History of 7th Day Adventist

The 7th Day Adventist Church actually started with a man named William Miller in the 1800’s even though at this time he did not know it. Miller believed that after his years of reading that he knew when the world was to end and Christ would make his presence known here on Earth. Based on a passage from Daniel Miller even wrote a book in 1836 entitled “Evidence from Scripture and History of the Second Coming of Christ about the year 1843.” Unfortunately for Miller 1843 and 1844 passed without incident and many of his followers dropped away from him and his group and Miller himself stepped down. Miller died in 1849.

The followers of William Miller calling themselves Millerites gathered together in Washington, New Hampshire. James White and his wife Ellen along with another man named Joseph Bates became the leaders of the Adventists as they were now calling themselves. The year was 1863 and these new Adventists believed that Miller’s prediction was correct in its date, but not the location. They believed it meant that Christ had entered the heavenly tabernacle and that he was there to judge the living and the dead. The 7th Day Adventists believe that once Christ is done judging all on Earth that he will then return.

Within eight years the Adventists were sending out their first missionary to Switzerland. During this time the Whites were moving their family to Michigan but many trips would still be made to California to spread the word. Soon there were several missionaries visiting places all over the globe. When James White passed away Ellen made many trips to Europe to help spread the Adventists message.

Ellen White went on to claim she received visions from God and would furiously produce many writings after one of these “session” with God. Many of the 7th Day Adventists considered Ellen to be a prophet sent from God to spread his message and she was treated accordingly. She produced many articles and manuscripts which are still being published today. With Ellen’s interest in the well being of others, hospitals and clinic were built throughout the world. This also went on to encompass many schools and colleges.

From its humble beginnings in 1836 the church now embraces the new technological advances and has learned how to use them to their advantage to spread their word. After almost a 150 years the 7th Day Adventists now claim over 15 million members worldwide.

“Seventh Day Adventist Church” Adventist.org

“History and Present of Adventists” Religious Tolerance


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