Christ’s Counsel

We began this book with Christ and we want to end it with Him. Jesus speaks specifically about how to get ready for the crises related to the Word and to doctrine. Some of His illustrations and parables have influenced us since we were children. Who doesn’t remember the song that our Sabbath School teachers taught us about the wise man and the foolish man? That parable’s purpose was to remind us that the only ones who have assurance are those who build on the Rock (Matthew 7:24-27). The Rock, of course, in both the Old and the New Testaments represents Christ. ^{15See 1 Corinthians 10:4; 1 Peter 2:4-8.} In the particular case of this parable, it also represents Christ’s words (v. 24). Christ’s words, the testimony of Jesus, are a firm rock on which we can anchor ourselves with security.VOTS 111.5

Another parable in which Jesus speaks specifically about preparation for the crisis revolving around the Bible and its doctrines is the parable of the sower (Matthew 13:1-9). The Lord Himself interpreted this parable for His disciples, so we have no doubts about the original meaning and Jesus’ intentions when He narrated it (Matthew 13:18-23). The security of the “plant” in time of crisis depends on the depth of its roots. If someone does not understand the Word, the Lord says, that believer is a likely victim of the deceits and stratagems of Satan and his cohorts (v. 19). If someone does not dig deep into the Word, he or she is likely to be pulled up by the roots when affliction comes (vss. 20, 21). If a person is so preoccupied with the “worries of this life” that he does not have time to devote to the Word, his situation is extremely dangerous (v. 21). The only security is in understanding the Word and allowing it to produce fruit (v. 23).VOTS 112.1

It is important to note that the Lord specifically places emphasis on understanding or not understanding the Word. Those who are perfectly happy to listen to it, but who are not concerned with understanding it, become easy prey for those who come with “new, strange doctrines,” or for those who present something extraordinary and sensational that attracts attention. For these reasons, it is extremely important that we are sure we understand the doctrines of the church, made up of biblical teachings based on the testimony of Jesus.VOTS 112.2

While it is true that there is a crisis just ahead that will revolve around the interpretation of doctrine, we need not fear. Christ assures us the victory if we take His hand and accept His counsel. The voice of the Spirit has no other purpose than to make us victors in Christ. Let us listen, then, to “what the Spirit says to the churches.” Let us accept the voice of the “faithful and true witness” and His promise of victory. “To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne” (Revelation 3:13, 14, 21).VOTS 113.1