And then the great deceiver will persuade men that those who serve God are causing these evils. The class that have provoked the displeasure of Heaven will charge all their troubles upon those whose obedience to God's commandments is a perpetual reproof to transgressors. It will be declared that men are offending God by the violation of the Sunday sabbath; that this sin has brought calamities which will not cease until Sunday observance shall be strictly enforced; and that those who present the claims of the fourth commandment, thus destroying reverence for Sunday, are troublers of the people, preventing their restoration to divine favor and temporal prosperity. Thus the accusation urged of old against the servant of God will be repeated and upon grounds equally well established: “And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that troubleth Israel? And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father's house, in that ye have forsaken t…
"If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you."
The EGW passage directly references the story of Ahab and Elijah, drawing a parallel between the accusation against Elijah and the future accusation against those who uphold God's commandments. The principle is that those who are faithful to God will be blamed for the troubles of the world.
"The miracle-working power manifested through spiritualism will exert its influence against those who choose to obey God rather than men. Communications from the spirits will declare that God has sent them to convince the rejecters of Sunday of their error, affirming that the laws of the land should be obeyed as the law of God. They will lament the great wickedness in the world and second the testimony of religious teachers that the degraded state of morals is caused by the desecration of Sunday. Great will be the indignation excited against all who refuse to accept their testimony. GC 590.2"
"Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men."
The EGW passage describes a situation where people are pressured to obey human laws (regarding Sunday observance) over God's law. This directly reflects the principle stated in Acts 5:29, where the apostles declare that they must obey God rather than men. The connection is a direct application of the principle.
"Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,"
Both passages describe deceptive miracles and signs performed by spiritual forces (Satan/spirits) to mislead people. The EGW passage specifically mentions spiritualism and its role in promoting Sunday observance, while 2 Thessalonians 2:9 speaks of Satan's power and lying wonders. The connection is a thematic parallel.
"For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect."
Both passages discuss deceptive signs and wonders performed by false prophets/spiritual forces to deceive people. Matthew 24:24 warns of false Christs and prophets performing great signs, while the EGW passage describes miracle-working power through spiritualism. The connection is a thematic parallel.