The Great Controversy
The Great Controversy between Christ and satan is all about God's Law, The Ten Commandments.
God says that we absolutely must keep them if we want to live with Him. Satan says we don't need them.
For the last 6,000 years God has distanced Himself from this world a bit, so that it can become clear what the differences between the two ways of government are.
But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.
- Isaiah 59:2 (KJV)
But it can't (and won't) stay like this. This Great Controversy is coming to an end, and you too need to make a very important decision very soon. More on this in a minute.
God's Law is super-important to Him. It is a reflection of who He is, and what He stands for.
He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
- 1 John 4:8 (KJV)
Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
- Romans 13:10 (KJV)
The principle behind God's Law is love, whereas we tend to live on the principle of self.
God's Law is not that hard to keep really.
For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
- 1 John 5:3 (KJV)
Breaking God's Law means death.
For the wages of sin [transgression of the Law] is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
- Romans 6:23 (KJV)
That's a really strong indicator how much God values His Law, e.g. God's Law must be kept at all times.
God doesn't change, and nor will His Law.
For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.
- Malachi 3:6 (KJV)
The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure. They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness.
- Psalms 111:7-8 (KJV)
His standards are superior to our standards.
Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
- Matthew 5:48 (KJV)
In heaven, satan convinced one-third of the angels that they didn't need God's Law, and then there was war in heaven because of it.
And 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)
Shortly after that, Adam and Eve fell as a result of satan's temptations.
Unfortunately, you and I are caught in the middle of this war. We have the knowledge of good and evil, but we have no idea where the dividing line is, and we break God's Law every day. We are pretty much under satan's control, and our only hope is Christ.
When we break God's Law, our blood (life) is required.
And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission [of sin].
- Hebrews 9:22 (KJV)
Fortunately for us, someone else can take our place, provided that that person has no sins himself (without spot). I'm a sinner, so I can't take your place. An angel can't take our place either due to the gravity of the situation. So Christ decided to do it for us. He gave His life for us on the cross.
It's the ultimate demonstration of Love (the true character of God).
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
- John 15:13 (KJV)
Because Jesus was without sin, death had nothing on Him, and He rose on the third day (as prophesied).
Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
- John 11:25-26 (KJV)
If you believe that Jesus died for your sins then God will grant you eternal life.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life..
- John 3:16 (KJV)
At the Fall, satan claimed that God's Law was too hard to keep, and he build his kingdom on top of that claim. However Christ, being fully human, proved that it was possible to keep God's Law fully. Jesus never sinned. This exposed satan as a liar (and a murderer also), and there was now a basis for his judgment. Satan knew that his time was short.
Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.
- Revelation 12:12 (KJV)
He basically hates God, and will do whatever he can to hurt Him. Most likely by killing God's children (Christians).
After the crucifixion, satan then put forth another lie. He now claimed that because there was grace, there was no need for the Law anymore. But that's rubbish also, because God's Law is eternal, and will never be done away with.
What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
- Romans 6:1-2 (KJV)
How will this end? Well, God has been very patient and longsuffering, but obviously this can't go on like this anymore.
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord [God's wrath, the seven last plagues] will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
- 2 Peter 3:9-10 (KJV)
Adam and Eve were deceived, but we can no longer use that as an excuse. We now know full well who God is, and what Jesus has done for us.
Judgment has come to Earth.
In the last days, God wants to know who you worship, e.g. do you worship God and keep His Commandments, or do you worship satan?
There is a test for this that will soon come to all of us.
Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
- Revelation 3:10 (KJV)
The test will be over the Sabbath commandment.
In the same way that "Thou shalt not kill" is valid, so is "Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy" still valid also.
All of God's Law must be kept. You can't just pick and choose. They are commandments, and not suggestions.
For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
- Matthew 5:18 (KJV)
For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
- James 2:10 (KJV)
The Sabbath is on the seventh day (Friday sunset - Saturday sunset), and not on any other day.
You either live with God in obedience (Sabbath, Seal of God), or you will die with satan in rebellion (Sunday, Mark of the beast).
Once everyone has made their decision, and sin has been dealt with, the Great Controversy will end.
Then there will be no more sin. 