Patriarchs and Prophets: How it all Began

by Ellen Gould White

As time races day by day toward the end of time, billions crowd and jostle each other on this aging planet. Only a few bore names that were known everywhere on the globe. Furthermore, over the full span of time on earth, only the names of a few endure to be recognized even today. Among those are the giants of history whose stories are vividly retold in this Solomon, Elijah, Daniel, Queen Esther, Isaiah, and Jeremiah, among many others.Prophets and Kings is the second in a five-volume set of books that covers all of human history—from the beginning of time, to the present, and into the future. This book begins with the reign of King Solomon and ends just prior to the first advent of Jesus Christ.However, don’t expect to read here a record of history as perhaps you’ve read it in textbooks. Also, don’t expect the recital of events as you hear of them on the evening network news. For in this magnificent book, we see history as God sees it—not as a series of random and isolated events, but as the emergence of His master plan for those who live on this planet.Prophets and Kings makes clear that above and beyond and behind everything that happens is the unseen hand of the President of the Universe—the Creator of us all. When so much happens and seemingly makes no sense, it’s reassuring to discover that the President does indeed know what He’s doing.

Kindle Edition

First published October 20, 2014

About the author

In brief, Ellen Gould Harmon White was a woman of remarkable spiritual gifts who lived most of her life during the nineteenth century (1827-1915), yet through her writings she is still making a revolutionary impact on millions of people around the world. During her lifetime she wrote more than 5,000 periodical articles and 40 books; but today, including compilations from her 50,000 pages of manuscript, more than 100 titles are available in English. She is the most translated woman writer in the entire history of literature, and the most translated American author of either gender. Her writings cover a broad range of subjects, including religion, education, social relationships, evangelism, prophecy, publishing, nutrition, and management. Her life-changing masterpiece on successful Christian living, Steps to Christ, has been published in more than 140 languages. Seventh-day Adventists believe that Mrs. White was more than a gifted writer; they believe she was appointed by God as a special messenger to draw the world's attention to the Holy Scriptures and help prepare people for Christ's second advent. From the time she was 17 years old until she died 70 years later, God gave her approximately 2,000 visions and dreams. The visions varied in length from less than a minute to nearly four hours. The knowledge and counsel received through these revelations she wrote out to be shared with others. Thus her special writings are accepted by Seventh-day Adventists as inspired, and their exceptional quality is recognized even by casual readers. As stated in Seventh-day Adventists Believe ... , “The writings of Ellen White are not a substitute for Scripture. They cannot be placed on the same level. The Holy Scriptures stand alone, the unique standard by which her and all other writings must be judged and to which they must be subject” (Seventh-day Adventists Believe ... , Ministerial Association, General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, Washington D.C., 1988, p. 227). Yet, as Ellen White herself noted, “The fact that God has revealed His will to men through His Word, has not rendered needless the continued presence and guiding of the Holy Spirit. On the contrary, the Spirit was promised by our Saviour to open the Word to His servants, to illuminate and apply its teachings” (The Great Controversy, p. vii). The following is a more detailed account of the life and work of this remarkable woman who, meeting all the tests of a true prophet as set forth in the Holy Scriptures, helped found the Seventh-day Adventist church.

Reviews

[Josephine Kelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Describes (in detail) the creation and stories of Moses, Abraham, Joseph and others.

[Terry Sexton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read for all. Early history of the earth.

[O.A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very fitting Bible commentary on the early old testament books.