A great work was before John, and in order for him to have a sound physical constitution, and mental and moral power, to do this work, he must control appetite and passion. John was to lead out as a reformer, and by his abstemious life, and plain dress, rebuke the intemperate habits, and the sinful extravagance, of the people. The indulgence of appetite in luxurious food, and the use of wine, were lessening physical strength, and weakening the intellect, so that crime and grievous sins did not appear sinful. The angel Gabriel gave special directions to the parents of John in regard to temperance. A lesson was given upon health reform by one of the exalted angels from the throne of Heaven. John was to reform the children of Israel, and turn them to the Lord. He had the promise that God would work with him. He was “to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” {2SP 43.2}

Et stort arbejde lå foran Johannes, og for at han kunne have en sund fysisk krop, og mentale og moralske kræfter, til at udføre dette arbejde, måtte han kontrollere appetitten og lidenskaben. Johannes skulle føre frem som reformator, og ved sit afholdne liv, og enkle klæder, kunne han dadle folks umådeholdne levevaner og syndige overdådighed. Eftergivenhed over for appetitten med overdådig med, og brug af vin, blev den fysiske styrke formindsket, og svækker forstanden, så at forbrydelser og alvorlige synder ikke så så syndige ud. Englen Gabriel gav Johannes forældre særlig anvisninger om mådehold. En af den ophøjede engle fra himlens trone gav en lektie om helsereformen. Johannes skulle reformere Israels børn, og vende dem til Herren. (44) Han havde det løfte at Gud ville arbejde med ham. Han skulle "vende fædrenes hjerter til børnene og de genstridige til retfærdiges sind, så han kan berede Herren et velskikket folk."