"pattern, when we have a sure, unerring pattern. We should not measure ourselves by the world, nor by the opinions of men, nor by what we were before we embraced the truth. But our faith and position in the world, as they now are, must be compared with what they would have been if our course had been continually onward and upward since we professed to be followers of Christ. This is the only safe comparison that can be made. In every other there will be self-deception. If the moral character and spiritual state of God's people do not correspond with the blessings, privileges, and light which have been conferred upon them, they are weighed in the balance, and angels make the report, Wanting. 1T 406.1"
"Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?"
Both passages emphasize the importance of self-examination to assess one's spiritual state. 2 Corinthians 13:5 directly commands self-examination, while EGW's passage discusses the need to compare one's current state with an ideal of continuous spiritual growth, implying a process of self-evaluation. The principle of self-assessment is central to both.
"For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise."
This is a duplicate of pair 1. Both passages address the danger of comparing oneself to others rather than adhering to a higher standard. EGW's passage expands on this principle, warning against self-deception and urging comparison with an ideal of continuous spiritual growth. The core idea of not measuring oneself by worldly standards or other people is present in both.
"Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:"
Both passages relate to the idea of striving for spiritual maturity and measuring oneself against a standard. Ephesians 4:13 speaks of attaining the 'measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ,' while EGW speaks of comparing one's current state to what it would be with continuous spiritual growth. The connection is thematic, focusing on spiritual progress and a standard of measurement, but not a direct quote or principle.
With some the knowledge of their true state seems to be hidden from them. They see the truth, but perceive not its importance or its claims. They hear the truth, but do not fully understand it, because they do not conform their lives to it, and therefore are not sanctified through obeying it. And yet they rest as unconcerned and well satisfied as though the cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night, as token of God's favor, went before them. They profess to know God, but in works deny Him. They reckon themselves His chosen, peculiar people, yet His presence and power to save to the uttermost are seldom manifested among them. How great is the darkness of such! yet they know it not. The light shines, but they do not comprehend it. No stronger delusion can deceive the human mind than that which makes them believe that they are right, and that God accepts their works, when they are sinning against Him. They mistake the form of godliness for the spirit and power thereof. They suppose tha…
"They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate."
The phrase "They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him" is a direct quote from Titus 1:16 and is used in a similar context.
"And on the day that the tabernacle was reared up the cloud covered the tabernacle, namely, the tent of the testimony: and at even there was upon the tabernacle as it were the appearance of fire, until the morning. So it was alway: the cloud covered it by day, and the appearance of fire by night. And when the cloud was taken up from the tabernacle, then after that the children of Israel journeyed: and in the place where the cloud abode, there the children of Israel pitched their tents. At the commandment of the Lord the children of Israel journeyed, and at the commandment of the Lord they pitched: as long as the cloud abode upon the tabernacle they rested in their tents. And when the cloud tarried long upon the tabernacle many days, then the children of Israel kept the charge of the Lord, and journeyed not. And so it was, when the cloud was a few days upon the tabernacle; according to the commandment of the Lord they abode in their tents, and according to the commandment of the Lord they journeyed. And so it was, when the cloud abode from even unto the morning, and that the cloud was taken up in the morning, then they journeyed: whether it was by day or by night that the cloud was taken up, they journeyed. Or whether it were two days, or a month, or a year, that the cloud tarried upon the tabernacle, remaining thereon, the children of Israel abode in their tents, and journeyed not: but when it was taken up, they journeyed. At the commandment of the Lord they rested in the tents, and at the commandment of the Lord they journeyed: they kept the charge of the Lord, at the commandment of the Lord by the hand of Moses."
EGW uses the imagery of the cloud and pillar of fire to illustrate a false sense of security despite a lack of genuine obedience. This directly relates to the function of the cloud in Numbers as a sign of God's presence and guidance.
"Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:"
EGW's statement about not being sanctified without conforming to truth aligns with the principle in Hebrews 12:14 that holiness is necessary to see the Lord. The connection is that obedience to truth leads to sanctification/holiness.