I saw that as God worked for His people, Satan would also work, and that the mysterious knocking and signs and wonders of Satan and false reformations would increase and spread. The reformations that were shown me were not reformations from error to truth, No, no, but from bad to worse, for those who professed a change of heart had only wrapt about them a religious cloak which covered up the iniquity of a vile heart so as to deceive God’s people; but if their hearts could be seen they would appear as black as ever. My accompanying angel bade me look for the travail of souls for sinners as used to be. I looked but could not see it for the time for their salvation is past.

Lt 5, 1849, par. 15   1   2

I saw that as God worked in power for His people, Satan would also work, and that the mysterious knocking, and signs and wonders of Satan and false reformations would increase and spread. The reformations that were shown me were not reformations from error to truth; no, no; but from bad to worse, for those who professed a change of heart had only wrapped about them a religious garb which covered up the iniquity of a vile heart. Some appeared to have been really converted so as to deceive God’s people. But if their hearts could be seen they would appear as black as ever. 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 of their salvation is passed.

Ms 1, 1849, par. 9   1   2

I saw that as God worked for His people, Satan would also work, and that the mysterious knocking and signs and wonders of Satan and false reformations would increase and spread. The reformations that were shown me were not reformations from error to truth, No, no, but from bad to worse, for those who professed a change of heart had only wrapt about them a religious cloak which covered up the iniquity of a vile heart so as to deceive God’s people; but if their hearts could be seen they would appear as black as ever. My accompanying angel bade me look for the travail of souls for sinners as used to be. I looked but could not see it for the time for their salvation is past.

Lt5-1849   1   2

I saw that as God worked in power for His people, Satan would also work, and that the mysterious knocking, and signs and wonders of Satan and false reformations would increase and spread. The reformations that were shown me were not reformations from error to truth; no, no; but from bad to worse, for those who professed a change of heart had only wrapped about them a religious garb which covered up the iniquity of a vile heart. Some appeared to have been really converted so as to deceive God’s people. But if their hearts could be seen they would appear as black as ever. 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 of their salvation is passed.

Ms1-1849   1   2

I saw that the mysterious signs and wonders, and false reformations would increase, and spread. The reformations that were shown me, were not reformations from error to truth; but from bad to worse; for those who professed a change of heart, had only wrapt about them a religious garb, which covered up the iniquity of a wicked heart. Some appeared to have been really converted, so as to deceive God's people; but if their hearts could be seen, they would appear as black as ever.

PT August 1, 1849, par. 12   1   2

This is a very important hour with us. Satan has come down with great power, and we must strive hard, and press our way to the kingdom. We have a mighty foe to contend with; but an Almighty Friend to protect and strengthen us in the conflict. If we are firmly fixed upon the present truth, and have our hope, like an anchor of the soul, cast within the second vail, the various winds of false doctrine and error cannot move us. The excitements and false reformations of this day do not move us, for we know that the Master of the house rose up in 1844, and shut the door of the first apartment of the heavenly tabernacle; and now we certainly expect that they will “go with their flocks,” “to seek the Lord; but they shall not find him; he hath withdrawn himself (within the second vail) from them.” The Lord has shown me that the power which is with them is a mere human influence, and not the power of God.

PT March 1, 1850, par. 2   1   2

I saw that the 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.

ExV 27.3   1   2

3. See the last paragraph of this view, on page 27. The “false reformations” referred to, are being seen, but are yet to be seen more fully. This view relates more particularly to those who have 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 used to be.” 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 rejected the first and second messages.

ExV53 2.1   1   2

3. The “false reformations” referred to on page 27, 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.

ExV54 4.2   1   2

All heaven watched with the deepest interest the reception of the message. But many who profess to love Jesus, and who shed tears as they read the story of the cross, instead of receiving the message with gladness, are stirred, with anger, and deride the good news of Jesus’ coming, and declare it to be delusion. They would not fellowship those who loved his appearing, but hated them, and shut them out of the churches. Those who rejected the first message could not be benefited by the second, and were not benefited by the midnight cry, which was to prepare them to enter with Jesus by faith into the Most Holy place of the heavenly Sanctuary. And by rejecting the two former messages, they can see no light in the third angel's message, which shows the way into the Most Holy place. I saw that the nominal churches, as the Jews crucified Jesus, had crucified these messages, and therefore they have no knowledge of the move made in heaven, or of the way into the Most Holy, and they cannot be benefited by the intercession of Jesus there. Like the Jews, who offered their useless sacrifices, they offer up their useless prayers to the apartment which Jesus has left, and Satan, pleased with the deception of the professed followers of Christ, fastens them in his snare, and assumes a religious character, and leads the minds of these professed Christians to himself, and works with his power, his signs and lying wonders. Some he deceives in one way and some in another. He has different delusions prepared to affect different minds. Some look with horror upon one deception, while they readily receive another. Satan deceives some with Spiritualism. He also comes as an angel of light, and spreads his influence over the land. I saw false reformations every where. The churches were elated, and considered that God was marvelously working for them, when it was another spirit. It will die away and leave the world and the church in a worse condition than before.

1SG 171.1   1   2

I saw that the 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. [The writer of these words did not understand them as teaching that the time for the salvation of all sinners was past. At the very time when these things were written she herself was laboring for the salvation of sinners, as she has been doing ever since.

EW 45.1   1   2

“The ‘false reformations’ here referred to are yet to be more fully seen. The 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 rejected the doctrine of the second advent.”

EW 45.3   1   2

Many look with horror at the course of the Jews in rejecting and crucifying Christ; and as they read the history of His shameful abuse, they think they love Him, and would not have denied Him as did Peter, or crucified Him as did the Jews. But God who reads the hearts of all, has brought to the test that love for Jesus which they professed to feel. All heaven watched with the deepest interest the reception of the first angel's message. But many who professed to love Jesus, and who shed tears as they read the story of the cross, derided the good news of His coming. Instead of receiving the message with gladness, they declared it to be a delusion. They hated those who loved His appearing and shut them out of the churches. Those who rejected the first message could not be benefited by the second; neither were they benefited by the midnight cry, which was to prepare them to enter with Jesus by faith into the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary. And by rejecting the two former messages, they have so darkened their understanding that they can see no light in the third angel's message, which shows the way into the most holy place. I saw that as the Jews crucified Jesus, so the nominal churches had crucified these messages, and therefore they have no knowledge of the way into the most holy, and they cannot be benefited by the intercession of Jesus there. Like the Jews, who offered their useless sacrifices, they offer up their useless prayers to the apartment which Jesus has left; and Satan, pleased with the deception, assumes a religious character, and leads the minds of these professed Christians to himself, working with his power, his signs and lying wonders, to fasten them in his snare. Some he deceives in one way, and some in another. He has different delusions prepared to affect different minds. Some look with horror upon one deception, while they readily receive another. Satan deceives some with Spiritualism. He also comes as an angel of light and spreads his influence over the land by means of false reformations. The churches are elated, and consider that God is working marve

EW 260.1   1   2

Could sinful man repent of his sins in his own strength, there would be no more virtue in that repentance than in the offering made by Cain. Christ is the author and finisher of our faith. If it were possible for man to repent of himself, the virtue of the atoning sacrifice would be in vain. But this is not possible. As Peter bore his testimony before the high priest and the Sadducees, he spoke by the power of God in reference to Christ, and said, “Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.” Repentance comes from Christ just as much as does pardon for transgression. That repentance is a work which man must do without any special help from Christ, is a false theory. The sinner cannot take the first step in repentance, without the help of Christ. He cannot keep the moral law unless Christ imputes to him his righteousness. The grace that works contrition and repentance, as well as the forgiveness of sins, is the grace of Christ. If one step could be taken without Christ, every step in the way of salvation might be taken without him. It is true that great reformations in outward conduct are often made where there is no expressed faith in Christ; many have not even a knowledge of Jesus; but it is a divine influence that makes man capable of any change, and leads him to reformation. This reformation is the result of a blind faith, and the one who changes the habits of his life without an intelligent faith in Jesus, worships he knows not what, but he worships that which leads him to respect his own manhood; and as he takes steps toward the light, increased light will shine upon him, that he may see the sinfulness of sin, and be led to recognize the fact that God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

ST August 11, 1890, par. 3   1   2

Decided reformations should now be seen among God’s people. Let all bickering and strife cease from among church members. It is easy to frame the speech so as to raise a false report against a minister, or other member of the church, but this is not profitable. Nothing gratifies the enemy more than to see the people of God at strife among themselves. We all need the daily, converting power of the grace of God; for many of our churches are backslidden. They do not reveal the genuine Christian life and the spirit of the Master. A hundredfold more might be done than is being done to spread the gospel message nigh and afar off.

Ms 101, 1906, par. 49   1   2

Decided reformations should now be seen among God’s people. Let all bickering and strife cease from among church members. It is easy to frame the speech so as to raise a false report against a minister, or other member of the church, but this is not profitable. Nothing gratifies the enemy more than to see the people of God at strife among themselves. We all need the daily, converting power of the grace of God; for many of our churches are backslidden. They do not reveal the genuine Christian life and the spirit of the Master. A hundredfold more might be done than is being done to spread the gospel message nigh and afar off.

Ms101-1906 (December 3, 1906) par. 49   1   2

It has brought great rejoicing to my heart to see the marvelous transformations that have been wrought in the lives of some who thus chose to advance by faith in the way of the Lord rather than to follow a way of their own choosing. Had those brethren in responsibility continued to view matters in a false light, they would have created a condition of things that would sadly have marred the work; but when they heeded the instruction that was sent, and sought the Lord, God brought them into the full light and enabled them to render acceptable service and to bring about spiritual reformations. When the Lord sets His hand to prepare the way before His ministers, it is their duty to follow where He directs. He will never forsake or leave in uncertainty those who follow His leading with full purpose of heart.

Lt 7, 1913, par. 12   1   2

It has brought great rejoicing to my heart to see the marvelous transformations that have been wrought in the lives of some who thus chose to advance by faith in the way of the Lord rather than to follow a way of their own choosing. Had those brethren in responsibility continued to view matters in a false light, they would have created a condition of things that would sadly have marred the work; but when they heeded the instruction that was sent, and sought the Lord, God brought them into the full light and enabled them to render acceptable service and to bring about spiritual reformations. When the Lord sets His hand to prepare the way before His ministers, it is their duty to follow where He directs. He will never forsake or leave in uncertainty those who follow His leading with full purpose of heart.

Lt7-1913 (May 4, 1913) par. 12   1   2

It has brought great rejoicing to my heart to see the marvelous transformations that have been wrought in the lives of some who thus chose to advance by faith in the way of the Lord, rather than to follow a way of their own choosing. Had those brethren in responsibility continued to view matters in a false light, they would have created a condition of things that would sadly have marred the work; but when they heeded the instruction that was sent, and sought the Lord, God brought them into the full light, and enabled them to render acceptable service and to bring about spiritual reformations.

GCB May 19, 1913, par. 16   1   2

It has brought great rejoicing to my heart to see the marvelous transformations that have been wrought in the lives of some who thus chose to advance by faith in the way of the Lord, rather than to follow a way of their own choosing. Had those brethren in responsibility continued to view matters in a false light, they would have created a condition of things that would sadly have marred the work; but when they heeded the instruction that was sent and sought the Lord, God brought them into the full light, and enabled them to render acceptable service and to bring about spiritual reformations.

RH May 29, 1913, par. 12   1   2

It has brought great rejoicing to my heart to see the marvelous transformations that have been wrought in the lives of some who thus chose to advance by faith in the way of the Lord, rather than to follow a way of their own choosing. Had those brethren in responsibility continued to view matters in a false light, they would have created a condition of things that would sadly have marred the work; but when they heeded the instruction that was sent, and sought the Lord, God brought them into the full light, and enabled them to render acceptable service, and to bring about spiritual reformations.—

MR311 42.2   1   2

It has brought great rejoicing to my heart to see the marvelous transformations that have been wrought in the lives of some who thus chose to advance by faith in the way of the Lord, rather than to follow a way of their own choosing. Had those brethren in responsibility continued to view matters in a false light, they would have created a condition of things that would sadly have marred the work; but when they heeded the instruction that was sent, and sought the Lord, God brought them into the full light, and enabled them to render acceptable service and to bring about spiritual reformations.

GRC 56.4   1   2

It has brought great rejoicing to my heart to see the marvelous transformations that have been wrought in the lives of some who thus chose to advance by faith in the way of the Lord, rather than to follow a way of their own choosing. Had those brethren in responsibility continued to view matters in a false light, they would have created a condition of things that would sadly have marred the work; but when they heeded the instruction that was sent, and sought the Lord, God brought them into the full light, and enabled them to render acceptable service and to bring about spiritual reformations.

2SM 401.2   1   2

An often-quoted statement from Christian Experience and Views has been used to affirm that as late as 1851 Ellen White believed that the time for the salvation of the world was passed: “I saw that the 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.” 65 Ellen G. White, A Sketch of the Christian Experience and Views of Ellen G. White, p. 27 (Early Writings, p. 45); see also idem, “Dear Brethren and Sisters,” Present Truth, August 1849, p. 22.

1EGWLM 53.1   1   2

I saw that as God worked in power for His people; Satan would also work, and that the mysterious knocking, and signs and wonders of Satan and false reformations would increase and spread. The reformations that were shown me were not reformations from error to truth; no, no; but from bad to worse, for those who professed a change of heart had only wrapped about them a religious garb which covered up the iniquity of a vile heart. Some appeared to have been really converted so as to deceive God's people. But if their hearts could be seen they would appear as black as ever. 12 For a study of early Sabbatarian Adventists’ attitudes to religious revivals, see P. Gerard Damsteegt, Foundations of the Seventh-day Adventist Message and Mission, pp. 184-186. My accompanying angel bade me to look for the travail of soul for sinners as used to be. I looked, but could not see it, for the time of their salvation is passed. 13 Some have interpreted the phrase “the time of their salvation is passed” to refer to the “sinners” in the previous sentence and concluded that the vision takes the radical position that there can be no more conversions (Canright, Lindén). That this conclusion is not necessary has been argued by others mainly on two grounds: • An equally plausible reading of this manuscript is that the statement “the time of their salvation is passed” refers specifically to those mentioned earlier who had “rejected God's truth” and “rejected present truth” (Nichol). Ellen White herself, in a comment made in 1854, explains that this expression “relates more particularly to those who have heard and rejected the light of the Advent doctrine.” • Even if “the time of their salvation is passed” does refer to “sinners,” it has been argued that the word “sinners” is used by Ellen White and other contemporary Sabbatarian Adventists in the restricted sense of those who had willfully rejected the gospel and/or the Advent message. They recognized that there were “honest souls” who were not guilty of willful rejection and who would yet take their stand with God's people (Poehler). See: D. M. Canright, Seventh-Day Adventism Renounced, p. 145; Ingemar Lindén, 1844 and the Shut Door Problem, pp. 56, 57; Francis D. Nichol, Ellen G. White and Her Critics, pp. 227, 228; Ellen G. White, Supplement to the Christian Experience and Views of Ellen G. White, p. 4 (Early Writings, p. 45); Rolf J. Poehler, “‘… and the Door Was Shut,’” pp. 126-130; introductory article “The ‘Shut Door’ and Ellen White's Visions”; EGWEnc, s.v. “Shut Door.”

1EGWLM 163.1   1   2

I saw that as God worked for His people, Satan would also work, and that the mysterious knocking and signs and wonders of Satan and false reformations would increase and spread. The reformations that were shown me were not reformations from error to truth, No, no, but from bad to worse, for those who professed a change of heart had only wrapt about them a religious cloak which covered up the iniquity of a vile heart so as to deceive God's people; but if their hearts could be seen they would appear as black as ever. 21 For a study of early Sabbatarian Adventist attitudes to religious revivals, see P. Gerard Damsteegt, Foundations of the Seventh-day Adventist Message and Mission, pp. 184-186. My accompanying angel bade me look for the travail of souls for sinners as used to be. I looked but could not see it for the time for their salvation is past. 22 See: Ms 1, 1849 (Mar. 24), note 13. Dear Brother and Sister, I have now written the vision God gave me. I am tired sitting so long. Our position looks very clear. We know we have the truth, the midnight cry is behind us, the door was shut in 1844 and Jesus is soon to step out from between God and man. The sealing will then be accomplished—finished up. Oh, let us keep on the whole armor of God that we may be ready for battle at any moment. We shall have to fight every inch of ground now. Satan has come down in great power, knowing his time is short; but with the commandments of God written in our hearts and in our minds [we] will go on strong and bold, and although the sons of Anak be many and tall, 23 Cf. Num. 13:33: “And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak … : and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers.” yet we will go on crying, The commandments of God and the testimony of Jesus.

1EGWLM 168.3   1   2

In 1854 Ellen White clarified what she meant in this statement: “The ‘false reformations’ referred to on page 27 [of Christian Experience and Views] 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.” 66 Ellen G. White, Supplement to the Christian Experience and Views of Ellen G. White, p. 4 (Early Writings, p. 45).

1EGWLM 53.2   1   2