Reply From James White
Conversion, in the strictest sense, signifies a change from sin to holiness. In this sense we readily answer that it does not “exclude all conversions,” but we believe that those who heard the “everlasting gospel” message and rejected it, or refused to hear it, are excluded by it. We have no message to such. They have no ears to hear us, unless we lower the standard of truth so low that there would be no salvation in it. But there are those who may be converted.EGWSDQ 68.6
1. Erring brethren. We believe there are many in the Laodicean church, who will yet be converted as the Apostle directs in his epistle to the waiting brethren. “Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one CONVERT him; let him know, that he which converteth the SINNER from the error of his way shall save a soul from death and shall hide a multitude of sins.”—James v, 19, 20.EGWSDQ 68.7
2. Children, who were not old enough to understandingly receive or reject the truth, when our Great High Priest closed His mediation in the Holy Place at the end of the 2300 days, are subjects of conversion from sin to holiness. Their names were borne in upon the breastplate of judgment, and they are subjects of the mediation of Jesus. God’s ways are equal. He will give every intelligent being a chance to be saved.EGWSDQ 69.1
3. When Elijah thought that he was alone, God said to him, “I have reserved to Myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed to the image of Baal.” We believe that God has reserved to Himself a multitude of precious souls, some even in the churches. These He will manifest in His own time. They were living up to what light they had when Jesus closed His mediation for the world, and when they hear the voice of the Shepherd in the message of the third angel they will gladly receive the whole truth. Such will be converted to the truth, and from their errors. But we think we have no message to such now, still “he that hath an ear to hear let him hear.” Our message is to the Laodiceans, yet some of these hidden souls are being manifested.—The Review and Herald, April 7, 1851.EGWSDQ 69.2
Ellen G. White EstateEGWSDQ 69.3
Washington, D. C.EGWSDQ 69.4
May 9, 1982.EGWSDQ 69.5