Chapter 2—The Signal of Advance It is an eternal law of Jehovah that he who accepts the truth that the world needs is to make it his first work to proclaim this truth. But who is there that makes the burden of perishing sinners his own? As I look upon the professed people of God, and see their unwillingness to serve Him, my heart is filled with a pain that I cannot express. How few are heart to heart with God in His solemn, closing work. There are thousands to be warned, yet how few consecrate themselves wholly to the work, willing to be or to do anything if only they may win souls to Christ. Jesus died to save the world. In humility, in lowliness, in unselfishness, He worked and is working for sinners. But many of those who ought to co-operate with Him are self-sufficient and indifferent. 7T 13.1 Among God's people today there is a fearful lack of the sympathy that should be felt for souls unsaved. We talk of Christian missions. The sound of our voices is heard; but do we feel Christ'…
"Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you."
Ellen White directly references Hebrews 13:17 in this passage.
"So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me."
Both passages emphasize the responsibility to warn others and the role of individuals as watchmen or messengers of truth.
"God is waiting for men and women to awake to their responsibilities. He is waiting for them to link themselves with Him. Let them mark the signal of advance, and no longer be laggards in working out the will of the Lord. 7T 13.3"
"Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light."
The EGW passage uses the concept of 'awakening' and 'advance' which directly echoes the call to 'awake' in Ephesians 5:14. The context of taking responsibility and linking with God amplifies the idea of arising from spiritual slumber.