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Thursday, May 23, 2013

The Great Controversy or The Great Hope?

Early 1900's - Ellen G. White stated:

"The Great Controversy should be very widely circulated. It contains the story of the past, the present, and the future. In its outline of the closing scenes of this earth's history, it bears a powerful testimony in behalf of the truth. I am more anxious to see a wide circulation for this book than for any others I have written, for in The Great Controversy, the last message of warning to the world is given more distinctly than in any of my other books." -- Letter 281, 1905 (quoted in Colporteur Ministry, p. 127.)




The Great Controversy 
Between Christ and Satan
The Conflict of the Ages in the Christian Dispensation 

(678 pages) 


Throughout Christendom, Protestantism was menaced by formidable foes. The first triumphs of the Reformation past, Rome summoned new forces, hoping to accomplish its destruction. At this time the order of the Jesuits was created, the most cruel, unscrupulous, and powerful of all the champions of popery. Cut off from earthly ties and human interests, dead to the claims of natural affection, reason and conscience wholly silenced, they knew no rule, no tie, but that of their order, and no duty but to extend its power. (See Appendix.) The gospel of Christ had enabled its adherents to meet danger and endure suffering, undismayed by cold, hunger, toil, and poverty, to uphold the banner of truth in face of the rack, the dungeon, and the stake. To combat these forces, Jesuitism inspired its followers with a fanaticism that enabled them to endure like dangers, and to oppose to the power of truth all the weapons of deception. There was no crime too great for them to commit, no deception too base for them to practice, no disguise too difficult for them to assume. Vowed to perpetual poverty and humility, it was their studied aim to secure wealth and power, to be devoted to the overthrow of Protestantism, and the re-establishment of the papal supremacy.

When appearing as members of their order, they wore a garb of sanctity, visiting prisons and hospitals, ministering to the sick and the poor, professing to have renounced the world, and bearing the sacred name of Jesus, who went about doing good. But under this blameless exterior the most criminal and deadly purposes were often concealed. It was a fundamental principle of the order that the end justifies the means. By this code, lying, theft, perjury, assassination, were not only pardonable but commendable, when they served the interests of the church. Under various disguises the Jesuits worked their way into offices of state, climbing up to be the counselors of kings, and shaping the policy of nations. They became servants to act as spies upon their masters. They established colleges for the sons of princes and nobles, and schools for the common people; and the children of Protestant parents were drawn into an observance of popish rites. All the outward pomp and display of the Romish worship was brought to bear to confuse the mind and dazzle and captivate the imagination, and thus the liberty for which the fathers had toiled and bled was betrayed by the sons. The Jesuits rapidly spread themselves over Europe, and wherever they went, there followed a revival of popery.

To give them greater power, a bull was issued re-establishing the inquisition. (See Appendix.) Notwithstanding the general abhorrence with which it was regarded, even in Catholic countries, this terrible tribunal was again set up by popish rulers, and atrocities too terrible to bear the light of day were repeated in its secret dungeons. In many countries, thousands upon thousands of the very flower of the nation, the purest and noblest, the most intellectual and highly educated, pious and devoted pastors, industrious and patriotic citizens, brilliant scholars, talented artists, skillful artisans, were slain or forced to flee to other lands.

The Great Controversy, pages 234,235.


TEXT:
pdf:

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2013- The Trans-European Division (GCSDA)
:


The Great Controversy


What does it take to live with hope amid epic natural disasters, wars, terrorism, nuclear proliferation, political revolutions, chronic global pain and dizzying information overload?

Facing future with so many unknowns, even our most trusted authorities and commentators cannot agree about the next act of the cosmic drama. Where can we find solid information about how to be safe with our loved ones on an earth in crisis? We need what Albert Einstein described as “holy curiosity”. Such curiosity compels us to discover what lies before us in view of what has happened in the past.


The Great Hope - full version





The book you have here is a time-tested classic of both history and prophecy—exploring what God will do in the future in light of His past interaction with humanity. Although written more than a century ago, The Great Hope offers cutting-edge insights for the 21st century. The author, Ellen White, is the most published woman of all time -- she wrote 40 books. One of them was translated into more than 140 languages.

Click here to read the book online (pdf).



The Great Hope - abbreviated versions





Please click here to read sample chapter.




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Oops, - we shouldn’t tell you how the book ends. With ‘holy curiosity,’ you can discover it for yourself!
P.S. As you enjoy these chapters, remember that they were written in the context of the 19th century. Since then, some of the author’s concerns have been addressed by Christian leaders of insight and integrity. (For example, Roman Catholics have become more involved with Scripture while maintaining their longtime heritage of ministry to suffering people everywhere.)
http://thegreathope.org/about-the-author

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................THE GREAT HOPE PROJECT - GHP................



DISCIPLESHIP STRATEGY
TRANS-EUROPEAN DIVISION


VISION
The Great Hope Project will try to engage members and pastors in witnessing to make disciples of Jesus Christ.

PURPOSE
The purpose of this initiative is to bring Hope into every home for today and for the future.

CHALLENGE
The challenge is to present the love and ultimate victory of God in the battle of good and evil. Revelation 18:1.


Trans-European Division is planned for the period of two years, starting in 2013 throughout 2015. The plan is to distribute 3 million copies of the Great Controversy magazines/books, translated into 22 European languages, , to family members, friends, neighbours, colleagues at work with the purpose to connect. This is the beginning of theDISCIPLESHIP PROCESS, which consists of three phases:
CONNECT - with friends, family, neighbours, colleagues
SHARE - the teachings of Jesus Christ,
INVITE - to follow Jesus and grow spiritually.


Discipleship process Resources

CONNECT      ESCAPE  Magazine  CONNECT magazine


SHARE
Experiencing the Joy book &study guide



INVITE  The Great Hope books






Resources:

GHP manual
The Great Hope website
Magazines 'ESCAPE' for adults, & 'CONNECT' for youth
The Great Controversy book (full version and/or abbreviated version)
Experiencing the Joy message book, DVD and curiculum
'Spectrum War' comic book
'The Record Keeper' movie series
Promotional material (articles, video clips, leaflets, and other material)





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