The Communion service points to Christ's second coming. It was designed to keep this hope vivid in the minds of the disciples. Whenever they met together to commemorate His death, they recounted how “He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; for this is My blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father's kingdom.” In their tribulation they found comfort in the hope of their Lord's return. Unspeakably precious to them was the thought, “As often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till He come.” 1 Corinthians 11:26 . DA 659.3 These are the things we are never to forget. The love of Jesus, with its constraining power, is to be kept fresh in our memory. Christ has instituted this service that it may speak to our senses of the love of God that has been expr…
"For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come."
The EGW passage directly quotes and references 1 Corinthians 11:26, connecting the Communion service with the remembrance of Christ's death and the anticipation of His second coming.
"The ordinances that point to our Lord's humiliation and suffering are regarded too much as a form. They were instituted for a purpose. Our senses need to be quickened to lay hold of the mystery of godliness. It is the privilege of all to comprehend, far more than we do, the expiatory sufferings of Christ. “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness,” even so has the Son of man been lifted up, “that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:14, 15 . To the cross of Calvary, bearing a dying Saviour, we must look. Our eternal interests demand that we show faith in Christ. DA 660.2"
"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 John 3:14 and explicitly connects it to the cross of Calvary and the need for faith in Christ. The reference to Moses lifting up the serpent is central to the point being made.
"The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?"
Both passages connect meals with spiritual communion. 1 Corinthians 10:16 speaks of the bread and cup as communion with Christ's body and blood, while the EGW passage suggests that every meal can become a sacrament, implying a similar spiritual significance. The connection is thematic, focusing on the potential for meals to be more than just physical nourishment.
And how much more are Christ's words true of our spiritual nature. He declares, “Whoso eateth My flesh, and drinketh My blood, hath eternal life.” It is by receiving the life for us poured out on Calvary's cross, that we can live the life of holiness. And this life we receive by receiving His word, by doing those things which He has commanded. Thus we become one with Him. “He that eateth My flesh,” He says, “and drinketh My blood, dwelleth in Me, and I in him. As the living Father hath sent Me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth Me, even he shall live by Me.” John 6:54, 56, 57 . To the holy Communion this scripture in a special sense applies. As faith contemplates our Lord's great sacrifice, the soul assimilates the spiritual life of Christ. That soul will receive spiritual strength from every Communion. The service forms a living connection by which the believer is bound up with Christ, and thus bound up with the Father. In a special sense it forms a connection between depend…
"Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day."
EGW directly quotes John 6:54 and references other verses from the same chapter (John 6:56, 57), making this a clear and explicit allusion. She then elaborates on the meaning of 'eating His flesh and drinking His blood' in a spiritual context.
"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me."
Both passages discuss the idea of Christ living within the believer and the believer being united with Christ. Galatians 2:20 speaks of being crucified with Christ and Christ living in the believer, while the EGW quote, referencing John 6, speaks of dwelling in Christ and Christ dwelling in the believer through partaking of His life. The theme of union with Christ is central to both.