The Great Controversy The Great Controversy | Page 426

them. Light was to be given, directing their minds to the temple of God
in heaven; and as they should by faith follow their High Priest in His
ministration there, new duties would be revealed. Another message of
warning and instruction was to be given to the church.
Says the prophet: “Who may abide the day of His coming? and who
shall stand when He appeareth? for He is like a refiner’s fire, and like
fullers’ soap: and He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and He
shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that
they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.” Malachi
3:2, 3. Those who are living upon the earth when the intercession of
Christ shall cease in the sanctuary above are to stand in the sight of
a holy God without a mediator. Their robes must be spotless, their
characters must be purified from sin by the blood of sprinkling. Through
the grace of God and their own diligent effort they must be conquerors
in the battle with evil. While the investigative judgment is going forward
in heaven, while the sins of penitent believers are being removed from
the sanctuary, there is to be a special work of purification, of putting
away of sin, among God’s people upon earth. This work is more clearly
presented in the messages of Revelation 14.
When this work shall have been accomplished, the followers of
Christ will be ready for His appearing. “Then shall the offering of Judah
and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the Lord, as in the days of old, and as
in former years.” Malachi 3:4. Then the church which our Lord at His
coming is to receive to Himself will be a “glorious church, not having
spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing.” Ephesians 5:27. Then she will look
“forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as
an army with banners.” Song of Solomon 6:10.
Besides the coming of the Lord to His temple, Malachi also foretells
His second advent, His coming for the execution of the judgment, in
these words: “And I will come near

425