INTRODUCTION
Many people today don’t realize that the Seventh-day Adventist Church began with a MAJOR DISAPPOINTMENT. When the expected return of the Saviour on October 22, 1844 did not happen, the believers were shaken. Yet from that painful moment, a new movement slowly took shape. Here is a simple walk through how it all unfolded.
1. THE 1844 EXPECTATION
William Miller, a sincere Bible student, believed Daniel 8:14 pointed to the Saviour’s return on OCTOBER 22, 1844. Thousands accepted his teaching and looked forward to that day with hope.
2. THE GREAT DISAPPOINTMENT
When the day passed quietly, the believers were heartbroken. Some gave up completely. Others stepped away quietly and tried to rebuild their lives.
3. RETURNING TO THE SCRIPTURES
A small group refused to walk away. They went back to the Bible to understand what had gone wrong. They were convinced the mistake was in the event they expected, not in the prophecy itself.
4. THE HEAVENLY SANCTUARY
Through careful study, they concluded that the Saviour was not supposed to return to earth in 1844. Instead, they believed He entered the Most Holy Place in the heavenly Sanctuary to begin a new part of His priestly work.
5. THE INVESTIGATIVE JUDGMENT
From this understanding came the teaching that THE INVESTIGATIVE JUDGMENT began in 1844. According to this belief, the Saviour reviews the records of human lives before His second coming. This was seen as the cleansing mentioned in Daniel 8:14.
6. THE SABBATH
Around this time, the believers also accepted the seventh-day Sabbath after studying the Scriptures more deeply. The Sabbath soon became one of the core teachings of the growing movement.
7. THE GIFT OF PROPHECY
Ellen G. White’s visions encouraged the discouraged believers and helped them stay united. Her messages played a large role in shaping the movement’s direction.
8. FORMING A CHURCH
As the group grew, it became clear they needed structure. In 1860, they chose the name SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST. In 1863, they organized themselves into THE GENERAL CONFERENCE, giving the movement a formal identity.
9. THEIR MAIN BELIEFS
With time, their teachings became clearer. These included the Sabbath, THE HEAVENLY SANCTUARY, THE INVESTIGATIVE JUDGMENT, THE STATE OF THE DEAD, PRINCIPLES OF HEALTHFUL LIVING, and THE HOPE OF THE SAVIOUR’S RETURN.
10. A CALL TO SHARE THE MESSAGE
The early Adventists felt strongly that their message should reach the world. Missionaries soon travelled to different countries, turning a small American movement into a global one.
CONCLUSION
From THE DISAPPOINTMENT OF 1844 came a movement built on Bible study, commitment, and the hope of the Saviour’s return. The Seventh-day Adventist Church grew from that difficult beginning into a worldwide fellowship with distinct beliefs and a clear sense of mission.
This Post has been prepared by
Bro Mutonga (Pipeline Church, Nakuru, Kenya, East Africa, Africa)
babakevi@gmail.com
+254722808047
Permission granted to freely share it widely in whatever form.