Chapter Twelve—Mrs. White in Vision

The preceding chapter gives a brief sketch of the life of Ellen G. White. We purposely refrained from discussing her visions. We wished only to present in simple outline the life of one who, born in humble quarters, handicapped in early life by poor health and little education, traveled so far and made so many significant contacts in the establishing of churches and institutions. Those facts in themselves are impressive, to say the least. But in the absence of visions we would not be writing this book, for it is the visions that truly set her apart from any and all leaders of the Advent Movement. It was these visions, occurring time and again through a long period of years, that gave to her words a weight of authority that nothing else could.WBEGW 81.1

What of these visions, not simply the content of the counsel that she often wrote out for all to read, but the nature and the setting of the visions? Did she leave anything on record regarding the matter? Not a great deal, but enough to let us enter into some understanding of the mystery. If we may judge by accounts in the Bible, prophets said little about the physical aspects or the setting of their visions. Patently such experiences were mysterious, a contact of Heaven with earth, and rather defied a detailed description, much less an explanation in earthly terms. One of the few Biblical descriptions of a prophet in vision is given by Daniel in his tenth chapter.WBEGW 81.2

We quote it not only because we can be sure that a true vision of God is described but because it provides certain parallels to what we want to say about Mrs. White. Wrote Daniel:WBEGW 82.1

“Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz: his body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude. And I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves. Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength. Yet heard I the voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground.WBEGW 82.2

“And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands. And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling. Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia. Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days. And when he had spoken such words unto me, I set my face toward the ground, and I became dumb. And, behold, one like the similitude of the sons of men touched my lips: then I opened my mouth, and spake, and said unto him that stood before me, O my lord, by the vision my sorrows are turned upon me, and I have retained no strength. For how can the servant of this my lord talk with this my lord? for as for me, straightway there remained no strength in me, neither is there breath left in me. Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me, and said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me” (Daniel 10:5-19).WBEGW 82.3

Here is a prophet who in the light of day and in the presence of other men saw a “great vision,” a vision that took from him all his “strength,” which strength returned in stages as an angel revived him. He also declared: “Neither is there breath left in me.” During the vision an angel gave to him instruction.WBEGW 83.1

This, we say, is one of the few instances where we are informed as to the physical and observable effects of a vision upon a prophet. Most times the prophets, when they referred to having a vision, merely stated the fact, and then gave the message they had received. Again, prophets declared that they had visions as they slept at night (see Daniel 7:1). Sometimes they described the revelation as a dream. Still other times they did not specifically refer to any vision or dream but simply prefaced their message by saying the Lord had spoken unto them. It is an interesting fact that sometimes while a prophet was “speaking in prayer” God gave him a vision (see Daniel 9:21).WBEGW 83.2