"The time of expectation passed, and Christ did not appear for the deliverance of His people. Those who with sincere faith and love had looked for their Saviour, experienced a bitter disappointment. Yet the purposes of God were being accomplished; He was testing the hearts of those who professed to be waiting for His appearing. There were among them many who had been actuated by no higher motive than fear. Their profession of faith had not affected their hearts or their lives. When the expected event failed to take place, these persons declared that they were not disappointed; they had never believed that Christ would come. They were among the first to ridicule the sorrow of the true believers. GC 374.1"
"But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended."
Both passages describe individuals who initially embrace a belief with enthusiasm but fall away when faced with hardship or disappointment. The parable of the sower in Matthew 13:20-21 illustrates this perfectly, and EGW applies this principle to those who abandoned their faith after the Great Disappointment.
"But Jesus and all the heavenly host looked with love and sympathy upon the tried and faithful yet disappointed ones. Could the veil separating the visible world have been swept back, angels would have been seen drawing near to these steadfast souls and shielding them from the shafts of Satan. GC 374.2"
"Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?"
The EGW passage directly reflects the principle in Hebrews 1:14 that angels minister to believers, particularly in times of trial. The image of angels shielding the disappointed Adventists aligns with the biblical concept of angelic protection and support.