"The wickedness of men had reached such a height that destruction was pronounced against them. As year after year passed on, deeper and deeper grew the tide of human guilt, darker and darker gathered the clouds of divine judgment. Yet Enoch, the witness of faith, held on his way, warning, pleading, entreating, striving to turn back the tide of guilt and to stay the bolts of vengeance. Though his warnings were disregarded by a sinful, pleasure-loving people, he had the testimony that God approved, and he continued to battle faithfully against the prevailing evil, until God removed him from a world of sin to the pure joys of heaven. PP 87.1"
"And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually."
Both passages describe the great wickedness of humanity before the flood. The EGW passage elaborates on the context of Genesis 6:5, describing Enoch's efforts to warn people and the increasing wickedness that led to God's judgment.
"By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God."
EGW expands on the idea of Enoch's pleasing God and being taken to heaven, as mentioned in Hebrews 11:5. While not a direct quote, it amplifies the verse's meaning and provides context to Enoch's life and ministry.
"The men of that generation had mocked the folly of him who sought not to gather gold or silver or to build up possessions here. But Enoch's heart was upon eternal treasures. He had looked upon the celestial city. He had seen the King in His glory in the midst of Zion. His mind, his heart, his conversation, were in heaven. The greater the existing iniquity, the more earnest was his longing for the home of God. While still on earth, he dwelt, by faith, in the realms of light. PP 87.2"
"For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:"
EGW's description of Enoch's mind and conversation being in heaven directly parallels the sentiment expressed in Philippians 3:20 about believers' citizenship being in heaven.
"But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:"
EGW's statement about Enoch's heart being upon eternal treasures echoes the teaching of Matthew 6:20 about laying up treasures in heaven. Both passages emphasize the importance of focusing on heavenly rewards rather than earthly possessions.
"“Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” Matthew 5:8 . For three hundred years Enoch had been seeking purity of soul, that he might be in harmony with Heaven. For three centuries he had walked with God. Day by day he had longed for a closer union; nearer and nearer had grown the communion, until God took him to Himself. He had stood at the threshold of the eternal world, only a step between him and the land of the blest; and now the portals opened, the walk with God, so long pursued on earth, continued, and he passed through the gates of the Holy City—the first from among men to enter there. PP 87.3"
"Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God."
Ellen White directly references Matthew 5:8 in this passage.