"The way of the world is to begin with pomp and boasting. God's way is to make the day of small things the beginning of the glorious triumph of truth and righteousness. Sometimes He trains His workers by bringing to them disappointment and apparent failure. It is His purpose that they shall learn to master difficulties. PK 595.1"
"For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the Lord, which run to and fro through the whole earth."
EGW's statement about the 'day of small things' directly echoes the sentiment in Zechariah 4:10. The connection is more than just thematic; it's a direct reference to the idea presented in the verse.
"Often men are tempted to falter before the perplexities and obstacles that confront them. But if they will hold the beginning of their confidence steadfast unto the end, God will make the way clear. Success will come to them as they struggle against difficulties. Before the intrepid spirit and unwavering faith of a Zerubbabel, great mountains of difficulty will become a plain; and he whose hands have laid the foundation, even “his hands shall also finish it.” “He shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it.” Zechariah 4:9, 7 . PK 595.2"
"But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end."
Both passages encourage steadfast confidence in God, even in the face of difficulties. Hebrews 3:6 speaks of holding fast to confidence, while the EGW passage uses the example of Zerubbabel to illustrate how God will clear the way for those who persevere in faith. The connection is more than just thematic, as EGW directly references Zechariah, which is about Zerubbabel.
"And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you."
Both passages address overcoming obstacles through faith. Matthew 17:20 speaks of moving mountains with faith, while the EGW passage uses the Zerubbabel example to illustrate how difficulties become a plain through faith. The connection is thematic, focusing on the power of faith to overcome obstacles.
"Human power and human might did not establish the church of God, and neither can they destroy it. Not on the rock of human strength, but on Christ Jesus, the Rock of Ages, was the church founded, “and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Matthew 16:18 . The presence of God gives stability to His cause. “Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man,” is the word that comes to us. Psalm 146:3 . “In quietness and in confidence shall be your strength.” Isaiah 30:15 . God's glorious work, founded on the eternal principles of right, will never come to nought. It will go on from strength to strength, “not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.” Zechariah 4:6 . PK 595.3"
"And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."
Ellen White directly references Matthew 16:18 in this passage.
"Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help."
Ellen White directly references Psalms 146:3 in this passage.
"For thus saith the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not."
Ellen White directly references Isaiah 30:15 in this passage.
"Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts."
Ellen White directly references Zechariah 4:6 in this passage.