"This is what the transgressors of God's law have done ever since the day of Adam and Eve's disobedience. They have sewed together fig leaves to cover the nakedness caused by transgression. They have worn the garments of their own devising, by works of their own they have tried to cover their sins, and make themselves acceptable with God. COL 311.1"
"And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons."
This is a direct and clear allusion to Genesis 3:7. EGW uses the image of sewing fig leaves to cover nakedness as a metaphor for attempting to cover sin through one's own works, mirroring the original act of Adam and Eve.
"But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away."
Both passages address the inadequacy of human efforts to achieve righteousness. EGW uses the metaphor of fig leaves, while Isaiah uses the image of 'filthy rags.' Both highlight the need for divine intervention and a righteousness that comes from God, not from human works.
"But this they can never do. Nothing can man devise to supply the place of his lost robe of innocence. No fig- leaf garment, no worldly citizen dress, can be worn by those who sit down with Christ and angels at the marriage supper of the Lamb. COL 311.2"
"And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth."
The EGW passage directly alludes to the parable of the wedding garment in Matthew 22, using the same imagery and concept to illustrate the importance of righteousness in entering God's kingdom.
"And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints."
Both passages discuss the concept of being clothed in righteousness, with Revelation 19:8 describing the bride of Christ being arrayed in fine linen, which represents the righteousness of the saints. EGW connects this to the 'robe of innocence' and the unacceptability of 'fig-leaf garments,' creating a thematic parallel.
"Only the covering which Christ Himself has provided can make us meet to appear in God's presence. This covering, the robe of His own righteousness, Christ will put upon every repenting, believing soul. “I counsel thee,” He says, “to buy of Me ... white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear.” Revelation 3:18 . COL 311.3"
"I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see."
Ellen White directly references Revelation 3:18 in this passage.
This robe, woven in the loom of heaven, has in it not one thread of human devising. Christ in His humanity wrought out a perfect character, and this character He offers to impart to us. “All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.” Isaiah 64:6 . Everything that we of ourselves can do is defiled by sin. But the Son of God “was manifested to take away our sins; and in Him is no sin.” Sin is defined to be “the transgression of the law.” 1 John 3:5, 4 . But Christ was obedient to every requirement of the law. He said of Himself, “I delight to do Thy will, O My God; yea, Thy law is within My heart.” Psalm 40:8 . When on earth, He said to His disciples, “I have kept My Father's commandments.” John 15:10 . By His perfect obedience He has made it possible for every human being to obey God's commandments. When we submit ourselves to Christ, the heart is united with His heart, the will is merged in His will, the mind becomes one with His mind, the thoughts are brought into captivity to Him; we l…
"But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away."
Ellen White directly references Isaiah 64:6 in this passage.
"I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart."
Ellen White directly references Psalms 40:8 in this passage.
"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."
Ellen White directly references John 15:10 in this passage.