Great Controversy Notes

Chapter 24, In the Holy of Holies, Pages 423-432 - (1911)

by Walter Rea

It was thought that it would be both interesting and helpful to include Chapter 19 from the "Spirit of Prophecy", Volume 4, entitled an open and shut door because it was the original idea for Chapter 24 of "Great Controversy". It is now a well established fact that the early believers, including Ellen and James White, believed in the closed or shut door and that their God had no more mercy available for sinners that had rejected the Millerite Movement in 1844. In fact, Ellen promoted such an idea in a "vision" from God until into the early 1850's when she and others changed or dropped the idea altogether. This subject, "the closed door", was much talked about and debated in the early "Reviews" and "Present Truths" and were later included in James White's books, "Life Sketches" and "Life Incidents". Much of this material was taken over by Ellen into her "Spirit of Prophecy", Volume 4, but after James Whites' death in 1881, the subject was largely glossed over in the later editions of "Great Controversy", as the ideas concerning "the shut door" had changed.

In this chapter of 10 pages, 29 Bible texts are used, most if not all of them, the standard ones used by the early believers to maintain their belief in the shut door, along with the application of Matthew 25, the parable of the ten virgins, to the advent people, and application which James White gives to it in the early reviews of 1851, Volume 1, Pages 99-102.

1. That the door was shut. The clear light from the heavenly sanctuary that a door or ministration, was opened at the close of the 2300 days, while another was closed at that time, had not yet been seen. And in the absence of light in reference to the shut and open door of the heavenly sanctuary the reader can hardly see how those who held fast their Advent experience, as illustrated by the parable of the ten virgins, could fail to come to the conclusion that probation for sinners had closed. But light on the subject soon came, and then it was seen that although Christ closed one ministration at the termination of the 2300 days, he had opened another in the most holy place, and still presented his blood before the Father for sinners had closed. But light on the subject soon came, and then it was seen that although Christ closed one ministration at the termination of the 2300 days, he had opened another in the most holy place, and still presented his blood before the Father for sinners …Was the door of mercy closed? This is an unscriptural expression, but, if I may be allowed to use it, may I not say that in the fullest sense of the expression the door of mercy was opened on the tenth day of the seventh month, 1844?

"These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth. I know thy works. Behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it." Revelation 3: 7,8.

…This church was about to enter upon a period of great trial. Ant they were to find relief from it, so far as ascertaining their true position is concerned, by light from the heavenly sanctuary…Here was seen the connecting link between the work of God in the past Advent movement…Then it was that our opponents across in the spirit of persecution, manifesting the wrath of the dragon against those who kept the commandments of God and labored to open that had been shut, and to shut that door which had been opened, and thus put an end to the matter. Hence the strong expressions quoted above--"He that openeth and no man shutteth, and shutteth and no man openth." "Behold I have set before them an open door, and no man can shut it." …Some of us held fast this position longer than those did who gave up their Advent experience, and drew back in the direction of perdition. And God be thanked that we did hold fast to that position till the matter was explained by light from the heavenly sanctuary.

White, James, Life Incidents, Pages 204-207 - 1868

1. That the door was shut. The clear light from the heavenly sanctuary that a door, or ministration, was opened at the close of the 2300 days, while another was closed at that time, had not yet been seen. And in the absence of light in reference to the shut and open door of the heavenly sanctuary the reader can hardly see how those who held fast their Advent experience, as illustrated by the parable of the ten virgins, could fail to come to the conclusion that probation for sinners had closed. But light on the subject soon came, and then it was seen that although Christ closed one ministration at the termination of the 2300 days, he had opened another in the most holy place, and still presented his blood before the Father for sinners…Was the door of mercy closed? This is an unscriptural expression, but, if I may be allowed to use it, may I not say that in the fullest sense of the expression the door of mercy was opened on the tenth day of the seventh month, 1844?

"These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth, I know thy works. Behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it." Rev. 3: 7,8.

…This church was about to enter upon a period of great trial. And they were to find relief from it, so far as ascertaining their true position is concerned, by light from the heavenly sanctuary. …Here was seen the connecting link between the work of God in the past Advent movement. …then it was that our opponents arose in the spirit of persecution, manifesting the wrath of the dragon against those who kept the commandments of God and labored to open the door that had been shut, and to shut that door which had been opened, and thus put an end to the matter. Hence the strong expressions quoted above--"He that openeth and no man shutteth, and shutteth and no man openth." "Behold I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it." …Some of us held fast this position longer than those did who gave up their Advent experience, and drew back in the direction of perdition. And God be thanked that we did hold fast to that position till the matter was explained by light from the heavenly sanctuary.

White, James, Life Sketches, Pages 121-124 - 1880

1. After the passing of the time of expectation, in 1844, Adventists still believed the Saviour's coming to be very near; they held that they had reached an important crisis, and that the work of Christ as man's intercessor before God, had ceased. Having given the warning of the Judgment near, they felt that their work for the world was done, and they lost their burden of soul for the salvation of sinners, while the bold and blasphemous scoffing of the ungodly seemed to them another evidence that the Spirit of God had been withdrawn from the rejecters of his mercy. All this confirmed them in the belief that probation had ended, or as they then expressed it, "the door of mercy was shut."

But clearer light came with the investigation of the sanctuary question. Now was seen the application of those words of Christ in the Revelation, addressed to the church at this very time; "These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth and no man shutteth, and shutteth and no man openeth; I know thy works; behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it." Rev. 3: 7,8.

…The passing of the time in 1844 was followed by a period of great trial to those who still held the Advent faith. Their only relief, so far as ascertaining their true position was concerned, was the light which directed their minds to the sanctuary above. As has been stated, Adventists were for a short time united in the belief that the door of mercy was shut. This position was soon abandoned. …Here was the secret of the bitter and determined opposition to the harmonious exposition of the Scriptures that brought to view the ministration of Christ in the heavenly sanctuary. How hard men tried to close the door which God had opened, and to open the door which he had closed! But "He that openeth and no man shutteth, and shutteth and no man openeth," had declared, "Behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it." Rev. 3: 7,8.

White, Ellen, Spirit of Prophecy, Pages 268-275 - 1884

1. Having given the warning of the judgment near, they felt that their work for the world was done, and they lost their burden of soul for the salvation of sinners, while the bold and blasphemous scoffing of the ungodly seemed to them another evidence that the Spirit of God had been withdrawn from the rejecters of His mercy. All this confirmed them in the belief that probation had ended, or, as they then expressed it, "the door of mercy was shut."

But clearer light came with the investigation of the sanctuary question. They now saw that they were correct in believing that the end of the 2300 days in 1844 marked an important crisis. But while it was true that the door of hope and mercy by which men had for eighteen hundred years found access to God, was closed, another door was opened…Now was seen the application of those words of Christ in the Revelation, addressed to the church at this very time; "These things saith He that is holy, He that is true, He that hath the key of David, He that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth, I know thy works; behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it." Rev. 3: 7,8.

…The passing of the time in 1844 was followed by a period of great trial to those who still held the advent faith. Their only relief so far as ascertaining their true position was concerned, was the light which directed their minds to the sanctuary above. Some renounced their faith in their former reckoning of the prophetic periods.

White, Ellen, Great Controversy, Pages 423-432 - 1911


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