What needs to be accepted to allow Jesus to return?

What is it about the righteousness of Christ that had it been accepted would have allowed Jesus to return? 

Notice what A.T. Jones says in 1893: 

There will be things to come that will be more surprising than that was to those at Minneapolis,--more surprising than anything we have yet seen. And, brethren, we will be required to receive and preach that truth. But unless you and I have every fiber of that spirit rooted out of our hearts, we will treat that message and the messenger by whom it is sent, as God has declared we have treated this other 1888] message (GCB 1893, p. 185).

And notice what Ellen White says also in 1893: 

You may have seen something in regard to the righteousness of Christ, but there is truth yet to be seen clearly, and that should be estimated by you as precious as rare jewels. You will see the law of God and interpret it to the people in an entirely different light from what you have done in the past, for the law of God will be seen by you as revealing a God of mercy and righteousness. The atonement, made by the stupendous sacrifice of Jesus Christ, will be seen by you in an altogether different light. {ST November 13, 1893, par. 2}

Waggoner began to share about the atonement in an altogether different light in beginning in 1893 and 1894:

"We have left the matter of reconciliation just where the Scriptures have put it; and while they have much to say about the necessity for man to be reconciled to God, they never once hint of such a thing as the necessity for God to be reconciled to man. To intimate the necessity for such a thing is to bring a grave charge against the character of God. The idea has come into the Christian Church from the Papacy, which in turn brought it from Paganism, in which the only idea of God was of a being whose wrath must be appeased by a sacrifice." (E.J. Waggoner, Present Truth UK, Sept 21, 1893)

"Of course the idea of a propitiation or sacrifice is that there is wrath to be appeased. But take particular notice that it is we who require the sacrifice, and not God." (E.J. Waggoner, The Justice of Mercy, Present Truth UK Aug 30, 1894)

The fourth angel’s message of Rev 18 began in 1888 and swelled during the first half of the 1890s. Notice what she says the culmination of the 4th angel’s message is: 

It is the darkness of misapprehension of God that is enshrouding the world. Men are losing their knowledge of His character. It has been misunderstood and misinterpreted. At this time a message from God is to be proclaimed, a message illuminating in its influence and saving in its power. His character is to be made known. Into the darkness of the world is to be shed the light of His glory, the light of His goodness, mercy, and truth. {COL 415.3}

The last rays of merciful light, the last message of mercy to be given to the world, is a revelation of His character of love. The children of God are to manifest His glory. In their own life and character they are to reveal what the grace of God has done for them. {COL 415.5}

Why hasn’t Jesus returned? 

Christ is waiting with longing desire for the manifestation of Himself in His church. When the character of Christ shall be perfectly reproduced in His people, then He will come to claim them as His own. {COL 69.1}

Much more can be shared and said including beautiful statements from Jones and Waggoner. Suffice it to say that this revelation of light gives depth of meaning to the beauty that it is Christ, our Comforter, who dwells in us by His Spirit to fill us with His righteousness which is His very character. 

This message has completely changed my life and it is my prayer that you will investigate this and experience this sublime revelation of the goodness of God for yourself.