"Adam and Eve persuaded themselves that in so small a matter as eating of the forbidden fruit there could not result such terrible consequences as God had declared. But this small matter was the transgression of God's immutable and holy law, and it separated man from God and opened the floodgates of death and untold woe upon our world. Age after age there has gone up from our earth a continual cry of mourning, and the whole creation groaneth and travaileth together in pain as a consequence of man's disobedience. Heaven itself has felt the effects of his rebellion against God. Calvary stands as a memorial of the amazing sacrifice required to atone for the transgression of the divine law. Let us not regard sin as a trivial thing. SC 33.1"
"And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat."
The EGW passage directly references the events of Genesis 3:6, elaborating on the consequences of the act described in the verse. It's more than just a thematic parallel; it's a direct commentary on the event.
"For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now."
EGW directly quotes/alludes to Romans 8:22 ('the whole creation groaneth and travaileth together in pain') to support her point about the consequences of Adam and Eve's sin. This is a clear and intentional reference.
"Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:"
The EGW passage directly echoes the principle in Romans 5:12 that sin entered the world through one man (Adam) and brought death and suffering. The EGW passage expands on the consequences of that sin, but the core principle is clearly derived from Romans 5:12.
"Every act of transgression, every neglect or rejection of the grace of Christ, is reacting upon yourself; it is hardening the heart, depraving the will, benumbing the understanding, and not only making you less inclined to yield, but less capable of yielding, to the tender pleading of God's Holy Spirit. SC 33.2"
"But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin."
The EGW passage directly echoes the principle of Hebrews 3:13 regarding the hardening of the heart through sin. The concept of sin's deceitfulness leading to a hardened heart is central to both passages.
"For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame."
Both passages discuss the consequences of rejecting grace and turning away from God. Hebrews 6:4-6 speaks of the impossibility of renewal after falling away, while EGW describes the hardening of the heart and diminished capacity to respond to the Holy Spirit. The connection is thematic, dealing with the serious consequences of rejecting God's grace, but not a direct allusion.
"Many are quieting a troubled conscience with the thought that they can change a course of evil when they choose; that they can trifle with the invitations of mercy, and yet be again and again impressed. They think that after doing despite to the Spirit of grace, after casting their influence on the side of Satan, in a moment of terrible extremity they can change their course. But this is not so easily done. The experience, the education, of a lifetime, has so thoroughly molded the character that few then desire to receive the image of Jesus. SC 33.3"
"For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame."
Both passages discuss the difficulty or impossibility of repentance after rejecting grace and the Holy Spirit. Hebrews 6:4-6 speaks of those who have tasted of the heavenly gift and then fall away, while EGW speaks of those who trifle with mercy and cast their influence on Satan's side. The core idea of hardening oneself to the point of no return is present in both.
"For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries."
Both passages discuss the consequences of willful sin after receiving knowledge of the truth. Hebrews 10:26-27 speaks of no remaining sacrifice for sins after willful sin, while EGW speaks of the difficulty of changing course after a lifetime of evil. The shared theme is the serious nature of rejecting known truth.
"He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy."
Both passages address the danger of repeated rejection of reproof and the hardening of the heart. Proverbs 29:1 warns of sudden destruction for those who repeatedly harden their necks, while EGW speaks of the difficulty of changing course after a lifetime of evil. The connection lies in the cumulative effect of resisting correction.