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Ellen G. White and Her Critics

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Bible Testimony on Probation’s Close

Here Mrs. White’s position is squarely stated. There is no ambiguity, no hesitancy. The Bible abounds with solemn declarations that different classes and groups of people at different times in the world’s history have sinned away their day of grace. For example: EGWC 206.2

1. Antediluvians. EGWC 206.3

“And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. And the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.” Genesis 6:6, 7. EGWC 206.4

2. Amorites. EGWC 206.5

“But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.” Genesis 15:16. EGWC 206.6

3. Israelites. EGWC 206.7

a. In the Wilderness. EGWC 206.8

“So I gave them up unto their own hearts’ lust: and they walked in their own counsels.” Psalm 81:12. EGWC 206.9

b. During the Period of the Kingdom. EGWC 206.10

“Therefore pray not thou for this people, neither lift up cry nor prayer for them, neither make intercession to me: for I will not hear thee.” Jeremiah 7:16. EGWC 206.11

c. In Christ’s Day. EGWC 206.12

“Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.” John 8:44. EGWC 206.13

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.” Matthew 23:37, 38. EGWC 207.1

4. Gentiles, in General. EGWC 207.2

“And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient.” Romans 1:28. EGWC 207.3

“Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.” Ephesians 4:19. EGWC 207.4

5. New Testament Statements Dealing With Christian Era. EGWC 207.5

“Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men; but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.” Matthew 12:31, 32. EGWC 207.6

“If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.” 1 John 5:16. EGWC 207.7

“For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, and have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, if they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.” Hebrews 6:4-6. EGWC 207.8

“For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.” Hebrews 10:26, 27. EGWC 207.9

To these passages may be added a symbolic declaration in the last book of the Bible. There the prophet John tells of an announcement that is to be made shortly before the end of the world, and while probation for the world at large still lingers. Says the prophet: EGWC 208.1

“And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.” Revelation 14:8. EGWC 208.2

That declaration is echoed a little later on in the Revelation, as follows: EGWC 208.3

“After these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.” Revelation 18:1-5. EGWC 208.4