22—Ukuzaliseka kweziprofeto

Lathi lakudlula ixesha elalimisiwe lokuza kweNkosi,--entwasahlobo yowe-1844,--abo babelindele ngokholo ukubonakala kwaYo baya bathi, okwexesha elithile, banokuthandabuza nokungaqiniseki. Nangona ihlabathi lalibathabatha njengaboyiswe kwaphela, kwabonakala ukuba babonwabele ukulahlekiswa, iliso labo lentuthuzelo laliselilo ilizwi likaThixo. Abaninzi baqhubeka bephengulula iziBhalo, behlola ubungqina obutsha bokholo lwabo bekucokisisa ukuzifunda iziprofeto ukuze bazuze ukukhanya okongeziweyo. Ubungqina beBhayibhile ekuxhaseni indawo ababemi kuyo yabonakala icacile igqibelele. Imiqondiso eyayingenako ukuphazanywa yalatha ekuzeni kukaKristu njengokukufuphi. Intsikelelo eyodwa yeNkosi, ekuguqukeni kwaboni nakwimvuselelo yobomi basemoyeni phakathi kwamaKristu, yangqina ukuba isigidimi sasiseseZulu. Nangona amakholwa ayengakwazi ukukuchaza ukudaniswa, aziva eqinisekile ukuba uThixo wayewakhokele kumava wawo adlulileyo. IE18 351.1

Ngokuphinyelene nesiprofeto abasithabatha ngokuba sasibhekisa kwixesha lokufika kwesibini, kwakukho imfundiso elungiselelwe ngokukodwa imeko yabo yokungaqiniseki nokulinda, ibakhuthaza ukuba balinde ngomonde elukholweni kuba oko kwakumnyama ngoku kwingqiqo yabo kwakuza kuthi ekuhambeni kwexesha kwenziwe kucace.IE18 351.2

Phakathi kwezi ziprofeto, kukho neso sikaHabhakuki 2:1-4: “Ndiya kuma emboniselweni yam, ndizibeke phezu kwenqaba, ndibonisele, ukuba ndiyibone into eya kuyithetha kum, nento endiya kuphendula yona ngenxa yesimangalo sam. Wandiphendula ke uYehova, wathi, Bhala umbono, uwukrole kakuhle emacwecweni, ukuze abaleke owulesayo. Kuba umbono usaya kuba ngowexesha elimisiweyo, ukhawulezela ekupheleni, angathethi wona amanga; kuba uya kuza, awuyi kubuya umva. Yabona, ugxalathelene, awuthe tye, umphefumlo wakhe phakathi kwakhe, ke lona ilungisa liya kudla ubomi ngokholo lwalo.”IE18 351.3

Kusesekuqaleni, ngowe-1842, umyalelo onikwe kwesi siprofeto sithi, “Bhala umbono, uwukrole kakuhle emacwecweni, ukuze abaleke owulesayo,” wawucebise uCharles Fitch ukulungiswa komzobo wokubonisa imibono kaDaniyeli nesiTyhilelo. Ukupapashwa kwalo mzobo kwabonwa njengokuzaliseka komyalelo owanikwa nguHabhakuki. Akakho, phofu, owaqaphelayo ngoko ukuba oko kwakubonakala ngokungathi kukulibala ekufezweni kombono--ixesha lokulinda--linikwe kwakweso siprofeto sinye. Emva kodano, esi sibhalo sabonakala sibalulekile: “Umbono usaya kuba ngowexesha elimisiweyo, ukhawulezela ekupheleni, angathethi wona amanga; ukuba uthe wazilazila, wulinde, kuba uya kuza, awuyi kubuya umva. . . . ke lona ilungisa liya kudla ubomi ngokholo lwalo.”IE18 352.1

Inxenye yesiprofeto sikaHezekile nayo yaba lithende lamandla nentuthuzelo kumakholwa: “Kwafika ilizwi likaYehova kum, lisithi, Nyana womntu, uyintoni na lo mzekeliso ninawo emhlabeni wakwaIsrayeli, wokuthi, Imihla iyoluka, iyadaka imibono yonke? Ngako oko yithi kubo, Itsho iNkosi uYehova ukuthi, . . . Isondele imihla, nesiphelo semibono. . . . ndiya kuthetha; ilizwi endisukuba ndilithetha liya kwenzeka, lingayi kulibala.” “Indlu kaIsrayeli ithi, Umbono awubonayo yena lo, ngowemihla emininzi; uprofetele amaxesha akude. Ngakookoyithikubo,ItshoiNkosi uYehova ukuthi, Akuyi kuba salityaziswa onke amazwi am; ilizwi endisukuba ndilithetha liya kwenzeka.” Hezekile 12:21-25, 27, 28. IE18 352.2

Ababelindile bavuya, bekholelwa ukuba Lowo wazi isiphelo kwasekuqaleni wayekhangele phambili kuzo zonke izizukulwana, ekubone kwangaphambili ukudaniswa kwabo, wabanika amazwi enkuthazo nethemba. Ukuba kwakungengazo iindawo ezinjalo zeziBhalo, ezibacebisa ukuba balinde ngomonde nokuba babambelele baqine kwithemba labo eliselizwini likaThixo, ukholo lwabo lwaluya kusilela ngexesha lokulingwa. IE18 352.3

Umzekeliso weentombi ezilishumi kaMateyu 25 ukwabonisa amava aBalindi [abantu ababelindele ukufika]. KuMateyu 24, ukuphendula umbuzo wabafundi baKhe ngokubhekiselele kumqondiso wokuza kwaKhe nowokuphela kwehlabathi, uKristu walatha kwezinye zeziganeko ezibalulekileyo zembali yehlabathi nokwebandla ukususela kokokuqala nokwesibini ukufika kwaKhe; ezinje ngezi: ukutshatyalaliswa kweYerusalem, uvuyo olukhulu lwebandla phantsi kweentshutshiso zobuhedeni nezobupopi, ukwenziwa mnyama kwenyanga nelanga, nokuwa kweenkwenkwezi. Emva kwalo, wathetha ngokuza kobukumkani baKhe, wathetha ngomzekeliso ochaza iindidi ezimbini zabakhonzi abalindele ukubonakala kwaKhe. Isahluko sama-26 sivula ngamazwi athi: “Ngelo xesha ubukumkani bamazulu buya kufanekiswa neentombi ezilishumi.” Apha kuziswe umbono webandla eliya kuba likho ngeentsuku zokugqibela, kwawona lo uboniswe kwisahluko sama-24. Kulo mzekeliso, amava abo abonakalaliswe ngeziganeko zomtshato waseMpuma.IE18 352.4

“Ngelo xesha ubukumkani bamazulu buya kufanekiswa neentombi ezilishumi, ezazithabathayo izibane zazo, zaphuma zaya kumkhawulela umyeni. Ezintlanu ke kuzo zaye ziziingqondi, ezintlanu ziziziyatha. Ezo ziziziyatha zaphatha izibane zazo, azaphatha oli nazo; kodwa ezizingqondi zaphatha ioli ezityeni zazo, kwanezibane zazo. Kekaloku, akubon’ ukuba ulibele umyeni, zozela zonke zalala. Phakathi kobusuku ke kwabakho umemezo oluthi, Nanko umyeni, esiza; phumani niye kumkhawulela.”IE18 353.1

Ukuza kukaKristu, njengoko kuvakaliswe sisigidimi sengelosiyokuqala, kwakucingwa ukuba kumelwe kukuza komyeni. Ulwazi oluthe lwasasazwa ngokuvakaliswa kokuza kwaKhe okumsinyane, kwasatyelwa ekuphumeni kweentombi, ezinyulu. Kulo mzekeliso, njengakuMateyu 24, iindidi ezimbini zimelwe. Zonke zathabatha izibane zazo, iBhayibhile, zathi ngokukhanya kwayo zaphuma ukuba ziyokuhlangabeza uMyeni. Kwathi nangona “ezo ziziyatha zaphatha izibane zazo, azaphatha oli nazo,” “ezizingqondi zaphatha ioli ezityeni zazo kwanezibane zazo.” Udidi lweengqondi lwalulufumene ubabalo lukaThixo, amandla avuselelayo, akhanyiselayo kaMoya Oyingcwele, olibeka ilizwi laKhe libe sisibane seenyawo nokukhanya emendweni. Zinokumoyika uThixo, zazizifundile iziBhalo ukuba zazi inyaniso, zaza zazama zizingisile ubunyulu bentliziyo nobomi. Zazinawo amava azo, ukholo kuThixo nelizwi laKhe, olwalungenako ukoyiswa kukudaniswa nokulibala. Ezinye “zaphatha izibane zazo, azaphatha oli nazo.” Zazisuke ngokuthabatheka. Uloyiko lwazo lwaluvuswe sisigidimi esinendili, kodwa zaxhomekeka kukholo lwabazalwana babo, baneliswa kukukhanya okulonzizayo kweemvakalelo ezilungileyo, kungekho ukuyiqonda ngokupheleleyo inyaniso okanye umsebenzi osulungekileyo wobabalo entliziyweni. Ezi zaziphumile ukuya kuhlangabeza iNkosi, zizele lithemba ekulindeleni umvuzo okhawulezileyo; kodwa zazingakulungelanga ukulibala nokudaniswa. Zathi zakufika izilingo, ukholo lwazo lwasilela, izibane zazo zacima.IE18 353.2

“Akubon’ ukuba ulibele umyeni, zozela zonke zalala.” Ngokulibala komyeni, kumelwe ukudlula kwexesha eyayilindelwe ngalo iNkosi, ukudaniswa, nokubonakala kokulibala. Ngeli xesha lokungaqiniseki, umdla wabagwengula phezulu nabantliziyo zingaphelelanga, baqala ukuhexahexa, nemizamo yathi gogololo; kodwa abo balukholo lwabo lwaluzinze kulwazi lwabo lweBhayibhile baba nedwala ngaphantsi kweenyawo zabo, elalingenako ukususwa ngamaza okudaniswa. “Zozela zonke zalala;” olunye udidi, ekungakhathalini nasekushiyweni kwalo lukholo lwalo, olunye udidi, lulinde ngomonde ukuba kude kunikwe ukukhanya okucace ngaphezulu. Kanti ke, kubusuku bezilingo, olu didi lokugqibela lwaba ngathi luyalahlekwa, ngandlela ithile, ngumdlandla nokuzinikela kwalo. Abantliziyo zingaphelelanga nabagwengula phezulu abakwazanga ukwayama ngokholo lwabazalwana babo. Elowo kufuneka ame okanye awe ngokwakhe.IE18 353.3

Kweli thuba leli xesha, kwathi gqi isivuthuvuthu somoya wokuzinikela. Abanye ababekholwa ngenzondelelo kwisigidimi balikhanyela ilizwi likaThixo nengesikhokelo esingakwaziyo ukuphazama baza bathi, besithi bakhokelwa nguMoya, bazinikela kulawulo lwezabo iimvakalelo, iimbono, neengcinga. Babakho nabanye ababonakalalisa inzondelelo engaboniyo nephikisanayo, behlasela bonke ababengalivumi ikhondo labo. Iingcamango zabo ezibaxekileyo nezenzo azizange zifumane kwamkeleka kwiqela elikhulu lama-Adventists; kodwa ke zasebenza ukuzisa ingcikivo kumsebenzi wenyaniso. IE18 354.1

USathana wayezama ngale ndlela ukuchasa nokutshabalalisa umsebenzi kaThixo. Abantu babephazamiseke kakhulu yintshukumo yokufika, amawaka aboni beguqukile, abantu abathembekileyo bezinikela emsebenzini wokuvakalisa inyaniso, nangexesha lokulibala. Itshawe lobubi lalilahlekwa ngabantu; laza lathi ukuze libuyise ingcikivo phezu komsebenzi kaThixo, lazama ukukhohlisa abanye babo bazibiza ngenkolo nokubatyhalela kwicala lokuzibaxa izinto. Izithunywa zakhe zazilungele ukuxhakamfula nayiphi imposiso, konke ukusilela, sonke isenzo esingalunganga, ziziphakamise phambi kwabantu ngokona kukhanya kwenziwe kwakukhulu, ukuze awaveze ama-Adventists nenkolo yawo ecekiseka. Yindlela le awayisebenzisayo ngokuthi, atsale iqela elikhulu anokwenza ukuba ligxalathelane ngobuninzi ukuvuma ukukholwa ekubuyeni kwesibini, ngoku inguye olawula iintliziyo zalo, okona kuba kuhle akuzuzayo ngokutsalela ingqalelo kwaba bazibaxayo izinto njengabameli bawo wonke umzimba wamakholwa.IE18 354.2

USathana ungu“mmangaleli wabazalwana,” ingumoya wakhe okhuthaza abantu ukuba bakhangele iimpawu neziphako ebantwini beNkosi, nokubenza ukuba baqapheleke, lo gama izenzo zabo ezilungileyo zidlulwa zinganikwa ngqalelo. Usoloko esebenza xa uThixo exakekile kukusindisa imiphefumlo. Bathi xa oonyana bakaThixo bezimisa phambi kukaYehova, uSathana uyeza naye abe phakathi kwabo. Kuyo yonke imvuselelo, ulungela ukuzisa abo bangahlambulukanga entliziyweni, bangazinzanga engqondweni. Xa aba bathe bazamkela iingongoma zenyaniso, bazuza indawo nabakholwayo, usebenza ngabo ukungenisa iimbono ezithi zikhohlise abangalindelanga nto. Akakho umntu ekuqinisekwayo ukuba ungumKristu ngenene kuba efunyanwa kwiqela labantwana bakaThixo, nokuba kusendlwini yonqulo naxa ekwitafile yeNkosi. USathana uthi usoloko ekho kwiziganeko ezinondiliseko olukhulu ekwimo yabo anako ukubasebenzisa njengabathunywa bakhe.IE18 354.3

Inkosi yobubi ilwela ukuzuza nowona mncinane umhlaba apho abantu bakaThixo bahambela phambili khona kuhambo lwabo oluya kumzi wasezulwini. Kuyo yonke imbali yebandla, alukho uhlaziyo olwakha lwasiwa phambili lungake lungqubane nezikhubekiso ezibi. Kwakunjalo ngemihla kaPawulos. Naphina apho umpostile wayeqala ibandla khona, babekho ababesithi balwamkele ukholo, kodwa ababesiza nolahlekiso, olwalusithi, ukuba lwamkelwe, ekugqibeleni lukuxine kumke ukuthandwa kwenyaniso. ULutere naye wakha wanokudideka okukhulu noxinzelelo ngenxa yekhondo labantu ababezibaxa izinto ababesithi uThixo uthethe ngqo ngabo, nababesithi ngenxa yoko bamise ezabo iimbono neengcinga ngaphezu kobungqina beziBhalo. Abaninzi ababengenalo ukholo namava, kodwa ababe nokwaneliseka kwabo, nababekuthanda ukuva nokuza nento entsha, bakhohliswa kukuzenzisa kweetitshala ezintsha, baza bazimanya nabathunywa bakaSathana emsebenzini wabo wokudiliza oko uThixo wasusa uLutere ukuba akwakhe. AbakwaWesile, nabanye abalisikelelayo ihlabathi ngempembelelo yabo kunye nokholo lwabo, babehlangana, kwinyathelo ngalinye, namaqhinga kaSathana ekutyhaleleni abadlule emgceni ngenzondelelo, abangazinzanga, nabangengcwele ukuba babe ngabagqithiseleyo ukwenza kwawo nawuphi umgangatho.IE18 355.1

UWilliam Miller wayengenanto imtsalayo kwezo mpembelelo zazikhokelela kugqithiso lokwenza izinto. Uthi, enoLutere, wonke umoya kufunekaucikidwe ngelizwi likaThixo. “Ongendawo, watshouMiller, “unamandla amakhulu phezu kweengqondo zabanye kule mihla yangoku. Singazi njani ukuba ngumoya onjani abanawo? IBhayibhile iyaphendula: ‘Nobaqonda ngeziqhamo zabo.’ . . . Baninzi oomoya abaphume baya ehlabathini; saye siyayalelwa ukubacikida oomoya. Umoya ongasenzi siphile sisezingqodweni, silungisa, simoyika uThixo, kweli hlabathi langoku, asinguye uMoya kaKristu. Ndiqiniseke ngakumbi nangakumbi ukuba uSathana unento yokwenza eninzi kwezi ntshukumo zindlongondlongo. . . . abaninzi phakathi kwethu abenza ngokungathi bangcwaliswe ngokupheleleyo, balandela izithethe zabantu, baze bafumaneke bengazi ngenyaniso njengabanye aba bangakhohlisiyo.”--Bliss, pages 236, 237. “Umoya wemposiso uya kusikhokelela kude nenyaniso; aze uMoya kaThixo asikhokelele kuyo inyaniso. Uthi ke wena, umntu angakuyo imposiso, acinge ukuba unayo inyaniso. Kuthiweni ke ngoko? Siyaphendula, UMoya nelizwi ziyavumelana. Ukuba ubani uzigweba ngelizwi likaThixo, afumane ukuvumelana okugqibeleleyo kulo lonke ilizwi, kufuneka ke ngoko akholwe ukuba unayo inyaniso; kodwa ukuba ufumana umoya akhokelwa nguwo ungavumelani nelizwi lonke lomthetho kaThixo okanye iNcwadi yaKhe, makachule ukunyathela, hleze abanjiswe ngumgibe wongendawo.”--The Advent Herald and Signs of the Times Reporter, vol. 8, No. 23 (Jan. 15, 1845). “Ndisoloko ndizuza ubungqina obongeziweyo bokoyika uThixo okungaphakathi kwiliso elikhanyayo, kwisidlele esimanzi, nakwintetho enesingqala, kunakwingxolo yobuKristu.”--Bliss, page 282. IE18 355.2

Ngemihla yoHlaziyo, iintshaba zalo zabeka lonke ityala labo bonke ububi logqithiso kwaba kanye babesebenza ngokuzingisa okukhulu ukulwa nalo. Ikhondo elikwanjalo lalandelwa ngabachasi bentshukumo yokufika. Benganelisekanga kukubekwa gwenxa nokubaxwa kweziphoso ngabaphuma ecaleni kakhulu kunye nababezibaxa izinto, basasaza iingxelo ezingekho ntle ezazingazange zibe nayo nentwana yenyaniso. Aba bantu babeqhutywa likratrshi nentiyo. Uxolo lwabo lwaluphazanyiswe kukuvakaliswa kokuba uKristu usemnyango. Babesoyika ukuba kunokuba kuyinyaniso, babe bethemba ukuthi akungebi njalo, yaye le iyimfihlelo yokulwa kwabo nama-Adventists nenkolo yawo.IE18 356.1

Into yokuba abambalwa kubagqithisi basebenza banyuka kumanqwanqwa ama-Adventists ayisesiso isizathu sokwenza isigqibo sokuba intshukumo yayingeyiyo ekaThixo, kunokuba ubukho babagqithi nabakhohlisi ebandleni likaPawulos okanye bemihla kaLutere yayikukuzithethelela okufaneleyo sokugxeka umsebenzi wenguquko nohlaziyo; mabaphengulule iziBhalo ukuze bafunde inyaniso njengoko ifumaneka kuYesu; mabazinikele ngokupheleleyo kuThixo, abusayi kusweleka ubungqina bokuba uSathana usasebenza kwaye uphaphamile. Ngayo yonke inkohliso anokuba nayo, uya kuwabonakalalisa amandla akhe, efuna uncedo kuzo zonke iingelosi ezawayo zobukumkani bakhe.IE18 356.2

Yayingekuko kuvakaliswa kokufika kwesibini okwenza kubekho ukugqithisa nokwahlukana. Ezi izinto zabonakala ehlotyeni ngowe-1844, xa ama-Adventistsayekwimekoyokuthandabuza nokudideka ngokweyona ndawo ekumiwe kuyo. Ukushunyayelwa kwesigidimi sengelosi yokuqala nokwe“ndanduluko enzulwini yobusuku” kwathanda ukuthi ngqo ekucinezeleni ukugqithisa nokungavani. Abo babe nenxaxheba kwezi ntshukumo zizukileyo, babevumelana; iintliziyo zabo zazizaliswe luthando lomnye nomnye kunye noYesu, ababelindele ukumbona kwakamsinyane. Ukholo olunye, ithemba elinoyolo elinye, labaphakamisela ngaphezu kokulawulwa yimpembelelo yomntu, babonisa ikhakha lokulwa nokuhlasela kukaSathana. IE18 356.3

“Akubon’ ukuba ulibele umyeni, zozela zonke zalala. Phakathi kobusuku ke kwabakho umemezo oluthi, Nanko umyeni esiza; phumani niye kumkhawulela. Zaza zavuka zonke ezo ntombi, zalungisa izibane zazo.” Mateyu 25:5-7. Ehlotyeni ngowe-1844, phakathi kwexesha ekwaqalwa ukucingwa ukuba ama-2300 eentsuku aya kuphela, nokwindla lwawo loo mnyaka, apho kwafunyanwa kamva ukuba zaya zafika khona, isigidimi savakaliswa kwangamazwi amanye nalawo esiBhalo: “Nanko, uMyeni esiza!” IE18 357.1

Oko kwakhokelela kule ntshukumo yayikukufumana ukuba umthetho ka-Artashashta wokubuya kwakhiwe ngokutsha iYerusalem owenza indawo yokuqalelakwexeshaleentsukuezingama-2300, wasebenzaekwindla kumnyaka we-457 B.C., kungekuko ekuqaleni komnyaka, njengoko bekukholelwa njalo ngaphambili. Ukubala kususelwa ekwindla kowe-457, iintsukuezingama-2300 ziphela ekwindla ngowe-1844. (Bona ISIHLOMELO inqaku lephepha lama-329.) IE18 357.2

Iintetho ezirhutywa kwimifuziselo kwiTestamente eNdala nazo zazisalatha ekwindla, njengexesha xa isiganeko esibekwe ngokuthi, “ilungiswe ingcwele” kufuneka senzekile. Oku kwenziwa kwacaca ngokunikwa kwengqwalaselo kwindlela imifuziselo ehambelana nokufika kokuqala kukaKristu eyazaliseka ngayo.IE18 357.3

Ukuxhelwa kwemvana yePasika kwakusisithunzi sokufa kukaKristu. Uthi uPawulos: “Siyibingelelwe neyethu ipasika, enguKristu.” 1 Korinte 5:7. Isithungu somlibo, esasisithi ngexesha lePasika sitshangatshangiswe phambi kukaYehova, sasifuzisela ukuvuka kukaKristu. Uthi uPawulos, ethetha ngokuvuka kweNkosi kunye nokwabantu bonke baYo: “Intlahlela inguKristu, kamva abakaKristu ekufikeni kwaKhe.” 1 Korinte 15:23. Njengesithungu somnikelo wotshangatshangiso, esasiba sesokuqala ukuqokelelwa ekudleni okuziinkozo, size siziswe kwangaphambi kokuvuna, uKristu unolibo lwesiqhamo sesivuno esingabo bangenakufa abaza kuthi ngovuko oluzayo baqokelelelwe kuvimba kaThixo. IE18 357.4

Le mifuziselo yazaliseka, kungekuphela kwisiganeko, kodwa nangokwexesha. Ngomhla weshumi elinesine kwinyanga yesiYuda, kanye umhla nenyanga ekwakusithi, kwiinkulungwane ezinde ezilishumi elinesihlanu, imvana yePasika yayibulawa, uKristu, akuba edle iPasika nabafundi baKhe, wamisela isidlo esasiza kuba sisikhumbuzo sokwaKhe ukufa njenge“Mvana kaThixo ethwala isuse isono sehlabathi.” Kwangabo obo busuku, wathatyathwa zizandla ezikhohlakeleyo ukuba ayokubethelelwa abulawe. Yathi njengesiqu sotshangatshangiso, iNkosi yethu yavuswa kwabafileyo ngosuku lwesithathu, “intlahlela yabalele ukufa,” ibathwana elimele amalungisa avukileyo, “[aba]mzimba wokuthobeka” wabo uya kuguqulwa kuba uya kuthi “wenziwe ufane nawo umzimba wozuko lwakhe.” Indima 20; Filipi 3:21. IE18 358.1

Kwangolu hlobolunye, imifuziselo engokufikakwesibinikufuneka izaliseke ngexesha elimisiweyo yinkonzo yomfuziselo. Phantsi kohlelo lukaMoses, ukulungiswa kwengcwele, okanye iMini enkulu yoCamagushelo, yayisenzeka ngosuku lweshumi kwinyanga yesiYuda (Levitikus 16:29-34), xa umbingeleli omkhulu, akuba elwenzile ucamagushelo lwakhe wonke uIsrayeli, aze azisuse izono zabo engcweleni, wayephuma abasikelele abantu. Ngoko ke, kwakukholelwa ukuba uKristu, uMbingeleli wethu oMkhulu, wayeza kubonakala ukuba awuhlambulule umhlaba ngokutshabalalisa isono naboni, nokusikelela abantu baKhe abalindileyo ngokuba nokungafi. Usuku lweshumi lwenyanga yesixhenxe, iMini enkulu yoCamagushelo, ixesha lokuhlanjululwa kwengcwele, owaba ngomnyaka we-1844 ngomhla wamashumi amabini anambini kaOkthobha, wathatyathwa njengexesha lokuza kweNkosi. Oku kwakuhambelana nokuqinisekiswa okwakusele kunikiwe kokuba, ama-2300 eentsuku ayeza kufikelela ekwindla, saza isigqibo kwabonakala singenako ukuchaswa.IE18 358.2

Emzekelisweni kaMateyu 25, ixesha lokulinda nokulala lilandelwa kukuza komyeni. Oku kwakuhambelana neengxoxo ebezisanda kunikwa, zombini, kwisiprofeto nakwimifuziselo. Zazinokuqiniseka ngobunyaniso bazo; yaza “indanduluko enzulwini yobusuku” yavakaliswa ngamawaka amakholwa.IE18 358.3

Njengeliza laselwandle, intshukumo yabaleka ngesikhulu isantya phezu komhlaba. Ukusuka kwisixeko ukuya kwesinye, kwilali ukuya kwenye, nakwiindawo ezikude zasemaphandleni, isigidimi saya, bada abantu bakaThixo abalindileyo bavuswa ngokupheleleyo. Abagqithisi banyamalala bakujongana nokuvakaliswa njengombethe wakusasa phambi kwelanga eliphumayo. Abakholwayo bakubona kusuka ukuthandabuza nokudideka kwabo, lathi ithemba nesibindi zanika ubomi kwiintliziyo zabo. Umsebenzi wawungenako okwakubaxwa okwakuye kubonakale xa kukho ukuthababatheka kwabantu obungenayo impembelelo elawulekayo yelizwi noMoya kaThixo. Wawufana ngokwemo yawo naloo maxesha okuthobeka nokubuyela eNkosini okwakuye kuthi kuIsrayeli wakudala alandele izigidimi zokuthethiswa ngabakhonzi baYo. Wawuneempawu eziphawula umsebenzi kaThixo kwizizukulwana zonke. Lwalungeluninzi uvuyo lokuthabatheka, kodwa endaweni yoko kwakukho ukugocwa-gocwa kwentliziyo okunzulu, ukuvunywa kwesono, nokushiyaihlabathi. Ukulungiselela ukuhlangabeza iNkosi yayingumthwalo woomoya abasentlungwini. Kwakukho umthandazo ozingisileyo nokuzinikela kuThixo okungenakuzibamba.IE18 358.4

Wathi uMiller xa echaza lo msebenzi: “Akukho kubonakalaliswa kukhulu kovuyo, oko kukuthi, lucinezelelwe isiganeko esizayo, xa lonke izulu nomhlaba kuya kuvuywa kunye ngovuyo olungathethekiyo, oluzikisiweyo. Akukho kukhwaza: nako oko kugcinelwe ukukhwazaxa sisezulwini. Abavumayo bathe cwaka: balindele ukuhlangana nemikhosi yeengelosi, ikwayala evela ezulwini. . . . Akukho kungqubana kwazimvo: bonke bantliziyo-nyenangqondo-nye.” --Bliss, pages 270, 271.IE18 359.1

Omnye owayenenxaxheba kwintshukumo wangqina, wathi: “Yaveza kuyo yonke indawo ukugocwagocwa okukhulu nokuzithoba phantsi komphefumlo phambi kukaThixo wasezulwini phezulu. Yenza ukuba kubekho ukulunyulwa ekuthandweni kwezinto zehlabathi, ukuphiliswa kweembambano nobutshaba, ukuvunywa kweziphoso, ukwaphuka phambi kukaThixo, nokuzohlwaya, imithandazo ephuma kwiintliziyo ezaphukileyo yokuba axolele amkele, uThixo. Yenza ukuba kubekho ukuzibeka phantsi nokuthoba komphefumlo, ngendlela engazanga yabonwa ngaphambili. Njengoko uThixo wayalelayo ngoYoweli, xa imini enkulu kaThixo isondele, yaveza ukukrazuka kweentliziyo kungezizo iingubo, nokubuyela kuYehova ngokuzila, nokukhala, kunye nokumbambazela. Njengoko uThixo watshoyo ngoZekariya, umoya wobabalo nokukhunga wathululwa phezu kwabantwana baKhe; bakhangela kuLowo babemhlabile, kwabakho ukukhala okukhulu elizweni, . . . baza abo babelindele iNkosi bayithuthumbisa imiphefumlo yabo phambi kwaYo.”--Bliss, in Advent Shield and Review, vol. I, p. 271 (January, 1845). IE18 359.2

Kuzo zonke iintshukumo ezinkulu zenkolo kususela kwimihla yabapostile, azikho ezakha azabi nako ukungagqibeleli komntu namaqhinga kaSathana njengaleyo yasekwindla ngowe-1844. Nangoku, emva kokuba kudlule iminyaka emininzi, bonke ababekho kuloo ntshukumo abasemi beqinile kumgangatho wenyaniso basayiva impembelelo engcwele yaloo msebenzi usikelelekileyo kwaye basangqina ukuba wawungokaThixo.IE18 359.3

Kwathi kwakubizwa kusithiwa, “Nanko umyeni esiza; phumani niye kumkhawulela,” ezo zazilindile “zavuka . . . zalungisa izibane zazo;” zafunda ilizwi likaThixo ngomdla omkhulu owawungazanga wakho ngaphambili. Kwathunyelwa iingelosi lizulu ukuba zibavuse abo babetyhafile zabalungiselela ukuba basamkele isigidimi. Umsebenzi awuzange ume ngobulumko nangokufunda kwabantu, kodwa ngamandla kaThixo. Yayingengabona baneetalente ezininzi, kodwa abathobeke kakhulu bezinikele, ababa ngabokuqala ukuluva nokuluthobela ubizo. Abalimi bawashiya amasimi engavunwanga, abakhandi bazibeka phantsi izixhobo zabo, bathi, besezinyembezini, baphuma baya kuvakalisa isilumkiso. Abo babekhokele kulo msebenzi ngaphambili baphakathi kwabokugqibela ukuzihlanganisa nale intshukumo. Amabandla jikelele azivala iingcango zawo ngakwisigidimi, laza iqela elikhulu labo basamkelayo bazirhoxisa ekuhlanganeni nawo. Ngokubonelela kukaThixo, oku kuvakaliswa kwahlangana nesigidimi sengelosi yesibini kwaza kwawunika amandla loo msebenzi.IE18 360.1

Isigidimi, “Nanko, umyeni esiza!” sasingenguwo umcimbi wokuxoxwa kangako, nangona okuboniswa sisiBhalo kwakucacile kwaye kuphelele. Kwabakho kunye naso amandla anyanzelisayo awayewuqhuba umphefumlo. Kwakungekho kuthandabuza, namibuzo. Kwisiganeko sokungena ngoloyiso eYerusalem, abantu ababehlanganisene bevela kwiinkalo ngeenkalo zelizwe ukuza esidlweni, babebuthene kwiNtaba yeMinquma, bathi xa behlangana nesihlwele esasihamba noYesu, bafumana umoya wexesha elo bancedisa ukunyusa ukukhwaza: “Makabongwe lowo uzayo egameni leNkosi!” Mateyu 21:9. Ngokunjalo abangakholwayo abangena ngobuninzi kwiintlanganiso zaBalindi—abanye kuba befuna ulwazi, abanye beze nje ukuba bahlekise—bawava amandla awoyisayo ahamba nesigidimi: “Nanko, uMyeni esiza!”IE18 360.2

Ngelo xesha, kwakukho ukholo olwazisa iimpendulo emthandazweni—ukholo olwalinika imbuyekezo yomvuzo. Njengokuhla kwamanzi emvula kumhlabaowomileyo, lo Moyawobabalo wehlaphezukwababefuna benenzondelelo. Abo babelindele ukuma bejongene ubuso ngobuso kwakamsinyane noMhlanguli wabo, baluva uvuyo olunendili engathethekiyo. Amandla athambisayo nawoyisayo kaMoya Oyingcwele ayinyibilikisa intliziyo xa intsikelelo yaKhe wayinikwa ngomlinganiselo omkhulu phezu kwabo bathembekileyo, bekholwa.IE18 360.3

Ngobunono nondiliseko, abo basamkelayo isigidimi baphuma bafikelela kwixesha apho bathemba ukuyihlangabeza iNkosi yabo. Kwakusithi rhoqo kusasa bave ngokungathi ngumsebenzi wabo wokuqala ukufumana ubungqina bokwamkelwa kwabo nguThixo. Iintliziyo zabo zazimanyene, baza bathandaza kakhulu kunye bethandazelana. Babekholisa ukuhlangana kwiindawo ezisecaleni ukuba bathethe noThixo, lithi ilizwi lokubongoza linyuke liye ezulwini lisuka kumathafa nasemagcumeni emithi. Isiqinisekiso sokwamkelwa nguMsindisi sasibaluleke kakhulu kubo kunokutya kwemihla ngemihla; kuthi xa kukho into esitha iingqondo zabo, bangaphumli ide isuke. Babesithi xa besiva ubungqina bobabalo oluxolelayo, balangazelele ukumbona Lowo uthandwa yimiphefumo yabo. IE18 361.1

Kanti ke babesajongene nokudaniswa okuqinisekileyo. Ixesha elalilindelwe ladlula, akavela uMsindisi. Ngethemba elingagungqiyo, babelindele ukuza kwaKhe, baza ngoku beva njengoko uMariya wayenjalo xa, wathi akufika engcwabeni loMsindisi elifumana lize, wasitsho isikhalo: “Bayisusile iNkosi yam; andazi apho bayibeke khona.” Yohane 20:13.IE18 361.2

Imvakalelo yoloyiko, ukoyika hleze kuthi kanti isigidimi siyinyaniso, yaya yasebenza ukuba okwexesha sibe sisithintelo kwihlabathi elingakholwayo. Emva kokuba kudlule ixesha, le meko ayizange ithi shwaka kwangoko; ekuqalekeni alizange [ihlabathi] lizibone liboyisile ababedanisiwe; kodwa kwathi kuba kungekho miqondiso yangqumbo kaThixo ibonakalayo, baphaphama ekoyikeni kwabo bakuqalisa ukugculela nokuhlekisa kwabo. Udidi olukhulu olwalukuvumile ukukholwa ekuzeni okukhawulezileyo kweNkosi lwalushiya ukholo lwalo. Abanye ababenesibindi kakhulu, balimala kakhulukwikratshi. NjengoYona, bamkhalazela uThixo, banyula ukufa endaweni yobomi. Abo babeyimise inkolo yabo phezu kweengcinga zabanye, kungekuko elizwini likaThixo, ngoku bakulungela ukuziguqula iimbono zabo. Abagxeki bazuzela abangenamandla namagwala kwicala labo, baza bebonke bamanyana ngelithi akusayi kuba sabakho koyika nakulindela ngoku. Ixesha lalidlule, iNkosi ayizange ifike, ilizwe laliya kuhlala liyinto enye amawaka eminyaka.IE18 361.3

Amakholwa anenzondelelo nanyanisekileyo ayencame konke ngenxa kaKristu, aza axelela abanye ngobukho baKhe ngaphezu kwangaphambili. Ngokokukholwa kwabo, babelinike ihlabathi isilumkiso sokugqibela; bathi ngokulindela ukwamkelelwa kusapho lweNkosi yabo yaphezulu, kunye nezithunywa zezulu, bazikhupha kangangoko kusapho lwabo bangazange basamkele isigidimi. Ngolangazelelo olukhulu babethandaza bathi: “Yiza, Nkosi Yesu, yiza, kwakamsinyane.” Sekunjalo, akazange aze. Ngoku ke, ukuqala phantsi kwakhona umthwalo onzima wenkathalo nokuphoxeka kwehlabathi, nokunyamezela ukugezelwa nokunyonyozelwa lihlabathi eligxekayo, yayikukucikidwa okunzima kokholo nomonde.IE18 361.4

Kanti ke oku kudaniswa kwakungekho kukhulu njengoko kwafunyanwa ngabafundi ngexesha lokufika kukaKristu kokuqala. Xa uYesu wayengena eYerusalem ngokowoyisileyo, abalandeli baKhe bakholelwa ukuba uza kuhlala etroneni kaDavide akhulule uIsrayeli kubacinezeli bakhe. Bathi amathemba ephezulu kwanokulindela ngovuyo, balwa ngokukhuphisana omnye nomnye ngokunika imbeko uKumkani wabo. Abaninzi bazandlala iingubo zabo endleleni yaKhe. Okanye baphosa amasebe amasundu anamagqabi. Ekutshisekeni kwabo luvuyo, babehlangene kulonwabo lokukhwaza: “Hosana kuNyana kaDavide!” Bathi abaFarisi, bephazanyiswa bekwacatshukiswa yile ngxolo yovuyo, banga uYesu angabangxolisa abafundi baKhe, waphendula uYesu wathi: “Kungathi kuthe cwakaaba, kunkqangaze amatye la.” Luka 19:40. Isiprofeto kufuneka sizalisekile. Abafundi babefeza injongo kaThixo; kanti babejongene nokudaniswa. Kwakudlule iintsuku ezimbalwa phambi kokuba babone ukufa kwentlungu koMsindisi, bazabambekaengcwabeni. Ukulindela kwabo akuzange kwenzeke nakancinane, aza amathemba abo afa noYesu. Kwada kwalilixa iNkosi yabo iphuma yoyisile engcwabeni, baqala ukuqonda ukuba konke kwakuxelwe kwangaphambili esiprofetweni, nokuba “uKristu ubemelwe kukuva ubunzima, aze avuke kwabafileyo.” IZenzo 17:3.IE18 362.1

Kwiminyaka engamakhulu amahlanu ngaphambili, uYehova wathetha wathi ngomprofeti uZekariya: “Gcoba kunene, ntombi inguZiyon; uKumkani wakho uza kuwe, elilungisa, enosindiso, enentobeko, ekhwele e-esileni, exhamxweni, etholeni lemazi ye-esile.” Zekariya 9:9. Ukuba abafundi babeqondile ukuba uKristu wayeza kuya ematyaleni nasekufeni, ngebangazanga bakwazi ukusizalisekisa esi siprofeto. IE18 362.2

Kwangaloo ndlela, uMiller namahlakani akhe basizalisa isiprofeto basinika isigidimi ekwaxelwa kwangaphambili yiMpefumlelo ukuba siya kunikwa ihlabathi, kodwa ababeya kungasiniki ukuba babeqonde ngokupheleleyo ukuba iziprofeto zalatha ekudanisweni kwabo, nasekunikeni esinye isigidimi kuzo zonke iintlanga ngaphambi kokuba iNkosi ize. Izigidimi zengelosi yokuqala neyesibini zanikwa ngexesha elililo zafeza umsebenzi uThixo awayelungiselele ukuba ufezwe zizo. IE18 362.3

Ihlabathi libe libukele, lilindele ukuba, ukuba ixesha liye ladlula uKristu akabonakala, lonke uhlelo lobuLindi [lokushumayela ngoYesu ozayo] luya kuyekwa. Kwathi ke, nangona abaninzi, phantsi kokulingeka okunamandla, baluyeka ukholo lwabo, babakho abama baqina. Iziqhamo zentshukumo yokufika, umoya wokuthobeka nokugocwagocwa kwentliziyo, ukushiywa kwehlabathi nokuhlaziywa kobomi, izinto ezazihamba nomsebenzi, zangqina ukuba wawungokaThixo. Abazange bakwazi ukukhanyela ukuba yayingamandla kaMoya Oyingcwele awayengqina ekushunyayelweni kokufika kwesibini, abafumana mpazamo ekubaleni kwabo amaxesha esiprofeto. Nezona ncutshe zabachasi azizange zikwazi ukuyoyisa indlela yokuchaza kwabo isiprofeto. Babengakwazi ukuvuma, kungekho nto ibonakalayo ephuma eBhayibhileni, ukusuka kwindawo ababemi kuyo, ekwakufikelelwekuyongokuphengululwakweziBhalongokuthandaza ngenzondelelo, ziingqondo ezazikhanyiselwe nguMoya kaThixo neentliziyo ezazivutha ngamandla awo aphilileyo; iindawo ezamelana nokona kugxekwa okuphengululayo neyona nkcaso ikrakra yeetitshala zenkolo namadoda anobulumko ngokwasehlabathini, zamelana zaqina zakuba ziqubisene nemikhosi emanyeneyo yemfundo nobuciko, nokuchukushwa nokugezelwa ngabahloniphekileyo nabaphantsi. IE18 362.4

Ngokwenene, kwakukho ukuwa phantsi ngokweziganeko ezazilindelwe, kodwa nale into yayingakwazi ukulugungqisa ukholo lwabo elizwini likaThixo. Wathi akuba uYona evakalise ezitratweni zaseNineve ukuba ngesithuba zamashumi amane eentsuku isixeko sasiza kutshatyalaliswa, uYehova wakwamkela ukuzithoba kwabantu baseNineve walandisa ixesha labo lokwenzelwa inceba; kanti ke, sona isigidimi sikaYona sasithunyelwe nguThixo, yaza neNineve yacikidwa ngokwentando yaKhe. ABalindi babekholelwa kwindlela uThixo abakhokele ngayo ukunika isilumkiso somgwebo. “Iye yazicikida iintliziyo zabo bonke abasivayo,” batsho, “savusa ukuthandwa kokubonakala kweNkosi; okanye kuvuse intiyo, ephantse ukubonakala, kodwa eyaziwayo nguThixo, ngokuza kwaKhe. Iye yakrwela umgca, . . . ukuze abo babeza kuzihlola iintliziyo zabo, bazi ukuba bakweliphi icala layo ababeza kufunyanwa bekulo, ukuba iNkosi ibithe yafika ngelo xesha—nokuba mhlawumbi bebeya kukhala, ‘Yabona, lo nguThixo wethu; besithembele kuye, ukuba asisindise;’ okanye nokuba babeya kukhala emaweni nasezintabeni ukuba zibawele zibafihle ebusweni balowo uhleli phezu kwetrone, nakwingqumbo yeMvana. UThixo ngoko, ngokwethu ukukholwa, ubacikidile abantu baKhe, uluvavanyile ukholo lwabo, ubalingile, wabona ukuba bangoyika na, ngelixa lokulingwa, kwindawo anokubona kufanelekile ukuba ababeke kuyo; nokuba bangalishiya na eli hlabathi baxhomekeke, ngethemba elingagungqiyo, elizwini likaThixo.”-- The Advent Herald and Signs of the Times Reporter, vol. 8, No. 14 (Nov 13, 1844).IE18 363.1

Ukuziva kwabo babesakholelwa kuThixo kwakubakhokele kumava awadlulayo athethwe ngamazwi kaWilliamMiller:“Ukuba bendinokuphila ubomi bam kwakhona, kuna le miqondiso minye ebendinayo ngelo xesha, ukuze ndibe nokunyaniseka kuThixo nakubantu, bekuya kufuneka ndenze njengoko bendenzile.” “Ndiyathemba ukuba ndizihlambulule iingubo zam kwigazi lemiphefumlo. Ndiva ukuba, ngokwamandla am, ndizikhulule kulo lonke ityala ekugwetyweni kwabo.” “Nangona ndiye ndadaniswa kabini,” yabhala yathi le ndoda kaThixo, “andikakhahlelwa phantsi okanye ndityhafiswe. . . . Ithemba lam ekubuyeni kukaKristu linamandla njengakuqala. Ndiye ndenza nje kuphela oko, emva kweminyaka yokucingisisa, ndakuva kungumthwalo wam ukuba ndikwenze. Ukuba ndiye ndaphazama, kube kungecala lobubele, ukuthanda abazalwana bam, nokuthinjwa ngumthwalo kuThixo.” “Inye into endiyaziyo, andishumayelanga nto ingeyiyo endayikholelwayo; kwaye uThixo ube enam; amandla aKhe aye abonakalaliswa emsebenzini wam, kwaza kwenzeka okuninzi okulungileyo.” “Amawaka amaninzi, ngokubonakala ebantwini, aye akhuthazelwa ukuba aziphengulule iziBhalo ngokushunyayelwa kwexesha; kwaza kwathi ngaloo ndlela, ngokholo ngokutshizwa kwegazi likaKristu, baxolelaniswa noThixo.”--Bliss, pages 256, 255, 277, 280, 281. “Andizanga ndalucenga uncumo lwabanekratshi, ndingazanga ndankwantya xa ihlabathi lisineka. Andisokuze ngoku ndithenge ukuthandwa lilo, ndingasayi kudlula ngaphaya komsebenzi ndilihende ukuba lindithiye. Andisokuze ndifune ubomi bam ezandleni zalo, ndingazi koyika, ndiyathemba, ukubulahla, ukuba uthe uThixo, ngokubonelela kwaKhe okulungileyo, wayalela oko.”--J. White, Life of Wm. Miller, page 315. IE18 364.1

UThixo akazange abashiye abantu baKhe; uMoya waKhe usahleli kwabo bangazange badyuduzele ukukukhanyela ukukhanya ababekufumene, bayichase intshukumo yokufika. Kwincwadi yamaHebhere kukho amazwi enkuthazo nesilumkiso kwabo bacikidiweyo, abalindileyo kule ntlekele: “Musani ukukulahla ngoko ukungafihlisi kwenu, kona kunokwamkela umvuzo omkhulu. Kuba kufuneka ukuba nibe nomonde, ukuze nithi, nakuba nikwenzile ukuthanda kukaThixo, nizuzane nalo idinga. Kuba kusaya kuba mzuzwana mncinanana, athi lowo uzayo afike, angalibali. Ke lowo ulilungisa uya kudla ubomi obuphuma elukholweni; ukuba ke uthe wahlehla, awuyi kukholwa nguye umphefumlo wam.Kethina asingabahlehla baye entshabalalweni; singabokholo olusa ekuzuzeni umphefumlo. Hebhere 10:35-39.IE18 364.2

Into yokuba esi silumkiso sibhekisa kwibandla lemihla yokugqibela ibonakala kwakumazwi awalatha ukuba kufuphi kokuza kweNkosi: “Kuba kusaya kuba mzuzwana mncinanana, athi lowo uzayo afike, angalibali.” Ibekwe ngendlela ecacileyo into yokuba kuya kubakho ukubonakala kokulibala nokuba iNkosi iya kubonakala ilibala. Imfundiso enikwayo apha, ilungiselwe ngendlela eyodwa aBalindi [ama-Adventists] ngeli xesha. Abantu ekuthethwa nabo apha babesengozini yokuqhekekelwa ngumkhombe wokholo. Babeyenzile intando kaThixo ekulandeleni inkokelo kaMoya waKhe nelizwi laKhe; kodwa abakwazi ukuyiqonda injongo kumava abo adlulileyo, abayiqonda nendlela ephambi kwabo, baza balingeka ukuba bathandabuze ukuba angaba uThixo uyabakhokela na. Ngeli xesha, amazwi ayesebenza: “Ilungisa liya kudla ubomi ngokholo lwalo.” Kuthe xa ukukhanya okuqaqambileyo be“ndanduluko yasebusuku” kukhanya endleleni yabo, bazibona iziprofeto zityhileka nemiqondiso izaliseka ngokukhawuleza, izizinto ezixela ukuba ukuza kukaKristu kukufuphi, bahamba, ngelo xesha, ngokubona. Ngoku, kodwa, beqotywe ngamathemba adanisiweyo, banokuma kuphela ngokholo kuThixo naselizwini laKhe. Ilizwe eligxekayo lalisithi: “Nikhohlisiwe. Luyekeni ukholo lwenu, nithi intshukumo yokuza yayiyekaSathana.” Kanti ke, ilizwi likaThixo lalithe: “Ukuba ke [ubani] uthe wahlehla, awuyi kukholwa nguye umphefumlo wam.” Ukulahla ukholo lwabo ngoku, kwakuya kuba kukuhlehlela emva entshabalalweni. Bakhuthazwa ukuba bame baqine ngamazwi kaPawulos: “Musani ukukulahla ngoko ukungafihlisi kwenu;” “kufuneka ukuba nibe nomonde,” “kuba kusaya kuba mzuzwana mncinanana, athi lowo uzayo afike, angalibali.” Indlela yabo ekuphela kwayo ekhuselekileyo yayikukuba bonwabele ukukhanya ababesele bekufumene kuThixo, babambelele baqine kumadinga aKhe, baqhubeke nokuphengulula iziBhalo, balinde bakhangele ngomonde ukuba bazuze okunye ukukhanya. IE18 365.1