How Firmly Was the Door Closed?

But at this point we should pause to examine how firmly and in what degree “the door” was closed. Looking back in 1883 Ellen White declared:EGWSDQ 23.2

“It was the light given me of God that corrected our error [that the door of mercy was then forever closed to the world] and enabled us to see our true position.”—Selected Messages 1:63.EGWSDQ 23.3

In the account of her first vision as first published, there appears a sentence and a half which is cited as evidence that Ellen White was shown in vision that probation for the world generally had closed in 1844. In referring to those who rashly denied the light behind them and said that it was not God that had led them out so far, she declares that they fell off the path down in the dark and wicked world below. Then follow the expressions in question:EGWSDQ 23.4

It was just as impossible for them to get on the path again and go to the city, as all the wicked world which God had rejected. They fell all the way along the path one after another.—Selected Messages 1:61. See Exhibit I.EGWSDQ 23.5

Note the words carefully. The statement itself does not declare that probation had closed for the world. It does refer to “all the wicked world which God had rejected.” And it must be noted that the next full sentence refers to “the living saints, 144,000 in number.”EGWSDQ 23.6

If it was Ellen Harmon’s understanding that there was no opportunity for sinners in the world to be converted and there were in the Millerite movement only 50,000 or 100,000, and by this time half of these had disappeared from the ranks of the believers of the second advent, where would the 144,000 come from?EGWSDQ 23.7