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The Branch Davidians

The Branch Davidians. History of the Group. Founded by Victor Houteff in 1942 Splinter sect of Seventh-Day Adventist Church Known for belief in imminent return of Christ Special vegetarian dietary restrictions Saturday as the Sabbath. Houteff’s Beliefs.

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The Branch Davidians

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  1. The Branch Davidians

  2. History of the Group • Founded by Victor Houteff in 1942 • Splinter sect of Seventh-Day Adventist Church • Known for belief in imminent return of Christ • Special vegetarian dietary restrictions • Saturday as the Sabbath

  3. Houteff’s Beliefs • Christ’s return would only occur when small # of Christians had been purified • Believed he was a messenger sent by God • Meant to conduct cleansing

  4. Task • Reveal secret information from Book of Revelation • Purify small group of Christians • Trigger the 2nd coming of Jesus Christ • Downfall of Babylon • Reestablish Kingdom of David

  5. Mt. Carmel Center • Near Waco, TX • Had 11 followers in 1935 • 1942 – breaks from SDA • Names group Davidian Seventh-Day Adventists

  6. Florence Houteff • Wife of Victor Houteff • Assumes control in 1955 • Moves community • Prophesy • April 22, 1959 would bring about Kingdom of David • Hundreds sold possessions and moved to Mt Carmel • Anticipated the “end time”

  7. Prophesy fails • Hundreds leave • Few dozen remain

  8. Benjamin Roden • Assumes control in 1962 • Renamed group • General Association of Davidian Seventh-Day Adventists • Proclaims himself King David’s successor

  9. Dies in 1978 • Wife Lois takes control • Had visions • God was male and female • Third person of trinity was female (Holy Spirit) • Christ would take form of woman at his/her second coming • Power struggle w/ son George

  10. Vernon Howell • Arrives at Mt. Carmel in 1981 • 1984 marries Rachel Jones • Daughter of prominent member • Power struggle between Howell and George Roden • Howell thrown from property

  11. Howell Takes Control • 1987 • George Roden thrown in jail • Violated restraining order and contempt of court • Howell and followers find meth lab and porn • Calls police to remove • Uses it against Roden to seize total control

  12. 1985 Recruitment Drive • Aimed at disillusioned SDA members • Australia, Canada, Great Britain • Spring 1993 • 130 members living at Waco • Students of the Seven Seals

  13. Renaming • Vernon Howell changed name in 1990 – David Koresh • David • King David of the Israelites • Koresh • Babylonian King Cyrus • Mt Carmel becomes “Ranch Apocalypse” • Final battle of Armageddon would start at this compound

  14. Church Beliefs • God has provided a prophet whose pronouncements are to be regarded on a par with the Bible. Christ’s death on the cross provided salvation only for those who died before 32 CE. People who have died since will only be saved through the activities of the current BD prophet

  15. The “lamb” mentioned in Revelation 5:2 is not Jesus Christ, but is David Koresh himself. The lamb is to open up the seven seals and trigger the sequence which ends the world as we know it.

  16. After the breaking of the seals, Christ would return to earth. A battle would occur in which the Branch Davidians would play a major role. The Branch Davidian members alone would ascend to heaven to be with God

  17. Controversies • 1990s • David Koresh accused of child abuse • Fathered 15 children by 12 different women • Youngest mother was 12 • Koresh had been investigated previously • Purchase and manufacture of illegal weapons

  18. Waco Siege • Feb 28, 1993 • ATF - attempts to execute search warrant • Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms • Gun Battle erupts • 4 ATF agents killed • Begins 51 day seige by ATF, FBI, and local officials

  19. April 19, 1993 • FBI leads assault on compound using tear gas • Fire breaks out • 76 people inside compound die

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