What does EGW write about...
Adventistische Schriften über: "In the book "The Acts of the Apostles" (Das Wirken der Apostel) in the chapter "Written by Rome ..." on page 468 or 472, depending on the edition, it is written... the Son of God humbled himself to lift up the fallen. He left the sinless worlds in the heights, the ninety‑nine, who loved him... many interpreters are convinced that this is exactly the number of the unfallen worlds. Others adhere to the view that this is merely a symbolic picture, that here the verse in Luke 15:4 is quoted, speaking of the 99 sheep. It is also interesting that nowhere else in Ellen White's writings is there mention of 99 worlds. Question: how is this to be understood, are there 99 worlds?"
Answer
In Ellen White's writings, the number ninety‑nine, in connection with the “sinless worlds,” is used as an application of the parable of the lost sheep from Luke 15. These worlds represent the entire remaining universe that has remained faithful to God, while our world is considered the one lost sheep that Christ came to save. The number primarily serves to illustrate God's immeasurable love, who left His glory to seek a single fallen world amid a loyal universe.
The ninety‑nine sinless worlds
The Son of God bent down to lift up the fallen. For this He left the sinless worlds in the heights, the ninety‑nine, who loved Him, and came to this earth to be “wounded because of our misdeed” and “crushed because of our sin.”
The universe as witness of redemption
This tiny speck of a world was the setting of the Incarnation and the suffering of the Son of God. Christ did not go to the unfallen worlds, but He came to this world, which was completely scorched and disfigured by the curse. ... We must remember the great joy the Shepherd shows over the regaining of the lost.
Illustration through the parable of the lost sheep
The beautiful parable that Christ told of the one lost sheep, of the shepherd who left the ninety‑nine to seek the lost, illustrates the care of the great Shepherd. ... He counts and recounts the flock, and when he is certain that a sheep is lost, he does not slumber.
The purpose behind the plan of redemption
But the plan of redemption had an even further and deeper purpose than the salvation of humanity. ... it occurred to vindicate God's character before the entire universe. To this result of His great sacrifice – His influence on the intelligences of other worlds as well as on humanity – the Savior looked ahead.
- Unfallen worlds
- Parable of the lost sheep
- Redemption plan universe
Original Sources (English)
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