Isahluko 18—Umvuseleli Waselizweni LeMelika

Umlimi olungileyo njalo owayethembekile, owayethunganyelwe ngabanye ukuthi athandabuze amandla weBhayibhili, kodwa owayelesifiso sokwazi iqiniso, yiyo indoda eyakhethwa nguNkulunkulu ukuthi ithungamele emsebenzini wokutshumayela mayelana lokuza kukaKrestu kwesibili. Njengabanye abavuseleli, uWilliam Miller ekukhuleni kwakhe wayehlangane lobunzima bokuba ngumyanga njalo ngale indlela wayefunde izifundo eziqakathekileyo mayelana lokusebenza nzima njalo lokuzidela. Amalunga emuli ayephuma kuyo babengabantu ababezimele bodwa, njalo ababethanda ukukhululeka, ngokusebenza nzima, njalo ababethanda isizwe sakibo, lezi kwakuyizinto ezazibonakala lasesimeni sakhe. Uyise wayengumthungameli wamasotsha ngesikhathi sempi yoMvukela, njalo ngenxa yokuzinikela kwakhe ngesikhathi sempi, lokhu kwabangela ukuthi uMiller adlule ngaphansi kwesikhathi esinzima ekukhuleni kwakhe. {GC 317.1}IEP 317.1

Wayengumuntu olokuqedisisa engqondweni yakhe, njalo lasebuntwaneni bakhe wabonisa ukuthi wayekhaliphile kakhulu okwedlula intanga yakhe. Nxa wayelokhe ekhula, lokhu kwabasobala. Ingqondo yakhe yayihlala isebenza njalo yakhula kahle, njalo wayengumntwana olambele ulwazi. Loba nje engazange ayenelise ukuqhubekela phambili ngemfundo yakhe, ukuthanda kwakhe ukubala njalo lokucabangisisa kwakhe izinto zonke ayezenza, kwabangela ukuthi abeyindoda ekhaliphileyo njalo elolwazi. Wayengumuntu olesimo esimsulwa, njalo owayesaziwa ngobuhle, abantu bonke bemphakamisa ngenxa yenhlonipho ayelayo njalo lothando lwakhe. Ngenxa yokuba lamandla ekwenzeni izinto lokuzinikela wathola masinyane umsebenzi, loba nje waqhubeka ngempilo yakhe yokubala. Wasebenza endaweni ezinengi zikahulumende wenza kahle kakhulu, njalo indlela zokuthola umnotho zasezibonakala sengathi zasezivuliwe phambi kwakhe. {GC 317.2}IEP 317.2

Unina wayengumfazi olungileyo, njalo ebuntwaneni bakhe wayeke wafundiswa ngezokholo. Ebutsheni bakhe, kodwa wangena equleni labantu abangakholwayo ukuthi kuloNkulunkulu ezulwini, ababelendonsela enkulu ngoba babengabantu abalungileyo emphakathini njalo ababelothando. Ngendlela ababephila ngayo njalo lokwakhelana lamaKrestu, izimo zabo zazibunjwe yindawo ababehlala kuyo. Ngenxa yezenzo zabo ezinhle bathola inhlonipho ebantwini okwakumele babonge iBhayibhili, kodwa izipho lezi ezinhle zasetshenziswa ukuphikisa lokhu okufundiswa lilizwi likaNkulunkulu. Ngenxa yokuhlanganela labantu laba, uMiller laye wathunganyelwa ukuthi amukele imfundiso yabo. Indlela iBhayibhili elalichasiswa ngayo yaletha ubunzima obabungeke baxazululeka phambi kwakhe; kodwa inkolo yakhe entsha, loba nje yayibeka iBhayibhili eceleni, ayizange ilethe okunye okungcono endaweni yalo, njalo lokhu kwenza ukuthi ehlale engasuthisekanga. Waqhubeka ekholwa emfundisweni leyi loba kwakunjalo okweminyaka elitshumi lambili. Kodwa wathi ekwanisa iminyaka engamatshumi amathathu lane uMoya oyiNgcwele wathinta inhliziyo yakhe wenelisa ukuzibona njengesoni. Wananzelela ukuthi inkolo yakhe yayingela themba lenjabulo ngemva kwengcwaba. Ikusasa lakhe lalimnyama, njalo ligcwele usizi. Nxa wayebuyela emuva ekhumbula imizwa yakhe ngalesi isikhathi wathi: {GC 318.1}IEP 318.1

“Ukufa kwakungumcabango othusayo, njalo ukumela izenzo zami kwakusitsho ukufa kuphela. Izulu kwakungathi libumba phezu kwekhanda lami, njalo umhlaba kwakungathi yinsimbi ngaphansi kwenyawo zami. Ukuphila okunaphakade — kwakuyini? Njalo lokufa — kwakuyini? Nxa ngangiqhubeka ngicabanga, ngazithola sengikhatshana lokuqedisisa. Ukukhula kwemicabango yami kwakubangela ukuthi ngehluleke ukuphuma lesiphetho esidodwa. Ngazama ukuma ukucabanga, kodwa imicabango yami yayinganqandeki. Ngempela ngangilahlekile, kodwa ngingazwisisi isizatho. Ngangihlala ngikhonona, kodwa ngingazi ukuthi ngenxa kabani. Ngangisazi ukuthi kwakukhona okungalunganga, kodwa ngangingazi ukuthi ngingathola ngaphi okuhle kumbe njani. Ngabubula, kodwa ngingelathemba.” {GC 318.2}IEP 318.2

Waqhubeka esesesimeni esifanayo okwezinyanga ezimbalwa. “Ngesikhatshana isimo sikaKrestu safika engqondweni yami. Kwabonakala sengathi kwakulomuntu omuhle njalo olothando olwabangela ukuthi azinikele njengomnikelo wezono zethu, ngaleyo indlela asihlenge ekuhluphekeni lasesigwebeni sesono. Masinyane ngezwa ukuthi umuntu lowu kwakumele abelothando olunganani, njalo ngacabanga ukuthi ngingenelisa ukuziphosela ezandleni zakhe, njalo ngithembe emuseni womuntu onjalo. Kodwa ngafikelwa ngumbuzo, kungaboniswa njani ukuthi kukhona umuntu onjalo? Ngaphandle kokusebenzisa iBhayibhili, ngathola ukuthi kwakungela bufakazi obunjalo engangingabuthola ngoMsindisi onjalo, kumbe isimo esinjalo kwelizayo... {GC 319.1}IEP 319.1

“Ngananzelela ukuthi iBhayibhili laliveza uMsindisi engangimdinga; njalo ngadidideka ukuthola ukuthi ugwalo olungaphefumulelwanga lungaveza njani imfundiso ezihlelelwe ukusuthisa indingeko zomhlaba owileyo. Ngazithola sengivuma ukuthi iBhayibhili kwakumele libeyisambulo esivela kuNkulunkulu. Laqala ukuba yinjabulo yami, njalo kuJesu ngathola umngane. UMsindisi kimi waba ngomkhulu okwedlula abazinkulungwane, njalo iMbhalo eyayimnyama ngaphambilini njalo eyayilokuziphikisa, manje yaba yisibane enyaweni zami njalo lokukhanya endleni yami. Ingqondo yami yahlaliseka njalo yasuthiseka. INkosi yaba lidwala phakathi kolwandle lwempilo kimi. IBhayibhili manje laqala ukuba lugwalo lwami lokufunda olumqoka, njalo ngingafakaza ngeqiniso ukuthi, ngalibala ngenkulu intokozo. Ngathola ukuthi ingxenye yalo ngangingakaze ngitshelwe ngayo. Ngazibuza ukuthi kwakungani ngingakaze ngibone ubuhle balo, ngamangala ukuthi ngangingeke ngaliphika njengalokhu engangikwenzile. Ngathola konke kuveziwe okwakungafiswa yinhliziyo yami, njalo kwakulomuthi wemkhuhlane yonke eyayingahlasela umphefumulo. Ngaphelelwa luthando lokubala ezinye ingwalo, njalo ngaqala ukunikela inhliziyo yami ukuthi ngithole inhlakanipho kuNkulunkulu.” — (S. Bliss, Memoirs of Wm. Miller, pages 65-67). {GC 319.2}IEP 319.2

UMiller waqala ukukhuluma ngenkolo yakhe phambi kwabantu ayeyiphikile ngaphambilini. Kodwa abangane bakhe abangakholwayo abachithanga isikhathi ukuthi balethe zonke indlela zokuphikisa ayezisebenzisile ukuphika amandla weBhayibhili. Ngalesi isikhathi wayengakabi lolwazi olufaneleyo ukuthi abaphendule, kodwa wanakana ukuthi nxa iBhayibhili liyisambulo esivela kuNkulunkulu, kwakumele lenelise ukuvumelana, njalo lokuthi njengoba lalinikwe ukuthi liqondise uluntu, kwakufanele ukuthi laye ayenelise ukulizwisisa. Wazimisela ukubala iBhayibhili ngokwakhe, njalo lokudingisisa ukuthi konke lokhu ababekubona njengokuphikisana phakathi kwalo kwakuliqiniso yini. {GC 319.3}IEP 319.3

Wenza yonke imizamo yokubeka eceleni konke ayekwazi ngeBhayibhili phambilini njalo lalokho okwakubhalwe ngabanye abantu, wabala imigca ngemigca eyiqathanisa. Waqhubeka ukubala kwakhe ngendlela ehlelekileyo, eqala encwadini kaGenesisi, njalo ebala ngokulandelana kwamavesi, njalo wayengadluleli phambili engakazwisisi ngoba efuna ukuthi engayangeki phambi kwabantu nxa esebachasisela. Lapho ayethola khona okunye okungazwisisekiyo, kwakuyinjayelo yakhe ukuqathanisa umugca lowo lamanye amavesi ayekhuluma ngento efananayo. Wonke amabala kwakumele ahambelane lendikimba yendaba eyayichazwa kuleso sahluko, njalo nxa ukuzwisisa kwakhe kwakuhambelana lalokho okwakuvezwa yisahluko, yonke into yayisibalula. Ngale indlela lapho ayehlangana khona lamavesi anzima ukuzwisiseka, wayesenelisa ukuthola ingcazelo yakhona kwamanye amavesi. Nxa wayebala ngokuthandaza okukhulu edinga ukukhanyiselwa lizulu, lokho okwakukekwaba mnyama phambi kwakhe, kwakusiba sobala. Wahlangana leqiniso lamazwi kamahubo athi: “Ukwambulwa kwamazwi akho kuyakhanyisa, kuyahlakaniphisa abayizithutha.” (Amahubo 119:130). {GC 320.1}IEP 320.1

Ngokuzimisela okukhulu waqala ukubala incwadi kaDanyeli lekaSambulo, esebenzisa indlela efananayo eyokuchasisa ayeyisebenzise kweminye imbhalo, njalo wajabula nxa wayethola ukuthi imfanekiso yesiprofethi yayizwisiseka. Wananzela ukuthi zonke iziprofethi ezasezigcwalisekile zaziyenzeke ngendlela ezichazwe ngayo, njalo yonke imifanekiso eyayisetshenzisiwe, yayichaziwe kwesinye isikhathi emigceni elandelayo, kumbe kwamanye amavesi, okwakusiba lula ukuwazwisisa nxa echazwe ngale indlela. “Ngasuthiseka ngale indlela, ngokubona ukuthi iBhayibhili liyisakhiwo samaqiniso aveziweyo, njalo lihlelwe ngendlela ecacileyo okokuthi loba ngubani loba eyisithutha, akulasizatho sokuthi alahleke.”- (Bliss, page 70). Ukuhlangana konke kwamaqiniso kwanika ukuzimisela kwakhe umvuzo, nxa wayeqhubeka elandelela imzila yesiprofethi. Ingilosi zezulu zazihola ingqondo yakhe njalo zichaza iMbhalo phambi kwakhe. {GC 320.2}IEP 320.2

Wathatha indlela isiprofethi esasigcwaliseke ngayo endulo, wakwenza umgomo wokuqedisisa indlela lesi esinye esasingakagcwaliseki esasizagcwaliseka ngayo, waqala ukusuthiseka ngemfundiso yokuthi uKrestu uzabusa ngokomoya, lokuthi kuzakuba leminyaka eyinkulungwane yokubusa kungakafiki ukuphela komhlaba, wananzelela ukuthi imfundiso leyi yayingekho elizwini likaNkulunkulu. Imfundiso leyi ilethwa ngendlela yokuthi kuzakuba leminyaka eyinkulungwane yokulunga lokuthula uKrestu engakabuyi, lokhu kwenza ukuthi izehlakalo ezesabakayo zosuku lukaNkulunkulu zifuqelwe khatshana. Kodwa loba nje ijabulisa ngendlela echazwa ngayo, iphambene lemfundiso kaKrestu labafundi bakhe, abachazayo ukuthi umfaba lamabele kumele kukhule ndawonye kuzekuyefika isikhathi sokuvuna, okuyikuphela komhlaba, ukuthi “ababi labakhohlisi bazakuqhubekela phambili ebubini, bekhohlisana,” ukuthi “ngezinsuku zokucina izikhathi ezinzima zizakuza;” lokuthi umbuso wobunyama uzaqhubeka kuze kufike usuku lokuza kweNkosi njalo uzabhujiswa nguMoya ophuma emlonyeni wakhe njalo ubhujiswa yinkazimulo yokuza kwakhe..(Mathewu 13:30, 38-41 ; 2 Timothi 3:13,1 ; 2 Thesalonika 2:8). {GC 321.1}IEP 321.1

Imfundiso yokuthi umhlaba wonke uzaphenduka lokuthi uzabuswa nguKrestu ngokwakomoya yayingekho ebandleni labafundi. Ayizange yamukelwe ngamaKrestu kwazekwayafika ekuqaleni komnyaka ka 1700. Njengemfundiso yonke yamanga, umphumela wayo wawumubi. Yafundisa abantu ukuthi bakhangelele ukuza kweNkosi khatshana njalo kwabavimbela ukuthi bananzelele izibonakaliso zokuza kwakhe lokulimukisa abanye. Lokhu kwaletha isibindi lokuzwa sengathi kulokuthula okwakungagxilanga elizwini leNkosi njalo kwaholela abanengi ekuthini bayekele ukulungiselela okudingekayo ukuthi bahlangane leNkosi. {GC 321.2}IEP 321.2

UMiller wathola ukuthi ukuza kukaKrestu ngesimo sakhe esipheleleyo kwakuvezwe sobala eBhayibhilini. UPhawuli uthi: “INkosi uqobo izakwehla ivela ezulwini ngomdumo, ngokumemeza kwesithunywa, langokukhala kophondo lukaNkulunkulu.” (1 Thesalonika 4:16). Njalo uMsindisi uyachaza ukuthi: “Bazayibona iNdodana yomuntu isiza emayezini ezulu, ilamandla lenkazimulo enkulu,” “Ngoba njengalokhu umbane ubaneka empumalanga, ukhanye uze ubonakale entshonalanga, kuzakuba njalo ukufika kweNdodana yomuntu.” (Mathewu 24:30,27). Uzakuphekelezelwa lixuku lezingilosi zasezulwini. “Indodana yomuntu izakuza ngobukhosi bayo, kanye lezithunywa zonke.” (Mathewu 25:31). “Izakuthuma izithunywa zayo ngokukhala okukhulu kophondo, ziqoqe abakhethiweyo bayo...” (Mathewu 24:31). {GC 321.3}IEP 321.3

Ekubuyeni kwakhe bonke abangcwele abafileyo bazakuvuswa, njalo abangcwele abaphilayo bazakuguqulwa. “Kasiyikufa sonke, kodwa sizakuphendulwa sonke, ngesikhatshana, ngokucwayiza kwelihlo, ekukhaleni kophondo lokucina, ngoba uphondo luzakhala, abafileyo bazakuvuswa bengelakubola, thina sizakuphendulwa. Ngoba lokhu okubolayo sekwembethe okungaboliyo, lalokho okufayo sokwembethe okungafiyo...” (I Korinte 15:51-53). Njalo encwadini kaPhawuli ayeyibhalele abantu baseThesalonika ngemva kokuchaza ukuza kweNkosi uthi:” Abafileyo kuKrestu bazakuvuka kuqala, thinake esisekhona sisasele sizakuhluthunelwa kanye labo emayezini, sihlangabeza iNkosi emoyeni, sihlale layo kokuphela.” (1 Thesalonika 4:16,17). {GC 322.1}IEP 322.1

Kuphela ngemva kokubuya kukaKrestu, yikho lapho abantu abazamukela umbuso wakhe. UMsindisi wathi: “Nxa isifikile iNdodana yomuntu ngobukhosi bayo kanye lezithunywa zonke, kung’khona izakuhlala esihlalweni sayo sobukhosi; kuzakubuthelwa phambi kwayo izizwe zonke; izakubuthanisa abanye kwabanye; njengomalusi esahlukanisa izimvu lembuzi. Ibeke izimvu ngakwesokunene sayo lembuzi ngakwesokhohlo sayo. Kung’khonake iNkosi izakuthi kibo abangakwesokunene sayo: Wozani lina elibusisiweyo nguBaba, lidle ilifa lombuso eliwulungiselweyo kusukela ekudabukeni komhlaba.” (Mathewu 25:31-34). Sesibonile emavesini anikiweyo ukuthi nxa iNdodana yomuntu isiza, abafileyo bayavuswa bengelakubola njalo abaphilayo bazaguqulwa. Ngalokhu ukutshintshwa okukhulu balungiselwa ukwamukelwa umbuso, ngoba uPhawuli uthi: “Inyama legazi kakulakudla ilifa lombuso kaNkulunkulu, lokubola kakulidli ilifa lokungaboli.” (1 Korinte 15:50). Umuntu esimeni sakhe alaso kathesi uyabola, kodwa umbuso kaNkulunkulu uzabe ungaboli, njalo uzaphila inaphakade. Ngakhoke umuntu esimeni sakhe alaso khathesi ngeke angene embusweni kaNkulunkulu. Kodwa nxa uJesu esiza, uzakubeka ukungaboli ebantwini bakhe; njalo ebesebabiza ukuthi bathathe umbuso abebekade bezindlalifa zawo. {GC 322.2}IEP 322.2

Amavesi lawa lamanye aveza sobala engqondweni kaMiller ukuthi izehlakalo ezazimelelwe ngabantu ukuthi zenzakale ngaphambi kokuza kukaKrestu, ezifana lesikhathi sokuthula njalo lokumiswa kombuso kaNkulunkulu emhlabeni, zazizakwenzakala ngemva kokuzakwakhe. Phezu kwalokho zonke izibonakaliso zokuza kwakhe lesimo somhlaba zazihambelana lalokho okuvezwa yisiprofethi ngezinsuku zokucina. Wafika emaphethelweni esebenzisa iBhayibhili kuphela, wabona ukuthi isikhathi esibekelwe ukuqhubeka kwempilo emhlabeni sasesizaphela. {GC 323.1}IEP 323.1

Nxa wayebhala uthi: “Obunye ubufakazi obahlupha ingqondo yami, kwakuyikulandelana kwemiBhalo... ngathola ukuthi izehlakalo ezichaziweyo, ezazigcwalisekile endulo, esikhathini esinengi zazisenzakala esikhathini esithile. Iminyaka elikhulu lamatshumi amabili eyeza ngaphambi kukazamcolo (Genesisi 6:3); amalanga ayisikhombisa ayeza kuza ngaphambi kokuthi izulu liqale ukuna, lamalanga angamatshumi amane wokuna kwezulu (Genesisi 7:4); amakhulu amane wokuhlala eGibhithe kwenzalo kaAbrahama ( Genesisi 15:13); amalanga amathathu wamaphupho wenduna yabaphathizitsha njalo lombumbi wesinkwa (Genesisi 40:12-20); iminyaka eyisikhombisa yephupho likaFaro ( Genesisi 41:28-54); iminyaka engamatshumi amane enkangala (Amanani 14:34); iminyaka emithathu elengxenye yendlala (1 Amakhosi 17:1, Luka 4:25)... iminyaka engamatshumi ayisikhombisa yokuthunjwa (Jeremiya 25:11); isikhathi sikaNebukaneza esiyisikhombisa (Danyeli 4:13-16), lamaviki ayisikhombisa, lamaviki angamatshumi ayisithupha lambili, njalo leviki elilodwa, abumba isikhathi samaviki angamatshumi ayisikhombisa, ayebekelwe isizwe sakoJuda (Danyeli 9:24-27), izehlakalo zonke lezi ezivezwe yizikhathi lezi zazike zaba yisiprofethi zingakagcwaliseki, njalo zagcwaliseka njengokulotshwa kwazo.”- (Bliss, pages 74, 75). {GC 323.2}IEP 323.2

Ekubaleni kwakhe iBhayibhili wathola izikhathi ezimbalwa ezazilandelana, ngendlela ayezizwisisa ngayo, zonke lezi izikhathi zaziqhubeka zisiyafika ekubuyeni kukaKrestu, kwakungela eyinye indlela kulokhuthi azamukele “njengezikhathi ezibekiweyo,” uNkulunkulu ayezivezele inceku zakhe. “Izinto eziyimfihlo” kuloba uMosi, “zingezeNkosi uNkulunkulu wethu, kodwa izinto ezambuliweyo zingezethu lezabantwana bethu kuze kube nininini,” njalo iNkosi iyachaza ngomprofethi uAmosi ukuthi “kasoke ayenze lutho, kodwa uvezela imfihlo yakhe inceku zakhe abaprofethi.” (Duteronomi 29:29; Amosi 3:7). Abafundi belizwi likaNkulunkulu, sebengaba lesibindi sokuthola isehlakalo esikhulu okwedlula zonke embalini yomhlaba sivezwe sobala eBhayibhilini. {GC 324.1}IEP 324.1

“Njengoba ngangilesiqiniseko,” watsho uMiller, “esokuthi yonke iMbhalo enikwe ngenxa yokuthungamela kukaNkunkulunkulu ilungele ukufundisa (2 Timothi 3:16); lokuthi ayibuyanga ngenxa yentando yomuntu, kodwa yalotshwa ngamadoda angcwele nxa babethungamelwa nguMoya oyiNgcwele (2 Petro 1:21), njalo yalotshelwa “ukusifundisa, ukwenzela ukuthi ngokubekezela njalo ngokududuzwa ngemibhalo sithole ithemba’ (Roma 15:4), ngathola ukuthi lokhu okubhalwe ngokulandelana eBhayibhili kwakuyingxenye yelizwi likaNkulunkulu, njalo kwakufanele ukuthi sikuhlolisise kahle, njengazo zonke ingxenye zeBhayibhili. Ngakhoke ngananzelela ukuthi nxa ngangifisa ukuzwisisa konke uNkulunkulu abone kufanele ukuthi sikuzwisise elizwini lakhe, ngangingela mvumo yokweqa ingxenye ekhuluma ngesiprofethi esimayelana lesikhathi.” — (Bliss, page 75). {GC 324.2}IEP 324.2

Isiprofethi esabonakala sengathi sasiveza isikhathi sokuza kwesibili yilesi esitholakala kuDanyeli 8:14: “Kuzaze kube yizikhathi zokuhlwa lezokusa eziyizinkulungwane ezimbili lamakhulu amathathu zokunikelwa kweminikelo, besekuhlanjululwa indawo engcwele.” Nxa wayelandela umthetho wakhe wokuvumela ukuthi iBhayibhili lizichasise, uMiller wafunda ukuthi usuku ngaphansi kolimi lwesiprofethi lumele umnyaka (Amanani 14:34; Hezekeli 4:6); wananzelela ukuthi isikhathi seminyaka ezinkulungwane ezimbili lamakhulu amathathu amalanga (2300 days), kumbe iminyaka, sasizaqhubeka sidlule ukuvalwa komusa kwesizwe samaJuda, ngakho kwakungeke kube kuchaza ukuhlanjululwa kwendlu engcwele yesikhathi sabo. UMiller wamukela indlela amaKrestu ayezwisisa ngayo eyokuthi umhlaba wawulithempeli, ngakhoke wazwisisa ukuthi ukuhlanjululwa kwethempeli okuvezwe kuDanyeli 8:14 kwakusitsho ukuhlanjululwa komhlaba ngomlilo ekubuyeni kukaKrestu kwesibili. Kuphela nxa isikhathi sokuqala ukubala iminyaka eyi2300 besingatholakala, uMiller wananzelela ukuthi kwakuzabalula ukubala ukuthi uKrestu wayezakuza nini. Ngaleyo indlela isikhathi sokuphela sasizavela, isikhathi lapho isimo samanje, esigcwele “ukuziphakamisa, lamandla, lokuzikhukhumeza, lokuthanda ize, lobubi njalo lokuhlukumeza abanye, kwakuzafika emaphethelweni;” lapho iziqalekiso “ezizakhitshwa khona emhlabeni wonke, ukufa kubhujiswe, njalo umvuzo unikwe inceku zikaNkulunkulu, abaprofethi labangcwele, njalo labo bonke abesaba ibizo lakhe, njalo labo ababhubhisa umhlaba labo babhujiswe.” (Bliss, page 76). {GC 324.3}IEP 324.3

Ngamandla avuselelweyo, uMiller waqhubeka efundisisa isiprofethi, ubusuku bonke kwesinye isikhathi usuku lonke ebala lokhu manje okwasekubonakala kubaluleke kakhulu njalo okwakumthathekisa. Esahlukweni sesitshiya galo mbili sencwadi kaDanyeli kazange athole umnyaka lapho iminyaka eyi2300 okwakumele iqale khona, ingilosi uGabriel, loba yayithunywe ukuthi izochasisela uDanyeli, yamnika ingcazelo engaphelelanga. Nxa ukuhlukunyezwa okwakuzakwehlela ibandla kwasekuvezelwe umprofethi, amandla wakhe aphela. Wayengasenelisi ukuqhubekela phambili, ingilosi leyi yamtshiya okwesikhatshana. UDanyeli “waphela amandla, njalo wagula okwamalanga athile.” Kodwa ngamangaliswa ngumbono lowu,” uyatsho, “kodwa kangaze ngawuqedisisa.” {GC 325.1}IEP 325.1

Loba kunjalo uNkulunkulu wayetshele isithunywa sakhe wathi:” Yenza indoda leyi ukuthi izwisise umbono lowu.” Amazwi lawa kwakumele agwaliseke. Ngenxa yokulalela amazwi lawa isithunywa lesi ngemva kwesikhatshana, sabuyela kuDanyeli sisithi: “Sengifikile ukuba ngikunike ukuhlakanipha lokuqedisisa;” “ngakhoke lilalele ilizwi, uqedisise umbono.” (Danyeli 8:27, 16; 9:22, 23, 25-27). Kwakulento eyodwa ngombono lowu eyayingachazwanga, eyayiphathelane lesikhathi, isikhathi sensuku kumbe amalanga ayi2300, ngakhoke ingilosi nxa yayiqhubeka ngengcazelo yayo, yagxila kakhulu endabeni yesikhathi: {GC 325.2}IEP 325.2

“Amaviki angamatshumi ayisikhombisa uNkulunkulu uwamisele abantu bakini lomuzi wakini ongcwele ukuba kuphele ukwenza okubi lezono, emva kwalokhu kuthethelelwe izono, kuqiniswe ukulunga okungapheliyo, kuze kugcwaliseke umbono lesiprofethi, kuhlanjululwe lendawo engcwele kakhulu. Ngakhoke yazi uqedisise ukuba kusukela ekuphumeni kwelizwi ukuba kwakhiwe futhi iJerusalema kuze kube sekufikeni kogcotshiweyo ongumbusi, kuzakuba ngamaviki ayisikhombisa. IJerusalema lizakwakhiwa okwamaviki angamatshumi ayisithupha lambili, kanye lemidulu, kodwa kuzaba yisikhathi sokuhlupheka. Emva kwamaviki angamatshumi ayisithupha lambili ogcotshiweyo uzabulawa, engazenzeli yena... Umbusi uzakwenza isivumelwano esiqinileyo labanengi okweminyaka eyisikhombisa, kuthi phakathi kwayo ayivale imihlatshelo leminikelo.” (Danyeli 9:25-27). {GC 326.1}IEP 326.1

Ingilosi yayithunyelwe kuDanyeli ngenjongo yokuthi imchazele lokho ayehluleke ukukuzwisisa embonweni otholakala esahlukweni sesitshiya galo mbili, umugca lowo owawukhuluma ngesikhathi othi: “Kuzaze kube zinsuku eziyinkulungwane ezimbili lamakhulu amathathu, lapho indawo engcwele ezahlanjululwa khona.” Ngemva kokutshela uDanyeli ukuthi “azwisise umbono, njalo aqedisise,” amazwi wesithunywa athi: “Amaviki angamatshumi ayisikhombisa abekelwe abantu bakini lomuzi ongcwele.” Ibala lapha elichazwe ngokuthi “abekelwe” litsho ukuthi “aqunyelwe.” Amaviki angamatshumi ayisikhombisa amele iminyaka engu490, achazwa yingilosi ukuthi aqunyiwe, ukuthi anikwe isizwe samaJuda. Kodwa aqunywe phakathi kwani? Njengoba isikhathi seminyaka kumbe amalanga ayi2300 yiso sodwa esinikwe esahlukweni sesitshiya kalombili, kumele kube phakathi kwalesi isikhathi lapho amaviki angamatshumi ayisikhombisa aqunywe khona, amaviki lawa kufanele abephakathi kwamalanga lawa ayi2300, izikhathi lezi kumele ziqale ngesikhathi esifananayo. Amaviki lawa angamatshumi ayisikhombisa ayechazwe yingilosi ukuthi ayezaqala lapho okwakuzanikwa khona ilizwi lokuthi abantu babuyele bayavuselela njalo bakhe umuzi weJerusalema. Nxa umnyaka lapho ilizwi leli elanikwa khona wawungatholakala, kutsho ukuthi umnyaka wokuqala ukubala iminyaka engu2300 wawuzatholakala. {GC 326.2}IEP 326.2

Esahlukweni sesikhombisa sebhuku likaEzra yikho okutholakala khona umthetho lowu. (Ezra 7: 12-26). Ngokuphelela kwawo wanikwa yinkosi uArtaxerxes, inkosi yasePersia, ngomnyaka ka 457 B.C. Kodwa encwadini kaEzra 6:14 indlu kaNkulunkulu ichazwe ngokuthi yaseyakhiwe “ngaphansi kwamazwi kaCyrus, loDarius, njalo loArtexerxes inkosi yasePersia.” Amakhosi lawa womathathu, ngokusungula, lokuqinisa, njalo lokuphelelisa umthetho lowu, bawuletha ekupheleleni okwakudingwa yisiprofethi ukwenza sobala isikhathi sokuqala ukubala iminyaka engu2300. Nxa sithatha umnyaka ka457 B. C., njengomnyaka lapho umthetho lowu owapheleliswa khona, njengomnyaka lapho ilizwi elaphuma khona, zonke izinto eziphathelane lamaviki angamatshumi ayisikhombisa zazigcwalisekile. {GC 326.3}IEP 326.3

“Kusukela ekuphumeni kwelizwi lokuba kwakhiwe futhi iJerusalema kuze kube sekufikeni kukaMesiya ongumbusi, kuzakuba ngamaviki ayisikhombisa, njalo lamaviki angamatshumi ayisithupha lambili” —okutsho ukuthi ngamaviki ayi69 nxa kuhlanganisiwe (7+62) okuyiminyaka engu 483. (69 * 7days=483). Ilizwi lenkosi uArtexerxes laphuma ekwindla ngomnyaka ka457 B.C. Nxa ubala usukela emnyakeni lowu iminyaka engu483 yayizafika ekwindla ngomnyaka ka A.D 27. Ngalesi isikhathi isiprofethi lesi sagcwaliseka. Ibala elithi “Mesiya” litsho ukuthi “ogcotshiweyo.” Ekwindla ngomnyaka ka A.D 27 uKrestu wabhabhathizwa nguJohane njalo wathola ukugcotshwa kukaMoya. Umpostoli uPetro uyakuveza laye lokhu nxa esithi: “UNkulunkulu wagcoba uJesu waseNazaretha ngoMoya oyiNgcwele njalo langamandla.” (Imisebenzi 10:38). Njalo uMsindisi ngokwakhe uthi: “UMoya kaNkulunkulu ukimi, ngoba ungigcobile ukuthi ngitshumayele ivangeli kwabaswelayo.” (Luka 4:18). Ngemva kokubhabhathizwa wasuka waya eGalile, “etshumayela ivangeli lombuso kaNkulunkulu, njalo esithi isikhathi sesigcwalisekile.” (Marko 1:14, 15). {GC 327.1}IEP 327.1

“Njalo uzabopha isithembiso labanengi okweviki elilodwa.” Iviki lapha elivezwayo yileliyana elilodwa elamaviki angamatshumi ayisikhombisa, kuyiminyaka eyisikhombisa eyokucina eyayinikwe amaJuda. Phakathi kwesikhathi lesi esisuka emnyakeni ka A.D 27 kusiya kuA.D 34, uKrestu ekuqaleni uqobo lwakhe njalo ngemva kwalokho emelwe ngabafundi bakhe, waqhubeka enika unxuso lwevangeli esizweni sakoIsrayeli. Nxa abafundi babephuma besiyatshumayela amazwi woMsindisi kibo ayengathi: “Lingahambi ngendlela yabezizwe, lingangeni emzini wamaSamariya, kodwa yanini kakhulu kuzo izimvu ezilahlekileyo zendlu kaIsrayeli.” (Mathewu 10:5,6). {GC 327.2}IEP 327.2

“Phakathi kweviki uzabangela ukuthi iminikelo lemihlatshelo iphele.” Ngomnyaka kaA.D 31, ngemva kweminyaka emithathu elengxenye ngemva kokubhabhathizwa kwakhe, iNkosi yabethelwa. Ngomnikelo lowu omkhulu owanikelwa eKhalivari, yonke iminikelo eyayisenziwa ethempelini yaphela eyayiqhubeke okweminyaka ezinkulungwane ezine eyayikhomba iWundlu likaNkulunkulu. Isithunzi sasesihlangene lomfanekiso oqotho, njalo zonke inkonzo zeminikelo kwasekumele ziphele. {GC 327.3}IEP 327.3

Amaviki lawa ayisikhombisa atsho iminyaka engu 483, eyayinikwe amaJuda, yaphela njengoba sesibonile ngomnyaka ka A.D 34. Ngaleso isikhathi, ngenxa yezenzo zabathungameli bamaJuda ilizwe lonke labonisa ukuphika ivangeli ngokokucina nxa babebulala uStefani njalo langokubulala abalandeli bakaKrestu. Kusukela lapha udaba lwevangeli lwalungasavinjwanga ukuthi luphiwe isizwe esikhethekileyo kuphela, kodwa lanikwa umhlaba wonke. Abafundi ngoba bebanjwe ngamandla ngenxa yokuhlukunyezwa ukuthi babaleke baphume eJerusalema, “bahamba indawo zonke betshumayela ilizwi.” UFiliphi wahamba edolobheni laseSamaria, njalo watshumayela uKrestu kibo.” UPetro waholwa lizulu, wavula ivangeli edolobheni laseCaesarea, phambi kaCorneliyasi owayesesaba uNkulunkulu, njalo uPhawuli, ngemva kokwamukela uKrestu, wanikwa umsebenzi wokuthwalela ivangeli “khatshana kwabezizwe.” (Imisebenzi 8:4,5; 22:21) {GC 328.1}IEP 328.1

Ngale indlela zonke izinto ezaziphathelane lesiprofethi lesi zagcaliseka ngendlela emangalisayo, njalo ukuqala kwamaviki angamatshumi ayisikhombisa kubekwe kwacaca ukuthi kwaqala ngomnyaka ka457 B.C., njalo aphela ngomnyaka ka A.D 34. Nxa sisebenzisa konke lokhu akukho nzima ukubona ukuthi amalanga angu2300 wona aphela nini. Amaviki angamatshumi ayisikhombisa (70), atsho amalanga kumbe iminyaka engu490, njengoba ekhitshwe kwengu2300, kutsho ukuthi kwasekusele iminyaka engu1810. Ngemva kokuphela kweminyaka engu490, iminyaka engu1810 yayilokhe imelele ukuthi igcwaliseke. Kusukela ngomnyaka ka A.D 34 ungafaka iminyaka engu1810 ufika emnyakeni ka 1844. Ngakhoke iminyaka engu2300 etholakala encwadini kaDanyeli 8:14 iphelela emnyakeni ka1844. Ekupheleni kwesikhathi lesi, ngendlela ingilosi eyakubeka ngayo, “indlu engcwele yayizakuhlanjululwa.” Ngakhoke isikhathi sokuhlambulula indlu engcwele, abantu ababecabanga ukuthi kwakusitsho ukuza kweNkosi kwesibili, sasiveziwe ngokucaca. {GC 328.2}IEP 328.2

UMiller labanye bakhe ekuqaleni babekholwa ukuthi amalanga ayi2300 ayezaphela ehlobo ngomnyaka ka1844, kodwa isiprofethi sikhomba ukuthi kwakuzaba sekwindla ngomnyaka ka1844. Iphutha leli labangela ukudangala okukhulu lokudideka kulabo ababebeke lolusuku njengesikhathi sokuza kukaKrestu. Kodwa lokhu akuzange kwehlise amandla wamazwi wokuthi iminyaka engu2300 yaphela ngomnyaka ka1844, njalo lokuthi isehlakalo esasimelwe yikuhlanjululwa kwethempeli kwakumele senzakale ngalowu umnyaka. {GC 328.3}IEP 328.3

Ngokungena kwakhe emsebenzini wokubala iBhayibhili esenzela ukuveza ukuthi laliyisambulo esivela kuNkulunkulu, uMiller wayengazange acabange ukuthi wayezacina esefike ebangeni ayesekilo manje. Wehluleka laye ukuziqhenya ngomphumela ayesewutholile. Kodwa ubufakazi boMbhalo babusobala okokuthi kwakunzima ukuthi laye akhohlwe ngalokho ayesekutholile. {GC 329.1}IEP 329.1

Wayezinikele okweminyaka embili ukuthi afunde iBhayibhili, lapho ngomnyaka ka1818, wafika esiphethweni sokuthi ngemva kweminyaka engamatshumi ababili lanhlanu uKrestu wayezakuza ezohlenga abantu bakhe. “Akudingeki ukuthi ngikhulume ngentokozo eyagcwala enhliziyweni yami ngalokho engasengikufumene, njalo angeke ngichaze indlela umoya wami owalangazelela ngayo injabulo yabasindisiweyo. IBhayibhili kimi laselilugwalo olutsha. Kimi laselingumthimba wokucabanga; konke okwakumnyama, kungazwisiseki, kumbe okwakufiphele ekufundiseni kwalo, kwasekuphumile engqondweni yami phambi kokukhanya lokhu okwakuphume encwadini leyi, khepha indlela iqiniso elaselibonakala likhanya njalo lilenkazimulo! Konke ukuphikisana kwalo engangikutholile ngaphambilini elizwini kwasekungasekho, njalo loba nje kwakulezinye indawo engangingasuthiseki ngazo ngasengilokuqedisisa okujulileyo, loba kunjalo ukukhanya okukhulu kwakuphume kilo ukuthi kukhanyisele ingqondo emnyama, okwabangela ukuthi ngithokozele ukubala iBhayibhili, engangingazange ngikholwe ukuthi kwakungavela ekubaleni imfundiso yalo.”- (Bliss, pages 76, 77). {GC 329.2}IEP 329.2

“Ngenxa yokukholwa ukuthi izehlakalo ezingaka zaziveziwe eMbhalweni ukuthi zazizagcwaliseka ngemva kwesikhathi esifitshane, umbuzo wafika kimi ngamakhulu amandla mayelana lomlandu wami emhlabeni, mayelana lobufakazi engasengibutholile.” (Ibid, page 81). Wehluleka ukubona eyinye indlela kulokuthi kwakumele ahlephulele abanye ukukhanya lokhu ayesekutholile. Wazitshela ukuthi wayezathola ukuphikiswa kulabo abangakholwayo, kodwa wayelesibindi sokuthi amaKrestu ayezajabulela ithemba lokubona uMsindisi ababesithi bayamthanda. Ukwesaba ayelakho kuphela kwakuyikuthi entokwezeni yabo yokuthi usindiso lwaselusondele, abanengi babezamukela imfundiso leyi bengazibalelanga iBhayibhili ukuze bazizwisisele. Ngalokho wathandabuza ukuthi aqale ukutshumayela, ngoba sekungenzeka abe eyenze iphutha njalo abelesandla ekudukiseni abanye. Lokhu kwenza ukuthi abuyelele ubufakazi ayebutholile njalo acubungule bonke ubunzima obabufike engqondweni yakhe. Wananzelela ukuthi yonke imicabango ephikisayo yayitshabalala phambi kwelizwi likaNkulunkulu, njengenkungu phambi kwensaba zelanga. Iminyaka emihlanu ayiqeda esenza lokhu yabangela ukuthi asuthiseke ukuthi konke ayekutholile kwakuliqiniso. {GC 329.3}IEP 329.3

Khathesi umlandu wokuthi atshele abanye ngalokho ayekholwa ukuthi kwakuvezwe nguMbhalo, wafuqa umoya wakhe ngamandla. “Ngathi ngisenza imisebenzi yami, kwakulokhe kuduma endlebeni yami, ‘Hamba uyetshela umhlaba ngengozi abakuyo.’ Ivesi leyi yayihlala iduma engqondweni yami: “Uba ngisithi komubi: Wena muntu omubi, uzakufa impela; uba ungakhulumi wena ukumxwayisa omubi ukuba atshiye indlela yakhe, lowomuntu omubi uzafela esonweni sakhe, kodwa umlandu uzakuba ngowakho. Kodwa uba umxwayisa omubi ukuba aphenduke endleleni yakhe, angatshiyi indlela yakhe, uzafela esonweni sakhe, kodwa wena uzakuphepha.” (Hezekeli 33:8,9). Ngananzelela emoyeni wami ukuthi nxa ababi bengaxwayiswa, amaxuku abo angaphenduka, njalo lokuthi nxa kungenzeka bengalimukiswa, igazi labo selingabekwa ezandleni zami.”- (Bliss, page 92.) {GC 330.1}IEP 330.1

Waqala ukuchazela abantu ngasese nxa wayelethuba, ekhulekela ukuthi omunye wabafundisi sengathola ilizwi labo azinikele ukuhambisa imfundiso leyi. Kodwa kazange enelise ukususa umcabango wokuthi wayelomlandu wokukwenza lokhu yena ngokwakhe. Amazwi lawa ayehlala ebuya engqondweni yakhe: “Hamba uyetshela umhlaba; igazi labo ngizalifuna ezandleni zakho.” Okweminyaka eyisitshiyagalolunye walinda, elokhe esizwa umlandu lowu emoyeni wakhe, kwaze kwayafika umnyaka ka1831 lapho ngokwakuqala anika khona isizatho sokukholwa kwakhe phambi kwabantu. {GC 330.2}IEP 330.2

Ngendlela efana lokubizwa kukaElisha lapho okwakumele atshiye ukulandela inkomo zakhe, ukuthi azokwamukela intonga yokuba ngumprofethi, uWilliam Miller laye wabizwa ngokufanayo ukuthi atshiye ikhuba lakhe aqale ukuvulela abantu imfihlo zombuso kaNkulunkulu. Wangena emsebenzini lowu eqhaqhazela, ethungamela abalaleli bakhe, kancane kancane, ebabonisa izikhathi ezinikwe esiprofethini ezimayelana lokuza kukaKrestu. Ngayo yonke imizamo ayeyenza waqala ukuba lesibindi nxa wayebona indlela abantu ababelangathelela amazwi wakhe. {GC 331.1}IEP 331.1

Kwakungemva kokufuqwa ngabazalwane bakhe, lapho ezwakhona amazwi kaNkulunkulu esebenzisa bona, lapho uMiller avuma khona ukuletha isifundo lesi phambi kwabantu. Khathesi wayeseleminyaka engamatshumi amahlanu, engajwayelanga ukukhuluma phambi kwabantu, njalo esindwa ngumcabango wokuthi wayengafanelanga ukwenza umsebenzi lowu owawuphambi kwakhe. Kodwa kusukela ekuqaleni kwakhe umsebenzi wakhe wabusiswa ngokuphenduka kwemphefumulo ngendlela emangalisayo. Isifundo sakhe sakuqala salandelwa yikuphenduka kwabantu okwagoqela imuli ezilitshumi lantathu, kwasala abantu ababili kuphela. Abantu bahle baqala ukumtshutshisa ukuthi atshumayele kwezinye indawo, phose kuzo zonke indawo umsebenzi wakhe waletha imvuselelo ebantwini bavuselela ubudlelwano babo loNkulunkulu. Izoni zaphenduka, amaKrestu avuselelwa, abangakholwayo bathunganyelwa ukuthi bavume iqiniso leBhayibhili lenkolo yesiKrestu. Ubufakazi balabo ayebasebenzela babungobokuthi: “Iqula lengqondo zabantu lifinyelelwa nguye obengekho ngaphansi kwendonsela yabanye abantu.” - (Ibid, page 138). Intshumayelo yakhe yayibunjwe ngendlela yokuthi yenze ingqondo zabantu zivuleke, zibone izinto ezimangalisayo zenkolo njalo lokumisa ububi lokuthanda umhlaba okwasekwandile. {GC 331.2}IEP 331.2

Phose kuwo wonke amadolobho, kwakulamaxuku abantu, kwezinye indawo, amakhulu, ababephenduka ngenxa yokutshumayela kwakhe. Endaweni ezinengi phose amabandla wonke, ayevulelwa ukuthi atshumayele kiwo, njalo unxuso lokuthi azotshumayela lwalubuya luvela kwamanye amabandla. Kwakungumthetho wakhe wokuthi angasebenzi endaweni ayenganxuswanga kizo, kodwa ngemva kwesikhatshana wazithola engasenelisi ukuya endaweni zonke ayenxuswe kizo. Abanengi ababengavumelani lombono wakhe ngokuthi kwakulosuku oluthile lapho uKrestu ayezakuza ngalo, babekholwa ukuthi ngeqiniso ukuza kwakhe kwasekusondele njalo bananzelela indingeko yokuthi bazilungiselele. Kwamanye amadolobho amakhulu umsebenzi wakhe watshiya umehluko omkhulu. Amabhawa avalwa abanengi batshintsha indawo lezi zaba zindawo zokubuthana kwabantu, indawo zokubheja zaphela, abantu abangakholwayo lezoni, njalo labo bonke abahlamuki baguquka, abanye babo babengakaze bangene ebandleni okweminyaka eminengi. Inkonzo zokukhuleka zaqalwa ngamabandla amanengi, endaweni ezitshiyeneyo, phose kuwo wonke amahola, labosomabhizimusi babehlangana emini bezokhuleka njalo bedumisa. Kwakungekho ukuthathela izinto phezulu, kodwa wonke umuntu wayelokuzotha engqondweni yakhe. Umsebenzi wakhe njengalowo owabaVuseleli endulo, wawungowohlobo olwenza ukuthi abantu bazwisise ngokujulileyo kulokuthi bavuswe imizwa yabo kuphela. {GC 331.3}IEP 331.3

Ngomnyaka ka1833 uMiller wathola iphepha elalimvumela ukuthi atshumayele, aliphiwa libandla lamaBaptist. Lapho ayelilunga khona. Abafundisi abanengi bebandla lakhe labo basekela umsebenzi wakhe, njalo kwakungaphansi kwemvumo yabo ukuthi aqhubeke ngomsebenzi wakhe. Wahamba endaweni ezinengi etshumayela engazange aphumule, loba nje umsebenzi wakhe wawuphelela endaweni zaseNew England njalo lasemadolobheni asenkabeni yelizwe. Okweminyaka eminengi wayesebenzisa imali ephuma kuye ukwenza umsebenzi lowu, njalo kazange athole ngemva kwalokho usizo olwalulingana lemali ayeyidinga ekuhambeni kwakhe. Ngale indlela ukusebenza kwakhe, kwakungasiyo indlela yokuzuza imali, kodwa kwadla kakhulu emfuyweni yakhe, eyaqala ukuphela phakathi kwesikhathi lesi empilweni yakhe. Weyengubaba wemuli enkulu, kodwa ngenxa yokuthi bonke babesebenza nzima, amasimu wabo ayeletha okubaneleyo njengemuli. {GC 332.1}IEP 332.1

Ngomnyaka ka1833, sekudlule iminyaka emibili kusukela lapho uMiller aqala khona ukutshumayela phambi kwabantu ngubufakazi bokuza kukaKrestu kwesibili, isibonakaliso sokucina esasithenjiswe nguKrestu ukuthi sasizakhomba ukuza kwakhe kwesibili senzakala. UJesu wathi: “Inkanyezi zizakuwa zivela ezulwini.” (Mathewu 24:29). UJohane laye kuSambulo nxa wayeboniswa ngezehlakalo ezazikhomba ukuza kweNkosi ngokwesibili wathi: “Lenkanyezi zomkhathi zawohlokela emhlabeni njengomkhiwa uwohlozwa ngumoya omkhulu.” (Isambulo 6:13). Amazwi lawa agcwaliseka ngendlela emangalisayo mhlaka 13 ngenyanga kaLwezi ngomyaka ka1833 lapho inkanyezi ezawa khona. Lokhu kwakuyikuwa kwenkanyezi okuyisimanga njalo okukhulu okwedlula konke okuke kwabonwa ngumuntu; “umkhathi wonke waseAmerica, okwamahola ambalwa wawungathi uyatsha! Akukaze kubonakale isimanga emkhathini kuleli lizwe lokhe ladabukayo, esabonwa ngamehlo ayegcwele intokozo ngelinye iqula labantu, kumbe ngokwesaba ngelinye njalo iqula.” “Ubuhle baso lokhe buhleli engqondweni zabantu abanengi lalamuhla... Akukaze kune izulu elilamathonsi aqatha njengalawa awenkanyezi ezazisiwa, emagumbini wonke omhlaba kwakufana. Ngamazwi amalutshwana, isibhakabhaka sonke sabonakala sengathi sasihamba... Isehlakalo lesi ngendlela esichazwa egwalweni lukaProfessor Silliman, sabonakala endaweni zonke zaseNorth America... Kusukela ngehola lesibili ekuseni kwaze kwayaphuma ilanga, isibhakabhaka singela yezi, inkanyezi zazingathi ziyadlala emkhathini.” (R.M. Devens, American Progress; or The Great Events of the Greatest Century, ch. 28, pars. 1-5). {GC 333.1}IEP 333.1

“Akulamazwi angachaza ngokupheleleyo isehlakalo lesi; ... akulamuntu ongazibonelanga ngawakhe amehlo ongaqedisisa inkazimulo yalokho okwenzakalayo. Kwakungathi inkanyezi zonke ngobunengi bazo zazibuthene endaweni eyodwa, njalo zazilokhe zidubuka zisukela lapho, zilamandla wombane, zisiya endaweni zonke emkhathini, loba kunjalo azizange ziphele, zazilandelana ngobunengi bazo, sengathi zazidalelwe isehlakalo lesi.” — (F. Reed, in the Christian Advocate and Journal, Dec. 13, 1833.) “Umfanekiso oqondileyo ngowesihlahla somkhiwa nxa siwisa amahlamvu waso nxa siphephulwa ngumoya omkhulu, kwakunzima ukukukhangela.” (The Old Countryman, in Portland Evening Advertiser, Nov. 26, 1833.) {GC 333.2}IEP 333.2

Ephepheni elibizwa ngokuthi yiJournal of Commerce mhlaka 14 ngenyanga kaLwezi ngomnyaka ka1833 edolobheni laseNew York, kwabhalwa indaba ende eyayikhuluma ngesehlakalo lesi: “Akukho isifundiswa kumbe umbalisi oke wabhala ngesehlakalo, ngiyacabanga esifana lalesi esiyenzeke izolo ekuseni. Umprofethi watsho ukuthi kuzakwenzeka kudala, khathesi sekudlule iminyaka eyinkulungwane lamakhulu ayisitshiyagalo mbili, nxa kuyikuthi sizahluleka ukuzwisisa ukuthi inkanyezi zizakuwa kutsho ukuwa kwenkanyezi, ngendlela ecacileyo ukuthi lokhu kuliqiniso.” {GC 334.1}IEP 334.1

Ngale indlela kwabonakaliswa isibonakaliso sokucina sokuza kwakhe, uJesu ayekhulume ngakho kubafundi bakhe wathi: “Nxa libona zonke lezi izinto, yazini ukuthi sekuseduze, njalo sekusemnyango.” (Mathewu 24:33). Ngemva kwezibonakaliso lezi uJohane wabona, njengesehlakalo esikhulu esalandelayo, amazulu egoqeka njengomqulu wencwadi, umhlaba uzamazama, intaba lezihlenge zazisuswa endaweni yazo, njalo ababi ngokwesaba bazama ukubaleka phambi kweNdodana yomuntu. (Isambulo 6:12-17). {GC 334.2}IEP 334.2

Abanengi ababona ukuwa kwezinkanyezi bakukhangela njengesehlakalo esasikhomba ukwahlulela okwasekuseduzane, lesibonakaliso esesabekayo, isithunywa esihamba phambili, isibonakaliso somusa, esikhomba usuku lolu olwesabekayo oluzayo.” — (The Old Countryman, in Portland Evening Advertiser, Nov. 26, 1833). Ngale indlela amehlo abantu athunganyelwa ekugcwalisekeni kwesiprofethi, njalo abanengi bakhetha ukulalela isixwayiso sokuza kukaKrestu. {GC 334.3}IEP 334.3

Ngomnyaka ka1840 okunye ukugcwaliseka kwesiprofethi kwenza ukuthi abantu bafune ulwazi ngeqiniso. Eminyakeni embili eyayedlule uJosiah Litch, omunye wabafundisi ababethungamela ekutshunyayelweni kodaba lokuza kwesibili, wabhala ingcazelo kaSambulo 9, ebabonisa ukuthi umbuso weOttoman wawuzakuwa. Ngokufunda kwakhe waveza ukuthi lokhu kwakuzakwenzeka “ngomnyaka ka1840 ngenyanga kaNcwabakazi,” njalo sekusele amalanga ambalwa ukuthi lokhukwenzeke waloba wathi: ” Nxa sivumela ukuthi isikhathi sakuqala seminyaka engu150, sagcwaliseka ngaphambi kokuthi uDeacozes athathe isihlalo evunyelwa yisizwe samaTurks, njalo leminyaka engu 391, elamalanga alitshumi lanhlanu, yaqala nxa isikhathi sakuqala sasiphela, kutsho ukuthi lesi sizaphetha mhlaka 11 Ncwabakazi, 1840, lapho umbuso wamaOttoman edolobheni laseConstantinople okukhangelelwa ukuthi uwe. Njalo lokhu ngiyathemba ukuthi kuzayenzakala njalo.”- (Josiah Litch, in Signs of the Times, and Expositor of Prophecy, Aug.1, 1840.) {GC 334.4}IEP 334.4

Ngesikhathi esifanayo ayesibekile, ilizwe laseTurkey, lisebenzisa abameli balo, lamukela ukuthi livikelwe ngomakhelwane balo abaseEurope, ngale indlela lazifaka ngaphansi kokuthunganyelwa ngamazwe ayesamukele inkolo yesiKrestu. Isehlakalo lesi sagwalisa isiprofethi ngendlela okwakubekwe ngayo. Kwathi kufika endlebeni zabantu, abantu abanengi bakholwa ukuthi indlela ababeyisebenzisile ukuchaza isiprofethi yayiqondile eyayisetshenzisiswe nguMiller labanye bakhe, njalo umfutho omangalisayo wanikwa umsebenzi lowo ababewenza. Amadoda aqeqetshileyo lalezikhundla ahlanganyela loMiller, ekutshumayeleni lasekubhaleni imfundiso yakhe, njalo kusukela ngomnyaka ka1840 kusiya ku1844 umsebenzi waqhubeka ngesiqubu esikhulu. {GC 335.1}IEP 335.1

UWilliam Miller wayelengqondo ebukhali, eyayizothile ngenxa yokubala lokucabangisisa, njalo phezu kwalokhu wengeza ukukhalipha kwasezulwini ngokuzixhumanisa loMthombo wokuhlakanipha. Wayeyindoda elesithunzi, owayehlonitshwa ngumuntu wonke nxa izimo zabantu zazilinganiswa. Ngokuhlanganisa ukulunga kweqiniso lokuzehlisa kwesiKrestu njalo lamandla wokuzithiba, wayengumuntu olalelayo njalo okhulumisana lomuntu wonke, ehlala ezilungiselele ukuzwa imbono yabo njalo lokuqedisisa kwabo. Wayesenelisa ukuqathanisa imbono yabantu ngokusebenzisa ilizwi likaNkulunkulu, njalo ukuqedisisa kwakhe lokujula kwengqondo yakhe kwenza ukuthi enelise ukuphikisa amaphutha wonke lemfundiso yamanga. {GC 335.2}IEP 335.2

Loba kwakunjalo kazange aqhubeke ngomsebenzi wakhe kungela abamphikisayo. NjengabaVuseleli basendulo, amaqiniso ayewatshumayela awazange amukelwe ngothando ngabathungameli bamabandla amakhulu. Njengoba laba babengenelisi ukusebenzisa uMbhalo ukumela lokho ababekukholwa, bathunganyelwa ekutheni basebenzise imfundiso zomuntu, lamasiko abokhokho babo. Kodwa ilizwi likaNkulunkulu laliyibufakazi obubodwa obabusamukelwa ngabatshumayeli beqiniso ngokuza kukaKrestu kwesibili. “IBhayibhili njalo iBhayibhili kuphela,” lalingamazwi wokulimukisa. Ukuswelakala kobufakazi beBhayibhili ezitheni zabo, kwabangela ukuthi babachothoze njalo bebahleke ulunya. Isikhathi lemfuyo, kanye lezipho zachithwa ekuhlambazeni labo icala labo elalingelokuthi babelindele ngentokozo ukuza kweNkosi yabo njalo ababezama ukuphila impilo engcwele njalo lokukhuthaza abanye ukuthi balungiselele ukuza kwakhe. {GC 335.3}IEP 335.3

Imizamo eminengi yenziwa eyokususa ingqondo zabantu endabeni yokuza kwesibili. Kwenziwa ukuthi kubonakale njengesono, lento okwakumele abantu babelamahloni ngayo, ukubala isiprofethi esikhuluma ngokuza kukaKrestu kwesibili. Ngakhoke amabandla amanengi enza ukuthi abantu bengakholwa ilizwi likaNkulunkulu. Imfundiso yabo yenza ukuthi abantu bebengabahedeni, njalo abanye babalegunya lokulandela imizwa yabo lokwenza okubi. Ngemva kwalokho labo ababephikisa iqiniso babeka icala lezenzo lezi phezu kwalabo ababelungele ukuza kwesibili. {GC 336.1}IEP 336.1

Loba nje wayesiba lamaxuku abantu abafundileyo njalo ababefuna ukuqedisisa iqiniso kodwa ibizo likaMiller lalingekho emaphephandabeni kangako kuphela kulabo ababefuna ukumhlambaza. Labo abangakholwayo ngenxa yokuqiniswa ngabathungameli bamabandla, basebenzisa amacebo ahlukeneyo wobubi bezama ukungcolisa ibizo lakhe kanye lomsebenzi wakhe. Indoda leyi eyaseyilenwele ezimhlophe eyayitshiye umuzi wayo ukwenzela ukuthi ihambele indawo zonke, esebenza nzima ukuthi anike umhlaba isixwayiso lesi esikhulu esasilimukisa abantu ngokwahlulela okwasekusondele, yabizwa ngamabizo ahlukeneyo, abanye besithi uthathela izinto phezulu, njalo wayengumfundisi wamanga. {GC 336.2}IEP 336.2

Ukuhlambazwa lokhu, lokusetshenziswa kwamanga kwenza ukuthi abantu abanengi bamjikele ngitsho lamaphephandaba womhlaba. “Ukuphatha indaba ezesabekayo njalo ezingcwele kanje, ngendlela elulazayo kangaka ngamadoda asemhlabeni, hatshi kuphela ukuzwisa ubuhlungu labo ababetshumayela ngayo, kodwa ukwenza usuku lokwahlulela inhlekisa, lokuhlambaza uNkulunkulu ngokwakhe, njalo kwenza sandaba zalutho ukwahlulela kwakhe.” — (Bliss, page 183). {GC 336.3}IEP 336.3

Umqali wobubi bonke wayezama hatshi kuphela ukumisa umsebenzi wokutshumayela ngokuza kwesibili, kodwa lokubhidliza isithunywa ngokwaso. UMiller wenza ukuthi iMbhalo izwisiseke kubalaleli bakhe, eveza izono zabo njalo waphambanisa ukusuthiseka kwabo emandleni wabo, njalo amazwi akhe abukhali abangela ukuthi babeyizitha zakhe. Impikiswano eyayisemalungeni ebandla yabangela ukuthi abangakholwayo bahlamuke ngamandla, njalo izitha zakhe zanquma ukuthi zimbulale nxa wayephuma endaweni yomthandazo. Kodwa ingilosi zezulu zaziphakathi kwexuku leli, eyinye ingilosi yathatha isimo somuntu yambamba ngesandla yamdlulisa phakathi kwexuku leli elalithukuthele. Umsebenzi wakhe wawungakapheli, njalo uSathane lenceku zakhe behluleka emizameni yabo. {GC 336.4}IEP 336.4

Loba nje kwakulokuphikisa indawo zonke, abantu baqhubeka besamukela udaba lokuza kwesibili. Kusukela emakhulwini abantu, abalaleli basebekhulile bafika ezinkulungwaneni zabantu. Amaxuku abantu ayelokubuthana emabandleni okwesikhathi eside, kodwa ngokuhamba kwesikhathi amabandla anquma ukuthi babezajezisa bonke ababekhethe ukwamukela imfundiso kaMiller. Lokhu kwabangela ukuthi uMiller abhale iphepha elaliqondiswa kuwo wonke amaKrestu emabandleni atshiyeneyo, ebatshela ukuthi nxa imfundiso yakhe yayingamanga, kwakudingeka ukuthi aboniswe amaphutha wakhe eMbhalweni. {GC 337.1}IEP 337.1

“Kuyini esikukholiweyo, esingatshelwanga ukuthi sikukholwe yilizwi likaNkulunkulu, lani elizivumelayo ngokwenu ukuthi yilo elithungamelayo, lona lodwa, lokukholwa kwethu lokukhonza kwethu? Kuyini esikwenzileyo okungabangela ukuthi sihlambazwe ngale indlela emabandleni lasemaphepheni, njalo okulinika isizatho sokusivalela ngaphandle kwamabandla wenu? “Nxa silephutha, khulekani lisibonise lapho esiphambuka khona. Lisitshengise elizwini likaNkulunkulu ukuthi senze iphutha, sesithethiswe kwazwela, okungeke kusibonise ukuthi sikholwa amanga, ilizwi likaNkulunkulu kuphela yilo elingaguqula imbono yethu. Isiphetho esifike kuso senziwe ngemva kwemithandazo, nxa besinanzelela ubufakazi obuseMbhalweni.” (Ibid, pages 250, 252). {GC 337.2}IEP 337.2

Kusukela endulo izixwayiso uNkulunkulu azithumelayo emhlabeni ngenceku zakhe, zihleli zisamukelwa ngendlela efanayo yokungakholwa. Nxa ububi babantu abaphila phambi kazamcolo basebumfuqele ukuthi alethe amanzi emhlabeni, waqala wabazisa ngenhloso yakhe, ukwenzela ukuthi babelethuba lokutshiya indlela zabo zobubi. Okweminyaka elukhulu lamatshumi amabili batshunyayezwa ukuthi baphenduke ezonweni zabo, hlezi ulaka lukaNkulunkulu lulethe ukubhujiswa kwabo. Kodwa intshumayelo leyi, yezwakala njengenganekwane kibo, njalo abazange bayikholwe. Ngenxa yokuba babephila esonweni bahleka inceku kaNkulunkulu ulunya, balulaza amazwi wakhe, njalo bambeka icala lokuthathela izinto phezulu. Kwakungenzeka njani ukuthi umuntu oyedwa amelane lamadoda aphakemeyo omhlaba wonke? Nxa amazwi kaNowa ayeliqiniso, kungani umhlaba wonke ungakubonanga njalo wakukholwa? Amazwi womuntu oyedwa ayengaphikisana njani lokuhlakanipha kwezinkulungwane! Abazange balalele isixwayiso kumbe badinge ukuphephela emkhunjini. {GC 337.3}IEP 337.3

Labo abachothozayo bakhomba ezintweni zemvelo, ukulandelana kwezikhathi zomnyaka, lasemkhathini owawungakaze ulethe izulu, lasetshanini oluluhlaza olwaluthelelwa ngamazolo ebusuku, njalo bakhala besithi: “Kakhulumi inganekwane nje na?” Ekuphikiseni kwabo babiza umtshumayeli wokulunga njengomuntu ongaqedisisiyo; njalo baqhubeka, manje sebelamadlabuzane bedinga ubunandi basemhlabeni, belegunya ekwenzeni okubi, okwedlula isikhathi esasedlule. Kodwa ukungakholwa kwabo akuzange kwenqabele isehlakalo lesi esasivezwe nguNowa. UNkulunkulu wabekezelela ububi babo okwesikhathi eside, ebanika ithuba elifaneleyo ukuthi baphenduke; kodwa esikhathini esasibekiwe ukwahlulela kwakhe kwethekelela labo ababephike umusa wakhe. {GC 338.1}IEP 338.1

UKrestu uyaveza kuthi kuzabakhona ukungakholwa okufanayo ngokuza kwakhe kwesibili. Njengabantu besikhathi sikaNowa “babengazi kwaze kwafika uzamcolo wabakhukhula bonke; kuzakuba njalo ukufika kweNdodana yomuntu.” (Mathewu 24:39). Nxa abantu abazibiza njengabantwana bakaNkulunkulu bezihlanganisa lomhlaba, bephila ngendlela abaphila ngayo, njalo behlanganela labo ekwenzeni izinto zokuzikholisisa; lapho inhlalakuhle yomhlaba isiba yinhlakahle yebandla; lapho abantu beqhubeka betshadisa, njalo bonke bekhangelele iminyaka eminengi yokuphumelela, kuzakuba ngokuphazima kweso njengombani esibhakabhakeni, kuzafika isiphetho semicabango yabo lethemba labo elibadukisayo. {GC 338.2}IEP 338.2

Ngendlela efananayo uNkulunkulu athumela inceku zakhe ukuthi zixwayise umhlaba ngokuza kukazamcolo, wathumela izithunywa zakhe ezikhethekileyo ukuthi zazise abantu ngokwahlulela kwakhe okwasekusondele. Njalo njengoba abantu abaphila ngesikhathi sikaNowa bahleka intshumayelo yakhe ulunya, ngokufanayo ngensuku zikaMiller, lalabo ababezibiza abantu bakaNkulunkulu bamhleka ulunya. {GC 339.1}IEP 339.1

Njalo kungani imfundiso yokuza kukaKrestu kwesibili yayingamukelekanga ebandleni? Khona kuliqiniso ukuthi ukuza kweNkosi kuletha ukufa lokubhujiswa kwababibi, kodwa kwabalungileyo kuletha intokozo lethemba. Iqiniso leli laliletha induduzo ebantwaneni beNkosi abathembekileyo kusukela endulo, yindaba laselibe, emazwini omlobi walo, “lilitshe lokukhubeka” njalo “ledwala lokuwa” ebantwini bakhe na? KwakuyiNkosi yethu eyathembisa abafundi bayo ukuthi: “Nxa ngihamba ukuyalilungisela indawo, ngizakuza futhi, ngilamukele ukuze kuthi lapho ngikhona libe khona lani.” (Johane 14:3). KwakunguMsindisi olozwelo, lapho athi enanzelela isizungu losizi olwaluzakwehlela abalandeli bakhe, wathumela ingilosi ukuthi zibaduduze ngesiqiniseko sokuthi wayezakuza njalo uqobo lwakhe, ngendlela efana laleyo ayenyuke ngayo waya ezulwini. Nxa abafundi babemi bekhangele ukwenyuka kwakhe lowo ababemthanda, bezwa amazwi athi: “Madoda aseGalile, limeleni lijolozele ezulwini? UJesu lo, osuswe kini wenyuselwa ezulwini, uzakubuya njengalokho limbone esiya ezulwini.” (Imisebenzi 1:11). Ithemba labo lavuselelwa kakutsha ngemva kokuzwa amazwi wengilosi lezi. Abafundi “babuyela eJerusalema begcwele intokozo; njalo baqeda isikhathi sabo besethempelini, bedumisa njalo bebonga uNkulunkulu.” (Luka 24:52,53). Babengathokozi ngoba uJesu wayesehlukaniswe labo njalo basebesele ukuthi badlule ebunzimeni lasezilingweni zomhlaba, kodwa ngenxa yesiqiniseko sezingilosi esokuthi wayezakuza futhi. {GC 339.2}IEP 339.2

Ukutshunyayelwa kokuza kukaKrestu kumele manje kube, njengalapho kulethwa zingilosi phambi kwabelusi baseBethlehema, kube zindaba ezimnandi eziletha intokozo. Labo abathanda uMsindisi ngenhliziyo zabo zonke ngeke benze okunye kulokuthi bahambise umbiko lowu ngenjabulo etholakala elizwini likaNkulunkulu, ukuthi lowo abalamathemba agxilekuye uyeza, hatshi ukuthi azothukwa, ahlambazwe, njalo aphikwe, njengasekubuyeni kwakhe kokuqala, kodwa ngamandla lobukhosi, ukuzohlenga abantu bakhe. Kuyilabo abangathandi uMsindisi abafuna ukuthi angabuyi, njalo ngeke kube lobufakazi obudlula lobu obuveza ukuthi amabandla asehlamukele uNkulunkulu okwedlula ukunengwa lenzondo ebakhona mayelana lendaba leyi yokuza kwakhe. {GC 339.3}IEP 339.3

Labo abamukela imfundiso yokuza kwakhe bavuswa ukuthi babone indingeko yokuvuma izono lokuzehlisa phambi kaNkulunkulu. Abanengi babembaxa mbili okwesikhathi eside bephilela uKrestu lomhlaba ngesikhathi esifanayo, manje bananzelela ukuthi kwasekuyisikhathi sokuthi bathathe isinqumo. “Indaba zempilo enaphakade zasungula kibo isimo esingela kuphikiswa. Izulu lasondezwa eduze, njalo bazibona belecala phambi kaNkulunkulu.” — (Bliss, page 146). AmaKrestu avuselelwa aqala ukuphila impilo entsha. Bathunganyelwa ukuthi bananzelele ukuthi isikhathi sasisifitshane, lokuthi lokho okwakumele bakwenzele abanye babo kwakumele bakwenze masinyane. Umhlaba waphela amandla, izulu labonakala sengathi liyavulwa phambi kwabo, njalo umphefumulo lakho konke okuphathelane lokubhubha kwawo, bakuzwa sengathi kwakudlula zonke izinto zokuzithokozisa ezibunayo. UMoya kaNkulunkulu wabehlela njalo wabanika amandla wokudonsela abazalwane babo, lezoni, ukuthi balungiselele usuku lukaNkulunkulu. Ubufakazi bempilo ababeyiphila nsuku zonke yayisehlulela indlela amalunga ayephilangayo engelabungcwele. Amalunga ebandla ayengafuni ukuphanjaniswa emizameni yabo yokuthola ukuzithokozisa kwasemhlabeni, emizameni yabo yokuthola imali, njalo lekufiseni kwabo ukuthola udumo lwasemhlabeni. Ngakhoke kwabakhona inzondo yemfundiso yokuza kukaJesu njalo lalabo ababetshumayela ngakho. {GC 340.1}IEP 340.1

Nxa ubufakazi bezikhathi ezazitholakala eMbhalweni babuqine kakhulu bungaphikiseki, labo ababephikisa imfundiso leyi bazama ukwenza ukuthi abantu bangabali ngakho besithi amazwi esiprofethi ayevaliwe. Ngale indlela abantu benkolo yeMvuselelo balandela emanyethelweni ebandla leRoma. Nxa ibandla leRoma lalifihlele abantu iBhayibhili, amabandla amanye aqala ukufundisa ukuthi ingxenye yeBhayibhili eqakatheke kakhulu, njalo eletha amaqiniso aphathelane lesikhathi esiphila kiso, kwakungelamuntu ongawazwisisa. {GC 340.2}IEP 340.2

Abafundisi bamabandla bafundisa ukuthi isiprofethi esitholakala encwadini kaDanyeli leSambulo sasiyimfihlo engeke yazwisiseka. Kodwa uKrestu wakhomba abafundi bakhe emazwini omprofethi uDanyeli mayelana lezinto ezazizakwenzakala ngesikhathi sabo, njalo wathi: “Lowo obalayo, akazwisise.” (Mathewu 24:15). Njalo imfundiso yokuthi incwadi kaSambulo iyimfihlo, engeke izwisiseke, iphikiswa lalibizo logwalo oluthi “Sambulo”: “Lesi yisambulelo sikaJesu Krestu amnika sona uNkulunkulu, ukuba abonise inceku zakhe izinto ezimele ukwenzeka masinyane...Ubusisiwe owafundayo amazwi alesisiprofethi, babusisiwe lalabo abezwayo bagcine okulotshiweyo kuso, ngoba isikhathi siseduze.” (Isambulo 1:1-3). {GC 341.1}IEP 341.1

Umprofethi uthi: “Ubusisiwe lowo owafundayo”, bakhona labo abangasoke babale; isibusiso lesi ayisiso sabo. “Njalo labo abezwayo”, bakhona abanye njalo, abala ukulalela loba yini ephathelane lamazwi wesiprofethi; isibusiso ayisiso sequla leli njalo. “Njalo abagcina lokho okulotshiweyo kuso”, abanengi bayala ukulalela izixwayiso leziqondiso ezitholakala encwadini kaSambulo; bonke laba ngeke bamukele isibusiso esithenjisiweyo. Bonke abaphikisa indaba zesiprofethi njalo abahleka izibonelo ezinikwe lapha lizulu, labo bonke abala ukuguqula impilo zabo njalo lokulungiselela ukuza kweNdodana yomuntu, abayikubusiswa. {GC 341.2}IEP 341.2

Nxa silandela amazwi avela ezulwini, abantu basithatha ngaphi isibindi sokufundisa ukuthi incwadi kaSambulo iyimfihlo engeke yafinyelelwa yikuhlakanipha kwabantu? Incwadi leyi iyimfihlo evunjuliweyo, lencwadi evuliweyo. Ukubalwa kwencwadi kaSambulo kuthungamela ingqondo esiprofethi sencwadi kaDanyeli, njalo zonke zombili ziveza isiqondiso esiqakatheke kakhulu, esinikwe abantu nguNkulunkulu, mayelana lezehlakalo ezizakwenzeka emaphethelweni womhlaba. {GC 341.3}IEP 341.3

KuJohane kwavulwa izehlakalo ezinzima njalo ezibalulekileyo mayelana lalokho okwakuzakwehlela ibandla. Wabona isimo, lengozi, lempikiswano, njalo lokuhlengwa kokucina kwabantu bakaNkulunkulu. Uyaloba indaba zokucina ezizavuthisa isivuno somhlaba, esizaba yisivuno sasezulwini kumbe umfaba olungiselwe ukutshiswa. Indaba eziqakatheke kakhulu zavezwa phambi kwakhe, ikakhulu eziqondene lebandla lokucina, ukuthi labo abatshiya indlela engalunganga besiya eqinisweni bengacetshiswa ngokuhlupheka njalo lempikiswano ephambi kwabo. Akulamuntu okumele abesemnyameni engazi ngalokho okuzayo emhlabeni. {GC 341.4}IEP 341.4

Kunganike, kugcwele ukungazi mayelana leqiniso leli elimqoka kangaka eliseBhayibhilini? Kungani abantu begcwele ubuvila bokuthi bahlolisise imfundiso yalo? Kungenxa yamacebo kaSathane awokuba afihlele abantu lokho okubangela ukuthi amacebo wakhe wokudukisa avezwe egcekeni. Ngalesisizatho, uKrestu uMambuleli, nxa wayebona impi eyayizabakhona ekufundweni kwencwadi kaSambulo, wabeka isibusiso phezu kwalabo abazayibala, belalela njalo benze amazwi wesiprofethi lesi. {GC 342.1}IEP 342.1