I believe in the prophetic ministry of Ellen White through the Spirit of Prophecy because it lifts up Jesus. In Heavenly Places, page 127, she indicates:GOP 420.9

Our faith increases by beholding Jesus, who is the center of all that is attractive and lovely. The more we contemplate the heavenly, the less we see desirable and attractive in the earthly. The more continually we fix the eye of faith on Christ, in whom our hopes of eternal life are centered, the more our faith grows.GOP 420.10

Another powerful reason I believe in the prophetic ministry of Ellen White through the Spirit of Prophecy is the emphasis on unity that is presented.GOP 421.1

The devil knows that if he can get God’s people to look to themselves and their own opinions instead of looking to Christ, he will be able to bring in dissension, disunity, and tension. It is one of his greatest tools against the mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.GOP 421.2

God has called us to be participants in the greatest proclamation of truth in history—the culmination of the great controversy between Christ and Satan. God entrusts us with the task of sharing Christ, who lived a sinless life, died for us, rose again, and is now interceding on our behalf as our high priest, and who is to soon return to take us to heaven. We have been called to share the Word of God in all its power through the guidance of the Holy Spirit. In this heavenly calling we will be confronted with people who will disagree with our message and mission. We may be tempted to become discouraged with the apathy of others within the church. Whatever we may face, we should not be tempted to work independently and apart from the church. We are called to work within God’s last-day remnant church not apart from it. Stay unified with your local church and with the worldwide church family. Stay close to the church regardless of its imperfections. Keep the Lord and His mission for His church always before you.GOP 421.3

A recent compilation, Counsels for the Church, pages 240-243, indicates:GOP 421.4

God has a church upon the earth who are His chosen people, who keep His commandments. He is leading, not stray offshoots, not one here and one there, but a people. . . . It is our individual duty to walk humbly with God. We are not to seek any strange, new message. We are not to think that the chosen ones of God who are trying to walk in the light compose Babylon.GOP 421.5

Although there are evils existing in the church, and will be until the end of the world, the church in these last days is to be the light of the world that is polluted and demoralized by sin. The church, enfeebled and defective, needing to be reproved, warned, and counseled, is the only object upon the earth upon which Christ bestows His supreme regard. . . . The church of God below is one with the church of God above. . . . God has bestowed the highest power under heaven upon His church. It is the voice of God in His united people in church capacity which is to be respected.GOP 421.6

Realize that the church is called to a great work within and without. The shaking and sifting time is coming. The Lord will do His work. It is a preparation for the loud cry in which Christ has called us to proclaim. Lift up Christ and His Holy Word. Believe in the gift of the Spirit of Prophecy. As we do this under the Holy Spirit’s guidance, we will be involved in revival and reformation and brought to complete humility at the foot of the cross. God will do His work to fully prepare His people for the unbelievable events just ahead. This is why I believe in the prophetic ministry of Ellen White, who indicated in Testimonies for the Church, volume 1, pages 179-181:GOP 421.7

I was shown the people of God, and saw them mightily shaken. Some, with strong faith and agonizing cries, were pleading with God. . . . [Some] seemed indifferent and careless. . . . I asked the meaning of the shaking I had seen, and was shown that it would be caused by the straight testimony called forth by the counsel of the True Witness to the Laodiceans. This will have its effect upon the heart of the receiver, and will lead him to exalt the standard and pour forth the straight truth. Some will not bear this straight testimony. They will rise up against it, and this will cause a shaking among God’s people. The testimony of the True Witness has not been half heeded. The solemn testimony upon which the destiny of the church hangs has been lightly esteemed, if not entirely disregarded. This testimony must work deep repentance, and all that truly receive it will obey it and be purified.GOP 421.8

The Word of God and the Spirit of Prophecy point to the True Witness, Jesus Christ, who has inspired both. The Spirit of Prophecy gives us great insight as to our Laodicean condition and our need of the righteousness of Christ—to be justified and sanctified by Him. This is why I believe in the prophetic ministry of Ellen White through the Spirit of Prophecy.GOP 422.1

Counsels that Bear Fruit

Practical Reasons