Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"
There is indeed a great controversy between Christ and Satan. And those who believe in Christ believe that He will win, in the end. This is called "the blessed hope" (Titus 2:13).
Can human beings help Him win that great controversy? Many will say, "No, God is sovereign; He is almighty; He is the Captain of this ship; we are only passengers." And in one sense that is true.
But there is another truth that is begging for recognition: the long delay in finishing the great controversy is not God's fault, but the fault of His people who have delayed His will. When one compares Christ's message to "the angel of the church of the Laodiceans" in Revelation 3:14-21 with chapter 19:1-8, it becomes readily apparent that the Bride of the Lamb should have "made herself ready" long ago. The great controversy cannot be finally concluded until she does, because you can't have a marriage without a bride having made herself ready!
Yes, Christ needs the cooperation of His people, because "the Head [cannot say] to the feet, 'I have no need of you'" (1 Cor. 12:21). One's feet are very lowly in comparison with one's head; but no one wants to lose them.
The time must come when not only is Satan defeated at Christ's cross, but Christ's people must also defeat him. "Our brethren ... overcame him [Satan] by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony" (Rev. 12:10, 11). Only then can the final chorus of rejoicing break out in heaven (vs. 12).
You are important; all Heaven is watching. And the Savior's "much more abounding grace" is given to you, not merely offered. Rejoice and thank God for the privilege of having an important part in the final battle of the great controversy.
--Robert J. Wieland
From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: March 23, 2002.
Copyright © 2018 by "Dial Daily Bread."
