Here is an article talking about William Miller's Great Disappointment and a utopian settlement established by one of his followers, Peter Armstrong. The author's statements reveal several similarities between the Millerites and their successors, the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society:
- Founded in Pennsylvania
- Founder William Miller "... decided to offer his own interpretation of the Bible, and while doing
so, amassed a number of followers in mid-19th century United States."
- "Following a period of studying the Holy Word, he concluded that the
Second Coming of Christ was imminent and that it would bring with it the
end of the world in the form of a battle of good versus evil. Miller’s
musings were largely based on Daniel 8:14: 'Unto two thousand and three
hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed,' which he took as
meaning the cleansing of the earth by fire."
- Predictions of the End Times did not come to pass (1843-1844)
- Pacifism and opposition to the draft (US Civil War)
- Publication of The Day Star of Zion (note similarity to Russell's original Zion's Watch Tower) and Banner of Life
- When Armstrong started his religious colony "The land itself was deeded to 'Almighty God, who inhabiteth Eternity,
and His heirs in Jesus Messiah,' thus making it God’s own property" (similar to Beth Sarim and Beth Shan being deeded to the Old Testament prophets.)
Rather than being the sole true remnant of the true christian faith, WTBTS is preaching a variation on the same failed story. Adding insult to injury, the article does not even name WTBTS as successors to Miller's teachings: Seventh Day Adventists made the cut, but JW.org did not rate a mention!
https://www.thevintagenews.com/2018/05/23/celestia-pennsylvania/