ADVENTIST

member of any of a group of Protestant Christian churches arising in the United States in the 19th century and distinguished by their doctrinal belief that the personal, visible return of Christ in glory (i.e., the Second Coming) is close at hand. Adventism is rooted in Hebrew and Christian prophetism, messianism, and millennial expectations recorded in the Bible. Adventists believe that at Christ's Second Coming he will separate the saints from the wicked and inaugurate his millennial (1,000-year) kingdom. See millennium. Additional reading Le Roy Edwin Froom, The Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers, 4 vol. (1946-54), is a rich description of Adventist literature by an Adventist. Reference works include Arthur W. Spalding, Origin and History of Seventh-Day Adventists, 4 vol. (1961-62); Gary Land (ed.), Adventism in America: A History (1986); and Seventh-Day Adventist Encyclopedia, rev. ed. (1976).