The Great Controversy doctrine holds that there is a cosmic conflict between Christ and Satan over God's character and sovereignty. This began in heaven when Lucifer rebelled against God and led other angels to rebel. Lucifer became Satan and introduced rebellion on Earth by tempting Adam and Eve to sin. Human sin distorted humanity's reflection of God and disrupted creation. All of creation has witnessed the results of Satan's work and God's efforts to save humanity through Christ. In the end, God will be vindicated and all will acknowledge Christ's worthiness.

1. OUR BELIEFS
THE 28 FUNDAMENTAL BELIEFS OF SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST

2. FUNDAMENTAL BELIEF 8
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY

3. LAST WEEK: Nature of Man
Once molded in God’s image, now fractured by sin, it took a perfect Savior
to reconcile us. The Spirit restores God’s reflection within us so God can
work through us.
Man and woman were made in the image of God with individuality, the
power and freedom to think and to do. Though created free beings, each is
an indivisible unity of body, mind and spirit, dependent upon God for life
and breath and all else. When our first parents disobeyed God, they denied
their dependence upon Him and fell from their high position under God. The
image of God in them was marred and they became subject to death. Their
descendants share this fallen nature and its consequences. They are born
with weaknesses and tendencies to evil. But God in Christ reconciled the
world to Himself and by His Spirit restores in penitent mortals the image of
their Maker. Created for the glory of God, they are called to love Him and
one another, and to care for their environment. (Gen. 1:26-28; 2:7; Ps. 8:4-
8; Acts 17:24-28; Gen. 3; Ps. 51:5; Rom. 5:12-17; 2 Cor. 5:19, 20; Ps. 51:10;
1 John 4:7, 8, 11, 20; Gen. 2:15.)
[http://www.adventist.org/en/beliefs/humanity/nature-of-man/]

4. A quarterly study of The Nature of Man can be found at:
http://ssnet.org/qrtrly/eng/99b/
Our study broke #7 into three main themes and you can find additional
reading via the links provided.
1. The Original Man [http://ssnet.org/qrtrly/eng/99b/less01.html & 2,3,4]
2. The Fallen Man [http://ssnet.org/qrtrly/eng/99b/less06.html]
3. The Restored Man [http://ssnet.org/qrtrly/eng/99b/less07.html]

5. THIS WEEK: Great Controversy
All humanity is now involved in a great controversy between Christ and Satan regarding
the character of God, His law, and His sovereignty over the universe.
This conflict originated in heaven when a created being, endowed with freedom of
choice, in self-exaltation became Satan, God’s adversary, and led into rebellion a portion
of the angels. He introduced the spirit of rebellion into this world when he led Adam and
Eve into sin. This human sin resulted in the distortion of the image of God in
humanity, the disordering of the created world, and its eventual devastation at the time
of the worldwide flood.
Observed by the whole creation, this world became the arena of the universal
conflict, out of which the God of love will ultimately be vindicated. To assist His people in
this controversy, Christ sends the Holy Spirit and the loyal angels to guide, protect, and
sustain them in the way of salvation. (Rev. 12:4-9; Isa. 14:12-14; Eze. 28:12-18; Gen. 3;
Rom. 1:19-32; 5:12-21; 8:19-22; Gen. 6-8;
2 Peter 3:6; 1 Cor. 4:9; Heb. 1:14.)
[http://www.adventist.org/beliefs/]

6. What are angels, demons, and spirit beings?
Who is Satan the Devil?
What is so controversial about Heaven and Earth?

7. The Great Controversy
Seventh-day Adventists Believe…
The Doctrine of Salvation
8

8. While in a funeral service in Ohio, Ellen White received a vision in 1858. She
had a vision about Christ and his angels. It was about a cosmic battle
between Christ and Satan. She almost was killed according to her by Satan
two days later. She published her vision in a book called Spiritual
Gifts, volume 1, The Great Controversy Between Christ and His Angels and
Satan and His Angels in 1858. The book was a hit and enjoyed by the
Seventh Day Adventists as a view of the Earth’s History and purpose.

9. The root cause of all the evil we see on earth
today is Lucifer’s (Satan) rebellion against
God, which has led to a universe-wide conflict.
The conflict began in heaven. Revelation 12:4-
9
Satan was created perfect. Ezekiel 28:12-18
Satan’s pride led him to want to be equal to
God. Isaiah 14:12-14

10. When he was cast out of heaven, Satan came to
earth and tempted Adam and Eve to join his
rebellion. Their fall changed earth from a paradise
to a battlefield. All the inhabitants of the universe
have witnessed the results of Satan’s work here.
When Adam and Eve followed Satan in rebellion, all
of mankind became tainted by sin. Genesis 3
Sin has distorted the image of God in mankind.
Romans 1:19-32
Sin caused God’s beautiful creation to become so
vile that he had to destroy it in a flood.
All of creation watches events here, waiting for
redemption of God’s children. Romans 8:19-22

11. Gods sends his Son, his spirit, and his angels to help
us in our struggles against evil. Romans 5:15-21
In the end, all the universe will see that God’s way
is right and Satan’s way wrong, and God will be
vindicated as the only just ruler for the universe.
Every knee will finally bow to Christ. Philippians 2:5-
11
All will acknowledge Christ as worthy of worship.
Revelation 5:11-14

12. And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled
with fire: and them that had gotten the victory
over the beast, and over his image, and over
his mark, and over the number of his name,
stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of
God. And they sang the song of Moses the
servant of God, and the song of the Lamb.”
—Revelation 15:2-3