Seemingly Present, Participating In Events

Note the simplicity of the language used by Ellen White in a description of how light came to her in her very first vision:EGWMR 9.4

“While I was praying at the family altar, the Holy Ghost fell upon me, and I seemed to be rising higher and higher, far above the dark world. I turned to look for the advent people in the world, but could not find them, when a voice said to me, ‘Look again, and look a little higher.’ At this I raised my eyes, and saw a straight and narrow path, cast up high above the world. On this path the advent people were traveling to the city, which was at the farther end of the path.”—Early Writings, 14.EGWMR 9.5

Analyzing this statement we observe that the vision is accounted for in the words, “The Holy Ghost fell upon me.” Brief allusion has been made to the physical phenomena in connection with this first vision. To Ellen Harmon it seemed that—EGWMR 9.6

1. She was rising above the world.EGWMR 9.7

2. She turned to look for something.EGWMR 9.8

3. She could not locate that which she sought.EGWMR 9.9

4. She heard a voice speaking to her.EGWMR 9.10

5. She obeyed the command of that voice.EGWMR 9.11

6. Raising her eyes, she observed the advent people traveling.EGWMR 9.12

7. She viewed their destination.EGWMR 9.13

8. Later she seemed to be with them as they enjoyed their reward.EGWMR 9.14

Thus it is clear that it seemed to her she was seeing, feeling, hearing, obeying, and acting, employing her ordinary faculties, while in reality she was not; but it was in this vivid way, seemingly through the utilization of the ordinary organs of sense, that the truths and information were forcefully impressed upon her mind. This she later related or wrote out in her own words.EGWMR 9.15