I have recently joined the SDA church after several years of intense study and prayer. As I have been exposed over the years to different Adventists it has struck me recently how few of them actually read or have read to any significant degree the writings of Ellen White. It seems as though her writings are having very little effect on the lifestyle, (at least outwardly that I can see) on the majority of professed SDA members Whats going on or am I way off the mark in my assessment. I am not trying to be critical or judgemental but just my observation. Do you have any thoughts that can help to enlighten my mind. In His name ___________

Dear Brother ___________,

Thank you for contacting the Ellen G. White Estate. I'm glad to hear that you have become a part of the Seventh-day Adventist family. It is not perfect, as you well know, but I believe it is still the place that God would have us be. We have an important message for the world from God, one that needs to be delivered to the whole world before Jesus comes. I'm glad to be one little part of that.

Though it makes me sad, I cannot disagree with your assessment of the effect of Mrs. White's writings on the lifestyle of many Seventh-day Adventists. We have been greatly blessed to have these writings, but we have not widely valued and honored the blessing that has come our way. Mrs. White's writings challenge us to re-evaluate our lives in the light of God's purposes for us and this world. But much of the time we would rather not.

This lack of heed to the writings should not surprise us. Mrs. White herself predicted it. "Satan is . . . constantly pressing in the spurious--to lead away from the truth. The very last deception of Satan will be to make of none effect the testimony of the Spirit of God. 'Where there is no vision, the people perish' (Prov. 29:18). Satan will work ingeniously, in different ways and through different agencies, to unsettle the confidence of God's remnant people in the true testimony.-- Letter 12, 1890." {Selected Messages, book 1, p. 48}

In Jesus' parable of the soils (Mt. 13:3-8, 18-23), the good seed falls on several types of ground. Jesus said this about one of them: "He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful" (Mt. 13:22). Some, no doubt, who are in the church fit this description. And in Revelation 2 and 3 the warnings to the seven churches include warnings about having lost one's first love, of compromising with the world in various ways, and of being lukewarm. These are not encouraging portrayals of the overall condition of God's people.

"When God's wrath is poured out upon the earth, who will then be able to stand? Now is the time for God's people to show themselves true to principle. When the religion of Christ is most held in contempt, when His law is most despised, then should our zeal be the warmest and our courage and firmness the most unflinching. To stand in defense of truth and righteousness when the majority forsake us, to fight the battles of the Lord when champions are few--this will be our test. At this time we must gather warmth from the coldness of others, courage from their cowardice, and loyalty from their treason" (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 136).

The statement above indicates that the *majority* will forsake us. I cannot think she is referring to the majority in the world, because they have not beeen *with* us to be able to *forsake* us. To me, it indicates that there will be a great falling away of those who have been in the church, but who have not taken it very seriously. Mrs. White wrote of this again in the following statement:

"Satan will work his miracles to deceive; he will set up his power as supreme. The church may appear as about to fall, but it does not fall. It remains, while the sinners in Zion will be sifted out--the chaff separated from the precious wheat. This is a terrible ordeal, but nevertheless it must take place. None but those who have been overcoming by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony will be found with the loyal and true, without spot or stain of sin, without guile in their mouths. We must be divested of our self-righteousness and arrayed in the righteousness of Christ." {Selected Messages, book 2, p. 380}

"As the storm approaches, a large class who have professed faith in the third angel's message, but have not been sanctified through obedience to the truth, abandon their position and join the ranks of the opposition. By uniting with the world and partaking of its spirit, they have come to view matters in nearly the same light; and when the test is brought, they are prepared to choose the easy, popular side. Men of talent and pleasing address, who once rejoiced in the truth, employ their powers to deceive and mislead souls. They become the most bitter enemies of their former brethren. When Sabbathkeepers are brought before the courts to answer for their faith, these apostates are the most efficient agents of Satan to misrepresent and accuse them, and by false reports and insinuations to stir up the rulers against them." {The Great Controversy, p. 608}

But it is not all bad news. How about this statement?--

"Notwithstanding the widespread declension of faith and piety, there are true followers of Christ in these churches. Before the final visitation of God's judgments upon the earth there will be among the people of the Lord such a revival of primitive godliness as has not been witnessed since apostolic times. The Spirit and power of God will be poured out upon His children. At that time many will separate themselves from those churches in which the love of this world has supplanted love for God and His word. Many, both of ministers and people, will gladly accept those great truths which God has caused to be proclaimed at this time to prepare a people for the Lord's second coming. The enemy of souls desires to hinder this work; and before the time for such a movement shall come, he will endeavor to prevent it by introducing a counterfeit. In those churches which he can bring under his deceptive power he will make it appear that God's special blessing is poured out; there will be manifest what is thought to be great religious interest. Multitudes will exult that God is working marvelously for them, when the work is that of another spirit. Under a religious guise, Satan will seek to extend his influence over the Christian world." {The Great Controversy, p. 464}

Ultimately, we cannot look to others for our encouragement and strength. We will have to "gather warmth from the coldness of others," but those who do will find that God sees them through.

I hope this helps. Be full of courage in the Lord! He will not only save you as you trust in Him, He may use you to help warm up some of the lukewarm around you! May the Lord bless and guide you.

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William Fagal, Director
Ellen G. White Estate Branch Office
Andrews University
Berrien Springs, MI 49104-1400 USA
Phone: 269 471-3209
FAX: 269 471-2646
Website: www.WhiteEstate.org or www.egwestate.andrews.edu
E-mail: egw@aubranch.egwestate.andrews.edu