Ellen G. White’s writings emphasize that we are living in the final moments of earth’s history, with prophecy rapidly fulfilling and the return of Christ drawing near. She urges believers to be spiritually awake and prepared, highlighting that the signs of the end—such as wars, natural disasters, and global unrest—are clear fulfillments of biblical prophecy. White calls for earnest warning and active sharing of the message of Christ’s soon return, encouraging both ministers and lay members to reach out to others and help them prepare for what is to come.
Key statements from her works include:
1. “We are living in the closing scenes of this earth's history. Prophecy is fast fulfilling. The hours of probation are fast passing. We have no time—not a moment—to lose. Let us not be found sleeping on guard. Let no one say in his heart or by his works: 'My Lord delayeth His coming.' Let the message of Christ's soon return sound forth in earnest words of warning. Let us persuade men and women everywhere to repent and flee from the wrath to come. Let us arouse them to immediate preparation, for we little know what is before us. Let ministers and lay members go forth into the ripening fields to tell the unconcerned and indifferent to seek the Lord while He may be found. The workers will find their harvest wherever they proclaim the forgotten truths of the Bible. They will find those who will accept the truth and will devote their lives to winning souls to Christ.” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 8, p. 252.4)
2. “We have reached the period foretold in these scriptures. The time of the end is come, the visions of the prophets are unsealed, and their solemn warnings point us to our Lord's coming in glory as near at hand. ... So today the kingdom of this world absorbs men's thoughts, and they take no note of the rapidly fulfilling prophecies and the tokens of the swift-coming kingdom of God.” (The Desire of Ages, p. 235.1-2)
3. “That time is at hand. Today the signs of the times declare that we are standing on the threshold of great and solemn events. Everything in our world is in agitation. Before our eyes is fulfilling the Saviour's prophecy of the events to precede His coming: 'Ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars.... Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.' Matthew 24:6, 7.” (Education, p. 179.4; Prophets and Kings, p. 536.4)
These passages highlight the urgency of the times, the importance of spiritual readiness, and the need to share the message of Christ’s imminent return.
References:
- White, E. G. (1948). Testimonies for the Church, vol. 8, p. 252.4.
- White, E. G. (1898). The Desire of Ages, p. 235.1-2.
- White, E. G. (1903). Education, p. 179.4.
- White, E. G. (1917). Prophets and Kings, p. 536.4.