Ian & Stuart's Australian Mac: Not for Sale/Another.not.for.sale (Australia).iso/no need to argue/Koresh.7Seals

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From [e-mail] Thu Mar 31 13:59:03 1994
Date: Thu, 31 Mar 1994 11:31:45 -0800
From: Joseph Matheny <[e-mail]>
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Subject: Koresh


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From: podbox![e-mail] (Wesley Nations)
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The following is being forwarded by wnations:

[Ron - Wes said you might be interested in seeing this.  I sent a
hardcopy of just the Seven Seals part to Jim last week, suggesting
he seek permission to reproduce it in one of his upcoming books.
Wes also tells me you're looking for a copy of the LAM Statement.
While the actual original statement may never be released to the
profane, I do believe there are a few different versions floating
around out there somewhere.  I'll be sure to send you a copy if
I turn up anything. - Paul]

Date: Tue, 08 Mar 94 18:14:56 EST
From: Prof. James Tabor <[e-mail]>
To: All <[e-mail]>
Subject: Koresh Manuscript

The David Koresh manuscript on the Seven Seals, written the last few
days of
his life, does exist--it was carried out on disk by Ruth Riddle.  As per
David's instructions it was given to me and to Dr. Phillip Arnold.  Anyone
can get a printed copy by writing Dr. Arnold, Reunion Institute, P. O. Box
981111, Houston, TX 77098 (it is free, but enclose $5 for printing and
postage).  It is also available on E-mail.  Send me a message and I will
forward it on: [e-mail]

James D. Tabor
Dept. of Religious Studies
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Charlotte, NC 28223






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Date:         Thu, 24 Feb 1994 13:49:58 -0500
Reply-To:     First Century Judaism Discussion Forum
              <[e-mail]>
Sender:       First Century Judaism Discussion Forum
              <[e-mail]>
From:         Robert Kraft <[e-mail]>
Subject:      Koresh MS
X-cc:         [e-mail],
              Jack Abercrombie <[e-mail]>
To:           Multiple recipients of list IOUDAIOS
              <[e-mail]>
In-Reply-To:  <[e-mail]> from "David J
Reimer" at
              Feb 23, 94 12:38:17 pm

The Koresh MS that James Tabor sent me for final preparation is ready to
distribute. It will go on the ccat gopher, and probably should go on one
or two listserv sites for those who don't gopher. Whether it also should
go out to the list itself is the listowner's decision, I think. Anyhow,
I attach it for your disposition.

Bob
=====


                         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
                                   Page 11
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
                                   Page 12
                                   Page 13

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
                                   Page 13
                                   Page 14

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.


                                   Page 14
                                   Page 15

    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
                                   Page 15
                                   Page 16

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.

                                   Page 16
                                   Page 17


                                   Page 17


//end//



EVENTS AT WACO: AN INTERPRETIVE LOG
James D. Tabor, Associate Professor
Dept. of Religious Studies
University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Copyright James D. Tabor, February 1994
May be circulated freely for non-commercial purposes
with appropriate credit given


Coding Key, pattern <key>...</> is a unit:
<d> indicates dates
<e> indicates emphasis.
ALL CAPS indicates Policy Blunder by FBI
<f> indicates significant FBI strategy shift or activity
<f> ALL CAPS indicates both of above combined
<k> indicates Koresh positions and other matters related to dealing
    with his own religious understanding.
<m> indicates Koresh's preaching and attempts to put across his
    message.
<p> indicates persons exiting or entering the Mt. Carmel Center
<r> indicates official report (source).


A careful reading of this chronology makes clear some rather
significant and startling conclusions.  Notice the various
periods in which there were people being let out of the Mt.
Carmel Center--once this seemed to stop, and David Koresh's
position became firm about not coming out until he heard from
God, the FBI began to significantly toughen its stance.  You can
see this in particular from March 15th on, and even though
significant numbers of people exited (7 on March 21st alone), the
tactical side of the FBI kept stepping up the pressure,
harassment, threats, and so forth.  Note also they totally gave
up on David's ``Bible Babble,'' early on, and never understood
that such was actually the <e>only</> substantive channel of
negotiation.  Also, note how absolutely consistent David Koresh
is, utterly to the end.  He holds out, against all pressures, for
his ``word from God.''  Yet when he finally gets it, it is not
even given a moment's attention.  Even when things began to move
very positively with the visits of the lawyers on March 29-April
4th, the FBI became only deafened to what was going on and
hardened its positions and actions.  Their independent plans for
the CS GAS attack, which were begun as early as March 22nd, the
very day they had their ``get tough'' strategy meeting, had moved
to a fast pace by April 9th, and it became clear that this was
going to be the outcome--regardless of what else was going on.
The ``experts'' who evaluated the letters which were sent out on
April 9, 10, 11, and 14th are <e>much to blame</> for this whole
matter, and are obviously completely illiterate when it comes to
Biblical materials.  They reinforced completely the FBI's
impression that David's Biblical ideas were crazy, incoherent,
and psychotic, that he was not coming out.  What Dr. Phillip
Arnold and Dr. James Tabor had done with their tapes, and through
consultations with Dick DeGuerin, the very strategy that was
working and getting a positive, coherent, and totally rational
response from Koresh, was lost somehow in the background.  It was
actually the only ``coherent negotiation strategy'' pursued in
the whole episode, and it was working.


<d>Sunday, February 28</>

9:30am  BATF assault on Mt. Carmel Center (MtCC).

9:48am  911 call made by BD Wayne Martin pleading that they call
them back, stop firing.  <r>Justice Department Report</> does not
mention time of call, later classifies the whole affair an ambush
by the BD.

11:00am FBI Agent Jeff Jamar notified in San Antonio, negotiators
requested. Agent Byron Sage sent, gets on 911 line by 2:00 p.m.

Texas Rangers arrive (32 within few days), to lead criminal
investigation. FBI role to be limited to ending standoff.  US
Attorneys also arrive, two of which (Johnston & Phinizy) had
assisted with initial warrants, to immediately work on case
against BD, with homicide and assault charges formulated
immediately.

4:00pm Koresh message broadcast over KRLD.  Repeated twice.

4:55pm Gun fight: Mike Schroeder shot, Delroy Nash arrested,
Robert Kendrick escaped, but later caught.  They had been at Mag
Bag at time of raid.

8:00pm CNN carried live telephone interview with Koresh.  FBI
told them not to conduct any more.

By 10pm <p>Four children exit</> (2 Sonobe; 2 Fagan)


<d>Monday, March 1</>

Clinton informed by Acting AG Stuart Gerson, told strategy was
negotiation, not tactical--<f>he was to be informed of any change
to tactical resolution</>.  Gerson states the FBI policy is to
``talk them out, no matter how long it takes.''

FBI HRT begins arriving.

Two phone lines left open--calls out to FBI only.

6:00pm Armored vehicles moved into inner perimeter.  Koresh very
upset over phone lines being cut and restricted and armored
vehicles coming in.

<p>Ten children exit</> by 11:00pm (4 Wendel; 3 Mabb; 1
Schroeder; 1 Martin; 1 Silvia).

Koresh promised to come out after a taped message played
nationwide.


<d>Tuesday, March 2</>

1:20am <p>Two children exit</> (Nobrega; Vaega)

8:10am <p>Two adults; two children exit</> (Margaret Lawson, 75;
Catherine Matteson, 77; 2 Martins).

1:30pm Koresh Message played over KRLD and CBN Network

6:00pm Koresh reports <k>God had told him to WAIT, he was not
coming out until he received additional order from God.</>


<d>Wednesday, March 3</>

Two elderly women released the previous day are charged
 with attempted murder; BD very upset;
FBI got charges dropped.

12:40pm <m>Koresh preaching</> (1 hour).  <k>All is up to his
Father now, he must wait.  He would still keep his word and
surrender when God told him it was time</>.

Request to speak with Robert Rodriquez denied

Body of Michael Schroeder recovered by agents

2:49pm <m>Koresh preaching</> (1 hour).  FBI REPORTS IT RAMBLED,
MADE LITTLE SENSE, WAS ALL ABOUT UNLOCKING THE SEVEN SEALS AND
THE END OF THE WORLD.

4:26pm <p>One child exits with puppies</> (Jones)

9:40pm <m>Koresh preaching</> (4 hours!). CHARACTERIZED AS A
MONOLOGUE, warnings that FBI would be responsible for disaster to
unfold.


<d>Thursday, March 4</>

7:25am <p>One child exits</> (Jones)

<m>Koresh preaching</> (7 hours!).  Tells of his miraculous
meeting with God in 1985.  FBI gives pages of quotes trying to
show how Koresh made no sense HIGHLIGHTING THE DIFFICULTIES
NEGOTIATORS FACED WHEN DEALING WITH KORESH.  Among other things,
he reveals what he wanted most, ``<k>one honest Bible study in
this great nation of America...America does not have to be
humiliated or destroyed</>.''


<d>Friday, March 5</>

8:39am <p>One child exits</> (Jones)

<m>Koresh preaching</>, much of day.  Said he knew of this battle
since 1985, threatened violence, <k>firmly maintained he could
not come out until ordered to do so by God.</> When questioned
about additional children coming out he said, <k>We're dealing
with MY children, these are different than the other children</>.

Gent's body found, request to bury.


<d>Sabbath, March 6</>

<k>Schneider mentions that he thinks FBI will try to burn the
building to destroy the evidence of what happened Feb 28th.
Schneider objects mostly to media communication blackout and
armed vehicles on their property.</> FBI offers to pull back
vehicles if four people come out immediately and Koresh agrees to
surrender.  Koresh agrees to send out Melissa Morrison if he can
talk to Rodriquez.  Refused.  General sense of breakdown.

8:25pm Call to Koresh, <m>Koresh preaches</> (2 hours).  KORESH
PREACHED BUT REFUSED TO DISCUSS ANY MATTERS OF SUBSTANCE.
Claimed for the first time that he was the Christ.  FBI quotes
long portion of Koresh preaching to DEMONSTRATE THE FBI'S
FRUSTRATION IN ATTEMPTING TO NEGOTIATE WITH KORESH (actually, it
is a long quote from Nahum, and makes sense within the BD
apocalyptic system).


<d>Sunday, March 7</>

Dr. Phillip Arnold attends FBI Press Conference, speaks with
Agent Ricks, offering his expertise (not much interest shown);
later goes to FBI Command Center and offers services there.

12:11am <m>Koresh preaches</> (3 hours), early morning.  FBI
NOTES THAT KORESH'S DELIVERY OF RELIGIOUS RHETORIC WAS SO STRONG
THAT THEY COULD HARDLY INTERRUPT HIM TO DISCUSS POSSIBLE
SURRENDER.

Many conversations (42 over 12 hours!) and all inside expressed
their anger and frustration at negotiators.  FBI offered milk in
exchange for release of more children.

Koresh speaks of his children again: <k>You're dealing with my
biological children now...that's what we've come down to</>.


<d>Monday, March 8</>

Body of Peter Gent buried.

Milk delivered (bugged according to Rita Riddle).

1st. Videotape sent out, showing Koresh's wounds, several children.

Tapes from family members played over telephone to BD.


<d>Tuesday, March 9</>

Negotiators try to drive a wedge between Schneider and Koresh--
fail.

<f>ELECTRICITY CUT OFF</>; restored at 10:30am so BD can watch
staged new conference (used as means of communicating).

Videotape of released children sent in.

2nd Videotape sent out; showed 29 individuals, all said they
wanted to remain inside.

Dr. Phillip Arnold gets call from FBI Agent Tom Murphy, some
beginning discussion of Revelation, the ``Seals,'' and so forth.

<f>[Around this period the FBI clearly begins to see things as
stalemated: no more children are coming out; all those inside say
they want to stay; David says he must wait to hear from God; when
the FBI gets David on the phone he only talks his ``Bible
Babble,'' as they have begun to call it.]</>


<d>Wednesday, March 10</>

2:28am <f>ELECTRICITY CUT OFF, BECAUSE OF SENSE OF STALEMATE</>.
Power restored at 10:15am for news conference.

Videotape of FBI negotiators sent in, pleading for peaceful
resolution.

FBI reports 4 1/2 hours of attempted negotiations, no progress
end of day--but apparently Koresh has been silent--<e>doesn't
talk to them until 7pm next evening</>.


<d>Thursday, March 11</>

Schneider tells FBI Koresh quite excited about ``Guitar Nebula''
mentioned by Paul Harvey on radio.  Koresh later denies this is
his ``sign'' <k>but he clearly sees this comet as very
significant</>.


[JANET RENO SWORN IN AS NEW ATTORNEY GENERAL MARCH 12]


<d>Friday, March 12</>

Dr. Phillip Arnold talks with FBI Agent Murphy several times by
phone on his Waco visit, discusses Revelation, Seven Seals, and
related matters.

10:41am <p>Kathy Schroeder exits</>

6:00pm  <p>Oliver Gyarfas exits</>, three more to come out next
day.

11:07pm <f>JEFF JAMAR ORDERS ELECTRICITY TO BE CUT
PERMANENTLY</>. Schneider and Koresh are outraged, threaten to
break off all contact.  FBI negotiation team did not all agree
with this action, said it might be counterproductive.


<d>Sabbath, March 13</>

BD very angry about electricity, cold at night.  Schneider said
the three planning to come out would not come now, <k>charged
that Government wanted to kill all of them and burn down the
building</>.

Letters from attorneys DeGuerin and Zimmerman discussed by FBI,
decided not to allow them to speak to Koresh and Schneider as
they requested at that time.


<d>Sunday, March 14</>

Dr. Phillip Arnold back in Waco, attends FBI News Conference,
asks questions about Passover, the 5th. Seal, points out
significance of David's wounds to the BD.

FBI not wanting to call in so much, did allow Gyarfas and
Schroeder to call in and say they were being treated well.
Koresh and Schneider rebuked Kathy for not being a spokesperson
for them outside.

<f>FBI BEGAN TO SHINE BRIGHT LIGHTS INTO MtCC TO DISRUPT SLEEP</>


<d>Monday, March 15</>

<f>FBI FORMULATES MODIFIED NEGOTIATION STRATEGY: NEGOTIATORS WILL
BE FIRM, INSIST ON PEACEFUL RESOLUTION, BUT WILL REFUSE TO LISTEN
ANY LONGER TO ``BIBLE BABBLE.''</>

Schneider and Martin meet outside for one hour with Byron Sage
and Sheriff Jack Harwell


<d>Tuesday, March 16</>

Some general conversations.  <k>Schneider requests that Phillip
Arnold, who had done a short interview on KRLD on the ``Seals''
be allowed to discuss the Seals with Koresh--PERMISSION
DENIED.</> Arnold later does short interview with Ron Engelman
over KGBS, also on Revelation and the ``Seals.''

Five Audio Tapes dropped off at MtCC from relatives of those
inside.

FBI Agent Richard Lynn calls Dr. Arnold, asks about getting tapes
of the radio programs to send in to MtCC.  <f>Last direct contact
between Dr. Arnold and the FBI</>.

<d>Wednesday, March 17</>

<f>FBI begins to broadcast Audio Tapes over PA system</>;
messages from those who had exited about how they had been well
treated.  Later broadcasts tapes from relatives over PA system.

<f>Sage talks firmly with Koresh, demands surrender</>, questions
Koresh' sincerity.  Koresh totally refuses, Schneider claims that
no one wants to come out, all want to wait.


<d>Thursday, March 18</>

Schneider makes it clear again, no more individuals would be
coming out, all want to stay.  Sage begins to speak to those
inside over PA system, urging them to exit, promising fair
treatment, etc.

<f>ARMORED VEHICLES REMOVE DIESEL AND GASOLINE STORAGE TANKS</>.


<d>Friday, March 19</>

9:45am Package of Materials delivered to MtCC: letters from
Attorneys; <k>audio tape from Phillip Arnold</> (FBI report does
not note in their daily ``Chronology'' (<r>Justice Dept.
Report</>) that the tape was from Dr. Arnold, or that Schneider
demanded to talk to Arnold on March 16), several magazine
articles, etc.  These created a positive effect.

10:59am <k>Koresh says some people are coming out and eventually
everyone will.  He is extremely astounded by the ``Guitar
Comet,'' and considers it related to the whole situation</>.
<k>He clearly thinks it is a sign from God regarding his
validity.</>

<p>Brad Branch and Kevin Whitecliff exit</>.  Held in jail as
material witnesses.

Conversations that evening: <k>Koresh says he and the others were
not going to stay in that much longer</>.


<d>Sabbath, March 20</>

Koresh talked with Branch and Whitecliff.  Schneider said two
others would come out next day.


<d>Sunday, March 21</>

12:15am <p>Victorine Hollingsworth and Annetta Richards exit</>.
<m>Koresh preaches</> (3 hours), FBI calls RAMBLING RELIGIOUS
DISCUSSIONS at one point he says, <k>I told you that my God says
wait, actually I asked for it.  He then explains: because I
didn't want Him to destroy you</>.

11am <p>Rita Riddle and Gladys Ottman exit</>

2:15pm <p>Sheila Martin, James Lawton (70), Ofelia Santoya (62)
exit</>.

<f>FBI BULLDOZES ``OBSTRUCTIONS'' FROM ONE SIDE OF THE MtCC</>

<f>FBI BEGINS PLAYING LOUD MUSIC OVER THE PA SYSTEM</>.
Schneider and Koresh very angry, say because of this, no one is
coming out.


<d>Monday, March 22</>

9:03  FBI calls Schneider, he is still very angry about the
music, which had included Tibetan chants.  Negotiators blamed the
tactical agents. <f>FBI STRATEGY SESSION CALLED BY JAMAR: NO HOPE
FOR MANY MORE COMING OUT; ``STRESS ESCALATION'' MEASURES
DISCUSSED; *TEAR GAS OPTION DISCUSSED* FOR FIRST TIME, IF NO
PROGRESS</>.

Jamar sends in letter: Koresh can have freedom to preach in jail,
also make a worldwide broadcast--if everyone will come out by
noon 23rd.  Live media coverage of their exit promised.


<d>Tuesday, March 23</>

Koresh says he threw letter away.

10:05 <p>Livingston Fagan exits</>.

Conversations are combative and argumentative.

<f>FBI CONTINUES FLOOD LIGHTS ALL NIGHT; PLAYS TAPES OF PREVIOUS
NEGOTIATION AND MESSAGES FROM THOSE WHO EXITED--ALL NIGHT</>


<d>Wednesday, March 24</>

<f>TIBETAN CHANTS, CHRISTMAS MUSIC, AND TAPES OF PREVIOUS
NEGOTIATIONS PLAYED IN PRE-DAWN</>

Schneider angry over noise, refuses to talk that day.

<f>FBI INCREASES VERBAL ASSAULT ON KORESH AT NEWS CONFERENCE:
CALLS HIM LIAR COWARD, ONE WHO HIDES BEHIND CHILDREN</>

6:30pm <p>Louis Alaniz sneaks into MtCC</>


<d>Thursday, March 25</>

General conversations with eight different people over 5 1/2
hours.

<f>FBI DEMANDS 10-20 PEOPLE OUT BY 4:00PM OR THREATENS ACTIONS

4:00PM ARMORED VEHICLES REMOVED MOTORCYCLES AND GO CARTS</>


<d>Friday, March 26

<f>FBI GIVES NOON DEADLINE FOR SENDING OUT TEN OR MORE</>

12:10PM <f>ARMORED VEHICLES REMOVED EIGHT VEHICLES</>

No one would answer the phone that night in the MtCC--FBI called
six times letting it ring twenty times (it was Sabbath!)

11:00pmff MDBO/<p>Jesse Amen sneaks into MtCC</>

<f>LIGHTS, MUSIC, AND HELICOPTERS FLYING OVER ALL NIGHT</>


<d>Sabbath, March 27</>

<f>FBI GIVES UNTIL 1:45PM TO SEND OUT AT LEAST TEN PEOPLE</>.
Schneider reacts: <k>You can kill us, burn us, whatever</>.

<f>1:45PM ARMORED VEHICLES BEGIN CLEARING FRONT OF MtCC</>
Schneider says no one is coming out, no suicide, <k>denied Koresh
was Christ</>, said FBI should set the building on fire (?).


<d>Sunday, March 28</>

<f>FBI DEMANDS AT LEAST 10 PEOPLE COME OUT BY 12:50PM</>

2:56pm <m>Koresh preaches</> (2 hours).  <k>Koresh says he has no
intentions of dying, that he was still waiting for word from God.
</>Koresh asked to speak with Dick DeGuerin, his lawyer.

<f>FBI CLEARED AWAY CARS, FENCES, TREES, AND ALL OBSTRUCTIONS
FROM AROUND COMPLEX ALL AFTERNOON</>

6:10pm  Call from DeGuerin put through to Koresh.  Koresh talks
with FBI later, is upbeat, discusses surrender, promises to do
something definite soon. 3rd. Videotape from BD sent out, showed
19 children being interviewed by Koresh.


<d>Monday, March 29</>

Dr. Phillip Arnold hears about Gas Attack Plan, decides to move
immediately to formulate plan--contacts Dr. James Tabor with
radio program idea, sets it up with Ron Engleman, KGBS.

4:12pm 1st Meeting with between Koresh and DeGuerin (2 hours),
through front door of Complex.


<d>Tuesday, March 30</>

10:00am 2nd Meeting between Koresh and DeGuerin (inside? 2 hours)

2:00pm  3rd Meeting with DeGuerin.

Schneider spoke with his attorney, Jack Zimmerman, by phone.


<d>Wednesday, March 31</>

9:35pm 4th Meeting with DeGuerin (2 1/2 hours)

3:07pm 5th Meeting with DeGuerin (3 hours)


<d>Thursday, April 1</>

Ray Jahn appointed as senior prosecutor by Attorney General.

<k>11:30am Radio Broadcast to Koresh and BD via KGBS by Dr.
Phillip Arnold and Dr. James Tabor regarding Book of Revelation,
entire situation.</> Lawyers fully alerted to broadcast, worked
with Arnold and Tabor to arrange and encourage BD to listen, FBI
also informed and aware of this attempt, although it is noted
nowhere in the <r>Justice Dept. Report</>.

9:53pm 6th Meeting: DeGuerin goes back in, but this time with
Jack Zimmerman.

At 12:55pm DeGuerin calls FBI and asks for more time, reports
positive results. They come out at 6:00pm (8 hours!!)

Lawyers report Koresh will come out in connection with Passover,
not clear on dates. Not planning to go back in again.  Mention
Sabbath and Passover coming up.


<d>Friday, April 2</>

Koresh reported by Schneider to be <k>asking God to tell him when
he should come out.  That evening they report they will come out
``after Passover,'' but do not give a date, telling FBI to
``figure it out.''</> (This has to do with the fact that they had
to count it from the New Moon)


<d>Sabbath, April 3</>

Attorneys ask to go back in, are told it is the Sabbath.

Dr. Phillip Arnold has long meeting with DeGuerin, discusses
Revelation, the importance of the Radio interview, plan
formulated to take tape in the following day.


<d>Sunday, April 4</>

10:35pm  <k>Attorneys go back in with ``important religious
information,'' (Tape from Arnold and Tabor from April 1st.
broadcast).</> FBI knows of this, although it is not mentioned
in the <r>Justice Department Report</>. <k>Stay almost 6 hours.

<k>Everyone to come out after Passover</>, though date was not
clear to lawyers or FBI.

5:38pm <p>Jesse Amen exits</>


<d>Monday, April 5</>

No relevant activity according to FBI report


<d>Tuesday, April 6</>

Little activity,

8pm Schneider calls to <f>COMPLAIN ABOUT MUSIC AND NOISE
DISTURBING THEIR PASSOVER</>, asks that it be turned off in honor
of the religious holiday--threatens never to speak to them again
otherwise.  <f>FBI CONTINUED BROADCASTING THROUGH THE NIGHT</>.


<d>Wednesday, April 7</>

FBI told that Passover would last Seven Days


<d>Thursday, April 8</>

<k>Schneider confirmed that everyone would come out after
Passover, also predicted a chain of events which would surprise
everyone.</> (Probably means the earthquake)


<d>Friday, April 9</>

<k>Schneider tells FBI again that Koresh will not come out until
told to do so by God.</>

3:35pm Schneider send out a <k>LETTER (#1)</> which he says
Koresh dictated to Judy Schneider.  Says the message at the end
is particularly important.  Had to do with earthquake.  FBI
REPORTS THAT THEIR ``EXPERTS'' LOOKED AT THIS AND SUBSEQUENT
LETTERS TELLING THEM KORESH WAS A FUNCTIONING PARANOID-TYPE
PSYCHOTIC, HE HAD NO INTENTION OF SURRENDERING.  Vital content of
letter, from the standpoint of understanding Koresh's religious
message, was completely missed.

<f>FBI FINISHED PLANS FOR INSERTING CS GAS INTO CENTER</>.
Discussion began in DC with Attorney General.  ``If'' and
``when'' discussion.


<d>Sabbath, April 10</>

3:30pm <k>2nd LETTER</> was sent out, contains many Scripture
quotations, especially two attachments A & B quoting out Psalm 45
and Revelation 19--the center of the group's theology and self-
understanding.  FBI SAYS IT HAS NO CLEAR SIGNIFICANCE TO THE
SITUATION AT HAND.  <k>FBI misses this entirely, fails to see the
importance of the content of these letters.</> FBI ``EXPERT''
SAYS LETTER HAD LITTLE SIGNIFICANT, CONSISTING ONLY OF BIBLICAL
QUOTATIONS. <k>Actually, the quotations were very systematically
and carefully chosen an outlined the BD understanding of the
entire situation.</>

Later (when?) <k>3rd LETTER</> sent out, identical in content to
1st. So-called ``EXPERTS'' (WHO KNOW NOTHING OF SCRIPTURE OR
RELIGIOUS STUDIES, AND WHO OBVIOUSLY WOULD HAVE CLASSED ISAIAH OR
JEREMIAH AS PSYCHOTIC, NOT TO MENTION JESUS), CLASSIFY ALL THREE
AS PSYCHOTIC PRODUCTS, STRESSED KORESH WOULD NOT SURRENDER, ALSO
SAID KORESH WANTS TO FIGHT, WILL NOT KILL HIMSELF OR GO FOR
SUICIDE.


<d>Sunday, April 11</>

<f>LIGHTS, NOISE, MUSIC CONTINUE NIGHT AND EARLY MORNING</>

<k>4th LETTER</> sent out, nearly identical to 2nd letter, with
attachments from Psalm 45 and Revelation 19. <k>Note: four
letters, alternately repeating each other, as final warnings to
the Outside.</>  This was intentional, in both sequence and
content.


<d>Monday, April 12</>

<f>Attorney General briefed on CS Gas Plan</>


<d>Tuesday, April 13</>

<m>Koresh preaches</> (5 hours!--until nearly 6 in the morning).
<f></>FBI CALLS IT RAMBLING, DISJOINTED, SAY ``EACH TIME THE
NEGOTIATORS WOULD TRY TO STEER THE CONVERSATION TO SUBSTANTIVE
MATTERS, KORESH WOULD SIMPLY KEEP PREACHING HIS BIBLE BABBLE.''
<k>Koresh repeats his position that God told him to wait, and he
was not coming out until he heard from God.</>


<k>[EVENTS ON APRIL 14TH ARE VITAL TO NOTE CAREFULLY.  JUSTICE
DEPARTMENT REPORT DOES NOT EVEN <p>MENTION<k> A LETTER (they
previously mention it on p. 100, with the first three letters,
thus marginalizing it and putting it off as psychotic!).</> FBI
APPOINTED ``EXPERT'' WHO ANALYZED ALL THE LETTERS TOTALLY
MISUNDERSTOOD THIS LETTER AND ITS VITAL SIGNIFICANCE--MISTAKES
DR. ARNOLD AND TABOR FOR BOOK PUBLISHING AGENTS!!  <f>THAT VERY
DAY THEY ARE FINALIZING PLANS IN DC FOR THE CS GAS ATTACK--
CLEARLY ARE IN NO MOOD TO BACK OFF.  THEY UTTERLY FAIL TO SEE
APRIL 14 AS A BREAKTHROUGH--ALTHOUGH FOR THE FIRST TIME IN ALL
THESE WEEKS DAVID FINALLY SAYS HE HAS WHAT HE HAS BEEN WAITING
FOR: HIS WORD FROM GOD!!!]</>

<d>Wednesday, April 14</>

10:21am  Koresh and Schneider give their <k>BREAKTHROUGH MESSAGE
TO LAWYERS:</> <k>WAITING PERIOD IS OVER, WRITING MANUSCRIPT OF
THE SEVEN SEALS, TO BE GIVEN TO DICK DEGUERIN, THEN JAMES TABOR
AND PHILLIP ARNOLD--THEN WILL EXIT.  THIS IS THE WORD FROM GOD
THEY HAD BEEN TALKING OF FOR WEEKS</>. (It is not clear from
<r>Justice Report</> how the letter was delivered--dictated to
DeGuerin, or what--since a signed copy appears in Appendix of
<r>Justice Dept Report</>.)  <f>FBI BLOWS IT TOTALLY BY
CHARACTERIZING THIS AS A ``NEW PRECONDITION'' FOR COMING OUT,
WHEN IN FACT IT IS THE ONE AND ONLY PRECONDITION--GOD'S WORD TO
KORESH.

<k>Schneider asks for typewriter and/or typewriter ribbon to be
sent in.</>


<d>Thursday, April 15</>

FBI records no relevant activity, interested mainly in water
supply, how long it would last, since AG Reno had asked about
that, before approving CS GAS attack.


<d>Friday, April 16</>

<k>KORESH TELLS FBI HE HAS COMPLETED WORK ON THE FIRST SEAL--ON
HIS MANUSCRIPT</>.  <r>Justice Dept Report</> strangely silent on
all this.

<f>IN WASHINGTON FINAL PLANS ARE MADE FOR THE CS GAS ATTACK,
ATTORNEY GENERA REQUESTS DOCUMENTATION ON OPERATION AND ALL ITS
ASPECTS IN WRITING, TO BE DELIVERED THE NEXT DAY</>

<k>Judy Schneider requests Sharp Word Processor ribbon cassettes,
print wheel, lift-off tape, battery typewriter, ribbon cartridge,
12 D-size batteries, battery operated lamp</> (presumably for
David's Manuscript production)


<d>Sabbath, April 17</>

3:50pm  <p>Louis Alaniz exits</>.

<f>ATTORNEY GENERAL APPROVES CS GAS ATTACK PLAN FOR MONDAY; WACO
NOTIFIED, BEGINS PREPARATIONS</>

Requests for typewriter and ribbons, batteries repeated.  Also
they ask for Laptop computer.  <k>Steve Schneider promises to
send out the First Seal in exchange for the materials they
need.</>


<d>Sunday, April 18</>

<f>ATTORNEY GENERAL NOTIFIES PRESIDENT CLINTON OF PLAN, HE
CONCURS. ARREST WARRANTS OBTAINED FOR ALL INSIDE</>

1:53pm  Armored vehicles began removing all remaining vehicles
from area, including Koresh's prized Camaro, in preparation for
raid.  Koresh calls them, is very angry.

5:32pm Typewriter materials, batteries, and other requested
materials sent in (except for Laptop computer).


<d>Monday, April 19th</>

5:59am Call to MtCC informing them of CS GAS attack; Phone thrown
out the window

6:24am Banner hung by BD asking for phone communications

9:10am Request to fix phone

12:07pm  Fire noticed; Ruth Riddle exits from MtCC with Computer
Disk in her jacket containing the Manuscript on the Seven Seals.



RANDOM OBSERVATIONS ON <r>JUSTICE DEPT REPORT</>

Report claims <e>negotiations</> began almost immediately (after
9:30 assault) to effect a cease fire (p. 21).  Two phone channels
mentioned: ATF Agent James Cavanaugh with Koresh; 911 line
between Lt. Lynch and Schneider and Martin.  Koresh also speaks
with Lynch.  The report does not clarify that it was the BD who
initiated these calls--tends to leave the implication that ATF
immediately tried to call it off, also does not note early time
of the 911 call.  The 911 tapes make it clear that quite the
opposite was the case, that Wayne Martin called just minutes
after the shooting (9:48am), and that Lt. Lunch had great trouble
even getting hold of the ATF command.  Shooting continued for
some time.

Constant emphasis throughout report of all the many times that
Koresh or the BD said there would be no suicide.  Obviously
intended to absolve guilt for what transpired on April 19th: pp.
30 (two times); p.50; p. 60; p. 65 (Kathy Schroeder); p.88, et
al.


<k>FBI Reactions to Koresh Preaching/Religious Perspective of
Branch Davidians</>

``long and rambling sermon'' (p. 38)

``This "Bible Study," as with Koresh's other preaching and
sermonizing, rambled and made little sense, except perhaps to his
followers.  As always, the focus was on "unlocking" the Seven
Seals and interpreting God's intentions about the end of the
world.'' (pp. 39-40)

After 71/2 hours with Koresh on March 4, ``Excerpts from these
conversations serve to highlight the difficulty faced by the
negotiators when dealing with Koresh.''  Following are 6 pages of
quotes designed to show how off the wall and hard to follow
Koresh was (pp. 43-49).  In fact, if one knows the Bible and has
some clue as to what Koresh was all about, the quotes are highly
informative and could have offered many fruitful avenues for
negotiators, who simply answered with bored "um-hum's" and "yes"
every few paragraphs.  FBI note that they compliment David on his
understanding of the Bible, but urge him to come out and preach
to the world.

March 6, FBI report quotes Koresh claiming to be Christ, also
long section they pick to ``demonstrate the FBI's frustration in
attempting to negotiate with Koresh.''  It turns out to be a
quotation from Nahum, quite relevant and understandable to anyone
who knows Koresh, and the Bible (pp.55-57).

March 7, FBI says Koresh's religious rhetoric was ``so strong
that they could hardly interrupt him to discuss possible
surrender'' (p.57).

Letters: one on April 9, two on April 10, one on April 11, and
one on April 14th--all dismissed by FBI on the advise of
``experts'' as product of a psychotic mind, also that he had no
intention of surrender.  All four letters were lumped together,
despite the decidedly different tone and manner of the April 14th
letter.  The Justice report either groups them like this
consciously, to downplay attention to the April 14th letter, or
this treatment actually reflects their utter inability to see the
absolute BREAKTHROUGH on April 14th. NB: at this very time they
were moving ahead with full plans for their CS GAS attack!!
Perhaps there was no mind or will at this time to think of other
alternatives, if they involved more ``waiting.''

The Justice Department chronology becomes strangely silent on
April 14th and following about any activity regarding the writing
of David's manuscript--the requests for typewriter materials,
batteries, etc. made on the 14th, 16th, and 17th are not
mentioned--nor their delivery on April 18th--Sunday night, the
evening BEFORE THE ATTACK.  It seems they definitely want to
downplay any reference to the MANUSCRIPT or the April 14th
Letter!

It is clear that in meeting in Washington D.C. April 12-16th AG
Reno kept asking about the arguments for waiting, taking more
time.  She was never told about the April 14th ``Breakthrough''
as expressed in the Letter, that David now said he had his ``Word
from God,'' after waiting since March 2nd, that he had responded
directly to the Arnold-Tabor tape message, and that he had
completed the First Seal and the group was asking diligently for
writing materials.  Instead she was told about the likelihood of
child abuse and that all indications were that negotiations were
at a standstill and Koresh would never be coming out.

Compiled by James D. Tabor
May be circulated freely with appropriate credit given
FAX [phone]
E-mail [e-mail]



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And last, but not least....  Bob

====


The Role of Biblical Scholarship at Waco:
One Attempt to Avert Disaster

by James D. Tabor
Associate Professor
Department of Religious Studies
University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Copyright March 1994 by James D. Tabor.
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.

=====
The Koresh Package includes the following electronic files
    from James Tabor ([e-mail]):
David Koresh's Unfinished Manuscript on the Seven Seals,
    edited by James Tabor and Phillip Arnold
Events at Waco: and Interpretive Log
Rethinking Waco: the Perspective of the Academic Study of Religion
The Role of Biblical Scholarship at Waco:
    One Attempt to Avert Disaster
=====

THE ROLE OF BIBLICAL SCHOLARSHIP AT WACO:
     ONE ATTEMPT TO AVERT DISASTER


It was 7:25 p.m. on Sunday, February 28, 1993.  My attention was
suddenly riveted to an unfamiliar voice, edged with an appealing
intensity, coming over CNN on the television in the next room.
Anchorman David French had someone on a phone hookup who was
quoting Biblical passages in a steady stream.  A photo of a young
man with glasses and long wavy hair, which was later to become
familiar around the world, was on the TV screen against a
backdrop of a map of Texas with a place marked as ``Mt. Carmel,''
near Waco.  Regular CNN programing had been interrupted.  It was
obvious that some emergency situation was unfolding.  I had not
yet heard of the Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Bureau raid on Mt.
Carmel that very morning at 9:55 a.m. which resulted in a two
hour gun battle with the Branch Davidians, the religious group
which lived there, leaving four AFT agents dead and 15 wounded.
For the moment my attention was drawn to two things which
fascinated me.  The young man from Texas called himself David
Koresh, and he was talking about the ``Seven Seals'' of the book
of Revelation.  As a Biblical scholar I knew that Koresh was the
Hebrew word for Cyrus, the ancient Persian King who destroyed the
Babylonian empire in 539 B.C.E.  I was intrigued that anyone
would have such a last name.  Also, I was quite familiar with the
mysterious Seven Seals in the last book of the Bible, and how
they unfolded in an apocalyptic sequence leading to the Judgment
Day and the End of the World. Like any good newsperson, CNN
anchorman French kept trying to get David Koresh to talk about
the morning raid, how many had been killed or wounded from his
group, and whether he planned to surrender.  Koresh admitted he
was wounded badly, that his two year old daughter had been
killed, and some others were killed and wounded from his group.
But it was clear that he mainly wanted to quote scriptures,
mostly from the book of Revelation.  He said he was the Lamb,
chosen to open the Seven Seals.  He challenged religious leaders
and Biblical scholars from around the world to come to Texas and
engage in debate with him on the Bible, and particularly to try
and match his understanding in unlocking the mystery of the Seven
Seals.

The phone conversation over CNN went on for about 45 minutes.  I
was utterly taken with this whole scene.  Here we were in the