"Chapter 55— N ot With Outward Show This chapter is based on Luke 17:20-22 . Some of the Pharisees had come to Jesus demanding “when the kingdom of God should come.” More than three years had passed since John the Baptist gave the message that like a trumpet call had sounded through the land, “The kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 3:2 . And as yet these Pharisees saw no indication of the establishment of the kingdom. Many of those who rejected John, and at every step had opposed Jesus, were insinuating that His mission had failed. DA 506"
"And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you. And he said unto the disciples, The days will come, when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and ye shall not see it."
Ellen White directly references Luke 17:20-22 in this passage.
"And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."
Ellen White directly references Matthew 3:2 in this passage.
"Jesus answered, “The kingdom of God cometh not with outward show; [margin]: neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.” The kingdom of God begins in the heart. Look not here or there for manifestations of earthly power to mark its coming. DA 506.2"
"Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you."
The EGW passage directly quotes and expands upon Luke 17:21, emphasizing that the kingdom of God is not an external display but an internal reality.
"For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost."
Both passages discuss the nature of the kingdom of God. Romans 14:17 states that it is not about physical things but about righteousness, peace, and joy. The EGW passage, while primarily referencing Luke 17:21, also aligns with the sentiment of Romans 14:17 by emphasizing that the kingdom is not about outward show but an internal reality.
"“The days will come,” He said, turning to His disciples, “when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and ye shall not see it.” Because it is not attended by worldly pomp, you are in danger of failing to discern the glory of My mission. You do not realize how great is your present privilege in having among you, though veiled in humanity, Him who is the life and the light of men. The days will come when you will look back with longing upon the opportunities you now enjoy to walk and talk with the Son of God. DA 506.3"
"And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth."
Both passages relate to the glory and presence of Jesus. John 1:14 speaks of beholding His glory when He dwelt among us. The EGW passage speaks of a future time when the disciples will long for the days when they could walk and talk with Jesus, implying a recognition of the glory they didn't fully appreciate at the time. The EGW passage expands on the idea of Jesus's veiled glory and the privilege of being in His presence.
"His life passed before them, and they were as men awakened from a dream. They realized that “the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the Only-begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” John 1:14 . Christ had actually come from God to a sinful world to save the fallen sons and daughters of Adam. The disciples now seemed, to themselves, of much less importance than before they realized this. They never wearied of rehearsing His words and works. His lessons, which they had but dimly understood, now came to them as a fresh revelation. The Scriptures became to them a new book. DA 506.4"
"And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth."
Ellen White directly references John 1:14 in this passage.