"Suppose Christ should abide in every heart and selfishness in all its forms should be banished from the church, what would be the result? Harmony, unity, and brotherly love would be seen as verily as in the church which Christ first established. Christian activity would be seen everywhere. The whole church would be kindled into a sacrificial flame for the glory of God. Every Christian would cast in the fruit of his self-denial to be consumed upon the altar. There would be far greater activity in devising fresh methods of usefulness and in studying how to come close to poor sinners to save them from eternal ruin. 5T 206.1"
"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another."
The EGW passage describes the result of Christ abiding in the heart, leading to love and unity, which directly echoes the commandment to love one another as Christ loved us. The connection is strong and meaningful.
"And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need."
The EGW passage describes a church characterized by self-denial and sacrificial giving, which is reflected in the description of the early church in Acts 2:44-45, where believers shared their possessions and met each other's needs. The connection is thematic and relevant.
"cases apparently seeking to excel worldlings in fanciful arrangement, the preaching of the truth will have but little or no effect. Who will believe the solemn truth for this time when those who already profess to believe it contradict their faith by their works? It is not God who has closed the windows of heaven to us, but it is our own conformity to the customs and practices of the world. 5T 206.2"
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."
The EGW passage emphasizes that actions should align with faith, otherwise the message is ineffective. This directly reflects the principle in Matthew 5:16, where good works are meant to glorify God and validate the message.
"They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate."
The EGW passage speaks about professing belief but contradicting it through actions, which is the exact issue addressed in Titus 1:16. The connection is a clear thematic parallel.
"The third angel of Revelation 14 is represented as flying swiftly through the midst of heaven crying: “Here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” Here is shown the nature of the work of the people of God. They have a message of so great importance that they are represented as flying in the presentation of it to the world. They are holding in their hands the bread of life for a famishing world. The love of Christ constraineth them. This is the last message. There are no more to follow, no more invitations of mercy to be given after this message shall have done its work. What a trust! What a responsibility is resting upon all to carry the words of gracious invitation: “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” 5T 206.3"
"And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus."
The EGW passage directly quotes and interprets Revelation 14:9-12, making it a clear and explicit allusion. The passage also references Revelation 22:17, further solidifying the connection.
"For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:"
The EGW passage directly quotes "The love of Christ constraineth them" from 2 Corinthians 5:14, and uses it to explain the motivation behind the work of God's people. This is more than just a thematic parallel; it's a direct application of the verse's principle.