| 1831 | William Miller begins studing the end-time prophecies of the Bible and in 1833 concludes that the world will end in 1843. In 1843 this prediction is revised to 1844. | |
| 1844 | The "Great Disappointment" when Christ fails to appear. The Millerite movement begins to disintegrate, one of the strands, which will ultimately develop into Seventh-day Adventism, believes 1844 marks the beginning of the time of the end, when God's judgement begins in heaven. | |
| 1863 | The Seventh-day Adventist Church becomes a recognised denomination. It is influenced (but not led) by Ellen White, a prophet from God, who reveals the Seventh-day Adventist Church are God's chosen people at the end time. | |
| 1915 | Ellen White dies. The Seventh-day Adventist Church has recognised no prophets from God since Ellen White. | |
| 1929-1931 | Victor Houteff believes he is God's new prophet with new teachings ("New Light"). He is disfellowshipped from the Seventh-day Adventist Church, and forms his own organisation the Davidian Seventh-day Adventists, more popularly known as "The Shepherd's Rod". Its most important teaching is that God will establish a literal kingdom in Israel, ruled by Jesus Christ and his lieutenant, the "Antitypical David". | |
| 1955 | Victor Houteff dies. His widow Florence Houteff assumes leadership although with the title Vice-President. Benjamin Roden contests leadership, saying he is God's new prophet. | |
| 1955-1959 | Ben Roden founds the Branch Davidian Seventh-day Adventists (BDSDA). There are various other splinter groups formed from the Davidian Seventh-day Adventists. | |
| 1962 | Ben Roden and his followers take over New Mount Carmel, formerly headquarters of the Davidian Seventh-day Adventists. | |
| 1962-1978 | Ben Roden teaches Christians are to observe various Hebrew feast days such as the Day of Atonement and the Feast of Tabernacles. In 1978 Ben Roden dies. | |
| 1978-1984 | Lois Roden, Ben Roden's wife, becomes president. In 1977 she has a vision in which she sees the Holy Spirit as the feminine aspect of the trinity. She travels widely and attracts many believers. The BDSDA launches a magazine called Shekinah. | |
| 1981 | Vernon Howell arrives at Mount Carmel Center as the handyman. | |
| 1983 | Vernon Howell claims divine inspiration, he begins cohabiting with Lois Roden. | |
| 1985 | Vernon Howell receives a major revelation from God that he is the Antitypical Cyrus. | |
| 1987-1988 | George Roden, son of Lois and Ben, tries to assume leadership of the BDSDA and becomes involved in a shoot-out at the Mount Carmel property. Eight BDSDAs are arrested including Vernon Howell. At the trial seven of the eight are aquitted, the charges are dropped against Vernon Howell. George Roden goes to prison on unrelated contempt of court charges. | |
| 1990 | Vernon Howell changes his name of David Koresh. | |
| 1993 | Feb 28th, AFT raid on Mount Carmel. Four AFT agents are killed and sixteen wounded. Six cult members are believed dead, including Koresh's 2-year old daughter. The FBI lay siege to Mount Carmel. April 19th, FBI attacks Mount Carmel killing nearly all those inside, including Koresh. |