"In the professedly Christian world many turn away from the plain teachings of the Bible and build up a creed from human speculations and pleasing fables, and they point to their tower as a way to climb up to heaven. Men hang with admiration upon the lips of eloquence while it teaches that the transgressor shall not die, that salvation may be secured without obedience to the law of God. If the professed followers of Christ would accept God's standard, it would bring them into unity; but so long as human wisdom is exalted above His Holy Word, there will be divisions and dissension. The existing confusion of conflicting creeds and sects is fitly represented by the term “Babylon,” which prophecy ( Revelation 14:8 ; 18:2 ) applies to the world-loving churches of the last days. PP 124.1"
"And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication."
Ellen White directly references Revelation 14:8 in this passage.
"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables."
Both passages discuss people turning away from sound doctrine and embracing fables or pleasing teachings. EGW applies this to the Christian world, while Paul warns Timothy about it. The connection is strong and relevant.
"And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:"
Both passages contrast building on a faulty foundation with a solid one. EGW uses the Tower of Babel as a metaphor for false doctrines, while Matthew 7:26 uses the house built on sand. The connection is thematic, focusing on the consequences of flawed foundations.
"Many seek to make a heaven for themselves by obtaining riches and power. They “speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily” ( Psalm 73:8 ), trampling upon human rights and disregarding divine authority. The proud may be for a time in great power, and may see success in all that they undertake; but in the end they will find only disappointment and wretchedness. PP 124.2"
"They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily."
Ellen White directly references Psalms 73:8 in this passage.
"Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten. Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days. Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth. Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter. Ye have condemned and killed the just; and he doth not resist you."
Both passages address the themes of the rich oppressing others and facing eventual judgment. EGW speaks of those seeking riches and power and trampling on human rights, while James directly condemns the rich for their exploitation and coming misery. The connection is clear and meaningful.
"And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."
Both passages deal with the futility of seeking happiness and security solely through material wealth. EGW speaks of people seeking heaven through riches and power, which leads to disappointment. Jesus' parable illustrates the same point: a rich man focuses on accumulating wealth but faces unexpected death, rendering his efforts meaningless. The connection is valid.
"The time of God's investigation is at hand. The Most High will come down to see that which the children of men have builded. His sovereign power will be revealed; the works of human pride will be laid low. “The Lord looketh from heaven; He beholdeth all the sons of men. From the place of His habitation He looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth.” “The Lord bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: He maketh the devices of the people of none effect. The counsel of the Lord standeth forever, the thoughts of His heart to all generations.” Psalm 33:13, 14, 10, 11 . PP 124.3"
"The Lord looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men. From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth. He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works."
EGW directly quotes Psalm 33:13-14, making this an explicit allusion.
"The Lord bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect. The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations."
EGW directly quotes Psalm 33:10-11, making this an explicit allusion.