Conclusion

Ellen White, commenting on the origin of evil wrote: “To many minds the origin of sin and the reason for its existence are a source of great perplexity. In their interest in these questions, the truths plainly revealed in God’s word and essential to salvation are neglected; and the fact that the Scriptures furnish no explanation, is seized upon as an excuse for rejecting the words of Holy Writ. It is impossible to explain the origin of sin, or to give a reason for its existence….Our only definition of sin is that given in the word of God; it is “the transgression of the law… Sin originated with him, who, next to Christ, stood highest in the favor of God, and highest in power and glory among the inhabitants of Heaven” (Spirit of Prophecy vol. 4, p. 316, 1884). Having said that, she probes right into that mystery which God in his wisdom has withheld from us, in her favourite theme – “great controversy.” Though she flatly denied ever reading ‘Paradise Lost’, the strong parallels found between the Story of Redemption and the Paradise Lost, prove beyond question that she derived her story from the Paradise Lost. The Lord says, “The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream: and he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is chaff to the wheat? Saith the Lord…Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, saith the Lord, that steal my words everyone from his neighbour” (Jeremiah 23:28, 30).  The evidence of parallels between the two books cannot be the result of inspiration or co-incidence, but of deliberate copying. Was Ellen White honest about her source of information? Was she inspired by God?  “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good” (1Thessalonians 5:21)