I wish to have your answer to a question. The question is concerning the Mark of the Beast in Early writings.
Some of us have had time to get the truth and to advance step by step, and every step we have taken has given us strength to take the next. But now time is almost finished, and what we have been years learning, they will have to learn in a few months. They will also have much to unlearn and much to learn again. Those who would not receive the mark of the beast and his image when the decree goes forth, must have now to say, Nay, we will not regard the institution of the beast (Early Writings, p.67).
The comment was made that this quotation proves EGW was a
false prophet. I don't believe that. I told the person who
sent me that quote was just throwing stones at the
messenger. There are many who want to discredit EGW in any
way possible. What is your reply?
Dear Brother ___________,
Thank you for contacting the Ellen G. White Estate. Perhaps I am just a little dense, but I don't see how the issue of the mark of the beast in this statement relates to the question of whether Mrs. White was a false prophet. What is there about the mark of the beast, as she understands it here, which makes her a false prophet?
Now if the question is about her sense of the nearness of Jesus' return, then at least I can see the nature of the question. She saw time as very short, but Jesus did not come then, nor in her lifetime, nor in nearly twice her lifetime. Is that the question?
If so, then we will surely have to label certain of the Bible writers as false prophets, too. The apostle Paul, for instance, wrote of the dead and the living at the return of Jesus. In which group did he place himself? "Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air" (1 Thess. 4:17). John wrote in the introduction to Revelation that "the time is at hand" (1:3), and that he was showing things "which must shortly come to pass" (1:1). Shall we label them both as false prophets? Or how about Jesus himself, whom John quotes in Rev. 22:12 as saying, "Behold, I come quickly." It has been 2000 years. Shall we label the Lord a falsifier?
I don't think so. For a good discussion of the issues involved here, go to our website, www.WhiteEstate.org, and from the menu at the left of the homepage click on "Issues & Answers." Then click on "Reference Library," and from the selections listed there, under "Unusual Statements References (Full Length Articles)," click on "The Predictions of the 1856 Vision." The discussion there by Francis D. Nichol is very enlightening. You should also click on the link in that document to "statements," which will give you Mrs. White's own reflections on the lengthening time before the advent. Among them is this statement from 1883, found in Selected Messages, book 1, p. 67:
"The angels of God in their messages to men represent time as very short. Thus it has always been presented to me. It is true that time has continued longer than we expected in the early days of this message. Our Saviour did not appear as soon as we hoped. But has the word of the Lord failed? Never! It should be remembered that the promises and threatenings of God are alike conditional."
I hope this will be useful to you. If I haven't addressed the issue you were interested in, let me know and I'll have another go at it. 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: 616 471-2646
Website: www.WhiteEstate.org or www.egwestate.andrews.edu
E-mail: egw@aubranch.egwestate.andrews.edu
