Origin Of The Book: Revelations And Visions

This book is the final product of a series of publications related to the topic of the great controversy between good and evil; between Christ and Satan. Their origin is nothing less than special revelations that Ellen White received, the most important of which took place on March 14, 1858, while she was attending a funeral in the state of Ohio, United States. For nearly two hours, the funeral guests had the unique and surprising opportunity of seeing a prophet in vision. On that occasion, events were revealed to her that covered the history of the universe, from the dismal appearance of sin until its final eradication and the final victory of God’s love. Ten years previously she had had a similar revelation. On this occasion, however, she was told, for the first time, to write out the vision. In the introduction of the book, the author very appropriately states:VOTS 83.1

Through the illumination of the Holy Spirit, the scenes of the long-continued conflict between good and evil have been opened to the writer of these pages.... As the Spirit of God has opened to my mind the great truths of His word, and the scenes of the past and the future, I have been bidden to make known to others that which has thus been revealed. ^{4The Great Controversy, x, xi.}VOTS 83.2

This book must undoubtedly be classified as an example of the visionary model of inspiration. In the Bible, books such as Ezekiel, Daniel, and Revelation fit this category. The authors, clearly and with conviction, tell us that those things were revealed to them directly by the Lord through visions and prophetic dreams.VOTS 83.3