Seventh-day Adventist

Seventh-day Adventist Church is a Protestant Christian denomination which is distinguished by its observance of Saturday, the seventh day of the week in Christian and Jewish calendars, as Sabbath, and its emphasis on the imminent Second Coming of Jesus Christ. The denomination grew out of the Millerite movement in the United States during the mid-19th century and it was formally established in 1863.

Beliefs

The Seventh-day Adventist Church holds a unique system of eschatological (end-times) beliefs. Adventist eschatology, which is based on a historicist interpretation of the Book of Revelation, is characterised by the Great Controversy theme. Their official teachings endorse Premillennialism combined with Apocalypticism.

Sabbath Observance

The church advocates the Sabbath observance on Saturday, the seventh day of the week. Adventists often cite the Ten Commandments as the basis for this belief. The church teaches that this Sabbath should be a day of rest, worship, and ministry.

Health and Diet

The church promotes a holistic approach to health, advocating a vegetarian diet and adherence to the Kosher laws in the Bible. The church's teachings on health have been noted for their emphasis on a plant-based diet and a strict avoidance of alcohol and tobacco.

Education

The Seventh-day Adventist Church runs a large educational system throughout the world. As of 2008, the Adventist school system was the second largest Christian school system in the world, after the Roman Catholic system.

Controversies

The Seventh-day Adventist Church has been the subject of criticism and controversy over its teachings on eschatology and distinctive practices. Some Christian denominations consider Adventists to be outside mainstream Christianity.

See Also

• History of the Seventh-day Adventist Church
• Criticism of the Seventh-day Adventist Church
• Sabbath in Seventh-day Adventism