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THE DAVID KORESH MANUSCRIPT:
EXPOSITION OF THE SEVEN SEALS
Copyright 1994 by Phillip Arnold and James Tabor
(Reunion Institute, PO Box 981111, Houston TX 77098).
Permission is granted for non-commercial replication of or excerpting
from this material, provided that appropriate notice is included
of its copyright status, as above.
EDITORIAL PREFACE
On Wednesday, April 14th, following the eight day Passover celebration
David Koresh released what turned out to be his final letter through his
lawyer, Dick DeGuerin. In it he joyfully reported that ``his waiting
period was over'' and that upon completion of a manuscript containing the
``decoded message of the Seven Seals'' he would come out. He considered
the composition of this manuscript to be a privilege allowed him by God,
the direct answer to his prayers which he had sought for the past seven
weeks.
Although many questioned both the ability and intention of David
Koresh to produce this manuscript, we received this news with great
relief. We had been urging David for several weeks through radio
broadcasts and cassette tapes to exit Mt. Carmel peacefully as he now
proposed to do. We had based our case to him on interpretations of the
Book of Revelation which we felt he might find persuasive. This was only
five days before the tragic fire on April 19th.
We now know that David Koresh did begin work on his manuscript and
truly took it most seriously. A computer disk containing his dictated
text was carried out of Mt. Carmel by Ruth Riddle, a survivor of the fire.
Indeed, Ruth tells us that she and David worked for several hours on
Sunday night, the last night of his life; him dictating and she typing out
his thoughts. She reports that the Branch Davidians were calm and joyful
that evening at the prospect of David completing his work and their
impending exodus.
David's work will speak for itself to those who are interested in his
exegesis and understanding of the mysterious Seven Seals of the Book of
Revelation. Regardless of one's evaluation of the content, one point is
clear--in a short time, under most trying circumstances, David Koresh had
produced a rather substantial piece of work. He had completed the
Preface, which is a poem, the Introduction to the work as a whole, and
Chapter One, which covered the First Seal. Judging from this work we can
estimate that the finished product would have run about 50-75 pages and
might have taken him another two or three weeks.
David Koresh, in that last letter, asked that the completed manuscript
be given to his lawyer, Dick DeGuerin, then passed on first to us. He had
apparently come to trust our knowledge and integrity in discussing with
him his interpretations of Revelation. He then authorized our release of
copies to scholars, religious leaders, and the general public. Although
David died a few days later, and was thus prevented from finishing this
work, we still thought it best to release this portion which he did
complete, following his instructions. Actually, his exposition of the
First Seal was perhaps the most vital in understanding his sense of his
own mission, the reasons for the Waco siege, and what ultimately
transpired.
The text is produced here precisely as it came to us from the computer
disks. In the interest of accuracy we have also gone over the entire text
word for word with Ruth Riddle, who typed it on the Sunday evening before
the fire. It is clear that David was working quickly because he left
sections blank where he obviously planned to go back and insert Scripture
quotations. We have put these citations in bracketed [italics] in places
where David offers commentary. David's last sentence is a suggestive one
which urges readers and followers to be ready to ``come out of our
closet.'' He calls upon those of us on the outside to forsake our own
personal dark closets and he summons the Branch Davidians to ``come out''
of Mt. Carmel and face the world as lovers of Christ. Chapter One
concludes with two scriptural quotations which promise the reader that God
will one day reestablish David's fallen community.
Dr. Phillip Arnold
Dr. James Tabor
Rosh Hashanah, 1993
TEXT OF THE KORESH MANUSCRIPT
EDEN TO EDEN
Search forth for the meaning here,
Hidden within these words
`Tis a song that's sung of fallen tears,
Given way for two love birds.
Love birds yet not of feathered creed
Shot down for gambled play,
And caged a far distance betweenst themselves
For the hunter felt it best that way.
``She bird is mine,'' the hunter said,
'Twas this bird I raised and faithfully fed.''
'Twas he bird who released her from her cage,
Sought her womb in youthful age.
Love birds the name, these birds they call,
Two, plural, love bird, takes two.
'Twas not her womb of which he sought,
And certainly not her youth.
Love birds, the name these birds they call,
Two, plural, love bird, takes two,
It's just that he needed she,
To fly the skies of blue.
And now we see the hunter man,
Robbed without a prey,
The evil which he sought to do,
Caused the birds to pass away.
For loneliness and solitaire,
Is death to every soul.
For birds of God were meant to pair,
The two to complete the whole.
And now we see the final meaning
Of this rhyme and verse:
The pending judgment of the King
Who rules the universe.
Page 2
For with Adam and his spirit Eve,
To share the kingdom fair;
But when they sinned they lost their crown
In exchange for shame to bear.
So Eve travailed and brought forth death,
And passed the crown to all;
For each to learn the lesson here,
The kingdom of the fall.
For virgins do not bring forth sons,
Until God does reverse,
The inner meaning of the law,
To remove man from the curse.
For in the Christ, we've seen a bride,
The water mixed with blood,
The wife with cloven tongues of fire,
Of whom the Christ has loved.
And now He's back to sing His song,
The life of every spring,
And love birds gather, each one with mate,
For the marriage of the King
Page 3
INTRODUCTION
John 18:33-38
[Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and
said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews? Jesus answered him, Sayest
thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me? Pilate
answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and chief priests have delived
thee unto me. What hast thou done? Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of
this world; if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants
fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now is my kingdom
not from here. Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king, then?
Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end I was born, and
for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the
truth. Everyone that is of the truth heareth my voice. Pilate saith unto
him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the
Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all.]
Strange indeed for the judgment of man, for who knows within himself
that his judgment be true?
Scripture tells us that Pilate was convicted of the truth in Christ,
but failing to take heed thereto, he lost his soul, causing the blood of
the innocent to be shed. How many of us since the dawning of time have
committed such things? Who was this Jesus? Who was this Saviour that
nearly a whole religious nation rejected?
Matthew told us. Mark Luke, and John all recorded their side of the
story of which remains unto this day, read and judged of all. Likewise,
the Acts, the Book of Romans, Corinthians, Ephesians, Galatians, and such
books open for our learning this most unique mystery of judgment and
justice undone. But of all the records the most awe inspiring remains to
be the most misunderstood, that being the Revelation of Jesus Christ
written by the Apostle John to the churches of Asia and left on record
that all who follow may ask the question:
``Who is this Christ and what remains to be the mystery of Him?''
In my work to unfold this mystery to you I will not use great techniques
of scholarly display nor indepth reasonings of philosophy, no
sophisticated, congenial language shall be used, just simple talk and
reason.
First of all, the Revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave unto Him
to show unto His servants things which must shortly come to pass are to be
seen just as that: a revelation of Jesus to reveal to men His wishes and
His desires for those who make up His church. For the kingdom of God
being that of heaven, and not of this world, is to be revealed unto this
world by the means He has chosen -- the foolishness of preaching. John
the Apostle while on the Isle of Patmos received the Lord's messenger and
in obedience placed in written form all that he saw and all that he heard
pertaining to the mysteries of Christ. And in good faith the Apostle
stated, ``Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this
prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein for the time is
at hand'' (Revelation 1:3).
Likewise John was commanded of the angel, ``Write the things which
thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be
hereafter'' (Revelation 1:19). Simply, John's record contains the past,
present, and future events that revolve around the Revelation of Jesus
Christ. John in faithfulness sent his writings to the seven churches in
Asia and the will of Christ for these churches is plainly revealed from
chapter 2 to chapter 4 of Revelation. Therefore on record, all may read
and see how Christ has dealt
Our subject of interest will be taken up from chapters 4-22, for these
passages entail the events that are to be after John's time. For it is
written
Page 4
(Revelation 4: entire chapter):
[After this I looked and, behold, a door was opened in heaven; and
the first voice that I heard was, as it were, of a trumpet talking with
me; which said, Come up here, and I will show thee things which must be
hereafter. And immediately I was in the Spirit and, behold, a throne was
set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. And he that sat was to look
upon like a jasper and a sardine stone; and there was a rainbow round
about the throne, in sight like an emerald. And round about the throne
were four and twenty seats, and upon the seats I saw four and twenty
elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads
crowns of gold. And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and
thunderings, and voices; and there were seven lamps of fire burning before
the throne, which are the seven spirits of God. And before the throne
there was a sea of glass like crystal; and in the midst of the throne, and
round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes in front and behind.
And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and
the third beast had a face like a man, and the fourth beast was like a
flying eagle. And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him,
and they were full of eyes within; and they rest not day and night,
saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, who was and is, and is to
come. And when those beasts give glory and honor and thanks to him that
sat on the throne, who liveth forever and ever, the four and twenty elders
fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth
forever and ever and cast their crowns before the throne saying, Thou art
worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for thou hast
created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.]
John states that ``that which must be hereafter'' -- sometime after his
day there will be a God who sits on His throne. There will be a jury of
twenty-four elders. God will be declared as ``worthy'' to receive glory
and honour and power,'' because unto Him and for Him all things were
created.
John continues to say (Revelation 5: entire chapter):
[And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written
within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a strong
angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and
to loose its seals? And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the
earth, was able to open the book, neither to look on it. And I wept much,
because no man was found worthy to open and read the book, neither to look
on it. And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not; behold, the Lion of
the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book,
and to loose its seven seals. And I beheld and, lo, in the midst of the
throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a
Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes which
are the seven spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. And he came
and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.
And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders
fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden
vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. And they sang a
new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open its seals;
for thou wast slain, and has redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every
kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; and hast made us unto our God
kings and priests, and we shall reign on the earth. And I beheld, and I
heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and
the elders, and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand,
and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb
that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and
honor, and glory, and blessing. And every creature that is in heaven, and
on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all
that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honor, and glory, and
poower be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever
and ever. And the four beasts said, Amen. And
Page 5
the four and twenty elders fell down and worshiped him that liveth
forever and ever.]
Very clearly John tells of a judgment in which only one question is
asked, ``Who is worthy'' to open or to reveal a book found in the right
hand of God clearly sealed with seven seals. John states, ``No man in
heaven nor in earth, neither under the earth was able to open the book
neither to look thereon.'' Then John is pointed to the hope of all men:
the Lamb that was slain. Here is a revelation of Christ as our High
Priest in heaven. Here His work is revealed: the opening of the
mysteries of God. These mysteries of which reveal Christ and His
sufficiency to save all whose prayers are directed to God through Him.
Likewise Paul the Apostle has stated:
[So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest,
but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, today have I begotten thee.
For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better
hope did, by which we draw near unto God...But this man, because he
continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore, he is able
also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he
ever liveth to make intercession for them.
But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much
also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon
better promises.
For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands,
which are the figures of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear
in the presence of God for us;
But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever,
sat down on the right hand of God, from henceforth expecting till his
enemies be made his footstool. For by one offering he hath perfected
forever them that are sanctified.... For if we sin willfully after we
have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more
sacrifice for sins... of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he
be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath
counted the blood of the covenant, with which he was sanctified, an unholy
thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that
burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest.... See
that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused
him that spoke on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away
from him that speaketh from heaven.] Hebrews 5:5; 7:19,24-25; 8:6; 9:24;
10:12-14,26,29; 12:18,25.
Clearly then, John is showing us of that very event of which Paul the
Apostle so clearly writes. Christ is the mediator of the New Covenant and
that New Covenant is contained in the seven seals. If we the church have
been so long awaiting that which must be hereafter, why is it that so many
of us in Christendom have not even heard of the seven seals?
Why is this Revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave to Him such a
mystery? The Apostle Peter gives us a clue when he said (1 Peter 1:3,5):
[Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who, according to
his abundant mercy, hath begotten us again unto a living hope by the
resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead ... who are kept by the power
of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last
time.]
Truly Christ is our only Saviour, our only Mediator between man and God.
Likewise, it is true the opening of the seven seals by Christ is as much
or more so important for our salvation as any other former gospels. If
this salvation is ``ready to be revealed in the last time,'' as Peter
says, then we
Page 6
should hear another statement from the Apostle Peter (1 Peter 1:13):
[Wherefore, gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end
for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus
Christ]
So the question remains -- What are the seven seals? And the answer
remains -- a Revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave unto Him to show
unto His servants things which must shortly come to pass. If these things
were to have shortly come to pass then surely they must have already been
fulfilled, and if so, does that mean we are His servants if we know these
things not? Or could it be that the things which must be hereafter
pertaining to God's throne, the judgment, the book, and the Lamb receiving
that book are events directed primarily to the last times or the last
days? If that's the case are we in the last days? If so then it must be
time for God's servants to know these things (Psalms 90:12-17; 91:1-4;
11:3-4). The servant of God will find as we continue in our searching of
the scriptures that every book of the Bible meets and ends in the book of
Revelation. Gems of most sacred truth are to be uncovered, golden
promises never before seen are to be brought to view, for when has grace
ever been needed more than now in the time of which we live?
Page 7
CHAPTER 1
THE FIRST SEAL
Although we, the servants of God, do not live in Asia, we are none the
less to be beneficiaries of their counsels; and they likewise, not being
alive today are no doubt to be a part of the grace which we are to
receive.
Revelation 6:1-2. Here in our Heavenly Zion we see the Lamb loose the
first seal. This preview of God's revelation of His Son is to be of our
utmost interest, for not only will it more clearly reveal the nature of
Christ, but it will likewise unfold more clearly the Divine nature of God
who is the Author of this revelation.
Now let's turn to Psalms 45
Verse 1: ``My (God's) heart is inditing a good matter: I (God) speak of
the things which I (the Creator of all things) have made touching the King
(Christ), my (God's) tongue is the pen of a ready writer.'' Here we see
God not only creates all things by His Word but in His wisdom, He has
chosen some things to be written that by the power of His word He may
bring to pass in His own time. Here we see God by His written Word
foretelling his determined purpose for His Son, Christ.
Verse 2: ``Thou art fairer than the children of men, grace is poured into
thy lips; therefore God hath blessed thee forever, Gird thy sword upon thy
thigh, O most mighty, with thy glory and thy majesty. And in thy majesty
ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness; and thy
right hand shall teach thee terrible things.'' Clearly in the Revelation
Christ is fairer than the fairest. Those who receive the seals receive
the grace found therein. Christ is capable of destroying his enemies for
His majesty truly is great in heaven, for it is witnessed that all angels
bow before him. What is it that Christ shall ride but the white horse
because the book given to Him is the truth and He shall ride prosperously.
Verse 5: ``Thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the king's enemies
whereby the people fall under thee.'' Here we see the meaning of the bow
of which the first seal speaks. Let us pray that none of us refuse ``Him
that speaks from heaven '' and the Spirit of Truth that is now speaking
from heaven for it is likewise written in verse 6:
``Thy throne O God, is for ever and ever; the scepter of thy kingdom is a
right scepter. Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness:
therefore God (Christ), thy God (Father), hath anointed thee with the oil
of gladness above thy fellows. All thy garments smell of myrrh, and
aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee
glad. Kings's daughters were among thy honourable women: upon thy right
hand did stand the queen in gold of Ophir, Hearken, O daughter, and
consider, and incline thine ear; forget also thine own people, thy
father's house; so shall the King (Christ) greatly desire thy beauty; for
he is thy Lord; and worship thou him.''
How can any man deny that the first seal is a preview into the event
spoken of by the 45th Psalm? How important is this insight? How
important is it to God, or to Christ, or to the church? While on earth
Christ spoke many parables regarding His kingdom and his bride. Let's
hear one and see if we cannot more clearly understand the importance of
these things. Matthew 22:1-14:
[And Jesus answered and spoke unto them again by parables, and
said, The Kingdom of heaven is like a certain king, who made a marriage
for his son, and sent forth servants to call them that were bidden to the
wedding; and they would not come. Again he sent forth other servants,
saying, Tell them who are bidden, Behold I have prepared my dinner; my
oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready, come unto the
marriage. But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to
Page 8 his farm, another to his
merchandise; and the remnant took his servants, and treated them
shamefully, and slew them. But when the king heard of it, he was angry;
and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up
their city. Then said he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they
who were bidden were not worthy. Go, therefore, into the highways, and as
many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. So those servants went out
into the highways, and gathered together all, as many as they found, both
bad and good; and the wedding was furnished with guests. And when the
king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man who had not on a
wedding garment. And he saith unto himn, Friend how camest thou in here
not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Then said the king
to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him
into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For
many are called, but few are chosen.]
Notice that in this parable of Matthew, Christ clearly teaches that those
with indifferent attitudes who would not come to the Marriage Supper were
to be slain. Their disinterest offended the King who we know is God. So,
likewise, today if we disregard the truth of the first seal we really
disregard Christ, who opened it and in so doing we disregard God who gave
it. This indifference most surely will place one's salvation in jeopardy.
Matthew 21:42:
[Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The
stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the
corner; this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes?]
In this passage we see Christ pointing his hearers to the Rock (His God).
We know in Revelation 4 God is pictured as one who appears to be as jasper
and sardine stone. This one is the same stone to which Christ referred
to. So again we are reminded that what the Father gives to Christ is a
revelation of Jesus Christ that God gives to Him to show unto his
servants.
Was it really David who wrote the Psalms or was it God who spoke through
David? Was it really the prophets who wrote their books or was it God who
spoke through the prophets? If it was God, we must conclude God claims
the book as His and we should more earnestly take it as God's Word.
We find now in Revelation 19 a verification of the events we have just
read.
Revelation 19:1-13.
``And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in
heaven, saying, ``Alleluia! Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power
unto the Lord our God; For true and righteous are his judgment; for he
hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her
fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand.'' And
again they said, ``Alleluia!'' And her smoke rose up for ever and ever!
And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and
worshipped God that sat on the throne saying, ``Amen! Alleluia!'' And a
voice came out of the throne, saying, ``Praise our God, all ye his
servants, and ye that fear him both small and great!'' And I heard as it
were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and
as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying ``Alleluia! For the Lord God
omnipotent reigneth. Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him
for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself
ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen,
clean and white for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.'' And
he said unto me, ``Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the
marriage supper of the Lamb.'' And he saith unto me, ``Thus are the true
saying of God!'' And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto
me, ``See thou do it not! I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren,
that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of
Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. And I saw heaven opened, and behold a
white horse, and he
Page 9
that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he
doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire and on his
head were many crowns, and he had a name written, that no man knew, but
he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood and his
name is called The Word of God.
Notice how in verse 9 it says, ``Blessed are they which are called unto
the marriage supper of the Lamb!'' And he said unto me, ``These are the
true saying of God!'' Being the true saying of God, the first seal of
Revelation 6:1-2 must be true according to the saying of God in Psalms 45.
And how can we be blessed if we know nothing about the Marriage Supper of
the Lamb nor what it entails?
Isaiah 33:17:
[Thine eyes shall see the king in his beauty; they shall behold
the land that is very far off.]
Are we starting to see the King a little more clearly? And how about that
heavenly land very far off?
Isaiah 55:3-4:
[Incline your ear, and come unto me; hear, and your soul shall
live, and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure
mercies of David. Behold, I have given him for a witness to the peoples,
a leader and commander to the peoples.]
Has not David truly witnessed on behalf of God by God's own power this
beautiful marriage of which all are called to receive the knowledge of.
Isaiah 61:8-10:
[For I, the LORD love judgment, I hate robbery for burnt offering;
and I will direct their work in truth, and I will make an everlasting
covenant with them. And their seed shall be known among the Gentiles, and
their offspring among the peoples; all who see them shall acknowledge
them, that they are the seed whom the LORD hath blessed. I will greatly
rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath
clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the
robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments,
and as a bride adorneth herself with jewels.]
We should surely at this moment realize the importance of learning more
thoroughly the meaning of Christ according to the seals lest we be found
without ``the wedding garment'' of God's judgment, for if we receive this
enlightenment, this grace which comes from heaven, we shall surely be
partakers of the marriage of the Lamb for we are the guests who will
``Hearken and consider.''
Jeremiah 23:5,6,7,8,18,19,20:
[Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto
David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall
execute judgment and justice in the earth. In his days Judah shall be
saved, and Israel shall dwell safely; and this is his name, whereby he
shall be called, THE LORD IS OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. Therefore, behold, the
days come, saith the LORD, that they shall no more say, The Lord liveth,
who brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt, but the
LORD liveth, who brought up and who led the seed of the house of Israel
out of the north country, and from all the countries to which I had driven
them, and they shall dwell in their own land....For who hath stood in the
counsel of the LORD, and hath perceived and heard his word? Who hath
marked his word, and heard it? Behold, a whirlwind of the LORD is gone
forth in fury, even a grievous whirlwind; it shall fall grieveously upon
the head of the wicked. Then the anger of the
Page 10
LORD shall not return, until he have executed, and till he have performed
the thoughts of his heart; in the latter days ye shall consider it
perfectly.]
This beautiful prophecy, the Desire of Ages, entails of Christ the Lord
our Righteousness and also warns us of the latter days should we be found
not standing in the counsel of the Lord. If we, the church of God, stand
in the counsel of Christ, especially in the light of the seven seals,
shall we not be a part of that beautiful bride spoken of in Jeremiah 33?
Jeremiah 33:14-16:
[Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will perform that good
thing which I have promised unto the house of Israel and to the house
of Judah. In those days, and at that time, will I cause the Branch of
righteousness to grow up unto David; and he shall execute judgment and
righteousness in the land. In those days shall Judah be saved, and
Jerusalem shall dwell safely; and this is the name of which she shall
be called, THE LORD, OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.]
She, the city, she, the saints, those who are clothed with the
righteousness of Christ and His Word, for it is also promised in verse 17,
``David shall never want a man to sit upon the throne of the house of
Israel.'' For Christ remains a King ``forever.'' (Psalm 45:6)
Ezekiel 37:24-25 Daniel 12:1:
[And David, my servant, shall be king over them, and they all shall have
one shepherd; they shall also walk in mine judgments, and observe my
statutes, and do them. And they shall dwell in the land that I have given
unto Jacob, my servant, in which your fathers have dwelt; and they shall
dwell in it, even they, and their children, and their children's children
forever; and my servant, David shall be their prince forever.]
[And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince who standeth
for the children of thy people, and there shall be a time of trouble,
such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time; and
at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be
found written in the book.]
If we are to be found written in the book, surely we should be found in
the first seal for there Christ is revealed, shall not we also be revealed
as one who ``hearkens and considers'' for is not He ``our Lord'' and shall
not we ``worship'' him ``in spirit and in truth'' (John 4:24).
In Hosea 2:14 we read, ``Therefore, behold I will allure her [and bring
her into the wilderness, and speak tenderly unto her]'' The Christian
Church being scattered from Jerusalem went throughout all nations. Being
amongst the Gentiles, the gospel was to impart unto the Gentiles the
riches of God's mercy.
Verse 15: ``And I will [give her her vineyards from thence, and the Valley
of Achor for a door of hope; and she shall sing there, as in the days of
her youth, and as in the day when she came up out of the land of] Egypt.''
Here it is promised that once the unfaithful ones as Achan are taken from
amongst God's people we will definitely have a deliverance and all the
prophets agree.
Verse 16: [And it shall be at that day, saith the LORD, that thou shalt
call me Ishi, and shalt call me no more Baali.] If we are to call God by
such an endearing term, we are to know Him a little better and what better
[way] to know him than in the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Verse 17: [For I will take away the names of Baalim out of her mouth, and
they shall no more be remembered by their name.] All false teachers and
false prophets are to be forgotten for there is one God, and one Lamb and
one seven
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seal truth.
Verse 18: [And in that day will I make a covenant for them with the beasts
of the field, and with the fowls of the heavens, and with the creeping
things of the ground; and I will break the bow and the sword and the
battle out of the earth, and will make them to lie down safely.] Just as
Isaiah 11 has promised, so Hosea also promises, peace for those who are
called to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.
Verses 19 and 20: [And I will betroth thee unto me forever; yea, I will
betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in
lovingkindness, and in mercies. I will even betroth thee unto me in
faithfulness; and thou shalt know the LORD.] So again, here we see the
importance of this opportunity of learning these seven seals and the
complete entailment of what that includes.
Verse 21: [And it shall come to pass in that day, I will hear, saith the
LORD, I will hear the heavens, and they shall hear the earth.] Are we not
a part of this event by faith? Is not heaven in total unity to the
receiving of these seals from God? Is not God's word supreme in heaven?
And it being the Word which reveals Christ now is the time like never
before to pray that we may be worthy to understand these things more
clearly.
Verse 22 and 23: [And the earth shall hear the corn and the wine, and the
oil; and they shall hear Jezreel. And I will sow her unto me in the
earth; and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I
will say to them who were not my people, Thou art my people; and they
shall say, Thou art my God.] We will not go at this point into the in
depth meaning of the book of Hosea in every particular for our primary
subject at this point is the first seal and the Marriage is that subject.
This should inspire us to look into the meaning of Hosea 3:5 ``Afterward
[shall the children of Israel return, and seek the LORD, their God, and
David, their king, and shall fear the LORD and his goodness in the latter
days.]
Joel 2:15,16: [Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn
assembly. Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the
elders, gather the children, and those that nurse at the breasts; let the
bridegroom go forth from his chamber, and the bride out of her closet.]
Yes, the bride is definitely to be revealed for we know that Christ is in
the Heavenly Sanctuary anticipating His Marriage of which God has spoken.
Should we not eagerly ourselves be ready to accept this truth and come out
of our closet and be revealed to the world as those who love Christ in
truth and in righteousness.
Amos 9:11,14,15: [In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that
is fallen, and close up the breaches of it; and I will raise up his ruins,
and I will build it as in the days of old ... And I will bring again the
captivity of my people of Israel, and they shall build the waste cities,
and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyeards, and drink their wine;
they shall also make gardens, and eat the fruit of them. And I will plant
them upon their land, and they shall no more be pulled up out of their
land which I have given them, saith the LORD, thy God.]
Obadiah 21: [And saviors shall come up on Mount Zion to judge the mount of
Eaau; and the kingdom shall be the LORD's.]
COMMENTS AND CLARIFICATIONS
Drs. James D. Tabor and J. Phillip Arnold
David Koresh asked that his completed manuscript be given to us
through his lawyer, Dick DeGuerin. Evidently he expected that we would
read it with sensitivity and offer some reaction and evaluation based on
our academic study of Biblical texts and our knowledge of the history of
the interpretation of
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the Book of Revelation. The following preliminary comments will help the
reader who is not technically trained in these esoteric texts to follow
David's rather involved thinking and interpretation. Whatever one thinks
of the Branch Davidians and their Biblical views, one can at least
endeavor to understand their systematic interpretation of Scripture which
they obviously found so compelling.
The key to understanding David Koresh and his perception of his
identity and mission clearly centers on one question taken from the book
of Revelation -- ``Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its
seals?'' (Revelation 5:2). The text identifies a figure known as the
Lamb, or ``Root [Branch] of David'' who alone is able to open this
mysterious book sealed with Seven Seals (5:5). Traditional Christianity
has, of course, always understood this one to be none other than Jesus
Christ of Nazareth. Hence the endless confusion as to whether or not
David Koresh actually claimed to be ``Jesus,'' or even God himself, for
that matter. This manuscript makes it clear that he claimed to be
neither, despite all the confused and misleading reports about his
self-understanding. However, he certainly did claim to be this Lamb who
opens the sealed scroll, as well as the figure who rides the White Horse
when the First Seal is opened, and appears at the end of the book, still
mounted on the same White Horse, when the ``marriage of the Lamb'' takes
place (Rev 6:1-2; 19:7-19).
Part of the confusion has to do with the use of the term ``Christ.''
This Greek word is not a name, but a title. It means ``an anointed one''
or to use the original Hebrew word, a ``messiah.'' All the ancient high
priests and kings of Israel were ``anointed,'' and in that sense can be
called ``christ'' or ``messiah.'' This is standard Biblical usage.
However, the Prophets began to focus on a specific and ideal Christ or
Messiah who is to come. This one was to be a ``Branch of David,'' that
is, a descendant of King David, and would rule as a King in Jerusalem,
bringing peace to Israel and all nations (Isaiah 11:1; Jeremiah 23:5).
This Christ, like David of old, is also called the ``Son of God'' (Psalm
2:6; 2 Samuel 7:14). David Koresh clearly believed that Jesus of Nazareth
was this Christ. However, he also maintained that the prophets foretold
of another ``Christ,'' a Branch of David, who would appear at the end of
time and open the Seven Seals.
Psalm 45 is the key to the First Seal, according to David. Here the
King is anointed, that is made ``Christ,'' and rides his horse
triumphantly (verses 1-7). This is parallel to Revelation 6:1-2 and
19:7-19 -- so this figure is none other than the Lamb. After conquering his
enemies, the marriage feast takes place. This Lamb marries virgin
``daughters'' and has many children who are destined to rule with him over
the earth (Psalm 45:10-17). Jesus of Nazareth, though anointed as Christ,
never fulfilled this role 2000 years ago. Accordingly, David believed that
Psalm 45, along with several other key Messianic texts, could not apply to
this appearance of Jesus Christ of the first century. Jesus never married
and had children, as this text requires. Psalm 40 also speaks of the same
figure: ``Then said I, Lo, I come; in the scroll of the book it is written
of me, I delight to do thy will, O my God, yea thy law is within my
heart'' (verses 6-7). The text goes on to speak of this one as having
``iniquities more than the hairs of mine head'' (verse 12). This so-
called ``sinful messiah'' is none the less the one written of in the
scroll -- which David connected, obviously, to the Seven Sealed Scroll of
Revelation 6. The same figure is mentioned in Isaiah 45:1 and called by
name: ``Thus says the LORD, to his anointed (christ), to Cyrus (Koresh in
Hebrew), whose right hand I have held, to subdue nations before him ...''
This Cyrus, or Koresh, is called Christ. His mission is to destroy
Babylon. Historians have understood the reference to be to the ancient
Persian King Cyrus, who literally destroyed ancient Babylon. But there is
a deeper spiritual and prophetic meaning according to Koresh, and for that
matter, the book of Revelation. The whole religious-political system is
called ``mystery Babylon the Great.'' As the text says, ``Babylon is
fallen, is fallen,'' hinting at a double meaning and fulfillment (Rev
18:2). The last Babylon is defeated by
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the last Christ/King/Koresh, the ``Branch of David.''
In his manuscript David barely begins to get into the many texts of
the Prophets who speak of this ``Davidian'' figure (Jeremiah 23:5-8;
19-20; 33:14-16; Ezekiel 37:24-25; Hosea 3:5). He makes the point
repeatedly that this Christ comes in the latter times, and perceives that
Jesus of Nazareth, who came 2000 years ago, never fulfilled these texts.
The Lamb who opens the Seals comes right before the End, is humiliated and
maligned, and like Jesus 2000 years ago, offers the world God's truth. In
other words, David was the actual, final manifestation of the Lamb, who
will fulfill these prophecies regarding the Messiah.
According to this perspective, the Waco standoff and ``waiting
period'' was a test for all humanity. It did not have to end as it did.
David believed that the world was being offered a chance to listen to this
last Christ/Koresh, who could open the Seals, and thus show the way of
repentance to our society. There was even an opportunity given for the
actual decoding of the Seven Seals in written form, to be openly shared
with all who wanted to hear. This was all cut short. The rejection and
death of David, at age 33, around Passover time, became a strange
repetition of the past. The Fifth Seal, which allowed for a time of
repentance while the message went forth, ended with the ``rest killed'' as
predicted (Rev 6:11). The Branch Davidians now believe that the probation
period is up, and the Sixth Seal of the Judgment of God is pending.
The manuscript indicates that who respond to the message of
repentance, who turn to God and begin following the Law of God, through
accepting the Lamb/Koresh/Christ/King, will be invited to the ``Marriage''
feast. They are those ``elect'' ones who make up the Bride of the Lamb.
As Koresh ends his discourse on the First Seal, this is mainly on his
mind. Those who are truly part of the ``Bride'' are to come out of the
``closet'' and be revealed for who they are.
The manuscript also carefully maintains the distinction between the
God the Father and His Lamb or Messiah. In that sense David Koresh never
claimed to be God. However, like the Hebrew Prophets of old, and like
Jesus of Nazareth, he did claim to speak the words of Yahweh God (the
Father) directly, and in that sense could use, as they did, the first
person mode of discourse.
The Poem entitled ``Eden to Eden,'' is quite fascinating. Like Paul,
David implies that the ``marriage of the Lamb'' is a mystery which somehow
rectifies what happened at Eden in the Fall (Ephesians 5:31-32). The
physical sexual union (``the two shall become one flesh'') has a deeper
meaning, and involves the perfect bonding of ``Adam and his spirit Eve''
in the ``new Man'' to come. David taught the importance of the feminine
side of the Divine and implies that Adam was created to express this dual
image. However, through sin, Adam and his descendants were separated from
the spiritual, feminine side, and remain in need of restoration. Through
the revelation of Christ in the person of the Lamb, people are being
reunited with their fragmented selves and gathered as lovers of God for
the ultimate marriage union which will restore Eden.
LITERARY ANALYSIS
What evidence is there that David Koresh would have kept his pledge to
``come out'' of Mt. Carmel, as he stated in his letter to his attorney,
Dick DeGuerin on April 14th? We know that the first chapter of this work
was completed on Sunday evening, the night before the fire, and was
typed onto a computer disk by Ruth Riddle. This disk survived the fire,
carried out by Ruth Riddle in her jacket pocket.
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The existence of the manuscript itself, as well as internal evidence
within the text, confirm that David was keeping his promise to produce an
interpretive document. Such evidence also supports the view that David
actually intended to lead his group out peacefully. A literary analysis
of the text clearly shows that David was not merely ``pretending'' to
write on the seals, and that his pledge of April 14 was not a con or sham.
An analysis of this newly-released manuscript offers three reasons to
conclude that David genuinely planned to compose a full written
interpretation of the Seven Seals and that he intended, upon completion,
to make this work available to the public.
First, the form and structure of the manuscript indicate that David's
efforts were genuine, purposeful, and tangibly productive. After
conceptualizing the project over that last weekend, David dictated to his
typist on Sunday evening, April 18, in one long sitting of approximately
four hours. The text consists of about twenty-five double-spaced pages of
coherent and organized exegesis and commentary on biblical passages.
Using both deductive and inductive logic, David presents his
interpretation of biblical prophecy. Although his interpretation is unique
in its specific application and reference, it is similar in method and
style to other well known exegetes such as Isaac Newton, Joseph Smith,
Ellen G. White, J.N. Darby, C. I. Schofield, or Hal Lindsey.
The structure of the manuscript is well planned and suggests that the
author took pains to organize it in such a way that it would be
well-received as a readable exposition. For example, the work begins with
a preface consisting of a poem, written or arranged by David. The poem
is entitled EDEN TO EDEN and contains fifty-two lines divided into
thirteen stanzas of four lines of metered and rhyming verses.
Further evidence of a careful hand at work appears in the section
which follows the Poem. David entitles this section the ``Introduction.''
It sets forth the hermeneutical principles and general themes which follow
in the main body of the work. Following this Introduction the author
begins ``Chapter One,'' in which he turns his attention to the meaning of
Seal One.
Chapter One is subdivided into thirteen headings which consist of
specific passages from the Bible. It remains to be seen whether these
headings parallel the thirteen stanzas in the poem which prefaces the
work. David comments on each of these biblical chapters and creatively
associated them with the First Seal found in the Book of Revelation. In
this way he combines insights from the Old Testament and the New Testament
using traditional Rabbinic and Christian exegetical techniques. He closes
with a clarion call for his readers to consider his presentation and
decide for themselves if it is true. The Chapter ends with two biblical
quotations, offering a sense of closure in regards to the First Seal and
expectancy regarding Chapter Two on the Second Seal, which would have been
dictated at the next sitting -- probably on the very day of the fire.
The second indication within the manuscript that validates David's
pledge to exit Mt. Carmel has to do with his intended audience as
indicated by his style. Throughout the work David carefully directs his
words to those on the outside of Mt. Carmel, assuming an audience who
would not know the meaning of the Seven Seals. The vocabulary of the
writer, and his style and approach, show that he expects his words will be
read by non-believers outside Mr. Carmel. The implied audience is
non-Davidian. This indicates that David wanted to persuade his hearers.
He considered the delivery of the manuscript to his lawyer, Dick DeGuerin,
as his God given task and privilege.
Finally, specific statements in the text support David's pledge to
come out. Ironically, the very last words we have from David in this
manuscript read: ``Should we not eagerly ourselves be ready to accept this
truth and come out of our closet and be revealed to the world as those who
love Christ in
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truth and in righteousness?'' David not only expects some readers to
accept his teaching, but he also prepares his followers inside Mt. Carmel
to ``come out'' of the center. This is seen further in his reference to
Joel 2:15,16, which is quoted immediately before the sentence above. This
passage orders those in Zion (read: Mt. Carmel) to ``gather the people
... assemble the elders ... gather the children" and infants and follow
the bridegroom (read: David), ``from his chamber and the bride out of her
closet.'' The Davidians understood other passages from Isaiah to refer to
their refuge at Mt. Carmel as a ``chamber'' where they could wait for
God's intervention. This use of the term ``come out,'' drawn from
Scripture, used in David's April 14th letter, and now appearing in the
manuscript, clearly indicates what was on his mind.
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//end//
