The Great Second Advent Movement: Its Rise and Progress

From Joseph Marsh, Editor of the Voice of Truth

In the Voice of Truth of Nov. 7, 1844, we read:— GSAM 189.6

“We cheerfully admit that we have been mistaken in the nature of the event we expected would occur on the tenth day of the seventh month; but we cannot yet admit that our great high Priest did not on that day accomplish all that the type would justify us in expecting. We now believe he did.” GSAM 189.7

It was expected by the Adventists that on the tenth day of the seventh month, 1844, the twenty-three hundred days would end, and that on that day Christ would complete his priestly work and come to earth to bless his people. Later investigation has demonstrated that it was the beginning of his work of cleansing the heavenly sanctuary that took place on that day, and not the completion of his work as a priest. ⁹ Instead of regarding the work of cleansing the sanctuary as any part of Christ’s work as a priest, it was claimed that the cleansing of the sanctuary was to be the purification of the earth by fire at Christ’s coming. If not the whole of it, at least the land of Canaan would be cleansed at that time. GSAM 190.1