Selected Messages Book 3

Chapter 16—Expanding the Great Controversy Presentation

Preparing Manuscript for Spirit of Prophecy, Volume 4, [While in Ellen White's mind all materials comprising the agelong conflict were a part of the great controversy story, this chapter focuses on the post-biblical part of the narration as found in Spirit of Prophecy, Vol. 4, published in 1884, and The Great Controversy, which appeared in 1888. The enlarged writing on the life of Christ for The Desire of Ages follows in the next chapter.—Compilers.] the Forerunner of The Great Controversy

Intensity of Feeling While Writing (February 19, 1884)—I write from fifteen to twenty pages each day. It is now eleven o'clock and I have written fourteen pages of manuscript for volume four and seven pages of letters to different ones besides this. I feel continually grateful to God for His merciful kindness.... 3SM 109.1

As I write upon my book I feel intensely moved. I want to get it out as soon as possible, for our people need it so much. I shall complete it next month if the Lord gives me health as He has done. I have been unable to sleep nights, thinking of the important things to take place. Three hours’ sleep, and sometimes five, is the most I get. My mind is stirred so deeply I cannot rest. Write, write, write, I feel that I must, and not delay. 3SM 109.2

Great things are before us, and we want to call the people from their indifference, to get ready for that day. Things that are eternal crowd upon my vision day and night. The things that are temporal fade from my sight. We are not now to cast away our confidence, but to have firm assurance, firmer than ever before. Hitherto hath the Lord helped us, and He will help us to the end. We will look to the monumental pillars, reminders of what the Lord hath done for us, to comfort and to save us from the hand of the destroyer.—Letter 11a, 1884. 3SM 109.3

History Opened Up in Scenic Visions From Time to Time—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, the first transgressor of God's holy law.—The Great Controversy, Introduction, x. 3SM 110.1

Visions of the Past and Future While Writing—When I am using my pen, wonderful representations are given me of past, present, and future.—Letter 86, 1906. 3SM 110.2

Reformation History Presented in Vision—The banner of the ruler of the synagogue of Satan was lifted high, and error apparently marched in triumph, and the reformers, through the grace given them of God, waged a successful warfare against the hosts of darkness. Events in the history of the reformers have been presented before me. I know that the Lord Jesus and His angels have with intense interest watched the battle against the power of Satan, who combined his hosts with evil men, for the purpose of extinguishing the divine light, the fire of God's kingdom. They suffered for Christ's sake scorn, derision, and the hatred of men who knew not God. They were maligned and persecuted even unto death, because they would not renounce their faith.—Letter 48, 1894. 3SM 110.3

Shown Ellen White Years Before Visiting Europe in 1885-1887—Years ago, the work of the first message in these countries [Sweden and other northern countries] was presented before me, and I was shown circumstances similar to those related above [Swedish child-preaching].—Ellen G. White, in Historical Sketches of the Foreign Missions of Seventh-day Adventists (Basel, 1886), 206. 3SM 110.4

Chapter on Time of Trouble—We have just read the matter in regard to the time of trouble. Brother Smith thinks that chapter by no means should be left out of Volume 4. He says there is not a sentence in it that is not essentially needed. This seemed to make a very deep impression upon his mind and I thought I would write to you in reference to this matter. I have read it and it has just a thrilling power with it. I see nothing that will exclude it from the book for general sale among unbelievers. [The book was published by the Pacific Press in late September, 1884, and gained favorable notice: “The Great Controversy, Vol. IV: This volume, so long looked for, is now out. And we are confident that it will more than meet the expectations of those who have anxiously waited for it. We judge from our own reading of it; we found the contents of deeper interest than our imagination could have reached.”—Signs of the Times, October 2, 1884,—Compilers.]—Letter 59, 1884. 3SM 111.1