"Ministers of the gospel sometimes do great harm by allowing their forbearance toward the erring to degenerate into toleration of sins and even participation in them. Thus they are led to excuse and palliate that which God condemns, and after a time they become so blinded as to commend the very ones whom God commands them to reprove. He who has blunted his spiritual perceptions by sinful leniency toward those whom God condemns, will erelong commit a greater sin by severity and harshness toward those whom God approves. AA 504.1"
"Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!"
The EGW passage echoes the sentiment of Isaiah 5:20, where calling evil good and good evil is condemned. The EGW passage describes ministers doing just that by tolerating sin and condemning those God approves.
"By the pride of human wisdom, by contempt for the influence of the Holy Spirit, and by disrelish for the truths of God's word, many who profess to be Christians, and who feel competent to teach others, will be led to turn away from the requirements of God. Paul declared to Timothy, “The time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” AA 504.2"
"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables."
The EGW passage directly quotes 2 Timothy 4:3-4, making it a clear and explicit allusion.
"Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:"
Both passages describe people who reject sound doctrine and prefer to hear what they want to hear. Isaiah 30:10 speaks of wanting 'smooth things' and 'deceits,' while the EGW passage, referencing 2 Timothy, speaks of 'itching ears' and turning to 'fables.' The connection is thematic, dealing with a rejection of truth in favor of pleasing falsehoods.
"The apostle does not here refer to the openly irreligious, but to the professing Christians who make inclination their guide, and thus become enslaved by self. Such are willing to listen to those doctrines only that do not rebuke their sins or condemn their pleasure-loving course. They are offended by the plain words of the faithful servants of Christ and choose teachers who praise and flatter them. And among professing ministers there are those who preach the opinions of men instead of the word of God. Unfaithful to their trust, they lead astray those who look to them for spiritual guidance. AA 504.3"
"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;"
The EGW passage elaborates on the meaning of 2 Timothy 4:3, explaining how people will seek teachers who cater to their desires and avoid rebuking their sins. It's a direct expansion on the concept of 'itching ears' and not enduring sound doctrine.
"But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men."
Both passages address the issue of teachings that are not based on God's word. Matthew 15:9 speaks of 'teaching for doctrines the commandments of men,' while the EGW passage discusses ministers who 'preach the opinions of men instead of the word of God.' The connection is a clear thematic parallel.