"The angels of heaven are sent forth to minister to those who shall be heirs of salvation. We know not now who they are; it is not yet made manifest who shall overcome, and share the inheritance of the saints in light; but angels of heaven are passing throughout the length and breadth of the earth, seeking to comfort the sorrowing, to protect the imperiled, to win the hearts of men to Christ. Not one is neglected or passed by. God is no respecter of persons, and He has an equal care for all the souls He has created. DA 639.1"
"Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?"
The EGW passage directly alludes to Hebrews 1:14, elaborating on the role of angels ministering to those who will inherit salvation.
"Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:"
EGW directly references and applies the principle of God's impartiality found in Acts 10:34 to her discussion of angelic ministry.
"As you open your door to Christ's needy and suffering ones, you are welcoming unseen angels. You invite the companionship of heavenly beings. They bring a sacred atmosphere of joy and peace. They come with praises upon their lips, and an answering strain is heard in heaven. Every deed of mercy makes music there. The Father from His throne numbers the unselfish workers among His most precious treasures. DA 639.2"
"Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares."
EGW's statement about welcoming unseen angels by helping the needy is a clear parallel to Hebrews 13:2, which speaks of entertaining angels unawares.
"And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."
EGW's statement about welcoming Christ by helping the needy is a clear parallel to Matthew 25:40, which speaks of doing it unto Christ.
"Those on the left hand of Christ, those who had neglected Him in the person of the poor and the suffering, were unconscious of their guilt. Satan had blinded them; they had not perceived what they owed to their brethren. They had been self-absorbed, and cared not for others’ needs. DA 639.3"
"Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal."
EGW's description of those on the left hand of Christ aligns directly with the scenario depicted in Matthew 25:41-46, where judgment is based on neglecting the needs of the poor and suffering.
To the rich, God has given wealth that they may relieve and comfort His suffering children; but too often they are indifferent to the wants of others. They feel themselves superior to their poor brethren. They do not put themselves in the poor man's place. They do not understand the temptations and struggles of the poor, and mercy dies out of their hearts. In costly dwellings and splendid churches, the rich shut themselves away from the poor; the means that God has given to bless the needy is spent in pampering pride and selfishness. The poor are robbed daily of the education they should have concerning the tender mercies of God; for He has made ample provision that they should be comforted with the necessities of life. They are compelled to feel the poverty that narrows life, and are often tempted to become envious, jealous, and full of evil surmisings. Those who themselves have not endured the pressure of want too often treat the poor in a contemptuous way, and make them feel that th…
"If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,"
While James 2:15 is a specific example, the broader theme of neglecting the poor and their needs connects to EGW's passage. The EGW passage expands on the consequences and attitudes surrounding such neglect.
"There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:"
The EGW passage describes the indifference of the rich towards the poor, mirroring the parable of the rich man in Luke 16 who lived in luxury while Lazarus suffered. While not a direct quote, the theme of wealth disparity and lack of compassion connects the two passages.
"But Christ beholds it all, and He says, It was I who was hungry and thirsty. It was I who was a stranger. It was I who was sick. It was I who was in prison. While you were feasting at your bountifully spread table, I was famishing in the hovel or the empty street. While you were at ease in your luxurious home, I had not where to lay My head. While you crowded your wardrobe with rich apparel, I was destitute. While you pursued your pleasures, I languished in prison. DA 639.5"
"For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:"
The EGW passage directly alludes to Matthew 25:42, echoing the language and sentiment of Christ's words about neglecting the needs of the hungry and thirsty.
"And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head."
The EGW passage echoes the sentiment of Jesus not having a place to lay his head, highlighting the contrast between the comfort of the wealthy and the destitution of Christ and the poor. It's not a direct quote, but a thematic connection.