Isahluko 1—Ukubhidlizwa Komuzi WaseJerusalema.

“Ngabe ubusazi, njalo wena, ngalolusuku izinto ezilokuthula kwakho; kodwa khathesi zifihlakele emehlweni akho. Ngoba ziyeza insuku, lapho izitha zakho zizakukugebhela khona umthangala, zikuzingelezele, zikuvimbele inxa zonke, zikulalise phansi enhlabathini, wena labantwana abaphakathi kwakho, azisoze zitshiye ilitshe elilodwa phezu kwelinye phakathi kwakho, ngoba ungasazanga isikhathi sokwethekelelwa kwakho.” Luka 19:42-44. {GC 17.1}IEP 17.1

Esiqongweni sentaba yaseOlivethi, uJesu wakhangela idolobho laseJerusalema. Phambi kwakhe kwakucaywe ukuthula lobuhle. Kwakuyisikhathi sePhasika, inzalo kaJakobe yayihlangene ivela kuzozonke indawo bonke belande ukujabulela umbuthano omkhulu wesizwe sonke sakoIsrayeli. Phakathi kwezivande, ezivinini, lasemaqaqeni aluhlaza kwakugcwele izihonqo zezihambi, njalo kwakubonakala izigodlo lemiduli emikhulu yesiviko sakoIsrayelil. Indodakazi yesizwe sakoIsrayeli yayibonakala ngokuziqhenya sengathi yayisithi, ngihleli njengendlovukazi njalo ngeke ngibone usizi, ilokuzibuka ngenxa yobuhle bayo njalo yayicabanga ukuthi iphephile ngaphansi kokuthandwa liZulu, njengasendulo lapho ichacho lesikhosini lalizwakala lisithi, “ubuhle besehlakalo, intokozo yomhlaba wonke yintaba yaseZiyoni; ... umuzi weNkosi enkulu.” Amahubo 48:2. Phambi kwakhe kwakubonakala ngokugcweleyo izakhiwo ezinhle ezinkulu zethempeli. Insaba zelanga nxa lalitshona zazikhanyisa imiduli yalo eyayimhlophe njengonqwaqwane njalo yayikhazimula kusukela esangweni legolide, kusiya emphotshongweni lasesihlothini. “Ukupheleliswa kobuhle” lalimile njengegugu lombuso wakoJuda. Nguwuphi umntwana wakoIsrayeli owayengakhangela izakhiwo zethempeli ayekele ukugcwala intokozo lokuhlonipha! Kodwa uJesu wayeleminye imicabango ehlukileyo engqondweni yakhe. “Wathi esesondele, wawukhangela umuzi, njalo wawukhalela.” Luka 19:41. Phakathi kokujabula komuntu wonke, lapho uJesu wayengena njengeNkosi emzini waseJerusalema, lapho ingatsha zelala zazizunguzwa khona, lalapho amazwi entokozo athi “hosanna” ayezwakala emaqaqeni, lapho inkulugwane zabantu zazimemeza zisithi uyiNkosi, uMsindisi womhlaba wafikelwa lusizi olwalungazwisiseki. Yena, owayeyiNdodana kaNkulunkulu, eyayithenjiswe isizwe sakoIsrayeli, ngamandla akhe owayenqobe ukufa njalo wabiza bonke ababethunjwe yikufa ukuthi baphume emathuneni, nguye khathesi owayesehlengezela inyembezi, hatshi ngenxa yosizi olujwayelekileyo, kodwa ngenxa yokudabuka okukhulu. {GC 17.2} IEP 17.2

Inyembezi zakhe zazingasizo zokuzikhalela yena, lobanje wayesazi lapho uhambo lwakhe olwaluzaphelela khona. Phambi kwakhe kwakulensimu yaseGetsemani, lapho ayezahlukumezeka khona. Isango lezimvu zomnikelo lalo lalibonakala phambi kwakhe, lapho okweminyaka eminengi ezazingeniswa khona, njalo ensukwini ezimbalwa laselizavulelwa yena futhi yikho lapho okwakumele “...alethwe ekuhlatshweni njengewundlu...” Isaya 53:7. Bucwadlanyana nje kwakukhona indawo yaseKhalivari, okwakuyindawo yokubethelwa. Yikho lapho okwakulendlela uJesu ayezayihamba njalo okwakuzabonakala khona umnyama owesabekayo lapho edela impilo yakhe njengomnikelo wesono. Kodwa, kwakungasiwo umcabango wazo zonke lezi izinto owaletha iyezi losizi kuye ngehola leli lenjabulo. Wakhala ngenxa yenkulungwane zezakhamizi zomuzi waseJerusalema owawuzabhujiswa, ngenxa yokuswela ulwazi njalo lokuvaleka kwamehlo kwabantu laba ayeze ukuzobabusisa lokubahlenga. {GC 18.1}IEP 18.1

Imbali yeminyaka edlula eyinkulungwane, yokubonakaliswa komusa kaNkulunkulu lendlela ayebavikela njalo ebanakekela ngayo, njengomzali wesizwe sakhe esikhethekileyo, yavuleka phambi kwamehlo kaJesu. Kwakukhona phambi kwakhe intaba yaseMoriya, lapho indodana yesithembiso, njengewundlu elifa lithule, iphezu kwelathi njengomnikelo, isenzo esasingumfuziselo womnikelo weNdodana kaNkulunkulu. Yikho lapho isivumelwano sesibusiso, lesithembiso sikaMesiya, esaqinisekiswa khona kuAbrahamu uyise wabo bonke abakholwayo (Genesisi 22:9, 16-18). Yikho lapho amalangabi omnikekelo owatshiswa nguDavida enyukela khona ezulwini esuka endaweni lapho u-Onani ayebhulela khona amabele, enelisa ukumisa inkemba yengilosi yokubhubhisa (1 Imilando 21) — lo kwakungumfanekiso ofaneleyo ukuveza umnikelo uMsindisi ayezawenza njalo lomsebenzi wakhe wokuncengela izoni. Umuzi waseJerusalema wawukhethiwe njalo wabusiswa nguNkulunkulu okwedlula umhlaba wonke. INkosi “yayilikhethile iZiyoni,” njalo “yalithanda ukuba libe yindawo yayo yokuhlala” (Amahubo 132:13). Ngalo umuzi, okweminyaka eminengi abaprofethi abangcwele babekhulumile amazwi abo okuxwayisa. Okweminyaka eminengi abapristi babethungamele inkonzo yokutshiswa kwempepha, amayezi entuthu leyi lemithandazo yabantu kwakwenyukele phambi kaNkulunkulu ngokulandelana kwamalanga. Okweminyaka eminengi igazi lezimvu zomhlatshelo lalinikelwa lapho, njalo lalimele iMvu kaNkulunkulu eyayizakuza. Yikho lapho uNkulunkulu ayebonise ubukhona bakhe khona ngeyezi lobukhosi bakhe phezu kwesihlalo somusa. Lapha yikho okwakuhleli khona inyawo zelele elabonwa nguJakhobe libambanisa umhlaba lezulu (Genesisi 28:12; Johane 1:51), lapho ingilosi zikaNkulunkulu ezabonakala zisehla zisenyuka, njalo livulela umhlaba indlela yokuya endaweni engcwele ngcwele. Ngabe uIsrayeli njengesizwe wayelandele imthetho yasezulwini wangahlamuki, idolobho laseJerusalema lalizahlala kokuphela, limele abakhethiweyo bakaNkulunkulu (Jeremiya 17: 21-25). Kodwa imbali yabantu laba ababekhethekile igcwele ukuhlamuka lokuhlehlela emuva. Bawala umusa wasezulwini, bahlayaza amalungelo, njalo badlalisa lamathuba abo. {GC 18.2}IEP 18.2

Loba nje uIsrayeli “wayehlekisa ngezithunywa zikaNkulunkulu, bedelela amazwi akhe, beklolodela abaprofethi bakhe...” (2 Imilandu 36:16), uJehova wayelokhu eziveza phambi kwabo, njenge “Nkosi uNkulunkulu olesihawu lomusa, obekezelayo, njalo ogcwele ubuhle leqiniso” (Eksodusi 34:6); lanxa babengamanga ukuphika izixwayiso zakhe, yena waqhubeka ebancenga ngomusa wakhe. Ngothando olwedlula olukababa olozwelo endodaneni yakhe ayithandayo, iNkosi “yabathumela futhi futhi izithunywa zayo, ngoba yayilesihawu ebantwini bayo lendaweni yayo yokuhlala” (2 Imilandu 36:15,16). Nxa ukubakhuza, lokubancenga, lezixwayiso kwasekwehlule, wabathumela isipho esiligugu esivela ezulwini, wathulula izulu lonke ngalesiSipho esisodwa. {GC 19.1}IEP 19.1

INdodana kaNkulunkulu uqobo lwayo yathunyelwa ukuthi izoncenga umuzi lowu owawungelakho ukuzisola. KwakunguKristu uqobo lwakhe owayekhiphe uIsrayeli njengogatsha oluhle elizweni laseGibhithe (Amahubo 80:8). Isandla sakhe sasisuse izizwe ezingakholwayo phambi kwabo. Wayesihlanyelile “oqaqeni oluvundileyo.” Ngesandla sakhe sokunakekela njengomzali wayesibiyele. Waphinda wathumela izisebenzi zakhe ukuthi zisinakekele. “Ngabe yini ebingayenziwa esivinini sami engingayenzanga na?” wazibuza. Isaya 5:1-4. Loba nje wayekhangelele ukuthi “sizathela izithelo ezinhle, kodwa sathela izithelo zeganga”, khepha ngesifiso njalo lokwethemba ukuthi sasizathela weza yena uqobo esivinini sakhe, mhlawumbe kwakungenzeka siphephe singabhidlizwa. Wahlakula esivinini sakhe, wasilungisela kahle, wasigogosa efuna sithele. Kazange adinwe emizameni yakhe yokusindisa isivini ayezihlanyelele sona. {GC 19.2}IEP 19.2

Okweminyaka emithathu iNkosi yokukhanya lobukhosi yayingene yaphuma phakathi kwabantu bayo. Wahamba “phakathi kwabo esenza okuhle, esilisa bonke ababegqilazwe nguSathane,” “eduduza labo ababelenhliziyo ezidabukileyo, ekhulula labo ababebotshiwe, evuselela ukubona kwabangaboniyo, esenza abagogekileyo ukuthi bahambe, labangezwayo ukuthi bezwe, ehlanza ababelobulepheru, evusa abafileyo, njalo etshumayela ivangeli kwabampofu” (Imisebenzi 10:38; Luka 4:18; Mathewu 11:5). Kubo bonke abantu ezigabeni zonke zokuphila, ubizo lomusa lwezwakala lusithi: “Wozani kimi lina lonke elikhatheleyo lelisindwayo, mina ngizakuliphumuza” (Mathewu 11:28). {GC 20.1}IEP 20.1

Loba nje babembonga ngobubi yena ebenzele okuhle, ngenzondo ethandweni lwakhe (Amahubo 109:5), waqhubeka ngokuzimisela esenza umsebenzi wakhe womusa. Kazange afuqele khatshana bonke ababesiza bezodinga umusa wakhe. Wayeyisihambi esasingela khaya, ukuyangiswa lokuhlupheka okukhulu kwakuyisabelo sempilo yakhe yansukuzonke, waphilela ukusuthisa indingeko zabantu lokwethula imithwalo yosizi lemikhosi ebantwini, lokubancenga ukuthi bamukele isipho sempilo. Amagagasi omusa, ayefuqelwe emuva yilabo ababelenhliziyo ezilukhuni, aphenduka ngesikhulu isiphepho sozwelo, lothando olungalinganisekiyo. Kodwa uIsrayeli wayesefulathele uMngane wakhe omkhulu onguye kuphela uMsizi wakhe. Bakuthatha lula ukuncenga kwakhe kothando, bayala ukwamukela izixwayiso zakhe, bahlekisana ngokukhuza kwakhe. {GC 20.2}IEP 20.2

Ihola lokwethemba lelokuxolelwa laselidlula ngesiqubu esikhulu. Inkezo yokuthukuthela kukaNkulunkulu eyayilokhe idluliselwa phambili yayisizagcwala. Iyezi elali lokhe liqubuka okweminyaka eminengi ngenxa yokuhlamuka lokungalaleli kwabo, ngalesi isikhathi laselimnyama ngobubi obabuzabehlela, laselizadubukela phezu kwabantu ababelecala; njalo lowo kuphela owayelamandla okubahlenga esehlakalweni lesi, basebedlale ngaye, bamhlukumeza, bamphika, njalo ngemva kwensuku ezimbalwa babezambethela esiphambanweni. Kusukela ngosuku lapho uKristu ayezalenga ngalo esiphambanweni saseKhalivari, ilungelo likaIsrayeli njengesizwe esikhethekileyo lesibusisiweyo phambi kukaNkulunkulu lalizaphela. Ukulahlekelwa ngumphefumulo loba owodwa kuletha usizi olwedlula khatshana injabulo yokuthola inzuzo lenotho yonke yomhlaba, kodwa uKrestu nxa wayebeka amehlo akhe phezu kwedolobho laseJerusalema, laselizweni lonke elaliphambi kwakhe, wabona umuzi, kanye lelizwe elalike laba ngelikhethekileyo liligugu phambi kukaNkulunkulu selilungele ukubhidlizwa. {GC 20.3}IEP 20.3

Abaprofethi babeke babubula ngenxa yokuhlamuka kukaIsrayeli, langendlela eyesabekayo izono zabo ezazijeziswe ngayo endulo. UJeremiya wafisa ukuthi ngabe amehlo akhe ayengumthombo wenyembezi, ukuze akhale emini lebusuku ekhalela labo ababebulewe ebantwini bakibo, ngoba abantwana beNkosi babethunjiwe bahanjiswa elizweni laseBhabhiloni (Jeremiya 9:1; 13:17). Lwalunjani-ke usizi lwalowo ilihlo lakhe lesiprofethi elalingabonanga kuphela iminyaka embalwa, kodwa izizukulwane ezinengi! Wayeyibonile ingilosi yokubhubhisa ilenkemba esandleni, eyayiphakanyiselwe ukubhubhisa umuzi lowu owawuke waba yindawo kaJehova yokuhlala okweminyaka eminengi. Kusukela esiqongweni sentaba yaseOlivethi, endaweni efananayo lapho okwakuzakuma khona uTitosi lebutho lakhe, wakhangela ngaphetsheya wabeka amehlo akhe ethempelini elingcwele njalo ngamehlo agcwele inyembezi, wabona imiduli izingelezelwe ngamabutho esitha. Wezwa izisindo zamabutho ahlomele impi. Wezwa amazwi abesifazane lawabantwana ababekhalela ukudla phakathi komuzi lo owawuzingelezelwe. Wabona indlu yakhe eyayinhle njalo ingcwele, lezindlu zamakhosi lemiphotshongo, kuphakathi kwamalangabi, lapho izakhiwo lezi ezazikade zime khona sekungamanxuwa kuphela. {GC 21.1}IEP 21.1

Wathi ekhangela ngelihlo lesiprofethi ensukwini ezazizakuza, wabona abantwana besivumelwano behlakazekile endaweni zonke njengomkhumbi obhewukileyo enkangala. Ekujezisweni kwesikhatshana okwakuzayehlela abantu bakhe, wabona isiphuzo sakuqala sivela enkezweni yolaka okumele bayinathe ngitsho lensali yayo ekwahlulelweni kokucina ekupheleni komhlaba. Uzwelo olungcwele, lothando olulesihelo, lwezwakala emazwini lawa: “Hawu Jerusalema, Jerusalema, wena obulala abaprofethi, uphinde ukhande ngamatshe labo abathunyelwe kuwe, ngizazama kuze kube nini ukubuthela ndawonye abantwana bakho njengesikhukhukazi sibuthela amatsiyane aso ngaphansi kwamaphiko aso na! kodwa kalivumanga” (Mathewu 23:37). Hawu, lina lizwe elithandwe okwedlula wonke amazwe, ngabe belisazi isikhathi sokwethekelelwa kwenu, lezinto ezimele ukuletha ukuthula kini! Ngiyimisile ingilosi yokwahlulela, ngalibizela ekuthini liphenduke, kodwa ngeze. Akusonceku kuphela, labakhethiweyo njalo labaprofethi, elibaphikileyo njalo layala ukubamukela, kodwa yena oNgcwele kaIsrayeli uqobo lwakhe, uMsindisi wenu. Nxa lizabhujiswa, ukufa kwenu kuzabe kusezandleni zenu kuphela. “Kanti alivumi ukuza kimi ukuba libe lokuphila.” (Johane 5:40). {GC 21.2}IEP 21.2

UKrestu wabona eJerusalema umfuziselo womhlaba osewaba lukhuni ngenxa yokungakholwa lokuhlamuka, njalo ohamba ngesiqubu esikhulu usiyakwamukela ukujeziswa kwabangalunganga okuzalethwa nguNkulunkulu. Izililo zoluNtu olwaseluwile, nxa zazifuqa umphefumulo wakhe, zabangela ukuthi kuzwakale endebeni zakhe ukukhala kokudabuka lobuhlungu obukhulu. Wabona umphumela wesono phezu kwabantu nxa wayekhangela usizi, lenyembezi, kanye lokuchitheka kwegazi, inhliziyo yakhe yagcwala uzwelo olungalinganisekiyo ngenxa yalabo abahluphekileyo labadubekileyo emhlabeni, ngoba wayelesifiso sokubakhulula bonke. Kodwa ngitsho lesandla sakhe sasingeke simise amagagasi obubi obabuzakwehlela abantu ngoba babebalutshwana ababezakhetha uMthombo wokusizwa kwabo. Wayefisa ukuthululela umphefumulo wakhe wonke ekufeni ukuze alethe usindiso kibo, kodwa balutshwane ababezakuza kuye ukuba bathole ukuphila. {GC 22.1}IEP 22.1

Umhlonitshwa wasezulwini wahlengezela inyembezi! INdodana kaSimakade yayikhathazekile emoyeni wayo okwabangela ukuthi ikhothamise ikhanda ngokudabuka okukhulu! Isehlakalo lesi sagcwalisa izulu lonke ngokumangala okukhulu. Ngaso lesi sehlakalo sichazelwa sobala ukujula kobubi besono, sibona ubunzima bomsebenzi, ngitsho lakuNkulunkulu wokuhlenga abantu abonileyo ngoba efisa ukuthi bangamukeli umvuzo wokwephula umthetho wakhe. UJesu nxa wayekhangela isizukulwane sokucina, wabona umhlaba uphakathi kwenkohliso efana laleyi eyabangela ukubhujiswa kweJerusalema. Isono esikhulu esenziwa yisizwe sakoJuda sasingesokuphika uKrestu, njalo isono esikhulu samaKresu ensuku zokucina sizakuba yikuphika umthetho kaNkulunkulu oyinsika yombuso wakhe ezulwini lasemhlabeni. Imithetho kaJehova ensukwini zokucina izadelelwa njalo ilulazwe. Izigidi zabantu ezigqilazwe yisono, izigqili zikaSathane, ezimiselwe ukufa kwesibili, zizakwala ukulalela amazwi eqiniso ngosuku lokwethekelelwa kwazo. Bheka ubuphofu obesabekayo, lokukhohliswa okumangalisayo! {GC 22.2}IEP 22.2

Sekusele amalanga amabili ukuthi usuku lwePhasika lufike, uJesu esephume ethempelini okokucina, esevezile ububi bokuzenzisa kwabathungameli bombuso wamaJuda, wasuka njalo labafundi bakhe wayahlala emehlweni wentaba yase Olivethi etshanini, wakhangela umuzi waseJerusalema. Waphinda njalo wakhangela imiduli, lemiphotshongo kanye lezigodlo. Wabuya futhi wakhangela ithempeli ebuhleni balo, lingumqhele wobuhle phezu kwentaba engcwele. {GC 23.1}IEP 23.1

Eminyakeni eyinkulungwane eyayedlule, umlobi wencwadi yaMahubo wayelobe ngobukhulu bothando lukaNkulunkulu owalubonisa ngokwenza ukuthi indlu leyi engcwele ibe yindawo yakhe yokuhlala: “Umisile isihonqo sakhe eSalema, lendlu yakhe eZiyone.” Amahubo 76:2. “Wakhetha isizwe sakoJuda, lentaba yaseZiyoni ayithandayo, wakha indlu yakhe engcwele njengendawo ephakemeyo...” (Amahubo 78:68,69). Ithempeli lakuqala lakhiwa ngesikhathi sokuphumelela kombuso wakoIsrayeli. Ingcebo enengi yokwakha yayibuthwe yiNkosi uDavida, lemigomo yokwakhiwa kwalo yayenziwe ngenhlakanipho evela ezulwini. (1 Imilandu 28:12,19). USolomoni umbusi owayekhaliphe ukwedlula bonke ababusi bakoIsrayeli, nguye owayekhethwe ukuthi aqedise umsebenzi lowu. Ithempeli leli lalilihle okwedlula zonke izakhiwo ezazike zakhiwa emhlabeni. Loba kunjalo iNkosi yayitshilo ngomprofethi uHagayi ngethempeli lesibili ukuthi: “Inkazimulo yalindlu yokucina izakuba nkulu kuleyakuqala...” “Ngizakunyikinya izizwe zonke, njalo lesifiso sezizwe zonke sizakuza, njalo ngizagcwalisa indlu le ngenkazimulo, kutsho iNkosi yamabandla.” Hagayi 2:9, 7. {GC 23.2}IEP 23.2

Ngemva kokubhidlizwa kwethempeli lakuqala nguNebukadineza, elesibili labuya lakhiwa eminyakeni engamakhulu amahlanu ngaphambi kokuzalwa kukaKrestu, lakhiwa ngabantu ababephume ekuthunjweni okweminyaka eminengi eBhabhiloni ababebuyele elizweni lakibo elaselingamanxuwa. Kwakukhona phakathi kwabo abadala ababebonile inkazimulo yethempeli lakuqala elalakhiwe yinkosi uSolomoni, bakhala nxa kwasekwakhiwe isisekelo sethempeli lesibili, ngoba besithi ngeke lifane lelakuqala. Imizwa eyabakhona phakathi kwabo ichazwa ngumprofethi:IEP 23.3

“Ngubani osekhona phakathi kwenu owabona lindlu ebuhleni bayo bakuqala na? Kambe liyibona njani khathesi na? Kayiseyize emehlweni enu na? (Hagayi 2:3; Ezra 3:12). Yikho lapho okwaphuma isithembiso sokuthi inkazimulo yaleli thempeli yayizakuba nkulu okwedlula eyethempeli lakuqala. {GC 23.3}IEP 23.4

Noma kunjalo, ithempeli lesibili lalingeke lifinyelele kwelakuqala ngobuhle besakhiwo salo, futhi alizange libe lezibonakaliso ezivela ezulwini ngesikhathi livulwa njengethempeli lakuqala. Akuzange kubonakale iyezi lobukhosi bukaNkulunkulu phakathi kwalo. Akuzange kubonakale umlilo owehla uvela ezulwini ukuthi uzotshisa umhlatshelo elathini lalo. Ubukhosi bukaNkulunkulu abuzange busahlala phakathi kwamakherubi endaweni engcwele-ngcwele, esihlalweni somusa njalo lomtshokotsho wesivumelano, lamatshe emithetho yakhe ayengeke esatholakala phakathi kwalo. Lalingekho njalo ilizwi elivela ezulwini elaliphendula imibuzo yabapristi mayelana lentando kaJehova. {GC24.1}IEP 24.1

Okweminyaka eminengi abantu besizwe sakoJuda babezamile ukudinga ukuthi isithembiso sikaNkulunkulu kuHagayi sasigcwaliseke njani, kodwa ubumina lokungakholwa kwabo kwabavala amehlo behluleka ukuzwisisa umutsho wamazwi lawa ayekhulunywe ngumprofethi. Ithempeli lesibili lalingahlonitshwanga ngeyezi lenkazimulo kaJehova, kodwa ngobukhona bophilayo lowo kuye okwakulokuphelela kobuNkulunkulu, owayenguNkulunkulu uqobo lwakhe enyameni. Lowo owayeyisifiso sezizwe zonke, wayezile ethempelini lakhe ngokweqiniso lapho iNdoda yaseNazaretha eyafundisa khona njalo yasilisa abantu ethempelini. Ngobukhona bukaKrestu kuphela, ithempeli lesibili lenelisa ukudlula elakuqala ngenkazimulo. Kodwa isizwe sakoIsrayeli sasixotshele ngaphandle isipho saso esasivela ezulwini. Nxa uMsindisi owayelokuzithoba wayesephumile ngokokucina ethempelini, ubukhosi basezulwini basebusukile kokuphela ethempelini. Lokhu kwagcwalisa amazwi kaKristu athi: “Khangelani indlu yenu isele ilunxuwa.” Mathewu 23:38. {GC 24.2}IEP 24.2

Abafundi bakhe behlelwa yikumangala lokwesaba nxa babesizwa uKrestu esithi ithempeli lalizabhidlizwa, bafisa ukuzwisisa amazwi akhe ngokugcweleyo. Inotho, lemisebenzi, lobungcitshi balabo ababesakha, okweminyaka edlula amatshumi amane kwakusetshenziswe ethempelini leli ekwakhiweni kwalo, lalilihle kakhulu. UHerodi laye wayesebenzise inotho yaseRoma kanye lengcebo yamaJuda njalo lombusi womhlaba wonke wayelinothisile ngezipho zakhe. Amatshe amahle amakhulu ayethethwe edolobheni laseRoma asetshenziswa ukuthi abe yingxenye yokwakha lesisakhiwo, ubuhle balo benza ukuthi abafundi batsho amazwi alandelayo kuJesu, “Mfundisi khangela umhlobo wamatshe njalo lezakhiwo ezilapha” (Marko 13:1). {GC 24.3}IEP 24.3

Nxa wayebaphendula uJesu wakhuluma amazwi amangalisayo wathi, “Ngiqinisile ngithi kini: akuyikusala lapha ilitshe elilodwa phezu kwelinye elingayi kulahlelwa phansi” (Mathewu 24:2). {GC 25.1}IEP 25.1

Ngokudilizwa kweJerusalema, abafundi bakhe babecabanga ukuthi lokhu kwakusitsho ukuza kukaJesu, lapho ayezajezisa abantu besizwe samaJuda ababengelakho ukuzisola, njalo akhulule isizwe sabo ejogweni lababusi baseRoma. INkosi yayibazisile ukuthi izabuya njalo okwesibili. Ngakhoke nxa babesizwa izehlakalo zokujeziswa komuzi waseJerusalema, bacabanga ukuthi kwakuzaba yiso lesosikhathi sokuza kwakhe kwesibili, ngalesisozatho, nxa basebehleli loMsindisi entabeni yase Olivethi, babuza bathi, “Sitshele ukuthi lezizinto zizayenzakala nini? Njalo Isibonakaliso sokuza kwakho lesokuphela komhlaba sizakuba yini?” (Mathewu 24:3). {GC 25.2}IEP 25.2

Ngenxa yesineke sakhe, uJesu wabafihlela abafundi bakhe ngekusasa yabo. Ngoba nxa kwakungenzeka ukuthi bazwisise ngokugcweleyo izinto lezi ezimbili, ezazigoqela ukuhlupheka lokufa koMsindisi, njalo lokubhidlizwa komuzi wabo kanye lethempeli, babezagcwala ukwesaba njalo losizi. UKrestu waqala ukubendlalela izehlakalo ezazizakuza kungakafiki ukuphela kwesikhathi. Amazwi akhe awazange azwisiseke ngokupheleleyo ngaleso sikhathi, kodwa ingcazelo yawo yayizakwambulelwa abantu bakhe nxa izixwayiso ezaziphakathi sezidingeka. Amazwi esiprofethi awakhulumayo ayelengcazelo ezimbili, lanxa ayekhomba ukubhidlizwa komuzi waseJerusalema, ayechaza njalo insizi zosuku olwesabekayo lokuphela kwesikhathi. {GC 25.3}IEP 25.3

UJesu wachazela abafundi ababemlalele ukujeziswa okwakuzakwehlela isizwe sakoIsrayeli esasesihlamukile, ikakhulu isijeziso sokwahlulela esasizabehlela ngenxa yecala labo lokuphika njalo lokubethela esiphambanweni uMsindisi. Izibonakaliso ezisobala zazizabonakala lungakafiki lolosuku. Ihola leli elesabekayo lalizakuza bengalilindelanga njalo ngokuphangisa. UMsindisi waxwayisa abafundi bakhe wathi: “Ngakho nxa libona amanyala encithakalo akhulunywa nguDanyeli umprofethi, emi endaweni engcwele-ofundayo kaqedisise, labo abaseJudiya kababalekele ezintabeni” (Mathewu 24:15,16, Luka 21:20,21). Nxa izimiso zezithixo zamaRoma zasezimisiwe emhlabathini ongcwele, owawugoqela ibanga elikhulu ngaphandle komduli womuzi waseJerusalema, abalandeli bakaKrestu kwakumele bathole ukuphepha ngokubalekela enkangala. Nxa isibonakaliso esasithenjisiwe sasesibonakele, labo ababalekayo kwakumele bengachithi isikhathi. Endaweni zonke ezaziseJudiya, laseJerusalema, isibonakaliso sokubaleka kwakumele sinanzelelwe. Lowo owayezatholwa yilesi sikhathi ephezu kwendlu, kwakungamelanga angene endlini, loba acabange ukuyathatha ingcebo yakhe eligugu kakhulu eyayiphakathi. Labo ababesebenza emasimini kumbe esivinini kwakungamelanga bazame ukuyathatha amajazi ababewakhululile ngenxa yokutshisa kwelanga. Kwakungamelanga bachithe isikhathi ngitsho lomzuzwana nje, funa labo babhidlizwe. {GC 26.1}IEP 26.1

Ngaphansi kombuso kaHerodi, idolobho laseJerusalema lalingayenziwanga laba lihle kuphela, kodwa ngenxa yokwakhiwa kwemiphotshongo, lemiduli, lendawo ezivikelekileyo, lokhu kwenza ukuthi livikeleke kakhulu, abantu baqala ukucabanga ukuthi lalingekho ibutho elalingenelisa ukungena kilo. Nxa wayengabakhona umuntu owayengatshumayela ukuthi lalizabhidlizwa ngendlela uNowa ayetshumayele ngayo endulo, lowo muntu kwakuzathiwa uyahlanya futhi usenga lezimithiyo efuna ukwethusa abantu. Kodwa uKrestu wayetshilo ukuthi,” Izulu lomhlaba kuzakwedlula, kodwa amazwi ami kawayikudlula” (Mathewu 24:35). Ngenxa yezono zabo, ulaka lwaseluwulindele umuzi waseJerusalema, njalo ngenxa yokungakholwa kwabo ukubhidlizwa kwabo kwakungeke kwaphutha. {GC 26.2}IEP 26.2

INkosi yayikhulumile ngomprofethi uMika yathi: “Zwanini lokhu ngiyalincenga lina zinhloko zendlu kaJakobe, lani makhosana endlu kaIsrayeli elinengwa yikulunga, lihlanekele bonke ubuqotho, elakha iZiyoni ngegazi, leJerusalema ngobubi. Inhloko zalo zahlulelela imali, abapristi balo bafundisela ukuqhatshwa, abaprofethi balo bavumisela imali, kanti bathembela eNkosini besithi: INkosi kayikho phakathi kwethu na? Ngakhoke kasiyikwehlelwa ngokubi” (Mika 3:9-11). {GC 27.1}IEP 27.1

Amazwi lawa ayechaza ngokweqiniso ububi babantu ababehlala emzini waseJerusalema. Loba nje babesithi bagcina umthetho kaNkulunkulu ngokupheleleyo kodwa ngezenzo zabo babesephula yonke imfundiso yawo. Babezonda uKrestu ngoba ukulunga lobungcwele bakhe babuveza ububi babo, njalo babeka icala kuye bamenza imbangela yenkathazo zabo ezazibehlele ngenxa yokona kwabo. Loba babesazi ukuthi wayengela sici, basebesenzile isinqumo sokuthi ukubulawa kwakhe kwakufanele kwenziwe, ukwenzela ukuthi isizwe sonke siphephe. “Uma simyekela kanjalo,” batsho abathungameli besizwe samaJuda; “bonke abantu bazakukholwa kuye; njalo amaRoma azakuza athathe indawo lesizwe sethu” (Johane 11:48). Ngokubulala kwabo uKrestu, bazitshela ukuthi babezaphinda njalo babeyisizwe esiqinileyo, esilabantu ababambeneyo. Banakana ngale indlela, bavumelana lecebo elalilethwe ngumpristi omkhulu, elokuthi kwakuzabangcono ukuthi kufe umuntu oyedwa kulokuthi isizwe sonke sitshabalale. {GC 27.2}IEP 27.2

Ngokwenza njalo ababusi besizwe sakoJuda babeyakhe “Iziyone ngegazi, leJerusalema ngobubi” (Mika 3:10). Ngokunjalo, nxa babebulala uMsindisi wabo ngesizatho sokuthi wayebakhuzile ngenxa yezono zabo, ukuzenza abantu abangcwele kwabangela ukuthi bazibone njengabakhethekileyo bakaNkulunkulu njalo bakhangelela ukuthi iNkosi yayizabakhulula ezitheni zabo. “Ngokunjalo”; waqhubeka umprofethi,” ngenxa yenu iZiyone lizalinywa njengensimu, leJerusalema libe lunxiwa oludilikileyo, lentaba yethempeli ibenjengendawo eziphakemeyo zasegangeni.” Mica 3:12. {GC 27.3}IEP 27.3

Ngemva kweminyaka engamatshumi amane uJesu etshilo lokho okwakuzakwehlela umuzi waseJerusalema, iNkosi yaphuza ukuletha ukwahlulela kwayo phezu komuzi lowu kanye lasesizweni sonke sakoIsrayeli. Kwaba yisimanga ukubekezela kukaNkulunkulu ebantwini ababephike ivangeli lakhe njalo ababengababulali beNdodana yakhe. Indaba yesihlahla esasingatheli yayimele indlela uNkulunkulu ayephathe ngayo isizwe sakoJuda. Ilizwi laliphumile lathi, “...sigamule, yindaba sisona umhlabathi na?” (Luka 13:7), kodwa umusa ongcwele wawusiyekelile futhi okwesikhatshana. Babebanengi phakathi kwamaJuda ababelokhu bengakaqedisisi isimo kanye lomsebenzi kaKrestu. Njalo abantwana babelokhe bengakakholisi amathuba kumbe babengakazuzi ukukhanya abazali babo ababekuphikile. Ngokutshumayela kwabafundi lalabo ababephila labo, uNkulunkulu wayezayenza ukuthi ukukhanya kukhazimule kibo, babezavunyelwa ukuthi babone indlela isiprofethi esasigcwaliseke ngayo, hatshi kuphela ekuzalweni lempilweni kaKrestu, kodwa lasekufeni njalo lekuvukeni kwakhe. Abantwana babengabekwanga icala ngenxa yezono zabazali babo, kodwa nxa basebelolwazi ngokukhanya konke okwakunikwe abazali babo, abantwana labo baphika ukukhanya okungezelelweyo ababekunikiwe, babalengxenye ezonweni zabazali babo, bagcwalisa inkezo yabo yobubi. {GC 28.1}IEP 28.1

Ukubekezela kukaNkulunkulu akubonisa edolobheni laseJerusalema kwabenza ukuthi baqine ngobuqholo babo bengelakuzisola. Ngenxa yenzondo lochuku abalutshengisa abafundi bakaJesu, baphika ithuba labo lomusa lokucina. Lokhu kwabangela ukuthi uNkulunkulu uthango lwakhe lamandla akhe ekubavikeleni ebubini bukaSathane lezingilosi zakhe,wasidela isizwe sasala singaphansi kwamandla omthungameli esasimkhethile. Abantwana babo babephike umusa kaKrestu, oyiwo owawuzabanika amandla okunqoba imizwa yabo emibi, manje basebethunganyelwa yimizwa emibi. USathane wavusa imizwa emibi okwesabekayo ebantwini. Abantu basebesangene, sebelahlekelwe yikuqedisisa, basebethunganyelwa yimizwa elamandla kakhulu, lolaka olungela mkhawulo. Bagcwala uchuku olufana lolukaSathane. Emulini lasezweni, phakathi kwabakhulu labancane, ezigabeni zempilo ngokutshiyana kwazo, kwaba lokungathembani, umhawu, inzondo, ukulwa, ukuhlamuka lokubulalana. Kwakungasela indawo ephephileyo. Abangane lezihlobo babethengisana. Abazali babulala abantwana babo, labantwana abazali babo. Ababusi besizwe babengaselawo amandla okuzibusa bona bodwa. Imizwa enganqandwanga yabenza ukuthi bagcwale uchuku. AmaJuda ayevumile ukwamukela ubufakazi bamanga bakhetha ukubulala iNdodana kaNkulunkulu eyayingelacala. Manje ubufakazi bamanga benza ukuthi impilo zabo zingabi lokuphepha. Ngokwenza kwabo kwasekukudala besithi: “Yenza oNgcwele kaIsrayeli asuke phambi kwethu” (Isaya 30:11). Manje isifiso sabo sasesigcwalisekile. Ukwesaba uNkulunkulu kwakungasabahluphi. USathane wayesengumkhokheli welizwe, njalo ababusi abakhulu kwezokubuswa kwelizwe labathungameli bebandla basebengaphansi kwesandla sakhe. {GC 28.2}IEP 28.2

Abaphathi bamaqembu aphikisanayo ezikhathini ezitshiyeneyo babebambana benze uchuku kulabo ababebazonda, bebathathela impahla yabo baphinde njalo bajikelane babulalane bengatshengisi umusa. Ubungcwele lokucoleka kwethempeli babengasabunaki ukuthi kubathibe ukwenzela ububi phakathi kwalo. Labo ababeze ukuzokhonza phakathi kwalo babebulawa phambi kwelathi, njalo ithempeli laselingcoliswe yizidumbu zalabo ababebulawa. Ngenxa yobumpumputhe lokuxhwala kwemicabango yabo, labo ababesenza ububi lobu, babezitshaya izifuba besithi abala kwesaba kokuthi umuzi waseJerusalema uzabhidlizwa ngoba kwakungumuzi kaNkulunkulu. Ukwenzela ukuthi baqinise amandla abo okubusa, bathenga abaprofethi bamanga, ukuthi banike isigijimi sokuthi abantu kwakufanele balindele ukukhululwa okuvela kuNkulunkulu, laloba amabutho eRoma ngamaqembu awo inani labo elalibiza inkulungwane eziyisithupha kusiyaphezulu ngeqembu ngeqembu ayesegqagqele ithempeli. Kwazekwaba sekucineni, inengi labantu lalilokhe likholwa ukuthi uNkulunkulu wayezangenela anqobe izitha zabo. Kodwa uIsrayeli kwasekukudala eqhubeka ngokuphika ukuvikelwa kwakhe kwasezulwini, njalo manje wayengaselakho ukuvikeleka. Usizi lwawembesa umuzi waseJerusalema! Waqhekezeka Phakathi ngokuhlamukelana, imigwaqo yawo yayigeleza igazi izizalwane zawo zibulalana, ngaphandle komuzi amabutho esitha ayesewise imiduli njalo abulala lamabutho ayelinde umuzi. {GC 29.1}IEP 29.1

Wonke amazwi ayekhulunywe nguJesu ngokubhidlizwa komuzi waseJerusalema agcwaliseka ngokuphelela kwawo. AmaJuda abona ukuqiniseka kwamazwi akhe athi: “Ngesilinganiso elisisebenzisayo nxa lisahlulela, lizakwahlulelwa ngaso lani...” (Mathewu 7:2). {GC 29.2}IEP 29.2

Izibonakaliso lezimpawu zabonakala ezaziveza ukubhidlizwa lokufa okwesabekayo okwasokusondele. Phakathi kobusuku ukukhanya okungajwayelekanga kwabonakala phezu kwethempeli laphezu kwelathi. Emayezini nxa ilanga lalitshona kwakubonakala imifanekiso yenqola lamabutho empi ehlangana elungiselela impi. Abapristi ababesebenza ethempelini ebusuku babesethuswa yimisindo engazwisisekiyo, lokuzamazama komhlaba, njalo kwezwakala amazwi amanengi ememeza esithi: “asiphumeni kule indawo.” Isango elikhulu elalisempumalanga, elalinzima kakhulu okokuthi kwakunzima ukuthi livalwe ngamadoda angamatshumi amabili, njalo linxitshwe ngensimbi ezinkulu kakhulu ezazigejelwe ematsheni, lavuleka phakathi kobusuku, kungela sandla esibonakalayo. (Milman, The history of the Jews, book 13). {GC 29.3}IEP 29.3

Okweminyaka eyisikhombisa kwakulendoda eyaqhubeka isehla isenyuka emigwaqweni yaseJerusalema, itshumayela ngokubhidlizwa okwakuzakwehlela umuzi lowu. Emini lebusuku wayememeza amazwi athi; “Ilizwi elivela empumalanga! Ilizwi elivela entshonalanga! Ilizwi elivela emagumbini amane omhlaba! Ilizwi elimelane lomuzi waseJerusalema lethempeli! Ilizwi elimelane lomyeni kanye lomlobokazi! Ilizwi elimelane labantu bonke!” (Milman, The history of the Jews, book 13). Isidalwa lesi esasingajwayelekanga sabotshwa njalo satshaywa, kodwa akukho lokukodwa ukukhonona okwaphuma emlonyeni wakhe. Nxa wayethethiswa ehlukunyezwa waphendula kuphela ngokuthi: “Maye, maye, kuwe Jerusalema!” “maye, kubobonke abahlala kulomuzi!”. Ukukhala kwakhe akuzange kume waze wabulawa kulempi ayekade exwayisa ngayo. {GC 30.1}IEP 30.1

Akekho loyedwa umKrestu owabhubhayo ekubhidlizweni komuzi waseJerusalema. UJesu wayebanikile abafundi bakhe isixwayiso mayelana lesiga lesi, bonke abawakholwayo amazwi akhe babehleli belindele ukubona isibonakaliso esasithenjisiwe. UJesu wayekhulume wathi, “Nxa libona iJerusalema lihanqwe yizimpi,” “yazini ukuthi sekusondele ukuchitheka kwalo. Ngakhoke abaseJudiya kababalekele ezintabeni, labaphakathi kwalo baphume, abasemaphandleni bangangeni kulo.” Luka 21:20,22. Nxa amabutho aseRoma ngaphansi kukaCestius ayesegombolozele umuzi waseJerusalema, kungekho isizatho esisobala, babonakala besuka ngesikhathi lapho isimo sasibonisa ukuthi basebezahlasela njalo banqobe. Amabutho ayephakathi eJerusalema ayeselungiselela ukubeka phansi izikhali bavume ukunqotshwa, ngesikhathi lapho omkhulu webutho laseRoma owakhetha ukubuyela emuva kungelasizatho. Kodwa isandla somusa sikaNkulunkulu yiso esasihola izehlakalo ngenxa yabantwana bakhe ababethembekile. Isibonakaliso esasiphiwe amaKrestu wonke ayelindile sasesifikile, manje basebenikwe ithuba bonke ababezakhetha ukulisebenzisa ukuthi balalele isixwayiso soMsindisi. Izehlakalo zasezihlelwe ngendlela yokuthi kwakungeke kube khona umJuda kumbe umRoma owayezanqabela ukubaleka kwamaKrestu. Ngemva kokuhlehlela emuva kukaCestius, amabutho amaJuda, aphuma eJerusalema axotshanisa ibutho lakhe, kwathi nxa wonke amabutho esephakathi kokulwa egangeni, amaKrestu athola ithuba lokuphuma edolobheni laseJerusalema. Ngalesi isikhathi lasemaphandleni kwasekususiwe izitha ezazingavimbela ukubaleka kwabo. Ngesikhathi sokuhanqwa ngamabutho, amaJuda wonke ayehlangene emkhosini wamadokodo eJerusalema, ngenxa yalokhu amaKrestu endaweni zonke enelisa ukubaleka engahlutshwanga. Ngokuphangisa babalekela endaweni yokuphepha edolobheni lasePella, endaweni yasePerea, phetsheya komfula uJodane. {GC 30.2}IEP 30.2

Amabutho esizwe sakoJuda, axotshanisa ibutho likaCestius bahlasela ngolaka olukhulu bonke ababesemuva baze baphosa bababulala bonke. Kwakungemva kobunzima obukhulu lapho ibutho leRoma elenelisa khona ukuphunyuka. Ibutho lakoJuda laphenduka lilahlekelwe ngamabutho amalutshwana kakhulu, babuyela eJerusalema benqobile lakho konke ababekuthumbile. Kodwa ukunqoba kwabo lokhu okungatsho lutho kwabalethela ububi kuphela. Kwabenza ukuthi baqholozele ababusi baseRoma okuyibo ababebusa phezu kwabo, okwabangela ukuthi isililo esingakhulumekiyo sifike masinyane esizweni esasizabhidlizwa. {GC 31.1}IEP 31.1

Zaba zimbi kakhulu inhlupho ezehlela umuzi waseJerusalema, ngemva kokuphenduka kwebutho laseRoma okwesibili selikhokhelwa nguTitosi. Idolobho laseJerusalema laligcwele abantu ngesikhathi sephasika, lapho izigidi zenzalo kaJuda zazibuthene phakathi kwemiduli yalo. Iziphala zabo zokudla, ezazidalelwe ukugcina ukudla okwesikhathi eside nxa kwakugcinwe kahle, zazibhidlizwe ngesikhathi belwisana bona bodwa ngenxa yomona, manje ububi bendlala basebubehlele. Ibhakede lengqoloyi laselithengiswa ngentengo ephezulu kakhulu. Indlala yabambi kangako okwabangela ukuthi amadoda athambise amabhanti abo esikhumba, izicathulo zabo zesikhumba, kanye lezikhumba zamahawu awo bedle. Inengi labantu lalinyenya liphume ebusuku lisiyadinga izithelo zeganga ezazikhula ngaphandle kwedolobho, abanye babebanjwa ngamabutho esitha babulawe kabuhlungu, njalo labo ababelenhlanhla yokuphunyuka ngaphandle babefika bethathelwe lokhu ababekutholile. Uchuku olukhulu lwalusenziwa yilabo ababebusa, babebamba abantu ngamandla ukuthi balethe konke ukudla okuncane ababekufihlile. Njalo lokhu kwakusenziwa ngabantu ababelambile labo, hatshi abantu ababefuna ukubeka eziphaleni zabo. {GC 31.2}IEP 31.2

Inkulungwane zabantu zatshabalala ngenxa yendlala njalo lemikhuhlane. Uthando ebantwini lwalungasekho. Amadoda ayetshontshela abafazi babo, labafazi labo babesenza ngokufanayo. Abantwana babebonakala behluthuna ukudla emlonyeni yabazali babo abasebegugile. Umbuzo womprofethi wokuthi, “Kambe owesifazana angamkhohlwa umntanakhe omunyawo na?” wathola impendulo phakathi kwemiduli yomuzi owasewulahliwe: “Izandla zabesifazana abalesihawu sezipheke abantwana babo, babe yikudla kwabo ekubhujisweni kwendodakazi yabantu bami.” Isaya 49:15; Izililo 4:10. Kwagcwaliseka amazwi esiprofethi ayephiwe eminyakeni eyinkulungwane lamakhulu amane athi, “Owesifazana obuthakathaka lototoziweyo phakathi kwenu obengelasibindi sokunyathela phansi, ngoba ebuthakathaka kakhulu, njalo etotoziwe sibili, uzaba lelihlo elibi endodeni yakhe ethandekayo, lendodana yakhe, lendodakazi yakhe, kanye labantwana azakubazala; ngoba uzakubadla ensitha ekusweleni kwakhe, ekuvinjelweni lasekuhluphekeni lapho izitha zenu zizalihlupha khona.” Duteronomi 28:56,57. {GC 32.1}IEP 32.1

Abathungameli bebutho laseRoma babezama ukwethusela amaJuda belenjongo yokuthi babezadela babeke izikhali phansi bavume ukuthi sebenqotshiwe. Izibotshwa lezo ezazisilwa nxa zazibanjwa zazihlukunyezwa, zitshaywa njalo zibethelwa eziphambanweni ezaziphanyekwe phambi komduli womuzi. Amakhulu abantu ayebulawa nsuku zonke ngale indlela, baqhubeka ngaloluchuku okhunjini lwesifula sikaJehoshafathi laseKalivari, iziphambano zazimisiwe zinengi okokuthi kwakungela ndawo yokuhamba phakathi kwazo. Sagcwaliseka kabuhlungu isiqalekiso ababesitshilo phambi kaPhilathu esokuthi, “ Igazi lakhe kalibe phezu kwethu laphezu kwabantwana bethu.” Mathewu 27:25. {GC 32.2}IEP 32.2

UTitosi wayelesifiso sokuqeda uchuku lolu, njalo wayefisa ukuthi idolobho laseJerusalema liphephe lingabhidlizwa. Wafikelwa yikwesaba nxa wayebona izidumbu zabantu ababebulewe ngaphandle komuzi zizinqumbi ezindongeni. Njengomuntu owayegcwele ukumangala wakhangela phansi emi phezu kwentaba yaseOlivethi wabona ithempeli elaliligugu, wanika ilizwi emabuthweni akhe elokuthi kungabi lelilodwa ilitshe lethempeli elizathintwa. Engakaqali ukuthumba indawo leyi, wancenga ababusi bamaJuda ukuthi bengamenzi ukuthi angcolise indawo engcwele ngegazi. Wabatshela ukuthi nxa babengaphumela phandle balwele kweyinye indawo, wayengekho umRoma owayezaphambanisa ubungcwele bethempeli. UJosefasi ngokwakhe owayengumJuda ngokuzalwa laye wabancenga ngendlela elamandla kakhulu ukuthi badele, ukuze bazisindise bona, kanye ledolobho labo njalo lendawo yabo yokukhonza. Kodwa ukuncenga kwakhe kwaphendulwa ngeziqalekiso ezibuhlungu. Bamjikijela ngemitshoko, yena owayengumuntu wokucina ukubancenga lokubamela. AmaJuda ayekwalile ukuncenga kweNdodana kaNkulunkulu, ngalesi isikhathi konke ukuncenga kwabenza ukuthi babelenkani eyabangela ukuthi baqholoze ngamandla kwaze kwaba sekucineni. Isifiso sikaTitusi sokuhlenga ithempeli sabayize, ngesizatho sokuthi kwakukhona omkhulu kulaye owayetshilo ukuthi akula litshe lelilodwa elalizasala limi phezu kwelinye. {GC 33.1}IEP 33.1

Inkani eyayibangelwa yibuphofu bababusi bamaJuda, lamacala enyanyekayo ayesenziwa phakathi komuzi lowu owasewugonjolozelwe, kwabangela ukuthi amabutho amaRoma agcwale ulaka olwesabekayo, ekucineni uTitusi wakhetha ukuhlasela ithempeli njengesiphepho. Wanquma ukuthi nxa kwakusenzeka, ithempeli lingabhidlizwa. Kodwa kakho owalalela amazwi wakhe. Nxa wayesephumile ukuthi ayephumula esihonqweni sakhe ebusuku, amabutho amaJuda aphuma ethempelini, aqala ukuhlasela amabutho akhe ayengaphandle. Ekulweni kwabo omunye waphosela umlilo ethempelini imiduli yahle yabamba umlilo kwagcwala amalangabi. UTitusi wabuya egijima, elandelwa ngabakhulu bebutho lakhe lamaqembu ebutho lakhe, wanika ilizwi lokuthi amabutho akhe acitshe umlilo lowu kodwa kakho owamlalelayo. Ngenxa yentukuthelo amabutho akhe ajikela izikhuni zomlilo ezindlini ezazibambene lethempeli, njalo basebenzisa inkemba ukubulala bonke ababethole indawo yokucatsha khona. Igazi lageleza lehla ethempelini njengamanzi. Inkulungwane zezinkulungwane zamaJuda zabulawa. Phezu komsindo wempi kwezwakala amazwi athi: “Ikhabhodi!”-inkazimulo isisukile. {GC 33.2}IEP 33.2

“Kwabanzima kuTitosi ukuthi anqande intukuthelo yamabutho akhe; wangena labathungameli bebutho lakhe wahlolisisa phakathi kwethempeli. Bamangaliswa yibuhle ababubona phakathi, njengoba amalangabi ayengakangeni endaweni engcwele, wenza imizamo yokucina yokuyihlenga, wasukuma njalo watshela ibutho lakhe ukuthi bawucitshe ungakangeni phakathi. Umkhulu webutho kanye lalabo ayesebenza labo bazama ukuthi amabutho akhe amlalele ngenkani kodwa konke ukumhlonipha ababelakho kwakhulelwa yinzondo yabo yamaJuda, lokutshisa kwempi. Amabutho abona yonke into ebazungezileyo ikhanyiswe ligolide elalibonakala ngobunkanyankanya ngenxa yokukhanya komlilo, bacabanga ukuthi ingcebo ezingela kubalwa zazigcinwe ethempelini. Omunye wamabutho wajikela isibani sakhe somlilo emdulini phakathi laphakathi kwezibambo zomnyango engabonwa muntu, isakhiwo sonke sahle sabamba umlilo. Intuthu yagcwala indlu yonke okwabangela ukuthi bonke baphume bebaleka batshiya ithempeli lisitsha. {GC 34.1}IEP 34.1

“Nxa kwakuqeda amathe ebantwini ababevele endaweni yamaRoma, kwakunjani kunzalo yamaJuda na? Intaba yonke umuzi owawakhiwe kuyo yavutha ngamalangabi kwangathi kwakuqubuka umlilo ngaphansi komhlaba. Izakhiwo zazisiwa zilandelana zitshabalaliswa ngamalangabi. Uphahla lwezigodo lwalungathi lwenziwe ngamaphepha, intungo lezisekelo zatsha zawela phansi, kwabonakala umlilo lentuthu yemiphotshongo yamasango isiya phezulu. Amaqaqa ayeseduzane lomuzi waseJerusalema abonakala egcwele abantu ababebukele ngokwesaba isiga lesi esasiphambi kwabo, imiduli lendawo eziphakemeyo zalomuzi zaziminyene ngobuso babantu, abanye babelokumangala lobuhlungu bangaphakathi njalo abanye babejabulele ukuthi amaJuda ayesethola ukujeziswa kwawo. Ukumemeza kwamabutho amaRoma egijima esiyale lale, kwasekuhlangene lokulwa kwabahlamuki ababebhubha emlilweni, kwakuhlangene lokubhonga komlilo obhubhisayo lemidumo yezigodo ezazisiwa. Intaba zaziphendula njalo ziphendukisa imisindo emikhulu lamazwi okukhala wobuhlungu, emidulini yonke kwakuzwakala imikhosi lokukhala. Abantu ababesifa ngendlala, babezama ukusebenzisa amandla abo okucina bekhala ukukhala kobuhlungu obungalinganisekiyo. {GC 34.2}IEP 34.2

“Ukubulawa phakathi kwemiduli kwakusesabeka ukwedlula lokhu okwakubonakala nxa wawukhangele ungaphandle. Amadoda labafazi, abadala labancane, abahlamuki labapristi, labo ababesilwa lalabo ababezincengela umusa, bonke babeganyulwa kungelakubandlulula. Inani lalabo ababulawayo lalisedlula labo ababebulala. Amabutho ayehamba eseqa inqumbi zezidumbu ukuze baqhubeke ngomsebenzi wokutshabalalisa wonke umuntu.”- (Milman, The History of the Jews, book 16). {GC 35.1}IEP 35.1

Ngemva kokubhidlizwa kwethempeli, idolobho lonke lawela ezandleni zamaRoma ngesikhatshana. Abaphathi bamaJuda bafulathela indawo zabo zokucatsha ababethi ngeke zingenelwe yisitha, uTitusi wabathola bebodwa. Wabakhangela ngokumangala, watsho ukuthi iNkosi yayibanikele ezandleni zakhe, ngoba kwakungekho isikhali sokulwa esasingehlula indawo lezi ezazivikelekile. Idolobho kanye lethempeli labhidlizwa kwaze kwayafika ensikeni yalo, kwathi lapho indlu engcwele eyayikhona “kwakulinyiwe sengathi kusensimini.” (Jeremiya 26:18). Ekugonjolozelweni lasekubulaweni okwalandelayo, inani labantu elidlula isigidi labulawa, labo abasindayo bathwalwa njengabathunjiweyo bayathengiswa njengezigqili, njalo bahudulelwa eRoma besiyakuba ngumbukiso wokunqoba kombusi wabo, bafika bajikelwa ezinyamazaneni endaweni zokuzilibazisa, abanye babeyekelwa njengabantu abangelalo ikhaya babhudula umhlaba wonke. {GC 35.2}IEP 35.2

AmaJuda ayezithezele olulenkume, azigcwalisela inkezo yolaka lukaNkulunkulu. Ekubhujisweni okwabehlelayo njengesizwe, lasezililweni ezalandelayo ekudangaleni kwabo, basebevuna lokho ababekuhlanyelile ngezandla zabo. Umprofethi uthi: “Maye Israyeli, uzibulele ngokwakho;” “...ngoba uwiswe yibubi bakho.” Hoseya 13:9, 14:1. Kujwayelekile ukuthi ukuhlupheka kwabo kuvezwe sengathi bajeziswa ngenxa yokuthanda kukaNkulunkulu. Yiyo indlela uSathane afuna ukufihla ngayo imisebenzi yakhe emibi. Ngokwenza kwabo inkani besala umusa lothando lukaNkulunkulu, amaJuda ayesebangele ukuthi ukuvikela okuvela kuNkulunkulu kususwe kibo, njalo ngokwenza lokhu uSathane wayesevunyelwe ukuthi ababuse ngokwentando yakhe. Uchuku olwesabekayo olwenziwa ekubhidlizweni kweJerusalema, luveza amandla kaSathane phezu kwalabo abavuma ukuthi ababuse. {GC 36.1}IEP 36.1

Ngeke sikwazi ukuthi uKrestu kumele simbonge kangakanani ngokusivikela akwenzayo njalo langenxa yokuthula esikukholisayo. Yisandla somusa kaNkulunkulu esibamba imimoya engabangela ukuthi uluNtu lungabi ngaphansi kokubusa kukaSathane ngokugcweleyo. Labo abangalaleliyo labangabongiyo balesizatho esikhulu sokubonga umusa kaNkulunkulu obanzi obamba amandla kaSathane amabi kakhulu. Kodwa nxa abantu beseqa umngcele wokubekezela kwezulu, isandla lesi esivikelayo siyasuswa. UNkulunkulu kami njengomahluleli omele ukujezisa abantu ngenxa yezono zabo, kodwa uyayekela bonke abaphika umusa wakhe ukuthi bavune lokhu abakuhlanyelileyo. Zonke insaba zokukhanya eziphiweyo, lokuxwayisa konke okululaziweyo loba okungalalelwanga, imizwa yonke engalunganga ekholisiweyo, lakho konke ukwephulwa kwemithetho kaNkulunkulu yintanga ehlanyeliweyo eletha izithelo ngesikhathi sokuvuna. UMoya kaNkulunkulu nxa ulokhe uphikwa njalo njalo, ekucineni uyasuswa kulowo okhetha impilo yokona, kusale kungasela mandla okunqanda imizwa emibi yomphefumulo, njalo kungasela kuvikelwa ebubini lasebutheni bukaSathane. Ukubhidlizwa kweJerusalema kuyisixwayiso esesabekayo kanti njalo esicolekileyo kubo bonke abadlala ngamathuba omusa ongcwele njalo bephika ukuncenga lozwelo lwasezulwini. Akuzake kube khona ubufakazi obucacileyo bendlela uNkulunkulu azonda ngayo isono lalokho okuzakwehlela labo abazatholakala belecala okwedlula lokhu. {GC 36.2}IEP 36.2

Amazwi esiprofethi akhulunywa nguMsindisi mayelana lokwethekelelwa ngezahlulelo komuzi waseJerusalema azagcwaliseka ngokwesibili lapho lokho okwenzakala emuzini waseJerusalema kuzabonakala njengesithunzana nje salokho okuzayo. Ekwahlulelweni komuzi okhethekileyo, singakhangela sibone ukwahlulelwa komhlaba ophike umusa kaNkulunkulu wacholela phansi umthetho wakhe. Imnyama kakhulu imbali yokuhlupheka kwabantu umhlaba oyibonileyo eyenzeka eminyakeni eyadlulayo. Inhliziyo iyadangala lenqondo iyakhathala nxa sicabanga ngakho. Waba mubi kakhulu umphumela wokuphika amandla asezulwini. Kodwa isehlakalo esimnyama kakhulu silethiwe ngesikhathi kuvezwa okuzayo. Imibhalo yasendulo, lokuhlamuka lomvukela, lezimpi lengxabano, “ukulwa kwamabutho...ngomsindo odidekileyo, lezigqoko ezigiqwe egazini” (Isaya 9:5), konke lokhu kuyini nxa kuqathaniswa lezehlakalo ezesabekayo ezizayenzakala ngalolo suku lapho uMoya kaNkulunkulu ozasuswa khona ebantwini ababi, lapho angayikubamba khona imizwa emibi yoluntu, lolaka lukaSathane. Umhlaba ngokokuqala uzabona umphumela wokuba ngaphansi kokubusa kukaSathane. {GC 37.1}IEP 37.1

Kodwa ngalolo suku, ngokufana lalokho okwenzeka ngesikhathi sokubhidlizwa kweJerusalema, abantu bakaNkulunkulu bazakhululwa, “bonke abazatholakala belotshiwe kwabaphilayo” (Isaya 4:3). UKristu watsho ukuthi uzabuya okwesibili ezobuthela bonke abathembekileyo kuye: “lapho ke izizwe zomhlaba zizakulila ngaye, (Isambulo 1;7) zibone iNdodana yomuntu isiza emayezini ezulu ngamandla lenkazimulo enkulu. Izakuthuma izingilosi zayo ngomsindo omkhulu wophondo, ziqoqele ndawonye abakhethiweyo bayo emagumbini amane, kusukela emkhawulweni owodwa wezulu kusiya komunye” (Mathewu 24:30,31). Kuzathi bonke abangalamukelanga ivangeli “babhujiswe ngomoya ozaphuma emlonyeni wakhe lenkazimulo yokuza kwakhe” (2 Thesalonika 2:8). NjengoIsrayeli wasendulo ababi bayazibhubhisa, bawa ngenxa yezono zabo. Ngokukhetha impilo yesono, bazikhiphile entandweni kaNkulunkulu, imvelo yabo yonakele kangaka ngobubi, okubangela ukuthi ukubonakala kwenkazimulo yakhe, kibo kube ngumlilo oqothulayo. (Amahebheru 12;29). {GC 37.2}IEP 37.2

Kumele abantu banenzelele hlezi banganaki isifundo esitholakala emazwini kaKrestu. Nxa wayexwayisa abafundi bakhe ngokubhidlizwa kweJerusalema, njalo ebanika isibonakaliso sokuza kokuchithwa, esenzela ukuthi benelise ukubaleka, ngokufanayo uwuxwayisile umhlaba ngosuku lokubhujiswa kokucina, wanika njalo izibonakaliso zokusondela kwalo, ukuze bonke abathandayo babalekele ulaka oluzayo. UJesu uthi: “Kuzakuba khona isibonakaliso elangeni lasenyangeni lasezinkanyezini, lasemhlabeni usizi luzakwehlela izizwe...” (Luka 21:25; Mathewu 24:29; Marko 13:24-26; Isambulo 6:12-17). Labo ababona izibokaliso lezi zokuza kwakhe kumele “bazi ukuthi sekusondele, futhi sekusemnyango” (Mathewu 24:33). “Hlalani lilindile” yiwo amazwi akhe wokuxwayisa (Marko 13:35). Bonke abalalelayo isixwayiso lesi abasoze batshiywe ebunyameni, ukuthi lolosuku lubathole bengalulindelanga. Kodwa kulabo abangasoke balinde, “usuku lweNkosi luza njengesela ebusuku” (1 Thesalonika 5:2-5). {GC 38.1}IEP 38.1

Umhlaba kawuzimiselanga ukulalela izixwayiso ezesikhathi salamuhla, njengalokhu amaJuda engazange elalele ukuxwayisa koMsindisi ngalokhu okwakuzayehlela umuzi weJerusalema. Usuku lukaNkulunkulu luzakuza ababi bengalulindelanga. Nxa impilo iqhubeka ngendlela zayo ezingela kuphela, nxa abantu betshiseka ngokuzithokozisa, ngamabhizimisi, ngokwenza imali, ngokuyale lale, nxa abaphathi bamabandla bephakamisa ukwanda kolwazi lempumelelo yomhlaba, labantu sebedonselwe ekuphepheni kwamanga, lapho ke, njengesela phakathi kobusuku lingena endaweni engalindwanga, ngokunjalo ke, ukubhujiswa kuzayehlela ababi, “njalo abasoke baphunyuke” (1 Thesalonika 5:2-5). {GC 38.2}IEP 38.2