January 12, 2023 | Silver Spring, Maryland, United States | Ted N.C. Wilson, President, General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
Hello, friends. As we begin our journey through the book, The Great Controversy, chapter 1, we find Christ on the crest of the Mount of Olives, gazing down on Jerusalem and its magnificent temple, weeping uncontrollably. We hear His words in Luke 19:42-44 as He addresses the doomed city:
“If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. For days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment around you, surround you, and close you in on every side, and level you, and your children within you, to the ground; and they will not leave in you one stone upon another because you did not know the time of your visitation.”
At the time this prophecy was spoken, it seemed utterly impossible that it would ever be fulfilled. The walls of the city were high and well-fortified. The temple was a spectacular sight, glittering white and gold.
Nevertheless, just 40 years after Christ’s mournful prophecy was uttered, it was filled exactly as predicted. The pen of inspiration gives this horrific description:
“It was an appalling spectacle . . . The whole summit of the hill which commanded the city, blazed like a volcano. One after another the buildings fell in, with a tremendous crash, and were swallowed up in the fiery abyss. The roofs of cedar were like sheets of flame; the gilded pinnacles shone like spikes of red light; the gate towers sent up tall columns of flame and smoke. The neighboring hills were lighted up; and dark groups of people were seen watching in horrible anxiety the progress of the destruction . . . The shouts of the Roman soldiery as they ran to and fro, and the howlings of the insurgents who were perishing in the flames, mingled with the roaring of the conflagration and the thundering sound of falling timbers. . . all along the walls resounded [with] screams and wailing . . .” (GC, p. 34).
Amazingly, however, not one Christian died in the destruction. How did they escape? Christ had given His disciples warning, and everyone who believed His words watched for the promised sign. He said, “. . . when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart and let not those who are in the country enter her” (Luke 21:20-21).
History tells us the Romans, under the command of Cestius, surrounded the city; then suddenly, they unexpectedly withdrew. Ellen White writes, “God’s merciful providence was directing events for the good of His own people. The promised sign had been given to the waiting Christians, and now an opportunity was offered for all who would, to obey the Saviour’s warning” (GC, p. 30).
When the Romans returned under the command of Titus, all who heeded the Saviour’s warning had already fled.
Prophecy warns us these scenes will be repeated, but in a much bigger way. We read, “The Saviour’s prophecy concerning the visitation of judgments upon Jerusalem is to have another fulfillment, of which that terrible desolation was but a faint shadow. In the fate of the chosen city we may behold the doom of a world that has rejected God’s mercy and trampled upon His law. . . . Terrible have been the results of rejecting the authority of Heaven. But a scene yet darker is presented in the revelations of the future” (GC, p. 36).
Nevertheless, we do not need to fear! Just as Jesus warned His followers of the destruction of Jerusalem, “He has warned the world of the day of final destruction and has given [us] tokens of its approach, that all who will may flee from the wrath to come” (GC, p. 37).
As God’s people were delivered from the destruction of Jerusalem, His people—those who listen to and obey His voice today, will be saved from the destruction to come.
Friend, do you see the signs of His coming? Do you believe the end is near? Are you ready for the storm that is soon to break upon the world, “relentless in its fury?” (8T, p. 315).
You can be. The Bible assures us, “Believe in the Lord your God, and you shall be established; believe His prophets, and you shall prosper” (2 Chron. 20:20).
Once again, I encourage you to obtain a copy of this marvelous book, The Great Controversy, available as a free download in multiple languages at greatcontroversyproject.org
May the Lord bless and guide you as you prayerfully read this amazing book.
I invite you to pray just now.
Father in heaven bless as thousands. Yes, millions will be reading the book, The Great Controversy, a book that you inspired, a book that gives us an understanding of the way in which you have led your people from the early Christian period, all the way down through the times in which we’re living now and into the very near future. Just before Jesus return Lord bless. As people read this book and as they correlate the events with the prophecies in the Bible. Lord help us to realize that regardless of what we face, by God’s grace, as we place our trust in Him He will carry us through. He will give us a way of escape according to His will. Lord thank you for the messages in prophecy in the books of Daniel and Revelation. And thank you for the book A great controversy. Bless those who read those words and may they be inspired to share with others the promise of Jesus soon coming. In Christ name, we ask it. Amen.