A quote in its context

Many SDA lay members and pastors in different countries have noticed that some Ellen White quotes and style for Thursday and Friday sections of the Sabbath School lesson nr. 5, year 2020 opened the way for doubtful interpretations. Many are confused because of that, though the quarterly studies are exceptionally good. I was confused, so if you are too confused, you are not alone!

Below I give the 2 quotes from Sabbath school lesson in their original context. That sets things in order (as usual when we take context as we should).

First, here is the quote as it is given in the Sabbath School (without the fuller context, which in this case has unfortunately lead to distortion of its original meaning):

“When you make the Bible your food, your meat, and your drink, when you make its principles the elements of your character, you will know better how to receive counsel from God. I exalt the precious word before you today. Do not repeat what I have said, saying, ‘Sister White said this,’ and ‘Sister White said that.’ Find out what the Lord God of Israel says, and then do what He commands.”—Ellen G. White, Selected Messages, book 3, p. 33.

Here the quote is given without its context and brings us to 3 serious misconceptions:

1. “Counsel from God” is something else, not Ellen White’s counsel.
2. We should not too often quote Ellen White or rely on her alone.
3. Ellen White books is not directly God of Israel’s voice.

But is it what Ellen actually was saying here? Judge for yourself.

Here is the quote in its original context:

“How can the Lord bless those who manifest a spirit of “I don’t care”—spirit which leads them to walk contrary to the light which the Lord has given them? But I do not ask you to take my words. Lay Sister White to one side. Do not quote my words again as long as you live until you can obey the Bible. When you make the Bible your food, your meat and your drink, when you make its principles the elements of your character, you will know better how to receive counsel from God. I exalt the precious Word before you today. Do not repeat what I have said, saying, “Sister White said this,” and “Sister White said that.” Find out what the Lord God of Israel says, and then do what He commands. Christ said, “I must work the works of Him that sent Me.” [John 9:4.] {Ms43-1901.26}

Some observations on what the quote really is saying:

1. “The light from the Lord” is “Ellen’s words”. “Counsel from God” is allusion to “Ellen’s counsel”.
2. We should not reject Ellen White, as did the group of people appealed to in the quote, but respect and use her gift instead.
3. Ellen White’s books IS God of Israel’s voice in essence. The problem was that for some it was not evident because they were not obeying the Bible. (The Bible lifts the voice of prophecy as God’s authoritative voice – see Rev. 12:17; 19:10).

Lesser light, though not less important 

The other quote in its original context is showing how we should treat the “lesser light”. :

“Sister White is not the originator of these books. They contain the instruction that during her life-work God has been giving her. They contain the precious, comforting light that God has graciously given his servant to be given to the world. From their pages this light is to shine into the hearts of men and women, leading them to the Saviour. The Lord has declared that these books are to be scattered throughout the world. There is in them truth which to the receiver is a savor of life unto life. They are silent witnesses for God. In the past they have been the means in his hands of convicting and converting many souls. Many have read them with eager expectation, and, by reading them, have been led to see the efficacy of Christ’s atonement, and to trust in its power. They have been led to commit the keeping of their souls to their Creator, waiting and hoping for the coming of the Saviour to take his loved ones to their eternal home. In the future, these books are to make the gospel plain to many others, revealing to them the way of salvation. The Lord has sent his people much instruction, line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little, and there a little. Little heed is given to the Bible, and the Lord has given a lesser light to lead men and women to the greater light. O, how much good would be accomplished if the books containing this light were read with a determination to carry out the principles they contain! There would be a thousandfold greater vigilance, a thousandfold more self-denial and resolute effort. And many more would now be rejoicing in the light of present truth. My brethren and sisters, work earnestly to circulate these books. Put your hearts into this work, and the blessing of God will be with you.

{RH January 20, 1903, Art. B, par. 8-10}

Again, here we see how Ellen White identifies her work as being of the same quality and spirit as the Bible. The point with “lesser light” is not that it is less important! But that is does not contradict the greater light, that is the Bible. The “lesser light” points to and develops “greater light” themes to give us more understanding in our time. Therefore, it is especially valuable.

What exactly did Ellen White put in the definition “lesser light”?

The Old Testament was a lesser light that was to guide to the greater light that is Christ:

“With the first advent of Christ there was ushered in an era of greater light and glory; but it would indeed be sinful ingratitude to despise and ridicule the lesser light because a fuller and more glorious light had dawned. Those who despise the blessings and glory of the Jewish age are not prepared to be benefited by the preaching of the gospel. The brightness of the Father’s glory, and the excellence and perfection of His sacred law, are only understood through the atonement made upon Calvary by His dear Son; but even the atonement loses its significance when the law of God is rejected” (TDG 246).

John the Baptist was a lesser light that was to guide to the greater light that is Christ:

“You have sent to John, and he has testified to the truth. Even though I do not accept human testimony, I say these things so that you may be saved. John was a lamp that burned and gave light, and you were willing for a season to bask in his light. But the testimony that I have is greater than
that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to accomplish, the very works that I am doing, bear witness about me that the Father has sent me” (John 5:33-36). “If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater, for this is the testimony of God that he has borne concerning his Son” (1 John 5:9). “John… was not the Light. He came only as a witness to the Light” (John 1:6-8).
“John was the lesser light, which was to be followed by a greater light” (RH, April 8, 1873).
“The prophet John was the connecting link between the two dispensations. As God’s representative he stood forth to show the relation of the law and the prophets to the Christian dispensation. He was the lesser light, which was to be followed by a greater. The mind of John was illuminated by the Holy Spirit, that he might shed light upon his people; but no other light ever has shone or ever will shine so clearly upon fallen man as that which emanated from the teaching and example of Jesus. Christ and His mission had been but dimly understood as typified in the shadowy sacrifices. Even John had not fully comprehended the future, immortal life through the Saviour” (DA 220).

John the Baptist was, in the preparation for the first coming of the Lord:
1. “More than a prophet”: “the messenger of the Lord” (Matt 11:9).
2. “A lesser light” to guide to “the greater light” (John 1:6-8; 5:33-36; 1 John 5:9).
3. He didn’t do miracles, but everything he said about Jesus was true (John 10:41).
4. He was the second Elijah foretold by prophet Malachi (Matt 11:14; cf. Mal 4:5).
5. Mission: to prepare a people for the first coming of the Lord (Matt 3:1-3,11-12; Luke 1:17).
The same mission was given to E. G. White, to prepare a people for the second coming of the Lord

It is true that before the world we must not put the Spirit of Prophecy as normative. We must emphasize the Bible before the world, but lead them to realize the gift God has given, as soon as people are ready.

The role of the Spirit of Prophecy in establishing the doctrines of the Adventist Church:

“At that time [after the 1844 disappointment] one error after another pressed in upon us; ministers and doctors brought in new doctrines. We would search the Scriptures with much prayer, and the Holy Spirit would bring the truth to our minds. Sometimes whole nights would be devoted to
searching the Scriptures and earnestly asking God for guidance. Companies of devoted men and women assembled for this purpose. The power of God would come upon me, and I was enabled clearly to define what is truth and what is error …
“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. I was given illustrations of heavenly things, and of the sanctuary, so that we were placed where light was shining on us in clear, distinct rays” (Gospel Works, 302; 3 SM 31-32).

Here are some more quotes, especially draw atention to the last one, both in English and Norwegian.

As the end draws near and the work of giving the last warning to the world extends, it becomes more important for those who accept present truth to have a clear understanding of the nature and influence of the Testimonies, which God in His providence has linked with the work of the third angel’s message from its very rise.  {5T 654.2}

 

I dreamed that quite a number instantly sprang to their feet and responded to the call. Others sat sullen, some manifested scorn and derision, and a few seemed wholly unmoved. One stood by my side and said: “God has raised you up and has given you words to speak to the people and to reach hearts as He has given to no other one. He has shaped your testimonies to meet cases that are in need of help. You must be unmoved by scorn, derision, reproach, and censure. In order to be God’s special instrument, you should lean to no one, but hang upon Him alone, and, like the clinging vine, let your tendrils entwine about Him. He will make you a means through which to communicate His light to the people. You must daily gather strength from God in order to be fortified, that your surroundings may not dim or eclipse the light that He has permitted to shine upon His people through you. It is Satan’s special object to prevent this light from coming to the people of God, who so greatly need it amid the perils of these last days. {2T 607.4}

 

NORSK: Det er Satans særlige mål å hindre dette lyset i å nå Guds folk, som så desperat trenger det midt under de siste dagers store farer {5T, 654}

 

Some quotes as pictures

The consequences of disregard of the “lesser light”

On the night of April 30, 1871, I retired to rest much depressed in spirits. For three months I had been in a state of great discouragement. I had frequently prayed in anguish of spirit for relief. I had implored help and strength from God, that I might rise above the heavy discouragements that were paralyzing my faith and hope, and unfitting me for usefulness. That night I had a dream which made a very happy impression upon my mind.{2BIO 317.2}

I dreamed that I was attending an important meeting, at which a large company were assembled. Many were bowed before God in earnest prayer, and they seemed to be burdened. They were importuning the Lord for special light…. Our most prominent brethren were engaged in this most impressive scene…. {2BIO 317.3}

I dreamed that the Spirit of the Lord came upon me, and I arose amid cries and prayers, and said: The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me. I feel urged to say to you that you must commence to work individually for yourselves. You are looking to God and desiring Him to do the work for you which He has left for you to do. If you will do the work for yourselves which you know that you ought to do, then God will help you when you need help. You have left undone the very things which God has left for you to do. You have been calling upon God to do your work. Had you followed the light which He had given you, then He would cause more light to shine upon you; but while you neglect the counsels, warnings, and reproofs that have been given, how can you expect God to give you more light and blessings to neglect and despise? God is not as man; He will not be trifled with.”—Testimonies for the Church, 2:604, 605. {2BIO 317.4}

It was a dramatic presentation, in which she seemingly participated. She continued the account: {2BIO 318.1}

I took the precious Bible and surrounded it with the several Testimonies for the Church, given for the people of God. Here, said I, the cases of nearly all are met. The sins they are to shun are pointed out. The counsel that they desire can be found here, given for other cases situated similarly to themselves. {2BIO 318.2}

God has been pleased to give you line upon line and precept upon precept. But there are not many of you that really know what is contained in the Testimonies. You are not familiar with the Scriptures. If you had made God’s Word your study, with a desire to reach the Bible standard and attain to Christian perfection, you would not have needed the Testimonies. {2BIO 318.3}

It is because you have neglected to acquaint yourselves with God’s inspired Book that He has sought to reach you by simple, direct testimonies, calling your attention to the words of inspiration which you had neglected to obey, and urging you to fashion your lives in accordance with its pure and elevated teachings.—Ibid., 2:605. {2BIO 318.4}

As she, in her dream, continued to address the crowd, she spoke more of the purpose of the Testimonies and their relation to God’s Word. As she held her Bible, with Testimony pamphlets, it seemed to her that she declared:{2BIO 318.5}

As the Word of God is walled in with these books and pamphlets, so has God walled you in with reproofs, counsel, warnings, and encouragements…. The Lord has walled you about with light; but you have not appreciated the light; you have trampled upon it. While some have despised the light, others have neglected it, or followed it but indifferently. A few have set their hearts to obey the light which God has been pleased to give them.”—Ibid., 2:606. {2BIO 318.6}