“Satan has ability to suggest doubts and to devise objections to the pointed testimony that God sends, and many think it a virtue, a mark of intelligence in them, to be unbelieving and to question and quibble. Those who desire to doubt will have plenty of room. God does not propose to remove all occasion for unbelief. He gives evidence, which must be carefully investigated with a humble mind and a teachable spirit, and all should decide from the weight of evidence.” [ Testimonies for the Church 3:255 (1873) .] “God gives sufficient evidence for the candid mind to believe; but he who turns from the weight of evidence because there are a few things which he cannot make plain to his finite understanding will be left in the cold, chilling atmosphere of unbelief and questioning doubts, and will make shipwreck of faith.” [ Testimonies for the Church 4:232, 233 (1876) .] 5T 675.3 Duty to Give Reproof “If wrongs are apparent among His people, and if the servants of God pass on indifferent to t…
"If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself."
Both passages suggest that a willingness to obey or do God's will is necessary for understanding spiritual truth. The EGW passage emphasizes the importance of a humble and teachable spirit in evaluating evidence, while John 7:17 states that those who will do God's will shall know the doctrine.
"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables."
Both passages discuss people turning away from sound doctrine and truth, preferring what is pleasing or aligns with their desires. EGW speaks of doubting and questioning, while 2 Timothy speaks of 'itching ears' and turning to fables. The connection is thematic, but not a direct allusion.
"The searching testimony of the Spirit of God “will separate those from Israel who have ever been at war with the means that God has ordained to keep corruptions out of the church. Wrongs must be called wrongs. Grievous sins must be called by their right name. All of God's people should come nearer to Him.... Then will they see sin in the true light and will realize how offensive it is in the sight of God.” [ Testimonies for the Church 3:324 (1873).] “The plain, straight testimony must live in the church, or the curse of God will rest upon His people as surely as it did upon ancient Israel because of their sins.” [ Testimonies for the Church 3:269 (1873) .] 5T 676.2"
"Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!"
Both passages address the importance of correctly identifying and labeling good and evil. EGW emphasizes calling wrongs by their right name, while Isaiah 5:20 directly condemns those who invert these labels. The connection is a clear thematic parallel.
"And the Lord said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof."
Both passages deal with identifying and separating those who are faithful from those who are not. Ezekiel 9:4 describes marking those who lament the abominations, while EGW speaks of separating those at war with God's means of keeping corruption out of the church. The connection is thematic, focusing on discernment and separation.
"“Never was there greater need of faithful warnings and reproofs ... than at this very time. Satan has come down with great power, knowing that his time is short. He is flooding the world with pleasing fables, and the people of God love to have smooth things spoken to them.... I was shown that God's people must make more firm, determined efforts to press back the incoming darkness. The close work of the Spirit of God is needed now as never before.” [ Testimonies for the Church 3:327, 328 (1873) .] 5T 676.3"
"Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time."
EGW's statement, "Satan has come down with great power, knowing that his time is short," is a clear and direct allusion to Revelation 12:12. The context of both passages also involves increased deception and the need for vigilance.
"Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine."
Both passages emphasize the need for reproof and warning. 2 Timothy 4:2 directly commands preaching, reproving, rebuking, and exhorting. EGW echoes this by highlighting the need for faithful warnings and reproofs, especially in light of Satan's activity. The connection is a direct application of the biblical principle.