Messenger of the Lord

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Chapter 15—Timely Instruction and Predictions 1

“As for the prophet who prophesies of peace, when the word of the prophet comes to pass, the prophet will be known as one whom the Lord has truly sent” (Jeremiah 28:9). MOL 150.1

Prophets are not always aware of the time to which visions apply. While in Australia Ellen White wrote to a minister, reproving him for violating the seventh commandment. The minister, perplexed by the testimony because he had not committed adulterous acts, went to W. C. White for an explanation. Elder White reminded him that men may draw fine distinctions in this area but God looks at the heart. Within six months, this minister was dismissed from the ministry for the problem for which Mrs. White had reproved him. 2 MOL 150.2

Also while in Australia she was “shown a large building in Chicago ... elaborately furnished.” She was perplexed when told that “no such building was erected in Chicago.” But she knew what she had seen in vision: “The Lord showed me what men were planning to do. I knew that the testimony was true, but not until recently was the matter explained.” 3 MOL 150.3

How was she enlightened? Judge Jesse Arthur, long-time attorney connected with the Battle Creek Sanitarium, visited with her in the summer of 1902. Judge Arthur told her that her testimony regarding “a large building in Chicago” was plain to him “because he knew that preparations were being made to erect in Chicago a building corresponding to the one shown ... in vision.” MOL 150.4

Later the judge confirmed his conversation with a letter written on August 27, 1902. He was the chairman of the building committee of three: “The committee met [on June 26, 1899] and immediately formulated plans for the purchase of a site and the erection of such a building. I was instructed as chairman of the committee to open negotiations ... and otherwise take steps to raise the necessary funds to purchase the site, and erect the building contemplated.” 4 MOL 150.5

Ellen White wrote to Kellogg on October 28, 1903: “If this view had not been given me, and if I had not written to you about the matter, an effort would have been made to erect such a building in Chicago, a place in which the Lord has said that we are not to put up large buildings. At the time when the vision was given, influences were working for the erection of such a building. The message was received in time to prevent the development of the plans and the carrying out of the project.” MOL 150.6

After receiving these messages, Kellogg turned away from the Chicago project. 5 Thus the reason for Ellen White’s vision was made clear. MOL 150.7