This is a POWERFUL quote! Look at what it is saying!


"In ancient times God spoke to men by the mouth of prophets and apostles." That is describing the Bible...it was the prophets and the apostles who wrote the Bible, right? BACK THEN, God spoke to people with the Bible (and before the Bible, directly thru the prophets and the apostles.)


"In these days He speaks to them by the testimonies of His Spirit." TODAY, God speaks to His people through the testimonies of His Spirit - in other words, through the writings of Ellen White.


"There was never a time when God instructed His people more earnestly than He instructs them now concerning His will and the course that He would have them pursue." NEVER A TIME! That is pretty inclusive! That includes the times when the prophets and apostles were alive, and all thru Bible times! So how important is the writings of Ellen White???

Tammy,

Hebrews 1:1-4 In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets, at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things and through whom he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.

What do you think of this passage?

Yes. I think that means that we should read them for ourselves.

Too often, tho, we seem to forget that she was given the role not us. That she had the Spirit and not us. Too often we want to place ourselves in that role when we are, in all honesty, operating in the flesh and not the Spirit.

The first quote goes on to say:


When we place ourselves in the prophet's role to rebuke others we tend to do it in a hateful, judging manner. I have seen some who truly believed they were doing it in a "loving" manner which made it all the worse. Cutting another to shreds in a false nicey-nice way.

I'd say that last part of her statement is very interesting. In that respect it seems pretty obvious that she was and is still very much important.

While not excluding her testimony as being Spirit lead, I don't think she was specifically referring exclusively to her own words. She does use that phrase frequently in reference to her own words, but it is not to be understood that the Spirit only testified through her or that it does not still testify through others.

For example in this quote from page 103 of Gospel Workers she using the same phrase "testimonies of His Spirit" to include the wisdom and experience of others:



And specifically in reference to James White, she used the same phrase on page 242 of Life Sketches:

I agree, PK..."Never a time..." How blessed and priviledged we are to be living in THIS time, when God has given us MORE light and instruction than at ANY OTHER time in the HISTORY of man!

Good Comments Tom.

One thing I would point out. I see very often that "testimonies" is used to refer to all of EGW's writings.

I believe if all looked a bit closer they would see that when EGW says "testimonies" she is referring specifically to the 9 volume set, "Testimonies for the Church". That series tends to hit a bit closer to home if we read it without the intention of seeing others listed.

Her writings are very important. But what really irks me is seeing people use her quotes for their own agendas. There are a few on the current board at this very time.

I agree, Teresa, the Testimonies 9 Vol. set does hit closer home, as they were written to correct certain problems within the church. I don't believe though that they are the ONLY thing that fall under the "testimonies" heading... There are lots of other things she wrote, private letters (many of the Testimonies Vol 9 - were private letters BEFORE they were put in the set of books)and other things.

Yes, I know there were letters to individuals included in the testimonies. (confused :) )

I would say that the private letters she herself had not included in the volumes she herself set up, were more than likely not intended for the promiscuous public. If she hadn't included them she probably didn't mean for them to be included.

I also believe that all of her published writings are needful, just that when she says, "testimonies" she is referring specifically to the 9-volume set, not to anything she did not publish, and many times has probably been used harmfully.

I think the set was meant to be used more as a personal inspection tool rather than as tools to judge others by. As I see it. :)

I wrote out pointed testimonies not only for those who had erred greatly and were out of the church, but for those members in the church who had erred greatly in not going in search of the lost sheep.

And I was never more disappointed in the manner in which these testimonies were received. When those who had been greatly in fault were reproved by most pointed testimonies, read to them publicly, they received them, and confessed with tears.

But some of those in the church, who claimed to be the fast friends of the cause and the Testimonies, could hardly think it possible that they had been as wrong as the testimonies declared them to be. When told that they were self-caring, shut up to themselves and families; that they had failed to care for others, had been exclusive, and had left precious souls to perish; that they were in danger of being overbearing and self-righteous, they were brought into a state of great agitation and trial. {2T 19.2}