When Marc Breault moved to Loma Linda to study ministry, he was befriended by a man named Vernon Howell who invited him to join his Bible study group. Marc went along to some of their gatherings and became attracted to their fresh perspective on prophetic interpretation and keen interest in Bible study. In an interview a few years later in 1993, Marc reflected that part of his initial attraction to this group was that “instead of a stale, boring religion, we had something which, if nothing else, was interesting”. It wasn’t long before Marc became a member of their group.
This group was called the Branch Davidians. The Branch Davidian movement originally started as an offshoot from the Seventh-day Adventist Church, dissenting over disagreements on some core theological teachings. As time progressed, the Branch Davidians developed the belief that the Messiah prophesied in the book of Isaiah did not refer to Jesus, but to a coming messiah who would bring about a future “Davidic Kingdom” during the apocalypse.
At first, this group was mostly harmless, but it didn’t take long for things to become quite dangerous and escalate out of control.
Vernon Howell first stumbled upon the Branch Davidians in 1981. He claimed to have the gift of prophesy and gained increasing power within their community until he became their leader. He took advantage of the Branch Davidians’ expectant hope for a coming messiah and began to teach that he was this promised “Davidic Messiah”, changing his name to David Koresh (meaning “David Messiah”).
David Koresh began recruiting within the Adventist Church, drawing followers from Australia during his visits in 1988 and 1990. Koresh was very charismatic, “reasonable and well-read as far as Scriptures [were] concerned . . . he started speaking in a gentle, pleasant manner. He spoke about how he was going to right the wrongs in the world . . .” (Record, May 8, 1993).
Once he had enticed his listeners into his theology, Koresh began to instil doubt. “At first, he appeared on the side of the Church, but then began to create doubts about the ministry and then the Church” (Record, April 17, 2023). He targeted new church members and those who were dissatisfied with the Church. Marc Breault suggested that one of the reasons Koresh gained such a popular following was that “there are many Adventists hungry for truth who aren’t being satisfied by what we have” (Record, October 30, 1993). Koresh exploited these vulnerable people who were hungering for spiritual truth, offering a sensationalist message mixed with manipulative practices, indoctrination and “brainwashing techniques” that naturally ignited a following. He taught that the battle of Armageddon was imminent, drilling his followers to prepare, and “prophesied” of a final battle—a trial by fire—where true believers would be delivered. It readily became apparent that this religious group was, in fact, a cult. Marc Breault realised this and left, helping others realise too and escape.
The cult came to a devastating end in April 1993. The FBI believed the Branch Davidians were stockpiling arms in their compound in Waco, Texas (USA), and lay siege to their compound for 51 days before the compound caught alight (cause of fire remains contested) and 76 of the 85 Branch Davidians were killed—including many children.
Following this, the truth about David Koresh came to the forefront.
He had been expelled from the Seventh-day Adventist Church after aggressively pursuing a pastor’s daughter. He had “married” multiple women in the compound—some of whom were as young as 11 years old—to father at least 13 children. Multiple children who had grown up in the Branch Davidian community reported being molested by Koresh. “He was a tool of the devil if ever there was one” (Record, May 8, 1993).
Marc Breault was among one of many interviewed in 1993 following the Waco massacre, with one consistent theme emerging from all interviews: “the only way we as a people can avoid this kind of thing happening again is to be rooted and grounded in the Scriptures” (Record, April 17, 2023).
There are many people in our world hungering for spiritual truth and searching for it in the wrong places—like cults and New Age beliefs. As we have opportunity, may we be faithful and diligent in nurturing the faith of these vulnerable individuals hungering for spiritual food, grounding them in the truth.
Olivia Fairfax is the assistant editor, Adventist Record
