Oct. 22, 1844, was known as the Great Disappointment to followers of William Miller, an American preacher who promised the second coming of Jesus Christ would come on that day. (That was, in fact, the revised date, after his previous prophecy forgot to adjust for the transition from BC to AD.) When Jesus did not end up making his earthly return, Millerites, as they came to be known, were bitterly dismayed, and many immediately left the flock. Some broke off to form their own Adventist groups with separate beliefs about Christ’s return, but Millerism itself was over (even if Miller remained steadfast in his prophecies until his death in 1849).
The lesson: when a movement can’t hang onto its most ardent followers, it is as good as done.
