"When I saw him passing away, and saw the many friends sympathizing with me, I thought: What a contrast to the death of Jesus as He hung upon the cross! What a contrast! In the hour of His agony, the revilers were mocking and deriding Him. But He died, and He passed through the tomb to brighten it, and to lighten it, that we might have joy and hope even in the event of death; that we might say, as we lay our friends away to rest in Jesus: We shall meet them again. 1T 111.1"
"And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads,"
EGW directly contrasts the sympathetic support she received with the reviling Jesus experienced on the cross. The Matthew verse provides a specific example of that reviling, making the connection a valid thematic parallel.
"For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him."
EGW expresses hope of reunion after death, which is a central theme of 1 Thessalonians 4:14. The verse provides a theological basis for that hope, connecting the two passages thematically.
"At times I felt that I could not have my husband die. But these words seemed to be impressed on my mind: “Be still, and know that I am God.” I keenly feel my loss, but dare not give myself up to useless grief. This would not bring back the dead. And I am not so selfish as to wish, if I could, to bring him from his peaceful slumber to engage again in the battles of life. Like a tired warrior, he has lain down to sleep. I will look with pleasure upon his resting place. The best way in which I and my children can honor the memory of him who has fallen, is to take the work where he left it, and in the strength of Jesus carry it forward to completion. We will be thankful for the years of usefulness that were granted to him; and for his sake, and for Christ's sake, we will learn from his death a lesson which we shall never forget. We will let this bereavement make us more kind and gentle, more forbearing, patient, and thoughtful toward the living. 1T 111.2"
"Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth."
Duplicate of Pair 1. EGW directly quotes Psalm 46:10.
"But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope."
Both passages address grief over the death of loved ones and offer comfort, particularly the idea of 'sleep' as a metaphor for death.
I take up my lifework alone, in full confidence that my Redeemer will be with me. We have only a little while to wage the warfare; then Christ will come, and this scene of conflict will close. Then our last efforts will have been made to work with Christ, and advance His kingdom. Some who have stood in the forefront of the battle, zealously resisting incoming evil, fall at the post of duty; the living gaze sorrowfully at the fallen heroes, but there is no time to cease work. They must close up the ranks; seize the banner from the hand palsied by death, and with renewed energy vindicate the truth and the honor of Christ. As never before, resistance must be made against sin—against the powers of darkness. The time demands energetic and determined activity on the part of those who believe present truth. If the time seems long to wait for our Deliverer to come; if, bowed by affliction and worn with toil, we feel impatient to receive an honorable release from the warfare, let us remember—an…
"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."
The EGW passage explicitly mentions 'resistance must be made against sin—against the powers of darkness,' which is a clear allusion to Ephesians 6:12, which describes the spiritual battle against principalities and powers.
"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:"
Both passages refer to the Christian life as a fight or course that must be finished. The EGW passage speaks of those who have 'fallen at the post of duty,' implying that others must continue the fight to the end, echoing the sentiment of 2 Timothy 4:7.
"Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ."
Both passages use the metaphor of a soldier to describe the Christian life, emphasizing endurance and hardship. The EGW passage expands on this by describing the battle and the need to continue fighting.
"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord."
Both passages encourage steadfastness and continued work in the Lord, knowing that the labor is not in vain. The EGW passage amplifies this by emphasizing the urgency and the need to continue even when others fall.