"There was no excuse for the blindness of Israel in regard to the work of regeneration. Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Isaiah had written, “We are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.” David had prayed, “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” And through Ezekiel the promise had been given, “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes.” Isaiah 64:6 ; Psalm 51:10 ; Ezekiel 36:26, 27 . DA 174.1"
"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."
EGW directly quotes Isaiah 64:6.
"Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me."
EGW directly quotes Psalm 51:10.
"A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh."
EGW directly quotes Ezekiel 36:26.
"Nicodemus had read these scriptures with a clouded mind; but he now began to comprehend their meaning. He saw that the most rigid obedience to the mere letter of the law as applied to the outward life could entitle no man to enter the kingdom of heaven. In the estimation of men, his life had been just and honorable; but in the presence of Christ he felt that his heart was unclean, and his life unholy. DA 174.2"
"Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin."
The EGW passage directly reflects the principle in Romans 3:20 that outward obedience to the law cannot justify a person before God. Nicodemus's realization aligns with the verse's core message.
"Nicodemus was being drawn to Christ. As the Saviour explained to him concerning the new birth, he longed to have this change wrought in himself. By what means could it be accomplished? Jesus answered the unspoken question: “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.” DA 174.3"
"And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:"
The EGW passage directly quotes and references John 3:14 in the context of Nicodemus and the new birth, making it a clear and explicit allusion.
"could do nothing for themselves but show their faith in the Gift of God. They were to look and live. DA 174.4"
"And the Lord said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live."
The phrase "look and live" is a direct reference to the story in Numbers 21:8, where the Israelites were healed by looking at the bronze serpent.