"drive them nearly distracted. They give way to their rebellious feelings, and run hither and thither in passionate grief, seeking intelligence concerning that which has not been revealed. If they would but trust in God, and watch unto prayer, they would find divine consolation. Their spirit would be calmed by communion with God. The weary and the heavy-laden would find rest unto their souls if they would only go to Jesus; but when they neglect the means that God has ordained for their comfort, and resort to other sources, hoping to learn what God has withheld, they commit the error of Saul, and thereby gain only a knowledge of evil. PP 687.1"
"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
The EGW passage directly references the concept of finding rest and consolation, echoing the core message of Matthew 11:28. The context of weariness and seeking relief is also present in both.
"God is not pleased with this course, and has expressed it in the most explicit terms. This impatient haste to tear away the veil from the future reveals a lack of faith in God and leaves the soul open to the suggestions of the master deceiver. Satan leads men to consult those that have familiar spirits; and by revealing hidden things of the past, he inspires confidence in his power to foretell things to come. By experience gained through the long ages he can reason from cause to effect and often forecast, with a degree of accuracy, some of the future events of man's life. Thus he is enabled to deceive poor, misguided souls and bring them under his power and lead them captive at his will. PP 687.2"
"There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the Lord: and because of these abominations the Lord thy God doth drive them out from before thee."
The EGW passage directly condemns consulting with familiar spirits and seeking knowledge of the future through forbidden means, which aligns perfectly with the prohibition in Deuteronomy 18:10-12.
"And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light."
The EGW passage speaks of Satan as the 'master deceiver' who can 'forecast' events and deceive people. This aligns with the idea in 2 Corinthians 11:14 that Satan can disguise himself, implying deception and manipulation.
"God has given us the warning by His prophet: “When they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead? To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” Isaiah 8:19, 20 . PP 687.3"
"And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead?"
EGW directly quotes Isaiah 8:19.
"To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them."
EGW directly quotes Isaiah 8:20.
"Shall those who have a holy God, infinite in wisdom and power, go unto wizards, whose knowledge comes from intimacy with the enemy of our Lord? God Himself is the light of His people; He bids them fix their eyes by faith upon the glories that are veiled from human sight. The Sun of Righteousness sends its bright beams into their hearts; they have light from the throne of heaven, and they have no desire to turn away from the source of light to the messengers of Satan. PP 687.4"
"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning."
Both passages use the metaphor of light to describe God and his influence, contrasting it with darkness or other sources of knowledge.
"Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."
Both passages use the metaphor of light to describe God/Jesus and his influence, contrasting it with darkness. EGW's reference to the 'Sun of Righteousness' and 'light from the throne of heaven' echoes John 8:12.
"And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light."
Both passages discuss Satan's deceptive nature, particularly his ability to appear as something good or beneficial.
"This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all."
Both passages use the metaphor of light to describe God. EGW's statement that 'God Himself is the light of His people' aligns with 1 John 1:5.