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Preface
vii
Apostles
, and
The Great Controversy
—Present the conflict story in
its more complete form, the initial writing of the account as here
presented in its brief, clear-cut, simple form, will, with
Experience
and Views
, always be in large demand
.
The Trustees of the Ellen G. White Publications
.
Washington, D.C
.
March, 1963
Preface to First Edition of “Experience and Views”
We are well aware that many honest seekers after truth and
Bible holiness are prejudiced against visions. Two great causes have
created this prejudice. First fanaticism, accompanied by false visions
and exercises, has existed more or less almost everywhere. This has
[vi]
led many of the sincere to doubt anything of the kind. Secondly,
the exhibition of mesmerism, and what is commonly called the
“mysterious rapping,” are perfectly calculated to deceive, and create
unbelief relative to the gifts and operations of the spirit of God
.
But God is unchangeable. His work through Moses in the pres-
ence of Pharaoh was perfect, notwithstanding Jannes and Jambres
were permitted to perform miracles by the power of Satan, that
resembled the miracles wrought by Moses. The counterfeit also
appeared in the days of the apostles, yet the gifts of the Spirit were
manifested in the followers of Christ. And it is not the purpose of
God to leave His people in this age of almost unbounded deception
without the gifts and manifestations of His spirit
.
The design of a counterfeit is to imitate an existing reality. There-
fore the present manifestation of the spirit of error is proof that God
manifests Himself to His children by the power of the Holy Spirit,
and that He is about to fulfill His word gloriously
.
“And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour
out of My Spirit upon all flesh: And your sons and daughters shall
prophesy
, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men
shall dream dreams.”
Acts 2:17
(CF.
Joel 2:28
.)