"of happiness to the dead to know the troubles of the living, to witness the sins committed by their own loved ones, and to see them enduring all the sorrows, disappointments, and anguish of life? How much of heaven's bliss would be enjoyed by those who were hovering over their friends on earth? And how utterly revolting is the belief that as soon as the breath leaves the body the soul of the impenitent is consigned to the flames of hell! To what depths of anguish must those be plunged who see their friends passing to the grave unprepared, to enter upon an eternity of woe and sin! Many have been driven to insanity by this harrowing thought. GC 545.2"
"For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten."
EGW's argument against the dead knowing the troubles of the living directly reflects the principle stated in Ecclesiastes 9:5 that the dead know nothing. She uses this principle to argue against the idea of the dead being in heaven and aware of earthly events.
"There the wicked cease from troubling; and there the weary be at rest."
EGW's discussion about the potential anguish of the dead knowing the troubles of the living contrasts with the idea of rest and cessation of trouble mentioned in Job 3:17. While not a direct quote, the verse provides a thematic counterpoint to the suffering EGW describes.
"What say the Scriptures concerning these things? David declares that man is not conscious in death. “His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.” Psalm 146:4 . Solomon bears the same testimony: “The living know that they shall die: but the dead know not anything.” “Their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion forever in anything that is done under the sun.” “There is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.” Ecclesiastes 9:5, 6, 10 . GC 545.3"
"His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish."
Ellen White directly references Psalms 146:4 in this passage.