Why Follow Christ While Also Following a False Prophet? by Pastor Leonardo Balberan

Seventh-day Adventists say they follow Jesus and that the Bible is their only guide. But it's strange that many of their special beliefs come from Ellen G. White, a woman they call a prophetess. Her writings seem to be more important than the Bible in how they actually live and believe. This is a big problem and doesn't make sense.

The Big Problem in Their Beliefs

The Adventist Church's belief number 18, "The Gift of Prophecy," says:

"Prophecy is a gift from the Holy Spirit. This gift shows who the true church is and was seen in Ellen G. White's work... Her writings are a continuous and true source of truth..."

Did you see that? It says "authoritative source of truth," not just "helpful." They then try to say her writings are less important than the Bible. But how can something be less important if it's always used to create, correct, and carry out their beliefs? That's not less important; that's actually being in charge.

The Obvious Failures of Ellen G. White's Prophecies

If we judge a tree by its fruit, Ellen White's record as a prophet should make anyone looking for the truth stop and think. She made many predictions that didn't come true, and no matter how much they try to cover it up, the bad signs are clear.

Here are a few examples:

• The 1845 Vision (Salvation's Door): Ellen White said she saw in a vision that the "door" to salvation closed in 1844. But later, Adventist teachings admitted this was wrong. If her vision was wrong and they later changed their minds, then she was clearly a false prophet. The Bible says a true prophet must be perfect in their predictions (Deuteronomy 18:22).

• 1851 Prediction (Christ's Return): She wrote, "Time is almost finished... my angel told me, ‘Get ready, get ready, get ready.’" But time kept going, and Jesus didn't return.

• The Famous 1856 Prophecy: At a meeting, White boldly said that some people there would "go to heaven without dying." But everyone at that meeting has been dead for a long time. No one goes to heaven without dying.

• Civil War and the End of the World: White said the American Civil War would lead to Jesus' second coming. She wrote, "When England declares war... then all nations will be involved in the battle; and it will not be long until Michael stands up." But England never declared war, and Jesus didn't return.
  
  
• The San Francisco "Tower": After the 1906 earthquake, White said it fulfilled a vision of "great balls of fire" falling on cities. But her description doesn't really fit, and it wasn't connected to any biblical timeline. She just fit old, unclear visions to new events, which is what fake prophets do.

• The Lucinda Burdick Story: Lucinda Burdick, who lived at the same time as Ellen White, said that Ellen once told her directly that the Lord would return in a specific month. The exact month is unknown, but the date passed without Jesus returning. This simple story is very damaging. When someone speaks for God and their words don't come true, it's not just an honest mistake. God's Word in Deuteronomy 18:22 is clear: a failed prophecy, even if given sincerely, means the prophet is not from God.
  
  

What the Bible Says About Prophets

God takes prophecy seriously. Deuteronomy 18:20-22 is God's test. If a prophet speaks in God's name, and what they say doesn't happen, then don't be afraid of that prophet. The Hebrew word in Deuteronomy 18:22 means a real "thing, event, or word." If "the thing doesn't happen," it means a real event that can be checked, not just a symbol that can be explained differently later.

Also, the Bible says Jesus fulfilled the Old Law, meaning He brought it to its planned end (Matthew 5:17). The Old Law was like a teacher leading us to Christ (Galatians 3:24), but once we have faith, we are no longer under that teacher (verse 25). Jesus didn't continue the Law; He ended its purpose and function (Romans 10:4).

Adventists rely on Ellen White for their understanding of things like the Investigative Judgment, health reform, the idea of a "remnant church," and the Sabbath being an important sign of the end times. This puts her words in direct competition with Jesus. Ironically, they say "Bible alone," but in practice, they follow "Ellen alone."

The New Replaced the Old

Hebrews 8:13 clearly states: "When He says, ‘A new covenant,’ He has made the first one old. What is becoming old and worn out is ready to disappear." The Greek word for "obsolete" means something worn out, old-fashioned, and not useful anymore. The old ways of the Old Covenant, including how prophets worked and the temple ideas that Ellen White tried to bring back with the Investigative Judgment, are gone. Jesus is the temple (John 2:21), Jesus is the priest (Hebrews 4:14), Jesus is the final sacrifice (Hebrews 10:10), and Jesus Himself is our Sabbath rest (Matthew 11:28 and Hebrews 4:9-10).

To say you follow Jesus while holding onto a woman who had failed visions, set dates for Jesus' return that didn't happen, and created new rules outside the Bible is foolish, not faithful. It's like saying you sail by the stars but are using a broken compass.

A Clear Message About Jesus

The Good News (Gospel) isn't about being part of an elite "remnant," being super strict about the Sabbath, or worrying about an investigative judgment. It's about what Jesus has already finished. When He cried "It is finished" in John 19:30, it meant the full payment was made, and the old way of getting saved was over. There's no heavenly sanctuary that a 19th-century prophetess needs to explain. The curtain in the temple was torn (Matthew 27:51). The old ways are gone.

So, why do Adventists claim to follow Christ while also believing a prophetess whose record doesn't meet Bible standards? There's no good reason. It shows confusion, not strong faith. If Jesus is truly enough, then Ellen White is not needed. And if she is needed, then their claim to follow only the Bible falls apart.

Let those who listen, hear. And let the words of Christ fill them richly, without the extra burden of human stories pretending to be from God.