Times Of Swaziland: THE GREAT CONTROVERSY THE GREAT CONTROVERSY ================================================================================ The Editor on 14/06/2018 01:16:00 Sir, All humanity is involved in a great controversy between Christ and satan. All who stand for God place themselves squarely against satan and his army. The Bible tells us that the war began with an angel named Lucifer, who was described as a ‘covering cherub’ (Ezekiel 28:14-16). A covering cherub, according to Exodus 25:14-20, is an angel that stood in the very presence of God, covering the ark of the testimony, in which lay the law of God. Lucifer was once an angel that stood closest to the throne of God. All was at peace until ‘iniquity’ was found in Lucifer (Ezekiel 28:15). Lucifer said; “I will exalt my throne above the stars of the most high, I will be like the most high,” Isaiah 14:14. Lucifer permitted envious, jealous thoughts to control him. The scripture says the crisis continued until ‘there was war in heaven’ (Rev. 12:7-9). Lucifer and his sympathisers fought against Christ and loyal angels. Lucifer and his angels were defeated and expelled from heaven. God gave Lucifer time, He did not at once destroy Lucifer and his followers, but gave them time and opportunity to repent. On earth God placed Adam and Eve, the first human pair, in the Garden of Eden, and had set up a test of character so they could demonstrate their loyalty to Him. The test was simple; God set apart one tree in the garden and told Adam and Eve not to eat from it (Gen. 2:16, 17); disobedience would bring death. Lucifer saw this as an opportunity to tempt the holy pair to eat the fruit and thus join him in rebellion. Tragically, Adam and Eve yielded to satan’s temptation. In mercy, God spared their lives so that they might have opportunity to repent, but the penalty for breaking God’s law had to be met. Thus, God offered His own son to come to this earth and die as a divine substitute, taking the place of sinners. He also promised a continuing conflict between good and evil (Gen 3:15). Today the conflict is nearing its close. With great urgency the Holy Spirit and angels are seeking to help people choose God’s side and put loyalty to God, righteousness and truth above life itself. Scripture makes clear that the ultimate outcome will be complete victory for God. But until that day, when God destroys satan and his followers and purifies the world by fire, good and evil will continue to exist. The Bible teaches that sin and sinners will finally be destroyed, and the universe will be restored to its original perfection and harmony. This great controversy will be concluded with the final destruction of satan, his angels and all the wicked (Mal. 4:1; Jude 5-7). Dear reader, the great controversy is a currently ongoing cosmic conflict that had a beginning and will have an end. This world is 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. As the great controversy moves toward its end, evil, temptation and sin will become more aggressive in nature and more widespread. With the intrusion of modern media into our lives, all kinds of temptations are available to God’s children everywhere. Thank God for He is in control. All who are on his side, God will give them power to stand. Whose side are you on? God or Satan? Bopoto Gwinyai (7663 8191)