Revelation 10

textual basis for the consolidation of an Adventist memory from its founding event

Abstract

Seventh-day Adventism was born out of a movement previously led by William Miller, who preached that Jesus Christ would return to the earth around the year 1844. Since, of course, Jesus did not return, the remaining members of that movement sought an answer to this disappointment. Here we come to Revelation 10:9-10, which tells the story of a little book that was “sweet as honey” in the prophet’s mouth, but “bitter in the stomach.” The movement interpreted this prophecy as referring to the event of 1844, giving them a founding memory. Within this context, the present article focuses on both history and theology in order to understand how these transformations took place, constructing the identity frontiers that still shape and give meaning to this group. For this purpose, instrumentalizations are sought in the studies of memories in order to understand both the history and the theological interpretation of that text.