Here's a familiar one that reinforces the idea that the trumpets and seals have a future application and describe the judgments of God mixed with mercy before the close of probation. The future application of the trumpets and seals appear to be this 'little time of trouble' Ellen White speaks of below and may not bear much resemblance to their initial fulfilment:



If all seven trumpets and seals take place of a period of months rather than centuries, I suggest the original fulfilment may not be that helpful to us. The past applications were symbolic, the future will likely be much more literal.

(Is it my browser or computer that's centering all of the text or is it the forum?)

Regarding Revelation 11 Ellen White says it applies to the future, just before the close of probation when God rains fire and brimstone as well as other less supernatural disasters on the great cities of the world.


When you have a chance turn to Rev 11 and look to see how she has applied this. Rather than looking for a future fulfillment that closely parallels our past interpretation, note how widely different her future application is on this chapter. The sins of atheistic France - licentiousness and idolatry - will be the hallmarks of the cities that bear the judgments of God, but beyond that, we have to let the prophecy speak for itself. This quote is one that you, Elle might tuck away in the back of your mind for future reference; it may strengthen your faith in Ellen White’s prophetic gift when this is fulfilled. She is clearly speaking as a prophet here. I would never have applied this passage as she’s done.

I don't think it's the forum.

Thanks for thinking of me Mark and I did go to find what verses in Rev 11 this might refer to. All I can come close was Rev 11:5. Do you think it refers to the fire and brimstone that will destroy the big cities? Hmmmm. I really have a hard time to see that text saying that. Here's some Bible text, in blue are my comments.

To me this text is referring that "fire proceedeth out" of the mouth of the two witnesses(the 144K) and "devoureth their enemies". To be frank with you, I don't know what is that fire. I don't think it is literal, however I was more expecting a two edge sword as they will be prophecizing with power the word of God for 1260 days. But maybe that symbol is uniquely reserved to describe Jesus and that is why it is describe as "Fire" here. These 144K will be speaking by the two witnesses(1. word of God and 2. the spirit). So maybe these two together makes fire in some symbolic ways convicting the hearers by devouring all their wrong pre-conceived opinions. I don't know and it's something I would like to dig deeper and find scripture to explain this.

However, I do believe that Ellen White is right that Rev 11 is futur and her warnings are true that we need to get out of the cities, especially the big ones. In the big cities, there's a concentration of people. I'm sure Satan, when he appears in person with his angels will perform most of their shows in the big cities. Calling fire coming down from heaven will be Satan's biggest miracle to deceive many. God didn't allow the 144K to call fire from heaven during their 1260days of prophesy, but will allow Satan. See the text below :

I'd have a hard time with it too if it wasn't Ellen White. Like I said above, her application surprised me as well. But I don't doubt it will happen.

It's not clear if she's saying that individuals will be called to warn wicked cities before the event, like Jonah. At a minimum she's saying that God will rain fire and brimstone on them because of their unwillingess to listen to the testimony of His two Witnesses, the Word and the Spirit of Prophecy (the SOP in the broader sense.)

I don't think she's saying this! She had written:



In addition, for God to rain fire and brimstone on others because of their unwillingness to listen to His Witnesses would be contrary to the following counsel, it seems to me:



Anyway, back to Rev. 11 and EGW's comment.



I think this verse may have been especially on her mind. You'll notice she wrote her comments in May of 1906. The San Francisco earthquake occurred in April of 1906.

According to Ellen White, the seven thunders of Revelation 10 are also future:

It's not either/or in my view, Tom. It's cause and effect, but behind the scenes God's providences, His mercies and His justice always prevail. God is a lawgiver and yet he is the fountain of mercy. All things work together for our good.

OK, so far we have the abomination of desolation in Daniel, the seals, trumpets, thunders, and testimony of the two witnesses, all future. Those items are found roughly in Daniel 8, 9, 11, 12, Revelation 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11. What about the introductory scenes to the seals and trumpets, Revelation 4 and 5 and Revelation 8:1-5 respectively. Here's a quote on Revelation 5:


That Ellen White above is applying Revelation 5 to the future is clear. The question is, when is she aplying it to. I suggest that if the passage is read in its context she makes a dual application - both to the future. Her first application is to the 'little time of trouble' and the second is to the execution of the judgment at the end of the millineum.

If you're using the phrase that God "rains fire and brimstone" upon those who have rejected His witnesses in the sense that things play out as EGW explained in 14MR 3, then I agree with you, and am sorry if I misunderstood you. Also, I'm not wanting to derail your thread. It's just that I feel constrained to comment in some way when I see certain things.