19. The Prophet—The Angel and The Church

Cultic Doctrine of Seventh-day Adventism, Dale Ratzlaff, Feature, Investigative Judgment

But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!

The Prophet 

How shall we evaluate the evidence in the foregoing, chapters? That the doctrine of the investigative judgment and the cleansing of the heavenly sanctuary is a false, unbiblical, gospel denying doctrine is evident. But what about Ellen White the prophet or messenger of God” who endorsed this doctrine? How shall we evaluate her?

Some claim that she had more than 2,000 visions during her life.1 However, this has been highly disputed. Regardless, one thing is crystal clear: EGW claimed divine authority for thousands of her statements.  

Three possible conclusions

The first is that Ellen White suffered temporal lobe epilepsy. There is much evidence to support this possibility. At the age of nine young Ellen had a serious head injury. Here is her own account of this incident.

In company with my twin sister and one of our schoolmates, I was crossing a common in the city of Portland, Maine, when a girl of about thirteen years of age followed us, threatening to strike us….We were running towards home but the girl was following us rapidly, with a stone in her hand. I turned to see how far she was behind me, and as I turned, the stone hit me on my nose. A blinding, stunning sensation overpowered me and I fell senseless. When consciousness again returned, I found myself in a merchant’s store; my garments covered with the blood streaming from my nose, and a large stream of blood on the floor. A kind stranger offered to take me home in his carriage. I knew not how weak I was, and told him I should greatly soil his carriage with my blood, and that I could walk home. I had walked but a few steps when I grew dizzy and faint.My twin sister and my schoolmate carried me home. I have no recollection of anything for some time after the accident. My mother says that I noticed nothing, but lay in a stupid state for three weeks…. As I aroused to consciousness, it seemed to me that I had been asleep. I was not aware of the accident, and knew not of the cause of my sickness…. I was shocked at the change in my appearance. Every feature of my face seemed changed…. The bones of my nose proved to be broken.2

Some of the physical manifestations that Adventists point to as evidence of Ellen White’s divine visions are apparent before her first vision. For example, as one reads the book, Early Writings, pages 11-13, young Ellen seems to be on an emotional rollercoaster. She was so fearful of praying in public that, 

The unfulfilled duty presented itself, until I ceased to pray, and settled down in a melancholy state, and finally in deep despair.

She remained in this condition for three weeks. Then, when she finally prayed in public,

Wave after wave of glory rolled over me, until my body grew stiff.

I have in my possession a photo copy of a letter written by Dr. William S. Sadler, 533 Diversey Parkway, Chicago, IL under the date of September 19, 1966, to Charles D. Willis, M.D. who has given me permission to copy it. Dr. Sadler was a contemporary of EGW. Here is his letter.

Dear Dr. Willis:

Replying to your letter about Mrs. White’s vision, let me say that I have talked over these things many times with Elder Loughborough many years ago.

I never saw Mrs. White in a vision. From my many talks with her, and with those who did observe her in vision, I came to the conclusion that they were distinctly cataleptic seizures.

There is nothing reported in connection with her visions that I have not seen in my own patients.

Furthermore, as Dr. M.G. Kellogg predicted, she would have no visions subsequent to the menopause, and this is true, with the change of life this phenomenon entirely disappeared.

No, I do not do any more traveling. I am 91 years old now, and my last trip to the Pacific Coast was about thirty years ago.

But if you ever are in Chicago I trust you will come to see me.

Sincerely, William S. Sadler, M.D

Doctors Delbert H. Hodder, M.D.3 and Gregory Holmes, M.D.4 reported the following. 

Ellen White’s personality traits also show significant resemblance to the personality traits described in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy. The traits that seem to most commonly discriminate between controls and epileptics are paranoia, anger, dependence, religiosity, sadness, philosophical interest, and humorlessness. Bear and Fedio in 1977 described the different behavioral characteristics in patients with left versus right temporal foci. The left temporal patients were identified with a sense of personal destiny and a concern for meaning and significance behind events. Related items emphasized powerful forces working with one’s life and the need for sober intellectual and moral scrutiny. This theme permeates the 100,000 pages of writing she produced which itself—hypergraphia—is a characteristic of patients with partial-complex seizures. 

It has been 66 years since the death of Ellen White.5 A number of Adventist scholars have recently questioned the validity of much of her writings, pointing out that much of what she wrote was actually copied from other nineteenth century writers. There has also been recent publicity concerning the inconsistency of some of her writings with Biblical teachings. Although it would be impossible to prove retrospectively that Ellen White suffered from partial-complex seizures, it appears possible that not only her visions, but also her writing and the nature of her revelations, may reflect temporal lobe dysfunction and prove to be the explanation to the questions plaguing many scholars within the Adventist Church today.6 

If one accepts this conclusion, then Ellen White can be excused as one who was mentally ill and was, perhaps, self deceived as to her mission as a “messenger of God”.

A second possibility is that Ellen White is who she claimed to be and the SDA church purports her to be: a true prophet and messenger of God whose writings are “a continuing and authoritative source of truth…”

However if one accepts this position he is immediately confronted with hundreds of statements that are self-contradictory, contrary to the Bible, contrary to sound doctrine, contrary to logic and truth. Dozens of these are mentioned in earlier chapters of this book. For example, in the chapter, “Right is Wrong and Wrong is Right”, EGW often supports error and condemns truth. Couple this with her many false prophecies7,8 and it is obvious to any unbiased reader that she does not meet the biblical tests of a true prophet.

A third possibility is that Ellen White was a messenger of darkness. On numerous occasions Ellen White claimed divine authority for her statements. She uses the term, “I saw’ 1,933 times; “I was shown” 978 times; “said the angel” 265 times; “in vision” 320 times; and “light given me” 153 times, “my accompanying angel” 44 times.9 In evaluating this option three things must be considered. First, Ellen White herself left no middle ground.

The visions are either of God or the Devil. There is no half way position to be taken in the matter. God does not work in partnership with Satan.10

She claims that her writings are “without one heretical sentence.”11 She states that in her Testimonies “it is God, not an erring mortal, who has spoken.”12 In our study thus far we have already found many heretical statements which cannot be from God. We should follow her own counsel.

If the Testimonies speak not according to the word of God, reject them.13

The Angel

Second, one must not only evaluate Ellen White, but also her angel. If her “accompanying angel” is a lying angel, it would support the possibility that EGW was a messenger of darkness. Note that it was her angel that told Ellen White the following untruths.

I was shown the company present at the Conference. Said the angel: “Some food for worms, some subjects of the seven last plagues, some will be alive and remain upon the earth to be translated at the coming of Jesus.”14

I saw that God sent his angel to move upon the heart of a farmer [William Miller] who had not believed the Bible, and led him to search the prophecies. Angels of God repeatedly visited that chosen one, and guided his mind, and opened his understanding to prophecies which had ever been dark to God’s people.15

We know that if the “truth” given to William Miller was given by the angel, as Ellen White said, it must have been a lying angel.

When Ellen White wanted to raise money for the church she wrote the following:

I was pointed to these words: “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.” Said Jesus: “With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.” Said the angel: “Will God permit the rich men to keep their riches, and yet enter into the kingdom of God?” Another angel answered: “No, never.”16

In the above quote there is subtle deception. The quote from Jesus is accurate, but the answer from “another angel” is deception. There is nothing in Scripture that says a person who has riches cannot enter the Kingdom. Jesus said “nothing is impossible with God”. What about Abraham, Job, and Solomon, etc.? Either this was a lying angel or Ellen White made this up to help her deceptive fundraising.

As shown in previous chapters, Ellen White believed in a shut door of mercy until approximately 1851. In this context read the following statement:

I saw that the mysterious signs and wonders and false reformations would increase and spread. The reformations that were shown me, were not reformations from error to truth. My accompanying angel bade me look for the travail of soul for sinners as used to be. I looked, but could not see it; for the time for their salvation is past.17

These quotations could be multiplied by the dozens. If Ellen White was truthful about her angel communications, then she was often communicating with an angel of darkness.

Third, consider the methods of darkness. The Bible characterizes Satan as a liar and deceiver.l8 When he tempted Christ in the wilderness, Satan quoted Scripture but applied it in a way to deceive.19 He mixed much truth with a little error. The agents of Satan use smooth flattering speech to deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting.20 False teachers will secretly introduce destructive heresies.21 We have seen time and again Ellen White’s misuse of Scripture, calling right wrong and wrong right, supporting the erroneous doctrine of the investigative judgment and the cleansing of the sanctuary. We have seen how she often accurately quoted Scripture but then applied it incorrectly in her many false analogies. Consider also her methods of plagiarism. She often changed or rearranged words so that it would be less apparent that she was copying from others.22 When others discovered her copying, she acted surprised that other writers had written what the Lord had shown her.23 Therefore, it seems to this writer that Ellen White could have been a messenger of darkness. 

Many will immediately ask, “What about The Desire of Ages and the other books written by Ellen White? Many SDA pastors and administrators believe that this book, as well as others in her Conflict of the Ages series, have the same inspiration and authority as the biblical Gospels.24 Two things we know about this must be considered. First, the work of Drs. Walter Ray, Fred Veltman and others have shown that Marian Davis—whom Ellen White called her “book maker”—and other secretaries of Ellen White did much of the work of researching, compiling and editing her books.25 

Second, Ellen White’s “truthful statements” can often be traced to orthodox Christian writers from whom she plagiarized large amounts of material.26

So we must ask, was Ellen White (1) a victim of an early brain injury, (2) a true prophet or “messenger of God” or (3) was she a messenger of darkness? Considering what has been presented in this book and from the author’s additional study, it is his conclusion that options one and three are possibilities. Option two is not. 

The Church

In a previous chapter we have seen that the SDA church meets most of the marks of a cult. We have evaluated its doctrine of the investigative judgment and the cleansing of the heavenly sanctuary from five perspectives: biblically, historically, theologically, experientially and ethically. We have found it fraught with massive error from every perspective. This doctrine— the central pillar of Adventism is connected to every one of the unique teachings of Adventism which we also believe to be in error: (1) The required observance of the seventh-day Sabbath,27 (2) Sunday worship as the mark of the beast, (3) The SDA church as the true “remnant church of Bible prophecy”, (4) The health message of SDAs,28 (5) The evangelistic mission of the SDA church which requires the proselytizing of other believing Christians, and (6) gospel confusion.29

By its own account, about 300,000 Adventist church members leave that church every year30 and yet this church tenaciously clings to its unique and unbiblical teachings. While all six of the above questionable teachings are bound tightly together, three of them are indispensable to the SDA church: (1) the seventh-day Sabbath, (2) the investigative judgment and cleansing of the sanctuary and (3) the authority of Ellen White. Take any one of these three supporting legs away and the whole theological structure of historic Adventism will fall. That is why the Seventh-day Adventist church cannot change these doctrines and remain a recognizable entity. President Jan Paulson made this crystal clear in the following statement.

Take specifically our understanding of judgment and Christ’s ministry in the heavenly sanctuary and the prophetic messages in which these teachings are contained. Some are suggesting that since the 1980 (Glacier View) meetings, the very teachings that the church affirmed that year at those meetings have been abandoned, and that the church has essentially moved to accept the very positions it rejected then. Such a claim is a distortion of reality, and nothing could be further from the truth. The historic sanctuary message, based on Scripture and supported by the writings of Ellen White, continues to be held to unequivocally. And the inspired authorities on which these and other doctrines are based, namely the Bible supported by the writings of Ellen White, continue to be the hermeneutical foundation on which we as a church place all matters of faith and conduct. Let no one think that there has been a change of position in regard to this.31

The early writings of Ellen White often contain more error than her later writings. It is of interest to note the statement written by the Trustees of the Ellen G. White Publications in 1945.

Among the most treasured volumes in the libraries of many of the older Seventh-day Adventists workers are the early editions of the E. G. White books, particularly “Spiritual Gifts” Volumes I-IV.32

All, including the early writings of EGW, are officially considered to be “‘…a continuing and authoritative source of truth…” as stated in SDAs Fundamental Belief No. 18.   

The evaluation of the SDA church cannot be separated from:

  • The evaluation of Ellen G. White as a “messenger of God“.
  • The evaluation of the investigative judgment and the cleansing of the heavenly sanctuary starting in 1844.
  • The required observance of the seventh-day Sabbath.

These three “truths” —all of which we believe to be error—are forever and inseparably linked together at the core of Seventh-day Adventist history, experience, theology, and evangelism.

Therefore, based upon the evidence presented in this book, my personal experience, both in and out of Adventism, and my work with hundreds if not thousands of transitioning Adventists since 1981, I am convinced that the Adventist church organization is a cult. It was founded on error, it continues to promote known error, it refuses to renounce past error, and it continues to use deceptive practices all of which undermine the gospel.

This does not mean that there are no true Christians in the Seventh-day Adventist church. I believe there are, but only God is able to make that determination. It does not mean that every member believes or every pastor teaches all the embedded errors of Adventism. But it does mean that the Adventist church organization is riddled with error and deception.

I believe it is the duty of the Christian church at large to lovingly, but firmly, confront an organization which claims to be the true “remnant church of Bible prophecy”, promotes error that compromises the gospel and stealthfully proselytizes believing Christians, thereby putting them under the bondage of Adventism. Is this not what Paul did in his letter to Galatians?

The least the evangelical church can do is to inform its members of the dangers of Adventism so they will not be caught in its deceptive, evangelistic net.

Many SDA pastors, administrators and scholars know the embedded errors of Adventism and have admitted this to me in private conversations. Many of these pastors, scholars and administrators apparently do as I was counseled to do: “Look at the church as your employer, do what. you can with a clear conscience and don’t make any waves.”33 They have learned to live in ethical tension and cognitive dissonance. Unknown to many, this is the ethic that often lies hidden just below the surface in the true “remnant church of Bible prophecy.”

There appears to be little hope that the SDA church will renounce its unbiblical doctrines, at least in the near future. How can it without losing its identity? Nevertheless, I continue to hope and pray that someday, some influential Seventh-day Adventist leader will stand up and boldly proclaim what multitudes of Adventist pastors, administrators and scholars already know-“The emperor has no clothes.”

Endnotes

  1. See the large number of supporting statements for this on Google.
  2. Ellen G. White, Life Sketches, p. 131ff. For a more in-depth study of this event see www.ellenwhiteexposed.com/headinjury.htm 
  3. Gregory L. Holmes, M.D. is the Director of the Division of Clinical Neurophysiology and Epilepsy at Boston Children’s Hospital. Dr. Holmes is also a professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School.He is board-certified in neurology, pediatrics, and clinical neuro-physiology. 
  4. Delbert H. Hodder, M.D. is a board-certified pediatrician with a special interest in pediatric neurology. Dr. Hodder is a graduate of Loma Linda University.
  5. When this was written.
  6. Summary from an abstract that was presented by Dr. Hodder and Dr. Holmes at the 1981 meeting of the American Academy of Neurology held in Toronto, Canada. Dr. Holmes, a professor at Harvard Medical School, is a nationally recognized neurologist and has published numerous articles. In 1984 the White Estate appointed a panel of nine Loma Linda University health professionals to conduct an investigation into the epilepsy charges. The panel concluded “there is no convincing evidence Ellen G. White suffered from any type of epilepsy.” Now you can review the evidence and decide for yourself. Go to the following: www.ellenwhiteexposed.com/seizures.htm.
  7. I was shown the company present at the Conference. Said the angel: “Some food for worms, some subjects of the seven last plagues, some will be alive and remain upon the earth to be translated at the coming of Jesus.” Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 1, p. 132  
  8. See www.nonsda.org/egw/egw35.shtml for a list of eleven failed prophecies of Ellen White. And more evidence that she was a false prophet.
  9. According to the MLI Software “Chosen Works” CD of the writings of Ellen White, 1994.  
  10. Pamphlets, 1860, no. 16, p. 22.
  11. “I have the most precious matter to reproduce and place before the people in testimony form. While I am able to do this work, the people must have these things, to revive past truth, without one heretical sentence, in that which I have written. This, I am instructed, is to be a living letter to all in regard to my faith.” Ellen. G. White, addressed to “My dear Granddaughter Mabel,” Nov. 16, 1905. Please notice the late date for this statement.
  12. Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5, p. 682.
  13. Ibid., p. 691.
  14. Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 1, p. 132. 
  15. Ellen G. White, Spiritual Gifts, Vol. 1, p. 129.
  16. Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 1 p. 172. 
  17. Ellen G. White, Early Writings, p. 45.
  18. Jn. 8:44; Rev. 12:9.
  19. Mt. 4:1-11.
  20. Romans 16:18.
  21. 2 Pet. 2:1.
  22. See Walter Rea, White Lie, for many examples.
  23. “My husband ordered the works from Dansville and received them at Topsham Maine. His business gave him no time to peruse them, and as I determined not to read them until I had written out my views, and the books remained in their wrappers. As I introduced the subject of health to friends where I labored in Michigan, New England, and in the State of New York, and spoke against drugs and flesh meats, and in favor of water, pure air, and a proper diet, the reply was often made, ‘You speak very nearly the opinions taught in the Laws of Life, and other publications, by Drs. Trall, Jackson, and others. Have you read that paper and those works?’ My reply was that I had not, neither should I read them till I had fully written out my views, lest it should be said that I had received my light upon the subject of health from physicians, and not from the Lord. And after I had written my six articles for How to Live, I then searched the various works on hygiene and was surprised to find them so nearly in harmony with what the Lord had revealed to me.”
  24. See Appendix E for many such statements.
  25. www.ellenwhiteexposed.com/fannie2.htm.
  26. See Walter Rea, White Lie for a list of Christian writers from whom EGW copied —Adventists say “borrowed”.  
  27. See Ratzlaff, Sabbath in Christ, for a thorough biblical study of the Sabbath, the covenants and the gospel.
  28. Making the health message a salvation issue.
  29. The different “gospels” in the SDA church all find their support in the writings of Ellen White.
  30. Based upon the 1.5 million members who left the SDA church between 2000 and 2005 as reported at the General Conference, 2005. See http://news.adventist.org/data/2005/06/1120249432/index.html.en.
  31. http://www.adventistreview.org/2002-1524/story3.html
  32. Flyleaf of Ellen G. White, Spiritual Gifts, Vols. I-II. 
  33. Told to me in 1980 by Harold West, Ministerial Secretary, Central California Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.
Dale Ratzlaff
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