Ellen G. White and Her Critics

Testimony From Her Vision of January 5, 1849

Let us look now at a vision given to Mrs. White, January 5, 1849: EGWC 241.1

“At the commencement of the Holy Sabbath, (Jan. 5,) we engaged in prayer with Bro. Belden’s family at Rocky Hill, Ct., and the Holy Ghost fell upon us. I was taken off in Vision to the Most Holy Place, where I saw Jesus still interceding for Israel. On the bottom of his garment was a bell and a pomegranate, a bell and a pomegranate. Then I saw that Jesus would not leave the Most Holy Place, until every case was decided either for salvation or destruction: and that the wrath of God could not come until Jesus had finished his work in the Most Holy Place—laid off his priestly attire and clothed himself with the garments of vengeance. Then Jesus will step out from between the Father and man, and God will keep silent no longer; but pour out his wrath on those who have rejected his truth. I saw that the anger of the nations, the wrath of God, and the time to judge the dead, were separate events, one following the other. I saw that Michael had not stood up, and that the time of trouble, such as never was, had not yet commenced.”— The Present Truth, August, 1849, p. 22. ^* EGWC 241.2

Here is a remarkable statement which we do not recall that Mrs. White’s critics have quoted. Jesus is here described as being in “the Most Holy Place,” and as continuing there “until every case” is “decided either for salvation or destruction.” She explains that “the wrath of God could not come until Jesus had finished his work in the Most Holy Place.” When that work is finished “then Jesus will step out from between the Father and man, and God will keep silent no longer; but pour out his wrath on those who have rejected his truth.” What is it that has prevented God from pouring out His wrath on the world? The fact that Jesus is standing “between the Father and man” “in the Most Holy Place.” If that statement of hers does not teach that Jesus still has a desire for the salvation of the wicked and is still shielding them from the wrath of God, then we do not know how that glorious truth could be stated. She is doing what devout Christian writers have always done, picturing Christ as pleading that God’s long-suffering and mercy be continued a little longer, that the wicked may have further opportunity to repent and be saved. EGWC 241.3

However, until a sinner, by turning to Christ, avails himself of Christ’s ministry, we do not speak, strictly, of Christ’s carrying on an intercessory work for him. It is in the setting of this fact that we understand her words: “I saw Jesus still interceding for Israel.” He could perform His true priestly function only for those who invoked His services. Mrs. White is here simply using the language that the Bible writers consistently employ. They speak of God’s relationship to Israel, oftentimes in such a way as to lead the casual reader to believe that God had no concern whatever for anyone else. The new covenant is made only “with the house of Israel.” Hebrews 8:8. Paul reminds the church at Ephesus that “in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience.” Ephesians 2:2. He adds that they “were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.” Verse 3. A little farther on in his letter he observes, regarding the evil practices of the Gentiles, that “because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.” Ephesians 5:6. Here is a description of a sinful world waiting for “the wrath of God” to come upon it. This parallels Mrs. White’s picture. EGWC 242.1