy in the apostolic day, and yet the words are even more appropriate for exactly the time that Ellen White lived. The Dark Day and the falling of the stars, wonders in the sky, drew people's attention to the times. It was a time of prophetic awakening, stirring in the world, and the beginning of the end. “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit. And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of Yahuwah come.” Joel 2:28-31. The same Spirit of Prophecy that marked the apostolic ekklesia should mark the true believers at the time of the end as well. This is prophesied in 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 Yahuwah, and have the testimony of Yahushua, the Anointed.” The testimony of Yahushua is called the spirit of prophecy in Revelation 19:10. “And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Yahushua: worship Yahuwah: for the testimony of Yahushua is the spirit of prophecy.” The word “testimony” in Greek is “martyria,” a word that is very rich in meaning. The testimony of Yahushua is the witness of having overcome death at the cross. The vision of Yahushua in the book of Revelation is a heavenly one. He has overcome death and has entered into his work of heavenly intercession. The testimony of Yahushua comprises his whole work of overcoming death and blotting out sin. That is, this message is the spirit of the prophecy. There is an article “the” in the Greek original. The prophecy is the book of revelation, and this message of Yahushua overcoming death and blotting out sin is the very spirit of the book. But the article appears before an abstract noun in Greek, unlike in English, so the King James translation is absolutely accurate. “The” is a more general meaning of the expression. The spirit of prophecy is the action of the Holy Spirit to transmit the message of Yahushua overcoming death and blotting out sin. By the spirit of prophecy this message is transmitted to the believers. There is another point that is mentioned. In Revelation 19:10 John is tempted to worship someone other than Yahuwah. The angel forbids him, saying “Worship Yahuwah.” Worship Yahuwah alone, who is Creator, is an essential part of the eternal gospel mentioned in Revelation 14:6, 7, as the first angel's message. The testimony of Yahushua which comes to the company of believers at the time of the end through the Spirit of Prophecy corrects three false teachings of Christianity. Christianity erred in situating the atonement for sin at the cross and then compounding that error by repeating the sacrifice in the Eucharist performed by human priests in churches on the earth for centuries after the cross. By the doctrine of the Trinity, the church essentially denied the real death of the Son of Yahuwah on the cross, believing that the “human” nature of

Yahushua died, while the “divine” nature did not. By the doctrine of the Trinity the church also denied Yahuwah the worship due to Him alone. These are precisely the false doctrines that the Spirit of Prophecy, acting through the ministry of Ellen White corrected, thus preparing the believers for the coming of Yahushua. The Spirit of Prophecy affirmed the real death of the Son of Yahuwah on the cross, thus overcoming death and providing the way for Yahushua to enter his heavenly ministry, by which forgiven sins are blotted out for ever by the application of his sacrifice in intercession. At the same time the Spirit of Prophecy restored the true doctrine of Yahuwah and Yahushua as His son. The Spirit of Prophecy restores right doctrine in preparation for the second coming of Yahushua. But it also provides further guidance. We see this in the many testimonies that Ellen White wrote to both individuals and groups throughout her life. These testimonies are always in harmony with Biblical teaching and call people to repentance and service to Yahuwah. Among the most spectacular issues of guidance have been the health principles revealed through the pen of Ellen White.

10. Spirit of Prophecy at the Time of the End (QUIZ) 1. Prophecy is one of the spiritual gifts of the apostolic ekklesia. o

False

True 2. Joel's prophecy that Peter applied to the apostolic ekklesia is even more applicable to the time when the stars fell, the sun was darkened, and the moon turned blood red, the time of the end. o

o

False

True 3. Joel prophesies that the spirit of Yahuwah will also be poured out on young women. o o

False

True 4. The testimony of Yahushua is his witness that he overcame death at the cross. o o

False

True 5. The testimony of Yahushua is his witness that he is alive to intercede for believers. o o

False

True 6. The testimony of Yahushua is the Spirit of Prophecy. o o

False

True 7. The word martyria in the book of Revelation, translated “testimony,” has nothing to do with the death and resurrection of Yahushua. o

o

False

True 8. According to Revelation 19:10, the spirit of prophecy teaches people to worship Yahuwah alone, and not the Trinity. o

o

False

True 9. Which doctrine does the Spirit of Prophecy restore at the time of the end? o o

The infallibility of the Pope

o

The intercession of Yahushua in the Holy Place of the heavenly sanctuary

o

The Immaculate Conception

The Holy Trinity 10. Which additional guidance does the Spirit of Prophecy provide at the time of the end? o o

How to speak in ecstatic tongues that only the angels understand

o

How to have a spirit-driven church

o

How to deal with new technology

o

How to live in the most healthful manner