"Present truth" in Ellen White's writings refers to the specific truths that God reveals for each generation, especially those that serve as a test and prepare people for the last days. Here are some key points from her writings: 1. Present truth is progressive and becomes clearer over time: - "Again, the present truth was not then as clear as it is now. It has been opening gradually. It required much study and anxious care to bring it out, link after link. By care and incessant labor, and overwhelming anxiety, has the work moved on, until now the present truth is clear, and its evidence by the candid undoubted." (2SG 204.3) 2. Present truth is adapted to each generation: - "Special truths have been adapted to the conditions of the generations as they have existed. The present truth, which is a test to the people of this generation, was not a test to the people of generations far back. If the light which now shines upon us in regard to the Sabbath of the fourth commandment had been given to the generations in the past, God would have held them accountable for that light." (2T 693.1) 3. Present truth leads to transformation and obedience: - "Present truth leads onward and upward, gathering in the needy, the oppressed, the suffering, the destitute. All that will come are to be brought into the fold. In their lives there is to take place a reformation that will constitute them members of the royal family, children of the heavenly King. By hearing the message of truth, men and women are led to accept the Sabbath and to unite with the church by baptism. They are to bear God's sign by observing the Sabbath of creation. They are to know for themselves that obedience to God's commandments means eternal life." (8T 195.4) 4. The truth for this time is from God and is a test: - "The testing truth for this time is not the fabrication of any human mind. It is from God. It is genuine philosophy to those who appropriate it. Christ became incarnate in order that we, through belief of the truth, might be sanctified and redeemed." (8T 211.3) 5. The clarity and self-evidence of present truth: - "I was shown that the truth once published now, will stand, for it is the truth for the last days; it will live, and less need be said upon it in future. Numberless words need not be put upon paper to justify what speaks for itself and shines in its clearness. Truth is straight, plain, clear, and stands out boldly in its own defense; but it is not so with error. It is so winding and twisting that it needs a multitude of words to explain it in its crooked form." (EW 96.1) In summary, present truth is the unfolding, clear, and transformative message from God for each generation, especially as it relates to preparing people for the last days. It is always rooted in God's word and leads to obedience and spiritual growth. References: - Ellen G. White, Spiritual Gifts, vol. 2, p. 204.3 (2SG 204.3) - Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2, p. 693.1 (2T 693.1) - Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 8, p. 195.4 (8T 195.4) - Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 8, p. 211.3 (8T 211.3) - Ellen G. White, Early Writings, p. 96.1 (EW 96.1)

Ellen White teaches that the union of humanity and divinity in Christ is central to salvation. Here are key insights from her writings: 1. Christ united humanity and divinity to save humanity: - "Christ took upon Himself humanity, that He might reach humanity. Divinity needed humanity; for it required both the divine and the human to bring salvation to the world. Divinity needed humanity, that humanity might afford a channel of communication between God and man." (The Desire of Ages, p. 296.4) 2. The humanity of Christ connects us to God: - "The humanity of Christ embraces fallen humanity, while His divinity lays hold upon the throne of God. We are saved by climbing round after round of the ladder, looking to Christ, clinging to Christ, mounting step by step to the height of Christ, so that He is made unto us wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and redemption." (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6, p. 147.2) 3. The union of divinity and humanity is also seen in the Bible: - "The union of the divine and the human, manifest in Christ, exists also in the Bible. The truths revealed are all 'given by inspiration of God;' yet they are expressed in the words of men and are adapted to human needs. Thus it may be said of the Book of God, as it was of Christ, that 'the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.' ... In the work of God for man's redemption, divinity and humanity are combined." (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 747.1) 4. Christ’s example shows that humanity can partake of the divine nature: - "I, your substitute and surety, have taken your nature upon me, showing you that every son and daughter of Adam is privileged to become a partaker of the divine nature, and through Christ Jesus lay hold upon immortality." (Special Testimonies on Education, p. 220.1) 5. Humanity is elevated through connection with divinity: - "Humanity lays hold upon divine power, Christ dwells in the heart by faith; and through co-operation with the divine, the power of man becomes efficient for good." (The Desire of Ages, p. 296.4) - "God created man that every faculty might be the faculty of the divine mind; and He is ever seeking to bring the human mind into association with the divine." (Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 354.3) In summary, Christ’s humanity connects Him to us, and His divinity connects us to God. Through Christ, humanity is invited to partake of the divine nature, and this union is also reflected in the inspiration of the Bible and in the Christian life. References: - Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 296.4 (DA 296.4) - Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6, p. 147.2 (6T 147.2) - Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 747.1 (5T 747.1) - Ellen G. White, Special Testimonies on Education, p. 220.1 (SpTEd 220.1) - Ellen G. White, Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 354.3 (COL 354.3)

Here are key insights from Ellen White's writings regarding "the wedding," with direct references and annotation text for context: 1. **Symbol of Christ and His People**: The marriage relation is used in both the Old and New Testaments to represent the sacred union between Christ and His people. Jesus viewed the gladness of earthly weddings as a symbol of the rejoicing that will occur when He brings His redeemed home to the Father's house for the "marriage supper of the Lamb" (DA 151.1). 2. **Marriage as a Divine Institution**: By attending the wedding at Cana, Jesus sanctioned marriage as a divine institution and used it to illustrate important spiritual truths (2SP 110.1; SJ 51.4). 3. **Marriage as a Symbol of Union**: Marriage is a symbol of the union between Christ and His church. The spirit Christ shows toward the church is the spirit that should exist between husband and wife (7T 46.3; MH 356.2). 4. **The Wedding Garment Parable**: The parable of the wedding garment (Matthew 22:1-14) teaches that the marriage represents the union of humanity with divinity, and the wedding garment represents the character required to be a fit guest for the wedding (COL 307). 5. **The Marriage Supper and Prophecy**: The proclamation “Behold, the Bridegroom cometh” in 1844 was understood as a prophetic fulfillment. The marriage in this context represents Christ receiving His kingdom (the New Jerusalem, called "the bride, the Lamb's wife") and the investigative judgment that precedes it. The guests at the marriage supper are the redeemed, and the wedding garment symbolizes the righteousness of Christ (GC88 426.2; GC 427.1-2; GC88 428.1). 6. **Practical Counsel on Marriage**: Ellen White also gives practical advice, warning that many marriages are entered into impulsively and without seeking God's guidance, leading to unhappy unions (4T 503). 7. **Spiritual Lessons from the Wedding at Cana**: Christ’s gift at the wedding feast (turning water into wine) was symbolic: the water represented baptism, and the wine His blood, shed for the world. The abundance of provision at the feast symbolizes the sufficiency of Christ’s grace (DA 148.4; DA 149.1; SJ 53.2). **References:** - Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 151.1 (DA 151.1) - Ellen G. White, The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 2, p. 110.1 (2SP 110.1) - Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 7, p. 46.3 (7T 46.3) - Ellen G. White, Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 307 (COL 307) - Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, p. 426.2, 427.1-2, 428.1 (GC88 426.2; GC 427.1-2; GC88 428.1) - Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, p. 503 (4T 503) - Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 148.4, 149.1; The Story of Jesus, p. 53.2 (DA 148.4; DA 149.1; SJ 53.2) If you need more specific details about a particular aspect of "the wedding" in Ellen White's writings, please let me know!