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Ellen White on Unfallen Worlds and Sinless Beings

Is Earth the only inhabited world in the entire universe?

AdventAI

What are the other worlds Ellen White talks about?

AdventAI

The universe is home to millions of inhabited worlds that have remained loyal to God and have never fallen into sin. These unfallen worlds are majestic, lovely, and populated by noble beings who reflect the image of Jesus and live in strict obedience to God's commandments.

The Nature and Inhabitants of Other Worlds

  • Physical Appearance: The inhabitants of these worlds are of various sizes, described as majestic and beautiful, with countenances that beam with holy joy and freedom.

  • The State of Purity: These worlds have never been tainted by disobedience; they were given tests similar to the tree of knowledge of good and evil, but unlike humanity, they chose not to taste the forbidden fruit.

  • Loyalty to God: Out of the entire universe, this earth is the only world that apostatized and went astray. The inhabitants of all other realms are loyal and true to the Creator.

  • Specific Examples: In one vision, a world with seven moons was shown, where the translated patriarch Enoch resides and visits, carrying a palm of victory and wearing a crown of holiness.

Their Role in the Great Controversy

  • Intense Observers: The holy inhabitants of these worlds have watched the events on our earth with the deepest interest, witnessing the results of rebellion and the contrast between God's government and Satan's administration.

  • Witnesses of the Cross: The unfallen universe looked on with amazement and sorrow at the suffering and crucifixion of the Son of God, which forever settled the controversy regarding Satan's character and the immutability of God's law John 19:30.

  • Confirmation in Purity: While these beings were already sinless, the plan of redemption and Christ's mediation serve to confirm them in their position of purity and protect them from ever falling into apostasy.

  • Joy in Redemption: These worlds rang with songs of gladness and triumph at the news of souls being ransomed from the power of sin.

The Future Privilege of the Redeemed

  • Universal Travel: If the followers of Christ are faithful, they will be given the privilege of visiting all these worlds to view the handiwork of God and associate with sinless beings.

  • Progressive Learning: Throughout the years of eternity, the redeemed will share in the treasures of wisdom and knowledge gained by unfallen beings over ages of contemplation Ephesians 3:20.

  • Unfettered Exploration: Unfettered by mortality, God's children will wing their tireless flight to these far-off systems, exploring the suns and stars that circle the throne of Deity.

The existence of these worlds demonstrates that God is not dependent on humanity for honor, as He could marshal the starry host of millions of worlds to raise a song of praise to His name. The same arm that raised the human family from ruin is the arm that has preserved the inhabitants of these other worlds in their sinless state.

Sources · 26
  1. EGWSRGES 23.1Ellen G. White Statements Relating to Geology and Earth SciencesEllen Gould White
  2. GCB December 1, 1895, par. 17The General Conference BulletinEllen Gould White
  3. YI December 30, 1897, par. 6The Youth’s InstructorEllen Gould White
  4. 1EGWLM 185.2The Ellen G. White Letters and Manuscripts: Volume 1Ellen Gould White
  5. AH 543.2The Adventist HomeEllen Gould White
  6. 1EGWLM 150.4The Ellen G. White Letters and Manuscripts: Volume 1Ellen Gould White
  7. PT August 1, 1849, par. 18The Present TruthEllen Gould White
  8. Broadside2 January 31, 1849, par. 8To Those who are receiving the seal of the living GodEllen Gould White
  9. LDE 30.1Last Day EventsEllen Gould White
  10. PP 78.4Patriarchs and ProphetsEllen Gould White
  11. PP 335.3Patriarchs and ProphetsEllen Gould White
  12. TA 199.2The Truth About AngelsEllen Gould White
  13. YI August 5, 1897, Art. A, par. 6The Youth’s InstructorEllen Gould White
  14. RH January 23, 1900, Art. A, par. 12The Review and HeraldEllen Gould White
  15. MYP 254.1Messages to Young PeopleEllen Gould White
  16. BTS December 1, 1907, par. 4Bible Training SchoolEllen Gould White
  17. RH January 11, 1881, Art. A, par. 4The Review and HeraldEllen Gould White
  18. Hvn 155.2HeavenEllen Gould White
  19. 7ABC 476.2EGW SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 7AEllen Gould White
  20. GC88 677.3The Great Controversy (1888 ed.)Ellen Gould White
  21. Hvn 88.3HeavenEllen Gould White
  22. Ed 307.5EducationEllen Gould White
  23. AH 548.1The Adventist HomeEllen Gould White
  24. TEd 191.1True EducationEllen Gould White
  25. HF 410.4From Here to ForeverEllen Gould White
  26. 7ABC 487.2EGW SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 7AEllen Gould White

Explain more to me about the unfallen beings

AdventAI

Unfallen beings are sinless intelligences created by God who live in a state of perfect loyalty and daily dependence upon Him for their life and virtue. These noble, majestic inhabitants of other worlds have never transgressed the law of God and were confirmed in their allegiance to the Creator after witnessing the true, murderous character of Satan revealed during the crucifixion of Christ.

The Character and Nature of Unfallen Beings

  • Reflecting the Divine Image: These beings bear the express image of Jesus, and their countenances beam with holy joy, reflecting the freedom and happiness of their sinless homes.

  • Obedience and Purity: Their righteousness is conditional upon faithful obedience to God's holy law, a standard they have maintained despite being capable of falling.

  • Atmosphere of Love: The very atmosphere of the unfallen universe is characterized by unselfish love and benevolence, which is contrary to the pride and selfishness seen in our fallen world.

  • Diverse Intelligences: The unfallen universe includes various orders of beings, such as angels, cherubim, seraphim, and representatives or "sons of God" from the different sinless realms.

Their Perspective on the Plan of Redemption

  • Amazement at Sin: Unfallen beings look upon our world with amazement, unable to comprehend the degradation and indifference manifested by those whom Christ came to save.

  • Students of Redemption: The science of salvation is a subject of intense study for all the intelligences of the unfallen worlds; it is a marvel into which even the sinless angels desire to look.

  • Vindication of the Law: Christ’s life in human nature proved to these beings that God’s law can be perfectly kept, forever settling the controversy regarding Satan’s claims that the law was arbitrary or impossible to obey.

  • Sympathy for the Fallen: Although they have never sinned, these beings thrilled with sorrow at the spectacle of human woe and now rejoice with songs of gladness over every ransomed soul.

Future Fellowship with the Redeemed

  • Eternal Association: Those who receive Christ will eventually be brought into close relationship with the highest dignitaries of heaven, uniting with Gabriel, the archangel, and all the heavenly host.

  • Sharing Wisdom: In the afterlife, the children of earth will enter into the joy and wisdom of these unfallen beings, sharing the treasures of knowledge they have gained through ages of contemplating God's handiwork.

  • A Unique Testimony: While unfallen beings have remained pure, the redeemed will possess a unique testimony of conflict with sin and fellowship in Christ's sufferings that will be of eternal value to the rest of the universe.

  • Universal Exploration: The redeemed will have the privilege of visiting all the unfallen worlds, traveling as Enoch did to view the glory of creation and the riches of God's power.

These heavenly messengers and unfallen inhabitants remain intensely interested in our spiritual welfare, co-operating with Christ to restore the moral image of God in the human race. They are God's messengers to all parts of His dominion, and there is an innumerable company of them throughout the countless systems of the universe Hebrews 12:22.

Sources · 33
  1. MR926 25.3Manuscript Release No. 926Ellen Gould White
  2. RH October 15, 1908, par. 3The Review and HeraldEllen Gould White
  3. CET 97.3Christian Experience and Teachings of Ellen G. WhiteEllen Gould White
  4. 1SM 348.1Selected Messages Book 1Ellen Gould White
  5. TA 205.1The Truth About AngelsEllen Gould White
  6. AH 543.2The Adventist HomeEllen Gould White
  7. Broadside2 January 31, 1849, par. 8To Those who are receiving the seal of the living GodEllen Gould White
  8. LTJMB3 11.1The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah—Book IIIAlfred Edersheim
  9. 2MCP 452.4Mind, Character, and Personality, vol. 2Ellen Gould White
  10. SC 30.1Steps to ChristEllen Gould White
  11. 7ABC 476.2EGW SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 7AEllen Gould White
  12. DA 834.1The Desire of AgesEllen Gould White
  13. GCB March 4, 1895, page 447.4General Conference Bulletin, vol. 1General Conference of SDA
  14. Te 63.3TemperanceEllen Gould White
  15. TA 199.2The Truth About AngelsEllen Gould White
  16. WB September 9, 1902, par. 4The Workers’ BulletinEllen Gould White
  17. Ed 308.3EducationEllen Gould White
  18. TA 297.4The Truth About AngelsEllen Gould White
  19. TA 298.3The Truth About AngelsEllen Gould White
  20. ST May 14, 1902, par. 7The Signs of the TimesEllen Gould White
  21. 8LtMs, Ms 48, 1893, par. 16Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 8 (1893)Ellen Gould White
  22. ST July 23, 1902, par. 5The Signs of the TimesEllen Gould White
  23. Hvn 155.2HeavenEllen Gould White
  24. GC88 677.3The Great Controversy (1888 ed.)Ellen Gould White
  25. ST June 20, 1900, par. 11The Signs of the TimesEllen Gould White
  26. CSA 69.3A Call To Stand ApartEllen Gould White
  27. TA 285.2The Truth About AngelsEllen Gould White
  28. Ed 307.5EducationEllen Gould White
  29. AH 548.1The Adventist HomeEllen Gould White
  30. GCDB January 31, 1893, page 85.9General Conference Daily Bulletin, vol. 5General Conference of SDA
  31. 6T 456.2Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6Ellen Gould White
  32. RH January 4, 1898, par. 5The Review and HeraldEllen Gould White
  33. ATNM 18.2Angels: Their Nature and MinistryJoseph Harvey Waggoner

Where are the other worlds located?

AdventAI

The other worlds are located throughout the vast immensity of the universe, existing as countless systems that circle the throne of Deity. While their specific coordinates are not given in human terms, they are described as being situated far beyond the dark atmosphere of our own world.

The Location and Scope of the Unfallen Universe

  • Throughout Immensity: Inhabited worlds are spread throughout the measureless reaches of space, each one engaging the constant care and support of the Father and the Son.

  • The Seven-Moon World: One specific world shown in vision possesses seven moons and is a place where the translated patriarch Enoch currently visits, though his permanent home is the heavenly city.

  • Circling the Throne: These systems of suns and stars are arranged in their appointed order, all revolving around the central throne of the Creator.

  • Beyond the Reach of Sin: These worlds are located in a pure atmosphere where disloyalty and rebellion have never been permitted to intrude.

The Distance and Accessibility of These Worlds

  • A Tireless Flight: To reach these far-off worlds, the redeemed will eventually be given the ability to "wing their tireless flight," suggesting they are located at distances that would be impossible for mortals to traverse without divine power.

  • Visible to the Redeemed: From the vantage point of the heavenly garden of delight, the inhabitants of these sinless worlds will be able to look upon the earth as a sample of God's perfect work restored.

  • Contrasted with Earth: Our world is described as a "speck" and a "dark spot" compared to the bright and glorious locations where unfallen beings reside.

Our Connection to These Far-Off Places

  • The Ties of Intelligence: Despite the physical distance, the world's Redeemer has bound our earth to the heavenly universe by ties of intelligence and the ministry of invisible agencies.

  • The Open Curtain: Occasionally, the curtain hiding the unseen world is drawn aside so that human thoughts may be withdrawn from the rush of life to consider these unseen realities.

  • A Future Invitation: Faithful believers are promised the privilege of visiting every one of these worlds to view the handiwork of God firsthand.

Although we dwell in a world currently separated by sin, the entire family in heaven and earth remains united under one name, and the inhabitants of those distant worlds continue to watch the closing scenes of the conflict on earth with intense interest Ephesians 3:15.

Sources · 11
  1. MYP 254.1Messages to Young PeopleEllen Gould White
  2. Hvn 155.2HeavenEllen Gould White
  3. EW 39.3Early WritingsEllen Gould White
  4. Broadside2 January 31, 1849, par. 8To Those who are receiving the seal of the living GodEllen Gould White
  5. 5BC 1088.7EGW SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 5Ellen Gould White
  6. EGWSRGES 23.2Ellen G. White Statements Relating to Geology and Earth SciencesEllen Gould White
  7. PP 62.3Patriarchs and ProphetsEllen Gould White
  8. COL 176.2Christ’s Object LessonsEllen Gould White
  9. 1EGWLM 185.2The Ellen G. White Letters and Manuscripts: Volume 1Ellen Gould White
  10. BTS December 1, 1907, par. 4Bible Training SchoolEllen Gould White
  11. RH March 12, 1901, par. 9The Review and HeraldEllen Gould White