A Worldwide Movement - Steps to Life

January 18 – 24, 2026

Key Text

“So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors!” Matthew 24:33

Study Help: Selected Messages, Book 3, 169, 170; The Upward Look, 90, 91

Introduction

“Christ had bidden His people watch for the signs of His advent and rejoice as they should behold the tokens of their coming King.” The Great Controversy, 308

Sunday

1 “IT IS NEAR”

1.a. What conviction took hold of many people as the year 1844 was drawing near? Matthew 24:33

Note: “Like the great Reformation of the sixteenth century, the advent movement appeared in different countries of Christendom at the same time. In both Europe and America men of faith and prayer were led to the study of the prophecies, and, tracing down the inspired record, they saw convincing evidence that the end of all things was at hand. In different lands there were isolated bodies of Christians who, solely by the study of the Scriptures, arrived at the belief that the Saviour’s advent was near.” The Great Controversy, 357

Dr. Joseph Wolff: Africa, Asia, USA (Ibid., 357–362)
Manuel Lacunza: South America (Ibid., 363)
Johann Bengel: Germany (Ibid., 363)
Gaussen: France and Switzerland (Ibid., 364)
Child-preachers: Scandinavia (Ibid., 366, 367)
Dissenters, nonconformists, and many ministers of the Church of England: Great Britain (Ibid., 362)

1.b. In America, which prophecy led William Miller to preach the message of the soon return of Christ? Daniel 8:14

Note: “To William Miller and his colaborers it was given to preach the warning in America. This country became the center of the great advent movement. It was here that the prophecy of the first angel’s message had its most direct fulfillment. The writings of Miller and his associates were carried to distant lands. Wherever missionaries had penetrated in all the world, were sent the glad tidings of Christ’s speedy return. …

“The testimony of the prophecies which seemed to point to the coming of Christ in the spring of 1844 took deep hold of the minds of the people. As the message went from state to state, there was everywhere awakened widespread interest. Many were convinced that the arguments from the prophetic periods were correct, and, sacrificing their pride of opinion, they joyfully received the truth. Some ministers laid aside their sectarian views and feelings, left their salaries and their churches, and united in proclaiming the coming of Jesus. There were comparatively few ministers, however, who would accept this message; therefore, it was largely committed to humble laymen. Farmers left their fields, mechanics their tools, traders their merchandise, professional men their positions; and yet the number of workers was small in comparison with the work to be accomplished. The condition of an ungodly church and a world lying in wickedness, burdened the souls of the true watchmen, and they willingly endured toil, privation, and suffering, that they might call men to repentance unto salvation. Though opposed by Satan, the work went steadily forward, and the advent truth was accepted by many thousands.” The Great Controversy, 368

Monday

2 PROPHETIC SIGNS

2.a. What prophetic signs actually showed that Christ’s coming was near? Matthew 24:29, 30; Revelation 6:12, 13

Note: Mighty earthquake: 1755, The Great Controversy, 304

The darkening of the sun and moon: May 19, 1780, Ibid., 306

The great meteoric shower: November 13, 1833, Ibid., 333

2.b. What remarkable fulfillment of prophecy took place in 1840? Revelation 9:1–5, 15

Note: “In the year 1840, another remarkable fulfillment of prophecy excited widespread interest. Two years before, Josiah Litch, one of the leading ministers preaching the second advent, published an exposition of Revelation 9, predicting the fall of the Ottoman Empire. According to his calculations, this power was to be overthrown ‘in A.D. 1840, sometime in the month of August.’ …

“At the very time specified, Turkey, through her ambassadors, accepted the protection of the allied powers of Europe, and thus placed herself under the control of Christian nations. The event exactly fulfilled the prediction. When it became known, multitudes were convinced of the correctness of the principles of prophetic interpretation adopted by Miller and his associates, and a wonderful impetus was given to the advent movement.” The Great Controversy, 334, 335

Tuesday

3 “THE BRIDEGROOM TARRIED”

3.a. What question did many sinners ask as they identified themselves with the advent movement? Acts 16:30, last part

Note: “All classes flocked to the Adventist meetings. Rich and poor, high and low, were, from various causes, anxious to hear for themselves the doctrine of the second advent.” The Great Controversy, 369

“Wherever the message was given, it moved the people. Sinners repented, wept, and prayed for forgiveness, and those whose lives had been marked with dishonesty were anxious to make restitution. Parents felt the deepest solicitude for their children. Those who received the message labored with their unconverted friends and relatives, and with their souls bowed with the weight of the solemn message, warned and entreated them to prepare for the coming of the Son of man.” Early Writings, 232, 233

3.b. On what basis did the early Adventists explain the tarrying time after the first disappointment? Habakkuk 2:1–4; Matthew 25:5; Leviticus 15:29–34. What led them to set a second date of the Lord’s appearing?

Note: “Miller and his associates at first believed that the 2300 days would terminate in the spring of 1844, whereas the prophecy points to the autumn of that year.” The Great Controversy, 328, 329 [Author’s italics.]

“Under the Mosaic system the cleansing of the sanctuary, or the great Day of Atonement, occurred on the tenth of the seventh Jewish month (Leviticus 16:29–34), when the high priest, having made an atonement for all Israel, and thus removed their sins from the sanctuary, came forth and blessed the people. So, it was believed that Christ, our great High Priest would appear to purify the earth by the destruction of sin and sinners, and to bless His waiting people with immortality. The tenth day of the seventh month, the great Day of Atonement, the time of the cleansing of the sanctuary, which in the year 1844 fell upon the twenty-second of October, was regarded as the time of the Lord’s coming.” Ibid., 400

“But again, they were destined to disappointment. The time of expectation passed, and their Saviour did not appear.” Ibid., 403

Wednesday

4 FIRST SWEET, THEN BITTER

4.a. What was meant by “eating up” the little book (Revelation 10:9, 10)? Jeremiah 15:16; John 6:58

Note: “The comprehension of truth, the glad reception of the message, is represented in the eating of the little book.” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 7, 971

4.b. Using the prophetic words of the Angel, describe the disappointment of the early Adventists in 1844. Revelation 10:9, 10

Note: “The disappointment of those who expected to see our Lord in 1844 was indeed bitter to those who had so ardently looked for His appearing. It was in the Lord’s order that this disappointment should come, and that hearts should be revealed.” Selected Messages, Book 2, 108

“His [God’s] disappointed ones, who were still seeking after truth, were led step by step to communicate to the world that which had been communicated to them. The prophetic declarations were to be repeated, and the truth essential for salvation was to be made known.” Ibid., 110

Thursday

5 “THOU MUST PROPHESY AGAIN”

5.a. What became clear to the faithful believers after the disappointment? Revelation 10:11

Note: “Their only safe course was to cherish the light which they had already received of God, hold fast to His promises, and continue to search the Scriptures, and patiently wait and watch to receive further light.” The Great Controversy, 408

5.b. What is our part in the revelation of God’s mystery to the world? Romans 16:25, 26; Ephesians 3:8, 9; 4:3

Note: “The life of Christ was a life charged with a divine message of the love of God, and He longed intensely to impart this love to others in rich measure. Compassion beamed from His countenance, and His conduct was characterized by grace, humility, truth, and love. Every member of His church militant must manifest the same qualities, if He would join the church triumphant. The love of Christ is so broad, so full of glory, that in comparison to it, everything that men esteem as great, dwindles into insignificance. When we obtain a view of it, we exclaim, O the depth of the riches of the love that God bestowed upon men in the gift of His only begotten Son!” Fundamentals of Christian Education, 179

“To present to the world this mystery that God kept in silence for eternal ages before the world was created, before man was created, was the part that Christ was to act in the work He entered upon when He came to this earth. And this wonderful mystery, the incarnation of Christ and the atonement that He made, must be declared to every son and daughter of Adam.” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 6, 1082

Friday

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

How has the Lord alerted His people to prepare for His return?
Name three events which were a fulfillment of end-time prophecy.
Why was 1840 a landmark year?
When our faith is tested, how should we respond to disappointments?
How is the everyday life of Christ to be echoed in our own lives?