Ellen G. White's Purpose in Writing The Great Controversy
From the Author's Introduction to
The Great Controversy, pp. x-xii.
Through the illumination of the Holy
Spirit, the scenes of the long continued conflict between good and evil have
been opened to the writer of these pages. From time to time I have been permitted
to behold the working, in different ages, of the great controversy between Christ,
the Prince of life, the Author of our salvation, and Satan, the prince of evil,
the author of sin, the first transgressor of God's holy law.
Satan's enmity against Christ has
been manifested against His followers. The same hatred of the principles of
God's law, the same policy of deception, by which error is made to appear as
truth, by which human laws are substituted for the law of God, and men are led
to worship the creature rather than the Creator, may be traced in all the history
of the past. Satan's efforts to misrepresent the character of God, to cause
men to cherish a false conception of the Creator, and thus to regard Him with
fear and hate rather than with love; his endeavors to set aside the divine law,
leading the people to think themselves free from its requirements; and his persecution
of those who dare to resist his deceptions, have been steadfastly pursued in
all ages. They may be traced in the history of patriarchs, prophets, and apostles,
of martyrs and reformers.
In the great final conflict, Satan
will employ the same policy, manifest the same spirit, and work for the same
end as in all preceding ages. That which has been, will be, except that the
coming struggle will be marked with a terrible intensity such as the world has
never witnessed. Satan's deceptions will be more subtle, his assaults more determined.
If it were possible, he would lead astray the elect. Mark 13:22, R.V.
As the Spirit of God has opened to
my mind the great truths of His word, and the scenes of the past and the future,
I have been bidden to make known to others that which has thus been revealed
to trace the history of the controversy in past ages, and especially so to present
it as to shed a light on the fast approaching struggle of the future.
In pursuance of this purpose, I have
endeavored to select and group together events in the history of the church
in such a manner as to trace the unfolding of the great testing truths that
at different periods have been given to the world, that have excited the wrath
of Satan, and the enmity of a world loving church, and that have been maintained
by the witness of those who "loved not their lives unto the death."
In these records we may see a foreshadowing
of the conflict before us. Regarding them in the light of God's word, and by
the illumination of His Spirit, we may see unveiled the devices of the wicked
one, and the dangers which they must shun who would be found "without fault"
before the Lord at His coming.
The great events which have marked the progress of reform in past ages are matters
of history, well known and universally acknowledged by the Protestant world;
they are facts which none can gainsay. This history I have presented briefly,
in accordance with the scope of the book, and the brevity which must necessarily
be observed, the facts having been condensed into as little space as seemed
consistent with a proper understanding of their application.
In some cases where a historian has
so grouped together events as to afford, in brief, a comprehensive view of the
subject, or has summarized details in a convenient manner, his words have been
quoted; but in some instances no specific credit has been given, since the quotations
are not given for the purpose of citing that writer as authority, but because
his statement affords a ready and forcible presentation of the subject. In narrating
the experience and views of those carrying forward the work of reform in our
own time, similar use has been made of their published works.
It is not so much the object of this
book to present new truths concerning the struggles of former times, as to bring
out facts and principles which have a bearing on coming events. Yet viewed as
a part of the controversy between the forces of light and darkness, all these
records of the past are seen to have a new significance; and through them a
light is cast upon the future, illumining the pathway of those who, like the
reformers of past ages, will be called, even at the peril of all earthly good,
to witness "for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ."
To unfold the scenes of the great
controversy between truth and error; to reveal the wiles of Satan, and the means
by which he may be successfully resisted; to present a satisfactory solution
of the great problem of evil, shedding such a light upon the origin and the
final disposition of sin as to make fully manifest the justice and benevolence
of God in all His dealings with His creatures; and to show the holy, unchanging
nature of His law, is the object of this book. That through its influence souls
may be delivered from the power of darkness, and become "partakers of the
inheritance of the saints in light," to the praise of Him who loved us,
and gave Himself for us, is the earnest prayer of the writer.
E.G.W.