"***** Chapter 39—The State of the World I was shown the state of the world, that it is fast filling up its cup of iniquity. Violence and crime of every description are filling our world, and Satan is using every means to make crime and debasing vice popular. The youth who walk the streets are surrounded with handbills and notices of crime and sin, presented in some novel or to be acted at some theater. Their minds are educated into familiarity with sin. The course pursued by the base and vile is kept before them in the periodicals of the day, and everything which can excite curiosity and arouse the animal passions is brought before them in thrilling and exciting stories. 3T 471"
"But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be."
The EGW passage describes a world filled with violence and sin, drawing a parallel to the days of Noah as described in Matthew 24:37. While not a direct quote, the thematic connection is strong and intentional.
"And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually."
Both passages describe a world filled with wickedness and evil imaginations, leading to a state of increasing iniquity.
"In the advancement of the work of God that which may be said in truth of individuals at one time may not correctly be said of them at another time. The reason of this is that one month they may have stood in innocency, living up to the best light they had, while the month following was none too short for them to be overcome by Satan's devices and, through self-confidence, to fall into grievous sins and become unfitted for the work of God. 3T 471.1"
"Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall."
The EGW passage directly echoes the warning in 1 Corinthians 10:12 about the danger of self-confidence and the possibility of falling from a state of grace. The idea of someone thinking they stand firm but being susceptible to a fall is central to both passages.
"Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?"
Both passages address the idea of someone starting well but being hindered from continuing in obedience. While not a direct quote or explicit allusion, the theme of being diverted from a righteous path connects the two.
"Minds are so subject to change through the subtle temptations of Satan that it is not the best policy for my husband or myself to take the responsibility of even stating our opinions of the qualifications of persons to fill different positions, because we are made responsible for the course that such individuals pursue. Notwithstanding, if they had maintained the humility and firm trust in God which they possessed when recommended to take responsibilities they might have been the very persons for the place. These persons change, yet are not sensible of the change in themselves. They fall under temptation, are led away from their steadfastness, and sever their connection with God. They are then controlled by the enemy and do and say things which dishonor God and reproach His cause. Then Satan exults to see our brethren and sisters looking upon us with doubt because we have given these persons encouragement and influence. 3T 471.2"
"But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed."
The EGW passage illustrates the principle described in James 1:14, where temptation arises from one's own desires leading them astray. The EGW passage describes how individuals are tempted and led away from their steadfastness.
"But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ."
Both passages highlight the subtlety of Satan's temptations and the potential for minds to be corrupted. The EGW passage speaks of 'subtle temptations of Satan,' while 2 Corinthians 11:3 references the serpent's beguilement of Eve through subtilty.