“Nothing is surer than this, that this message and the visions belong together and stand or fall together.” — James White in Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, August 14, 1883
If you are a believer in Ellen White as the “Spirit of Prophecy” then you are comfortable with her prophetic visions. And you are well aware that most Seventh-day Adventist teaching about end-time events (eschatology) is based on Ellen White’s book The Great Controversy. A large number of Seventh-day Adventists believe The Great Controversy was written as a direct result of Ellen White’s visions; they believe it contains God-given prophecies about earth’s end time. Since one of the tests of a true prophet is that all of the prophet’s predictions must come true, most Seventh-day Adventists believe that all Ellen White’s end time prophecies have been fulfilled, are in the process of being fulfilled, or must eventually be fulfilled. Scriptures often quoted to back up this belief include the following:
“The prophet who prophesies peace will be recognized as one truly sent by the Lord only if his prediction comes true.” — Jeremiah 28:9.
“You may say to yourselves, ‘How can we know when a message has not been spoken by the Lord?’ If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the Lord does not take place or come true, that is a message the Lord has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously. Do not be afraid of him.” — Deuteronomy 18:21-22.
These are valid Bible statements, but we must understand they are true only if the prophet has not uttered a conditional prophecy. A good understanding of Bible prophecy takes into account the fact that some prophecies are conditional, and some are unconditional. A prophet is false only when an unconditional prophecy fails to come true. The question then is, how do we know when a prophecy is conditional?
The Bible itself presents specific criteria for deciding whether or not one of God’s prophets has given a conditional prophecy: if you read any prophecy in the Bible containing the conditional phrase “if … then,” you know you are dealing with conditional prophecy.
Another “rule of thumb” is that all prophecies which depend upon human activity for fulfillment, or which are designed to bring people or nations to repentance, are generally conditional. Some examples of conditional Bible prophecies are:
“If you are willing and obedient, (then) you will eat the best from the land; but if you resist and rebel, (then) you will be devoured by the sword.” — Isaiah 1:19, 20.
“If you do not oppress the alien, the fatherless or the widow and do not shed innocent blood in this place, and if you do not follow other gods to your own harm, then I will let you live in this place, in the land I gave your forefathers for ever and ever.” — Jeremiah 7:6, 7.
“I said to the city, ‘Surely you will fear me and accept correction!’ Then her dwelling would not be cut off, nor all my punishments come upon her. But they were still eager to act corruptly in all they did. … Therefore … I have decided to … pour out my wrath on them.” — Zephaniah 3:7-8.
“This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘If you will walk in my ways and keep my requirements, then you will govern my house and have charge of my courts.” — Zechariah 3:7.
“If you do not repent, (then) I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.” — Revelation 2:5.
Those are all examples of Bible prophecies that include either specific or implied conditional statements. But there are also conditional prophecies which at first glance do not seem to contain a conditional statement. For instance, remember Jonah’s prophecy about Nineveh?
“Forty more days and Nineveh will be overturned”—Jonah 3:4.
Seventh-day Adventists often point to this text and say, “Well, Jonah must have been a false prophet because Nineveh was not destroyed until 200 years later!” But are they right? Is this really an example of a failed prophecy in the Bible? Not hardly!
Remember how the king of Nineveh was fairly certain Jonah’s prophecy allowed for the possibility of repentance? As the king urged the people of Nineveh to repent he said:
“Who knows? God may yet relent and with compassion turn from his fierce anger so that we will not perish.” — Jonah 3:9.
But more than that, Jonah himself knew for certain that his prophecy was conditional even before he arrived in Nineveh! Jonah knew God would not destroy the Ninevites if they repented — that is why Jonah fled to Spain. He reasoned if the Ninevites never heard his prophecy they would not be led to repent and God would have to destroy them. That is why, after the forty days of grace had passed, Jonah complained angrily to the Lord:
“O Lord, is this not what I said when I was still at home? That is why I was so quick to flee to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity.” — Jonah 4:2.
However, there is something else here in Jonah 3:4 that Seventh-day Adventists generally overlook. Look at that text again:
“Forty more days and Nineveh will be overturned.”—Jonah 3:4.
The key word here is “overturned.” It comes from the Hebrew “haphak” which means “to overthrow, to overturn, to be changed, to be converted.” So you see, Jonah’s prophetic proclamation was a play on words: “If Nineveh is not converted, in forty days it will be overturned.”
The fact that the king and citizens of Nineveh recognized this play on words is seen in their immediate decision to repent and change their ways (see Jonah 3:6-10).
Taken in the context of the entire book of Jonah, it is clear that Jonah’s prophecy was conditional. The king knew it was conditional, the citizens knew it was conditional, and Jonah himself knew it was conditional — so he ran away hoping to prevent the Ninevites from having the opportunity to comply with the conditions and thus avert national disaster.
Whenever we judge a prophet by applying the Bible test of whether or not a prophecy has come to pass, we must always make certain that the prophecy is unconditional. Only a prophet’s unconditional prophecies can be tested by Jeremiah 28:9 and Deuteronomy 18:21-22. So, as we use these Bible texts to test Ellen White, we must only look at her unconditional prophecies. It is only fair that we study only her prophecies which contain no conditions and no comments from Ellen White stating she knew beforehand that her prophecy would not come to pass.
But first ask yourself a crucial question: “Have you ever heard of even one of Ellen White’s prophecies that did not come true?” Most of her supporters will answer with a triumphant, “NO! ALL of Ellen White’s prophecies have either come to pass or are in the process of being fulfilled!”
But, have you ever specifically analyzed the evidence for yourself?
You see, if Ellen White was truly inspired by God — if she was just as inspired as all the Bible prophets were — then every investigation you make will affirm the evidence of her divine inspiration. The more you evaluate Ellen White according to the Biblical requirements, the more evidence ought to surface supporting her prophetic inspiration. But as you analyze the following unconditional statements and unconditional prophecies made by Ellen White, you will discover a far different situation.
1. The Lisbon earthquake (1755), and the Dark Day (May 19, 1780) definitely fulfilled two signs of Christ’s second coming.
EGW
- “The Revelator thus describes the first of the signs to precede the second advent: ‘There was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood.’ Revelation 6:12. . These signs were witnessed before the opening of the nineteenth century. In fulfillment of this prophecy there occurred, in the year 1755, the most terrible earthquake that has ever been recorded … the earthquake of Lisbon…. Ninety thousand persons lost their lives that fatal day.” — Great Controversy, pages 304-305, written in 1888.
Did you know Ellen White was wrong in stating the Lisbon earthquake of 1755 was “the most terrible earthquake that has ever been recorded”? History records 1,000,000 people died in an earthquake in Egypt in 1201; 830,000 in China in 1556; 200,000 in Japan in 1703; and 300,000 in India in 1737! The fact is, Lisbon isn’t even on the list of the 14 worst earthquakes in history. Strange that Ellen White picked Lisbon!
Now, stop a moment to consider two specific, unconditional facts Ellen White has just presented to us:
- The first of these signs to precede the second advent was the great earthquake of Revelation 6:12.
- The Lisbon earthquake of 1755 fulfilled the prophecy of Revelation 6:12.
Keep those two facts in mind as we continue on now with Ellen White’s unconditional statements:
EGW
- “Twenty-five years later appeared the next sign mentioned in the prophecy — the darkening of the sun and moon. What rendered this more striking was the fact that the time of its fulfillment had been definitely pointed out. In the Savior’s conversation with His disciples upon Olivet, after describing the long period of trial for the church, — the 1260 years of papal persecution, concerning which He had promised that the tribulation should be shortened, He thus mentioned certain events to precede His coming, and fixed the time when the first of these should be witnessed: ‘In those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light.’ Mark 13:24. The 1260 days, or years, terminated in 1798. A quarter of a century earlier, persecution had almost wholly ceased. Following this persecution, according to the words of Christ, the sun was to be darkened. On the 19th of May, 1780, this prophecy was fulfilled. … May 19, 1780, stands in history as ‘The Dark Day.’“—Great Controversy, pp. 306, 308.
Before continuing, let’s review her five unconditional facts:
- Twenty-five years after the Lisbon earthquake the next sign appeared (1755 + 25 = 1780).
- This next sign was the darkening of the sun and moon.
- After the tribulation of the 1260 years ended in 1798 the sun would be darkened (“Dark Day”).
- A quarter of a century earlier (1798 – 25 years = 1773), persecution had almost wholly ceased.
- The prophecy of the darkening of the sun and moon was unconditionally fulfilled by the “Dark Day” of May 19, 1780.
Did you notice that the arithmetic is wrong? The numbers don’t add up! The problem lies with the fact that, according to Ellen White, the 1260 years of persecution ended in 1798. These two “signs” of Christ’s second coming were to occur after the 1260 years of tribulation had ended in 1798. But, read carefully! The Lisbon Earthquake, which Ellen White unconditionally claimed fulfilled the first sign, occurred in 1755, forty three years too soon. And the “Dark Day,” which Ellen White unconditionally claimed fulfilled the second sign, occurred in 1780, eighteen years too soon. Therefore, according to her own testimony, it is historically and mathematically impossible for those two events in the 1700’s to fulfill the prophetic Scriptures of Luke 21:25; Mark 13:24-26; and Revelation 6:12!
Hoping to resolve this predicament she included this statement:
“… The 1260 years terminated in 1798. A quarter of a century earlier, persecution had almost wholly ceased. …”
Unfortunately, “almost” is not good enough to fulfill the Bible tests for a true prophet of God. Ellen White had claimed Jesus said these signs would occur after the persecution had ended, not that they would occur after the persecution had “almost” ended!
In 1888, Ellen White published The Great Controversy. There, in numerous references, she repeatedly stated that the 1260 years terminated in 1798. But when her faithful believers began to question why Jesus did not return immediately after the Dark Day — and why he had not returned even after more than a hundred years had passed — Ellen White did not admit she was wrong. Instead in 1900 she blamed her faithful believers for not working diligently enough in spreading Seventh-day Adventism to the world!
EGW
- “Had the purpose of God been carried out by His people in giving to the world the message of mercy, Christ would, ere this, have come to the earth.” — Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 450, 1900.
That’s what Ellen White said. Now open your Bible with me and let’s examine Jesus’ entire statement directly from the original source to see what the Lord really said:
BIBLE
- “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” — Luke 21:25-28.
Did Jesus say he would come two hundred years or more after you see the signs in the sun, moon and stars? No, he said “at that time” you “will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory!” And when you see the Son of Man coming in a cloud, you are to “lift up your head, because your redemption is drawing near!” And notice, the Lord made no mention whatsoever of any 1260 years here! That all came from Ellen White. So, if the great earthquake and the dark day are literal they are both still future, for they have not yet been fulfilled.
As you continue on with God’s Word, remember these are the very texts Ellen White quoted. She unconditionally claimed those prophecies were fulfilled by the Lisbon earthquake of 1755, and the Dark Day of 1780. But here is what Jesus said in the book of Mark:
BIBLE
- “In those days, following that distress, ‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken. At that time men will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.” — Mark 13:24-26.
Again, did Jesus say He would come two hundred years or more after the signs in the sun, moon and stars? No, Jesus said “At that time men will see the Son of Man coming in clouds!” And he went on to tell you that he will not take long to rescue you once you see him coming in the clouds and the angels gathering His elect:
BIBLE
- “When you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door!” — Mark 13:29.
The Good News is that, Lord willing, you could be alive to personally experience these signs of Christ’s second coming and greet him! Remember, every person who lived on earth during either the Lisbon earthquake of 1755 or the Dark Day of 1780 has been dead for more than a hundred and fifty years. According to God’s Word, neither of those events could possibly fulfill Jesus’ prophecy. Only a false prophet would try to deceive her followers into believing Christ’s Second Coming was eminent in the 1800’s!
Now, let’s read Revelation 6:12 which Ellen White referenced:
BIBLE
- “I watched as he opened the sixth seal. There was a great earthquake. The sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red.” — Revelation 6:12.
Remember two facts about Ellen White’s use of this Bible text:
- When Ellen White quoted Revelation 6:12 she categorically stated the Lisbon earthquake of 1755 fulfilled this prophecy.
- Ellen White did not quote the rest of this passage, so you missed several other events that the Bible said will occur at the very same moment in time. What else did God prophesy would happen at the same time the great earthquake occurred? Read the next two verses:
BIBLE
- “and the stars in the sky fell to earth, as late figs drop from a fig tree when shaken by a strong wind. The sky receded like a scroll rolling up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place.” — Revelation 6:13-14.
Why do you think Ellen White focused on the earthquake and the dark day and neglected to mention that at the same time the stars would fall, the sky roll up, and every mountain and island would be removed? Those omissions fooled her followers. But the fact Jesus did not come in the 1700’s proves Ellen White’s interpretations are false.
Now, if Jesus’ prophecy is literal, you may yet live to see these events occur in the future. Are you ready for Jesus to come? Do you know the true Gospel? Have you been saved through your faith in the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ? Only the Gospel of Jesus Christ can enable you to face the future with confident assurance in his saving power. Only Jesus can empower you to become all God wants you to be from now until Christ’s Second Coming.
2. Turkey would fall on August 11, 1840.
EGW
- “Josiah Litch, one of the leading ministers preaching the second advent, published an exposition of Revelation 9, predicting the fall of the Ottoman Empire. According to his calculations, this power was to be overthrown. … It will end on the 11th of August, 1840. … At the very time specified, Turkey … exactly fulfilled the prediction.” — Great Controversy, pp. 334, 335, written in 1888.
Ellen White approved of Josiah Litch’s prediction, and repeated her approval 48 years later even though Turkey still had not “ended”! Josiah and Ellen were wrong: Turkey continues to exist as a sovereign nation today. Did you know Seventh-day Adventist scholars now insist Ellen White erred by giving her approval to Litch’s false prophecy? Almost every reference to this prophecy has been removed from all Adventist teaching! But why? Why do SDAs dare to tamper with the words of the “Lord’s Messenger” to the Church? Because it is obvious, even to Seventh-day Adventists, that Ellen White placed her imprimatur upon a false prophecy! Thus God could not be guiding her.
But read on now to discover another prophecy Ellen White made that failed to pass the Bible test. As you do, remember she claimed all her prophecies came from God, and were given to her so she could guide her church into truth and away from error.
3. In 1850 the “sealing” time was almost over and the seven last plagues would soon be poured out.
EGW
- “In a view given June 27, 1850, my accompanying angel said,‘Time is almost finished.’ … I saw that there was a great work to do for them and but little time in which to do it. Then I saw that the seven last plagues were soon to be poured out.” — Early Writings, pp. 64, written in 1882.
- “I saw that the time for Jesus to be in the most holy place was nearly finished and that time can last but a very little longer. … The sealing time is very short, and will soon be over.” — Early Writings, p. 58, written in 1882.
At first, faithful believers in the prophetic inspiration of Ellen White were content to accept her unconditional words at face value. But as years passed, and the seven last plagues were not poured out, her followers began questioning whether she had misunderstood the vision. Some even began to doubt her inspiration. So eighteen years later in 1868, Ellen White shifted the responsibility for her mistake from herself to God and told the faithful:
“God’s unwillingness to have His people perish, has been the reason for so long delay.” — Testimonies, vol. 2, p. 194, 1868.
This satisfied some people for a time. But over the next thirty- two years, even more questions were raised concerning the accuracy of Ellen White’s prophecies. In 1900 Ellen White reversed her earlier position as to the reason the plagues had not been poured out and Jesus had not come. This time she blamed her followers:
“Had the purpose of God been carried out by His people in giving to the world the message of mercy, Christ would, ere this, have come to the earth.” — Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 450, 1900.
Ellen White first blamed God, then she blamed the members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church – but she herself never accepted responsibility for her own false prophecy. Are you comfortable with Ellen White’s inability to admit her own mistakes? Does it speak well of her relationship with God when she blamed Him for her own errors?
4. God told Ellen White that individuals attending the Conference at Battle Creek on May 27, 1856 would still be alive at Christ’s second coming.
EGW
- “I was shown the company present at the Conference. Said the angel: ‘Some food for worms, some subjects of the seven last plagues, some will be alive and remain upon the earth to be translated at the coming of Jesus.’ Solemn words were these, spoken by the angel.” — Testimonies, vol. 1, pp. 131, 132, written in 1856.
This is another of Ellen White’s unconditional prophecies. If you will look up this quotation, you will see a note about it on the bottom of page 132 in Testimonies, volume 1. The note says:
“Sister Clarissa M. Bonfoey, who fell asleep in Jesus only three days after this vision was given, was present in usual health, and was deeply impressed that she was one who would go into the grave, and stated her convictions to others.”
There was no doubt that those who heard Ellen White’s unconditional prophetic message firmly believed some of those attending that 1856 Conference would die just before Jesus returned, some would live to experience the seven last plagues, and some would remain alive until his second coming. That belief was so strong that a record was made of every person present at that meeting. But, surprisingly, that list greatly annoyed Ellen White!
J. N. Loughborough wrote in the January 22, 1931 issue of the Review and Herald: “About 1904 (forty-eight years after the meeting), as told to me by Bro. Nelson at the General Conference in 1905, he and George Amadon were making a list of those who attended that meeting in Battle Creek in 1856. They went to see Sister White to ask her if she could remember any names they had omitted. Brother Nelson told me she said, ‘What are you doing?’ He replied, ‘I am getting a list of those who attended that meeting.’ She asked, ‘What are you going to do with it?’ He replied, ‘I am going to have copies of it printed and sent to all our people.’ She replied, ‘Then you stop right where you are. If they get that list, instead of working to push on the message, they will be watching the Review every week to see who is dead!’” I ask you, why would Ellen White object to that list if she knew her prophecy was true?
In that same issue of the Review and Herald, F. M. Wilcox, editor, quoted Ellen White’s statement and then wrote on page 23: “We are firm believers in the Spirit of Prophecy, and we accept at full face value this statement which we have quoted above.” Apparently Ellen White’s followers had more faith in her prophecies than she herself did!
Mrs. Evelyn Lewis-Reavis was present when Ellen White made her prophecy at that meeting in Battle Creek back in 1856. In 1910 she compiled a list and discovered twenty-seven of the sixty-seven people in attendance were still alive. Here is the list she made in November, 1910:
Living as of November, 1910 (Age in 1910)
- Ellen G. White (83)
- G. W. Amadon (78)
- J. E. White (61)
- W. C. White (56)
- T. B. Lewis (70)
- Ogden Lewis (62)
- Lorinda Nordyke (68)
- Mary Smith-Abbey (56)
- May L. King (78)
- Asahel Smith (74)
- Evelyn L. Reavis (58)
- Anna L. Wilson (70)
- J. W. Bacheller (73)
- Arvilla D. Bacheller (72)
- Julia J. McDowell (73)
- Smith Kellogg (76)
- Albert Kellogg (74)
- Emma Kellogg (61)
- J. H. Kellogg (59)
- Mrs. A. A. Dodge (80)
- Hannah Hastings (65)
- Seymour Bovee (82)
- Griffin Lewis (68)
- Laura Kellogg-Brackett (65)
- Mrs. Munsell-Marvin (80)
- Mrs. R. M. Kilgore (67)
- Lorinda Carpenter (75)
The youngest members of that 1856 Conference still alive when this list was compiled in 1910, were W. C. White and Mary Smith- Abbey, both 56 years old. As I write this at the beginning of 2000, one of them would have to be alive today in order for Ellen White’s prophecy to be true – and would be 146 years old! But all of them are long dead.
Contrary to what the “angel” told Ellen White, not one person at the 1856 Conference experienced the seven last plagues or remained alive to see Jesus return. Ellen White’s “vision” is simply not supported by Scripture, history, or divine inspiration. Thus she is a false prophet.
Since what Ellen White unconditionally predicted did not come true, is it possible the “angel” messenger who told her these things did not come from God? Is it possible Ellen White was receiving messages and visions from some other source — a source that is against God?
Again, consider the Word of God: “If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the Lord does not take place or come true, that is a message the Lord has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously.” — Deuteronomy 18:22.
5. During the Civil War, England will attack the United States and humble America into the dust.
EGW
- “I was shown that if the object of this war (the Civil War) had been to exterminate slavery, then, if desired, England would have helped the North. But England fully understands the existing feelings in the Government, and that the war is not to do away slavery, but merely to preserve the Union; and it is not for her (England’s) interest to have it preserved. Our Government has been very proud and independent. The people of this nation have exalted themselves to heaven. … Said the angel: ‘Hear, O heavens, the cry of the oppressed, and reward the oppressors double according to their deeds.’ This nation (the United States) will yet be humbled into the dust. England is studying whether it is best to take advantage of the present weak condition of our nation, and venture to make war upon her. She (England) is weighing the matter, and trying to sound other nations. She fears, if she should commence war abroad (on American soil), that she would be weak at home, and that other nations would take advantage of her weakness. Other nations are making quiet yet active preparation for war, and are hoping that England will make war with our nation (the United States). …If England thinks it will pay, she will not hesitate a moment to improve her opportunities to exercise her power and humble our nation. When England does declare war, all nations will have an interest of their own to serve, and there will be general war, general confusion.” — Testimonies, vol. 1, pp. 258, 259, written January 4, 1862.
If you have read historical accounts of the American Civil War (fought from 1861-1865), you already know England never declared war on the United States, and never humbled America.
But is it possible this was a conditional prophecy? Ellen White did say “If England thinks it will pay, she will not hesitate ….” But then she concluded with a ring of certainty in her voice: “When England does declare war ….” According to her prophecy, there would be a period of time when England would weigh her decision, then she would ultimately decide to go to war with the United States. But, contrary to Ellen White’s prophecy, the United States and England have been allies, fighting side by side in World War I, World War II, and in numerous wars and battles for the past 80 years. Was Ellen White divinely inspired when she made that false prophecy about England humbling the United States?
6. Old Jerusalem will never be built up.
EGW
- “I was pointed to some who are in the great error of believing that it is their duty to go to Old Jerusalem, and think they have a work to do there before the Lord comes. … I also saw that Old Jerusalem never would be built up.” — Early Writings, p. 75, written in 1882.
When Ellen White made this prediction in 1882, the old city of Jerusalem had changed very little since the crusades. Apart from divine inspiration, there was no way she could have foreseen the modern improvements and massive enlargements Jerusalem has undergone since the return of the Jews in 1945. Are you comfortable with Ellen White’s claim to divine inspiration when so many of her prophecies are false?
7. Angels would destroy San Francisco.
Seventh-day Adventists commonly teach that Ellen White predicted the San Francisco earthquake of April 18, 1906. In that earthquake, caused by a 270-mile section of the San Andreas fault slipping, some 490 city blocks were destroyed in the resulting fire, and a quarter of a million people were left homeless. Are the Seventh-day Adventists right? Did Ellen White’s prediction find fulfillment in that earthquake and fire? No, she did not predict the city would be destroyed by natural causes, she predicted supernatural destruction brought about by angels:
EGW
- “While at Loma Linda, Cal., April 16, 1906, there passed before me a most wonderful representation. During a vision of the night, I stood on an eminence, from which I could see houses shaken like a reed in the wind. Buildings, great and small, were falling to the ground. Pleasure resorts, theaters, hotels, and the homes of the wealthy were shaken and shattered. Many lives were blotted out of existence, and the air was filled with the shrieks of the injured and the terrified. The destroying angels of God were at work. One touch, and buildings so thoroughly constructed that men regarded them as secure … quickly became heaps of rubbish. … The forbearance of God was exhausted … judgment day had come.” — Testimonies, vol. 9, page 93, written in 1909.
Even though this vision occurred just two days before the San Francisco earthquake, she did not predict the earthquake which precipitated the damage, neither did she predict the fire which caused most of the destruction. Ellen White’s vision depicted destroying angels at work supernaturally pushing over the buildings!
Two weeks later, after visiting the ruins in San Francisco, Ellen White admitted that the city was actually destroyed by an earthquake and fire. She omitted any comment about destroying angels when she wrote:
EGW
- “The city (San Francisco) presented a most dreadful picture of the inefficiency of human ingenuity to frame fireproof and earthquake-proof structures.” — Ibid., p. 95.
8. Ellen White will be one of the 144,000.
EGW
- “I begged of my attending angel to let me remain in that place. I could not bear the thought of coming back to this dark world again. Then the angel said, ‘You must go back, and if you are faithful, you, with the 144,000 shall have the privilege of visiting all the worlds ….” — Early Writings, p. 40, written about 1848.
- “None but the hundred and forty-four thousand can learn that song; for it is the song of their experience. … These (the 144,000), having been translated from the earth, from among the living, are counted as ‘the first fruits unto God.’“ — Great Controversy, p. 649, written in 1888.
- “As we were about to enter the holy temple, Jesus raised His lovely voice and said, ‘Only the 144,000 enter this place,’ and we shouted, ‘Alleluia.’ … The wonderful things I there saw I cannot describe. … I saw there tables of stone in which the names of the 144,000 were engraved in letters of gold. After we beheld the glory of the temple, we went out, and Jesus left us and went to the city.” — Early Writings, p. 19, written in 1851 under the title of Christian Experience and Views of Mrs. E. G. White.
Did you carefully notice the information Ellen White saw in her visions and communicated in writing to you about the 144,000?
- Her angel stated if she was faithful she, with the 144,000, would travel to all the worlds.
- The 144,000 are people who remain alive until Christ’s second coming.
- The 144,000 are the only ones who are permitted to enter the heavenly temple.
- Ellen White, who could not enter the temple unless she was one of the 144,000, entered the heavenly temple with the 144,000, described what she saw, and then went out of the temple.
Ellen White has been dead for more than eighty-five years, thus she obviously was not one of the 144,000 who are translated from among the living at Christ’s second coming. The fact she died suggests either she was unfaithful and thus not eligible to be one of the 144,000 or her visions were not inspired by God. Neither answer bodes well for Seventh-day Adventists!
The Church tries to refute this conclusion by first claiming Ellen White did not say the 144,000 were translated without ever seeing death. They argue Ellen White could be raised to life in the resurrection preceding Christ’s second coming and thus be alive to be translated with the 144,000. However, when SDAs carefully read her statements in Great Controversy, page 649 and Early Writings, page 16 they have to admit she taught the 144,000 are translated from those living on earth who have not experienced death. Even Arthur White confirmed Ellen White believed the 144,000 are “translated without seeing death” in his book Ellen G. White: The Early Years, vol. 1, (1827-1862), page 173.
So Seventh-day Adventists rush to another defense by claiming the angel told Ellen White she would be “with” the 144,000, not that she would be “one of” the 144,000. In other words, there would be 144,000+1 with Ellen White receiving all the privileges of the 144,000 but not actually qualifying to be counted as one of the 144,000. That defense must also be discarded after reading Testimonies, vol. 1, page 59 where Ellen White clearly uses the term “we” indicating she considered herself to definitely be counted as one of the 144,000 (also see A Sketch of the Christian Experience and Views of Ellen G. White, page 10.)
Most damaging of all, however is Ellen White’s comment “as we were about to enter the holy temple, Jesus raised his lovely voice and said, ‘Only the 144,000 enter this place,’ and we shouted, “Alleluia!” … The wonderful things I there saw, I cannot describe. … After we had beheld the glory of the temple, we went out, and Jesus left us … “ — Life Sketches of James White and Ellen G. White (1888 edition), page 217.
Did Jesus lie when he said “only the 144,000 enter this place”? No, Ellen White’s vision was a lie. She was a false prophet. And her supporters are left with only one logical conclusion: Ellen White’s death proved she was unfaithful and could never be included with the 144,000.
9. No one could be saved after the 2,300 years ended on October 22, 1844. (This is called “the shut door” doctrine.)
EGW
- “For a time after the disappointment in 1844, I did hold, in common with the advent body, that the door of mercy was then forever closed to the world. This position was taken before my first vision was given me. It was the light given me of God that corrected our error, and enabled us to see the true position.” — Selected Messages, vol. 1, p. 63, written in 1883.
Notice three facts as Ellen White presented them here:
- “I did hold .. that the door of mercy was then forever closed.”
- “This position was taken before my first vision.”
- In my “first vision” … “God … corrected our error.”
Ellen White wrote these words nearly forty years after her first vision. After four decades had passed she claimed that her first vision corrected her error. But the evidence is that as a result of her first vision, Ellen White believed and taught the false doctrine that no one could be saved after October 22, 1844.
This fact is clearly stated in the booklet 101 Questions on the Sanctuary and on Ellen G. White, by Robert Olson, p. 58. Robert Olson verified her doctrinal error was definitely due to her first vision by writing: “Ellen misinterpreted this vision.” Remember, as a leading officer of the White Estate at the time, Robert Olson was the Church’s spokesman defending Ellen White. But even he agreed the false doctrine she taught about salvation was due to her first vision. Her first vision did not correct the error as Ellen White claimed — it caused the error!
So the Church accepted the devastating, non-Biblical, error that the door to salvation had closed on October 22, 1844 — not because of careful Bible study — but because Ellen White had a vision! If there is any doubt about how vital Ellen White’s visions were in the development of Seventh-day Adventist theology, consider Ellen White’s own claims:
EGW
- “One error after another pressed in upon us; ministers and doctors brought in new doctrines. We would search the Scripture with much prayer; and the Holy Spirit would bring the truth to our minds …. The power of God would come upon me, and I was enabled clearly to define what is truth and what is error.” — Selected Messages, vol. 3, pp. 31, 32, written in 1892.
- “As the points of our faith were thus established, our feet were placed upon a solid foundation. We accepted the truth point by point, under the demonstration of the Holy Spirit. I would be taken off in vision, and explanations would be given me.” — Ibid., p. 32, written in 1892.
- “The Lord has given me much light …; instruction that the Lord has given me for His people. … It has been given to correct specious errors and to specify what is truth.” — Ibid., p. 32, written in 1910.
There is no question that the doctrines of Seventh-day Adventism were defined and refined by Ellen White’s visions. Even though you have seen many of her visions and unconditional prophecies did not come to pass, Church doctrine was developed and ratified on the basis of what Ellen White claimed she had been shown by God.
It is not valid to try to sidestep this issue by suggesting Ellen White “misunderstood” and thus “misinterpreted” her vision(s). The Bible states: “Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation” (2 Peter 1:20). Thus Ellen White departed from Scripture when she interpreted her own visions.
In addition, there is Ellen White’s own testimony in a letter she wrote to Joseph Bates on July 13, 1847, clearly stating that her vision established Adventists in the doctrinal error of the “shut door.”
EGW
- “While in Exeter, Maine, in meeting with Israel Dammon, James, and many others, many of them did not believe in a shut door. … It was then I had a view of Jesus rising from his mediatorial throne and going to the holiest as Bridegroom to receive His kingdom. … Most of them received the vision and were settled upon the shut door!” — Adventist Currents, April, 1988, p. 29.
Ellen White’s letter, written shortly after she received that vision, makes it certain her vision convinced believers the door of salvation was shut on October 22, 1844. She was wrong — again.
This same error, modified two years later to include Sabbath keeping as a prerequisite for salvation, is still taught and believed by many Seventh-day Adventists. In their minds, Sunday-keepers are law-breakers and thus have received, or will soon receive, the Mark of the Beast (see pages 40, 53, 54). The door of salvation is closed to them. These errors originated in Ellen White’s false visions and in her false teachings that a person’s good works assist in the reception of salvation.
Even though the evidence is clear Ellen White later changed her mind about the “shut door,” Seventh-day Adventists still continue to vigorously deny she ever believed the door of salvation was closed on October 22, 1844. Perhaps the best response to this on-going, erroneous Seventh-day Adventist belief is presented in a statement written by an eye-witness named Mrs. Lucinda S. Burdick:
“Mrs. Burdick met Ellen Harmon (Ellen White’s maiden name) several times in 1845 at her uncle’s house in South Windham, Maine. Mrs. Burdick recalled that during one of Miss Harmon’s visions ‘her position upon the ground seemed so uncomfortable that I placed her head in my lap and supported her thus throughout the event. … Ellen … said God had shown her in vision that Jesus Christ arose on the tenth day of the seventh month (Ellen White believed this to be October 22), 1844, and shut the door of mercy; had left forever the mediatorial throne; the whole world was doomed and lost, and there never could be another sinner saved. … I have been told that they deny … that she ever saw the door of mercy closed; but there are thousands of living witnesses who know that a blacker lie could not be invented, and I am one of the number.’“ — Quoted in Adventist Currents, April, 1988, p. 28.
10. During a health vision on October 21, 1858, God told Ellen White that the time of trouble was just before them.
EGW
- “The time of trouble is just before us; and then stern necessity will require the people of God to deny self, and to eat merely enough to sustain life.” — Testimonies, vol. 1, p. 206, 1858.
A century and a half has passed since this “vision.” Did God not know when the time of trouble would come? Or was Ellen wrong?
Why Didn’t Ellen White ever claim to be a “prophet?”
Most believers in Ellen White find it very difficult to face the fact that her visions failed, thus Biblically proving her a false prophet. Grasping for a quick, all-encompassing solution, some Seventh-day Adventists say, “Well, Ellen White never claimed to be a prophet!” What they are actually saying is: “It is OK for Ellen White’s prophecies to fail because she never claimed to be a prophet! Therefore we cannot require her prophecies to measure up to Bible standards!”
If you believe Ellen White never claimed to be a prophet then once again you have been misinformed. The following quotations will help you understand what she actually claimed:
EGW
- “My work includes much more than this name (“prophet”) signifies.” — Selected Messages, vol. 1, p. 36, written in 1905.
- “Some have stumbled over the fact that I said I did not claim to be a prophet; and they have asked, Why is this? I have had no claims to make, only that I am instructed that I am the Lord’s messenger; that He called me in my youth to be His messenger, to receive His word, and to give a clear and decided message in the name of the Lord Jesus. Early in my youth I was asked several times, Are you a prophet? I have ever responded, I am the Lord’s messenger. I know that many have called me a prophet, but I have made no claim to this title. … Why have I not claimed to be a prophet? — Because in these days many who boldly claim that they are prophets are a reproach to the cause of Christ; and because my work includes much more than the word ‘prophet’ signifies.” — Selected Messages, vol. 1, pp. 31, 32, written in 1906.
- “To claim to be a prophetess is something that I have never done. If others call me by that name I have no controversy with them.” — Selected Messages, vol. 1, p. 34, written in 1906.
- “My commission embraces the work of a prophet, but it does not end there.” — Selected Messages, vol. 1, p. 36, written in 1906.
When Ellen White said she did not claim the title of “prophet,” it was because she claimed an even greater work for herself than the title “prophet” permits. Therefore, because she claimed her visions were from God, because she claimed to present God’s messages to His people, because she claimed to be able to define what was truth and what was error, because she claimed her work was much more than the work of a prophet, then she must be held to an even higher standard than a Bible prophet! At the very least her words and her writings must agree with the Bible or her visions and teachings cannot be inspired by God.
Remember, it was Ellen White herself who consistently said:
EGW
- “My work for the past thirty years bears the stamp of God or the stamp of the enemy. There is no halfway work in the matter. The Testimonies are of the Spirit of God, or of the devil.” — Testimonies, vol. 4, p. 230, written in 1876.
- “These books, giving the instruction that the Lord has given me during the past sixty years, contain light from heaven, and will bear the test of investigation.” — Selected Messages, vol. 1, p. 35, written in 1906.
According to the evidence you have seen, do they “bear the test of investigation?”
If your answer is, No, then the leaders of the Seventh-day Adventist Church have a significant problem. You see, back in 1883 the Church’s leaders stated:
“Our position on the Testimonies is like the keystone to the arch. Take that out, and there is no logical stopping place till all the special truths of the message are gone. … Nothing is surer than this, that this message and the visions belong together and stand or fall together.” — Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, August 14, 1883.
You have now analyzed clear evidence showing that Ellen White contradicted the Bible; that her gospel contradicted the Gospel of Jesus Christ; and that ten of her prophecies failed to measure up to the Bible test. But there is much more, for you have only glanced at three of her end-time predictions.
In the overall picture the facts are that Ellen White’s entire end- time scenario has remained unfulfilled for more than one hundred years!
None of it has come to pass: not the investigative judgment; not the little time of trouble; not the latter rain; not the loud cry; not the national Sunday law; not Satan’s impersonation of Christ; not the time of Jacob’s trouble; not the universal death decree; not the great time of trouble; not the Second Coming of Christ — all have failed to meet the requirements of her own “inspired” prophetic chronology!
Can Ellen White be a divinely-inspired prophet and at the same time be so wrong? No, for the Bible says:
BIBLE
- “You may say to yourselves, ‘How can we know when a message has not been spoken by the LORD?’ If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the LORD does not take place or come true, that is a message the LORD has not spoken.” — Deuteronomy 18:21-22
The cover of the June 4, 1992 Adventist Review depicts Ellen White in the company of Moses, John the Baptist and Deborah as “A Prophet for Our Time.” SDAs continue to believe the myth that Ellen White was a prophet “just like the Bible prophets” — even though she frequently contradicted the Bible prophets in both her teachings and her lifestyle; even though her experience in vision was not similar; and even though the frequency and quantity of her visions and angelic contacts was not similar. The evidence is Ellen White’s ministry most definitely was not like the Bible prophets.
The most famous Bible in Seventh-day Adventism measures 18” x 11” x 4” and weighs 18 pounds.
Willie White with the eighteen pound Bible his mother is said to have held at arm’s length for 45 minutes in 1845. Under ordinary circumstances she was unable to pick up this book, but in “vision” she had no difficulty. Even the strongest men are unable to duplicate her feat. Although the White Estate admits the story is a hoax, this Bible is still shown and admired at large gatherings of Seventh-day Adventists.
White Washed. Copyright © 2011 by Sydney Cleveland. Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2011. Revised and enlarged 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2011. All Scripture quotations—except where otherwise noted—are from Holy Bible, New International Version, © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. All rights reserved. Life Assurance Ministries, Inc.
White Washed is a comprehensive look at Ellen White’s prophecies, practices and publications. Sydney Cleveland examines her claims of inspiration, her dreams and visions, the doctrines she endorsed, her personal practices which opposed her teachings, and the effects of her claims on the Seventh-day Adventist church. This book is a well-documented overview of the little-known reality about Ellen White and her long service to Adventism.
- White Washed - July 1, 2021
- 13. A Word to Aspiring Prophets - October 8, 2020
- Appendix B – SDA Jewelry and Dress - October 8, 2020