"The Great Controvercy"
Introduction…American movies versus English movies…My observation as a young TV watcher was that American movies have a plot, while English movies just happened.
As Christians we often take our understanding of the Bible for granted. Often new Christians have a difficult time understanding how to fit the many facets of the Bible together. Is there a common thread? Is there a an underlying plot that will fit all the pieces of the Bible together? How do you make sense of the entire Bible?
Another way this question often comes is when someone asks the question: âWhy did Jesus come to this planet?
The underlying theme of the entire Bible is a cosmic battle between good and evil, light and darkness, God and Satan. This battle between good and evil began in heaven
A Cosmic View of the Controversy…
âHow could sin originate in a perfect environment?
Angels, being of a higher order than humans (Ps 8.5), were created to enjoy intimate fellowship with God (Rev 1.1; 3.5; 5.11). Of superior strength, and obedient to God’s Word (Ps 103.20), they function as servants or “ministering spirits” (Heb 1.14). Though generally invisible, at times they appear in human form (Gen 18, 19; Heb 13.2). It was through one of these angelic beings that sin was introduced to the universe. (Rev 12.7-9; Isaiah 14.12; Ezekiel 28.12-15).
Where did this Controversy begin?…
Although sin’s rise is a mystery, it’s roots can be traced to Lucifer’s pride (Ezekiel 28.17). This beautiful creature refused to be content with the exalted position his Creator gave him. In his selfishness and pride he coveted equality with God Himself (Isaiah 14.12-14). Lucifer’s selfish attitude and covert actions blinded and confused many of the angels in heaven about the love and character of God. The resulting discontent and disloyalty to God’s government grew until one third of the angelic host joined him in rebellion (Rev 12.4). The tranquility, love, and peace of God’s kingdom was shattered and “war broke out in heaven” (Rev 12.7). This celestial war resulted in Lucifer, or Satan, depicted as the great dragon, that ancient serpent called the devil and Satan, being “cast to this earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” (Rev 12.9).
âHow did humanity become involved?…
His rebellion against God spread to this earth (Gen 3) when Adam and Eve sinned. In seducing our first parents to sin, Satan ingeniously wrested from them their dominion over this earth. Now claiming to be the “prince of this world,” he challenged God, His government and the peace of the whole universe from his new headquarters, Planet Earth.
Impact on the human race…
The effects of the struggle between Christ and Satan soon became apparent as sin distorted the image of God in humanity. As soon as sin entered God offered His covenant of grace to the human race (Gen 3.15), their first child, Cain, murdered his own brother (Gen 4.8). Wickedness spread like wildfire until God wished He had not created man because “every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Gen 6.5).
God used a flood to cleanse the world of its unrepentant inhabitants and give the human race a new start (Gen 7.17-20). But it wasn’t long before the descendants of Noah departed from God’s covenant and God quashed man’s rebellion again by confounding his universal language (Gen 9.1; 11.11).
Sometime later, with the world near total apostasy, God extended His covenant to Abraham and his descendants. Through Abraham God planned to bless all nations of the world (Gen 12.1-3; 22.15-18). However, the successive generations of Abraham’s descendants proved faithless to God’s gracious covenant. Entrapped is sin, they aided Satan in achieving his objective in the great controversy by crucifying the Author and Surety of the covenant, Jesus Christ.
Earth, the Theater of the Universe…
The book of Job helps us understand that this planet is the stage on which this dramatic struggle between right and wrong is being played out. As Scripture states, “We have been made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men.” (1 Cor 4.9).
In this book is described a gathering of the representatives from various parts of the universe (Job 1.6-2.7). Satan is there as the “prince of this world” and a discussion between he and God over the righteous man, Job occurs. Job is unaware of this cosmic discussion, but he surely feels the effects. God sets limits on what Satan can do, but Job’s love and faithfulness for God is tested to the limit, yet Job proves faithful. In fact, the latter end of Job is pictured as much closer to God than at the beginning. Suffering drew him closer to God, proving that his heart was truly “righteous” and that God knew Job much better than Satan. Job’s love lead to obedience – no matter what! Just as Jesus noted in John 14.15.
The Cosmic Issue…
âWhat is the pivotal issue in this life and death struggle?
God’s character, His government, and His law
Rather than admitting responsibility for sin and rebellion in the universe and this world, Satan lays the blame on God. He is not only the “accuser of the brethren” (Rev 12.10), he is the accuser of God, Himself.
We see this struggle very clearly during the temptations of Jesus in the wilderness (Matthew 4.1-11). Here we see the core issue is trusting God verses thinking and living independent of God. But Christ’s highest priority was to live by His Father’s word. In spite of His great hunger, He refused to compromise. Jesus knew Who He was, He knew He could trust His Father. It was through His total dependence on the Father, that Christ defeated Satan.
This cosmic struggle comes into clearest focus at Calvary. Satan intensified his efforts to get Jesus to abort His mission of saving mankind. Satan used any and every method he could. He was especially successful in using the religious leaders of the time, whose jealousy over Christ’s popularity lead them to put an end to His life. Through betrayal, arrest, trial, perjured testimony, condemnation, and death Satan hoped to intimate Christ, but He was absolutely obedient to His Father’s will. He was faithful unto death.
The benefits of both Christ’s life and His death reach beyond the limited world of the human race. Speaking of the cross, Christ said, “Now the prince of this world (Satan) will be driven out” (John 12.31), “the prince of this world now stands condemned” (John 16.11).
The cosmic controversy came to its climax at the cross. The love and faithful obedience Christ demonstrated there in the face of Satan’s cruelty undermined Prince Satan’s position, assuring his ultimate downfall as predicted (prophesied) in Genesis 3.15.
Controversy About Truth as It Is in Jesus…
The most crucial question is what Jesus asked His disciples in Matthew 16.13,14, “Who do you say I am?” Everyone must answer this question. Your answer to this life-and-death question will determine your eternal destiny.
Today this Great Controversy rages furiously around Christ’s authority and ability to be the Savior and Lord of every person. Each of us must decide who we will believe. In a sense each one of us is standing near Eve as the beguiling Serpent tempts us to distrust our Creator – to eat the forbidden fruit and express our independence of God. We must choose.
Let the words of Joshua express the desire of each of our hearts, “as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24.15).
Results of this “Tough
Doctrine” called The Great Controversy:
1. It explains the mystery of suffering
2. It displays Christ’s present loving concern for the world
3. It reveals the cosmic significance of the cross
4. It unmasks Satan’s plan to undermine God’s Kingdom principles, His laws, and His character
5. It produces a constant state of watchfulness
6. It points to the importance God places on my choice of loyalty
7. It helps us understand the depth of God’s love for each person