When did Ellen White say that the 1884 edition should be in every home? Was it in 1884, or at a later date? If it was a later date, then why did she make revisions to the GC 1911 version which she approved of when she suggested everyone have the 1884 edition in their home? I have 84,88 & 1911, and have noticed differences, but this is rather curious sounding isnt it? I think it is.
God Bless,
Will

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As this could be an interesting topic in itself, I have made a new topic out of Will's post. - Daryl

Hello Will,

Have you noticed that four entire pages of the 1884 Great Controversy are not found in later editions (1888 & 1911). These pages introduce the chapter 'The Snares of Satan' with the following words: "As the people of God approach the perils of the last days.." Here are pages 337-340 of 'Spirit of Prophecy Vol. 4' published 1884:

"As the people of God approach the perils of the last days, Satan holds earnest consultation with his angels as to the most successful plan of overthrowing their faith. He sees that the popular churches are already lulled to sleep by his deceptive power. By pleasing sophistry and lying wonders he can continue to hold them under his control. Therefore he directs his angels to lay their snares especially for those who are looking for the second advent of Christ, and endeavoring to keep all the commandments of God.

Says the great deceiver: "We must watch those who are calling the attention of the people to the Sabbath of Jehovah; they will lead many to see the claims of the law of God; and the same light which reveals the true Sabbath, reveals also the ministration of Christ in the heavenly sanctuary, and shows that the last work for man's salvation is now going forward. Hold the minds of the people in darkness till that work is ended, and we shall secure the world and the church also.

"The Sabbath is the great question which is to decide the destiny of souls. We must exalt the Sabbath of our creating. We have caused it to be accepted by both worldlings and church-members; now the church must be led to unite with the world in its support. We must work by signs and wonders to blind their eyes to the truth, and lead them to lay aside reason and the fear of God, and follow custom and tradition.

"I will influence popular ministers to turn the attention of their hearers from the commandments of God. That which the Scriptures declare to be a perfect law of liberty shall be represented as a yoke of bondage. The people accept their ministers' explanations of Scripture, and do not investigate for themselves. Therefore by working through the ministers, I can control the people according to my will.

"But our principal concern is to silence this sect of Sabbath-keepers. We must excite popular indignation against them. We will enlist great men and worldly-wise men upon our side, and induce those in authority to carry out our purposes. Then the Sabbath which I have set up shall be enforced by laws the most severe and exacting. Those who disregard them shall be driven out from the cities and villages, and made to suffer hunger and privation. When once we have the power, we will show that we can do with those who will not swerve from their allegiance to God. We led the Romish Church to inflict imprisonment, torture, and death upon those who refused to yield to her decrees, and now that we are bringing the Protestant churches and the world into harmony with this right arm of our strength, we will finally have a law to exterminate all who will not submit to our authority. When death shall be made the penalty of violating our Sabbath, then many who are now ranked with commandment-keepers will come over to our side.



"But before proceeding to these extreme measures, we must exert all our wisdom and subtlety to deceive and ensnare those who honor the true Sabbath. We can separate many from Christ by worldliness, lust, and pride. They may think themselves safe because they believe the truth, but indulgence of appetite or the lower passions, which will confuse judgment and destroy discrimination, will cause their fall.

"Go, make the possessors of lands and money drunk with the cares of this life. Present the world before them in its most attractive light, that they may lay up their treasure here, and fix their affections upon earthly things. We must do our utmost to prevent those who labor in God's cause from obtaining means to use against us. Keep the money in our own ranks. The more means they obtain, the more they will injure our kingdom by taking from us our subjects. Make them care more for money than for the upbuilding of Christ's kingdom and the spread of the truths we hate, and we need not fear their influence; for we know that every selfish, covetous person will fall under our power, and will finally be separated from God's people.

"Through those that have a form of godliness but know not the power, we can gain many who would otherwise do us great harm. Lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God will be our most effective helpers. Those of this class who are apt and intelligent will serve as decoys to draw others into our snares. Many will not fear their influence, because they profess the same faith. We will thus lead them to conclude that the requirements of Christ are less strict than they once believed, and that by conformity to the world they would exert a greater influence with worldlings. Thus they will separate from Christ; then they will have no strength to resist our power, and erelong they will be ready to ridicule their former zeal and devotion.

"Until the great decisive blow shall be struck, our efforts against commandment-keepers must be untiring. We must be present at all their gatherings. In their large meetings especially our cause will suffer much, and we must exercise great vigilance, and employ all our seductive arts to prevent souls from hearing the truth and becoming impressed by it.

"I will have upon the ground, as my agents, men holding false doctrines mingled with just enough truth to deceive souls. I will also have unbelieving ones present, who will express doubts in regard to the Lord's messages of warning to his church. Should the people read and believe these admonitions, we could have little hope of overcoming them. But if we can divert their attention from these warnings, they will remain ignorant of our power and cunning, and we shall secure them in our ranks at last. God will not permit his words to be slighted with impunity. If we can keep souls deceived for a time, God's mercy will be withdrawn, and he will give them up to our full control.

"We must cause distraction and division. We must destroy their anxiety for their own souls, and lead them to criticise, to judge, and to accuse and condemn one another, and to cherish selfishness and enmity. For these sins, God banished us from his presence; and all who follow our example will meet a similar fate."

Interesting subject yes.
I have an 1858 GC, 1884, 1888, 1907 and a 1911 GC.
There is much in the 1884 that is not in the later books.
If one where to read the 1 SM pages 204-205(originally from the Series B, which I also have a copy of) and one will find that there where going to be book changes.
Question, where was Sister White in 1888. There is also an 1888 Australia GC, which is the exact, same as the 1884 GC. In America the 1888 and those after, there where some great changes made.
Did Sister White really say that the 1884 should be in every SDA home? Yes she did, I will have to dig that quote up for you, but I will. Did Sister White approve of the new GC’s I would have to say no? For she said many times that she would not change what she had written. Also, I have a letter from the White estates (anyone can get it from them) It states that she approved of some word changes and a few grammar changes from what was given to her by Willie C White.(by the way he was the one that prompted the rewriting of the Testimonies to the Church. They came in 31 volumes not 9) these are a few words and some grammar changes not entire paragraphs and pages removed.
For those of you that have the 1884 compare page 405 with the 1911,1905,1907 page 588, the 1888 page 624. Begin in the 1884 first full paragraph and read the next three then compare.
1884 page 278 beginning with “the formation of this image” Compare 1911 page 445.
So many things where changed.
I fell in love with the 1884 and the 1858 GC, there is so much power.

Peace and Grace
David

This is really baffling David. I mean after reading Bacchiocis documentation where it states that Ellen White specifically wanted a revision of the GC which was a result of the 1911 version. Her saying her writings are not to bechanged ans then saying that they are to be changed makes me wonder at what specifically she wanted changed, and asking her workers or people who had access to pre-published material to submit any corrections to innacurracies which is responsible of anyone writing a book especially of this magnitude.
My personal research (if you can even call it that) resulted in learning alot about the Sabbath keeping Christians of the British Isles, not exactly the motherlode of a find, but you know what I am saying. This is based on chapter 10 found in GC 1911 version which made me curious to learn more.
Is there any harm or danger in saying that Ellen White was not a historian, and that our Bible is to be our standard of faith? I believe no its not, aside from it being obvious (about the Bible being our standard of Faith) I dont see it as a bad thing. I mean not many people can say that they are a messenger of the Lord, and what she had seen and the work she has done reveals God's hand in it, and this goes for the pioneers as well whom I personally admire in their knowledge of Scripture.
What do you think?
God Bless,
Will

The book changes are a serious and grievous discovery for honest seekers of Truth. Even in her day EGW rebuked others ('friend' and foe) for misusing her published writings to support erroneous views.

I associated the books of a new order as not being her books, but new books that make Salvation a complacent after thought, and knock down the pillars ofour faith, and reducing Christ as the cool hip guy next door all from within.
The changes to the 1911 edition were done while she was alive.
I will compare the pages you mentioned tonight, its nice to be able to do things like this.
God Bless,
Will

isnt there something about the plagues that has been changed in the GC?

Just as God provided food for Elijah, He will also provide food for us as well in the Time of Trouble. Its scary alright, but you know the end result is to see Christ and be with Him. The morning will come.
God Bless & Good night,
Will

Without getting into what the true understanding of revelation 16:1 is, Ill quote the possible translations for the word that in KJV is translated earth:

Quote:

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1) arable land

2) the ground, the earth as a standing place

3) the main land as opposed to the sea or water

4) the earth as a whole

a) the earth as opposed to the heavens

b) the inhabited earth, the abode of men and animals

5) a country, land enclosed within fixed boundaries, a tract of land, territory, region

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Changing from all the earth to part of the earth is a change in theology, though not one thats unreasonable if only the language of the original greek is considered.

/Thomas