Ellen G. White and Her Critics

Second Angel’s Message

Many who belonged to the Advent movement, which was really interdenominational, were cast out of their respective churches because of their belief in the literal coming of Christ. Others, while not cast out, were given vigorously to understand that they must not speak of their belief in Christ’s coming. EGWC 165.3

Not only was there opposition to the Advent movement from many pulpits; there was violent ridicule in the press, both secular and religious. There were also caricatures of the Advent preaching and belief on the part of mobs and sometimes even the breaking up of meetings by such mobs. EGWC 165.4

This varied opposition, particularly the opposition of the churches, caused the Advent leaders to begin to look further into the prophecies of the Bible. They were already preaching the prophetic message of the angel of Revelation 14:6, 7, “The hour of his judgment is come.” They noted that a second angel followed, proclaiming, “Babylon is fallen.” Revelation 14:8. They noted also that this same cry, “Babylon is fallen,” is repeated in Revelation 18, coupled with the command, “Come out of her, my people.” The study of these passages led to the conclusion that “Babylon” is a prophetic, symbolic term to describe the fallen churches of Christendom, and at this time, very particularly the Protestant churches, because they rejected the doctrine of the literal, personal coming of Christ as the goal of Christian hope and the solution of the tragedy of the world. This led the Millerite leaders in general to apply to the members of these churches the command: “Come out of her, my people.” This feature of the Advent preaching began to be increasingly prominent as the opposition and ridicule increased. EGWC 166.1