Millerites

Origins and Beliefs

The Millerites were a 19th-century American religious movement that originated from the teachings of William Miller, a Baptist preacher from New York. Miller predicted the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, which he believed would occur in the year 1843 or 1844. This belief was based on his interpretation of the prophecies in the books of Daniel and Revelation in the Bible. Miller's interpretations led him to conclude that the "cleansing of the sanctuary" mentioned in Daniel 8:14 referred to the Earth's destruction by fire at Christ's Second Coming.

A portrait of William Miller, the founder of the Millerite movement.

A portrait of William Miller, the founder of the Millerite movement.

The Millerites were characterized by their fervent belief in the imminent return of Christ and the end of the world. They believed in the literal interpretation of the Bible and rejected allegorical readings of biblical prophecies. The movement attracted followers from various Christian denominations, including Baptists, Methodists, and Presbyterians, who were disillusioned with the established churches of the time.

The Great Disappointment

The period leading up to Miller's predicted date for the Second Coming, known as the "Advent Awakening," was marked by intense anticipation and preparation among the Millerites. However, when the predicted date passed without the occurrence of the prophesied events, the Millerites experienced what came to be known as the Great Disappointment. This event led to a significant crisis within the movement, with many followers leaving the group. Some Millerites, however, reinterpreted Miller's prophecy and continued to anticipate the Second Coming.

Aftermath and Legacy

Despite the Great Disappointment, the Millerite movement had a significant impact on American religious history. It led to the formation of several Adventist groups, including the Seventh-day Adventist Church, which continues to be a major Christian denomination today. The Millerites' emphasis on biblical prophecy and the Second Coming also influenced other religious movements, such as the Jehovah's Witnesses and the Church of God (Seventh Day).

A photograph of a Seventh-day Adventist Church, one of the religious groups that emerged from the Millerite movement.

A photograph of a Seventh-day Adventist Church, one of the religious groups that emerged from the Millerite movement.

The Millerite movement also had a significant impact on American culture and society. It contributed to the religious revivalism of the Second Great Awakening and influenced discussions on religious freedom and the separation of church and state. The movement's emphasis on the imminent end of the world also had a profound effect on its followers' attitudes towards social and political issues of the time.

See Also

• Second Great Awakening
• Adventism
• Eschatology