Ellen G. White, the visionary driving Adventism
After the debacle of the millennial outlook of Miller, many of his followers simply abandoned all religious movement and took refuge in their farms and other work to forget that setback. A few other again their churches of origin, both Baptists and Methodists and became the strongest critics and opponents of the movement. However, a good number of members remained loyal to the main base of Christianity Miller, the hope of a coming, and kept waiting, although no specific dates, the rapture.
But it was difficult to maintain unity, as among its chief pastors and leaders, there would be differences at times conflicting ideologies. Miller had achieved cohesion, crowds around the dates of arrival, but not with respect to other doctrines or organization. Joshua Himes failed in the project that Miller himself had commissioned, to unify and organize many of the faithful, who were now scattered everywhere.
Thus, some characters that protrude several key teachings contributed to the emergence of the movement now known as Seventh-day Adventists. Basically, the Adventist movement spreads ideas and what identifies them, are awaiting the advent or second coming of Christ, the doctrine of the Sabbath or seventh day, the state of the dead and the strong prophetic content of his teachings, all this must do with some characters that emerged in the shadow of William Miller.
One of these was Hiram Edson, who in a somewhat strange, after the expected October 22, 1844, received a timely sort of enlightenment that led him to give an interpretation of the times and way to the coming of Christ, which helped many Millerites to maintain their faith, despite the feeling of defeat, thanks to which he gained time for the emergence of other avenues and roads that would clean them of certain doctrines.
Hiram Edson was born in December 1802, training methods, in the thirties, he knew the message of William Miller and was captivated for it. As happened with many of the early followers of millenarianism Miller, at first kept their affiliation with their respective religious groups, and by 1840 was still considered a Methodist. A fact that prompted him to join the movement leaving the Methodist Church was definitely some healing received by a neighbor, on which a minister had prayed Millerite, regaining health.
From that event, was a staunch defender of the cause and a zealous preacher. In the 1840's lived on a farm near Port Gibson, New York, a village on the Erie Canal. A small group of believers, mostly farmers living in the area, and saw Edson as its leader. His farm was about a mile south of town. It was in that place where a large group of Millerites met October 22, 1844 to await the second coming of Christ. That day was, as acknowledged by the Hiram, one day sad and disappointing, where their deepest hopes and expectations were shattered and a feeling of anguish came upon all present.
Most returned home wanting forget that episode, but along with Edson, remained a small group of followers, who encouraged the next morning to pray. As Hiram said, an hour later he received answer to their prayers. The story describes the following: "Halfway through the field Hiram Edson was arrested as a hand on his shoulder. He looked at the gray sky and it seemed that lay before him a view of the third heaven. In a vision like the Sanctuary Tile saw Christ as the High Priest entered the holy place of sanctuary to the Holy of Holies. "And I saw unmistakably clear 'Edson writes," that instead of leaving our High Priest of the Holy of Holies of the heavenly sanctuary to come to this earth tenth day of the seventh month, at the end of the 2300 days, He entered the day for the first time in the second apartment of the sanctuary and had work to do in the Holy of Holies before coming to this land. His partner, not having noticed the delay, had already reached the other side of the field. Along the fence turned and seeing as far back Edson called 'Brother Edson. Why has stopped? " Edson said: "The Lord was answering our morning prayer." Then, returning to join his friend told him about the 'vision'. Continued on the road, talking on the subject, recalling what little they had studied about the Sanctuary and shaping the biblical evidence of revelation. " (Captains of the Host, p. 95. Arthur W. Spalding).
Basically Edson what he meant by his explanation was related to the words of Daniel 8:14, which says that after the 2300 evening would be the holy place, or what is symbolic sanctuary inspect or clean up. Therefore, it was not the coming to earth to pick up their faithful, but his second coming would start invisibly in the sky. Soon the idea spread over other faithful from various places, especially after being released later study Edson, along with Dr. Owen Crosier and FB Hahn did about it in the magazine Dawn, "published in Cananadaigua and another monthly publication known as the "Star of the Day" from Cincinnati. "
Later, this doctrine was recognized as the foundation of the Adventist hope, as shown in the official comment: became obvious to us that the prophecy of Daniel 8: 14, instead of signifying the purification of land, referred to the end of the work of our High Priest in heaven, or to the atonement, and preparing the people for the day of his coming. ( Ellen G. White, personal profiles pag40 )
HOLY SATURDAY
Another pioneer was Joseph Bates, who introduced the doctrine of the Sabbath sacred to Christianity by applying the obligation to comply with the seventh day.
Joseph Bates was born in England on June 8, 1792, being raised in Fairhaven, Massachusetts, a small town just across the Acushnet River, near the old whaling town of New Bedford. A New England community that came and settled on a small ranch, parents of Joseph Bates when he was still a child.
At the age of fifteen, he went to sea on a commercial boat became a sailor, reaching up to lieutenant commander. For the next twenty years, that was his profession. In 1828, 36 years, retires from marine life and returns to civilian life, after amassing a fortune that allows you to live the rest of his days. However, became involved in public life, being a prominent member of the abolitionist of slavery. In the early 30's, while spending part of his fortune in the construction of an industrial school, had the first contacts with the followers of William Miller. In no time embracing the cause and making progress in the movement, becoming a pastor presiding Millerite one of the first associations.
Overcoming discouragement and 44, 1843, Bates was among those who did not leave the ship, but rather, a new momentum continued its work in the cause Adventist. As one who defended the thesis of Edson on the new understanding of the second coming.
But he also would propose a topic that eventually became fundamental doctrine which became known as Adventists, the doctrine of the Sabbath or seventh day. Although not based on an alleged inspiration, as the case of Edson, but as he claims for his study of the Bible. Of course we know that there was some influence from other members from from a branch of Baptists that came the understanding of the meaning of the Sabbath.
The implementation of the fourth commandment was not new, in fact some groups since the beginning of Christianity had sought to follow. Were the Judaizers, highlighting between the Ebionites and elkesaítas the first and second centuries, as the first to defend the application of certain provisions of law, including the Sabbath, circumcision, and others. however, since the beginning rejected the Christians continue to apply the law, although this did not mean the rejection of the Hebrew scriptures or Old Testament, extracting of the principles and prophecies.
In the scriptures, it clearly implied that that law, with the ten commandments, which included the Sabbath law were a shadow of things come and also the first century Christians did not want at all to be considered a Jewish sect. We therefore condemn these groups Judaizers, when among other things the apostle Paul wrote: "God graciously forgave us all our trespasses and blotted out the handwritten document against us, which consisted of decrees and which was in opposition to us [... ] So no one judged in eating and drink, or regarding a festival or of an observance of the new moon or a Sabbath. Because those things are a shadow of things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. (Colossians 2:13-17 )
the Apostle Paul, writing to the Galatians, refers to those who claim to establish dates and special days, something that had not provided the Christians: P ut now that they have come to know God, or rather, now that they have come to be known by God, how is that you return again to the weak and miserable elemental things and want to serve as slaves other time? They are scrupulously observing days and months and seasons and years. I fear for you, that somehow I have toiled in vain about you. ( Galatians 4:9-11) .
Later there was a kind of reordering of the day of the week that the Christians took as more important, in this case was the so-called Lord's Day, the next day after the Sabbath, the day according to scripture resurrected Jesus and that was long considered as the first day of the week. While in the area of \u200b\u200bPalestine, on Saturday continued to be used by Christians for preaching, mentioned on several occasions, including Christians, Jews used respecting the customs that day to go to public places and synagogues to testify. But there are also meetings on the first day of the week. Although this did not mean that Christians did the first day of the week a holy day, because there is no specific command in this respect in the Christian Greek Scriptures, this means that the early Christians did not feel tied to the seventh day a special day for worship, not the first.
But for the second century, it was the first day become a mainstream practice in a special way to celebrate the first day, and in the Didache, widely used as an organizational manual for Christians since the second decade of the century, referred to certain common ritual gatherings to Christianity of the time: When you reuniereis in the Lord's day, break bread, and for the sacrifice may be pure, give thanks after confessing your sins ( Didache, Teaching of the Twelve, Part 2, XIV )
Justin Martyr, in his first apology said the reason that Christians began to consider more important on Sunday and not Saturday: But Sunday is the day during which we hold our common assembly, because this is the first day on which God, who has worked a change in the darkness and matter, made the world, and Jesus Christ our Savior during the same day he rose from the dead. Since he was killed the day before he's Saturn (Saturday) and on the day following that of Saturn, which is the day the sun appeared to the apostles and disciples, He taught them these things, which we have submitted also for consideration. (1 ª Apology of Justin Martyr, Cap67)
Ignatius of Antioch also writing around 110 Christians from Asia Minor, made mention of this change of day sacred to mention the following: So, if you had walked in ancient practices attained a new hope, observe and Saturday but shaping their lives as the Lord's Day ( Letter to the IX Magnesians )
Origins of the third century, refers to the use of the first day of the week, as a day observed by Christians of time. At that time had established as the day that is celebrated the ritual of the Last Supper, or Eucharist call.
Check the time of Constantine in the fourth century, that day, in the case of the Romans was called "Dies Solis" was changed to Dies Domini, when established Christianity as the state church, and with even more time to clear the track on Saturday, became the seventh day. Going so far as to confuse biblical Sabbath, which was considered sacred to Israel, with the seventh day Sunday or established by Rome. In the Catholic council held before the Protestant Reformation mentioned the following: Remember all Christians that the seventh day was consecrated by God and accepted and observed, not only by Jews, but also for all those who wanted to worship God, yet we Christians have changed their Sabbath into the Lord's Day, Sunday ( Morer, pg. 281).
Consideration of Sunday as a day of compulsory rest for Christians, was a practice that went mostly to Protestantism through English Puritanism. They began to consider of vital importance for Christians, the observance of the Ten Commandments literally, with the exception that the fourth, on Saturday at the current applied to the seventh, making it coincident with the resurrection of Jesus ie Sunday.
in Russia were many observers of the seventh day. Its existence can be traced to the thirteenth century, among other groups talking about the Seleznevtschini or Strigolniks. The first writer to talk about them yet mentioned as having left the Christian faith. And indeed, many Sabbatarian groups emerged from the ranks of the Orthodox Church, are more related to a radical new Judeo-Christianity or Messianic Jews, the discussed below, the fact of taking ideas and customs of Judaism, including circumcision, rituals and of course on Saturday. Curiously Carlstadt, one of the first reform that was blamed extremists for Luther, as a deduction required by the observed fact that on Saturday quoted in the fourth commandment.
In 1672 in the Baptist Church, a splinter group emerged, which demanded a return to the original application of true biblical seventh day, it was not Sunday, but Saturday, they were known by the time as Seventh Day Baptists. One of the most influential English Sabbatarian Baptist Bampfield Francis was originally the Church of England clergyman and Hebrew scholar expert, who was severely persecuted until his death in 1683. He authored a book entitled 'The Judgement of Mr Francis Bampfield Observing the Jewish Sabbath or seventh day, written in 1672, a work that was used by the current Sabbatarian Baptist. He also led a congregation of Sabbatarian Baptists in London.
So in America, we can say that the greatest number of Sabbatarian has come from the Baptists, Seventh-day for having been so far the largest group.
In England in the late eighteenth century, we know a certain prophet out of the Anglican Church, called Joanna Southcott (1750-1814), followed in Bampfield and native of Devonshire, who said he received disclosures of God and defined itself as' the woman clothed with the sun, described in Revelation, even claiming at one point that will give birth to a new Messiah. Shortly before his death in 1814, he composed many spiritual poems and prophetic writings, becoming an organizer and leader of a Sabbatarian group, known as Southcottianos, who among other things advocate Sabatto compliance. At its best to have reached nearly one hundred thousand members in England and USA, but for the twentieth century were a very limited minority.
But it is important to consider all these movements, as in some way indicated an influence that was affecting many movements, the return to the Hebrew scriptures or Old Testament by many Christian groups.
But in reality, the idea of \u200b\u200ba rest day for special worship, as we have seen, it was an arrangement that had been imposed for centuries within different Christian trends. It was now again return to the original day use, or Saturday, dropped from the beginning to be regarded as an obligation of the law that Christ had abolished.
How did Joseph Bates the idea of \u200b\u200bholding or apply the law of the Sabbath? It is known that on, on, around 1845, visited New Hampshire, and met with a group of Adventists who had begun to observe the seventh day, including a woman of strong personality, called Rachel Oakes Preston. This came from the Seventh-day Baptists, but some years before 1844, knew the teachings of Miller, feeling attracted Millerite movement and with a group of Methodists, Baptists and others, formed an Adventist congregation in New Hampshire.
Apparently she Frederick Wheeler referred to the pastor who led that church the question of whether they were obeying the commandments of God did not pay attention while the fourth commandment. Given that none of those gathered could refute the strong woman, everyone there started to apply this commandment. Another minister of New Hampshire, called Thomas Motherwell Preble wrote about this in the newspaper "Elpis Israel", March 1845. Through this paper was as Bates came to contact with that group. Bates's relationship with that group, pose made him think all Millerites or Adventists to those now playing comfort and reassure, doing so through a new light, on Saturday, something that would identify and be more law-abiding God.
Empowered by this experience, he became known as the apostle of this newfound Doctrine. In 1846 he published a 48-page booklet on the subject and in 1848 Bates was present at the conference called Sabbath, which would emerge the base and the final formulation of the doctrine of the Sabbath.
Basically the biblical basis using Adventists to defend the doctrine, apart from the texts of the law, and the Old Testament are true words of Jesus in Mark 2:28 where it says: " the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath ." They also give an interpretation pro Mosaic Law the following words of Jesus: not think that I came to destroy the law or the prophets: I came not to disallow them, but to fulfill them. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or tittle pass from the law, without which all things are fulfilled. ( Matthew 5:17,18)
is no doubt that Jesus claimed any such thing, however, could not apply this to all the law, at least that was how the early Christians. There were certain provisions of law that had to be abolished, and the case law of animal sacrifices, certain provisions on meals avoid, and others were not applicable to Christianity. In the same council of Jerusalem in the first century, mentioned in chapter 15 of Acts, made it clear that circumcision and other requirements or obligations of the law did not apply to Christians. So Jesus' words must be interpreted in the context in which he said those words. First, when he spoke of being the Lord of the Sabbath, he had previously discussed with the Pharisees, about what Jews should do and what not on the Sabbath, so the words pre cited by advocates on Saturday read: So he kept saying "Saturday came to exist for man, not man for the Sabbath. (Mark 2:27)
Whereupon settle the question of whether it was of vital importance the Jewish Sabbath, was an arrangement of God to man, but was not divine or sacred in itself, because according to the Bible man came not to be created that symbolic seventh creative day, but at the end of the sixth. In the second quotation stated that Jesus came to fulfill the law to full extent, as any Jew had been met, and as expected, within the purpose for which He came to earth to comply with the law and hang on the tree. In fact, the explanation this is given by Paul in his letter to the Galatians, where it shows the intent of the law and in what sense Christ came to fulfill it and kill it: So the law was our guardian until Christ, to be justified by faith. But after faith came, we are no longer under the tutor. You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. In fact, all were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ (Galatians 3:24-26 )
For all purposes the law as explained here, I did see the need for them to a final redemptive, it was a primary teacher, a guide leading to the truth, that was Christ. When you get this and did not need the law, since the finally met with his death ended the covenant of law.
This was part of the debate that opened in the heart of the Adventists. However Bates and the other defenders applied other words of Paul to defend on Saturday, when he wrote in the letter to the Hebrews as follows: And God rested on the seventh day from all his works, 'and again in this place' not enter into my rest. " Therefore, since it remains that some must enter therein, and those to whom it was first reported the good news did not enter because of disobedience, again points to a day to say after so long in the Psalm of David, 'Today' , as well as said before: ' Today if you hear his own voice, harden not your hearts. " For if Joshua had led to a place of rest, God would not have spoken later about another day. So there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God. For the man who has entered God's rest has himself also rested from his own works, as God did from his. Therefore do their utmost to enter that rest, lest anyone fall into the same pattern of disobedience. "(Hebrews 4:4-11 )
Adventists that basis felt it was necessary to apply the Sabbath law binding on this symbolic day to enter God's rest. This thesis was accepted by the majority and since then has become something that makes them different from other Christian movements, although not actually called their denomination Seventh-day Adventists, until 1860.
THE REAL DRIVING THE Adventism
Among those who welcomed the new teaching, another important character was the key in the development of Adventism, a woman named Ellen Gould Harmon White, better known as Ellen G. White, famous for his prophetic experiences. On many occasions claimed to have had dreams and visions, sometimes prophetic, other explanatory, even doctrinal. Recalling a Joanna Southcott both the beginning of the century, or Joseph Smith of the Mormons, who had never met but share certain prophetic and leadership aspects particularly striking, especially in the case of Ellen G. White, in a world dominated by men.
Ellen G. White, born in 1827 in Gorham (Maine) Methodist parents, his father was Robert Harmon and his mother Eunice Gould also had several sisters who also played a decisive role in his life.
a young man was rather sickly, when he was nine years had an accident that marked the rest of his life, a stone in the temporal lobe, left her unconscious for several days, after waking suffered a slow recovery , suffer consequences, yet they came to live 78 years. Some enemies of the Adventist cause, supported by some medical experts cerebral, they argue that many of their views, possibly due to the accident, which caused a kind of epilepsy in people who suffer from these states tend to see visions or normally think of a religious experience. Although that possibility is difficult to demonstrate this in your case, since this effect has only been known and scientifically diagnosed in the last decades of the twentieth century. Anyway, as she herself suggests, the only known effects blamed on the blow, was his difficulty in learning and reading, it also recognizes that he suffered some dizziness and fainting, shaking hands, also severe deficits in memory, plus writing problems, which eventually overtook it seems that it became a very prolific writer. But no mention of seizures or convulsions.
While mention of some dreams in the early days of Methodism, even recognized as a shepherd named Stockman, related his unfortunate incident in childhood, with that restlessness and dreams. But it was the same Stokcman, who encouraged her to see those dreams as a guide that God was taking to prepare for a great work, which encouraged the young Ellen to think she had a mission. Notwithstanding the "prophetic vision" who claimed to experience, it began to take them to seventeen years, eight years after head injury.
Ellen spiritual awakening, happened was very young, as she herself writes in his autobiographical memoir, in 1836 found a message on a paper written by an English preacher, in announcing the end of the world in thirty years, although it is unclear who the author was of this pamphlet, that aroused the curiosity and spiritual anxiety of the young, something that continued throughout his life.
In 1840, when Ellen had attended twelve years with their parents, a Methodist conference in Buxton, where he became the Methodist Church. Shortly afterwards, apparently by her own religious belief, was baptized by immersion Bay in Portland, and accepted as a member of the Methodist Church.
But soon after, still showing great interest in the subject of prophecy, Ellen along with some of his friends from youth, attended several meetings promoted by William Miller in Portland between 1840 and 1842. While acknowledging that Miller was not a flower in his speeches, as I used to see among the Adventists, but if a good communicator of his ideas, using convincing arguments and explaining very clearly the chronological data that was driving. Ellen accepted in good faith the issues raised by Miller and his band of preachers, who were more Methodists and Baptists who taught that Jesus would return to earth in 1843 initially, and then in 1844.
His mood turned in this new case, not wanting to leave his church, as happened at the beginning of nearly all Adventists Millerites. Adventists at that first meeting, they used to share his experiences, they prayed in turn, and appeared to be very emotional. Ellen began to show an unusual fervor, which led him to convince all her friends to the cause Adventist. But the fervor on the part of Ellen, earned a misunderstanding of the Methodist ministers who were not happy for that little girl put them in evidence, for his zeal in defending millenarianism and the advent. This led to the Methodist Church in Portland to evict the family from the parish of the same, in the latter part of 1843.
Many other members of the church Ellen joined the group and began to gather around other pastors who had also left their respective churches, mostly came from the Methodists and Baptists. At first, normally gathered to pray, to share his experiences to encourage each other, but before long already arranged meetings with leaders speeches and great assistance to them. At the end of 1844, gathered awaiting the second coming of Jesus and the rapture, many left their business and farmland just to be prepared for the event.
Finally when that was not as expected, but felt depressed, the Portland Adventist group was not dissolved, despite being subdued . Those that remained suffered the ridicule and criticism from people, especially those who had left the movement after the first failure in 1843 and became bitter critics, who now after a second failure, the passage of time seemed to give reason. That made them feel discouraged, including the young Ellen, but according to her account also was given to prayer and something more than isolated, closer together.
that Ellen was gladly accepted the explanations of the visionary Hiram Edson, who alleged in a vision he had clarified that the implementation of Daniel 8:14 and 2300 evening instead of mean purification of the earth after that period, related to the completion of the work of the High Priest in heaven, or to the atonement, and preparing the people for the day of his coming. In other words it was postponed indefinitely on the end.
VISIONS OF ELLEN
the first vision which according to Ellen, had a few days after that, in this there are several distinct parts, the first that seeks to justify the situation in which they were Adventists in that time, reads in part:
I thought it was surrounded by light and I climbed higher and higher, far above the earth. I turned in search of the Advent people, but could not find anywhere else, and then a voice said, "Go back and look a little higher." I looked up and saw a straight and narrow path laid well above the world. The Advent people were on this path, toward the city which saw its last extreme. At the trailhead, behind those who already went, he wore a bright light, an angel told me, was the "midnight cry" (Matt. 25: 6). This light shone all along the trail, and lighted the feet of walkers so you do not stumble. Jesus went before them leading them to the city, and if they kept their eyes on him, they were safe. But soon some grew weary, saying the city was far away, and they expected to have entered it before.
Then Jesus would encourage them by raising his glorious right arm, which came a light which waved over the Advent band, and shouted, "Hallelujah!" Others rashly denied the light shining behind them, saying it was God who guided them up there. But then he died for them the light behind, and leaving their feet in darkness, and they stumbled and lost sight of the white and Jesus, fell down off the path in the dark and wicked world. Soon we heard the voice of God like the sound of many waters, which gave us the date and time of the coming of Jesus. ( Ellen G. White, Life Sketches, 43 )
is clear that this was a form of explanation to the situation in which they found themselves and the result that the enemy would and those who resign, then the next part describes the end: L living saints, 144,000 you knew and understood the voice, while the wicked thought it was the sound of thunder and an earthquake. When God spoke the time, shed upon us the Holy Spirit, and our faces lit effulgently with the glory of God, as happened to Moses at Sinai down. The 144,000 were all sealed and perfectly united. On his forehead bore the words: "God, New Jerusalem," and also a glorious star in the new name of Jesus. The wicked were enraged when they saw us in that holy and happy, and wanted to take us to jail, when we extended the hand in the name of the Lord and they fell on the floor. Then the synagogue of Satan knew that God had loved us who could wash the feet of one another and greet as brothers with a holy kiss, and they worshiped at our feet. (....)
Together we entered the cloud and were seven days ascending to the sea of \u200b\u200bglass, where Jesus brought us the crown and girded himself with his own hand. We also gave harps of gold and palms of victory. In the sea of \u200b\u200bglass, forming a perfect square 144.000. Some crowns were very bright and were studded with stars, while others had very few, and yet all were perfectly satisfied with his crown. They were dressed in a shimmering white robe from shoulder to toe. There were angels all around us while we were on the sea of \u200b\u200bglass to the gate of the city. Jesus raised his arm strong and glorious and posándolo the pearly gate, swung it back on their glittering hinges and said: "In my blood lavasteis your clothes and to stand firm in my truth. Come." Everyone went with the feeling that we had every right to be in town.
This is a clear summary of the prophetic descriptions of the Apocalypse, with touches of interpretation of those symbols, in fact was not alien to any connoisseur and reader of the Bible. It talks about the 144,000 mentioned in Revelation 7 and 14, although she sees as a special and separate class then Adventists have taught that the group called Great crowd, also mentioned in the vision of chapter 7 are symbolized the same class by the 144,000 who represent all the faithful.
later makes a rather strange description of what was supposed to be heaven in the vision that went: There we saw the tree of life and the throne of God, from which flowed a river of pure water and on each side of the river stood the tree of life. In a margin had a tree trunk and one on the other side, both of pure transparent gold. At first I thought there were two trees, but looking back I saw the two trunks joined at the top, forming a single tree. So was the tree of life on both sides of the river of life. Its branches bowed to where we were, and the fruit was beautiful, like gold mixed with silver.
We all went under the tree, and sat down to contemplate the glory of that place, when the brothers Fitch and Stockman, who had preached the gospel of the kingdom and whom God had placed in the grave to save them, they came us and asked us what had happened while they slept. We try to remember the most serious tests for which we had passed, but were so insignificant compared to the incomparable and eternal weight of glory that surrounded us, we could not repeat and all said: "Hallelujah! Very little has cost us the sky." Press then our golden harps whose echoes reverberated in the vaults of heaven. ( Ellen G. White, Life Sketches)
This is typical in many celestial description is used to give sermons, contemplative life, the playing of harps in heaven, but also the land and details are added trees, rivers, sites.
Part of the vision was not included in the book "Biographical Notes", had to do with the continuation of this first view of the sky. In other writings, however, appears just after the above description of heaven, changing now, indicating a vision of the future of the earth at the same time, so she continues her vision as well: With Jesus in front, went down all of the city to land, and we posed to us on a great mountain, incapable of supporting him, they broke in two, so it was made a vast plain. We looked then and saw the great city with twelve gates and twelve foundations, three in each of its four sides and an angel on every door. All said: "The city! The big city! Already low, low and God of heaven descended, then, the city, and settled in the place we were. Then we began to look at the splendid outskirts of the city. There I saw beautiful houses that looked like silver, supported by four columns set with precious pearls very impressive sight. Were meant to be residences of the saints. In each was a golden shelf. I saw many saints who entered the houses and removing the glittering crowns, placed on the shelf. After leaving the field next to the houses to do something with land, but not in any way as to cultivate as we do now. A glorious light encircling their heads, and were continually praising God.
saw another field full of all kinds of flowers, and cut them, exclaimed: "No fade." Then I saw a field of tall grass, which caused admiration beautiful appearance. It was bright green and had silver and gold highlights to undulate gracefully to the glory of King Jesus. Then we went into a field filled with all kinds of animals: lion, lamb, leopard and wolf, all lived there together in perfect union. We pass among them, and we followed meekly. From there we went to a forest, not bleak as the present earth, but shining and glorious at all. The tree branches swayed from side to side, and cry all, "dwell safely in the wilderness and sleep in the woods." Through the woods on the way to Mount Zion. On the way we met a group that also allowed for the beauty of the place. I noticed that the collar of his robes was red, wearing robes of pure white and very bright crowns. When we greet Jesus asked who they were, and he said they were martyrs that were slain by name. They were accompanied by a host of little ones who also had a red welt on his clothes. Mount Zion was in front of us and on the mountain was a beautiful temple. It was surrounded by seven hills where they grew roses and lilies. The little ones climbed up the mountains or, if they chose, use their wings to fly to the top of them and pick flowers unfading. All kinds of beautiful trees around the temple, boxwood, pine, fir, olive, myrtle, pomegranate and fig trees bowed under the weight of ripe figs, all graced that place. When we enter the holy temple, Jesus raised his melodious voice and said: "Only the 144,000 enter this place." And shouted, "Hallelujah!" After admiring the glory of the temple, we and Jesus left us to go to the city. Soon we heard his kind voice saying: "Come, My people, have come out of great tribulation and have done my will. Suffer for me. Come to dinner, that I shall confine myself to serve you." We shouted, "Hallelujah!" Gloria! " and entered the city, (Ellen G. White - Christian Experience and Views 12:13)
is possible that the order of events were not clear at that time in understanding Ellen, as more there is a clarification later in another vision, which is at odds with some details on this first, first by the apparent differentiation between the 144000 and exiting the affliction. In her memoirs she said: In general congress of believers in present truth held in Sutton, Vermont, in September 1850, I was shown that the seven last plagues will be poured after Jesus leaves the sanctuary. Angel said: "The wrath of God and the Lamb is what causes the destruction or death of the wicked. Upon hearing the voice of God, the saints are powerful and terrible as an army with banners, but not implemented then the written trial . The trial run will occur at the end of the thousand years. "
After the Saints have been processed immortal and caught up with Jesus, after having received their harps, their robes and crowns, and have entered the city, sit in court with Jesus. Will open the book of life and death. The book of life has noted the good deeds of the saints, and the death contains the evil deeds of the wicked. These books are compared with the statutes, the Bible, and it is judged according to men. The saints, together with Jesus, pronounce his opinion upon the wicked dead. "Behold, the angel said unto the saints, together with Jesus, sit in court and judge the wicked according to the works they made in the body and face their names must write down what you get when you run the trial. "This was, as I saw the work of the saints during the thousand years Jesus spent in the holy city before it descends to earth. Then the end of the thousand years, Jesus, angels and all the saints, let the holy city, and as he falls to the ground with them, the wicked dead are raised, and then, having risen, the same as "I pierced" will see from a distance in all its glory, accompanied by angels and saints, and mourn because of him. You see the signs of the nails in his hands and feet, and which pierced his side with a spear. It the end of thousand years when Jesus stands upon the Mount of Olives, and it will split and become a great plain. Those who flee at the moment are the wicked, they just resurrected. Then go down the holy city and is located on the plain. ( Ellen G. White, Life Sketches)
This had eluded him in his first vision, which at the time it ascended to heaven when the day of arrival, immediately see the earth filled blessings and nothing mentioned about the Rebels raised. The fact is that the members of his church in Portland, took the revelation of these visions as a sign that God had chosen for a special work well it was told their parents and some Adventist ministers saw it as an enlightened was to play an important role in the development of the work. Chance in the second vision, which gives few details, she claims that Christ encouraged him to go everywhere to testify about these visions and had been chosen for a major work.
That mood received, despite his physical weakness made her a tireless itinerant minister, or disease, or the accusations of some, who accused her of mesmerism, the decay did its work of spreading the message from his visions. In one of those trips he met would become her husband, James White. James White was born in Palmyra, Maine, on 4 August 1821. It is said that he was a descendant of one of the pilgrims who came in the Mayflower in 1620. Grew up in a mountain farm in Maine and lived in a humble home. In his youth he was a schoolteacher. He became a minister of the Christian denomination of Maine. Accepted the views of Miller on the second coming and was successful in preaching the doctrine of the soon coming of the Savior.
For James, the saying that behind every great man lies a great woman, is too small, because although Adventist minister highlighted as from their beginnings, his wife was the biggest boost to stay active. For instance of it, because apparently in a vision suggest ordered her husband to write a journal, became the publisher of the first newspaper published by the Seventh Day Adventists, The Present Truth in 1849, where almost from The first included some articles written by Ellen. Also with the invaluable help of his wife, was the first editor of the Review and Herald in 1850, the Youth's Instructor in 1852, and the Signs of the Times in 1874.
James White, with his inseparable companion Ellen.
In October 1855, married White and his aides moved to Battle Creek, Michigan. The press and other equipment were installed in a building built by members of the movement had also provided money to establish the press there. All this literary effort, marked a major boost for the cause Advent, for thanks to organize the work of publication, this forced to choose a name for the group. Where once feared to be considered a religion, now to 1860, was necessary. Some thought that the name "Church of God" was appropriate, but again the subtle suggestion of the prophetess Ellen considered, decanted better by the name "Seventh-day Adventists," which Ellen brought out more beliefs that defined their purpose. To develop the work of the church in Battle Creek, the small town became the headquarters of the Seventh Day Adventist Church The following year he organized a local association, and shortly after there were already several associations. Finally, in May 1863, organized the General Association of Seventh Day Adventists So can be said that the hand of Ellen, with his visions was behind it all.
Despite his frequent illnesses, James White was active by the tenacious and stubborn attitude of his wife, who was traveling often in difficult situations, often being in a state of extreme physical exhaustion, as serious disease, having to neglect even to their children, to fulfill the work that Ellen's visions were carried out. He became president of the General Association between 1865-1867, 1868-1871 and 1874-1880, although he never wanted to hold positions of command, but again the tenacity and insistence of Ellen, did their thing. James died on August 6, l881, when he was only sixty years literally melted and drained by the Adventist work.
Often called Ellen's visions were related to different discoveries or new doctrines accepted by Adventists, as for example in 1847, when Bates came to defend their position on Saturday, Ellen G. White had a vision concerning the matter, this describes the following: saw a chest, whose roof and sides were covered with pure gold. At each end of the ark was a lovely cherub with outstretched wings over the ark. Their faces were facing each other, but looked down. Between the two angels had a censer gold, and the ark, where were the angels, glory in glorious end that resembled a throne where God dwelt. The ark was Jesus, and when the prayers of the saints came to him, steaming incense censer, and Jesus offered to his Father the prayers with the smoke of incense. Inside the ark was the golden pot of manna, Aaron's rod florida and the stone tablets, which are folded one over the other like the leaves of a book. Jesus opened it and saw in them the ten commandments written by the finger of God. On one table were four in the other six. All four of the first shone brighter than the other six. But the fourth, the Sabbath commandment, shone above all, because the Sabbath was set aside to keep it in honor of the holy name of God. Shining the holy Sabbath, surrounded by a halo of glory. I saw that the Sabbath commandment was not nailed to the cross, since have been, also had been the other nine, and be free to violate them all as well as the room. God saw that as being immutable, had not changed the Sabbath, but the pope had changed from seventh to first day of the week, he was to change times and laws.
Thus, the argument based on Galatians 3:13 and Ephesians 2:15 about whether nail Christ to die law, together with the ten commandments, is overridden by this vision, in which this fourth commandment seemed to be the most important, more so than the first three having to do with the greatness of God. The following year 1848, it formed a special meeting which discussed the matter on Saturday and no doubt that Ellen's visions were taken into account since they came to agree with the thesis of Bates, and therefore it was acceptance by almost all Adventists that the doctrine of the Sabbath, came from the Holy Spirit and must be accepted by all.
Later in 1850, also in full debate on obligation of tithing by Adventists, Ellen had another vision, this, among other things said: Then I saw again those who do not want to sell their worldly goods perecientes to save souls by sending them the truth as Jesus stood before the Father offering his blood for them, their suffering and death, and as God's messengers were waiting, ready to bring the saving truth so that they might receive the seal of the living God. It is very regrettable that some of those who profess this truth, it hurts to make a sacrifice so slight as to deliver to the messengers of God's own money, he paid them for administration. (Early Writings - Ellen G. White)
Curiosa vision that came to show that Christ would reject anyone who does not give his money to the cause, threatened to enter these with no heaven. So that way the visions of Ellen, were used as the guide was giving God the Advent people, something like the revelations that Joseph Smith was receiving while various debates and issues arose in deciding on the Mormon movement.
But the similarities did not stay in that area, also had his visions in the style of Emmanuel Swedenborg, it speaks of other worlds inhabited by the righteous Lord l E me a view of other worlds. I was given wings and an angel from the city accompanied me to a bright and glorious. The grass was a vivid green and the birds there warbled a sweet song. The inhabitants of the place were of all, were noble, majestic and beautiful. They bore the express image of Jesus, and his face beamed with holy joy, as an expression of freedom and happiness enjoyed in that place. Asked one of them why they were much more beautiful than the inhabitants of the earth, and he said: "We have lived in strict obedience to the commandments of God, and incur no disobedience as the inhabitants of the earth." Then I saw two trees, one which is much appreciated the tree of life in the city. The fruit of both was beautiful, but one should not eat them. They could eat both, but they were not allowed to eat one. Then the angel who accompanied me said: "Nobody has tested here the fruit of the forbidden tree, and if she ate, it would fall." I then transported to a world which had seven moons, where I saw the old Enoch, who had been transferred. He carried in his right arm a splendid palm, each of whose leaves are written the words read: "Victoria." Encircled his brow a bright white wreath with leaves in the center read: "Purity." Around the wreath had precious stones of different colors that shone more vividly than the stars and reflecting their glow in the letters, magnified. In the back of his head he wore a ribbon that held the garland, and it was written the word "holiness." Enoch clung on wreath crown brighter than the sun. I asked if this was the place where he had been transported from the land. He replied: "Not this one. My home is the city, and I've come to visit this site." He walked around as if he were at home. I begged my attending angel to let me stay there. I could not bear the thought of returning to this dark world. The angel said to me: "You must go, and if you are faithful, you, with 144.000, the privilege of visiting all the worlds and see the handiwork of God."
Thus we can see some parallels between the writings of Swedenborg, especially in the book this , Heaven and its wonders where people speak on different planets. And though the Swedish visionary argument is explicit with regard to the inhabitants of these other planets, which he considered as seed from where the angels, as it is the earth. Ellen, however does not imply that the righteous shall become angels, at least distinguish between these and those, as elsewhere in the same vision, speech of angels whose role is to comfort and guide to humans, found that left him well in his book "The Truth About Angels." But if it appears that only the earth, come the creatures that inhabit the holy city of heaven. The mention of Enoch states that, although implied like Swedenborg, that there are other inhabited worlds, where the disobedience occurred in the land has not happened. It remains curious that both claim to have divine visions and angelic, and yet between them there are these contradictions. Nothing is known about whether or not had contact with the writings of the Swedish visionary, in any case the idea of \u200b\u200ba life other worlds and spiritual human beings turned into was not new to the time of Ellen G. White.
Ellen Another important contribution through his different view in 1863, was the issue of health and nutrition. In this new approach called the attention of the Seventh-day Adventists to the importance of a knowledge of the principles relating to health, she made a call to return to a feeding program that is free of meat as laid down in the garden of Eden of Genesis Besides, noted the dangers of using certain prescription drugs free at the time, advised the beneficial use of water in the good living and care of the sick healthy recommended to wear dresses and warned against abuse in marital relations. With this he wrote several pamphlets, including the graduates: "C ips on diet" Health tips, etc.
As a result, many Adventists advocate vegetarianism and some places boast long lives, thanks to the care and health care. Ellen course itself could boast of longevity, because despite his poor health in youth, came to live until 1915, after living for nearly eighty years and write over 50 books.
Over time, related to this issue, formed the so-called Adventist Medical Cadet Corps, an organization based on the beliefs and doctrines of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, but aimed primarily at health issue. In the beginning, the purpose was to train people to the area of \u200b\u200bmedicine in the United States Armed Forces, but after the 1970, has been working for the community by helping in disasters and rescues, as well as another organization called ADRA , associated with the Adventists, whose work is primarily as an NGO.
basic doctrines Adventists:
Adventists believe that death is as the Bible says in Ecclesiastes 9.5 " the dead are not aware of anything ." This ideology holds that a person is not conscious of life through his resurrection, which will be on the occasion of the second coming of Jesus, in the case of the righteous, or after the millennium of Revelation chapter 20, for the unjust. Therefore reject the doctrines of hell fire and purgatory.
Thus speak of a resurrection in stages, by the way is clear from the words of chapter 20 of Revelation, they think that the righteous will rise to the top Advent and the wicked at the end of the thousand years, to be judged. But somehow Ellen G. White said some of the old just as Enoch, which he saw in vision, Moses and others were taken to heaven after death, which would have been raised, which is contrary to John 3:13, which states no one had ascended to heaven before Jesus come to earth.
Another important aspect of the teachings of the Adventist Church as well as in Mormonism, is that the spirit of prophecy is an identifying mark of the true church, the main evidence presented as it is manifested during the ministry of Ellen G. White. Although clearly establish that the Bible is the only standard by which all teaching must be tested and all experience, so a vision that contradicts Scripture is not true, although there are discussions about some sense of Elen G. White, who transgress somewhat biblical interpretation, as already indicated, the matter of seeing Enoch in heaven.
accept the Trinity of traditional form, ie the following persons in one, which leaves some doubts about some of the visions of Ellen, which claims to have witnessed the moment when the angels take the body of Jesus and cry out saying: You, Son of God your Father is calling you. Sal! "Death no longer had power over Jesus. Arose from the dead, a triumphant conqueror. The angelic host watched with solemn admiration. (Ellen G. White, Early Writings, vision of the first advent of Christ ) It's hard not to find the typical contradiction that this doctrine created in the minds rationalists, to mention another being, in this case the Father, calling himself a life and just as difficult to explain given the origin of the doctrine. The fact is that when Ellen ran nigún favor of the doctrine. Neither did the same Joseph Bates, who in 1848 wrote a letter to Miller in which questioned the Trinitarian doctrine. James Withe wrote articles in the Review and Herald, which referred to the biblical trinity creed.
WW Prescott and Samuel Spear, Adventists were the first promoters of the doctrine, especially after Ellen G. Withe had disappeared.
WW Prescott and Samuel Spear, Adventists were the first promoters of the doctrine, especially after Ellen G. Withe had disappeared.
They practice adult baptism by immersion, which definitively distanced Methodism. It requires some basic requirements, especially a good degree of knowledge of their doctrines to be accepted under a prior examination by church or group of elders.
Adventists do not practice direct preaching house to house, although parishioners are encouraged to give informal testimony, but among the 16 million members who claim to belong to the Adventist church, only a few thousand comply voluntarily with the work of personal witness through preaching . At first, during the first decades of existence, the Adventists base their expansive distribution expansion in the pamphlets, books and other literature, like its predecessors Millerites. The Adventist Church currently has dozens of publishers who create and distribute a lot of educational books on various subjects. On the other hand have long been pioneers in the ministries based on the media, whether radio and more television today.
Furthermore Seventh-day Adventists around the world have thousands of primary schools, secondary schools, universities and seminaries, as well as with hundreds of clinics, hospitals and clinics around the world, specialized universities health and the organization employs thousands of doctors.
As your organization can be said to maintain unlike Baptists, Methodists and other evangelical groups, a very cohesive organization, starting with not having one pastor for each church, but formed by groups or bodies senior elected the way of the Presbyterians. There are a total of four levels of order or organization, being the local church congregation or the base, then the association or local area churches, the Union of Associations, formed by a group of associations in a larger territory, which may include even more countries. And above all is the ultimate authority for all Adventists in the world, which is the General Association, led by a board whose members guide the work globally, in the 230 countries where they have members.
If something has brought the Adventist church, is the approach to research and study by all its members, from the beginning noted that, even among women. The active participation of some of these shows to give impetus to Christianity is not just a guy thing. And not for the ordination of women in the clergy, as some of the churches, like the Anglican and other Protestant denominations, it is symbolic, but reality shows that many women have hidden in the silence of Christian sentiment. On the other hand, the Adventist Church, the knowledge about their church and the scriptures are its members, both muejres as men is higher than other more traditional denominations. But have not taken the step to cleanse itself of some doctrines traditional biblical origin and work of the personal and direct preaching remains in the hands of a minority.
If something has brought the Adventist church, is the approach to research and study by all its members, from the beginning noted that, even among women. The active participation of some of these shows to give impetus to Christianity is not just a guy thing. And not for the ordination of women in the clergy, as some of the churches, like the Anglican and other Protestant denominations, it is symbolic, but reality shows that many women have hidden in the silence of Christian sentiment. On the other hand, the Adventist Church, the knowledge about their church and the scriptures are its members, both muejres as men is higher than other more traditional denominations. But have not taken the step to cleanse itself of some doctrines traditional biblical origin and work of the personal and direct preaching remains in the hands of a minority.
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