My Personal Testimony

Why do I accept Ellen G. White’s prophetic ministry? Why do I believe so concretely in the Spirit of Prophecy? As already indicated in Revelation 19:10: “The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” I believe that the writings of Ellen G. White are the testimony of our Lord. They point us back to the sacred Word of God, where Paul explains in Philippians 2:5-11 that Christ took on the form of a man and became the Word in flesh.GOP 417.5

Seventh-day Adventists do not portray the Spirit of Prophecy as part of the Bible or equal to the Bible. As Ellen White herself indicated, the Spirit of Prophecy is to lead to the Bible. However, I fully believe that the Spirit of Prophecy manifested in the writings of Ellen White is inspired by the same heavenly inspiration as that of the Bible since it is the testimony of Jesus. Selected Messages, book 1, page 41, explains:GOP 417.6

Through His Holy Spirit the voice of God has come to us continually in warning and instruction, to confirm the faith of the believers in the Spirit of prophecy. Repeatedly the word has come, Write the things that I have given you to confirm the faith of My people in the position they have taken. Time and trial have not made void the instruction given, but through years of suffering and self-sacrifice have established the truth of the testimony given. The instruction that was given in the early days of the message is to be held as safe instruction to follow in these its closing days.GOP 417.7

The testimony of Jesus, which is the Spirit of Prophecy, is integral to the Advent movement. I believe that the Spirit of Prophecy is one of God’s greatest gifts to the Seventh-day Adventist Church. It focuses on Christ and His Word—His all-encompassing righteousness, His plan of salvation, His grace, and His ministry in the Most Holy Place in the heavenly sanctuary. The Spirit of Prophecy portrays God’s plan for His people living at this end-time and waiting for Christ’s soon second coming. The final events of the great controversy are about to take place. I believe that Jesus is coming soon!GOP 418.1