Ministers must arouse. They profess to be generals in the army of the great King, and at the same time are sympathizers with the great rebel leader and his host. Some have exposed the cause of God, and the sacred truths of His word, to the reproaches of the rebel host. They have removed a portion of their armor, and Satan has hurled in his poisoned arrows. They have strengthened the hands of the rebel leaders, and weakened themselves, and caused Satan and his hellish clan to rear their heads in triumph, and exult on account of the victory they have let him gain. Oh, what a lack of wisdom! What blindness! What foolish generalship, to open their weakest points to their deadliest foes! How unlike the course pursued by Luther! He was willing to sacrifice his life, if need be, but the truth, never. His words are: “Let us only take care that the gospel be not exposed to the insults of the ungodly, and let us shed our blood in its defense, rather than allow them to triumph. Who will say wheth…
"Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil."
The EGW passage directly references the idea of spiritual armor and being vulnerable to Satan's attacks, which is a clear parallel to Ephesians 6:11's call to 'put on the whole armour of God.' The mention of 'removing a portion of their armor' strengthens this connection.
"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 against a 'rebel leader' and his 'host,' mirroring the Ephesians passage's description of wrestling against spiritual wickedness. The imagery of armor and poisoned arrows further strengthens the connection.