Ellen G. White — Messenger to the Remnant

Brochure I — The Prophetic Gift in Action

Chapter 1—How The Visions Were Given

Even though the tragic fall of our first parents at the beginning separated them from face-to-face converse with their Maker, God did not leave man without means by which He could communicate with him. In order that those who should so choose might intelligently avail themselves of the gracious provisions for their salvation, they must receive instruction, information, and guidance. The methods of communication have been quite varied in their nature, ranging from the audible voice of God heard on several occasions to the Urim and Thummim by which the people might inquire of the Lord. Angels on several occasions have borne Heaven’s messages directly to individuals; at times God has given dreams to warn of impending danger; and all through the centuries the voices of the prophets have been heard. “By dreams, by Urim, or by prophets.... These were God’s own appointed mediums of communication.”—Patriarchs and Prophets, 683 (ed. 1890). EGWMR 5.1

Of these several means of communication employed by the Lord, the most common and widely used was that of the prophet. To Israel, God Himself declared His intention in simple language: “If there be a prophet among you, I the Lord will make Myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream.” Numbers 12:6. Information, instruction, and direction were to be revealed to the prophet, which he in turn would impart to the people. The process by which the prophet received the divine message was not through face-to-face converse with God, nor on the other hand was it merely through impressions or strong feelings; but it was through a definite, divinely chosen process, designated as “visions.” EGWMR 5.2