In the Biblical record we find instances in which a prophet had to be
corrected because of preconceived ideas. The apostles first believed that only
the Jews could be saved. The Holy Spirit had to correct that idea if the gospel
was to be carried to all the world. A vision in Peter's case (Acts 10, 11) and
special revelations in Paul's case (Eph. 3:3-6) enlightened the apostles and
thereby the whole church.
In the Advent movement we also find instances when the prophet had to be
corrected because of preconceived ideas. Our pioneers were greatly limited in
their comprehension of mission by a theological error carried over from the
Millerite movement--the shut door doctrine, the belief that the door of mercy
was closed. Even Ellen White accepted it. In successive visions, the Spirit
corrected the idea, first in her mind and then, through her, in the entire
movement.[10]
The fact that the Holy Spirit corrected any mistaken doctrine related with
global mission in the minds of Peter, Paul, and Ellen White gives us the
assurance that the Spirit is in control of the inspired message.
In other instances a prophet had to be corrected because the counsel or
suggestion was different from the Lord's plan. Thus we find Nathan the prophet
first approving David's plan to build a house for the Lord, but the Lord
corrected that idea.
We find parallels in Ellen White's ministry. In 1902 the publishing house
operated by Seventh-day Adventists in the South of the United States was
struggling financially. The leaders of the church sought inspired counsel. After
some consideration Ellen White endorsed the decision of the leaders to close the
publishing house. But during the following night God corrected His messenger.
She had to write a different message.[11]
Again, all the New Testament writers believed Jesus' return was near.
Although we cannot follow the exact chronological manner in which the Holy
Spirit dealt with this issue, we know the apostles received further information.
For instance, in his First Letter to the Thessalonians, Paul gave the impression
that he expected to be alive for the Lord's coming (1 Thess. 4:16, 17). However,
additional information between the two letters led him to caution the church not
to expect the Lord to come immediately (2 Thess. 2:1-4).
Likewise, John was convinced he was living in "the last hour" (1
John 2:18). Further visions gave him the opportunity to tell the church, surely
with sadness, that many things would happen--including fierce
persecution--before the coming of the Lord. Undoubtedly, the book of Revelation
was the answer of the Spirit to many questions arising in the mind of the
beloved apostle.
All the believers in the Advent movement, the Lord's special messenger
included, shared the conviction that the Lord's coming was near. We do not need
to be embarrassed [p. 27] by the fact that Ellen White expressed her
expectations, as did Paul, Peter, and John in Biblical times. Once again the
Holy Spirit had to correct some ideas and give additional information to guide
the church in the right direction.
In 1856 Ellen White was shown that some believers attending a meeting would
be alive until the coming of Jesus.[12]
In the years that followed, the Lord gave her an extended vision of the great
controversy with additional information about the journey that was still ahead.
It also was revealed that "we may have to remain here in this world because
of insubordination many more years."[13]
[10] Ibid., pp.
63, 64.
[11] Letter 208, 1902, in
Spalding and Magan Collection, p. 282.
[12] See Testimonies,
vol. 1, pp. 131, 132.
[13] Evangelism,
p. 696.