"alarming extent. When efforts are made to set things in order in the church and bring the people up to the position God would have them occupy, a class will be affected by the labor, and will make earnest efforts to press through the darkness to the light. But many do not persevere in their efforts long enough to realize the sanctifying influence of the truth upon their hearts and lives. The cares of the world engross the mind to that degree that self-examination and secret prayer are neglected. The armor is laid off and Satan has free access to them, benumbing their sensibilities and causing them to be unsuspicious of his wiles. 2T 126.1"
"Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil."
The EGW passage speaks of laying off the armor and being vulnerable to Satan's wiles, which aligns with the concept of putting on the armor of God in Ephesians 6:11 to resist the devil. The connection is strong and relevant.
"Some do not manifest a desire to know their true state and escape from Satan's snares. They are sickly and dying. They are occasionally warmed by the fire of others, yet are so nearly chilled by formality, pride, and the influence of the world that they have no sense of their need of help. 2T 126.2"
"I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth."
The EGW passage describes people who are 'occasionally warmed by the fire of others' but are 'nearly chilled by formality, pride, and the influence of the world,' mirroring the lukewarm state described in Revelation 3:15-16. The reference to being 'sickly and dying' further reinforces this connection.
"There are many who are deficient in spirituality and the Christian graces. A weight of solemn responsibility should daily rest upon them as they view the perilous times in which we live and the corrupting influences which are teeming around us. Their only hope of being partakers of the divine nature is to escape the corruption that is in the world. These brethren need a deep and thorough experience in the things of God, and this can only be obtained by an effort on their part. Their position requires them to possess earnestness and unabated diligence, so as not to be found sleeping at their post. Satan and his angels sleep not. 2T 126.3"
"Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust."
The EGW passage directly echoes the concept of partaking of the divine nature by escaping the corruption in the world, which is the core message of 2 Peter 1:4.
"Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober."
The EGW passage warns against being found sleeping at their post, emphasizing the need for earnestness and diligence, which directly parallels the call to watch and be sober in 1 Thessalonians 5:6. The idea of spiritual alertness is central to both passages.
Christ's followers should be instruments of righteousness, workmen, living stones, emitting light, that they may encourage the presence of heavenly angels. They are required to be channels, as it were, through which the spirit of truth and righteousness shall flow. Many have partaken so largely of the spirit and influence of the world that they act like the world. They have their likes and dislikes, and discern not excellence of character. Their conduct is not governed by the pure principles of Christianity; therefore they think only of themselves, their pleasure and enjoyment, to the disregard of others. They are not sanctified through the truth, therefore realize not the oneness of Christ's followers the world over. Those who are most loved of God are those who possess the least self-confidence and are adorned with a meek and quiet spirit; whose lives are pure and unselfish, and whose hearts are inclined, through the abundant measure of the spirit of Christ, to obedience, justice, pu…
"Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid."
Both passages discuss Christians being 'light' to the world, though EGW expands on the practical implications of this metaphor.
"Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ."
EGW uses the phrase 'living stones,' which is directly from 1 Peter 2:5. The context in both passages relates to the spiritual building up of believers.