Milleriteherätyksen

Milleriteherätyksen, also known as the Millerite Revival or Millerite Movement, was a prominent religious revival in the United States during the mid-19th century. Its central figure was William Miller, a Baptist preacher who, after years of biblical study, concluded that the Second Coming of Jesus Christ would occur between 1843 and 1844.

Miller began publicly preaching his message in the early 1830s. His teachings, based on his interpretation of biblical prophecies, particularly in the Book of Daniel, gained a significant following across New England and beyond. His followers, known as Millerites, sold their possessions and prepared for the imminent end of the world. The movement experienced rapid growth, attracting people from various denominations.

The anticipation for Christ's return culminated on October 22, 1844, a date determined by Miller and his followers. When this date passed without the predicted event, the movement experienced a period of disillusionment and division, often referred to as the "Great Disappointment."

Despite the disappointment, some Millerites continued to believe in the core message and re-examined their calculations. This led to the formation of several new religious groups. The most enduring and significant of these was the Seventh-day Adventist Church, which emerged from the Millerite movement and continues to be a major Adventist denomination today. Other groups, like the Advent Christian Church and the Life and Advent Union, also trace their origins to the Milleriteherätyksen. The movement's legacy lies in its profound impact on American religious history and the development of Adventist traditions.