Sabbath School

Adult Sabbath School Bible study guide.

Seventh-day Adventist acceptance of Ellen G. White’s prophetic gift, from its inception until the present time, has faced similar challenges to those of many biblical prophets. After Ellen G. White’s first vision in December 1844, some questioned her prophetic claims. This led Sabbath-keeping Adventists (later Seventh-day Adventists) to develop arguments in support of Ellen G. White’s prophetic gift.

First, they offered theological justification for the perpetuity of the gift of prophecy until the end of time. The Bible supports the modern display of the gift of prophecy, they argued. Based on Joel 2, Revelation 12:17, and other scriptures, the prophetic gift would be visible in the “last days” and become an “identifying mark” of God’s end-time people. (See Gerhard Pfandl, “The Gift of Prophecy and God’s Remnant Church,” in The Gift of Prophecy, chapter 4.)

Second, early Adventists noted that Ellen G. White’s gift had a positive influence on believers. For example, her prophetic insights helped to unify believers attending the Sabbath Conferences in the late 1840s when they disagreed on biblical doctrines. Her gift continued to bear “good fruit” in the decades since, and her writings remain influential within the Seventh-day Adventist community of faith.

A third argument in defense of Ellen G. White relates to the supernatural elements of her visionary experiences. While in vision, as we have noted previously, Ellen G. White exhibited supernatural manifestations—reporting facts and circumstances unknown to her, revealing future events, exhibiting greater-than-natural strength, and being unable to control or influence the timing of her visionary experiences, among others.

Seventh-day Adventists today continue to highlight these supports for the validity of Ellen G. White’s gift. While these arguments are sound, a powerful “proof” of Ellen G. White’s gift is a personal experience with her writings. As the psalmist David urged: “Taste and see that the Lord is good” (Ps. 34:8). It is only when we prayerfully read Ellen G. White’s writings that we can evaluate her prophetic claims.

One place to begin is with her small but most popular volume, Steps to Christ. Follow this with the five-volume Conflict of the Ages series, which traces the great controversy theme from Genesis to Revelation. Her writings are widely available in paper and electronic versions (see EGWWritings.org) and have been translated into many languages.

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Supplemental EGW Notes

In Heavenly Places, “The Garden of God’s Promises,” April 28, p. 125. The Upward Look, “Mystery of the Incarnation,” September 3, p. 260.\

The above quotations are taken from Ellen G. White Notes for the Sabbath School Lessons, published by Pacific Press Publishing Association. Used by permission.