A large group of Adventist believers stood around the icy river to witness the baptism of new believers. It was a cold and windy day, early in October of 1844, but no one complained about the freezing weather. They were happy because they were sure that in just a few days, on October 22, 1844, Jesus would come back to earth and take them home. These believers weren’t thinking about their houses or their jobs or worrying about what they would wear or eat. Their minds were on only one thing: heaven.

One person in the group did not live to see the day of Jesus’ expected return. Charles Fitch, the preacher who had baptized the new believers in the icy waters, got sick and died from a high fever soon after the baptism, on October 14, 1844.

Drawing by: Sarah
Age: 13
From: Broussard, LA

But nothing seemed to upset those who were looking forward to Jesus’ second coming. Even Mrs. Fitch, according to a newspaper report, was still smiling after her husband’s death. “In just a few days,” she said happily to her children, “when Jesus comes back, He’ll wake up Daddy and your sleeping brothers and sisters, too, and we’ll be a whole, happy family again, forever!” That was her hope and the hope of everyone who believed that Jesus would come back in a few short days.

October 22 came and went, and Jesus did not come. How disappointed those Adventist believers must have been when Jesus did not return as they had expected. But although they were sad, these faithful believers continued to pray and trust in Jesus. They believed God’s promises. They were confident that He would always keep His Word. They remembered the wonderful way He had led them in the past, and they were determined to study the Bible and to pray earnestly, asking God to show

them their mistake in understanding the prophecies pointing to Jesus’ return. Jesus was their Friend and Savior, and they knew He would never mislead them.

Even through their bitter disappointment, one thing gave the early Adventist believers strength to carry on: their faith. The same can be true for us today. Put your trust in Jesus and ask Him to guide and keep you in everything you do. In John 14:1-3, Jesus promises that He will come back to this earth again. And when He comes back, He will take us to heaven to live with Him. We don’t know when that day will be, but we can be sure that it will happen because Jesus has promised it. And when He comes in the clouds, we’ll be able to look up and say, “This is my God. I have waited for Him, and He will save me.” Isaiah 25:9.