Not a Prophetess But a Messenger

By Robert K. Sanders

 

I have had Adventists write and tell me that Ellen G. White (EGW) never claimed to be a prophet or prophetess in their attempt to excuse her from her failed visions and Bible contradictions. Is this a valid excuse?

 

How did EGW respond to the questions about her being a prophetess?

EGW: No Claim to the Title "Prophetess."--During the discourse [at Battle Creek, October 2, 1904], I said that I did not claim to be a prophetess. Some were surprised at this statement, and as much is being said in regard to it, I will make an explanation. Others have called me a prophetess, but I have never assumed that title. I have not felt that it was my duty thus to designate myself. Those who boldly assume that they are prophets in this our day are often a reproach to the cause of Christ. —Letter 55, 1905, Selected Messages, Book 3, page 74.

Note: There were false prophets in Biblical days and that did not keep the messengers of God (true prophets) from accepting the title of "prophets". The proof of a prophet is in the works of the prophet not in the title. Regardless of EGW's title whether prophetess or Messenger of the Lord, she was a reproach to the cause of Christ by contradicting the Word of God and having failed visions.

EGW: When I was last in Battle Creek, I said before a large congregation that I did not claim to be a prophetess. Twice I referred to this matter, intending each time to make the statement, "I do not claim to be a prophetess." If I spoke otherwise than this, let all now understand that what I had in mind to say was that I do not claim the title of prophet or prophetess. —Selected Messages, Book 1, page 35.

Note: Ellen White had a hard time making up her mind whether or not she was a prophet after opening her mouth to the public that she was not a prophet. If you notice EGW was not denying being a prophetess, but that she was not claiming "the title of prophet or prophetess."

EGW: My work includes much more than this name signifies. I regard myself as a messenger, entrusted by the Lord with messages for His people. —Letter 55, 1905, Selected Messages, book 1, pp. 32, 35, 36.

The Work of a Prophet and More. --I am now instructed that I am not to be hindered in my work by those who engage in suppositions regarding its nature, whose minds are struggling with so many intricate problems connected with the supposed work of a prophet. My commission embraces the work of a prophet, but it does not end there. It embraces much more than the minds of those who have been sowing the seeds of unbelief can comprehend. —Letter 244, 1906. Addressed to elders of the Battle Creek church; See Selected Messages, book 1, pp. 34-36.

Note: EGW never tells us what her work is that was "more than that of a prophet." She tells us it is just "to bear God's word." EGW is telling us she had a "commission" of a prophet, but her work did not end there. Again EGW, is telling us she was a prophet even though she did not claim the title. How can this be? A prophet is a prophet regardless of the work God assigns to them.

Ellen White knew exactly what she was saying when she wanted to be called "the Lord's Messenger" and what it implied. So when Ellen G. White referred to herself as "the Lord's Messenger" she was using Bible language to claim equality with John the Baptist, Malachi, Haggai, and other Old Testament prophets. In other words, all her double-talk about not calling herself a "prophet" is simply garbage! She used the term "Messenger" which was specifically used of prophets and priests.

Mal 2:7 (NIV) ""For the lips of a priest ought to preserve knowledge, and from his mouth men should seek instruction—because he is the messenger of the LORD Almighty."

Hag. 1:13 (NIV) Then Haggai, the LORD’S messenger, gave this message of the LORD to the people: “I am with you,” declares the LORD.

Mat 11:9, 10 (NIV) "Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet." "This is the one about whom it is written: "'I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.'"

The SDA Church understands that Ellen G. White was a prophet to their church and put her picture on the cover of the Adventist Review along with Moses, John the Baptist, and Deborah, Adventist Review June 4, 1992. Associate Editor Roy Adams wrote an article, "A Prophet for Our Time, Sizing Up Ellen G. White", in this edition, pp. 8,9.

EGW: The Privilege of Being God's Messenger.--I am very thankful that the Lord has given me the privilege of being His messenger to communicate precious truth to others. —Letter 80, 1911, Selected Messages, Book 3, page 76.

Note: EGW must have been a very special person for God to give her the privilege of being his messenger. This was the first time since John the Baptist that God had called anyone his "messenger" Matt. 11:10. It took nearly 2000 years for a miracle of this magnitude to take place in the person of EGW in 1845. Wow!

EGW's "truth" has been a failure of her visions, huge amounts of Bible contradictions, unscientific health reform information, and the ability to enforce this on her church. Any opened minded person should be able to see clearly that EGW was not God's Messenger, but a False Prophet. God would never allow a true prophet to put out such garbage.

All the people that heard EGW's so called "truth" are now dead. You would think that if God would call a "messenger" to speak to people that are alive just before his coming, the message would not contradict his word.

God has allowed false prophets to exist and function in times past. God has given us the Holy Spirit and the Scriptures to test the prophets. Jesus and the Apostles warn us not to follow false prophets.

EGW: Early in my youth I was asked several times, Are you a prophet? I have ever responded, I am the Lord's messenger. I know that many have called me a prophet, but I have made no claim to this title. My Saviour declared me to be his messenger. "Your work," he instructed me," is to bear my word. Strange things will arise, and in your youth I set you apart to bear the message to the erring ones, to carry the word before unbelievers, and with pen and voice to reprove from the Word actions that are not right. Exhort from the Word. I will make my Word open to you. It shall not be as a strange language. In the true eloquence of simplicity, with voice and pen, the messages that I give shall be heard from one who has never learned in the schools. My Spirit and my power shall be with you. —Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, July 26, 1906.

Note: This is more of EGW's double talk that she does not claim the title of a prophet. If I paint houses and someone asks me if I am a painter and I say, my work is more than painting houses as I am a house decorator, but if they wish to call me a painter, I have no quarrel with them. Am I not assuming the title of "painter?"

EGW never tells us what her work is that is "more than that of a prophet." She tells us it is just to bear God's word.

Seventh-day Adventists can no longer hide behind EGW's claim that "she was not a prophet to justify her failed visions and Bible contradictions.

 

Who Gave Ellen White Her Messages?

I had been, during the forty-five years of experience, shown the lives, the character and history of the patriarchs and prophets who had come to the people with a message from God, and Satan would start some evil report, or get up some difference of opinion or turn the interest in some other channel, that the people should be deprived of the good the Lord had to bestow upon them. And now in this case a firm, decided, obstinate spirit was taking possession of hearts, and those who had known of the grace of God and had felt His converting power upon their hearts once, were deluded, infatuated, working under a deception all through that meeting, and it took but a tiny seed of doubt and questioning to find fruitful soil in the hearts of those who had no living connection with God, whose hearts were hard and unimpressionable. Their base passions were stirred and it was a precious opportunity to them to show the mob spirit.

I could but have a vivid picture in my mind from day to day of the way reformers were treated, how slight difference of opinion seemed to create a frenzy of feeling. Thus it was in the betrayal, trial, and crucifixion of Jesus--all this had passed before me point by point. The Satanic spirit took control and moved with power upon the human hearts that had been opened to doubts and to bitterness, wrath and hatred. All this was prevailing in that meeting. I decided to leave the meeting, leave Minneapolis. I refused to speak again to our people, but consented to speak to the Scandinavians.

In the night season, one of God's messengers stood by my side and asked: "Did not I raise you up when you were sick nigh unto death in Healdsburg? Did not I put My Spirit upon you and sustain you to bear your testimony in Oakland? Did not I your Lord strengthen you to come the long journey to this place? Have not I kept your mind in peace amid the strife and confusion of tongues, and now I have a work for you to do in this place. My everlasting arms are beneath you. I have given you a message to bear. I will show you many things." —Manuscript Releases Volume Twelve, "Reflections on the Minneapolis Conference", pp. 14,15.

Note: If it is "one of God's messengers," then it cannot be Christ. Christ is not "one of God's messengers." A messenger that God would send to his people would be an angel. Angels are called "messengers." (G32 Tããåëïò aggelos ang'-el-os)

This messenger or angel said to EGW, "I put My Spirit upon you." Since when do angels do the work of the Holy Spirit? Where in the Bible do angels place the spirit of God on any person? It is God alone that puts his Holy Spirit upon us. Did EGW not have God's Spirit till this point in time?

Then she says this messenger who claims to be "her Lord," tells her that she is to bear "HER testimony" and not Christ's. Is she confused or what? Is she lying or not realizing that the messenger was Satan and he was putting his spirit upon her or was it her deluded mind from her childhood injury of being hit in the head with a rock. God will be the judge.

Think about when you read her books, that she never received her messages from God, but from uninspired authors. It is no wonder she had so many Bible contradictions and which also explains her failed visions.

 

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EGW Contradicts the Bible Over 50 Times. There is many more, but isn't this enough?