"I ask you who are living at the very heart of the work to review the experience of years and see if the “Well done” can truthfully be spoken to you. I ask the teachers in the school to consider carefully, prayerfully, Have you individually watched for your own soul as one who is co-operating with God for its purification from all sin and for its entire sanctification unto Him? Can you by precept and example teach the youth sanctification ... through the truth unto holiness, obedience to God? CT 363"
"His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord."
The EGW passage directly quotes "Well done" from Matthew 25:21, referencing the parable of the talents and the reward for faithful service.
"And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."
The EGW passage directly echoes the call for sanctification and preservation blameless, aligning with the core message of 1 Thessalonians 5:23. The passage amplifies the verse's meaning by applying it to the specific context of teachers and students.
"Have you not been afraid of the Holy Spirit? At times it has come with all-pervading influence into the school at Battle Creek and into the schools in other localities. Did you recognize it? Did you accord it the honor due to a heavenly Messenger? When the Spirit seemed to be striving with the youth, did you say, “Let us put aside all study; for it is evident that we have among us a heavenly Guest. Let us give praise and honor to God”? Did you, with contrite hearts, bow in prayer with your students, pleading that you might receive the blessing that the Lord was offering you? CT 363.2"
"Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you."
Both passages discuss the Holy Spirit and the world's inability to recognize or receive Him. EGW's passage speaks of being afraid of the Holy Spirit and failing to recognize it, while John 14:17 explains why the world cannot receive the Spirit. There is a clear thematic connection.
"The Great Teacher Himself was among you. How did you honor Him? Was He a stranger to some of the educators? Was there need to send for someone of supposed authority to welcome or repel this Messenger from heaven? Though unseen, His presence was among you. But was not the thought expressed that in school the time ought to be given to study, and that there was a time for everything?—as if the hours devoted to common study were too precious to be given up to the working of the heavenly Messenger. CT 363.3"
"For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them."
The EGW passage speaks of the presence of the 'Great Teacher' (Jesus) and how He was treated. Matthew 18:20 states that Jesus is present where two or three are gathered in His name. The thematic parallel is that Jesus' presence is often overlooked or not given due honor.
"Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares."
The EGW passage discusses the failure to recognize and welcome the 'heavenly Messenger,' while Hebrews 13:2 encourages hospitality to strangers, as some have unknowingly entertained angels. The thematic parallel lies in the idea of unknowingly encountering a divine presence and the importance of being receptive.