The Great Controversy eBook

The Great Controversy

Part 1

This book is dedicated to Lion, Sky and Coral

PrefaceThis eBook outlines what I think are essential concepts in order to understand the teachings of the Seventh- Day Adventist Church. If you have never heard of these ideas before, it is quite possible you do not fully understand the Adventist teaching known as the 3 Angels Messages.This book was written for that purpose, it is intended as an aid to help understand those messages. I hope it will be easy enough for even children to appreciate.

Instructions

To get the most out of this eBook, I would like to make the following suggestions:• read the eBook through• then go back and prove with a fact that each point is

true. • make sure you can verify the truthfulness of each

point by hook or by crook.

That’s it. God bless you.

start

(that is before the earth began)

there was a disagreement

“I do not agree with what you have to say, but I'll defend

to the death your right to say it.” Voltaire

Who were arguing?

Who were these characters?

Michael

the Dragon

&

“You have but to know an object by its proper name for it to lose its dangerous magic.” Elias Canetti

Why didn’t it say Jesus and Satan?

Would that have been easier?

If you know why these names were used it will unlock many keys to understanding this

controversy!

Anyway this argument was serious…

Heaven in a state

what was the issue?

that could cause a war…

in paradise of all places?

that’s a paradox isn't it?

war in heaven

important

what was the issue again?

the real issue was…

over the law of God

“the law of God?”

What’s wrong with the law of God?

“Laws and principles are not for the times when there is no temptation: they are for such moments as this, when body and soul rise in mutiny against their rigour ... If at my convenience I might break them, what would be their worth?” Charlotte Bronte , Jane Eyre

think hard about this

in figuring out the problem with the law of God…

the dragon said the law was unfair

What?

Unfair?

What was unfair?

You don’t think the same thing by any chance do you?

hold on

and he justified it by…

He said everything about the law was unfair

Well he justified himself by…himself

with his own arguments

He did not like the law and said it was…

…not right

it was unjust

unfairwrong

unreasonablethat he had a reason to question it

on top of all that he wanted to …

Well… he wanted to actually be like Michael

he must have been jealousbig-time

was the law really unfair?

was there a reason to break it?

anyway eventually

the war was won

back then

(that is before the earth began)

that’s right - before the earth began.

by Michael

Which was great news… (we all thought that!)

but hold on…

we still have war

we still have pain

we still have sorrow

If the war was won by Michael…

How come we still have sin?

big question huh?

No matter what creed, colour or religion you are…

if you’re reading this…

The answer to this question is the basis of understanding Christianity

How come we still have sin?

The answer forms the foundation of understanding Adventism

If you can answer this question of why we are still at war….

Then the 3 angels messages will make complete sense

So… how come we are still at war?

Well..

actually there was a deadlock

(after the war was won)

Michael won the war but the dragon would not accept it

furthermore…

The dragon’s supporters were still sympathetic to his argument

and

Michael’s angels were still not entirely sure who was really in the right

If the Dragon was destroyed and all his support with him…

Somewhere in the universe someone would still be in doubt

“what if the dragon was right?”

and some day that doubt could resurface again and cause…

well war…. again

simply put…

• There was a reason to break the law

• the law was unfair

• the reason to break the law is because ‘I think so’

dear reader are you sure you understand the issue that caused the argument in the first place?

anyway

Michael wanted to resolve this once and for all

and for good.

Michael wanted the best solution to this dilemma

deadlock

So he tells the dragon…

Whom he has just beaten in wartime…

I’ll see you in court

“Court” exclaimed the dragon

‘We’ll finish this in court’ said Michael

“are you crazy” he blurted

“court can’t resolve this” he grumbled

“Oh yes it will” replied Michael

“how can it?” enquired the dragon

Understand this dear reader

there are only 2 sides in this war

In all the universe there were created beings that were all loyal to God

but we had another group…

the supporters of the Dragon

There wasn’t anyone else just 2 sides

Who will be the Judge? enquired the Dragon

and who will be the Jury?

“It won’t be fair” he added

“unless…you have a 3rd party” he retorted

‘and we know there is no third party’ he laughed

Michael responds…

“well its funny you should mention that…”

‘we do have a third party’

what?

“where are they? Who are they? “

Michael points in a dark corner of a galaxy…

“you will find them over there”

…on Earth

what?

“you’ve got to be kidding me” said the dragon incredulously

“Oh I am deadly serious” warned Michael

the inhabitants of Earth

will be the judges and jury

‘that means…you my friend’

Let that sink in for a moment

You are the key witness

You are the main witness in this case

are you getting the picture?

The biggest trial on the face of this universe is underway

and you are the prime witness

The dragon ponders hard

You should ponder hard too!

It’s a bit like a game of chess

what will be his next move?

Humans?

The judge, witnesses and jury?

unbelievable

unheard of

“How will that make a fair trial” asks the dragon

Well…

the witnesses will be…

arbitrary

they are not involved

nor were they there

impartial and unbiased they will be

they will be perfect, and pure

let them hear your arguments

let them decide

If they choose you

If they vote for you

If they really want you

I will deal with that scenario if that should ever happen

however

understand that in this process I am going to show the universe your true colours

I only need one witness to demonstrate that the law is fair

one testimony will be enough to negate your arguments

and your accusations

At the end of time when you reach the climax of your case…

I will have an army of witnesses for you to contend against

all testifying that the law is fair

So then

I will give you time

to state your case

present your arguments

prove your point.

If you want to try and persuade them go ahead

no blatant out and out killing mind…

I will be watching you

We will see what decision they come to at the end

Consider yourself on probation

You’re not off the hook

You’re on probation

I won the war remember

as far as I am concerned

this is a done deal

but for the sake of a better solution

one which even you will have to agree with…

I will give you the time you need

state your case to the third party

What do you say ?

Agreed?

“Done” said the dragon

and the rest is history.

now the dragon muttered…

he pondered hard his first move

What would he do?

how would he corrupt the witnesses?

destroy their witness

would he use money?

would he use women?

would he use men?

what would be his main strategy?

your guess is as good as mine

however

this is what was said in the book TEMPERANCE

Chapter 2—The Inception of Intemperance Satan gathered the fallen angels together to devise some way of doing the most possible evil to the human family. One proposition after another was made, till finally Satan himself thought of a plan. He would take the fruit of the vine, also wheat, and other things given by God as food, and would convert them into poisons, which would ruin man’s physical, mental, and moral powers, and so overcome the senses that Satan should have full control. Under the influence of liquor, men would be led to commit crimes of all kinds. Through perverted appetite the world would be made corrupt. By leading men to drink alcohol, Satan would cause them to descend lower and lower in the scale. Satan has succeeded in turning the world from God. The blessings provided in God’s love and mercy he has turned into a deadly curse. He has filled men with a craving for liquor and tobacco. This appetite, which has no foundation in nature, has destroyed its millions.—The Review and Herald, April 16, 1901.

this is what was said in the book Counsels on Diet and Foods

The Secret of the Enemy’s Strategy—Intemperance of any kind benumbs the perceptive organs and so weakens the brain-nerve power that eternal things are not appreciated, but placed upon a level with the common. The higher powers of the mind, designed for elevated purposes, are brought into slavery to the baser passions. If our physical habits are not right, our mental and moral powers cannot be strong; for great sympathy exists between the physical and the moral.—Testimonies for the Church 3:50, 51. The brain nerves which communicate with the entire system are the only medium through which Heaven can communicate to man and affect his inmost life. Whatever disturbs the circulation of the electric currents in the nervous system lessens the strength of the vital powers, and the result is a deadening of the sensibilities of the mind.—Testimonies for the Church 2:347. Satan is constantly on the alert to bring the race fully under his control. His strongest hold on man is through the appetite, and this he seeks to stimulate in every possible way.—Counsels on Diet and Foods, 150.

What did he actually use?

food

that’s right - food

the witnesses are corrupted

with food

and their children…

are you thinking about this?

are the pieces coming together in your mind?

You would have thought that the dragon was going to win

but Michael had a plan too

A

His plan is called the gospel

to restore corrupted humanity back to their

original condition as witnesses

urban name for the Gospel

this the great controversy

the fight between good and evil

This is the backdrop behind the religion called Christianity

are you understanding this?

We can’t be just nominal Christians if we understand what is going on

The most important thing to realise is that the law of God is of the utmost pre-eminence in the government of God

This law must be upheld by all subjects of the universe for peace and stability

Heaven is prepared to go to war to protect the law of God sometimes called the law of liberty

the court is in progress

our interests in life

is not the main focus

Life is not really about being secure, having enough money and living ‘life to the full’

we will find true meaning and fulfilment and all the these things just mentioned

as we align ourselves with God’s Almighty purpose for us

you are his witness

will you stand?

will you testify

that the law is just, holy and good?

You will just be doing your duty

Michael is depending on you.

The Great Controversy

End of Part 1