The Desire of Ages

This book has filled my life with love stories, at least two big ones. About 55 years ago at age 17, I fell in love with Jesus Christ. A dear church member gave me this book, THE DESIRE OF AGES. At first I was reluctant to read it, not trusting the credentials of the author. But then I said, "I'll read this book to test her out." In my high school literature classes, I read some of the great writers of the late 18th and early 19th centuries--Thomas Carlyle, Herman Melville, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and others. They wrote well, although often it was a struggle to follow their involved style. Yet, I loved their essays, novels and poetry. How would Ellen G. White measure up, being from about the same time period? So I started reading the first chapter. And then I found myself reading it aloud in my bedroom. Oh, what an ecstatic experience, both spiritual and literary! "You mean to tell me," I asked, "this woman had to quit formal education at age 9 because of an accident?" She displays such depth with clarity and simplicity, no pretense or author showing off! To me much of this book was poetry in prose form. The very first sentence got me: "In the hearts of all mankind, of whatever race or station in life, there are inexpressible longings for something they do not now possess." In the next three months I read aloud to myself the entire book. How that deepened my love for my Saviour--the Word made flesh! And now--this book's beautiful words fleshing out the life of Jesus Christ! Now another love story. The following summer I attended a church retreat in North Dakota, I being from Saskatchewan, Canada. There I met the prettiest girl ever!--just arrived from the mission field with her folks. I thought she was at least 16. I fell in love with her. And she gave a talk (she was actually only 13 at the time) about her great-great-grandmother--Ellen G. White. Yes, the author of my favorite book on the life of Christ! Long story short. We married 7 years later. We have been married for 49 years and are still very much in love. And "in the bargain" I also got a most loving Christian family. Yes, the love of Christ brought me into His fold, and that fold includes my bride Martha, her loving famiy and so many loving fellow believers. In my research as a Christian writer, I've read dozens of books on the life of Christ. Some are topnotch. But my favorite remains "The Desire of Ages." As always I place the Bible above all books; I've read the New Testament over 75 times. Sure, one might have some theological interpretations different from what this book presents at times, but they are likely minor. Please, don't let these little differences stand in the way of your growing love for Jesus. Here's my favorite "poem" from this book: "Christ was treated as we deserve, that we might be treated as He deserves. He was condemned for our sins, in which He had no share, that we might be justified by His righteousness, in which we had no share. He suffered the death which was ours, that we might receive the life which was His. 'With His stripes we are healed.'" (Page 25).

The Desire of Ages will light up your love affair with Jesus. Each chapter references the recommended Bible chapters or verses to read first, then the author guides and explains and gives historical background to them. The author knows and understands the Bible! She heavily sprinkles relevant Bible versus throughout each chapter, providing cross references and illumination. Even though I grew up in a religious household and went through 12 years of religious schooling, I wandered away from God at the age of 18. Now, 40 years later, I felt a nudge to get to know Him again. I picked this book as my starting point. I found a 90-day reading challenge online, as an additional study guide using the Bible gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) and this book. The online study brought everything alive in a way I’ve never experienced before. If you are interested in the reading challenge, search for DAwithDA. That stands for Desire of Ages with David Asscherick. How had I never known how much Jesus desires a relationship with me? How much He longs to be part of my every moment? How his very character reflects the most tender love for me? I highly recommend this book as a companion guide to the Bible gospels! Is Jesus nudging you too?

In depth and intimate and revealing of the Lord Christ Jesus. A wonderful read that gave further insight into the gospels. Ive learned so much more that walks in hand with my own personal learnings from the Holy Spirit while reading the Holy Bible. This is a wonderful book to read along with the bible. This did not disappoint. It is long and took me a while to finish, reading in bits and pieces at times, but that only made it all the sweeter as something to look forward to when I was able to read it. The style of her writing was lovely and refreshing as well. I enjoyed the use of words not usually used these days in literature. I had no problem looking up an odd word here or there in the dictionary. I highly recommend this third volume of her book collection to anyone who enjoys supportive writings from fellow Christians on the Holy Bible. It's not a substitute for the word of God and the council of the Holy Spirit. It is a wonderful read after one has become familiar with the gospels for refreshing in depth inspiration on the subject of Our Lord Jesus and the happenings during the gospels

There is a mistake with the 2 books in this set. "The Great Controversy" is correct, but instead of "The Desire of Ages", what I have was "Prophets and Kings". "The Great Controversy" peals back the curtains and gives the view of the battle between Satan and Christ. The Book of Daniel in the Bible gave us prophecies from the time of Babylon all the way to the end of time and the Book of Revelation builds on Daniel, expands and gives in more detail the events from the 1st Century all the way to Christ's 2nd Coming and beyond. Now that all time prophecies in the Bible have been fulfilled and we are standing on the toe nails of the statue, our world is moving quickly to the end of time, God has raised up a messenger in Ellen White to give us greater clarity on historical events as well as those that are coming upon us. This is an invaluable book for those who love Jesus, heed his warning to beware of false prophets, who want to uncover the deception of the beast and look forward to the day when we will be reunited with the One who gave everything to save us. "Prophets and Kings" covers the time of Judah and Israel. Ellen White draws out lessons, reproofs and clarification from historical accounts of the monarchs and their interaction with God's prophets. As King Solomon wrote "there is nothing new under the sun", these accounts and the lessons they hold are as pertinent to God's people living now as then.

Best book ever written. You will find Jesus here.

The Desire of Ages (1898): An excellent book paralleling the Bible on the life of Jesus as portrayed through the imaginations of several authors and compiled, or borrowed, by Mrs White. Two of the Authors were the minister, Robert Boyd, who authored "The World's Hope; or The Rock of Ages(1873)" and the Rev. Daniel March who authored "NIGHT SCENES FROM THE BIBLE"(1872). These are excellent books. Amazon had a couple, but were rather expensive. I found mine on another site. The rumors that I had heard of Mrs White lifting much from these books proved to be altogether true. Anyhow, the book does much to draw the reader into a great appreciation of our Master's "way" and leaves deep impressions of His love toward man by the way He interacted with the many persons of all stations of life that he encountered based, but adlibbing upon the biblical record. This book is filled with hope and warning, as is the Bible, but presented in a way that leaves you with a strong desire to maintain you connection to heaven, or to begin one if you have never had one.

In my struggle to draw further away from worldly things and come closer to God, I was recommended to read this book. It has not only been an eye opener to me, but also a wonderful blessing. The truths hidden in it are exceptional to understanding the love of Jesus for humanity. it is so beautifully written and the precious messages are so clear and inspiring. When I began to read it, I couldn't stop. This is the kind of book you can easily read in one sitting. The most amazing aspect of this book are the emotions it evokes. The truths are so powerful and nourishing that I can only urge you to read it. I promise that the life of Jesus will make a lot more sense after reading this book. It has been a blessing for me and I'm sure it will be for you as well. (

This is the best book on the Life of Christ I have ever read. It has deep insights. Practical lessons of godliness for everyone who reads it.

I am a Christian, not an Adventice, however I do worship in an Adventice Church. This is a very good and clear book, great expansion and explanation of the Bible. Well worth a read, I take it and believe you should take it as a good commentary rather then an extension of the bible, because if you read Revaluations it easy this book should not be added too. This is the first Elen White book have read do plan on reading more.

If you want further inspired insight into the life and death of Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour then do yourself a favour and get this book. It will be life changing - read it together with the Bible versus and in beholding you will be change from glory to glory (2 Cor 3:18).

Oh my days - honestly this must be one of the best books about the life and works of Jesus… Read it it will change your life!

Great book

One of the most beautiful books ever written. Brings you up, close and personal with Christ. If there's ever been a biography written about the eternal Savior, this is the one! A must read for believers and non-believers alike.