Chapter 5—The Desire of Ages an Inspired Book

In 1892, as Ellen White once again commenced her writing on the life of Christ, she spoke of “the things which burn in my soul in reference to the mission of Christ.” “I know not,” she wrote, “how to present subjects in the living power in which they stand before me” (p. 23, par. 4, 5).HDAW 6.2

A year later she asserted that in writing on Christ’s life she was tracing words which would communicate to others “the light which the Lord has been pleased in His great mercy and love to give me” (p. 25, par. 2). Some time later, after mentioning several of her books, including The Desire of Ages, she declared, “In my books, the truth is stated, barricaded by a ‘Thus saith the Lord.’ The Holy Spirit traced these truths upon my heart and mind as indelibly as the law was traced by the finger of God, upon the tables of stone” (p. 44, par. 7).HDAW 6.3

In the writing of The Desire of Ages Ellen White had help—help from her secretaries and help from some other authors. But first and foremost she had the help of the Lord. It was the Spirit of God who directed and controlled her and who was the Guiding Force in the writing of all her messages.HDAW 6.4

The Desire of Ages is not just another book on the life of Christ. In marked contrast to other works on Christ’s life, it was written under the inspiration of the Spirit of God. It carries within its pages its own divine credentials. It breathes a heavenly spirit. Here we come face to face with the Lord Himself. Through The Desire of Ages, as through no other book outside the Bible, we may become intimately acquainted with our Saviour. And this blessing will surely come to all who search its pages with hearts and minds that are receptive to the leading of the Holy Spirit.HDAW 6.5