Dear Brother and Sister K, In my last vision I was shown some things in regard to your family. The Lord has thoughts of mercy concerning you and will not forsake you unless you forsake Him. L and M are in a lukewarm condition. They must arouse and make efforts for salvation, or they will fail of everlasting life. They must feel an individual responsibility and have an experience for themselves. They need a work wrought in their hearts by the Holy Spirit of God, which will lead them to love and choose the society of God's people above any other, and to be separate from those who have no love for spiritual things. Jesus demands a whole sacrifice, an entire consecration. L and M, you have not realized that God requires your undivided affections. You have made a holy profession, yet have sunk down to the dead level of ordinary professors. You love the society of the young who have no regard for the sacred truths which you profess. You have appeared like your associates, and have been conte…
"So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth."
The EGW passage explicitly uses the term 'lukewarm condition' in reference to spiritual state, directly alluding to Revelation 3:16. The context is also very similar.
"Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?"
The EGW passage advises separation from those who have no love for spiritual things, echoing the principle of not being unequally yoked with unbelievers in 2 Corinthians 6:14. The emphasis on choosing the society of God's people aligns with the idea of avoiding fellowship with unrighteousness.
"If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you."
Both passages discuss separation from the world and its values. EGW's passage speaks of separating from those who have no love for spiritual things, while John 15:19 explains that the world hates those who are not of it. The connection is thematic, focusing on the tension between worldly and spiritual allegiances.
Christ demands all. If He required less, His sacrifice was too dear, too great to make to bring us up to such a level. Our holy faith cries out, Separation. We should not be conformed to the world, or to dead, heartless professors. “Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.” This is a self-denying way. And when you think that the way is too strait, that there is too much self-denial in this narrow path; when you say, How hard to give up all, ask yourselves the question, What did Christ give up for me? This question puts anything that we may call self-denial in the shade. Behold Him in the garden, sweating great drops of blood. A solitary angel is sent from heaven to strengthen the Son of God. Follow Him on His way to the judgment hall, while He is derided, mocked, and insulted by that infuriated mob. Behold Him clothed in that old purple kingly robe. Hear the coarse jest and cruel mocking. See them place upon that noble brow the crown of thorns, and then smite Him with a reed, ca…
"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."
EGW directly quotes "Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind," which is a clear and explicit allusion to Romans 12:2. The context in EGW's writing also aligns with the meaning of the verse, emphasizing separation from the world and transformation.
"And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me."
Both passages emphasize self-denial as a requirement for following Christ. EGW's passage directly references self-denial and the narrow path, while Luke 9:23 explicitly states the need to deny oneself and take up one's cross daily. The connection is strong and directly related to the concept of discipleship.
"Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me."
The EGW passage directly echoes the principle of self-denial and following Christ, which is the core message of Matthew 16:24. The call to 'give up all' and the description of Christ's sacrifice directly amplify the call to 'deny himself'.
"So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple."
Both passages discuss the idea of forsaking all for Christ. EGW's passage speaks of Christ demanding all and the need to give up everything, while Luke 14:33 states that one must forsake all to be Christ's disciple. The connection is thematic, focusing on the total commitment required for following Christ.
"Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,"
Both passages highlight the idea of sacrificing everything for the sake of Christ. EGW's passage emphasizes Christ's sacrifice and the need to give up all, while Philippians 3:8 speaks of counting all things as loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ. The connection is thematic, focusing on the value of Christ above all else.