The Great Disappointment of 1844

[Chomsky]

Following the Great Disappointment of 1844, Ellen White was shown a vision that helped her and the Millerites explain why Christ did not return. Here is an excerpt:
"Sabbath, March 24, 1849, we had a sweet and very interesting meeting with the brethren at Topsham, Maine. The Holy Ghost was poured out upon us, and I was taken off in the Spirit to the city of the living God. Then I was shown that the commandments of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ relating to the shut door could not be separated, and that the time for the commandments of God to shine out with all their importance, and for God’s people to be tried on the Sabbath truth, was when the door was opened in the most holy place in the heavenly sanctuary, where the ark is, in which are contained the ten commandments. This door was not opened until the mediation of Jesus was finished in the holy place of the sanctuary in 1844. Then Jesus rose up and shut the door of the holy place, and opened the door into the most holy, and passed within the second veil, where He now stands by the ark, and where the faith of Israel now reaches." [EW 42.1].

Based on her vision, Christ moved from the Holy place to the MOST HOLY PLACE. However, Mark 16:19 states: "After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God."

My understanding of the biblical tabernacle and temple, which was a representation of the original one above, is that God dwells in the MOST HOLY PLACE. If Christ went to heaven and "sat at the right hand of God," who dwells in the MOST HOLY PLACE, how is He then moving from the HOLY PLACE to the MOST HOLY place in 1844?

 

[rob]

Jesus began a special feast ministry in 1844 that is investigating all humans for their sins and especially those who are worthy of being saved. The Bible calls this feast ministry The Atonement.

Technically one can sit on the right hand of the Father in heaven, and begin this Atonement when the Father says to?
So I do not see any need for a conflict?

 

[Chief]

Following the Great Disappointment of 1844, Ellen White was shown a vision that helped her and the Millerites explain why Christ did not return. Here is an excerpt:
"Sabbath, March 24, 1849, we had a sweet and very interesting meeting with the brethren at Topsham, Maine. The Holy Ghost was poured out upon us, and I was taken off in the Spirit to the city of the living God. Then I was shown that the commandments of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ relating to the shut door could not be separated, and that the time for the commandments of God to shine out with all their importance, and for God’s people to be tried on the Sabbath truth, was when the door was opened in the most holy place in the heavenly sanctuary, where the ark is, in which are contained the ten commandments. This door was not opened until the mediation of Jesus was finished in the holy place of the sanctuary in 1844. Then Jesus rose up and shut the door of the holy place, and opened the door into the most holy, and passed within the second veil, where He now stands by the ark, and where the faith of Israel now reaches." [EW 42.1].

Based on her vision, Christ moved from the Holy place to the MOST HOLY PLACE. However, Mark 16:19 states: "After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God."

My understanding of the biblical tabernacle and temple, which was a representation of the original one above, is that God dwells in the MOST HOLY PLACE. If Christ went to heaven and "sat at the right hand of God," who dwells in the MOST HOLY PLACE, how is He then moving from the HOLY PLACE to the MOST HOLY place in 1844?

This is an interesting question. Seeing how you've framed it, it assumes that God is confined in the most holy place.

I take it that God is not confined to the most Holy place, even though His throne is in the most holy place (Exodus 40:34-35,Isaiah 6:1-4,Revelation 15:8).

 

[Chomsky]

Using the argument that God is not confined (and I agree with it), would it therefore mean that Christ did not have access to the Most Holy Place until 1844?
I would also wish to know your thoughts on why the 2300 days mentioned in Daniel are not literal days but rather years.

 

[Chief]

Using the argument that God is not confined (and I agree with it), would it therefore mean that Christ did not have access to the Most Holy Place until 1844?

Hebrews 9:12 says that Christ entered into the holy place by His own blood. This gives room for Christ to offer "the daily sacrifices" mentioned in Daniel 8:14 parallel to the priests of the old, until the day of atonement when they entered into the most holy place - once a year.

The end of 2300 days mentioned in Daniel marks the end of daily sacrifice, which was offered in the holy place. It is a transitional point when daily sacrifices cease and the day of atonement begins, coinciding with Christ transitioning from the holy place to the most holy place to begin the work of atonement.

With this in mind, the correct interpretation of the 2300 days are not literal but prophetic years (Ezekiel 4:6).

 

[Chomsky]

Alright.
What sort of daily sacrifices was Christ offering until 1844, considering the earthly sacrifices in the temple were pointing to the ultimate sacrifice, which was the death of Christ at the cross?

 

[Chief]

Christ's ministry in the heavenly sanctuary consists of two phases: His work in the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place. Unlike the earthly sanctuary, the heavenly one lacks an outer court, as Christ already fulfilled those ordinances on earth. He was baptized by John to exemplify the ordinances, and through His crucifixion, He shed His blood at the altar of sacrifice for humanity. As stated in Hebrews 10:9-12, He offered Himself once for all and now sits at God’s right hand.

After His earthly ministry, Christ ascended to the heavenly Holy Place to serve as our High Priest (Acts 1:9-11). Hebrews 9:11-12 indicates He entered not with the blood of animals but with His own blood, ensuring eternal redemption. All earthly priestly actions were merely foreshadows of His perfect work (Hebrews 4:14-16). With Christ as our intercessor, we can seek forgiveness and strength, knowing His blood cleanses us (1 John 1:7, 9; John 14:13-14). The parallel here is the Levitical intercessory work, except, there's no more need for animal sacrifices with Christ as our high priest.

As the high priest in the earthly sanctuary cleansed the sanctuary yearly, Christ likewise moved to the Most Holy Place to cleanse the heavenly sanctuary after the 2,300 days prophesied in Daniel 8:14. This marked the beginning of divine judgment (Daniel 7:13-14; Revelation 14:6-7). John’s vision revealed the temple opened, highlighting this solemn task (Revelation 11:18-19). As Christ continues His intercessory work, we live in a critical time of judgment. Soon, He will emerge from the sanctuary to bless His people or dispense wrath upon the wicked (Matthew 25:31-46; Revelation 6:12-17).

Ultimately, sins cleansed from the sanctuary will be placed on Satan (Leviticus 16:20-22), leading to his destruction along with the wicked, while the faithful will dwell in a sinless, joyful eternity (Revelation 21:1-4). As Paul encourages in Hebrews 10:19-23, we can confidently approach God, assured of our faith and His promises.

 

[Chomsky]

What a wonderful response!

And what would you say to someone who believes this prophecy relates to Antiochus Epiphanes' desolation of the Second Temple in December 15, 167 BC, as understood by the Jews who recognize the date in the celebration of Hanukkah?