Spirit of Prophecy
An introduction to the writings of Ellen G. White — the lesser light pointing to the greater light, the Word of God.
The Desire of Ages
Conflict of the Ages Series (Book 3 of 5)
Overview
The Desire of Ages is Ellen G. White's masterwork on the life of Christ -- widely regarded as one of the most beautiful and spiritually rich books ever written about Jesus outside of the Bible itself. Across 87 chapters it follows the Savior from His birth in Bethlehem's stable, through His ministry, teaching, miracles, and suffering, to His death on the cross, His resurrection, and His return to heaven. It is not a strict chronological biography. Rather, it presents Jesus as the Desire of all nations -- the One who alone can satisfy the deepest longings of the human heart -- and lets new and glorious light shine from many familiar passages of Scripture.
Purpose & Background
Ellen White wrote this book to lift up Christ and reveal the love of God as shown in the life of His Son. She wanted readers not merely to learn the facts of Jesus' life but to fall in love with Him. The title comes from Haggai 2:7 -- 'the desire of all nations shall come.' Much of the book was written during her years in Australia, and she regarded the material on the life of Christ as the most precious work of her pen. Her literary assistant Marian Davis helped gather and arrange the material from White's sermons, articles, letters, and earlier writings into its final form.
Best For
Every believer who wants to know Jesus more deeply and personally. It rewards slow, devotional reading -- a chapter at a time -- and is treasured by lifelong Adventists and new readers alike. Many consider it the finest companion to the Gospels available.
Publisher
Pacific Press Publishing Association
The Desire of Ages was written largely at Sunnyside, Ellen White's home in Cooranbong, New South Wales, Australia, and first published in 1898 by Pacific Press. It is the third and central volume of the five-book Conflict of the Ages series, which traces the great controversy between Christ and Satan from Genesis to Revelation. It has been translated into many languages and remains one of the most beloved Christian devotional books in the world.
Contents
The Desire of Ages contains 87 chapters, following the life of Christ from His pre-existence and birth through His ministry, passion, resurrection, and ascension. Because of its length, the chapters below are grouped by the phase of Christ's life they cover. The complete chapter-by-chapter text is available free at the read link.
- The Coming of the Saviour -- His pre-existence, birth, childhood, and baptism (chapters 1-11)
- The Temptation and Early Ministry -- the wilderness, first disciples, and early miracles (chapters 12-24)
- The Galilean Ministry -- teaching, healing, calling the Twelve, and the Sermon on the Mount (chapters 25-46)
- Growing Conflict -- parables, the bread of life, the Transfiguration, and rising opposition (chapters 47-64)
- The Final Journey to Jerusalem -- Lazarus, the triumphal entry, and the last teachings (chapters 65-74)
- The Passion -- Gethsemane, the trial, Calvary, and the cross (chapters 75-78)
- Victory -- the resurrection, appearances to the disciples, and the ascension (chapters 79-87)