"“When we are united in the unity for which Christ prayed, this long controversy that has been kept up through satanic agency will end, and we shall not see men framing plans after the order of the world because they have not spiritual eyesight to discern spiritual things. They now see men as trees walking, and they need the divine touch, that they may see as God sees, and work as Christ worked. Then will Zion's watchmen unitedly sound the trumpet in clearer, louder notes; for they will see the sword coming, and realize the danger in which the people of God are placed. LS 327.1"
"And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking."
The EGW passage directly quotes the phrase 'see men as trees walking,' which is a clear and unmistakable allusion to Mark 8:24. The context in EGW's writing further reinforces this connection, as it discusses the need for spiritual eyesight and the ability to see as God sees.
"That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me."
The EGW passage explicitly mentions 'the unity for which Christ prayed,' directly referencing John 17:21. The rest of the EGW passage expands on the consequences of disunity and the importance of spiritual discernment, which are themes related to Christ's prayer for unity among believers.
"Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when the Lord shall bring again Zion."
Both passages discuss watchmen, their role in seeing and warning, and the unity required for effective service. The EGW passage expands on the idea of spiritual eyesight and the need for unity among watchmen, echoing the Isaiah verse.
"“You will need to make straight paths for your feet, lest the lame be turned out of the way. We are surrounded by the lame and halting in the faith, and you are to help them, not by halting yourselves, but by standing, like men who have been tried and proven, in principle firm as a rock. I know that a work must be done for the people, or many will not be prepared to receive the light of the angel sent down from heaven to lighten the whole earth with His glory. Do not think that you will be found as vessels unto honor in the time of the latter rain, to receive the glory of God, if you are lifting up your souls unto vanity, speaking perverse things, in secret cherishing roots of bitterness. The frown of God will certainly be upon every soul who cherishes these roots of dissension, and possesses a spirit so unlike the Spirit of Christ. LS 327.2"
"And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed."
The EGW passage directly quotes and applies the concept of making straight paths for the feet, lest the lame be turned out of the way, which is a clear allusion to Hebrews 12:13.
"Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong."
Both passages encourage steadfastness and strength in faith. The EGW passage emphasizes standing firm in principle, while 1 Corinthians 16:13 urges believers to watch, stand fast, be strong, and act like men. The connection lies in the shared theme of unwavering commitment to faith.