A BIOGRAPHY—WILLIAM MILLER

Written and Compiled by Dionne Sabbay ThompsonJune 22, 2011 (Revised)

Let’s take a glance into the history of the Three Angels’ messages:

Historically, the Three Angels’ Messages have left their mark, each Angel, reserving a compartment in earth’s history (Revelation 14:6-12). The First Angel’s message began in 1831 A.D., (Early Writings pages 232-237, Great Controversy page 331); the Second Angel’s Message commenced in 1844 A.D. (summer), (Great Controversy page 389); and the Third Angel’s Message emerged in 1844 A.D. (fall), (Great Controversy page 432). The Loud Cry of the Third Angel’s message is where we stand today in 2009, leading into 2010.1

Daniel 8:14 is the foundation for the Adventist Movement, edifying earth’s populace about the 2300 day prophetic message and the cleansing of the Heavenly Sanctuary. Through this knowledge, God was able to bring His people to truth regarding His movement from Apartment one to Apartment two within the Heavenly Sanctuary - Great Controversy chapter 24. The Ancient children of Israel were warned ten days in advance before the Day of Atonement, and consequently, all sinners were cleansed from iniquity, by

1 Thompson, D. A Soul Sealed at Character Perfection (2010) p. 7-8

means of the earthly Sanctuary’s High Priest, a Levite. At present, within the Heavenly Sanctuary, God is prepared to cleanse the Sanctuary completely from sin, however, He requires that His righteous remnant, by way of His righteous robe, manifest complete VICTORY OVER SIN; unto their irreversible sealing by the living God Eph. 4:30, 1John 3:9, Rev. 3:7-13, Great Controversy pgs. 401-403.  

FIRST ANGEL’S MESSAGE AND MOVEMENT 

It is wise to re-read Rev. 10:10 and 14:6-7, as it points to biblical prophecy regarding William Miller’s experience, the First Angel’s message and all other significant historic data.

While it is commonly rumored that Miller was born in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, for clarity and consistency the below referenced source reveals that “William Miller was born in 1782 in Low Hampton, New York, a rural region of lakes, rolling hills, and farms in the upper part of New York State.  His childhood was normal for a boy growing up on a farm:  long working hours, care for crops and animals, and Sundays spent with his family at the Baptist church in the nearby village”: He was set apart as a voracious reader.2  

“In 1803 he married and moved to Poultney, Vermont, in the Green Mountains”.  His wife, Lucy Miller, supported his life as a Bibliophile.3

 

Miller’s life was filled with varied adventurous pathways, as he “volunteered for service in the War of 1812”.  In 1815, he returned from the war in victory.  “The rashness of the war, however and the improbability of the victory at Plattsburg made him question the basis of his Deistic beliefs” Ibid p. 28.  Being an avid reader, intrigued with the book of Daniel, Miller turned to the Bible for answers, as he perceived that “God had not abandoned the world”.4 

After careful study of Daniel’s eighth chapter, Miller, in 1818 “…came to the conclusion that, based upon the text, Christ would return ‘about the year 1843,’ the 2300 days mentioned in Daniel having passed, according to his calculations, and ‘in about twenty-five years…all the affairs of our present

2The Seventh-day Adventists—A History by A. Devereaux-Jordan p. 25.3Ibid. p. 26.4Ibid. p. 28.

2

state would be wound up'.  This doctrine of a ‘temporal’ millennium—a period when sin would be eliminated, the world evangelized, and universal happiness would prevail—was not a new one”.5  However, Miller was not alone, as “Writers in Britain and continental Europe, as well as North America, had reached similar conclusions.  The most popular dates set for the millennium were 1843, 1844, and 1847, though some looked to 1866 or 1867.  The Energy behind the predictions of these writers had died out quickly, however, unlike the enthusiasm Miller was to generate with his prophecies”.6 

In 1833, Miller answered his calling (becoming a licensed Minister): and, he elected to speak at varied churches regarding God's Truth.  Most salient was an occurrence that confirmed Miller’s prediction.  Matt. 24:29 reveals that “immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heaven shall be shaken”.  In this same year, there was a timely prophetic meteor shower as reported by W.J. Fisher in 1934 as “the most significant meteor shower on record.  In 1876 R.M. Devens called it astounding.  He had observed it from the edge of Niagra Falls and wrote ‘…an incessant play of dazzlingly brilliant luminosities was kept up in the whole heavens’”.7 

“For the Millerites the meteor shower seemed the second sign of the imminent arrival of Christ.  The first sign, they felt, was a ‘darkening of the sun’ that had occurred on May 19, 1780.  On that day an eclipse occurred that began between 10 and 11 A.M. and lasted approximately fifteen hours.  This ‘darkening,’ combined with the falling of the stars in 1833, convinced Miller and his followers that the Advent of Christ was near".8

 

“By 1840 Miller actually included a number of prominent ministers of the time among his followers.  The most influential of them, to Miller, was Joseph V. Himes. He urged Miller to shift from preaching in small, rural areas to preaching in cities so he could reach more people.  Himes took over the promotion of Miller’s views, and organized and promoted Miller’s movement”.9

5Ibid. p. 29.6Ibid. p. 29.7Ibid. p. 30.8 Ibid. p. 31. 9Ibid. p. 31.

3

Character Purity Ministries,   located in Pelham, New York (Westchester County), aims to edify the globe about the Three Angels' Messages, the Loud cry and all relevant end-time present Truth, as Christ's return is imminent: and, He hopes to cut His work short in righteousness Rom. 1:16-17, 9:28; Rev. 14:6-12, 18:1-4.

4

ADVENTISTWHEAT® PUBLISHING ASSOCIATION

5