"***** Chapter 67—The Two Crowns In the vision given me at Battle Creek, Michigan, October 25, 1861, I was shown this earth, dark and gloomy. Said the angel: “Look carefully!” Then I was shown the people upon the earth. Some were surrounded by angels of God, others were in total darkness, surrounded by evil angels. I saw an arm reached down from heaven, holding a golden scepter. On the top of the scepter was a crown studded with diamonds. Every diamond emitted light, bright, clear, and beautiful. Inscribed upon the crown were these words: “All who win me are happy, and shall have everlasting life.” 1T 347"
"Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life."
Both passages contrast earthly suffering with the promise of a heavenly crown for faithfulness. The EGW passage elaborates on the nature of the heavenly crown and its inscription, while Revelation 2:10 directly promises the crown of life to those faithful unto death.
"Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him."
The James verse explicitly mentions a 'crown of life' promised to those who endure temptation and love God. The EGW passage describes a crown representing eternal life, directly echoing the promise and reward mentioned in James.
"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."
The EGW passage describes a spiritual battle with angels of God and evil angels, which aligns with the Ephesians verse about wrestling against spiritual wickedness. However, the connection is somewhat general.
Below this crown was another scepter, and upon this also was placed a crown, in the center of which were jewels, gold, and silver, reflecting some light. The inscription upon the crown was: “Earthly treasure. Riches is power. All who win me have honor and fame.” I saw a vast multitude rushing forward to obtain this crown. They were clamorous. Some in their eagerness seemed bereft of reason. They would thrust one another, crowding back those who were weaker than they, and trampling upon those who in their haste fell. Many eagerly seized hold of the treasures within the crown, and held them fast. The heads of some were as white as silver, and their faces were furrowed with care and anxiety. Their own relatives, bone of their bone, and flesh of their flesh, they regarded not; but, as appealing looks were turned to them, they held their treasures more firmly, as though fearful that in an unguarded moment they should lose a little, or be induced to divide with them. Their eager eyes would o…
"But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition."
Both passages warn about the dangers of pursuing riches. The EGW passage illustrates the destructive nature of greed, while 1 Timothy 6:9 explicitly states that those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and destruction.
"No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon."
The EGW passage describes the pursuit of earthly treasure and the neglect of spiritual values, which directly echoes the warning in Matthew 6:24 about serving God and mammon. The imagery of the crown representing earthly riches reinforces this connection.
"Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:"
Both passages warn against accumulating earthly treasures. The EGW passage vividly depicts the pursuit of earthly riches and its negative consequences, while Matthew 6:19 directly advises against laying up such treasures.
"For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world."
The EGW passage describes the allure of earthly treasure and the pursuit of honor and fame. This aligns with the 'lust of the eyes' and 'pride of life' mentioned in 1 John 2:16, which are identified as worldly desires that are not from the Father. Both passages warn against the dangers of worldly pursuits.
"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:"
The EGW passage describes a multitude rushing towards a crown representing earthly treasure, pushing and trampling each other. This aligns with the concept of the 'broad way' in Matthew 7:13, where many people are heading towards destruction. Both passages highlight the dangers of a popular but ultimately destructive path.