The Vision of “The Open and Shut Door,” March 24, 1849 ^{5Note: See Exhibit 4 for the full vision as published in Early Writings, 42-45.}

On March 24, 1849, a vision of an open and a shut door was given to Ellen White, and this is referred to by some of our early workers as a repetition of the vision at Exeter, Maine, in mid-February, 1845. Many of the same points are dealt with. She saw Jesus transfer His ministry from the Holy Place in the heavenly sanctuary to the Most Holy Place, closing one door and opening another. As Ellen White wrote of this vision to Brother and Sister Hastings she referred to the fact that there were those at Paris, Maine, who had given up the “shut door.” In other words, they had abandoned their confidence in the fulfillment of prophecy on October 22. We give here the exhibit.EGWSDQ 30.1

Topsham, MaineEGWSDQ 30.2

March 24-30, 1849EGWSDQ 30.3

Dear Brother and Sister Hastings:EGWSDQ 30.4

I now sit down to write you a few lines and give you a little history of our journey and of the dealings of God with us since we left you....EGWSDQ 30.5

The first Sabbath we spent in Topsham [March 24] was a sweet, interesting time. It seemed that Jesus Himself passed through our midst and shed His light and glory upon us. We all had a rich draught from the well of Bethlehem. The Spirit came upon me and I was taken off in vision. I saw many important things, some of which I will write you before I close this letter.EGWSDQ 30.6

I saw Brother Stowell of Paris was wavering upon the shut door. I felt that I must visit them. Although it was fifty miles off and very bad going, I believed God would strengthen me to perform the journey. We went and found they needed strengthening.EGWSDQ 30.7

There had not been a meeting in the place for above two years. We spent one week with them. Our meetings were very interesting. They were hungry for present truth. We had free, powerful meetings with them.EGWSDQ 31.1

God gave me two visions while there, much to the comfort and strength of the brethren and sisters. Brother Stowell was established in the shut door and all the present truth he had doubted. Strength was given me from on high so that my journey wearied me not at all and my health has been better ever since. Thank God He gives us strength as we need....EGWSDQ 31.2

I will now write you the vision God gave me on the Sabbath, the 24th of March. We had a glorious meeting. I was taken off in vision.EGWSDQ 31.3

I saw the commandments of God and shut door could not be separated. I saw the time for the commandments of God to shine out to His people was when the door was opening in the inner apartment of the heavenly sanctuary in 1844. Then Jesus rose up and shut the door in the outer apartment and opened the door in the inner apartment and passed into the Most Holy Place, and the faith of Israel now reaches within the second vail where Jesus now stands by the ark.EGWSDQ 31.4

I saw that Jesus had shut the door in the Holy Place and no man can open it, and that He had opened the door in the Most Holy Place and no man can shut it; and that since Jesus had opened the door in the Most Holy Place the commandments have been shining out and God has been testing His people on the holy Sabbath.—Letter 5, 1849. [The account of the vision continues. As given here, it parallels very closely the account given in Early Writings, 42-45, in the chapter “The Open and the Shut Door,” Exhibit 4 of this document.]EGWSDQ 31.5

Attention should be given to the closing paragraph of this vision:EGWSDQ 31.6

I saw that mysterious signs and wonders and false reformations would increase and spread. The reformations that were shown me were not reformations from error to truth. My accompanying angel bade me look for the travail of soul for sinners as used to be. I looked, but could not see it; for the time for their salvation is past.—Early Writings, 45 (Emphasis supplied).EGWSDQ 31.7

From this the pattern is beginning to develop. Truths are opening up. Standing out are the Sabbath and the understanding of the sanctuary in heaven. Inseparably linked with this is confidence in the fulfillment of prophecy on October 22, 1844. Of the passage quoted above, Ellen White in 1854 wrote:EGWSDQ 31.8

The “false reformations” referred to on page 27 (Early Writings, 45) are yet to be more fully seen. This view relates more particularly to those who have heard and rejected the light of the Advent doctrine. They are given over to strong delusions. Such will not have “the travail of soul for sinners” as formerly. Having rejected the Advent, and being given over to the delusions of Satan, “the time for their salvation is past.” This does not, however, relate to those who have not heard and have not rejected the doctrine of the Second Advent.—Supplement to Christian Experience and Views, p. 4.EGWSDQ 32.1