Based on the available sources from Ellen White's books, there is no evidence that Ellen White's first vision in 1844 declared that "the door of salvation was now closed permanently to anyone who had left the Millerite movement." Here are the relevant findings:
- Ellen White's first vision, as described in her own words (see Testimonies for the Church 1:58; Life Sketches, p. 64), focused on the experience of the Advent believers after the disappointment of 1844. She saw a "straight and narrow path" with the Advent people traveling toward the city, and those who denied the light behind them (the "midnight cry") fell off the path into darkness. However, she does not state that the door of salvation was permanently closed to all who left the Millerite movement.
- Historical context from her writings (see
4SP 271.2; GC88 684.6) confirms that, for a short time after the disappointment, many Adventists (including Miller) believed the "door of mercy was shut." However, Ellen White and others later clarified that this position was soon abandoned, and it was understood that Christ had entered upon another phase of ministry in the heavenly sanctuary, not that probation had closed for all except the Advent believers.
- Nowhere in the primary accounts of her first vision or in her later explanations does Ellen White declare a permanent closing of the door of salvation to those who left the Millerite movement.
In summary, the claim that Ellen White's first vision in 1844 declared the door of salvation was permanently closed to anyone who had left the Millerite movement is not supported by her own writings or the historical record as found in her books.
References:
- White, E. G. (1885). Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 1, p. 58.
- White, E. G. (1915). Life Sketches of Ellen G. White, p. 64.
- White, E. G. (1884). The Spirit of Prophecy, Vol. 4, p. 271.2.
- White, E. G. (1888). The Great Controversy (1888 edition), p. 684.6.
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