"N umber Three—Testimony for the Church Chapter 25—Be Zealous and Repent 1T 141 Dear Brethren and Sisters, The Lord has shown me in vision some things concerning the church in its present lukewarm state, which I will relate to you. The church was presented before me in vision. Said the angel to the church: “Jesus speaks to thee, ‘Be zealous and repent.’” This work, I saw, should be taken hold of in earnest. There is something to repent of. Worldly-mindedness, selfishness, and covetousness have been eating out the spirituality and life of God's people. 1T 141"
"As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent."
EGW directly quotes Revelation 3:19, attributing the words to Jesus.
"Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God."
Both passages address the issue of worldliness and its incompatibility with devotion to God. While EGW doesn't directly quote James 4:4, the theme of friendship with the world being enmity with God is present in both.
"The danger of God's people for a few years past has been the love of the world. Out of this have sprung the sins of selfishness and covetousness. The more they get of this world, the more they set their affections on it; and still they reach out for more. Said the angel: “It is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.” Yet many who profess to believe that we are having the last note of warning to the world, are striving with all their energies to place themselves in a position where it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye than for them to enter the kingdom. 1T 141.2"
"And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God."
EGW directly quotes and applies the verse about the camel and the needle's eye.
"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him."
Both passages address the danger of loving the world and its possessions, although EGW focuses more on the consequences of covetousness.
"These earthly treasures are blessings when rightly used. Those who have them should realize that they are lent them of God and should cheerfully spend their means to advance His cause. They will not lose their reward here. They will be kindly regarded by the angels of God and will also lay up a treasure in heaven. 1T 141.3"
"But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:"
The phrase 'lay up a treasure in heaven' is a direct allusion to Matthew 6:20, making the connection strong and explicit.
"Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again."
The EGW passage directly echoes the principle of giving and receiving, emphasizing the reward for using earthly treasures to advance God's cause, aligning with the reciprocal nature of giving described in Luke 6:38.