The visions given to Ellen White were intended to lead the Church into a greater understanding of the Word of God, and to correct wrong paths that were sometimes taken by God’s people.

Just as the letters of Paul were addressed to the Church in his day, and often contained strong words of reproof even to individual members, so the testimonies of the Spirit of Prophecy were also intended for the remnant Church. Only a group of people fully equipped with the weapons of warfare—a right understanding of the Word and the good fruits springing from their relationship with God—could bring the saving message of grace to a dying world.

As in the days of Paul, the message addressed to the Church is often misapplied to suit the ends of those who would wish to pervert the truth. Ellen White clearly warns against such distortions:

It will be found that those who bear false messages will not have a high sense of honour and integrity. They will deceive the people, and mix up with their error, the Testimonies of Sister White, and use her name to give influence to their work. They make such selections from the Testimonies as they think they can twist to support their positions, and place them in a setting of falsehood, so that their error may have weight and be accepted by the people. They misinterpret and misapply that which God has given to the church to warn, counsel, reprove, comfort and encourage those who shall make up the remnant people of God. Those who receive the Testimonies as the message of God will be helped and blessed thereby; but those who take them in parts, simply to support some theory or idea of their own, to vindicate themselves in a course of error, will not be blessed and benefited by what they teach (Testimonies to Ministers, 42-43).

Individual messages were often written to those who had strayed from the truth, not in some condescending way, but to assure them of God’s love. Those in the Church who felt no need to work to tell others about Christ were also reproved:

We found that we could do nothing for the scattered sheep near us until we had first corrected the wrongs in many of the members of the church. They had let these poor souls wander. They felt no burden for them. I wrote out pointed testimonies, not only for those who had erred greatly and were out of the church, but for those members in the church who had erred greatly in not going in search of the lost sheep.

The fact that the Spirit of Prophecy is intended for the Church does not imply that it must be hidden under a bushel, just as the writings of Paul were not to be hidden. The world needs to know the truth as communicated by God through His servants the prophets. However, while the truth is for all, reproof and correction is for the Church.

There are some occupying positions of responsibility who have had little experience in the working of the Holy Spirit. They do not appreciate the light in warnings, reproofs and encouragement given to the church in these last days, because their hearts and minds have not been receiving the Spirit of divine grace. These persons are disposed to conceal the fact that in connection with the work of the third angel’s message, the Lord, through the Spirit of Prophecy, has been communicating to His people a knowledge of His will. They think that the truth will be received more readily if this fact is not made prominent. But this is a mere human reasoning. The very fact that this light coming to the people is not presented as having originated with human minds will make an impression upon a large class who believe that the gifts of the Spirit are to be manifested in the church in the last days. The affection of many will thus be arrested, and they will be convicted and converted. Many will thus be impressed who would not otherwise be reached (The Ellen G. White 1888 Materials).

Ellen White herself never claimed the title prophetess, but referred to herself as God’s messenger. She did not, however, correct those who referred to her as prophetess. Her testimonies to the Church were so extensive that all people will find content that concerns them. If accepted, this counsel will bring about that change of character, which God intends for all His children. Ellen White wrote this:

I said that I did not claim to be a prophetess. I have not stood before the people claiming this title, though many called me thus. I have been instructed to say, ‘I am God’s messenger, sent to bear a message of reproof to the erring and of encouragement to the meek and lowly.’ With pen and with voice, I am to bear the messages given me. The word given me is, ‘You are faithfully to reprove those who would mar the faith of the people of God. Write out the things which I shall give you, that they may stand as a witness to the truth till the end of time (Review and Herald, January 26, 1905).

Considering the lines of work which she initiated, Ellen White was indeed a prophet for the Church and beyond.

Did Ellen White glorify Christ and uphold Him as God's Son?