"In former years the apostle had publicly proclaimed the faith of Christ with winning power, and by signs and miracles he had given unmistakable evidence of its divine character. With noble firmness he had risen up before the sages of Greece and by his knowledge and eloquence had put to silence the arguments of proud philosophy. With undaunted courage he had stood before kings and governors, and reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, until the haughty rulers trembled as if already beholding the terrors of the day of God. AA 462.1"
"And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee."
The EGW passage directly references and expands upon the event described in Acts 24:25, where Paul reasons with Felix about righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, causing Felix to tremble. This is a clear and intentional allusion.
"No such opportunities were now granted the apostle, confined as he was to his own dwelling, and able to proclaim the truth to those only who sought him there. He had not, like Moses and Aaron, a divine command to go before the profligate king and in the name of the great I AM rebuke his cruelty and oppression. Yet it was at this very time, when its chief advocate was apparently cut off from public labor, that a great victory was won for the gospel; for from the very household of the king, members were added to the church. AA 462.2"
"So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places;"
Both passages discuss the impact of Paul's ministry even while imprisoned. Philippians 1:13 mentions his bonds being manifest in the palace, while the EGW passage describes conversions within the king's household. The thematic parallel lies in the gospel's reach despite Paul's confinement.
"Nowhere could there exist an atmosphere more uncongenial to Christianity than in the Roman court. Nero seemed to have obliterated from his soul the last trace of the divine, and even of the human, and to bear the impress of Satan. His attendants and courtiers were in general of the same character as himself—fierce, debased, and corrupt. To all appearance it would be impossible for Christianity to gain a foothold in the court and palace of Nero. AA 462.3"
"Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:"
Both passages describe a context of extreme wickedness and opposition to God. The EGW passage describes Nero's court as being particularly uncongenial to Christianity, while Ephesians 2:2 speaks of the 'prince of the power of the air' influencing the 'children of disobedience.' The connection lies in the shared theme of spiritual darkness and opposition to God's will.