WHO ARE THE DAVIDIANS?

INTRODUCTION

The primary purpose of this document is to introduce the Davidian movement and its true principles to those who are not directly connected with the Seventh-Day Adventist church. We attempt to set forth some of our fundamental beliefs and core philosophies. As a result of the publicity given to the Branch Davidian movement in recent years, we believe that it is important to set before the public the contrast between the Branch Davidians and true Davidians. We encourage anyone with comments or inquiries to contact this office without hesitation.

TRUE DAVIDIANS BELIEVE IN JESUS

 First and foremost, the Davidians are full-fledged Christians. We believe beyond a shadow of a doubt that man is separated from God because of the choice of Adam and Eve to disobey Him (Rom. 5:12-21), that man is lost and cannot save himself. We believe that these facts necessitate the need for a Saviour. This Saviour is Jesus Christ. Indeed, rather than destroy the world, "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son" "when the fullness of the time was come" "that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16: Gal. 4:3-5). This concept is unfolded in the Davidian message in both symbolic prophecy and literal terms and comprises the very foundation of our religious experience. To have the privilege of reuniting with God in the coming kingdom and future world, one must be "born again…of water and the Spirit" and become a "new creature" in Christ Jesus (John 3:3-6; 2 Cor. 5:17).

 True Davidians are aware of the Biblical fact that "no man cometh to the Father but by me [Jesus]" and "there is no other name under heaven whereby men may be saved" (John 14:6; Acts 4:12). Finally, we believe that the redemption and salvation of man is beautifully illustrated in the types and symbols of the Old Testament sanctuary services in every particular. God did not desire to have so many of His animal creation perish. The various offerings and ceremonies were ordained by God to reveal the multiple phases of Jesus' work, and just how particular He is about how He is to be worshipped. It is written: "Wherefore when He cometh into the world, He saith 'sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: in burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure'. Then said I, 'lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me) to do thy will, O God.'" (Heb. 10:5-7). It is our purpose to model our lives after His, even in the face of scorn, persecution and death.

DAVIDIANS AND THE FAMILY

 True Davidians believe that the family unit is the basic component of society and that the family circle is sacred. If the family unit is strong and intact, respecting the rights, property and consciences of others, then society will prosper. If the family unit is disrupted, especially on a large scale, then society will feel its effects in various forms. It is unequivocally held that the marriage institution is ordained by God and constitutes the most sacred relationship in the human family. It is also firmly held that marriage is a union of one man and one woman as it was "in the beginning". Divorce is not an option, unless it is based upon established Bible grounds (see Matt. 19:3-12) and if it be possible for the two parties to be reconciled then we encourage it by all means. In fact, the burden of the Davidian message is to restore the family relationship to its proper place in today's society. Referring to the message of latter-day Elijah, the last Heaven-sent message for the world, the Bible says: "Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord: and he shall turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse" (Mal. 4:5,6).

TRUE DAVIDIANS ARE NOT BRANCH DAVIDIANS

 True Davidians do not believe in stockpiling weapons in preparation for a confrontation with government authorities or for any other purpose. We believe that the governments that exist today are "ordained of God" (Rom. 13:1-6) and that the laws of the land should be obeyed (1 Pet. 2:17; Tit. 3:1) as long as they do not conflict with the Law of God (Acts 5:29; Matt. 22:15-21). Our only "weapon of warfare" is the Word of God (Heb. 4:12; Eph. 6:17). We countenance no other, for we are well aware that the battle is the Lord's, that He will fight for us, and that when He is for us, no one can win a thing against us. As stated in the previous section, the Davidian message does not condone adultery, polygamy or any other deviation from the original, Biblical plan of marriage and the family. We certainly do not acknowledge David Koresh as the messiah. We do not acknowledge him as the author, originator or even an authentic representative of the Davidian message. The only author of the Davidian message is Victor T. Houteff, who was a Sabbath School teacher and member in the Seventh-Day Adventist church at the time he wrote his first book "The Shepherd's Rod Volume One" in the year 1930. He wrote many more books and tracts until his death in 1955. We can honestly state that we are convinced that he was among the world's greatest Bible scholars, though he was a layman. His writings have been preserved in their original form and are available upon request.

DAVIDIANS AND THEIR MISSION

The mission of the Davidian movement is multifaceted, but lists these as its primary objectives: 1) To call for a "revival and reformation" in the Seventh-Day Adventist church (see Isa. 52:1). Put another way, a call to return to the original principles upon which the church was founded and an invitation to accept the additional Bible understanding unfolded by the Davidian message. 2). To establish a multifaceted institution composed of training and charitable facilities that will assist in taking the message to the church and caring for the poor, sick, aged, orphaned, widowed and unfortunate in the church initially (known in Davidian circles as "The Camp of Ezekiel 4:2). 3). To announce the restoration of the Kingdom of David in the Holy Land "in the last days" of earth's history before Christ's Second Coming in power and glory.

THE KINGDOM--THE CHRISTIAN'S CROWNING HOPE

The term "Davidian" is derived from our belief in the re-establishment of ancient David's kingdom in anti-type, or, in our time (see Ezekiel 36, 37; Jeremiah 30-33; Hosea 1:10,11; 3:4,5). It will be as real as any of the kingdoms of the earth and will be put on display for all nations to see. Indeed, it is the crowning hope of the Christian as exemplified in the Lord's prayer "thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in Heaven" (Matt. 6:10).

The Scriptures teach that God will re-establish His Kingdom so that the nations of the world would have a testimony that an entire society can function harmoniously without crime, sickness, or death using as its foundation the Law of God contained in the Bible. Since this has never been displayed in the world for any significant length of time, God will demonstrate it now. At a time when the prevailing belief is that policy and military power secure a nation's existence, God will show to all that "righteousness exalteth a nation" (Prov. 14:34). Then the unfailing promise shall come to pass that "this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness, then shall the end come" (Matt. 24:14). Further information concerning the Kingdom is available upon request.

TRUE DAVIDIANS BELIEVE IN SALVATION BY GRACE

As Christians, we feel it our duty to extend an invitation for all who desire to understand and partake of the free gift of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. The process is very easy; first, come to Jesus just as you are (Matt. 11:28-30). Don't wait for a better opportunity, or to make yourself better than you are right now. Once you come to Jesus, acknowledge your sinful condition (Rom. 3:23; 6:23), confess your sins (1 John 1:7-9) and believe that He has died for you. Then tell Him that you choose to be His servant and will submit to His will for you. Rise from your knees in faith that He has forgiven you and just that moment you become a Christian, a "new creature" and heir to the Heavenly kingdom.

We pray that this document has helped to clarify our mission and place in the world. May God bless you as you continue in your search for truth.