“We should know for ourselves what constitutes Christianity, what is truth, what is the faith that we have received, what are the Bible rules—the rules given us from the highest authority.” The 1888 Materials, 403.
„Trebali bismo sami znati što sačinjava kršćanstvo, što je istina, što je vjera koju smo primili, koja su biblijska pravila — pravila koja su nam dana od najviše vlasti.“ The 1888 Materials, 403.
For several years Future for America has identified that the seven churches of Revelation not only represent the history of modern Israel from the time of the apostles until the end of the world, but that the seven churches also represent ancient Israel from the time of Moses until the stoning of Stephen. The pioneers of Adventism did not teach this truth, but they understood and employed the principles that establish this truth. Jesus identifies the end from the beginning and ancient Israel represents modern Israel. Therefore, any truth that is part of the prophetic characteristics of modern Israel also existed in ancient Israel.
Već nekoliko godina Future for America utvrđuje da sedam crkava iz Otkrivenja ne predstavljaju samo povijest suvremenog Izraela od vremena apostola do svršetka svijeta, nego da sedam crkava također predstavljaju drevni Izrael od vremena Mojsija do kamenovanja Stjepana. Pioniri adventizma nisu naučavali ovu istinu, ali su razumjeli i primjenjivali načela koja uspostavljaju ovu istinu. Isus objavljuje svršetak od početka, a drevni Izrael predstavlja suvremeni Izrael. Stoga je svaka istina koja je dio proročkih obilježja suvremenog Izraela također postojala i u drevnom Izraelu.
Before Millerite history the traditional Christian view of the seven churches was that they represented the actual churches in Asia minor during the time of John. The traditional view also understood that the counsel to the individual churches may also be understood to represent specific counsel to various churches throughout Christian history, and also that the very same counsel and warnings is for individual Christians. They also understood that the seven churches represent seven periods of church history from the time of the disciples until the end of the world. These perspectives pre-dated the Millerite history. Those four recognitions of the seven churches that make up the traditional view that pre-dated William Miller were and are based upon the “historicist” interpretation of the Bible. It is that methodology that God’s angels led William Miller to adopt.
Prije milleritske povijesti tradicionalno kršćansko gledište o sedam crkava bilo je da one predstavljaju stvarne crkve u Maloj Aziji u Ivanovo vrijeme. Tradicionalno je gledište također razumjelo da se savjet upućen pojedinim crkvama može shvatiti i kao poseban savjet raznim crkvama tijekom kršćanske povijesti, a također i da su ti isti savjeti i upozorenja namijenjeni pojedinim kršćanima. Također su razumjeli da sedam crkava predstavlja sedam razdoblja crkvene povijesti od vremena učenika do kraja svijeta. Ta su gledišta prethodila milleritskoj povijesti. Ta četiri prepoznavanja sedam crkava, koja sačinjavaju tradicionalno gledište koje je prethodilo Williamu Milleru, bila su i jesu utemeljena na „historicističkom“ tumačenju Biblije. Upravo je tu metodologiju Božji anđeli naveli Williama Millera da prihvati.
“The seven churches of Asia is a history of the church of Christ in her seven forms, in all her windings and turnings, in all her prosperity and adversity, from the days of the apostles down to the end of the world. The seven seals are a history of the transactions of the powers and kings of the earth over the church, and God’s protection of his people during the same time. The seven trumpets are a history of seven peculiar and heavy judgments sent upon the earth, or Roman kingdom. And the seven vials are the seven last plagues sent upon Papal Rome. Mixed with these are many other events, woven in like tributary streams, and filling up the grand river of prophecy, until the whole ends us in the ocean of eternity.
„Sedam azijskih crkava povijest su Crkve Kristove u njezinih sedam oblika, u svim njezinim zavojima i preokretima, u svoj njezinoj blagodatnosti i nevolji, od dana apostola pa sve do svršetka svijeta. Sedam pečata povijest su zbivanja sila i kraljeva zemlje nad Crkvom te Božje zaštite njegova naroda tijekom istoga razdoblja. Sedam truba povijest su sedam osobitih i teških sudova poslanih na zemlju, odnosno na Rimsko kraljevstvo. A sedam čaša sedam su posljednjih pošasti poslanih na Papinski Rim. S time su pomiješani i mnogi drugi događaji, utkani poput pritoka, koji ispunjuju veliku rijeku proročanstva, sve dok nas cjelina ne odvede u ocean vječnosti.“
“This, to me, is the plan of John’s prophecy in the book of Revelation. And the man who wishes to understand this book, must have a thorough knowledge of other parts of the word of God. The figures and metaphors used in this prophecy, are not all explained in the same, but must be found in other prophets, and explained in other passages of Scripture. Therefore it is evident that God has designed the study of the whole, even to obtain a clear knowledge of any part.” William Miller, Miller’s Lectures, volume 2, lecture 12, 178.
„To je, po mojem mišljenju, plan Ivanova proročanstva u knjizi Otkrivenja. A čovjek koji želi razumjeti ovu knjigu mora temeljito poznavati druge dijelove Božje riječi. Slike i metafore upotrijebljene u ovom proročanstvu nisu sve objašnjene u njemu samome, nego se moraju naći u drugim prorocima i objasniti u drugim odlomcima Svetoga pisma. Stoga je očito da je Bog namijenio proučavanje cjeline, čak i radi stjecanja jasnoga znanja o bilo kojem dijelu.” William Miller, Miller’s Lectures, svezak 2, predavanje 12, 178.
Sister White agrees with and upholds the “historicist” view held by Miller, but she added a deeper insight to the book of Revelation than Miller saw, for Miller had not recognized the sanctuary as it truly is. He understood the sanctuary to be the earth. Sister White recognized that when Jesus presented the predictions represented in the book of Revelation, that Christ was doing so in conjunction with His work as the heavenly High Priest.
Sestra White slaže se s „historicističkim” gledištem koje je zastupao Miller i podržava ga, ali je Knjizi Otkrivenja pridodala dublji uvid nego što ga je Miller imao, jer Miller nije prepoznao Svetište onakvim kakvo ono doista jest. Smatrao je da je Svetište zemlja. Sestra White prepoznala je da je, kada je Isus iznosio proročanstva prikazana u Knjizi Otkrivenja, Krist to činio u povezanosti sa svojim djelom nebeskoga Velikog svećenika.
When John turns and sees Christ, He is walking among the candlesticks in priestly garments, and the candlesticks are located in the holy place, and therefore in the history after His ascension, but before He moved into the Most Holy Place in 1844. Miller could not have understood the significance of this reality. Neither would have Tyndale, Luther or John Wycliffe or any of the early reformers. Truth is progressive, shining brighter and still brighter unto the perfect day.
Kad se Ivan okrene i ugleda Krista, On hodi među svijećnjacima u svećeničkim haljinama, a svijećnjaci se nalaze u Svetinji, i stoga u povijesti nakon Njegova uzašašća, ali prije nego što je 1844. prešao u Svetinju nad svetinjama. Miller nije mogao razumjeti značenje te stvarnosti. Niti bi ga mogli razumjeti Tyndale, Luther ili John Wycliffe, niti bilo koji od ranih reformatora. Istina je progresivna, sjaji sve jače i jače do savršenoga dana.
“The great principle so nobly advocated by Robinson and Roger Williams, that truth is progressive, that Christians should stand ready to accept all the light which may shine from God’s holy word, was lost sight of by their descendants. The Protestant churches of America,—and those of Europe as well,—so highly favored in receiving the blessings of the Reformation, failed to press forward in the path of reform. Though a few faithful men arose, from time to time, to proclaim new truth and expose long-cherished error, the majority, like the Jews in Christ’s day or the papists in the time of Luther, were content to believe as their fathers had believed and to live as they had lived. Therefore religion again degenerated into formalism; and errors and superstitions which would have been cast aside had the church continued to walk in the light of God’s word, were retained and cherished. Thus the spirit inspired by the Reformation gradually died out, until there was almost as great need of reform in the Protestant churches as in the Roman Church in the time of Luther. There was the same worldliness and spiritual stupor, a similar reverence for the opinions of men, and substitution of human theories for the teachings of God’s word.” The Great Controversy, 297.
„Veliko načelo koje su tako plemenito zastupali Robinson i Roger Williams, naime da je istina progresivna i da kršćani trebaju stajati spremni prihvatiti svu svjetlost koja može zasjati iz svete Božje riječi, bilo je izgubljeno iz vida među njihovim potomcima. Protestantske crkve Amerike — a također i one u Europi — tako visoko povlaštene primanjem blagoslova Reformacije, nisu uspjele ići naprijed putem reforme. Premda se s vremena na vrijeme podiglo nekoliko vjernih ljudi da objave novu istinu i razotkriju dugo njegovane zablude, većina je, poput Židova u Kristovo doba ili papista u Lutherovo vrijeme, bila zadovoljna vjerovati kao što su vjerovali njihovi očevi i živjeti kao što su oni živjeli. Stoga je religija ponovno izrodila u formalizam; a zablude i praznovjerja koja bi bila odbačena da je crkva nastavila hoditi u svjetlosti Božje riječi, bila su zadržana i njegovana. Tako je duh nadahnut Reformacijom postupno zamro, sve dok u protestantskim crkvama nije nastala gotovo jednako velika potreba za reformom kao i u Rimskoj crkvi u Lutherovo doba. Bila je prisutna ista svjetovnost i duhovna obamrlost, slično poštovanje prema mišljenjima ljudi te zamjenjivanje ljudskim teorijama učenja Božje riječi.” Velika borba, 297.
If the fact that truth develops progressively throughout history is not recognized, then the significance of any new light in this final generation may very well be impossible to recognize. Once a person ceases to understand the progressive nature of “truth,” they automatically begin to rely upon traditions, customs and fallen human guidance.
Ako se ne prizna činjenica da se istina kroz povijest razvija postupno, tada bi značaj bilo kakve nove svjetlosti u ovom posljednjem naraštaju vrlo lako mogao biti nemoguće prepoznati. Jednom kada čovjek prestane razumijevati progresivnu narav „istine“, automatski se počinje oslanjati na predaje, običaje i palo ljudsko vodstvo.
The methodology that Miller employed is a waymark that runs through the entire prophetic line which presents a testimony of the development of biblical truth that began with the apostles. Yet in the waymark represented by Miller, we find a beginning that demands a counterpart at the end. Most never understand these realities, but not so with Satan.
Metodologija kojom se služio Miller putokaz je koji prolazi kroz cijelu proročku liniju i koji iznosi svjedočanstvo o razvoju biblijske istine što je započelo s apostolima. Ipak, u putokazu koji predstavlja Miller nalazimo početak koji zahtijeva svoj pandan na svršetku. Većina nikada ne razumije te stvarnosti, ali ne i Sotona.
Satan has resisted the truth and its development from his rebellion in heaven onward. When it reached the point in history that the reformers began to distinctly understand how to study the Bible, Satan did as he always does and he introduced counterfeits. The historical evidence of his work of counterfeiting the truth identifies that Jesuits such as Ribera and Louis de Alcazar focused their counterfeit methodology specifically against the book of Revelation. The corrupted methodology that is called “preterism” began in the second and third centuries with two primary representatives of that false methodology. One was Eusebius of Caesarea (260–339), and Victorinus of Pettau (died circa 304). Both of these early historical figures promoted the methodology suggesting the book of Revelation was fulfilled during the time of the Roman Empire by such historical figures as the infamous emperor Nero.
Sotona se opire istini i njezinu razvoju još od svoje pobune na nebu. Kad je u povijesti došlo do točke da su reformatori počeli jasno razumijevati kako proučavati Bibliju, Sotona je učinio ono što uvijek čini te je uveo krivotvorine. Povijesni dokazi njegova djela krivotvorenja istine pokazuju da su isusovci poput Ribere i Louisa de Alcazara svoju metodologiju krivotvorenja usmjerili osobito protiv knjige Otkrivenja. Iskvarena metodologija koja se naziva „preterizam“ započela je u drugom i trećem stoljeću s dvojicom glavnih predstavnika te lažne metodologije. Jedan je bio Euzebije iz Cezareje (260.–339.), a drugi Viktorin iz Ptuja (umro oko 304.). Obojica tih ranih povijesnih ličnosti promicali su metodologiju koja je sugerirala da se knjiga Otkrivenja ispunila u vrijeme Rimskoga Carstva kroz takve povijesne ličnosti kao što je zloglasni car Neron.
In the nineteenth century John Darby (1800–1882) from the United Kingdom introduced another satanic methodology which was also inserted to the foot notes of the Trojan horse Bible called the Scofield Reference Bible which we have previously identified. “Dispensationalism” is a theological framework that divides history and God’s interaction with humanity into distinct periods, or ‘dispensations,’ in which God administers His plan in different ways. I note this at this point for this is one of the falsehoods that was introduced to the movement of Future for America by voices from the same area Darby had propagated his satanic ideas. Darby’s ideas that attacked Future for America were accompanied by the philosophy of the so-called modern-day “woke” movement which promotes the same anarchy represented by the French Revolution and the same licentiousness represented by Sodom and Gomorrah.
U devetnaestom stoljeću John Darby (1800.–1882.) iz Ujedinjenoga Kraljevstva uveo je još jednu sotonsku metodologiju koja je također bila umetnuta u fusnote trojanskoga konja od Biblije, nazvanoga Scofield Reference Bible, koji smo prethodno prepoznali. „Dispenzacionalizam” je teološki okvir koji povijest i Božje djelovanje prema čovječanstvu dijeli na razdoblja, odnosno „dispensacije”, u kojima Bog upravlja svojim planom na različite načine. To ovdje napominjem jer je to jedna od laži koja je uvedena u pokret Future for America glasovima iz istoga područja iz kojega je Darby širio svoje sotonske ideje. Darbyjeve ideje koje su napadale Future for America bile su praćene filozofijom takozvanoga suvremenog „woke” pokreta, koji promiče isto bezakonje predstavljeno Francuskom revolucijom i istu razuzdanost predstavljenu Sodomom i Gomorom.
Today the theologians of modern Adventism employ a system of dissecting the truths of the Bible based upon a two-fold system of biblical interpretation they employ to undermine and deny both the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy. They identify men as either experts in biblical languages or as experts in biblical history. Thus, the theologians of Adventism today control the minds of Laodicean Adventism either by interpreting God’s Word based upon a fallen man’s understanding of history or fallen man’s understanding of language. These modern manifestations of error which have been often used to attack the message you are now reading will be addressed further in these articles when we consider the symbolism of the French Revolution. Satan is alive, and he knows his time is short. The last rule of Miller’s rules, number fourteen concludes with the following paragraph.
Danas teolozi modernoga adventizma primjenjuju sustav raščlanjivanja biblijskih istina utemeljen na dvostrukom sustavu biblijskoga tumačenja kojim nastoje potkopati i zanijekati i Bibliju i Duh Proroštva. Oni ljude razvrstavaju ili kao stručnjake za biblijske jezike ili kao stručnjake za biblijsku povijest. Tako teolozi adventizma danas upravljaju umovima laodicejskoga adventizma ili tumačeći Božju Riječ na temelju razumijevanja povijesti od strane paloga čovjeka ili razumijevanja jezika od strane paloga čovjeka. O tim suvremenim pojavnim oblicima zablude, koji su se često rabili za napad na poruku koju sada čitate, bit će dalje riječi u ovim člancima kada budemo razmatrali simboliku Francuske revolucije. Sotona je živ i zna da mu je vrijeme kratko. Posljednje pravilo Millerovih pravila, broj četrnaest, završava sljedećim odlomkom.
“The divinity taught in our schools is always founded on some sectarian creed. It may do to take a blank mind and impress it with this kind, but it will always end in bigotry. A free mind will never be satisfied with the views of others. Were I a teacher of youth in divinity, I would first learn their capacity and mind. If these were good, I would make them study the Bible for themselves, and send them out free to do the world good. But if they had no mind, I would stamp them with another’s mind, write bigot on their forehead, and send them out as slaves!” William Miller, Miller’s Works, volume 1, 24.
„Božanstvenost kojoj se poučava u našim školama uvijek se temelji na nekom sektaškom vjerovanju. Može poslužiti da se uzme prazan um i utisne mu se takva vrsta, ali to će uvijek završiti u zadrtosti. Slobodan um nikada neće biti zadovoljan tuđim gledištima. Kad bih bio učitelj mladeži u božanstvenosti, najprije bih upoznao njihovu sposobnost i um. Kad bi oni bili valjani, naveo bih ih da sami proučavaju Bibliju i poslao ih slobodne da svijetu čine dobro. Ali kad ne bi imali uma, utisnuo bih im tuđi um, napisao zadrtost na njihovu čelu i poslao ih kao robove!“ William Miller, Miller’s Works, svezak 1, 24.
In the period just after John the Revelator lived, and in the days of the Reformation, Satan was actively producing false prophetic methodology to confuse and destroy true biblical analysis. What is sometimes missed in these historical facts is that all those satanic methodologies were aimed directly at no other book than the book of Revelation. That was the subject of each of these promoters of satanic confusion. The book of Revelation has always been Satan’s target. Satan knows it is the book of Revelation that he must war against. When we recognize this fact, we can then recognize another unseen reality, that is obscured by another significant truth.
U razdoblju neposredno nakon života Ivana Otkritelja, kao i u danima Reformacije, Sotona je aktivno stvarao lažnu proročku metodologiju kako bi zbunio i uništio istinsku biblijsku analizu. Ono što se ponekad previđa u tim povijesnim činjenicama jest da su sve te sotonske metodologije bile usmjerene izravno ni na jednu drugu knjigu doli na knjigu Otkrivenja. To je bila tema svakoga od tih promicatelja sotonske zbrke. Knjiga Otkrivenja oduvijek je bila Sotonina meta. Sotona zna da je upravo knjiga Otkrivenja ona protiv koje mora ratovati. Kada prepoznamo tu činjenicu, tada možemo prepoznati i drugu nevidljivu stvarnost, koja je zamagljena drugom značajnom istinom.
The false methodology of the Jesuits was intended to prevent a clear understanding that the pope of the Roman church is the antichrist of Bible prophecy. Every single Protestant reformer came to recognize and identify this truth. Therefore, when the accurate history of men such as Ribera and Louis de Alcazar have been publicly presented in the past through word and publication the history men such as Ribera and Louis de Alcazar was used for the purpose of demonstrating the satanic efforts to prevent a correct understanding of the “man of sin.” The written or spoken testimonies exposing the purpose of the introduction of these satanic methodologies are correct as far as they go, but Satan was attempting to cover up more than simply the biblical proofs that identify the antichrist as the pope of Rome.
Lažna metodologija isusovaca bila je osmišljena kako bi spriječila jasno razumijevanje da je papa Rimske crkve antikrist biblijskog proroštva. Svaki pojedini protestantski reformator došao je do spoznaje i prepoznao tu istinu. Stoga, kada je u prošlosti točna povijest ljudi kao što su Ribera i Louis de Alcazar bila javno izložena usmeno i u tiskanim publikacijama, povijest ljudi poput Ribere i Louisa de Alcazara bila je korištena sa svrhom da se pokažu sotonski napori da se spriječi ispravno razumijevanje „čovjeka grijeha“. Pisana ili izgovorena svjedočanstva koja razotkrivaju svrhu uvođenja tih sotonskih metodologija točna su koliko god dosežu, ali Sotona je pokušavao prikriti više od samih biblijskih dokaza koji antikrista poistovjećuju s papom u Rimu.
There are truths in the book of Revelation that have been covered up with the confusion produced by these false systems of biblical interpretation that are outside the subject of the man whose number is six, six, six. One of those truths is most definitely the truth represented when the seven churches are understood in their fullest development. There are truths located within the seven churches that speak directly to the history that got under way on September 11, 2001 and ends in the Sunday law crisis. Satan has been seeking to keep this light buried, and he invented the satanic methodologies to obscure several gems of truth located in the book of Revelation, not only the identification of the pope of Rome as the antichrist.
Postoje istine u knjizi Otkrivenja koje su bile prekrivene zbrkom što su je proizveli ti lažni sustavi biblijskog tumačenja, a koji stoje izvan predmeta čovjeka čiji je broj šest stotina šezdeset i šest. Jedna od tih istina sasvim je sigurno istina prikazana kada se sedam crkava razumije u njihovu najpotpunijem razvoju. U sedam crkava nalaze se istine koje izravno govore o povijesti koja je započela 11. rujna 2001. i završava u krizi nedjeljnog zakona. Sotona je nastojao zadržati ovo svjetlo pokopano te je izumio sotonske metodologije kako bi zamračio nekoliko dragulja istine smještenih u knjizi Otkrivenja, a ne samo prepoznavanje rimskog pape kao antikrista.
Before “the man of sin” was revealed in 538, men such as Eusebius and Victorinus attacked the book of Revelation in an attempt to obscure the rise of the papal power. Later in history Christ fulfilled His promise to Thyatira and brought forth the morning star of the reformation (Wycliffe), and Satan thereafter brought forth two prominent historical figures to champion and carry on his satanic work. The long-drawn-out war over the development of truth that reaches its climax when the secret of the book of Revelation is unsealed, (just before the close of probation) includes light from the seven churches that Miller never recognized, nor did Sister White, but it can be easily shown that both Miller and the Spirit of Prophecy uphold the new light, for new light never contradicts old light.
Prije nego što se 538. godine otkrio „čovjek grijeha“, ljudi poput Euzebija i Viktorina napadali su knjigu Otkrivenja nastojeći prikriti uspon papinske vlasti. Kasnije u povijesti Krist je ispunio svoje obećanje Tijatiri i iznio zvijezdu Danicu reformacije (Wycliffe), a Sotona je potom iznio dvije istaknute povijesne ličnosti da promiču i nastave njegovo sotonsko djelo. Dugotrajni rat oko razvoja istine, koji doseže svoj vrhunac kada se otpečati tajna knjige Otkrivenja (neposredno prije završetka vremena milosti), uključuje svjetlo sedam crkava koje Miller nikada nije prepoznao, niti sestra White, ali se lako može pokazati da i Miller i Duh Proroštva podupiru novo svjetlo, jer novo svjetlo nikada ne proturječi starom svjetlu.
“It is a fact that we have the truth, and we must hold with tenacity to the positions that cannot be shaken; but we must not look with suspicion upon any new light which God may send, and say, Really, we cannot see that we need any more light than the old truth which we have hitherto received, and in which we are settled. While we hold to this position, the testimony of the True Witness applies to our cases its rebuke, ‘And knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.’ Those who feel rich and increased with goods and in need of nothing, are in a condition of blindness as to their true condition before God, and they know it not.” Review and Herald, August 7, 1894.
„Činjenica je da imamo istinu i da se moramo postojano držati stajališta koja se ne mogu uzdrmati; ali ne smijemo sumnjičavo gledati ni na kakvu novu svjetlost koju bi Bog mogao poslati te govoriti: Uistinu, ne vidimo da nam je potrebno ikakvo više svjetla od stare istine koju smo dosad primili i u kojoj smo utvrđeni. Dok se držimo takva stajališta, na naše se slučajeve primjenjuje ukor Svjedoka Istinitoga: ‘A ne znaš da si nevoljan, i jadan, i siromašan, i slijep, i gol.’ Oni koji se osjećaju bogatima i obogaćenima dobrima te da im ništa nije potrebno, nalaze se u stanju sljepoće glede svojega pravog stanja pred Bogom, i toga nisu svjesni.“ Review and Herald, 7. kolovoza 1894.
The primary test for new light is whether it contradicts established truth, and whether it upholds the foundational truths.
Glavni ispit za novu svjetlost jest proturječi li utvrđenoj istini i podupire li temeljne istine.
“When the power of God testifies as to what is truth, that truth is to stand forever as the truth. No after suppositions, contrary to the light God has given are to be entertained. Men will arise with interpretations of Scripture which are to them truth, but which are not truth. The truth for this time, God has given us as a foundation for our faith. He Himself has taught us what is truth. One will arise, and still another, with new light which contradicts the light that God has given under the demonstration of His Holy Spirit.” Selected Messages, book 1, 162.
„Kada sila Božja svjedoči o tome što je istina, ta istina treba zauvijek stajati kao istina. Ne smiju se prihvaćati nikakve naknadne pretpostavke, protivne svjetlu koje je Bog dao. Ustat će ljudi s tumačenjima Svetoga pisma koja su njima istina, ali koja nisu istina. Istinu za ovo vrijeme Bog nam je dao kao temelj naše vjere. On sam nas je poučio što je istina. Ustat će jedan, pa još jedan, s novom svjetlošću koja proturječi svjetlu što ga je Bog dao pod očitovanjem svojega Svetoga Duha.” Selected Messages, knjiga 1, 162.
Satan has had the book of Revelation as his target of attack from the time John recorded the messages contained therein. Jesus said:
Sotona je imao knjigu Otkrivenja kao metu svojih napada još od vremena kada je Ivan zapisao poruke koje se u njoj nalaze. Isus je rekao:
But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them. Matthew 13:16, 17.
Ali blago vašim očima, jer vide; i vašim ušima, jer čuju. Jer, zaista, kažem vam: mnogi su proroci i pravednici željeli vidjeti ono što vi vidite, i nisu vidjeli; i čuti ono što vi čujete, i nisu čuli. Matej 13:16, 17.
The blessing attached to seeing and hearing is the blessing of understanding the message of the Revelation of Jesus Christ. When John represented those in the “last days” who see and hear the message he fell down to worship the angel Gabriel, who immediately informed John not to do it.
Blagoslov povezan s gledanjem i slušanjem jest blagoslov razumijevanja poruke Otkrivenja Isusa Krista. Kad je Ivan predstavljao one u „posljednjim danima” koji vide i čuju poruku, pao je ničice da se pokloni anđelu Gabrijelu, koji je Ivana odmah upozorio da to ne čini.
And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which showed me these things. Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God. Revelation 22:8, 9.
I ja, Ivan, vidjeh ovo i čuh. I kad to čuh i vidjeh, padoh ničice da se poklonim pred nogama anđela koji mi ovo pokaza. Tada mi reče: Gledaj da toga ne činiš; jer sam ja tvoj susluga i tvoje braće proroka, i onih koji drže riječi ove knjige: Bogu se klanjaj. Otkrivenje 22,8. 9.
Gabriel and John are both created beings, who are only to worship the Creator. Many prophets and righteous men, including angels have desired to “see” and “hear” the message of the Midnight Cry when it is repeated at the end of the world.
Gabriel i Ivan obojica su stvorena bića, koja trebaju štovati jedino Stvoritelja. Mnogi proroci i pravednici, uključujući i anđele, željeli su „vidjeti” i „čuti” poruku Ponoćnoga poklika kada se ona bude ponovno naviještala na svršetku svijeta.
“Christ said, ‘Blessed are your eyes, for they see; and your ears, for they hear. For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them’ [Matthew 13:16, 17]. Blessed are the eyes which saw the things that were seen in 1843 and 1844.
„Krist je rekao: ‘Blago vašim očima, jer vide; i vašim ušima, jer čuju. Jer zaista vam kažem: mnogi su proroci i pravednici željeli vidjeti ono što vi vidite, i nisu vidjeli; i čuti ono što vi čujete, i nisu čuli’ [Matej 13,16.17]. Blagoslovljene su oči koje su vidjele ono što se vidjelo 1843. i 1844. godine.
“The message was given. And there should be no delay in repeating the message, for the signs of the times are fulfilling; the closing work must be done. A great work will be done in a short time. A message will soon be given by God’s appointment that will swell into a loud cry. Then Daniel will stand in his lot, to give his testimony.” Manuscript Releases, volume 21, 437.
„Poruka je dana. I ne bi smjelo biti nikakva odgađanja u ponavljanju poruke, jer se znakovi vremena ispunjavaju; završno djelo mora biti obavljeno. Veliko će djelo biti izvršeno u kratkom vremenu. Uskoro će po Božjoj odredbi biti dana poruka koja će prerasti u glasan poklič. Tada će Daniel stati na svome mjestu da dâ svoje svjedočanstvo.” Manuscript Releases, svezak 21, 437.
What righteous men (John) and their fellow servants (angels) desired to see was the final fulfillment of the Midnight Cry at the end of Adventism when the earth would be lightened by God’s glory. That final manifestation of power in the latter rain is brought about by the unsealing of the Revelation of Jesus Christ.
Ono što su pravedni ljudi (Ivan) i njihovi susluge (anđeli) željeli vidjeti bilo je konačno ispunjenje Ponoćnog poklika na svršetku adventizma, kada će zemlja biti obasjana slavom Božjom. To konačno očitovanje sile u kasnoj kiši ostvaruje se skidanjem pečata s Otkrivenja Isusa Krista.
Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into. Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:10–13.
Za koje su spasenje pomno ispitivali i brižljivo istraživali proroci koji su prorokovali o milosti namijenjenoj vama: istražujući na koje ili na kakvo je vrijeme upućivao Duh Kristov, koji bijaše u njima, kada je unaprijed svjedočio o Kristovim patnjama i o slavi koja će zatim uslijediti. Njima je bilo objavljeno da ne služe sebi, nego nama, u onome što vam je sada naviješteno po onima koji su vam propovijedali evanđelje po Duhu Svetom poslanom s neba; u što anđeli žude zaviriti. Zato opašite bokove svojega uma, budite trijezni i do kraja se uzdajte u milost koja će vam biti donesena pri objavi Isusa Krista. 1 Petrova 1:10–13.
The prophets, righteous men and angels have desired to live in the time when the “grace” or the power of God, is poured out during the final fulfillment of the Midnight Cry. That “grace,” which is God’s creative power is brought to men when the Revelation of Jesus Christ is unsealed. Satan knows that the avenue to convey the creative power of God unto His people is accomplished by the message that is unsealed in the book of Revelation, and it has therefore been his supreme effort to confuse, suppress and cover up the light contained in the book of Revelation. That light is not simply the identification of the man of sin, for that truth has been fully documented by all the Protestant reformers centuries ago.
Proroci, pravednici i anđeli čeznuli su živjeti u vremenu kada se „milost“, odnosno sila Božja, izlijeva tijekom konačnog ispunjenja Ponoćnog pokliča. Ta „milost“, koja je Božja stvaralačka sila, donosi se ljudima kada se otpečati Otkrivenje Isusa Krista. Sotona zna da se put kojim se Božja stvaralačka sila prenosi Njegovu narodu ostvaruje porukom koja je otpečaćena u knjizi Otkrivenja, te je stoga njegov najveći napor bio unijeti pomutnju, potisnuti i prikriti svjetlo sadržano u knjizi Otkrivenja. To svjetlo nije jednostavno prepoznavanje čovjeka grijeha, jer su tu istinu svi protestantski reformatori u potpunosti dokumentirali još prije više stoljeća.
I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter. Revelation 1:10–19.
Bijah u Duhu u dan Gospodnji, i začuh za sobom snažan glas, kao glas trube, koji govoraše: Ja sam Alfa i Omega, Prvi i Posljednji; i: Što vidiš, napiši u knjigu i pošalji sedmerim crkvama koje su u Aziji: u Efez, i u Smirnu, i u Pergam, i u Tijatiru, i u Sard, i u Filadelfiju, i u Laodiceju. I okrenuh se da vidim glas koji govoraše sa mnom. I okrenuvši se, vidjeh sedam zlatnih svijećnjaka; i posred sedam svijećnjaka nekoga slična Sinu čovječjemu, odjevena u haljinu do nogu i opasana po prsima zlatnim pojasom. Glava njegova i kosa bijahu bijele kao vuna, kao snijeg; i oči njegove kao plamen ognjeni; i noge njegove bijahu kao mjed užarena, kao u peći užarena; i glas njegov kao šum mnogih voda. I u svojoj desnici imaše sedam zvijezda; i iz usta njegovih izlazio je oštar mač s dvije oštrice; i lice njegovo bijaše kao sunce kad sjaji u svojoj snazi. I kad ga vidjeh, padoh k njegovim nogama kao mrtav. I on položi svoju desnicu na me govoreći mi: Ne boj se; ja sam Prvi i Posljednji: ja sam onaj koji živi, i bijah mrtav; i evo, živ sam u vijeke vjekova, Amen; i imam ključeve pakla i smrti. Napiši, dakle, što si vidio, i što jest, i što će biti poslije ovoga. Otkrivenje 1,10–19.
While Adventism upheld the “historicist” methodology they recognized that all the churches of Revelation two and three are repeated in the final church. Unfortunately, at the end of the nineteenth century Satan was already closing Adventism’s eyes to the sacred methodology, the protection of, and the practice of being an essential part of their responsibility as “the depositaries of the great truths of prophecy.” Even as the methodology was being set aside in Adventism, there were still those who applied the sacred methodology. We use the book, Story of the Seer of Patmos as a witness to the fact that applying all the churches to the history of Laodicea is a valid application of prophecy. The following are excerpts from that book that make the point I am referring to.
Dok je adventizam zastupao „historicističku” metodologiju, prepoznao je da se sve crkve iz Otkrivenja dva i tri ponavljaju u posljednjoj crkvi. Nažalost, potkraj devetnaestoga stoljeća Sotona je već zatvarao oči adventizmu za svetu metodologiju, za njezinu zaštitu i za praksu koja je bila bitan dio njihove odgovornosti kao „čuvara velikih istina proročanstva”. Čak i dok se metodologija u adventizmu ostavljala po strani, još je bilo onih koji su primjenjivali svetu metodologiju. Knjigu Story of the Seer of Patmos koristimo kao svjedočanstvo činjenici da je primjena svih crkava na povijest Laodiceje valjana primjena proročanstva. Slijede ulomci iz te knjige koji ističu ono na što se pozivam.
“It should be remembered that, as the experience of Ephesus, Smyrna, and Pergamos, will be repeated in the last church before the second coming of Christ, so the history of Thyatira will have its counterpart in the last generation.” Stephen N. Haskell, Story of the Seer of Patmos, 69.
„Treba imati na umu da će se, kao što će se iskustvo Efeza, Smirne i Pergama ponoviti u posljednjoj crkvi prije drugoga Kristova dolaska, tako i povijest Tijatire imati svoj pandan u posljednjem naraštaju.” Stephen N. Haskell, Story of the Seer of Patmos, 69.
Haskell correctly points out that the experience of the first four churches is repeated, or as he says, “will have its counterpart in the last generation.”
Haskell ispravno ističe da se iskustvo prvih četiriju crkava ponavlja ili, kako on kaže, „imat će svoj pandan u posljednjem naraštaju”.
“He applied the test, but all pointed forward to the year 1843 as the time when the world must welcome its Saviour. The condition of the people at the first advent of Christ was now repeated.” Stephen N. Haskell, Story of the Seer of Patmos, 75.
„Primijenio je ispit, ali sve je upućivalo unaprijed na godinu 1843. kao na vrijeme kada svijet mora dočekati svojega Spasitelja. Stanje naroda u vrijeme prvoga Kristova dolaska sada se ponovilo.“ Stephen N. Haskell, Story of the Seer of Patmos, 75.
Haskell was speaking of William Miller identifying 1843 as the Second Coming of Christ, and identifies that the conditions of the first advent was repeated in the time of the Millerites. Haskell was correct, and Sister White confirms that Miller himself was represented by John the Baptist.
Haskell je govorio o tome da je William Miller odredio 1843. godinu kao vrijeme Drugoga Kristova dolaska te ističe da su se okolnosti prvoga dolaska ponovile u vrijeme milerita. Haskell je bio u pravu, a sestra White potvrđuje da je sam Miller bio predočen u Ivanu Krstitelju.
“As John the Baptist heralded the first advent of Jesus and prepared the way for His coming, so William Miller and those who joined with him proclaimed the second advent of the Son of God.” Early Writings, 229.
„Kao što je Ivan Krstitelj navijestio prvi Isusov dolazak i pripravio put njegovu dolasku, tako su William Miller i oni koji su mu se pridružili naviještali drugi dolazak Sina Božjega.“ Rani spisi, 229.
Haskel even identifies that during the history of Pergamos, (the third church representing the compromise of Christianity with idolatry), the history of Sardis, the fifth church was repeated.
Haskel čak utvrđuje da se tijekom povijesti Pergama (treće crkve koja predstavlja kompromis kršćanstva s idolopoklonstvom) ponovila povijest Sarda, pete crkve.
“There was a time in the history of Pergamos, when Christianity thought Paganism was dead; but in reality, the religion which was apparently vanquished, had conquered. Paganism baptized, stepped into the church. In the days of Sardis this history was repeated.” Stephen N. Haskell, Story of the Seer of Patmos, 75, 76.
„Bilo je vrijeme u povijesti Pergama kada je kršćanstvo smatralo da je poganstvo mrtvo; ali u stvarnosti, religija koja je naizgled bila pobijeđena, pobijedila je. Kršteno poganstvo stupilo je u crkvu. U dane Sarda ta se povijest ponovila.“ Stephen N. Haskell, Story of the Seer of Patmos, 75, 76.
Sardis was the church of the Reformation that woke up and protested against the satanic fallacies of the papacy, but before their work was finished, they had already began returning to Rome. They thought as did the church of Pergamos that papalism was dead, but in reality, it was still living. Haskell also identifies that upon the remnant church shines “the accumulated rays of all past ages.”
Sard je bila crkva reformacije koja se probudila i ustala u prosvjed protiv sotonskih zabluda papinstva, ali prije nego što je njezino djelo bilo dovršeno, već se počela vraćati Rimu. Mislili su, kao i crkva u Pergamu, da je papizam mrtav, ali je u stvarnosti još uvijek bio živ. Haskell također utvrđuje da na crkvu ostatka sjaje „nagomilane zrake svih prošlih vjekova.”
“Upon this last church—the remnant,—shine the accumulated rays of all past ages.” Stephen N. Haskell, Story of the Seer of Patmos, 69.
„Na ovu posljednju crkvu — ostatak — sjaje skupljene zrake svih prošlih vjekova.“ Stephen N. Haskell, Story of the Seer of Patmos, 69.
I am not suggesting that Haskell recognized that the progressive history represented by the seven churches, was also fulfilled in the history of ancient Israel, but he certainly upholds that truth when he writes that “the accumulated rays of all past ages” “shine” upon “the last church.” Ancient Israel is included in the “rays of” “past ages.” And though he upholds the principles necessary to recognize the symbolism of the seven churches in ancient Israel’s history, I am uncertain how deeply he recognized the parallels represented in those symbols. I am also certain he did not recognize an even more important aspect of the histories represented by the seven churches, an aspect we are leading to.
Ne tvrdim da je Haskell prepoznao da se progresivna povijest, predstavljena sa sedam crkava, također ispunila u povijesti drevnoga Izraela, no on svakako potvrđuje tu istinu kada piše da „skupljene zrake svih prošlih vjekova” „sjaje” na „posljednju crkvu”. Drevni Izrael uključen je u „zrake” „prošlih vjekova”. I premda on potvrđuje načela nužna za prepoznavanje simbolike sedam crkava u povijesti drevnoga Izraela, nisam siguran koliko je duboko prepoznao usporednice predstavljene u tim simbolima. Također sam siguran da nije prepoznao još važniji vid povijesti predstavljenih sa sedam crkava, vid kojemu vodimo.
We will address this truth in our next article.
O toj ćemo istini govoriti u našem sljedećem članku.