The Time of Crisis and Prophetic Visioning

Abstract

This study explores the correlation between Ellen White’s, the Great Controversy vision (Lovett Grove, 1858) and Health Vision (Otsego, 1863) in the context of the Civil War (1861- 1865). It argues that the prevailing social, political and religious conditions of American society and the spiritual demise among the Sabbatarian Adventists prepared the ground for the injection of a new prophetic vision at a time of paradoxical crisis. It also aims to show that the memory of God’s providential leading through the prophetic voice is not only relevant to life challenges in the present, but such a memory ignites an inspirational motivation for a purposeful Christian journey in the changing world. More so, it argues that the restored narrative of the prophetic visioning impacts the quality of pastoral leadership and confronts leaders with the challenge to recapture the essence of God’s vision for life in the time of waiting for Christ’s promised return.