"No church within the limits of Romish jurisdiction was long left undisturbed in the enjoyment of freedom of conscience. No sooner had the papacy obtained power than she stretched out her arms to crush all that refused to acknowledge her sway, and one after another the churches submitted to her dominion. GC 62.1"
"And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations."
This verse describes the beast being given power to make war with the saints and to overcome them, which parallels the papacy's actions to crush churches that refused to acknowledge its sway.
"In Great Britain primitive Christianity had very early taken root. The gospel received by the Britons in the first centuries was then uncorrupted by Romish apostasy. Persecution from pagan emperors, which extended even to these far-off shores, was the only gift that the first churches of Britain received from Rome. Many of the Christians, fleeing from persecution in England, found refuge in Scotland; thence the truth was carried to Ireland, and in all these countries it was received with gladness. GC 62.2"
"And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles."
Both passages describe persecution leading to the scattering of believers. The EGW passage applies this principle to the early church in Britain, while Acts 8:1 describes the scattering of the Jerusalem church.
"When the Saxons invaded Britain, heathenism gained control. The conquerors disdained to be instructed by their slaves, and the Christians were forced to retreat to the mountains and the wild moors. Yet the light, hidden for a time, continued to burn. In Scotland, a century later, it shone out with a brightness that extended to far- distant lands. From Ireland came the pious Columba and his colaborers, who, gathering about them the scattered believers on the lonely island of Iona, made this the center of their missionary labors. Among these evangelists was an observer of the Bible Sabbath, and thus this truth was introduced among the people. A school was established at Iona, from which missionaries went out, not only to Scotland and England, but to Germany, Switzerland, and even Italy. GC 62.3"
"Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid."
The EGW passage describes the light of Christianity continuing to burn even when hidden, and then shining brightly again. This echoes the sentiment of Matthew 5:14, where believers are called the light of the world and a city on a hill that cannot be hidden.
"“If you will not receive brethren who bring you peace, you shall receive enemies who will bring you war. If you will not unite with us in showing the Saxons the way of life, you shall receive from them the stroke of death.”— J. H. Merle D'Aubigne, History of the Reformation of the Sixteenth Century, b. 17, ch. 2. These were no idle threats. War, intrigue, and deception were employed against these witnesses for a Bible faith, until the churches of Britain were destroyed, or forced to submit to the authority of the pope. GC 62.4"
"Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword."
The quote suggests that rejecting peace can lead to war, which is a thematic parallel to Jesus' statement that he came not to bring peace, but a sword.
"I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:"
The quote presents a choice between accepting brethren and facing enemies, which is a possible connection to the biblical theme of choosing between life and death, blessing and cursing.