I saw one approaching you with firm tread and grieved countenance. He said: “Let no man take your crown.” Have you forgotten the humiliation endured by the Son of God in coming to our world, how He suffered abuse, reproach, insult, hatred, mockery, and betrayal, how He endured the shameful trial in the judgment hall after having suffered the superhuman assaults of Satan in the Garden of Gethsemane? Have you forgotten the wild cry from the mob, “Crucify Him, crucify Him,” and how He died as a malefactor? Is the servant greater than his Lord? The followers of Jesus will not be popular, but will be like their Master, meek and lowly of heart. You are seeking to climb to the highest seat, but will find yourselves at last in the lowest. If you seek to deal justly, to love mercy, to walk humbly with God, you will be partakers with Christ of His sufferings and sharers with Him of His glory in His kingdom. The Lord has blessed you, but how little have you appreciated His loving-kindness! How little praise He has received from your lips! You may do a good work for the Master, but not with your ideas as supreme. You must learn in the school of Christ, else you can never be qualified to enter the higher grade, receive the seal of the living God, enter in through the gates into the city of God, and be crowned with glory, honor, and immortality. {5T 501.2}

Jeg så én nærme jer med faste skridt og bedrøvet ansigt. Han sagde: "Lad ingen tage jeres krone." Har I glemt den ydmygelse som Guds søn led, ved at komme til verden, hvor han dog led mishandling, skam, forhånelse, had, spot og forræderi, hvor han dog udholdt den (502) skændige prøvelse i retssalen, efter at have lidt Satans overmenneskelige angreb i Getsemane have? Har I glemt det vilde råb fra hoben: »Korsfæst ham, korsfæst ham,« og hvordan han døde som forbryder? Er tjeneren større end sin Herre? Jesu efterfølgere vil ikke være populære, men vil være ligesom deres Mester, sagtmodig og ydmyg af hjerte. I forsøger at klatre op til det højeste sæde, men vil til sidst finde at I er de laveste. Hvis I søger at handle retfærdigt, elske barmhjertighed, vandre ydmygt med Gud, vil I få del med Kristus i hans lidelser og dele hans herlighed i hans rige med ham. Herren har velsignet jer, men hvor lidt har I påskønnet hans elskende godhed! Hvor lidt ros har han fået fra jeres læber! I kan gøre et godt arbejde for Mesteren, men ikke med jeres idéer som de største. I må lære i Kristi skole, ellers vil I aldrig være egnede til den højere rang, modtage den levende Guds segl, gå ind gennem portene til Guds stad og blive kronet med herlighed, ære og udødelighed.