There have been four editions of the book, Great Controversy, six later “1911”
issues, plus three other editions in the 1870s. Six of these editions involved
changes in the text or appendix. These six are as follows:
1858 — First writing of the text
1884 — Text revision and first appendix
1888 — Text and appendix revision
1911 — Text and appendix revision
1957 — 1956 appendix revision
1980 — 1979 appendix revision
We will discuss the changes in the above six editions elsewhere in this present
volume. Keep in mind that Ellen White did not write any of the appendixes.
Other editions also appeared which involved no changes in the text or appendix
(1926, 1927, 1950, 1954, and 1958). Because they only had cover and illustration
changes, they will not be analyzed in this present volume. In addition, in the
1870s, three other Great Controversys were also printed. Here is a complete
listing of all the editions and issues of Great Controversy and the year each
was printed ("Text" in the following discussion means all the chapters in the
book.):
1858 — Spiritual Gifts, Volume 1, also titled The Great Controversy Between
Christ and His Angels and Satan and His Angels. This book contained 219 pages,
and was published by James White, Steam Press, Battle Creek, Michigan. (All the
editions, prior to 1911, were printed at Battle Creek.) Although some
preliminary information was given in earlier publications (see Early Writings,
1882), the 1858 book was newly written and included no appendix.
1870 — This Great Controversy bore the title, Spirit of Prophecy, Volume 1, and
The Great Controversy Between Christ and His Angels and Satan and His Angels. It
deals with the fall of Lucifer, on down to the fall of Solomon, plus a chapter
on Christ. This 414-page book, published at Battle Creek, was later amplified
into Patriarchs and Prophets. In this present volume, we will not classify this
as one of the editions of Great Controversy.
1877 — A second Great Controversy which we will not deal with was published in
1877 under the title, Spirit of Prophecy, Volume 2 or The Great Controversy
Between Christ and Satan: Life, Teachings, and Miracles of Our Lord Jesus
Christ. This 396-page book covers the life of Christ, from His birth to His
triumphal entry into Jerusalem. 1878 — A third Great Controversy, which we also
will omit from our discussions, bore the title, Spirit of Prophecy, Volume 3 or
The Great Controversy Between Christ and Satan: The Death, Resurrection, and
Ascension of Our Lord Jesus Christ. This 392-page book (442 pages in subsequent
printings) dealt with the closing scenes in Christ's life on earth.
1884 — Spirit of Prophecy, Volume 4 or The Great Controversy Between Christ and
Satan: From the Destruction of Jerusalem to the End of the Controversy This
506-page book is the one we today refer to as the 1884 Great Controversy. Soon
after the issuance of this volume, a subscription (colporteur) edition was
printed, which included illustrations. Ten printings of this 1884 edition were
made between 1884 and 1887. Some of them were numbered as such on the copyright
page ("Fifth Edition," etc.), along with the date of printing. The text was
entirely rewritten for this edition, and an appendix was for the first time
added. It had no indexes. It was printed both by the Review and Pacific Press.
1888 — The Great Controversy Between Christ and Satan During the Christian
Dispensation. This 704—page book included her text and Author's Preface. It also
had two appendixes—one general and the other historical. We will closely analyze
both the text and the general appendix in the book you now have in hand. We will
also reprint the historical appendix. The paging of this book conforms both to
the 1911 Great Controversy and to the 3-volume Index to the Writings of Ellen G.
White. First begun in Europe during her visit there, this book was a complete
enlarged rewriting of the 1884 edition. This was the last edition to contain no
indexes. It was printed both by the Review (1890) and Pacific Press (1889). It
was the first of her projected five Conflict of the Ages Series. Elsewhere in
this present volume we will explain why the 1888 edition was not printed in
1888.
1911—The Great Controversy Between Christ and Satan. This 719-page book
included the body of text of the 42 chapters, plus her preface, now titled
Introduction. The appendix was revised. The changes in the text almost totally
consisted of different quotations from historians, when those quoted in the 1888
edition could not be located. These changes were necessitated by a decision to
provide quotation references. This edition was the first to include indexes: a
general index and scripture index. (With the exception of the 1926, all
subsequent editions had both indexes.) It was printed by the Review, Pacific
Press, and, for the first time, by Southern Publishing Association.
1926 — This issue of the 1911 edition had reset type and new illustrations.
Neither text nor appendix was changed. The paging of the 1888 and 1911 texts are
identical. It was a special edition for colporteurs to sell, but had no
scripture index. It was printed only by the Review.
1927 — Same as the 1926 edition, but with the addition of the scripture index,
and it was printed only by Pacific Press.
1950 — This issue of the 1911 edition was a still newer colporteur
(subscription) edition. The type was reset and new illustrations were used.
Neither the text nor appendix were changed. For this particular edition, the
Author's Introduction was shortened.
1954 — This was a special "Missionary Book of the Year" edition, and was the
first small paperback edition of the book ever published. The type was reset
and everything was in it (text, appendix, and both indexes). In addition, it had
the Index paging—which made it a thicker book. It was printed only by Southern
Publishing.
1957 — The type was reset to provide a book which could sell both to members
(trade edition) and outsiders (subscription edition). The edition for
colporteurs had entirely new illustrations, and was part of the "Treasures of
Life" series. This 1958 issue had a revised appendix (dated November 19,1956),
which we will discuss later.
1980 — This issue of the 1911 edition included another appendix revision (dated
December 6, 1979), which we will discuss in chapter 40. It was printed by the
Review and Pacific Press.
The book you now have in hand was prepared over a year ago, but many
difficulties have been encountered in the process of trying to get it printed.
We finally got it onto the press, but then, as the project neared completion,
part of the printing equipment burned, along with one of the signatures. The
same fire also destroyed an outstanding new Spirit of Prophecy missionary book,
which also contained sections from Great Controversy.
Many months later, we tried to get back to completing this present book,
Editions of Great Controversy,—and then discovered that several boxes of
printed signatures (each one containing 16 pages) were gone. We have no idea
where they went.
So we had to redo those signatures. Yet that was not be an easy task since the
typesetting computer program, which contained those Great Controversy materials
had, in the meantime, crashed, and it had been replaced with an entirely
different one. So in order to recover the missing signatures we had to go into
DOS, strip out codes, and use special processes to restore the lost material.
The pages which it was necessary to reconstruct were these: Pages 1-16, 193-208,
273-288, and 481-496.
You will find they are somewhat different in type fonts and certain other
aspects, and, occasionally, there is extra space at the end of a restructured
signature.
Because, the second time around, we placed the table of contents in a smaller
type face, there was room on pages 12 to 16 for an extra inserted chapter. (The
complete references are given later in the book.)
We need not be surprised that there are problems when we try to defend the best
and most important book for these last days, or try to distribute it. Great
Controversy is the book, which Satan wants to destroy. He wants to destroy the
book, destroy its influence, destroy our interest in distributing it, destroy
the credibility of its historical statements, destroy confidence in its
prophetic sections, or destroy the reputation of its author. He wants us to
underrate it, ignore it, reject it, or proscribe its distribution.
Of all the books printed we ourselves have printed, Great Controversy is the
only one which has gradually been lost as, over the years, we sent layouts for
it to an outside printing house for publication. Within four years after
beginning to print Great Controversy in 1985, forty percent of the layouts had
been lost in the mails! Every other book we have printed—Desire of Ages,
Ministry of Healing, Bible Readings, Christ's Object Lessons, Patriarchs and
Prophets, etc., has had no pages lost in transit. But, over a period of several
years, layout pages from Great Controversy kept disappearing, so typographic
corrections must be made directly onto the negatives.
Satan has great wrath, as he thinks of the clear truths delineated in that
powerful volume. He wants everyone to share his disgust for it. Those who in any
way do so are aiding him in his work.
Do you have friends who tell you not to distribute Great Controversy? Do they
tell you that some other book should be distributed first? Do they tell you
there is something wrong with the book or one of its editions? Be not surprised;
Satan is using every means possible to thwart the distribution of that vital
book.
"As soon as Great Controversy came from the press, it should have been pushed
above every other book. I have been shown this."—1899.
”When the Great Controversy should have been circulated everywhere, it was lying
dead."—1899.
"I have been aroused at one, two, or three o'clock in the morning, with some
point forcibly impressed upon my mind as if spoken by the voice of God. "—1890.
"I have spread before them the light given me of heaven in that book."—1889.
"I was shown that I must write it out; that I should have to contend with the
powers of darkness, for Satan would make strong effort to hinder me, but angels
of God would not leave me in the conflict. "—1860.
"The keeping of Great Controversy from the field has done a work that men will
have to answer for in the judgment." —1894.
"The results of the circulation of this book are not to be judged by what now
appears. "—1890.
"I was moved by the Spirit of the Lord to write that book, and while working
upon it I felt a great burden upon my soul. I knew that time was short, that the
scenes which are soon to crowd upon us would at the last come very suddenly and
swiftly." —1890.
"Had it been circulated at the time it was lying idle, there would have been a
different order of things among our workers. The impressions made would have
brought decided changes. "1899.
"The book, Great Controversy, I appreciate above silver or gold, and I greatly
desire that It shall come before the people."—1911.
"As I write upon my book, I feel intensely moved. I want to get it out as soon
as possible." —1884.
"As soon as Great Controversy came from the press It should have been pushed
above every other book. I have been shown this."—1899.
"A much larger number of those who read it will not take their position
until they see the very events taking place that are foretold in it."—1890.
"When the Great Controversy should have been circulated everywhere, It was lying
dead." —1899.
"The lord has set before me matters which are of urgent importance for the
present time, and which reach into the future."—1890.
"I am more anxious to see a wide circulation for this book than for any
others I have written."—1905. "I was shown that I should devote myself to
writing out the important matters
for Volume 4 [The 1888 edition was the fourth volume of a series], and that the
warning must go where the living messenger could not go, and that it would call
the attention of many to the important events to occur in the closing scenes of
this world's history. "—1890.
"No one feels the necessity or the importance of bringing it before the people.
Brethren, how long am I to wait for you to get the burden?"—1890.
"Why do not our people appreciate and circulate more widely the books bearing
the divine credentials?"—1907.
"My mind is stirred so deeply I cannot rest. Write, write, write, I must, and
not delay. Great things are before us, and we must call the people from their
indifference to get ready."1884.
"These words have been spoken in a charge to me, 'Write in a book the things
which thou hast seen and heard, and let it go to all the people, for the time is
at hand when past history will be repeated.' "—1890.
"Do you know what it contains? Have you any appreciation of the subject matter?
Do you not see that the people need the light therein given?"—1890.
"When the earth is lightened with the glory of the Lord in the closing work,
many souls will take their position on the commandments of God as the result of
this agency. "—1890.
"Why do we not give greater effort to circulating the books that point out
Satan's plans to counterwork the work of God, that uncover his plans and point
out his deceptions?"1907.
"Through the illumination of the Holy Spirit, the scenes of the long continued
conflict between good and evil have been opened to the writer of these pages.
From time to time I have been permitted to behold the workings, in different
ages of the great controversy between Christ and Satan. "—1888.
"Now Volume 1, or Patriarchs and Prophets, is ready for circulation, but even
for this book I would not allow Volume 4 [Great Controversy] to remain longer as
a light under a bushel. I am in sore distress of mind, but who of my brethren
cares for this?"—1890.
"These books [Patriarchs and Prophets and Great Controversy] contain God's
direct appeal to the people. Thus He is speaking to the people in stirring
words, urging them to make ready for His coming. The light God has given in
these books should not be concealed. "—1890.
"As the Spirit of God has opened to my mind the great truths of the Word, and
the scenes of the past and the future, I have been bidden to make known to
others that which had thus been revealed, to trace the history of the
controversy in past ages and especially so to present it as to shed light on the
fast-approaching struggle of the future."
—1888.
"But Instead of this, the book was suppressed, . . The book that should have
gone did not go; and the men who should have worked to carry it forward,
discouraged the canvassers from handling it. Thus saith the Lord, 'I will judge
for this false, dishonest work.' "—1899.
"By reading it some souls will be aroused and will have courage to unite
themselves at once with those who keep the commandments of God. "—1905.
"Great Controversy should be very widely circulated. It contains the story of
the past, the present, and the future. In Its outline of the closing scenes of
this earth's history, it bears a powerful testimony in behalf of the
truth."—1905.
"This book has to a great degree been misplaced by another book, which has kept
from the world the light God has given."—1891.
"In the Great Controversy, the last message of warning for the world is given
more distinctly than in any of my other books." —1905.
"It [Bible Readings] can never take the place the Lord designed that Volume 4
[Great Controversy] should have in the world and among our people. I have spread
before them the light given me of heaven in that book."—1889.
"Has the Lord moved upon my mind to prepare this work to be sent everywhere, and
is He moving upon my brethren to devise plans which shall bar the way so that
the light which He has given me shall be hid?"—1890.
"The statement made that these books [Great Controversy and Patriarchs and
Prophets] cannot be sold, is not true. I know; for the Lord has instructed me
that this is said because human devising has blocked the way for their sale. It
cannot be denied that these books were not the product of any human mind, they
are the voice of God speaking to the people, and they will have an influence
upon minds that other books do not have. "—1890.
"The Lord would have this work carried into the highways and byways where there
are souls to be warned of the dangers so soon to come."—1890.
"While writing the manuscript of Great Controversy I was often conscious of the
presence of the angels of God. And many times the scenes about which I was
writing were presented to me anew in visions of the night, so that they were
fresh and new."1911.
"In the sudden attack at Jackson [Michigan], Satan designed to take my life to
hinder the work I was about to write; but angels of God were sent to raise me
above the effects of Satan's attack."—1880.
"Instruction has been given me that the important books containing the light
that God has given regarding Satan's apostasy in heaven should be given a wide
circulation just now; for through them the truth will reach many minds. . Many
of our people have been blind to the importance of the very books that were most
needed. Had tact and skill then been shown. . the Sunday-law movement would not
be where it is today. "—1905.
"Light was in that book which came from heaven; but what account will those men
have to give to God for the little faith and confidence manifested in that book
that the warnings should not come to the people when they should have had
them."—1894.
"It is a duty we owe to our people and to God, to send every ray of light given
me of God, demanded at this time for every tongue and nation."—1889.
"[In a divinely-given dream] Elder Haskel was presenting strong reasons why the
books which contain the knowledge that has been communicated to Sister White—the books containing the special message to come to the world at this time
[especially Great Controversy!]—should be more freely circulated.
" 'Why,' he inquired, 'do not our people appreciate and circulate more widely
the books bearing the divine credentials? Why is not a specialty made of the
books containing the warnings regarding Satan's work? Why do we not give
greater effort to circulating the books that point out Satan's plans to
counterwork the work of God, that uncover his plans and point out his
deceptlons?"—9 Testimonies, 66-67.
"[In the same dream] But dissatisfaction was expressed by some of our own
people. One said: 'A stop must be put to this work, or our business will be
spoiled.' . . Then I heard a voice of our Counselor saying: 'Forbid them
not. This is a work that should be done. The end is near. Already much
time has been lost, when these books should have been in circulation. Sell
them far and near. Scatter them like the leaves of autumn. This work is
to continue without the forblddings of anyone.'—9 Testimonies, 72-73 [italics
ours; read the entire chapter].