"With no elaborate arguments or finespun theories did John declare his message. Startling and stern, yet full of hope, his voice was heard from the wilderness: “Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 3:2 . With a new, strange power it moved the people. The whole nation was stirred. Multitudes flocked to the wilderness. 8T 332.1"
"And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."
Ellen White directly references Matthew 3:2 in this passage.
"Unlearned peasants and fishermen from the surrounding country; the Roman soldiers from the barracks of Herod; chieftains with their swords at their sides, ready to put down anything that might savor of rebellion; the avaricious taxgatherers from their toll booths; and from the Sanhedrin the phylacteried priests—all listened as if spellbound; and all, even the Pharisee, and the Sadducee, the cold, unimpressible scoffer, went away with the sneer silenced and cut to the heart with a sense of their sins. Herod in his palace heard the message, and the proud, sin-hardened ruler trembled at the call to repentance. 8T 332.2"
"Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judea, and all the region round about Jordan,"
Both passages describe a wide variety of people coming to hear a message. While the specifics differ, the general theme of a diverse audience is present.
"‘repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.’” As a people who believe in Christ's soon appearing, we have a message to bear—“Prepare to meet thy God.” Amos 4:12 . Our message must be as direct as was the message of John. He rebuked Kings for their iniquity. Notwithstanding that his life was imperiled, he did not hesitate to declare God's word. And our work in this age must be done as faithfully. 8T 332.3"
"Therefore thus will I do unto thee, O Israel: and because I will do this unto thee, prepare to meet thy God, O Israel."
Ellen White directly references Amos 4:12 in this passage.