Isahluko 21—Isilimukiso Esaphikwayo.

Nxa babetshumayela ngodaba lokuza kwesibili, uWilliam Miller labanye bakhe babesebenze belenjongo eyodwa eyokuvusa abantu ukuthi balungiselele usuku lokwahlulelwa. Babezame ukuvusa labo ababesithi bangamakholwa ukuthi babone ithemba leqiniso elilungiselwe ibandla, njalo lokuthi bananzelele indingeko yabo yokuba lohambo lwesiKrestu olujulileyo, njalo basebenzela ukuphendula labo ababengamazi uKrestu, ukuthi bavume izono zabo bamukele uNkulunkulu. “Abazange benze imizamo yokuthi abantu bangene ebandleni elithile. Ngakhoke benelisa ukusebenza phakathi kwamabandla wonke, bengaphambanisanga ukuthula kwamabandla ahlukeneyo.” {GC 375.1}IEP 375.1

UMiller nxa wayekhuluma wathi, “Ekusebenzeni kwami konke, angizange ngibe lesifiso kumbe lomcabango wokusungula ibandla elehlukene lalawo ayekhona kumbe ukuphakamisa elinye phezu kwamanye. Ngangifisa ukuphakamisa wonke. Ngangicabanga ukuthi amaKrestu wonke azajabulela ukuthi ukuza kukaKrestu kwasekusondele, njalo lokuthi labo ababengaboni izinto lezi njengami babengasoke baqale ukuzonda labo abasebekwamukele, angizange ngicabange ukuthi kwakuzadingeka ukuthi kube lemihlangano ehlukeneyo. Injongo yami yonke yayingeyokuthi ngiphendule abantu ukuba balandele uNkulunkulu, lokwazisa umhlaba wonke ukuthi kwakulokwahlulela okuzayo, njalo lokufuqa abazalwane ukuthi balungiselele inhliziyo zabo ukwenzela ukuthi benelise ukuhlangana loNkulunkulu belokuthula. Inengi labantu elaphenduka ngenxa yokutshumayela kwami lahlanganela lamabandla ayeseduzane labo.” (Bliss, page 328). {GC 375.2}IEP 375.2

Njengoba umsebenzi wakhe wawusengeza inani lamalunga emabandleni amanengi, okwesikhatshana umsebenzi wakhe wajabulelwa ngamabandla amanengi okwesikhatshana. Kodwa kwathi abafundisi labathungameli sebekhethe ukungamukeli imfundiso yokuza kukaKrestu njalo sebekhethe ukwenza konke okwakusemandleni wabo ukuqeda imfundiso leyi, abazange bayiphikise phambi kwebandla kuphela, kodwa banqabela amalunga wabo ukuthi bahlanganyele emhlanganweni yalabo ababetshumayela ngalolu daba, ngitsho lokukhuluma ngethemba labo nxa babehlangene ebandleni. Ngale indlela labo ababekholwa ngokuza kweNkosi bazithola sebephakathi kobunzima lokudideka. Babethanda amabandla wabo njalo babengafisi ukwehlukana lawo, kodwa nxa babenanzelela ukuthi ubufakazi belizwi likaNkulunkulu basebuncindezelwa njalo lelungelo lokuhlolisisa amazwi wesiprofethi laselinyathezelwa phansi, bananzelela ukuthi ukulandela kwabo uNkulunkulu kwakubanqabela ukuthi balandele amazwi wabantu benyama. Babengeke bamukele labo ababesebenzela ukunyathezela ubufakazi belizwi likaNkulunkulu njengamalunga webandla likaKrestu, “lona eliyinsika yeqiniso.” Ngakhoke babona kufanele ukuthi behlukane lamabandla ababekiwo. Ngesikhathi sehlobo ngomnyaka ka1844 abantu abafika inani lenkulungwane ezingamatshumi amahlanu baphuma emabandleni. {GC 376.1}IEP 376.1

Ngalesi isikhathi kwakulomahluko owawubonakala emabandleni ayeselizweni lonke lase America. Okwesikhathi eside kwakube lokuhlehlela emuva, lokwamukela izinto zomhlaba, lamasiko, njalo kwakulokwehla kwezinga ezintweni eziphathelane lokuphila impilo ehlambulukileyo phakathi kwamalunga webandla, kodwa ngalo umnyaka kwakulobufakazi bokuwa okudlulisileyo phose emabandleni wonke. Loba nje kwakungekho owayengaphuma lesizatho esisodwa esasibangela lokhu, kodwa kwakusemlonyeni yabantu ukuthi kwakukhona ababecabangela ukuthi kwakuyisizatho. {GC 376.2}IEP 376.2

Komunye umhlangano endaweni yasePhiladephia, uBarnes, owayengumlobi wogwalo olwalusetshenziswa ngabantu abanengi, njalo owayengumfundisi kwelinye lamabandla amakhulu edolobheni leli, “wachaza ukuthi wayebe ngumfundisi okweminyaka engamatshumi amabili, njalo wayengakaze athungamele inkonzo yesidlo ngaphandle kwaleyo eyayisanda kwedlula, lapho okwakungazange kube khona umuntu ophendukayo angene ebandleni. Kodwa manje kwakungasela muntu ovuselelekayo kumbe ophendukayo, njalo kwakungela kukhula okubambekayo emalungeni ebandla, njalo kwakungela muntu owayesiza kuye ezokhuluma ngendaba zokusindiswa kwemphefumulo yabo. Ngenxa yokwanda kwenotho, njalo lokwanda kwamabhizimusi lenzuzo ebantwini, kulokwanda kokucabanga ngezinto zomhlaba engqondweni zabo. Kunjalo kuwo wonke amabandla ngokutshiyana kwawo.” (Congregational Journal, May 23, 1844). {GC 376.3}IEP 376.3

Ngenyanga kaNhlolanja ngomnyaka ofananayo, uProfessor Finney owayesebenza esikolo esiphezulu sase Oberlin wathi: “Silobufakazi phambi kwethu, ukuthi masikhangelisisa, amabandla aselizweni lethu, ngobunengi bawo, ayengelandaba kumbe ayephikisa phose yonke imizamo yokuvuselela eyalethwa kiwo. Kukhona amalutshwana angazange akwenze lokhu kodwa inani lawo lincane ukuthi litshintshe umbono lowu. Silobunye ubufakazi obungaphikiswayo, obokuthi kwakungela mvuselelo eyayisenzeka phose amabandleni wonke. Ukulala kwabantu ekukholweni kwabo, kujule okwesabekayo, lamaphephandaba elizweni lonke ayafakaza... Sekwandile ukuthi amalunga ebandla agijimise inkanuko zomhlaba, njalo bayahlanganela labangakholwayo emadilini wokuzithokozisa, lalapho okugidwa khona... Kodwa asidingi ukuthi senze lesisimo sibebanzi. Kusobala ukuthi ubufakazi buyanda phambi kwethu obubonisa ukuthi amabandla wethu alokhe ehlehlela emuva. Sebezihlukanise kakhulu loNkulunkulu, njalo laye usezihlukanise labo.” {GC 377.1}IEP 377.1

Omunye umlobi kuphephandaba elibizwa ngokuthi yiReligious Telescope wabhala wathi: “Asikaze sibone ukuwa kwenkolo okufana lalokhu esikubona khathesi. Ngeqiniso ibandla kumele livuke, njalo lidingisise imbangela yobuhlungu lobu, ngoba wonke umuntu othanda iZiyone kumele akubone njengobuhlungu. Nxa sikhumbula ukuthi balutshwana kangakanani abantu abaphenduka ngokweqiniso, njalo nxa siqathanisa lobukhuni benhliziyo zabangakholwayo, sizithola simemeza sisithi: ‘Kambe uNkulunkulu ukhohliwe ukuba lomusa na? Kumbe, Ngabe umnyango womusa usuvaliwe na?’” {GC 377.2}IEP 377.2

Isimo esinje asibikhona nje ebandleni kungela sizatho. Ubunyama obehlela izizwe, lamabandla, njalo labantu, bubuya hatshi ngokuba uNkulunkulu uyabe esuse umusa wakhe emhlabeni, kodwa ngenxa yokuyekethisa kumbe ukuphika ukukhanya okwenziwa ngabantu. Isibonelo esimangalisayo siboniswa embalini yesizwe sakoJuda ngesikhathi sikaKrestu. Ngenxa yokuthanda kwabo umhlaba njalo lokukhohlwa kwabo uNkulunkulu lelizwi lakhe, ukuqedisisa kwabo kwasekumnyama, njalo lenhliziyo zabo zasezigcwele inkanuko zomhlaba lobubi. Ngaleso sizatho abazange bazi ngokuphathelene lokuza kukaMesiya, njalo ekuziphakamiseni kwabo, njalo ngenxa yokungabi lokukholwa baphika uMsindisi. Loba kwakunjalo uNkulunkulu kazange abasuse engqondweni yakhe, kumbe emuseni wokuthi labo bathole usindiso. Kodwa labo abaphika iqiniso balahlekelwa yisifiso sokwamukela isipho sasezulwini. Basebefake “ubunyama endaweni yokukhanya, njalo bamukela ukukhanya njengomnyama,” kwaze kwafika isimo lapho ukukhanya okwakukibo okwaphenduka khona kwaba yibunyama, khepha ubukhulu bobunyama obabakhona! {GC 377.3}IEP 377.3

Kuyamthokozisa uSathane ukuthi abantu babonise isimo sokuthi bayakhonza kodwa umoya wokulunga oyiwo oqakathekileyo ungekho kibo. Ngemva kokuphika kwabo ivangeli, isizwe samaJuda saqhubeka silandela amasiko waso, baqhubeka beqinisa umehluko isizwe sabo esasilawo kwamanye amazwe, kodwa behluleka ukunanzelela ukuthi ubukhona bukaNkulunkulu babungasekho phakathi kwabo. Incwadi kaDanyeli yayivezile ngokucaca isikhathi uMesiya ayezabuya ngaso, njalo yayichaze sobala ngokufa kwakhe, kodwa bona abazange bakhuthaze abantu ukuthi bayibale, njalo ekucineni abathungameli babeka isiqalekiso phezu kwabo bonke ababezazama ukuqedisisa ngesikhathi lesi esivezwe encwadini leyi esiveza ukuza kwakhe. Ngenxa yokungaqedisisi abantu bako Israyeli laseminyakeni eyalandelayo, balokhe bemile benganaki umusa wosindiso abawunikwayo, njalo abazi izibusiso zevangeli, njalo lesixwayiso esesabekayo esiqondiswe kulabo abakhetha ukuphika ukukhanya kwasezulwini. {GC 378.1}IEP 378.1

Kuzozonke indawo lapho isizatho esifananayo esitholakala khona, umphumela ofananayo uzalandela. Wonke umuntu owenza imizamo yokuthulisa umzwangedwa wakhe nxa esizwa iqiniso ngoba liphikisana lenkanuko zakhe zenyama, ekucineni uzalahlekelwa ngamandla wokwehlukanisa phakathi kweqiniso lamanga. Ukuzwisisa kwakhe kucina kufiphala, lomzwangedwa uyalala, lenhliziyo iba lukhuni, njalo umphefumulo ucina uhlukaniswe loNkulunkulu. Lapho isixwayiso sezulu esiphikwa khona, kuleyo ndawo ibandla lizambeswa yibunyama, ukukholwa njalo lothando kucina kuphola, kungene ukulwisana njalo lokuphikisana. Amalunga ebandla acina egxilisa amandla wabo ekudingeni izinto zomhlaba, njalo izoni zicina ziqina ebubini bazo. {GC 378.2}IEP 378.2

Udaba lwengilosi yakuqala encwadini kaSambulo 14, ememezela ihola lokwahlulela kukaNkulunkulu njalo ebizela abantu ukuthi besabe njalo bakhonze uNkulunkulu, yayihlelelwe ukuthi yehlukanise abantu bakaNkulunkulu phakathi kwendonsela yomhlaba edukisayo njalo ibavuse ukuthi babone isimo sabo sokuthanda umhlaba lokuhlehlela emuva. Edabeni lolu uNkulunkulu uthumele ibandla, isixwayiso, njalo ngabe sasiyamukelwe sasizaqondisa ububi bonke obabubangela ukuthi abantu bazihlukanise laye. Ngabe babelwamukelile udaba oluvela ezulwini, ngokwehlisa inhliziyo zabo phambi kaNkulunkulu, njalo bedinga ngokuzidela indlela yokuzilungiselela ukuthi beme phambi kwakhe, uMoya lamandla kaNkulunkulu ayezabonakala phambi kwabo. Ibandla njalo lalizafinyelela esimeni sokubambana, lokukholwa, lothando olwalukhona ngensuku zabafundi bakhe, lapho bonke abazalwane “babenhliziyo yinye njalo bemoya munye,” njalo “bakhuluma ilizwi likaNkulunkulu ngesibindi,” lapho “iNkosi eyengeza khona amalunga ebandla nsukuzonke bonke ababefuna ukusindiswa.” (Imisebenzi 4:32, 31; 2:47). {GC 379.1}IEP 379.1

Ngabe abantu abazibiza ngokuthi bangabalandeli bakaNkulunkulu, bebengamukela ukukhanya okuselizwini lakhe, bebezafinyelela ekubambaneni okwakhulekelwa nguJesu, lokho abalandeli bakhe abakuchazayo, “ukubambana koMoya ngokuthula.” “Kukhona, umzimba owodwa, loMoya owodwa, njengoba libiziwe ethembeni elilodwa lobizo lwenu, iNkosi eyodwa, lokukholwa okukodwa, lombhambhathizo owodwa.” (Efesu 4:3-5). {GC 379.2}IEP 379.2

Wawunje umphumela obusisiweyo owazuzwa yilabo abamukela udaba lokuza kwesibili. Babephuma emabandleni ayehlukeneyo, njalo imigoqo yokwehlukana kwamabandla wabo yalahlelwa phansi, imfundiso eyayibahlukanisa layo yalahlelwa khatshana, njalo lethemba elingatholakali eMbhalweni mayelana leminyaka eyinkulungwane yokuthula yaphoselwa phansi, ukuqedisisa okungaqondanga mayelana lokuza kwesibili kwaqondiswa, ukuziphakamisa lokuthanda umhlaba lakho kwakhitshwa, konke okungaqondanga kwaqondiswa, inhliziyo zabantu zabambana kwabunjwa ubudlelwano obuhle, njalo uthando lentokozo kwabusa phezu kwakho konke. Nxa imfundiso leyi yakwenza lokhu kulabo abalutshwane abayamukelayo, yayizakwenza ngokufanayo ebantwini bonke ngabe babeyamukele. {GC 379.3}IEP 379.3

Kodwa amabandla awazange amukele isixwayiso lesi ngokuphelela kwaso. Abafundisi babo ababeme njengabalindi “bendlu yakoIsrayeli,” kwakumele babengabokuqala ukubona izibonakaliso zokuza kukaJesu, babehlulekile ukufunda iqiniso ngokubala ubufakazi babaprofethi kumbe ngokukhangela izibonakaliso zesikhathi ababephila kiso. Nxa ithemba lokuthola inotho yomhlaba njalo lenkanuko zenyama zasezigcwele enhliziyweni zabo, uthando lukaNkulunkulu njalo lokukholwa elizwini lakhe kwasekupholile, njalo nxa imfundiso leyi yayilethwa phambi kwabo, kwabangela ukuthi befikelwe yikungakholwa lokuyiphika. Lesi zatho sokuthi udaba lolu lwalutshunyayelwa ikakhulu ngabantu abangela zikhundla ebandleni, kwasetshenziswa njengesizatho sokuthi bengayamukeli. Njengasendulo ubufakazi belizwi likaNkulunkulu bahlangana lombuzo othi: “Bakhona yini abathungameli kumbe abaFarisi asebekholwa?” Njalo ngemva kokunanzelela ukuthi kwakunzima kangakanani ukuphikisa amazwi ayephuma ekuchazeni kwabo isiprofethi, abanengi babo baqala ukutshela abantu ukuthi bangabali incwadi ezikhuluma ngesiprofethi, befundisa ukuthi incwadi lezi zazivaliwe njalo zazingeke zizwisiseke. Abantu abanengi, ngenxa yokuthemba abafundisi babo kuphela, bala ukulalela isixwayiso, njalo abanye loba nje babethintwe liqiniso, bazimisela ukuthi bengakhulumi ngalo, ngoba besesaba ukuthi “ babezakhitshelwa phandle kwebandla.” Udaba uNkulunkulu ayeluthumele ukuthi luhlole njalo luhlambulule ibandla lwabonisa ubunengi babantu ababekhethe ukubeka inhliziyo zabo emhlabeni lowu kulokuthi bazibeke kuKrestu. Izinto ezazibabambanisa lomhlaba zaziqine okwedlula lezi ezazibabambanisa lezulu. Bakhetha ukulalela ilizwi lokuhlakanipha kwasemhlabeni njalo bafulathela udaba lweqiniso oluhlola inhliziyo. {GC 380.1}IEP 380.1

Ngokwala kwabo isixwayiso sengilosi yakuqala, baphika indlela izulu elaliyilethile eyokuthi bavuselelwe ngayo. Baphika isithunywa somusa esasizaqondisa ububi obabubahlukanise loNkulunkulu, njalo ngokuzimisela okukhulu bafulathela besiyadinga ubungane bomhlaba. Lapha kwabonakala umphumela wesimo sokuthanda umhlaba, lokuwa ekukholweni, njalo lokufa kokwakomoya okwakusebandleni ngomnyaka ka1844. {GC 380.2}IEP 380.2

Encwadini kaSambulo 14 isithunywa sakuqala silandelwa ngesesibili esithi: “Liwile liwile iBhabhiloni elikhulu, elinathise izizwe zonke iwayini lolaka lokuphinga kwalo!” (Isambulo 14:8). Ibizo elithi “Bhabiloni” liphuma ebizweni elithi “Bhabheli” njalo litsho ukudideka. Lisetshenziswe eBhayibhilini ukuchaza zonke izimo zenkolo yamanga kumbe inkolo esiphambuke eqinisweni. KuSambulo 17 iBhabiloni ifanekiswe njengowesifazane, umfanekiso osetshenziswa eBhayibhilini omele ibandla, owesifazane oqotho umele ibandla elihlambulukileyo, njalo owesifazane ongcolileyo umele ibandla elilandela imfundiso yamanga. {GC 381.1}IEP 381.1

EBhayibhilini ubudlelwane obungcwele njalo obumi inaphakade phakathi kukaKrestu lebandla lakhe bufanekiswe lokuhlanganiswa kwababili emtshadweni. INkosi ibambanise abantu bayo kuyo ngesivumelwano esicolekileyo, yena ebathembisa ukuthi uzaba nguNkulunkulu wabo, njalo labo bezinikela ukuthi bazaba ngabakhe yena yedwa. Nxa ekhuluma uthi: “Ngizakuzimisela wena Israyeli ube ngumkami kokuphela, ngizimisele wena ngokuqotho langokulunga langothando olungapheliyo.” (Hoseya 2:19). Njalo uthi: “Ngitshade lani.” (Jeremiya 3:14). Njalo uPhawuli laye usebenzisa umfanekiso ofananayo nxa esithi: “Ngoba ngalendisela kuKrestu ukuba ngilise endodeni eyodwa liyintombi emsulwa.” (2 Corinte 11:2). {GC 381.2}IEP 381.2

Ukungathembeki kwebandla kuKrestu ngokuvumela ukuthi ithemba njalo lothando lwabo luphume kuye, njalo ngokuvumela uthando lwezinto zomhlaba ukuthi lugcwale enhliziyweni zabo, lokhu kuqathaniswe lokwephula isithembiso somtshado. Isono sesizwe sako Israyeli sokusuka kuNkulunkulu sivezwe ngaphansi komfanekiso lowu, njalo lothando lukaNkulunkulu olumangalisayo abaluphikileyo luvezwe ngendlela ethinta inhliziyo: “Ngathembisa ukukuthatha, ngenza isivumelwano lawe, waba ngowami.” “Waceciswa ngegolide langesiliva, lezambatho zakho zazingezamalembu amahle, lezesilika, lezelembu elicecisiweyo; wabamuhle kakhulu, waba yinkosikazi...kodwa wathemba ubuhle bakho, waba liwule ngenxa yodumo lwakho.” “Waba ngumfazi oliwule, ongenisa izihambi endaweni yendoda yakhe.” “Impela njengomfazi ongathembekanga etshiya umkakhe, lawe ungikhohlisile wena ndlu kaIsrayeli, itsho iNkosi.” (Hezekeli 16:8, 13-15, 32; Jeremiya 3:20). {GC 381.3}IEP 381.3

Ethestamentini elitsha amazwi afananayo asetshenziswa ukuchaza amaKrestu azama ukudinga ubungane lomhlaba phezu kokudinga uNkulunkulu. Umpostoli uJakobe uthi: “Zifebendini, kalazi yini ukuthi ukuthandana lomhlaba kuyibutha kuNkulunkulu na? Ngakhoke lowo othanda ukuba ngumhlobo womhlaba uzenza abe yisitha sikaNkulunkulu. (Jakobe 4:4). {GC 382.1}IEP 382.1

Owesifazana ochazwe njengeBhabiloni kuSambulo 17 uchazwe ngokuthi “umbathe okububende lokubomvu, ececiswe ngegolide langamatshe amahle langamangqongqo aligugu, ephethe esandleni sakhe inkezo yegolide igcwele amanyala lokungcola kokuphinga kwakhe... ebunzini lakhe kwakulotshwe ibizo eliyimfihlakalo lokuthi: IBhabiloni elikhulu, unina weziphingi lowamanyala wonke womhlaba.” Umprofethi uthi: “Ngasengibona ukuba owesifazana edakwe ligazi labangcwele legazi labafela uJesu.” IBhabiloni ichazwa futhi “njengomuzi omkhulu obusa phezu kwamakhosi omhlaba.” (Isambulo 17: 4-6, 18). Amandla abusa okweminyaka eminengi kangaka phezu kwamakhosi wonke emhlabeni ngawaseRoma. Umbala wobubende lokubomvu, legolide kanye lamatshe aligugu, achaza kakuhle ubuhle njalo lokuziphakamisa okwedlula okwamakhosi okwenziwa ngabathungameli beRoma. Njalo akula amanye amandla okungakhulunywa ngawo kuthiwe “ayedakwe ligazi labangcwele” njengebandla leli eselike labulala abalandeli bakaKrestu ngochuku olwesabekayo. IBhabiloni libekwa njalo icala lokuzihlanganisa ngokungekho emthethweni lamakhosi asemhlabeni. Kwakungenxa yokufulathela iNkosi, njalo lokuzihlanganisa labahedeni, okwabangela ukuthi ibandla lamaJuda libe ngumfazi ongathembakalanga, njalo lebandla leRoma ngokufanayo ngokudinga ukuxhaswa ngababusi bomhlaba, lithola icala elifananayo. {GC 382.2}IEP 382.2

IBhabhiloni lichazwe njengo “nina weziphingi.” Ngokusebenzisa umfanekiso wamadodakazi wakhe lokhu kumele amabandla wonke abambelela emfundisweni yakhe njalo lasemasikweni wakhe, njalo alandela isibonelo saleli bandla esokulahla iqiniso njalo lentando kaNkulunkulu, ukwenzela ukuthi babambane lomhlaba. Udaba lukaSambulo 14, olumemezela ngokuwa kweBhabiloni kumele lube luphathelane lenhlanganiso zamabandla ayehlambulukile endulo kodwa manje asengcolile. Njengoba udaba lolu lulandela isixwayiso sokwahlulela, kumele luhanjiswe ezinsukwini zokucina, ngakhoke ngeke lube luphathelane lebandla leRoma kuphela, ngoba ibandla leli lisesimeni sokuwa kusukela kudala. Nxa uqhubeka njalo, esahlukweni setshumi lasitshiyagalo mbili encwadini kaSambulo abantu bakaNkulunkulu babizelwa ukuthi baphume eBhabhiloni. Nxa silandela umugca lowu, kutsho ukuthi abantu bakaNkulunkulu kumele bebelokhe bephakathi kweBhabiloni. Njalo kukuwaphi amabandla lapho abalandeli bakaKrestu abanengi abalokhe bevalelwe phakathi kwawo? Akuthandabuzwa ukuthi basemabandleni amanengi acabanga ukuthi azihlukanisa lenkolo yebandla leRoma. Nxa amabandla lawa ayesungulwa, bema eqinisweni likaNkulunkulu ngesibindi, njalo izibusiso zakhe zazihamba labo. Lomhlaba ongakholwayo wenelisa ukuvuma imphumela emihle yokwamukela imfundiso yevangeli. Emazwini womprofethi ayebhalelwe isizwe sakoIsrayeli uthi: “Udumo lwakho lwafinyelela ezizweni ngenxa yobuhle bakho, ngoba babuphelele ngezinto ezinhle engangikwambathise zona, kutsho iNkosi uNkulunkulu. Kodwa bawa laba ngenxa yesifiso esifananayo esaba yisiqalekiso njalo esaletha ukutshabalaliswa kwesizwe sakoIsrayeli, okuyisifiso sokulandela imikhuba njalo lokudinga ubungani babantu abangamesabiyo uNkulunkulu. “Kodwa wathemba ubuhle bakho, waba liwule ngenxa yodumo lwakho, wawula labo bonke abedlulayo.” (Hezekeli 16:14,15). {GC 382.3}IEP 382.3

Amabandla amanengi awasungulwa ngabaVuseleli endulo alandela isibonelo sebandla leRoma ngokuzibambanisa lamakhosi omhlaba, lokusekelwa ngamazwe, njalo ngenxa yobudlelwano bawo lamanye amabandla langokufuna ukwamukelwa ngumhlaba. Njalo ibizo elithi “Bhabiloni” elitsho ukudideka, lifanele ukusetshenziswa ukuchaza amabandla lawa athi athola imfundiso zawo eBhayibhilini, kodwa wona engaphansi kwenhlanganiso ezehlukeneyo njalo ekholwa emfundisweni eziphikisanayo njalo ezingekho eBhayibhilini. {GC 383.1}IEP 383.1

Ngaphandle kokuhlanganyela lomhlaba ngokungekho emthethweni, amabandla azehlukanisa lebandla laseRoma abonise ezinye izimo zebandla leRoma. Eyinye incwadi elotshwa libandla leRoma yaletha amazwi athi: “nxa ibandla leRoma lilecala lokukhonza izithombe mayelana labangcwele abafileyo, indodakazi yakhe, ibandla laseNgilandi, lalo lilecala elifananayo, ngoba lilamabandla alitshumi anikelwe ebizweni likaMaria lapho okulelilodwa elinikelwe ebizweni likaKrestu.” (Richard Challoner, The Catholic Christian Instructed, Preface, pages 21,22). {GC 384.1}IEP 384.1

Udokotela uHopkins nxa wayeloba incwadi wathi: “Akulasizatho sokuthi sikhangele umoya ongasiwo wesikrestu okhona emabandleni sithi uphelela ebandleni laseRoma kuphela. Amabandla lawa azihlukanisa lebandla laseRoma lawo alayo imfundiso ephikisana leqiniso, njalo akhatshana lokuguquka... etshiye amanga lobubi.” (Samuel Hopkins, Works, vol. 2, p. 328). {GC 384.2}IEP 384.2

Mayelana lokwehlukana kwebandla lamaPresbyterian lebandla leRoma, uDr. Guthrie uthi: “Emakhulwini eminyaka edlulileyo, ibandla lethu, nxa lalithwele iBhayibhili elivuliweyo ezandleni zalo, njalo lamazwi alandelayo, ‘Hlolisisa uMbhalo,’ engwalweni zalo, laphuma emasangweni aseRoma.” Abesebuza umbuzo oqakathekileyo: “Baphuma behlambulukile na eBhabiloni?” (Thomas Guthrie, The Gospel in Ezekiel, page 237). {GC 384.3}IEP 384.3

“Ibandla laseNgilandi,” kutsho uSpurgeon, “libonakala sengathi lidliwa ngaphakathi ngamasiko, kodwa ukungalandeli iqiniso kubonakala kuxubane lokulandela imfundiso yabantu. Labo esasikhangelele ukubona okuhle kibo lokhe bephenduka munye ngamunye betshiya inkolo yeqiniso. Kukho konke lokhu, ngiyakholwa, ukuthi indikimba yebandla leNgilandi igcwele ububi obumangalisayo kuyisimanga ukuthi lokhe lizibiza njengebandla lesiKrestu.” {GC 384.4}IEP 384.4

Kwakuyini imbangela yokuwa lokhu emabandleni? Ibandla laphambuka njani evangelini? Ngenxa yokwamukela inkolo yalabo ababekhonza izithombe, ukwenzela ukuthi bamukele inkolo yesiKrestu. Umpostoli uPhawuli watsho langensuku zakhe ukuthi: “Ngoba amandla wobubi afihlakeleyo, aseqalile ukusebenza,” (2 Thesalonika 2:7). Ngezinsuku zabafundi ibandla laqhubeka limsulwa nxa uqathanisa lakathesi. Kodwa ngemva kwesikhatshana amabandla amanengi aqala ukuguquka, ukubamsulwa kwakuqala kwanyamalala njalo nxa abafundi abadala babesifa, abantwana babo, labanye ababeqeda ukuphenduka, ... baqala ukuthungamela baletha inguquko ebandleni.” (Robert Robinson, Eclesiastical Researches, ch. 6, par. 17, p. 51). Ukwenzela ukuthi bathole amalunga amatsha ebandleni, izinga lebandla elaliphezulu lehliswa, njalo ngenxa yalokho “isikhukhula sokukhonza izithixo, esasigelezela ebandleni, saletha amasiko, lemfundiso yamanga kanye lezithixo.” (Gavazzi, Lectures, page 278). Nxa inkolo yesiKrestu yaseyiqala ukwamukelwa ngababusi, yaqala ukwamukelwa ngabantu abanengi, kodwa loba nje ngaphandle babelesimo samaKrestu, abanengi babo “baqhubeka bengabakhonzi bezithixo ngaphakathi, ikakhulu ngoba babelokhe bekhonza izithombe ngasese.” (Ibid, page 278). {GC 384.5}IEP 384.5

Akukaze kwenzakale ngale indlela phose kuwo wonke amabandla asungulwa ngabavuseleli na? Ngazo zonke izikhathi nxa labo abawasungulayo ababelomoya weqiniso wemvuselelo, babesifa labo ababesiza ngemuva kwabo, babeletha inguquko engalunganga. Loba nje babebambelela emfundisweni yabo khokho babo bengelakuqedisisa, njalo besala ukwamukela iqiniso elalibuya phambi kwabo elitsha, abantwana babavuseleli babelokhu bephambuka endleleni yokuzehlisa, lokuzidela, njalo lokutshiya umhlaba kanye lenkanuko zawo. Ngale indlela ukuzehlisa kwakuqala, kwakulokhe kutshabalala. Isikhukhula sokuthanda umhlaba, esasigeleza ebandleni, saletha ububi bonke njalo lokukhonza izithombe. {GC 385.1}IEP 385.1

Khangela umphumela owesabakayo olethwa yibungane lomhlaba obuchazwa “njengobutha kuNkulunkulu” obuphakamiswa ngayo phakathi kwalabo abazibiza abalandeli bakaKrestu! Aphambuke kangakanani amabandla amanengi emgomeni wokuzehlisa otholakala eBhayibhilini, lowokuzehlisa, lokuzidela, njalo lokulunga! UJohn Wesley nxa wayekhuluma ngokusetshenziswa kuhle kwemali wathi: “Ungadlalisi loba yingxenye eyodwa yemali ngoba uzama ukuthokozisa amehlo wakho, ngokuthenga impahla ezidulayo, kumbe imfanekiso...Ungayenzi lutho oluthokozisa ubumina empilweni, ukwenzela ukubonwa ngabantu... ‘Kuphela nxa usenza okuhle empilweni yakho, abantu bazakhuluma kahle ngawe.’ Nxa ufaka ‘izebhatho eziyibubende lezicazimulayo’ njalo uziphakamisa nsuku zonke, kusobala ukuthi abantu bazakuqakezela bethi uyakwazi ukukhetha, njalo lokuziphatha kwakho. Kodwa ungathengi ukuqakezelwa ngabantu ngale indlela. Kungcono ukuthi usuthiseke ngokuphakanyiswa okuvela kuNkulunkulu.” (Wesley, Works, Sermon 50, “Use of Money.”). Kodwa emabandleni wethu amanengi imfundiso leyi ayisalandelwa. {GC 385.2}IEP 385.2

Abantu abanengi emhlabeni bathokozelela ukubizwa ngokuthi bangamaKrestu kuphela. Ababusi, labomthetho, labameli, labodokotela, labomakanika bangena emabandleni belenjongo yokuthi bathole inhlonipho emphakathini, njalo lokuthi benze ukuthi amabhizimusi wabo aphumelele. Ngale indlela benza yonke imizamo yokuthi bafihle izenzo zabo ezimbi ngaphansi kwesembatho sokuba ngamaKrestu. Inhlanganiso ezinengi zamaKrestu, nxa seziqiniswe yinotho yamalunga wabo asebhabhathiziwe kodwa angaphendukanga ngokweqiniso, ziyenza imizamo eminye yokuthi bazakale njalo bamukelwe. Amabandla alezakhiwo eziligugu endaweni ezijwayelekileyo ayakhiwa ukwenzela ukuthi abantu bebabone. Abazalwane bakhona labo basebenzisa imali ezinengi bethenga izigqoko ezidulayo ukuze babonakale. Imali enengi isetshenziswa ukuholisa umfundisi ukuthi athokozise abantu njalo alethe amanye amalunga ebandleni. Intshumayelo zakhe akumelanga zithinte izono ezijwayelekileyo, kodwa kumele zibe buthakathaka njalo zijabulise indlebe zabalaleli bakhe. Ngale indlela izoni ezigqoke kahle ziyangeniswa emabhukwini ebandla, njalo izono ezamukelekileyo ziyafihlwa ngaphansi kwejazi lokulunga. {GC 386.1}IEP 386.1

Nxa babebhala ngokuziphatha kwamalunga ebandla alezinsuku emhlabeni, ilinye iphephandaba labhala lathi: “Ngesimanga ibandla selamukele umoya okhona emhlabeni, njalo laguqula indlela okukhonzwa ngayo zafana lalokho okufunwa ngabantu.” “Zonke izinto ezisiza ukuthi zenze inkonzo yamukeleke emehlweni wabantu, ziyasetshenziswa njengendlela zokwengeza inani lamalunga walo.” Njalo omunye umlobi ephepheni leNew York Independent wabhala kanje nxa wayeloba ngebandla leWisili: “Umngcele wokwehlukanisa phakathi kwabangcwele lalabo abangakholwayo lokhe ucitsha, njalo abantu abazimiseleyo kunxa zombili basebenza nzima ukususa wonke umehluko ophakathi kwendlela abaziphatha ngayo njalo labazithokozisa ngayo.” “Ukujwayeleka kwenkolo kwande ukwengeza inani lalabo abafuna ukuthola izithelo zayo bengenzanga imizamo yokufinyelela ezingeni elidingekayo.” {GC 386.2}IEP 386.2

UHoward Crosby nxa eloba uthi: “Kuyindaba ekhathazayo ukubona ukuthi ibandla likaKrestu lenza imizamo emincane kangaka eyokulandela intando yeNkosi. Ngendlela efananayo isizwe sakoJuda esazihlanganisa lezinye izizwe ezazikhonza izithombe baze bathunganyelwa ukuthi basuse inhliziyo zabo kuNkulunkulu, ...kunjalo lalamuhla ebandleni likaKrestu, ngenxa yokuhlanganyela lomhlaba ongakholwayo, lokufulathela insika zokukholwa kweqiniso, njalo ngokwamukela kwabo indlela zomhlaba, benza yonke imizamo yokunika izizatho zokwenza konke okungavumelani lelizwi likaNkulunkulu.” (The Healthy Christian: An Appeal to the Church, pages 141, 142). {GC 387.1}IEP 387.1

Kukho konke lokhu ukulandela umhlaba lenkanuko zawo, ukuzidela njalo lokuzinikela ngenxa kaKrestu sekufiphele empilweni zamaKrestu. “Abanye babobaba labomama abakhonzayo emabandleni wethu, bafundiswa besebancane, ukuthi bazidele ukwenzela ukuthi benelise ukunikela kumbe benze loba yini kaKrestu.” Kodwa, “nxa kudingeka imali manje, ...akulamuntu okumele acelwe ukuthi anikele. Oh hatshi, kumele wenze idili, kumbe upheke ukudla, loba yini ezayeza ukuthi abantu bazithokozise.” {GC 387.2}IEP 387.2

UWashburn omunye owayelilunga lasephalamende edolobheni laseWisconsin nxa wayekhuluma ngomnyaka ka1873, ngenyanga kaZibandlela mhlaka 9 wathi: “Kubonakala sengathi kumele kube lemithetho yokuqeda izikolo lapho abantu abafunda khona ukwenza imali ngendlela ezingalunganga. Lezi zikhona indawo zonke. Lebandla lalo kwesinye isikhathi litholakala lisenza umsebenzi kaSathane lingananzeleli. Ngokwenza inkonzo zokunika izipho, lamadili wokwenza imali, kwesinye isikhathi belenjongo yokubutha imali ukwenzela ukuthi benze umsebenzi weNkosi, kodwa esikhathini esinengi injongo yabo iyabe ingaqakathekanga kangako. Akulanto ephambanisa abantu ikakhulu abantu abatsha edlula eyokuthola imali umuntu engasebenzanga. Abantu abahloniphekayo abenza zonke lezi zinto zokuthola imali ngendlela ezingabusisekanga, njalo abaziduduza ngokuthi imali leyi izasetshenziswa ukwenza okuhle, akwethusi ukuthi abantu abatsha elizweni sebezithola besenza yonke imizamo yokuthola imali ngendlela engabusisekanga njalo bengasebenzanga.” {GC 387.3}IEP 387.3

Umoya wokufuna ukwamukelwa ngumhlaba uhlasela amabandla wonke akholwa kuKrestu. URobert Atkins, nxa wayetshumayela edolobheni laseLondon, waveza umfanekiso omnyama owezinto ezazisenzakala elizweni laseNgilandi: “Abantu abakholwa ngokweqiniso sebebalutshwane emhlabeni, njalo akula muntu okunakayo lokhu. Abantu abazibiza ngokuthi bangamakholwa lamhlanje, emabandleni wonke, bangabantu abathanda umhlaba, abalandela izinto zomhlaba, abathanda inhlalakahle, njalo abafuna ukuphakanyiswa. Babizelwe ukuthi bahlupheke kanye loKrestu, kodwa bayabuna nxa beqondiswa nje... Ukuhlamuka, ukuhlamuka, ukuhlamuka, kubhaliwe phambi kwamabandla wonke; ngabe bayakwazi na? ngabe bakuzwile yini, bekungaba lethemba, kodwa cha! Bathi, ‘Sinothile, njalo siphumelele, njalo asisweli lutho.”‘ (Second Advent Library, tract No. 39). {GC 388.1}IEP 388.1

Isono esikhulu esibekwa phezu kweBhabiloni ngesokuthi “lenza ukuthi izizwe zonke zinathe iwayini lolaka lokuphinga kwalo.” Inkenzo leyi edakayo ayinika umhlaba imele imfundiso yamanga ibandla leli elayamukelayo ngemva kokuzihlanganisa lamakhosi omhlaba. Ubungane lomhlaba buyaguqula ukukholwa kwalo, njalo ngakolunye uhlangothi ibandla leli liyadukisa umhlaba ngokufundisa imfundiso eziphambene lelizwi likaNkulunkulu elisobala. {GC 388.2}IEP 388.2

Ibandla leRoma lafihlela abantu iBhayibhili njalo lafundisa wonke umuntu ukuthi amukele imfundiso yalo kulokuthi bamukele iBhayibhili. Kwakungumsebenzi weMvuselelo ukuthi ibabuyisele elizwini likaNkulunkulu, kodwa akusilo iqiniso ukuthi emabandleni wethu lamhlanje abantu bafundiswa ukuthi babeke ukholo lwabo emfundisweni zebandla kulokuthi balandele okulotshwe eBhayibhilini na? UCharles Beecher wathi: “Bayazonda nxa besizwa ilizwi elilodwa eliphikisana lemfundiso yebandla ngendlela efana laleyo abathungameli bebandla endulo ababesenza ngayo nxa besizwa ilizwi elaliphikisana lokukhonzwa kwabantu abafileyo... Amabandla amanengi sewabambana kangaka okokuthi phakathi kwawo wonke akulamuntu ovunyelwa ukutshumayela phakathi kwawo kuzo zonke indawo engamukelanga ugwalo olubhalwe libandla olungasilo iBhayibhili. Akulanto emangalisayo emazwini athi amandla walokho okulotshwe libandla sekuqala ukunyathezela iBhayibhili njengalokho okwenziwa libandla leRoma endulo, loba nje kathesi kusenziwa ngendlela ecatshileyo.” (Sermon on ‘The Bible a Sufficient Creed,’ delivered at Fort Wayne, Indiana, Feb. 22, 1846). {GC 388.3}IEP 388.3

Nxa abafundisi abathembekileyo bevula ilizwi likaNkulunkulu, kukhona amadoda afundileyo aphakamayo, labafundisi abathi bona bayazi iBhayibhili, abaphikisa imfundiso yeqiniso besithi ngamanga, ngale indlela benze ukuthi abantu abalalele ngokuzimisela bafulathele iqiniso. Ngabe kwakungasikho ukuthi umhlaba udakwe yiwayini laseBhabiloni, abantu abanengi bebezazwisisa baphendulwe ngamaqiniso acacileyo, atholakala elizwini likaNkulunkulu. Kodwa inkolo yalezi insuku ibonakala ididekile njalo ingabonakali ukuthi iyangaphi okubangela ukuthi abantu bengazi ukuthi yini okumele bayikholwe njengeqiniso. Isono somhlaba sokungazihluphi ngezono zabo, sibekwe emasangweni webandla. {GC 389.1}IEP 389.1

Udaba lwengilosi yesibili olutholakala encwadini kaSambulo 14 lwaqala ukutshunyayelwa ngomnyaka ka1844, njalo lwalulamandla ngoba lwaluchaza isimo samabandla aseAmerica, lapho isixwayiso sokwahlulela sasesitshunyayelwe endaweni ezinengi, njalo sasingamukelwanga, endaweni lapho amabandla ayehlamukele iqiniso kakhulu. Kodwa udaba lwengilosi yesibili aluzange lugcwaliseke ngokuphelela ngomnyaka ka1844. Amabandla aleziyana insuku ayewile ngokwakomoya, ngenxa yokwala kwabo ukukhanya mayelana lokuza kukaJesu, kodwa ukuwa lokhu kwakungaphelelanga. Nxa belokhu beqhubeka besala ukwamukela amaqiniso abalulekileyo esikhathi salamuhla, lokhe esiwa njalo etshona phansi. Ngeke kodwa kathesi kuthiwe ukuthi “Liwile liwile iBhabhiloni, elinathise izizwe zonke iwayini lolaka lokuphinga kwabo!” Alikayenzi ukuthi izizwe zonke zikwenze lokhu. Umoya wokuzihlanganisa lomhlaba njalo lokunganaki amaqiniso adalelwe ukuhlolisisa inhliziyo uyaphila njalo lokhe uthola amandla emabandleni amanengi emazweni wonke, njalo amabandla lawa lawo agoqelwe ekukhuzweni lokhu okwengilosi yesibili. Kodwa umsebenzi wokuhlamukela iqiniso awukafiki emaphethelweni. {GC 389.2}IEP 389.2

IBhayibhili liyaveza ukuthi ngaphambi kokuza kukaKrestu, uSathane uzasebenza “ngawo wonke amandla, lezibonakaliso lezimangaliso zamanga, langayo yonke inkohliso yokungalungi;” njalo labo “abangavumanga ukuthanda iqiniso, ukuze basindiswe,” bazakutshiywa ukuthi bamukele “okudukisayo, ukuze bakholwe amanga.” (2 Thesalonika 2:9-11). Ngaphandle kokuthi isimo lesi sibekhona, njalo lokubambana kwebandla lelizwe kubekhona emhlabeni, yikho kuphela lapho ukuwa kweBhabhiloni okuzabe sekuphelelisiwe khona. Inguquko leyi lokhe ikhula kancane kancane, njalo ukugcwaliseka kwamazwi kaSambulo 14:8 ngokuphelela kwawo kusesikhathini esizayo. {GC 389.3}IEP 389.3

Loba nje kulobunyama obuhlukanisa loNkulunkulu emabandleni lawa abumba iBhabhiloni, abantu abanengi ababumba abalandeli bakaKrestu balokhe besekhona emabandleni lawa. Banengi emabandleni lawa abantu abangakaze bezwe amaqiniso lawa. Abanengi babo bayananzelela ukuthi isimo sabo asilunganga njalo bayafisa ukuthola ukukhanya. Bayadinga umfanekiso kaKrestu emabandleni wabo kodwa abawutholi. Nxa amabandla lawa eqhubeka ezehlukanisa loNkulunkulu, njalo ezihlanganisa lomhlaba, umehluko phakathi kwamaqembu lawa womabili uzakhula, njalo ekucineni isiphetho sizaba yikwehlukana. Isikhathi sizafika lapho labo abathanda uNkulunkulu ngenhliziyo zabo zonke abangasoke benelise ukuhlala bebambene lalabo “abathanda ukuzithokozisa okwedlula ukuthanda uNkulunkulu, abalesimo sokulunga kodwa bephika amandla wakhona.” {GC 390.1}IEP 390.1

Incwadi kaSambulo 18 ichaza isikhathi lapho, ngesizatho sokuphika izixwayiso ezintathu ezitholakala kuSambulo 14:6-12, ibandla lizabe selifinyelele esimeni esichazwa ludaba lwengilosi yesibili, njalo abantu bakaNkulunkulu abalokhe beseBhabhiloni bazabizwa ukuthi bahlukane layo. Udaba lolu ngolukucina oluzanikwa emhlabeni, njalo luzakwenza umsebenzi walo. Nxa labo “abayala ukukholwa iqiniso, kodwa abathokoziswa yikungalungi” (2 Thesalonika 2:12), bazakutshiywa ukuthi bamukele ukudukiswa njalo bakholwe amanga, kulapho ukukhanya kweqiniso okuzakhanya enhliziyweni zalabo abazilungiselele ukulamukela, njalo bonke abantwana beNkosi abalokhe beseBhabhiloni bazalalela ubizo oluthi: “Phumani kulo, bantu bami.” (Sambulo 18:4). {GC 390.2}IEP 390.2