Will we have wings in heaven?

The view that since 1844 Christians must abstain from all flesh food if they expect to be with Jesus when He comes again is an extreme view that some have come to through misconstruing a few isolated statements by Ellen White. Our health message is based on the biblical principle that God designed and created us and knows what is best for us physically, mentally, and spiritually. So, it naturally follows that His original vegetarian diet plan is the best for optimum health. As time goes on and more knowledge has increased along the lines of health, this fact has been confirmed over and over. However, there are other issues as well that are similarly important--getting abundant exercise, eating food low in fat and sugar, drinking plenty of pure water, putting our trust in God so that we are not overcome by the stresses of life. We need the total picture in order to be a healthy, balanced Christian.

The context in which Ellen White made some of her statements regarding flesh foods was with this same view in mind: "I have been shown that God is trying to lead us back, step by step, to His original design,--that man should subsist upon the natural products of the earth" Counsels on Diet and Foods, p. 380. She was very balanced in her approach, and always cautioned people to be careful to not do away with meat if they didn't have the good, healthy substitutes (fruit, grains, nuts and vegetables) that would provide a proper diet. She also said, "Among those who are waiting for the coming of the Lord, meat eating will eventually be done away; flesh will cease to form a part of their diet. We should ever keep this end in view, and endeavor to work steadily toward it. ... If we move from principle in these things, if we as Christian reformers educate our own taste, and bring our diet to God's plan, then we may exert an influence upon others in this matter, which will be pleasing to God" Ibid, page 381. Again, a very balanced approach.