"But Israel did not fulfill God's purpose. They forgot God and lost sight of their high privilege as His representatives. The blessings that they had received brought no blessing to the world. All their advantages were appropriated for their own glorification. They robbed God of the service He required of them, and they robbed their fellow men of religious guidance and a holy example. 8T 26.1"
"For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written."
The EGW passage describes Israel's failure to fulfill God's purpose and their appropriation of blessings for their own glorification, leading to a negative impact on the Gentiles. This aligns with the sentiment in Romans 2:24, where the actions of the Jews cause God's name to be blasphemed among the Gentiles.
"God finally sent His Son to reveal to men the character of the Unseen. Christ came and lived on this earth a life of obedience to God's law. He gave His precious life to save the world and made His servants His stewards. With the gift of Christ all the treasures of heaven were given to man. The church was freighted with the food of heaven for starving souls. This was the treasure that the people of God were commissioned to carry to the world. They were faithfully to perform their duty, continuing their work until the message of mercy had encircled the world. 8T 26.2"
"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 directly reflects the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20. Both passages emphasize the mission of God's people to share the message of salvation with the world and to continue this work until it reaches all nations.
"Christ ascended to heaven and sent His Holy Spirit to give power to the work of His disciples. Thousands were converted in a day. In a single generation the gospel was carried to every nation under heaven. But little by little a change came. The church lost her first love. She became selfish and ease-loving. The spirit of worldliness was cherished. The enemy cast his spell upon those to whom God had given light for a world in darkness, light which should have shone forth in good works. The world was robbed of the blessings that God desired men to receive. 8T 26.3"
"Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls."
EGW's passage references the rapid growth of the early church after Pentecost, which is described in Acts 2:41. The connection is thematic, focusing on the initial success of the gospel message.
"Is not the same thing repeated in this generation? Many in our day are keeping back that which the Lord has entrusted to them for the salvation of a world unwarned, unsaved. In the word of God an angel is represented as flying in the midst of heaven, “having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come: and worship Him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.” Revelation 14:6, 7 . 8T 26.4"
"And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,"
EGW directly quotes Revelation 14:6, making this an explicit allusion.