"He has power to bring before men the appearance of their departed friends. The counterfeit is perfect; the familiar look, the words, the tone, are reproduced with marvelous distinctness. Many are comforted with the assurance that their loved ones are enjoying the bliss of heaven, and without suspicion of danger, they give ear “to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.” GC 552.1"
"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;"
The EGW passage directly quotes "to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils," which is a clear and direct allusion to 1 Timothy 4:1. The context in EGW also aligns with the warning against false teachings.
"And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light."
Both passages discuss Satan's deceptive nature. The EGW passage describes how Satan can impersonate deceased loved ones, while the Bible verse speaks more generally about Satan's disguise as an angel of light. The connection is strong because the EGW passage illustrates a specific manifestation of the principle described in 2 Corinthians 11:14.
When they have been led to believe that the dead actually return to communicate with them, Satan causes those to appear who went into the grave unprepared. They claim to be happy in heaven and even to occupy exalted positions there, and thus the error is widely taught that no difference is made between the righteous and the wicked. The pretended visitants from the world of spirits sometimes utter cautions and warnings which prove to be correct. Then, as confidence is gained, they present doctrines that directly undermine faith in the Scriptures. With an appearance of deep interest in the well-being of their friends on earth, they insinuate the most dangerous errors. The fact that they state some truths, and are able at times to foretell future events, gives to their statements an appearance of reliability; and their false teachings are accepted by the multitudes as readily, and believed as implicitly, as if they were the most sacred truths of the Bible. The law of God is set aside, the…
"Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,"
Both passages describe Satan's use of deceptive signs and wonders to mislead people. The EGW passage focuses on the specific deception of impersonating the dead, while the Bible verse speaks more generally about Satan's power to perform "lying wonders." The connection is strong because the EGW passage provides a specific example of the principle described in 2 Thessalonians 2:9.