Ellen G. White and Her Critics

Development of Sanctuary Doctrine

Let us examine, first, the early development of their doctrine of the heavenly sanctuary, with its interrelated teaching on the shut door; then the growth of their distinctive teaching on the Sabbath. EGWC 174.6

The record is clear as to the import of their thinking regarding the heavenly sanctuary. If Christ began His work of cleansing the sanctuary on October 22, 1844, and came at that time to the marriage described in the parable of Matthew 25, then the seventh-month movement, in which virtually all the Adventists had formerly rejoiced, was not a delusion. Instead, they had been preaching the truth when they proclaimed to all men that the prophecy of Daniel 8:14 and the parable of Matthew 25:1-13 would be fulfilled in 1844. The Advent movement could continue to maintain that it arose in response to prophecy, very particularly the prophecies of Daniel 8:13, 14, and Revelation 14:6, 7. EGWC 175.1