1. William Miller's Preaching: William Miller, a Baptist farmer and preacher from New York, played a pivotal role in the advent awakening. He studied the prophecies in the Bible and concluded that the second coming of Christ would occur on October 22, 1844. Miller's preaching gained popularity and attracted thousands of followers, known as Millerites.
2. The Great Disappointment: When October 22, 1844, passed without the expected return of Christ, it resulted in widespread disappointment among the Millerites. This event became known as the Great Disappointment. However, it also led to various theological discussions and the formation of new religious groups.
3. The Seventh-day Adventist Church: Out of the Millerite movement, the Seventh-day Adventist Church was formed. Ellen G. White, a young woman who experienced visions, became a prominent figure in the church and played a key role in its development and theological teachings.
4. The Great Awakening in the United States: The advent awakening was part of a broader religious revival in the United States known as the Second Great Awakening. This period was marked by heightened spiritual fervor, camp meetings, and the spread of evangelical Protestantism.
5. Spread to Europe: The advent awakening also had an impact in Europe, influencing religious movements and sparking discussions about the end times. In Britain, the Plymouth Brethren emerged as a group emphasizing the imminence of Christ's return.
6. Shaker Movement: The Shaker movement, characterized by communal living, celibacy, and spiritual dancing, also gained prominence during this time. The Shakers believed in the imminent second coming and prepared for it by living a simple and communal lifestyle.
7. Early Pentecostalism: The advent awakening laid the groundwork for the development of early Pentecostalism, which emerged in the early 20th century. Pentecostalism emphasizes the baptism of the Holy Spirit, speaking in tongues, and the gifts of the Spirit as signs of the end times.
These are some of the important events associated with the worldwide advent awakening, demonstrating the profound impact it had on religious thought and the development of various religious movements in the 19th century.