101 Questions on the Sanctuary and on Ellen White

46. Ford’s “Degrees of Revelation”

Ford acknowledges “that Ellen White was a true prophet, but, on the other hand, he asserts that her prophetic ministry was not of the same quality as that of the Bible prophets.” He says, “Because God’s attention to matters is proportionate to their importance, He has exercised more miraculous superintendence over Scripture than over the writings of Ellen G. White. This is not to speak of degrees of inspiration, but rather degrees of revelation.” He indicates that her authority should be limited to edification, exhortation, and comfort as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 14:3 (Ford, pages 599-600, 602, 619). Does this concept correctly reflect Ellen White’s view of her inspiration? QSEW 38.1

No. She wrote: QSEW 38.2

“I am now instructed that I am not to be hindered in my work by those who engage in suppositions regarding its nature, whose minds are struggling with so many intricate problems connected with the supposed work of a prophet. My commission embraces the work of a prophet, but it does not end there. It embraces much more than the minds of those who have been sowing the seeds of unbelief can comprehend.”—Selected Messages 1:36. QSEW 38.3

There is nothing in Ellen White’s writings that would warrant the conclusion that she had a lower “degree of revelation” than any other prophet. In her Great Controversy introduction she wrote: QSEW 38.4

“Through the illumination of the Holy Spirit, the scenes of the long-continued conflict between good and evil have been opened to the writer of these pages. From time to time I have been permitted to behold the working, in different ages, of the great controversy between Christ, the Prince of life, the Author of our salvation, and Satan, the prince of evil, the author of sin.” QSEW 38.5

“As the Spirit of God has opened to my mind the great truths of His Word, and the scenes of the past and the future, I have been bidden to make known to others that which has thus been revealed.”—The Great Controversy, xii, xiii. QSEW 38.6

Here are claims as broad and unequivocal as any found in the Bible. Without doubt Ellen White believed that her work embraced the work of a genuine prophet. QSEW 38.7