The Great Controversy

“For we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.” (1 Corinthians 4:9)

Capernaum is an illustration of the great controversy between Christ and Satan. Obviously, the devil won this battle, but he didn’t win the cosmic war that involves the entire universe. Some eighty miles south of the Sea of Galilee is a little hill just outside the city of Jerusalem, called Calvary. Here on the cross, Jesus gave the victorious shout, “It is finished.” From this place, His words brought joy to angels and unfallen beings in worlds afar.

Who will win the great controversy going on in your life: Christ or Satan?

Preview

How did it all begin? When did sin rear its ugly head in a perfect environment?

All the universe centered on the Godhead, until an angel gifted by the Creator with wisdom and beauty turned against His Creator. Ezekiel 28:15 describes Lucifer. The terrible mystery of the origin of evil is not explained. There’s no reason or excuse for discontent, selfishness, and pride to cause Lucifer to be corrupted by the gifts God gave him. Count the “I” statements in His thoughts (Isaiah 14:13,14).

Thus began the great controversy. Lucifer used a weapon God couldn’t use. Lies. God is truth. By twisting facts and creating falsehoods, Lucifer blinded one third of the angels. This rebellion against God’s government is recorded in Revelation 12:7-9.

How did we get involved? Satan hated the peace and purity of our first parents. He envied their joy as he watched them thrill over the beauties of Eden, enhanced by daily visits of their Creator.

God warned Adam and Eve, “Never go near that one tree. Do not eat the fruit, for then you will know death and evil.” But disguised as a serpent, Satan undermined their trust and loyalty to God (Genesis 3:5). They believed his lies! In that moment the devil stole dominion over the earth. His government of death, evil, and suffering began.

Saddest of all was the separation of Adam and Eve from God. Before God sent Adam and Eve away from Eden and the Tree of Life, He gave them hope—the promise of a Saviour. That’s why Jesus had to come to this planet.

Points to ponder

1. How did Satan’s government impact the human race?

Division and disunity within the human family. Genesis 4:8

Increase in human wickedness, leading to the flood. Genesis 6:5, Genesis 6:13

Babel and the resultant confusion also show an important element in the great controversy. Genesis 11:1-9

2. How do we know that the world became the stage on which the dramatic struggle between right and wrong is being played out?

Job 1:6, 7. The story of Job illustrates how Satan and God are deeply interested in our lives, for different reasons.

Compare with 1 Corinthians 4:9.

3. Consider also God’s choice of Abraham and Israel and how the controversy was fought through the story of Israel throughout the Old Testament.

Can you name some persons or incidents in the Old Testament that exemplify how this great controversy was fought?

4. The cross was the ultimate battleground. The victory there assures our victory.

When Jesus said, “It is finished,” He declared to the universe that Satan is forever a defeated foe. Sin has separated us from God. That’s why Jesus came to this world to fight in the great controversy, to defeat sin and Satan, and to reconcile us with God. He longs to transform us. He hates the sin that pollutes us. Satan has perverted our minds and imaginations, degraded our souls until we are weak, lacking in moral strength. What is the solution to this terrible pollution, separation, and death?

Nuts & Bolts

(This is a Questions and Statements section condensing the SDA Believe chapter The Great Controversy. Make sure you read the chapter first.)

1. The law of God is just and essential for God’s governance in the universe.

Without the law, there can be no order in the universe. God’s law reflects His character, and His character is love. Satan defies that law. God says that sin is... 1 John 3:4. Satan charges that the law is arbitrary and affects human freedom. How can we be sure that this is a lie?

2. Obedience as an expression of love is a necessary part of belonging to God’s family.

Satan accuses God of self-exaltation because He requires obedience to His law. Satan also charges that the law of God cannot be kept. It is arbitrary, too demanding, and too restrictive of human freedom. God, on the other hand, sent His Son, Jesus, to show to the universe that the law can be kept. That Jesus overcame Satan in the wilderness temptations (Matthew 4:4-10) and that He kept God’s law while on earth and did not sin, is proof that obedience to God is possible.

Jesus said... John 15:10.

Peter says... 1 Peter 2:22.

Paul adds... Philippians 2:8.

3. Christ’s place in God’s government.

From eternity Christ the Son is coexistent, coeternal, and coequal with God the Father. Satan disputed Christ’s role and claimed that he instead should have Christ’s place next to God. Can a creature take the place of Christ the Creator in the councils of heaven?

4. The Bible as God’s authority and revealed will for human beings.

After the entrance of sin, God chose to reveal Himself through prophets and His messengers, and this revelation is recorded in the Bible (Hebrews 1:1-3). Throughout history, Satan has attacked the Bible. It is part of his scheme in the great controversy to lead men and women to distrust God’s Word. On the other hand, Jesus showed that Scripture is the most effective weapon in winning the battles in the great controversy.

Matthew 4:10

5. The most important issue: who Jesus is.

Jesus asked... Matthew 16:13, 14. Peter answered... Matthew 16:16.. Is Jesus fully God and equal with God the Father and God the Spirit in the Trinity? And is He fully human, identifying Himself with humans whom He came to save? The answer determines on which side of the great controversy we stand.

6. Truth apart from Jesus.

Satan attempts to convince people they can understand truth apart from Jesus, who is... John 14:6. In his hatred for Christ, Satan attempts to remove Christ not only from His rightful place in the universe but from the center of all biblical doctrines. Satan uses religious teachers (theologians) to suggest other centers of truth apart from Jesus. 1 John 2:18 predicts...

7. Total dependence on God—or self-dependence.

How can one have eternal life? Satan, through various religious systems and philosophies, cleverly presents that one can have eternal life by one’s good works. Self can save itself, is the theme of Satan’s deception. On the other hand, the Bible says... Acts 16:31. Self or Christ? Salvation by works or by faith?

8. The role of the cross.

Satan attempted to defeat the purpose of God on the cross. Satan tried to show that in the death of Jesus, he won a great victory. But at the cross, Jesus defeated Satan (Genesis 3:15; John 12:31 NIV). The death of Jesus on the cross became the means of our salvation (1 Corinthians 1:18).

9. What are some of the important issues in the great controversy that Christ’s life, ministry, and death have proved to the onlooking universe?

a. God’s Law can be obeyed. Hebrews 4:15

b. The entire universe will declare that God is fair. Philippians 2:11

c. Christ dying for our salvation would not only provide forgiveness and make heaven accessible to us, but before all the universe it would justify God and His Son in their dealing with the rebellion of Satan. See the final victory song of the great controversy, as found in Revelation 15:3,4.

d. Sin and evil will never arise again. Nahum 1:9

e. Evil, cruelty, and suffering did not originate with God. He is not to blame for the world’s misery (Hebrews 1:9). The cross shows both the destructiveness of sin and the depths of God’s love for sinners.

Words to Remember

• Cosmic: Controversy involves the entire universe.

• Antichrist: False christ, either an individual or a system, that stands in opposition to Christ.

• Vindicate God: Establish that God is true and uphold His love and justice in the face of Satan’s accusations.

The Difference Between

• Faith and presumption: Faith claims God’s promises, trusts His love, accepts His salvation, and obeys His commands. Presumption is Satan’s counterfeit of faith. It also claims God’s promises, but uses them to reject God’s commands and to hope God will save everyone, regardless.

• Interpretation of the Bible: There is the plain reading of the Scriptures as God’s Word, using the Bible as its own interpreter. This method of interpretation may also include the Grammatical/Historical method which includes utilizing the tools of history, culture, linguistics, etc. An alternative method of Biblical study is the Historical/critical method. This method employs the tools of history, culture, linguistics, etc. But with the presupposition of questioning the inspiration or authority of Scripture.

I Truly Believe

Likewise with sin. Our only hope is to flee higher to God. Knowing Jesus and living with Him each day leads to higher ground. There, we’ll be able to grasp these great truths from the great controversy theme. Mark those truths you wish to make the subject of your daily prayer.

My Prayer

Dear Father,

I thank You for revealing the conflict between good and evil. I rejoice that soon, the universe will acknowledge the power of God’s transforming love. I realize my only hope of victory comes from Jesus. Thank You for the Holy Spirit, who will keep us true until the great controversy is forever ended.

Amen.