Understanding Ellen White

Statement 13: The planets vision

This final example comes from a vision that was reported by others, but not directly from the pen of Ellen White. It illustrates the possibility that, in some cases, to prophetically reveal the “whole truth” about scientific matters could actually hinder one purpose of prophecy, to increase faith without coercing it. In November 1846 in Topsham, Maine, Ellen White had a vision on the “opening heavens.” One witness was Joseph Bates, a retired sea captain, navigator, and amateur astronomer who believed Ellen White’s visions were merely a product of her poor health or excitable temperament. This vision changed his mind, because she described several planets. Neither during this vision nor at any subsequent time, did she herself identify which planets she had seen. But her description while in vision was sufficiently accurate for Bates to identify the planets, and to express his astonishment that the number of moons she ascribed to each planet represented exactly the latest discoveries of the British astronomer William Parsons, or Lord Rosse as he was called. Because the vision correlated with Bates’s understanding of astronomy, which was previously unknown to Ellen White, Bates became a believer in the supernatural origin of her visions. ⁸¹ UEGW 192.1

With increasingly powerful telescopes, the number of moons known to orbit each of those planets has greatly increased, so an astronomer today would not come to the same conclusion as Bates did at the time. In any case, had the vision revealed today’s understanding, Bates would not have recognized its accuracy. UEGW 192.2

We must consider the historical context or background and the purpose of the prophetic revelation, which may not require scientific accuracy. In fact, sometimes accuracy is detrimental, as demonstrated by Ellen White’s planets vision. God does reveal scientific information when it is necessary for foundational faith, identity, or life and health purposes. For example, the seven-day Creation account establishes the entire foundation of biblical truth that defines God as Creator; His character; His relationship to us and our relationship to Him; our God-given identity; and the nature of righteousness and sin. The same would apply to the biblical account of the Flood, which is based on God’s response to human rebellion in actual history and His plan to save all who can be saved. UEGW 192.3

We must always remember that the understanding of science is constantly changing as new discoveries are made. Whether something Ellen White wrote is confirmed by current scientific evidence can change over time. Scientific understanding over the years has dramatically changed and frequently now affirms “what” is best as God revealed it to her. Even in cases where an explanation given might retrospectively seem dated, the instructions are valid and readers who follow them in a correct manner are benefited. UEGW 192.4