"There are some who seem to be always seeking for the heavenly pearl. But they do not make an entire surrender of their wrong habits. They do not die to self that Christ may live in them. Therefore they do not find the precious pearl. They have not overcome unholy ambition and their love for worldly attractions. They do not take up the cross and follow Christ in the path of self-denial and sacrifice. Almost Christians, yet not fully Christians, they seem near the kingdom of heaven, but they cannot enter there. Almost but not wholly saved, means to be not almost but wholly lost. COL 118.1"
"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it."
EGW is clearly referencing the parable of the pearl of great price in Matthew 13:45-46, as the entire section of COL 117-118 is based on this parable.
"Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me."
EGW's statement about taking up the cross and following Christ directly echoes the sentiment and instruction found in Matthew 16:24.
"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me."
EGW's statement about dying to self that Christ may live in them is a clear parallel to Galatians 2:20, which speaks of being crucified with Christ and Christ living within the believer.
The parable of the merchantman seeking goodly pearls has a double significance: it applies not only to men as seeking the kingdom of heaven, but to Christ as seeking His lost inheritance. Christ, the heavenly merchantman seeking goodly pearls, saw in lost humanity the pearl of price. In man, defiled and ruined by sin, He saw the possibilities of redemption. Hearts that have been the battleground of the conflict with Satan, and that have been rescued by the power of love, are more precious to the Redeemer than are those who have never fallen. God looked upon humanity, not as vile and worthless; He looked upon it in Christ, saw it as it might become through redeeming love. He collected all the riches of the universe, and laid them down in order to buy the pearl. And Jesus, having found it, resets it in His own diadem. “For they shall be as the stones of a crown, lifted up as an ensign upon His land.” Zechariah 9:16 . “They shall be Mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make u…
"And the Lord their God shall save them in that day as the flock of his people: for they shall be as the stones of a crown, lifted up as an ensign upon his land."
Ellen White directly references Zechariah 9:16 in this passage.
"And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him."
Ellen White directly references Malachi 3:17 in this passage.
"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it."
EGW directly references and interprets the parable of the pearl of great price, expanding on its meaning and applying it to Christ's sacrifice for humanity.
"For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost."
Both passages emphasize Christ's seeking and saving the lost. EGW's interpretation of the parable aligns with the core message of Luke 19:10.
"Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:"
Both passages discuss redemption through a costly sacrifice. EGW connects the parable to the idea of Christ paying a price for humanity's redemption, echoing the theme of 1 Peter 1:18-19.
"were made to see themselves as they were, sinful and polluted, and Christ as their friend and Redeemer. Christ was lifted up, Christ was glorified, through the power of the Holy Spirit resting upon men. By faith these believers saw Him as the One who had borne humiliation, suffering, and death that they might not perish but have everlasting life. The revelation of Christ by the Spirit brought to them a realizing sense of His power and majesty, and they stretched forth their hands to Him by faith, saying, “I believe.” COL 118.3"
"Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."
Both passages describe the experience of conviction, recognition of sinfulness, and acceptance of Christ through the Holy Spirit. EGW's description of believers seeing themselves as sinful and Christ as their Redeemer aligns with the response to Peter's sermon in Acts 2.
"And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
EGW's passage directly alludes to John 3:14-16 by mentioning Christ being 'lifted up' and the promise of everlasting life through belief in Him. The connection is clear and intentional.
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:"
The EGW passage describes salvation through faith in Christ, which aligns with the core message of Ephesians 2:8. The passage amplifies the idea of grace and faith leading to salvation.