We are considering the line of Ezekiel chapter thirty-seven, which first identifies the sounding of the seventh trumpet and the message to Laodicea, that brings about the army of the one hundred and forty-four thousand. Then Ezekiel repeats and enlarges upon that line by introducing the joining of the two sticks of the northern and southern kingdoms of Israel, as an illustration of the process by-which Divinity and humanity are joined during the time of the sounding of the Seventh Trumpet. Once the two nations are joined together as one nation, Ezekiel identifies that they have a king over them, and then he addresses the everlasting covenant that is the covenant accomplished with the one hundred and forty-four thousand, while emphasizing those last day covenant people would have God’s sanctuary in their midst for eternity.

Razmatramo slijed u trideset sedmom poglavlju Ezekiela, koji najprije prepoznaje oglašavanje sedme trube i poruku Laodiceji, što dovodi do vojske od sto četrdeset i četiri tisuće. Zatim Ezekiel ponavlja i proširuje taj slijed uvodeći sjedinjenje dvaju štapova sjevernoga i južnoga kraljevstva Izraela kao prikaz procesa po kojemu se božanstvo i čovještvo sjedinjuju za vrijeme oglašavanja Sedme Trube. Jednom kada su ta dva naroda sjedinjena u jedan narod, Ezekiel prepoznaje da imaju kralja nad sobom, a potom se obraća vječnom savezu, koji je savez izvršen sa sto četrdeset i četiri tisuće, pritom naglašavajući da će taj saveznički narod posljednjih dana imati Božje Svetište u svojoj sredini u svu vječnost.

We have added to that line, the work of John measuring the temple in 1844, thus typifying the final measuring that began on September 11, 2001. That measuring is also addressed by Zechariah, who includes that the measuring takes place when God once again chooses Jerusalem as the city to place His name. We are drawing a simile between the components that make up the temple, and the two sticks of the northern and southern kingdoms of Israel. The work of Christ in bringing together His Divinity with the humanity of the one hundred and forty-four thousand is represented in the two prophecies of the twenty-five hundred and twenty years of scattering brought upon the northern and southern kingdoms, in conjunction with the prophecy of twenty-three hundred years.

Tom smo nizu dodali Ivanovo djelo mjerenja hrama 1844. godine, čime ono predoznačuje konačno mjerenje koje je započelo 11. rujna 2001. To mjerenje obrađuje i Zaharija, koji uključuje da se mjerenje odvija kada Bog ponovno izabire Jeruzalem kao grad u koji će staviti svoje ime. Povlačimo usporedbu između sastavnica koje sačinjavaju hram i dvaju štapova sjevernoga i južnoga kraljevstva Izraela. Kristovo djelo u sjedinjenju svojega Božanstva s ljudskošću sto četrdeset i četiri tisuće prikazano je u dvama proročanstvima o dvije tisuće petsto dvadeset godina raspršenja koje je došlo na sjeverno i južno kraljevstvo, zajedno s proročanstvom o dvije tisuće tristo godina.

To identify what the sticks of Ezekiel represent in the work of the gospel requires a basic understanding of the gospel. Christ accepted our fallen flesh after four thousand years of inherited weakness, which were passed unto Him through Mary. As our Example, He demonstrated that by the exercising of His will, to be surrendered unto His Father’s will, we can overcome as He overcame, by exercising our will in subjection to His will. Our will is employed, either for good or evil in our brain, which is the citadel of the soul.

Da bismo utvrdili što štapovi iz Ezekiela predstavljaju u djelu evanđelja, potrebno je temeljno razumijevanje evanđelja. Krist je prihvatio našu palu ljudsku narav nakon četiri tisuće godina naslijeđene slabosti, koje su mu bile prenesene po Mariji. Kao naš Uzor, pokazao je da predavanjem svoje volje volji svojega Oca možemo pobijediti kao što je On pobijedio, vršeći svoju volju u podložnosti Njegovoj volji. Naša se volja u našem mozgu, koji je utvrda duše, upotrebljava ili za dobro ili za zlo.

“The student who desires to put the work of two terms into one, should not be permitted to have his own way in this matter. To undertake to do double work means with many, overtaxation of the mind, and a neglect of proper physical exercise. It is not reasonable to suppose that the mind can grasp and digest an oversupply of mental food, and it is as great a sin to overfeed the mind as it is to load the digestive organs, giving the stomach no periods of rest. The brain is the citadel of the whole man, and wrong habits of eating, dressing, or sleeping, affect the brain, and prevent the attaining of that which the student desires,—a good mental discipline. Any part of the body that is not treated with consideration will telegraph its injury to the brain. There should be exercised much patience and perseverance in instructing the youth how to preserve their health. They should become well informed on this matter, that every muscle and organ may be so strengthened and disciplined that in voluntary or involuntary action, the best of health may result, and the brain be invigorated to sustain the taxation of study.” Christian Education, 124.

„Učeniku koji želi obaviti rad dvaju semestara u jednom ne treba dopustiti da u tome provede svoju volju. Poduzeti dvostruk rad za mnoge znači preopterećenje uma i zanemarivanje odgovarajuće tjelesne vježbe. Nije razumno pretpostaviti da um može obuhvatiti i probaviti preobilje duševne hrane, i jednako je velik grijeh prehraniti um kao što je opteretiti probavne organe, ne dajući želucu nikakva razdoblja odmora. Mozak je utvrda cijeloga čovjeka, a pogrešne navike u jelu, odijevanju ili spavanju djeluju na mozak i sprječavaju postizanje onoga što učenik želi — dobre umne stege. Svaki dio tijela s kojim se ne postupa obzirno prenijet će svoju ozljedu mozgu. Potrebno je pokazati mnogo strpljenja i ustrajnosti u poučavanju mladih kako da sačuvaju svoje zdravlje. Oni trebaju biti dobro upućeni u to pitanje, kako bi svaki mišić i organ mogli biti tako ojačani i uvježbani da i u voljnom i u nevoljnom djelovanju proizađe najbolje zdravlje te da mozak bude osnažen kako bi podnio opterećenje učenja.” Christian Education, 124.

The work of the everlasting covenant is to write God’s law upon our hearts and our minds, and both our heart and our mind is located in the “citadel of our souls,” which is our brain.

Djelo vječnoga saveza jest upisati Božji zakon u naša srca i u naš um, a i naše srce i naš um nalaze se u „utvrdi naših duša“, što je naš mozak.

“The mind of a man or woman does not come down in a moment from purity and holiness to depravity, corruption, and crime. It takes time to transform the human to the divine, or to degrade those formed in the image of God to the brutal or the satanic. By beholding we become changed. Though formed in the image of his Maker, man can so educate his mind that sin which he once loathed will become pleasant to him. As he ceases to watch and pray, he ceases to guard the citadel, the heart, and engages in sin and crime. The mind is debased, and it is impossible to elevate it from corruption while it is being educated to enslave the moral and intellectual powers and bring them in subjection to grosser passions. Constant war against the carnal mind must be maintained; and we must be aided by the refining influence of the grace of God, which will attract the mind upward and habituate it to meditate upon pure and holy things.” Adventist Home, 330.

„Um muškarca ili žene ne pada u jednom trenutku od čistoće i svetosti u izopačenost, pokvarenost i zločin. Potrebno je vrijeme da se ljudsko preobrazi u božansko, ili da se oni koji su oblikovani na sliku Božju srozaju na zvjersko ili sotonsko. Gledanjem se mijenjamo. Premda je čovjek oblikovan na sliku svojega Stvoritelja, on može tako odgojiti svoj um da mu grijeh, koji je nekoć prezirao, postane ugodan. Kad prestane bdjeti i moliti, prestaje čuvati tvrđavu, srce, te se upušta u grijeh i zločin. Um se izopačuje, i nemoguće ga je uzdići iz pokvarenosti dok se odgaja da porobi moralne i umne sposobnosti i podvrgne ih grubljim strastima. Mora se održavati neprestani rat protiv tjelesnoga uma; i mora nam se pomoći pročišćujućim utjecajem Božje milosti, koji će um privlačiti naviše i privikavati ga da razmišlja o čistim i svetim stvarima.“ Adventist Home, 330.

The “mind,” the “heart,” the “brain” is the “citadel of the soul.” A citadel is a fortress that is to be guarded from the entrance of sin.

„Um“, „srce“, „mozak“ jest „citadela duše“. Citadela je tvrđava koju valja čuvati od ulaska grijeha.

“In His prayer to the Father, Christ gave to the world a lesson which should be graven on mind and soul. ‘This is life eternal,’ He said, ‘that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent.’ John 17:3. This is true education. It imparts power. The experimental knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ whom He has sent, transforms man into the image of God. It gives to man the mastery of himself, bringing every impulse and passion of the lower nature under the control of the higher powers of the mind. It makes its possessor a son of God and an heir of heaven. It brings him into communion with the mind of the Infinite, and opens to him the rich treasures of the universe.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 114.

„U svojoj molitvi Ocu, Krist je svijetu dao pouku koja bi trebala biti urezana u um i dušu. ‘A ovo je život vječni’, rekao je, ‘da upoznaju Tebe, jedinoga istinitoga Boga, i Isusa Krista, kojega si poslao.’ Ivan 17,3. To je pravo obrazovanje. Ono daje snagu. Iskustveno poznavanje Boga i Isusa Krista, kojega je On poslao, preobražava čovjeka na Božju sliku. Ono daje čovjeku vlast nad samim sobom, dovodeći svaki poriv i svaku strast niže naravi pod nadzor viših sila uma. Ono svojega posjednika čini Božjim sinom i baštinikom neba. Ono ga dovodi u zajedništvo s umom Beskonačnoga i otvara mu bogate riznice svemira.“ Kristove usporedbe, 114.

The “higher powers” are to be employed to control and bring into subjection the “impulses and passions of the lower nature.” The higher powers are located in the mind, and it is “communion with the mind of the Infinite,” that “transforms man into the image of God.” In the sealing time of the one hundred and forty-four thousand the image of the beast is formed in one class and the image of Christ in the other class. What accomplishes the transformation is the connection of minds. Those who have a carnal or fleshly mind as Paul identifies it, form the image of the flesh—the beast. Those who have attained the mind of Christ, form the image of Christ. The promise of the covenant is that we can attain to the mind of Christ at conversion, though we were all born with a carnal mind.

„Više sile“ trebaju se upotrijebiti da bi se obuzdali i podvrgnuli „nagoni i strasti niže naravi“. Više su sile smještene u umu, i upravo „zajedništvo s umom Beskonačnoga“ „preobražava čovjeka na sliku Božju“. U vrijeme pečaćenja sto četrdeset i četiri tisuće u jednoj se skupini oblikuje slika zvijeri, a u drugoj skupini slika Kristova. Ono što ostvaruje tu preobrazbu jest povezanost umova. Oni koji imaju tjelesni ili puteni um, kako ga Pavao označava, oblikuju sliku tijela — zvijeri. Oni koji su zadobili Kristov um, oblikuju sliku Kristovu. Obećanje Saveza jest da pri obraćenju možemo zadobiti Kristov um, premda smo svi rođeni s tjelesnim umom.

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Philippians 2:5–8.

Neka u vama bude isto mišljenje koje je bilo i u Kristu Isusu: On, koji, iako u obličju Božjem, nije smatrao grabežom to što je jednak Bogu, nego je sam sebe lišio ugleda, uzevši obličje sluge i postavši sličan ljudima; i našavši se obličjem kao čovjek, ponizio je samoga sebe i postao poslušan do smrti, i to smrti na križu. Filipljanima 2,5–8.

We are to have the mind of Christ in us, as it was also in Christ, for we were created in His image. But we do not have that mind, we have a carnal mind, sold under sin.

Treba da u nama bude Kristov um, kao što je bio i u Kristu, jer smo stvoreni na njegovu sliku. Ali mi nemamo taj um; imamo tjelesni um, prodan pod grijeh.

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. Romans 8:1–10.

Stoga sada nema nikakve osude onima koji su u Kristu Isusu, koji ne hode po tijelu, nego po Duhu. Jer zakon Duha života u Kristu Isusu oslobodio me od zakona grijeha i smrti. Jer što Zakon nije mogao učiniti, budući da je po tijelu bio nemoćan, Bog je, poslavši Sina svojega u obličju grešnoga tijela i za grijeh, osudio grijeh u tijelu: da se pravednost Zakona ispuni u nama, koji ne hodimo po tijelu, nego po Duhu. Jer oni koji su po tijelu misle na ono što je tjelesno; a oni koji su po Duhu na ono što je od Duha. Jer težnja tijela jest smrt, a težnja Duha život je i mir. Zato što je težnja tijela neprijateljstvo protiv Boga; jer se ne pokorava Zakonu Božjemu, niti se doista može pokoravati. Stoga oni koji su u tijelu ne mogu ugoditi Bogu. A vi niste u tijelu, nego u Duhu, ako doista Duh Božji prebiva u vama. Ako pak tko nema Duha Kristova, taj nije njegov. A ako je Krist u vama, tijelo je mrtvo zbog grijeha, a Duh je život zbog pravednosti. Rimljanima 8:1–10.

To be of the Spirit is life, and to be of the flesh is death. The flesh is the lower nature, it is the source of our feelings. The fleshly lower nature is to be governed by the higher nature, which is accomplished by the exercise of our wills in subjection to the Holy Spirit. Our higher carnal minds can be transformed here and now, but our lower nature must wait for the Second Coming to be changed.

Biti od Duha jest život, a biti od tijela jest smrt. Tijelo je niža narav; ono je izvor naših osjećaja. Tjelesna niža narav treba biti upravljana višom naravi, a to se postiže izvršavanjem naše volje u podložnosti Duhu Svetomu. Naši viši tjelesni umovi mogu biti preobraženi ovdje i sada, ali naša niža narav mora čekati Drugi dolazak da bude promijenjena.

Ezekiel’s two sticks identify a stick that is represented as the courtyard, and that stick reached its conclusion in 1798. It had been perfectly divided by twelve hundred and sixty years of paganism trampling down the host, and twelve hundred and sixty years of papalism trampling down the host. That stick did not represent the trampling down of God’s sanctuary, for God’s sanctuary was located in the southern kingdom. The host that was trampled down by paganism and papalism, was a human temple, but in relation to the southern kingdom it was the body, and the southern kingdom was where God chose to place the head. The northern kingdom was the body, the southern kingdom was the head.

Ezekielova dva štapa prepoznaju štap koji je predstavljen kao predvorje, i taj je štap dosegnuo svoj završetak 1798. godine. Bio je savršeno podijeljen s tisuću dvjesto šezdeset godina poganstva koje je gazilo vojsku i tisuću dvjesto šezdeset godina papinstva koje je gazilo vojsku. Taj štap nije predstavljao gaženje Božjeg Svetišta, jer se Božje Svetište nalazilo u južnom kraljevstvu. Vojska koju su poganstvo i papinstvo gazili bila je ljudski hram, ali u odnosu na južno kraljevstvo to je bilo tijelo, a južno kraljevstvo bilo je mjesto gdje je Bog izabrao postaviti glavu. Sjeverno kraljevstvo bilo je tijelo, južno kraljevstvo bilo je glava.

The northern kingdom’s two divisions of twelve hundred and sixty years, represented the two various tendencies to sin in the body temple, as represented by inherited and cultivated tendencies. Paganism was a symbol of the inherited tendencies of sin in the body temple, and papalism’s adoption of the religion of paganism, represents the cultivated tendencies to sin. In either case, the body temple could not be transformed until the Second Coming, so the stick of the northern kingdom extended only to 1798, and when John was told to measure the temple, that stick was to be left off.

Dvije podjele sjevernoga kraljevstva od tisuću dvjesto i šezdeset godina predstavljale su dvije različite sklonosti grijehu u tjelesnom hramu, prikazane kao naslijeđene i stečene sklonosti. Poganstvo je bilo simbol naslijeđenih sklonosti grijehu u tjelesnom hramu, a papinstvo, prihvaćanjem religije poganstva, predstavlja stečene sklonosti grijehu. U oba slučaja, tjelesni hram nije mogao biti preobražen sve do Drugoga dolaska, stoga se štap sjevernoga kraljevstva protezao samo do 1798. godine, a kada je Ivanu bilo rečeno da izmjeri hram, taj je štap trebalo izostaviti.

The word “conversion,” means a transformation or change from one state or condition to another. When Adam and Eve sinned, they were “converted” from their original state, for they had been created perfect, in the image of God, with the higher powers controlling the lower powers. When they sinned, they were “converted” into a being where the lower powers took ascendancy over the higher powers. They transmitted that condition to all their descendants.

Riječ „obraćenje” znači preobrazbu ili promjenu iz jednoga stanja ili položaja u drugo. Kada su Adam i Eva sagriješili, bili su „obraćeni” iz svojega izvornog stanja, jer su bili stvoreni savršeni, na sliku Božju, tako da su više sile upravljale nižima. Kada su sagriješili, bili su „obraćeni” u biće u kojemu su niže sile zadobile prevlast nad višima. To su stanje prenijeli na sve svoje potomke.

In the prophetic relation of Ezekiel’s two sticks, the Lord chose Jerusalem to be the head, the capital where the king resided. It was to be the higher power. In the simile of the two sticks the southern kingdom was the lower power in relation to the higher kingdom in the north. The conversion that is represented when the two sticks were to be joined, required that the southern kingdom was returned to its position as the head. It was to be converted unto the northern kingdom, for it was then joined with the true king of the north, and connected with the throne room of the true northern kingdom.

U proročkom odnosu Ezekielovih dvaju štapova, Gospodin je izabrao Jeruzalem da bude glava, prijestolnica u kojoj je kralj prebivao. Trebao je biti viša vlast. U usporedbi o dvama štapovima južno je kraljevstvo bilo niža vlast u odnosu na više kraljevstvo na sjeveru. Obraćenje koje je predočeno time što su dva štapa trebala biti sjedinjena, zahtijevalo je da južno kraljevstvo bude vraćeno na svoj položaj glave. Trebalo se obratiti sjevernom kraljevstvu, jer je tada bilo sjedinjeno s istinskim kraljem sjevera i povezano s prijestolnom dvoranom istinskoga sjevernog kraljevstva.

For this reason, the northern kingdom only reached to 1798, and John was told to leave off the courtyard, which only reached to 1798. The southern kingdom would be joined to the stick of the twenty-three hundred years with the arrival of the third angel, but the northern kingdom would end as the combination of divinity and humanity was accomplished within the two apartments of the temple which John then measured. The northern kingdom was connected by the link of forty-six with the southern kingdom, at the arrival of the third angel, but it did not directly connect with 1844, as did the southern kingdom.

Zbog toga je sjeverno kraljevstvo dosezalo samo do 1798., a Ivanu je bilo rečeno da izostavi predvorje, koje je također dosezalo samo do 1798. Južno će se kraljevstvo pridružiti štapu dviju tisuća i tristo godina dolaskom trećega anđela, ali sjeverno će kraljevstvo završiti kada se u dvama odjeljcima Hrama, koje je Ivan tada izmjerio, ostvari sjedinjenje božanskoga i ljudskoga. Sjeverno je kraljevstvo bilo povezano s južnim kraljevstvom vezom četrdeset i šest pri dolasku trećega anđela, ali nije bilo izravno povezano s 1844., kao što je to bilo južno kraljevstvo.

The southern kingdom was linked with both the temple of forty-six years, and the combination of divinity with humanity represented by the two hundred and twenty years. The northern kingdom in 1798, marked the foundation of the temple of forty-six years, but it there ended, for as the foundation, it represented the flesh which Christ had taken upon Himself, and His flesh was slain from the foundation of the world. All the temples are interchangeable symbols, and the foundation of the forty-six years in 1798, identifies His human flesh, and the conclusion of those forty-six years in 1844, identifies His Divinity.

Južno je kraljevstvo bilo povezano i sa hramom od četrdeset i šest godina, i sa sjedinjenjem božanstva s čovještvom, predstavljenim s dvjesto i dvadeset godina. Sjeverno je kraljevstvo 1798. označilo temelj hrama od četrdeset i šest godina, ali je ondje i završilo, jer je, kao temelj, predstavljalo tijelo koje je Krist uzeo na Sebe, a Njegovo je tijelo zaklano od postanka svijeta. Svi su hramovi zamjenjivi simboli, a temelj četrdeset i šest godina 1798. poistovjećuje Njegovo ljudsko tijelo, dok završetak tih četrdeset i šest godina 1844. poistovjećuje Njegovo božanstvo.

The host that was trampled down until 1798 was not God’s sanctuary, though God’s sanctuary was represented as being trampled down in that period of time, but that trampling down was being carried out in the southern kingdom, where God had chosen Jerusalem, to place His sanctuary and name. The host that had been trampled down, represented the Gentiles, it represented the body.

Vojska koja je bila pogažena sve do 1798. nije bila Božje Svetište, premda je Božje Svetište bilo prikazano kao pogaženo u tom vremenskom razdoblju, nego se to gaženje odvijalo u južnom kraljevstvu, gdje je Bog izabrao Jeruzalem da ondje postavi svoje Svetište i svoje ime. Vojska koja je bila pogažena predstavljala je neznabošce; predstavljala je tijelo.

When Adam and Eve sinned, the “seven times” of seven thousand years of humanity being trampled down by sin began. At that point, the Lamb who was slain from the foundation of the world provided skins of lamb to cover the sinful nakedness of humanity. When the trampling down of humanity concluded in 1798, the Lamb, who is the foundation and builder of every sanctified representation of a temple, was again slain. There the northern kingdom, and the human temple represented therein, ended.

Kad su Adam i Eva sagriješili, započela su „sedam vremena“ od sedam tisuća godina tijekom kojih je čovječanstvo bilo gaženo grijehom. Tada je Jaganjac, zaklan od postanka svijeta, dao janjeće kože da pokriju grešnu golotinju čovječanstva. Kada je gaženje čovječanstva završilo 1798. godine, Jaganjac, koji je temelj i graditelj svakoga posvećenog prikaza hrama, bio je ponovno zaklan. Ondje je završilo sjeverno kraljevstvo i ljudski hram koji je u njemu bio prikazan.

1798 was when the counterfeit antichrist was slain after he had given his satanic witness of three and a half prophetic years, which began with his empowerment in the year 538, which was preceded by thirty years of preparation beginning in the year 508. That was a satanic counterfeit of Christ’s thirty years of preparation that began at His birth, which ended at His empowerment, when He was baptized, and thereafter He gave His testimony for three and a half literal years until He reached the point where the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world was crucified. Then was fulfilled His promise that once the temple was destroyed, He would raise it up in three days.

Godina 1798. bila je vrijeme kada je krivotvoreni antikrist bio usmrćen nakon što je dao svoje sotonsko svjedočanstvo tijekom tri i pol proročke godine, koje su započele njegovim osnaženjem godine 538., čemu je prethodilo trideset godina priprave započete godine 508. To je bilo sotonsko krivotvorenje Kristovih trideset godina priprave koje su započele pri Njegovu rođenju, a završile Njegovim osnaženjem, kada je bio kršten, nakon čega je davao svoje svjedočanstvo tijekom tri i pol doslovne godine sve dok nije dosegao točku u kojoj je Jaganjac zaklan od postanka svijeta bio razapet. Tada se ispunilo Njegovo obećanje da će, kad hram jednom bude razoren, podići ga za tri dana.

He would be the one that raised up His body temple, for it was the power of His divinity that accomplished the resurrection, for His divinity did not die at the crucifixion, it was His humanity that died on the cross, for it is impossible for God to die.

On će biti onaj koji će podići hram svoga tijela, jer je sila njegova božanstva izvršila uskrsnuće; njegovo božanstvo nije umrlo pri raspeću, nego je njegova ljudska narav umrla na križu, jer je nemoguće da Bog umre.

“‘I am the resurrection, and the life’ (John 11:25). He who had said, ‘I lay down my life, that I might take it again’ (John 10:17), came forth from the grave to life that was in Himself. Humanity died; divinity did not die. In His divinity, Christ possessed the power to break the bonds of death. He declares that He has life in Himself to quicken whom He will.” Selected Messages, book 1, 301.

“‘Ja sam uskrsnuće i život’ (Ivan 11,25). Onaj koji je rekao: ‘Polažem svoj život da ga opet uzmem’ (Ivan 10,17), izišao je iz groba u život koji je bio u njemu samome. Čovještvo je umrlo; božanstvo nije umrlo. U svojem božanstvu Krist je posjedovao moć raskinuti okove smrti. On izjavljuje da ima život u sebi da oživi koga hoće.” Selected Messages, knjiga 1, 301.

In 1798, the human temple, the host of the “northern kingdom”, came to a conclusion, for as the symbol of the lower nature, it could not be changed until the resurrection at the Second Coming. It did however identify the foundation of the forty-six years when Christ raised up the temple which could be transformed, represented by the southern kingdom, which was a symbol of the higher powers of the mind, which is transformed the moment a sinner is justified.

Godine 1798. ljudski je hram, vojska „sjevernoga kraljevstva”, došao svomu završetku, jer se, kao simbol niže naravi, nije mogao promijeniti sve do uskrsnuća o Drugome dolasku. Ipak, označio je temelj četrdeset i šest godina kada je Krist podigao hram koji je mogao biti preobražen, predstavljen južnim kraljevstvom, koje je bilo simbol viših sila uma, što se preobražava u samome trenutku kada je grešnik opravdan.

“Upon the foundation that Christ Himself had laid, the apostles built the church of God. In the Scriptures the figure of the erection of a temple is frequently used to illustrate the building of the church. Zechariah refers to Christ as the Branch that should build the temple of the Lord. He speaks of the Gentiles as helping in the work: ‘They that are far off shall come and build in the temple of the Lord;’ and Isaiah declares, ‘The sons of strangers shall build up thy walls.’ Zechariah 6:12, 15; Isaiah 60:10.

„Na temelju koji je sam Krist postavio, apostoli su sagradili Božju crkvu. U Svetome pismu slika podizanja hrama često se rabi da bi se prikazala izgradnja crkve. Zaharija upućuje na Krista kao na Izdanak koji će sagraditi hram Gospodnji. On govori o neznabošcima kao o onima koji pomažu u tome djelu: ‘I oni koji su daleko doći će i graditi u hramu Gospodnjemu;’ a Izaija izjavljuje: ‘Sinovi tuđinaca sagradit će tvoje zidove.’ Zaharija 6,12.15; Izaija 60,10.”

“Writing of the building of this temple, Peter says, ‘To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.’ 1 Peter 2:4, 5.

„Govoreći o izgradnji ovoga hrama, Petar kaže: ‘Pristupajući k njemu, živomu Kamenu, kojega ljudi, istina, odbaciše, ali koji je kod Boga izabran i dragocjen, i vi se kao živo kamenje ugrađujete u duhovni dom, sveto svećenstvo, da prinosite duhovne žrtve ugodne Bogu po Isusu Kristu.’ 1. Petrova 2,4.5.

“In the quarry of the Jewish and the Gentile world the apostles labored, bringing out stones to lay upon the foundation. In his letter to the believers at Ephesus, Paul said, ‘Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the Chief Cornerstone; in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: in whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.’ Ephesians 2:19–22.

„U kamenolomu židovskoga i poganskoga svijeta apostoli su se trudili, vadeći kamenje da ga polože na temelj. U svojoj poslanici vjernicima u Efezu Pavao je rekao: ‘Dakle, više niste tuđinci ni pridošlice, nego sugrađani sa svetima i ukućani Božji; nazidani na temelju apostola i proroka, a sam je Isus Krist zaglavni kamen; u njemu je sva građevina skladno povezana i raste u sveti hram u Gospodinu; u njemu se i vi zajedno ugrađujete za prebivalište Božje u Duhu.’ Efežanima 2:19–22.“

“And to the Corinthians he wrote: ‘According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise master builder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.’ 1 Corinthians 3:10–13.

„A Korinćanima je pisao: ‘Po milosti Božjoj koja mi je dana, kao mudar graditelj postavio sam temelj, a drugi na njemu gradi. Ali neka svaki pazi kako na njemu gradi. Jer nitko ne može postaviti drugoga temelja osim onoga koji je postavljen, a taj je Isus Krist. Ako li tko na tom temelju gradi zlato, srebro, drago kamenje, drvo, sijeno, slamu, svačije će djelo postati očito; jer će ga onaj Dan pokazati, budući da se u ognju otkriva; i oganj će ispitati kakvo je čije djelo.’ 1 Corinthians 3:10–13.

“The apostles built upon a sure foundation, even the Rock of Ages. To this foundation they brought the stones that they quarried from the world. Not without hindrance did the builders labor. Their work was made exceedingly difficult by the opposition of the enemies of Christ. They had to contend against the bigotry, prejudice, and hatred of those who were building upon a false foundation. Many who wrought as builders of the church could be likened to the builders of the wall in Nehemiah’s day, of whom it is written: ‘They which builded on the wall, and they that bare burdens, with those that laded, everyone with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other hand held a weapon.’ Nehemiah 4:17.” Acts of the Apostles, 595, 596.

„Apostoli su gradili na sigurnu temelju, upravo na Vječnoj Stijeni. Na taj su temelj donosili kamenje koje su isklesali iz svijeta. Graditelji nisu radili bez zapreka. Njihov je rad bio krajnje otežan protivljenjem Kristovih neprijatelja. Morali su se boriti protiv zadrtosti, predrasuda i mržnje onih koji su gradili na lažnome temelju. Mnogi koji su djelovali kao graditelji Crkve mogli bi se usporediti s graditeljima zida u Nehemijino vrijeme, o kojima je zapisano: ‘Koji zidahu na zidu, i koji nošahu terete, i koji natovarivahu, svaki jednom rukom rađaše na poslu, a drugom rukom držaše oružje.’ Nehemija 4,17.” Djela apostolska, 595, 596.

We will continue this study in the next article.

Nastavit ćemo ovo proučavanje u sljedećem članku.

“The fall of man filled all heaven with sorrow. The world that God had made was blighted with the curse of sin and inhabited by beings doomed to misery and death. There appeared no escape for those who had transgressed the law. Angels ceased their songs of praise. Throughout the heavenly courts there was mourning for the ruin that sin had wrought.

„Pad čovjeka ispunio je cijelo nebo tugom. Svijet koji je Bog stvorio bio je pogođen prokletstvom grijeha i nastanjen bićima osuđenima na bijedu i smrt. Nije se činilo da ima ikakva izlaza za one koji su prestupili Zakon. Anđeli su prestali sa svojim pjesmama hvale. Po svim nebeskim dvorovima vladala je žalost zbog propasti koju je grijeh prouzročio.

“The Son of God, heaven’s glorious Commander, was touched with pity for the fallen race. His heart was moved with infinite compassion as the woes of the lost world rose up before Him. But divine love had conceived a plan whereby man might be redeemed. The broken law of God demanded the life of the sinner. In all the universe there was but one who could, in behalf of man, satisfy its claims. Since the divine law is as sacred as God Himself, only one equal with God could make atonement for its transgression. None but Christ could redeem fallen man from the curse of the law and bring him again into harmony with Heaven. Christ would take upon Himself the guilt and shame of sin—sin so offensive to a holy God that it must separate the Father and His Son. Christ would reach to the depths of misery to rescue the ruined race.

„Božji Sin, slavni Zapovjednik neba, bio je ganut samilošću prema palome ljudskom rodu. Njegovo se srce pokrenulo beskrajnom sućuti dok su se pred Njime uzdizale nevolje izgubljenoga svijeta. No božanska je ljubav osmislila plan po kojemu čovjek može biti otkupljen. Prekršeni Božji zakon zahtijevao je život grešnika. U svemiru je postojao samo jedan koji je mogao, u čovjekovu korist, udovoljiti njegovim zahtjevima. Budući da je božanski zakon svet kao i sam Bog, samo je Onaj koji je jednak Bogu mogao izvršiti pomirenje za njegov prijestup. Nitko osim Krista nije mogao otkupiti paloga čovjeka od prokletstva Zakona i ponovno ga dovesti u sklad s Nebom. Krist će na Sebe uzeti krivnju i sramotu grijeha — grijeha tako uvredljiva svetome Bogu da mora razdvojiti Oca i Njegova Sina. Krist će sići u dubine bijede kako bi izbavio upropašteni ljudski rod.“

“Before the Father He pleaded in the sinner’s behalf, while the host of heaven awaited the result with an intensity of interest that words cannot express. Long continued was that mysterious communing—’the counsel of peace’ (Zechariah 6:13) for the fallen sons of men. The plan of salvation had been laid before the creation of the earth; for Christ is ‘the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world’ (Revelation 13:8); yet it was a struggle, even with the King of the universe, to yield up His Son to die for the guilty race. But ‘God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.’ John 3:16. Oh, the mystery of redemption! the love of God for a world that did not love Him! Who can know the depths of that love which ‘passeth knowledge’? Through endless ages immortal minds, seeking to comprehend the mystery of that incomprehensible love, will wonder and adore.

„Pred Ocem je posredovao u korist grešnika, dok je nebeska vojska iščekivala ishod sa silinom zanimanja koju riječi ne mogu izraziti. Dugo je trajalo to tajanstveno općenje — „vijeće mira“ (Zaharija 6,13) za pale sinove ljudske. Plan spasenja bio je položen prije stvaranja zemlje; jer Krist je „Jaganjac zaklan od postanka svijeta“ (Otkrivenje 13,8); ipak, bila je to borba čak i za Kralja svemira da preda svoga Sina da umre za krivi ljudski rod. Ali „Bog je tako ljubio svijet da je dao svoga jedinorođenog Sina, da nijedan koji u njega vjeruje ne propadne, nego da ima život vječni.“ Ivan 3,16. O, tajna otkupljenja! ljubav Božja prema svijetu koji njega nije ljubio! Tko može spoznati dubine te ljubavi koja „nadilazi spoznaju“? Kroz beskrajne vjekove besmrtni će umovi, nastojeći dokučiti tajnu te nepojmljive ljubavi, udivljeno promatrati i obožavati.“

“God was to be manifest in Christ, ‘reconciling the world unto Himself.’ 2 Corinthians 5:19. Man had become so degraded by sin that it was impossible for him, in himself, to come into harmony with Him whose nature is purity and goodness. But Christ, after having redeemed man from the condemnation of the law, could impart divine power to unite with human effort. Thus by repentance toward God and faith in Christ the fallen children of Adam might once more become ‘sons of God.’ 1 John 3:2.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 63, 64.

„Bog se trebao objaviti u Kristu, ‘pomirujući svijet sa sobom’. 2. Korinćanima 5,19. Čovjek je grijehom postao toliko izopačen da mu je bilo nemoguće da sam od sebe dođe u sklad s Onim čija je narav čistoća i dobrota. Ali Krist je, nakon što je čovjeka otkupio od osude Zakona, mogao dati božansku silu da se sjedini s ljudskim naporom. Tako su pokajanjem pred Bogom i vjerom u Krista pala Adamova djeca mogla ponovno postati ‘sinovi Božji’. 1. Ivanova 3,2.” Patrijarsi i proroci, 63, 64.