"As Christ arose, He brought from the grave a multitude of captives. The earthquake at His death had rent open their graves, and when He arose, they came forth with Him. They were those who had been co-laborers with God, and who at the cost of their lives had borne testimony to the truth. Now they were to be witnesses for Him who had raised them from the dead. DA 786.1"
"And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,"
EGW's passage directly elaborates on the event mentioned in Matthew 27:52, providing details about the resurrected saints and their role as witnesses. This is a clear and direct allusion.
"During His ministry, Jesus had raised the dead to life. He had raised the son of the widow of Nain, and the ruler's daughter and Lazarus. But these were not clothed with immortality. After they were raised, they were still subject to death. But those who came forth from the grave at Christ's resurrection were raised to everlasting life. They ascended with Him as trophies of His victory over death and the grave. These, said Christ, are no longer the captives of Satan; I have redeemed them. I have brought them from the grave as the first fruits of My power, to be with Me where I am, nevermore to see death or experience sorrow. DA 786.2"
"But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept."
The EGW passage directly uses the concept of 'firstfruits' in relation to Christ's resurrection and those raised with Him, mirroring the principle established in 1 Corinthians 15:20.
"Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:"
Both passages deal with Jesus' power over death and resurrection. The EGW passage illustrates this with specific examples and expands on the concept of eternal life, while John 11:25 is a direct statement of Jesus' role as the resurrection and the life.
"These went into the city, and appeared unto many, declaring, Christ has risen from the dead, and we be risen with Him. Thus was immortalized the sacred truth of the resurrection. The risen saints bore witness to the truth of the words, “Thy dead men shall live, together with My dead body shall they arise.” Their resurrection was an illustration of the fulfillment of the prophecy, “Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.” Isaiah 26:19 . DA 786.3"
"Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead."
Ellen White directly references Isaiah 26:19 in this passage.
"And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,"
Both passages discuss the resurrection of the saints. Matthew 27:52 describes the event, and EGW connects it to Isaiah 26:19, seeing the former as a fulfillment of the latter's prophecy. The connection is strong and meaningful.
"But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept."
Both passages relate to the resurrection of Christ and its implications for believers. 1 Corinthians 15:20 speaks of Christ as the 'firstfruits,' implying a future harvest of resurrected believers. EGW connects the resurrection of the saints after Christ's resurrection to this theme. While not a direct quote, the thematic connection is present.
"they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” “Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” “Whoso eateth My flesh, and drinketh My blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.” John 10:10 ; 4:14 ; John 6:54 . DA 786.4"
"But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life."
EGW directly quotes John 4:14.
"The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."
EGW directly quotes John 10:10.
"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.