"Wycliffe came from the obscurity of the Dark Ages. There were none who went before him from whose work he could shape his system of reform. Raised up like John the Baptist to accomplish a special mission, he was the herald of a new era. Yet in the system of truth which he presented there was a unity and completeness which Reformers who followed him did not exceed, and which some did not reach, even a hundred years later. So broad and deep was laid the foundation, so firm and true was the framework, that it needed not to be reconstructed by those who came after him. GC 93.1"
"And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."
Both passages describe individuals (Wycliffe and John the Baptist) who prepared the way for significant spiritual movements. Wycliffe is presented as a herald of a new era, similar to John the Baptist preparing the way for Jesus.
"There was a man sent from God, whose name was John."
Both passages introduce figures (Wycliffe and John the Baptist) who were sent by God for a specific purpose. While the specific missions differ, the underlying concept of divine appointment connects the two passages.
The great movement that Wycliffe inaugurated, which was to liberate the conscience and the intellect, and set free the nations so long bound to the triumphal car of Rome, had its spring in the Bible. Here was the source of that stream of blessing, which, like the water of life, has flowed down the ages since the fourteenth century. Wycliffe accepted the Holy Scriptures with implicit faith as the inspired revelation of God's will, a sufficient rule of faith and practice. He had been educated to regard the Church of Rome as the divine, infallible authority, and to accept with unquestioning reverence the established teachings and customs of a thousand years; but he turned away from all these to listen to God's holy word. This was the authority which he urged the people to acknowledge. Instead of the church speaking through the pope, he declared the only true authority to be the voice of God speaking through His word. And he taught not only that the Bible is a perfect revelation of God's w…
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:"
The EGW passage explicitly states that Wycliffe accepted the Holy Scriptures as 'the inspired revelation of God's will, a sufficient rule of faith and practice.' This aligns directly with 2 Timothy 3:16, which affirms that 'All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.'
"And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
The EGW passage speaks of Wycliffe's work to 'liberate the conscience and the intellect, and set free the nations.' This directly echoes the principle in John 8:32, 'And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.' Wycliffe's emphasis on the Bible as the ultimate authority was intended to bring people to the truth that would set them free from the bondage of false teachings.
"He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water."
Both passages use the imagery of flowing water to represent spiritual blessing and life. Wycliffe's work is described as a 'stream of blessing, which, like the water of life,' while John 7:38 speaks of 'rivers of living water' flowing from believers. The connection is thematic, not a direct quote, but the imagery is significant.