Gift of Prophecy
What Did Ellen White Say About the Sabbath, Rest, Health & the Second Coming?
Twelve common questions, answered with exact quotations from Ellen G. White's own published writings — each cited by book and page so you can look it up and read the fuller context yourself. For how these beliefs compare to other Christian traditions, see Seventh-day Adventist vs. Sunday-Observing Christians.
On the Sabbath
Why did God set the seventh day apart at Creation?
“Like the Sabbath, the week originated at creation, and it has been preserved and brought down to us through Bible history. God Himself measured off the first week as a sample for successive weeks to the close of time. Like every other, it consisted of seven literal days. Six days were employed in the work of creation; upon the seventh, God rested, and He then blessed this day and set it apart as a day of rest for man.”Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 111
Why does the fourth commandment point back to Creation rather than simply commanding rest?
“He states the reason for thus observing the week, by pointing back to His own example: "For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it." ... On the seventh day man is to refrain from labor, in commemoration of the Creator's rest.”Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 111
What did Ellen White say about preparing for the Sabbath?
“All through the week we are to have the Sabbath in mind and be making preparation to keep it according to the commandment. We are not merely to observe the Sabbath as a legal matter. We are to understand its spiritual bearing upon all the transactions of life.”Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6, p. 353
On Rest
What did Ellen White say to those exhausted from overwork?
“Some make themselves sick by overwork. For these, rest, freedom from care, and a spare diet, are essential to restoration of health. To those who are brain weary and nervous because of continual labor and close confinement, a visit to the country, where they can live a simple, carefree life, coming in close contact with the things of nature, will be most helpful.”The Ministry of Healing, p. 236
How did she connect Jesus' invitation in Matthew 11:29 to rest?
“Tenderly He bade the toiling people, "Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls."”The Ministry of Healing, p. 71
What did Ellen White say about Jesus' own pattern of withdrawing to rest?
“Often His incessant labor and the conflict with the enmity and false teaching of the rabbis left Him so utterly wearied that His mother and brothers, and even His disciples, feared that His life would be sacrificed. But as He returned from the hours of prayer that closed the toilsome day, they marked the look of peace upon His face, the freshness and life and power that seemed to pervade His whole being.”The Ministry of Healing, p. 55
On the Second Coming
What did Ellen White say awaits believers once this world's troubles end?
“Pain cannot exist in the atmosphere of heaven. There will be no more tears, no funeral trains, no badges of mourning.”The Great Controversy, p. 676
How did she describe the very end of the great controversy between good and evil?
“The great controversy is ended. Sin and sinners are no more. The entire universe is clean. One pulse of harmony and gladness beats through the vast creation.”The Great Controversy, p. 678
What did Ellen White say makes someone ready for Christ's return?
“Christ is coming with power and great glory... To His faithful followers Christ has been a daily companion and familiar friend. They have lived in close contact, in constant communion with God... They are prepared for the communion of heaven; for they have heaven in their hearts.”Christ's Object Lessons, p. 420
On Health & the Body
What did Ellen White say about the body being a temple?
“The knowledge that man is to be a temple for God, a habitation for the revealing of His glory, should be the highest incentive to the care and development of our physical powers.”The Ministry of Healing, p. 271
What did she say was the purpose of Christ's healing ministry?
“Our Lord Jesus Christ came to this world as the unwearied servant of man's necessity... It was His mission to bring to men complete restoration; He came to give them health and peace and perfection of character.”The Ministry of Healing, p. 17
What did Ellen White identify as the true remedies for health?
“Pure air, sunlight, abstemiousness, rest, exercise, proper diet, the use of water, trust in divine power — these are the true remedies.”The Ministry of Healing, p. 127
Have a Different Question?
These twelve are just a starting point. Search her complete published writings directly to check what she said about anything else.
Search Her Writings →Common Questions
Are these exact quotes from Ellen White's books?
Yes — every quote above is pulled directly from her published, public-domain writings, with the book and page cited so you can look it up yourself.
Where can I read more of her writings?
There's a dedicated page on this site with a full reader, daily readings, and search across her complete published works.
Do Adventists treat Ellen White's writings as equal to the Bible?
No. She herself insisted the Bible remain the sole rule of faith, and her writings are tested against Scripture, never treated as equal or superior to it.
What do the page numbers like "p. 111" refer to?
The standard page numbering used in the printed edition of that book — the same numbering most Adventist literature and the EGW Writings archive use for citations.
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