Popular Posts

October 22, 2011


THE GREAT HOAX

by Dennis J. Fischer


Exactly one hundred and seventy-four years ago today, on Tuesday October 22, 1844, William Miller (1782-1849) predicted the end of the world.  In preparation for this great hoax, many of his followers fervently and foolishly sold their businesses, farms, homes, emptied their savings accounts, failed to plant family gardens, and gave all to the cause of the Millerite movement.  However, when the awaited day came and went without the return of our Lord, William Miller still had a nice upstate New York farm home to return to. 

It is obvious that the affectionately-called "Father Miller" was not as dedicated to his cause as his ardent followers were. In spite of the denial by SDA apologists, history verifies that a few Millerites even wore white "ascension robes" to meet the Lord in 1844. Moreover, medical history documents that some Millerites were admitted to various "insane asylums" due to a condition clinically described as "Millerite Madness." Sadly, there were also a few reports of suicide among those who were foolishly caught up in the Millerite frenzy. As you may or may not know, segments of Millerism developed into the Jehovah's Witnesses and Seventh-day Adventism—both groups being guilty of repeated time-setting errors.


There is no record that William Miller ever missed a single meal nor that he provided food and/or shelter for any of his deceived and destitute followers facing a cold New England winter. Although he finally admitted the time-setting errors in his 15 different charts, Miller seemingly had no remorse for his cultic actions. Instead, his disappointed and  impoverished followers were at the total mercy of friends, relatives, neighbors, and still others became embarrassed residents of nearby Shaker communes. Interestingly, as would be expected, they didn't stay in Shaker communes any longer than absolutely necessary for survival due to the required separation of men and women (including husbands and wives) by the longtime dictates of Mother Ann Lee (1736-1784).

Mother Ann Lee, a separatist leader of the Shakers, claimed to have numerous visions like Ellen White supposedly experienced many decades later.  Interestingly, the Shakers were the first sect to make a big deal about the so-called "Dark Day" on May 19, 1780. It was actually the lingering thick smoke of a raging forest fire that caused the sun to be blocked out in the middle of the day.  Seventh-day Adventist evangelists still proclaim that the "Dark Day" in 1780 was a notable, supernatural sign of the imminent return of Christ. Nevertheless, this "Dark Day" experience brought prominence to  Shakerism whereas earlier they had kept  a low profile.  The 18th century Shakers believed that Christ's return would be in spirit only whereas the 19th century Millerites believed in His physical return as well.  Shakerism is often considered the forerunner of modern Charismaticism.

Sadly, Seventh-day Adventism is entirely based upon this time-setting deception in 1844. Official Adventism has never bothered to issue a formal apology for having caused such incredible hardship, pain, and suffering to the descendants of many duped families by their founding pioneers who vigorously promoted Millerism. Instead, they have blamed God for it all to this day. In far too many cases, entire estates were depleted by donating all the proceeds to the Millerite cause. Indeed, those who are intent upon accurate answers will no longer remain in a toxic-faith system or false gospel.  

The Apostle Paul TWICE warned against those who preach anything else than what he preached. "But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed.  As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed" (Galatians 1:8-9 ESV).

Think about it!  Did Paul preach the so-called "investigative judgment" alibi?  Of course not! Truly, the gospel plus anything else is no longer the gospel of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. All in all, it is safe to say that if William Miller would have had a working knowledge of biblical Hebrew, Seventh-day Adventism would not be known today. Let us wholeheartedly embrace the counsel of Paul, found in Titus 1 and 2, to only teach sound doctrine.

Updated: October 22, 2018




courtesy of

DENNIS FISCHER MINISTRIES
Worldwide Chaplaincy Services
E-mail:  dfministries@gmail.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/dfministries