Ellen G. White’s growth

In addition to the principles of interpretation listed above, we need to remember that prophets don’t necessarily receive all the light at once. They experience growth in their understanding of heavenly things. In Daniel 8:27, the prophet says, “I was appalled by the vision and did not understand it” (RSV). About ten years later, the angel Gabriel came and explained to Daniel the full import of the vision.GP 103.4

Similarly, Ellen White experienced growth in her understanding of what God revealed to her. In 1904 she wrote, “Often representations are given me which at first I do not understand, but after a time they are made plain by a repeated presentation of those things that I did not at first comprehend, and in ways that make their meaning clear and unmistakable” (3SM 56).GP 103.5

When we compare earlier writings of Ellen White with her later works, we find that she at times modified, expanded, or shortened her earlier writings, reflecting a deeper insight into God’s messages. This can best be illustrated by her treatment of the great controversy theme in the course of her ministry.GP 103.6

Ellen White’s two-hour vision at Lovett’s Grove, Ohio, in 1858 became known as the “Great Controversy vision.” The first account of what she saw in this vision appeared in 1858 in 219 pages in Spiritual Gifts , volume 1. The 460 pages of S piritual Gifts , volumes 3 and 4, published in 1864 enlarged on the great controversy theme in the Old Testament. This was followed by the four-volume Spirit of Prophecy series, published between 1870 and 1884, that presented a much more detailed account of the great controversy story in a total of 1,696 pages of text. In time, the four Spirit of Prophecy volumes were replaced by the five volumes of the Conflict of the Ages series, which, in 3,507 pages, recounts in even greater detail the great controversy story. As Mrs. White developed this important theme over the course of her lifetime, she modified and expanded it under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Her understanding of this issue came to permeate almost all her books, even those that on the surface deal with other matters, such as the books Education and The Ministry of Healing .GP 103.7