The problem with that is that virtually no Seventh-day Adventist ever tries to defend a denominational doctrine with anything other than Scripture (just as she, herself insisted the state of things must be) and corresponding history to validate prophecy.
When trying to use history to validate prophetic words in the scriptures have already occurred, we all run into the same problem as Ellen White experienced. Having an understanding of the entitles mentioned in the particular prophecy concerned and the historical signpost that links the historical record with the Biblical record.
Now Ellen White's method of linking the Prophetic utterances with the Historical record is not wrong per se, but when the wrong historically recorded events do not match the Biblically prophesied events, then we end up with all sorts of problems with the timelines that are generated.
Now it is possible to use just the OT to calculate when the timespan of the period of time between when God created Adam and when the GWTR judgement will take place. Now I can believe that the calculation of this timespan is correct, but many others will not accept that possibility. Now I have not attempted to determine the actual year when this will occur with respect to our current Calander, because I know that there is no evidence that correctly links God's timeline with the timeline that man is using today.
So, if we have made wrong assumptions as to who the beasts of Daniel 7 are then our assumption when they appeared on our timeline will be wrong.
Now when some of Abraham's descendance returned to the land of Canaan 4,000 years after the birth of Isaac in their own strength, many people were surprised that the Fig tree had put forth new leaf buds after nearly 2,000 years from when Christ cursed the Fig Tree during His first Advant.
Now when we ignore the time span given in Matt 24:32 as to when the end of the fourth age would occur and the start of the summer season of harvest would begin, we try and use verse 34 that follows in our vain attempt to understand the End Time prophetic words of Christ. When the Greek term "genea" was used to describe an age that all of the future events that Jesus gave would occur, people have wrongly assumed that Jesus meant a descendant generation instead of and age which is a tad over 1,000 years, which is a season, i.e., 1,000 years, plus a little while period.
Let me use another example where our theological understanding is lacking.
There are theologians that claim that the Second is not referenced to in the Old Testament, yet I can find it in the Hebrew text in, Exodus 19:12, 21:12, 15,16, 17, 29, 31:15. The Hebrew word used here in the Book of Exodus' text is the same Hebrew word used in Genesis 2:17. תָּמֽוּת in Genesis 2:17 is associated with the Hebrew word מ֥וֹת, and it should be understood to have the following translation into English of, “you will die the second death,” because you sinned and ate the fruit from the Tree of Knowledge.
Now if we can make such errors, such as with regards to the "Second death" not being found in the OT, then how much more should we accept that with End Time prophecies can also be in error and that we need to be very careful when presenting our opinions as to when we believe certain end time prophecies will be fulfilled.
Sadly, with SDA's record, there are many errors in their understanding, but so too, other denominations also have errors in their understanding as well.
We all would do well if we would learn from each other. However, we all would have to humble ourselves for that to happen.
Shalom
