Ms 4, 1850

January 28, 1850, Oswego, New York1EGWLM 192.1

“A Copy of E. G. White's Vision, Which She Had at Oswego, N.Y.”1EGWLM 192.2

This manuscript is published in entirety in Ellen G. White, Manuscript Releases, vol. 16, pp. 30-35.1EGWLM 192.3

An urgent call for self-sacrifice. Views on conditional immortality and the millennium.1EGWLM 192.4

Last Sabbath evening the Lord gave me a view of many things, which I will now try to relate. I saw the people of God—some were dormant and stupid,¹

In the sense of “lethargic.”

they were but half awake, and did not realize the time we were living in. I saw that the man with the “dirt brush”2

“The man with the ‘dirt-brush’” refers to a widely published dream William Miller had in 1847. In May 1850 James White republished the dream in The Present Truth, with appended footnotes. According to James White, “the man with the ‘dirt-brush’ represents the clear light of present truth … which is now purging the errors away from the remnant.”

See: “Brother Miller's Dream,” Present Truth, May 1850, p. 75. Also published in James White, ed., Brother Miller's Dream.

had entered, and some were in danger of being swept away. I begged of Jesus to save them—to spare them a little longer, and to lift them up so that they could get a sight of their situation, before it should be forever too late. The angel said destruction is coming like a mighty whirlwind. I begged of the angel to pity, to save those who were attached to their possessions, and were not willing to cut loose from them, and distribute them to speed the messengers on their way to feed the hungry sheep, who were dying for want of spiritual food.1EGWLM 192.5

I could hardly bear the sight of the sheep dying for the want of saving, present truth, while some who professed to believe the present truth, were holding on to their property, and were letting them die, by withholding the necessary means to carry forward the work of God. As it was held up before me the sight was too painful, and I begged of the angel to take it away, and remove the painful sight from me. I saw that when the cause of God called for their property, they were sorrowful; as the young man was who had great possessions, and who inquired what he should do to inherit eternal life. I saw that very soon the overflowing scourge would pass over, and sweep their possessions all away; and then it will be too late to sacrifice earthly goods, and lay up a treasure in heaven.1EGWLM 192.6

I then saw the glorious Redeemer, beautiful and lovely. That He left the realms of glory, and came to this dark and lonely world, to give His precious life and die, the Just for the unjust. He bore the cruel mocking, and scourging, and wore the plaited crown of thorns, and sweat great drops of blood, while the burden of the sins of the whole world were upon Him. The angel asked, what for? I saw, I knew it was for us; for our sins He bore all this, that by His precious blood He might redeem us unto God.1EGWLM 193.1

Then again was held up before me those who were not willing to sell their possessions,³

This passage does not necessarily support the interpretation “sell all your property—now.” In reporting a vision given a year earlier Ellen White wrote, “God had not required all His people to dispose of their property at the same time, but in a time of need He would teach them … when to sell, and how much to sell.”

See: Ellen G. White, Ms 3, 1849 (Jan. 18); idem, A Sketch of the Christian Experience and Views of Ellen G. White, p. 45. For further comment on this issue, see Ms 3, 1849 (Jan. 18), note 2, and Ms 14, 1850 (Sept.), note 2.

to save one fainting, starving soul; while Jesus stands before the Father pleading His blood, His sufferings and His death, for those souls, and while God's servants were waiting, ready to carry them the saving truth that they might be sealed with the seal of the living God,4

See: EGWEnc, s.v. “Seal of God.”

and yet it was hard for some who profess to believe the present truth to even do so little as to hand the messengers God's own money, that He had lent them to be stewards over.1EGWLM 193.2

Then the suffering Jesus, His sacrifice, and love so deep as to give His life for them was again held up before me,—and then the lives of those who profess to be His followers: who had this world's goods, and counted it so great a thing to help on the cause of salvation. The angel said, can such enter heaven? Another answered, No, never! never! never! Those who are not interested in His cause here below, can never sing the song of redeeming love above. I saw that the quick work that God was doing on earth would soon be cut short in righteousness; and that the swift messengers must speed on their way. I heard the angel say, Are all messengers? No! no! God's messengers have a message.1EGWLM 193.3

I saw that the cause of God had been hindered and dishonored by some going who had no message. Such will have to give an account to God for every dollar they have used in traveling, where it was not their duty to go; for that money might have helped in the cause of God.⁵

This passage highlights the growing problem of “self-appointed” traveling preachers. In part it was a problem of maintaining unity of teaching and doctrine but also the financial problem of unsuitable “messengers” absorbing scarce donations for travel while legitimate preachers were sometimes unable to travel for lack of funds. The whole issue had been raised by Ellen and James White as early as 1848. According to John Loughborough a partial solution was found in 1853 by issuing approved preachers a card “simply stating that they were approved in the work of the gospel ministry … signed by two of the leading ministers.” A full resolution to the problem would not come until the organization of the early 1860s.

See: Joseph Bates to Brother and Sister Hastings, Aug. 7, 1848; James White to Brother and Sister Collins, Sept. 8, 1849; J. N. Loughborough, The Church, Its Organization, Order, and Discipline, pp. 100, 101. For an overview of early developments toward church organization, see Andrew G. Mustard, James White and SDA Organization: Historical Development, 1844-1881, pp. 117-129.

And for the lack of that very means which has been wasted, souls have starved to death, for the want of spiritual food, that might have been given them by God's called and chosen messengers.1EGWLM 193.4

The mighty shaking⁶

See: EGWEnc, s.v. “Shaking.”

has commenced, and is going on, and all will be shaken out, who are not willing to take a bold and unyielding stand, and sacrifice for God and His cause. The angel said, Think ye He will compel any to sacrifice and give up their possessions? No! no! It must be a freewill offering: it will take all to buy the field. While viewing these things, the burden seemed too heavy to be borne. I felt that I could have given my life, if it could be the means of helping any to see their awful situation.1EGWLM 194.1

I saw that professed friends had wounded the cause. Again I was compelled to cry for God to spare His people, some of whom were fainting and dying. Then I saw the judgments of Almighty God were speedily coming. I begged of the angel to speak in his language to the people, —said he, All the thunders and lightnings of Mount Sinai cannot move those who will not be moved by the plain truths in the Word of God; neither would an angel's message move or awake them. I saw that the rebels must and will be purged out. The angel said, Get ready, get ready, get ready.1EGWLM 194.2

I saw that the judgments were just upon us, and that the trouble would soon be to this land, and that blood would flow in streams. The angel said it will soon be even to the horses’ bridles.⁷

Rev. 14:20: “And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs.”

That was an awful time.1EGWLM 194.3

I saw that we must be willing to go alone, and that we must cut loose from every one that will not walk godly in Christ Jesus. I saw that the unbelief of brother or sister, father or mother, husband, wife or children was no excuse for any, to hinder them from doing their duty. And that those will lose their souls, if they seek to please their unbelieving friends, more than God, and they will be counted unworthy to be partakers of Christ's glory. I saw that Jesus was rejected by His own nation, and if Jesus suffered we must be partakers of His sufferings. Said the angel, Cut clear, cut clear, cut clear from everything or anyone that hinders thy progress. I saw that the ties of nature between man and wife, parents and children need not be severed. Still, those who believe God and His truth must obey God even if it displeased their nearest and dearest friend.1EGWLM 194.4

I saw that there would be no chance to get ready after Jesus leaves the most holy place, therefore we must get right now, while there is a chance; very soon it will be too late. I saw that God's people must press together and not be too willing to see faults in each other, for where there is union there is strength. I saw that the people of God were generally too dull, too dormant and unbelieving. The angel said, Watch, watch, watch. I saw a crown of glory laid up for those who make a covenant with God by sacrifice. I saw that a sacrifice would not increase, but decrease and consume. I was then pointed to him who had defied the armies of Israel, that truth would overcome error, and that light would shine out of darkness.1EGWLM 194.5

I was then pointed to the beauty and loveliness of Jesus. Upon His head were crowns, a crown within a crown. His robe was whiter than the whitest white. No language can describe His glory, and His exalted loveliness. All, all who keep the commandments of God, will enter in through the gates into the city and have right to the tree of life and ever be in the presence of that lovely Jesus whose countenance shines brighter than the sun at noon day.1EGWLM 195.1

I then saw the Word of God pure and unadulterated, and that we must answer for the way we received the truth proclaimed from that Word. I saw that it had been a hammer to break the flinty heart in pieces, and a fire to consume the dross and tin, that the heart might be pure and holy. I saw that the Apocrypha was the hidden book, and that the wise of these last days should understand it.⁸

The significance of this obscure but fascinating statement on the Apocrypha has occasioned considerable discussion, primarily regarding what status it might accord the Apocrypha. Ellen White never subsequently commented on the subject except to consistently uphold the primacy of Scripture. For two somewhat different interpretations, see Denis Fortin, “Sixty-six Books—or Eighty-one? Did Ellen White Recommend the Apocrypha?” Review, Mar. 28, 2002, p. 9; Ron Graybill, “Under the Triple Eagle. Early Adventist Use of the Apocrypha,” Adventist Heritage, Winter 1987, pp. 25-32. See also EGWEnc, s.v. “Apocrypha.”

I saw that the Bible was the standard book, that will judge us at the last day. I saw that heaven would be cheap enough, and that nothing was too dear to sacrifice for Jesus, and that we must give all to enter the kingdom. I heard an angel say, Think ye God will place His seal where there is an idol? No, no.1EGWLM 195.2

Then I was pointed to Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden. They partook of the forbidden tree and then the flaming swords were placed around the tree of life, and they were driven out of the garden of Eden, lest they should partake of the tree of life and be immortal sinners. I saw that the tree of life was to perpetuate immortality. I heard the angel say, who of the family of Adam have passed those flaming swords, and partaken of that tree? I heard another angel answer, Not one of the family of Adam have passed those flaming swords and partaken of the tree of life, therefore there is not an immortal sinner. The soul that sinneth it shall die an everlasting death, a death that lasts forever, where there is no hope of a resurrection, and then the wrath of God will be appeased.⁹

See: SDAE, s.v. “Immortality.”

1EGWLM 195.3

I then saw the holy city, and that we should rest in the city, through the 1000 years,¹⁰

The visions of the millennium presented here and in Ms 14, 1850 (Sept.), constitute the earliest comprehensive vision views of the millennium.

See: Lt 1, 1845 (Dec. 20), note 16, and Lt 2, 1847 (Apr. 21), note 4; EGWEnc, s.v. “Millennium.”

and reign as kings and priests unto God. Then Jesus will descend upon the Mount of Olives, and the mount will part asunder and become a mighty plain for the Paradise of God to rest upon. The rest of the earth will not be cleansed until the wicked dead are raised and come up around the city at the end of the 1000 years. Then fire will come down from God out of heaven and devour them, burn them up root and branch. Satan is the root, and his children are the branches. Then the same fire that will devour the wicked will purify the earth. I saw that the feet of the wicked would never desecrate the earth made new. All the immortality we now have is by faith in hope of immortality at the appearing of Christ.1EGWLM 196.1

January 28, 18501EGWLM 196.2