Christ warned His disciples in regard to what they would meet in their work as evangelists. He knew what their sufferings would be, what trials and hardships they would be called upon to bear. He would not hide from them the knowledge of what they would have to encounter, lest trouble, coming unexpectedly, should shake their faith. “I have told you before it come to pass,” He said, “that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe.” John 14:29. Their faith was to be strengthened, rather than weakened, by the coming of trial. They would say to one another: “He told us that this would come, and what we must do to meet it.” {9T 235.2} “Behold,” Christ said, “I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.” “Ye shall be hated of all men for My name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.” Matthew 10:16, 22. They hated Christ without a cause. Is it any marvel that they hate those who bear His sign, who do His service? They are counted as the offscouring of the earth. {9T 235.3} “When they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another.” It is not the will of God that your lives shall be carelessly sacrificed. “Verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.” Verse 23. {9T 236.1}

Kristus advarede sine disciple med hensyn til, hvad de ville komme ud for i deres gerning som evangelister. Han vidste, hvilke lidelser de skulle udholde, hvilke prøvelser og vanskeligheder de ville blive kaldet til at bære. Han ville ikke skjule for dem, at de skulle møde modstand, for at deres tro ikke skulle rokkes, når de uventede vanskeligheder kom. Han sagde: »Og nu har jeg sagt jer det, før det sker, for at I skal tro, når det er sket.« Joh. 14,29. Deres tro skulle snarere styrkes end svækkes, når trængslerne kom. Så ville de kunne sige til hinanden: »Han fortalte os, at dette ville komme og hvad vi skulle gøre for at møde det.« »Se, jeg sender jer som får blandt ulve. Vær derfor snilde som slanger og uden svig som duer! Og I skal hædres af alle for mit navns skyld, men den, som holder ud indtil enden, han skal blive frelst.« Matt. 10,16.22. De hadede Kristus uden (236) grund. Er det da noget under, at de vil hade dem, som bærer hans tegn og gør hans gerning? De er regnet som verdens fejeskarn. »Når de forfølger jer i en by, så flygt til en anden, thi sandelig siger jeg eder: I skal ikke komme til ende med Israels byer, førend Menneskesønnen kommer.« vers 23