Middle East Information Resource
Religions/Belief Systems - Adventist
The Adventists are several religious sects of American origin. The best know of these is the Seventh Day Adventists Church, which observes Saturday as the true Sabbath. There are probably about 5 million members worldwide. Common to all the Adventist groups is the belief that the second coming of Christ is imminent. The second coming is expected to coincide with the end of the world, which was specifically predicted for 1843 and then again in 1844. Modern believers continue to look for `signs` of the `Advent`. According to the Adventists, with the Advent all of the troubles of the world will be solved and the believers will be `saved`. The disposition of non-believers at this time is a matter of disagreement amongst the sects.
Seventh-day Adventism is a relatively new form of Christianity. It was founded officially in 1848 by several people, including Ellen G. White, who Adventists believe to have been a prophet. Her books, Steps to Christ, "The Desire of Ages, The Great Controversy, etc., have been published in many languages. These works are regarded as Bible commentaries. "Adventist" means a person who anticipates the imminent return (the Second Coming) of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. This date is referred to as the "Advent."
Prior to Ellen White the Adventist practicioners were referred to as "Millerites", after William Miller, its founder. Millerites were greatly disillusioned after Miller, who had concluded that the Second Coming would take place in 1844, convinced them all to sell off their worldly possessions and join him to meet Jesus. Since the world did not end as Miller had predicted, Adventists refer to this time period as "the Great Disappointment".
In 1863, the Adventist movement officially became the Seventh-day Adventist Church with, at that time, a membership of 3500. Membership in 1999 stood at over 10,000,000. Seventh-day Adventists attend church on Saturdays, because it`s the seventh day. They believe that because God rested on the seventh day after He created the world, that humans should rest, also. Typically, Saturdays mean more to Adventists than simply attending church and returning to their normal lives. They don`t work, study, or shop (unless they`re buying necessities, like food or medicine). Some won`t play sports or watch television or movies on `the Sabbath`, as they call Saturdays.
Adventists are required to live a `healthful lifestyle`. American Adventists tend to be vegetarians, as they believe it to be healthier, but that is a personal, not official choice. However, they believe that drinking alcohol and caffeine, smoking, and taking drugs are all prohibited by the teachings of the Bible. They preach modesty in dress and demeanor, although they do not require anyone to cover their hair, as Islam does. Adventists take the Bible very literally, and even non-vegetarian believers will not eat `unclean` meat, such as meat products from pigs, as well as certain kinds of seafood.
The Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Middle East Recognises the Biblical principle of the priesthood of all believers; every member is a minister. The Seventh Day Adventists consider it their mission to reveal and reflect God`s character of love, justice and holiness so that people may experience the joy of salvation through Jesus Christ. They also believe that it is their duty to
try to correct the troubles of the world through service.