"Kings and governors, priests and rulers, sought to destroy the temple of God. But in the face of imprisonment, torture, and death, faithful men carried the work forward; and the structure grew, beautiful and symmetrical. At times the workmen were almost blinded by the mists of superstition that settled around them. At times they were almost overpowered by the violence of their opponents. But with unfaltering faith and unfailing courage they pressed on with the work. AA 597.1"
"And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."
Both passages speak to the church facing opposition but continuing to grow. Matthew 16:18 promises the church's invincibility, while EGW describes the struggles and perseverance of its builders. The connection is thematic, focusing on the church's resilience.
"One after another the foremost of the builders fell by the hand of the enemy. Stephen was stoned; James was slain by the sword; Paul was beheaded; Peter was crucified; John was exiled. Yet the church grew. New workers took the place of those who fell, and stone after stone was added to the building. Thus slowly ascended the temple of the church of God. AA 597.2"
"And he killed James the brother of John with the sword."
EGW directly mentions James being killed by the sword, which is explicitly stated in Acts 12:2.
"And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."
EGW directly mentions Stephen being stoned, which is explicitly stated in Acts 7:59.
"This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me."
John 21:19 alludes to Peter's death, and EGW mentions Peter's crucifixion. While not a direct quote, the connection lies in the shared topic of Peter's martyrdom. The confidence is adjusted slightly upwards as the connection is more than just a vague similarity.
"Centuries of fierce persecution followed the establishment of the Christian church, but there were never wanting men who counted the work of building God's temple dearer than life itself. Of such it is written: “Others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.” Hebrews 11:36-38 . AA 597.3"
"And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:"
EGW directly quotes Hebrews 11:36-38.
"And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth."
Ellen White directly references Hebrews 11:36-38 in this passage.