"The common people are to take their place as workers. Sharing the sorrows of their fellow-men as the Saviour shared the sorrows of humanity, they will by faith see Him working with them. GW 38.1"
"And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."
Both passages emphasize identifying with and serving the suffering. Matthew 25:40 speaks of serving Christ by serving others, and the EGW quote speaks of sharing the sorrows of others as Christ did. The connection is strong.
"“The great day of the Lord is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly.” [ Zephaniah 1:14 .] To every worker I would say: Go forth in humble faith, and the Lord will go with you. But watch unto prayer. This is the science of your labor. The power is of God. Work in dependence upon Him, remembering that you are laborers together with Him. He is your Helper. Your strength is from Him. He will be your wisdom, your righteousness, your sanctification, your redemption. Wear the yoke of Christ, daily learning of Him His meekness and lowliness. He will be your comfort, your rest.— Testimonies for the Church 7:270-272 . GW 38.2"
"The great day of the Lord is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the Lord: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly."
Ellen White directly references Zephaniah 1:14 in this passage.
"***** The Saviour knows the depths of the world's misery and despair, knows by what means to bring relief. He sees on every hand souls in darkness, bowed down with sin and sorrow and pain. But He sees also their possibilities. He sees the height to which they may attain. Although human beings have abused their mercies, wasted their talents, and lost the dignity of godlike manhood, the Creator is to be glorified in their redemption. GW 38.3"
"But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd."
Both passages highlight Jesus' compassion for the multitudes and His awareness of their suffering and potential. The EGW quote expands on the idea of seeing possibilities in those who are lost, which aligns with the compassion shown in Matthew 9:36.
"Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,"
Both passages speak to God's ability to do more than we can imagine. The EGW quote focuses on the redemption of humanity and the potential for those in darkness, while Ephesians 3:20 speaks of God's power to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think. The connection lies in the limitless power of God to transform and redeem.
"***** Christ rejoiced that He could do more for His followers than they could ask or think. He knew that the truth, armed with the omnipotence of the Holy Spirit, would conquer in the contest with evil; and that the blood- stained banner would wave triumphantly over His followers. He knew that the life of His trusting disciples would be like His,—a series of uninterrupted victories, not seen to be such here, but recognized as such in the great hereafter. GW 38.4"
"Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,"
The EGW passage directly alludes to the concept in Ephesians 3:20, stating that Christ rejoiced that He could do more for His followers than they could ask or think. This is a clear echo of the verse.
"Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us."
Both passages speak of victory through Christ. The EGW quote describes the life of trusting disciples as a series of uninterrupted victories, while Romans 8:37 declares that we are more than conquerors through Christ. The connection lies in the idea of overcoming challenges and achieving victory through faith in Christ.