The encounter with the demoniacs of Gergesa had a lesson for the disciples. It showed the depths of degradation to which Satan is seeking to drag the whole human race, and the mission of Christ to set men free from his power. Those wretched beings, dwelling in the place of graves, possessed by demons, in bondage to uncontrolled passions and loathsome lusts, represent what humanity would become if given up to satanic jurisdiction. Satan's influence is constantly exerted upon men to distract the senses, control the mind for evil, and incite to violence and crime. He weakens the body, darkens the intellect, and debases the soul. Whenever men reject the Saviour's invitation, they are yielding themselves to Satan. Multitudes in every department in life, in the home, in business, and even in the church, are doing this today. It is because of this that violence and crime have overspread the earth, and moral darkness, like the pall of death, enshrouds the habitations of men. Through his specio…
"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."
Ellen White directly references 2 Timothy 1:7 in this passage.
"Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Ellen White directly references 2 Thessalonians 2:14 in this passage.
"For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren."
Ellen White directly references Romans 8:29 in this passage.
"Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin."
Both passages discuss the enslaving nature of sin and yielding to Satan's influence. The EGW passage elaborates on the consequences of this enslavement, aligning with the principle expressed in John 8:34.
"Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:"
Both passages describe the influence of Satan on people, leading them to disobedience and a worldly course of action. The EGW passage provides a more detailed description of Satan's methods, but the core idea is present in both.
"And souls that have been degraded into instruments of Satan are still through the power of Christ transformed into messengers of righteousness, and sent forth by the Son of God to tell what “great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.” DA 341.2"
"Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee."
The EGW passage directly quotes Mark 5:19, making it an explicit allusion.
"Return to thine own house, and shew how great things God hath done unto thee. And he went his way, and published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him."
The EGW passage directly quotes Luke 8:39, making it an explicit allusion.