Ellen G. White: The Early Years: 1827-1862 (vol. 1)

A Symbolic Warning

Then in vision she was taken into the presence of Jesus. He looked upon her with a frown and turned His face from her. It was a terrifying experience; speechless, she fell helpless on her face. She wrote: 1BIO 93.4

Then could I realize, in some degree, what the feelings of the lost will be when they cry, “Mountains and rocks, fall on us, and hide us from the face of Him that sitteth on the throne.”—Ibid., 223. 1BIO 93.5

An angel spoke to her, bidding her to arise. What she then saw made an unforgettable impression on her mind: 1BIO 94.1

The sight that met my eyes can hardly be described. A company was presented before me whose hair and garments were torn, and whose countenances were the very picture of despair and horror. They came close to me, and took their garments, and rubbed them on mine. I looked at my garments, and saw that they were stained with blood. 1BIO 94.2

Again I fell like one dead, at the feet of my accompanying angel. I could not plead one excuse, and longed to be away from such a holy place. Again the angel raised me up on my feet, and said, “This is not your case now, but this scene has passed before you to let you know what your situation must be if you neglect to declare to others what the Lord has revealed to you. But if you are faithful to the end, you shall eat of the tree of life, and shall drink of the river of the water of life. You will have to suffer much, but the grace of God is sufficient.” 1BIO 94.3

I then felt willing to do all that the Lord might require me to do, that I might have His approbation, and not feel His dreadful frown.— Ibid. 1BIO 94.4