Understanding Ellen White

Millerite disappointment view (October 1844 to about January 1845)

After the October 22, 1844, disappointment, the majority of Millerites concluded that the date was incorrect, while a minority remained committed to its significance. All of the principal founders of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, including Ellen White, belonged to the minority group that became known as shut-door Adventists. This name was based on William Miller’s understanding of the Matthew 25:1-13 parable of the Bridegroom. ² UEGW 167.1

Millerites generally believed that probation would close for the world just before the second coming of Jesus. In October, soon after Miller accepted the autumn 1844 date for the fulfillment of the 2,300 days, he concluded that probation had already closed. ³ Until early in 1845 he continued to believe that “God in His providence has shut the door; we can only stir one another up to be patient” ⁴ The text “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still” is a clear reference to the close of probation (Rev. 22:11). ⁵ Miller’s position launched the shut-door movement and gave the theological baseline for the view. UEGW 167.2