What does Ellen White write about...
Adventistische Schriften über: "The significance of Matthew 24:36 in end‑time prophecy"
Answer
Matthew 24:36 states that no one knows the exact day or hour of Christ’s return, but this text must not be misused to neglect the study of the signs of the times. While the exact timing is deliberately concealed, believers are nevertheless obligated to discern, based on biblical prophecies, when the event is near at hand. Ignoring these warnings is described as equally fatal as the ignorance of people in Noah’s time before the Flood.
The warning against misuse of the text
»No one knows the day or the hour" was the argument most often put forward by those who rejected the Advent belief. The scripture reads: "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, but only my Father." ... A statement of the Redeemer must not be used to destroy another. Although no one knows the day or hour of His coming, we are instructed and obligated to know when it is near.«
Distinguishing between exact timing and nearness
»The exact time of Christ’s return has been intentionally hidden from humanity. ... Many hastily conclude from this text that nothing at all can be determined about the period of the second Advent. Yet by taking this position they are greatly mistaken ... With the same certainty with which we know that summer is near when we see buds and leaves sprouting in spring, we may know that Christ is at the door.«
The importance of vigilance
»Because we do not know the exact time of His coming, we are commanded to watch. ... The expectation of Christ’s return should awaken in people the fear of the Lord and His judgments over transgressions. ... Because they know that the Lord is at the door, their zeal is revived to cooperate with the divine beings in the rescue of souls.«
God will reveal the timing
»An old English version of the passage reads: "No man knows the day or the hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." ... The word "know" is used here in the same sense as with Paul ... [in the sense of] "make known". People will not make the day and hour known, angels will not make them known, nor the Son; but the Father will make them known.«
Dangers of fixing the time
»The exact time of our Lord’s coming has been declared as beyond human knowledge. Even the angels who serve those destined to inherit salvation know neither the day nor the hour. ... We are not to know the exact time either for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit or for Christ’s coming. Why did God not give us this knowledge? Because we would not make proper use of it if He did.«
Original Sources (English)
Stephan Krol
Founder of EGW Vision
Why I built EGW Vision
Hello, I am Stephan Krol. I started this Ellen White website to make the writings of Ellen G. White and the Adventist pioneers easier to access for everyone.
EGW Vision helps you find topics, statements, and quotes faster, especially when many original sources are not yet fully available in your language. The tool searches semantically, groups relevant content by topic, and presents matching results as clearly as possible in your language.
My hope is that this tool supports personal Bible study, strengthens trust in the original sources, and helps more people discover the message of these writings with clarity, depth, and joy.
