"Those who sincerely love Jesus can appreciate the feelings of those who watched with the most intense longing for the coming of their Saviour. The point of expectation was nearing. The time when we hoped to meet Him was close at hand. We approached this hour with a calm solemnity. The true believers rested in a sweet communion with God—an earnest of the peace that was to be theirs in the bright hereafter. None who experienced this hope and trust can ever forget those precious hours of waiting. 1T 51.1"
"Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord."
Both passages discuss the anticipation and longing for the coming of the Lord. EGW describes the feelings of those awaiting the Savior, while 1 Thessalonians 4:17 speaks of meeting the Lord in the air. The connection is thematic, focusing on the Second Coming.
"For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:"
Philippians 3:20 speaks of looking for the Savior, while EGW describes those 'who watched with the most intense longing for the coming of their Saviour.' Both passages highlight the expectation and anticipation of Christ's return. The connection is thematic and relevant.
"For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise."
Hebrews 10:36 speaks of patience in waiting to receive the promise, while EGW describes the 'precious hours of waiting' for the Savior's coming. Both passages emphasize the need for endurance and faith while awaiting a future event. The connection is thematic, but not as strong as other possible connections.
"Worldly business was for the most part laid aside for a few weeks. We carefully examined every thought and emotion of our hearts, as if upon our deathbeds and in a few hours to close our eyes forever upon earthly scenes. There was no making of “ascension robes” for the great event; we felt the need of internal evidence that we were prepared to meet Christ, and our white robes were purity of soul, character cleansed from sin by the atoning blood of our Saviour. 1T 51.2"
"After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;"
Both passages discuss white robes as symbolic of purity and righteousness, particularly in the context of meeting Christ. EGW explicitly connects the 'white robes' to a character cleansed from sin, echoing the symbolism in Revelation.
"But the time of expectation passed. This was the first close test brought to bear upon those who believed and hoped that Jesus would come in the clouds of heaven. The disappointment of God's waiting people was great. The scoffers were triumphant and won the weak and cowardly to their ranks. Some who had appeared to possess true faith seemed to have been influenced only by fear; and now their courage returned with the passing of the time, and they boldly united with the scoffers, declaring they had never been duped to really believe the doctrine of Miller, who was a mad fanatic. Others, naturally yielding or vacillating, quietly deserted the cause. I thought, If Christ had surely come, what would have become of those weak and changing ones? They professed to love and long for the coming of Jesus; but when He failed to appear, they seemed greatly relieved, and went back to a state of carelessness and disregard of true religion. 1T 51.3"
"But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;"
Both passages discuss the delay of Christ's coming and the negative reactions of some people to that delay. The EGW passage describes scoffers and those who lost faith, while Matthew 24:48 speaks of the 'evil servant' who assumes the Lord's delay and acts accordingly. The connection is thematic, focusing on the consequences of a perceived delay.
"They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away."
The EGW passage describes individuals who initially embraced the expectation of Christ's return but later abandoned their faith due to disappointment. Luke 8:13 describes a similar phenomenon: those who 'for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.' Both passages highlight the lack of deep-rooted faith as the reason for the abandonment.