The alarming truths of the word of God had stirred the people of God a little. Now and then they would make feeble efforts to overcome, but they soon tired and sank back into the same lukewarm state. I saw that they did not have perseverance and fixed determination. Let the seeker for the salvation of God possess the same energy and earnestness that he would have for a worldly treasure, and the object would be gained. I saw that the church may just as well drink of a full cup, as to hold an empty one in the hand or at the mouth. 1T 179.1 It is not the plan of God to have some eased and others burdened. Some feel the weight and responsibility of the cause, and the necessity of their acting that they may gather with Christ and not scatter abroad. Others go on free from any responsibility, acting as though they had no influence. Such scatter abroad. God is not partial. All who are made partakers of His salvation here, and who hope to share the glories of the kingdom hereafter, must gather…
"So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth."
EGW's reference to the church being lukewarm and the imagery of a full cup directly alludes to the warning against lukewarmness in Revelation 3:16.
"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:"
Both passages highlight the importance of seeking and earnest effort in obtaining spiritual blessings. EGW speaks of energy and earnestness in seeking salvation, while Matthew 7:7 encourages asking, seeking, and knocking.
"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."
Both passages emphasize the importance of prioritizing spiritual matters. EGW speaks of seeking salvation with the same energy as worldly treasure, while Matthew 6:33 urges seeking God's kingdom first. The connection is thematic, but not a direct quote or explicit allusion.
"large drops of perspiration fell from their foreheads. Now and then their faces would light up with the marks of God's approbation, and again the same solemn, earnest, anxious look would settle upon them. [“Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly: gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders.... Let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare Thy people, O Lord, and give not Thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God?” Joel 2:15-17 . 1T 179.3"
"Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly: Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet. Let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O Lord, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God?"
Ellen White directly references Joel 2:15-17 in this passage.