"I heard this with unspeakable joy, and gladly gathered up all my little possessions, every treasured trinket, and followed my guide. He led me to a steep and apparently frail stairway. As I commenced to ascend the steps, he cautioned me to keep my eyes fixed upward, lest I should grow dizzy and fall. Many others who were climbing up the steep ascent fell before gaining the top. EW 80.1"
"Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."
The imagery of a steep, difficult path with many falling is a clear parallel to the narrow way described in Matthew 7:14. The emphasis on perseverance and the difficulty of the journey to salvation connects the two passages.
"Finally we reached the last step and stood before the door. Here my guide directed me to leave all the things that I had brought with me. I cheerfully laid them down; he then opened the door and bade me enter. In a moment I stood before Jesus. There was no mistaking that beautiful countenance. Such a radiant expression of benevolence and majesty could belong to no other. As His gaze rested upon me, I knew at once that He was acquainted with every circumstance of my life and all my inner thoughts and feelings. EW 80.2"
"Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do."
The EGW passage describes Jesus knowing every circumstance of her life and inner thoughts, which directly reflects the idea in Hebrews 4:13 that all things are open and manifest before God. The all-knowing nature of God is a key connection.
"Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me."
The EGW passage describes leaving possessions behind before entering Jesus' presence, which aligns with the concept of self-denial in Matthew 16:24. Both passages emphasize the need to relinquish worldly attachments to follow Jesus.