A man named William Miller was both a farmer and preacher. He came to New York from his home state of Massachusetts. He became interested in biblical prophecy. He created his own method to interpret the Scriptures and decided in 1818 that in the year 1843 Jesus would come back to earth. For the next 25 years he preached and published pamphlets. As the predicted date grew closer his followers increased to between 50,000 and 100,000.
These followers made reparations for The End. They climbed onto housetops dressed in appropriate garb. They closed stores and broke up homes. It was reported that there were even cases of suicide and insanity. By the proclaimed date of March 21, 1843, thousands of people looked to the clouds.
With disappointment afterwards came recalculations of the figures and it was decided there was an error because the real date should have been October 22, 1844. Later, it was decided that, even though Christ did not physically return to the earth, a reinterpretation of certain information declared that Christ did come in 1844 but was not to earth. Instead, it was a transfer of heavenly location and a shift of ministry.
Letās try to put some understanding into what we have here. This and other similar cases is an example of the danger of a little bit of knowledge. William Miller read into the Bible what he wanted and made it say what he desired. For some reason because people do that with the Bible it seems less troublesome. Were we to juggle information of any of the book people would quickly call the juggler into question.
Does not this point to our own vulnerabilities and spiritual hunger? The more honest and introspective person will admit to a spiritual search. In fact, it can best be compared to a instinct like our other instincts which drive us. We have a vacuum, a void, an emptiness in our lives they can only be filled by God. Many people try to fill it with pleasurable distractions or unique lifestyles. Some go to the length of compromising common sense and available knowledge.
What mistakes do William Millers and their followers of this world make? The Bible says Jesus will physically return to this earth, but in his time and at a time that no one knows and when no one is expecting. Any prediction for the return of Christ is therefore not biblical. Our concern is not to set a date but to live a daily life in harmony with God.
What happens at The End for the believer will be a pleasure, advancement, and a glorious experience. Jesus tells us that āmany will come in my nameā and that we are not to believe them because they are false prophets. Any distraction away from Jesus or an effort to create a substitute for him is not biblical. The person who says he is a modern Jesus is a false prophet because there is only one Jesus, the Only Begotten Son of God.
To the searcher or the one discouraged with formalized religion this prophecy making is another distraction away from the good intention by God for mankind. The Bible encourages us to search and ask questions by ārightly dividing the Word of Truth.ā There is nothing wrong with studying and questioning if it is done in a humble spirit consistent with the whole teachings of God. When Jesus does return to this earth, it will be to take his children into the presence of the Loving Heavenly Father.
Christian Writer 