I was shown the saints' reward, the immortal inheritance.  Then I was shown how much God's people had endured for the truth's sake, and that they would count heaven cheap enough.  They reckoned that the sufferings of this present time were not worthy to be compared with the glory which should be revealed in them.  The people of God in these last days will be tried.  But soon their last trial will come, and then they will receive the gift of eternal life.  {1T 432.2} 

There is no excuse for sin or for indolence.  Jesus has led the way, and He wishes us to follow in His steps.  He has suffered, He has sacrificed as none of us can, that He might bring salvation within our reach.  We need not be discouraged.  Jesus came to our world to bring divine power to man, that through His grace we might be transformed into His likeness.  When it is in the heart to obey God, when efforts are put forth to this end, Jesus accepts this disposition and effort as man's best service, and He makes up for the deficiency with His own divine merit.  {TMK 229.4} 

"To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne."  We can overcome.  Yes; fully, entirely.  Jesus died to make a way of escape for us, that we might overcome every evil temper, every sin, every temptation, and sit down at last with Him.  {1T 144.2} 

Our God has heaven and earth at His command, and He knows just what we need.  We can see only a little way before us; "but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do."  Hebrews 4:13.  Above the distractions of the earth He sits enthroned; all things are open to His divine survey; and from His great and calm eternity He orders that which His providence sees best.  {8T 272.1} 

From the secret place of prayer came the power that shook the world in the Great Reformation.  There, with holy calmness, the servants of the Lord set their feet upon the rock of his promises.  During the struggle at Augsburg, Luther did not fail to devote three hours each day to prayer; and these were taken from that portion of the day most favorable to study.  In the privacy of his chamber he was heard to pour out his soul before God in words full of adoration, fear, and hope, as if speaking to a friend.  "I know that thou art our Father and our God," he said, "and that thou wilt scatter the persecutors of thy children; for thou art thyself endangered with us.  All this matter is thine, and it is only by thy constraint that we have put our hands to it.  Defend us then, O Father!"  To Melancthon, who was crushed under the burden of anxiety and fear, he wrote: "Grace and peace in Christ!  In Christ, I say, and not in the world, Amen!  I hate with exceeding hatred those extreme cares which consume you.  If the cause is unjust, abandon it; if the cause is just, why should we belie the promises of Him who commands us to sleep without fear?"  "Christ will not be wanting to the work of justice and truth.  He lives, he reigns; what fear, then, can we have?"  {4SP 168.2} 

Just before Christ left His disciples, anticipating the trial and disappointment they would meet because of their belief that He was going to reign on the throne of David as Israel's king, He told them of what He was to endure, and entreated them not to be troubled.  He knew how sore their disappointment would be as they saw Him suffering insult and mockery as He stepped lower and lower in the path of humiliation.  He thought of His disciples, not of Himself.  Would the trial be too great for them?  {2SAT 145.4} 

He sought to comfort them by speaking words of hope and courage.  "Let not your heart be troubled," He said, "ye believe in God, believe also in Me.  In My Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you."  What a comfort these words should be to us.  Think of the work Christ is now doing in heaven -- preparing mansions for His children.  He wants us to prepare to dwell in these mansions.  This we can do by cooperating with Him.  If we form characters after the divine similitude, we shall inherit the mansions Christ is preparing.  {2SAT 145.5} 

We breathe because God takes charge of the human machinery.  Day by day he keeps it in working order, and he wants us to think of the infinite sacrifice he has made for us in suffering with One equal with himself, -- his only begotten Son.  He consented to let him come to a world all seared and marred with the curse of sin, to stand at the head of humanity as a sin-bearing, sin-pardoning Saviour.  God has pledged himself to receive sinners; for he "so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."  Everlasting life, -- this is what we want.  Shall we be satisfied to live in this poor world without a hope of a better life?  God forbid.  Let us lay hold of the power that has been provided for us to make it possible for us to gain eternal life.  Let us take hold of the blessings heaven has given us that we may fit ourselves for the higher grade, fit ourselves for the mansions which Christ is preparing for us.  He said, "Let not your hearts be troubled; ye believe in God, believe also in me.  In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself, that where I am, there ye may be also."  {GCB, April 8, 1901 par. 10} 

Jesus sought to draw their minds away from himself personally, to the importance of his position as the heir of all things, an equal with God himself; that through suffering and conflict he had gained his great inheritance, the kingdoms of Heaven and of earth.  He wished them to understand at once how ample was his authority, and, as one above all powers and principalities, he issued the great commission to his chosen disciples:--  {3SP 236.3}  

"Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."  {3SP 237.1} 

In Christ dwelt the fullness of the God-head bodily.  This is why, although tempted in all points like as we are, he stood before the world untainted by corruption, though surrounded by it.  Are we not also to become partakers of that fullness?  and is it not thus, and thus only, that we can overcome as Christ overcame?  {ST, October 10, 1892 par. 6} 

The unfailing promises of God will keep your heart in perfect peace.  {ML 338.5} 

There is hope for man.  Jesus says: "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne."  The work before us is to overcome as Christ overcame.  He fasted forty days, and suffered the keenest pangs of hunger.  Christ suffered on our account beyond our comprehension, and we should welcome trial and suffering on our own account for Christ's sake, that we may overcome as Christ also overcame, and be exalted to the throne of our Redeemer.  Let us consider the life and suffering of our precious Saviour in our behalf, and remember that if we are not willing to endure trial, toil, and conflict, if we are not willing to be partakers with Christ of his sufferings, we shall be found unworthy of a seat upon his throne.  {RH, February 5, 1895 par. 5} 

"These are not the words of him that hath a devil.  Can a devil open the eyes of the blind?  And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter.  And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch.  Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt?  If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly.  Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not; the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me.  But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.  My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me; and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.  My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.  I and my Father are one."  {ST, November 27, 1893 par. 4}

If you will stand under the bloodstained banner of Prince Emmanuel, faithfully doing His service, you need never yield to temptation; for One stands by your side who is able to keep you from falling.  {OHC 19.7} 

Be not discouraged because your heart seems hard.  Every obstacle, every internal foe, only increases your need of Christ.  He came to take away the heart of stone, and give you a heart of flesh.  Look to Him for special grace to overcome your peculiar faults.  When assailed by temptation, steadfastly resist the evil promptings; say to your soul, "How can I dishonor my Redeemer?  I have given myself to Christ; I cannot do the works of Satan."  Cry to the dear Saviour for help to sacrifice every idol, and to put away every darling sin.  Let the eye of faith see Jesus standing before the Father's throne, presenting His wounded hands as He pleads for you.  Believe that strength comes to you through your precious Saviour.  {MYP 112.2}