"In heaven it is said by the ministering angels: The ministry which we have been commissioned to perform we have done. We pressed back the army of evil angels. We sent brightness and light into the souls of men, quickening their memory of the love of God expressed in Jesus. We attracted their eyes to the cross of Christ. Their hearts were deeply moved by a sense of the sin that crucified the Son of God. They were convicted. They saw the steps to be taken in conversion; they felt the power of the gospel; their hearts were made tender as they saw the sweetness of the love of God. They beheld the beauty of the character of Christ. But with the many it was all in vain. They would not surrender their own habits and character. They would not put off the garments of earth in order to be clothed with the robe of heaven. Their hearts were given to covetousness. They loved the associations of the world more than they loved their God. COL 318.1"
"Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?"
Hebrews 1:14 speaks of ministering spirits sent to aid those who will inherit salvation. EGW expands on this concept by describing the specific actions of these angels in influencing people towards conversion, even though many ultimately reject it. The connection is valid and meaningful.
"Solemn will be the day of final decision. In prophetic vision the apostle John describes it: “I saw a great white throne, and Him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.” Revelation 20:11, 12 . COL 318.2"
"And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them."
The EGW passage directly quotes Revelation 20:11, making it a clear and explicit allusion.
"Sad will be the retrospect in that day when men stand face to face with eternity. The whole life will present itself just as it has been. The world's pleasures, riches, and honors will not then seem so important. Men will then see that the righteousness they despised is alone of value. They will see that they have fashioned their characters under the deceptive allurements of Satan. The garments they have chosen are the badge of their allegiance to the first great apostate. Then they will see the results of their choice. They will have a knowledge of what it means to transgress the commandments of God. COL 318.3"
"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
Romans 6:23 states the fundamental principle that the wages of sin is death. EGW's passage describes the consequences of choosing sin and transgressing God's commandments, which directly aligns with the principle stated in Romans 6:23. The connection is strong and meaningful.
"For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works."
Both passages discuss a future judgment where actions have consequences. The EGW passage describes a 'retrospect' and seeing the true value of righteousness, while Matthew 16:27 speaks of being rewarded according to one's works. The theme of judgment and accountability connects them strongly.
"Who will render to every man according to his deeds:"
The EGW passage directly echoes the principle of Romans 2:6, emphasizing the judgment based on deeds and the consequences of choices made in life. The idea of facing eternity and being judged according to one's actions is central to both passages.
"For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?"
Both passages address the ultimate worthlessness of worldly gain compared to spiritual loss. Matthew 16:26 poses the question of what a man profits if he gains the world but loses his soul. EGW describes the regret felt when facing eternity and realizing the insignificance of worldly pleasures.