Helio Carnassale
During times of crisis and tension, Adventists often renew their interest in end-time events—a topic that should always be the focus of continuous and careful reflection. Ellen G. White, the Lord's messenger and co-founder of the Seventh-day Adventist Church recommended: “Great pains should be taken to keep this subject before the people.”1 However, when threatening situations arise, various eschatological references emerge, including those urging the immediate departure from large cities. This article examines what has been revealed on this topic in the inspired writings.
Observing how God cares for His children and how divine guidance serves as a blessing for every situation in life is comforting. In 2 Chronicles 36:15, we read that the Lord sent messengers “because He had compassion on His people.” His initiative to communicate through prophets (Num. 12:6; Heb. 1:1) reflects His merciful compassion. Believing in the testimony of these messengers and accepting the modern manifestation of the prophetic gift is a distinguishing mark of the remnant (Rev. 12:17; 19:10).
Theologian Denis Fortin, one of the editors of the Ellen G. White Encyclopedia, highlights the main arguments behind Ellen G. White's calls for Adventist families to relocate to rural areas, referencing quotes from Country Living, published in 1946. Fortin explains that most of these counsels were written between 1890 and 1910, aimed at encouraging a simpler lifestyle, character development, and improved physical, mental, and spiritual health.2
A balanced and thoughtful approach to this topic should consider at least four aspects: (1) The recommendation of country living, along with its advantages and challenges; (2) fleeing large cities in the context of the Sunday law; (3) the timing for selling properties; and (4) the evangelistic commitment of the Adventist Church.
1. The Recommendation of Country Living: Advantages and Challenges
Ellen G. White left numerous recommendations—along with corresponding reasons—so that Seventh-day Adventists might choose to live close to nature. She wrote on this subject multiple times, and these counsels are recorded in many of her books, closely associated with the proposal to practice a healthy lifestyle alongside other conditions that contribute to character development.
Besides the dangers and risks of living in large cities, country living has many benefits. These include (1) providing a better environment for families and the education of children; (2) creating opportunities for enhanced spiritual and missionary life; (3) distancing oneself from harmful and tempting urban influences; (4) facilitating character building; (5) offering physical, mental, and spiritual benefits for all family members; (6) promoting land cultivation and self-sufficiency in food production; and (7) allowing direct contact with God's creation in nature.
In 1903, she wrote: “Get out of the cities as soon as possible and purchase a little piece of land where you can have a garden, where your children can watch the flowers growing and learn from them lessons of simplicity and purity.”3 This paragraph addresses the issue raised in this first point, suggesting that the time to leave large cities should be as soon as possible. This can be clearly understood by reading Country Living (Southern Publishing Association, 1977) or the chapter “The Cities” in Last Day Events (Pacific Press, 2011), both compilations of Ellen G. White's writings.
The exhortation to leave the cities as soon as possible, like many of Ellen G. White's other counsels, is rooted in the conviction of Christ's imminent return and the urgency of spreading the gospel, which characterized the Adventist pioneers. However, she also acknowledged that some might find it difficult to leave everything immediately. Without condemning them, she advised these believers: “until it is possible for them to leave, so long as they remain, they should be most active in doing missionary work, however limited their sphere of influence may be.”4
Thus, while Ellen G. White urges an early departure from the cities, she also acknowledges the existence of acceptable circumstantial impediments and recommends active missionary work. Her instructions should be carefully evaluated and planned, considering the move and the personal nature of this decision.
In Chapter VII of Country Living, there is a letter she wrote in 1892 in response to the news that many families were preparing to leave the city of Battle Creek, which was the Adventist headquarters at the time. Two excerpts from this letter will be analyzed. First, she recommends careful assessment: “My brother, that there are many who are stirred deeply to move out of Battle Creek. There is need, great need, of this work being done, and now. Those who have felt at last to make a move, let it not be in a rush, in an excitement, or in a rash manner, or in a way that hereafter they will deeply regret that they did move out… .”5
Second, she advises acting with planning and caution: “Let there be nothing done in a disorderly manner, that there shall be a great loss or sacrifice made upon property because of ardent, impulsive speeches which stir up an enthusiasm which is not after the order of God, that a victory that was essential to be gained, shall, for lack of level-headed moderation and proper contemplation and sound principles and purposes, be turned into a defeat.”6
She also offered this valuable counsel: “There may be individuals who will make a rush to do something, and enter into some business they know nothing about. This God does not require. Think candidly, prayerfully, studying the Word with all carefulness and prayerfulness, with mind and heart awake to hear the voice of God.”7
Therefore, the decision regarding the timing to leave large cities is an individual response, resulting from communion with God through careful evaluation and planning—not from the pressure of heated and alarmist rhetoric.
2. Fleeing Large Cities in the Context of the Sunday Law
To gain a broader perspective, the Sunday law must be introduced as an additional element related to the lifestyle recommendation previously discussed.
In two testimonies written in 1885, Ellen G. White strongly called for Adventist believers to deepen their commitment to the mission. In these chapters, the Sunday law is mentioned three times:
1. “The decree which is to go forth against the people of God will be very similar to that issued by Ahasuerus against the Jews in the time of Esther. The Persian edict sprang from the malice of Haman toward Mordecai. Not that Mordecai had done him harm, but he had refused to show him reverence which belongs only to God.”8
2. “As the approach of the Roman armies was a sign to the disciples of the impending destruction of Jerusalem, so may this apostasy be a sign to us that the limit of God's forbearance is reached, that the measure of our nation's iniquity is full, and that the angel of mercy is about to take her flight, never to return.”9
3. “As the siege of Jerusalem by the Roman armies was the signal for flight to the Judean Christians, so the assumption of power on the part of our nation in the decree enforcing the papal sabbath will be a warning to us. It will then be time to leave the large cities, preparatory to leaving the smaller ones for retired homes in secluded places among the mountains.”10
To fully understand this, one should study Ellen G. White's various statements gathered in Last Day Events to gain a comprehensive understanding of the decree's nature and characteristics and avoid confusing it with other Sunday laws.
For the early Christian Jews, the sign to flee Jerusalem was when it was surrounded, despite the apparent impossibility. There was a window of time between the first siege by Cestius—who unexpectedly withdrew, providing an escape opportunity as Christ had indicated—and the arrival of General Titus, who led the Roman troops to take the city.11 The first siege was the signal. Similarly, Adventists must be attentive to the signs of the imposition of a Sunday law so that when it is enforced, many will have already followed the counsel, and this flight will be for those who, for legitimate reasons, could not leave earlier.
In Country Living, the paragraph quoted above belongs to the last chapter titled “Emergency Flight in Closing Conflict,”12 indicating the editors’ understanding that this will be the final moment to leave the large cities when the end of the end-time is near. The following phrase is found in this section: “Erelong there will be such strife and confusion in the cities, that those who wish to leave them will not be able.”13
No details are revealed about how God's people will live between the Sunday law and the close of probation. By reading Ellen G. White's third quote carefully, one can observe that living in rural areas and small cities will still be possible until the death decree is issued. But what will those days be like? How will people be sustained? Will it already be time to sell properties, houses, and lands to use resources for the gospel work before abandoning everything and fleeing to isolated places among the mountains? There is simply no revelation answering these questions unless the Lord provides guidance on when and how much of the properties should be sold, as will be discussed next. What an opportunity to exercise faith and trust in Him who cannot err and who, as a loving Father, promises to care for His children!
Thus, it is clear that leaving the large cities refers to three different circumstances: (1) Seeking the recommended lifestyle to follow the counsel at any time, as soon as possible; (2) the divine command to flee large centers upon the Sunday law; and (3) the time when it will no longer be possible to leave.
3. The Timing of Selling Properties
Another crucial aspect is determining the appropriate timing for selling properties, whether located in cities or the countryside. God revealed details through the prophetic gift, confirming that “Surely the Lord God does nothing unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets” (Amos 3:7). As with any other topic, if a statement is taken out of context, it may lead to a hasty and erroneous conclusion. The guidance is very clear, consistent, and sufficient, but it requires a comprehensive understanding of all the statements.
“God calls upon those who have possessions in lands and houses, to sell and to invest the money where it will be supplying the great want in the missionary field… . There are poor men and women who are writing to me for advice as to whether they shall sell their homes and give the proceeds to the cause… . I would say to such: ‘It may not be your duty to sell your little homes just now; but go to God for yourselves; the Lord will certainly hear your earnest prayers for wisdom’”14 If only the first sentence of this paragraph were considered, how much uncertainty this advice could generate!
Ellen G. White further elaborates on this subject: “The Lord has shown me repeatedly that it is contrary to the Bible to make any provision for our temporal wants in the time of trouble… . If they have their property on the altar and earnestly inquire of God for duty, He will teach them when to dispose of these things… . I also saw that God had not required all of His people to dispose of their property at the same time; but if they desired to be taught, He would teach them, in a time of need, when to sell and how much to sell.”15
What a precious revelation! We must learn what it truly means to live by faith. Nothing more needs to be added. What a blessing to be guided by the prophetic word's full light! Praise God for this beautiful gift.
4. The Evangelistic Commitment of the Adventist Church
The fourth and final point proposed in this article is the evangelistic commitment of Adventists. This point often presents a field of tension described by George R. Knight, an Adventist author and historian, as an “ambivalent situation.”16 On one side are the statements about the advantages of country living, while on the other is the need to evangelize both small and large cities—a neglect that Ellen G. White corrected in her testimonies, especially between 1901 and 1910. The issue was not whether Adventists should work in large cities but how to do so.
The concept of “outpost evangelism”17 sometimes appears in her writings from this period. In 1902, she wrote: “The cities are to be worked from outposts. Said the messenger of God, ‘Shall not the cities be warned? Yes; not by God's people living in them, but by their visiting them, to warn them of what is coming upon the earth.’”18
In an article published by the Review and Herald on April 14, 1903, she wrote: “It is God's design that our people should locate outside the cities, and from these outposts warn the cities, and raise in them memorials for God.”19 These statements may seem radically inflexible; but once again, we must seek the context for a correct understanding of what she is saying.
George R. Knight offers valuable help in understanding the meaning of these quotes with the following comment: “These two statements are similar to many others she wrote over time. Therefore, some have argued that, according to Ellen G. White's perspective, it is a mistake to establish gospel workers within cities. However, this position considers only part of her counsel. It is very easy not to examine all that she wrote on the subject or even fail to carefully read the context of her quotes.”20
To understand what she meant by evangelism from outposts, one must access other essential quotes to correctly understand this concept. The first of these says:
“God has sent warning after warning that our schools and publishing houses and sanitariums are to be established out of the city, in places where the youth may be taught most effectively what is truth.”21
“Repeatedly the Lord has instructed us that we are to work the cities from outpost centers. In these cities we are to have houses of worship, as memorials for God, but institutions for the publication of our literature, for the healing of the sick, and for the training of workers, are to be established outside the cities. Especially is it important that our youth be shielded from the temptations of city life.”22
“It is in harmony with this instruction, that meeting-houses have been purchased and rededicated in Washington and in Nashville, while the publishing houses and the sanitariums at these centers have been established away from the congested heart of the cities, as outpost centers.”23
There is no doubt that Ellen G. White refers to outposts exclusively in connection with some Adventist institutions: publishing houses, colleges, and sanitariums. These should be located away from city centers, and from there, as outposts, besides fulfilling their internal activities, their workers should go out to evangelize the nearby cities. The terms “outposts” or “centers” appear twenty-two times in various of her books,24 constantly referring specifically to these institutions.
She also recognized the need to open churches (which she calls “memorials of God” and “houses of worship” as seen in the above quotes), “restaurants,”25 and “treatment rooms”26 within the cities. In 1903, she expanded this list to include schools: “Much more can be done to save and educate the children of those who at present cannot get away from the cities. This is a matter worthy of our best efforts. Church schools are to be established for the children in the cities, and in connection with these schools provision is to be made for the teaching of higher studies, where these are called for.”27
Ellen G. White's concern for work in large cities was significant. A text that well represents her insistent recommendations was written in 1910: “Although a few places have been entered, many centers should be established where there would be employed hundreds of workers. In every city there should be a city mission that would be a training school for workers. Many of our brethren must stand condemned in the sight of God because they have not done the very work that God would have them do.”28 The Adventist Church is currently reviving the concept of “centers of influence” as an urban mission strategy worldwide.29
In volume 9 of the Testimonies for the Church series, which compiles Ellen G. White's counsels written between 1904 and 1909, there is a quote related to the need to serve Black families living in the southern United States. She stated: “So far as possible, these schools should be established outside the cities. But in the cities there are many children who could not attend schools away from the cities; and for the benefit of these, schools should be opened in the cities as well as in the country.”30
This is not an isolated case where she presents an alternative to a position that previously seemed singular, radical, and inflexible. The same happened with the proper position for prayer,31 the place of health reform in our message,32 and the appropriate age for children to attend school,33 among many other topics. Thus, wisdom and balance are needed when examining different statements on a subject, as well as the context in which they were given, to avoid misusing and distorting the purpose of her counsel and recommendations.
Regarding health reform, she left advice that can be applied to the general use of her writings: “We see those who will select from the testimonies the strongest expressions and, without bringing in or making any account of the circumstances under which the cautions and warnings are given, make them of force in every case. Thus, they produce unhealthy impressions upon the minds of the people.”34
She also stated: “God wants us all to have common sense, and he wants us to reason from common sense. Circumstances alter conditions. Circumstances change the relation of things.”35 It is truly impressive how she recognized that circumstances might bring about changes.
This statement invites us to analyze it with deep prayer and reflection. It raises intriguing questions: How do we apply Ellen G. White's counsel in a world where most people live in urban areas? What about people experiencing poverty who lack the means to buy a piece of land? Although this article does not aim to answer these questions, they serve as an invitation to study and consider them further.
George R. Knight confirms a position many scholars accept: there is a difference between God's ideal and human reality. He asserts that Ellen G. White was more flexible with her own writings than people often perceive. She understood that human reality sometimes led to an acceptable modification of the divine ideal.36 This harmonizes with what Herbert E. Douglass presents in Messenger of the Lord when addressing principles of interpreting prophetic writings. He recognizes the need to differentiate between norms and principles.37 This position does not lead to the relativization of eternal principles but allows for reasonable adjustments to fulfill counsel and norms according to circumstances.
A significant question is: What does Ellen G. White say about workers and other families who need to live in large cities? Would this be considered a rebellion in light of the recommendations for country living? A good starting point is to consider Christ's example. Having lived His childhood and youth in a “mountain village,”38 Jesus took advantage of the tranquility around Nazareth, where He sought secluded places for communion with the Father39 but also chose Capernaum as the base for His ministry.
Ellen G. White adds: “During His earthly ministry the Saviour took advantage of the opportunities to be found along the great thoroughfares of travel. It was at Capernaum that Jesus dwelt at the intervals of His journeys to and fro, and it came to be known as “His own city.” This city was well adapted to be the center of the Saviour's work. Being on the highway from Damascus to Jerusalem and Egypt and to the Mediterranean Sea, it was a great thoroughfare of travel. People from many lands passed through the city or tarried for rest on their journeyings. Here, Jesus could meet all nations and all ranks, the rich and great, as well as the poor and lowly, and His lessons would be carried to other countries and into many households. Investigation of the prophecies would thus be excited; attention would be directed to the Saviour, and His mission would be brought before the world.”40 Jesus went where He could meet people to present salvation to them. That must be our primary purpose in life.
Applying Christ's example to our day, Ellen G. White stated: “Christians who are living in the great centers of commerce and travel have special opportunities. Believers in these cities can work for God in the neighborhood of their homes.”41 In these quotes, Ellen G. White clearly allows for the possibility of families living in cities, justified by the higher purpose of fulfilling the evangelistic mission—a purpose valid both for those who remain in urban centers and those who decide to settle in rural areas.
Another example of the role of Adventist families and workers living and working in large cities comes from the early Christian church. Ellen G. White wrote: “The example of the followers of Christ at Antioch should be an inspiration to every believer living in the great cities of the world today. While it is in the order of God that chosen workers of consecration and talent should be stationed in important population centers to lead out in public efforts, it is also His purpose that the church members living in these cities shall use their God-given talents to work for souls. There are rich blessings in store for those who surrender fully to the call of God.”42
Another warning is found in chapter 16 of Christian Service, advising Adventists not to form colonies or gather in large communities. Against this tendency, she recommended: “God designs that they shall be scattered all over the country, in the towns, cities, and villages, as lights amidst the darkness of the world.”43 She encouraged members to move to “towns, cities, and villages” where there was little or no light. It is clear that the primary focus is the fulfillment of the mission. Fulfilling the “go” command is more important than where people choose to live—whether in the city or in the countryside—never dismissing the real risks present in current times, common to all places, especially large cities.
In 1908, she recognized, “Some must remain in the cities to give the last note of warning, but this will become more and more dangerous to do.”44 There are many risks everywhere. However, the real danger lies in neglecting communion with God and the task of witnessing, whether one lives in the countryside or the cities.
God has devised a plan for His children to embrace the recommended lifestyle fully. The divine counsel is to live in the countryside as long as the primary objective of fulfilling the mission is not lost. The recommended time for this change is as soon as possible, based on each individual or family's conscious decision, resulting from communion with God and careful planning. At the same time, the Lord acknowledges that for some, for various reasons, there are evangelistic objectives and circumstantial obstacles to immediately leaving urban centers, and they are not condemned for this. However, when the Sunday law is enacted, the command to urgently flee the large cities must be obeyed.
Church members and pastors need to awaken, for there is work to be done everywhere—in the remotest areas, in small and large cities. “The gospel commission is the great missionary charter of Christ's kingdom. The disciples were to work earnestly for souls, giving to all the invitation of mercy. They were not to wait for the people to come to them; they were to go to the people with their message.”45
God calls salaried and volunteer workers, families, and young people to accept the challenge of being the salt of the earth and the light of the world. May each one pray about this and seek divine guidance on their place in this great work. The promises and warnings are available to all. Thank God for the clarity of the testimonies and for providing sufficient light so that no one remains in darkness!
“Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.” (2 Chron. 20:20).
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1 Ellen G. White, Fundamentals of Christian Education (Nashville, TN: Southern Publishing Association, 1923), p. 336. Cf. Ellen White, Manuscript 10a, 1895.
2 Denis Fortin, “Country Living”, in The Ellen G. White Encyclopedia, Denis Fortin and Jerry Moon (Hagerstown, Maryland: Review and Herald, 2013), pp. 742, 743.
3 White, Last Day Events (Boise, ID: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1992), p. 95; Selected Messages (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1958), t. 2, p. 356. It is part of a sermon given by her at a General Conference meeting on March 28, 1903, and filed as Manuscript 10, 1903.
4 White, Last Day Events, p. 118. Selected Messages, t. 2, p. 360. It is part of a speech given by Ellen White at a camp meeting in Oakland, California, July 25, 1906 (Review and Herald, September 27, 1906).
5 White, Country Living (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald, 1946), p. 25.
6 White, Country Living, p. 27.
7 White, Country Living, p. 26.
8 White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5 (Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1882), p. 450.
9 White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 451.
10 White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 464.
11 White, The Great Controversy (Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press, 1911), p. 30.
12 White, Country Living, p. 32.
13 White, Selected Messages Book 2, p. 142.
14 White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, pp. 733, 734.
15 White, Early Writings (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald, 1882), pp. 56, 57.
16 George R. Knight, “Cities, Living in”, in The Ellen G. White Encyclopedia, p. 714.
17 Ibid.
18 White, Selected Messages Book 2, p. 358. Originally written on September 20, 1902, in Letter 182, 1902.
19 White, Evangelism (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald, 1946), p. 76.
20 Knight, “Cities, Living in,” p. 715.
21 White, Selected Messages Book 2, p. 357. Originally written on June 29, 1905, and filed as Manuscript 76, 1905.
22 White, Country Living, p. 31.
23 Selected Messages Book 2, p. 358. Originally published in 1907 in the pamphlet Testimonies to the Church Regarding the Strengthening of Our Institutions and Training Centers.
24 Knight, “Cities, Life in the”, p. 715.
25 White, Selected Messages Book 2, p. 142. It is part of an address given by Ellen White at a General Conference meeting on April 3, 1903, and filed as Manuscript 20, 1903.
26 White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 7 (Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press, 1902), p. 60.
27 White, Ministry to the Cities (Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald, 2012) p. 115. Originally written on October 28, 1903, and filed as Manuscript 129, 1903.
28 White, Ministry to the Cities, p. 114. Written in a letter dated June 13, 1910, addressed to Brother Sidney Brownsberger and his wife (Letter 56, 1910).
29 missiontothecities.org/life-hope-centers.
30 White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 9 (Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press, 1909), p. 201.
31 White, Selected Messages Book 2, pp. 311-316.
32 White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1 (Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press, 1885), pp. 485, 494.
33 White, Selected Messages, Book 3 (Washington, DC: Review and Herald, 1980), pp. 214-226.
34 White, Selected Messages Book 3, p. 285.
35 White, Selected Messages Book 3, p. 217.
36 George R. Knight, Introducción a los escritos de Elena G. de White (ACES, 2014), p. 282 [own translation].
37 Herbert E. Douglass, Mensajera del Señor (ACES, 2000), pp. 401, 402 [own translation].
38 White, The Desire of Ages (Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press, 1898), p. 68.
39 White, The Desire of Ages, p. 89.
40 White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 9, p. 121.
41 White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 9, p. 122.
42 White, The Acts of the Apostles (Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press, 1911), p. 158.
43 White, Christian Service (Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald, 1925), p. 178. Originally published in the Review and Herald, May 15, 1888.
44 White, Ministry to the Cities, p. 112.
45 White, The Acts of the Apostles, p. 28.