1—Ukutshatyalaliswa kweyerusalem

“Akwaba ubusazi nawe lo kwangayo yona le mini yakho, izinto ezizezoxolo lwakho! Ke kungoku zifihliwe emelweni akho. Ngokuba uya kufikelwa yimihla, eziya kuthi iintshaba zakho zikubiyele ngodonga, zikungqinge, zikuxine ngeenxa zonke, zikukhahlele phantsi wena nabantwana bakho phakathi kwakho; zingashiyi nelitye phezu kwelitye phakathi kwakho, ngenxa enokuba ungalazanga ixesha lokuvelelwa kwakho.” Luka 19:42-44.IE18 17.1

Ekwincopho yeNtaba yeMinquma, uYesu wayikhangela iYerusalem. Yayingumbono omhle okhangeleka useluxolweni owawandlaleke phambi kwaKhe. Yayilixesha lePasika, behlanganisene bephuma kwimimandla yonke abantwana bakaYakobi ukuza kuba yinxalenye yomsitho omkhulu wesizwe sonke. Phakathi kwezitiya namabhoma, nakumathambeka aluhlaza, athiwe gqaba-gqaba ziintente zabahambi, kwakuvele iinduli ezineendawo ezithebelele, amabhotwe amakhulu, neendonga ezinkulu zokukhusela undlunkulu wakwaIsrayeli. Intombi uZiyon yayibonakala izaliswe likratshi, isithi, ndihleli ndingukumkanikazi, kwaye andisayi kuze ndibe lusizi; ithandeka ngoko, izibona ikhuselekile ngokuthandwa liZulu; njengaxa, kwiinkulungwane ezingaphambili, yayivuma ingoma yomngqungqo, isithi: “Intle ukuphakama kwayo, yimihlali yehlabathi lonke intaba yaseZiyon, . . . umzi woKumkani omkhulu.” INdumiso 48:2. Zazibonakala zithe tshitshilili izakhiwo ezihle zetempile. Imitha yelanga elitshonayo yayikhanyise iindonga zebhastile ngobumhlophe obufana nobekhephu, nokukhanya okusuka kumasango egolide,kwinqaba, nenkcochoyi. “[Njenge]nzwakazi egqibeleleyo [IBHAYIBHILE], yayimi ilibhongo lesizwe samaYuda. Nguwuphi umntwana kaIsrayeli owayenokungemi awuqwalasele umbono aze angathabatheki luvuyo nakukuwubuka! Noko kunjalo, ezinye iingcinga zayithabatha ingqondo kaYesu. “Akusondela, wawubona umzi, wawulilela.” Luka 19:41. Phakathi kovuyo lomntu wonke jikelele ngokungena kwaKhe ngoloyiso, ngeli xesha amasebe amasundu ejiwuzwa phezulu, lo gama oohozana behlokomisa iinduli, amawaka amazwi esithi uYesu ungukumkani, uMhlanguli womhlaba wayezaliswe yintlungu ekhawulezileyo nefihlakeleyo. Yena, enguNyana kaThixo, Owayethenjiswe kuIsrayeli, omandla aKhe oyisa ukufa akhupha amaxhoba ako engcwabeni, wayesezinyembezini, zingezizo ezentlungu nje eqhelekileyo, kodwa intlungu enzima, engacinezelekiyo.IE18 17.2

Iinyembezi zaKhe zazingaphalali ngenxa yaKhe, nangona wayesazi kakuhle apho iinyawo zaKhe zazisiya khona. Phambi kwaKhe kwakulele iGetsemane, umbono wentlungu yaKhe eyayisele ivelile. Isango lezimvu, ekwakuziinkulungwane zeminyaka kukhokelwa kungena kulo amaxhoba okubingelelwa, nalo lalibonakala, laye laliza kuvulelwa Yena xa kufuneka engenisiwe “njengemvana esiwa ekuxhelweni.” Isaya 53:7. Qelele kancinane, kwakuyiKalvari, indawo yokubethelela emnqamlezweni. Kwindlela awayeza kuyihamba uKristu kungekudala, kuza kufuneka kufike ubumnyama obukhulu oboyikekayo njengoko kuza kufuneka enikele umphefumlo waKhe ube lidini lesono. Kanti ke, yayingekuko ukucinga ngale miboniso okwenza kubekho isithunzi phezu kwaKhe ngale yure yovuyo. Yayingekuko ukucinga kwangaphambili ngentlungu engaphezu kweyemveli okwagubungela loo moya ungajonge nzuzo. Walilela amawaka aseYerusalem ajongene nentshabalalo—ngenxa yobumfama nokungabi nokuzohlwaya kwabo weza ukuba abasikelele, abasindise. IE18 18.1

Imbali engaphezu kwewaka leminyaka yothando olulodwa lukaThixo nenkathalelo yaKhe eyalusileyo, neyabonakalaliswa ebantwini, yayibonakala kuYesu. Yayikho iNtaba yeMoriya, apho unyana wedinga, ixhoba elingazange lixhathise, labotshelelwa esibingelelweni—uphawu lomnikelo onguNyana kaThixo. Apho umnqophiso wentsikelelo, ithemba elihle kakhulu likaMesiya, laqinisekiswa kuyise wabakholwayo. Genesis 22:9, 16-18. Apho amalangatye ombingelelo anyukelaezulwini esuka kwibala lokubhula laseOran ajikela kwibala lokubhula laseOran ajikela ecaleni ikrele lengelosi etshabalalisayo (1 IziKronike 21)—umfuziselo ofanelekileyo wombingelelo woMs indisi nokuthethelelwa kwabantu abanetyala. IYerusalem yayizukisiwe nguThixo ngaphezu kwawo wonke umhlaba. UYehova “[wayinyula] iZiyon,” “[wayi]nqwenela ukuba ibe likhaya lakhe.” INdumiso 132:13. Apho, kwakuyiminyaka abaprofeti abangcwele bazithethayo izigidimi zesilumkiso. Apho ababingeleli baphaphazelisa iziqholo, nelifu lesiqholo, nemithandazo yabanqulayo, yenyuka phambi kukaThixo. Apho yonke imihla igazi leemvana ezazinikelwe, lisalatha phambili kwiMvana kaThixo. Apho uYehova watyhila ubuso baKhe elifini lobuqaqawuli obabuphezu kwesihlalo senceba. Apho kwakuhleli emhlabeni unyawo lwaloo leli iyimfihlakalo eyayihlanganise umhlaba nezulu (Genesis 28:12; Yohane 1:51)—loo leli kwakusihla kunyuka kuyo iingelosi zikaThixo, neyavulela ihlabathi indlela engena kweyona ndawo ingcwele kuzo zonke. Ukuba unjengesizwe, wayekugcinile ukuthembeka kwakhe eZulwini, iYerusalem ngeyema ngonaphakade, ingabanyulwa bakaThixo. Yeremiya 17:21-25. Yona imbali yabantu abathandiweyo yayiyingxelo yokuhlehla nokuvukela. Balwala ubabalo lwezulu, bawasebenzisa gwenxa amalungelo abo, bawacekisa amathuba abo. IE18 18.2

Nangona kwa “baye bebagculela abathunywa bakaThixo, bewadela amazwi akhe, bebagxeka abaprofeti bakhe,” (2 IziKronike 36:16), Wayesazibonakalalise kubo, “[engu]Yehova, uYehova, uThixo onemfesane, onobabalo, ozeka kade umsindo, omninzi ngenceba nenyaniso” (Eksodus 34:6); nothe nangona kuphindaphindwe kaninzi ukumala, yaqhubeka inceba yaKhe nokucenga kwayo. Nangaphezu kwemfesane yomzali onothando kunyana amgcinileyo, uThixo “wathumela kubo ngabathunywa bakhe, wanyameka ukuthumela; ngokuba wayenemfesane ngabantu bakhe, nekhaya lakhe.” 2 IziKronike 36:15. Kwathi xa ukuthethisa, ukucenga, nokukhalima kuthe kwakusilela, wabathumela esona sipho sihle sasezulwini; hayi, walibhokoxa lonke izulu kweso Sipho sinye. IE18 19.1

UNyana kaThixo ngokwaKhe wathunywaukubaazokucengana nomziongafuniyoukuzohlwaya.YayinguKristuowakhuphauIsrayeli njengomdiliya olungileyo eYiputa.INdumiso 80:8.Isandla saKhe ngokwaKhe sasibagxothele ngaphandle abahedeni phambi kwabo. Wayesityale “endulini echumayo.” Inkathalo ebalusayo yayibarhangqile. Abakhonzi baKhe babethunyelwe ukuba basondle, basikhulise. “Kube kusekho ntoni na eyenziwayo esidiliyeni sam,” utsho, “endingayenzanga ke kuso?” Isaya 5:1-4. Nangona wayekhangele ukuba siya kuzisa iidiliya, saba neediliya zasendle, waza wathi, esenethemba elinolangazelelo, weza ngokwaKhe esidiliyeni saKhe, esithi mhlawumbi singasindiswa ekutshatyalalisweni. Womba umsele ojikeleze umdiliya waKhe; wawuthena wawuthanda. Wayengadinwa kumalinge aKhe okusindisa lo mdiliya awutyale ngokwaKhe.IE18 19.2

Kwaba yiminyaka emithathu, iNkosi yokukhanya nozuko imkile iphakathi kwabantu baYo. “Wagqiba ilizwe esiza, ephilisa bonke abaxinzelelweyo nguye uMtyholi,” ebabopha abaphuke iintliziyo, ekhulula abo babebotshiwe, ebuyisela ukubona kwabazimfama, esenza ukuba abaqhwaleleyo bahambe nabazizithulu bave, ehlambulula abaneqhenqa, evusa abafileyo, eshumayela iindaba ezilungileyo kwabangamahlwempu. IZenzo 10:38; Luka 4:18; Mateyu 11:5. Kuzo zonke iindidi ngokufanayo lwenziwa ubizo lwenceba: “Yizani kum nonke nina nibulalekayo, nisindwayo ngumthwalo, ndoninika ukuphumla” Mateyu 11:28. IE18 20.1

Nangona wavuzwa ngobubi ngenxa yokulungileyo, nentiyo ngenxa yothando lwaKhe (INdumiso 109:5), wazingisa ukuqhubeka nomsebenzi waKhe wenceba. Abazanga bagxothwa abo babefuna ubabalo lwaKhe. Engobhadulayo engenalo ikhaya, ukugculelwa nobuhlwempu izizinto zaKhe, waphilela ukuba alungiselele kwizidingo, aphungule umthwalo weentlungu zabantu, nokubakhunga ukuba basamkele isipho sobomi. Amaza enceba, abethwa abuya umva zezo ntliziyo zizingqola, ebuyiselwa ngamandla angaphezulu ngumsinga wothando olunemfesane engathethekiyo. Sekunjalo, uIsrayeli wajika wamshiya oyena Mhlobo noMncedi ekuphela kwaKhe. Ukukhunga kothando lwaKhe kwadelwa, amacebiso akhe atshikilelwa, izilumkiso zaKhe kwahlekiswa ngazo. IE18 20.2

Iyure yethemba noxolelo yayidlula ngokukhawuleza; indebe yengqumbo kaThixo ekade ibekelwe kude yayikufuphi ukuzala. Ilifu elalikade lisangana kwiinkulungwane zokreqo novukelo, ngoku elimnyama lusizi, lalise liza kugqabhuka phezu kwabantu abanetyala;waye Lowo inguye kuphela onokubasindisa kwisiphelo esizayo wayecekisiwe, waphathwa kakubi, waliwa, kwaye wayeza kubethelelwa emnqamlezweni kungekudala. Kwakuza kuthi akuba uYesu ejingile emnqamlezweni waseKalvari, ibe iphelile imini kaIsrayeli njengesizwe esithandiweyo nesisikelelweyo nguThixo. Ilahleko, neyomnye umphefumlo, yintlekele engaphezulu ngokungenamda kwiinzuzo neendyebo zomhlaba; kodwa xa uYesu wayeyikhangele iYerusalem, intshabalalo yomzi wonke, sonke isizwe, yayiphambi kwaKhe—loo mzi, eso sizwe, esasinyuliwe nguThixo ngaphambili, indyebo ekhethekileyo. IE18 20.3

Abaprofeti balila ngenxa yokreqo lukaIsrayeli nobugxwayiba oboyikekayo ezohlwaywa ngabo izono zabo. UYeremiya wathi akwaba amehlo akhe ayeyimithombo yeenyembezi, ukuze alile imini nobusuku ngenxa yentombi yabantu bakhe ebuleweyo, ngenxa yomhlambi kaYehova owasiwa ebukhobokeni. (Bona uYeremiya 9:1; 13:17). Yaba njani ke ngoko, intlungu yaLowo, okubona kwaKhe kwixesha elizayo, kwangenisa, hayi iminyaka, kodwa amaphakade! Wabona ingelosi etshabalalisayo inekrele eliphakanyiselwe umzi owawunexesha elide uyindawo yokuhlala kaYehova. Ukususela kungqameko lweNtaba yeMinquma, kanye le ndawo kwathi emva koko kwema kuyo uTito nomkhosi wakhe, wakhangela ngaphaya kwentili kwiinkundla ezingcwele neeveranda, iindonga ezirhangqwe yimikhosi yotshaba. Weva isingqi semikhosi ehlanganiselwe imfazwe. Waweva amazwi abazalikazi nabantwana bekhalela isonka kwisixeko esingqingiweyo. Wayibona indlu yayo engcwele nentle, amabhotwe neenqaba zayo, ziba ngamalangatye, nalapho babemi khona kuzindonga ezisatshayo. IE18 20.4

Ekhangele phambili kwiminyaka ephambili, wababona abantu bomnqophiso besasazeke bezimbacu kuwo wonke amazwe, “benjengeenqanawa ezibubugoxo kwichweba elashiywayo.” Kwimpindezelo yexeshana eyayiza kuwa phezu kwabantwana bayo, wabona ithamo lokuqala lendebe yengqumbo eyayiza kuthi kumgwebo wokugqibela iyisele nentlenga. Uvelwano lukaThixo, uthando olunolangazelelo, kwathethwa ngalo kumazwi akhalayo, athi: “Yerusalem, Yerusalem, wena ubabulalayo abaprofeti, ubagibisele ngamatye abobathunywe kuwe,kufuthi kangakanani na ndithande ukubabuthela ndawonye abantwana bakho, ngohlobo esithi isikhukukazi siwabuthele ndawonye amathole aso ngaphantsi kwamaphiko, anavuma!” Akwaba, sizwe esithandwe ngaphezu kwazo zonke, ubulazile ixesha lokufikelwa kwakho, nezinto ezizezoxolo lwakho! Ndiyinqandile ingelosi yobulungisa, ndikubizele enguqukweni, kodwa ngelize. Asingabo kuphela abakhonzi, abathunywa, nabaprofeti, owabalandulayo wabala, kodwa nOyingcwele kaIsrayeli, uMhlanguli wakho. Ukuba uyatshatyalaliswa, nguwe kuphela onokuziphendulela. “Nibe ningathandi ukuza kum, ukuze nibe nobomi.” Mateyu 23:37; Yohane 5:40. IE18 21.1

UKristu wabona eYerusalem umfuziselo welizwe eliqaqadekiswe kukungakholwa naluvukelo, nelikhawulezayo ukuya kujongana nembuyekezo yezigwebo zikaThixo. Iinkxwaleko zohlanga oluwileyo, zicinezele umphefumlo waKhe, zanyanzelisa ukuba kuphume emilebeni yaKhe isikhalo esikrakra ngokugqithisileyo. Wayibona ingxelo yesono ilandwa kwimbandezelo yomntu, ezinyembezini, nasegazini; intliziyo yakhe yachukunyiswa luvelwano olungenamda ngenxa yabantu bomhlaba abangcikiviweyo nabasentlungwini; walangazelela ukubakhulula bonke. Phofu nesandla saKhe esinamandla sasingenako ukuwujika umsinga wentlungu yomntu; bambalwa ababeya kufuna iThende labo loncedo ekuphela kwalo. Wayenentumekelelo ukuba angawuthulula umphefumlo waKhe kuse ekufeni, ukusondeza usindiso kubo; kodwa bambalwa ababeya kuza kuYe ukuze babe nobomi.IE18 21.2

Ingangalala yezulu ezinyembezini! uNyana kaThixo ongenasiphelo ekhathazekile emoyeni, eguqile yintlungu! Umboniso wazalisa izulu kukukhwankqiswa. Loo mboniso utyhila kuthi ububi obugqithisileyo besono; usibonisa indlela onzima ngayo umsebenzi, nakuMandla angenamda ngokwawo, wokusindisa aboni kwiziphumo zokugqithwa komthetho kaThixo. UYesu, ekhangele phambili kwisizukulwana sokugqibela, wabona ihlabathi lizike kwinkohliso efana naleyo yabangela ukutshabalala kweYerusalem. Isono esikhulu samaYuda saba kukwala umthetho kaThixo, isiseko solawulo lwaKhe ezulwini nasemhlabeni. Imithetho kaYehova iya kudelwa yenziwe into engento. Izigidi ezikwimbophelelo zesono, amakhoboka kaSathana, agwetyelwe ukuba ave ukufa kwesibini,ayeza kukwala ukuwaphulaphula amazwi enyaniso ngomhla wokuhanjelwa kwawo. Ubumfama oboyikekayo! Ukuthanda isono okusisimanga.IE18 22.1

Kwiintsuku ezimbini phambi kwePasika, akuba uKristu eyishiye okokugqibela itempile, emva kokuba esingele phantsi ubuhanahanisi babaphathi bamaYuda, waphinda waphuma nabafundi baKhe baya kwiNtaba yeMinquma, wahlala phantsi nabo kwithambeka eliluhlaza eliwuvelele ngasentla umzi. Waphinda wazijonga iindonga zawo, iinqaba, amabhotwe awo. Waphinda wayibona itempile ikubuhle bayo obubengezelayo, isithsaba sobuhle obuchophe phezu kwentaba engcwele.IE18 22.2

Kwiwaka leminyaka ngaphambili, umdumisi walubabaza uthando lukaThixo ngakuIsrayeli ngokuyenza indlu yakhe engcwele indawo yaKhe yokuhlala: “Umnquba wakhe waba seSalem, nekhaya lakhe eZiyon.” “Yanyula isizwe sakwaYuda, intaba yaseZiyon eyayithandayo. Yayakha njengokuphakama kwezulu ingcwele yakhe.” Itempile yokuqala yakhiwa ngelona xesha lalinempumelelo kwimbali kaIsrayeli. Indyebo eninzi yokufeza le njongo yayiqokelelwe nguKumkani uDavide, kwaza ukuyilwa kokwakhiwa kwayo kwenziwa ngempefumlelo yezulu engcwele. 1 IZikronike 28:12, 19. USolomon, esona silumko kwiikumkani zakwaIsrayeli, wayewugqibile umsebenzi. Le tempile yayisesona sakhiwo sihle kakhulu esakha sabonwa emhlabeni. Kanti ke uYehova wavakalisa oku ngomprofeti uHagayi, ngokubhekiselele kwitempile yesibini: “Buya kuba bukhulu ubuqaqawuli bamva bale ndlu, ngaphezu kobokuqala.” “Ndiya kuzinyikimisa zonke iintlanga, zifike kokuNqwenelekayo kuzo zonke iintlanga, ndiyizalise le ndlu ngobuqaqawuli [NKJV].” Hagayi 2:9, 7.IE18 22.3

Emva kokuba uNebhukadenetsare eyitshabalalisile itempile, yaphinda yakhiwa, kwisithuba samakhulu amahlanu eminyaka ngaphambi kokuzalwa kukaKristu, ngabantu abathi, emva kwexesha elide kakhulu besebukhobokeni, kwakukho phakathi kwabo amadoda asele ekhulile awayebubonile ubuqaqawuli betempile kaSolomon, nawalilayo ngenxa yesiseko sesakhiwo esitsha, kuba sasuka saphantsi kakhulu kunesangaphambili. Indlela abazivangayo ichazwa ngendlela eyodwa ngumprofeti, xa athi: “Ngubani na kuni apha oseleyo, owayibonayo le ndlu isesebuqaqawulini bayo bokuqala? Niyibona iyintoni na ke ngoku? Ayinjengento engento na emehlweni enu?” Hagayi 2:3. Ezra 3:12. Kungoko kwanikwa isithembiso sokuba, ubuqaqawuli bale ndlu yamva buya kuba bukhulu kunobaleyo yokuqala.IE18 23.1

Kanti ke itempile yesibini yayingafikeleli kweyokuqala ngobuhle; kwaye ingangcwaliswanga zezo mpawu zibonakalayo zobukho bobungcwele ezazikho kwitempile yokuqala. Kwakungekho kubonakalaliswa kwamandla angaphaya kwendalo ukuphawula ukunikelwa kwayo. Kwakungekho lifu lobuqaqawuli elabonwa lizalisa ingcwele entsha eyakhiweyo. Akukho mlilo wehla ezulwini ukuba udle idini elaliphezu kwesibingelelo. IShekina yayingasahlelanga phakathi kweekerubhi kwingcwele kangcwele; ityeya, isihlalo senceba, neetafile zobungqina zazingekho apho phakathi. Kwakungavakali lizwi liphuma ezulwini ukwazisa kumbingeleli obuzisayo intando kaYehova. IE18 23.2

Kwakuziinkulungwane amaYuda ezama ngelize ukubonisa apho sathi sazaliseka khona isithembiso sikaThixo esanikwa ngoHagayi; ukanti ikratshi nokungakholwa kwazimfamekisa iingqondo kweyona ntsingiselo iyinyaniso yamazwi omprofeti. Itempile yesibini yayingazukiswanga ngelifu lobuqaqawuli bukaYehova, kodwa ngobukho ubuqu obuphilileyo baLowo kwakukho kuYe ukuphelela kobuThixo—owayenguThixo ngokwaKhe ebonakalaliswe esenyameni. “Onqwenelekayo kuzo zonke iintlanga” ngokwenene wayefikile etempileni yaKhe xa uMntu waseNazarete efundisa ephilisa kwiintendelezo ezingcwele. Ngobukho bukaKristu, ngako kodwa kuphela, itempile yesibini yayidlula eyokuqala ngobuqaqawuli. Noko kunjalo, uIsrayeli wawususa kuye umnikelo osiSipho sezulu. Kwathi ngokudlula ngaloo mini kweTitshala ethobekileyo, iphuma kwisango legolide, kwathi kanti lumke ngonaphakade uzuko etempileni. Ngelo xesha ayezaliseka amazwi oMsindisi, athi: “Indlu yenu ishiywa nani ize.” Mateyu 23:38.IE18 23.3

Abafundi babezaliswe luloyiko nokukhwankqiswa ngokuxela kwangaphambili kukaKristu ukubhukuqwa kwetempile, baza balangazelela ukuqonda ngakumbi ngokupheleleyo intsingiselo yamazwi aKhe. Ubutyebi, umsebenzi, nobuchule bokuzoba nokwakha, bathabatha ngaphezu kwamashumi amane eminyaka buchithwa ngesisa kusenziwa ubuqaqawuli bayo. UHerode oMkhulu wathsafaza kuyo kokubini, ubutyebi baseRoma nendyebo yamaYuda, wada nokumkani womhlaba wayityebisa ngakumbi ngezipho zakhe. Amatye ebhastile elimhlophe, abukhulu bawo babumangalisa, awaziswa kusukwa nawo eRoma, ngenxa yale njongo, ayeyinxalenye yesi sakhiwo; baza abafundi batsalela ingqalelo yeNkosi yabo kuwo, besithi: “Mfundisi, uyawabona na la matye angaka, nezi zakhiwo zingaka!” Marko 13:1. IE18 24.1

Kula mazwi, uYesu akazange enze mpendulo inendili nemangalisayo. [Wasuka wathi]: “Niyazibona na zonke ezi zinto? Inene, ndithi kuni, akusayi kusala apha ilitye phezu kwelitye, elingayi kuchithwa.” Mateyu 24:2. IE18 24.2

Ngokoyiswa kweYerusalem, abafundi bazayamanisa iziganeko nokubuya kukaKristu esenyameni kubuqaqawuli bexeshana ukuba athabathele kuYe itrone yobukumkani bezwe lonke, ohlwaye amaYuda angafuniyo ukuzohlwaya, nokwaphula kwisizwe idyokhwe yamaRoma. INkosi yayibaxelele ukuba iya kubuya okwesibini. Kungoko kuthi xa kukhankanywa izohlwayo phezu kweYeusalem, iingqondo zibuyela koko kuza; baza bathi njengoko behlanganisene ngakuMsindisi phezu kweNtaba yeMinquma, babuza: “Ziya kubakho nini na ezo zinto; uya kuba yini na umqondiso wokufika kwakho, nowokupheliswa kwephakade eli?” Indima 3. IE18 24.3

Ikamva lalifihlwe ngovelwano kubafundi. Ukuba ngelo xesha babeye baziqonda ngokupheleleyo iinyaniso ezoyikekayo ezimbini—iintlungu nokufa koMhlanguli, nokutshatyalaliswa komzi wabo netempile—ngebagutyungelwa luloyiko. UKristu wabeka phambi kwabo ukulandelelana kweziganeko ezibalulekileyo ezaziza kwenzeka phambi kokuba kuphele ixesha. Amazwi aKhe awazange aqondwe ngokupheleleyo ngelo xesha; kodwa intsingiselo yawo yayiza kutyhilwa xa abantu baKhe beza kuba beyidinga imfundiso enikiweyo apho kuwo. Isiprofeto awayethetha ngaso sasintlantlu—mbini ngentsingiselo; lo gama sityhila kwangaphambili ukutshatyalaliswa kweYerusalem, sasikwanika umfanekiso wezinto ezoyikekayo zemini enkulu yokugqibela.IE18 24.4

UYesu wazixela kubafundi abaphulaphuleyo izohlwayo ezaziza kuwa phezu koIsrayeli okreqileyo, ngakumbi imbuyekezo yempindezelo eyayiza kuza phezu kwabo ngenxa yokumala nokumbethelela emnqamlezweni uMesiya. Imiqondiso engenako ukuphazanywa yayiza kubakho ngaphambi Kwesiphelo esoyikekayo. Iyure eyoyikwayo yayiza kufika ngokukhawuleza nokungxama. UMsindisi waya wabaluleka abalandeli baKhe, wathi: “Xa ke ngoko nithe nalibona isikizi lesiphanziso, ekwakuthethwa lona ngoDaniyeli umprofeti, limi endaweni engcwele (olesayo makaqiqe), ngelo xesha mabathi abakwelakwaYuda basabele ezintabeni.” Mateyu 24:15, 16; Luke 21:20, 21. Xa uthe umgangatho wonqulo lwezithixo wabekwa kumhlaba ongcwele, owawuthabathe indawo ende kakhulu ngaphandle kweendonga zomzi, ngelo xesha, abalandeli bakaKristu kwakuza kufuneka bafune inkuseleko ngokubaleka. Xa umqondiso wokulumkisa ubonakala, abo baza kusinda kuya kufuneka bangalibazisi. Kuwo wonke ummandla welakwaYuda, naseYerusalem ngokwayo, umqondiso wokusaba kufuneka uthotyelwe ngokukhawuleza. Lowo kwenzekileyo ukuba abe uphezu kwendlu kuye akufuneki ahle angene endlwini, angazami nokusindisa izinto zakhe ezixabisekileyo. Abo baya kuba besebenza emasimini okanye ezidiliyeni akufuneki ukuba bachithe ixesha bebuyela ukuya kuthabatha ingubo yokwaleka abebeyibeke ecaleni ngexesha besebenza nzima kubushushu bemini. Akufuneki balibazise nomzuzu, hleze bafunyanwe yintshutshiso yomntu wonke. IE18 25.1

Kulawulo lukaHerode, iYerusalem yayinganelanga nje ukwenziwa ntle, kodwa, ngokwakhiwa kweenqaba, iindonga, neenqaba zokuzimela, kusongezwa ekomeleleni kwendalo kwindawo ekuyo, yaya yenziwa ukuba ingangeneki. Lowo wayeza kuthi ngeli xesha axele ngenx’ engaphambili ngokutshatyalaliswa kwayo, njengoNowa, wayeya kubizwa ngokuba ungumvusi oyintlaba-mkhosi ophambeneyo. Kanti kuthe kunjalo, uKristu wayethe: “Liya kudlula izulu nomhlaba, ke wona amazwi am akasayi kudlula.” Mateyu 24:35. Ngenxa yezono zayo, ingqumbo yayivakalisiwe ngakwiYerusalem, zathi iinkani nokungakholwa kwayo kwenza ukuba intshabalalo yayo iqiniseke.IE18 25.2

UYehova wayethethe wenjenje ngomprofeti uMika: “Khanive oku, nina zintloko zendlu kaYakobi, nani baphathi bendlu kaIsrayeli, abakwenza amasikizi okusesikweni, bakujikajike konke okuthe tye; abayakha iZiyon ngamagazi, neYerusalem ngobugqwetha. Iintloko zayo zigweba ngenxa yesicengo, nababingeleli bayo bayayala ngenxa yomvuzo, nabaprofeti bayo bavumisa ngenxa yemali; baze bayame ngoYehova, besithi, UYehova akaphakathi kwethu, yini na? Asiyi kuzelwa bubi.” Mika 3:9-11. IE18 25.3

La mazwi ayichaza ngokunyanisekileyo inkohlakalo nokuzigwagwisa ngobulungisa kwabemi baseYerusalem. Lo gama besithi bayigcina ngqongqo imimiselo yomthetho kaYehova, babeyaphula yonke imithetho-siseko yawo. Bamthiya uKristu ngenxa yokuba ubunyulu nobungwele baKhe babutyhila ubugwenxa babo; baza bamtyhola ngokuthi ungunobangela wazo zonke iinkathazo ezathi zabakho phezu kwabo, zisisiphumo sezono zabo. Nangona babemazi ukuba akanaso isono, babethe ukufa kwaKhe kuyafuneka ukuze bakhuseleke njengesizwe. Ukuba sithe samyeka ngokunje,” zatsho iinkokeli zamaYuda, “bonke baya kukholwa kuye; athi ke amaRoma eze, athimbe indawo yethu, kwanohlanga lwethu.” Yohane 11:48. Xa athe uKristu wanikelwa, babeya kuphinda kwakhona babe ngabantu abomeleleyo nabamanyeneyo. Bazathuza ngolo hlobo, baza bavumelana kwisigqibo sombingeleli wabo omkhulu, sokuba, kuya kuba kuhle ukuba kufe umntu omnye endaweni yokuba kutshabalale isizwe siphela. IE18 26.1

Ngaloo ndlela, iinkokeli zakwaYuda zayakha “iZiyon ngamagazi, neYerusalem ngobugqwetha.” Mika 3:10. Kanti ke, ngeli xesha bebulala uMsindisi wabo kuba ekhalimele izono zabo, kwakunjalo ukuzibona kwabo bengamalungisa, kangangokuba bazithabatha njengabantu abathandiweyo nguThixo baza balindela ukuba iNkosi ibahlangule ezintshabeni zabo. “Ngako oko,” uyaqhubeka umprofeti, “ngenxa yenu iya kulinywa iZiyon ibe yintsimi, iYerusalem ibe yimiwewe, intaba yayo indlu ibe yimimango yehlathi.” Indima 12. IE18 26.2

Phantse yangamashumi amane eminyaka emva kokuba kuvakaliswe intshabalalo yeYerusalem nguKristu ngokwaKhe, uYehova wazilibazisa izigwebo phezu komzi nohlanga. Kwaba kuhle ukuzeka kade umsindo kukaThixo ngakwabazilandulayo iindaba ezilungileyo nababulali boNyana waKhe. Umzekelo womthi ongathwali siqhamo wawumele indlela uThixo aphethe ngayo isizwe sakwaYuda. Umyalelo wawuphumile, usithi, “Wugawule; yini na ukuba ude uphuthise nomhlaba?” (Luka 13:7) kodwa inceba yezulu yawusindisa ixesha elidana. Babesebaninzi phakathi kwamaYuda ababengekasazi isimilo nokusebenza kukaKristu. Abantwana abazange bawonwabele amathuba okanye bakufumane ukukhanya okwacekiswa ngabazali babo. Ngokushumayela kwabapostile namahlakani abo, uThixo wayeza kwenza ukuba ukukhanya kukhanye phezu kwabo; babeza kuvunyelwa ukuba babone indlela isiprofeto esazaliseka ngayo, kungekuphela ekuzalweni nasebomini bukaKristu, kodwa nasekufeni nasekuvukeni. Abantwana babengagwetywanga ngenxa yezono zabazali; kodwa, xa bethe banolwazi lwako konke ukukhanya okwakunikwe abazali, baza abantwana bakwala ukukhanya okunikelwe kubo, basuka babe ngamadlelane kwizono zabazali, babe bawuzalisile umlinganiso wobugwenxa babo. IE18 26.3

Ukunyamezela kukaThixo ngakwiYerusalem kwasuka kwanela ukuwaqinisekisa amaYuda ekungazohlwayini kwawo. Kwintiyo nenkohlakalo yawo ngakubafundi bakaYesu, basala isipho sokugqibela senceba. Ngoko ke, uThixo wayirhoxisa inkuseleko kubo wawasusa amandla waKhe athintela uSathana nezithunywa zakhe, saza isizwe sasala siphantsi kolawulo lwenkokeli esiyikhethileyo. Abantwana baso bayichasa inceba kaKristu, eyayiya kubenza ukuba bazoyise iimvakalelo zabo ezimbi, zaza zasuka ngoku zona zangaboyisi. USathana wavusa ezona nkanuko zikhohlakeleyo nezona ziphantsi zomphefumlo. Abantu babengacingi; babe ngaphaya kokucinga—belawulwa kukutshiseka nengqumbo engaboniyo. Baba nenkohlakalo kwintiyo yabo. Emakhaya nasesizweni, kolona ludidi luphezulu nolona luphantsi ngokufanayo, kwakukho ukukrokra, iminqweno, intiyo, ukulwa, uvukelo, ukubulala. Kwakungekho kukhuseleka kuyo yonke indawo. Abahlobo nabazizizalwana bathengisana ngokungcatshana. Abazali bababulala abantwana babo, bona abantwana babulala abazali. Abaphathi babantu babengenalo igunya lokuzilawula bona. Iinkanuko ezingalawulwanga zabenza bazindlobongela. AmaYuda ayamkele ubungqina obubuxoki ukuze kugwetywe uNyana kaThixo omsulwa. Ngoku, izityholo zobuxoki zenza ukuba obawo ubomi bungaqiniseki. Ngezenzo zabo, kwakukade besithi: “Menzeni aphele ebusweni bethu Oyingcwele kaIsrayeli.” Isaya 30:11. Ngoku, umnqweno wawo wenzeka.UkoyikauThixokwayeka ukuwaphazamisa. USathana wayephambili esizweni, aye nawona magunya aphezulu kulawulo lukarhulumente nolwasenkolweni ephantsi kolawulo lwakhe.IE18 27.1

Iinkokeli zamaqela achasayo ngamaxesha athile zazimanyana ukuba ziphange zithuthumbise amaxhoba axhwalekileyo, kuze kuphinde kuvukelane imikhosi yazo ibulalane ngokungenalo usizi. Nobungcwele betempile abuzange bukwazi ukuyibamba ingqumbo yazo eyoyikekayo. Abanquli babulawelwa phambi kwesibingelelo, yaza ingcwele yangcoliswa yimizimba yababuleweyo. Kanti ke, ebumfameni babo nakubuganga bokunyelisa kwabo, abaphembeleli balo msebenzi ukhohlakeleyo, bathi abanaxhala lokuba iYesuralem ingatshabalala, kuba ingumzi kaThixo ngokwaKhe. Ukumisela elabo igunya ngokuqine ngakumbi, banyoba abaprofeti bobuxoki ukuba, kuthi kanye ngoku amabutho emikhosi yamaRoma seyingqinge itempile, bavakalise ukuba abantu balindele ukuhlangulwa nguThixo. Kwada kwasekugqibeleni, izihlwele zibambelele ngokuthe nkqi kwinkolo yokuba Osenyangweni uya kungenelela ukuze zoyiswe iintshaba zabo. Kanti ke, uIsrayeli wayeyicekisile inkuseleko yezulu, waba ngoku akanalo ukhuselo. IYerusalem elusizi! ekrazulwe ziiyantlukwano zangaphakathi, igazi labantwana bayo eliphalazwe kwazezinye izandla zabo libomvu ezitratweni, lo gama imikhosi yeentshaba iwisa iinqaba ibulala amadoda ayo emfazwe!IE18 27.2

Konke okwaxelwa kwangaphambili nguKristu ngokubhekiselele ekutshatyalalisweni kweYerusalem kwazaliseka nqo njengoko kwakuthethiwe. AmaYuda ayibona inyaniso yamazwi aKhe okulumkisa, awayesithi: “[U]mlinganiselo enilinganisela abanye ngawo, niya kulinganiselwa kwangawo nani.” Mateyu 7:2.IE18 28.1

Imiqondiso nezimanga zabonakala, zihlola intlekele nentshabalalo. Kwathi ezinzulwini zobusuku, kwabakho ukukhanya okungaqhelekanga okwabengezela phezu kwetempile nesibingelelo. Phezu kwamafu ekutshoneni kwelanga kwakuzotywe iinqwelo namadoda emfazwe ebuthene ukuza edabini. Ababingeleli abalungiselela ebusuku engcweleni boyikiswa zizandi ezingaqhelekanga; umhlaba wanyikima, kwavakala amazwiesihlweleekhwaza:“Masihambesimke kule ndawo.” Isango elikhulu lasempuma, ekwakunzima nokuba livalwe ngamadoda angamashumi amabini, nelaliqiniswe ngemiqobo yentsimbi emiliselwe nzulu endleleni yelitye eliqinileyo, lavuleka enzulwini yobusuku, kungekho senzeleli sibonakalayo.--Milman, The History of the Jews, book 13.IE18 28.2

Kwaba yiminyaka esixhenxe kukho indoda eyayisihla inyuka ezitratweni zeYerusalem, ivakalisa ububi obabuza kufikela umzi. Emini nasebusuku yayivuma ingoma yosizi embi: “Ilizwi elivela empuma! Ilizwi elivela entshona! Ilizwi elichase isizwe sonke!” Milman, The History of the Jews, book 13. Lo mntu ungaqhelekanga wavalelwa entolongweni watywatyushwa, kodwa akazange akhalaze. Ekuthukweni nasekuphathweni kakubi, waphendula, wathi: “Yeha, yeha kwiYerusalem!” “yeha, yeha kubemi bayo!” Ukukhwaza kwayo akuzange kuphele yada yabulawa ekungqingweni eyayikuxele kwangaphambili. IE18 28.3

Akukho noyedwa umKristu owafayo ekutshatyalalisweni kweYerusalem. UKristu wayebanikile abafundi baKhe isilumkiso, baza bonke abakholwayo lilizwi laKhe bawulindela umqondiso. “Xa nithe nayibona iYerusalem irhawulwe yimikhosi, yazini oko ukuba kusondele ukuphanza kwayo. Ngelo xa mabathi abakwelakwaYuda basabele ezintabeni, nabo baphakathi kwayo mabaphume bemke.” Luka 21:20, 21. Emva kokuba amaRoma awayephantsi kukaCestius ewurhawule umzi, kwathi kungalindelekanga, asuka akushiya ukuwurhawula ngexesha kanye into yonke ibonakala ilulungele uhlaselo olukhawulezileyo. Abarhawulweyo, bephelelwe lithemba ekuxhathiseni okunempumelelo, babesele beza kunikezela, ngexesha injengele yaseRoma irhoxisa imikhosi yayo kungekho sizathu sibonakalayo. Kona ukubonelela kukaThixo kwakuzikhokela iziganeko ukuze kulungelwe abaKhe abantu. Umqondiso owawuthenjisiwe wawunikiwe kumaKristu alindeleyo, kwaza ngoku kwanikwa ithuba kubo bonke ababeya kusithobela isilumkiso soMsindisi. Iziganeko zalawulwa kakhulu kangokuba kwakungekho mYuda namRoma unokukuthintela ukubaleka kwamaKristu. Ekubuyeni umva kukaCestius, amaYuda, awayerhangqwe ziintshaba eYerusalem awusukela umkhosi wakhe orhoxayo; kwathi ngoku imikhosiemibini ixakeke lungquzulwano olunzulu, amaKristu anethuba lokuwushiya umzi. Ngeli xesha, ilizwe nalo lalingenazo iintshaba ezazinokuzama ukuwathintela. Ngexesha lokungqingwa, amaYuda ayehlanganisene eYerusalem kwisiDlo seMinquba, ngenxa yoko amaKristu alo lonke ilizwe akwazi ukusinda engachukumisekanga. Asaba ngaphandle kokulibazisa aya kwindawo ekhuselekileyo—umzi wasePella, kummandla wasePereya, ngaphesheya kweYordan.IE18 28.4

Imikhosi yamaYuda, eyayisukela uCestius nomkhosi wakhe, yamfikela ngasemva ngenkohlakalo eyawoyikisa ngentshabalalo epheleleyo. Kwakunzima kakhulu ukuba amaRoma angaphumelela ekubalekeni kwawo. AmaYuda asinda wona phantse engenayo ilahleko, aza abuya namaxhoba awo enoloyiso ukungena eYerusalem. Kanti ke, le nto eyayibonakala iyimpumelelo yazisa ukuxhathisa ngenkani kumaRoma awazisa ngokukhawuleza usizi olungathethekiyo phezu kwesixeko esigwetyiweyo. IE18 29.1

Zazisoyikeka kakhulu izihelegu ezawa phezu kweYerusalem kwakuphinda kuqalwe urhawulo nguTito. Isixeko sasingqongiwe ngexesha lePasika, xa izigidi zamaYuda zazibuthelene ngaphakathi kweendonga zaso. Oovimba bokudla kwazo, ababe nokuthi xa bagcinwe ngononophelo, bondle abemi iminyaka, zazisanda kutshatyalaliswa ngenxa yomona nempindezelo yamaqela axabanayo, kwaye ngoku kwakukho bonke ububi bendlala. Isilinganiso sengqolowa sasithengisa ngetalante [imali encinane]. Iphango lendlala lalilibi kangangokuba abantu babekrukra iintambo zofele ezazisezinqeni zabo, kwakunye neembadada nezingxobo zamakhaka abo. Amaqela amakhulu abantu babesaya kuchwechwa baphume ngaphandle ebusuku besiya kuchola-chola imifuno yasendle ekhula ngaphandle kweendonga zomzi, nangona abaninzi babebanjwa babulawe ngokuthuthunjiswa ngenkohlakalo, kanti abo babebuya besindile babehluthwa oko bakuqokelele phantsi kwengozi enkulu. Eyona ntuthumbo yayinenkohlakalo engapha kokucinga yayisenziwa ngabo basemagunyeni, behlutha kubantu abaxhwalekileyo intwana yokugqibela enqongopheleyo ababezame ukuyifihla. Ezi zenzo zenkohlakalo zazixhaphakile zisenziwa ngamadoda awayehluthi wona ngelo xesha, awayefuna nje ukugcinela ixesha elizayo koovimba.IE18 29.2

Amawaka atshabalala yindlala nobhubhane. Ukuthanda kwemvelo kwabonakala ngokungathi kutshabalele. Abayeni baqhatha abafazi babo, abafazi baqhatha abayeni. Abantwana babebonwa begxavula ukutya emilonyeni yabazali babo abalupheleyo. Umbuzo womprofeti, othi, “Umfazi angalulibala yini na usana lwakhe?” wayifumana impendulo ngaphakathi kweendonga zesixeko esigwetyiweyo: “Izandla zabafazi abanemfesane zipheke abantwanana babo, baba kukudla kwabo ekwaphukeni kwentombi yabantu bakowethu.” Isaya 49:15; IZililo 4:10. Saphinda sazaliseka isiprofeto sesilumkiso esanikwa kwishumi elinesine leenkulungwane ngaphambili: “Intokazi eling’awukazi, exhamle ubuncwane phakathi kwakho, ebingalingi ukubeka intende yonyawo lwayo emhlabeni, ngenxa yokuxhamla ubuncwane, nangenxa yokuba iling’awukazi, yoyikhangela ngeliso elibi indoda yesifuba sayo, nonyana wayo, nentombi yayo, . . . nangenxa yabantwana bayo ethe yabazala; kuba yobadla ngasese ekuswelekeni kweento zonke, ekungqingweni nasekuxinweni olokuxina ngako utshaba lwakho emasangweni akho.” Duteronomi 28:56, 57.IE18 30.1

Iinkokeli zamaRoma zazama ukufaka uloyiko kumaYuda ukuze ngaloo ndlela awenze ukuba azinikele. Loo mabanjwa ayexhathisa xa ethatyathwa, atywatyushwa, abethelelwa eminqamlezweni ngaphandle kodonga lomzi. Kwabulawa amakhulu yonke imihla ngolu hlobo, waza waqhuba lo msebenzi woyikekayo kwada kwathi, phakathi kwentili kaYehoshafati naseKalvari, iminqamlezo yamiswa yamininzi kangangokuba kwakunzima nokuhamba phakathi kwayo. Kwaba kubi kanjalo ukwenzeka kweso siqalekiso senziwa phambi kwesihlalo sikaPilato, [xa abantu bathi]: “Igazi lakhe malibe phezu kwethu, naphezu kwabantwana bethu.” Mateyu 27:25.IE18 30.2

UTito ngewaba nentumekelelo ukuwuphelisa lo mbono woyikekayo, aze ayisindise iYerusalem kumlinganiselo opheleleyo wentshabalalo yayo. Wazaliswa luloyiko xa wayekhangele imizimba yabafileyo iqungquluze iziimfumba entlilini. Njengomntu osembonweni, wayikhangela itempile entle kakhulu emi phezu kwencopho yentaba yeMinquma, wanika umyalelo wokuba kungachukunyiswa nelinye ilitye kuyo. Wathi phambi kokuba azame ukuyithabathela kuye le nqaba, wenza isibheno esinenzondelelo kwiinkokeli zamaYuda ukuba zingamnyanzeleli ekubeni ayingcolise ngegazi indawo engcwele. Ukuba zazingaphuma zilwe kwenye indawo, kwakungekho mRoma wayeza kubonakalisa ubungcwele betempile. UJosephus ngokwakhe, kwesona sibheno sinobuciko, wababongoza ukuba bazinikele, ukuze bazisindise bona, umzi wabo, kunye nendawo yabo yokunqula. Noko kunjalo, amazwi akhe aphendulwa ngezibi zona izithuko. Iintolo zajoliswa kuye, umntu ongumthetheleli wabo wokugqibela, ngexesha emi ecenga-cengana nabo. AmaYuda ayekwalile ukubongoza koNyana kaThixo, kwaza kwathi ngoku ukululeka nokubongoza kwawenza ukuba azimisele ukuxhathisa kude kube sekugqibeleni. Yaba lilize imizamo kaTito yokusindisa itempile; Lowo umkhulu kunaye wayethe, akusayi kusala nalinye ilitye phezu kwelinye.IE18 31.1

Inkani enobumfama yeenkokeli zamaYuda, nokwaphulwa komthetho okuthiyekileyo okwakuqhubeka ngaphakathi komzi orhawulweyo, kwakhuthaza inkohlakalo nengqumbo kumaRoma, waza wathi ekugqibeleni, uTito wagqiba ekubeni ayihlasele ngamandla itempile. Wazimisela, phofu, kwelokuba, xa kunokwenzeka, kuya kufuneka ukuba ayisindise entshabalalweni. Ngelishwa imiyalelo yakhe ayizange ithotyelwe. Wathi akuba ebuyele ententeni yakhe ngokuhlwa, amaYuda, awayesasele etempileni, ahlasela amasoldati angaphandle. Kuthe apha ekulweni, kwaphoswa isikhuni esivuthayo lisoldati ngenyoba eyayisepotshini, kwangoko amagumbi awayambathiswe ngemisedare awayejikeleze indlu engcwele avutha. UTito weza ngokukhawuleza, elandelwa ziinjengele namajoni akhe, wayalela ukuba kucinywe amalangatye. Awathotyelwanga amazwi akhe. Esemsindweni, amasoldati agibisela izikhuni ezivuthayo ngaphakathi kumagumbi awayame etempileni, aye ngamakrele wawo ebulala inyambalala yabo babebalekele apho. Igazi lankcenkceza njengamanzi kwizinyathelo zetempile. Amawaka ngamawaka amaYuda atshabalala. Ngaphezu kwesandi sedabi, avakala amazwi ekhwaza: “Ikhabhode!”—uzuko lumkile.IE18 31.2

“Kwaba nzima kuTito ukuyinqanda ingqumbo yamasoldati; wangena namagosa akhe, wawuhlola umphakathi wesakhiwo esingcwele. Ubuhlebayo kwabakhwankqisa; kwathi kuba amalangatye ayengekafiki amalangatye ayengekafiki kwingcwele, wenza ilinge lakhe lokugqibela ukuba ayisindise, waxhuma wema ngaphambili, waphinda wawabongoza amasoldati ukuba ayeke ukuqhubeka nokutshisa. Umthetheli-khulu uLiberalis wazama ukunyanzelisa ukuthobela kwabo basebenzi babengaphantsi kwakhe; kodwa kwakona ukuhlonitshwa kukakumkani kwafuneka kuvulele indlela ubutshaba obushushu ngakumaYuda, nto leyo eyalenza labashushu idabi, kunye nethemba elinganelisekiyo lokuphanga. Amasoldati ayibona yonke into ewajikelezileyo ibengezela igolide, neyayiphandla ngenxa yokubengezela kwamalangatye adlobayo; acinga ukuba indyebo engenakubalwa inokuba ifihlwe apho engcweleni. Isoldati, lithe lingajongwanga, lazama ukutshisa iihinjisi zocango: isakhiwo sonke savutha ngokukhawuleza. Umsi nomlilo wawaphandla amagosa abaleka abuya umva, saba siyashiywa isakhiwo esihle ukuba sizitshele.IE18 32.1

“Yayingumbono okhwankqisayo kumRoma—wawuyintoni kumYuda? Incopho yonke yenduli eyayingaphezu kwesixeko, ivutha okwentabamlilo. Izakhiwo zilandelelana ukungena, ngokuwa okukhulu, ziginywa sisihogo somlilo omkhulu. Amaphahla emisedare ayefana namacwecwe omlilo; iincopho ezigqunywe ngegolide zikhanya ngokwemicitsholo yokukhanya, iimpondo ezinde zamasango zikhupha imiqulu enyukileyo yomlilo nomsi. Iinduli ezikufutshane zazikhanyisiwe; iimbumba ngeembumba, ezimnyama zabantu zibukele ngokukhathazeka okukhulu ukuqhubeka kwentshabalalo: iindonga neendawo eziphakamileyo zomzi ongasentla zizele ngabantu ababuso babo babuluthuthu, abanye benentlungu yokudana, abanye bejame benempindezelo engenakwenza nto. Imikhwazo yamasoldati amaRoma ebaleka esihla enyuka, ukuhlahlamba kwabangaphakathi ababephela ngamalangatye, kwahlangana nokugquma kwamalangatye nokugqekreza kokuwa kwamaplanga. Izandi ezintabeni zaphendula okanye zabuyisa ukutswina kwabantu ezindaweni eziphakamileyo; ngasezindongeni zonke kuvakala izikhalo nezincwino; abantu ababesifa yindlala bazama ngawokugqibela amandla ukukhala bevakalisa intlungu nokuxhwaleka.IE18 32.2

“Ukubulala ngaphakathi kwakusoyikeka kakhulu kunokuba kubonakala xa kumiwe ngaphandle. Amadoda nabafazi, abadala nabatsha, abavukeli nababingeleli, abo babesilwa nabo babecengela inceba, banqunqelwa phantsi ngendyikityha engakhethe mntu. Inani lababulawayo ladlula kwelababulali. Amajoni aqeshiweyo ayekhwela phezu kweenqumba zabafileyo beqhubeka nomsebenzi wabo wokutshabalalisa.”--Milman, The History of the Jews, book 16. IE18 32.3

Emva kokutshatyalaliswa kwetempile, umzi wonke waba ngaphantsi kwezandla zamaRoma. Iinkokeli zamaYuda zazishiya iinqaba zazo ezingagqobhozekiyo, waza uTito wazifumana zimi zodwa. Wazikhangela emangalisekile, watsho ukuthi, uThixo uzinikele ezandleni zakhe; kwakungangazinqwelo, nokuba bezinamandla angakanani, ezazinokuzoyisa ezo nqaba zineendonga eziqinileyo. Umzi kunye netempile zawiswa kwangumhlaba, wathi umhlaba ekwakumi kuwo indlu engcwele waba njengendawo “[eya] kulinywa ibe yintsimi.” Yeremiya 26:18. Ekurhawulweni nasekubulaweni okwalandelayo, baba ngaphezu kwesigidi abantu ababulawayo; abasindayo kwahanjwa nabo bethinjiwe, bathengiswa njengamakhoboka, barhuqelwa eRoma beyokuba ziziboniso njengamaxhoba aboyisi, baphoswa emarhamncweni asendle kwiindawo zemidlalo, okanye basasazwa njengeembacu ezingenawo amakhaya kuwo wonke umhlaba.IE18 33.1

AmaYuda awakhanda ngokwawo amatyathanga awo; ayezizalisele ngokwawo indebe yempindezelo. Kwintshabalalo egqugqisileyo eyawafikelayo njengesizwe, nakuzo zonke iintsizi ezawalandelayo ekusasazweni kwayo, ayevuna isivuno esahlwayelwa zezawo izandla. Uthi umprofeti: “Uzonakalisile,” “ngokuba ukhubekile ngobugwenxa bakho.” Hoseya 13:9; 14:1. Ukuphatheka kakubi kwawo kusoloko kubekwa njengesohlwayo esiwe kuwo ngokomyalelo otsolileyo ovela kuThixo. Kungoko ke, umkhohlisi omkhulu ezama ukuwufihla owakhe umsebenzi. Ngokwaliwa okunenkani kothando nenceba yezulu, amaYuda enza ukuba inkuseleko kaThixo irhoxiswe kuwo, waza uSathana wavunyelwa ukuba awalawulengokwentandoyakhe. Iinkohlakaloezimbiezenzekayo ekutshatyalalisweni kweYerusalem zisisibonakalaliso samandla enzondo kaSathana kwabo baziyekela kulawulo lwakhe.IE18 33.2

Asinako ukwazi ukuba sixhomekeke kangakanani kuKristu ngoxolo nenkuseleko esizixhamlayo. Ngamandla kaThixo anqandayo athi aluthintele uluntu ukuba lungawi ngokupheleleyo phantsi kolawulo lukaSathana. Abangathobeliyo nabangenambulelo banesizathu esikhulu sokuba babe nombulelo ngenceba nokunyamezela kukaThixo ekuthinteleni igunya elikhohlakeleyo nelinolunya longendawo. Kanti ke, bathi abantu bakudlula kwimida yokunyamezela kwezulu, olo thintelo luyasuswa. UThixo akami phambi komoni njengomenzi wesigwebo esiwisiweyo ngokwaphulwa komthetho; kodwa ubashiya abo bayalayo inceba yaKhe ukuba bazibonele, bavune oko bakuhlwayeleyo. Wonke umtha wokukhanya owaliweyo, sonke isilumkiso esideliweyo okanye asathotyelwa, yonke inkanuko ekuyekelwe kuyo, konke ukugqithwa komthetho kaThixo, yimbewu ehlwayelwayo ethi inike isivuno sayo esiqinisekileyo. UMoya kaThixo, othe rhoqo usaliwa, ekugqibeleni uyarhoxiswa kumoni, kuze kusale kungekho mandla okulawula iinkanuko ezikhohlakeleyo zomphefumlo, kungekho nkuseleko kwinkohlakalo nobutshaba bukaSathana. Ukutshatyalaliswa kweYerusalem sisilumkiso esoyikekayo nesinendili kubo bonke abadlalisa ngeminikelo yenceba yezulu nokwaliwa kwezidingo zenceba kaThixo. Abuzanga banikwa ubungqina obuqiniseke ngokupheleleyo bentiyo kaThixo ngakwisono nasekohlwayeni okuqinisekileyo okuya kufikela abo banetyala.IE18 33.3

Isiprofeto soMsindisi ngokubhekiselele ekufikeni kwezigwebo phezu kweYerusalem sisaza kufumana okunye ukuzaliseka, okuza kwenza ukuba, oko bekukho kubonakala kulithinzi nje elingacacanga. Kwisiphelo sesixeko esikhethiweyo, sinokubona intshabalalo yehlabathi elithe layala inceba kaThixo lawunyhasha umthetho waKhe. Zimbi iingxelo zenkxwaleko yoluntu ezabakho emhlabeni kuzo iinkulungwane zolwaphulo lomthetho. Intliziyo iyagula, ingqondo iphelelwe ngamandla yakucinga. Zibi iziphumo zokwaliwa kwegunya leZulu. Kanti ke, owona mboniso umnyamaunikwekwizityhilelo zexeshaelizayo.Iingxelo zexeshaelidlulileyo, -- umngcelele omde wezidubedube, iimfazwe, nokuvukela, “[ukugqusha ngezihlangu kwabalwi] . . . ekungxoleni kokulwa, neengubo ezityikitywe emagazini” (Isaya 9:5),--zintoni zona ezo, xa kuthelekiswa nezinto ezoyikekayo zaloo mini, xa uMoya kaThixo othintelayo uya kuba urhoxiswe ngokupheleleyo kwabo bakhohlakeleyo, ukuze ungabi sakuthintela ukugqabhuka kwemvakalelo nengqumbo ekhohlakeleyo yomntu! Ngelo xesha, umhlaba uya kubona, ngendlela ongazanga wabona ngayo ngaphambili, iziphumo zolawulo lukaSathana.IE18 34.1

Kanti ke ngaloo mini, njengexesha kutshatyalaliswa iYerusalem, abantu bakaThixo baya kuhlangulwa, wonke oya kufunyanwa ebhaliwe phakathi kwabaphilileyo. Isaya 4:3. UKristu uxelile ukuba uya kubuya okwesibini ukuza kuhlanganisa abathembekileyo baKhe: “Zimbambazelele ngelo xesha zonke izizwe zomhlaba, zimbone uNyana woMntu esiza phezu kwamafu ezulu, enamandla, nobuqaqawuli obukhulu. Wozithuma izithunywa zakhe zasemazulwini, zinexilongo elisandi sikhulu, zihlanganisele ndawonye abanyulwa bakhe, baphume kumacala omane omoya, kuthabathela esiphelweni sezulu, kude kuse kwesinye isiphelo salo.” Mateyu 24:30, 31. Ngelo xesha, abo bangazithobelanga iindaba ezilungileyo baya kudliwa ngumoya womlomo waKhe baze batshatyalaliswe kukubengezela kokufika kwaKhe. 2 Tesalonika 2:8. Njengo wakudala, abakhohlakeleyo bayazitshabalalisa; bawa ngenxa yobugwenxa babo. Ngobomi besono, bazibeke kude nokuvumelana noThixo, indalo yabo yehla yaphantsi ngenxa yobubi, kangangokuba ukubonakalaliswa kobuqaqawuli baKhe, kubo kungumlilo odlayo. IE18 34.2

Abantu mabalumke hleze basityeshele isifundo esiziswa kubo emazwini kaKristu. Njengoko wabalumkisayo abafundi baKhe ngokutshatyalaliswa kweYerusalem, ebanika umqondiso wokuvela kwentshabalalo, ukuze bakwazi ukuzisindisa; ngokunjalo [uKristu] ulilumkisile ihlabathi ngemini yentshabalalo yokugqibela waza wabanika imiqondiso yokuvela kwayo, ukuze bonke abafunayo bayibaleke ingqumbo ezayo. UYesu uthi, “Kuya kubakho imiqondiso elangeni, nasenyangeni nasezinkwenkwezini, nasemhlabeni kubekho ukuxinezeleka kweentlanga.” Luka 21:25; Mateyu 24:29; Marko 13:24-26;IsiTyhilelo 6:12-17. Bonkeabazibonayo ezi zandulela elidlulileyo, zokuza kwaKhe baya kwazi“ukuba kukufuphi sekusemnyango.” Mateyu 24:33. “Lindani ngoko,” lawo ngamazwi aKhe okulumkisa. Marko 13:35. Abo basivayo isilumkiso abasayi kusala ebumnyameni, ukuze loo mini ibafikele bengalindelanga. Kwabo bangayi kulinda, “imini yeNkosi [iya kuza] njengesela ebusuku.” 1 Tesalonika 5:2-5. IE18 35.1

Ilizwe alikulungelanga ukusamkela isigidimi seli xesha kunokuba ayenjalo amaYuda ukwamkela isilumkiso soMsindisi ngokubhekise kwiYerusalem. Iya kuthi xa ifika, ibe imini kaThixo ingalindelekanga kwabo bangamhloneliyo uThixo. Xa ubomi buhamba indlela yabo eqhelekileyo; xa abantu bethe bhakada eziyolweni, emashishinini, besihla benyuka, ekwenzeni imali; xa iinkokeli zenkolo zibabaza inkqubela nokukhanyiselwa kwehlabathi, abantu belaliswe kwinkuseleko ebubuxoki—ngelo xesha, njengokuba isela ezinzulwini zobusuku lingena libe kwizakhiwo ezingalindwanga, ngokunjalo, intshabalalo ekhawulezileyo iya kubafikela abangakhathaliyo nabangahloneli Thixo, “bengayi kukha basinde.” Indima 3. IE18 35.2