Post Info TOPIC: The Great Disappointment, Human Error or Divine Mandate?
Dennis Wicklund

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The Great Disappointment, Human Error or Divine Mandate?
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Hello,

Often when discussing true SDA doctrines of the early SDA movement vs. those of the current "Adventist" Church the defenders of the fund. beliefs is quick to point out that the pioneers were "wrong."  It seems to be these make such a case (ie: the pioneers were "wrong" and therefore God has given us "new light" to correct these "wrongs") in order to alienate and dissociate themselves from those who would defend the pioneer teachings. 

But what is the truth about this denomination's beginning?  What happened in 1844?  Was it just a group of religious zealots who were date-setting and mis-applying scripture?  Or was it God's purpse in preparing a people to take His end-time messages of love and warning to a lost and dying world? 

Here is what Inspiration has to testify about this event:

   "Another who participated in the movement testified: "It produced everywhere the most deep searching of heart and humiliation of soul before the God of high heaven. It caused a weaning of affections from the things of this world, a healing of controversies and animosities, a confession of wrongs, a breaking down before God, and penitent, brokenhearted supplications to Him for pardon and acceptance. It caused self-abasement and prostration of soul, such as we never before witnessed. As God by Joel commanded, when the great day of God should be at hand, it produced a rending of hearts and not of garments, and a turning unto the Lord with fasting, and weeping, and mourning. As God said by Zechariah, a spirit of grace and supplication was poured out upon His children; they looked to Him whom they had pierced, there was a great mourning in the land, . . . and those who were looking for the Lord afflicted their souls before Him."--Bliss, in Advent Shield and Review, vol. I, p. 271 (January, 1845).  {GC 401.2}

     Of all the great religious movements since the days of the apostles, none have been more free from human imperfection and the wiles of Satan than was that of the autumn of 1844. Even now, after the lapse of many years, all who shared in that movement and who have stood firm upon the platform of truth still feel the holy influence of that blessed work and bear witness that it was of God.
                                                                            402
{GC 401.3}

At the call, "The Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet Him," the waiting ones "arose and trimmed their lamps;" they studied the word of God with an intensity of interest before unknown. Angels were sent from heaven to arouse those who had become discouraged and prepare them to receive the message. The work did not stand in the wisdom and learning of men, but in the power of God. It was not the most talented, but the most humble and devoted, who were the first to hear and obey the call. Farmers left their crops standing in the fields, mechanics laid down their tools, and with tears and rejoicing went out to give the warning. Those who had formerly led in the cause were among the last to join in this movement. The churches in general closed their doors against this message, and a large company of those who received it withdrew from their connection. In the providence of God this proclamation united with the second angel's message and gave power to that work.  {GC 402.1}

Five hundred years before, the Lord had declared by the prophet Zechariah: "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: He is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass." Zechariah 9:9. Had the disciples realized that Christ was going to judgment and to death, they could not have fulfilled this prophecy.  {GC 405.1}
     In like manner Miller and his associates fulfilled prophecy and gave a message which Inspiration had foretold should be given to the world, but which they could not have given had they fully understood the prophecies pointing out their disappointment, and presenting another message to be preached to all nations before the Lord should come. The first and second angel's messages were given at the right time and accomplished the work which God designed to accomplish by them.
  {GC 405.2}
     The world had been looking on, expecting that if the time passed and Christ did not appear, the whole system of Adventism would be given up. But while many, under strong temptation, yielded their faith, there were some who stood firm. The fruits of the advent movement, the spirit of humility and heart searching, of renouncing of the world and reformation of life, which had attended the work, testified that it was of God. They dared not deny that the power of the Holy Spirit had witnessed to the preaching of the second advent, and they could detect no error in their reckoning of the prophetic periods. The ablest of their opponents had not succeeded in overthrowing their system of prophetic interpretation. They could not consent, without Bible evidence, to renounce positions which had been reached through earnest, prayerful study of the Scriptures, by minds enlightened
                                                                            406
by the Spirit of God and hearts burning with its living power; positions which had withstood the most searching criticisms and the most bitter opposition of popular religious teachers and worldly-wise men, and which had stood firm against the combined forces of learning and eloquence, and the taunts and revilings alike of the honorable and the base."
  {GC 405.3}

Take the inspired words to heart.  As I have told many on separate occasions, it is called the Great Disappointment and not the great mistake, for good reason.  Do you know the difference Seventh-day Adventist?  I hope these quotes help you understand better.

Dennis



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webmaster

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Excellent Dennis-san!  I find that many, probably most of us SDAs don't know that we were called out especially by God in the 1843/4 movement.  We need to study the history of our forefathers, and how they arrived at the truth much deeper.

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newbie

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I agree that we must go back and read what the founders discovered.  We must also be careful to examine what we read today and compare it to the pioneers.  If there is discrepencey then the Bible should clear that up.  I've found that there is a problem with some of our revised editions and we need to go back to the originals that agree with the Bible.

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newbie

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webmaster, can you delete the commercials that have come into the discussion?

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webmaster

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done!   why anyone would want to do this kind of spam is beyond me....

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