"Luther declared: “I persuade myself verily, that the day of judgment will not be absent full three hundred years. God will not, cannot, suffer this wicked world much longer.” “The great day is drawing near in which the kingdom of abominations shall be overthrown.”— Ibid., pages 158, 134. GC 303.1"
"But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer."
Both passages express a sense of imminence regarding the end times. Luther's declaration echoes the sentiment found in 1 Peter 4:7 that the end is near.
"“This aged world is not far from its end,” said Melanchthon. Calvin bids Christians “not to hesitate, ardently desiring the day of Christ's coming as of all events most auspicious;” and declares that “the whole family of the faithful will keep in view that day.” “We must hunger after Christ, we must seek, contemplate,” he says, “till the dawning of that great day, when our Lord will fully manifest the glory of His kingdom.”— Ibid., pages 158, 134. GC 303.2"
"He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus."
Both passages express a longing for Christ's return. The quotes from Melanchthon and Calvin in the EGW passage reflect the same desire for Christ's coming as Revelation 22:20.
"“Has not the Lord Jesus carried up our flesh into heaven?” said Knox, the Scotch Reformer, “and shall He not return? We know that He shall return, and that with expedition.” Ridley and Latimer, who laid down their lives for the truth, looked in faith for the Lord's coming. Ridley wrote: “The world without doubt—this I do believe, and therefore I say it—draws to an end. Let us with John, the servant of God, cry in our hearts unto our Saviour Christ, Come, Lord Jesus, come.”— Ibid., pages 151, 145. GC 303.3"
"He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus."
The passage directly quotes the sentiment of longing for Christ's return, similar to Revelation 22:20.
"Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven."
Both passages focus on the second coming of Christ. The EGW passage quotes reformers expressing their belief in Christ's return, while Acts 1:11 directly addresses the manner of his return. The connection is strong and relevant.
"“The thoughts of the coming of the Lord,” said Baxter, “are most sweet and joyful to me.”—Richard Baxter, Works, vol. 17, p. 555. “It is the work of faith and the character of His saints to love His appearing and to look for that blessed hope.” “If death be the last enemy to be destroyed at the resurrection, we may learn how earnestly believers should long and pray for the second coming of Christ, when this full and final conquest shall be made.”— Ibid., vol. 17, p. 500. “This is the day that all believers should long, and hope, and wait for, as being the accomplishment of all the work of their redemption, and all the desires and endeavors of their souls.” “Hasten, O Lord, this blessed day!”— Ibid., vol. 17, pp. 182, 183. Such was the hope of the apostolic church, of the “church in the wilderness,” and of the Reformers. GC 303.4"
"Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;"
Both passages emphasize the importance of looking forward to and longing for the second coming of Christ. The EGW passage quotes Baxter on the joy of the Lord's coming, while Titus 2:13 speaks of 'looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing.'