James, you've posted many times here, almost 1,200 times and you've read many of the threads. Now that you've had a chance to examine for yourself the reasons for our faith, what do you think about the inspiration of Ellen White? Are her dreams and visions, counsels and reproof inspired? If not, do you agree that the final church will have the spirit of prophecy among them? Do you view yourself as an Adventist, one who expects Christ's soon return? What group would you say has the spirit of prophecy among them?

James, it sounds similar to John Bunyon's "Pilgrim's Progress".
So let me draw some parallels.
In Pilgrim's progress, poor Christian is leaving the city of Destruction and trying to travel the narrow road to the kingdom. He starts out in rather sad condition with a big load on his back, doesn't know the way, and has lots of worries and troubles, falling into a swamp of despondency, confused. Much like your fellow travelers. On his journey he meets lots of people who "try to help" a lot of them offer relief that just gets him into greater trouble.
But one helps him out of the swamp and directs him through the narrow gate and on to the cross.

Traveling the narrow way without Christ and with the burden of unforgiven, sin, indeed is a dreary and rather hopeless task. The traveler needs Christ. But what happens when Christian finds Christ and the cross? His burden of sin rolls away! He can reckon himself dead to sin and alive in Christ. He is given "newness of life" -- in the story it's an actual certificate he is to cherish. But this is not the end of the story-- it's just beginning. -- what does he do next?
No, he doesn't go back to the city of destruction -- he continues on the narrow path to the kingdom. He still meets a lot of trouble and temptations (even Apollo himself comes against him) also more people trying to "help" but their motive is to get him off the path. But he is not left to struggle alone there are heavenly helpers as well.


In parallel to the OP vision -- as long as he stays "on the bridge" or path (anchored in Christ) in spite of all the swirling water trying to make him drift off, he is OK, But a couple times he is swept off, and it is only by grace that he got back on the path (bridge) and continued the journey.
One of the last hurdles in Bunyan's allegory, is actually a very pleasant thing. A beautiful place where Christian can rest and sleep and fall into a stupor of feeling content.
It took some effort for him to rise up and continue the journey.

The meaning of your allegory or dream -- depends on what kind of helper you wish to be?
The other travelers obviously didn't see your help, as helping. What they needed was to spend some time at the foot of the cross, in order to get rid of their burden of sin and travel on with Christ to the eternal kingdom.
The part that troubles me is that you were floating off the path above the canyon.
Interesting that you were "saved by the rails" -- it seems the fellow travelers pulled you back so you wouldn't float away and pushed you against the rails.
I tend to think of the "fence" or "rails" as God's commandments, that show us right from wrong. It seems they kept you from floating off and falling into the canyon below, so you could continue the journey on the narrow way, kept there by the grace of Christ.

Let me run this thought by you all. I've been wondering about this for several months: The manchild of Revelation 12 is born just before the woman flees into the wilderness. In the first application, Christ is born and about 500 years later the church flees into the wilderness for 1260 years until 1798. In the end-times this is repeated. The manchild is a figure of the 144K. They appear at the beginning of and are sealed during the latter rain in Revelation 7 and 14. They are caught up to God spiritually and are seated with Christ in heavenly places. Just before the three angels' messages are given in power they are pictured in Revelation 14 as standing before the throne with no guile in their mouths. They are the manchild, the spiritual Marines that spearhead the final assault giving the 3AM in great power. Others, symbolized by the woman who flees into the wilderness follow their lead and the church of God is gathered into the wilderness.

In the dream, when the three leaders of the church are crossing an overflowing bridge the flood waters almost sweep away the manchild but instead of drowning him, the very same waters (troubles) bring revival and raise the child aloft to dwell with Christ in heavenly places. The angels with mantles on the other side of this testing ordeal have the mantles of Elijah ready for those who pass the test and who remain faithful. James, a man of faith understand this and knowing that the number of the angels is very significant, 144K, he confirms it by counting the number of angels with mantles. What do you all think?

The parallel to the manchild of Revelation 12 is given in the message of God through Moses to Pharaoh: "Thus saith the LORD, Israel [the twelve tribes of the 144K, called the first fruits] is my son, even my firstborn [the manchild, the first fruits]: And I say unto thee, Let my son go, that he may serve me: and if thou refuse to let him go, behold, I will slay thy son, even thy firstborn." Exo 4:22, 23.

The same warning given to Egypt of the impending plagues is given by the manchild to spiritual Egypt - "If any man worship the beast . . . " he will receive the plagues. But the final warning is stronger. Not only will the firstborn be slain, the fathers will be as well - anyone found worshiping the beast.