Only One Thing to Fear

In chapter 7, “Our Mission,” we looked at the prophetic rise and mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. We reviewed how our history as a denomination was preceded by the urgent proclamation of the soon return of Jesus through the preaching of William Miller and many others. When Jesus did not return on October 22, 1844, the Advent believers (those who believed Jesus would return on that day, based on the 2300-day prophecy of Daniel 8:14) experienced what became known as the Great Disappointment. Out of that disappointment, however, the Seventh-day Adventist Church was soon born. This chapter will review in more detail the key events and developments that led to the biblical foundation and ultimate formation of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Why is it important to understand how God has led in our church’s history? As Ellen White so aptly states, it is because it would cost us too much should we ever forget. “In reviewing our past history, having traveled over every step of advance to our present standing, I can say, Praise God! As I see what the Lord has wrought, I am filled with astonishment and with confidence in Christ as leader. We have nothing to fear for the future, except as we shall forget the way the Lord has led us, and His teaching in our past history” (Life Sketches of Ellen G. White, p. 196).

We have nothing to fear, except as we forget. Let us, then, take time to remember how God has led, and His teaching in our past history.