Ellen G. White and Her Critics

Another Reasonable Interpretation

But we are not quite sure of the timing of this statement. As with some passages of Scripture, we hesitate to be dogmatic about it. The prophets of God have been rather distinguished by the fact that in their prophesyings they have often swept over the centuries, and have moved rapidly from a discussion of some local affair, in Palestine, for example, to a discussion of the events of the last hours of earth’s history. All students of the Bible know this. When Christ stood up in the synagogue and read the passage from Isaiah that foretold His coming, He ended with the words, “and the acceptable year of the Lord,” declaring, “This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.” But Isaiah followed immediately in his prophecy with the words, “And the day of vengeance of our God.” Let us give the context of Mrs. White’s statement: EGWC 127.2

“I was shown the inhabitants of the earth in the utmost confusion. War, bloodshed, privation, want, famine, and pestilence were abroad in the land. As these things surrounded God’s people, they began to press together, and to cast aside their little difficulties.... EGWC 128.1

“My attention was then called from the scene. There seemed to be a little time of peace. Once more the inhabitants of the earth were presented before me; and again everything was in the utmost confusion. Strife, war, and bloodshed, with famine and pestilence, raged everywhere. Other nations were engaged in this war and confusion. War caused famine. Want and bloodshed caused pestilence. And then men’s hearts failed them for fear, ‘and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth.’”—Testimonies for the Church 1:268. EGWC 128.2