Desire of Ages - additional treasure or uncovered treasure?

[Twilight]

It is often believed that Ellen White presented things in the Desire of Ages that are "extra=biblical".

But I have found that often those things that seem to be "extra-biblical" often end up being biblical with closer study.

An example:

Some critics use the example of Christ not being able to see through the tomb as stated by Ellen White as a clear indication that she is in disagreement with the bible.

The critics argue against this saying it is unbiblical and opposed to the scripture.

It is however stated in Psalm 88.

When we understand that the Psalms are often a description of Jesus' emotional experiences, we begin to see that Ellen White derived those points from there ad other places when she composed the Desire of Ages, especially when dealing with Jesus' emotional experience throughout His life and particularly during the trial and crucifixion.

Could it be, that many or even all of the statements in the Desire of Ages can actually be found in the Bible, if we dig deep enough?

Some might consider this an attack on the SOP to do such a thing, but it is not, if it can be shown that her view was indeed totally biblical, then it deepens our respect of her I feel.

Your thoughts?

Mark :-)

[skyblue888]

Both Mark, additional and uncovered.

Mrs. White, while in vision, was given many details concerning the rebellion of Lucifer that we cannot find in the Scriptures. For example, where in the Bible can we find a discussion between Lucifer and his fallen angels, like the following:

"The Lord has clearly defined the road to the City of God; but the great apostate has changed the singpost, setting up a false one--a spurious sabbath, and he says, "I will work at cross-purposes with God. I will empower my delegate, the man of sin, to take down God's memorial, the seventh-day Sabbath. Thus will I show the world that the day sanctified and blessed by God has been changed. That day shall not live in the minds of the people. I will obliterate the memory of it. I will place in its stead a day that cannot be a sign between God and His people. I will lead the people to accept this day, to place upon it the sanctity that God placed upon the seventh day. Through my vicegerent I will exalt myself. The first day shall be extolled, and the Protestant world shall receive this spurious sabbath as genuine."

"Moreover I also gave them My Sabbaths, to be a sign between them and Me, that they might know that I am the Lord who sanctifies them." Ezekiel 20:12; Exodus 31:13.

The words,'A sign between them and Me,' I will make to serve on the side of my sabbath. Thus the world will become mine. I will be ruler of the earth, prince of the world. I will so control the minds under my power that God's Sabbath shall be an object of contempt. A sign? I will make the observance of the seventh day a sign of disloyalty to the authorities of earth. Human laws shall be made so stringent that men and women will not dare to observe the seventh-day Sabbath. For fear of wanting food and clothing, they will join with the world in transgressing God's law; and the earth will be wholly under my dominion."

The man of sin has instituted a false sabbath, and the professed Christian world has adopted this child of the papacy, refusing to obey God. Thus Satan leads men and women in a direction opposite to the city of refuge; and by the multitudes who follow him, it is demonstrated that Adam and Eve are not the only ones who have accepted the words of the wily foe.

The man of sin has turned the signpost round, so that it points to the path of disobedience as the path of happiness. He has insulted Jehovah by refusing to obey a "Thus says the Lord." He has thought to change times and laws. Daniel 7:25. E.G. White, Review and Herald, April 17, 1900.

sky

[Twilight]

I think you can find all of that in scripture in principle Sky.

I do not think there is anything additional there, although I reserve the right to be wrong.

What I see here, is Ellen White expressing the principle in a certain way.

Although of course, it could be that she was shown this but did not point to the scripture.

But the principle is there.

When we understand this, our defense of the SOP will be much stronger, because we can show it will be conversant with the bible to a much greater degree than we may have realised.

Mark :-)

[skyblue888]

Mark, I was not talking about the principle of it but about the talk Satan had with his angels, what he said to them about the Sabbath.

sky

[skyblue888]

Take her commentary upon Psalm 24:7-10 for example which refer to the ascension of Christ some time after His resurrection.

It becomes obvious that she was shown interesting details that are not directly found in the Bible.

"All heaven was waiting to welcome the Saviour to the celestial courts. As He ascended, He led the way, and the multitude of captives set free at His resurrection followed. The heavenly host, with shouts and acclamations of praise and celestial song, attended the joyous train.

As they drew near to the city of God, the challenge is given by the escorting angels,--

"Lift up your heads, O ye gates;

And be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors;

And the King of glory shall come in."

Joyfully the waiting sentinels respond,--

"Who is this King of glory?"

This they say, not because they know not who He is, but because they would hear the answer of exalted praise,--

"The Lord strong and mighty,

The Lord mighty in battle!

Lift up your heads, O ye gates;

Even lift them up, ye everlasting doors;

And the King of glory shall come in."

Again is heard the challenge, "Who is this King of glory?" for the angels never weary of hearing His name exalted. The escorting angels make reply,--

"The Lord of hosts;

He is the King of glory." Ps. 24:7-10.

Then the portals of the city of God are opened wide, and the angelic throng sweep through the gates amid a burst of rapturous music.

There is the throne, and around it the rainbow of promise. There are cherubim and seraphim. The commanders of the angel hosts, the sons of God, the representatives of the unfallen worlds, are assembled. The heavenly council before which Lucifer had accused God and His Son, the representatives of those sinless realms over which Satan had thought to establish his dominion,--all are there to welcome the Redeemer. They are eager to celebrate His triumph and to glorify their King.

But He waves them back. Not yet; He cannot now receive the coronet of glory and the royal robe. He enters into the presence of His Father. He points to His wounded head, the pierced side, the marred feet; He lifts His hands, bearing the print of nails. He points to the tokens of His triumph; He presents to God the wave sheaf, those raised with Him as representatives of that great multitude who shall come forth from the grave at His second coming. He approaches the Father, with whom there is joy over one sinner that repents; who rejoices over one with singing. Before the foundations of the earth were laid, the Father and the Son had united in a covenant to redeem man if he should be overcome by Satan. They had clasped Their hands in a solemn pledge that Christ should become the surety for the human race. This pledge Christ has fulfilled. When upon the cross He cried out, 'It is finished,' He addressed the Father. The compact had been fully carried out. Now He declares: Father, it is finished. I have done Thy will, O My God. I have completed the work of redemption. If Thy justice is satisfied, 'I will that they also, whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am.' John 19:30; 17:24.

The voice of God is heard proclaiming that justice is satisfied. Satan is vanquished. Christ's toiling, struggling ones on earth are 'accepted in the Beloved.' Eph. 1:6. Before the heavenly angels and the representatives of unfallen worlds, they are declared justified. Where He is, there His church shall be. 'Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.' Ps. 85:10. The Father's arms encircle His Son, and the word is given, 'Let all the angels of God worship Him.' Heb. 1:6.

With joy unutterable, rulers and principalities and powers acknowledge the supremacy of the Prince of life. The angel host prostrate themselves before Him, while the glad shout fills all the courts of heaven, 'Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing.' Rev. 5:12.

Songs of triumph mingle with the music from angel harps, till heaven seems to overflow with joy and praise. Love has conquered. The lost is found. Heaven rings with voices in lofty strains proclaiming, 'Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever and ever.' Rev. 5:13.

From that scene of heavenly joy, there comes back to us on earth the echo of Christ's own wonderful words, 'I ascend unto My Father, and your Father; and to My God, and your God.' John 20:17. The family of heaven and the family of earth are one. For us our Lord ascended, and for us He lives. 'Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them.'" Heb. 7:25.

sky