The Ellen G. White Letters and Manuscripts: Volume 1

Lt 2, 1847

April 21, 1847, Topsham, Maine 1EGWLM 118.1

Letter to
Eli Curtis.¹ 1EGWLM 118.2

Transcribed from A Word to the “Little Flock,” pp. 11, 12.²

Clarifies points of agreement and disagreement with Eli Curtis on the progression of final events before the second coming of Jesus. What follows is an unmodified transcription of the published text. 1EGWLM 118.3

Topsham, April 21, 1847.

To Bro. Eli Curtis, New York City. 1EGWLM 118.4

Dear Bro:—In the Day-Dawn, Vol. 1, Nos. 10 and 11, you kindly invite me to address you a communication. 1EGWLM 118.5

The only apology I have to offer for not writing before is, I have not had a clear duty to write till now. You will, I doubt not, excuse me for addressing you so publicly, at this time. I have been much interested in your writings in the Dawn, and Extra; and fully agree with you on some points, but on others we widely differ.³ 1EGWLM 118.6

Your Extra is now on the stand before me; and I beg leave to state to you, and the scattered flock of God, what I have seen in vision relative to these things on which you have written. I fully agree with you, that there will be two literal resurrections, 1000 years apart. 1EGWLM 119.1

I also agree with you, that the new heavens, and the new earth, (Rev. 21:1. Isa. 65:17. 2 Pet. 3:13.) will not appear, till after the wicked dead are raised, and destroyed, at the end of the 1000 years.⁴

According to mainstream Millerite thinking, events at the beginning of the millennium included the second coming of Christ, the resurrection of the righteous dead, the destruction of the wicked, and the purification of the earth by fire, resulting in “a new heaven and a new earth” (Rev. 21:1). Events at the close of the millennium included the resurrection of the wicked dead, the loosing of Satan, the attempted attack on the Holy City, and the final punitive fires. Gradually, over a period of about five years, Sabbatarian Adventists developed a view of the millennium that differed from the above schema on several key points. The earliest break with the Millerite view is found in Ellen Harmon's first vision of December 1844, in which the saints ascend with Christ to heaven at the Second Coming (see Lt 1, 1845 [Dec. 20], note 16). The next major break appears in this 1847 letter with the assertion that the new heavens and new earth would not emerge at the beginning of the millennium as the Millerites had taught, but at the end, thus anticipating the subsequent teaching that the final fires that destroy Satan and the wicked will also purify the earth, making it “new.” James White claimed, some years later, that his wife's “view of this subject [the millennium] was not till 1850,” his main point being to prove that on this subject, as well as on other unique Sabbatarian teachings, “it should be understood that all these views … were brought out from the Scriptures before Mrs. W. had any view in regard to them.” However, as can be seen from the visions of 1844 and 1847, Ellen White received instruction on important aspects of the emerging new concept of the millennium well before 1850.

See: J. W. [James White], “A Test,” Review, Oct. 16, 1855, p. 61. For a summary of William Miller's views on the millennium, see Joshua V. Himes, ed., Views of the Prophecies and Prophetic Chronology, pp. 33-35. The development of Seventh-day Adventist teachings on the millennium are summarized in SDAE, s.v. “Millennium,” and EGWEnc, s.v. “Millennium.”

I saw that Satan was “loosed out of his prison,” at the end of the 1000 years, just at the time the wicked dead were raised; and that Satan deceived them by making them believe that they could take the holy city from the saints. The wicked all marched up around the “camp of the saints,” with Satan at their head; and when they were ready to make an effort to take the city, the Almighty breathed from his high throne, on the city, a breath of devouring fire, which came down on them, and burnt them up, “root and branch.” 1EGWLM 119.2

And I saw, that as Christ is the vine, and his children the branches: so Satan is the “root”, and his children are the “branches;” and at the final destruction of “Gog and Magog,” the whole wicked host will be burnt up, “root and branch,” and cease to exist.⁵ Then will appear the new heaven and the new earth. Then will the saints “build houses,” and “plant vineyards.” I saw, that all the righteous dead were raised by the voice of the Son of God, at the first resurrection; and all that were raised at the second resurrection, were burnt up, and ceased to exist. 1EGWLM 119.3

You think, that those who worship before the saint's [sic] feet, (Rev. 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.⁶ 1EGWLM 120.1

You also think, that Michael stood up, and the time of trouble commenced, in the spring of 1844. 1EGWLM 120.2

The Lord has shown me in vision, that Jesus rose up, and shut the door, and entered the Holy of Holies, at the 7th month 1844; but Michael's standing up (Dan. 12:1) to deliver his people, is in the future.⁷ 1EGWLM 120.3

This, will not take place, until Jesus has finished his priestly office in the Heavenly Sanctuary, and lays off his priestly attire, and puts on his most kingly robes, and crown,⁸ to ride forth on the cloudy chariot, to “thresh the heathen in anger,” and deliver his people. 1EGWLM 121.1

Then Jesus will have the sharp sickle in his hand, (Rev. 14:14) and then the saints will cry day and night to Jesus on the cloud, to thrust in his sharp sickle and reap. 1EGWLM 121.2

This, will be the time of Jacob's trouble,⁹ (Jer. 30:5-8) out of which, the saints will be delivered by the voice of God. 1EGWLM 121.3

I believe the Sanctuary, to be cleansed at the end of the 2300 days, is the New Jerusalem Temple, of which Christ is a minister. The Lord shew me in vision, more than one year ago, that Brother Crosier [O.R.L. Crosier]¹⁰ had the true light, on the cleansing of the Sanctuary, &c; and that it was his will, that Brother C. should write out the view which he gave us in the Day-Star, Extra, February 7, 1846. I feel fully authorized by the Lord, to recommend that Extra, to every saint. 1EGWLM 121.4

I pray that these lines may prove a blessing to you, and all the dear children who may read them. 1EGWLM 121.5

E. G. White.

Picture:

Picture: A Word to the “Little Flock,” printed May 30, 1847, by James White, contained three communications from Ellen White, including one to Eli Curtis, publisher of the Girdle of Truth.

Picture: Ellen White's first vision was published by Eli Curtis in his Girdle of Truth, and Advent Review, Extra, January 20, 1848. Original dimensions (H x W): 9.5 x 6.25 in. (24 x 16 cm.). Courtesy James R. Nix.