The Great Disappointment (October 22, 1844)

Daniel 8:14 was the verse in the Bible that William Miller and others considered to be indicative that Christ would reappear in 1843 (amended to 1844). Miller was not mistaken in regard to the significance of this date, but rather in the manner with which Jesus would manifest Himself when it rolled around. There was, to be sure, an extreme level of “disappointment” when Jesus did not physically return to earth as scheduled, and the majority who had been following Miller abandoned him after this “no-show.” But a core remained loyal, including the Harmons (the maiden name of Ellen Gould White). The riddle as to what may have actually transpired on October 22, 1844 was revealed to Hiram Edson. He was granted what is designated the “Cornfield Vision,” wherein it was revealed that this day, instead of marking the “cleansing of the earthly sanctuary” (the return of Jesus to earth), instead marked the transition of the Son of God into the inner chamber of the heavenly sanctuary. There, He began what is referred to as the “investigative judgment.” The loyal core of the Advent movement had faith in this vision of Edson, and maintains this faith unto this day.