Purpose of the Testimonies
“The Lord designs to warn you, to reprove, to counsel, through the testimonies given, and to impress your minds with the importance of the truth of His word. The written testimonies are not to give new light, but to impress vividly upon the heart the truths of inspiration already revealed. Man’s duty to God and to his fellow man has been distinctly specified in God’s word, yet but few of you are obedient to the light given. Additional truth is not brought out; but God has through the Testimonies simplified the great truths already given and in His own chosen way brought them before the people to awaken and impress the mind with them, that all may be left without excuse.” Testimonies for the Church 5:665. (Italics supplied.)BHP 203.6
“The Testimonies are not to belittle the word of God, but to exalt it and attract minds to it, that the beautiful simplicity of truth may impress all.”Testimonies for the Church 2:606.BHP 204.1
“The word of God is sufficient to enlighten the most beclouded mind and may be understood by those who have any desire to understand it. But notwithstanding all this, some who profess to make the word of God their study are found living in direct opposition to its plainest teachings. Then, to leave men and women without excuse, God gives plain and pointed testimonies, bringing them back to the word that they have neglected to follow.” Testimonies for the Church 2:454, 455.BHP 204.2
“The word of God abounds in general principles for the formation of correct habits of living, and the testimonies, general and personal, have been calculated to call their attention more especially to these principles.” Testimonies for the Church 4:323.BHP 204.3
“As the end draws near and the work of giving the last warning to the world extends, it becomes more important for those who accept present truth to have a clear understanding of the nature and influence of the Testimonies, which God in His providence has linked with the work of the third angel’s message from its very rise.” Testimonies for the Church 5:654.BHP 204.4
“The Lord reproves and corrects the people who profess to keep His law. He points out their sins and lays open their iniquity because He wishes to separate all sin and wickedness from them, that they may perfect holiness in His fear…. God rebukes, reproves, and corrects them, that they may be refined, sanctified, elevated, and finally exalted to His own throne.” Testimonies for the Church 2:453.BHP 204.5
Perhaps I could best illustrate Ellen G. White’s messages in this way: To me Christ is the Great Architect, building a kingdom with many mansions in the capital city of that kingdom. He is also the designer of the character of the people He wants in that kingdom. So as the Great Architect He has a blueprint of His kingdom and of the kind of people He wants with Him throughout eternity. Then, like all great architects, He has a book of specifications, detailed specifications, which deal with the blueprint, giving in greater detail everything that has to do with the development of His kingdom. Christ is the Architect. The Bible is the blueprint. The writings of the Spirit of prophecy are the detailed specifications.BHP 205.1
I think if you will analyze that thought a little you will see in it tremendous possibilities. And now when you sit down with these books—the Conflict of the Ages Series, for example—and read from the beginning of Patriarchs and Prophets to the end of The Great Controversy, you will see what I mean. There are the detailed specifications that greatly magnify the blueprint found in the Scriptures, all of which comes from the mind of the Great Architect. Personally I like the detailed specifications. They do not take the place of the blueprint, but they go along with the blueprint in a remarkably interesting and vital way. The great truths that are found in the Bible are presented by Sister White in such a simple way, in such beautiful thoughts, that anyone who reads them will be greatly impressed by the message, by the thought in the message, by the inspiration that comes through reading and studying the message.BHP 205.2
I believe, dear friends, it is only as we put these messages into our hearts and minds that they can hew us, fashion us, mold us, and make us into the kind of people God wants in His everlasting kingdom. From what we have found thus far I think we can all come to the conclusion that Ellen G. White was a very sensible, very humble, very good person. She was well aware of the dangers that might come to the cause through those who do not fully understand the work given her to do. Therefore she set forth in her writings much instruction as to how we should relate ourselves to her works and use them in our daily lives. In her own relationship to her work she has given us an example of what we should be and do.BHP 206.1