From Eternity Past

by Ellen Gould White

hardcover book

Hardcover

First published January 28, 1984

About the author

In brief, Ellen Gould Harmon White was a woman of remarkable spiritual gifts who lived most of her life during the nineteenth century (1827-1915), yet through her writings she is still making a revolutionary impact on millions of people around the world. During her lifetime she wrote more than 5,000 periodical articles and 40 books; but today, including compilations from her 50,000 pages of manuscript, more than 100 titles are available in English. She is the most translated woman writer in the entire history of literature, and the most translated American author of either gender. Her writings cover a broad range of subjects, including religion, education, social relationships, evangelism, prophecy, publishing, nutrition, and management. Her life-changing masterpiece on successful Christian living, Steps to Christ, has been published in more than 140 languages. Seventh-day Adventists believe that Mrs. White was more than a gifted writer; they believe she was appointed by God as a special messenger to draw the world's attention to the Holy Scriptures and help prepare people for Christ's second advent. From the time she was 17 years old until she died 70 years later, God gave her approximately 2,000 visions and dreams. The visions varied in length from less than a minute to nearly four hours. The knowledge and counsel received through these revelations she wrote out to be shared with others. Thus her special writings are accepted by Seventh-day Adventists as inspired, and their exceptional quality is recognized even by casual readers. As stated in Seventh-day Adventists Believe ... , “The writings of Ellen White are not a substitute for Scripture. They cannot be placed on the same level. The Holy Scriptures stand alone, the unique standard by which her and all other writings must be judged and to which they must be subject” (Seventh-day Adventists Believe ... , Ministerial Association, General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, Washington D.C., 1988, p. 227). Yet, as Ellen White herself noted, “The fact that God has revealed His will to men through His Word, has not rendered needless the continued presence and guiding of the Holy Spirit. On the contrary, the Spirit was promised by our Saviour to open the Word to His servants, to illuminate and apply its teachings” (The Great Controversy, p. vii). The following is a more detailed account of the life and work of this remarkable woman who, meeting all the tests of a true prophet as set forth in the Holy Scriptures, helped found the Seventh-day Adventist church.

Reviews

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

For years I have searched for a better understanding of the Old Testament and time and time again my search has let me down. I have read accounts from numerous sources but none of them have been as rewarding as this one. My appreciation & insight for the stories found in the OT of the Bible have increased tremendously. The more you read it, the better it gets. My perception of the "God of the Old Testament" has changed and is in harmony with the view of Him in the New Testament. There are so many little gems of insight found within the pages that I have a hard time imagining that someone could read this book and not come away with a richer understanding of the character of God.

At the time of this review, I'm only half way through the book. (5/19) Once finished, I plan to come back and add more specific details/feedback. As for now, what I can say is that if the Old Testament has been something you have struggled to understand, then this book is for you.

Update: I've finished the book and the 5-star rating remains. Content ranges from Garden of Eden to King David's reign. Amazing, amazing, amazing. If you would like some insight on anything in between those ranges then this book is for you.

Note: I'm almost 95% sure that this book is the same as Patriarchs and Prophets. I'm not fully certain but the chapter titles are very simialr and are about the same in quantity. So, if you've read this, pretty certain you've also read PP.