Daniel chapter one, represents the first angel’s message, and chapter two represents the second angel’s message. In prophetic symbolism, the first message is to fear God, the second message is to give God glory and the third message identifies the hour of judgment. Before we get directly into the second chapter of Daniel, a little review is required. The second angel’s message primarily identifies the fall of Babylon.
Sura ya kwanza ya Danieli inawakilisha ujumbe wa malaika wa kwanza, na sura ya pili inawakilisha ujumbe wa malaika wa pili. Katika ishara za kinabii, ujumbe wa kwanza ni kumcha Mungu, ujumbe wa pili ni kumpa Mungu utukufu, na ujumbe wa tatu unatambulisha saa ya hukumu. Kabla ya kuingia moja kwa moja katika sura ya pili ya Danieli, mapitio mafupi yanahitajika. Ujumbe wa malaika wa pili kimsingi unatambulisha anguko la Babeli.
And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. Revelation 14:8.
Na malaika mwingine akafuata, akisema, Umeanguka, umeanguka Babeli, mji ule mkuu, kwa sababu ameyanywesha mataifa yote mvinyo wa ghadhabu ya uasherati wake. Ufunuo 14:8.
The second angel defines the fall of Babylon as the fact that she made “all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.” Her fall is in response to her committing fornication with all nations. The fornication is brought about through her false doctrines, which are represented as “wine.” The Catholic church is made up of many false teachings, but the false doctrine that is directly associated with her fall, is the false doctrine that produces her “wrath”. That doctrine is the combination of church and state, with the church in control of the relationship. The Catholic church’s wrath, is her persecution of those she identifies as heretics. Her wrath is accomplished by her fornication with the kings of the earth. Without her connection with, and control over, the kings of the earth, she would not have the ability to persecute those she defines as heretics. Her second fall, is therefore marking the point in the future when she can once again exercise her wrath as she did in the past, that is brought about by her fornication with the kings of the earth. The kings of the earth enter into the unlawful relationship by drinking her lies. The fall of Babylon is announced for the final time in Revelation chapter eighteen.
Malaika wa pili anafafanua anguko la Babeli kuwa ni kwamba aliwafanya “mataifa yote wanywe divai ya ghadhabu ya uasherati wake.” Anguko lake ni kwa sababu ya kutenda uasherati na mataifa yote. Uasherati huo unaletwa kupitia mafundisho yake ya uongo, yanayowakilishwa kama “divai.” Kanisa Katoliki limejaa mafundisho mengi ya uongo, lakini fundisho la uongo linalohusishwa moja kwa moja na anguko lake ni fundisho la uongo linalozalisha “ghadhabu” yake. Fundisho hilo ni muungano wa kanisa na serikali, ambapo kanisa ndilo linalodhibiti uhusiano huo. Ghadhabu ya Kanisa Katoliki ni mateso yake dhidi ya wale anaowaita wazushi. Ghadhabu yake hutekelezwa kupitia uasherati wake na wafalme wa nchi. Bila uhusiano wake na udhibiti wake juu ya wafalme wa nchi, hangekuwa na uwezo wa kutesa wale anaowaita wazushi. Anguko lake la pili, kwa hiyo, linaashiria wakati ujao atakapoweza tena kutekeleza ghadhabu yake kama alivyofanya zamani, jambo linalosababishwa na uasherati wake na wafalme wa nchi. Wafalme wa nchi wanaingia katika uhusiano huo usio halali kwa kunywa uongo wake. Anguko la Babeli linatangazwa kwa mara ya mwisho katika Ufunuo sura ya kumi na nane.
And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities. Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double. Revelation 18:1–6.
Baada ya mambo haya nikaona malaika mwingine akishuka kutoka mbinguni, mwenye mamlaka kuu; na nchi ikaangazwa kwa utukufu wake. Akalia kwa sauti kuu, akisema, Babeli iliyo kuu imeanguka, imeanguka, na imekuwa makao ya mashetani, na pango la kila roho chafu, na kizimba cha kila ndege mchafu na mwenye kuchukiwa. Kwa maana mataifa yote wamekunywa divai ya ghadhabu ya uasherati wake, na wafalme wa dunia wamezini naye, na wafanyabiashara wa dunia wamejitajirisha kwa wingi wa anasa zake. Nikasikia sauti nyingine kutoka mbinguni ikisema, Tokeni kwake, watu wangu, msishiriki dhambi zake, wala msipokee mapigo yake. Kwa maana dhambi zake zimefika hata mbinguni, na Mungu amekumbuka maovu yake. Mlipeni kama alivyowalipa ninyi, na mlimpe maradufu kwa kadiri ya matendo yake; katika kikombe alichokijaza, mjazeni kwake maradufu. Ufunuo 18:1-6.
The probationary cup of the Catholic church ended in 1798, but she is to repeat the persecution she accomplished in the Dark Ages, during the soon-coming Sunday law crisis.
Kikombe cha majaribio cha Kanisa Katoliki kilimalizika mwaka 1798, lakini Kanisa hilo litarudia mateso ambayo yalifanywa nalo katika Enzi za Giza, wakati wa mgogoro wa sheria ya Jumapili unaokuja hivi karibuni.
Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. Revelation 2:20–22.
Lakini nina mambo machache juu yako, kwa kuwa unamruhusu yule mwanamke Yezebeli, ajiitaye nabii, afundishe na kuwapotosha watumishi wangu ili watende uasherati, na kula vitu vilivyotolewa sadaka kwa sanamu. Nami nimempa nafasi ya kutubu uasherati wake; naye hakutubu. Tazama, nitamtupa katika kitanda, na wale wafanyao uzinzi pamoja naye katika dhiki kuu, isipokuwa watubu matendo yao. Ufunuo 2:20-22.
She was given twelve hundred and sixty years to repent and she refused. The three and a half years of drought that led to Mount Carmel, was given to Jezebel to repent, but she also refused. At the soon-coming Sunday law in the United States, the first of the kings of the earth that commit fornication with her in the last days is the United States, the earth beast of Revelation thirteen. It then has filled the cup of its probationary time.
Alipewa miaka elfu moja mia mbili na sitini ya kutubu, naye akakataa. Miaka mitatu na nusu ya ukame iliyofikia kilele kwenye Mlima Karmeli ilipewa Yezebeli ili atubu, lakini naye pia alikataa. Wakati wa sheria ya Jumapili inayokuja hivi karibuni nchini Marekani, wa kwanza kati ya wafalme wa dunia wanaozini naye katika siku za mwisho ni Marekani, mnyama atokaye nchi katika Ufunuo sura ya kumi na tatu. Hapo itakuwa imejaza kikombe cha muda wake wa rehema.
“The greatest and most favored nation upon the earth is the United States. A gracious Providence has shielded this country, and poured upon her the choicest of Heaven’s blessings. Here the persecuted and oppressed have found refuge. Here the Christian faith in its purity has been taught. This people have been the recipients of great light and unrivaled mercies. But these gifts have been repaid by ingratitude and forgetfulness of God. The Infinite One keeps a reckoning with the nations, and their guilt is proportioned to the light rejected. A fearful record now stands in the register of Heaven against our land; but the crime which shall fill up the measure of her iniquity is that of making void the law of God.
Taifa kuu na lililopendelewa zaidi duniani ni Marekani. Uangalizi wenye neema wa Mungu umeilinda nchi hii, na kuimiminia baraka teule za mbinguni. Hapa walioteswa na waliodhulumiwa wamepata hifadhi. Hapa imani ya Kikristo katika usafi wake imefundishwa. Watu hawa wamepokea nuru kuu na rehema zisizo na kifani. Lakini zawadi hizi zimejibiwa kwa ukosefu wa shukrani na kumsahau Mungu. Mungu asiye na mipaka anahesabiana na mataifa, na hatia yao hupimwa kulingana na nuru waliyoikataa. Kumbukumbu ya kutisha sasa imesajiliwa katika kitabu cha Mbinguni dhidi ya nchi yetu; lakini kosa litakalokamilisha kipimo cha uovu wake ni kuitangua sheria ya Mungu.
“Between the laws of men and the precepts of Jehovah will come the last great conflict of the controversy between truth and error. Upon this battle we are now entering,—a battle not between rival churches contending for the supremacy, but between the religion of the Bible and the religion of fable and tradition. The agencies which will unite against truth and righteousness in this contest are now actively at work.” Spirit of Prophecy, volume 4, 398.
Kati ya sheria za wanadamu na maagizo ya Yehova kutatokea pambano kuu la mwisho la mzozo kati ya kweli na upotovu. Katika pambano hili ndipo sasa tunaingia—pambano si kati ya makanisa hasimu yanayoshindania ukuu, bali kati ya dini ya Biblia na dini ya hadithi na mapokeo. Nguvu zitakazoungana kupinga ukweli na haki katika pambano hili sasa zinatenda kazi kwa bidii. Roho ya Unabii, Juzuu ya 4, uk. 398.
At the Sunday law, the mark of the beast is enforced, thus “making void the law of God.” Before the Sunday law, the image of the beast is formed within the United States. The Sunday law arrives at a point in time, but the formation of the image of the beast is a period of time. That period of time is the prophetic period represented by Daniel’s lifespan as represented by the seventy years of captivity in Daniel chapter one. Those seventy years began with Jehoiakim, symbolizing when the first message was empowered on September 11, 2001, and ended with the making void the law of God, as represented by the “decree” of Cyrus.
Wakati sheria ya Jumapili inapotekelezwa, alama ya mnyama inalazimishwa, hivyo “kuifanya sheria ya Mungu kuwa batili.” Kabla ya sheria ya Jumapili, picha ya mnyama huundwa ndani ya Marekani. Sheria ya Jumapili huwasili katika wakati maalum, lakini uundaji wa picha ya mnyama ni kipindi cha muda. Kipindi hicho ni kipindi cha kinabii kinachowakilishwa na maisha ya Danieli, kama kinavyoonyeshwa na miaka sabini ya utekwa katika Danieli sura ya kwanza. Miaka hiyo sabini ilianza wakati wa Yehoiakimu, ikiashiria wakati ujumbe wa kwanza ulipopewa nguvu mnamo Septemba 11, 2001, na ikaishia kwa kuifanya sheria ya Mungu kuwa batili, kama inavyoakilishwa na “amri” ya Koreshi.
The history of Daniel’s prophetic life of seventy years is symbolic of several lines of prophecy. It represents the sealing time of the one hundred and forty-four thousand. It represents a three-step testing process that is illustrated in the three angels of Revelation fourteen, and represents the structure of the Hebrew word “truth.” It represents the purification of the sons of Levi that is accomplished by the messenger of the covenant. It is represented by Christ twice cleansing the temple. It is represented by the progressive apostasy within Jerusalem in Ezekiel chapters eight and nine. It also represents the history where the image of the beast is formed in the United States.
Historia ya maisha ya kinabii ya Danieli ya miaka sabini ni ishara ya mistari kadhaa ya unabii. Inawakilisha wakati wa kutiwa muhuri wa mia arobaini na nne elfu. Inawakilisha mchakato wa majaribio wa hatua tatu unaoonyeshwa katika malaika watatu wa Ufunuo kumi na nne, na inawakilisha muundo wa neno la Kiebrania "kweli." Inawakilisha utakaso wa wana wa Lawi unaotekelezwa na mjumbe wa agano. Inawakilishwa na Kristo kutakasa hekalu mara mbili. Inawakilishwa na uasi unaoendelea ndani ya Yerusalemu katika Ezekieli sura ya nane na ya tisa. Pia inawakilisha historia ambapo sanamu ya mnyama inaundwa nchini Marekani.
The image of the beast is also represented by the fornication of Jezebel with Ahab, the fornication of Herod with Herodias, the golden calf of Aaron’s rebellion, the two counterfeit worship temples of Jeroboam located in Bethel and Dan, the prophets of Baal and the prophets of Ashtaroth in the story of Mount Carmel. The only definition of the image of the beast in the writings of Ellen White is the combination of church and state, with the church in control of the relationship. That issue of a church ruling over the state is the essence of what the sacred document, which is the Constitution of the United States, was designed to guard against. When the principle of the separation of church and state is discarded by the earth beast at the soon-coming Sunday law, the completed union of church and state in the United States will be accomplished.
Picha ya mnyama pia inawakilishwa na uzinzi wa Yezebeli na Ahabu, uzinzi wa Herode na Herodia, ndama wa dhahabu wa uasi wa Haruni, mahekalu mawili ya ibada bandia ya Yeroboamu yaliyoko Betheli na Dani, manabii wa Baali na manabii wa Ashtorethi katika kisa cha Mlima Karmeli. Ufafanuzi pekee wa picha ya mnyama katika maandishi ya Ellen White ni muungano wa kanisa na serikali, ambapo kanisa ndilo linalodhibiti uhusiano huo. Suala hilo la kanisa kutawala juu ya serikali ndilo kiini cha kile ambacho hati takatifu, yaani Katiba ya Marekani, ilikusudiwa kukinga dhidi yake. Wakati kanuni ya utenganisho wa kanisa na serikali itakapotupiliwa mbali na mnyama atokaye nchi katika sheria ya Jumapili inayokuja hivi karibuni, muungano kamilifu wa kanisa na serikali nchini Marekani utakamilishwa.
From September 11, 2001 until the Sunday law in the United States there is a visual test, which is based upon students of prophecy recognizing the formation of the image of the beast. We are now at the very end of that process. In the process of forming the image of the beast there are several movements that contribute to the full development at the Sunday law, where the mark of the beast is enforced. There are political movements, religious movements, social movements and financial movements. Notice the events that are referenced in connection with the formation of the image of the beast in the following passage.
Kuanzia Septemba 11, 2001 hadi sheria ya Jumapili nchini Marekani kuna jaribio linaloonekana, ambalo linategemea wanafunzi wa unabii kutambua kuundwa kwa sanamu ya mnyama. Sasa tuko mwishoni kabisa mwa mchakato huo. Katika mchakato wa kuunda sanamu ya mnyama, kuna harakati kadhaa zinazochangia maendeleo kamili yanayofikiwa katika sheria ya Jumapili, ambapo alama ya mnyama inalazimishwa. Kuna harakati za kisiasa, za kidini, za kijamii na za kifedha. Angalia matukio yanayotajwa kuhusiana na uundaji wa sanamu ya mnyama katika kifungu kinachofuata.
“Already preparations are advancing, and movements are in progress, which will result in making an image to the beast. Events will be brought about in the earth’s history that will fulfill the predictions of prophecy for these last days” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, volume 7, 976.
"Tayari maandalizi yanasonga mbele, na harakati zinaendelea, ambazo zitapelekea kumfanyia sanamu yule mnyama. Matukio yataletwa katika historia ya dunia yatakayotekeleza utabiri wa unabii wa siku hizi za mwisho" Ufafanuzi wa Biblia wa Waadventista Wasabato, juzuu 7, 976.
The formation of the image of the beast involves an advancing preparation that includes “events” and “movements,” both in the plural. The history represented by Daniel’s seventy years of captivity began with Jehoiakim, and ended with the decree of Cyrus. Jesus illustrates the end of a thing with the beginning of a thing, and there is a “decree” that represents the beginning of the period that Daniel’s seventy prophetic years typifies. That “decree” was the USA Patriot Act, which was publicly premised upon the attack of Islam of the third woe. But unlike the dictatorial executive orders of Abraham Lincoln in the Civil War, or Franklin Roosevelt in World War Two, the Patriot Act is still in force, and will most likely be reinforced and strengthened as hostilities with global Islam increase. The executive orders of both the Civil and Second World War ended with the end of hostilities, but there will be no end of hostilities with global Islam, but rather, escalating terror attacks around the world.
Uundaji wa sanamu ya mnyama unahusisha maandalizi yanayoendelea kusonga mbele yanayojumuisha “matukio” na “harakati”, zote zikiwa katika wingi. Historia inayowakilishwa na miaka sabini ya utekwa ya Danieli ilianza na Yehoyakimu, na ikamalizika kwa amri ya Koreshi. Yesu anaonyesha mwisho wa jambo kwa mwanzo wa jambo, na kuna “amri” inayowakilisha mwanzo wa kipindi ambacho miaka sabini ya kinabii ya Danieli inaashiria. “Amri” hiyo ilikuwa Sheria ya USA Patriot, iliyowekwa hadharani juu ya msingi wa shambulio la Uislamu la ole wa tatu. Lakini tofauti na maagizo ya kiutendaji ya kidikteta ya Abraham Lincoln katika Vita ya wenyewe kwa wenyewe, au ya Franklin Roosevelt katika Vita ya Pili ya Dunia, Sheria ya USA Patriot bado inatekelezwa, na huenda ikaongezewa nguvu na kuimarishwa kadiri uhasama na Uislamu wa kimataifa unavyoongezeka. Maagizo ya kiutendaji ya Vita ya wenyewe kwa wenyewe na ya Vita ya Pili ya Dunia yalimalizika pamoja na mwisho wa uhasama, lakini hakutakuwa na mwisho wa uhasama na Uislamu wa kimataifa, bali mashambulio ya kigaidi yatazidi kuongezeka kote duniani.
There are two primary legal philosophies within Western culture. English Law and Roman Law. The premise of English Law is that a person is innocent until proven guilty, and the premise of Roman Law is that a person is guilty until proven innocent. The USA Patriot Act is a classic example of Roman Law, and stands in direct opposition to English Law. This is one of those “events” that would be brought about in the formation of the image of the beast. If the United States is going to become the image of Catholicism, Catholic religious and political philosophy would need to be established in the United States in advance of the enforcement of the mark of the beast.
Kuna falsafa kuu mbili za kisheria katika utamaduni wa Magharibi: Sheria ya Uingereza na Sheria ya Kirumi. Dhana ya msingi ya Sheria ya Uingereza ni kwamba mtu hana hatia hadi ithibitishwe kuwa na hatia, na dhana ya msingi ya Sheria ya Kirumi ni kwamba mtu ana hatia hadi athibitishwe kuwa hana hatia. Sheria ya USA Patriot ni mfano halisi wa Sheria ya Kirumi, na inapingana moja kwa moja na Sheria ya Uingereza. Hili ni mojawapo ya “matukio” yatakayotokea katika mchakato wa kuunda sanamu ya mnyama. Ikiwa Marekani itakuwa mfano wa Ukatoliki, basi falsafa ya kidini na kisiasa ya Kikatoliki italazimu kuanzishwa nchini Marekani kabla ya utekelezaji wa alama ya mnyama.
“This subject is urging itself upon my mind. Consider it; for it is a matter of vast importance. With which of these two classes shall we identify our interest? We are now making our choice, and we shall soon discern between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not. Read the fourth chapter of Malachi, and think about it seriously. The day of God is right upon us. The world has converted the church. Both are in harmony, and are acting upon a short-sighted policy. Protestants will work upon the rulers of the land to make laws to restore the lost ascendency of the man of sin, who sits in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. The Roman Catholic principles will be taken under the care and protection of the State. This national apostasy will speedily be followed by national ruin. The protest of Bible truth will be no longer tolerated by those who have made not the law of God their rule of life. Then will the voice be heard from the graves of martyrs, represented by the souls which John saw slain for the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ which they held; then the prayer will ascend from every true child of God, ‘It is time, Lord, for thee to work: for they have made void thy law.’” General Conference Daily Bulletin, January 1, 1900.
Suala hili linajisukuma katika mawazo yangu. Lifikirie; kwa kuwa ni jambo la umuhimu mkubwa. Tutajiunganisha na kundi gani kati ya haya mawili? Sasa tunafanya chaguo letu, nasi tutatambua hivi karibuni kati ya yule amtumikaye Mungu na yule asiyemtumikia. Soma sura ya nne ya Malaki, na utafakari juu yake kwa uzito. Siku ya Mungu imetukaribia sana. Ulimwengu umeugeuza kanisa. Vyote viwili viko katika mwafaka, na vinafuata sera ya kutoona mbali. Waprotestanti watawashawishi watawala wa nchi kutunga sheria za kurejesha ukuu uliopotea wa yule mtu wa dhambi, aketiye katika hekalu la Mungu, akijionyesha kwamba yeye ndiye Mungu. Misingi ya Kikatoliki ya Kirumi itatiwa chini ya uangalizi na ulinzi wa Serikali. Uasi huu wa kitaifa utafuatwa upesi na maangamizi ya kitaifa. Upinzani wa kweli ya Biblia hautavumiliwa tena na wale ambao hawajafanya sheria ya Mungu kuwa kanuni ya maisha yao. Ndipo sauti itasikika kutoka makaburini mwa wafia-imani, ikiwakilishwa na roho ambazo Yohana aliziona zikiwa zimeuawa kwa ajili ya neno la Mungu na ushuhuda wa Yesu Kristo waliokuwa nao; ndipo maombi yatapanda kutoka kwa kila mtoto wa Mungu wa kweli, ‘Ni wakati, Bwana, kwako kutenda; maana wameibatilisha sheria yako.’ Jarida la Kila Siku la Mkutano Mkuu, Januari 1, 1900.
The previous passage marks the time when “Roman Catholic principles will be taken under the care and protection of the State,” as occurring at the Sunday law. The Sunday law is the end of the symbolic period that began on September 11, 2001. The Patriot Act at the beginning, typifies the Sunday law at the end. Two of the events that are brought about in order to form the image of the beast was the arrival of the third Woe, and the subsequent Patriot Act.
Aya iliyotangulia inaonyesha kwamba wakati ambapo “kanuni za Kanisa Katoliki la Kirumi zitachukuliwa chini ya uangalizi na ulinzi wa serikali” ni wakati wa sheria ya Jumapili. Sheria ya Jumapili ndiyo mwisho wa kipindi cha mfano kilichoanza tarehe 11 Septemba 2001. Patriot Act mwanzoni inaashiria sheria ya Jumapili mwishoni. Matukio mawili kati ya yale yaliyosababishwa ili kuunda sanamu ya mnyama ni kuwasili kwa Ole wa Tatu, na Patriot Act iliyofuata.
The formation of the image of the beast is the test where our eternal destiny will be decided, and it comes in advance of the Sunday law. At the Sunday law our probation as Seventh-day Adventists closes, and it is there that the visible seal is impressed and the ensign uplifted. The formation of the image of the beast occurs before the Sunday law, before the visible sealing, and before the close of probation.
Uundaji wa picha ya mnyama ndicho mtihani ambapo hatima yetu ya milele itaamuliwa, nao unatangulia sheria ya Jumapili. Wakati wa sheria ya Jumapili, kipindi chetu cha rehema kama Waadventista Wasabato hufungwa, na hapo ndipo muhuri unaoonekana unatiwa na bendera inainuliwa. Uundaji wa picha ya mnyama hutokea kabla ya sheria ya Jumapili, kabla ya kutiwa muhuri kwa wazi, na kabla ya kufungwa kwa kipindi cha rehema.
“The Lord has shown me clearly that the image of the beast will be formed before probation closes; for it is to be the great test for the people of God, by which their eternal destiny will be decided. Your position is such a jumble of inconsistencies that but few will be deceived.
Bwana amenionyesha wazi kwamba sura ya mnyama itaundwa kabla ya mlango wa rehema kufungwa; kwa maana itakuwa jaribu kuu kwa watu wa Mungu, ambalo kupitia hilo hatima yao ya milele itaamuliwa. Msimamo wako ni mseto wa mambo yasiyolingana kiasi kwamba ni wachache tu watakaodanganywa.
“In Revelation 13 this subject is plainly presented; [Revelation 13:11–17, quoted].
Katika Ufunuo 13 mada hii imewasilishwa kwa uwazi; [Ufunuo 13:11-17, imenukuliwa].
“This is the test that the people of God must have before they are sealed. All who proved their loyalty to God by observing His law, and refusing to accept a spurious sabbath, will rank under the banner of the Lord God Jehovah, and will receive the seal of the living God. Those who yield the truth of heavenly origin and accept the Sunday sabbath, will receive the mark of the beast” Manuscript Releases, volume 15, 15.
"Huu ni mtihani ambao watu wa Mungu lazima wapitie kabla ya kutiwa muhuri. Wote waliothibitisha uaminifu wao kwa Mungu kwa kuishika sheria Yake, na kukataa kuikubali sabato bandia, watapanga safu chini ya bendera ya Bwana Mungu Yehova, nao watapokea muhuri wa Mungu aliye hai. Wale wanaoacha ukweli wa asili ya mbinguni na kukubali sabato ya Jumapili, watapokea alama ya mnyama" Manuscript Releases, juzuu 15, 15.
The period of time for the formation of the image of the beast was represented by Daniel’s seventy years of captivity. Daniel first passed the test of fearing God, by choosing to eat only God’s food. Daniel’s first test was a dietary test. Daniel’s second test was a visual test that occurred at the end of a testing period of ten days of eating God’s diet, as opposed to eating the diet of Babylon. The success of that diet was manifested in Daniel’s physical appearance. The second test is a visual test. The first test is a dietary test. Daniel manifested his faith, and passed the first test, but in the second test, Daniel could not see in advance if he was going to appear “fatter and fairer” than those who ate Babylon’s diet. There are always people who look tremendous, but eat garbage, and there are conscientious health reformers that look like walking death.
Kipindi cha kuundwa kwa picha ya mnyama kiliwakilishwa na miaka sabini ambayo Danieli alikuwa mateka. Danieli kwanza alifaulu mtihani wa kumcha Mungu, kwa kuchagua kufuata tu lishe ya Mungu. Mtihani wa kwanza wa Danieli ulikuwa mtihani wa lishe. Mtihani wa pili wa Danieli ulikuwa mtihani wa kuona uliotokea mwishoni mwa kipindi cha majaribio cha siku kumi cha kufuata lishe ya Mungu, badala ya kula lishe ya Babeli. Ufanisi wa lishe hiyo ulidhihirika katika mwonekano wa mwili wa Danieli. Mtihani wa pili ni mtihani wa kuona. Mtihani wa kwanza ni mtihani wa lishe. Danieli alidhihirisha imani yake, na akapita mtihani wa kwanza, lakini katika mtihani wa pili, Danieli hakuweza kujua mapema kama angeonekana "mnono na mzuri zaidi" kuliko wale waliokula lishe ya Babeli. Kila wakati kuna watu wanaoonekana vizuri sana, lakini hula takataka, na pia kuna wanamageuzi wa afya waangalifu wanaoonekana kama kifo kinachotembea.
The exercise of Daniel’s self-discipline and faith in the first test is what carried him through the second test, though the outcome of the second testing period was clouded in “darkness”. The Millerites who ate the little book on August 11, 1840, thereafter glorified God in the proclamation of the Midnight Cry message as the message swept over the land as a tidal wave. The second test is a visual test, which is preceded by a literal and spiritual dietary test and then followed by a prophetic litmus test. The second test requires a visual demonstration of the faith that was professed in the first test.
Utekelezaji wa nidhamu binafsi na imani ya Danieli katika jaribio la kwanza ndilo lililomvusha katika jaribio la pili, ijapokuwa matokeo ya kipindi cha pili cha kujaribiwa yalikuwa yamefunikwa katika "giza". Wamillerite waliokila kitabu kile kidogo tarehe 11 Agosti, 1840, hapo baadaye walimtukuza Mungu katika kuitangaza ujumbe wa Kilio cha Usiku wa Manane huku ujumbe huo ukisambaa juu ya nchi kama wimbi kubwa la bahari. Jaribio la pili ni jaribio la kuona, linalotanguliwa na jaribio la lishe la kimwili na la kiroho, kisha kufuatiwa na kipimo cha lakmusi cha kinabii. Jaribio la pili linahitaji onyesho la kuona la imani iliyokiriwa katika jaribio la kwanza.
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. Hebrews 11:1, 2.
Basi imani ni kuwa na hakika ya mambo yatarajiwayo, ni bayana ya mambo yasiyoonekana. Kwa maana kwa hiyo wazee walipata ushuhuda mzuri. Waebrania 11:1, 2.
Daniel chapter two is a visual test, that is only successfully accomplished if the diet that was selected in the first test is actively applied to the testing process.
Sura ya pili ya Danieli ni jaribio la kuona, ambalo linaweza kukamilishwa kwa mafanikio tu iwapo lishe iliyochaguliwa katika jaribio la kwanza itatumika kwa makusudi katika mchakato wa majaribio.
For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith. Habakkuk 2:3, 4.
Kwa maana maono bado ni kwa wakati uliowekwa; lakini mwishoni yatasema, wala hayatasema uongo. Ijapokawia, ingoje; kwa kuwa hakika yatakuja, hayatakawia. Tazama, roho yake imejivuna; haiko nyofu ndani yake; bali mwenye haki ataishi kwa imani yake. Habakuki 2:3, 4.
The outcome of the second test is left in darkness in order to demonstrate if the professed faith of the first test was a genuine faith.
Matokeo ya jaribio la pili yameachwa gizani ili kuonyesha iwapo imani iliyokiriwa katika jaribio la kwanza ilikuwa imani ya kweli.
“The special light given to John which was expressed in the seven thunders was a delineation of events which would transpire under the first and second angels’ messages. It was not best for the people to know these things, for their faith must necessarily be tested. In the order of God most wonderful and advanced truths would be proclaimed. The first and second angels’ messages were to be proclaimed, but no further light was to be revealed before these messages had done their specific work.” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, volume 7, 971.
Nuru maalum iliyotolewa kwa Yohana iliyodhihirishwa katika ngurumo saba ilikuwa ufafanuzi wa matukio ambayo yangetokea chini ya ujumbe wa malaika wa kwanza na wa pili. Haikuwa vyema kwa watu kujua mambo haya, kwa kuwa imani yao ilibidi kujaribiwa. Katika utaratibu wa Mungu, kweli za ajabu na za juu zaidi zingetangazwa. Ujumbe wa malaika wa kwanza na wa pili ulipaswa kutangazwa, lakini hakuna nuru zaidi iliyopaswa kufunuliwa kabla ya ujumbe huo kukamilisha kazi yake mahususi. The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, juzuu ya 7, 971.
It is divinely fitting that Daniel chapter two, is based upon an image, for it represents the test of the image of the beast. Those students of prophecy that recognized September 11, 2001 as a fulfillment of prophecy, symbolically ate the hidden book. They were then led back to the old paths of Adventism as they appear on the pioneer 1843 and 1850 Charts. The old paths identified the movement of the first angel, which they then were led to understand represented the movement of the third angel. All the precious revelations that they were led to understand came about by the understanding of the prophetic methodology that they received. That methodology was typified by the methodology of William Miller, that was confirmed when the first message of his history was empowered on August 11, 1840.
Ni mwafaka wa kimungu kwamba sura ya pili ya Danieli inategemea sanamu, kwa kuwa inawakilisha jaribu la sanamu ya mnyama. Wale wanafunzi wa unabii waliotambua Septemba 11, 2001 kama kutimia kwa unabii, waliula kitabu kilichofichwa kwa njia ya ishara. Kisha wakaongozwa kurudi kwenye njia za kale za Uadventista kama zinavyoonekana kwenye Chati za waanzilishi za 1843 na 1850. Njia za kale zilibainisha harakati ya malaika wa kwanza, ambayo kisha waliongozwa kufahamu kuwa iliwakilisha harakati ya malaika wa tatu. Ufunuo wote wa thamani waliongozwa kuuelewa ulitokana na uelewa wa mbinu ya kinabii waliyoipokea. Mbinu hiyo ilionyeshwa kwa mfano na mbinu ya William Miller, ambayo ilithibitishwa wakati ujumbe wa kwanza wa historia yake ulipopewa nguvu mnamo Agosti 11, 1840.
“In the year 1840 another remarkable fulfillment of prophecy excited widespread interest. two years before, Josiah Litch, one of the leading ministers preaching the second advent, published an exposition of Revelation 9, predicting the fall of the Ottoman Empire. According to his calculations, this power was to be overthrown . . . on the 11th of August, 1840, when the Ottoman power in Constantinople may be expected to be broken. And this, I believe, will be found to be the case.’
"Mnamo mwaka 1840 utimizaji mwingine wa ajabu wa unabii ulizua shauku kubwa kote. Miaka miwili kabla, Josiah Litch, mmoja wa wahubiri wanaoongoza waliokuwa wakihubiri ujio wa pili, alichapisha ufafanuzi wa Ufunuo 9, uliotabiri anguko la Dola ya Ottoman. Kulingana na mahesabu yake, mamlaka hii ilitarajiwa kupinduliwa . . . tarehe 11 Agosti, 1840, wakati ambapo nguvu ya Ottoman huko Constantinople ingetarajiwa kuvunjika. Na hili, ninaamini, litaonekana kuwa hivyo.'"
“At the very time specified, Turkey, through her ambassadors, accepted the protection of the allied powers of Europe, and thus placed herself under the control of Christian nations. The event exactly fulfilled the prediction. When it became known, multitudes were convinced of the correctness of the principles of prophetic interpretation adopted by Miller and his associates, and a wonderful impetus was given to the advent movement. Men of learning and position united with Miller, both in preaching and in publishing his views, and from 1840 to 1844 the work rapidly extended.” The Great Controversy, 334, 335.
Kwa wakati hasa uliobainishwa, Uturuki, kupitia mabalozi wake, ilikubali ulinzi wa madola ya Ulaya yaliyoungana, na hivyo ikajiweka chini ya udhibiti wa mataifa ya Kikristo. Tukio hilo lilitimiza unabii kwa usahihi kabisa. Lilipojulikana, makutano mengi walishawishika kuhusu usahihi wa kanuni za ufafanuzi wa unabii zilizokubaliwa na Miller na wenzake, na msukumo wa ajabu ulitolewa kwa harakati ya Adventi. Watu wa elimu na wa cheo waliungana na Miller, katika kuhubiri na pia katika kuchapisha maoni yake, na kuanzia 1840 hadi 1844 kazi hiyo ilienea haraka. Pambano Kuu, 334, 335.
When men accepted September 11, 2001, as a fulfillment of prophecy, they were also “convinced of the correctness of the principles of prophetic interpretation adopted by” Future for America. The angel had descended with the hidden book and commanded those that would eat, to eat. The prophetic logic contained within the little book of the Millerite history, and the hidden book of our current history, is required to safely navigate the test of the formation of the image of the beast. But after eating, or assimilation of the prophetic methodology, the student must thereafter manifest a visual confirmation of what he had previously eaten. That act of faith must be manifested by a test which is navigated with an outcome that is “dark”.
Watu walipoikubali tarehe 11 Septemba 2001 kuwa utimizo wa unabii, pia “walishawishika kuhusu usahihi wa kanuni za tafsiri ya kinabii zilizopitishwa na” Future for America. Malaika alikuwa ameshuka na kitabu kilichofichwa na akaamuru kwamba wale watakaokula, wale. Mantiki ya kinabii iliyomo katika kitabu kidogo cha historia ya Wamilleri, na kitabu kilichofichwa cha historia yetu ya sasa, inahitajika ili kupitia salama jaribio la uundaji wa mfano wa mnyama. Lakini baada ya kula, au kusimilisha mbinu ya kinabii, mwanafunzi kisha lazima aonyeshe uthibitisho unaoonekana wa kile alichokuwa amekula awali. Tendo hilo la imani lazima lidhihirishwe kwa jaribio linalopitiwa kwa matokeo “ya giza”.
The prophetic rules of William Miller in the history of the first angel, combined with the prophetic keys that were established in the history of the third angel, allows students of prophecy to recognize that each of the three angels of Revelation fourteen brought with them a message in a little book that was to be eaten. The methodology they chose to eat allows those students to then see that when the angel of Revelation eighteen descended on September 11, 2001, he had a book that must be eaten in his hand, though it is not directly addressed in chapter eighteen.
Sheria za kinabii za William Miller katika historia ya malaika wa kwanza, zikichanganywa na funguo za kinabii zilizowekwa katika historia ya malaika wa tatu, zinawawezesha wanafunzi wa unabii kutambua kwamba kila mmoja wa malaika watatu wa Ufunuo kumi na nne alileta pamoja naye ujumbe katika kitabu kidogo ambacho kilipaswa kuliwa. Mbinu waliyoitumia ya kula inawawezesha wanafunzi hao kisha kuona kwamba wakati malaika wa Ufunuo kumi na nane aliposhuka tarehe 11 Septemba 2001, alikuwa na kitabu mkononi mwake ambacho lazima kiliwe, ingawa jambo hilo halijatajwa moja kwa moja katika sura ya kumi na nane.
The angel had a hidden book in his hand. That prophetic logic is what Daniel represents when he chose to reject Babylonian food. That prophetic logic is what is necessary in order to see the formation of the image of the beast, for though we have been informed that there are “movements” and “events” that will be brought about in forming the image of the beast, we have also been informed that the movement for Sunday legislation is going on in “darkness.” We must have spiritual “night vision goggles” to be able to see their movements in the dark, for it is the formation of the image, but it is formed in “darkness”. It will only be recognized by the prophetic rules that the student of prophecy accepted when he recognized September 11, 2001, as a fulfillment of the arrival of the third Woe.
Malaika alikuwa na kitabu kilichofichwa mkononi mwake. Mantiki hiyo ya kinabii ndiyo inayowakilishwa na Danieli alipochagua kukataa chakula cha Babeli. Mantiki hiyo ya kinabii ndiyo inayohitajika ili kuona uundaji wa sanamu ya yule mnyama, kwa maana ingawa tumejulishwa kwamba kuna "harakati" na "matukio" yatakayofanywa katika kuunda sanamu ya yule mnyama, tumejulishwa pia kwamba harakati za kutunga sheria ya Jumapili zinaendelea katika "giza." Tunapaswa kuwa na "miwani ya kuona usiku" ya kiroho ili tuweze kuona harakati zao gizani, kwa kuwa ni uundaji wa ile sanamu, lakini unaundwa katika "giza". Hayo yatatambuliwa tu kwa kanuni za kinabii ambazo mwanafunzi wa unabii alizikubali alipotambua 11 Septemba 2001 kuwa utimilifu wa ujio wa Ole wa tatu.
“God has revealed what is to take place in the last days, that His people may be prepared to stand against the tempest of opposition and wrath. Those who have been warned of the events before them are not to sit in calm expectation of the coming storm, comforting themselves that the Lord will shelter His faithful ones in the day of trouble. We are to be as men waiting for their Lord, not in idle expectancy, but in earnest work, with unwavering faith. It is no time now to allow our minds to be engrossed with things of minor importance. While men are sleeping, Satan is actively arranging matters so that the Lord’s people may not have mercy or justice. The Sunday movement is now making its way in darkness. The leaders are concealing the true issue, and many who unite in the movement do not themselves see whither the undercurrent is tending. Its professions are mild and apparently Christian, but when it shall speak it will reveal the spirit of the dragon. It is our duty to do all in our power to avert the threatened danger. We should endeavor to disarm prejudice by placing ourselves in a proper light before the people. We should bring before them the real question at issue, thus interposing the most effectual protest against measures to restrict liberty of conscience. We should search the Scriptures and be able to give the reason for our faith. Says the prophet: ‘The wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.’” Testimonies, volume 5, 452.
Mungu amefunua yatakayotukia katika siku za mwisho, ili watu wake waandaliwe kusimama dhidi ya dhoruba ya upinzani na ghadhabu. Wale walioonywa kuhusu matukio yaliyo mbele yao wasikae katika matarajio ya utulivu ya dhoruba inayokuja, wakijifariji kwamba Bwana atawalinda waaminifu wake katika siku ya taabu. Tuwe kama watu wanaomngoja Bwana wao, si kwa kutazamia bila kufanya kitu, bali kwa kazi ya bidii, tukiwa na imani isiyotetereka. Sasa si wakati wa kuruhusu akili zetu kushughulishwa na mambo ya umuhimu mdogo. Wakati watu wamelala, Shetani anafanya kazi kwa bidii kupanga mambo ili watu wa Bwana wasipate rehema wala haki. Harakati ya Jumapili sasa inajipenyeza gizani. Viongozi wanaficha suala la kweli, na wengi wanaojiunga na harakati hiyo wenyewe hawaoni mkondo wa ndani unakoelekea. Madai yake ni ya upole na kana kwamba ya Kikristo, lakini itakaposema itafunua roho ya joka. Ni wajibu wetu kufanya yote tuyawezayo kuzuia hatari inayotishia. Yapasa tujitahidi kuondoa upendeleo kwa kujionyesha mbele ya watu katika mwanga unaofaa. Tuwalete mbele yao swali halisi lililo mezani, hivyo kuweka pingamizi lenye ufanisi zaidi dhidi ya hatua za kuzuia uhuru wa dhamiri. Tuyachunguze Maandiko na tuweze kutoa sababu ya imani yetu. Asema nabii: “Waovu watafanya uovu; wala hakuna miongoni mwa waovu atakayefahamu; bali wenye hekima watafahamu.” Ushuhuda, juzuu ya 5, 452.
Daniel represents the “wise” who can see the movement for Sunday legislation, even though it is going on in “darkness.” He can do so, for he passed the dietary test, before the visual test. The visual test of the formation of the image of the beast takes place in “darkness.”
Danieli anawakilisha “wenye hekima” wanaoweza kuona harakati za kutunga sheria ya Jumapili, ingawa zinafanyika katika “giza.” Anaweza kufanya hivyo, kwa kuwa alipita mtihani wa chakula kabla ya mtihani wa kuona. Mtihani wa kuona wa kuundwa kwa sanamu ya mnyama hufanyika katika “giza.”
We will begin our consideration of Daniel chapter two as the second angel’s message in the next article.
Tutaanza uchambuzi wetu wa sura ya pili ya Danieli kama ujumbe wa malaika wa pili katika makala ijayo.
And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them. Isaiah 42:16.
Nitawaongoza vipofu kwa njia wasiyoijua; nitawapitisha katika mapito wasiyoyajua; giza nitalifanya kuwa nuru mbele yao, na vilivyopinda nitavinyosha. Mambo haya nitawatendea, wala sitawatelekeza. Isaya 42:16.