Dear Sir/Madam,
Recently I encountered a question raised by some people in China concerning the words "Almighty God". They refer to the following paragraph:
Early Writings of Ellen G. White, page 122, paragraph 1 Chapter Title: Supplement Irreverence I saw that God's holy name should be used with reverence and awe. The words God Almighty are coupled together and used by some in prayer in a careless, thoughtless manner, which is displeasing to Him. Such have no realizing sense of God or the truth, or they would not speak so irreverently of the great and dreadful God, who is soon to judge them in the last day. Said the angel, "Couple them not together; for fearful is His name." Those who realize the greatness and majesty of God, will take His name on their lips with holy awe. He dwelleth in light unapproachable; no man can see Him and live. I saw that these things will have to be understood and corrected before the church can prosper.
They think Ellen G. White is saying that the word "Almighty" and "God" cannot be used together. Personally I do not think this is what she meant, but I would like to get more information about the background of this paragraph, or what exactly she is speaking against. If you can help me to dig a little deeper into this question, I would really appreciated it.
Thank you and looking forward to your reply.
___________
Dear Brother ___________,
Thank you for contacting the Ellen G. White Estate. I will agree with you that Mrs. White is not forbidding *under any circumstances* the combination of these two words. In fact, the Bible puts them together. Revelation 4:8 (King James Version, which Mrs. White used most often) says that around the throne the four living creatures continually say, "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty."
Mrs. White did tell people that to use these words, even in prayer, *in a careless and thoughtless manner* was displeasing to God. She would encourage us to remember that we are in the presence of the God of the universe, and we are to show proper awe and respect. No carelessness or thoughtlessness will do. Certainly those in heaven who speak those words day and night do not do so in a careless or thoughtless manner, but with true reverence. This is the attitude that we must bring to our own prayers to our Father.
I hope this is helpful. Thank you for writing, and God bless!
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William Fagal, Director
Ellen G. White Estate Branch Office
Andrews University
Berrien Springs, MI 49104-1400 USA
Phone: 616 471-3209
FAX: 616 471-6166
Website: www.WhiteEstate.org or www.egwestate.andrews.edu
E-mail: egw@aubranch.egwestate.andrews.edu
