What caused the great disappointment?

The great disappointment refers to the event that occurred on October 22, 1844, when a significant number of people who followed the teachings of William Miller anticipated the Second Coming of Christ. The expectation was based on Miller's interpretation of biblical prophecies, particularly the prophecies in the Book of Daniel, which he believed indicated that Christ would return and cleanse the sanctuary on that specific date.

The underlying cause of the great disappointment can be attributed to the misunderstanding or misinterpretation of the Scriptures and the signs surrounding the prophetic calendar. Many adherents miscalculated the prophetic timeline due to a reliance on a specific interpretation that did not take into account the broader context of biblical prophecy and the nature of Christ's return. This resulted in a collective disappointment when the anticipated event did not occur, leading many to reassess their understanding of the messages conveyed through the Scriptures.

This interpretation emphasizes the importance of careful and contextual study of biblical texts to avoid misapplication and misguided anticipations, as was demonstrated by the Millerite Movement that culminated in the great disappointment.