The Voice of The Spirit

Eyewitness To The Birth Of The Last Church

The eyewitness pattern was also used by Ellen White to describe historical events related to the Adventist movement. In some of her biographical works, ¹ her emotions and feelings about personally participating in the events and circumstances that form the history of this religious movement, come through clearly. You can feel the excitement of the imminence of the date of the anticipated appearance of the Lord in her story; the immense discouragement suffered as a result of the Great Disappointment; the anxiety to discover the truth in the Word of God, and the joy of receiving answers to questions through the visions. In a manner similar to the history of God’s people in the past, this epic poem also combines human and divine elements. The prophet’s testimony mingles with the intervention of the Spirit. It is human history, but a history incorporated into the great acts of God. VOTS 59.3

For that reason, the Lord surely inspired His messenger to give her personal testimony. Just as biblical history reaffirms us in the faith and conviction of divine guidance, the history of the Adventist movement, recounted by an eyewitness to the events, reaffirms the conviction that God was guiding this group of believers. He had a purpose for them—the mission of transforming them into a vast world movement to announce the truths of the three angel’s message to every nation, tribe, language, and people. The certainty of divine guidance in our past history is so strong that this eyewitness can assert: VOTS 60.1

In reviewing our past history, having traveled over every step of advance to our present standing, I can say, Praise God! As I see what the Lord has wrought, I am filled with astonishment, and with confidence in Christ as leader. We have nothing to fear for the future, except as we shall forget the way the Lord has led us, and His teaching in our past history. ² VOTS 60.2