The Remnant of God - Misquoting the writings of Ellen G. White

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 Revelation 12:17

Misquoting the Writings of Ellen G. White

A Misquoted Paragraph

“I saw that God has honest children among the nominal Adventists and the fallen churches, and before the plagues shall be poured out, ministers and people will be called out from these churches and will gladly receive the truth. Satan knows this and before the loud cry of the third angel is given, he raises an excitement in these religious bodies, that those who have rejected the truth may think that God is with them. He hopes to deceive the honest and lead them to think that God is still working for the churches. But the light will shine, and all who are honest will leave the fallen churches, and take their stand with the remnant” -Early Writings: page 261.

The book, Early Writings was written in the mid 1840's. "The nominal Adventists," were not Seventh-day Adventists because the church did not even exist at the time Early Writings was written. The Seventh-day Adventist Church was not organized until 17 years later in 1863! "The nominal Adventists," is referring to the Millerites who had accepted the Advent (soon coming of Jesus) teachings of William Miller.

Lets not forget to ask the obvious question. If Sister White was truly teaching people to leave the Seventh-day Adventist Church as early as 1844 why then did she, not only join that church but work to build it up her entire life? If she was teaching people to leave the church later in her ministry why did she her self not leave? She was a faithful Seventh-day Adventist member until the day she died in 1915!

Four More Misquoted Paragraphs

The General Conference is itself becoming corrupted with wrong sentiments and principles. . . . Men have taken unfair advantage of those whom they supposed to be under their jurisdiction. They were determined to bring the individuals to their terms; they would rule or ruin. . . . The high-handed power that has been developed, as though position has made men gods, makes me afraid, and ought to cause fear. It is a curse wherever and by whomsoever it is exercised.--Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers p. 359-361 (1895).

The voice from Battle Creek, which has been regarded as authority in counseling how the work should be done, is no longer the voice of God.--17MR 185 (1896).

It has been some years since I have considered the General Conference as the voice of God.--17MR 216 (1898).

That these men should stand in a sacred place, to be as the voice of God to the people, as we once believed the General Conference to be--that is past.--GCB April 3, 1901, p. 25.

Answering them in E. G. Whites own words

At times, when a small group of men entrusted with the general management of the work have, in the name of the General Conference, sought to carry out unwise plans to restrict God's work, I have said that I could no longer regard the voice of the General Conference, represented by these few men, as the voice of God. But this is not saying that the decisions of a General Conference composed of an assembly of duly appointed, representative men from all parts of the field should not be respected. God has ordained that the representatives of His church from all parts of the earth, when assembled in a General Conference, shall have authority. The error that some are in danger of committing is in giving to the mind and judgment of one man, or of a small group of men, the full measure of authority and influence that God has invested in His church in the judgment and voice of the General Conference assembled to plan for the prosperity and advancement of His work.--9T 260, 261 (1909).

New Conferences must be formed. It was in the order of God that the Union conference was organized in Australasia. . . . It is not necessary to send thousands of miles to Battle Creek for advice, and then have to wait weeks for an answer. Those who are right on the ground are to decide what shall be done.--GCB April 5, 1901, pp. 69, 70.

Note: In the above quotation she is giving council to continue growth of G C conferences and churches just two days after she said. . . “That these men should stand in a sacred place, to be as the voice of God to the people, as we once believed the General Conference to be--that is past.”--GCB April 3, 1901, p. 25.

There are altogether too many weighty responsibilities given to a few men, and some do not make God their Counselor. What do these men know of the necessities of the work in foreign countries? How can they know how to decide the questions which come to them asking for information? It would require three months for those in foreign countries to receive a response to their questions, even if there was no delay in writing.--Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers p. 321 (1896).

Those living in distant countries will not do that which their judgment tells them is right unless they first send for permission to Battle Creek. Before they will advance they await Yes or No from that place.--SpT-A(9) 32 (1896).

It is not wise to choose one man as president of the General Conference. The work of the General Conference has extended, and some things have been made unnecessarily complicated. A want of discernment has been shown. There should be a division of the field, or some other plan should be devised to change the present order of things.--Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers p. 342 (1896).

THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH WAS ORGANIZED IN 1863 WITH 3,500 MEMBERS, HALF A DOZEN LOCAL CONFERENCES, ABOUT THIRTY MINISTERIAL LABORERS, AND A GENERAL CONFERENCE COMMITTEE OF THREE. THE GENERAL CONFERENCE PRESIDENT WAS WELL ABLE TO PROVIDE THE LEADERSHIP AND COUNSEL REQUIRED BY SUCH A SMALL ORGANIZATION. HE COULD PERSONALLY ATTEND EVERY IMPORTANT MEETING AND IN ADDITION GIVE PERSONAL ATTENTION TO MUCH OF THE BUSINESS CONNECTED WITH THE PUBLISHING WORK. HOWEVER, BY 1896 THE WORK OF THE CHURCH HAD GREATLY EXPANDED IN THE UNITED STATES, AND EXTENDED TO EUROPE, AUSTRALIA, AND AFRICA AS WELL. IT WAS NO LONGER POSSIBLE FOR ONE MAN TO GIVE ADEQUATE SUPERVISION AND DIRECTION TO SUCH A WIDE SPREADING WORK. ELLEN WHITE URGED A DIVISION OF THE FIELD, SO THAT OUR CHURCH MEMBERS AROUND THE WORLD WOULD NOT LOOK TO JUST ONE MAN FOR COUNSEL. THIS WAS ACCOMPLISHED BY THE CREATION OF UNION CONFERENCES AND WORLD DIVISIONS.

Conclusion

The Messages about the General Conference no longer being the voice of God was a present truth message in the 1890's. That message expired 100 years ago when the church formed New Conferences around the world. Those messages have no present application because the General Conference is no longer being run by only a few men.

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