Chapter Twelve - Understanding Ellen White and the “Shut Door”

Merlin D. Burt

Over the years the legitimacy of Ellen White’s visions has been repeatedly challenged because of her perceived support for shut-door views. ^{11.This chapter is condensed and modified from Merlin D. Burt, “The ‘Shut Door’ and Ellen White’s Visions,” in The Ellen G. White Letters & Manuscripts With Annotations: 1845-1859, ed. Timothy L. Poirier (Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald®, 2014), 41-61; Historical challenges of Ellen White on the shut door include: B. F. Snook and Wm. H. Brinkerhoff, The Visions of E. G. White, Not of God (Cedar Rapids, IA: Cedar Valley Times, 1866); H. E. Carver, Mrs. E. G. White’s Claims to Divine Inspiration Examined (Marion, IA: Published at the “Hope of Israel” Office, 1870); Williams Sheldon, The Visions and Theories of the Prophetess Ellen G. White in Conflict With the Bible (Buchanan, MI: W. A. C. P. Association, 1867); Miles Grant, The True Sabbath: Which Day Shall We Keep? An Examination of Mrs. Ellen White’s Visions (Boston: Advent Christian Publication Society, 1874); A. C. Long, Comparison of the Early Writings of Mrs. White With Later Publications (Marion, IA: Advent and Sabbath Advocate, 1883); D. M. Can- right, Seventh-day Adventism Renounced After an Experience of Twenty-Eight Years: By a Prominent Minister and Writer of That Faith (Kalamazoo, MI: Kalamazoo Publishing, 1888); D. M. Canright, Life of Mrs. E. G. White, Seventh-day Adventist Prophet: Her False Claims Refuted (Cincinnati: Standard Publishing, 1919); E. S. Ballenger, Facts About Seventh-day Adventists (Riverside, CA: E. S. Ballenger, c. 1949); Dale Ratzlaff, Cultic Doctrine of Seventh-day Adventists (Glendale, AZ: Life Assurance Ministries, 1996).} The term “shut door” was used by Millerite Adventists to describe the end of human probation just before the second coming of Jesus.UEGW 166.1

Three essential aspects to understanding Ellen White’s view on this topic are (1) the progression of shut-door thinking from 1844 to 1852 for those who became Seventh-day Adventists; (2) how Ellen White’s visions interacted with and influenced Sabbatarian Adventist understanding of the shut door; and (3) some implications concerning divine or special revelation in regard to Ellen White’s visions and the shut door.UEGW 166.2

Shut-door understanding progressed through five stages: (1) Millerite disappointment view, (2) Bridegroom view, (3) sanctuary view, (4) sealing message view, and (5) theological integration.UEGW 166.3

The theological meaning of the shut door progressively changed through these stages, from a simple belief that probation had closed for the world, to an open-door view based on the Most Holy Place ministry of Jesus in the heavenly sanctuary, requiring an extensive and distinctive evangelistic mission to the world.UEGW 166.4