Ellen White: Woman of Vision

Vision Of Ministry In The Heavenly Sanctuary

Ellen had been in eastern Maine only a short time when, at Exeter, she was given the significant vision she described in two early letters. One, dated February 15, 1846, was to Enoch Jacobs; the other, dated July 13, 1847, was to Joseph Bates. Of this vision she wrote: WV 29.7

It was then I had a view of Jesus rising from His mediatorial throne and going to the Holiest as Bridegroom to receive His kingdom (Letter 3, 1847). WV 30.1

I saw the Father rise from the throne and in a flaming chariot go into the Holy of Holies within the veil, and did sit.... I saw a cloudy chariot with wheels like flaming fire. Angels were all about the chariot as it came where Jesus was; He stepped into it and was borne to the Holiest, where the Father sat. Then I beheld Jesus as He was before the Father, a great high priest (Letter 1, 1846 [see also The Day-Star, March 14, 1846]). WV 30.2

In her ministry she mentioned this vision from time to time, for it confirmed the results of Bible study—of which she knew nothing at the time—in western New York State by Hiram Edson and O.R.L. Crosier. In a letter to J. N. Loughborough, written August 24, 1874, she recounted: WV 30.3

It was on my first journey east to relate my visions that the precious light in regard to the heavenly sanctuary was opened before me and I was shown the open and shut door. We believed that the Lord was soon to come in the clouds of heaven. I was shown that there was a great work to be done in the world for those who had not the light.... Some accused me of saying my Lord delayeth His coming, especially the fanatical ones. I saw that in 1844 God had opened a door and no man could shut it, and shut a door and no man could open it (Letter 2, 1874). WV 30.4

In eastern Maine Ellen was traveling and working in the atmosphere of the spiritualizers who had allegorized away heaven, God, Jesus, and the Advent hope. In the vision at Exeter in mid-February she seemed to be in the presence of Jesus, and she was eager to obtain answers to some vital questions. WV 30.5

I asked Jesus if His Father had a form like Himself. He said He had, but I could not behold it, for said He, “If you should once behold the glory of His person, you would cease to exist” (Early Writings, 54). WV 30.6

The spiritualization of heaven, God, Christ, and the coming of Christ lay at the foundation of much of the fanatical teachings that 17-year-old Ellen Harmon was called by God to meet in those formative days. The visions firmly established the personality of God and Christ, the reality of heaven, the reward of the faithful, and the resurrection. This sound guidance saved the emerging church. WV 30.7

A large number of people at this time were bitter and disappointed when the period passed without bringing the event that was expected. For these Ellen was given a message of good cheer and encouragement. She called their attention to the fact that God had granted the world more time to prepare for His coming; that the warning of the judgment could be heard more widely; and that the people could be tested with greater light. Although the expected event did not occur (as in the case of Jonah), the message was nonetheless of God and accomplished the purpose He designed it should. WV 30.8

Subsequent light upon the prophecies revealed the event that did take place—the entering of the High Priest into the Most Holy Place of the sanctuary in heaven to finish the atonement for the sins of humanity. WV 31.1