The War Behind All Wars – Outline

The War Behind All Wars

- Lesson Overview

This week, we’ll explore a big story about the fight between good and evil. It starts in heaven with an angel named Lucifer who decides he wants to be in charge instead of God. This causes a lot of trouble, and the fight moves to Earth, where people like us get involved. God has a plan to fix everything by sending Jesus to help us choose good over evil. We’ll learn how God’s love is stronger than any bad thing and how we can be part of the good side.

- SAT – Introduction

- Memory Text

Revelation 12:7-8

KJV 7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, 8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.

CEV 7 A war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels were fighting against the dragon and its angels. 8 But the dragon lost the battle. It and its angels were forced out of their places in heaven

A T W W I H
M A H A F A T D
A T D F A H A
A P N
N W T P F A M I H

- Lesson

Many wonder why a loving God allows evil. This lesson delves into the ancient battle between good and evil, beginning with Lucifer’s rebellion in heaven. Despite this turmoil, God’s essence remains love – 1 John 4:7-8

KJV 7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

CEV 7 My dear friends, we must love each other. Love comes from God, and when we love each other, it shows we have been given new life. We are now God's children, and we know him. 8 God is love, and anyone who doesn't love others has never known him.

Jeremiah 31:3

KJV 3 The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.

CEV 3 Some time ago, the Lord appeared to me and told me to say: Israel, I will always love you; that's why I've been so patient and kind.

True love involves choice, not coercion. God’s plan showcases His love, aiming to prevent sin’s return, reassuring us that ultimately, good will triumph over evil forever.

- EGW Notes (Paraphrased)

After humanity’s fall, Jesus aimed to defeat Satan on Earth, extending the heavenly conflict. This battle wasn’t minor; it involved deep questions about God’s law and government. Through Jesus’ sacrifice, God’s justice and love were demonstrated, assuring us, even amidst suffering, of His unwavering support and the hope of overcoming through faith.

- Reflection

If God loves us, why does He let bad things happen?

Reveal Suggested Answer

Why did God give Lucifer the choice to do bad?

Reveal Suggested Answer

- Conclusion

God’s love is so big that He wants everyone to choose freely whether they love Him back. He knew bad things could happen, like Lucifer choosing to be mean, but God thinks it’s important for love to be a choice. This teaches us that real love isn’t forced, and God is planning something beautiful for us all, where good wins over evil.

- SUN – War in Heaven

- Lesson

Read Revelation 12:7-9

KJV 7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, 8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. 9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

CEV 7 A war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels were fighting against the dragon and its angels. 8 But the dragon lost the battle. It and its angels were forced out of their places in heaven 9 and were thrown down to the earth. Yes, that old snake and his angels were thrown out of heaven! That snake, who fools everyone on earth, is known as the devil and Satan.

This passage describes an unprecedented war in heaven, with Satan being expelled. This event underscores that God created beings with the freedom to choose, evidenced by Lucifer’s rebellion. Despite Lucifer’s perfection, his pride and jealousy led him to challenge God, demonstrating the critical role of choice in God’s universe.

- EGW Notes (Paraphrased)

Lucifer, once a cherished angel, let jealousy towards Jesus incite rebellion. God chose not to immediately destroy Lucifer, giving all a chance to see the consequences of rebellion and to prove His justice. This decision highlights God’s fairness and His desire for all to understand the depth of His love and justice.

- Reflection

What was the big fight in heaven about?

Reveal Suggested Answer

Why didn’t God just stop Lucifer right away?

Reveal Suggested Answer

- Conclusion

The big fight in heaven shows us that even angels had to choose between good and bad. God didn’t stop Lucifer immediately because He wants all of us to see that being mean never wins. This helps us understand that God is fair, and He gives everyone a chance to choose to be kind.

- MON – Lucifer Deceives; Christ Prevails

- Lesson

Lucifer’s pride led him to deceive a third of the angels, causing war in heaven – Revelation 12:4

KJV 4 And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.

CEV 4 With its tail, it dragged a third of the stars from the sky and threw them down to the earth. Then the dragon turned toward the woman, because it wanted to eat her child as soon as it was born.

This battle wasn’t just physical but also a war of ideas. Each angel had to choose whom to follow. This story shows us that everyone, including humans created with the ability to think and choose, must decide to follow God or not – Genesis 2:15-17

KJV 15 And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it. 16 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: 17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

CEV 15 The Lord God put the man in the Garden of Eden to take care of it and to look after it. 16 But the Lord told him, “You may eat fruit from any tree in the garden, 17 except the one that has the power to let you know the difference between right and wrong. If you eat any fruit from that tree, you will die before the day is over!”

Exodus 32:26

KJV 26 Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who is on the Lord's side? let him come unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him.

CEV 26 So Moses stood at the gate of the camp and shouted, “Everyone who is on the Lord's side come over here!”Then the men of the Levi tribe gathered around Moses,

Joshua 24:15

KJV 15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

CEV 15 But if you don't want to worship the Lord, then choose here and now! Will you worship the same idols your ancestors did? Or since you're living on land that once belonged to the Amorites, maybe you'll worship their gods. I won't. My family and I are going to worship and obey the Lord!

  1 Kings 18:20-21

KJV 20 So Ahab sent unto all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together unto mount Carmel. 21 And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.

CEV 20 Ahab got everyone together, then they went to meet Elijah on Mount Carmel. 21 Elijah stood in front of them and said, “How much longer will you try to have things both ways? If the Lord is God, worship him! But if Baal is God, worship him!”The people did not say a word.

Revelation 22:17

KJV 17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

CEV 17 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!”Everyone who hears this should say, “Come!”If you are thirsty, come! If you want life-giving water, come and take it. It's free!

Christ’s victory gives us hope against Satan’s deceptions.

- EGW Notes (Paraphrased)

Satan’s deception tested the loyalty of both angels and humans. Despite his fall, the path of redemption through Jesus offers hope, demonstrating that divine love provides a way to overcome deceit and sin.

- Reflection

How did Lucifer trick the angels and people?

Reveal Suggested Answer

Why is it important for us to choose who to follow?

Reveal Suggested Answer

- Conclusion

Lucifer’s trickery shows that sometimes making the right choice can be tough, especially when lies look like the truth. It’s important for us to choose to follow what’s good because our choices can help fix the mess and bring back happiness. This teaches us about the power of choosing kindness and truth.

- TUE – Planet Earth Becomes Involved

- Lesson

God made Earth perfect, but Adam and Eve’s choice to eat from the forbidden tree introduced sin – Genesis 3:1-3

KJV 1 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? 2 And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: 3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.

CEV 1 The snake was sneakier than any of the other wild animals that the Lord God had made. One day it came to the woman and asked, “Did God tell you not to eat fruit from any tree in the garden?” 2 The woman answered, “God said we could eat fruit from any tree in the garden, 3 except the one in the middle. He told us not to eat fruit from that tree or even to touch it. If we do, we will die.”

Romans 3:23

KJV 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

CEV 23 All of us have sinned and fallen short of God's glory.

Romans 5:12

KJV 12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

CEV 12 Adam sinned, and that sin brought death into the world. Now everyone has sinned, and so everyone must die.

This act of disobedience brought suffering and death, showing that sin is rebellion against God. Despite this, God promised redemption through Jesus, illustrating His plan to restore humanity from the consequences of sin – Genesis 3:15

KJV 15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

CEV 15 You and this woman will hate each other; your descendants and hers will always be enemies. One of hers will strike you on the head, and you will strike him on the heel.”

Leviticus 5:5-6

KJV 5 And it shall be, when he shall be guilty in one of these things, that he shall confess that he hath sinned in that thing: 6 And he shall bring his trespass offering unto the Lord for his sin which he hath sinned, a female from the flock, a lamb or a kid of the goats, for a sin offering; and the priest shall make an atonement for him concerning his sin.

CEV 5 As soon as you discover that you have committed any of these sins, you must confess what you have done. 6 Then you must bring a female sheep or goat to me as the price for your sin. A priest will sacrifice the animal, and you will be forgiven.

John 1:29

KJV 29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

CEV 29 The next day, John saw Jesus coming toward him and said: Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!

- EGW Notes (Paraphrased)

Adam and Eve’s ability to choose was crucial for character development. Their fall led to Jesus’ mission on Earth, signifying God’s plan to redeem humanity and restore the broken relationship caused by sin, showcasing God’s enduring love and justice.

- Reflection

Why did Adam and Eve have a choice in the garden?

Reveal Suggested Answer

What happened when they made the wrong choice?

Reveal Suggested Answer

- Conclusion

Adam and Eve’s choice teaches us that God made us with the freedom to choose, even if it means we might make mistakes. Their wrong choice brought a lot of sadness, but God promised to send Jesus to make things right, showing us there’s always hope for forgiveness and a new start.

- WED – Love Finds a Way

- Lesson

After Adam and Eve sinned, God promised a Savior who would defeat Satan – Genesis 3:15

KJV 15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

CEV 15 You and this woman will hate each other; your descendants and hers will always be enemies. One of hers will strike you on the head, and you will strike him on the heel.”

Jesus, the “Seed of the woman,” fulfilled this promise by dying on the cross, proving God’s immense love for us – Hebrews 2:9

KJV 9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

CEV 9 What we do see is Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the angels. Because of God's gift of undeserved grace, Jesus died for everyone. And now that Jesus has suffered and died, he is crowned with glory and honor!

Galatians 3:13

KJV 13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

CEV 13 But Christ rescued us from the Law's curse, when he became a curse in our place. This is because the Scriptures say that anyone who is nailed to a tree is under a curse.

  2 Corinthians 5:21

KJV 21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

CEV 21 Christ never sinned! But God treated him as a sinner, so Christ could make us acceptable to God.

Despite the pain and suffering in this world, Jesus’ sacrifice gives us hope for victory over sin and death.

- EGW Notes (Paraphrased)

The prophecies of Isaiah and the sacrifices in the Old Testament pointed to Jesus’ suffering, death, and resurrection. These acts were not just for the redemption of humanity but also to answer the accusations Satan made against God’s character. Jesus’ life and sacrifice offer us hope, proving God’s love and ensuring our redemption.

- Reflection

Why did Jesus have to die on the cross?

Reveal Suggested Answer

How does Jesus’ death on the cross show God’s love?

Reveal Suggested Answer

- Conclusion

Jesus dying on the cross was God’s way of fixing the brokenness caused by bad choices. It shows us how much God loves us because He was willing to do anything to bring us back to Him. This teaches us that no matter what, God’s love is stronger than any bad thing in the world.

- THU – Our High Priest

- Lesson

Jesus now serves as our High Priest in heaven, interceding for us – Hebrews 4:15-16

KJV 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

CEV 15 Jesus understands every weakness of ours, because he was tempted in every way that we are. But he did not sin! 16 So whenever we are in need, we should come bravely before the throne of our merciful God. There we will be treated with undeserved grace, and we will find help.

Hebrews 7:25

KJV 25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

CEV 25 He is forever able to save the people he leads to God, because he always lives to speak to God for them.

Jesus understands our struggles and offers us mercy and grace in times of need. By His sacrifice, we are seen as righteous before God, breaking the chains of sin. Jesus’ deepest desire is for us to be with Him in heaven – John 17:24-26

KJV 24 Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. 25 O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me. 26 And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.

CEV 24 Father, I want everyone you have given me to be with me, wherever I am. Then they will see the glory you have given me, because you loved me before the world was created. 25 Good Father, the people of this world don't know you. But I know you, and my followers know that you sent me. 26 I told them what you are like, and I will tell them even more. Then the love you have for me will become part of them, and I will be one with them.

- EGW Notes (Paraphrased)

Christ’s intercessory work in heaven is a testament to God’s love and justice, offering us a chance at redemption. His sacrifice allows us to confront our challenges and temptations with the assurance of His continual support and mediation. This intercession is vital for our spiritual survival and growth, providing us with the strength to overcome sin and grow in character.

- Reflection

What does Jesus do for us in heaven now?

Reveal Suggested Answer

Why is it important that Jesus helps us from heaven?

Reveal Suggested Answer

- Conclusion

esus is like our big brother in heaven, talking to God about us, making sure we get the help and forgiveness we need. This is important because it means we’re never alone in our struggles; Jesus is always there for us, making sure we have the strength to choose good over bad.

- FRI – Further Thought

- Lesson

The great controversy theme explains the existence of sin and God’s character of love (Ellen G. White, “The Great Controversy”, pp. 500-501, 503). The cross of Calvary shows that God’s law is immutable, proving His justice and love. Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, Satan’s defeat was ensured, offering hope for the final eradication of evil.

- EGW Notes (Paraphrased)

The great controversy between good and evil, evidenced through the history of sin and redemption, illustrates God’s willingness to go to any length for our salvation. The cross, as the ultimate sacrifice, vindicates God’s character and governance, ensuring that evil will be completely eradicated. This grand narrative from rebellion in heaven to redemption on the cross assures us of God’s omnipotent love and justice.

- Reflection

What does the story of the great controversy teach us?

Reveal Suggested Answer

Why is it important to know the end of the story?

Reveal Suggested Answer

- Conclusion

The great controversy story teaches us that the fight between good and bad is real, and our choices matter a lot. Knowing that good wins in the end gives us hope and courage to keep choosing what’s right, teaching us that with God’s love, we’re on the winning side.

- Discussion Questions

1. If God knew Lucifer would turn bad, why give him free choice?

Reveal Suggested Answer

2. Why did Jesus have to die on the cross

Reveal Suggested Answer

3. What exactly do we mean by “the great controversy”?

Reveal Suggested Answer

4. Which Bible stories show us the battle between good and evil?

Reveal Suggested Answer

5. What makes Adventists’ view of the great controversy unique?

Reveal Suggested Answer

- Lesson Summary

The War Behind All Wars

We started the week learning about why bad things happen if God is good, discovering it’s all part of a big battle between good and evil that began in heaven. Lucifer’s choice to rebel against God shows us how important our choices are. Despite the mess caused by bad choices, God made a promise to fix things through Jesus. Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross is the turning point in this fight, showing us that God’s love wins in the end. By choosing to follow Jesus, we can overcome evil and look forward to a future where good triumphs forever.