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A Prophet Among You

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“The Acts of the Apostles” and “Prophets and Kings”

There remained two gaps to be filled in the expanded record of the conflict of the ages—from the beginning of the reign of Solomon to the end of the Old Testament, and from the death of Christ to the end of the apostolic period. The book covering the apostolic age appeared first. As had been the case in the preparation of The Desire of Ages, much could be drawn from the hundreds of pages already in print covering many of the events of the period. Then new chapters and other portions were written particularly for the book in preparation. In a letter to one of her sons, Mrs. White brings in both of these final volumes. APAY 313.1

“My work on the book, The Acts of the Apostles, is completed. In a few weeks you shall have a copy. I have had excellent help in preparing this work for the press. There are other writings that I desire to get before our people, that they may speak when my voice is silent. The book on Old Testament history [Prophets and Kings], which we hope to bring out next, will call for earnest effort. I am grateful for the help the Lord is giving me in the labors of faithful, trained workers, and that these workers are ready to carry forward this work as fast as it is possible.”—Ellen G. White Letter 88, 1911. APAY 313.2

By this time Ellen White had reached the age of eighty-three. She knew that little time remained for her to complete the tasks the Lord had assigned her. All haste was being made to complete the Conflict Series before she should have to lay down her pen. Soon after the completion of The Acts of the Apostles, Prophets and Kings was undertaken in the same fashion as the earlier books. Work progressed slowly because of many interruptions; but by February, 1915, the task was nearing completion. It was at that time that Mrs. White met with the accident that confined her to her bed and wheel chair until her death. A brief statement from Life Sketches tells of the completion of the book. APAY 313.3

“At the time of her accident, in February, 1915, all but the last two chapters had been completed; ... and these final chapters had been sufficiently blocked out to admit of completion by the inclusion of additional matter from her manuscript file.” Page 436. APAY 314.1

Thus over a period of fifty-seven years the Conflict of the Ages Series grew, until it stands today a monumental and distinctive work of more than thirty-six hundred pages, giving the clearest insight into the Bible history, and carrying the mind from the rebellion in heaven through the history of the world to the day when sin shall end and eternity shall begin. It will not be misusing the words of the author of these books if her stated objective in the writing of the one volume, The Great Controversy, is applied to the whole of the series. APAY 314.2

“To unfold the scenes of the great controversy between truth and error; to reveal the wiles of Satan, and the means by which he may be successfully resisted; to present a satisfactory solution of the great problem of evil, shedding such a light upon the origin and the final disposition of sin as to make fully manifest the justice and benevolence of God in all His dealings with His creatures; and to show the holy, unchanging nature of His law, is the object of this book. That through its influence souls may be delivered from the power of darkness, and become ‘partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light,’ to the praise of Him who loved us, and gave Himself for us, is the earnest prayer of the writer.” The Great Controversy, Introduction, xii. APAY 314.3

A careful, earnest reader of all these volumes will be constrained to agree that the objective of the author, under God, was achieved. APAY 314.4