The most popular argument that I have heard in attack of the authority of the writings of Ellen White, is that she is the 'Lesser Light'. Let's spend some time defining what exactly does this term mean. We'll begin by turning to Genesis chapter one:
'And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night...'{verses 14-18}
We know these two lights to be the sun (greater light), and the moon (lesser light). The moon is nothing less than two things: It's a reflection of the sun, and it gets its light directly from the sun.
God's Word calls the two lights, great lights. In onther words, they both play a great importance upon the earth. Jesus in Malachi 4:2, is called the 'Sun of Righteousness'. So if Sister White's writings are called the 'lesser light' (moon), then what does this mean? It means that her messages reflect Jesus Christ,the Word of God; and they come directly from Him. Let's illustrate this principle with the prophet, John the Baptist, of whom Mrs White, called, the 'lesser light':
'There was a man sent from God, whose name [was] John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all [men] through him might believe. He was not that Light, but [was sent] to bear witness of that Light.' {John 1:6-8}
John the Baptist's messages bore witness of the Light (Jesus), and they came from God. So because John (the lesser light), 'was not that Light', does that mean that his messages were any less important?
'I was pointed back to the proclamation of the first advent of Christ. John was sent in the spirit and power of Elijah to prepare the way of Jesus. Those who rejected the testimony of John were not benefited by the teachings of Jesus. Their opposition to the message that foretold His coming placed them where they could not readily receive the strongest evidence that He was the Messiah. Satan led on those who rejected the message of John to go still farther, to reject and crucify Christ. In doing this they placed themselves where they could not receive the blessing on the day of Pentecost, which would have taught them the way into the heavenly sanctuary...'{Early Writings, 259}
In the time of John (and we will soon see that it is the same in every great reformatory movement), there was a three-step testing process taking place, that divided the sheep from the goats; the wheat from the tares; the wise and the foolish.
1. The message of John was rejected
2. Due to its rejection, the Jews placed themselves in a position that when the evidences of Christ's Messiahship was displayed, they could not see it
3. As a result of this, when the Holy Spirit was poured out on the disciples, they could not receive the blessing, which led them to stone Stephen; which Inspiration marks this as the close of their probation as a people.
So yes, John was a 'lesser light', but his message was still a great light, because to flunk the first test, created a domino effect.
However, this was not something unique for just the Baptist's time:
'The work of God in the earth presents, from age to age, a striking similarity in every great reformation or religious movement. The principles of God's dealing with men are ever the same. The important movements of the present have their parallel in those of the past...'{GC 343.1}
God's workings are not just the same in every great reformation, but you'll find striking similarities: things, patterns, which will just stand out in each history. What's more, is that each movement runs parallel (can be lined up in order); yes even the movements of the present.
Let me just share with you a couple more examples of 'lesser lights', and their major importance in Biblical history. Notice that I say light(s), meaning that there were more lesser lights, than just John the Baptist and Ellen White:
'Beginning at Moses, the very Alpha of Bible history, Christ expounded in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself...' {DA 799}
So from the time of Moses, God had 'lesser lights', who bore witness of Christ. They testified of Christ. Which leads to the other example of the three-step testing process, that I said I would share:
Noah, was a lesser light
1. Those message of Noah was rejected.
2. The antedeluvians, now placed themselves in the position, that even when the evidences of the truth of Noah's message were displayed (the animals entering the ark), they could not see it.
3. As a result, when door was closed by the hand of the angel, their probation was closed with it.
By now, you should be seeing the pattern form:
1. The first test, is to do with the message of the prophet.
2. Those who reject the prophet, end up not benefitting by the second test, which is a visual test.
3. Due to the non-effect of the second test, they now place themselves where probation's door is closed on them.
1840-1844
'Many look with horror at the course of the Jews in rejecting and crucifying Christ; and as they read the history of His shameful abuse, they think they love Him, and would not have denied Him as did Peter, or crucified Him as did the Jews. But God who reads the hearts of all, has brought to the test that love for Jesus which they professed to feel. All heaven watched with the deepest interest the reception of the first angel's message. But many who professed to love Jesus, and who shed tears as they read the story of the cross, derided the good news of His coming. Instead of receiving the message with gladness, they declared it to be a delusion. They hated those who loved His appearing and shut them out of the churches. Those who rejected the first message could not be benefited by the second; neither were they benefited by the midnight cry, which was to prepare them to enter with Jesus by faith into the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary. And by rejecting the two former messages, they have so darkened their understanding that they can see no light in the third angel's message, which shows the way into the most holy place.' {EW, 260}
1. First test: the prophetic message of the First Angel.
2. Second Test: the Second Angel's Message, when it was empowered by the Midnight Cry
3. Third Test: the arrival of the Third Angel's Message, where the door of the Holy Place, and the door of their probation closed too:
'And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.' {Revelation 3:7, 8}
The door that was shut, was the door of the Holy Place. Jesus was no longer in there. Then the door of the Most Holy Place was open. Those who flunked the first and the second test, did not follow Christ into the Most Holy Place experience, but were shut in the Holy Place. Read here what happened to them, and you will see that it wasn't just the Holy Place door that was shut, but also probation's door:
'I turned to look at the company who were still bowed before the throne; they did not know that Jesus had left it. Satan appeared to be by the throne, trying to carry on the work of God. I saw them look up to the throne, and pray, "Father, give us Thy Spirit." Satan would then breathe upon them an unholy influence; in it there was light and much power, but no sweet love, joy, and peace. Satan's object was to keep them deceived and to draw back and deceive God's children.' {EW 56.1}
This three-fold test is taking place in these last days:
The door of probation, closes for Seventh-Day Adventists, at the Sunday Law (see post: 'Congregation of the Wheat and Tares'). So this is the third and final test.
Sister White states, that the very first thing that Seventh-Day Adventists will do before probation closes, is give up confidence in her writings:
'One thing is certain: Those Seventh-day Adventists who take their stand under Satan's banner will FIRST give up their faith in the warnings and reproofs contained in the Testimonies of God's Spirit.' {3SM 84}. (Note: According to prophecy, unfaithful SDA's , will take their stand under Satan's banner at the Sunday Law, when the door closes. So this is the first test: the prophet.
So what is our second test?
'The Lord has shown me clearly that the image of the beast will be formed before probation closes, for it is to be the great test for the people of God, by which their eternal destiny will be decided.'{2SM 81}. (Note: According to prophecy, probation closes at the Sunday Law)
So let's see how this parallels with Biblical reformations in history (bearing in mind that 1840-1844, is being repeated to the very letter)
1. First Test: Prophet- Ellen G. White.
2. Second Test: Image of the Beast- The coming together of church and state. This is visual for sure. It's taking place right before our very eyes, and is it any wonder that those who have slighted, rejected and not seeking to live up to light contained in her messages, can't see the importance of the present rapid movements? She has much to say concerning the prophecies which are now fast fulfilling, but because many have put aside her writings, or have used them as a buffet, therefore, we're not aware of them. Events such as September 11th, 2001, should have revived Laodicea in a big way; but the majority have looked upon it as just a tragic event. Why? Because the testimonies are no longer being studied and lived up to. The health message in all its forms, have been made light of. Therefore, our minds have become so beclouded and weakened by the trampling on the health laws, that we see the 'animals going into the ark', and yet not moved to any urgency.
3. Third Test: The Sunday Law- At this point in time, the characters that we have been building during the previous two tests, will be revealed.
Jesus' message to Laodicea:
'Behold I stand at the door and knock. If any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come into him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.' {Revelation 3:20}
What is the voice that Jesus is using to call to our hearts, that if we open the door to it, we will be at-one-ment with Him?
'It is the voice of Christ that speaks through patriarchs and prophets, from the days of Adam even to the closing scenes of time.' {DA 799.2}
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