"My feelings were very sensitive. I dreaded giving pain to any living creature. When I saw animals ill- treated, my heart ached for them. Perhaps my sympathies were more easily excited by suffering because I myself had been the victim of thoughtless cruelty, resulting in the injury that had darkened my childhood. But when the thought took possession of my mind that God delighted in the torture of His creatures, who were formed in His image, a wall of darkness seemed to separate me from Him. When I reflected that the Creator of the universe would plunge the wicked into hell, there to burn through the ceaseless rounds of eternity, my heart sank with fear, and I despaired that so cruel and tyrannical a being would ever condescend to save me from the doom of sin. 1T 25.1"
"So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them."
The EGW passage explicitly mentions that creatures are formed in God's image. This is a direct reference to Genesis 1:27, which states that God created man in His own image. The connection is clear and foundational to the argument presented in the EGW passage.
"The Lord is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works."
The EGW passage expresses a sensitivity to suffering and a rejection of the idea that God delights in torture. This aligns with Psalm 145:9, which emphasizes God's goodness and tender mercies towards all creation. The connection is thematic, highlighting God's character of compassion.
"Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father."
Both passages touch on God's care for all creation, even the smallest creatures. EGW's statement about dreading to give pain to any living creature and Matthew 10:29 about God's awareness of a sparrow falling to the ground share a similar theme of God's concern for all beings.
"I thought that the fate of the condemned sinner would be mine, to endure the flames of hell forever, even as long as God Himself existed. This impression deepened upon my mind until I feared that I would lose my reason. I would look upon the dumb beasts with envy, because they had no soul to be punished after death. Many times the wish arose that I had never been born. 1T 25.2"
"Why died I not from the womb? why did I not give up the ghost when I came out of the belly?"
Both passages express a wish of never having been born due to suffering. The EGW passage echoes Job's sentiment of wishing for death before birth as a release from pain.
"And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal."
Both passages deal with the concept of everlasting punishment. The EGW passage reflects a fear of this punishment, which is described in Matthew 25:46.
"Total darkness settled upon me, and there seemed no way out of the shadows. Could the truth have been presented to me as I now understand it, much perplexity and sorrow would have been spared me. If the love of God had been dwelt upon more, and His stern justice less, the beauty and glory of His character would have inspired me with a deep and earnest love for my Creator. 1T 25.3"
"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love."
The EGW passage discusses how dwelling on God's love can alleviate perplexity and sorrow, which aligns with the principle in 1 John 4:18 that perfect love casts out fear. The connection is that a focus on God's love reduces negative emotions.
"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me."
Both passages deal with darkness and shadows, but the EGW passage focuses on a personal experience of spiritual darkness, while the Psalm speaks of the 'valley of the shadow of death.' The connection is thematic, but not strong enough to warrant a higher confidence.
"The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?"
Both passages address fear and the presence of God as a source of light and strength. The EGW passage speaks of 'total darkness' and the need for God's love, while the Psalm declares 'The Lord is my light.' The connection is thematic, but not a direct quote or explicit allusion.