The Great Second Advent Movement: Its Rise and Progress

Who First Taught the False Shut Door?

The question now arises, Who began the teaching of the doctrine of “no mercy for sinners”? who believed it? and who rejected it? As an answer to the first question, we will call attention to the report of a visit made by J. V. Himes in the spring of 1845, to the State of Maine. He says:— GSAM 220.3

“Brother Joseph Turner and others took the ground that we were in the great Sabbath—that the six thousand years had ended—consequently no Adventist should perform any more manual labor. To do so would surely, in their estimation, result in their final destruction. GSAM 220.4

“While waiting in this position of idleness as to worldly manual labor, a new light, as it was thought, shone upon Brother Turner’s mind, viz., that the Bridegroom HAD COME—that he came on the tenth day of the seventh month of the Jewish year last past—that the marriage then took place—that all the virgins then, in some sense, went in with him to the marriage, and the door was shut!—none of these could be lost, and none without could be saved. Thus all the spiritual affairs of this mighty globe were finished.” ¹⁴ GSAM 220.5