What significant event took place in 1844 for the Advent believers?

In 1844, the significant event for Advent believers was the Great Disappointment. This event arose from a widespread expectation that Jesus Christ would return to Earth that year, a belief based on interpretations of the prophetic timeline found in the Book of Daniel, specifically Daniel 8:14, which mentions the cleansing of the sanctuary. When this event did not occur as anticipated, it led to profound disappointment among those who had been fervently waiting for Christ’s second coming.

The Great Disappointment was pivotal in shaping the identity of the Adventist movement. While many abandoned their beliefs after this event, a smaller group, which would eventually form the Seventh-day Adventist Church, reassessed their understanding of scripture and began to develop new theological perspectives. This led to an emphasis on doctrines such as the investigative judgment and the importance of the Sabbath, which are central to Adventist beliefs today.

Other events mentioned, such as the establishment of the first church, the public ministry of Ellen G. White, and the formation of the General Conference, are significant in their own right but did not occur specifically in 1844 and are not directly tied to the foundational moment of the Great Disappointment, which truly defines that year for Adventist history.