Chapter 6—Glimpses of How the Light Came to Ellen White
In the First Vision—Seemingly Present, Participating in Events—While I was
praying at the family altar, the Holy Ghost fell upon me, and I seemed to be rising higher
and higher, far above the dark world. I turned to look for the Advent people in the world,
but could not find them, when a voice said to me, “Look again, and look a little higher.” At
this I raised my eyes, and saw a straight and narrow path, cast up high above the world. On
this path the Adventist people were traveling to the city, which was at the farther end of the
path.—Early Writings, 14.
Broad Panoramic Views—Through the illumination of the Holy Spirit, the scenes of
the long-continued conflict between good and evil have been opened to the writer of these
pages. From time to time I have been permitted to behold the working, in different ages, of
the great controversy between Christ, the Prince of Life, the Author of our salvation, and
Satan, the prince of evil, the author of sin, the first transgressor of God’s holy law.—The
Great Controversy, Introduction, pp. x, xi.
An Angel Explains the Significance—While at Loma Linda, California, April 16,
1906, there passed
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before me a most wonderful representation. During a vision of the night, I stood on an
eminence, from which I could see houses shaken like a reed in the wind. Buildings, great
and small, were falling to the ground. Pleasure resorts, theaters, hotels, and the homes of
the wealthy were shaken and shattered. Many lives were blotted out of existence, and the air
was filled with the shrieks of the injured and the terrified.... The awfulness of the scenes that
passed before me I cannot find words to describe. It seemed that the forbearance of God
was exhausted, and that the judgment day had come.
Terrible as was the representation that passed before me, that which impressed itself
most vividly upon my mind was the instruction given in connection with it. The angel that
stood by my side declared that God’s supreme rulership and the sacredness of his law must
be revealed to those who persistently refuse to render obedience to the King of Kings. Those
who choose to remain disloyal must be visited in mercy with judgments, in order that, if
possible, they may be aroused to a realization of the sinfulness of their course.—Testimonies
for the Church 9:92, 93.
A Vivid View Relating to a Family—The angel of God said, “Follow me.” I seemed
to be in a room in a rude building, and there were several young men playing cards. They
seemed to be very intent upon the amusement in which they were engaged and were so
engrossed that they did not seem to notice that anyone had entered the room. There were
young girls present observing the players, and words were spoken not of the most refined
order. There was a spirit and influence that were sensibly felt in that room that was not of a
character calculated to purify and uplift the mind and ennoble the character....
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30 Selected Messages Book 3
I inquired, “Who are these and what does this scene represent?”
The word was spoken, “Wait.” ...
I had another representation. There was the imbibing
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of the liquid poison, and the words and actions under its influence were anything but
favorable for serious thoughts, clear perception in business lines, pure morals, and the
uplifting of the participants....
I asked again, “Who are these?”
The answer came, “A portion of the family where you are visiting. The adversary of
souls, the great enemy of God and man, the head of principalities and powers, and the ruler
of the darkness of this world is presiding here tonight. Satan and his angels are leading on
with his temptations these poor souls to their own ruin.—Letter 1, 1893.
As If the Whole Thing Were Transacting—Now I have light, mostly in the night
season, just as if the whole thing were transacting, and I viewing it, and as [if] I am listening
to the conversation. I am moved to get up and meet it.—Manuscript 105, 1907.
Symbolic Representations—You were represented to me as a general, mounted, on a
horse, and carrying a banner. One came and took out of your hand the banner bearing the
words, “The commandments of God and the faith of Jesus,” and it was trampled in the dust.
I saw you surrounded by men who were linking you up with the world.—Letter 239, 1903.
Some of the work that has been done [for outcasts] is represented as being like men
rolling large stones up a hill with great effort. When nearly at the top of the hill, the stones
rolled again to the bottom. The men only succeeded in taking a few to the top. In the work
done for the degraded—what effort it has taken to reach them, what expense, and then to
lead them to stand against appetite and base passions!—Letter 232, 1899.
Enabled to Comprehend Symbolic Visions—My mind and perceptions are still clear.
That which the Lord presents to me in figure, he enables me to understand.—Letter 28,
1907.
Warned of Peril Threatening a Physician—In a vision last night I saw you writing.
One looked over your shoulder and said, “You, my friend, are in danger.” ...
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Let me tell you of a scene that I witnessed while in Oakland. Angels clothed with
beautiful garments, like angels of light, were escorting Dr. A from place to place, and
inspiring him to speak words of pompous boasting that were offensive to God.
Soon after the Oakland conference, in the night season the Lord portrayed before me a
scene, in which Satan, clothed in a most attractive disguise, was earnestly pressing close to
the side of Dr. A. I saw and heard much. Night after night I was bowed down in agony of
soul as I saw this personage talking with our brother.—Letter 220, 1903.
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Revealed in a Flash of Light—The question is asked, How does Sister White know in
regard to the matters of which she speaks so decidedly, as if she had authority to say these
things? I speak thus because they flash upon my mind when in perplexity like lightning out
of a dark cloud in the fury of a storm. Some scenes presented before me years ago have no