"In the transformation of character, the casting out of evil passions, the development of the sweet graces of God's Holy Spirit, we see the fulfilment of the promise, “Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir-tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle-tree.” We behold life's desert “rejoice, and blossom as the rose.” [ Isaiah 35:1 .] GW 516.1"
"The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose."
The EGW passage directly quotes Isaiah 35:1.
"Christ delights to take apparently hopeless material, those whom Satan has debased and through whom he has worked, and make them the subjects of His grace. He rejoices to deliver them from suffering, and from the wrath that is to fall upon the disobedient. He makes His children His agents in the accomplishment of this work, and in its success, even in this life, they find a precious reward. GW 516.2"
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,"
Both passages discuss Christ's work of redeeming and transforming individuals, particularly those considered outcasts or hopeless. The EGW passage echoes the themes of deliverance and healing found in Luke 4:18.
"But what is this compared with the joy that will be theirs in the great day of final revealing? “Now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face;” now we know in part, but then we shall know even as also we are known. [See 1 Corinthians 13:12 .] GW 516.3"
"For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known."
Ellen White directly references 1 Corinthians 13:12 in this passage.
"with eager desire, is presented in His request to His Father, “I will that they also, whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am.” [ John 17:24 .] GW 516.4"
"Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world."
Ellen White directly references John 17:24 in this passage.