IS THE GREAT CONTROVERSY THE RIGHT BOOK TO DISTRIBUTE AT THIS TIME?
If Ellen White was asked this question, she would answer: “I am more anxious to see a wide circulation for this book than for any others I have written; for in The Great Controversy, the last message of warning to the world is given more distinctly than in any of my other books” (Letter 281, 1905).
HOW DOES THE GREAT CONTROVERSY CONTAIN THE “LAST MESSAGE OF WARNING”?
In order to understand this, Revelation 18:1 needs to be studied. It states: “. . . another angel with great authority came down from heaven, and the earth was illuminated. . . . This verse indicates that a time will come in the future when everyone will know about Jesus, the Light that illuminates the earth.
WHAT IS THE CONTEXT OF THIS BIBLE VERSE?
Revelation 17 refers to Babylon, the mother of prostitutes. In Chapter 18, it also directly mentions Babylon. We are living in a time when Babylon is very strong. In the near future, it will become even stronger. Those living in this mystic Babylon believe they are in the right place, the safest place on earth, and there is no need to get out. Revelation 18:4 says: “. . . Come out of her, my people. . .” Millions of God’s children are living in Babylon and He wants them to come out before it’s too late. The earth will be illuminated with a specific message that will convince God’s children to leave Babylon.
WHAT IS THE CONTENT OF THIS SPECIFIC MESSAGE?
The news about Jesus, our Savior, and His soon return is surely part of this message. However, those who are in Babylon are also preaching a similar message. Even Satan wants people to believe in the second coming, because he is planning on returning in glory and showing himself as the savior of the world. The Ten Commandments and the Sabbath should be preached, but those in Babylon might say: “We also keep the commandments and the Sunday Sabbath in memory of the resurrection of Jesus.”
Preaching about Jesus and the great conflict between Him and Satan is a must. During this conflict, Satan has used several strategies to mislead people by creating a false image of God in the minds of His children. Babylon is one of his last attempts.
BESIDES THE BIBLE, WHY HAS THE GREAT CONTROVERSY CONVERTED MORE PEOPLE TO THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH THAN ANY OTHER BOOK?
No book expresses the reality of mystic Babylon better than The Great Controversy. As soon as God’s children learn the religious system they follow is deceitful, they will accept His invitation to come out. The earth will be illuminated with the real truth about Jesus and His battle with Satan. Ellen White wrote: “Instruction has been given me that the important books containing the light that God has given regarding Satan’s apostasy in Heaven should be given a wide circulation just now, for through them the truth will reach many minds” (Review and Herald, Feb. 16, 1905). The message to come out of Babylon is and will be the last message to be preached, and The Great Controversy is part of it. The Great Controversy is a letter from God, inviting His children to come out of Babylon. God is looking for people who are willing to be His mail carriers and deliver His invitation letter to the entire world.
Wilmar Hirle is Publishing associate director for the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. ([email protected])
