Ellen White claimed that the date Miller predicted as the absolute Advent of Christ did not set the time for the physical appearance of Christ. Rather, the prediction merely referred to the commencement of a period of divine judgement in which all souls would be pre-judged in heaven in preparation for the actual Advent of Christ. Seventh-Day Adventists believe that Investigative Judgement has been occurring since the 1840s and that by the time Christ appears all humans will have their fate sealed. The Seventh-Day Adventist Church points to Old Testament scripture to substantiate the belief in Investigative Judgement (Robinson 2007). Seventh-Day Adventists also believe that during the period of Investigative Judgement, the Earth is being gradually purged of all sin. Satan reigns on earth now, and after the Advent of Christ only the righteous will be resurrected and reborn on the newly purified planet (Robinson 2007). Only Christians who are righteous and who believe in Christ will be able to return.
Furthermore, Seventh-Day Adventists observe the Sabbath on Saturday and not Sunday with most other Protestants. Their ascription to the traditional Jewish Sabbath also stems from the Adventists' firm belief in a literal interpretation of the Old and New Testaments. A significant feature of the Seventh-Day Adventist religion is the promotion of an almost ascetic lifestyle. Abstinence from alcohol and tobacco is a core tenet. Moreover, the Adventists promote Biblical dietary guidelines similar to Kosher practices. Finally, Adventists uphold Ellen White as a prophet.
Religious Behaviors
Seventh-Day Adventist religious behaviors and rituals follow from the core beliefs of the faith. Observation of the Sabbath on Saturday is a key practice, and Adventist children would attend Sabbath School, not Sunday School. Seventh-Day Adventists practice full water immersion baptism, more similar to their Catholic counterparts than most...
Adventist dietary practices forbid most meats and as a result, many are vegetarian (Robinson 2007). Mind-altering substances and all drugs are prohibited. Even coffee and other beverages containing caffeine are disallowed by strict Seventh-Day Adventists. Inter-faith marriage, even between an Adventist and another Protestant, is discouraged (Robinson 2007). Seventh-Day Adventists are philanthropic, donating to a wide range of international charitable causes including disaster relief. Much Seventh-Day Adventist charity work is accomplished via missionaries in developing countries.
Cultural Content
Seventh-Day Adventists have had a considerable impact on religion in America and even around the world. In the United States, the Church has been criticized for resembling a cult. Whether or not Seventh-Day Adventists can be accurately called a cult, some Adventist splinter groups certainly can. For example, the Branch Davidians were an offshoot of the Seventh-Day Adventists (Cho 2002). The Branch Davidian cult started in 1929 but gained notoriety only after the Waco disaster. Jehovah's Witnesses "have shared somewhat similar backgrounds" too (Cho 2002). Inside the Seveth-Day Adventist Church, culture is not much different from mainstream American culture. No dress code is advocated and while lewd entertainment is discouraged, "most Adventists differ little from the typical American," (Robinson 2007).
References
Cho, H. (2002). Seventh-Day Adventists. Religious Movements. Retrieved Dec 3, 2007 at http://religiousmovements.lib.virginia.edu/nrms/sevn.html
Robinson, B.A. (2007). Seventh-Day Adventist Denomination. Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance. Retrieved Dec 3, 2007 at http://www.religioustolerance.org/sda.htm
Seventh-Day Adventist Church. (nd). History. Retrieved Dec 3, 2007 at http://www.adventist.org/world_church/facts_and_figures/history/index.html. en
