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[[Image:David Koresh of TX.jpg|250px|right|thumb|David Koresh, leader of the Branch Davidians in [[Waco, Texas|Waco]], [[Texas]]]]

[[Image:David Koresh of TX.jpg|250px|right|thumb|David Koresh, leader of the Branch Davidians in [[Waco, Texas|Waco]], [[Texas]]]]

The '''Branch Davidians''' were a religious group which was one of many splinter groups of the [[Seventh Day Adventist]] Church.  The group formed in 1955 from another splinter group (simply known as the '''Davidians''') which itself formed in 1930.

The '''Branch Davidians''' is a name given to a religious group which has its origins in the [[Seventh Day Adventist]] Church.  The original group formed in 1955 from another splinter group (simply known as the '''Davidians''') which itself formed in 1930 from the SDA church proper.  The name would be most associated with a specific group (although this group was properly called "students of the Seven Seals") led by [[David Koresh]] (birth name: Victor Howell), noted for its 1993 fatal confrontation with [[BATF|ATF]] agents.

==Doctrine==

 

Other than the standard beliefs shared by all [[Christian]]s generally and Seventh Day Adventists specifically, the Branch Davidians believed:

==Beliefs==

 

Other than the standard beliefs shared by all [[Christian]]s, the Branch Davidians believe:

* Full-body immersion baptism is a requirement of salvation.

* Full-body immersion baptism is a requirement of salvation.

* That the fourth commandment requires the observance of the seventh day Sabbath, and that Sabbath falls on Saturday.

* That the fourth commandment requires the observance of the seventh day Sabbath, and that Sabbath falls on Saturday.

* That after death, one is unconscious until the resurrection and judgment day.

* That after death, one is unconscious until the resurrection and judgment day.

* That there shall be a [[resurrection]] both of the just and of the unjust.  The resurrection of the just will take place at the second coming of Christ; the resurrection of the unjust will take place a thousand years later, at the close of the millennium.   

* That there shall be a [[resurrection]] both of the just and of the unjust.  The resurrection of the just will take place at the second coming of Christ; the resurrection of the unjust will take place a thousand years later, at the close of the millennium.   

* That the sinful, including Satan, will be reduced to a state of non-existence.

* That the sinful, including Satan, will be reduced to a state of non-existence.

* That no prophetic period [meaning prophetic time-setting of the exact date of Christ's coming] is given in the Bible to reach to the second advent, but that the longest one the 2300 days of Dan. 8:14, terminated in 1844, and brought us to an event called the cleansing of the sanctuary.

* That no prophetic period [meaning prophetic time-setting of the exact date of Christ's coming] is given in the Bible to reach to the second advent, but that the longest one the 2300 days of Dan. 8:14, terminated in 1844, and brought us to an event called the cleansing of the sanctuary.

* That three angels will be sent by God to warn Earth of the second coming of Christ.

* That three angels will be sent by God to warn Earth of the second coming of Christ.

* That judgment day will come when Israel is purged of non-Jews.

* That judgment day will come when Israel is purged of non-Jews.

* That the followers of Christ should wear neat, modest, dignified apparel, abstain from all intoxicating drinks, tobacco, other narcotics, and meat.

* That the followers of Christ should wear neat, modest, dignified apparel, abstain from all intoxicating drinks, tobacco, other narcotics, and meat.

* That the second coming of Christ near at hand.

* That the second coming of Christ near at hand.

* That the millennial reign of Christ covers the period between the first and the second resurrections, that at the end of the millennium, the Holy City will descend to the earth.  

* That the millennial reign of Christ covers the period between the first and the second resurrections, that at the end of the millennium, the Holy City will descend to the earth.  

* That God will make all things new. The earth, restored to its pristine beauty, will become forever the abode of the saints of the Lord.  The promise to Abraham, that through Christ he and his seed should possess the earth throughout the endless ages of eternity, will be fulfilled.

* That God will make all things new. The earth, restored to its pristine beauty, will become forever the abode of the saints of the Lord.  The promise to Abraham, that through Christ he and his seed should possess the earth throughout the endless ages of eternity, will be fulfilled.

==History==

==History==

The Davidian movements, named for the restoration of the kingdom of [[David]], first developed in 1930 from the teachings of Rev. Victor T. Houteff, who pointed out a number of scriptural shortcomings in the structure of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church.  The movement set up headquarters a few miles west of [[Waco]], [[Texas]], at a site named '''Mt. Carmel''', and remained unified there until 1955, when Houteff died. 

At that point, several leaders attempted to take control of the movement, resulting in several splinter groups.  One splinter group, led by Benjamin Roden, called themselves "Branch Davidians", taking the name from select Bible passages.<ref>Zechariah 3:8-10; 6:12, 13; Revelation 2:17, 3:12</ref>  

 

Upon Houteff's death, multiple leaders arose to take commend of the movement, resulting in several splinter groups.  One splinter group, led by Benjamin Roden, called themselves "Branch Davidians", taking the name from select Bible passages.<ref>Zechariah 3:8-10; 6:12, 13; Revelation 2:17, 3:12</ref>  

In 1959, [[Israel]] granted the Branch Davidian movement immigrant status and allowed them to create the town of Amirim in [[Galilee]].   

In 1959, [[Israel]] granted the Branch Davidian movement immigrant status and allowed them to create the town of Amirim in [[Galilee]].