Is Great Controversy Chapter 35 Still Relevant in 2026?

Chapter 35 of "The Great Controversy" remains profoundly relevant in 2026 because the principles of the papacy and its aims for global influence are unchanged, and the predicted movements toward a union of church and state are rapidly advancingGC 571.1+1.

The Unchanging Nature of the Papacy

The claim of infallibility, which has been maintained for centuries, ensures that the Roman Church cannot renounce the principles that governed its past actionsGC 564.1. While the church may present a conciliatory front in modern times, this is a strategic policy rather than a change of heartGC 565.1.

• Consistency in Doctrine: Every principle that existed in the past remains in the church todayGC 571.1.

• Infallibility: The church asserts that it has never erred and never will err, making it impossible to relinquish its claims or its past methods of dealing with dissentGC 564.1+1.

• A Universal Organization: The church functions as one vast organization where allegiance to the pope is placed above all earthly governments or oathsGC 580.2.

The Role of Modern Intellectualism

The widespread intelligence and "science falsely so called" of the present age have not served as a protection against the spread of these errors, but have instead prepared the way for them 1 Timothy 6:20GC 572.3.

• Dazzled by Speculation: Just as darkness favored the papacy in the past, the glare of human theories today blinds many to the real dangers of its growthGC 572.3.

• Form Without Power: Thousands who lack an experimental knowledge of Christ are drawn to a religion of externals, pomp, and ceremony, which satisfies the carnal heart without requiring the sacrifice of sinGC 567.2+1.

The Impending Union of Church and State

The most significant evidence of the chapter's relevance is the current movement within the United States to secure state support for religious institutionsGC 573.1.

• Sunday Enforcement: The ongoing efforts to enforce Sunday observance—a tradition that originated with Rome—are a direct fulfillment of the prophecy regarding the image to the beast Revelation 13:11-16GC 573.1+1.

• Protestant Compromise: Protestant churches are currently following the steps of the papacy by seeking secular power to enforce religious customs, effectively opening the door for Rome to regain its lost supremacyGC 573.1+1.

• Restoration of Power: Prophecy indicates that the "deadly wound" will be fully healed, and the entire world will eventually pay homage to this power through the Sunday institution Revelation 13:3GC 578.3.

A Call to Scriptural Vigilance

The only safety in 2026 is found in a prayerful and diligent study of the Bible, which reveals the true character of the papacy and the love of GodGC 570.1+1.

• Bible as a Safeguard: If the Word of God were studied, it would expose the deceptions of this system and show that God requires only a humble and obedient spirit, not heavy burdens of human traditionGC 570.1+1.

• The Final Conflict: Those who choose to believe and obey the Word of God will soon face reproach and persecution as this religious-political power strengthens its forcesGC 581.2.

• End-Time Prophecy: The "man of sin" will continue his work of deception until the second advent of Jesus 2 Thessalonians 2:3-8GC 578.3.

While these visits are often cloaked in the garments of Christ-like compassion, the underlying principles of the papacy remain unchanged and the history of its influence reveals a record written in the blood of the saintsGC88 570.3+1. The Romish Church is a chameleon that assumes the character which will best accomplish her purpose, concealing the invariable venom of the serpent beneath a fair front of apologies and emotional displayGC88 570.3+1.

The Variable Appearance of the Chameleon

The papacy possesses a deep inward corruption that it covers with outside attraction and elaborate signs of power to deceive all nations14LtMs, Lt 232, 1899, par. 20.

• A Strategy of Deception: It is part of her policy to clothe herself in Christ-like garments and cover her record of horrible cruelties with apologies, yet she is the same power that ruled the world in the days of the ReformationGC88 570.3.

• External Pomp and Display: The religion of Christ needs no such attractions, but the papal power uses gorgeous displays to hide a corrupt and deceiving wickedness14LtMs, Lt 232, 1899, par. 20+1.

• Apparent Sympathy: While leaders may weep or express sorrow, the spirit of the papacy is no less cruel and despotic now than when it crushed out human liberty and slew the saints of the Most HighGC88 570.3.

The Historical Fruit of Papal Influence

The presence and influence of the papacy have historically been followed by periods of great moral darkness and the removal of the Word of God as a safeguard4SP 51.2+1.

• The Detector of Error: When the Bible, which is the detector of error, is removed or set aside for human theories, Satan works according to his will4SP 54.1.

• Inciteful Policy: Popery has a history of poisoning the minds of leaders and acting as an element of discord that leads to ruin and direst crueltyGC 276.4.

• The Result of Rejecting Light: When nations despise the gift of God's grace and follow the guidance of the papacy, the restraint of God's Spirit is removed, and evil is permitted to come to maturityGC 265.1.

• Betrayal and Persecution: As predicted by Jesus, the rise of papal power leads to situations where men are betrayed by parents and friends and put to death for the truth Luke 21:16-17GC88 54.2.

The Unchanging Spirit of the Man of Sin

Prophecy identifies the papacy as the "man of sin" and the "mystery of iniquity" that will continue its deceptive work until the second advent 2 Thessalonians 2:3-87BC 911.1+1.

• Unchanged Principles: The boast of Rome is that she never changes; the arrogant principles that lorded it over kings in past ages exist todayGC88 570.3+1.

• Supreme Authority: The Roman Church still claims supreme authority over all people and nations, asserting that the whole Christian world acknowledges her mandateST February 19, 1894, par. 2+1.

• The Soon-Coming Contest: The record of the means Rome employed in the past is the only way to understand the agencies to be employed in the soon-coming contestGC 573.2.

A Call to Discernment

In these last days, we must not be deceived by the outward appearance of religious leaders, but must test every spirit by the Word of GodMMM 291.3+1.

• Watch for the Signs: We are to be awake to discern the signs of the times and give warning to the people, rather than being quieted by those who say "peace, peace" when there is no peaceST June 24, 1889, par. 5+1.

• Study the Prophecies: The fearful judgments denounced against the worship of the beast should lead every reasoning person to a diligent study of the propheciesDD 37.1+1.

• Uplift the Truth: Our work is to repair the breach made in the law of God and exalt the true Sabbath as a sign of loyalty to the Creator in distinction from the institution of the man of sinSW July 14, 1908, par. 7+1.

The only security against the deceptions of this power is to keep ourselves under the molding influence of the Holy Spirit and rely on the wisdom of God found in His WordST November 1, 1899, par. 14+1. Regardless of the emotional or diplomatic activities of the papacy, the Bible declares that the dragon gives this beast his power, seat, and great authority Revelation 13:2.