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On earth the Spirit (of Christ) also intercedes in man’s behalf, but He “pleads not for us as does Christ, who presents His blood. The Spirit works upon our heart, drawing out prayers and penitence, praise and thanksgiving. The gratitude which flows from our lips is the result of the Spirit’s striking the cords of the soul in holy memories, awakening the music of the heart.” Ibid.
The Spirit of Christ convicts of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment. He leads, guides, teaches and comforts His people. John 16:7.8. John 16:13. 14:24. Thus it is that Christ is able to continue the work He began on earth, except that now He can be with each one of us, and every other Christian on the face of the earth.
Christ in heaven is able to work in harmony with His omnipresent Spirit on earth because He alone knows “what is the mind of the Spirit”, and understanding our needs, is able to make intercession for us before God the Father. Romans 8:27. 1 Corinthians 2:10.11. Revelation 3:18.23.
A Double Work
Although the Spirit is the personal presence of Christ, He works differently to Christ. Both Jesus in the flesh, and Jesus in the Spirit, have a specific work to do.
When referring to Jesus in heaven, He is called Christ or Jesus, but when referring to His work on earth, He is called the Holy Spirit, the Spirit, the Spirit of Christ, the Spirit of truth or the Comforter.
In heaven Jesus “officiates in the presence of God, offering up His shed blood…. (He) presents the oblation offered for every offense and every shortcoming of the sinner… He holds before the Father the censer of His own merits, in which there is no taint of earthly corruption…. The incense comes up before God entirely acceptable.” 1 Selected Messages p344.
" 'Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them'. Hebrews 7:25. Though the ministration was to be removed from the earthly to the heavenly temple; though the sanctuary and our great high priest would be invisible to human sight, yet the disciples were to suffer no loss thereby. They would realize no break in their communion, and no diminution of power because of the Saviour's absence.
While Jesus ministers in the sanctuary above, He is still by His Spirit the minister of the church on earth. He is withdrawn from the eye of sense, but His parting promise is fulfilled, 'Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world'. Matthew 28:20. While He delegates His power to inferior ministers, His energizing presence is still with His church." Desire of Ages 166.