Where were the men to be depended upon in times of trial and danger? Where were the God-fearing men to rally around the standard when the foe was seeking an advantage? Some who should have been at their post were unfaithful when their help was most needed. Their course showed that they had no special interest in the advancement of the work and cause of God. Some thought that too much was expected of them; and, instead of cheerfully moving forward to do what they could, they sat down in Satan’s easy chair and refused to do anything. {2T 638.1}

Der er visse ting i skriften, som er vanskelige at forstå og som de ukyndige og ubefæstede ifølge Peters udsagn fordrejer til deres egen undergang. Her i livet vil vi måske ikke blive i stand til at forklare betydningen af ethvert skriftsted; men praktisk sandhed indeholder ingen livsvigtige punkter, som vil blive indhyllet i mystik. Når tiden for Guds forsyn kommer, hvor verden skal prøves angående sandheden for den tid, vil hans ånd påvirke menneskesind til endog under faste og bøn at granske skriften, indtil led efter led bliver udforsket og samlet i en fuldkommen kæde. Ethvert punkt, der umiddelbart angår sjæles frelse, vil blive gjort så tydeligt, at ingen behøver at fare vild eller vandre i mørke.