[AI]

This is a central point of debate for many students of Ellen White’s (EGW) writings. The tension you’re highlighting—how an angel can be "next in rank" if the Holy Spirit is a distinct person—is a question that has led to two primary interpretations within and outside of Adventism.

To understand her logic, it helps to look at how she categorized these beings and the specific language she used.

1. The Distinction Between "Order of Being" and "Rank of Office"

The most common explanation for this apparent contradiction is the difference between nature and functional rank.

• The Holy Spirit: In EGW’s later writings (like The Desire of Ages and Evangelism), she refers to the Spirit as the "Third Person of the Godhead" and one of the "three living persons of the heavenly trio." In this view, the Spirit is divine by nature—one with God.
• Gabriel: When she says Gabriel is "next in rank to the Son of God," she is specifically discussing the angelic hierarchy and the "chain of command" for communicating with humanity. (apparently not angelic hierarchy, because it went Father, Son, Gabriel. Father and Son are not angels. If those are trinitarian arguements, they make no sense.)

Logically, if the Holy Spirit is the omnipresent Spirit of God (not a localized "being" with wings or a form), he wouldn't be "ranked" in a list of celestial officers like angels. In the same way a King’s own "will" or "presence" isn't ranked #3 in his army—the General is. (See... Even Gemini is confused. He just made my point under the oposing sides argument. Logically the Holy Spirit is God's own Spirit, just like the King's own "will" is the King's own will. I should have pointed that out, but I missed it.)

2. The Argument for Non-Trinitarianism

As you noted, many people argue that her language suggests she did not believe the Holy Spirit was a literal third person. This perspective holds that:

• Gabriel is the "Third": Before the fall, the hierarchy was Father, Son, and Lucifer. After the fall, Gabriel took that third position.
• The Spirit as "Power": When she uses the term "three great powers," she may be referring to the Father, the Son, and the shared Spirit/Power that proceeds from them both, rather than a third distinct individual.

3. EGW’s Own Warning on the "Mystery"

Interestingly, EGW herself seemed to acknowledge that defining the Holy Spirit was difficult. When a man once wrote to her claiming that the Holy Spirit was actually the angel Gabriel, she corrected him, saying:

"The nature of the Holy Spirit is a mystery. Men cannot explain it, because the Lord has not revealed it to them. ... Silence is golden." (Acts of the Apostles, p. 52)

She clearly distinguished between Gabriel and the Holy Spirit, but she also admitted that the "personhood" of the Spirit was a mystery that human logic might not fully resolve. (She said the "nature" is a mystery, not the personality or personhood. "They have one God and one Saviour; and one Spirit—the Spirit of Christ" 9T 189.3)

Summary of the Conflict

Viewpoint	Logic
Non-Trinitarian	Gabriel holds the 3rd spot because the Holy Spirit is the personal presence of the Father and Son, not a separate person.

Since you've been researching biblical linguistics, you might find it interesting that EGW often described the Holy Spirit as "Christ himself, divested of the personality of humanity." This phrase is frequently used by both sides to argue whether the Spirit is a separate individual or just Christ’s own spiritual presence.

Would you like me to find that specific quote where she discusses the Spirit being "Christ himself" so you can compare it to the "three great powers" statement?