The Testimony of Jesus

Additions to Later Editions of Books

Divine revelation is progressive. This is indicated in these words of the Master to the disciples: TOJ 117.3

“I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. 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 show you things to come.” John 16:12, 13. TOJ 117.4

And when the Holy Spirit did come, beginning with the day of Pentecost, what a revelation of Scriptural truth was brought to the disciples. The touch of divine enlightenment clarified many things which before were dark. It gave power to their testimony and fruitage to their labors. They demonstrated that “the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.” TOJ 117.5

It is the design of God that His children should grow in wisdom and knowledge throughout their Christian experience. Successive revelations given to the holy prophets through the years increased their conception of divine truth, and gave them new visions of the character of God and the plan of salvation. This is true, we believe, in the experience of Mrs. White, and is responsible for additions which have been made in the later editions of her books. TOJ 118.1

This is well illustrated in the books known as Conflict of the Ages Series. The earlier books of Mrs. White, the series called Spiritual Gifts, and the four volumes of The Spirit of Prophecy, were written for the special benefit of the church. Both of these series had a very limited circulation. When the editions of these books were exhausted, there was prepared to take their place another series called Conflict of the Ages Series. This series was prepared for a larger circle of readers, and many copies were sold by subscription. Many statements which were found in the first two series of books were in this later series enlarged and amplified. TOJ 118.2

Mrs. White herself has made definite statement as to why some changes have been made in her published writings. We have before us a sixty-four-page pamphlet, entitled Sketch of the Christian Experience and Views of Ellen G. White. This was published by James White at Saratoga Springs, New York, in 1851. On page 9 of this pamphlet, immediately preceding an article entitled “To the Remnant Scattered Abroad,” we find this statement: TOJ 118.3

“Here I will give the view that was first published in 1846. In this view I saw only a very few of the events of the future. More recent views have been more full. I shall therefore leave out a portion and prevent repetition.” TOJ 118.4

The messenger of the Lord also recognized that there was certain instruction which was appropriate to the church and its needs, that would not be fitting to publish broadcast to the world. She herself makes the following statement regarding this: TOJ 119.1

“There are matters in the Testimonies that are written, not for the world at large, but for the believing children of God, and it is not appropriate to make instruction, warning, reproof, or counsel of this character public to the world. The world’s Redeemer, the Sent of God, the greatest Teacher the children of men ever knew, presented some matters of instruction, not to the world, but to His disciples alone. While He had communications designed for the multitudes that thronged His steps, He also had some special light and instruction to impart to His followers, which He did not impart to the great congregation, as it would neither be understood nor appreciated by them.”—Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 34. TOJ 119.2

God, in carrying on His work in the earth, does not leave men without occasion to reject His revelation. The psalmist declares that to the froward man God will show Himself froward, and to the righteous God will show Himself righteous. (Psalm 18:25, 26.) Not that there is frowardness in God, but the froward man judges God by his own narrow vision and his own conception of right. TOJ 119.3

We cannot judge of divine revelation by mere details. We must judge by great underlying principles. We cannot judge the Book of God by isolated expressions or by the things which form the groundwork of the caviling unbeliever. We must judge the Book by the fruit it bears, by the spirit that accompanies it. And thus we must judge the writings of the messenger of the Lord to the remnant church. TOJ 119.4