The Great Controversy The Great Controversy | Page 11

of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the
measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” Ephesians 4:12, 13.
For the believers at Ephesus the apostle prayed, “That the God of
our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the Spirit
of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him: the eyes of your
understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope
of His calling, and ... what is the exceeding greatness of His power to
usward who believe.” Ephesians 1:17-19. The ministry of the divine
Spirit in enlightening the understanding and opening to the mind the
deep things of God’s holy word, was the blessing which Paul thus
besought for the Ephesian church.
After the wonderful manifestation of the Holy Spirit on the Day of
Pentecost, Peter exhorted the people to repentance and baptism in the
name of Christ, for the remission of their sins; and he said: “Ye shall
receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to
your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our
God shall call.” Acts 2:38, 39.
In immediate connection with the scenes of the great day of God,
the Lord by the prophet Joel has promised a special manifestation of
His Spirit. Joel 2:28. This prophecy received a partial fulfillment in the
outpouring of the Spirit on the Day of Pentecost; but it will reach its full
accomplishment in the manifestation of divine grace which will attend
the closing work of the gospel.
The great controversy between good and evil will increase in
intensity to the very close of time. In all ages the wrath of Satan has
been manifested against the church of Christ; and God has bestowed His
grace and Spirit upon His people to strengthen them to stand against
the power of the evil one. When the apostles of Christ were to bear
His gospel to the world and to record it for all future ages, they were
especially endowed with the enlightenment of the Spirit. But as the