What was the main purpose of William Miller's teachings?

William Miller's teachings were primarily focused on predicting the return of Christ. He is best known for his role in the Second Great Awakening and for his interpretation of biblical prophecies, particularly those in the Book of Daniel and the Book of Revelation. Miller calculated that Christ would return around 1844 based on his interpretation of these prophetic timelines, a belief that sparked the Millerite movement.

This prediction generated significant interest and anticipation among individuals seeking spiritual renewal and understanding of eschatological events. His teachings did not fundamentally center on reforming church practices or advocating for social justice, even though some followers may have been inspired towards those ends. Similarly, while he did propose interpretations of scripture, the central focus remained on the imminent return of Jesus Christ, which mobilized a community of believers and led to considerable fervor during that period. Thus, the essence of Miller's impact lies in his emphasis on the expected second coming of Christ.