The disappointed Millerite Movement gave roots to great beginnings. It was truly said that though they were disappointed, yet not discouraged”. Diving into the scriptures made them understand the world of the Bible. The Revelations opened to them enlightened and encouraged many discouraged souls and made them pioneers of what the Seventh-day Adventists today.
Just like the prophet Isaiah said, God will “give them beauty for ashes”, He used our discouraged pioneers to establish the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Thus, this church is established completely with God’s intervention. Though the Seventh-day Adventist church formed with an understanding of the scriptures and the development of doctrines, the impact of disappointment (Oct 22, 1844) laid greatly upon the church, leaving them to believe that the mission was not to the world but to the church itself.
Mrs. White’s appeal in the 1863 General Conference Session, gave a beginning to the mission when she pressed the need to send missionaries to Europe.
The Great Disappointment and the reasons for the disappointment
The truths revealed to William Miller regarding the Second Advent of Christ:
“For two years (1816-1818) Miller studied his Bible intensively in this way. Finally, he came to ‘the solemn conclusion. . . that in about twenty-five years from that time [I.e., 1843] all the affairs of our present state would be wound up’ and Christ would come.”
A brief explanation of Joshua Himes, Charles Fitch: “Fall of Babylon”, “True Midnight Cry”, and the Great Disappointment.
“Out of that seething cauldron and shapeless mass of discouragement and confusion would come to the Seventh-day Adventist Church. But, of course, no one predicted that development in 1844.”
Shut-Door and Open-Door period, development of doctrines, and form of organization
William Miller said: “We have done our work in warning sinners, and in trying to awaken a formal church. God, in His providence, has shut the door; and we can only stir one another up to patient, and be diligent to make our calling and election sure”.
This lasted from 1844 to 1854 believing that the probation had closed.
Seventh-day Adventist pioneers who came from the Millerite Movement still believed in shut door concept until they saw non-believers converting to Christianity in 1854. This makes them understand the door of salvation has not shut and it will only be closed when an individual personally rejects the three angel’s message. Thus, said by the Pioneers that “No one could be guilty of rejecting the light he had not seen”. However, the shut-door issue gave way to small groups of people who observed the sabbath and slowly formed the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
A brief account of the development of four main doctrines and the Spirit of Prophecy. The Establishment of the first Conference in 1861 led to the first General Conference in 1863.
The 1863 General Conference session: The need for missionaries to Europe
A brief overview of Mission from 1793 (William Miller to India) till 1844 (the completion of Bible translations). The mission started prior before Adventism was born. Ellen White’s appeal for the need for missionaries in the 1863 General Conference session and the mission of the first unofficial missionary of Seventh-Day Adventists, M. B. Czechowski to Europe and the mission of Loughborough and Bourdeau to California.
The church understood the need for a mission and sent the missionaries to foreign countries, namely Europe. However, finally J. N. Andrews, the ablest in Adventist ranks was selected to go as Seventh-day Adventist’s first official overseas missionary to Europe.
Lasting Lessons from the Shut-Door Period
- The formation of this church is a Divine intervention. The disappointment in history brought forth great truths needed to this last-day church. Just like the prophet Isaiah records, God “give them beauty for ashes”. He did give beauty only when the pioneers went back to the scriptures in search of meaning for their disappointments. Christ sees every soul that searches the scriptures diligently and He will give rewards.
- Seventh-day Adventist church is a church for mission. Understanding the need for a mission became one of the priorities in the early church. Understanding the importance of sending missionaries should also be the priority of the present church. The church needs to send missionaries because the world needs them.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Knight, G. R. (2012). A brief history of Seventh-Day Adventists (3rd ed.). Adventist heritage series. Review and Herald Pub. Association.
Schwarz, R. W., & Greenleaf, F. (2000). Light bearers: A history of the Seventh-day-Adventist Church (Überarb. Aufl.). Pacific Press Publ. Assn.
