Isahluko 20—Imvuselelo Enkulu Kwezokholo.

Imvuselelo enkulu ngaphansi kokutshunyayelwa kodaba lokuza kukaKrestu masinyane ivezwe sobala emazwini wesiprofethi anikwa yisithunywa sakuqala encwadini kaSambulo 14. Isithunywa sibonakala 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 355.1}IEP 355.1

Ngesizatho sokuthi kuvezwe njengokuthi ingilosi yabonakala ithwele loludaba kusobala ukuthi isixwayiso lesi sibalulekile. Ngokubamsulwa, langenkazimulo, njalo lamandla wesithunywa sasezulwini, ukuhlakanipha kwasezulwini kubone kufanele uthi kusetshenziswe isimo esiphakemeyo esimele umsebenzi ozafezwa ludaba lolu kanye lamandla njalo lenkazimulo eyayizahamba lalo. Njalo lokuphapha kwesithunywa emkhathini, lelizwi eliphakemeyo okulethwa ngalo isixwayiso lesi, njalo lokuhamba kwaso kubo bonke abakhileyo emhlabeni, kuzo zonke izizwe, lemihlobo, lezindimi labantu, kuletha ubufakazi besiqubu kanye lokuthi udaba lolu luzafinyelela ezizweni zonke. {GC 355.2}IEP 355.2

Udaba lolu ngokwalo luveza ukukhanya mayelana lesikhathi lapho lokhu okuzakwenzakala ngaso. Kuvezwe njengokuthi udaba lolu luyingxenye “yevangeli elingapheliyo;” njalo lumemezela ukuvulwa komsebenzi wokwahlulela. Udaba losindiso selwatshunyayelwa kusukela endulo, kodwa udaba lolu luyingxenye yevangeli elalizatshunyayelwa kuphela ngensuku zokucina, ngoba yikho lapho kuphela okwakuzaba liqiniso ukuthi ihola lokwahlulela laselifikile. Amazwi wesiprofethi achaza izehlakalo ezimbalwa ezazizalandelana kusiyafika ekusungulweni kokwahlulela. Lokhu kuliqiniso ikakhulu encwadini kaDanyeli. Kodwa ingxenye yesiprofethi lesi ekhuluma ngensuku zokucina, uDanyeli watshelwa ukuthi ayivale “kuze kuyefika isikhathi zokucina.” Ngaphandle kuphela sesifike esikhathini lesi, udaba lolu olukhuluma ngokwahlulela lwalungeke luhanjiswe, lweyame ekugcwalisekeni kwesiprofethi. Kodwa ngesikhathi sokucina, uyatsho umprofethi, “abanengi bazazula bayele lale, lolwazi luzakwanda.” (Danyeli 12:4). {GC 355.3}IEP 355.3

Umpostoli uPhawuli waxwayisa ibandla ukuthi lingakhangeleli ukuza kukaKrestu ngensuku zakhe. “Usuku lolo alungeke lufike, kungakaveli ukuvukela uNkulunkulu kuqala, njalo lendoda yobubi ivezwe.” (2 Thesalonika 2:3). Kwakungeke kwenzeke kuze kufike ukuyekethisa lokuhlamukela uNkulunkulu okwenzeka ngesikhathi eside lapho kwakubusa khona “indoda yesono” ngaleso sizatho sasingeke sikhangelele ukuza kweNkosi yethu. “Indoda yesono” leyi ebizwa njalo ngokuthi “iyimfihlo yobubi,” “indodana yokulahlwa,” njalo “lowo omubi,” imele umbuso wabopapa, njengoba kuveziwe esiprofethini, wawuzabusa okweminyaka engu1260. Isikhathi lesi saphela ngomnyaka ka1798. Ukuza kukaKrestu kwakungeke kwenzeke kungakafiki umnyaka lowu. UPhawuli ugoqela ngesixwayiso sakhe amabandla wonke ayezaba khona kuze kuyefika umnyaka ka1798. Kungemva kwesikhathi lesi lapho udaba lokuza kukaKrestu olwaluzatshunyayelwa khona. {GC 356.1}IEP 356.1

Akuzange kube lodaba olunje olwatshunyayelwayo endulo. UPhawuli njengoba sesibonile kazange atshumayele ngokuza kukaKrestu, wakhomba abazalwane bakhe esikhathini esasikhatshana lapho uKrestu ayezakuza khona. AbaVuseleli labo abazange batshumayele ngakho. UMartin Luther wabeka isikhathi sokwahlulela eminyakeni engamakhulu amathathu eyayizakuza kusukela esikhathini ayephila kiso. Kodwa kusukela ngomnyaka ka1798 incwadi kaDanyeli seyavulwa, ulwazi ngesiprofethi solwandile, njalo inengi labantu selatshumayela ngodaba lokuthi ukwahlulela sekusondele. {GC 356.2}IEP 356.2

NjengeMvuselelo enkulu eyenzeka kusukela emnyakeni ka 1500, ukutshunyayelwa kokuza kukaKrestu kwabonakala emazweni ahlukeneyo ngesikhathi esifanayo. Emazweni wase Europe lase America amadoda ayekholwa njalo ethandaza athunganyelwa ukuthi bafunde isiprofethi, njalo nxa babelandela umbhalo, babona ubufakazi bokuthi ukuphela kwezinto zonke kwasekusondele. Endaweni ezitshiyeneyo kwakulamaxuku amaKrestu, abathi ngokubala iBhayibhili kuphela, bafika ekukholweni ukuthi ukuza koMsindisi kwasekusondele. {GC 357.1}IEP 357.1

Ngomnyaka ka1821, sekudlule iminyaka emithathu lapho uMiller ayesefike ekuzwisiseni kwakhe isiprofethi esasikhomba isikhathi sokwahlulela, uDr. Joseph Wolff, “owayengumvangeli womhlaba wonke,” waqala ukutshumayela ngokuza kweNkosi. UWolff wayezelwe elizweni laseGermany, ngabazali besiHeberu, uyise wayengumRabbi wamaJuda. Nxa wayekhula waqala ukukholwa inkolo yamaKrestu. Wayengumuntu olengqondo ebukhali, njalo wayelalelisisa ingxoxo ezazisenzakala endlini kayise nxa abantu bohlanga lwesiHeberu babehlangana bezokhuluma ngamathemba lezifiso zabantu bakibo, mayelana lobukhosi bokuza kukaMesiya, njalo lukuvuselelwa kwesizwe sakwaIsrayeli. Ngolunye usuku nxa wayesizwa kukhulunywa ngoJesu waseNazaretha, umfana wabuza ukuthi wayengubani. “UmJuda owayelezipho ezimangalisayo,” yiyo impendulo ayitholayo, “kodwa nxa wayezenza uMesiya, umthethwandaba wamaJuda wamgwebela ukufa.” “Yindaba,” waqhubeka ebuza, “iJerusalema labhidlizwa, njalo kungani sisekuthunjweni?” “Alas, alas!” waphendula uyise, “ngoba amaJuda abulala abaprofethi.” Umcabango wahle wafikela umfanyana lowu: “Sekungenzeka ukuthi uJesu laye wayengumprofethi, njalo amaJuda ambulala yena engelacala.” — (Travels and Adventure of the Rev. Joseph Wolff, vol. 1, p. 6). Umcabango lowu wakhula engqondweni yakhe, okwabangela ukuthi loba wayeyalisiwe ukungena ibandla lamaKrestu, wayejwayele ukuhamba hamba ngaphandle kwethempeli elaliseduze langakibo esenzela ukuthi alalele intshumayelo eyayiphuma phakathi. {GC 357.2}IEP 357.2

Kwathi ngolunye usuku eseleminyaka eyisikhombisa yokuzalwa, nxa wayeziqhenya phambi komunye umKrestu owayesegugile ngokunqoba kwelizwe laseIsrayeli langokuza kukaMesiya, lapho ixhegu leli elatsho amazwi alandelayo ngothando: “Mfana wami, ngizakwazisa ukuthi uMesiya weqiniso wayengubani: KwakunguJesu waseNazaretha, ...owabulawa ngabokhokho bakho, ngendlela efanayo abayenza kubaprofethi basendulo. Hamba ekhaya uyebala incwadi kaIsaya 53, njalo uzasuthiseka ukuthi uJesu Krestu yiNdodana kaNkulunkulu.” — (Ibid, vol. 1, p. 7). Masinyane wahle wezwa etshiseka ngamazwi lawa. Wabuyela ekhaya wafika wabala amavesi ayewaphiwe, emangaliswa yikubona indlela amazwi lawa ayegcwaliseke ngayo empilweni kaJesu waseNazaretha. Kwakungenzeka ukuthi amazwi wamaKrestu abeqinisekile na? Umfana wabuza uyise ukuthi amchazele ingcazelo yesiprofethi, kodwa wahlangana lokuthula okwabangela ukuthi angaphindi abuze futhi. Lokhu kodwa kwakhulisa isifiso sakhe sokudinga ulwazi mayelana lenkolo yesiKrestu. {GC 357.3}IEP 357.3

Ulwazi lolu ayeludinga walufihlelwa ngakibo lapho okwakukholwa inkolo yamaJuda, kodwa wathi esefikise iminyaka elitshumi lanye, wasuka endlini kayise esiyadinga imfundo, lokuyazikhethela inkolo yakhe njalo lomsebenzi wakhe. Wathola indawo yokuhlala okwesikhatshana emizini yezihlobo, kodwa ngemva kwesikhatshana bamxotsha ngoba besithi wayengumhlamuki, njalo eseyedwa engelamali wazidingela eyakhe indlela phakathi kwabantu ayengabazi. Wahamba endaweni ezehlukeneyo ebala ngokuzimisela njalo ezinakekela ngokufundisa ulimi lwesiHeberu. Ngenxa yendonsela yombalisi owayekhonza ebandleni laseRoma, wathunganyelwa ukuthi amukele inkolo yamaRoma njalo wazimisela ukuthi abengumvangeli ebantwini bakibo. Ngenxa yenhloso leyi, wahamba ngemva kweminyaka ethile wayaqhubeka ngemfundo yakhe esikolo esasiseRoma. Lapha ukujwayela kwakhe ukucabangisisa izinto nxa ekhuluma kwabangela ukuthi bambone njengomhlamuki. Waqala ukulwisana lezenzo zebandla zokuncindezela wafundisa abantu ukuthi kwakumele kube lenguquko. Loba nje ekuqaleni wayeyamukelwe kahle ngabathungameli bebandla, ngemva kwesikhatshana wakhitshwa ebandleni. Ngaphansi kwelihlo lebandla wahamba endaweni ezitshiyeneyo, kwaze kwaba sobala ukuthi wayengeke aguqulwe abe yisigqili sebandla. Wabekwa njengomuntu owayengeke aphenduke bamyekela ukuthi ahambe lapho ayethanda khona. Wasuka wayelizweni laseNgilandi, waqala ukukhonza ebandleni laseNgilandi. Ngemva kweminyaka emibili yokubala, ngomyaka ka1821, waqala umsebenzi wakhe. {GC 358.1}IEP 358.1

Loba nje uWolff wamukela iqiniso lokuza kukaKrestu kwakuqala, “njengendoda yosizi, njalo owayejwayele ubuhlungu,” wananzelela ukuthi amazwi wesiprofethi ayeveza ngokucaca okufananayo ukuza kwakhe kwesibili ngamandla langobukhosi. Nxa wayezama ukuthungamela abantu bakibo kuJesu waseNazaretha njengalowo owayethenjisiwe, njalo lokubakhomba ekubuyeni kwakhe kwakuqala lapho ayezehlise khona njengomnikelo wezono zabantu bonke, wabafundisa njalo ngokuza kwakhe njengeNkosi loMkhululi. {GC 358.2}IEP 358.2

“UJesu waseNazaretha, uMesiya weqiniso, izandla lenyawo zakhe abazibethelayo, yena owalethwa njengemvana emhlatshelweni, owayeyiNdoda yoSizi njalo owayesazi ubuhlungu, lowo owathi ngemva kokuthi amandla wokubusa esesusiwe koJuda, njalo lamandla wokubeka imithetho esesusiwe enyaweni zakhe, weza ngokokuqala, uzakuza njalo ngokwesibili emayezini wezulu, njalo ngelizwi lengilosi ephakemeyo” (Joseph Wolff, Researches and Missionary Labors, page 62) ” njalo uzakuma phezu kwentaba yaseOlivethi; njalo ukubusa lokhuyana okwakunikwe uAdamu phezu kwezidalwa zonke, njalo akulahlayo ngemva kokona (Genesisi 1: 26; 3:17), kuzaphiwa uJesu. Uzaba yiNkosi yomhlaba wonke. Ukukhala lokububula kwendalo kuzaphela, kodwa ingoma zokudumisa lokubonga zizezwakala. ...nxa uJesu esiza ngobukhosi bukaYise, lengilosi ezingcwele, ...abangcwele abafileyo bazakuvuswa kuqala. (1 Thesalonika 4:16; 1Khorinte 15:32). Lokhu yikho lokho amaKrestu akubiza uvuko lwakuqala. Ngemva kwalokho inyamazana zizaguqulwa isimo sazo, njalo zithambe phambi kaJesu. (Isaya 11:6-9; Amahubo 8). Kuzabakhona ukuthula emhlabeni wonke.” (Journal of the Rev. Joseph Wolff, pages 378, 379). “INkosi izakhangela emhlabeni ngokwesibili ithi, ‘Khangela kuhle kakhulu.”‘ (Ibid., page 294). {GC 359.1}IEP 359.1

UWolff wayekholwa ukuthi ukuza kweNkosi kwasekusondele, ingcazelo yesiprofethi esasikhuluma ngesikhathi afinyelela kuyo, laye yaphelela eminyakeni embalwa eyayihambelana laleyo eyayitholwe nguMiller. Kulabo ababekhuluma amazwi weBhayibhili athi, “Lolo suku alwaziwa loba nguphi umuntu,” besitsho ukuthi abantu ngeke bazi lutho ngokuphathelene lokusondela kokuza kwakhe, uWolff waphendula wathi: “INkosi yethu yatsho na ukuthi usuku lehola ngeke lwaziwe na? Kasinikanga yini izibonakaliso zesikhathi, ukwenzela ukuthi sibone ukuza kwakhe, ngendlela efanayo esazi ngayo ngokusondela kwehlobo nxa sibona isihlahla somkhiwa sihluma na? (Mathewu 24:32). Asingeke sazi isikhathi, ngesikhathi esifanayo enguye osiqonqosela ukuthi sibale incwadi kaDanyeli, hatshi ukuyibala kuphela kodwa ukuthi siyizwisise na? Njalo encwadini efananayo ekaDanyeli, lapho okukhulunywa ngokuthi amazwi lawa kwakumele avalwe kuzekuyefika isikhathi sokucina (Lokhu yikho abantu ababekukholwa ngesikhathi sakhe), njalo lokuthi “abanengi bazazula bayele lale” (lesi yisitsho seseHeberu esikhuluma ngokulandela izikhathi lokucabangisisa ngesikhathi), lolwazi (mayelana lesikhathi lesi) “lwaluzakwanda.” (Danyeli 12:4). Ngaphandle kwalokhu, iNkosi yethu ayifisi ukutsho lokhu, ukuthi ukusondela kwesikhathi ngeke kwazakale, kodwa ukuthi akulamuntu owazi usuku lwakhona lehola qha. Ukhulume okwaneleyo mayelana lalokho abantu abazayenelisa ukubakwazi ngokukhangela izibonakaliso zokuza kwakhe, esenzela ukuthi asenze silungiselele ukuza kwakhe, njengoNowa nxa wayesakha umkhumbi.” — (Wolff, Researches and Missionary Labors, pages 404, 405). {GC 359.2}IEP 359.2

Nxa wayebhala mayelana lendlela eyayijwayelekile eyokuchasisa iBhayibhili uWolff wathi: “Inengi lebandla lamaKrestu selasuka ekulandeleni umutsho weBhayibhili osobala, njalo lamukela indlela eyenza kube nzima esetshenziswa yinkolo yesiBhuda, abakholwa ukuthi intokozo yabantu ezayo izabunjwa yikundiza emkhathini kuphela, njalo bakholwa ukuthi nxa befunda ngamaJuda kumele bezwisise ngabezizwe kuqala, njalo nxa befunda ngeJerusalema, kumele bazwisise ngebandla, njalo nxa kukhulunywa ngomhlaba, kutshiwo umkhathi, njalo ukuthi bazwisise ngokuza kukaKrestu kumele baqale bazwisise ukuhamba kwenhlanganiso zabatshumayeli emhlabeni; njalo ukuya entabeni yendlu yeNkosi, kuchaza ixuku eliphakemeyo labantu beWisili.” (Journal of the Rev. Josephe Wolff, page 96). {GC 360.1}IEP 360.1

Phakathi kweminyaka engamatshumi amabili lane kusukela emnyakeni ka1821 kusiya ku1845, uWolffe wahamba endaweni ezinengi: eAfrica, lapho avakatshela ilizwe laseGibhithe, njalo laseAbyssinia; kuzwekazi laseAsia; wafika endaweni yasePalestine, eSyria, ePersia, eBokhara, njalo laseIndia. Wavakatshela njalo ilizwe laseAmerica, ehambeni lwakhe lolu watshumayela esihlengeni saseSaint Helena. Wafika edolobheni laseNew York ngenyaka kaNcwabakazi ngomnyaka ka1837, njalo ngemva kokutshumayela edolobheni leli, wadlulela edolobheni lasePhiladephia lase Baltimore, ekucineni wadlulela edolobheni laseWashington. Lapha uthi, “mayelana lodaba olwalethwa nguJohn Quincy Adams, owayeke waba ngumongameli welizwe, ephalamende, lapho abanginika khona imvumo yokusebenzisa indlu yasephalamende njengendawo yokutshumayela khona, lapho engakhuluma khona labantu ngosuku lweSabatha, ngazizwa ngiphakanyisiwe ngoba wonke amalunga ephalamende ayekhona, njalo lobhishopi waseVirginia, kanye labathungameli njalo lezwekazi laseWashington. Ithuba elifananayo ngalinikwa njalo yiphalamende yaseNew Jersy lase Pennsylvania, lapho engatshumayela ngalokhu engangikutholile ngisaseAsia mayelana lokubusa kukaJesu Krestu.” — (Ibid, pages 398, 399). {GC 360.2}IEP 360.2

UWolff wahambela indawo ezinengi lapho okwakulabantu abayingozi engelasithembiso sokuvikelwa ngamazwe waseEurope, wadlula ebunzimeni obukhulu njalo ehanqwe zingozi ezinengi. Wadlula phakathi kwendlala, wathengiswa njengesigqili, njalo kathathu wagwetshelwa ukufa. Kwezinye izikhathi wayelokuhlaselwa yizephulamthetho, kwezinye izikhathi wayephosa afe ngenxa yokuswela amanzi wokunatha. Ngolunye usuku bamthathela impahla zonke, kwadingeka ukuthi ahambe ibanga elide kakhulu ngenyawo edlula ezintabeni, unqwaqwane uwela ebusweni bakhe lasenyaweni zakhe. {GC 361.1}IEP 361.1

Nxa babemxwayisa ngokuhamba kwakhe engelasikhali phakathi kwabantu ababengelabuntu, waphendula ngokuthi “wayelezikhali” — “lomthandazo, lokuzimisela ukusebenzela uKrestu, njalo lesibindi sokuthi wayezamsiza.” “Nginikiwe njalo uthando lukaNkulunkulu njalo ngilomakhelwane enhliziyweni yami, njalo leBhayibhili lisesandleni sami.”- (W.H.D. Adams, In Perils Oft, page 192). Wayehlala ethwele iBhayibhili elalilotshwe ngolimi lwesikhiwa lolwesiHebheru lapho ayehamba khona. Nxa wayekhuluma ngohambo lwakhe lokucina wathi: “Ngagcina iBhayibhili livuliwe ezandleni zami. Ngezwa sengathi amandla wami ayesoGwalweni lolu, njalo lokuthi amandla walo ayezangixhasa.” — (Ibid, page 201). {GC 361.2}IEP 361.2

Ngale indlela wenelisa ukuqhubeka ngomsebenzi wakhe kwazekwafika ithuba lapho udaba lokwahlulela olwaseluthwalelwe endaweni ezinengi zomhlaba. Phakathi kwamaJuda, lamaTurks, lamaParsees, lamaHindu, njalo lwakwezinye izizwe lapho abatshiyela ilizwi likaNkulunkulu elalibhalwe ngendimi ezehlukeneyo ebatshumayeza ngokuza kukaMesiya. {GC 361.3}IEP 361.3

Nxa wayehambele endaweni yaseBokhara wathola imfundiso yokuza kweNkosi masinyane ikholwa ngabantu ababehlala kule indawo ababengayakhelananga lamazwe amakhulu ayelolwazi ngoJesu. Abantu bohlobo lwamaArab ababehlala elizweni laseYemen wabhala ngabo esithi: “balogwalo abalubiza ngokuthi yiSeera, oluchaza ngokuza kukaKrestu njalo lokubusa kwakhe ngobukhosi; njalo balindele ukuthi kubelezehlakalo ezinkulu ngomnyaka ka1840.” (Journal of the Rev. Joseph Wolff, page 377). “Elizweni laseYemen...ngahlala okwensuku eziyisithupha labantwana bakaRechabi. Abanathi iwayini, abahlanyeli lesivini, abahlanyeli lentanga, njalo bahlala ematendeni, njalo bakhumbula uJonadabhi wasendulo, indodana kaRechabi; njalo ngathola phakathi kwabo abantwana baseIsrayeli abenzalo kaDani...abalindele njengabantwana bakaRachabi, ukuza kukaMesiya emayezini asezulwini.” (Ibid, page 389). {GC 361.4}IEP 361.4

Inkolo efananayo yafunyanwa ngomunye wabatshumayeli endaweni yaseTatary. Umpristi wohlanga lwamaTatar wabuza umtshumayeli umbuzo mayelana lukuthi uKrestu wayezabuya nini. Nxa umtshumayeli wayephendula esithi wayengazi lutho mayelana lakho, umpristi wabonakala emangele kakhulu ngokuswela ulwazi kwalowo owayezibiza umfundisi weBhayibhili, njalo wamtshela yena lokho ayekukholwa ukuthi uKrestu wayezabuya ngomnyaka ka1844. {GC 362.1}IEP 362.1

Udaba lokuza lukaKrestu lwaqala ukutshumayelwa kusukela ngomnyaka ka1826 elizweni laseNgilandi. Iqula labantu ababetshumayela ngokuza kwakhe alizange libe sezingeni lalabo ababese America, isikhathi esithile sokuza kwakhe asizange sifundiswe kule indawo, kodwa iqiniso elimqoka lokuza kwakhe masinyane ngamandla njalo lobukhosi latshunyayelwa endaweni ezinengi. Njalo alitshunyayelwanga kuphela phambi kwalabo ababengakholwa kuphela. UMourant Brock, omunye wabalobi baseNgilandi uyaveza ukuthi kwakulabatshumayeli abafika amakhulu ayisikhombisa ababephuma ebandleni laseNgilandi ababetshumayela “ngevangeli lombuso.” Indaba ekhuluma ngomnyaka ka1844 njengesikhathi sokuza kweNkosi yatshunyayelwa lakwamanye amazwe aseBritain. Incwadi ezazikhuluma ngokuza kukaKrestu ezazivela eAmerica zafinyelela elizweni laseNgilandi. Njalo ngomnyaka ka1842 uRobert Winter, owayengowohlanga lwamaNgisi ngokuzalwa owayemukele inkolo yokuza kukaKrestu elizweni laseAmerica, wabuyela elizweni lakibo waqala ukutshumayela ngokuza kweNkosi. Abantu abanengi babambana laye emsebenzini lowu, njalo udaba lokwahlulela lwatshunyayelwa endaweni ezinengi zaseNgilandi. {GC 362.2}IEP 362.2

Endaweni yaseSouth America phakathi kwabantu ababengathambanga njalo ababelandela imfundiso yamapristi, uLacunza, owayedabuka elizweni laseSpain njalo engomunye wenhlanganiso yamaJesuit, wenelisa ukuthola iBhayibhili njalo ngale indlela wamukela iqiniso mayelana lokuza kukaKrestu okwasekusondele. Nxa wayesizwa umlandu wokunika udaba lolu, kodwa efisa ukuthi angajeziswa ngabathungameli baseRoma, waqala ukubhala ngalokho ayekukholwa ngaphansi kwebizo elithi “Rabbi Ben-Ezra,” ezibeka njengoMjuda owayephendukile. ULacunza waphila kungakafiki umnyaka ka 1800, kodwa ugwalo lwakhe lwafinyelela elizweni laseNgilandi ngomnyaka ka1825 njalo laphendulelwa elimini lwesiNgisi. Ukufika kwalo kwasiza ukujulisa ukuthakazelela iqiniso okwasekubekhona elizweni laseNgilandi mayelana lokuza kwesibili. {GC 363.1}IEP 363.1

Elizweni laseGermany imfundiso leyi yayike yatshunyayelwa eminyakeni eyayedlule nguBengel, owayengumfundisi webandla laseLutheran yena owayengumqeqetshi ophakemeyo lomfundi weBhayibhili. Wathi eqeda izifundo zakhe, uBengel “wayezinikele ukuthi afunde ngezeBhayibhili, lapho ayenelisa ukujulisa ulwazi ayelalo kusukela ekukhuleni kwakhe. Njengabanye abantu abatsha ababethanda ukucabangisisa, wayeke wahlupheka ngenxa yokuthandabuza njalo ngobunzima obabuphathelene lezinto zenkolo, njalo uyatsho, ngokudabuka “ngemitshoko eminengi eyahlaba inhliziyo yakhe, njalo yenza ukuthi ubutsha bakhe bubenzima.” Ngemva kokuba lilunga lenhlanganiso yaseWurttemberg, waqala ukumela amalungelo wabantu kwezenkolo. “Nxa wayephakamisa amalungelo webandla, wayengumeli wokuthi amalungelo wonke kwakumele anikwe bonke ababezizwa begqilazekile, ngokuphathelene lomzwangedwa, babelelungelo lokusuka ebandleni.” — (Encyclopedia Britannica, 9th ed., art. Bengel). Umphumela omuhle wemfundiso yakhe ulokhe usekhona edolobheni lakibo. {GC 363.2}IEP 363.2

Kwakuphakathi kwesikhathi lapho ayelungiselela intshumayelo eyayitholakala encwadini kaSambulo 21 lapho ukukhanya okumayelana lokuza kukaKrestu okwesibili okwangena engqondweni kaBengel. Amazwi esiprofethi atholakala encwadini kaSambulo avuleka phambi kwakhe ngendlela eyayingakaze yenzeke. Ngemva kokunanzelela ukuqakatheka kwamazwi lawa lezehlakalo ezasezizakwenzakala wagcwala ukwesaba okwabangela ukuthi ayekele okwesikhatshana ukucabanga ngodaba lolu. Phambi kwabantu nxa wayetshumayela iqiniso leli leza kuye ngamandla njalo lokucaca okukhulu. Kusukela lapha wazimisela ukuthi wayezachitha sonke isikhathi sakhe ebala ngesiprofethi, ikakhulu lesi esasikhuluma ngokuphela komhlaba, njalo masinyane wafika ekukholweni ukuthi ukuza kukaKrestu kwesibili kwasekusondele. Umnyaka afinyelela kuwo njengalapho lokhu okwakuzakwenzakala khona wawuseduze lalowo uMiller afinyelela kuwo ngokuhamba kwesikhathi. {GC 363.3}IEP 363.3

Imibhalo kaBengel isifinyelele indawo ezinengi ezilandela inkolo yesiKrestu. Imbono yakhe mayelana lesiprofethi yamukelwa ngabantu abanengi edolobheni lakibo elaseWurttemberg, njalo kancane kwezinye indawo zelizwe laseGermany. Iqula labantu ababetshumayela ngokuza kukaJesu laqhubeka ngemva kokufa kwakhe, udaba lolu lwezwakala elizweni laseGermany ngesikhathi esifananayo lakwezinye indawo. Abanye abemukela imfundiso leyi bathuthela elizweni laseRussia lapho abafika bakha khona, njalo ukholo lokuza kukaKrestu ngokwesibili lulokhe lusekhona emabandleni amanengi elizweni leli. {GC 364.1}IEP 364.1

Ukukhanya lokhu kwafinyelela njalo amazwe aseFrance laseSwitzerland. Edolobheni laseGeneva lapho uFarel loCalvin ababehambise khona iqiniso lemfundiso yeMvuselelo, uGaussen watshumayela udaba lokuza kwesibili. Nxa wayesesengumfundi esikolo, uGaussen wayehlangane lomoya wokululaza owawugcwele emazweni wonke waseEurope ngaphambi kokufika komnyaka ka1800, njalo wathi eqala umsebenzi wokuba ngumfundisi wayengazi lutho ngenkolo yeqiniso, kodwa wayegcwele ukuthandabuza. Ebutsheni bakhe wayeqale ukujabulela ukufunda ngesiprofethi. Ngemva kokufunda ugwalo lwembali olwalubhalwe nguRollin, wathakazelela isahluko sesibili sencwadi kaDanyeli, njalo wamangaliswa yindlela izehlakalo ezazichazwe lapha ezagcwaliseka ngokuphelela, nxa wayelandela imbali. Lapha kwakulobufakazi obubonisa ukuthi iBhayibhili laphefumulelwa nguNkulunkulu, lokhu kwaba yinsika yakhe ebunzimeni ahlangana labo phambili. Kwabanzima ukuthi ahlale ebambelele emfundisweni yokululaza iqiniso, njalo ngemva kokubala iBhayibhili njalo lokudingisisa ukukhanya, ngemva kwesikhatshana wathunganyelwa ekukholweni kweqiniso. {GC 364.2}IEP 364.2

Nxa wayeqhubeka ehlolisisa amazwi wesiprofethi wafika ekukholweni ukuthi ukuza kukaKrestu kwasekusondele. Wesuthiseka ngokuthi udaba lolu lwalubalulekile kakhulu ngakho wafisa ukuthi alulethe phambi kwabantu; kodwa imfundiso eyayijwayelekile eyokuthi amazwi esiprofethi ogwalo lukaDanyeli ayeyimfihlo engeke yazwisiseka, yayingumgoqo omkhulu phambi kwakhe. Ekucineni wazimisela njengoFarel, owayeze phambi kwakhe ekutshumayezeni abantu basedolobheni laseGeneva, ukuqala ngabantwana, elethemba lokuthi wayezasebenzisa bona ukufinyelela abazali babo. {GC 364.3}IEP 364.3

“Ngifisa ukuthi lokhu kuzwisiseke, akusikho ngenxa yesizatho sokuthi lokhu kuyinto engaqakathekanga, kodwa kungenxa yokuthi kubalulekile kakhulu, okwabangela ukuthi ngithathe lesi isinqumo sokuthi ngifundise abantwana. Ngangifisa ukuthi abantu bangizwe, njalo ngangilokwesaba ukuthi kwakungeke kube njalo nxa ngangiqala ngokufundisa abadala.” “Ngazimisela ngaleso sizatho ukuya ebantwaneni. Ngilokubuthanisa ixuku labantwana, nxa inani labo lilokhe likhula, nxa kubonakala ukuthi bayalalela, njalo bayakujabulela, futhi bayakulangazelela, lokuthi bayazwisisa njalo bayenelisa ukuchazela abanye, ngilesiqiniseko sokuthi masinyane ngizafinyelela elinye iqula, njalo ngemva kwalokho abantu abadala bazananzelela ukuthi kubalulekile labo babuye bezolalela. Nxa lokhu sekwenzakele umsebenzi uzakuya phambili.” (L. Gaussen, Daniel the Prophet, vol. 2, Preface). {GC 365.1}IEP 365.1

Icebo lakhe leli laphumelela. Nxa wayefundisa abantwana, abantu abadala labo babuya ukuthi bezolalela. Amabandla amanengi agcwala abantu ababezolalela. Phakathi kwabo kwakulamadoda alezikhundla eziphezulu njalo labafundileyo, kanye labezizwe ababethekelele idolobho laseGeneva, ngale indlela udaba lolu lwathwalelwa kwezinye indawo. {GC 365.2}IEP 365.2

Ngenxa yokuphumelela kwemizamo yakhe, uGaussen waqala ukubhala phansi izifundo zakhe, elethemba lokukhuthaza abantu ukuthi babale incwadi ezikhuluma ngesiprofethi phakathi kwamabandla ayekhuluma ulimi lwesiFrench. “Ukubhala ingwalo ezilezifundo ezibhalelwe abantwana, kuyimizamo yokukhuluma labadala abajwayele ukuyekela ukufunda ingwalo lezi ngaphansi kwenkolo yamanga yokuthi awazwisiseki, ‘Kungenzeka njani ukuthi ebe engazwisiseki, khona abantwabenu besenelisa ukuwazwisisa na?’” “Ngangilesifiso esikhulu, sokuchaza amazwi esiprofethi ayejwayelekile phakathi kwabantu bakithi, nxa kwakusenzeka.” “Akukho okunye esingakufunda, engibona ngathi kuphendula indingeko zesikhathi esiphilakuzo ngcono.” “Kungenxa yokuzwisisa lokhu okuzabangela ukuthi silungele isikhathi sokuhlupheka esesisondele, njalo sikhangele futhi silindele uJesu Krestu.” {GC 365.3}IEP 365.3

Loba nje wayengomunye wabatshumayeli abadumileyo njalo abathandekayo elimini lwesiFrench, uGaussen ngemva kwesikhatshna wakhitshwa esikhundleni sokuba ngumfundisi, icala elikhulu abambeka lona kwakuyikuthi kulokuthi alandele ugwalo lwebandla, olwalungela kukholwa phakathi njalo olululaza amaqiniso amqoka, wayesebenzise iBhayibhili ekufundiseni kwakhe abantu abatsha. Ngemva kwalokho waqala ukuba ngumbalisi esikolweni sabafundisi, ngesikhathi esifanayo ngosuku lwangeSonto waqhubeka ngomsebenzi wakhe wokufundisa abantwana ngeBhayibhili. Imisebenzi yakhe yokuchasisa isiprofethi layo yenza ukuthi abantu bafune ukumlalela. Kusukela esihlalweni sokuba ngumbalisi ophezulu, lasekulobeni ingwalo, njalo lasemsebenzini wakhe ayewuthanda kakhulu wokufundisa abantwana, waqhubeka okweminyaka eminengi edonsela abantu abanengi ekubaleni amazwi esiprofethi ayechaza ukuthi ukuza kukaJesu kwasekusondele. {GC 366.1}IEP 366.1

Endaweni yaseScandanevia lakho udaba lokuza kwesibili olwalutshunyayelwa khona, kwavuselelwa abantu abanengi abajabulela ukukuzwa lokhu. Abantu abanengi bavuswa ekulaleni kwabo lapho ababecabanga ukuthi babephephile baqala ukuvuma izono zabo, njalo bacela ukuthethelelwa ngegama likaJesu Krestu. Kodwa abathungameli bebandla baphikisa imfundiso leyi, njalo ngenxa yendonsela yabo abanengi ababetshumayela udaba lolu baphoselwa emajele. Endaweni ezinengi lapho abatshumayeli beNkosi ababethuliswe ngale indlela, uNkulunkulu wajabulela ukuthumela udaba lolu ngendlela eziyisimanga, esebenzisa abantwana abancane. Njengoba iminyaka yabo yayimncane, imithetho yesizwe yayingela mandla wokubabopha, njalo bavunyelwa ukuthi batshumayele bengathuliswanga. {GC 366.2}IEP 366.2

Abantu abamukela iqiniso leli ekuqaleni kwakuyilabo abaphansi, njalo ababehlala endaweni eziphansi. Abantu babehlangana ezindlini zabatshumayeli laba ukuthi bezokuzwa izixayiso lezi. Abantwana laba ababetshumayela ngokwabo babephuma ezindlini zabazali abaswelayo. Abanye babo babeleminyaka engaphansi kwesitshiyagalombili, njalo nxa impilo zabo zazifakaza ukuthi babethanda uMsindisi, njalo babezama ukuphila impilo yokulandela imilayo kaNkulunkulu, babebonisa ukuhlakanipha lamandla abonakala ebantwaneni abaleminyaka elingana leyabo. Nxa babesima phambi kwabantu, kodwa, kwakusobala ukuthi babefuqwa ngamandla adlula izipho zabo zenyama. Ukukhuluma kwabo lokuziphatha kwabo kwakuguquka, njalo ngamandla amakhulu babekhuluma ngesixwayiso sokwahlulela okwasekusondele, besebenzisa amazwi eBhayibhili: “Mesabeni uNkulunkulu, njalo limnike udumo, ngoba ihola lokwahlulela kwakhe selifikile.” Baveza izono zabantu, bengavezi kuphela ububi lokungazithibi, kodwa baveza ububi bokuthanda izinto zomhlaba, njalo lokuhlehlela emuva, njalo bexwayisa abalaleli babo ukuthi baphenduke masinyane ukuze babalekele ulaka oluzayo. {GC 366.3}IEP 366.3

Abantu balalela ngokuqhaqhazela. UMoya kaNkulunkulu othambisa inhliziyo wakhuluma labo. Abantu abanengi baqala ukubala iMbhalo ngokuzimisela okutsha, labo ababengazithibanga baqala ukuguquka, abantu abanengi batshiya indlela zabo zokungalungi, kwabalenguquko enkulu kakhulu okwabangela ukuthi labafundisi bebandla bavume ukuthi lowu kwakungumsebenzi kaNkulunkulu. {GC 367.1}IEP 367.1

Kwakuyintando kaNkulunkulu ukuthi indaba ezimnandi zokuza kukaKrestu zifinyelele amazwe waseScandanavia, njalo nxa amazwi wenceku zakhe ayesethulisiwe, wathela uMoya wakhe ebantwaneni, ukwenzela ukuthi umsebenzi ufezeke. Nxa uJesu wayesesondela emzini waseJerusalema ehanqwe lixuku labantu elalihlabela, njalo lithwele ingatsha zelala, besitsho ukuthi wayeyiNdodana kaDavida, abaFarisi ngenxa yomona bamtshela ukuthi abathulise, kodwa uJesu wabaphendula ngokuthi lokhu kwakukhomba ukugcwaliseka kwamazwi wesiprofethi, njalo nxa laba babengathula, amatshe ayezakhala endaweni yabo. Abantu ngokwethuselwa ngabapristi, bathula ukuhlabela kwabo nxa babengena eJerusalema, kodwa abantwana phakathi kwethempeli ngemva kwalokho baqhubeka ngengoma leyi njalo bethwele ingatsha ezifananayo, bakhala bethi: “Hosanna kuyo iNdodana kaDavida!” (Mathewu 21:8-16). Nxa abaFarisi basebethukuthele bathi kuye: “Uyabezwa na ukuthi bathini? UJesu wabaphendula wathi, “Yebo kalifundanga yini ukuthi: Emlonyeni wezingane lowabamunyayo uvezile ukudumisa okupheleleyo?” Njengoba uNkulunkulu wasebenzisa abantwana ngesikhathi sokuza kukaKrestu okokuqala, ngokufanayo wasebenzisa abantwana ukuhambisa udaba lokuza kwakhe kwesibili. Ilizwi likaNkulunkulu kumele ligcwaliseke, ukwenzela ukuthi ukuhanjiswa kodaba lokuza koMsindisi ngokwesibili lufinyelele abantu bonke, lendimi zonke kanye lamazwe wonke. {GC 367.2}IEP 367.2

KuWilliam Miller labanye ayesebenza labo kwanikwa umlandu wokutshumayela udaba lolu elizweni laseAmerica. Ilizwi leli laba yinziki yemvuselelo leyi eyabakhona. Kwakulapha lapho isiprofethi sesithunywa sakuqala esagcwaliseka khona ngamandla amakhulu okwedlula kwezinye indawo. Imibhalo kaMiller labanye bakhe yafinyelela endaweni ezikhatshana. Kuzo zonke indawo abatshumayeli ababefinyelele khona, indaba zokuza kukaKrestu zahanjiswa lapho. Endaweni zonke kwagcwala udaba lwevangeli elinaphakade: “Mesabeni uNkulunkulu, limkhonze, ngoba ihola lokwahlulela kwakhe selifikile.” {GC 368.1}IEP 368.1

Ubufakazi bamazwi wesiprofethi ayebonakala sengathi ayekhomba ukuthi ukuza kukaJesu kwakuzaba ngomnyaka ka1844 agcwala engqondweni zabantu. Nxa udaba lolu lwalufinyelela amadolobho ngokulandelana kwawo, abantu endaweni zonke bavuselelwa. Abantu abanengi bakholwa ukuthi ingcazelo eyayimayelana lesikhathi sokuza kukaJesu yayiqondile, njalo babeka ubumina eceleni, bamukela iqiniso ngentokozo enkulu. Abanye abafundisi babeka phansi imbono yabo lezikhundla, batshiya imiholo yabo lamabandla wabo, bahlanganyela labanye betshumayela ngokuza kukaJesu. Babebalutshwana kodwa abafundisi abamukela imfundiso leyi, ngakhoke umsebenzi lowu wawusezandleni zamalunga ebandla endaweni ezinengi. Abalimi batshiya amasimu abo, labakhi imisebenzi yabo, labantu abafundileyo batshiya izikhundla zabo, kodwa loba kwakunjalo inani lezisebenzi laliphansi okwedlula umsebenzi owawuphambi kwabo. Isimo sebandla elaselilahlekelwe yibungcwele bukaNkulunkulu lomhlaba owawuphezu kobubi, kwabeka umlandu enhliziyweni zabelusi abaqotho, njalo bazimisela ngenhliziyo zabo zonke ukusebenza nzima, lokuhlupheka, belenjongo yokubizela abantu bonke ekuvumeni izono ukuze basindiswe. Loba nje babelwiswa nguSathane, umsebenzi waqhubekela phambili, njalo iqiniso mayelana lokuza kukaJesu lamukelwa zinkulungwane ezinengi zabantu. {GC 368.2}IEP 368.2

Kuzo zonke indawo kwezwakala amazwi weqiniso, exwayisa izoni, kungakhathalekile ukuthi babengamalunga webandla kumbe abantu bomhlaba, ukuthi babalekele ulaka oluzayo. NjengoJohane umbhabhathizi, owahamba phambi kaJesu, abatshumayeli babeka ihloka empandeni yesihlahla, njalo bancenga wonke umuntu ukuthi atshengise izithelo ezibonisa ukuphenduka. Ukuncenga kwabo kwakuhlukene kakhulu nxa kuqathaniswa lamazwi wokuthula lokuphepha ayetshunyayelwa emabandleni amanengi, njalo loba kuyiphi indawo udaba lolu olwalutshunyayelwa khona, abantu abanengi babephenduka. Amazwi acacileyo atholakala eBhayibhilini, ayefithizelwa enhliziyweni nguMoya oyiNgcwele, njalo abangela ukuthi abantu baqedisise ububi ababephila kibo ezimpilweni zabo, okwabangela ukuthi babebalutshwana abayala ukwamukela ukukhanya. Abantu ababengamaKrestu ngebizo bavuseleleka babona ingozi ababekuyo. Bananzelela ukuwa kwabo, lokuthanda izinto zomhlaba lokungakholwa, lokuziphakamisa lobumina. Abantu abanengi badinga iNkosi ngokuzehlisa njalo lokuvuma izono zabo. Imicabango lezenzo zonke ababezisebenzise ukubambelela ezintweni zomhlaba bazibeka kuMdali. UMoya kaNkulunkulu wabehlela, njalo ngenhliziyo ezibuthakathaka njalo ezithobekileyo bahlanganyela ekuletheni umkhosi othi: “Mesabeni uNkulunkulu limdumise, ngoba ihola lokuthonisisa kwakhe selifikile.” {GC 369.1}IEP 369.1

Izoni zabuza zibubula: “Kuyini engingakwenza ukuba ngisindiswe?” Labo impilo zabo ezazigcwele ubuqili lobugovu bazimisela ukubuyisela konke ababekuthole ngobuqili. Bonke abathola ukuthula kuKrestu bafisa ukubona abanye bethola isibusiso esifananayo. Inhliziyo zabazali zaphenduka zaba sebantwaneni babo, lezabantwana zaba kubazali babo. Imigoqo yokuziphakamisa lokufela ngaphakathi yalahlelwa khatshana. Abantu bavuma izono zabo ngokuvela enhliziyweni, njalo amalunga emuli asebenza nzima ukuthi izihlobo zabo zisindiswe. Ezikhathini ezinengi kwakuzwakala amazwi wokuncengela. Kuzo zonke indawo kwakugcwele abantu ababesenhlungwini bencenga uNkulunkulu. Abanengi balwisana laye ubusuku bonke ngemikhuleko befuna isiqiniseko sokuthi izono zabo zazithethelelwe, kumbe bencengela ukuthi izihlobo zabo labomakhelwane bephenduke. {GC 369.2}IEP 369.2

Abantu abanengi kungakhathalekile izikhundla zabo bagcwala emihlanganweni yabantu ababemelele ukuza kukaKrestu. Izinothi labaswelayo, abaphakemeyo labaphansi, ababephuma endaweni ezitshiyeneyo, belangazelela ukuzwa imfundiso yokuza kwesibili. INkosi yabamba umoya wokulwisa nxa inceku zayo zazichaza izizatho zokukholwa kwabo. Kwezinye izikhathi izitsha lezi zazibuthakathaka, kodwa uMoya kaNkulunkulu wanika iqiniso lakhe amandla. Ubukhona bengilosi ezingcwele babuzwakala emihlanganweni leyi, njalo abantu abanengi babephenduka nsuku zonke. Nxa ubufakazi bokuza kukaKrestu babuphindwa phindwa, amaxuku abantu amakhulu ayelalela ngokuthula besizwa amazwi lawa acolekileyo. Kwabonakala sengathi izulu lomhlaba lalisondelelana. Abadala labancane bezwa amandla kaNkulunkulu phezu kwabo. Abantu babebuyela emizini yabo begcwele ukudumisa endebeni zabo, njalo ingoma zenjabulo zazizwakala lasebusuku. Akukho owake wahamba emhlanganweni leyi ongakhohlwa izehlakalo ezazisiba lapho. {GC 369.3}IEP 369.3

Ukutshunyayelwa kosuku lapho uKrestu ayezabuya khona, kwaletha ukuphikisa okukhulu okwavela ebantwini abahlukeneyo, kusukela kubafundisi bamabandla kusiya ebantwini nje ababephila impilo yesono. Amazwi wesiprofethi agcwaliseka: “Kuqala yazini lokhu ukuthi ngezinsuku zokucina kuzakufika abahleka ulunya, behamba ngezinkanuko zabo, besithi: Singaphi isithembiso sokufika kwakhe na? Ngoba sekulokhe obaba bafa, konke kumi kunjalo njengasekuqaleni kokudalwa.” (2 Petro 3:3,4). Abantu abanengi ababesithi bathanda uMsindisi, bakhuluma ukuthi babengaphikisi imfundiso yokuza kweNkosi kodwa babephikisa ukuthi abantu babeqamba usuku oluthile besithi uzakuza ngalo. Kodwa ilihlo likaNkulunkulu elibona okufihlakeleyo lalikhangele inhliziyo zabo. Babengafisi ukuzwa ngokuthi uKrestu wayesiza ukuzokwahlulela umhlaba. Okwesikhathi eside babephile impilo yenceku ezingathembakalanga, imisebenzi yabo yayingeke, imelane lokuhlolisiswa kwenhliziyo okwenziwa nguNkulunkulu, njalo babesesaba ukuhlangana leNkosi. NjengamaJuda ngezinsuku zokuza kukaKrestu kwakuqala, babengalungelanga ukwamukela uJesu. Abazange bale kuphela ukulalela imfundiso yeBhayibhili esobala, kodwa bahleka ulunya labo ababelindele iNkosi. USathane lengilosi zakhe bathokoza kakhulu, njalo bahleka phambi kobuso bukaKrestu lengilosi zakhe besithi abantu abazibiza ngokuthi bangamaKrestu babengafuni ukuthi abuye. {GC 370.1}IEP 370.1

“Akula muntu owazi usuku kumbe ihola,” lawa kwakungamazwi ayejwayele ukusetshenziswa yilabo ababephike iqiniso lokuza kwakhe kwesibili. Umbhalo uthi: “Kodwa lolosuku lalesosikhathi kakho muntu owaziyo ngaso, kanye lezithunywa zasezulwini, ngaphandle kukaBaba kuphela.” (Mathewu 24:36). Ingcazelo ecacileyo yomugca lowo yaphiwa yilabo ababetshumayela ngokuza kweNkosi, njalo lendlela labo ababebaphikisa ababeyisebenzisa ngokungaqondanga yavezwa phambi komuntu wonke. Amazwi lawa akhulunywa nguKrestu phakathi kwenkulumo yakhe abalayo labafundi entabeni yaseOlivethi nxa wayesephume ethempelini ngokokucina. Abafundi babebuze umbuzo: “Isibonelo sokuza kwakho, lesokuphela kwesikhathi sizaba yini?” UJesu wabanika izibonelo njalo wathi: “Nxa libona zonke lezi zinto, yazini ukuthi sekusondele, sekusemnyango.” (Mathewu 24:3, 33). Umutsho kaKrestu owodwa akumelanga usetshenziswe ukunyathezela omunye. Loba nje kungela muntu owazi usuku loba ihola lokuza kwakhe, siqonqoselwe njalo sikhangelelwe ukuthi sazi nxa sekuseduze. Siyafundiswa njalo ukuthi ukuphika isixwayiso sakhe, njalo sale kumbe siyekele ukudinga ukwazi ngokusondela kokuza kwakhe, lokhu kuzakuba lomphumela omubi kithi njengoba kwakukubi kulabo abaphila ngezinsuku zika Nowa ababengazi ukuthi uzamcolo wayezakuza nini. Njalo indatshana etholakala esahlukweni esifanayo, eqathanisa abathembekileyo lenceku engathembakalanga, njalo eletha umphumela omubi kulowo owathi enhliziyweni yakhe, “Inkosi yami isiphuzile ukubuya,” iyabonisa indlela uKrestu azakhangela njalo anike umvuzo labo azabathola bemlindele, njalo befundisa abanye ngokuza kwakhe, njalo lalabo abazakuphika lokhu. “Ngakhoke lindani,” “Ibusisiwe leyonceku okuzakuthi inkosi yayo nxa ifika iyifumane isenza njalo.” (Mathewu 24:42, 46). “Uba ungalindi, ngizakuza kuwe njengesela, kawusoze wasazi isikhathi engizakuza ngaso.” (Isambulo 3:3). {GC 370.2}IEP 370.2

UPhawuli ukhuluma ngequla labantu ukuza kukaKrestu okuzafika kibo bengakulungelanga: “Usuku lweNkosi luzafika njengesela ebusuku. Nxa besithi ukuthula lokuhlala kuhle; kung’khona ukubhujiswa kuzabajuma njengomhelo ufikela owesifazana okhulelweyo, kabasoze baphunyuke.” Kodwa uyengeza, ngalabo abazalalela isixwayiso soMsindisi: “Kodwa lina bazalwane kalikho emnyameni, ukuze lolosuku lulifice njengesela. Lina lonke lingabantwana bokukhanya, abantwana bemini. Kasisibo abobusuku loba abomnyama.” (1 Thesalonika 5:2-5). {GC 371.1}IEP 371.1

Ngale indlela kwaboniswa ukuthi uMbhalo awuniki imvumo yokuthi abantu bahlale besebunyameni mayelana lokusondela kokuza kukaKrestu. Kodwa labo ababedinga isizatho sokuphika iqiniso bavala indlebe zabo bangalaleli ingcazelo leyi, njalo lamazwi athi “Akulamuntu owazi usuku loba ihola” wona ayehlala esetshenziswa ngabantu abangakholwayo kanye labafundisi bamabandla. Nxa abantu basebevukile njalo sebeqala ukudingisisa ngendlela yosindiso, abafundisi bamabandla bema phakathi kwabo leqiniso, behlose ukubalalisa ngokuletha ingcazelo yamanga mayelana lelizwi likaNkulunkulu. Amadoda angathembekanga okufanele akhangele izimvu zikaNkulunkulu abambisana izandla loSathane, bekhala besithi, uKuthula, ukuthula, khona uNkulunkulu engakhulumanga ukuthula. NjengamaFarisi ngezinsuku zikaKrestu, abanengi bala ukungena embusweni ngokwabo, njalo laba ababengena babavimbela. Igazi labantu laba lizabekwa ezandleni zabo. {GC 372.1}IEP 372.1

Labo abazehlisayo njalo abazimiseleyo emabandleni baba ngabokuqala ukwamukela udaba lolu. Labo ababezibalela iBhayibhili benelisa ukubona ukuthi ingcazelo eyayijwayelekile ebantwini bonke mayelana lesiprofethi yayingekho eBhayibhilini, njalo kuyo yonke indawo abantu ababengathunganyelwa yindonsela yabathungameli bebandla, lapho ababehlolisisa iBhayibhili ngokwabo, imfundiso yokuza kukaJesu yayidinga kuphela ukuqathaniswa leBhayibhili ukuthi umuntu abone ukuthi yayivela ezulwini. {GC 372.2}IEP 372.2

Abantu abanengi bahlukunyezwa ngabomakhelwane babo ababengakholwa. Ukwenzela ukuthi bagcine izikhundla zabo ebandleni, abanye bakhetha ukuthi bathule bengakhulumi ngethemba labo, kodwa abanye bananzelela ukuthi ukulandela uNkulunkulu kwakubanqabela ukuthi befihle iqiniso ayelibeke ezandleni zabo. Abantu abanengi bamiswa emabandleni kungela esinye isizatho ngaphandle kokuthi babekholwa ukuthi uKrestu wayesezakuza. Abaligugu amazwi womprofethi kulabo abakhetha ukuhluphekela ukholo lwabo athi: “Abafowenu abalizondayo, abalixotsha ngenxa yebizo lami, bathi: Kayibe lodumo iNkosi, ukuze sibone intokozo yenu; kodwake yibo abazakuyangeka.” (Isaya 66:5). {GC 372.3}IEP 372.3

Ingilosi zikaNkulunkulu zazikhangele ngelihlo elibukhali zifuna ukubona umphumela wezixwayiso lesi. Nxa kwasekulokuphika isimemezelo lesi emabandleni amanengi, ingilosi zabuyela emuva zidangele. Kodwa kwakulabanye abanengi ababengakahlolwa mayelana leqiniso lokuza kwesibili. Abanengi babedukiswe ngabomnyeni babo, labafazi babo, labazali, kanye labantwana, njalo bathunganyelwa ukuthi bakholwe ukuthi kwakuyisono ukulalela itshumayelo ezazisenziwa yilabo ababekholwa ukuthi usuku lokubuya kweNkosi lwaselusondele. Ingilosi zathunyelwa ukuthi zeluse abantu laba, ngoba okunye ukukhanya kwakuzalethwa phambi kwabo okwakuvela esihlalweni sikaNkulunkulu. {GC 372.4}IEP 372.4

Ngokulangathelela okukhulu labo ababemukele udaba lolu balindela ukuza koMsindisi wabo. Isikhathi ababekhangelele ukumhlangabeza sasesisondele. Bahlangabeza ihola leli ngokuzotha okukhulu. Bathola ukuphumula ekukhulumeni loNkulunkulu okwakumnandi emoyeni yabo njalo belindele ukuthula okwakuzaba ngokwabo maduzane. Akekho loyedwa owadlula ethembeni leli ongakhohlwa amahola lawa abawachitha belindile. Sekusele amaviki ambalwa ukuthi usuku lolu lufike, batshiya imisebenzi yabo yasemhlabeni bakhetha ukwenza umsebenzi kaNkulunkulu. Abazalwane laba bachitha isikhathi sabo becubungula imicabango yonke lemizwa yabo sengathi kwakungabantu abagulela ukufa njalo abasebesele lamahola amalutshwane ukuthi bavale amehlo wabo betshiye umhlaba. Kwakungekho ukuthunga “izembatho zokwenyuka”, kodwa bonke bezwa indingeko yobufakazi enhliziyweni zabo obokuthi babelungele ukuhlangana loMsindisi, izembatho zabo ezimhlophe kwakuyikuhlambuluka kwenhliziyo, izimo ezazihlanjululiwe esonweni ngegazi likaJesu Krestu. Sengathi bekulokhe kulomoya ofananayo kulabo abazibiza ngokuthi bangabalandeli bakaNkulunkulu, owokuhlolisisa inhliziyo, njalo lokholo olufanayo. Ngabe babeqhubekile ngendlela efanayo bezehlisa phambi kweNkosi njalo beletha izicelo zabo phambi kwesihlalo somusa, bebezaba lohambo olujulileyo olwedlula lolo abalalo khathesi. Kulokukhuleka okuncane, lokuvuma izono okuncane, njalo lokuswelakala kokukholwa okuphilayo, okutshiya abanengi bengela musa ophiwa ngokugcweleyo nguMsindisi wethu. {GC 373.1}IEP 373.1

UNkulunkulu wayehlelile ukuthi uzahlola abantu bakhe. Isandla sakhe savala iphutha ababelenzile ekufundeni kwabo izikhathi ezimayelana lesiprofethi. Abatshumayeli bokuza kukaKrestu abazange bananzelele iphutha leli, njalo alizange lifumanwe yilabo ababebaphikisa loba babengabantu abafundileyo. Iqula leli labafundileyo ngemva kwesikhathi lathi: “Ukuzwisisa kwenu isiprofethi kuqondile. Kukhona isehlakalo esesizakwenzakala, kodwa asikho lokho uMiller akutshoyo, kutsho ukuthi umhlaba wonke uzaphenduka, akutsho ukuza kukaKrestu.” {GC 373.2}IEP 373.2

Usuku ababecabanga ukuthi wayezakuza ngalo lwadlula, uKrestu kazange abuye ukuthi azohlenga abantu bakhe. Labo ababekholwe ngenhliziyo yabo yonke ukuthi uKrestu wayezakuza, badlula ekudangaleni okukhulu. Loba kwakunjalo injongo kaNkulunkulu yagcwaliseka, wayehlolisisa inhliziyo zalabo ababesithi balindele ukuza kwakhe. Kwakulabantu abanengi phakathi kwabo ababefuqwe yikwesaba kuphela bengaphendukanga ngokuphelela. Ukukholwa kwabo kwakungabangelanga ukuthi inhliziyo zabo ziguquke loba impilo zabo. Nxa isehlakalo ababesilindele sasesingenzakalanga, abantu laba bakhuluma ukuthi bona babengadangalanga, ngoba babengazange bakholwe ukuthi uKrestu wayezakuza. Babangabokuqala ukuchothoza ubuhlungu balabo ababekholwa ngokweqiniso. {GC 374.1}IEP 374.1

Kodwa uJesu lezithunywa zonke zezulu bakhangela ngothando lozwelo labo ababehlukumezekile njalo lababethembekile kodwa ababedangele. Ngabe ingubo ehlukanisa umhlaba lezulu yayisusiwe, ingilosi zazizabonakala zisondelela laba ababebambelele kuNkulunkulu njalo zibavikela emandleni kaSathane. {GC 374.2}IEP 374.2