Introduction

The terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on September 11, 2001, brought shock and horror to the citizens of the United States of America and to many others. The sympathies and prayers of Seventh-day Adventists are with all who have been affected by the tragic happenings of that day. In view of those events, we are reminded of what Ellen White wrote concerning the need to share the good news of the Gospel and Christ’s soon return to the millions who live and work in our world’s large cities—many of whom are spiritually unprepared for the troubles and destruction coming on the world in the last days.CLD 1.1

Contrary to unsubstantiated reports, Ellen White made no prediction concerning the destruction of a twin-towered building in New York or any other place in the world. She did foresee great disasters of various kinds resulting in the loss of magnificent buildings and many lives in the large cities before Jesus’ return. She spoke of demonic forces exercising their power in earthquakes, fires, and other calamities. She also warned that the time will come when defiant rejection of God’s Spirit will result in the complete removal of His restraining power over such destructive elements in the earth.CLD 1.2

Due to the many inquiries received by the Ellen G. White Estate since the devastating events of September 11, we have gathered some of Ellen White’s statements on the general topic of conflicts in the last days, mostly as found in the compilation Last Day Events and the devotional book Maranatha. This collection has been prepared with no attempt to make any specific application to recent events, places, or individuals. But it should remind us of our own need to be ready continually for Christ’s soon return and of our responsibility to help others also to be prepared. At the end of this document is a link to a chapter from Last Day Events which focuses on how to prepare spiritually for the end times.CLD 1.3