"At Camden, N . Y. Sabbath morning quite a number gathered for worship, but the deceitful woman was not present. I inquired of a sister if this was all their company. She said it was. The woman whom I had seen in the vision lived four miles from the place, and the sister did not think of her. But soon she entered, and I immediately recognized her as the woman whose real character the Lord had shown me. LS 129"
"Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves."
Both passages warn about deceitful individuals within a religious community. The EGW passage describes a woman whose 'real character' was revealed, while the Bible verse warns of 'false prophets' who appear harmless but are destructive. The thematic parallel is clear and strong.
"In the course of the meeting, she talked quite lengthily, saying that she had perfect love, and enjoyed holiness of heart, that she did not have trials and temptations, but enjoyed perfect peace and submission to the will of God. LS 129.3"
"If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us."
The EGW passage directly contradicts the principle in 1 John 1:8. The woman claims to have 'perfect love' and 'holiness of heart' without trials or temptations, which is presented as a false claim in light of the biblical verse that states that claiming to be without sin is self-deception.
"From the meeting I returned to the home of Brother Preston with feelings of great sadness. That night I dreamed that a secret closet filled with rubbish was opened to me, and I was told that it was my work to clear it out. By the light of a lamp I removed the rubbish, and told those with me that the room could be filled with more valuable things. LS 129.4"
"Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you."
The dream of clearing out rubbish and Ezekiel 36:25 share the theme of cleansing and purification. The EGW passage describes removing 'rubbish,' while Ezekiel speaks of being cleansed from 'filthiness' and 'idols.' Both suggest a process of spiritual renewal and removing undesirable elements.
"Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished."
There's a thematic parallel between the dream of clearing out a rubbish-filled closet and Jesus' parable of the empty house in Matthew 12:44. Both involve a space being cleansed or emptied, with the implication that it should be filled with something better. The 'rubbish' can be seen as analogous to the 'empty, swept, and garnished' house, suggesting a need for positive spiritual filling.
"On Sunday morning we met with the brethren, and my husband arose to preach on the parable of the ten virgins. He had no freedom in speaking, and proposed that we have a season of prayer. We bowed before the Lord, and engaged in earnest prayer. The dark cloud was lifted, and I was taken off in vision, and again shown the case of this woman. She was represented to me as being in perfect darkness. Jesus frowned upon her and her husband. That withering frown caused me to tremble. I saw that she had acted the hypocrite, professing holiness while her heart was full of corruption. LS 129.5"
"Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom."
The EGW passage explicitly mentions and references the parable of the ten virgins, making this a clear allusion.
"Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."
Both passages deal with the idea of outward profession versus inward reality and the potential for rejection by Jesus despite outward religious activity. The 'frown' of Jesus in EGW echoes the 'I never knew you' in Matthew.