As Seventh-day Adventists, we are taught that the true Church must have a prophet. This idea is derived from Revelation 12:17, which says, “And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” While I believe this verse definitely points to true Seventh-day Adventist Christians, we have to be honest and ask ourselves— Does the Bible really tell us that God's true Church must have a prophet?
The Commandments
We notice this chapter’s focus is the war that Satan brought upon God’s people. Originally with Israel and then with God’s Church. At the end of the chapter, it reveals that Satan will look to destroy the remnant of her (the church’s) seed. The word remnant refers to that which is leftover from the original. However, we are not left to guess who that remnant is; it identifies the remnant as those who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
As Seventh-day Adventists, one of our hallmark features and one that separates us from other Christian denominations is our adherence to the original Ten Commandments as stated in Exodus 20. In that chapter, the Children of Israel were reminded that “…the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.” Thus, Adventists teach seventh-day Sabbath observance. Therefore, we believe that when the Bible refers to the remnant, which keeps the commandments, our church meets this requirement as a people who not only keep the Sabbath but all of God’s other commandments that are still binding upon humanity.
Testimony of Jesus
The second identifying mark of God’s remnant is that this group would have the testimony of Jesus. However, the question is—What is the testimony of Jesus? The Bible answers this question.
And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. Revelation 19:10
When the Bible reveals that the testimony of Jesus is synonymous with the spirit of prophecy, please know that our church typically teaches that this Spirit of Prophecy represents Ellen White’s writings.
Since the early days of Adventism, we’ve been taught that the marks of God’s true Church are founded upon a church that keeps all of God’s commandments and has a prophet. Thus, we typically teach that this undoubtedly points to our church…the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Adventists and the True Church
While I truly believe that Adventism is God’s true Church, I’m not so sure that Revelation 12:17 is the proper route to prove this. Let me give you a few reasons why:
1. The "Spirit of Prophecy" in Revelation 19:10 does not directly refer to Ellen White. The Spirit of prophecy refers to a people who know and understand prophecy…especially end-time prophecy. As Adventists, we should understand that that there were others who contributed to our unique brand of prophecy; others such as:
- William Miller’s 2300 calculation,
- Hiram Edson’s Investigative Judgment revelation
- Josiah Litch’s Revelation 9 view of the Ottoman Empire
- Samuel Snow’s October 22nd date for the Cleansing of the Sanctuary
2. God revealed to Ellen White that she was not to call herself a prophet, but rather the Messenger of the Lord.
"I have been instructed that I am not to claim any title, except that of a messenger, appointed of God. The work assigned to me embraces more than the ordinary work of a prophet. The gift of prophecy is included, but that alone does not cover the many lines of work to which I have been called as the Lord’s messenger." Lt 225c, 1906
Here, Ellen White was instructed that the only title she was to claim was that of a messenger appointed by God. The question is, if Ellen was instructed not to claim the prophetess title, why are we claiming it for her? Ellen White would also reveal why she was instructed not to use this title:
"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." 1SM 36
Notice Ellen White’s instructions to refrain from using the prophet title were given because of all the issues caused by people questioning and trying to determine the work of a post-Biblical prophet. Although Ellen White had no controversy with anyone who used this label for her, it has become obvious to me that the Seventh-day Adventist Church should have followed the same counsel that God gave to the Messenger. Can’t we see that the same problems that Ellen White was told to avoid by refraining from using this title have been picked up by our church members who are constantly under attack? Can’t we see that so much of our time and energy is spent in useless debates with others just to prove Ellen White was a prophet?
Even though I believe Ellen White did have the gift of prophecy, what we may not fully realize is that we don’t need Ellen White to be a prophet in order for our church to be the true Church—all we need to do is prove our doctrines and beliefs are Biblically sound and Scripturally-based. All we need to do is show that there is a Church that teaches the Three Angels Messages. All we need to do is show them that God’s love is found in a people who are saved by grace through faith in our Savior. Reader, we must allow our doctrines to speak for themselves. This is why it’s important to truly understand God’s Word and to be able to explain why we believe what we believe.
Conclusion
Ellen White is God’s Messenger to the Adventist Church. She is not perfect and sometimes may make a mistake as many of the Bible writers did. Should we still defend Ellen White? Of course we should, but not as a prophet. We are defending her as a Messenger to the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
