This Day In History (October 22)

Today is a big day in history:

• In 362, The temple of Apollo at Daphne (outside of Antioch), was mysteriously destroyed by fire.
• In 1511, German astronomer Erasmus Reinhold was born.
• In 1734, American explorer Daniel Boone was born.
• In 1811, Hungarian composer Franz Liszt was born.
• In 1883, The Met Opera House opened in New York City.
• In 1906, French painter Paul Cézanne died.
• In 1934, American Gangster Pretty Boy Floyd was killed.
• In 1976, Red dye # 4 was banned in the US by the FDA after it was discovered to cause tumors in dogs. (It is still used in Canada! {shame!!})

Today is an even bigger day in religious history:

• In 451, The Council of Chalcedon adopted the Chalcedonian Creed stating the Jesus Christ has two natures; divine and human.
• In 1844, The Millerites experienced the Great Anticipation and Great Disappointment.

If there was one date that has been well memorized, sermonized and scrutinized by Seventh-day Adventists worldwide, it would be October 22, 1844. William Miller, a farmer and Baptist preacher, while studying the books of Daniel and Revelation, discovered what appeared to be the prediction for The LORD's second coming. He preached the message from 1831 to 1844, and many believed his words and looked forward to the date October 22, 1844 for The LORD's return. There was (however) opposition to this message, and some were put out of churches because of this belief. The day dawn, many of the believers waited patiently, looking to the heavens for The LORD to burst the clouds, but nothing happened. The great anticipation became a day of great disappointment. Many were sorely dejected by that fated day, but some returned to the scriptures, and studied even more earnestly for more light, and their faithfulness was rewarded.

What do we do when we are faced with great disappointments? Do we give up on God and 'leave the church', do we decide to 'curse God and die' (Job 2:9), or do we turn back to God and seek comfort and peace from Him. In this life, we may never know/understand why The LORD allowed certain disappointments to happen; but if we remember that HE wants to save us, we can get comfort from the fact that the LORD will work all things for good (Romans 8:28). We may not see it, but we must trust in HIM.

William Miller penned the following words;

"I have fixed my mind upon another time, and here I mean to stand until God gives me more light—and that is Today, TODAY, and TODAY, until He comes, and I see HIM for whom my soul yearns."(Life of Miller, page 303, 304.)

  Out of that great disappointment came a movement; a church. It's 170 years later (mercy), but praise GOD we are much closer to the Second Advent than when we (and the Millerites) first believed. Let's get ready, stay ready and get others ready Today, Today and TODAY!

Notes compiled from:
http://www.wikipedia.com
http://www.whiteestate.org/pathways/wmiller.asp
http://www.adventistheritage.org/article/51/resources/pioneer-stories/william-miller-second-advent-preacher
http://www.adventist.org/information/history/article/go/0/united-for-mission-one-hundred-and-fifty-years/