"The same divine mind that is working upon the things of nature is speaking to the hearts of men and creating an inexpressible craving for something they have not. The things of the world cannot satisfy their longing. The Spirit of God is pleading with them to seek for those things that alone can give peace and rest—the grace of Christ, the joy of holiness. Through influences seen and unseen, our Saviour is constantly at work to attract the minds of men from the unsatisfying pleasures of sin to the infinite blessings that may be theirs in Him. To all these souls, who are vainly seeking to drink from the broken cisterns of this world, the divine message is addressed, “Let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” Revelation 22:17 . SC 28.1"
"And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely."
Ellen White directly references Revelation 22:17 in this passage.
"You who in heart long for something better than this world can give, recognize this longing as the voice of God to your soul. Ask Him to give you repentance, to reveal Christ to you in His infinite love, in His perfect purity. In the Saviour's life the principles of God's law—love to God and man—were perfectly exemplified. Benevolence, unselfish love, was the life of His soul. It is as we behold Him, as the light from our Saviour falls upon us, that we see the sinfulness of our own hearts. SC 28.2"
"Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."
The EGW passage directly references and expands upon the principle of loving God and man as exemplified in Christ's life, which is the core message of Matthew 22:37-40.
"Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin."
Both passages address the concept of recognizing sin. EGW states that we see the sinfulness of our hearts as we behold Christ, while Romans 3:20 states that the law gives us the knowledge of sin. There is a clear thematic connection.
"No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day."
Both passages address the idea of God drawing people to Himself. John 6:44 states that no one can come to Jesus unless the Father draws them, while EGW speaks of a 'longing' for something better as the 'voice of God to your soul,' implying a divine influence drawing the individual towards repentance and Christ. While not a direct quote, the theme of divine initiative in drawing people to Christ is present in both.
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
Both passages relate to repentance and forgiveness. The EGW passage speaks of asking God for repentance, while 1 John 1:9 speaks of confessing sins and receiving forgiveness. The theme of dealing with sin and receiving cleansing is present in both.
"Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."
Both passages touch on the idea of God revealing the state of one's heart. The EGW passage speaks of asking God to reveal Christ and seeing sinfulness, while the Psalm is a direct request for God to search the heart. The connection is present, but not as strong as a direct principle or thematic parallel.
"We may have flattered ourselves, as did Nicodemus, that our life has been upright, that our moral character is correct, and think that we need not humble the heart before God, like the common sinner: but when the light from Christ shines into our souls, we shall see how impure we are; we shall discern the selfishness of motive, the enmity against God, that has defiled every act of life. Then we shall know that our own righteousness is indeed as filthy rags, and that the blood of Christ alone can cleanse us from the defilement of sin, and renew our hearts in His own likeness. SC 28.3"
"But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away."
The EGW passage directly quotes and expands upon the concept of 'filthy rags' from Isaiah 64:6. This is a clear and direct allusion.
"Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you."
Both passages discuss cleansing from impurity. Ezekiel 36:25 speaks of God cleansing from filthiness, while the EGW passage speaks of Christ's blood cleansing from sin. The connection is thematic and relevant.
"Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?"
The EGW passage mentions Nicodemus and his self-righteousness. John 3:10 is part of the conversation with Nicodemus, but the specific verse doesn't directly relate to the self-righteousness theme. The connection is weak, but present.