"most impressive discourse on the approaching reign of Christ upon the earth, followed by an earnest and solemn appeal to Christians and sinners, urging them to prepare for the judgment and the coming of the Lord. My soul had been stirred within me by what I had heard. And so deep was the sense of conviction in my heart, that I feared the Lord would not spare me to reach home. 1T 15.1"
"Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh."
Matthew 24:44 directly urges believers to be ready for Christ's return, as the timing is unknown. The EGW passage describes a sermon urging preparation for the judgment and the coming of the Lord. The EGW passage is directly based on the principle of readiness found in Matthew 24:44.
"And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory."
Both passages relate to the second coming of Christ. Matthew 24:30 describes the visible return of Christ, and the EGW passage refers to a discourse on the 'approaching reign of Christ upon the earth' and the need to prepare for it. The connection lies in the shared theme of Christ's return and its implications.
"For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?"
Both passages deal with the coming judgment and the need to be prepared. The EGW passage describes a sermon that stirred conviction about the judgment, while Revelation 6:17 poses the question of who can stand in the day of wrath. The connection is thematic, focusing on the fear and solemnity associated with the end times.
"These words kept ringing in my ears: “The great day of the Lord is at hand! Who shall be able to stand when He appeareth!” The language of my heart was: “Spare me, O Lord, through the night! Take me not away in my sins, pity me, save me!” For the first time I tried to explain my feelings to my brother Robert, who was two years older than myself; I told him that I dared not rest nor sleep until I knew that God had pardoned my sins. 1T 15.2"
"Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord:"
The EGW passage directly quotes the phrase "The great day of the Lord is at hand!" which is very similar to the phrase in Malachi 4:5, "the great and dreadful day of the Lord." This is a clear thematic parallel, and the context of both passages involves the anticipation of a significant event related to God's judgment.
"Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions."
The EGW passage includes the plea "Spare me, O Lord...pity me, save me!" which echoes the sentiment of Psalm 51:1, "Have mercy upon me, O God...blot out my transgressions." Both passages express a desire for God's mercy and forgiveness.
"And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the Lord hath said, and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call."
The EGW passage describes a personal crisis and a desperate plea for salvation, which aligns with the promise of deliverance for those who call on the Lord in Joel 2:32. While not a direct quote, the underlying theme of seeking salvation connects the two passages.
"My brother made no immediate reply, but the cause of his silence was soon apparent to me; he was weeping in sympathy with my distress. This encouraged me to confide in him still more, to tell him that I had coveted death in the days when life seemed so heavy a burden for me to bear; but now the thought that I might die in my present sinful state and be eternally lost, filled me with terror. I asked him if he thought God would spare my life through that one night, if I spent it agonizing in prayer to Him. He answered: “I think He will if you ask Him with faith, and I will pray for you and for myself. Ellen, we must never forget the words we have heard this night.” 1T 15.3"
"Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep."
The EGW passage describes the brother weeping in sympathy, directly mirroring the sentiment in Romans 12:15. The connection is clear and relevant.
"Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."
The EGW passage describes Ellen sharing her distress with her brother and them praying together. This directly reflects the principle in James 5:16 of confessing faults and praying for one another, emphasizing the power of prayer and mutual support.
"And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"
EGW's passage describes her asking what she must do to be saved, which is the exact question posed in Acts 16:30. The connection is direct and relevant.
"I am weary with my groaning; all the night make I my bed to swim; I water my couch with my tears."
Both passages describe a person in distress, weeping and praying. The Psalm describes the author's personal anguish, while the EGW passage describes her distress and her brother's sympathetic weeping. The connection is thematic, relating to sorrow and prayer.
"Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;"
Both passages describe intense prayer with tears and supplication in a time of distress. Hebrews 5:7 refers to Jesus' prayer, while the EGW passage refers to her own prayer. The connection lies in the shared experience of fervent prayer in a difficult situation.