"Tell the poor desponding ones who have gone astray that they need not despair. Though they have erred, and have not been building a right character, God has joy to restore them, even the joy of His salvation. He delights to take apparently hopeless material, those through whom Satan has worked, and make them the subjects of His grace. He rejoices to deliver them from the wrath which is to fall upon the disobedient. Tell them there is healing, cleansing for every soul. There is a place for them at the Lord's table. He is waiting to bid them welcome. COL 234.1"
"I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance."
Both passages highlight the joy in heaven (or God's joy) over the repentance of sinners. Luke 15:7 is the parable of the lost sheep, while EGW's passage speaks of God's joy in restoring those who have gone astray. The connection is a clear thematic parallel.
"Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool."
Both passages offer hope and restoration to those who have sinned. Isaiah 1:18 promises forgiveness and cleansing, while EGW's passage assures the 'poor desponding ones' that they need not despair and that there is healing and cleansing for them. The connection is a direct principle of forgiveness and restoration.
Those who go into the byways and hedges will find others of a widely different character, who need their ministry. There are those who are living up to all the light they have, and are serving God the best they know how. But they realize that there is a great work to be done for themselves and for those about them. They are longing for an increased knowledge of God, but they have only begun to see the glimmering of greater light. They are praying with tears that God will send them the blessing which by faith they discern afar off. In the midst of the wickedness of the great cities many of these souls are to be found. Many of them are in very humble circumstances, and because of this they are unnoticed by the world. There are many of whom ministers and churches know nothing. But in lowly, miserable places they are the Lord's witnesses. They may have had little light and few opportunities for Christian training, but in the midst of nakedness, hunger, and cold they are seeking to minister…
"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 directly references the concept of going into the 'byways and hedges' which is a clear allusion to the parable in Luke 14:23.
"Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled."
Both passages address the idea of a deep longing or hunger for spiritual fulfillment. EGW speaks of those 'longing for an increased knowledge of God,' while Matthew 5:6 speaks of those who 'hunger and thirst after righteousness.'
"That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:"
Both passages touch on the idea of seeking God, even when one's understanding is limited. EGW describes people 'longing for an increased knowledge of God' and 'only begun to see the glimmering of greater light,' while Acts 17:27 speaks of seeking the Lord 'if haply they might feel after him, and find him.'