Origins of the 1844 Doctrine | Investigative Judgment

So where did the SDA 1844 Doctrine originate? Where did this addition come from? 

Knowing that the Bible distinctly tells us not to add to or take from what is written, going to the source is advisable to discern whether something should or should not be embraced.

Where did the 1844 doctrine originate?

William Miller, a Baptist preacher, whose followers were known as the Millerites, taught that the 2300 "days" mentioned in Daniel 8:14 ended in 1844 and that this meant Jesus would return to earth.

Jesus did not return and this event became known as the Great Disappointment.

How did the 1844 doctrine infiltrate the SDA?

After the Great Disappointment, some Millerites abandoned the movement, but a small group tried to reinterpret what happened. 

The reinterpretation claimed that Jesus did not return to earth in 1844, but instead He moved into a new phase of heavenly ministry - the "Investigative Judgment" or "Cleansing of the Sanctuary".

This reinterpretation was developed by:

• Hiran Edson
• ORL Crusier
• FR Hahn

The date and the prophetic calculation were already in place before Ellen White had a vision confirming their reinterpretation and giving it prophetic authority.

Ellen White's visions did several things. They endorsed the reinterpretation as truth, protected the reinterpretation from being abandoned whilst elevating it to a core SDA doctrine and giving it spiritual authority within the movement.

Without her prophetic endorsement, the 1844 doctrine would almost certainly have faded away like other Millerite ideas.

So whilst the 1844 doctrine did not originate with her, Ellen White validated and cemented the doctrine into the Adventist beliefs.

Interestingly, William Miller did not accept the reinterpretation.

Why does it matter?

This doctrine does not rest on Scripture alone, but on:

• Miller's prediction and failed prophecy.
• A reinterpretation of the doctrine to explain its failure.
• Ellen White's visions confirming that reinterpretation as correct.

We must be careful to ensure that everything we believe lines up perfectly with the Bible without adding or subtracting to please ourselves. God has the final word.

Ellen White's connection to the Millerites

The Millerite movement (1830s - 1844) was a widespread, interdenominational revival led by William Miller. Ellen Harmon (later White) and her family accepted Miller's preaching and became active participants in the movement.

The Great Disappointment of 1844, and Ellen's vision confirming the groups reinterpretation of the event, prevented the group collapsing despite many departures. Ellen became the "prophetic voice" of the group who began looking to her for guidance. Her influence helped transformed the Millerites into the Seventh Day Adventist Church.

Next Week: Repentance Prayer for Believing Unfinished Atonement

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