Great Controversy Honor

Missionary Activities - Bible Studies

Requirements

1. Know how the Bible describes the origin, glory, and fall of the angel Lucifer, using the figures of the kings of Tyre and Babylon as illustrations. (Ezekiel 28:12, 15; Isaiah 14:12-14)

   Answer: Ezekiel 28:12-15 describes Lucifer as 'full of wisdom, perfect in beauty', an anointed cherub on God's holy mountain, created perfect until iniquity was found in him. Isaiah 14:12-14 narrates his fall: 'How you have fallen from heaven, O morning star' through pride in wanting to be like the Most High. Originally glorious, he fell through the sin of pride. — The texts use human kings (Tyre, Babylon) as types of the angel. Ez 28: a covering cherub with precious stones and music in his garment. Is 14: he wanted a seat above the stars, to be like God. The original sin of pride ('I will be like the Most High'). Ellen White in The Great Controversy expands the narrative: Lucifer questioned the divine character, generating heavenly rebellion. After the fall, he became Satan, the adversary of humanity.

2. Know how many angels joined Lucifer in his rebellion against God. (Revelation 12:4)

   Answer: Revelation 12:4 declares that the dragon's tail dragged 'the third part of the stars of heaven', interpreted by Adventist theology as angels. Therefore, one third (1/3) of the heavenly angels joined Lucifer's rebellion, becoming demons. The other two thirds remained faithful to God and the Lamb in heaven. — Stars frequently symbolize angels in biblical prophecy (Job 38:7, Rev 1:20). The 'dragon's tail' represents the seductive influence of Lucifer over the heavenly angels. The proportion of 1/3 shows the gravity of the rebellion, but also the sovereignty of God, who kept the majority of the angels faithful. Ellen White in Patriarchs and Prophets details how the seduction occurred through insinuations and murmurs about the divine character.

3. Understand what happened in heaven between the faithful angels and the rebel angels. (Revelation 12:7-9)

   Answer: There was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon (Lucifer/Satan) and his angels. The rebels did not prevail and were cast out of heaven, thrown to the earth with their angels. It was the beginning of the cosmic Great Controversy, with Satan as the adversary now operating on planet Earth against created humanity. — Rev 12:7-9 narrates: 'There was a battle in heaven... Michael and his angels fought against the dragon... and the great dragon was cast down'. Adventism identifies Michael as Christ Himself, pre-incarnate (Michael = 'Who is like God'). The rebels were cast out. Adventist theology sees this as the beginning of the cosmic and moral conflict between good and evil. Ellen White details in The Great Controversy how the expulsion occurred.

4. Explain how Satan introduced sin on Earth. (Genesis 3:1-6)

   Answer: Satan used the serpent as an instrument, approaching Eve in Eden near the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. He questioned the word of God ('did God really say so?'), lied about the consequences ('you will surely not die'), promised divinity ('you will be like God'), and aroused desire. Eve ate the fruit, gave it to Adam, and both sinned, introducing sin into humanity. — Gen 3:1-6 shows Satan's strategy: doubt about the Word, a lie about the consequences, a deceitful promise, the seduction of desire. Eve saw the tree as 'good for food, pleasant to the eyes, and desirable to make one wise'. Adam sinned knowing the truth, according to 1 Tim 2:14. Adventism understands this as the beginning of the sinful state of humanity. Romans 5:12 confirms: through one man, sin entered the world.

5. Define what the effects of sin on humanity were. (Genesis 6:5)

   Answer: Genesis 6:5 declares: 'The wickedness of man had multiplied on the earth, and every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually'. Effects: total moral corruption, violence, constant evil thoughts, rupture with God, separation among humans, spiritual decay, and finally the need for the Flood as a divine judgment. — After the Fall, moral degeneration accelerated (Gen 4 - Cain kills Abel; Gen 6 - widespread violence). Ellen White in Patriarchs and Prophets details how giants (nephilim), violence, sexual depravity, and idolatry characterized the antediluvian era. Romans 3:10-23 expands: 'all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God'. Sin affects body, mind, soul, and relationships. The Flood was the divine response to the total corruption of humanity.

6. Memorize and recite Deuteronomy 1:30.

   Answer: Deuteronomy 1:30: 'The Lord your God, who goes before you, he will fight for you, according to all that he did for you in Egypt before your eyes'. It teaches that God fights for His people, being an active and protective presence. It applies to the Christian faith: in spiritual battles, God goes ahead of the believer and fights for him. — Moses reminds the Israelites of the Exodus before they enter Canaan. He reminds them how God divided the Red Sea, sent plagues and manna. Principle: the spiritual battle is not ours, but the Lord's (2 Chr 20:15). Ellen White in Patriarchs and Prophets expands: the believer trusts in God's victory, not in his own strength. Application: face temptations, persecution, and fear with confidence in the God who goes ahead.

7. Share with a friend how we can be prepared to face evil. (Ephesians 6:13-18)

   Answer: You use the 'armor of God': the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, the sword of the Spirit (the Bible), and constant, persevering prayer in watchfulness. — Ephesians 6:13-18 was written by Paul while imprisoned in Rome (around 60 AD), using the metaphor of Roman armor to show how the Christian must prepare spiritually against the everyday attacks of evil.

8. Choose a Bible story involving the work of the angels and, with the support of your unit or group, act out the story during a campout, devotional, Sabbath School, youth service, etc.:
   • Daniel 6 - Daniel protected by the angels in the lions' den;
   • Matthew 4 - Jesus in the wilderness strengthened by the angels;
   • Acts 5 - The apostles freed from prison by the angels.

   Answer: You choose a clear story (Daniel 6, Matthew 4, Acts 5), assign the characters, rehearse the lines, prepare a simple set and costumes, stay faithful to the biblical text, and conclude with a spiritual application and a closing prayer. — Biblical dramatizations as a pedagogical tool have been an Adventist tradition since Ellen White in 'Education' (1903), which advocated that dramatization deepens the memorization and understanding of spiritual principles in young people.

9. Make a drawing or illustration representing the Great Controversy and explain its meaning.

   Answer: You draw a cosmic contrast: angels vs. demons, Christ vs. Satan, the cross as the central symbol. Include people choosing sides, an open Bible, earth and heaven. Light colors (light/Christ) and dark colors (darkness/Satan). — The concept of the Great Controversy was systematized by Ellen White in the five-book Conflict of the Ages series (Patriarchs and Prophets, Prophets and Kings, The Desire of Ages, The Acts of the Apostles, The Great Controversy) between 1888-1917 officially.