Chapter 24—What Is Christ Doing Now?

The subject of the sanctuary unlocked the mystery of the disappointment of 1844. It revealed a complete system of truth, connected and harmonious, showing that God's hand had directed the great Advent movement. Those who had looked in faith for His second coming expected Him to appear in glory, but when their hopes were disappointed, they had lost sight of Jesus. Now in the Holy of Holies they again saw their High Priest, soon to appear as king and deliverer. Light from the sanctuary lit up the past, the present, and the future. Though they had failed to understand the message they had given, it had been correct.LF 175.1

The mistake had not been in calculating the prophetic periods, but in the event that was to take place at the end of the 2,300 days. Yet everything that the prophecy foretold had happened.LF 175.2

Christ had come, not to the earth, but to the Most Holy Place of the temple in heaven: “I was watching in the night visions, and behold, One like the Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven! He came”—not to the earth, but—“to the Ancient of Days, and they brought Him near before Him” (Daniel 7:13).LF 175.3

Malachi also foretold this coming: “‘The Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple, even the Messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight. Behold, He is coming,’ says the LORD of hosts” (Malachi 3:1). The coming of the Lord to His temple was “sudden,” unexpected, to His people. They were not looking for Him there.LF 175.4

The people were not yet ready to meet their Lord. They still needed a work of preparation. As by faith they would follow their High Priest in His ministry, they would find new duties revealed. There was another message of warning and instruction to be given to the church.LF 175.5