..in Central Europe, the Rappites and the Millerites in 19th century America, and more recently the Jehovah's Witnesses. The Millerites of upstate New York were one fairly typical millenarian sect. In 1818, William Miller, the group's founder,... http://www.reason.com/blog/show/121982.html DiCaprio's The 11th Hour: We are the Most Important Generation in History
Ronald Bailey | August 16, 2007, 11:38am Millenarianism has a venerable history in the West traced back to early Christians who anxiously anticipated an imminent Last Judgment and the advent of a "new heaven and a new earth" (Rev. 21:1).
This Western predisposition to millenarianism spawned various sects including the Anabaptists and the Hussites in Central Europe, the Rappites and the Millerites in 19th century America, and more recently the Jehovah's Witnesses. The Millerites of upstate New York were one fairly typical millenarian sect. In 1818, William Miller, the group's founder, calculated that Christ's Second Coming would take place during the next 25 years. Spectacular meteor showers and a huge comet were taken as unmistakable portents of impending disaster. After several missed dates, Miller finally predicted that the end would definitely come on
October 22, 1844. One the appointed day many believers, dressed in white robes, climbed nearby hilltops to await the apocalypse. "The Great Disappointment" is how the Seventh Day Adventists , the modern successors of the Millerites, characterize Miller's prophetic failure. -------
Danny Haszard comment:
There is abundant compelling proof that the Jehovah's Witnesses are a spin-off of the William Miller movement,same as many other apocalyptic groups.
The central CORE doctrine of the Watchtower,the reason they came into existence was to proclaim Jesus Christ second coming in 1914.They will now deny that they ever made this claim,that's called BAIT AND SWITCH
For 50 plus years the masthead of the Watchtower,viewed when you opened up to the inside front cover would read as follows:
"This magazine(Watchtower) builds up confidence in the Creators PROMISE of a peaceful and secure "new world" before the generation "that witnessed" the EVENTS OF 1914 passes away"".
By their own admission the Watchtowers has published this dogma in hundreds of millions of pieces of their own literature.
They deleted this false Adventist millerite derived prophecy in 1995 because it had FAILED.
The Watchtower leadership has "purged" hundreds of thousands of followers over the years for failing to uphold the 1914 (Jesus came to power) loyalty oath to this now defunct dogma.
The Bible clearly warns to turn away from false prophets.
