"For the rejection of Christ, with the results that followed, they were responsible. A nation's sin and a nation's ruin were due to the religious leaders. COL 305.1"
"Behold, your house is left unto you desolate."
The EGW passage speaks of the nation's ruin being due to the religious leaders' rejection of Christ, which aligns with the desolation prophesied in Matthew 23:38 as a consequence of their actions.
"In our day are not the same influences at work? Of the husbandmen of the Lord's vineyard are not many following in the steps of the Jewish leaders? Are not religious teachers turning men away from the plain requirements of the word of God? Instead of educating them in obedience to God's law, are they not educating them in transgression? From many of the pulpits of the churches the people are taught that the law of God is not binding upon them. Human traditions, ordinances, and customs are exalted. Pride and self-satisfaction because of the gifts of God are fostered, while the claims of God are ignored. COL 305.2"
"But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men."
Both passages address the issue of religious leaders leading people astray by prioritizing human traditions over God's commandments. Matthew 15:9 directly condemns teaching the commandments of men as doctrines, while the EGW passage draws a parallel to the Jewish leaders and criticizes religious teachers for promoting human traditions and ignoring God's law.
"In setting aside the law of God, men know not what they are doing. God's law is the transcript of His character. It embodies the principles of His kingdom. He who refuses to accept these principles is placing himself outside the channel where God's blessings flow. COL 305.3"
"Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good."
The EGW passage directly supports the principle stated in Romans 7:12. Romans 7:12 affirms the holiness, justice, and goodness of the law, and the EGW passage reinforces this by stating that God's law is a transcript of His character and embodies the principles of His kingdom.
"In the spiritual as in the natural world, obedience to the laws of God is the condition of fruit bearing. And when men teach the people to disregard God's commandments, they are preventing them from bearing fruit to His glory. They are guilty of withholding from the Lord the fruits of His vineyard. COL 305.5"
"If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love."
EGW's statement about obedience to God's laws being the condition of fruit bearing directly reflects the principle found in John 15:10, where abiding in Christ's love is linked to keeping His commandments.
"Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit."
The EGW passage uses the metaphor of fruit bearing to illustrate the consequences of obedience or disobedience to God's laws, which is a thematic parallel to Matthew 7:17, where good and corrupt trees are distinguished by the fruit they bear.