The Great Controversy

Ellen G. White’s The Great Controversy is the last volume of her Conflict of the Ages series, a five-part narrative tracing the cosmic battle between Christ and Satan from its beginnings in heaven to its final resolution in the new earth. White explained that the book was not merely her own thoughts but a divinely guided unfolding of events, both past and future, to show how God’s hand has worked through history and how the controversy between good and evil will ultimately be resolved.

The book traces church history from the destruction of Jerusalem, through the rise of the papacy and the Dark Ages, the Protestant Reformation, the American religious revivals, and the rise of the Advent movement. It emphasizes how Satan has worked through deception, persecution, and compromise to oppose God’s truth, while Christ has continually preserved a faithful people. The final chapters focus on last-day events, including the role of the United States in prophecy, issues of religious liberty, the Sabbath, and the final conflict over worship. White stresses that at the close of time, every soul will face a clear decision between allegiance to God’s commandments and submission to human traditions.

Its significance lies in both its historical perspective and prophetic warnings. The Great Controversy was written to awaken readers to the reality of the ongoing spiritual struggle and to prepare them for the trials of the last days. For Seventh-day Adventists especially, it outlines the distinctive role they believe they have in proclaiming the “three angels’ messages” of Revelation 14. More broadly, the book calls all people to place their trust in the Bible as the ultimate authority, to follow Christ faithfully, and to recognize that behind world events is a cosmic conflict soon to reach its climax. Thus, the book continues to be regarded not only as a religious classic but also as a guide for understanding end-time issues.

Click here for a free downloadable PDF of The Great Controversy.