Status Updates From The Great Controversy (Illu...

…[Luther] declared that “the doctrine of the gospel should be defended by God alone.... The less man meddled in the work, the more striking would be God’s intervention in its behalf. All the politic precautions suggested were, in his view, attributable to unworthy fear and sinful mistrust.” page 209

Kings and great men were the auditory, crowned princes were the preachers, and the sermon was the royal truth of God. “Since the apostolic age,” says a writer, “there has never been a greater work or a more magnificent confession.”—D’Aubigne. GC 208.1

The Holy Scriptures ought to be explained by other and clearer texts; (page 203)

“[Zwingli],” they said, “is a preacher of the truth. He will be our Moses, to lead us forth from this Egyptian darkness.” page 177

The elector saw that there was a general breaking down of the moral restraints of society. A great work of reform was needed. The complicated and expensive arrangements to restrain and punish crime would be unnecessary if men but acknowledged and obeyed the requirements of God and the dictates of an enlightened conscience. page 138

“We cannot attain to the understanding of Scripture either by study or by the intellect. Your first duty is to begin by prayer. Entreat the Lord to grant you, of His great mercy, the true understanding of His word.”
Martin Luther

[John Wycliffe] was an able and earnest teacher and an eloquent preacher, and his daily life was a demonstration of the truths he preached. His knowledge of the Scriptures, the force of his reasoning, the purity of his life, and his unbending courage and integrity won for him general esteem and confidence. (page 81)

In the word of God [Wycliffe] found that which he had before sought in vain. Here he saw the plan of salvation revealed and Christ set forth as the only advocate for man. He gave himself to the service of Christ and determined to proclaim the truths he had discovered. (page 81)

Thus the Waldenses witnessed for God centuries before the birth of Luther. Scattered over many lands, they planted the seeds of the Reformation that began in the time of Wycliffe, grew broad and deep in the days of Luther, and is to be carried forward to the close of time by those who also are willing to suffer all things for “the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.” Revelation 1:9. (page 78)

Jesus died as a sacrifice for man because the fallen race can do nothing to recommend themselves to God. (page 73)

Men have been unwearied in their efforts to obscure the plain, simple meaning of the Scriptures,…but like the ark upon the billowy deep, the word of God outrides the storms that threaten it with destruction. As the mine has rich veins of gold and silver hidden beneath the surface,…so the Holy Scriptures have treasures of truth that are revealed only to the earnest, humble, prayerful seeker. (page 69)

Reading about Zwingli. Powerful reformer with humble beginnings. Praise God for his discerning father.

The first time I enjoyed this book I listened to it. Reading it with my eyes is even better and I can really STUDY the story.

For centuries Europe had made no progress in learning, arts, or civilization. A moral and intellectual paralysis had fallen upon Christendom…. Such were the results of banishing the word of God. page 60

To secure worldly gains and honors, the church was led to seek the favor and support of the great men of earth. p 50

Satan assailed Christ with his fiercest and most subtle temptations,but he was repulsed in every conflict...those victories make it possible for us to conquer…No man without his own consent can be overcome by Satan.The tempter has no power to control the will or to force the soul to sin…The fact that Christ has conquered should inspire His followers with courage to fight manfully the battle against sin and Satan.

so close

but not very happy stuff
Sinner? YOUR SOUL WILL BE PERMANENTLY DESTROYED ALONG WITH SATAN BY
J
E
S
U
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i n t e r r u p t i o n s

dragons

need one of those machines like they had in a clockwork orange to keep me reading this book almost

ridiculous

wish i could get this conspiracy into my head via phylactery

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

fell asleep reading the eschatology chapter

Actually, if you can ignore the jesus parts there is some historical accounts that might not be entirely mercury-poison hallucinations in here

I could not finish this book. It is too much like reading an encyclopedia.

Até agora, dia 08/01/2023, tem sido edificante e muito esclarecedor.

Este livro foi indicação de um vizinho e teólogo. É o meu primeiro livro deste ano (junto da Bíblia) e sem dúvidas está superando as minhas expectativas.

The book showed what the symbolism represented (as was predicted).

In the next part, I think that the figure will be shown for what it is.

I like the plot because it builds on itself, shows you the logical sequence of events, and systematically builds on knowledge gained.