"Oh, my brethren, hold the beginning of your confidence firm unto the end. The light of God's truth is not to be dimmed. It is to shine amidst the darkness of error that enshrouds our world. The word of God is to be opened to those in the high places of the earth, as well as to those in the more lowly. 8T 11.3"
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."
EGW's statement to let the light of God's truth shine directly alludes to Matthew 5:16. The wording is very similar, and the concept is the same.
"The church of Christ is God's agency for the proclamation of truth; she is empowered by Him to do a special work; and if she is loyal to God, obedient to His commandments, there will dwell within her the excellence of divine power. If she will honor the Lord God of Israel, there is no power that can stand against her. If she will be true to her allegiance, the forces of the enemy will be no more able to overpower her than is the chaff to resist the whirlwind. 8T 11.4"
"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."
The EGW passage echoes the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20, emphasizing the church's role in proclaiming truth and the divine power that accompanies obedience. The principle of God's presence and power enabling the church's mission is directly derived from the biblical text.
"There is before the church the dawn of a bright, glorious day, if she will put on the robe of Christ's righteousness, withdrawing from all allegiance to the world. 8T 11.5"
"I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels."
The phrase 'robe of Christ's righteousness' is a clear allusion to Isaiah 61:10, which speaks of being clothed with the garments of salvation and covered with the robe of righteousness.
"The members of the church need now to confess their backslidings and press together. My brethren, allow nothing to come in that will separate you from one another or from God. Talk not of differences of opinion, but unite in the love of the truth as it is in Jesus. Come before God, and plead the shed blood of the Saviour as a reason why you should receive help in the warfare against evil. You will not plead in vain. As you draw near to God, with heartfelt contrition and in full assurance of faith, the enemy who seeks to destroy you will be overcome. 8T 11.6"
"Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded."
The EGW passage directly reflects the principle in James 4:8 of drawing near to God. The call to confess backslidings and unite with God aligns with the call to cleanse hands and purify hearts.
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
The EGW passage directly reflects the principle in 1 John 1:9 of confessing sins to receive forgiveness. The call to confess backslidings aligns with the promise of cleansing from unrighteousness.