What Happened in Waco, Texas?

responsible for offshoots who claim the name Seventh-day Adventist but drift into extremism. The church is protected by clearly articulated official statements voted at General Conference Session, the executive committee of the General Conference, and the administrative committee. Official documents include the 28 Fundamental Beliefs, working policy, and the Church Manual. These prevent any one person or group seizing the right to control minds or impose goals found outside the mission of the church.

To those tempted to follow leaders who claim to represent God, may I remind you that if someone is being guided by God, one of the clearest pieces of evidence is revealed in the fruit of the Holy Spirit: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22, 23, NRSV). The fruit of the Holy Spirit is incompatible with violence and/ or controlling minds created in the image of God. May “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,” keep our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Phil. 4:7).

Ganoune Diop, Ph.D., is the director of Public Affairs and Religious Liberty at the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Visit www.adventistliberty. org/tragic-end-of-an-apocalyptic-sectat-waco,-texas#_ftn2 for full article.

In the 1930s a man dissatisfied with the Seventh-day Adventist Church broke away and founded his own movement called the Davidians. After he died, another man took control, renaming it the Branch Davidians. By 1962 this group had settled on a large compound in Waco, Texas.

The sect searched the Bible for clues on how the world would end, particularly studying the book of Revelation. In 1978 the second leader died, leaving his wife to lead the group as a “prophetess.” Several years later Vernon Howell arrived at the compound. He became involved with the former leader’s wife, eventually taking full control in 1990.

Howell changed his name to David Koresh, claiming to be a “messiah” and “the lamb” in Revelation that could open the seals of the book of Revelation. Some of his practices included taking many “spiritual wives” from among his followers to father his children.

Eventually the United States government confronted the Branch Davidians on charges related to the violation of firearm regulations as well as child abuse. A siege resulted, lasting 51 days before federal agents moved in. As a result, fire broke out, destroying the compound and killing 82, including more than 25 children. It was later discovered that some inside had died by fatal gunshot wounds.

During the siege four federal agents were killed in a gun battle, making the total number who died at Waco 86.