The Curious Case of Breaking Biblical Norms???
Ellen White breaks the established biblical norm, appearing singularly as a divine voice, guide, prophet, witness to the workings of God. A prophet’s definition as being a witness to the workings of God who then is utilized as a mouth piece to express that will to the ecclesia.
God’s prophets never showed up in the singular. There is not a single time when a prophet existed alone. They were called to work with God and one another. Many point to Moses, and yet they forget a key section in the book of Numbers.
MOSES
“Now two men remained in the camp, one named Eldad, and the other named Medad, and the Spirit rested on them. They were among those registered, but they had not gone out to the tent, and so they prophesied in the camp. 27 And a young man ran and told Moses, “Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp.” 28 And Joshua the son of Nun, the assistant of Moses from his youth, said, “My lord Moses, stop them.” 29 But Moses said to him, “Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the Lord's people were prophets, that the Lord would put his Spirit on them!” 30 And Moses and the elders of Israel returned to the camp (Numbers 11).”
There is so much to unpack here exegetically. Yet look at Moses’ response, ““Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the Lord's people were prophets, that the Lord would put his Spirit on them!” Moses does not even test the two, has faith and understanding of prophecy. The greatest prophet of all humbly states and recognizes that being a prophet of God is something we should all ask and seek for, not keeping it to ourselves. Eldad and Medad were chosen to be elders and in fact the Spirit of God caused them to remain back, countering a command of Moses, so that they stayed in the camp to encourage and affirm God’s people. Synergy is present here. God working With Moses, even with the outpouring of the Spirit, Moses working with the leaders and people of God, God loving his people enough to work with and for ultimately the good of God’s people.
ELIJAH
Elijah is humbly, and intentionally the account is included to demonstrate that although Elijah was a great prophet he was not alone. In fact, the subtle nuances of the story of Elijah demonstrate that he had difficulty with humility, thinking he alone was left that followed God. For one in fact is Obadiah, who faithfully follows God while serving in the court of one of the worst kings in the Bible, Ahab and his wife, Jezebel.
Elijah comes to Obadiah and Obadiah reveals that he has hid 100 prophets of God in caves.
“ Has it not been told my lord what I did when Jezebel killed the prophets of the Lord, how I hid a hundred men of the Lord's prophets by fifties in a cave and fed them with bread and water (1 Kings 18:13)?”
Notice in a few verse later in 1 Kings 18:22 that Elijah who has an audience makes the claim, knowing that Obadiah has hidden 100 or more prophets. ““I, even I only, am left a prophet of the Lord,…” The problem comes to a head when God confronts Elijah.
“9 There he came to a cave and lodged in it. And behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 10 He said, “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.” 11 And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper.[a] 13 And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 14 He said, “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.” 15 And the Lord said to him, “Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus. And when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael to be king over Syria. 16 And Jehu the son of Nimshi you shall anoint to be king over Israel, and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah you shall anoint to be prophet in your place. 17 And the one who escapes from the sword of Hazael shall Jehu put to death, and the one who escapes from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha put to death. 18 Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him (1 Kings 19:9-18).”
Elijah’s attitude is on trial here, the attitude that he alone is faithful and in service to God. Doing all the work, all the service. God reminds Elijah that he first and foremost is not in the loud lights and noises, the entertainment and boisterous shows. God is in the whispers, the everyday speech that often gets ignored, the every day actions that are subtle and steady. God then reminds Elijah who has kept Elijah and who is in charge. God has kept SEVEN THOUSAND faithful people.
Elijah was God’s prophet, yet he still had failings that continuously need addressed. He was God’s prophet and yet missed the synergy with God. We work with God and with others. Elijah was God’s prophet and yet he didn’t know a lot of things. Elijah was God’s prophet and he wasn’t alone in being God’s prophet.
JESUS
Now that we have examined Moses and Elijah, we need to realize that Jesus is the culmination of biblical prophecy, he himself being the eschaton, the messiah, redeemer, and ultimately a prophet himself, the prophet of prophets (no I am not establishing new theology, I am assuming one believes in Jesus as part of the Triune God).
When Jesus is presented at the temple by Mary and Joseph in Luke 2:25-38 Simeon and Annas give witness and prophecy over Christ. When Jesus is baptized in Mark 1:10-11 the Father and Holy Spirit, in the form of a dove, appear to give witness to Jesus as Christ. Jesus on the mount of Transfiguration is met with both Moses and Elijah. This is all in support of what the law states in Deuteronomy 19:15, “every word will stand on two or three witnesses,” and Christ affirms in John 5:30 -47 that he does not bear witness about himself.
THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH
There are two positions within protestant Christianity. Cessationist – meaning that the gifts of the Holy Spirit ceased after the Apostolic age. Or Non-Cessationist – meaning that the gifts of the Holy Spirit did not cease after the Apostolic age and have continued to be given by the Spirit.
There is no biblical evidence to support the cessationist position. Seventh-day Adventist are not cessationists, as that would then null and void the very establishment for the denomination through Ellen White, as well as her testimony of the other men who before her passed on sharing the message God had asked them to share. William Foy, and Ellen White’s brother-in-law, Hazel Foss.
In 1 Corinthians 14, perhaps the greatest guide and support by the Apostle Paul, clearly suggests that the gift of prophecy is meant to continue and is NOT meant to appear in a singular person.
“Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. 2 For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. 3 On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. 4 The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. 5 Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up.
6 Now, brothers,[a] if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching? 7 If even lifeless instruments, such as the flute or the harp, do not give distinct notes, how will anyone know what is played? 8 And if the bugle gives an indistinct sound, who will get ready for battle? 9 So with yourselves, if with your tongue you utter speech that is not intelligible, how will anyone know what is said? For you will be speaking into the air. 10 There are doubtless many different languages in the world, and none is without meaning, 11 but if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker a foreigner to me. 12 So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church.
13 Therefore, one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unfruitful. 15 What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also. 16 Otherwise, if you give thanks with your spirit, how can anyone in the position of an outsider[b] say “Amen” to your thanksgiving when he does not know what you are saying? 17 For you may be giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not being built up. 18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. 19 Nevertheless, in church I would rather speak five words with my mind in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue.
20 Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature. 21 In the Law it is written, “By people of strange tongues and by the lips of foreigners will I speak to this people, and even then they will not listen to me, says the Lord.” 22 Thus tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is a sign[c] not for unbelievers but for believers. 23 If, therefore, the whole church comes together and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of your minds? 24 But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all, 25 the secrets of his heart are disclosed, and so, falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among you.
26 What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up. 27 If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret. 28 But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God. 29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said. 30 If a revelation is made to another sitting there, let the first be silent. 31 For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged, 32 and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets. 33 For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.
As in all the churches of the saints, 34 the women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says. 35 If there is anything they desire to learn, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church.
36 Or was it from you that the word of God came? Or are you the only ones it has reached? 37 If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord. 38 If anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized. 39 So, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. 40 But all things should be done decently and in order.”
So why does Ellen White appear in the singular? Especially when others around her demonstrate the prophetic gift. Her brother-in-law, Hazel Foss, and even Hiram Edson, who claims to have the cornfield vision and other visions previously. Yet those individuals are later discounted by Ellen White and the core of foundational leaders.
Where in the Seventh-day Adventist years is the application of Paul’s rule, “For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged, 32 and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets ( 1 Cor. 14:31-32, ESV).”
In fact, Ellen White states that she was taking on the fanaticism around her by the utilization of her spiritual gift. This is her reasoning for being present at Israel Damon’s before his trial.
Why does Ellen White stand alone in her prophetic office, breaking the clear biblical pattern in a way that negates the power of God’s Spirit in what we are told is residing in each of us as disciples and believers.
“Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, 32 not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, declares the Lord. 33 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 34 And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more (Jeremiah 31:31-34).”
The presence of the same errors that plagued William Miller and others, overlooking clear Scriptural passages detailing the return of Christ are the same errors that seem to continue from the Millerites through the establishment of the Seventh-day Adventist church until present.
