N ew York City While in New York in the winter of 1901, I received light in regard to the work in that great city. Night after night the course that our brethren should pursue passed before me. In Greater New York the message is to go forth as a lamp that burneth. God will raise up laborers for this work, and His angels will go before them. Though our large cities are fast reaching a condition similar to the condition of the world before the Flood, though they are as Sodom for wickedness, yet there are in them many honest souls, who, as they listen to the startling truths of the advent message, will feel the conviction of the Spirit. New York is ready to be worked. In that great city the message of truth will be given with the power of God. The Lord calls for workmen. He calls upon those who have gained an experience in the cause to take up and carry forward in His fear the work to be done in New York and in other large cities of America. He calls also for means to be used in this work…
"Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid."
EGW's statement that the message is to go forth in New York 'as a lamp that burneth' echoes the idea of being a light to the world, as described in Matthew 5:14. While not a direct quote, the thematic connection is clear, especially considering the context of reaching a large city with the gospel.
"The Lord has signified that His work should be carried forward in the same spirit in which it was begun. The world is to be warned. Field after field is to be entered. The command given us is: “Add new territory; add new territory.” Shall we not as a people, by our business arrangements, by our attitude toward a world unsaved, bear a testimony even more clear and decisive than that borne by us twenty or thirty years ago? 7T 54.1"
"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:"
EGW's statement 'Add new territory; add new territory' is a clear echo and application of the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19, urging expansion of missionary work.
"Upon us has shone great light in regard to the last days of this earth's history. Let not our lack of wisdom and energy give evidence of spiritual blindness. God's messengers must be clothed with power. They must have for the truth an elevating reverence that they do not now possess. The Lord's solemn, sacred message of warning must be proclaimed in the most difficult fields and in the most sinful cities—in every place where the light of the third angel's message has not yet dawned. To everyone is to be given the last call to the marriage supper of the Lamb. 7T 54.2"
"And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory."
Both passages speak of a powerful message going forth with great light. Revelation 18:1 describes an angel whose glory lights the earth, while EGW speaks of the third angel's message and the last call to the marriage supper. The connection is thematic, focusing on the power and importance of the end-time message.
"In proclaiming the message, God's servants will be called upon to wrestle with numerous perplexities and to surmount many obstacles. Sometimes the work will go hard, as it did when the pioneers were establishing the institutions in Battle Creek, in Oakland, and in other places. But let all do their best, making the Lord their strength, avoiding all selfishness, and blessing others by their good works. 7T 54.3"
"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."
The EGW passage encourages reliance on the Lord for strength in overcoming obstacles, which directly reflects the principle expressed in Philippians 4:13.