Ellen White's Warnings Against Prophetic Date Setting

The setting of specific dates for the return of Christ is a snare that weakens the faith of God's people and leads to great deceptionCET 77.1+1. The Lord has clearly shown that since the great disappointment of 1844, time is no longer a test, and no definite prophetic period extends to the actual moment of the second advent1888 959.1+1. All such attempts to fix a date only serve to destroy confidence in the truth, as the necessary time of trouble must occur before the Savior appears1T 72.3+1.

Different times were set for the Lord to come, and were urged upon the brethren. But the Lord showed me that they would pass by, for the time of trouble must take place before the...— CET 77.1 (1922)

“The above, relative to time-setting, was printed more than thirty years ago, and the books have been circulated everywhere. Yet some ministers claiming to be ...— LS88 221.1 (1888)

These statements relative to time setting were printed about thirty years ago, and the books containing them have been circulated everywhere; yet some minis...— 1T 72.3 (1885)

... into the error of repeated time-setting. The light of the third message would have shown them that no prophetic period extends to the coming of Christ; that the exact time of his coming is not foretold. But, turning from the light, they continued to ...— 4SP 290.1 (1884)

...amden, N. Y. The Lord showed me that the message must go, and that it must not be hung on time: for time will never be a test again. I saw that some were getting a false excitement, arising from preaching time, that the third angel...— 1888 959.1 (1987)

Setting dates for the Lord to come is a practice that God does not lead, as it results in repeated failures and leads many to deny the true fulfillment of past propheciesLS88 221.1+1. Ever since 1844, the testimony has remained consistent that time-setting is an error and that those who participate in it are both deceiving and being deceivedLS88 221.1+1. Rather than being hung on time, the third angel's message stands on its own foundation and will be finished in righteousness1888 959.1. True believers are to remain in a state of constant readiness, watching and working, without needing a specific date to motivate their serviceTM 207.2+1. While the exact day and hour are not foretold, we are to know the signs of the times and understand that the event is near, even at the doors4SP 290.1+1.

...inite time set by which to test God's people. The great test on time was in 1843 and 1844; and all who have set time since this great period marked in prophecy, were deceiving and being deceived— LS88 221.1 (1888)

... fables,” and those who establish “new tests” (Advent Herald, May 14, 1845). Thus they closed the door to light on the Sabbath and the Spirit of Prophecy. They were confident that prophecy had not been fulfilled in 1844, and some set time for the termin...— EW xvii.2 (1882)

...copy of a vision the Lord gave sister White June 21, 1851, at Camden, N. Y. The Lord showed me that the message must go, and that it must not be hung on time: for time will never be a test again. I saw that some were getting a false excitement, arising from...— 1888 959.1 (1987)

...tic period extends to the coming of Christ; that the exact time of his coming is not foretold. But, turning from the light, they continued to set time after time for the Lord to come, and as often were disappointed— 4SP 290.1 (1884)