Counsels on Church Life

Counsel #8 — The Great Controversy

Picture: Counsel #8 — The Great Controversy CCL 18.1

Humanity is currently caught in a cosmic tug-of-war between good and evil, a "great controversy" playing out between Christ and Satan. This fight stretches back to Heaven, where Satan, a powerful being with free will chose self-importance over serving God. Satan maligned God’s character of love, convincing many angels to rebel with him. Satan’s spirit of rebellion spilled over to Earth when he tempted Adam and Eve to disobey God, leading them to sin. No longer reflecting God accurately, humans disrupted the created world, and ultimately led to its devastation in the great flood described in Genesis. With all of creation watching, Earth became the battleground for this universal conflict. Ultimately, however, God’s maligned character of love will be vindicated. To help us navigate this fight, Christ sends the Holy Spirit and His loyal angels to guide, protect, and empower us to overcome sin and have His image restored in us.^[23] CCL 18.2

“And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer.” Revelation 12:7, 8 NKJV CCL 18.3

“Christ does not drive but draws men unto Him. The only compulsion which He employs is the constraint of love.” Ellen G. White in Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, p. 127 CCL 18.4

Reflect: The Holy Spirit and angels are sent to guide and protect us. How can we be more receptive to this divine assistance in our daily lives? CCL 18.5