In the next-to-last book of the Bible, the apostle Jude exhorts us to "earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints" (Jude 3). His warning refers primarily to professing Christians who would dilute the faith instead of defending it.

"And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light." (Matthew 17:1-2)

"I will make thy name to be remembered in all generations: therefore shall the people praise thee for ever and ever." (Psalm 45:17)

"I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first." (Revelation 2:19)

"And he began to speak unto them by parables. A certain man planted a vineyard, and set an hedge about it, and digged a place for the winefat, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country." (Mark 12:1)