The Great Controversy

Product Information

When you read a book like The Great Controversy (or any book that claims to be inspired), the only way to know whether or not it’s credible is to compare it with the Bible yourself. This book encourages you to do just that. Whenever the study of the Scriptures is entered upon without a prayerful, humble, teachable spirit, the plainest and simplest as well as the most difficult passages will be wrested from their true meaning. The papal leaders select such portions of Scripture as best serve their purpose, interpret to suit themselves, and then present these to the people, while they deny them the privilege of studying the Bible and understanding its sacred truths for themselves. The whole Bible should be given to the people just as it reads. It would be better for them not to have Bible instruction at all than to have the teaching of the Scriptures thus grossly misrepresented. GC 521.2 We are truly living in a world with both the knowledge of good and evil, and each of us must make daily decisions on whose side we choose. These daily choices are more important than we can imagine. The entire universe has its eyes on Earth, watching the choices we make.

Ever since Adam’s and Eve’s rebellion, humanity has had a distorted view of God. We struggle with Satan’s lie about God’s character and are now born with a natural tendency toward selfishness. We cannot regain our once-perfect nature on our own. Only through God’s help are we able to choose His way and aid in the war against sin and Satan (Romans 5:12-21).Kids want to know what the cafeteria will be serving for lunch and young adults may want to know who they’ll marry. There’s always a point in our lives when we become increasingly curious about something in the future. However, I will judge folks based on the actions they take and I’ll say judging an entire area as horrible sinners needing to be saved isn’t exactly going to get you on my good side. And just look at this picture a Portland postal officer posted of this entire mess. Think of not only how extremely wasteful of resources this is, but how much more annoying work is given to people just trying to do an extremely important job. I see a whole lot of Christians here haven’t read their Bible because if I remember right, it’s John 8:7 that says, “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.” Happily we have no evidence that, outside the apostate angels, any other world than our own has fallen under the influence of this sinful revolt. But this is enough to make it a matter of absorbing interest to us; for Satan and his angels being cast out of heaven, this world has become the sole theater of the struggle between right and wrong. All men have become involved therein. Between them and salvation there lies the problem of recovery from sin, the attainment to a condition of reconciliation and acceptance with God. GC88 a.5

When there is no special effort made to resist his power, when indifference prevails in the church and the world, Satan is not concerned; for he is in no danger of losing those whom he is leading captive at his will. But when the attention is called to eternal things, and souls are inquiring, “What must I do to be saved?” he is on the ground, seeking to match his power against the power of Christ and to counteract the influence of the Holy Spirit. GC 518.2 Satan consults with his angels, and then with these kings and conquerors and mighty men. They look upon the strength and numbers on their side, and declare that the army within the city is small in comparison with theirs, and that it can be overcome. They lay their plans to take possession of the riches and glory of the New Jerusalem. All immediately begin to prepare for battle. Skillful artisans construct implements of war. Military leaders, famed for their success, marshal the throngs of warlike men into companies and divisions. GC 664.2 The position that it is of no consequence what men believe is one of Satan's most successful deceptions. He knows that the truth, received in the love of it, sanctifies the soul of the receiver; therefore he is constantly seeking to substitute false theories, fables, another gospel. From the beginning the servants of God have contended against false teachers, not merely as vicious men, but as inculcators of falsehoods that were fatal to the soul. Elijah, Jeremiah, Paul, firmly and fearlessly opposed those who were turning men from the word of God. That liberality which regards a correct religious faith as unimportant found no favor with these holy defenders of the truth. GC 520.2Still another subtle and mischievous error is the fast-spreading belief that Satan has no existence as a personal being; that the name is used in Scripture merely to represent men's evil thoughts and desires. GC 524.3 In a letter to A. G. Daniells, White wrote in August 1910, shortly before the 1911 edition was published: While God has given ample evidence for faith, He will never remove all excuse for unbelief. All who look for hooks to hang their doubts upon will find them. And those who refuse to accept and obey God's word until every objection has been removed, and there is no longer an opportunity for doubt, will never come to the light. GC 527.2