Why did David Koresh believe that the end times were near?

David Koresh’s belief that the end times were imminent was rooted in his specific interpretation of the Bible, particularly the book of Revelation.1

Koresh identified himself as the "Lamb" mentioned in Revelation 5. While this figure is traditionally associated with Jesus, Koresh distinguished his own role, asserting that he was tasked with opening the seven seals and interpreting the scroll described in the text. By doing so, he believed he was bringing forth the "endtime revelation of Christ" and fulfilling biblical prophecies regarding events that were shortly to come to pass.1

His apocalyptic worldview was a continuation of the millenarian traditions within the Branch Davidian movement, which had long focused on preparing for the return of Christ. Koresh further emphasized his unique spiritual authority by adopting his name to signify his status as a messianic figure—a spiritual heir to King David and a counterpart to the ancient Persian king Cyrus the Great—and by intending to create a new lineage of children he believed would eventually rule the world.12