But the churches generally did not accept the warning. Their ministers, who, as watchmen “unto the house of Israel,” should have been the first to discern the tokens of Jesus’ coming, had failed to learn the truth either from the testimony of the prophets or from the signs of the times. As worldly hopes and ambitions filled the heart, love for God and faith in His word had grown cold; and when the advent doctrine was presented, it only aroused their prejudice and unbelief. The fact that the message was, to a great extent, preached by laymen, was urged as an argument against it. As of old, the plain testimony of God's word was met with the inquiry: “Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed?” And finding how difficult a task it was to refute the arguments drawn from the prophetic periods, many discouraged the study of the prophecies, teaching that the prophetic books were sealed and were not to be understood. Multitudes, trusting implicitly to their pastors, refused to listen …
"His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber."
Both passages describe religious leaders failing in their duty to warn and guide their people. Isaiah 56:10 speaks of watchmen who are blind and ignorant, while the EGW passage applies this concept to ministers who failed to discern the signs of Jesus' coming. The connection is clear and relevant.
"And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?"
Both passages discuss the inability or unwillingness of people to recognize the signs of the times. Matthew 16:3 rebukes people for being able to discern weather patterns but not spiritual signs, while the EGW passage criticizes ministers for failing to recognize the signs of Jesus' coming. The parallel is strong and relevant.