In the book of Ezekiel, the ‘siege’ of Jerusalem is the ‘sign’ that is the test by which our eternal destiny will be decided, for it marks the formation of the image of the beast.
Encwadini kaHezekile, “ukungqingwa” kweYerusalem “ngumqondiso” oluvavanyo ekuya kugqitywa ngalo ikamva lethu elingunaphakade, kuba kuphawula ukumiselwa komfanekiso werhamncwa.
“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. …
“INkosi indibonisile ngokucacileyo ukuba umfanekiso werhamncwa uya kwakhiwa ngaphambi kokuba kuvalwe ixesha lovavanyo; kuba uya kuba luvavanyo olukhulu kubantu bakaThixo, apho isiphelo sabo sanaphakade siya kugqitywa ngalo. …
“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.
“Olu luvavanyo abantu bakaThixo abamele babe nalo ngaphambi kokuba batywinwe. Bonke abo babonakalisa ukuthembeka kwabo kuThixo ngokugcina umthetho waKhe, nangokwala ukwamkela isabatha yobuxoki, baya kuma phantsi kweflegi yeNkosi uThixo uYehova, baze bamkele itywina loThixo ophilayo. Abo bayinikelayo inyaniso enemvelaphi yasezulwini baze bamkele isabatha yeCawa, baya kwamkela uphawu lwerhamncwa.” Manuscript Releases, volume 15, 15.
The Christians that fled Jerusalem at the ‘sign’ of Cestius, did so because they had been forewarned and recognized the ‘sign’ when it arrived. Recognizing the formation of the image of the beast is to recognize the “events,” “preparations” and “movements” that lead to the Sunday law. The prophetic elements that make up the ‘sign’ must be understood in advance of the sign. When Cestius began the siege it was too late to learn what the sign was.
AmaKristu awasaba eYerusalem ngenxa ‘yophawu’ lukaKestius, enza njalo kuba ayelumkisiwe kwangaphambili aza aluqonda ‘uphawu’ xa lwafikayo. Ukuqonda ukusekwa komfanekiso werhamncwa kukukuqonda “iziganeko,” “amalungiselelo,” kunye “neentshukumo” ezikhokelela emthethweni weCawa. Amalungu esiprofeto enza loo ‘phawu’ amele ukuqondwa kwangaphambili phambi kophawu. Xa uKestius waqalisa ungqingo, kwakusele kulityelwe ukufunda ukuba lwaluyintoni uphawu.
“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.” Review and Herald, April 23, 1889.
“Sele zenziwa iinkqubela kumalungiselelo, yaye iintshukumo ziyaqhubeka, eziza kuphumela ekwenzeni umfanekiso werhamncwa. Iziganeko ziya kwenziwa kwimbali yehlabathi eziya kuzalisekisa iziprofeto zesiprofeto ngale mihla yokugqibela.” Review and Herald, Aprili 23, 1889.
Preparations, Movements and Events
Amalungiselelo, Iintshukumo neZiganeko
The “preparations,” “movements” and “events” must be recognized in advance of the test.
“Amalungiselelo,” “iintshukumo,” kunye “neziganeko” mazibonwe kwangaphambili phambi kovavanyo.
“All that God has in prophetic history specified to be fulfilled in the past has been, and all that is yet to come in its order will be. Daniel, God’s prophet, stands in his place. John stands in his place. In the Revelation the Lion of the tribe of Judah has opened to the students of prophecy the book of Daniel, and thus is Daniel standing in his place. He bears his testimony, that which the Lord revealed to him in vision of the great and solemn events which we must know as we stand on the very threshold of their fulfillment.
“Konke oko uThixo, kwimbali yesiprofeto, akuchazileyo ukuba kuya kuzaliseka kwixesha eladlulayo, kuye kwazaliseka; yaye konke oko kuseza kuza ngolandelelwano lwako kuya kuzaliseka. UDaniyeli, umprofeti kaThixo, umi endaweni yakhe. UYohane umi endaweni yakhe. KwiSityhilelo iNgonyama yesizwe sakwaYuda iyivulele abafundi besiprofeto incwadi kaDaniyeli, yaye ngaloo ndlela uDaniyeli umi endaweni yakhe. Uthwala ubungqina bakhe, oko iNkosi eyamtyhilelayo embonweni ngeziganeko ezikhulu nezoyikekayo esimele sizazi njengoko simi kanye emnyango wokuzaliseka kwazo.”
“In history and prophecy the Word of God portrays the long continued conflict between truth and error. That conflict is yet in progress. Those things which have been, will be repeated.” Selected Messages, book 2, 109.
“Kwimbali nakwisiprofeto iLizwi likaThixo libonakalisa ungquzulwano olude oluqhubekayo phakathi kwenyaniso nempazamo. Olo ngquzulwano luseqhuba nanamhla. Ezo zinto bezikho, ziya kuphindwa.” Selected Messages, incwadi 2, 109.
We “must know” “the great and solemn events as we stand on the very threshold of their fulfillment.” The threshold identifies our need to understand the events in advance of their fulfilment.
Kufuneka “sizazi” “iziganeko ezinkulu nezindilisekileyo njengoko simi kanye emnyango wokuzaliseka kwazo.” Umnyango ubonakalisa imfuneko yethu yokuqonda ezo ziganeko phambi kokuzaliseka kwazo.
“But the stern tracings of the prophetic pencil reveal a change in this peaceful scene. The beast with lamb-like horns speaks with the voice of a dragon, and ‘exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him.’ The spirit of persecution manifested by paganism and the papacy is again to be revealed. Prophecy declares that this power will say ‘to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast.’ [Revelation 13:14.] The image is made to the first or leopard-like beast, which is the one brought to view in the third angel’s message. By this first beast is represented the Roman Church, an ecclesiastical body clothed with civil power, having authority to punish all dissenters. The image to the beast represents another religious body clothed with similar power. The formation of this image is the work of that beast whose peaceful rise and mild professions render it so striking a symbol of the United States. Here is to be found an image of the papacy. When the churches of our land, uniting upon such points of faith as are held by them in common, shall influence the State to enforce their decrees and sustain their institutions, then will Protestant America have formed an image of the Roman hierarchy. Then the true church will be assailed by persecution, as were God’s ancient people. Almost every century furnishes examples of what bigotry and malice can do under a plea of serving God by protecting the rights of Church and State. Protestant churches that have followed in the steps of Rome by forming alliance with worldly powers have manifested a similar desire to restrict liberty of conscience. In the seventeenth century thousands of non-conformist ministers suffered under the rule of the Church of England. Persecution always follows religious favoritism on the part of secular governments.” Spirit of Prophecy, volume 4, 277.
“Kodwa imizobo engqongqo yepenisile yesiprofeto ityhila utshintsho kulo mbono woxolo. Irhamncwa elineempondo ezinjengezegusha lithetha ngezwi lenamba, yaye ‘lisebenzisa onke amandla erhambncwa lokuqala phambi kwalo.’ Umoya wentshutshiso owabonakaliswa bubuhedeni nangupopu uza kuphinda utyhilwe. Isiprofeto siyavakalisa ukuba la mandla aya kuthi ‘kwabahlala emhlabeni, mabalenze umfanekiselo werhamncwa.’ [IsiTyhilelo 13:14.] Umfanekiselo wenziwa werhamncwa lokuqala, okanye elo lifana nengwe, elilelo liziswa phambi kwamehlo kwisigidimi sengelosi yesithathu. Ngeli rhamncwa lokuqala kumelwe iBandla laseRoma, umzimba wezenkolo owambethe amandla karhulumente, onegunya lokohlwaya bonke abangavumelaniyo nalo. Umfanekiselo werhamncwa umele omnye umzimba wezenkolo owambethe amandla afanayo. Ukusekwa kwalo mfanekiselo ngumsebenzi welo rhamncwa ukunyuka kwalo ngoxolo neengxelo zalo ezithambileyo kulenza libe luphawu olubalaseleyo lwe-United States. Apha kufumaneka umfanekiselo wobupopu. Xa amabandla elizwe lethu, emanyene kwezo ngongoma zokholo azibambayo ngokufanayo, eya kuphembelela uRhulumente ukuba anyanzelise imimiselo yawo aze axhase amaziko awo, ngoko ke iMelika yamaProtestanti iya kube yenze umfanekiselo wobukhosi benkolo baseRoma. Ngoko ibandla lenyaniso liya kuhlaselwa yintshutshiso, njengoko kwakunjalo kubantu bakaThixo bamandulo. Phantse yonke inkulungwane inika imizekelo yoko ukunganyamezeli nentiyo ezinokukwenza phantsi kwesingxengxezo sokukhonza uThixo ngokukhusela amalungelo eBandla noRhulumente. Amabandla amaProtestanti alandele emanyathelweni eRoma ngokwenza umanyano namandla ehlabathi abonakalise umnqweno ofanayo wokuthintela inkululeko yesazela. Ngenkulungwane yeshumi elinesixhenxe amawaka abefundisi abangahambelaniyo nomgaqo osemthethweni bahlupheka phantsi kolawulo lweBandla laseNgilani. Intshutshiso ihlala ilandela ukukhethwa kwenkolo ngoorhulumente behlabathi.” Spirit of Prophecy, volume 4, 277.
The formation of the image of the beast is accomplished first in the United States, and thereafter in the world.
Ukubunjwa komfanekiso werhamncwa kufezekiswa kuqala eUnited States, kuze emva koko ehlabathini.
“Foreign nations will follow the example of the United States. Though she leads out, yet the same crisis will come upon our people in all parts of the world.” Testimonies, volume 6, 395.
“Iintlanga zasemzini ziya kulandela umzekelo we-United States. Nangona yona ikhokela ekuqaleni, ukanti kwaloo ngxaki inye iya kwehlela abantu bethu kuzo zonke iindawo zehlabathi.” Testimonies, volume 6, 395.
The Edict of Milan in 313 represents the starting of the formation, and also identifies the closed door for Seventh-day Adventists. Constantine of the west and Licinius of the east attached a treaty marriage to the Edict, when Constantine gave his half-sister Constantia to Licinius in the fourth treaty marriage represented in a prophetic line of the six treaty marriages within the prophetic history of Daniel eleven. The first two were associated with wars between the north and south, the next two were civil wars between east and west and the last two are symbolic marriages of the papal church power and state power.
UMmiselo waseMilan ngowama-313 umele ukuqala kokwakheka, yaye ukwachaza nomnyango ovaliweyo kuma-Adventist oSuku lwesiXhenxe. UConstantine wasentshona noLicinius wasempuma banamathisela umtshato womnqophiso kulo Mmiselo, xa uConstantine wanika udadewabo ongumzala omncinane, uConstantia, kuLicinius kumtshato wesine womnqophiso omelwe kumgca wesiprofeto wemitshato emithandathu yomnqophiso ngaphakathi kwimbali yesiprofeto kaDaniyeli ishumi elinanye. Ezimbini zokuqala zazinxulumene neemfazwe phakathi komntla nomzantsi, ezibini ezalandelayo zaziziimfazwe zangaphakathi phakathi kwempuma nentshona, yaye ezimbini zokugqibela ziyimitshato efuziselayo yamandla ecawa yobupopu kunye namandla ombuso.
Antiochus II Theos set aside his wife Laodice I to marry the Ptolemaic princess Berenice (daughter of Ptolemy II) around 252 BC. The treaty marriages of the Seleucid Empire were accomplished between the king of the north and the king of the south, whereas; the treaty marriage of 313 was between the emperor of the east and the emperor of the west.
UAntiochus II Theos wamgxotha umfazi wakhe uLaodice I ukuze atshate nenkosazana yakwaPtolemy, uBerenice (intombi kaPtolemy II), malunga no-252 BC. Imitshato yomnqophiso yoBukhosi bamaSeleucid yafezekiswa phakathi kokumkani wasemantla nokumkani wasemzantsi, kanti ke; umtshato womnqophiso ka-313 wawuphakathi komlawuli wasempuma nomlawuli wasentshona.
The treaty marriage of Antiochus II Theos in 252 BC, represented the beginning of the Seleucid Empire that reached its conclusion as an empire in the history represented in verses ten through sixteen of Daniel eleven. In the final history of the Seleucid empire another treaty marriage was accomplished by Antiochus III the Great, when he gave his daughter Cleopatra I Syra, (the very first Cleopatra of prophetic history) to Ptolemy V in 193 BC. At the time Ptolemy V was about 16 and Cleopatra I Syra about 10 years old. Their marriage was a diplomatic settlement after the fifth Syrian war. The alpha treaty marriage between the king of the north and south in Daniel eleven had marked the end of the second Syrian war.
Umtshato womnqophiso ka-Antiochus II Theos ngowama-252 BC, wawumela isiqalo soBukhosi bamaSeleucid obafikelela esiphelweni sabo njengobukhosi kwimbali emelwe kwiindinyana zeshumi ukuya kweshumi elinesithandathu zikaDaniel ishumi elinanye. Kwimbali yokugqibela yobukhosi bamaSeleucid, kwaphunyelelwa omnye umtshato womnqophiso nguAntiochus III Omkhulu, xa wanika intombi yakhe uCleopatra I Syra, (owokuqala kanye uCleopatra kwimbali yesiprofeto) kuPtolemy V ngowama-193 BC. Ngelo xesha uPtolemy V wayemalunga neminyaka eli-16 ubudala, aze uCleopatra I Syra abe malunga neminyaka eli-10 ubudala. Umtshato wabo wawusisivumelwano sobudiplomasi emva kwemfazwe yesihlanu yaseSiriya. Umtshato womnqophiso we-alpha phakathi kukakumkani wasemantla nowasemzantsi kuDaniel ishumi elinanye wawuphawule ukuphela kwemfazwe yesibini yaseSiriya.
The last Cleopatra of prophetic history interacted with both Julius Caesar and thereafter with Mark Antony. After the assassination of Julius Caesar in 44 BC the second Triumvirate was formed in 43 BC. Three men made up the triumvirate and after one of those three, Marcus Lepidus was forced out of the threefold union by Octavian, a power struggle between Mark Antony of the east and Octavian of the west ensued. At Brundisium, in 40 BC a treaty between the two eastern and western rivals was made. The treaty included the marriage between Octavian’s sister Octavia and Mark Antony. The treaty and accompanying marriage did not hold, and after Mark Antony became involved with Cleopatra, he divorced Octavia in 32 BC. At the battle of Actium in 31 BC, the empires of east and west were consolidated into one power, and Octavian thereafter became Augustus Caesar, the symbol of the height of Roman glory and power.
UCleopatra wokugqibela kwimbali yesiprofeto wadibana noJulius Caesar, waza emva koko wadibana noMark Antony. Emva kokubulawa kukaJulius Caesar ngowama-44 BC, kwasekwa iTriumvirate yesibini ngowama-43 BC. Amadoda amathathu ayeyakha loo triumvirate, yaye emva kokuba omnye kwabo bathathu, uMarcus Lepidus, ekhutshwe ngenkani kuloo manyano lwabathathu nguOctavian, kwalandela umzabalazo wamandla phakathi kukaMark Antony wasempuma noOctavian wasentshona. EBrundisium, ngowama-40 BC, kwenziwa isivumelwano phakathi kwaba bakhuphisana baseMpuma naseNtshona. Isivumelwano sasiquka umtshato phakathi kukadade boOctavian, uOctavia, noMark Antony. Isivumelwano kunye nomtshato owawuhamba naso azizange zihlale ziqinile, yaye emva kokuba uMark Antony engenile kubudlelane noCleopatra, waqhawula umtshato noOctavia ngowama-32 BC. Kwidabi laseActium ngowama-31 BC, izikumkani zaseMpuma nezaseNtshona zadityaniswa zaba ligunya elinye, yaye emva koko uOctavian waba nguAgasto Kesare, umqondiso wencopho yozuko namandla aseRoma.
Prophetically the first treaty marriage of Daniel eleven was between the kings of the north and south in an attempt to end hostilities between the two combatants who were struggling to re-establish the empire of Alexander the Great. That first treaty marriage between the Seleucids and the Ptolemy’s of Egypt was the alpha treaty marriage of the Seleucid and Ptolemaic kingdoms, which typified the omega treaty marriage between the same two powers. In the last or omega treaty marriage, the very first or alpha Cleopatra of Egyptian history became the prophetic link to the last, or omega Cleopatra; whose relationship with Mark Antony became the point of reference for the divorce of Octavia and Mark Antony. The divorce marked the renewed hostilities between Mark Antony of the east and Octavian of the west which ended at the battle of Actium in 31 BC.
Ngokwesiprofeto umtshato wokuqala womnqophiso kaDaniyeli ishumi elinanye wawuphakathi kookumkani basentla nabasezantsi, njengelinge lokuphelisa ubutshaba phakathi kwaba balwi babini ababezama ukuphinda bamise ubukhosi buka-Aleksandire Omkhulu. Loo mtshato wokuqala womnqophiso phakathi kwamaSeleucid namaPtolemy aseYiputa wawungumtshato womnqophiso we-alpha wobukumkani bamaSeleucid nobamaPtolemy, owawungumfuziselo womtshato womnqophiso we-omega phakathi kwala magunya mabini afanayo. Kumtshato wokugqibela, okanye we-omega, womnqophiso, uCleopatra wokuqala kwimbali yaseYiputa kanye waba likhonkco lesiprofeto elinxulumanisa noCleopatra wokugqibela, okanye we-omega; lowo ubudlelwane bakhe noMark Antony baba yindawo yokubhekisela kuqhawulo-mtshato lukaOctavia noMark Antony. Uqhawulo-mtshato lwaluphawula ukuvuseleleka kobutshaba phakathi kukaMark Antony wasempuma noOctavian wasentshona, obwaphela kwimfazwe yaseActium ngowama-31 BC.
The treaty marriage of Brundisium in 40 BC was the alpha treaty marriage of the struggle between east and west, just as the treaty marriage of Laodice and Antiochus II Theo was the alpha of the struggle between north and south. The treaty marriage of 313 was the omega to the alpha treaty marriage of Mark Antony and Octavia, just as the treaty marriage between Ptolemy V and Cleopatra I Syra was the omega treaty marriage of the northern and southern kingdoms. The three treaty marriages that led to the omega treaty marriage of 313 all align, and provide three witnesses to the prophetic characteristics associated with the Edict of Milan. Together the four literal treaty marriages of east, west, north and south align with the two symbolic treaty marriages of the papacy.
Umtshato wesivumelwano waseBrundisium ngowama-40 BC wawungumtshato wesivumelwano we-alpha womzabalazo phakathi kwempuma nentshona, kanye njengokuba umtshato wesivumelwano kaLaodice noAntiochus II Theo wawuyialpha yomzabalazo phakathi komntla nomzantsi. Umtshato wesivumelwano wowama-313 wawuyi-omega kumtshato wesivumelwano we-alpha kaMark Antony noOctavia, kanye njengokuba umtshato wesivumelwano phakathi kukaPtolemy V noCleopatra I Syra wawungumtshato wesivumelwano we-omega wezikumkani zasemntla nezasemzantsi. Imitshato emithathu yesivumelwano eyakhokelela kumtshato wesivumelwano we-omega wowama-313 iyahambelana yonke, yaye inika amangqina amathathu kwiimpawu zesiprofeto ezinxulumene noMmiselo waseMilan. Xa idityanisiwe, imitshato emine yesivumelwano yokoqobo yempuma, yentshona, yomntla neyomzantsi iyahambelana nemitshato emibini yesivumelwano engumfuziselo yobupopu.
In 496, Clovis the king of the Franks was married to Clotilda. Clotilda was a Burgundian princess, the daughter of King Chilperic II of Burgundy. After her father and mother were murdered in a family power struggle, she lived under the protection of her uncle before being given in marriage to Clovis I, king of the Franks, in 493. She was a Catholic, that is, she held the Nicene/orthodox faith of the Roman Church. This set her apart from many other Germanic royal families of the time, who were Arian Christians. Her mother Caretena had been Catholic, and Clotilda was raised in that faith. She is remembered for persistently urging Clovis to abandon paganism and accept Catholic baptism, and thereafter his conversion in 496 is one of the most important events in the early history of France and of Western so-called Christianity.
Ngowama-496, uClovis ukumkani wamaFranks wayetshate noClotilda. UClotilda wayeyinkosazana yaseBurgundy, intombi kaKumkani uChilperic II waseBurgundy. Emva kokuba uyise nonina bebulewe kumzabalazo wamandla entsapho, waphila phantsi kokhuseleko lukayisekazi wakhe ngaphambi kokuba anikwe emtshatweni kuClovis I, ukumkani wamaFranks, ngowama-493. WayengumKatolika, oko kukuthi, wayebambelele kukholo lwaseNicaea/oluchanileyo lweBandla laseRoma. Oku kwamenza wahluka kwezinye iintsapho ezininzi zobukhosi zamaJamani zelo xesha, ezazizezamaKristu angama-Ariya. Unina uCaretena wayengumKatolika, yaye uClotilda wakhuliswa kuloo nkolo. Ukhunjulwa ngokumcenga ngokuqhubekayo uClovis ukuba ashiye ubuhedeni aze amkele ubhaptizo lobuKatolika, yaye emva koko ukuguquka kwakhe ngowama-496 sesinye seziganeko ezibaluleke kakhulu kwimbali yokuqala yaseFransi neyobuKristu obubizwa ngokuba bobaseNtshona.
Clovis vowed that if he won the battle of Tolbiac he would convert to Clotilda’s Catholic faith and be baptized. The Alemanni king was killed, their army broke, and the Franks won. After the victory Clotilda arranged for Bishop Remigius of Reims to instruct Clovis, and he was baptized (traditionally on Christmas Day 496), along with several thousand of his warriors.
UClovis wafunga isibhambathiso sokuba, ukuba wayeza kuwuphumelela umlo waseTolbiac, wayeza kuguqukela kukholo lwamaKatolika lukaClotilda aze abhaptizwe. Ukumkani wama-Alemanni wabulawa, umkhosi wabo waphuka, aza amaFranks aphumelela. Emva koloyiso uClotilda walungiselela ukuba uBhishophu uRemigius waseReims afundise uClovis, waza wabhaptizwa (ngokwesithethe ngoSuku lweKrisimesi ngowama-496), kunye namawaka aliqela amajoni akhe.
Clovis was the king of the Franks, which in modern terms is the king of France. He became the first of the kings of Europe who would ultimately surrender their pagan religion and turn to Catholicism. For this reason, Clovis is considered the “eldest son of the Catholic church,” and France is called, “the eldest daughter of the Catholic church.” In 1980, when pope John Paul II visited France he asked, “France, eldest daughter of the Church, are you faithful to your baptism?”
UClovis wayengukumkani wamaFranks, nto leyo, ngolwimi lwanamhlanje, ethetha ukumkani waseFransi. Waba ngowokuqala kookumkani baseYurophu abathi ekugqibeleni bancame inkolo yabo yobuhedeni baza baphendukela kubuKatolika. Ngenxa yesi sizathu, uClovis uthathwa “njengonyana omkhulu wecawe yamaKatolika,” yaye iFransi ibizwa ngokuba, “yintombi enkulu yecawe yamaKatolika.” Ngowe-1980, xa upopu John Paul II wayetyelele iFransi, wabuza wathi, “Fransi, ntombi enkulu yeBandla, uthembekile na kubhaptizo lwakho?”
Clovis' conversion to Nicene Catholicism identifies the start of a symbolic marriage procession that would lead to the symbolic treaty marriage of 538. The symbolic treaty marriage between Clovis and the whore who commits fornication with the kings of the earth was typified by the four previous treaty marriages in Daniel eleven. Clovis was the first European king to provide military and economic support for the Roman church and Clovis is therefore represented within the history in Daniel eleven.
Ukuguquka kukaClovis waya kubuKatolika baseNicaea kuchaza ukuqala komngcelele womtshato ongumfuziselo owawuya kukhokelela kumtshato womnqophiso ongumfuziselo ka-538. Umtshato womnqophiso ongumfuziselo phakathi kukaClovis nehenyukazi elenza uhenyuzo nookumkani bomhlaba wabonakaliswa kwangaphambili yimitshato yomnqophiso emine eyandulelayo kuDaniyeli ishumi elinanye. UClovis wayengukumkani wokuqala waseYurophu ukunika inkxaso yomkhosi neyoqoqosho kwicawa yaseRoma, yaye ngenxa yoko uClovis umelwe ngaphakathi kwale mbali kuDaniyeli ishumi elinanye.
And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate. Daniel 11:31.
Kwaye imikhosi iya kuma ngecala lakhe, yaye iya kuyingcolisa ingcwele yamandla, yaye iya kususa umbingelelo wemihla ngemihla, yaye iya kumisa isikizi esenza incithakalo. Daniel 11:31.
Clovis in 496 marks the beginning of the European political structures to “stand up” to aid the papacy as it rose to power. It marks the beginning of a symbolic marriage procession. The “arms” of the verse would also pollute the “sanctuary of strength,” which for both pagan and papal Rome is the city of Rome.
UClovis ngo-496 uphawula ukuqala kwezakhiwo zopolitiko zaseYurophu “ukusukuma” zixhase ubupopu njengoko babunyukela emandleni. Oku kuphawula ukuqala komngcelele womtshato ongumfuziselo. “Iingalo” zesi sibhalo ziya kungcolisa kwakhona “ingcwele yamandla,” ethi kuRoma yobuqaba nakuRoma wobupopu ibe sisixeko saseRoma.
Two Sanctuary's
Izibingelelo Ezibini Zobungcwele
There are two different Hebrew words in the book of Daniel that are translated as “sanctuary.” The Hebrew words ‘miqdash’ and ‘qodesh’ are both translated as “sanctuary,” but qodesh can only represent a holy entity, whereas miqdash can represent either a holy or unholy sanctuary—as determined by context.
Kukho amagama amabini ahlukeneyo esiHebhere encwadini kaDaniyeli aguqulelwa ngokuthi “ingcwele.” Amagama esiHebhere athi ‘miqdash’ nelithi ‘qodesh’ omabini aguqulelwa ngokuthi “ingcwele,” kodwa u-qodesh unokumela kuphela into engcwele, kanti u-miqdash unokumela nokuba yingcwele engcwele okanye engengcwele—njengoko kusikelwa ngumxholo.
The “sanctuary of strength” in verse thirty-one is ‘miqdash’ and represents the sanctuary of Rome’s strength, which for both pagan and papal Rome was the city of Rome. From the battle of Actium, when Octavian united the empire, pagan Rome was invincible for three hundred and sixty years (a time) in fulfilment of verse twenty-four of Daniel eleven.
“Iyingcwele yamandla” kwindima yamashumi amathathu ananye yi-‘miqdash’ yaye imele ingcwele yamandla eRoma, ekwathi kuzo zombini iRoma yobuhedeni neRoma yobupopu yaba sisixeko saseRoma. Ukususela kwidabi laseActium, xa uOctavian wadibanisa ubukumkani, iRoma yobuhedeni yayingoyiseki kangangeminyaka engamakhulu amathathu anamashumi amathandathu (ixesha), ekuzalisekisweni kwendima yamashumi amabini anesine kaDaniyeli ishumi elinanye.
He shall enter peaceably even upon the fattest places of the province; and he shall do that which his fathers have not done, nor his fathers’ fathers; he shall scatter among them the prey, and spoil, and riches: yea, and he shall forecast his devices against the strong holds, even for a time. Daniel 11:24.
Uya kungena ngoxolo nakwezona ndawo zityebileyo zephondo; enze oko ooyise abangakwenzanga, kwanezookhokho bakhe; asasaze phakathi kwabo ixhoba, nempango, nobutyebi; ewe, aya kuceba amacebo akhe nxamnye neenqaba ezinqatyisiweyo, kude kube lixesha. Daniel 11:24.
When pagan Rome ruled from the city of Rome it was invincible, but when Constantine moved the capital to Constantinople in 330, the “time” of verse twenty-four was fulfilled. When the last of the three horns (the Goths) of Daniel seven were driven out of the city, papal Rome prophetically took the throne as the fifth kingdom of Bible prophecy in 538. The Goths had besieged Rome, but ultimately retreated as Belsarius, general for Justinian secured the city. The Roman church then ruled supremely for twelve hundred and sixty years until Napoleon had the pope removed and put in exile in 1798.
Xa iRoma yobuhedeni yayilawula isuka kwisixeko saseRoma yayingoyiseki, kodwa xa uConstantine wayisa ikomkhulu eConstantinople ngowama-330, “ixesha” levesi yamashumi amabini anesine lazaliseka. Xa eyokugqibela kwezo mpondo zintathu (amaGoth) zikaDaniyeli isahluko sesixhenxe zagxothwayo esixekweni, iRoma yobupopu ngokwesiprofeto yathabatha itrone njengobukumkani besihlanu besiprofeto seBhayibhile ngowama-538. AmaGoth ayeyingqingile iRoma, kodwa ekugqibeleni arhoxa njengoko uBelsarius, injengele kaJustinian, wayikhusela isixeko. Icawe yaseRoma ke yalawula ngobungangamsha obupheleleyo iminyaka eliwaka elinamakhulu mabini anamashumi amathandathu, de uNapoleon wayisusa upopu waza wamthumela ekuthinjweni ngowe-1798.
Rome, “the sanctuary of strength” was “polluted,” (polluted, meaning ‘wounded or dissolved’), through the “arms” from the ongoing warfare against the city, represented primarily by the first four trumpets of Revelation chapter eight.
IRoma, “ingcwele yamandla” yayingcolisiwe, (ukungcoliswa, okuthetha ukuba ‘yenzakaliswa okanye yachithwa’), “ngeengalo” ezivela emfazweni oqhubekayo nxamnye nesixeko, emelwe ngokuyintloko ziimpempe ezine zokuqala zeSityhilelo isahluko sesibhozo.
The history that ensued from 496 onward would see the city of Rome polluted as it changed from the power and glory of the Roman empire unto the power and glory of the Roman Catholic empire. Those arms would take away the religion of paganism, represented by the word “daily” in the passage, as they accepted the religion of Nicene Catholicism.
Imbali eyalandelayo ukususela ngowama-496 ukuya phambili yabona isixeko saseRoma singcoliswa njengoko satshintshayo sisuka kumandla nenkazimulo yobukumkani bamaRoma saya kumandla nenkazimulo yobukumkani bamaRoma Katolika. Ezo ngalo zaya kuyisusa inkolo yobupheganisi, emelwe ligama elithi “ngemihla yonke” kweso sicatshulwa, njengoko zamkelayo inkolo yobuKatolika baseNicaea.
At the battle of Vouillé, Clovis defeated the Arian Visigoths under Alaric II and took Aquitaine. In the aftermath of the victory, in 508, the Eastern emperor Anastasius I (in Constantinople) honored Clovis for his victory over the Visigoths. Gregory of Tours says that Anastasius sent Clovis' official papers making him consul. At Tours, in Saint Martin’s church, Clovis put on a purple tunic and cloak, set a diadem on his head, rode out, and scattered gold and silver to the crowd. Gregory says that from that day he was hailed as consul and recognized by the Roman emperor that Clovis was a legitimate Christian king in the west. He was rewarded for breaking the Arian Visigoths, whom Constantinople also opposed. 508 is the year the emperor in the East publicly honored the Catholic Frankish king—church, victory, and Roman legitimacy in one scene. 508 is the year the Frankish Catholic kingdom stood as the dominant Catholic power in Gaul after breaking Arian Visigoth’s rule. Clovis is the first major barbarian king to fight for Nicene Catholicism against Arian kingdoms, and thus the prototype of the French role as “eldest daughter of the Church.” Clovis represents the period of 496 unto 508 and is the alpha symbol of the symbolic marriage treaty. The thirty years from 508 unto 538 are represented by Justinian who is the omega symbol of the procession.
Kwidabi laseVouillé, uClovis wawoyisa amaVisigoth angama-Ariya phantsi kuka-Alaric II waza wathabatha i-Aquitaine. Emva kolo loyiso, ngonyaka ka-508, umlawuli waseMpuma uAnastasius I (oseConstantinople) wamzukisa uClovis ngenxa yoloyiso lwakhe phezu kwamaVisigoth. UGregory waseTours uthi uAnastasius wathumela amaxwebhu asemthethweni kaClovis emenza ukuba abe ngummeli wesizwe. ETours, ecaweni kaSaint Martin, uClovis wanxiba ingubo emfusa nengubo yangaphandle, wabeka isithsaba sobukhosi entlokweni yakhe, wakhwela waphuma, waza wachithachitha igolide nesilivere esihlweleni. UGregory uthi ukususela ngaloo mini wanconywa njengommeli wesizwe, yaye umlawuli waseRoma wamqonda ukuba uClovis wayengukumkani ongumKristu osemthethweni entshonalanga. Wavuzwa ngenxa yokuba wayewaphule amandla amaVisigoth angama-Ariya, awathi nawo iConstantinople yawachasa. U-508 ngumnyaka apho umlawuli waseMpuma wamzukisa esidlangalaleni ukumkani wamaFranks ongumKatolika—ibandla, uloyiso, nobusemthethweni baseRoma kwindawo enye. U-508 ngumnyaka apho ubukumkani bamaFranks obungamaKatolika bema njengamandla angamaKatolika alawulayo eGaul emva kokwaphula ulawulo lwamaVisigoth angama-Ariya. UClovis ngukumkani wokuqala omkhulu wabahedeni ukulwa ngenxa yoBukKatolika baseNicaea nxamnye nobukumkani bama-Ariya, yaye ngenxa yoko ungumfuziselo wokuqala wendima yaseFransi njenge “ntombi endala yeBandla.” UClovis umele ixesha lika-496 ukuya ku-508, yaye ungumfuziselo we-alpha wesivumelwano somtshato esingokomfuziselo. Iminyaka engamashumi amathathu ukusuka ku-508 ukuya ku-538 imelwe nguJustinian, ongumfuziselo we-omega wolo luhlu.
In 538, the “arms” placed the papal power on the throne of the earth for 1260 years. It was then that the symbolic treaty marriage was consummated at the conclusion of the marriage procession that had begun in 496. In 1798, the treaty marriage that had begun between the pope of Rome and Clovis of France, was disannulled when Napoleon of France divorced the papal power by having his general take the pope captive.
Ngo-538, “iingalo” zamisa amandla opopu etroneni yomhlaba iminyaka eli-1260. Kwakungelo xesha apho umtshato womnqophiso ongokomfuziselo wagqitywa ekupheleni komngcelele womtshato owawuqale ngo-496. Ngo-1798, umtshato womnqophiso owawuqale phakathi kopopu waseRoma noClovis waseFransi, wachithwa xa uNapoleon waseFransi waqhawula umtshato namandla opopu ngokuthi umphathi-mkhosi wakhe amthimbe opopu.
The alpha symbolic papal treaty marriage, which had begun its marriage procession in 496, was consummated at the Sunday law in 538, and it was thereafter disannulled in 1798, just as was every other treaty marriage of Daniel eleven. Revelation adds to the papal marital relationship between the kings of Europe and popes of Catholicism, for the dragon of Revelation twelve is both Satan and pagan Rome’s kings.
Umtshato womfuziselo wesivumelwano sobupopu we-alpha, owawuqalise umngcelele wawo womtshato ngowama-496, wagqitywa kumthetho weCawa ngowama-538, waza emva koko wachithwa ngowama-1798, kanye njengoko kwakunjalo ngawo wonke omnye umtshato wesivumelwano kaDaniyeli ishumi elinanye. IsiTyhilelo songeza kubudlelwane bomtshato bobupopu phakathi kookumkani baseYurophu noopopu bobuKatolika, kuba inamba yeSityhilelo ishumi elinesibini inguSathana kwanookumkani beRoma yobuqaba.
“Thus while the dragon, primarily, represents Satan, it is, in a secondary sense, a symbol of pagan Rome.” The Great Controversy, 439.
“Ngaloo ndlela, nangona inamba, ikakhulu, imele uSathana, ngengqiqo yesibini, iluphawu lweRoma yobuhedeni.” The Great Controversy, 439.
In Revelation John informs us of three things the kings (the dragon) gave to the sea beast of Catholicism.
KwisiTyhilelo uYohane usazisa ngezinto ezintathu ezathi ookumkani (inamba) bazinika irhamncwa lolwandle lobuKatolika.
And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. Revelation 13:2.
Irhamncwa endayibonayo yayinjengehlosi, neenyawo zayo zazingathi ziinyawo zebhere, nomlomo wayo unjengomlomo wengonyama; yaza inamba yalinika amandla ayo, netrone yayo, negunya elikhulu. ISityhilelo 13:2.
In 496, the kings of Europe began providing the papal beast their “power” as represented by their military might and economic support. They had moved the capital of their empire to Constantinople in 330, leaving the city of Rome as the “seat” of the papal authority. The “arms” thereafter identified the papal church as the head of all churches in 533 with the decree of Justinian. The decree included the use of their military might to persecute those who the papacy identified as heretics, thus placing their civil “authority” into the hands of the popes.
Ngo-496, ookumkani baseYurophu baqalisa ukunika elo rhamncwa lobupopu “amandla” abo, njengoko amelwe bubukroti babo bomkhosi nenkxaso yabo yezoqoqosho. Babethuthele ikomkhulu lobukumkani babo baya eConstantinople ngo-330, beshiya isixeko saseRoma siyiyo “isihlalo” segunya lobupopu. “Iingalo” zaza emva koko zachaza ibandla lobupopu njengentloko yawo onke amabandla ngo-533 ngommiselo kaJustinian. Lo mmiselo waquka ukusetyenziswa kobukroti babo bomkhosi ukutshutshisa abo ubupopu obabachaza njengabaqhekeki, ngaloo ndlela bebeka “igunya” labo loluntu ezandleni zoopopu.
The alpha treaty marriage between the papacy and the kings of Europe began with Clovis in 496. By 508, paganism, the legal religion of the realm was set aside for the religion of Nicene Catholicism. In 533, Justinian identified the papacy as the head of all churches, and surrendered the legal authority of their respective thrones unto the papal power.
Umtshato womnqophiso we-alpha phakathi kobupopu nookumkani baseYurophu waqala ngoClovis ngowama-496. Ngowama-508, ubuhedeni, obabuyinkolo esemthethweni yobukumkani, babekwa bucala ngenxa yenkolo yobuKatolika baseNicaea. Ngowama-533, uJustinian wabhengeza ubupopu njengentloko yazo zonke iicawa, waza wanikela igunya elisemthethweni lezihlalo zabo zobukhosi ezahlukeneyo kumandla opopu.
The Alpha and Omega Seat
Isihlalo sika-Alfa no-Omega
In 330, the city of Rome was left in the hands of the Roman church where she would be seated until she is destroyed in the lake of fire at Christ’s second coming. In 538, she was officially seated again upon the papal throne, thus identifying the history of 330 unto 538 as a prophetic period that begins with an alpha seat and ends with an omega seat. The period represents the ending of the fourth kingdom of Bible prophecy (Pergamos) as a progressive demise beginning in 330 and ending in 538 with the arrival of Thyatira. Both western and eastern Rome continued the slow dissolution beyond 538, but the period began with giving the seat, representing the city of Rome to the papacy in 330, until the seat became not simply a throne over the city, but over the kingdom represented by the city in 538.
Ngo-330, isixeko saseRoma sashiywa ezandleni zecawa yamaRoma apho siya kuhlala sihleli khona de sitshatyalaliswe elwandle lomlilo ekubuyeni kwesibini kukaKristu. Ngo-538, saphinda sahlaliswa ngokusemthethweni phezu kwetrone yobupopu, ngaloo ndlela kuchongwa imbali ka-330 ukuya ku-538 njengethuba lesiprofeto eliqala ngesihlalo se-alpha lize liphele ngesihlalo se-omega. Elo xesha limela isiphelo sobukumkani besine sesiprofeto seBhayibhile (iPergamo) njengokubhanga okuqhubekayo okuqala ngo-330 kuze kuphele ngo-538 ngokufika kweTiyatira. Zombini iRoma yasentshona neyasempuma zaqhubeka nokunyibilika kancinci emva ko-538, kodwa elo xesha laqala ngokunikwa kwesihlalo, esimele isixeko saseRoma, kubupopu ngo-330, de eso sihlalo saba singesiyo nje itrone phezu kwesixeko kuphela, kodwa phezu kobukumkani obumelwe sisixeko ngo-538.
330 to 538 is a specific prophetic period that defines the ‘eight’ waymarks of the papacy’s empowerment. Those eight steps are repeated in the healing of the papacy’s deadly wound at the soon-coming Sunday law.
330 ukuya ku-538 lixesha elithile lesiprofeto elichaza iimpawu zendlela ezisibhozo zokuxhotyiswa kobupopu. La manyathelo asibhozo aphindwa ekuphilisweni kwenxeba elibulalayo lobupopu kumthetho weCawa oseluzayo kungekudala.
The first of the eight steps was the giving of the city of Rome to the papal power, and the eighth step was the giving of the city as the throne of the fifth kingdom of Bible prophecy. This identifies 538 as the seat, and as ‘the eighth step, that is of the previous seven steps.’ The first step was the giving of the seat and the eighth step was the giving of the seat; thus, the first step in 330 is the alpha and 538 is the omega. Two seats, three horns removed, the daily taken away, Clovis’ conversion and Justinian’s decree equal eight total steps that identify the marriage procession, and ultimately the marriage.
Inyathelo yokuqala kwezisibhozo yaba kukunikwa kwesixeko saseRoma kumandla obupapa, yaye inyathelo lesibhozo laba kukunikwa kwesixeko njengesihlalo sobukumkani besihlanu besiprofeto seBhayibhile. Oku kuchonga u-538 njengesihlalo, kananjalo ‘njengenyathelo lesibhozo, eliphuma kumanyathelo asixhenxe angaphambili.’ Inyathelo lokuqala laba kukunikwa kwesihlalo, yaye inyathelo lesibhozo laba kukunikwa kwesihlalo; ngaloo ndlela, inyathelo lokuqala ngo-330 lingu-alpha, yaye u-538 ngu-omega. Izihlalo ezibini, iimpondo ezintathu ezisusiweyo, umnikelo wemihla ngemihla osusiweyo, ukuguquka kukaClovis nommiselo kaJustinian zenza amanyathelo asibhozo ewonke achonga umngcelele womtshato, yaye ekugqibeleni umtshato.
In 1798, France, the power who had represented the ten European kings, who placed the papacy on the throne in 538, removed the papacy from that very throne. The alpha treaty marriage represented in the history of 538 unto 1798 typifies the omega treaty marriage of the papal power with the ten kings of Revelation seventeen. The marriage procession from 496 unto 538 typifies eight steps that align with the last eight presidents of the United States. Clovis and France are symbols of the ten European kings. They represent the United States who will become the premier king of Revelation seventeen’s ten kings at the soon-coming Sunday law.
Ngo-1798, iFransi, amandla awayemele ookumkani abalishumi baseYurophu, awabeka ubupopu etroneni ngo-538, abususa ubupopu kanye kuloo trone. Umtshato wesivumelwano se-alpha omelwe kwimbali ukusukela ngo-538 ukuya ku-1798 ufanekisela umtshato wesivumelwano se-omega wamandla obupopu nookumkani abalishumi beSityhilelo seshumi elinesixhenxe. Uhambo lomngcelele womtshato ukusuka ngo-496 ukuya ku-538 lufanekisela amanyathelo asibhozo angqamana nabongameli abasibhozo bokugqibela baseUnited States. UClovis neFransi bayimifuziselo yookumkani abalishumi baseYurophu. Bamele iUnited States eya kuba ngukumkani oyintloko wookumkani abalishumi beSityhilelo seshumi elinesixhenxe kumthetho weCawa ozayo kungekudala ngeCawa.
The five previous treaty marriages of Daniel eleven align with the sixth and final treaty marriage of the latter days. The alpha and omega treaty marriages of north and south identify the bride from the south as the alpha and the omega is a bride from the north. In the treaty marriages of pagan Rome, the alpha bride from the east was given to the west, and the omega of 313 was a bride from the west. Those four marriages are prophetically linked together by Cleopatra the first and Cleopatra the last. The symbolic treaty marriage of papal Rome represented the groom as the premier king of a prophetic confederacy of ten kings joining with their bride—the scarlet woman of Rome. The divorce was carried out by the premier king of the ten kings in 1798.
Imitshato emihlanu yangaphambili yomnqophiso kaDaniyeli ishumi elinanye ihambelana nomtshato womnqophiso wesithandathu nowokugqibela wemihla yokugqibela. Imitshato yomnqophiso ye-alpha ne-omega yasemntla nasemazantsi ichaza umtshakazi wasezantsi njenge-alpha, kanti i-omega ingumtshakazi ovela emntla. Kwimitshato yomnqophiso yeRoma yobuhedeni, umtshakazi we-alpha ovela empuma wanikelwa entshona, yaye i-omega ka-313 yayiyumtshakazi ovela entshona. Ezo mitshato zine zidityaniswe kunye ngokwesiprofeto nguCleopatra wokuqala noCleopatra wokugqibela. Umtshato womnqophiso ongumfuziselo weRoma yobupapa wawumela umyeni njengokumkani oyintloko womanyano lwesiprofeto lookumkani abalishumi, edibene nomtshakazi wabo—umfazi obomvu krwe waseRoma. Uqhawulo-mtshato lwenziwa ngukumkani oyintloko wabo bakumkani balishumi ngo-1798.
The treaty marriage of 313 represents the final treaty marriage of the papal power with the United States—the premier king of Revelation seventeen’s ten kings; a two horned power that is typified by the two horned power of France. The history that began with Clovis in 496 and ultimately led to the decree of Justinian in 533 and the enthronement of the papacy in 538, represents the history of 1989 unto the Sunday law.
Umtshato womnqophiso wonyaka ka-313 umele umtshato wokugqibela womnqophiso wamandla opopu kunye ne-United States—ukumkani oyintloko kookumkani abalishumi beSityhilelo isahluko seshumi elinesixhenxe; amandla aneempondo ezimbini afanekiselwa ngamandla aneempondo ezimbini aseFransi. Imbali eyaqala ngoClovis ngonyaka ka-496 yaza ekugqibeleni yakhokelela kummiselo kaJustinian ngonyaka ka-533 nasekubekweni kukapopu etroneni ngonyaka ka-538, imele imbali ka-1989 kuse kwafika umthetho weCawa.
We will continue these things in the next article.
Siya kuqhubeka kwezi zinto kwinqaku elilandelayo.