Isahluko 17—Izibonakaliso Zokuza Kwakhe.

Elinye lamaqiniso aligugu njalo eliphakemeyo elivezwe eBhayibhilini ngelokuza kukaKrestu okwesibili esezoqedisa umsebenzi wakhe wosindiso omkhulu. Ebantwini bakaNkulunkulu abayizihambi, abatshiywa okwesikhathi eside kangaka ukuthi bahambe “emhlabathini lasethunzini lokufa,” ithemba elihle liphiwe esithembisweni sokuza kwakhe, yena “oyikuvuka lokuphila,” “ozaletha ekhaya njalo abaxotshiweyo bakhe.” Imfundiso yokuza kwesibili iyinsika yamazwi atholakala eMbhalweni oNgcwele. Kusukela ngosuku lapho abazali bethu ababili abafulathela insimu yase Edeni, abantwana bokukholwa balokhe belindele ukuza kwalowo owathenjiswayo ukuthi azokwephula amandla womubi njalo abalethe eParadisi abalilahlayo. Amadoda angcwele asendulo ayehlala ekhangele phambili ekubuyeni koMsindisi ngobukhosi njengokupheleliswa kwethemba labo. UEnoch, yena owayeyinzalo kaAdam yesikhombisa, yena okwamakhulu amathathu eminyaka emhlabeni wahamba loNkulunkulu wakhe, wavunyelwa ukubonela khatshana ukuza koMsindisi. “Khangelani, iNkosi iyeza kanye labangcwele bayo abayizigidi, ukuthonisisa bonke.” (Juda 14,15.) UJobe laye phakathi kosizi lwakhe wamemeza ngelimiyo ithemba wathi: “Ngoba mina ngiyazi ukuba uMsizi wami ukhona, njalo ekupheleni uzakuma emhlabeni...engizambona ngawami amehlo, mina uqobo lwami kungesuye omunye.” (Jobe 19:25-27) {GC 299.1}IEP 299.1

Ukuza kukaKrestu kwesibili okuyikho okuzaletha umbuso wobungcwele yikho okwabangela ukuthi abalobi beBhayibhili batsho amagama ahlokomisa umzimba. Imbongi labaprofethi beBhayibhili bagxile eqinisweni leli ngamazwi akhazimula ngenkazimulo yasesuzulwini. Umlobi wamahubo wahlabela ngamandla lobukhosi beNkosi yakoIsrayeli: “Eziyone elipheleleyo ngobuhle uNkulunkulu uyakhanya. UNkulunkulu wethu uyeza, kayikuthula... Uyabiza izulu ngaphezulu kanye lomhlaba, ukuze ahlulele abantu bakhe.” (Amahubo 50:2-4). “Kawathokoze amazulu, lomhlaba ujabule...phambi kweNkosi, ngoba iyeza, iyeza ukwahlulela umhlaba, izakwahlulela umhlaba ngokulunga, labantu ngeqiniso layo.” (Amahubo 96:11-13). {GC 300.1}IEP 300.1

Umprofethi uIsaya wathi: “Vukani lihlabele ngokuthokoza, lina elilele othulini. Ngoba amazolo akho angamazolo akhanyayo, umhlaba uzakubakhupha abafileyo.” “Izakuqeda ukufa kokuphela. INkosi uNkulunkulu izakwesula inyembezi emehlweni wonke, isuse lehlazo labantu bayo emhlabeni wonke, ngoba iNkosi ikhulumile. Kuzakuthiwa ngalolosuku: Khangela, lo nguNkulunkulu wethu ebesimlindele ukuba asikhulule. LeyiNkosi ebesiyilindele; asithabe, sithokoze ngokusikhulula kwayo.” (Isaya 26:19; 25:8,9). {GC 300.2} IEP 300.2

UHabakuki laye nxa wayeboniswa umbono ongcwele, wabona ukuza kwakhe. “UNkulunkulu wavela eTamane, oNgcwele wavela entabeni yaseParani. Inkazimulo yakhe yasibekela amazulu, umhlaba wagcwala indumiso yakhe. Ukukhazimula kwakhe kwakunjengokukhanya, imisebe yavela esandleni sakhe, efihla lapho amandla akhe. Ekusukumeni kwakhe umhlaba wanyikinyeka, ekukhangeleni kwakhe kwathuthumela izizwe, intaba zasendulo zahlakazeka, amaqaqa angelakutshona atshona. Indlela zakhe zazinjengasendulo. Intaba zakubona wena, zathuthumela, ... amazwi amanengi akhipha ilizwi lawo, aphakamisela izandla zawo phezulu. Ilanga lenyanga kwema endaweni yakho ekukhanyeni kwemitshoko yakho egijimayo, lasekuphazimeni komkhonto wakho ocwazimulayo. Waphumela ukukhulula abantu bakho, ukukhulula ogcotshiweyo wakho.” (Habakuki 3: 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13). {GC 300.3}IEP 300.3

Nxa uMsindisi wayesezahlukaniswa labafundi bakhe, wabaduduza osizini lwabo ngesiqiniseko sokuthi wayezakuza njalo: “Inhliziyo zenu mazingakhathazeki... ekhaya likababa kulezindlu ezinengi... Ngiyahamba ukulilungisela indawo. Njalo uba ngihamba ukuyalilungisela indawo, ngizabuya futhi, njalo ngilamukele libe ngabami.” (Johane 14:1-3). “INdodana yomuntu izakuza ngenkazimilo yayo, lengilosi zonke zizakuza laye.” “Ngemva kwalokho izakuhlala esihlalweni sayo, njalo izizwe zonke zizakubuthana phambi kwakhe.” (Mathewu 25:31,32). {GC 301.1}IEP 301.1

Ingilosi ezafinyelela abafundi entabeni yaseOlivet ngemva kokwenyuka kukaKrestu zaphinda phambi kwabo isithembiso sokuza kwakhe kwesibili: “UJesu lowu ofanayo, osuswe kini wenyuselwa ezulwini, uzabuya njengalokho limbone esiya ezulwini.” (Imisebenzi 1:11). Umpostoli uPhawuli laye nxa wayeholwa nguMoya oyiNgcwele wathi: “Ngoba iNkosi uqobo lwayo izakwehla ivela ezulwini ngomdumo, ngokumemeza kwesithunywa, langokukhala kophondo lukaNkulunkulu...” (1 Thesalonika 4:16). Umprofethi ePatimosi uthi: “Bheka uyeza ngamafu; njalo wonke amehlo azakumbona.” (Isambulo 1:7). {GC 301.2}IEP 301.2

Ukuza kwakhe kumumethe igugu lesikhathi “sokubuyisela konke lokhu kuNkulunkulu akutshoyo endulo ngomlomo wabaprofethi abangcwele. (Imisebenzi 3:21). Ngaleso sikhathi umbuso wesono osuqhubeke okwesikhathi eside kangaka uzakwephulwa; “umbuso womhlaba usungoweNkosi yethu lokaKrestu wayo, izakubusa kuze kube nini lanini.” (Isambulo 11:15). “Inkazimulo yeNkosi izakubonakaliswa, bonke abantu bayibone kanyekanye...” “Ngokunjaloke iNkosi uNkulunkulu izaveza ukulunga lodumo phambi kwezizwe zonke.” “Kuzakuthi ngalolo suku iNkosi yamabandla ibe ngumqhele okhazimulayo, lesidlodlo sobuhle kwabaseleyo ebantwini bayo.” (Isaya 40:5; 61:11; 28:5) {GC 301.3}IEP 301.3

Kulapho umbuso kaMesiya olokuthula njalo osulangathelelwe okwebanga elide ozakumiswa phambi kwamazulu wonke. “Ngoba iNkosi izaliduduza iZiyone, iduduze wonke amanxiwa walo, izakwenza inkangala yalo ifane leEdeni, lomhlaba walo olugwadule ufane lensimu yeNkosi. “(Isaya 51:3) “Izanikwa ubuhle obuseLebanoni, lodumo oluseKarmeli laseSharoni.” (Isaya 35:2). “Kawusayi kubizwa ngokuthi ngoTshiyiweyo, lelizwe lakini kalisayi kuthiwa ngoLahliweyo, kodwa uzakubizwa ngokuthi yiNtokozo yami, lelizwe lakini ngokuthi ngoWendileyo ngoba iNkosi iyathokoza ngawe, lelizwe lakini libe ngelayo. Ngoba njengejaha lithatha intombi, ngokunjaloke...uNkulunkulu wakho uzathokoza ngawe.” (Isaya 62:4,5). {GC 302.1}IEP 302.1

Ukuza kweNkosi kulithemba labalandeli bakhe abaqotho kusukela endulo. Amazwi oMsindisi wesithembiso awokuvalelisa entabeni yaseOliveti, awokuthi wayezakuza futhi, akhanyisa ikusasa phambi kwabafundi, agcwalisa inhliziyo zabo ngentokozo njalo lethemba okwakungeke kususwe zinsizi kumbe yikuhlupheka. Phakathi kwenhlupho lokuhlukunyezwa, “ukuza kukaNkulunkulu olamandla njalo loMsindisi wethu uJesu Krestu” kwakulithemba elibusisisekileyo. Nxa abantu baseThesalonika babegcwele usizi ngokungcwaba izihlobo zabo, ababefise ukuphila baze babone ukuza kweNkosi, uPhawuli umbalisi wabo, wabakhomba ekuvukeni, okuzakwenzakala ekubuyeni koMsindisi. Lapho bonke abafele kuKrestu abazavuswa khona, ndawonye labaphilayo baphakanyiswe besiyahlangabeza iNkosi emoyeni. “Ngakhoke” waqhubeka, “sizahlala sileNkosi, ngakhoke duduzanani ngalamazwi.” (1 Thesalonika 4:16-18). {GC 302.2}IEP 302.2

Emadwaleni asePatmosi umfundi othandekayo wezwa isithembiso, “Impela ngiyeza masinyane,” njalo impendulo yakhe ifana lomthandazo webandla ehambeni lwalo, “Ameni, Woza Nkosi Jesu.” (Isambulo 22:20). {GC 302.3}IEP 302.3

Kusukela emgodini omnyama, kusiya emlilweni wokutshiswa, lasendaweni sokulengiswa, lapho abangcwele lalabo abafela uKrestu abafakazela khona iqiniso, kuza kusukela endulo amazwi abonisa ukukholwa lethemba labo. “Belesiqiniseko sokuvuka kwakhe, njalo ngokufanayo ukuvuka kwabo ekuzeni kwakhe, ngenxa yalokho,” omunye wamaKrestu lawa wathi, “abesabanga ukufa, njalo batholakala bephezukwakho.”- (Daniel T. Taylor, The Reign of Christ on Earth: or, The Voice of the Church in All Ages, page 33.) Bakubona kufanele ukuthi bangene ethuneni, ukwenzela ukuthi “bavuswe bekhululekile.” (Ibid, page 54). “Bakhangelela ukuthi iNkosi yayizakuza ivela ezulwini emafini ngobukhosi bukaYise, lapho eyayizalethela khona bonke abalungileyo umbuso wezulu.” AmaWaldensi lawo ayelokholo olufananayo. - (Ibid, pages 129-132). UWycliffe wakhangela phambili elindele ukuza koMsindisi njengethemba lebandla. — (Ibid, pages 132-134). {GC 302.4}IEP 302.4

ULuther wathi: “Ngiyazivumisa ngempela, ukuthi akungeke kudlule iminyaka engamakhulu amathathu usuku lokwahlulela lungafikanga. UNkulunkulu kasoze, njalo ngeke, avumele ukuthi umhlaba lowu omubi kangaka uqhubeke okwesikhathi eside.” “Usuku olukhulu selusondele lapho umbuso wohlazo uzakutshabalaliswa.”- (Ibid, pages 158, 134.) {GC 303.1}IEP 303.1

“Umhlaba lowu ogugileyo awusekho khatshana lemaphethelweni,” kwatsho uMelanchthon. UCalvin watshela amaKrestu ukuthi, “engachithi isikhathi, kodwa belangazelele usuku lokuza kukaKrestu kwesibili njengesehlakalo esiqakatheke okwedlula zonke; lokuthi imuli yonke yabathembekileyo izagcina lolusuku engqondweni zabo.” “Kumele silambele uKrestu, kumele simdinge, sicabange ngaye, kuze kuyefika ukusa kwalolo suku, lapho iNkosi yethu ezabonisa ubukhosi bombuso wayo ngokupheleleyo.” — (Ibid, pages 158, 134). {GC 303.2}IEP 303.2

“INkosi yethu uJesu kayithwalelanga imizimba yethu ezulwini na?” kwatsho uKnox, uMvuseleli waseScotland, “njalo kayi kuphenduka na? Siyakwazi ukuthi uzaphenduka, njalo lokuthi ngokuphangisa.” URidley lo Latimer, ababekaphansi impilo zabo ngenxa yeqiniso, bakhangelela ngokukholwa ekuzeni kweNkosi kwesibili. URidley wabhala wathi: “Umhlaba kungekho kuthandabuza — lokhu ngiyakukholwa, njalo ngaleso sizatho ngiyakutsho — ususiya emaphethelweni. Asikhaleni kanye loJohane, inceku kaNkulunkulu, ezinhliziyweni zethu kuMsindisi wethu uKrestu, Woza, Nkosi Jesu, woza.”- (Ibid, pages 151, 145). {GC 303.3}IEP 303.3

“Imicabango yokuza kweNkosi,” watsho uBaxter, “imnandi njalo iyajabulisa kimi.”- (Richard Baxter, Works, vol. 17, p. 555). “Kungumsebenzi wokukholwa njalo lesimo sabangcwele bakhe ukuthanda ukuza kwakhe njalo lokukhangelela ithemba leli elibusisekileyo.” “Nxa ukufa kuzakuba yisitha sokucina esizabulawa ekuvukeni, sesingafunda ukuthi abakholwayo kumele bafise kangakanani njalo bathandazele ukuza kukaKrestu kwesibili, lapho ukunqoba lokhu okokucina okuzakwenziwa khona.” — (Ibid, vol. 17, p. 500). “Lolu lusuku okumele lulangazelelwe yibo bonke abakholwayo, njalo bathembele kilo, balulindele, njengosuku lapho umsebenzi wokusindiswa kwabo ozapheleliswa khona, kanye lezifiso zemphefumulo yabo.” “Aluze masinyane, Nkosi yethu usuku lolu olubusisiweyo!” (Ibid, vol. 17, pp. 182, 183.) Leli kwakulithemba lebandla labafundi, lele bandla lenkangala, njalo lebandla labaVuseleli. {GC 303.4}IEP 303.4

Isiprofethi asivezi kuphela indlela azakuza ngayo uKrestu, kodwa siveza izibonakaliso zonke abantu abazabonangazo ukuthi ukuza kwakhe sekusondele. UJesu wathi: “Kuzakuba lezibonakaliso elangeni, njalo lasenyangeni, njalo lasenkanyezini.” (Luke 21: 25). “Kodwa ngalezo nsuku emva kwalokhokuhlupheka ilanga lizakufiphala. Lenyanga kayikukhanya, inkanyezi zizabe zisiwa ezulwini, lamandla asezulwini, azakuzanyazanyiswa. Kung’khonake bazabona iNdodana yomuntu, isiza emayezini, ilamandla amakhulu lenkazimulo.” (Marko 13:24-26). Umambuleli uchaza ngale indlela isibonakaliso sakuqala esizayenzakala ukuza kwesibili kungakafiki: “...kwabakhona ukuzamazama okukhulu komhlaba, ilanga laphenduka labamyama, njengelembu lokuzila, lenyanga yaba bomvu njengegazi.” (Isambulo 6:12). {GC 304.1}IEP 304.1

Izibonakaliso zonke lezi zabonakala umnyaka ka1900 ungakafiki. Ukugcwaliseka kwesiprofethi lesi, kwabonakala ngomnyaka ka1755, ukuzamazama komhlaba okungakaze kube khona emhlabeni. Loba nje isaziwa njengokuzamazama komhlaba eLisbon, kodwa ukuzamazama lokhu kwafinyelela amazwe amanengi kuzwekazi laseEurope, laseAfrica, njalo laseAmerica. Abantu bakuzwa endaweni yase Greenland, laseWest Indies, esihlengeni saseMadeira, laseNorway, laseSweden, laseGreat Britain njalo laseIreland. Kuzwekazi laseAfrica amandla wokuzamazama lokhu ayephosa afane laseEurope. Indawo enkulu elizweni laseAlgeria yabhidlizwa, njalo kweyinye indawo eseduze lelizwe laseMorocco, eyayilabantu abaphakathi kwenkulungwane eziyisitshiya galo mbili letshumi batshabalala bathathwa ngamazwi abadonsela elwandle. Igagasi elikhulu lakhukhula indawo ezinengi eSpain laseAfrica labhidliza amadolobho amanengi. {GC 304.2}IEP 304.2

Kwakusemazweni aseSpain lasePortugal lapho okwabalomonakalo omkhulu khona. Endaweni yase Cadiz amagagasi akhona kuthiwa ayedlula ama(meter) alitshumi lasitshiyagalombili ngobude. Intaba, “ezinye ezinkulu kakhulu elizweni lasePortugal, zanyikinyeka kwaze kwangathi, kusukela empandeni zazo, njalo ezinye zadabuka phezulu, kwaphuma amatshe ngendlela emangalisayo, aphoselwa ezihotsheni ezaziseduze lazo. Kwezinye intaba kwaphuma amalangabi.” — (Sir Charles Lyell, Principles of Geology, page 495). {GC 304.3}IEP 304.3

Edolobheni lase Lisbon, “kwezwakala umdumo owaphuma ngaphansi komhlabathi, njalo ngemva kwesikhatshana ukuzamazama okulolaka kwawisela phansi ingxenye enkulu yedolobho leli. Phakathi kwemizuzu eyisithupha abantu abazinkulungwane ezingamatshumi ayisithupha babulawa. Amanzi wolwandle aqala abuyela emuva, kwabonakala amatshe angaphansi kwamanzi, aphinda aphenduka futhi, esebuya ngamandla njalo elamagagasi amade kakhulu.” “Phakathi kwezinye izehlakalo ezenzakala eLisbon, kwakungesinye sezakhiwo esasakhiwe ngamatshe, adulayo kakhulu. Abantu abanengi babebuthene phakathi njengendawo yokuphepha lapho ababengeke bafinyelelwe yikubhidlizwa lokhu, kodwa ngemva kwesikhatshana isakhiwo lesi saginywa ngumhlabathi ndawonye labantu bonke ababephakathi, njalo akula lesidumbu esisodwa esatholakalayo.” (Ibid, page 495). {GC 305.1}IEP 305.1

“Ukuzamazama lokhu, kwalandelwa yikuwa kwamathempeli, phose zonke izakhiwo lezindlu zawela phansi. Ngemva kwamahola amabili ukuzamazama kuqalile, amalangabi aqala endaweni ezinengi, atshisa indawo ezinengi okwamalanga amathathu, okwabangela ukuthi idolobho lonke libhujiswe. Ukuzamazama lokhu kwenzeka ngosuku lokuphumula, lapho amabandla, lendawo zokukhonzela ezazigcwele khona abantu, abantu abalutshwana benelisa ukuphepha. (Encyclopedia Americana, art. “Lisbon,” note (ed. 1831.). Ukwethuka kwabantu kwakungela mazwi wokukuchasisa. Akulamuntu owakhalayo, isehlakalo lesi sasidlula inyembezi. Abantu bagijimela endaweni zonke, begcwele ukwesaba lokumangala, betshaya izifuba, besitsho amazwi athi, ‘Misericordia! Umhlaba ususemaphethelweni!’ Omama bakhohlwa abantwababo, njalo bagijima indawo yonke bephethe izithombe ezilomfanekiso wesiphambano. Abanye babalekela emathempelini besiyadinga indawo yokuphepha, kodwa lokhu akuzange kubasize, abanye babebambelela ezithombeni, lakubapristi, kodwa bonke batshabalaliswa ndawonye.” Kucatshangelwa ukuthi abantu abafika inkulungwane ezingamatshumi ayisitshiya galo lunye balahlekelwa yimphefumulo yabo ngalolusuku. {GC 305.2}IEP 305.2

Ngemva kweminyaka engamatshumi amabili lanhlanu isibonakaliso sesibili esibhalwe esiprofethini salandela esobunyama belanga lenyanga. Okwabangela ukuthi lesi isibonakalo simangalise kakhulu yikuthi isikhathi sokugcwaliseka kwaso sasiveziwe. Nxa uMsindisi wayekhuluma labafundi bakhe entabeni yaseOlivethi, ngemva kokuchaza kwakhe isikhathi eside sokuhlupheka ibandla elalizadlula kikho, lesi kwakuyisikhathi senkulungwane lamakhulu amabili lamatshumi ayisithupha sokuhlukunyezwa ngumbuso wabopapa, lapho ayethembise ukuthi isikhathi sokuhlukunyezwa sasizafinyezwa. Wakhuluma ngezehlakalo ezithile ezazizakwenzeka anduba afike, njalo wabeka isikhathi lapho esinye sazo esasizakwenzeka ngaso: “Ngalezo nsuku ngemva kwesikhathi sokuhlupheka, ilanga lizakwembeswa, njalo lenyanga ingakhanyisi.” (Marko 13:24). Isikhathi lesi eseminyaka eyinkulungwane lamakhulu amabili lamatshumi ayisithupha saphela ngomnyaka ka1798. Okweminyaka engamakhulu amabili lamatshumi amahlanu kungakafiki umnyaka lowu, ukuhlukunyezwa kwasekumile. Ngemva kokuhlukunyezwa lokhu, nxa silandela amazwi kaKrestu, ilanga lalizakwembeswa lingakhanyisi. Ngenyanga kaNkwenkwezi mhlaka 19 ngomnyaka ka1780, isiprofethi lesi sagcwaliseka. {GC 306.1}IEP 306.1

“Lesi sehlakalo simi sodwa kumbe lezinye ezimbalwa izehlakalo ezayenzakalayo okungela mazwi wokuzichaza...lesi kwakuyisehlakalo sobunyama bosuku luka 19 ngenyanga kaNkwenkwezi ngomnyaka ka1780, lapho isibhakabhaka sonke savaleka elizweni laseNew England.” — (R.M Devens, Our First Century, page 89). {GC 306.2}IEP 306.2

Omunye walabo abazibonela ngawabo amehlo owayehlala edolobheni laseMassachusetts wachaza isehlakalo lesi ngale indlela: “Ekuseni ilanga laphuma libalele, kodwa ngemva kwesikhatshana kwagubuzela. Amayezi aqala ukubuthana, ngemva kwalokho aphenduka abamnyama, kwaqala ukubonakala ukuphazima, kwaduma izulu, kwana izulu elincane. Kwathi kusiyafika ihola lesitshiyagalo lunye ekuseni, amayezi lawa aqala ukuba mnyama, atshintsha lombala wawo, izinto zonke ezibalisa umhlabathi, lamadwala, lezihlahla, lezakhiwo, lamanzi, kanye labantu babonakala sebehlukile ngenxa yombala lowu owawungajwayelekanga. Ngemva kwemizuzwana, iyezi elimnyama lembesa isibhakabhaka sonke latshiya indawo encane emkhathini, kwabamnyama ngendlela efana lasebusuku ngehola lehola lesitshiyagalombili ebusika. {GC 306.3}IEP 306.3

“Ukwesaba, lokumangala, njalo lokungahlaliseki kwagcwala engqondweni zabantu. Abantu besifazana bema emnyango, bekhangele umnyama owawuphandle, amadoda aphenduka emsebenzini ababeyenza emasimini, ababazayo batshiya lokhu abasebenza ngakho, labakhandayo benza ngokufanayo, kanye lezisebenzi zonke. Izikolo zatshayisa, abantwana babuyela emakhaya beqhaqhazela. Izihambi zacela indawo yokuhlala ezindlini ezaziseduzane. ‘Kuyini okuzayo?’ kwabangumbuzo owaphuma emuntwini wonke. Kwabonakala sengathi kwakulesiphepho esasilindele ukuza kumbe sengathi kwakulusuku lokuphela kwezinto zonke. {GC 306.4}IEP 306.4

“Amakhandlela aqala ukukhanyisa, lamalangabi omlilo abonakala yonke indawo ekhanyisa kwangathi kwakusebusuku obungela nyanga... Inyoni lazo zabuyela ezidlekeni zazo, inkomo lazo zabuthana esibayeni, lamaxoxo aqala ukukhala, inyoni lazo zaqala ukuhlabela ingoma zebusuku, labomalulwane baqala ukuphapha. Kodwa abantu babesazi ukuthi ubusuku babungakafiki... {GC 307.1}IEP 307.1

Udokotela uNathanael Whittaker, owayengumfundisi webandla laseTabernacle endaweni yaseSalem, wayephakathi kwenkonzo endaweni yabo yokuhlangana, njalo watshumayela inkonzo lapho akwenza kwacaca ukuthi ubunyama lobu babungasiso sehlakalo esijwayelekileyo. Amabandla amanengi abuthana endaweni ezitshiyeneyo. Amavesi abawabalayo ayeyilawo ayechaza ukuthi ubunyama lobu babungenxa yokugcwaliseka kwesiprofethi... Ubunyama lobu bakhula kakhulu ngemva kwehola letshumi lanye ekuseni.” (The Essex Antiquarian, April, 1899, vol. 3, No. 4, pp. 53, 54. “Endaweni ezinengi zelizwe kwakumnyama emini okokuthi abantu bahluleka ukubona isikhathi kumbe ukwenza imisebenzi yabo bengakhanyisanga ngekhandlela.... {GC 307.2}IEP 307.2

“Indlela okwakumnyama ngayo yayingajwayelekanga. Kwabonwa ngabantu endaweni ezikhatshana kusiyafika endaweni yaseFalmouth. Entshonalanga kwafinyelela endaweni yaseConnecticut, njalo laseAlbany. Enyakatho, kwabonakala ekhunjini lomfula, njalo enhla kwafika endaweni ezikhatshana.” (William Gordon, History of the Rise, Progress and Establishment of the Independence of the U.S.A, VOL. 3, P. 57.) {GC 307.3}IEP 307.3

Ubunyama bosuku lolu baphela sekusele amahola amabili ukuthi ilanga litshone, lapho okwabonakala isibhakabhaka kancane, ilanga labonakala, loba nje lalilokhe livalwe yinkungu emnyama. “Ngemva kokutshona kwelanga, amayezi aphenduka futhi, njalo kwabamnyama masinyane.” “Ubunyama bebusuku labo babungajwayelekanga njengalobu obabenzeke emini, loba kwakunjalo kwakulenyanga egcweleyo, kodwa kwakungelalutho olubonakalayo ngaphandle kokusebenzisa isibane, esasibonakala komakhelwane phakathi komnyama lowu sengathi zinsaba ezingabonakali kahle.” (Isaiah Thomas, Massachussetts Spy; or American Oracle of Liberty, vol. 10, No. 472 (May 25, 1780.). Omunye wabofakazi abakubonayo lokhu wathi: “Angizange ngenelise ngaleso sikhathi ukususa umcabango wokuthi, nxa zonke izinto ezikhanyisayo esibhakabhakeni zazembeswe yisithunzi esikhulu, kumbe zazibhidliziwe, ubunyama lobu babungeke bube buphelele ngale indlela.” — (Letter by Dr. Samuel Tenney, of Exeter, New Hampshire, December, 1785 (IN Massachusetts Historical Collections, 1792, 1ST SERIES, VOL. 1, P. 97). Loba nje ngehola lesitshiya galo lunye ebusuku inyanga yaphuma ngokuphelela kwayo, “yayingelawo amandla wokususa umnyama lowu owawungathi ngowokufa.” Phakathi kwamabili ubunyama lobu baphela, inyanga yabonakala sengathi yayiligazi. {GC 307.4}IEP 307.4

Usuku lwenyanga kaNkwenkwezi mhlaka 19 ngomnyaka ka1780, lumi embalini “njengosuku olumnyama.” Kusukela esikhathini sikaMose akuzake kube lobunyama obulingana lalobu, obubhalwe phansi embalini. Ukuchazwa kwesehlakalo lesi ngendlela okunikwe yilabo abakubonayo, kufana xathu lamazwi weNkosi, alotshwe ngumprofethi uJoweli, owabhala lokhu kusele iminyaka ezinkulungwane ezimbili lamakhulu amahlanu ukuthi kugcwaliseke: “Ilanga lizaphenduka umnyama, lenyanga ibeligazi, lungakafiki usuku lweNkosi olukhulu lolwesabekayo.” (Joweli 2:31). {GC 308.1}IEP 308.1

UKrestu wayexwayise abantu bakhe ukuthi bakhangele izibonakaliso zokuza kwakhe kwesibili njalo bathokoze nxa bebona izibonakaliso zokuza kweNkosi yabo. “Nxa lezi izinto ziqala ukugcwaliseka,” wathi, “lulamisani amakhanda wenu, ngoba usindiso lwenu selusondele.” Wakhangelisa abalaleli bakhe ezihlahleni ezihlumayo “Khangelani umkhiwa lazo zonke izihlahla, nxa sezihluma, liyazibonela lani likwazi ukuthi ihlobo selisondele. Kunjaloke nxa libona lezizinto zisenzeka, yazini ukuthi umbuso kaNkulunkulu suseduze.” (Luka 21: 28, 30, 31). {GC 308.2}IEP 308.2

Kodwa njengoba umoya wokulunga lokuzehlisa ebandleni wawusuthathelwe indawo yawo yikuziphakamisa, lokwenza nje izinto njengenjwayelo, uthando lukaKrestu Kanye lokukholwa ekubuyeni kwakhe kwasekungasekho. Abantu babephatheke emizameni yokuthola inotho yomhlaba, okwabangela ukuthi bangaboni amazwi kaKrestu ayeveza izibonakaliso zokuza kwakhe kwesibili. Imfundiso yokuza kwakhe kwesibili yayingasafundiswa, leMbhalo ekuvezayo lokhu yayisichazwa ngezinye indlela, kwazekwafika isikhathi lapho eyayingasabalwa, yaze yakhohlakala. Lokhu kwakusenzakala kakhulu emabandleni aseAmerica. Ukukhululeka lenhlalakahle eyayikholiswa ngumuntu wonke, lezifiso zokuthola inotho, lokuthanda imali, njalo lokufuna udumo, okwakubonakala sengathi kungatholwa ngumuntu wonke, kwaholela abantu ukuthi babeke ithemba labo ezintweni zomhlaba, njalo bakhohlwa ngosuku lapho zonke izinto zomhlaba ezizatshabalaliswa khona. {GC 309.1}IEP 309.1

Nxa uMsindisi wayevezela abalandeli bakhe izibonakaliso zokuza kwakhe kwesibili, wabatshela ngesimo sokuhlehlela emuva esasizakubakhona nxa esezakuza ngokwesibili. Kuzakuba, njengasensukwini zikaNoah, izenzo ezifuqwa yisifiso sokuthola inotho yomhlaba lenjabulo yawo, ezokuthenga, lokuthengisa, lokuhlanyela, lokwakha, lokutshada, njalo lokutshadisa, abantu bekhohlwa uNkulunkulu kanye lempilo ezayo. Kulabo abaphila kulesi isikhathi isixwayiso sikaJesu sithi: “Xwayani ukuba inhliziyo zenu zingabi buthundu ngenxa yokuminza lokudakwa, lokuphisekela izinto zomhlaba, lolosuku luhle lulijume njengomjibila lingananzelelanga.” “Ngakhoke lindani ngezikhathi zonke, likhulekele ukuba libe lamandla okuphepha zonke lezizinto ezizakwenzeka, lokuma phambi kweNdodana yomuntu.” (Luka 21:34, 36). {GC 309.2}IEP 309.2

Isimo sebandla ngalesi isikhathi esichazwe kahle emazwini woMsindisi kuSambulo: “Ulebizo lokuthi uyaphila, kodwa ufile.” Njalo kulabo abayala ukuvuka abazitshela ukuthi bavikelekile, isixwayiso esingcwele sithi: “Uba ungavuki, ngizakuza kuwe njengesela, kawusoze wasazi isikhathi engizakuza ngaso kuwe.” (Sambulo 3:1,3). {GC 309.3}IEP 309.3

Kwakulendingeko yokuthi abantu bavuswe babone ingozi ababephakathi kwayo; ukwenzela ukuthi bavuke balungiselele izehlakalo lezi ezibambene lokuvalwa komusa. Umprofethi kaNkulunkulu uthi: “Ngoba usuku lweNkosi lukhulu, luyesabeka kakhulu, ngubani ongalumela na?” (Joweli 2:11). Ngubani ozakuma nxa esiza yena “olamehlo ahlambulukileyo kakhulu ukuba abone ububi,” njalo “kakhangeli ububi”? (Habakuki 1:13). Kibo abakhalayo bethi, “Nkosi yami, siyakwazi,” kodwa bephule isivumelwano, njalo balandela omunye unkulunkulu, befihla isono enhliziyweni zabo, njalo abathanda indlela zesono kibo laba iNkosi “iyibunyama hatshi ukukhanya, ubunyama obukhulu, njalo obungelakukhanya kibo.” (Hoseya 8:2,1; Amahubo 16:4; Amosi 5:20). “Kuzakuthi ngaleso sikhathi ngihlole iJerusalema ngezibane, ngitshaye bonke abantu abazithokozisayo abazithembayo, abathi enhliziyweni zabo: iNkosi kayiyikwenza okuhle, loba okubi.” (Zefaniya 1:12). “Ngizakuwutshaya umhlaba ngenxa yobubi bawo, lababi ngenxa yezono zabo, ngiqede ukuzigqaja kwabazikhukhumezayo, ngithobise ukuzikhukhumeza kwabalesihluku.” (Isaya 13:11). “Isiliva sabo legolide labo kakuyikuba lamandla okubakhulula;” “Impahla yabo izakuphangwa, lezindlu zabo zidilizwe.” (Zefaniya 1:18, 13). {GC 310.1}IEP 310.1

Umprofethi uJeremiya nxa wayekhangela isikhathi lesi esesabekayo, wathi: “Ngilobuhlungu obukhulu enhliziyweni yami... angenelisi ukuthula, ngoba ngizwile ukukhala kophondo. Lomkhosi wempi. Ukuchitheka kulandela ukuchitheka.” (Jeremiya 4:19,20). {GC 310.2}IEP 310.2

“Lolosuku lusuku lolaka, usuku lokuhlupheka losizi, usuku lokuchitheka lokubhidlika, usuku lomnyama, lolwamayezi, lomnyama omkhulu, usuku lokutshaya uphondo lokuhlaba umkhosi wokulwa.” (Zefaniya 1:15, 16). “Khangelani, usuku lweNkosi luyeza, ...ukuba luchithe umhlaba, lubhubhise izoni ezikuwo.” (Isaya 13:9). {GC 310.3}IEP 310.3

Ngenxa yosuku lolu ilizwi likaNkulunkulu, ngokusebenzisa amazwi acolekileyo njalo ahlabayo, libizela abantu bakhe ukuthi bavuke ekulaleni kwabo kokwakomoya njalo lokuthi bafune ubuso bakhe ngokuvuma izono lokuzehlisa: “Khalisani uphondo eZiyone, lihlabe umkhosi entabeni yami engcwele. Kabathuthumele bonke abakhileyo elizweni ngoba usuku lweNkosi luyeza, seluseduze.” “Khalisani uphondo eZiyone, lizile ukudla, lenze inkonzo enkulu, buthanisani abantu, libize ibandla, lihlanganise abadala labantwana...umnyeni kaphume endlini yakhe, lomlobokazi exhibeni lakhe. Abapristi, lezikhonzi zeNkosi, kabakhale phakathi komkhandlo wokungena lelathi.” “Phendukani kimi ngenhliziyo zenu zonke, ngokuzila ukudla, langokukhala, langokulila, lidabule inhliziyo zenu, lingadabuli izambatho zenu. Phendukelani eNkosini, uNkulunkulu wenu, ngoba ilomusa lesihawu, iyaphuza ukuthukuthela, ilothando olungapheliyo, iyathethelela.” (Joweli 2:1, 15-17, 12, 13). {GC 311.1}IEP 311.1

Ukulungiselela abantu ukuthi bame ngosuku lukaNkulunkulu, khona okwakungumsebenzi omkhulu wemvuselelo kwakumele wenziwe. UNkulunkulu wabona ukuthi inengi labantu ababesithi bangabalandeli bakhe babengayakheli inaphakade, njalo ngenxa yesihawu sakhe wayesezathumela isixwayiso esasizabavusa ekulaleni kwabo njalo sibenze ukuthi balungiselele ukuza kwakhe. {GC 311.2}IEP 311.2

Isixwayiso lesi sivezwe ngokucaca encwadini kaSambulo 14. Lapha kuvezwe udaba lwengilosi ezintathu olulandelwa yikuza kweNdodana yomuntu “ukuvuna isivuno somhlaba.” Isixwayiso sokuqala sazisa umuntu wonke ngokwahlulela. Umprofethi wabona isithunywa, “siphapha emkhathini, silevangeli elingapheliyo ukulitshumayela kwabakhileyo emhlabeni, kuzo zonke izizwe, lemihlobo, lezindimi labantu. Sathi ngelizwi elikhulu: “Mesabeni uNkulunkulu, limdumise, ngoba isikhathi sokuthonisisa kwakhe sesifikile, limkhonze yena owenza izulu lomhlaba lolwandle lemithombo yamanzi.” (Sambulo 14:6,7). {GC 311.3}IEP 311.3

Udaba lolu luchazwe njengokuthi luyingxenye “yevangeli elinaphakade.” Umsebenzi wokutshumayela ivangeli awubekwanga ezandleni zengilosi, kodwa unikwe abantu. Ingilosi ezingcwele zisetshenzisiwe ukuhola umsebenzi lowu, ezandleni zazo zinqanda izehlakalo eziphathelane lokusindiswa kwabantu, kodwa umsebenzi wokutshumayela ngokwawo wenziwa zinceku zikaKrestu emhlabeni. {GC 312.1}IEP 312.1

Abantu abathembekileyo, ababelandela amazwi woMoya kaNkulunkullu njalo lemfundiso zelizwi lakhe, kwakumele batshumayele udaba lolu emhlabani wonke. Kwakuzaba yilabo ababemukele “ilizwi eliqotho lesiprofethi, “eliyisibane esikhanyayo endaweni emnyama, kuze kuse, lenkanyezi yokusa iphume enhliziyweni zenu.” (2 Petro 1:19). Babedinga ukuqedisisa ulwazi lukaNkulunkulu okwedlula lonke igugu elifihliweyo, bekubala “ngendlela engcono okwedlula isiliva, njalo lenzuzo edlula igolide.” (Zaga 3:14). Njalo iNkosi yabavezela zonke izinto eziphakemeyo zombuso wayo. “Imfihlo yeNkosi ilabo abamesabayo, njalo uzabatshengisa isivumelwano sakhe.” (Amahubo 25: 14). {GC 312.2}IEP 312.2

Kwakungasibo abantu abaqeqetshileyo ababeqedisisa amaqiniso lawa, njalo ababephatheke ekulitshumayeleni. Ngabe laba babengabalindi abathembekileyo, bekhuleka njalo bebala iMbhalo ngokuzimisela, babezabakwazi isikhathi sobusuku; isiprophethi sasizabavulela izehlakalo ezasezizakwenzakala. Kodwa abazange babesesigabeni lesi, udaba lolu lwanikwa abantu abazehlisayo. UJesu wathi: “Hambani khathesi liseselokukhanya, sekungenzeka ubunyama bufike kini.” (Johane 12:35). Labo abafulathela ukukhanya uNkulunkulu akuvezileyo, kumbe labo abangazihluphi ngokukudinga khona kuseduze labo, batshiywa emnyameni. Kodwa uMsindisi uthi: “Lowo ongilandelayo kasoze ahambe emnyameni, kodwa uzaba lokukhanya kwempilo.” (Johane 8:12). Loba ngubani olesifiso esisodwa sokufumana intando kaNkulunkulu, ebonisa ukuzimisela ukulandela ukukhanya akuvezelweyo, uzathola ukukhanya okujulileyo, umphefumulo onjengalowo uzaphiwa inkanyezi yezulu ezamholela eqinisweni lonke. {GC 312.3}IEP 312.3

Ngesikhathi sokuza kukaKrestu kwakuqala abapristi lababhali bedolobho elingcwele, okuyibo ababenikwe amaqiniso kaNkulunkulu, babelethuba lokuqedisisa izibonakaliso zesikhathi ababephila kuso njalo batshumayela ngokuza kwalowo owayethenjisiwe. Ugwalo lwesiprofethi sikaMika lwaluvezile indawo lapho ayezazalelwa khona, uDanyeli wayevezile isikhathi sokuza kwakhe. (Mika 5:2; Danyeli 9:25). UNkulunkulu wabeka isiprofethi lesi ezandleni zabathungameli bakoJuda; babengela mazwi wokuzigeza nxa babetholakala bengazi njalo bengatshelanga abantu ukuthi ukuza kukaMesiya sekusondele. Ukungazi kwabo kwakungenxa yokungenzi umsebenzi wabo okwakuyisono phambi kwezulu. AmaJuda ayephatheke emsebenzini wokwakha indawo zokuphakamisa abaprofethi basendulo, kodwa ngenxa yokuphambuka kwabo endleni ababeyitshilo babephakamisa inceku zikaSathane. Ngenxa yokuphatheka kwabo emsebenzini wokufuna udumo lamandla phambi kwabantu, balahlekelwa ngumlando ababewuphiwe yiNkosi yasezulwini. {GC 313.1}IEP 313.1

Abathungameli bakoIsrayeli kwakufanele ukuthi ngabe bayahlolisisa indawo, lesikhathi, njalo lezehlakalo, ezazibambene lesehlakalo esikhulu kakhulu embalini yomhlaba, esasiyikuza kweNdodana kaNkulunkulu izokwenza umsebenzi wokuhlenga uluntu. Bonke abantu kwakufanele ukuthi babebelindele njalo bekhangelele ukuthi babengabanye bokuqala ukuhlangabeza uMsindisi womhlaba. Kodwa, kulusizi, endaweni yaseBethlehema izihambi ezimbili ababevela emaqaqeni aseNazareth bahamba ubude bomgwaqo lowu omncane bazebayafika empulanga yedolobho, ngeze bedinga indawo yokuphumula leyokufihla ikhanda ebusuku. Akuzange kube leminyango eyavulekayo ukuthi bengene. Esithebeleni esasilungiselelwe izifuyo, ekucineni bathola indawo, njalo kule indawo uMsindisi womhlaba wonke wazalwa. {GC 313.2}IEP 313.2

Ingilosi zezulu zazibonile ukukhazimula iNdodana kaNkulunkulu eyayiphila kikho loBaba umhlaba ungakadalwa, babekhangele ngokumamatheka lapho ayezakuza khona emhlabeni ezokwenza umsebenzi owawuzathokozisa wonke umuntu. Ingilosi zathunyelwa ukuthi ziyebika udaba olumnandi kangaka kulabo ababezilungiselele ukulamukela njalo baludlulisele kuzakhamizi zomhlaba ngentokozo. UKrestu wayezehlisile ukuthi athathe isimo somuntu; wayezathwala ububi obungelakubalwa lapho ayezanikela umphefumulo wakhe njengomnikelo wesono, loba kunjalo ingilosi zazifisa ukuthi lasekuyangisweni kwakhe iNdodana kaNkulunkulu ophezulu ifike phambi kwabantu ngaphansi kodumo njalo lokuhlonitshwa okufanele isimo sakhe. Kambe abantu basemhlabeni babezabuthana edolobheni eliphezulu lakoIsrayeli bezomhlangabeza yini? Kambe ingilosi ezinengi zazizamethula phambi kwexuku leli elimlindeleyo na? {GC 313.3}IEP 313.3

Ingilosi eyodwa yethekelela umhlaba kuthi izobona ukuthi ngubani owayelindele ukumhlangabeza. Kodwa kazange abone ubufakazi bokuthi babemlindele. Kezwanga ilizwi elilodwa lokudumisa lokunqoba elalichaza ukuthi isikhathi sokuza kukaMesiya sasesifikile. Ingilosi leyi yandiza okwesikhatshana phezu komuzi okhethekileyo laphezu kwethempeli lapho ubukhona bukaNkulunkulu obabuhlale khona okweminyaka eminengi, kodwa lalapha abantu bakhona babengelandaba. Abapristi, ekuziphakamiseni lekuzikhukhumezeni kwabo, babelokhe benikela iminikelo engahlambulukanga ethempelini. AbaFarisi babelokhe bekhuluma labantu ngamazwi aphezulu kumbe besitsho imithandazo yabo yokuziphakamisa emahlanganweni endlela. Esigodlweni samakhosi, lasembuthanweni yezifundiswa, lasezikolo zabafundisi, bonke ngokufanayo babengazihluphi ngokwazi iqiniso elimqoka elaligcwalise izulu ngenjabulo langokudumisa, elokuthi uMsindisi wabantu wayesezabonakala emhlabeni. {GC 314.1}IEP 314.1

Kwakungela bufakazi bokuthi uKresu wayelindelwe, njalo kwakungela malungiselelo wokwamukela iNkosi yokuphila. Ngokumangala isithunywa sezulu sasesilungiselela ukubuyela ezulwini lodaba oluyangisayo, lapho athola iqula labelusi ababeluse izifuyo zabo ebusuku, njalo nxa bathi bekhangela phezulu, babekhulumisana ngesiprofethi sokuza kukaMesiya emhlabeni, njalo babelangathelela ukuza koMsindisi womhlaba. Lapha kwakulequla elalilungele ukwamukela udaba lwasezulwini. Njalo khonapho ingilosi yeNkosi yabonakala phambi kwabo, yabazisa indaba ezinhle zenjabulo enkulu. Ukukhazimula kwasezulwini kwagcwala indawo yonke, kwabonakala ixuku lengilosi elingelakubalwa, njalo sekungathi injabulo leyi yayinkulu kakhulu ukuthi ilethwe yingilosi eyodwa ivela ezulwini, ixuku lamazwi lasusa ingoma ezahlatshelwa ngabasindisiweyo ngolunye usuku: “Udumo kalube kuNkulunkulu kweliphezulu, lokuthula emhlabeni ebantwini abathokozelwe nguye.” (Luka 2:14). {GC 314.2}IEP 314.2

Khepha, isifundo esingakanani endabeni leyi emangalisayo yaseBethlehema! Ngendlela eveza ngayo ukungakholwa kwethu, ukuziphakamisa kwethu njalo lokufuna ukuthembela emandleni ethu. Ngendlela esixwayisa ngayo ukuthi sinanzelele, ngoba sekungenzeka ngokunganaki kwethu sehluleke lathi ukubona izibonakaliso zesikhathi sethu, njalo ngaleso sizatho singaqedisisi usuku lokwethekelelwa kwethu. {GC 315.1}IEP 315.1

Kwakungekho kuphela emaqaqeni aseJudiya, hatshi kuphela kubelusi, lapho ingilosi ezathola khona abantu ababekhangelele ukuza kukaMesiya. Endaweni yabahedeni kwakukhona abanye ababelungele ukuza kwakhe, laba kwakungamadoda akhaliphileyo, ababenothile njalo bephakeme, izifundiswa zasempumalanga. Babengabafundi bendalo, laba babebone uNkulunkulu endalweni yakhe. Embhalweni yamaHebheru babefundile ngenkanyezi eyayizaphuma kuJacobe, njalo ngokulangazelela okukhulu balindela ukuza kwakhe, lowo owayengasoke “aduduze uIsrayeli kuphela,” kodwa “owayeyikukhanya okwakuzakhanyisela abezizwe,” njalo lowo sindiso kuze kuyefika emaphethelweni omhlaba wonke.” (Luka 2:25,32; Imisebenzi 13:47). Babengabantu ababedinga ukukhanya, njalo okukhanya okuvela esihlalweni sikaNkulunkulu kwakhanyisela indlela yabo. Lokhu kwenzakala ngesikhathi lapho abapristi labafundisi baseJerusalema, abayibo ababenikwe umlandu wokwelusa lokuchaza iqiniso, babephakathi kobunyama, inkanyezi eyayithunyelwe lizulu yahola abantu bezizwe endaweni lapho iNkosi eyayizalelwe khona. {GC 315.2}IEP 315.2

Kuphambi kwalabo “abamkhangeleleyo” lapho uKrestu “azakuza ngokwesibili engela sono ezohlenga.” (Amahebheru 9:28). Njengodaba lokuzalwa kukaKrestu, udaba lokuzakwakhe kwesibili aluzange lubekwe ezandleni zabathungameli babantu bakhe. Basebehlulekile ukugcina ubudlelwane babo loNkulunkulu, njalo basebeyale ukukhanya kwasezulwini; ngakhoke babengekho phakathi kwequla elichazwa nguPhawuli: “Kodwa lina, bazalwane, kalikho emnyameni, ukuze lolosuku lulifice njengesela. Lina lonke lingabantwana bokukhanya, abantwana bemini, Kasisibo abobusuku loba abomnyama.” (1 Thesalonika 5:4,5). {GC 315.3}IEP 315.3

Abalindi phezu komduli waseZiyone kwakumele babengabokuqala ukubona udaba lokuza koMsindisi, kwakumele babengabokuqala ukuphakamisa ilizwi labo besitsho ukuthi ukuza kwakhe kwasekusondele, kwakumele babengabokuqala ukuxwayisa abantu ukuthi balungiselele ukuza kwakhe. Kodwa babezilalele, bephupha ngokuthula lokuphepha, ngesikhathi esifanayo abantu babelele phezu kwezono zabo. UJesu wabona ibandla lakhe, njengesihlahla somkhiwa esasingatheli, esasivalwe ngamahlamvu aluhlaza, kodwa singela zithelo. Kwakukhona ukukhonza ngokuzikhukhumeza, kodwa umoya wokuzehlisa, lokuzinikela, lokukholwa, okuyikho kuphela okwenza ukuthi imisebenzi yethu yamukeleke phambi kaNkulunkulu, kwakungekho. Kulokuthi kubonakale umusa woMoya kaNkulunkulu kwakugcwele ukuziphakamisa, lokwenza izinto njenge njwayelo kuphela, lokuzikhukhumeza, lobumina, njalo lokuhlukumeza abanye. Ibandla elaselihlehlele emuva lavala amehlo walo ukuthi lingaboni izibonakaliso zesikhathi ababephila kuso. UNkulunkulu kazange abalahle, kumbe abangele ukuthi ukuthembeka kwakhe kwehluleke, kodwa yibo abasuka kuye, njalo bazehlukanisa lothando lwakhe. Nxa babesala ukuhambisana lemilayo yakhe, izithembiso zakhe azigcwalisekanga kibo. {GC 315.4}IEP 315.4

Lokhu kungumphumela ongaphuthiyo wokwala ukwamukela ukukhanya njalo lezinto uNkulunkulu asenzela zona. Ngaphandle kokuthi ibandla lilandele izipho alivulela zona, lisamukela konke ukukhanya, njalo lisenza yonke imisebenzi engabe iveziwe, inkolo yalo izacina isiwa ibeyikwenza nje okungela mutsho, njalo lomoya oqakathekileyo obonisa ubungcwele ebantwini uzanyamalala. Iqiniso leli liboniswe ngokusobala embalini yebandla. UNkulunkulu ufuna ebantwini bakhe imisebenzi yokukholwa njalo lokulalela elingana lezibusiso njalo lamathuba abawaphiweyo. Ukulandela imilayo kudinga ukuzinikela njalo kugoqela isiphambano, njalo lokhu kuyisizatho esayenza ukuthi abanengi ababesithi bangabalandeli bakaKrestu bayale ukwamukela ukukhanya kwasezulwini, njalo njengamaJuda asendulo, abazange bazi isikhathi sokwethekelelwa kwabo. (Luka 19:44). Ngenxa yokuziphakamisa kwabo lokungakholwa iNkosi yabadlula njalo yaveza iqiniso layo kulabo, njengabelusi baseBethlehema njalo lamadoda asempumalanga, ababezimisele ukulandela ukukhanya ababekuzuzile. {GC 316.1}IEP 316.1