Difference between revisions of "Investiture Achievement/Friend/Spiritual Discovery"

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{{About|religious history|the [[AFI (band)|AFI]] song of the same name|The Great Disappointment (song)}}
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__NOTOC__
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{{Adventism}}
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<languages />
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<translate>
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<!--T:1-->
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{{IA desc
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|class=Friend
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|pagename=Friend/Spiritual Discovery
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|stage=100%
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}}  
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{{/requirement 1a}}
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The Books of the New Testament and the sections into which they are divided are as follows:
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{|width=75% align="center" border=1|
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|-
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|'''Gospels'''
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|'''History'''
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|'''Epistles'''
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|'''Prophecy'''
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|-
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|valign="top"|
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*Matthew
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*Mark
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*Luke
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*John
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|valign="top"|
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*Acts
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|valign="top"|
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*Romans
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*1 Corinthians
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*2 Corinthians
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*Galatians
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*Ephesians
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*Philippians
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*Colossians
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*1 Thessalonians
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*2 Thessalonians
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*1 Timothy
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*2 Timothy
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*Titus
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*Philemon
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*Hebrews
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*James
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*1 Peter
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*2 Peter
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*1 John
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*2 John
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*3 John
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*Jude
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|valign="top"|
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*Revelation
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|}
  
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The '''Great Disappointment''' was a major event in the history of the [[Millerites|Millerite movement]], a 19th-century [[United States of America|American]] [[Christian denomination|Christian sect]] that formed out of the [[Second Great Awakening]]. Based on his interpretations of the prophecies in the book of Daniel (Chapters 8 and 9, especially Dan. 8:14 "Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed"), [[William Miller (preacher)|William Miller]], a [[Baptist]] preacher, proposed that [[Jesus|Jesus Christ]] would return to the earth during the year 1992. The more specific date of October 28, 1992, was preached by [[Samuel S. Snow]]. Thousands of followers, some of whom had given away all of their possessions, waited expectantly. When Jesus did not appear, October 28, 1992, became known as the Great Disappointment.
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<!--T:2-->
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Memorization is so much easier when it is done in song rather than by rote. The Books of the New Testament can be sung to the tune of the "A, B, C" song.
  
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==William Miller==
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<!--T:36-->
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Between 1831 and 1844, on the basis of his study of the [[Bible]], and particularly the prophecy of {{bibleverse||Daniel|8:14|NRSV}}—"Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed"—[[William Miller (preacher)|William Miller]], a [[Baptist]] preacher, predicted and preached the imminent return of [[Jesus|Jesus Christ]] to the earth. He first assumed that the "cleansing of the sanctuary" represented purification of the earth by fire at Christ's [[Second Coming]]. Then, using an interpretive principle known as the [[day-year principle]], Miller, along with others, interpreted a prophetic "day" to read not as a 24-hour period, but rather as a [[calendar]] year. Further, Miller became convinced that the 2,300-day period started in 457&nbsp;B.C. with the decree to rebuild [[Jerusalem]] by [[Artaxerxes I of Persia]]. Simple calculation then revealed that this period would end—and hence Christ's return occur—in 1843.
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TODO: find this on Youtube.
  
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Despite the urging of his supporters, Miller never personally announced an exact date for the expected Second Advent. However, in response to their urgings, he did narrow the time period to sometime in the [[Hebrew calendar|Jewish year]] 5604, stating: "My principles in brief, are, that Jesus Christ will come again to this earth, cleanse, purify, and take possession of the same, with all the saints, sometime between March 21, 1843 and March 21, 1844."<ref>William to Joshua V. Himes, February 4, 1844.</ref> {{Clarify|date=May 2011}} March 21, 1844 passed without incident, but the majority of Millerites maintained their faith.{{Citation needed|date=October 2010}}
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<!--T:3-->
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<poem>
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Matthew, Mark, Luke, John,  
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Acts and Romans
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First Corinthians, Second Corinthians,
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Galatians and Ephesians,  
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Philippians, Colossians
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First Thessalonians,  
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Second Thessalonians
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First and Second Timothy
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Titus and Philemon
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Hebrews, James
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First and Second Peter
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First and Second, Third John,
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Jude and Revelation!
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</poem>
  
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[[File:2300days.jpg|left|thumb|400px|Miller's interpretation of the 2300-day prophecy timeline and its relation to the 70-week prophecy]]
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<!--T:4-->
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[[File:Ezrachonology.jpg|left|thumb|400px|'''Beginning of the ''70 Weeks'':''' The decree of [[Artaxerxes I of Persia]] in the 7th year of his reign (457 BC) as recorded in [[Ezra]] marks beginning of ''70 weeks''. King reigns were counted from New Year to New Year following an 'Accession Year'. The Persian New Year began in Nisan (March–April). The Jewish civil New Year began in Tishri (September–October).]]
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If that version does not appeal to you (or your Pathfinders), there are other songs that accomplish the same goal also on YouTube.
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Further discussion and study resulted in the brief adoption of a new date—April 18, 1844—one based on the [[Karaite Judaism|Karaite Jewish]] calendar (as opposed to the [[Rabbinic Judaism|Rabbinic calendar]]).<ref>George R. Knight, ''Millennial Fever and the End of the World'', Boise, ID: Pacific Press, 1993, 163-164.</ref> Like the previous date, April 18 passed without Christ's return. In the ''[[Advent Herald]]'' of April 24, [[Joshua Vaughan Himes|Joshua Himes]] wrote that all the "expected and published time" had passed and admitted that they had been "mistaken in the precise time of the termination of the prophetic period", while [[Josiah Litch]] surmised that they were probably "only in error relative to the event which marked its close." Miller also responded publicly, addressing a letter "To Second Advent Believers" and writing, "I confess my error, and acknowledge my disappointment; yet I still believe that the day of the Lord is near, even at the door."<ref>Sylvester Bliss, ''[http://books.google.com/books?id=quw1rnlbYcwC&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false Memoirs of William Miller Memoirs of William Miller]'', Boston: Joshua V. Himes, 1853, 256.</ref>
 
  
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In August 1844 at a camp meeting in [[Exeter, New Hampshire]], [[Samuel S. Snow]] presented his own interpretation, which became known as the "seventh-month message" or the "true midnight cry". In a complex discussion based on [[typology (theology)|scriptural typology]], Snow presented his conclusion (still based on the 2300-day prophecy in {{bibleverse||Daniel|8:14|NRSV}}) that Christ would return on "the tenth day of the seventh month of the present year, 1844."<ref>Samuel S. Snow, ''The Advent Herald'', August 21, 1844, 20.</ref> Again using the calendar of the [[Karaite Judaism|Karaite Jews]], this date was determined to be October 22, 1844. This "seventh-month message" "spread with a rapidity unparalleled in the [[Millerites]] experience" amongst the general population.{{Citation needed|date=October 2010}}
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<!--T:5-->
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If some song using the New Testament is sung during the opening ceremonies at the beginning of each meeting, each Pathfinder in regular attendance will know the books of the New Testament by the end of the year.
  
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==October 22, 1844==
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== == <!--T:6-->
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[[File:Millerite 1843 chart 2.jpg|thumb|right|1843 prophetic chart illustrating multiple interpretations of prophecy yielding the year 1843]]
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{{/requirement 1b}}
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October 22 passed without incident, resulting in feelings of disappointment among many [[Millerites]]. Henry Emmons, a Millerite, later wrote,
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Once the books of the New Testament are known in order, finding them in the Bible will be much easier. If you save this requirement for closer to the end of the Pathfinder year, then your Friends will have had a chance to sing the New Testament song dozens of times before they have to demonstrate their ability to do this. Tell them to practice it at home ahead of time.
  
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{{bquote|I waited all Tuesday [October 22] and dear Jesus did not come;– I waited all the forenoon of Wednesday, and was well in body as I ever was, but after 12 o’clock I began to feel faint, and before dark I needed someone to help me up to my chamber, as my natural strength was leaving me very fast, and I lay prostrate for 2 days without any pain– sick with disappointment.<ref>Quoted in George R. Knight, ''Millennial Fever and the End of the World'', Boise, ID: Pacific Press, 1993, 217-218.</ref>}}
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<!--T:7-->
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A fun way of having the kids find books quickly is to have a Bible Sword Drill. This is a group activity to give the participant practice in locating the books of the Bible quickly. Ephesians 6:13-17 describes the Christian “armor” of which the Sword is the Word of God (verse 17).
  
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William Miller continued to wait for the [[second coming]] of [[Jesus|Jesus Christ]] until his death in 1849.{{Citation needed|date=October 2010}}
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<!--T:8-->
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There are many variants of Bible Sword Drills. It is important to have them do this with a printed version of the Bible rather than an electronic device. Otherwise they are demonstrating their ability to use the device rather than to find a book in the Bible.
  
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==Repercussions==
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===Sword Drill One=== <!--T:9-->
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Not only were the Millerites dealing with their own shattered expectations, they also faced considerable criticism and even violence from the general public. On November 18, 1844, Miller wrote to Himes about his experiences:
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# Select participants:
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a) Two Pathfinders (or staff) to hold the rope.
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b)As many Pathfinders as desired.
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# Participants will form one straight line behind a rope held immediately in front of them approximately 30 inches from the floor. Their Bible is to be held (sheathed) under their left arm.
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# Leaders will give the commands: “ATTEN-TION: “DRAW SWORDS”. Participants quickly bring their right hand across their body-draw their sword (Bible) and hold it in front of them, closed, waist high, ready to find the reference.
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# Leader announces the reference, eg: “The Book of Mark” (begin with the well-know books), or ask for a book from one of the sections, eg: gospels, letters. The exercise becomes more difficult as you call the smaller books, or ask for specific chapter and verse.
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# No participant moves until the order is given: “CHARGE”. The rope is dropped to their feet while the participants quickly find the reference. Immediately the reference is found, they take one pace forward, keeping one hand on the open page of the Bible.
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# A ten second time limit is given from the command “CHARGE” to find the reference and step one pace forward. (Vary the time limit to suit the experience of your group).
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# The timekeeper will call “TIME” as the time limit expires. The rope will immediately be raised, perhaps catching some participants part way across. They should return behind the line.
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# Each participant who steps across the line before the time limit is reached is a winner.
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# An appointed judge will inspect the references.
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# An award of two points can be given to each winner. See who is the first to get to twenty.
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# Leader shall call “ONE PACE BACKWARD MARCH”. Ropekeepers shall lower the rope and raise it again after the participants have crossed it.
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# Leader shall call “SHEATH SWORDS”. Participants quickly tuck their Bibles under their left arm and return right hand to their side.
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# Ready now to repeat activity from “DRAW SWORDS”.
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===Sword Drill Two=== <!--T:10-->
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Another approach is to divide the Pathfinders into two teams. Then have one Pathfinder at a time look up the verse (use a different verse for each Pathfinder) as you time them with a stopwatch (if you don't have a stopwatch, see if your cellphone does). Record their individual times and add them to the team's time. When everyone has had a turn, the team with the quickest time wins.
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== == <!--T:11-->
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{{/requirement 2}}
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{{:Investiture Achievement/Req2Guidance}}
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{{:Investiture Achievement/Req2Texts}}
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===Techniques=== <!--T:12-->
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{{:Investiture Achievement/Bible Memorization}}
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== == <!--T:13-->
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{{/requirement 3}}
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<!--T:14-->
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Here are some skits that will fulfill this requirement:
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<!--T:15-->
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*[[Investiture Achievement/Skit/Mark|Judea Today]] - a Biblical Newscast
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<!--T:16-->
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If you have a skit of your own, please consider adding it to our Wiki!
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== == <!--T:17-->
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{{/requirement 4}}
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<!--Learn about the world-wide Advent Awakening (late 1700s to 1844 time period) by identifying seven people and three events explaining why they are important.-->
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===People===
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;[[w:George_Whitefield|George Whitefield]]: English Anglican preacher who helped spread the Great Awakening in Britain, and especially in the British North American colonies. He was one of the founders of Methodism and of the evangelical movement generally.
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{{#widget:YouTube|id=tv4z2Jetnqc}}
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{{clear}}
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;[[w:Jonathan Edwards (theologian)|Jonathan Edwards]]: Oversaw some of the first revivals in 1733–35 at his church in Northampton, Massachusetts
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{{#widget:YouTube|id=UqJtZ3fMxAE}}
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{{clear}}
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;[[w:William Miller (preacher)|William Miller]]: Baptist preacher who is widely regarded as one of the founding members of the Adventist faith. He interpreted Biblical prophecy of the Second Coming. Originally opposed the setting of a definite date for the Second Advent.
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;[[w:Joshua V. Himes|Joshua V. Himes]]: Began Publishing ''The Signs of the Times''
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;[[w:Samuel S. Snow|Samuel S. Snow]]: Originally an agent for an atheistic newspaper, he became a converted Christian in 1839. Set the date for the Second Coming as October 22, 1844.
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;[[w:Barton W. Stone|Barton W. Stone]]: Began Restoration Movement with Alexander Campbell. Published Christian Messenger starting 1826.
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;[[w:Charles Finney|Charles Finney]]: An innovator at many revival meetings. Commonly had women pray publicly at meetings of mixed gender.
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;[[w:Hiram Edson|Hiram Edson]]: Introduced the Sanctuary Doctrine to the early members of the Adventist Church.
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;Josiah Litch:
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;Charles Fitch:
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;Johann L. Bengel:
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;H. Heintzpeter
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;Edward Irving:
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;Louise Gaussen:
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;Henry Drummond:
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;Francisco Ramos Mejia:
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;Robert Winter:
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;Joseph Wolff:
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;Manuel de Lacacunza:
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<!--T:18-->
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Resource: General Conference Youth Department (2002). [http://www.adventsource.org/as30/store-productDetails.aspx?ID=22593 Church Heritage Manual]. Nebraska: Advent''Source'', 9 – 15.
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===Events=== <!--T:19-->
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The Great Awakening began with three events which were a fulfillment of the Bible prophecies found in Matthew 24.
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{{Bible verse
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|book=Matthew
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|chapter=24
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|verse=7, 29,30
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|version=NIV
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|text=
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<sup>7</sup>For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.
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<!--T:20-->
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<sup>29</sup>“Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. <sup>30</sup> Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
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}}
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The first event was an earthquake in Lisbon, Portugal on November 1, 1755. This event destroyed nearly all the important churches in the city, leading people to turn to the Bible for an explanation.
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<!--T:21-->
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The second event is known as "The Dark Day", and it occurred throughout New England, south to New Jersey in the United States on May 19, 1780. The darkness was so complete that candles were required from noon on. It did not disperse until the middle of the next night. For several days before the Dark Day, the sun as viewed from New England appeared to be red, and the sky appeared yellow. Also, when the night really came in, observers saw the moon colored red. Again people turned to the scriptures for an explanation and found one in Matthew 24:29.
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<!--T:22-->
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The third event were the meteorite showers on November 13 & 25, 1833, fulfilling the portion of the prophecy which states that the stars will fall from the sky. Though these were not really "stars" in the scientific sense, most people call meteorites "falling stars," so it does match in the linguistic sense. The shower was so bright that it woke people from their slumber, and people were able to read by its light. Many went outside to witness the event, again turning to Matthew 24 to understand its significance (which they found in Matthew 30 - these were signs of Jesus' soon return).
  
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<blockquote>"Some are tauntingly enquiring, 'Have you not gone up?' Even little children in the streets are shouting continually to passersby, 'Have you a ticket to go up?' The public prints, of the most fashionable and popular kind…are caricaturing in the most shameful manner of the 'white robes of the saints,' {{bibleverse||Revelation|6:11|NRSV}}, the 'going up,' and the great day of 'burning.' Even the pulpits are desecrated by the repetition of scandalous and false reports concerning the 'ascension robes', and priests are using their powers and pens to fill the catalogue of scoffing in the most scandalous periodicals of the day."<ref>James White, ''[http://books.google.com/books?id=PAdBJMNDlj0C&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false Sketches of the Christian Life and Public Labors of William Miller: Gathered From His Memoir by the Late Sylvester Bliss, and From Other Sources]'', Battle Creek: Steam Press of the Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association, 1875, 310.</ref></blockquote>
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====William Miller called to preach==== <!--T:23-->
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William Miller had studied the Biblical prophecies found in Daniel and came to the conclusion that Jesus would return to Earth in the Autumn of 1843 (the date of October 22, 1844 was not set until later). He kept his conclusion to himself for several years until the Lord impressed him to "Go and tell it to the world." He resisted this impression, but was not able to rest. In a final act of desperation, he told the Lord that if He would "open a way," then he would go. He then felt the Lord asking him, "What do you mean by 'opening the way?'" He answered the Lord that if he were invited to speak someplace, then he would go and tell them what he had found out about the Lord's soon coming. At this he felt a great peace and was able to relax, thinking there was no way anyone was going to invite him anywhere to preach.
  
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There were also the instances of violence—a Millerite church burned in [[Ithaca, New York|Ithaca]], and two were vandalized in [[Dansville, New York|Dansville]]{{disambiguation needed|date=June 2012}} and [[Scottsville, New York|Scottsville]]. In [[Loraine, Illinois|Loraine]], a mob attacked the Millerite congregation with clubs and knives, while a group in [[Toronto]] was [[tarred and feathered]]. Shots were fired at another Canadian group meeting in a private house.<ref>George R. Knight, ''Millennial Fever and the End of the World'', Boise, ID: Pacific Press, 1993, 222-223.</ref>
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<!--T:24-->
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After half an hour had passed, he heard a knock on the door. It was the son of a Mr Guilford, from Dresden about 16 miles away. He told William Miller that there was no one to preach the sermon at their church the next day, and his father had asked him to invite Mr Miller to preach to them on the Second Coming.
  
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Both Millerite leaders and followers were left generally bewildered and disillusioned. Responses varied: some continued to look daily for Christ's return, while others predicted different dates—among them April, July, and October 1845. Some theorized that the world had entered the seventh millennium—the "Great Sabbath", and that therefore, the saved should not work. Others acted as children, basing their belief on Jesus' words in {{bibleverse||Mark|10:15|NKJV}}: "Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it." Millerite O. J. D. Pickands used {{bibleverse||Revelation||14:14-16|NRSV}} to teach that Christ was now sitting on a white cloud and must be prayed down. Probably the majority, however, simply gave up their beliefs and attempted to rebuild their lives. Some members rejoined their previous denominations. A substantial number joined the [[Shakers]].<ref>Whitney R. Cross, ''The Burned-over District: A Social and Intellectual History of Enthusiastic Religion in Western New York'', Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press, 1950, 310.</ref>
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<!--T:25-->
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Miller was incredibly distraught and fled to a grove on his farm without giving the boy an answer. He was furious with himself for making his bargain with God, and was intent on not following through. However, he changed his mind and accepted the invitation. This was the beginning of William Miller's public ministry, and a seminal moment in the "Great Awakening."
  
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By mid-1845, doctrinal lines amongst the various Millerite groups began to solidify, and the groups emphasized their differences, in a process George R. Knight terms "[[sect]] building". During this time, there were three main Millerite groups—in addition to those who had simply given up their beliefs.<ref>George R. Knight, ''Millennial Fever and the End of the World'', Boise, ID: Pacific Press, 1993, 232.</ref>
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<!--T:26-->
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Read more about it [http://books.google.com/books?vid=0ZIlw11aR1BzemPWI-pz7A&id=rqb2WKFJomwC&printsec=titlepage#v=onepage& here].
  
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The first major division of the Millerite groups who had not completely given up their belief in Christ's Second Advent were those who focused on the "shut-door" belief. This belief was popularized by Joseph Turner and was based on that key Millerite passage: {{bibleverse||Matthew|25:1-13|RSV}}—the parable of the ten virgins.<ref>Everett N. Dick, ''William Miller and the Advent Crisis'' Berrien Springs: [Andrews University] Press, 1994, 25.</ref>
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====Signs of the Times published==== <!--T:27-->
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The shut door mentioned in {{bibleverse||Matthew|25:11-12|NRSV}} was interpreted as the close of probation. As Knight explains, "After the door was shut, there would be no additional salvation. The wise virgins (true believers) would be in the kingdom, while the foolish virgins and all others would be on the outside."<ref>George R. Knight, ''Millennial Fever and the End of the World'', Boise, ID: Pacific Press, 1993, 236.</ref>
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Joshua V Himes was the pastor of the First Christian Church in Boston in the 1830's. Himes met William Miller in 1839 at Exeter, New Hampshire. Impressed, he invited Miller to speak at the Chardon Street Chapel. From these lectures Himes became convinced of the soon return of Christ, and sought opportunities for Miller to preach. In 1840 he published and edited the first Millerite newspaper, the '''Signs of the Times,'' in Boston. Note that this is not the same magazine as today's ''Signs of the Times'' which was first published by James White in 1874.
  
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The widespread acceptance of the shut-door belief lost ground as doubts were raised about the significance of the October 22, 1844, date—if nothing happened on that date, then there could be no shut door. The opposition to these shut-door beliefs was led by [[Joshua Vaughan Himes|Joshua Himes]] and make up the second post-1844 group. This faction soon gained the upper hand, even converting Miller to their point of view. Their influence was enhanced by the staging of the Albany Conference.  The [[Advent Christian Church]] has its roots in this post-Great Disappointment group.
+
<!--T:28-->
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After the Great Disappointment, he became a leader of the Evangelical Adventists and their American Millennial Association (1858), opposing Sabbatarian Adventism and their understanding of the sanctuary as well as those who believed in conditional immortality and the re-establishment of Israel before Christ's Second Coming.
  
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The third major post-disappointment Millerite group also claimed, like the Hale- and Turner-led group, that the October 22 date was correct. Rather than Christ returning invisibly, however, they came to view the event that took place on October 22, 1844, having been quite different. The theology of this third group appears to have had its beginnings as early as October 23, 1844—the day after the Great Disappointment. On that day, during a prayer session with a group of Advent believers, [[Hiram Edson]] became convinced that "light would be given" and their "disappointment explained."<ref>George R. Knight, ''Millennial Fever and the End of the World'', Boise, ID: Pacific Press, 1993, 305.</ref>  Edson's experience led him into an extended study on the topic with O. R. L. Crosier and F. B. Hahn. They came to the conclusion that Miller's assumption that the sanctuary represented the earth was in error.  "The sanctuary to be cleansed in {{bibleverse||Daniel|8:14|NRSV}} was not the earth or the church, but the sanctuary in heaven."<ref>George R. Knight, ''Millennial Fever and the End of the World'', Boise, ID: Pacific Press, 1993, 305-306.</ref> Therefore, the October 22 date marked not the Second Coming of Christ, but rather a heavenly event. Out of this third group arose the [[Seventh-day Adventist Church]], and this interpretation of the Great Disappointment forms the basis for the [[Seventh-day Adventist theology#Investigative Judgment|Seventh-day Adventist doctrine of the pre-Advent Divine Investigative Judgement]]. Their interpretations were published in early 1845 in the ''Day Dawn''.
+
====Great Disappointment==== <!--T:29-->
 +
During the Millerite Movement, October 22, 1844 was set as the date for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. On that date, many Adventist believers waited for His return.
  
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==Other views==
+
<!--T:30-->
−
===Psychological perspective===
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October 22 passed without incident, resulting in feelings of disappointment among many Millerites. Henry Emmons, a Millerite, later wrote,
−
The Great Disappointment is viewed by some scholars as an example of the psychological phenomenon of [[cognitive dissonance]].<ref>{{cite book
 
−
| first = Stephen
 
−
| last = O'Leary
 
−
| chapter = When Prophecy Fails and When it Succeeds: Apocalyptic Prediction and Re-Entry into Ordinary Time
 
−
| title = Apocalyptic Time
 
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| editor = Albert I. Baumgarten (ed.)
 
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| pages = 356
 
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| publisher = [[Brill Publishers]]
 
−
| year = 2000
 
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| isbn = 90-04-11879-9
 
−
| url = http://books.google.com/?id=7HBjQKtkJfEC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false
 
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| quote = Examining Millerite accounts of the Great Disappointment, it is clear that Festinger's theory of cognitive dissonance is relevant to the experience of this apocalyptic movement.}}</ref> The theory was proposed by [[Leon Festinger]] to describe the formation of new beliefs and increased proselytizing in order to reduce the tension, or dissonance, that results from [[When Prophecy Fails|failed prophecies]].<ref name="hartsem">{{cite web
 
−
| title = Encyclopedia of Religion and Society: Cognitive Dissonance
 
−
| url = http://hirr.hartsem.edu/ency/cogdisso.htm
 
−
| publisher = Hartland Institute
 
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| author = James T. Richardson
 
−
| accessdate = 2006-07-09}}</ref>  According to the theory, believers experienced tension following the failure of Jesus' reappearance in 1844, which led to a variety of new explanations. The various solutions form a part of the teachings of the different groups that outlived the disappointment.
 
  
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===Bahá'í===
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<!--T:31-->
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Members of the [[Bahá'í Faith]] believe that Miller's interpretation of signs and dates of the coming of Jesus were, for the most part, correct.<ref name="momen">{{cite journal | journal = Bahá'í Studies Review | volume = 2 | issue = 1 | year = 1992 | first = Moojan | last = Momen | title = Fundamentalism and Liberalism: towards an understanding of the dichotomy |url=http://bahai-library.com/momen_fundamentalism_liberalism_dichotomy }}</ref> They believe that the fulfillment of biblical prophecies of the coming of Christ came through a forerunner of their own religion, the [[Báb]]. According to the Báb's words, April 4, 1844 was "the first day that the Spirit descended" into his heart.<ref>{{cite journal| last =Momen | first = Moojan | title =Messianic Concealment and Theophanic Disclosure | journal =Online Journal of Bahá’í Studies | volume =1 | pages =71–88 | year =2007 | url =http://oj.bahaistudies.net/OJBS_1_Momen_Messianic_Concealment.pdf | issn =1177-8547 | accessdate = 4–14–2012}}</ref> His subsequent declaration to [[Mullá Husayn|Mullá Husayn-i Bushru'i]] that he was the "Promised One"—an event now commemorated by Bahá'ís as a [[Bahá'í calendar#Holy days|major holy day]]—took place on May 23rd, 1844. It was in October of that year that the Báb embarked on a [[Hajj|pilgrimage to Mecca]], where he openly declared his claims to the [[Sharif of Mecca]].<ref name="Chron">{{cite book |author = Cameron, G. |coauthors = & Momen, W. |year = 1996 |title = A Basic Bahá'í Chronology |publisher = George Ronald |location = Oxford, UK |isbn = 0-85398-404-2 | pages = 15–20, 125 }}</ref><ref name="gpb">{{cite book|title=God Passes By|author=Shoghi Effendi Rabbani|page=9|url=http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/se/GPB/gpb-2.html}}</ref> The first news coverage of these events in the West was in 1845 by ''[[The Times]]'',<ref>{{cite web | last = Momen | first = Moojan | title = Early Western Accounts of the Babi and Baha'i Faiths | work = Encyclopedia articles | publisher = Bahá'í Library Online | year = 1999 (online) | url =http://bahai-library.com/momen_encyclopedia_western_accounts | accessdate = 02–02–2012}}</ref> followed by others in 1850 in the United States.<ref>{{cite web | title =Early mention of Bábís in western newspapers, summer 1850| work = Historical documents and Newspaper articles| publisher =Bahá'í Library Online | date =9–17– 2010  | url =http://bahai-library.com/1850_brief_reports | accessdate = 4–14–2012}}</ref> The first Bahá'í to come to America was in 1892.<ref name="Chron"/> Several Bahá'í books and pamphlets make mention of the Millerites, the prophecies used by Miller and the Great Disappointment, most notably [[William Sears (Bahá'í)|William Sears]]'s ''Thief in the Night''.<ref name="sears">{{cite book |first=William |last=Sears |title=Thief in the Night |authorlink=William Sears (Bahá'í) |year=1961 |isbn=0-85398-008-X |publisher=George Ronald |location=London}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | first = Kenneth E. | last = Bowers | year = 2004 | publisher = Baha'i Publishing Trust | isbn = 1-931847-12-6 | title = God Speaks Again: An Introduction to the Bahá'í Faith | pages = 12 | url = http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=IOjBc_wK4m8C}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | title = I Shall Come Again | first = Hushidar Hugh | last = Motlagh | publisher = Global Perspective | location = Mt. Pleasant, MI | year = 1992 | isbn = 0-937661-01-5 | pages = 205–213  | edition = The Great Disappointment}}</ref>
+
{{bquote|I waited all Tuesday [October 22] and dear Jesus did not come;– I waited all the forenoon of Wednesday, and was well in body as I ever was, but after 12 o’clock I began to feel faint, and before dark I needed someone to help me up to my chamber, as my natural strength was leaving me very fast, and I lay prostrate for 2 days without any pain– sick with disappointment.}}
  
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==See also==
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<!--T:32-->
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*[[Adventist]]
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William Miller continued to wait for the second coming of Jesus Christ until his death in 1849.
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*[[Burned-over district]]
 
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*[[Christian revival]]
 
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*[[Christianity in the 19th century]]
 
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*[[Harold Camping]]
 
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*[[List of Christian denominations#Millerites and comparable groups]]
 
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*[[List of religions and religious denominations#Adventist and related churches]]
 
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*[[Millennialism]]
 
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*Other movements in [[:Category:Adventism]]
 
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*[[Unfulfilled religious predictions]]
 
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*[[2011 end times prediction]]
 
  
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==References==
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<!--T:33-->
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{{reflist}}
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Not only were the Millerites dealing with their own shattered expectations, they also faced considerable criticism and even violence from the general public. On November 18, 1844, Miller wrote to Himes about his experiences:
  
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==External links==
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<!--T:34-->
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* [http://www.whiteestate.org/books/gc/gc22.html The explanation of this great prophetic event (as understood after the passing of the time)]
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{{bquote|"Some are tauntingly enquiring, 'Have you not gone up?' Even little children in the streets are shouting continually to passersby, 'Have you a ticket to go up?' The public prints, of the most fashionable and popular kind…are caricaturing in the most shameful manner of the 'white robes of the saints,' Revelation 6:11, the 'going up,' and the great day of 'burning.' Even the pulpits are desecrated by the repetition of scandalous and false reports concerning the 'ascension robes', and priests are using their powers and pens to fill the catalogue of scoffing in the most scandalous periodicals of the day."}}
  
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[[Category:1844 in the United States]]
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[[Category:Adventism]]
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{{/requirement 5}}
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[[Category:Apocalypticism]]
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{{:Investiture Achievement/above}}
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[[Category:History of Christianity in the United States]]
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== ==
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[[Category:History of the Seventh-day Adventist Church]]
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{{/requirement 6}}
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[[Category:Prophecy]]
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<!--Create a time line showing the main events of the life of Jesus.-->
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[[Category:19th-century Christianity]]
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{|border=0
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[[Category:Christian terms]]
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|-
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[[Category:1844 in religion]]
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|align=right|∞ BC ||Jesus always was
 +
|-
 +
|align=right|~4000 BC ||Jesus creates our world
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|-
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|align=right|4 BC || Jesus born to Mary
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|-
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|align=right|9 AD || Jesus visits the Temple
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|-
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|align=right|27 AD || Jesus is baptized, ministry begins
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|-
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|align=right|31 AD || Crucifixion and Resurrection
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|-
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|align=right|1844 AD || Enters the heavenly sanctuary's Most Holy Place
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|-
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|align=right|?? AD || Second Coming
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|-
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|align=right|?? AD ?+1000 years || Third Coming, establishes His kingdom on Earth
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|-
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|align=right|∞ AD || Jesus will always be
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|}
  
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[[ca:Gran Decepció]]
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</translate>
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[[es:Gran Decepción]]
 
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[[nl:Great Disappointment]]
 
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[[sr:Велико разочарање]]
 
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[[sv:Den stora besvikelsen]]
 
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[[zh:再生论]]
 

Latest revision as of 20:42, 16 October 2023

Other languages:
English • ‎español


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Friend/Spiritual Discovery



Requirement 1a

Memorize in order the names of the New Testament books of the Bible and know the four areas into which the books are grouped.


The Books of the New Testament and the sections into which they are divided are as follows:

Gospels History Epistles Prophecy
  • Matthew
  • Mark
  • Luke
  • John
  • Acts
  • Romans
  • 1 Corinthians
  • 2 Corinthians
  • Galatians
  • Ephesians
  • Philippians
  • Colossians
  • 1 Thessalonians
  • 2 Thessalonians
  • 1 Timothy
  • 2 Timothy
  • Titus
  • Philemon
  • Hebrews
  • James
  • 1 Peter
  • 2 Peter
  • 1 John
  • 2 John
  • 3 John
  • Jude
  • Revelation

Memorization is so much easier when it is done in song rather than by rote. The Books of the New Testament can be sung to the tune of the "A, B, C" song.

TODO: find this on Youtube.

Matthew, Mark, Luke, John,
Acts and Romans
First Corinthians, Second Corinthians,
Galatians and Ephesians,
Philippians, Colossians
First Thessalonians,
Second Thessalonians
First and Second Timothy
Titus and Philemon
Hebrews, James
First and Second Peter
First and Second, Third John,
Jude and Revelation!

If that version does not appeal to you (or your Pathfinders), there are other songs that accomplish the same goal also on YouTube.

If some song using the New Testament is sung during the opening ceremonies at the beginning of each meeting, each Pathfinder in regular attendance will know the books of the New Testament by the end of the year.

Requirement 1b

Demonstrate your ability to find any New Testament book.


Once the books of the New Testament are known in order, finding them in the Bible will be much easier. If you save this requirement for closer to the end of the Pathfinder year, then your Friends will have had a chance to sing the New Testament song dozens of times before they have to demonstrate their ability to do this. Tell them to practice it at home ahead of time.

A fun way of having the kids find books quickly is to have a Bible Sword Drill. This is a group activity to give the participant practice in locating the books of the Bible quickly. Ephesians 6:13-17 describes the Christian “armor” of which the Sword is the Word of God (verse 17).

There are many variants of Bible Sword Drills. It is important to have them do this with a printed version of the Bible rather than an electronic device. Otherwise they are demonstrating their ability to use the device rather than to find a book in the Bible.

Sword Drill One

  1. Select participants:

a) Two Pathfinders (or staff) to hold the rope. b)As many Pathfinders as desired.

  1. Participants will form one straight line behind a rope held immediately in front of them approximately 30 inches from the floor. Their Bible is to be held (sheathed) under their left arm.
  2. Leaders will give the commands: “ATTEN-TION: “DRAW SWORDS”. Participants quickly bring their right hand across their body-draw their sword (Bible) and hold it in front of them, closed, waist high, ready to find the reference.
  3. Leader announces the reference, eg: “The Book of Mark” (begin with the well-know books), or ask for a book from one of the sections, eg: gospels, letters. The exercise becomes more difficult as you call the smaller books, or ask for specific chapter and verse.
  4. No participant moves until the order is given: “CHARGE”. The rope is dropped to their feet while the participants quickly find the reference. Immediately the reference is found, they take one pace forward, keeping one hand on the open page of the Bible.
  5. A ten second time limit is given from the command “CHARGE” to find the reference and step one pace forward. (Vary the time limit to suit the experience of your group).
  6. The timekeeper will call “TIME” as the time limit expires. The rope will immediately be raised, perhaps catching some participants part way across. They should return behind the line.
  7. Each participant who steps across the line before the time limit is reached is a winner.
  8. An appointed judge will inspect the references.
  9. An award of two points can be given to each winner. See who is the first to get to twenty.
  10. Leader shall call “ONE PACE BACKWARD MARCH”. Ropekeepers shall lower the rope and raise it again after the participants have crossed it.
  11. Leader shall call “SHEATH SWORDS”. Participants quickly tuck their Bibles under their left arm and return right hand to their side.
  12. Ready now to repeat activity from “DRAW SWORDS”.

Sword Drill Two

Another approach is to divide the Pathfinders into two teams. Then have one Pathfinder at a time look up the verse (use a different verse for each Pathfinder) as you time them with a stopwatch (if you don't have a stopwatch, see if your cellphone does). Record their individual times and add them to the team's time. When everyone has had a turn, the team with the quickest time wins.

Requirement 2

Memorize a Bible text for the following subjects:

  • Prayer
  • Doctrine
  • Behavior
  • Salvation
  • Relationships
  • Promises/Praise
  • Great Passages



Spiritual Discovery Requirement 2 is the same for Friend, Companion and Explorer. Each year Pathfinders should memorize a new verse not previously memorized for each topic. Your Pathfinders are not restricted to these suggested texts or the NKJV version of the Bible used on the printed sheet. Encourage them to pick texts and versions that they find most meaningful. Click here for a page with the complete text of these verses that you can print and hand out to your Pathfinders.



Prayer Doctrine Behavior
Salvation Relationships Promises/Praise
Great Passages

Do you know some other great verses? Click here to add them!


Techniques

There are several approaches to memorizing Scripture.

Erase the words
Write the Bible verse on a white board and have everyone read it aloud together. Then erase a word and have them read it again, supplying the erased word. Continue erasing words and reading the verse aloud until all the words are gone. At this point, the entire class should know the verse.
Hand write the verse
Write the verses down several times by hand until you can do it from memory.
In song
Many passages of scripture have been set to music. Memorizing the lyrics to a song is a lot easier than memorizing raw text, and the memory will last for years. If the verse you are trying to memorize has already been set to music, switch to the version of the text that matches the song. If it has not been set to music, make up your own tune. Explore different translations of the text to see which one lends itself best to your song.
Say it aloud
Hearing it and saying it will reinforce it much better than just "thinking" it will.
Say it with rhythm
This is similar to the "in song" approach from above, but it is often easier to make up a rhythm than it is to make up a whole tune. Clap your hands and stomp your feet at various places in the verse if that helps. Turn it into a clapping game like "pat-a-cake" and learn it with a friend.
Add action
How many songs do you know that have motions associated with them? If you're making up hand claps and foot stomps, it will help even more if you add other actions such as casting a fishing line, or tracing the outline of a heart in the air.
Make a rebus
A rebus uses pictures to represent words or parts of words. For instance, the word "I" is represented with a graphic depiction of an eye. If you spend enough time coming up with a clever rebus for your verse, you will likely have memorized it by the time you are finished.
Find structure in the verse
Write the verse out so that it highlights the structure. Recall that Hebrew poetry works by repeating an idea using different words. Line them up! We also find structure in New Testament verses. For instance, 1 John 2:3 could be written like this:

Now by this
   we know that
   we know Him,
if we keep His commandments.

This approach lines up the common words "we know" and helps the brain to organize the verse more effectively. It also lines up the third "we" with the first two, so that it's possible to memorize a shorthand for this verse - "we know, we know, we keep". This forms a skeleton upon which we can hang the rest of the words. Look for other structure as well, such as that the word following "we" always starts with a 'k' and has four letters.
Use a Puzzlemaker Online
to create written activities for scripture such as:
  • Crosswords
  • Wordles
  • Fill in the blanks/Missing letters
  • Blank out (Similar to Hangman)
  • Scripture Scrambles
Step On It
Print out each word of a passage on paper, one word per page in large print. Lay the paper on the floor and step down on each page as you say the text. Remove words from time to time.
Writers Block
Write each word of a passage on blocks of wood, one word per block. Mix up the blocks and put the text back together. Two block sets of the same verse makes for an exciting game!

Do you know some approaches? Click here to add them!


Requirement 3

Participate in a skit on a story about the life of Jesus like:

  • Jesus in the temple at 12.
  • Jesus being tempted in the wilderness.
  • Jesus feeding the 5,000.
  • Or another favorite story about Jesus



Here are some skits that will fulfill this requirement:

If you have a skit of your own, please consider adding it to our Wiki!

Requirement 4

Learn about the world-wide Advent Awakening (late 1700s to 1844 time period) by identifying seven people and three events explaining why they are important.


People

George Whitefield
English Anglican preacher who helped spread the Great Awakening in Britain, and especially in the British North American colonies. He was one of the founders of Methodism and of the evangelical movement generally.

Jonathan Edwards
Oversaw some of the first revivals in 1733–35 at his church in Northampton, Massachusetts

William Miller
Baptist preacher who is widely regarded as one of the founding members of the Adventist faith. He interpreted Biblical prophecy of the Second Coming. Originally opposed the setting of a definite date for the Second Advent.
Joshua V. Himes
Began Publishing The Signs of the Times
Samuel S. Snow
Originally an agent for an atheistic newspaper, he became a converted Christian in 1839. Set the date for the Second Coming as October 22, 1844.
Barton W. Stone
Began Restoration Movement with Alexander Campbell. Published Christian Messenger starting 1826.
Charles Finney
An innovator at many revival meetings. Commonly had women pray publicly at meetings of mixed gender.
Hiram Edson
Introduced the Sanctuary Doctrine to the early members of the Adventist Church.
Josiah Litch
Charles Fitch
Johann L. Bengel
H. Heintzpeter
Edward Irving
Louise Gaussen
Henry Drummond
Francisco Ramos Mejia
Robert Winter
Joseph Wolff
Manuel de Lacacunza

Resource: General Conference Youth Department (2002). Church Heritage Manual. Nebraska: AdventSource, 9 – 15.

Events

The Great Awakening began with three events which were a fulfillment of the Bible prophecies found in Matthew 24.


7For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. 29“Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
— Matthew 24:7, 29,30 (NIV)

The first event was an earthquake in Lisbon, Portugal on November 1, 1755. This event destroyed nearly all the important churches in the city, leading people to turn to the Bible for an explanation.

The second event is known as "The Dark Day", and it occurred throughout New England, south to New Jersey in the United States on May 19, 1780. The darkness was so complete that candles were required from noon on. It did not disperse until the middle of the next night. For several days before the Dark Day, the sun as viewed from New England appeared to be red, and the sky appeared yellow. Also, when the night really came in, observers saw the moon colored red. Again people turned to the scriptures for an explanation and found one in Matthew 24:29.

The third event were the meteorite showers on November 13 & 25, 1833, fulfilling the portion of the prophecy which states that the stars will fall from the sky. Though these were not really "stars" in the scientific sense, most people call meteorites "falling stars," so it does match in the linguistic sense. The shower was so bright that it woke people from their slumber, and people were able to read by its light. Many went outside to witness the event, again turning to Matthew 24 to understand its significance (which they found in Matthew 30 - these were signs of Jesus' soon return).

William Miller called to preach

William Miller had studied the Biblical prophecies found in Daniel and came to the conclusion that Jesus would return to Earth in the Autumn of 1843 (the date of October 22, 1844 was not set until later). He kept his conclusion to himself for several years until the Lord impressed him to "Go and tell it to the world." He resisted this impression, but was not able to rest. In a final act of desperation, he told the Lord that if He would "open a way," then he would go. He then felt the Lord asking him, "What do you mean by 'opening the way?'" He answered the Lord that if he were invited to speak someplace, then he would go and tell them what he had found out about the Lord's soon coming. At this he felt a great peace and was able to relax, thinking there was no way anyone was going to invite him anywhere to preach.

After half an hour had passed, he heard a knock on the door. It was the son of a Mr Guilford, from Dresden about 16 miles away. He told William Miller that there was no one to preach the sermon at their church the next day, and his father had asked him to invite Mr Miller to preach to them on the Second Coming.

Miller was incredibly distraught and fled to a grove on his farm without giving the boy an answer. He was furious with himself for making his bargain with God, and was intent on not following through. However, he changed his mind and accepted the invitation. This was the beginning of William Miller's public ministry, and a seminal moment in the "Great Awakening."

Read more about it here.

Signs of the Times published

Joshua V Himes was the pastor of the First Christian Church in Boston in the 1830's. Himes met William Miller in 1839 at Exeter, New Hampshire. Impressed, he invited Miller to speak at the Chardon Street Chapel. From these lectures Himes became convinced of the soon return of Christ, and sought opportunities for Miller to preach. In 1840 he published and edited the first Millerite newspaper, the 'Signs of the Times, in Boston. Note that this is not the same magazine as today's Signs of the Times which was first published by James White in 1874.

After the Great Disappointment, he became a leader of the Evangelical Adventists and their American Millennial Association (1858), opposing Sabbatarian Adventism and their understanding of the sanctuary as well as those who believed in conditional immortality and the re-establishment of Israel before Christ's Second Coming.

Great Disappointment

During the Millerite Movement, October 22, 1844 was set as the date for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. On that date, many Adventist believers waited for His return.

October 22 passed without incident, resulting in feelings of disappointment among many Millerites. Henry Emmons, a Millerite, later wrote,

I waited all Tuesday [October 22] and dear Jesus did not come;– I waited all the forenoon of Wednesday, and was well in body as I ever was, but after 12 o’clock I began to feel faint, and before dark I needed someone to help me up to my chamber, as my natural strength was leaving me very fast, and I lay prostrate for 2 days without any pain– sick with disappointment.

William Miller continued to wait for the second coming of Jesus Christ until his death in 1849.

Not only were the Millerites dealing with their own shattered expectations, they also faced considerable criticism and even violence from the general public. On November 18, 1844, Miller wrote to Himes about his experiences:

"Some are tauntingly enquiring, 'Have you not gone up?' Even little children in the streets are shouting continually to passersby, 'Have you a ticket to go up?' The public prints, of the most fashionable and popular kind…are caricaturing in the most shameful manner of the 'white robes of the saints,' Revelation 6:11, the 'going up,' and the great day of 'burning.' Even the pulpits are desecrated by the repetition of scandalous and false reports concerning the 'ascension robes', and priests are using their powers and pens to fill the catalogue of scoffing in the most scandalous periodicals of the day."

Trail Friend Friend Ribbon.jpeg

Requirement 5

Complete Friend requirements.



You must complete the requirements listed above this one on the current page.

Requirement 6

Create a time line showing the main events of the life of Jesus.


∞ BC Jesus always was
~4000 BC Jesus creates our world
4 BC Jesus born to Mary
9 AD Jesus visits the Temple
27 AD Jesus is baptized, ministry begins
31 AD Crucifixion and Resurrection
1844 AD Enters the heavenly sanctuary's Most Holy Place
?? AD Second Coming
?? AD ?+1000 years Third Coming, establishes His kingdom on Earth
∞ AD Jesus will always be
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