Introduction—The Prophetic Gift and Ellen G. White
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At other times while Mrs. White was praying, speaking, or writing,
visions were given to her. Those about her would not be aware of the
vision, unless there was a brief pause if she was speaking or praying
publicly. At one time she wrote:
“While engaged in earnest prayer, I was lost to everything around
me; the room was filled with light, and I was hearing a message to an
assembly that seemed to be the General Conference.”
Of the many visions given to Mrs. White through her long ministry
of seventy years, the longest vision lasted four hours and the shortest
just a brief moment. Often they were for a half hour, or a little longer.
But no single rule can be stated which would cover all the visions, for
it was as Paul wrote:
“God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time
past unto the fathers by the prophets.”
Hebrews 1:1
.
The light was
[15]
imparted to the prophet through visions, but the prophet did not write
while in vision. His work was not a mechanical task. Except on rare
occasions, the Lord did not give him the very words to speak. Nor did
the angel guide the hand of the prophet in the precise words to record.
From the mind, enlightened by visions, the prophet spoke or wrote
the words that would convey the light and instruction to his audience,
whether they read the message or heard it orally
.
We might ask how the mind of the prophet was enlightened—
how did he gain the information and instruction he was to impart to
the people? Just as no one rule can be established for the giving of
the visions, so no one rule can be established governing the way the
prophet received the inspired message. In each case, however, it was a
very vivid experience that made an indelible impression on the mind
of the prophet. And just as that which we see and experience makes a
much deeper impression on our minds that what we only hear, so the
representations to the prophets, where they seemed to witness dramatic
events, made deep and lasting impressions on their minds. Mrs. White
wrote once, “My attention is often directed to scenes transpiring upon
earth. At times I am carried far ahead into the future and shown what
is to take place. Then again, I am shown things as they have occurred
in the past.”
From this it becomes evident that Ellen White saw these events
take place, seemingly as an eyewitness. They were reenacted before
her in vision, and thus they made a vivid impression on her mind.