Did Ellen G. White teach that Jesus will return at the beginning of
the seventh millennium?
Ellen White believed the earth's age to be about six thousand years.
(See question above, "The Age of the Earth.") She also expected to see Jesus
return in her day. Thus, when describing future events connected with the end
of time, she could write of Satan's ruinous reign having lasted for six
thousand years. (See The Great Controversy, p. 673, for example.)
Nowhere in her writings, however, did Ellen White refer to a divine timetable
of seven millennia corresponding to the creation week. She consistently opposed
any efforts to calculate the date (day or year) of Christ's return. She wrote,
"Again and again have I been warned in regard to time setting. There will never
again be a message for the people of God that will be based on time"
(Selected Messages, book 1, p. 188). And, "Anyone who shall start up to
proclaim a message to announce the hour, day, or year of Christ's appearing,
has taken up a yoke and is proclaiming a message that the Lord has never given
him" (Review and Herald, September 12, 1893).
Thought for the Day
How often has the life of the innocent been sacrificed through the intemperance of those who should have been guardians of justice! He who puts the intoxicating cup to his lips makes himself responsible for all the injustice he may commit under its besotting power. By benumbing his senses he makes it impossible for him to judge calmly or to have a clear perception of right and wrong. He opens the way for Satan to work through him in oppressing and destroying the innocent. "Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise." Proverbs 20:1. Desire of Ages, p. 222