The Great Controversy

1 Cor. 4:9. … we have been made a spectacle to the whole universe to

the angels as well as to men.
Origin of Great Controversy
 Isa. 14: 12- 14. King of Babylon liken Lucifer (Isa. 14. 4).
 Ez. 28: 12- 17. King of Tyre but also the spiritual power behind
him.
 Who is Lucifer?
 Angels were higher created beings, Psa. 8:5.
 God- creator
 Angels- created beings
 Human beings- created beings
 Angels were created to have intimate fellowship with God, Rev. 1:1; 3: 5; 5:11.
• Have superior strength and obedient to God’s word, Psa. 103: 20.
• Function as servants, Heb. 1:14.
• Through one of them, sin was introduced to the universe.
• Lucifer wanted God’s power and authority, but not his character
God has several options in dealing with sin
1. Do nothing- result: utter chaos.
2. Destroy the rebels- result: fear not love.
3. Contain the Rebellion until all are convinced of rightness of
God’s position.
 Lucifer was cast out from heaven, Rev. 12: 4-9
 Eve was persuaded that God’s commandment was unjust and unfair.
 Eve was convinced to have God’s position but not his character.
 Adam and Eve gave away the dominion of the world to Satan in their
rebellion against God.
 Satan became the prince of the world, Job. 1: 6-7; John. 12: 31.
 On the Cross, the prince of this world was defeated.
 Conflict on earth between those who give allegiance to God and those
who give allegiance to Satan (echoed at Spirit level as well).
Two key issues came to be in Question
1. God’s law (the foundation of his government)
- Sin is lawlessness (I John 3:4)
- Necessity of trust and obedience seen in the life of Christ
2. God’s character
- What is God’s character like? Jesus came to this earth to reveal his
father’s character.
- On the cross, God proved Devil wrong. God still loves his creatures.
- Satan cast out; Jesus is now our man in heaven
- We are God’s agents in enemy occupied territory
Problem of pain & suffering relate to the issue of:

a. Free Will
- Free Will Free Choice Consequence, possibly painful
b. Discipline & Warning: Pain is a sign which tells us that something is wrong.
c. The World is Satan’s Territory. No one is immune to pain and suffering.
d. Satan targets the faithful people
- 1 Peter 5:8, the faithful Christians are the enemy of devil
- Job 1: 1, Job was a righteous man, yet became Devil’s target
What are the significance of the doctrine of
Great Controversy?
 Significance of the great controversy
1. Need for constant watchfulness, 1 Pet 5: 8
 Eph. 6:13-18. Military imagery (full armor for Christian life)

Prayer is not another Righteousnes Rom. 8: 37. Christians

weapon rather it is s
are more than
an attitude in which Salvatio conquerors in Jesus,
the whole armor is n the captain of the
worn and the battle Faith hosts, Psa. 24:8.
Word
fought. Truth
of
God

Gospel of
Peace
2. Explains the problem of suffering
 Evil originates Not with God but with the Devil. Therefore, Devil is to be
blamed for the problem of suffering.
 Evil (robberies, murders, funerals, crimes, accidents and etc) can be better
understood in the framework of the great controversy.
 The cross shows how destructive sin is but also the depths of God’s love for
sinners.
3. Shows the cosmic significance of the cross
 Jesus died not only for human salvation but also the vindication of his
Father’s character, law and government. God’s law and government are still
fair.
 Christ’s death proven Satan wrong. God still loves his creatures.
 Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the
prince of this world will be driven out (John 12:31).
 When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in
regard to sin and righteousness and judgment. … and
in regard to judgment, because the prince of this
world now stands condemned (John 16: 8, 11).
 The Great Controversy between good and evil will increase intensity
(increase in strength) to the very close of time. In all ages the wrath of
Satan has been manifested against God’s people. EGW, GC, 9.
 “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be
lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive,
disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love,
unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the
good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than
lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have
nothing to do with such people.” 2 Timothy 3:1-5
 Reference
Seventh-day Adventists Believe… A Biblical Exposition of Fundamental Doctrines.
Washington: DC, Ministerial Association of the General Conference of the Seventh-day
Adventists, 2005: