***** Chapter 56—Perilous Times The unbelieving world will soon have something to think of besides their dress and appearance; and as their minds are torn from these things by distress and perplexity, they will have nothing to turn to. They are not prisoners of hope, and therefore do not turn to the Stronghold. Their hearts will fail them for repining and fear. They have not made God their refuge, and He will not be their consolation then, but will laugh at their calamity, and mock when their fear cometh. They have despised and trampled upon the truths of God's word. They have indulged in extravagant dress, and have spent their lives in hilarity and glee. They have sown to the wind; they must reap the whirlwind. In the time of distress and perplexity of nations there will be many who have not given themselves wholly to the corrupting influences of the world and the service of Satan, who will humble themselves before God and turn to Him with their whole heart and find acceptance and par…
"I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh;"
The EGW passage directly quotes and applies Proverbs 1:26, making it an explicit allusion.
"Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."
The EGW passage describes a world engrossed in superficiality and headed for destruction, contrasting with those who turn to God. This echoes the theme of Matthew 7:13-14, which contrasts the broad way leading to destruction with the narrow way leading to life. The connection is thematic rather than a direct quote or explicit allusion.
"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 dangers of worldliness and its opposition to God. The EGW passage speaks of those consumed by dress and appearance, while James 4:4 condemns friendship with the world as enmity with God. While not a direct quote, the underlying principle is similar.
"I was shown the inhabitants of the earth in the utmost confusion. War, bloodshed, privation, want, famine, and pestilence were abroad in the land. As these things surrounded God's people, they began to press together, and to cast aside their little difficulties. Self-dignity no longer controlled them; deep humility took its place. Suffering, perplexity, and privation caused reason to resume its throne, and the passionate and unreasonable man became sane, and acted with discretion and wisdom. 1T 268.1"
"For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places."
The EGW passage directly echoes the calamities listed in Matthew 24:7, making it a clear thematic parallel.
"And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven."
Both passages describe similar end-time events: famines and pestilences. EGW expands on the effects of these events on God's people, but the core imagery is present in Luke 21:11.
"My attention was then called from the scene. There seemed to be a little time of peace. Once more the inhabitants of the earth were presented before me; and again everything was in the utmost confusion. Strife, war, and bloodshed, with famine and pestilence, raged everywhere. Other nations were engaged in this war and confusion. War caused famine. Want and bloodshed caused pestilence. And then men's hearts failed them for fear, “and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth.” 1T 268.2"
"Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken."
EGW directly quotes Luke 21:26, making this an explicit allusion.
"And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet."
Both passages discuss wars and rumors of wars as signs of the end times. While EGW provides a more detailed description of the consequences, the underlying theme of war as a sign is present in both.
"And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth."
Both passages describe war, famine, and death/pestilence as end-time events. Revelation 6:8 uses the imagery of the pale horse, while EGW describes the consequences of these events on the earth. The thematic overlap is strong.