Ellen Chat Conversation

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Ellen G. White specifically addresses this question in her writings. She explains that there is a distinction between slaves who have been kept in ignorance and degradation, and those who have known and served God faithfully. For slaves who have been kept in ignorance and degradation—knowing nothing of God or the Bible, and living only in fear of their masters—Ellen White writes: "God cannot take to heaven the slave who has been kept in ignorance and degradation, knowing nothing of God or the Bible, fearing nothing but his master's lash, and holding a lower position than the brutes. But He does the best thing for him that a compassionate God can do. He permits him to be as if he had not been..." (Early Writings, p. 276.1). This means that such individuals will not be resurrected to face judgment or suffering; instead, they will simply be as though they had never existed. However, for "the pious slave"—those who knew and served God—Ellen White describes a different outcome: "I saw the pious slave rise in triumph and victory, and shake off the chains that bound him, while his wicked master was in confusion, and knew not what to do; for the wicked could not understand the words of the voice of God" (Early Writings, p. 286.1; Life Sketches, p. 103.1). This indicates that faithful slaves will be resurrected and delivered at the second coming. In summary: According to Ellen White, slaves who were kept in total ignorance and degradation will be as though they had never existed at the second coming, while those who were faithful to God will be resurrected and delivered. References: - White, E. G. (1945). Early Writings. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald, pp. 276.1, 286.1. - White, E. G. (1915). Life Sketches of Ellen G. White. Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press, p. 103.1.

Thank you for sharing your concern. Ellen G. White’s statements on this topic have prompted similar questions from many readers. She addresses the fate of those who, through no fault of their own, lived in total ignorance and degradation—specifically, slaves who never had the opportunity to know God or the Bible. Her explanation is that God, in His compassion, does not resurrect these individuals to face judgment or suffering. Instead, He allows them to be “as if they had not been” (Early Writings, p. 276.1). In her view, this is the most merciful outcome for those who never had a chance to know or choose God, rather than subjecting them to punishment or a future they could not understand or appreciate. Ellen White’s intent is to portray God as compassionate, doing “the best thing for him that a compassionate God can do.” For those who did know and serve God, she describes a triumphant deliverance and reward. If you would like to explore more about Ellen White’s views on God’s character, love, and justice, I can provide additional references from her writings. Please let me know if you’d like more information. Reference: - White, E. G. (1945). Early Writings. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald, p. 276.1.

You're welcome! If you have any other questions in the future or need more information from Ellen G. White's writings, feel free to ask.

I understand your concern about those slaves who had no choice in their circumstances. Ellen White's writings acknowledge this tragic reality and address the injustice of the entire system. Ellen White clearly recognized that slaves were victims of a system beyond their control. She wrote that "the system of slavery has reduced and degraded human beings to the level of the brutes, and the majority of slave masters regard them as such" (1T 266.1). She emphasized that "all the abuse and cruelty exercised toward the slave is justly chargeable to the upholders of the slave system, whether they be Southern or Northern men" (1T 266.1). The key point in her writings is that **God holds the slave masters accountable, not the slaves**. She stated: "I saw that the slave master will have to answer for the soul of his slave whom he has kept in ignorance; and the sins of the slave will be visited upon the master" (EW 276.1). This means that those who enslaved others bear the full responsibility for keeping them in ignorance and degradation. For slaves who had no opportunity to know God through no fault of their own, Ellen White presents God's response as one of compassion rather than judgment. She explains that God "does the best thing for him that a compassionate God can do. He permits him to be as if he had not been" (EW 276.1). Meanwhile, "the master must endure the seven last plagues and then come up in the second resurrection and suffer the second, most awful death. Then the justice of God will be satisfied" (EW 276.1). Her writings make clear that the entire slave system was "hopelessly degrading" (TT 243.2) and that "God alone can wrench the slave from the hand of his desperate, relentless oppressor" (T07 19.1). The slaves themselves are portrayed as victims who had no choice, while those who perpetuated the system—whether directly as masters or indirectly as supporters—bear the moral and spiritual responsibility. --- 💡 **You might also want to explore:** • What did Ellen White say about God's justice and mercy toward those who never had opportunity to know Him? • How did Ellen White view the responsibility of Christians toward freed slaves after the Civil War? • What principles did Ellen White teach about human dignity and equality before God? --- 📚 **thousands of passages found** containing these search terms — [Explore in Full-Text Search](/advanced-search?q=What+about+those+slaves+who+had+no+choice)