The Great Controversy
By Art Dmytriyev
Yancey County
This article is a reminder about something that all humans need to remember. Almost everyone nowadays repeats that we are all living in unprecedented times. All the world is under pressure with different disasters such as earthquakes, wars, sicknesses, commotions, and uncertainty. Here is the reminder – there is definitely hope for us!
If someone ever read the book of Revelation in the Bible, they probably came across Chapter 12. There is a description of the war in Heaven being transferred to the planet Earth.
“There was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” (Revelation 12:7–9 KJV). Amazingly, absolutely all of humanity is involved in that conflict. There is no place for humans to just observe. So, the war did not start on Earth, but in Heaven, but when Satan was banished from Heaven he headed straight for Earth, accompanied by all the angels who followed him.
Based on this narrative we might be able to answer the universal question: “Why does God of love and mercy allow sin and suffering?” Perhaps, we need to ask a deeper question: How long will the Lord of love, mercy, and grace let Satan and his angels continue with sin, suffering, and torment toward God’s beloved creation? The Bible says: “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.” (James 4:7–8 KJV).
This whole conflict will have an end. Yes, nobody knows the day or the hour (Matthew 24:36), but it will not last forever. If you wonder who will gain the victory and what will happen after it, then you only need to read 1200 pages of the Bible in the context of the Earth’s history. The victory in this conflict belongs to Jesus and His angels as well as to all His followers here on Earth. One day, God promises us, that He will put an end to sin, destroy Satan and his followers, and make all things right again. Before that happens, though, everyone has to make a choice. Heaven’s Eternal bliss is the reward to everyone who conquers.
“Whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” (1 John 5:4 KJV).
Let me conclude with the most relevant question for today. Where is our place in all that controversy? Are we fighting the Lord’s battles, or are we on Satan’s side? No human knows his or her day or the hour when the battle will be over. So, let us live every day of our life as if there is no tomorrow! If you fight on the Lord’s side then the Lord promises to you something very helpful: to assist us in this controversy. Christ sends the Holy Spirit and the loyal angels to guide, protect, and sustain us on the way to salvation.
Dear reader, everyone on Earth must take a side in this spiritual warfare – the Great Controversy. We can choose the path of rebellion and selfishness, which is made to look appealing to the flesh, but it leads to destruction, or, even though this world makes it difficult, we can choose the path of justice, mercy, and God’s unfailing love. Please, choose life and victory in Jesus so that we can all spend Eternity with our Lord and Savior!
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Pr. Art Dmytriyev is originally from Siberia. He has traveled the world in Evangelism and pastoral ministry. He serves as a pastor in North Carolina, holds a Master of Divinity degree, and is currently a Doctor of Ministry candidate. More information at: https://burnsvillenc.adventistchurch.org/pastors-blog
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