"105.2 We cannot afford in the few days we have here on earth to spend our time in trifling and nothingness. We need to humble our souls before God, that every heart may drink in the truth, and let it work in the life a reformation that will convince the world that this is indeed the truth of God. Let the life be hid with Christ in God. Only when we seek the Lord as little children, when we cease picking flaws in our brethren and sisters, and in those who are seeking to carry faithfully the responsibilities of the work, and seek to get our own hearts right with God, can He use us to the glory of His name. 9T 106.1"
"And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven."
Both passages emphasize the need to become like little children in order to enter into a right relationship with God. The EGW passage uses the phrase "seek the Lord as little children," which directly echoes the sentiment of Matthew 18:3.
"For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God."
The EGW passage uses the phrase "Let the life be hid with Christ in God," which is a direct allusion to Colossians 3:3. The context in both passages also relates to spiritual transformation and devotion.
"We all need to come into a self-sacrificing position before God if our work is to be accepted by Him. Let us remember that profession is nothing unless we have the truth in the heart. We need the converting power of God to take hold of us, that we may understand the needs of a perishing world. The burden of my message to you is: Get ready, get ready to meet the Lord. Trim your lamps, and let the light of truth shine forth into the byways and the hedges. There is a world to be warned of the near approach of the end of all things. 9T 106.2"
"Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh."
The EGW passage's call to "Trim your lamps, and let the light of truth shine forth" and "Get ready, get ready to meet the Lord" is a clear thematic parallel to the parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25:1-13, which emphasizes preparedness for Christ's return.
"My brethren and sisters, seek the Lord while He may be found. There is a time coming when those who have wasted their time and opportunities will wish they had sought Him. God has given you reasoning faculties. He wants you to keep in the line of reason and in the line of labor. He wants you to go forth to our churches to labor earnestly for Him. He wants you to institute meetings for those outside the churches, that the people may learn the truths of this last message of warning. There are places where you will be gladly received, where souls will thank you for coming to their help. May the Lord help you to take hold of this work as you have never yet taken hold of it. 9T 106.3"
"Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:"
The EGW passage directly echoes Isaiah 55:6, using the phrase "seek the Lord while He may be found." The context in EGW's writing reinforces the urgency of seeking God, aligning with the message of Isaiah.
"And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled."
The EGW passage's call to institute meetings outside the churches and the mention of being "gladly received" and helping souls connects thematically with Luke 14:23, which speaks of going into the highways and hedges to compel people to come in. Both passages emphasize reaching out to those who are not already part of the established religious community.
"Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest."
Both passages emphasize the need for laborers in God's work. Matthew 9:38 is a direct call to pray for laborers, while the EGW passage urges believers to actively engage in spreading the message. The connection is thematic, focusing on the need for workers in the harvest, but not a direct quote or explicit allusion.