In reading your SOP statements which you have found, I actually find more support for my initial observation on EGW and this Ascension event: She was given a vision of what occurred but was not told sepcifically when it occurred. This chronological detail was left to her understanding and at first, in e.g., 3SP 202, 203; 206.1 and even in 1SG 74.1 she tied it to the first ascension. However, ca. 20 years later, in DA she tied it to the last ascension.

She also says clearly that Christ was on earth during the 40 days, not in heaven.

As EGW says in DA 793 (notice DA 833 & 834 similarities allusions in bold):


(1) All of these would have occurred again, and that exactly as stated here, at the 2nd ascension.

(2) the Waving of the Wavesheaf of the firstfruits was to be done on the day after passover and not ‘40 days later’. EGW is most deliberate to say in DA 833ff that this is what typologically significant enough, occurred at that “second ascension”

The slaying of the Passover lamb was a shadow of the death of Christ. Says Paul: "Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us." 1 Corinthians 5:7. The sheaf of first fruits, which at the time of the Passover was waved before the Lord, was typical of the resurrection of Christ. Paul says, in speaking of the resurrection of the Lord and of all His people: "Christ the first fruits; afterward they that are Christ's at His coming." 1 Corinthians 15:23. Like the wave sheaf, which was the first ripe grain gathered before the harvest, Christ is the first fruits of that immortal harvest of redeemed ones that at the future resurrection shall be gathered into the garner of God. {GC 399.2}

These types were fulfilled, not only as to the event, but as to the time. On the fourteenth day of the first Jewish month, the very day and month on which for fifteen long centuries the Passover lamb had been slain, Christ, having eaten the Passover with His disciples, instituted that feast which was to commemorate His own death as "the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." That same night He was taken by wicked hands to be crucified and slain. And as the antitype of the wave sheaf our Lord was raised from the dead on the third day, "the first fruits of them that slept," a sample of all the resurrected just, whose "vile body" shall be changed, and "fashioned like unto His glorious body." Verse 20; Philippians 3:21. {GC 399.3}

He enters into the presence of His Father. He points to His wounded head, the pierced side, the marred feet; He lifts His hands, bearing the print of nails. He points to the tokens of His triumph; He presents to God the wave sheaf, those raised with Him as representatives of that great multitude who shall come forth from the grave at His second coming. He approaches the Father, with whom there is joy over one sinner that repents; who rejoices over one with singing. Before the foundations of the earth were laid, the Father and the Son had united in a covenant to redeem man if he should be overcome by Satan. They had clasped Their hands in a solemn pledge that Christ should become the surety for the human race. This pledge Christ has fulfilled. When upon the cross He cried out, "It is finished," He addressed the Father. The compact had been fully carried out. Now He declares: Father, it is finished. I have done Thy will, O My God. I have completed the work of redemption. If Thy justice is satisfied, "I will that they also, whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am." John 19:30; 17:24. {DA 834.2}

. . .

Chap. 45 - The First Fruits
[THIS ARTICLE APPEARED
IN THE THE YOUTH'S INSTRUCTOR, AUG. 11,
1898, UNDER THE TITLE "THE RISEN SAVIOUR--PART 2."]

When Christ cried out while upon the cross, "It is finished" (John 19:30), there was a mighty earthquake, that rent open the graves of many who had been faithful and loyal, bearing their testimony against every evil work, and magnifying the Lord of hosts. As the Life-giver came forth from the sepulcher, proclaiming, "I am the resurrection, and the life" (John 11:25), He summoned these saints from the grave. When alive, they had borne their testimony unflinchingly for the truth; now, they were to be witnesses to Him who had raised them from the dead. These, said Christ, are no longer the captives of Satan. I have redeemed them; I have brought them from the grave as the first fruits of My power, to be with Me where I am, nevermore to see death or experience sorrow. {1SM 304.1}

During His ministry, Jesus raised the dead to life. He raised the son of the widow of Nain, the daughter of Jairus, and Lazarus; but these were not clothed with immortality. After they were raised, they continued to be subject to death. But those who came forth from the grave at Christ's resurrection were raised to everlasting life. They were the multitude of captives that ascended with Him as trophies of His victory over death and the grave. {1SM 304.2}

After His resurrection, Christ did not show Himself to any save His followers; but testimony in regard to His resurrection was not wanting. Those who were raised with Christ "appeared unto many" (Matthew 27:53), declaring, Christ has risen from the dead, and we are risen with Him. They bore testimony in the city to the fulfillment of the scripture, "Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead" (Isaiah 26:19). These saints contradicted the lie which the Roman guard had been hired to circulate--that the disciples had come by night and stolen Him away. This testimony could not be silenced. {1SM 305.1}

Christ was the first fruits of them that slept. It was to the glory of God that the Prince of life should be the first fruits, the antitype of the wave sheaf. "For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren" (Romans 8:29). This very scene, the resurrection of Christ from the dead, had been celebrated in type by the Jews. When the first heads of grain ripened in the field, they were carefully gathered; and when the people went up to Jerusalem, these were presented to the Lord as a thank offering. The people waved the ripened sheaf before God, acknowledging Him as the Lord of the harvest. After this ceremony the sickle could be put to the wheat, and the harvest gathered. {1SM 305.2}

So those who had been raised were to be presented to the universe as a pledge of the resurrection of all who believe in Christ as their personal Saviour. The same power that raised Christ from the dead will raise His church, and glorify it with Christ, as His bride, above all principalities, above all powers, above every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in the heavenly courts, the world above. The victory of the sleeping saints will be glorious on the morning of the resurrection. Satan's triumph will end, while Christ will triumph in glory and honor. The Life-giver will crown with immortality all who come forth from the grave. {1SM 305.3}

The Ascension of Christ

The work of the Saviour on earth was finished. The time had come for Him to return to His heavenly home. "And he led them [the disciples] out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven" (Luke 24:50, 51). {1SM 306.1}

As Christ ascends while in the act of blessing His disciples, an army of angels encircle Him as a cloud. Christ takes with Him the multitude of captives. He will Himself bring to the Father the first fruits of them that slept, as an evidence that He is conqueror of death and the grave. At the portals of the city of God, an innumerable company of angels await His coming. As they approach, the escorting angels address the company at the gate in triumphant tones:--


"Lift up your heads, O ye gates;
And be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors;
And the King of glory shall come in."


"Who is this King of glory?" the waiting angels inquire.


"The Lord strong and mighty,
The Lord mighty in battle.
Lift up your heads, O ye gates;
Even lift them up, ye everlasting doors;
And the King of glory shall come in." {1SM 306.2}

Again the waiting angels ask, "Who is this King of glory?" and the escorting angels reply, in melodious strains, "The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory" (Psalm 24:7-10). Then the portals of the city of God are opened wide, and the angelic throng sweep through. {1SM 306.3}

There is the throne, and around it the rainbow of promise. There are seraphim and cherubim. The angels circle round Him, but Christ waves them back. He enters into the presence of His Father. He points to His triumph in this antitype of Himself--the wave sheaf--those raised with Him, the representatives of the captive dead who shall come forth from their graves when the trump shall sound. He approaches the Father, and if there is joy in heaven over one sinner that repents, if the Father rejoices over one with singing, let the imagination take in this scene. Christ says: Father, it is finished. I have done Thy will, O My God. I have completed the work of redemption. If Thy justice is satisfied, "I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am" (John 17:24). And the voice of God is heard; justice is satisfied; Satan is vanquished. "Mercy and truth have met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other" (Psalm 85:10). The arms of the Father encircle the Son, and His voice is heard, saying, "Let all the angels of God worship him" (Hebrews 1:6). {1SM 306.4}

. . . (actually, by now, at least 5th ascension since Jesus returned to Earth on Resurrection Sunday Evening (=2 Luke 24:13ff), then 8 days later (=3 John 21:26ff), then later again by the Sea (=4 John 21:1ff). ] Clearly God was in Heaven for most of these 40 days as his recurring visits to earth did not last more than one day.

He was with them forty days and forty nights before His ascension. {2SAT 100.4}

Christ was with His disciples forty days and forty nights and then . . . He was taken up from them into heaven; and the multitude of captives were with Him; and a multitude of heavenly host was around Him; and as they approached the city of God, the angel that was accompanying Him said, “Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lifted up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.”. . . {CTr 288.3}

And Christ Himself remained with His disciples for forty days after He rose from the dead, and before His ascension [He] gave them their commission, bidding them go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. {UL 263.5}

For forty days Christ remained on the earth, preparing the disciples for the work before them and explaining that which heretofore they had been unable to comprehend. He spoke of the prophecies concerning His advent, His rejection by the Jews, and His death, showing that every specification of these prophecies had been fulfilled. He told them that they were to regard this fulfillment of prophecy as an assurance of the power that would attend them in their future labors. "Then opened He their understanding," we read, "that they might understand the Scriptures, and said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem." And He added, "Ye are witnesses of these things." Luke 24:45-48. {AA 26.2}

Clearly God was in Heaven for most of these 40 days as his recurring visits to earth did not last more than one day. In that case, then why would he not have had his sacrifice approved by the father as described in DA 833 during that time.

(3) Also if the resurrected one did not ascend to Heaven until that 40-day ascension then where were they all this time. Matt 27:53 could also say ‘“with” (i.e., at the same this as) his resurrection’ (Greek: “meta”) and not necessarily ‘after...”. As EGW describes in EW 184.1, their resurrection occurred: “while the earth was reeling and the glory of heaven shone around the sacred spot, many of the righteous dead, obedient to His call, came forth as witnesses that He had risen.” These descriptions match what was recorded in the Bible on the resurrection in Matt 28:2, 3. EGW says they ascended at the resurrection (I do not see that she says that Jesus ascended alone), then why are they again mention in this supposed 40th day ascension. These appearance of these resurrected ones could not have lasted long, probably ca. one hour, (and they weren’t all buried in the same place throughout the land of Israel), because as EGW says:

“Notwithstanding the lying reports circulated, the resurrection of Christ could not be concealed by Satan, his angels, or the chief priests; this holy company, brought forth from their graves, spread the wonderful, joyful news; also Jesus showed Himself to His sorrowing, heartbroken disciples, dispelling their fears and causing them joy and gladness. {EW 184.3} As the news spread from city to city and from town to town, ”

So if they stayed for 40 days doing this witnessing, their would not have been this perplexity of the disciples prior to Christ’s appearance to them later that evening. They surely would have convinced all of Israel in those 40 days. It is these substantive incongruences that show that the placement of the EGW vision at the 40th day ascension is evidently a chronological mistake.

All heaven was waiting to welcome the Saviour to the celestial courts. As He ascended, He led the way, and the multitude of captives set free at His resurrection followed. The heavenly host, with shouts and acclamations of praise and celestial song, attended the joyous train. {DA 833.2}

And after Christ came up from the Resurrection, what did He do? He grasped His power and held His scepter. He opened the graves and brought up the multitude of captives, testifying to everyone in our world and in creation that He had the power over death and that He rescued the captives of death. {FW 74.1}

With joy unutterable, all Heaven welcomed the hour when the Saviour, at the close of his earthly mission, ascended to the celestial courts. As a mighty Conqueror he led the way upward, and the multitude of captives whom he had raised from the dead at the time when he came forth from the tomb, followed him. {PrT, February 18, 1886 par. 11}

As Christ ascends while in the act of blessing His disciples, an army of angels encircles Him as a cloud. Christ takes with Him the multitude of captives as His trophy. He will Himself bring to the Father the firstfruits of them that slept, to present [them] to God as an assurance that He is conqueror over death and the grave.—Manuscript 115, 1897. {CTr 286.6}

Those who came forth after the resurrection of Jesus appeared to many, telling them that the sacrifice for man was completed, that Jesus, whom the Jews crucified, had risen from the dead; and in proof of their words they declared, "We be risen with Him." They bore testimony that it was by His mighty power that they had been called forth from their graves. Notwithstanding the lying reports circulated, the resurrection of Christ could not be concealed by Satan, his angels, or the chief priests; for this holy company, brought forth from their graves, spread the wonderful, joyful news; also Jesus showed Himself to His sorrowing, heartbroken disciples, dispelling their fears and causing them joy and gladness. {EW 184.3}

While the holy women were carrying the report that Jesus had risen, the Roman guard were circulating the lie that had been put into their mouths by the chief priests and elders, that the disciples came by night, while they slept, and stole the body of Jesus. Satan had put this lie into the hearts and mouths of the chief priests, and the people stood ready to receive their word. But God had made this matter sure, and placed this important event, upon which our salvation depends, beyond all doubt; and it was impossible for priests and elders to cover it up. Witnesses were raised from the dead to testify to Christ's resurrection. {EW 189.1}

All heaven was waiting the hour of triumph when Jesus should ascend to His Father. Angels came to receive the King of glory and to escort Him triumphantly to heaven. After Jesus had blessed His disciples, He was parted from them and taken up. And as He led the way upward, the multitude of captives who were raised at His resurrection followed. {EW 190.2}

For the benefit of the resurrected saints, the Father repeats what He told Jesus forty days earlier.

Ellen clearly says the resurrected saints ministered on earth during the forty days and then ascended to heaven with Jesus.

The eleven disciples were hiding for fear, so it should come as no surprise they hadn’t heard from one of the resurrected saints that Jesus was alive. They even rejected the testimony of the women.

So I am now wondering why she conflated them 20 years in DA. This may be the only case in her writings where her “correction” actually caused a mistake.

M: For the benefit of the resurrected saints, the Father repeats what He told Jesus forty days earlier.

N: Presuming this to be the underlying case, where are you reading this notion in the SOP?

Where do you see that these resurrected ones “ministered” during those 40 days?

Those who came forth after the resurrection of Jesus appeared to many, telling them that the sacrifice for man was completed, that Jesus, whom the Jews crucified, had risen from the dead; and in proof of their words they declared, "We be risen with Him." They bore testimony that it was by His mighty power that they had been called forth from their graves. Notwithstanding the lying reports circulated, the resurrection of Christ could not be concealed by Satan, his angels, or the chief priests; for this holy company, brought forth from their graves, spread the wonderful, joyful news; also Jesus showed Himself to His sorrowing, heartbroken disciples, dispelling their fears and causing them joy and gladness. {EW 184.3}

As the news spread from city to city and from town to town, the Jews in their turn feared for their lives and concealed the hatred which they cherished toward the disciples. Their only hope was to spread their lying report. And those who wished this lie to be true accepted it. Pilate trembled as he heard that Christ had risen. He could not doubt the testimony given, and from that hour peace left him forever. {EW 185.1}

So it seems to me that if the resurrected saints were preaching that message in ministering for 40 days, given that many would know who they were, with the evidence of their opened graves as proof, these mass conversions would have occurred much sooner.

I don't understand why you think she combined them into one description in DA. Please post the passage you believe does this.

I'm using logical deduction. Who else would benefit from it?

I cannot fathom the resurrected saints testifying to the resurrection of Jesus for the first few hours or days and then laying low for the remainder of the time. To what purpose would their silence and/or absence serve? Indeed, the very reason they were raised was to proclaim Jesus' resurrection.

Wasn't it the outpouring of the Early Rain on the day of Pentecost that made the difference? All the witnessing that happened during the 50 days preceding Pentecost could not have had the same affect.

M: I don't understand why you think she combined them into one description in DA. Please post the passage you believe does this.

N: Read the separated accounts of (1) the resurrection ascension+worship halting+approval+allowed and given worship in 1SG (1858) 73-74 + 3SP (1878) 202, 203 and then read the account of solely a royal procession at the ascension 40 days later in 1SG 77-80 & 3SP 249-253. Their they are distinct and do not repeat each other. However DA (1898) 833-834, they are indeed conflated together into one event taking place solely at the 40th day ascension. In fact nothing is said about the details of a first ascension as in those prior SOP accounts.

Jesus refused to receive the homage of His people until He had the assurance that His sacrifice was accepted by the Father. He ascended to the heavenly courts, and from God Himself heard the assurance that His atonement for the sins of men had been ample, that through His blood all might gain eternal life. The Father ratified the covenant made with Christ, that He would receive repentant and obedient men, and would love them even as He loves His Son. Christ was to complete His work, and fulfill His pledge to "make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir." Isaiah 13:12. All power in heaven and on earth was given to the Prince of Life, and He returned to His followers in a world of sin, that He might impart to them of His power and glory. {DA 790.3}

M: I'm using logical deduction. Who else would benefit from it?

N: Still I do not see this as a logical deduction, i.e., a entire royal procession involving all of the angels solely for (24) resurrected redeemed people. I rather see that the prior ascension and worship was deemed not worthy enough by the angels and they here, effectively threw Jesus a more fitting, (perhaps even “surprise”) celebration and ceremony, indeed welcoming him to his thrown as he deserved. Also the mentioned ‘great preoccupation’ of Christ for his heartbroken and confused disciples, which EGW pointedly ‘was shown’|“saw” (1SG 74.1) may have dimmed the mood of the first celebration so it was redone those 40 days later when everything was finally, conclusively resolved on earth.

N: I agree with you that EW 184.3 speak of the work that the resurrected ones did, however I do not see there that this lasted for 40 days. ‘News spreading (i.e., e.g., by horse-riding messengers) from city to city and from town to town’ could only take a few hours and does not necessarily imply “40 days”

M: I cannot fathom the resurrected saints testifying to the resurrection of Jesus for the first few hours or days and then laying low for the remainder of the time. To what purpose would their silence and/or absence serve? Indeed, the very reason they were raised was to proclaim Jesus' resurrection.

N: Why would this be so hard to “fathom”?? To me the Biblical evidence in terms of conversion points to a short and most limited work. God usually uses “faith” rather than such powerful demonstration to convince people. However He usually does start this work of faith with a strong demonstration that is then taken away so that the needed “faith” will prevail. Having resurrected “glorified” bodies (EW 184.1), possibly very similar to Christ’s own, they may have been able to disappear at will as Christ was able to. So will they may have remained on earth all of this time, they may have remained “unseen”. I however rather believe that they were led by God to a secluded retreat, which would not be that hard to find, awaiting these 40 days of final sorting out before their ascension.

M: Wasn't it the outpouring of the Early Rain on the day of Pentecost that made the difference? All the witnessing that happened during the 50 days preceding Pentecost could not have had the same affect.

N: That would, “unTheologically”, mean that it was the Spirit that convinced these priorly non-believing people to here believe. I do not see a precedence of this in the Bible. Rather I see the Holy Spirit was solely poured out on the disciples, and as stated in this blog post with the Jews then being devote Jews who thus probably spoke Hebrew/Aramaic, at least, the ability of the disciples to speak in their various foreign languages, was merely done to impress them.

Moreover, if it was the Holy Spirit that caused these non-believer to accept this message, it was extremely selective as only 3000 out of hundreds of thousands believed. In fact, some in the audience mockingly thought the disciples were drunk (Acts 2:13ff).

Also, as the outpouring of the Holy Spirit here was merely on the disciples and as a sign to these unbelievers, what is more “convincing”: speaking to perhaps Jeremiah, Joshua, Abraham and/or John the Baptist, or hearing someone speak in your native tongue, with both saying the exact same message? Seems to me that a sustained, day in/day out, public, 40-day ministry of the resurrected saints prior to that Pentecost event would have had much more of a “convincing” impact, indeed as it would have been more visibly ascertainable through such live witnesses.

Are Ellen White's writings the final authority on prophetic, doctrinal, or historical interpretation?

She does not combine the first and second ascensions on page 834. Both ascensions are covered separately.

Fair enough. She didn't explain why parts were repeated.

Yes, much ground would have been covered rapidly within a few hours.

Interesting. To what purpose, though, did they disappear and remain out of sight?

I think you are undervaluing what happened on the day of Pentecost. Perhaps we should study it in more detail on a new thread.

Yes! However, it serves the student well to study the sources Ellen cited in her books. Having done so myself I was amazed to discover how often those books arrived at conclusions completely opposite of the ones Ellen came to. Even reading the sermons William Miller preached during the Millerite Movement and comparing them to the conclusions Ellen arrived at later on is startling.

Did Ellen White view her writings as the final authority for any prophetic, doctrinal, or historical interpretation of Scripture?