The book of nature was open before John with its inexhaustible store of varied instruction. He sought the favor of God, and the Holy Spirit rested upon him, and kindled in his heart a glowing zeal to do the great work of calling the people to repentance, and to a higher and holier life. John was fitting himself, by the privations and hardships of his secluded life, to so control all his physical and mental powers that he could stand among the people as unmoved by surrounding circumstances as the rocks and mountains of the wilderness that had surrounded him for thirty years. {2SP 47.2}

Naturens bog var åben for Johannes, og Helligånden hvilede på ham, og optændte en glødende iver i hans hjerte for at gøre det store arbejde at kalde folk til anger, og til et højere og helligere liv. Johannes gjorde sig selv egnet, ved hans ensomme livs afsavn og genvordigheder, til at kontrollere alle sine fysiske og mentale kræfter, så han kunne stå iblandt folk som urørelig af omkringliggende omstændigheder som ørkenens klipper og bjerge, der havde omgivet ham i tredive år.