When the parable of the ten virgins was fulfilled in Millerite history it took place during the second angel’s message. The second angel’s message represents two distinct messages, both in the period of time which they cover and in terms of the intended audience of the message. The second angel’s message was directed to the Protestant churches that had just returned to Rome and became daughters of Babylon. The Midnight Cry was directed to the sleeping Millerites. The first message was directed outside of the Millerites, the second was directed inside. This will be fulfilled to the letter in our day.
Xa umzekeliso weentombi ezilishumi wazalisekiswa kwimbali yamaMillerite, oko kwenzeka ngexesha lomyalezo wesithunywa sesibini. Umyalezo wesithunywa sesibini umele imiyalezo emibini eyahlukileyo, kokubini ngexesha eziligubungelayo nangokubhekisele kubaphulaphuli abajoliswe kubo ngumyalezo. Umyalezo wesithunywa sesibini wawujoliswe kwiicawa zamaProtestanti ezazisandula ukubuyela eRoma zaza zaba ziintombi zaseBhabheli. Isikhalo saphakathi kobusuku sasiqondiswe kumaMillerite awayelele. Umyalezo wokuqala wawujoliswe ngaphandle kwamaMillerite, owesibini wawujoliswe ngaphakathi. Oku kuya kuzalisekiswa ngokungqinelana nelizwi ngelizwi ngemihla yethu.
The difference that needs to be noted in the repetition of our day is that in the beginning of Adventism the message of the second angel first went outside the Millerites and then part two of the message went inside the Millerites. At the end of Adventism, when the parable is again repeated, so also is the second angel’s message. We are told that directly more than a handful of times. But the two-fold nature of the message is reversed at the end. The first message goes to Adventism and the second to those outside of Adventism. We are told that the work and message represented by the angel of Revelation eighteen is a repetition of the second angel’s message.
Umahluko omele uqatshelwe ekuphindaphindweni komhla wethu kukuba ekuqaleni kobu-Adventism isigidimi sengelosi yesibini saqala ukuphuma saya ngaphandle kwamaMillerite, kwaza ke inxalenye yesibini yesigidimi yangena ngaphakathi kumaMillerite. Ekupheleni kobu-Adventism, xa umzekeliso uphinda kwakhona, ngokunjalo nesigidimi sengwezi yesibini siyaphindwa. Sixelelwa oko ngokuthe ngqo ngaphezu kwamaxesha ambalwa nje. Kodwa ubume obuphindwe kabini besi sigidimi buyajikwa ekupheleni. Isigidimi sokuqala siya kubu-Adventism, size esesibini siye kwabo bangaphandle kobu-Adventism. Sixelelwa ukuba umsebenzi nesigidimi esimelwe yingelosi yeSityhilelo seshumi elinesibhozo kukuphindwa kwesigidimi sengwezi yesibini.
“The prophet says, ‘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’ (Revelation 18:1, 2). This is the same message that was given by the second angel. Babylon is fallen, ‘because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication’ (Revelation 14:8). What is that wine?—Her false doctrines. She has given to the world a false sabbath instead of the Sabbath of the fourth commandment, and has repeated the falsehood that Satan first told Eve in Eden—the natural immortality of the soul. Many kindred errors she has spread far and wide, ‘teaching for doctrines the commandments of men’ (Matthew 15:9).
“Umprofeti uthi, ‘Ndabona enye ingelosi ihla ivela ezulwini, inamandla amakhulu; nomhlaba wakhanyiswa bubuqaqawuli bayo. Yaza yakhala ngamandla ngezwi elikhulu, isithi, Iwile, iwile iBhabheli enkulu, yaza yaba yindawo yokuhlala iidemon’ (IsiTyhilelo 18:1, 2). Lo ngumyalezo ofanayo nalowo wanikelwa yingelosi yesibini. Iwile iBhabheli, ‘ngokuba yaselisa zonke iintlanga iwayini yengqumbo yobufebe bayo’ (IsiTyhilelo 14:8). Yintoni loo wayini?—Ziimfundiso zayo zobuxoki. Inike ihlabathi isabatha yobuxoki endaweni yeSabatha yomthetho wesine, yaza yaphinda ubuxoki uSathana awabuthetha kuEva ekuqaleni e-Eden—ukungafi kwendalo komphefumlo. Iziphoso ezininzi ezihlobeneyo ikuzisasaze kude nakubanzi, ‘ifundisa njengeemfundiso imiyalelo yabantu’ (Mateyu 15:9).
“When Jesus began His public ministry, He cleansed the Temple from its sacrilegious profanation. Among the last acts of His ministry was the second cleansing of the Temple. So in the last work for the warning of the world, two distinct calls are made to the churches. The second angel’s message is, ‘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). And in the loud cry of the third angel’s message a voice is heard 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’ (Revelation 18:4, 5).” Selected Messages, book 2, 118.
“Xa uYesu waqalisa ulungiselelo lwaKhe esidlangalaleni, wayihlambulula iTempile ekungcolisweni kwayo okunyelisayo nokungcwele. Phakathi kwezenzo zokugqibela zolungiselelo lwaKhe kwakukho ukuhlanjululwa kwesibini kweTempile. Ngokunjalo, emsebenzini wokugqibela wokulumkisa ihlabathi, kwenziwa izibheno ezibini ezahlukileyo eziya emabandleni. Isigidimi sengwelezana yesibini sithi, ‘Iwile, iwile iBhabheli, eso sixeko sikhulu, ngokuba sanxilisa zonke iintlanga ngewayini yengqumbo yobufebe baso’ (ISityhilelo 14:8). Yaye ekukhaleni okukhulu kwesigidimi sengwelezana yesithathu kuviwa ilizwi livela ezulwini lisithi, ‘Phumani kuyo, bantu bam, ukuze ningabi ngababelani bezono zayo, nize ningamkeli neentlupheko zayo. Kuba izono zayo zifikelele ezulwini, yaye uThixo uzikhumbule izenzo zayo ezigwenxa’ (ISityhilelo 18:4, 5).” Selected Messages, incwadi 2, 118.
The message of the second angel at the beginning of Adventism is the same message as the message represented by the angel of Revelation eighteen, and in that warning, there are two voices that proclaim a message. The first voice is proclaimed when the earth is lightened by his glory and in verse four John heard another voice saying, “come out of her.”
Umyalezo wesithunywa sesibini ekuqaleni kobu-Adventist ngumyalezo ofanayo nomyalezo omelwe sisithunywa seSityhilelo ishumi elinesibhozo, yaye kolo lumkiso, kukho amazwi amabini avakalisa umyalezo. Ilizwi lokuqala livakaliswa xa umhlaba ukhanyiswa luzuko lwalo, yaye kwivesi yesine uYohane weva elinye ilizwi lisithi, “phumani kuyo.”
In Millerite history the call out of Babylon came first and the message to the Millerites came second. In Revelation eighteen it is the second voice, or second message that addresses those outside of Adventism. Along with the declaration that there are “two distinct calls made to the churches” we find that the two times Christ cleansed the temple (at the beginning and ending of His ministry) is also an illustration of the beginning and ending of Adventism.
Kwimbali yamaMillerite ubizo lokuphuma eBhabhiloni lwafika kuqala, yaye umyalezo oya kumaMillerite wafika owesibini. KwiSityhilelo ishumi elinesibhozo lelizwi lesibini, okanye umyalezo wesibini, obhekiswa kwabo bangaphandle kobuAdventism. Kunye nesibhengezo sokuba kukho “iimbizo ezimbini ezahlukileyo ezenziwa emabandleni” sifumanisa nokuba amaxesha amabini awathi uKristu wayihlambulula itempile (ekuqaleni nasekupheleni kobulungiseleli baKhe) akwangu mzekeliso wokuqala nowokuphela kobuAdventism.
The beginning of Adventism illustrated a purification of the workers that helped in building the foundation that William Miller was used to establish. The foundation was completed at the conclusion of the second angel’s message, for with the arrival of the third angel on October 22, 1844 the truths that make up the foundations of Adventism were made available to understand, for those who are willing to hear.
Ukuqala kobu-Adventist kwabonakalisa ukuhlanjululwa kwabasebenzi okwanceda ekwakhiweni kwesiseko awasetyenziswa uWilliam Miller ukusimisa. Eso siseko sagqitywa ekupheleni kwesigidimi sengelosi yesibini, kuba ngokufika kwengelosi yesithathu ngomhla wama-22 kuOktobha 1844 iinyaniso ezenza iziseko zobu-Adventist zenziwa zafumaneka ukuba ziqondwe ngabo banentando yokuphulaphula.
The work of building the foundation concluded at the climax of the history of the second angel, when “two distinct calls were made to the churches.” The first call was outside the Millerites, the second was for the Millerites. But another beginning that aligns with Adventism’s beginning is the ministry of Christ when He cleansed His temple the first time. The prophetic illustration of the temple being cleansed is marking a purification at the beginning and end of His ministry, that in turn typifies a purification of Adventism at its beginning and ending. Christ’s two temple cleansings align with the beginning and ending of Adventism, but His message was just for His covenant people who were in the process of forever divorcing themselves from God.
Umsebenzi wokwakha isiseko waphela encotsheni yembali yesithunywa sezulu sesibini, xa “kwabakho izibizo ezibini ezahlukileyo ezenziwa emabandleni.” Isibizo sokuqala sasingaphandle kwamaMillerite, esesibini sasingesamaMillerite. Kodwa kukho esinye isiqalo esihambelana nesiqalo soBuvangeli bama-Adventist, esilubulungiseleli bukaKristu xa wayihlambulula itempile yaKhe okokuqala. Umzekeliso wesiprofeto wokuhlanjululwa kwetempile uphawula ukuhlanjululwa ekuqaleni nasekupheleni kobulungiseleli baKhe, nto leyo ke ethi yona ngokulandelelana ifanekisele ukuhlanjululwa koBuvangeli bama-Adventist ekuqaleni nakwisiphelo sabo. Ukuhlanjululwa kwetempile kukaKristu kabini kuhambelana nesiqalo nesiphelo soBuvangeli bama-Adventist, kodwa isigidimi saKhe sasisenzelwe abantu baKhe bomnqophiso kuphela, ababebekwinkqubo yokuzahlula kuThixo ngonaphakade.
The beginning of Adventism presented a message announcing the opening of the judgment and the end of Adventism is announcing the end of judgment. Jesus cleansed the temple the first time and rebuked the Jews for turning His house into a den of thieves, but the second cleansing of the temple was “among the last acts of His ministry.” At the end of His ministry, He no longer told the Jews that they had made His Father’s house a den of thieves, he then told them that their house “was left to them desolate.”
Ukuqala kwe-Adventism kwazisa isigidimi esabhengeza ukuvulwa komgwebo, yaye ukuphela kwe-Adventism kubhengeza ukuphela komgwebo. UYesu wayicoca itempile okokuqala, waza wabakhalimela amaYuda ngokuguqula indlu yaKhe yaba ngumqolomba wamasela; kodwa ukuhlanjululwa kwetempile kwesibini kwakuphakathi “kwezenzo zokugqibela zenkonzo yaKhe.” Ekupheleni kwenkonzo yaKhe, akazange aphinde awaxelele amaYuda ukuba ayenze indlu kaYise yaba ngumqolomba wamasela; koko waza wawaxelela ukuba indlu yawo “yayishiywe kuwo iyintlango.”
“Meanwhile worshipers from every nation sought the temple which had been dedicated to the worship of God. Glittering with gold and precious stones, it was a vision of beauty and grandeur. But Jehovah was no longer to be found in that palace of loveliness. Israel as a nation had divorced herself from God. When Christ, near the close of His earthly ministry, looked for the last time upon the interior of the temple, He said, ‘Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.’ Matthew 23:38. Hitherto He had called the temple His Father’s house; but as the Son of God passed out from those walls, God’s presence was withdrawn forever from the temple built to His glory.” Acts of the Apostles, 145.
“Ngelo xesha ke, abanquli abavela kuzo zonke iintlanga babefuna itempile eyayinikezelwe ekunquleni uThixo. Ikhazimla ngegolide nangamatye axabisekileyo, yayiyimbonakalo yobuhle nobungangamsha. Kodwa uYehova wayengasekho efumaneka kuloo ndlu yobuhle. USirayeli, njengesizwe, wayesele eziqhawule kuThixo. Xa uKristu, kufuphi nesiphelo sobulungiseleli baKhe basemhlabeni, wajonga okokugqibela ngaphakathi etempileni, wathi, ‘Yabonani, indlu yenu ishiywe kuni iyinkangala.’ Mateyu 23:38. Kude kube ngelo xesha wayeyibiza itempile ngokuba yindlu kaYise; kodwa xa uNyana kaThixo wayephuma kwezo ndonga, ubukho bukaThixo barhoxiswa ngonaphakade etempileni eyayakhiwe ngenxa yozuko lwaKhe.” IZenzo ZabaPostile, 145.
The temple He cleansed at the beginning was a different temple than what He cleansed at the end. The first temple was His Father’s house, but the second temple was the Jew’s house. The Lord entered into covenant with Adventism at the beginning and Adventists became priests in His temple. At the end of Adventism, they are to be no more priests, and their house will be desolated.
Itempile awawucocayo ekuqaleni yayingowahlukileyo kunalowo wawucocayo ekupheleni. Itempile yokuqala yayiyindlu kaYise, kodwa itempile yesibini yayiyindlu yamaYuda. INkosi yangena emnqophisweni ne-Adventism ekuqaleni, baza ama-Adventist baba ngabefundisi etempileni yayo. Ekupheleni kwe-Adventism, abasayi kuba ngabefundisi kwakhona, yaye indlu yabo iya kushiywa iyinkangala.
The second angel represents two messages. This is one reason the message is represented as Babylon falling twice. This is not the primary reason for the twice repeated announcement of Babylon’s fall, but is one reason. How is it two messages?
Ingelosi yesibini imele izigidimi ezibini. Esi sesinye isizathu sokuba isigidimi simelwe njengeBhabheli isiwa kabini. Asisosona sizathu siphambili sesibhengezo esiphindwe kabini sokuwa kweBhabheli, kodwa sesinye isizathu. Njani na ukuba zizigidimi ezibini?
The second angel arrived in response to the rejection of the first angel’s message. When the failed prediction, identifying 1843 as the conclusion of the 2300-year prophecy, the Protestant churches used the erroneous message to reject Miller’s message. Miller’s message was the first angel’s message. At its rejection the Protestant churches, who had been God’s church in the wilderness for over 1260 years, were rejected and became a daughter of Babylon. At that point the second angel arrived with his message.
Ingelosi yesibini yafika isabela ekwaliweni kwesigidimi sengelosi yokuqala. Xa uqikelelo olungaphumelelanga, olwaluchaza u-1843 njengesiphelo sesiprofeto seminyaka engama-2300, iicawa zamaProtestanti zasebenzisa eso sigidimi siphosakeleyo ukuze ziwale umyalezo kaMiller. Umyalezo kaMiller wawusisigidimi sengelosi yokuqala. Ekulweni kwawo, iicawa zamaProtestanti, ezazibe yicawa kaThixo entlango iminyaka engaphezu kwe-1260, zaliwa zaza zaba yintombi yaseBhabheli. Ngelo xesha ingelosi yesibini yafika nesigidimi sayo.
There are some very important points involved with the various elements of this history we are considering. There is at least one point that must be developed slowly for it definitely contributes to the understanding of the message of the Revelation of Jesus Christ that is currently being unsealed. For this reason, I am including a very important passage about that history. It is two chapters that I am pointing to, but there is also a third important chapter in the middle of those two chapters. I am not including this at this time in order to limit the scope of our consideration.
Kukho iingongoma ezithile ezibaluleke kakhulu ezibandakanyekileyo kwizinto ezahlukeneyo zembali le siyiphononongayo. Kukho ubuncinane ingongoma enye emele iphuhlisiswe kancinane kancinane, kuba ngokuqinisekileyo inegalelo ekuqondweni kwesigidimi seSityhilelo sikaYesu Kristu esityhilwayo ngoku. Ngenxa yesi sizathu, ndibandakanya isicatshulwa esibaluleke kakhulu malunga naloo mbali. Zizahluko ezibini endisalatha kuzo, kodwa kukwakho nesahluko sesithathu esibalulekileyo phakathi kwezo zahluko zimbini. Andisibandakanyi ngeli xesha ukuze ndinciphise umda wokuqwalasela kwethu.
Notice which angel is being addressed as you read through, look for the progressive testing process, note in the first paragraph that the prophetic characteristics of the angel of Revelation eighteen are also the characteristics of the first angel. Notice that to crucify one of the messages is to crucify Christ, and notice that the three angels are all presented as single angels, but the Midnight Cry message is a multitude of angels.
Qaphela ukuba yeyiphi ingelosi ekubhekiswa kuyo njengoko ufunda uqhubeka, khangela inkqubo yovavanyo eqhubela phambili, qaphela kumhlathi wokuqala ukuba iimpawu zesiprofeto zengelosi yeSityhilelo seshumi elinesibhozo zikwayizo neempawu zengelosi yokuqala. Qaphela ukuba ukubethelela emnqamlezweni omnye wemiyalezo kukubethelela emnqamlezweni uKristu, yaye qaphela ukuba iingelosi ezintathu zonke zivezwa njengeengelosi ezizodwa, kodwa isigidimi Sokukhala Kwasemini Ebusuku sisihlwele seengelosi.
“I was shown the interest which all heaven had taken in the work which had been going on upon the earth. Jesus commissioned a strong and mighty angel to descend and warn the inhabitants of earth to get ready for his second appearing. I saw the mighty angel leave the presence of Jesus in heaven. Before him went an exceedingly bright and glorious light. I was told that his mission was to lighten the earth with his glory, and warn man of the coming wrath of God. Multitudes received the light. Some seemed to be very solemn, while others were joyful and enraptured. The light was shed upon all, but some merely came under the influence of the light, and did not heartily receive it. But all who received it, turned their faces upward to heaven, and glorified God. Many were filled with great wrath. Ministers and people united with the vile, and stoutly resisted the light shed by the mighty angel. But all who received it withdrew from the world, and were closely united together.
“Ndaboniswa umdla izulu lonke elaliwuthabathile ngawo umsebenzi owawuqhubeka emhlabeni. UYesu wamisa ingelosi enamandla nesingqi ukuba ihle, ilumkise abemi behlabathi ukuba bazilungiselele ukuvela kwakhe kwesibini. Ndabona ingelosi enamandla isuka ebusweni bukaYesu ezulwini. Phambi kwayo kwakuhamba ukukhanya okuqaqambileyo kakhulu nokunobuqaqawuli. Ndaxelelwa ukuba uthumo lwayo lwalukukukhanyisela umhlaba ngozuko lwayo, nokulumkisa umntu ngomsindo kaThixo ozayo. Inkitha zabantu zakwamkela ukukhanya. Abanye babebonakala bezolile kakhulu, kanti abanye babevuya yaye bethabathekile. Ukukhanya kwachithwa phezu kwabo bonke, kodwa abanye bangena nje phantsi kwempembelelo yokukhanya, baza abalwamkela ngentliziyo epheleleyo. Kodwa bonke abalwamkelayo bajika ubuso babo bajonga phezulu ezulwini, baza bamzukisa uThixo. Abaninzi bazaliswa ngumsindo omkhulu. Abalungiseleli nabantu bamanyana nabangcolileyo, baza bakuchasa ngokuqinileyo ukukhanya okwakuchithwe yingelosi enamandla. Kodwa bonke abalwamkelayo bazahlula ehlabathini, baza bamanyana ngokusondeleyo kunye.”
“Satan and his angels were busily engaged in seeking to attract the minds of all they could from the light. The company who rejected it were left in darkness. I saw the angel watching with the deepest interest the professed people of God, to record the character they developed, as the message of heavenly origin was introduced to them. And as very many who professed love for Jesus turned from the heavenly message with scorn, derision and hatred, an angel with a parchment in his hand, made the shameful record. All heaven was filled with indignation, because Jesus was slighted by his professed followers.
“USathana neengelosi zakhe babexakekile kakhulu befuna ukutsalela iingqondo zabo bonke ababenokubatsalela kude nokukhanya. Iqela elalikwala oko lashiywa ebumnyameni. Ndabona ingelosi ibabukele ngomdla onzulu kakhulu abantu bakaThixo abazibizayo, ukuze ibhale isimilo abasivelisayo, xa umyalezo onemvelaphi yasezulwini waziswa kubo. Kwaye njengokuba baninzi kakhulu kwabo babebanga ukuba bayamthanda uYesu abawujikelayo umyalezo wasezulwini ngokuwudela, ngokuwugculela nangentiyo, ingelosi eyayiphethe isikhumba sokubhala ngesandla sayo yabhala loo ngxelo ihlazo. Izulu lonke lazaliswa ngumsindo olungileyo, ngenxa yokuba uYesu wayedelelwa ngabalandeli bakhe ababebanga ukuba bangabakhe.”
“I saw the disappointment of the trusting ones. They did not see their Lord at the expected time. It was God’s purpose to conceal the future, and bring his people to a point of decision. Without this point of time the work designed of God would not have been accomplished. Satan was leading the minds of very many far ahead in the future. A period of time proclaimed for Christ’s appearing must bring the mind to earnestly seek for a present preparation. As the time passed, those who had not fully received the light of the angel, united with those who had despised the heavenly message, and they turned upon the disappointed ones in ridicule. I saw the angels in heaven consulting with Jesus. They had marked the situation of Christ’s professed followers. The passing of the definite time had tested and proved them, and very many were weighed in the balance and found wanting. They all loudly professed to be Christians, yet failed in following Christ in almost every particular. Satan exulted at the state of the professed followers of Christ. He had them in his snare. He had led the majority to leave the straight path, and they were attempting to climb up to heaven some other way. Angels saw the pure, the clean, and holy, all mixed up with sinners in Zion, and the world-loving hypocrite. They had watched over the true lovers of Jesus; but the corrupt were affecting the holy.
“Ndakubona ukudana kwabo babethembele. Abambonanga iNkosi yabo ngexesha ababebelilindele. Yayiyinjongo kaThixo ukufihla ikamva, nokuzisa abantu bakhe kwindawo yesigqibo. Ngaphandle kweli xesha umsebenzi uThixo awayewumisile wawungayi kufezekiswa. USathana wayekhokela iingqondo zabantu abaninzi kakhulu ziye kude phambili kwikamva. Ixesha elibekiweyo elavakaliselwa ukuvela kukaKristu lalinokwenza ingqondo ifune ngenyameko ulungiselelo lwangoku. Njengokuba ixesha ladlula, abo babengazange bakwamkele ngokupheleleyo ukukhanya kwengelosi, bazimanya nabo babeyidele umyalezo wasezulwini, baza bajikela kwabo babedanisekile ngokubagculela. Ndabona iingelosi ezulwini zicebisana noYesu. Zaziyiphawule imeko yabo babebanga ukuba bangabalandeli bakaKristu. Ukudlula kwelo xesha lichaziweyo kwabavavanya kwaza kwabatyhila, kwaye abaninzi kakhulu balinganiswa esikalini baza bafunyanwa besilela. Bonke babebanga ngokuvakalayo ukuba bangamaKristu, ukanti basilela ekulandeleni uKristu phantse kuzo zonke iinkalo. USathana wayechulumancele imeko yabo babebanga ukuba bangabalandeli bakaKristu. Wayebanjiwe emgibeni wakhe. Wayekhokele uninzi ukuba lushiye indlela ethe tye, yaye babezama ukunyuka baye ezulwini ngenye indlela. Iingelosi zabona abanyulu, abacocekileyo, nabangcwele, bonke bexutywe naboni abaseZiyon, kwanabahanahanisi abathanda ihlabathi. Zazibagcinile abathandi bokwenene bakaYesu; kodwa abonakeleyo babephembelela abangcwele.
“Those whose hearts burned with a longing, intense desire to see Jesus, were forbidden by their professed brethren to speak of his coming. Angels viewed the whole scene, and sympathized with the remnant, who loved the appearing of Jesus. Another mighty angel was commissioned to descend to earth. Jesus placed in his hand a writing, and as he came to earth, he cried, Babylon is fallen! is fallen! Then I saw the disappointed ones again look cheerful, and raise their eyes to heaven, looking with faith and hope for their Lord’s appearing. But many seemed to remain in a stupid state, as if asleep; yet I could see the trace of deep sorrow upon their countenances. The disappointed ones saw from the Bible that they were in the tarrying time, and that they must patiently wait the fulfillment of the vision. The same evidence which led them to look for their Lord in 1843, led them to expect him in 1844. I saw that the majority did not possess that energy which marked their faith in 1843. Their disappointment had dampened their faith. But as the disappointed ones united in the cry of the second angel, the heavenly host looked with the deepest interest, and marked the effect of the message. They saw those who bore the name of Christians turn with derision and scorn upon those who had been disappointed. As the words fell from the mocker’s lips, You have not gone up yet! an angel wrote them. Said the angel, They mock God.
“Abo iintliziyo zabo zazitshiswa kukulangazelela, ngumnqweno onamandla wokumbona uYesu, babekwalelwa ngabazalwana babo ababezibiza ngokuba bangabakaKristu ukuba bathethe ngokuza kwakhe. Izingelosi zawubona wonke loo mbono, zaza zavelana nentsalela eyayikuthanda ukuvela kukaYesu. Enye ingelosi enamandla yathunywa ukuba yehlele emhlabeni. UYesu wabeka esandleni sayo umbhalo, yaye ekufikeni kwayo emhlabeni, yadanduluka yathi, IBhabheli iwile! iwile! Ndaza ndabona abo babedanisekile bephinda bebonakala benovuyo, baphakamisa amehlo abo ezulwini, bekhangele ngokholo ngethemba ukuvela kweNkosi yabo. Kodwa abaninzi babebonakala behleli kwimeko yobudenge, ngokungathi balele; kanti ndandibona umkhondo wentlungu enzulu ebusweni babo. Abo babedanisekile babona eBhayibhileni ukuba babekwixesha lokulibaziseka, nokuba babefanele ukulinda ngomonde ukuzaliseka kombono. Ubungqina obo banye obabakhokelela ekubeni bakhangele iNkosi yabo ngowe-1843, babakhokelela ekulindeleni yona ngowe-1844. Ndabona ukuba uninzi lwalungenalo olo qina lwamandla olwaluphawule ukholo lwabo ngowe-1843. Ukudana kwabo kwakuluthobile ukholo lwabo. Kodwa xa abo babedanisekile bamanyana ekudandulukeni kwengelosiosi yesibini, umkhosi wasezulwini wajonga ngowona mdla unzulu, waza waqaphela isiphumo saloo myalezo. Babona abo babethwele igama lokuba bangamaKristu bejika ngokugculela nangokudelela kwabo babedanisekile. Njengoko amazwi ayesihla emlonyeni womgculeli esithi, Anikanyuki! ingelosi yawabhala. Yathi ingelosi, Bahlekisa ngoThixo.”
“I was pointed back to the translation of Elijah. His mantle fell on Elisha, and wicked children (or young people) followed him, mocking, crying, Go up thou bald head! Go up thou bald head! They mocked God, and met their punishment there. They had learned it of their parents. And those who have scoffed and mocked at the idea of the saints’ going up, will be visited with the plagues of God, and will realize that it is not a small thing to trifle with him.
“Ndabuyiselwa umva ekunyuselweni kukaEliya. Isambatho sakhe sawela kuElisha, baza abantwana abangendawo (okanye abantu abatsha) bamlandela, bemgculela, bekhwaza besithi, Nyuka, wena nqulokazi! Nyuka, wena nqulokazi! Bamgculela uThixo, baza bahlangana nesohlwayo sabo khona apho. Babekufundile oko kubazali babo. Kwaye abo bathe bagculela, bahleka, umbono wokunyuka kwabangcwele, baya kutyelelwa zizibetho zikaThixo, baze baqonde ukuba asiyonto incinane ukudlala ngaye.
“Jesus commissioned other angels to fly quickly to revive and strengthen the drooping faith of his people, and prepare them to understand the message of the second angel, and of the important move which was soon to be made in heaven. I saw these angels receive great power and light from Jesus, and fly quickly to earth to fulfill their commission to aid the second angel in his work. A great light shone upon the people of God as the angels cried. Behold the Bridegroom cometh, go ye out to meet him. Then I saw those disappointed ones rise, and in harmony with the second angel, proclaim, Behold the Bridegroom cometh, go ye out to meet him. The light from the angels penetrated the darkness everywhere. Satan and his angels sought to hinder this light from spreading, and having its designed effect. They contended with the angels of God, and told them that God had deceived the people, and that with all their light and power, they could not make the people believe that Jesus was coming. The angels of God continued their work, although Satan strove to hedge up the way, and draw the minds of the people from the light. Those who received it looked very happy. They fixed their eyes up to heaven, and longed for the appearing of Jesus. Some were in great distress, weeping and praying. Their eyes seemed to be fixed upon themselves, and they dared not look upward.
“UYesu wayalela ezinye izithunywa zezulu ukuba zibhabhe ngokukhawuleza ukuze zivuselele zize zomeleze ukholo oludandathekileyo lwabantu bakhe, zize zibalungiselele ukuba baqonde umyalezo wesithunywa sesibini, kwanentshukumo ebalulekileyo eyayiza kwenziwa kungekudala ezulwini. Ndabona ezi zithunywa zezulu zamkela amandla amakhulu nokukhanya okuvela kuYesu, zaza zabhabha ngokukhawuleza zaya emhlabeni ukuzalisekisa ukuthunywa kwazo kokunceda isithunywa sesibini emsebenzini waso. Ukukhanya okukhulu kwakhanya phezu kwabantu bakaThixo njengoko izithunywa zezulu zakhala, Nanko uMyeni esiza, phumani niye kumhlangabeza. Ndaza ndabona abo babedanisekile bevuka, baza, bevumelana nesithunywa sesibini, bavakalisa besithi, Nanko uMyeni esiza, phumani niye kumhlangabeza. Ukukhanya oluvela kwizithunywa zezulu kwangena ebumnyameni kuyo yonke indawo. USathana neengelosi zakhe bazama ukuthintela oku kukhanya ekusasazekeni nasekuphumezeni isiphumo esasicetyelwe sona. Baphikisana nezithunywa zikaThixo, baza bazixelela ukuba uThixo ubakhohlisile abantu, nokuba nangako konke ukukhanya namandla azo, zazingayi kukwazi ukwenza abantu bakholwe ukuba uYesu uyeza. Izithunywa zikaThixo zaqhubeka nomsebenzi wazo, nangona uSathana wayezabalazela ukuvala indlela, nokurhwebesha iingqondo zabantu zisimke ekukhanyeni. Abo bakwamkelayo babebonakala bonwabile kakhulu. Bawagxininisa amehlo abo phezulu ezulwini, baza balangazelela ukubonakala kukaYesu. Abanye babesentlungwini enkulu, belila bethandaza. Amehlo abo ayebonakala ngathi amilisele kubo ngokwabo, yaye babengazange babe nobuganga bokujonga phezulu.”
“A precious light from heaven parted the darkness from them, and their eyes, which had been fixed in despair upon themselves, were turned upward, while gratitude and holy joy were expressed upon every feature. Jesus and all the angelic host looked with approbation upon the faithful, waiting ones.
“Ukukhanya okuxabisekileyo okuvela ezulwini kwabahlula ebumnyameni, yaye amehlo abo, awayethe ntsho kubo ngokwabo ngokuphelelwa lithemba, aphakanyiselwa phezulu, lo gama umbulelo novuyo olungcwele zazibonakaliswa kuzo zonke iimpawu zobuso babo. UYesu, nawo wonke umkhosi weengelosi, bajonga ngokukholiseka abo bathembekileyo, balindileyo.
“Those who rejected and opposed the light of the first angel’s message, lost the light of the second, and could not be benefited by the power and glory which attended the message, Behold the Bridegroom cometh. Jesus turned from them with a frown. They had slighted and rejected him. Those who received the message were wrapt in a cloud of glory. They waited and watched and prayed to know the will of God. They greatly feared to offend him. I saw Satan and his angels seeking to shut this divine light from the people of God; but as long as the waiting ones cherished the light, and kept their eyes raised from earth to Jesus, Satan could have no power to deprive them of this precious light. The message given from heaven enraged Satan and his angels, and those who professed to love Jesus, but despised his coming, scorned and derided the faithful, trusting ones. But an angel marked every insult, every slight, every abuse they received from their professed brethren. Very many raised their voices to cry, Behold the Bridegroom cometh, and left their brethren who did not love the appearing of Jesus, and who would not suffer them to dwell upon his second coming. I saw Jesus turn his face from those who rejected and despised his coming, and then he bade angels lead his people out from among the unclean, lest they should be defiled. Those obedient to the messages stood out free and united. A holy and excellent light shone upon them. They renounced the world, tore their affections from it, and sacrificed their earthly interests. They gave up their earthly treasure, and their anxious gaze was directed to heaven, expecting to see their loved Deliverer. A sacred, holy joy beamed upon their countenances, and told of the peace and joy which reigned within. Jesus bade his angels go and strengthen them, for the hour of their trial drew on. I saw that these waiting ones were not yet tried as they must be. They were not free from errors. And I saw the mercy and goodness of God in sending a warning to the people of earth, and repeated messages to bring them up to a point of time, to lead them to a diligent search of themselves, that they might divest themselves of errors which have been handed down from the heathen and papists. Through these messages God has been bringing out his people where he can work for them in greater power, and where they can keep all his commandments. . . .
“Abo bayalayo baza bachasana nokukhanya kwesigidimi sengelosi yokuqala, balahlekelwa kukukhanya kwesesibini, yaye babengenakuxhamla ngamandla nangobuqaqawuli obabuhamba nesigidimi esithi, Nanku uMyeni uyeza. UYesu wabajikela enobuso oburhabaxa. Babemjongile phantsi baza bamala. Abo basamkelayo isigidimi babegutyungelwe lilifu lobuqaqawuli. Balinda, balinda ngenyameko, baza bathandaza ukuze bazi ukuthanda kukaThixo. Babesoyika kakhulu ukumkhubekisa. Ndabona uSathana neengelosi zakhe bezama ukuvala oku kukhanya kobuthixo ebantwini bakaThixo; kodwa logama nje abo babelindile bekuthanda oku kukhanya, begcina namehlo abo ephakanyisiwe esuka emhlabeni ejonge kuYesu, uSathana wayengenamandla okubahlutha oku kukhanya kuxabisekileyo. Isigidimi esasinikwe sivela ezulwini samqumbisa uSathana neengelosi zakhe, yaye abo babebanga ukuba bayamthanda uYesu, kodwa bekudelela ukuza kwakhe, babegculela baze bahlekise ngabo bathembekileyo nabamthembayo. Kodwa ingelosi yaphawula sonke isithuko, konke ukujongelwa phantsi, nako konke ukuphathwa kakubi abakwamkelayo kubazalwana babo ababebanga ukuba bangababo. Baninzi kakhulu abaphakamisa amazwi abo bekhwaza besithi, Nanku uMyeni uyeza, baza babashiya abazalwana babo ababengakuthandi ukubonakala kukaYesu, nababengavumi ukuba bahlale becamngca ngokuza kwakhe kwesibini. Ndabona uYesu ejika ubuso bakhe ebususa kwabo babekwala baze bakudelele ukuza kwakhe, wandula ke wayalela iingelosi ukuba zikhokele abantu bakhe baphume phakathi kwabangcolileyo, hleze bangcoliswe. Abo babethobela izigidimi bema ngokukhululekileyo yaye bemanyene. Ukukhanya okungcwele nokugqwesileyo kwabakhanyisela. Balilahla ihlabathi, bazikrazula iintliziyo zabo kulo, baza bencama izinto zabo zomhlaba. Banikela ngobuncwane babo basemhlabeni, yaye ukujonga kwabo okunexhala kwajoliswa ezulwini, belindele ukubona uMhlanguli wabo abamthandayo. Uvuyo olungcwele, oluyingcwele, lwakhanya ebusweni babo, lwaza lwabonisa uxolo novuyo olwalulawula ngaphakathi. UYesu wayalela iingelosi zakhe ukuba zihambe ziye kubomeleza, kuba ilixa lokulingwa kwabo lalisondela. Ndabona ukuba aba balindileyo babengekavavanywa njengoko babefanele ukuvavanywa. Babengekakhululeki kwiimpazamo. Ndabona inceba nobulunga bukaThixo ekuthumeleni isilumkiso ebantwini bomhlaba, nezigidimi eziphindaphindiweyo ukuze zibazise kwinqanaba lexesha, ukuze zibakhokelele ekuzihloleni ngenkuthalo, ukuze bazikhulule kwiimpazamo ezadluliselwa phantsi zivela kubahedeni nakumaPapist. Ngezi zigidimi uThixo ubebakhupha abantu bakhe ebasa kwindawo apho anokubasebenzela khona ngamandla amakhulu ngakumbi, nalapho banokuyigcina yonke imithetho yakhe....”
“As the ministration of Jesus closed in the Holy place, and he passed into the Holiest, and stood before the ark containing the law of God, he sent another mighty angel to earth with the third message. He placed a parchment in the angel’s hand, and as he descended to earth in majesty and power, he proclaimed a fearful warning, the most terrible threatening ever borne to man. This message was designed to put the children of God upon their guard, and show them the hour of temptation and anguish that was before them. Said the angel, They will be brought into close combat with the beast and his image. Their only hope of eternal life is to remain steadfast. Although their lives are at stake, yet they must hold fast the truth. The third angel closes his message with these words, Here is the patience of the saints; here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. As he repeated these words he pointed to the heavenly Sanctuary. The minds of all who embrace this message are directed to the Most Holy place where Jesus stands before the ark, making his final intercession for all those for whom mercy still lingers, and for those who have ignorantly broken the law of God. This atonement is made for the righteous dead as well as for the righteous living. Jesus makes an atonement for those who died, not receiving the light upon God’s commandments, who sinned ignorantly.
“Njengoko ulungiselelo lukaYesu lwalusondela esiphelweni eNdaweni eNgcwele, waza wangena eNdalweni eNgcwele Kakhulu, wema phambi kwetyeya equlathe umthetho kaThixo, wathumela emhlabeni enye ingelosi enamandla, iphethe umyalezo wesithathu. Wabeka umsongo esandleni sale ngelosi, yaza, xa yayisihla emhlabeni ngobungangamsha nangamandla, yavakalisa isilumkiso esoyikekayo, esona sisongelo sibi sakha saziswa emntwini. Lo myalezo wawenzelwe ukubeka abantwana bakaThixo balumke, nokubabonisa ixesha lokulingwa nelentlungu elaliphambi kwabo. Yathi ingelosi, Baya kungeniswa kumlo osondeleyo norhamncwa nomfanekiso walo. Ithemba labo lodwa lobomi obungunaphakade kukuhlala bemi ngokuqinileyo. Nangona ubomi babo busengozini, sekunjalo mababambelele enyanisweni. Ingelosi yesithathu iwuphetha umyalezo wayo ngala mazwi, Nalu unyamezelo lwabangcwele; naba bagcina imithetho kaThixo, nokholo lukaYesu. Xa yayiphinda la mazwi yalatha kwiNgcwele yasezulwini. Iingqondo zabo bonke abawamkelayo lo myalezo zikhokelelwa eNdalweni eNgcwele Kakhulu apho uYesu emi phambi kwetyeya, esenza uthethelelo lwakhe lokugqibela ngenxa yabo bonke abo inceba esahleli phezu kwabo, nangenxa yabo abo baphule umthetho kaThixo bengazi. Olu xolelaniso lwenzelwa amalungisa afileyo kwanjengamalungisa aphilayo. UYesu wenzela uxolelaniso abo bafa bengalwamkelanga ukhanyiso oluphathelele imithetho kaThixo, abo bonayo bengazi.”
“After Jesus opened the door of the Most Holy the light of the Sabbath was seen, and the people of God were to be tested and proved, as God proved the children of Israel anciently, to see if they would keep his law. I saw the third angel pointing upward, showing the disappointed ones the way to the Holiest of the heavenly Sanctuary. They followed Jesus by faith into the Most Holy. Again they have found Jesus, and joy and hope spring up anew. I saw them looking back reviewing the past, from the proclamation of the second advent of Jesus, down through their travels to the passing of the time in 1844. They see their disappointment explained, and joy and certainty again animate them. The third angel has lighted up the past, present and future, and they know that God has indeed led them by his mysterious providence.
“Emva kokuba uYesu evule umnyango weYona iNgcwele kangaka, ukukhanya kweSabatha kwabonwa, yaye abantu bakaThixo babefanele ukuvavanywa baze bangqinwe, njengoko uThixo wabavavanya ngako kwakudala abantwana bakaSirayeli, ukuze abone ukuba baya kuwugcina na umthetho wakhe. Ndabona ingelosi yesithathu isalatha phezulu, ibonisa abo babedanisekile indlela eya kwiYona iNgcwele kangaka yeNgcwele yasezulwini. Bamlandela uYesu ngokholo bangena kwiYona iNgcwele kangaka. Baphinda bamfumana uYesu, kwaza uvuyo nethemba kwahluma kwakhona. Ndababona bekhangela emva behlola ixesha eladlulayo, kususela ekubhengezweni kokubuya kwesibini kukaYesu, beqhubeka kuhambo lwabo de kwadlula ixesha ngowe-1844. Babona ukudaniswa kwabo kuchaziwe, yaye uvuyo nokuqiniseka kwabuya kwabavuselela. Ingelosi yesithathu ikhanyisile ixesha elidlulileyo, elangoku nelizayo, yaye bayazi ukuba ngenene uThixo ubakhokele ngolwalathiso lwaKhe oluyimfihlakalo.”
“It was represented to me that the remnant followed Jesus into the Most Holy place, and beheld the ark, and the mercy-seat, and were captivated with their glory. Jesus raised the cover of the ark, and behold! the tables of stone, with the ten commandments written upon them. They trace down the lively oracles; but they start back with trembling when they see the fourth commandment living among the ten holy precepts, while a brighter light shines upon it than upon the other nine, and a halo of glory is all around it. They find nothing there informing them that the Sabbath has been abolished, or changed to the first day of the week. It reads as when spoken by the mouth of God in solemn and awful grandeur upon the mount, while the lightnings flashed and the thunders rolled, and when written with his own holy finger in the tables of stone. Six days shalt thou labor and do all thy work; but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God. They are amazed as they behold the care taken of the ten commandments. They see them placed close by Jehovah, overshadowed and protected by his holiness. They see that they have been trampling upon the fourth commandment of the decalogue, and have observed a day handed down by the heathen and papists, instead of the day sanctified by Jehovah. They humble themselves before God, and mourn over their past transgressions.
“Ndaboniswa ukuba intsalela yamlandela uYesu yangena eNcweleni yeeNgcwele, yaza yabona ityeya, nesihlalo senceba, yaza yathinjwa bubuqaqawuli bazo. UYesu waphakamisa isiciko setyeya, yaye khangela! amacwecwe amatye, enemithetho elishumi ibhaliwe kuwo. Bayilandela phantsi imilomo ephilileyo; kodwa babuya umva bengcangcazela xa bebona umthetho wesine uphila phakathi kwemiyalelo elishumi engcwele, ngoxa ukukhanya okuqaqambileyo ngakumbi kukhanya phezu kwawo kunakweminye elithoba, yaye isithsaba sobuqaqawuli siwujikelezile macala onke. Abafumani nto apho ibazisa ukuba iSabatha irhoxisiwe, okanye iguqulelwe kusuku lokuqala lweveki. Ifundeka kanye njengaxa yathethwa ngomlomo kaThixo ngobungangamsha obuzolileyo noboyikekayo entabeni, ngoxa imibane yayidanyaza neendudumo ziqengqeleka, naxa yabhalwa ngomnwe wakhe ongcwele kumacwecwe amatye. Uya kusebenza imihla emithandathu, wenze wonke umsebenzi wakho; kodwa umhla wesixhenxe yiSabatha kaYehova uThixo wakho. Bamangalisiwe njengoko bebona inkathalo egcinwe kuyo imithetho elishumi. Bayibona ibekwe kufuphi noYehova, igutyungelwe sisithunzi yaza yakhuselwa ngobungcwele bakhe. Bayabona ukuba bebewunyathela phantsi umthetho wesine wedekalogu, nokuba bebegcina umhla owadluliselwa ngabahedeni nangabapapa, endaweni yomhla owangcwaliswayo nguYehova. Bazithoba phambi koThixo, baza balilela izikreqo zabo zangaphambili.”
“I saw the incense in the censer smoke as Jesus offered their confessions and prayers to his Father. And as it ascended, a bright light rested upon Jesus, and upon the mercy-seat; and the earnest, praying ones, who were troubled because they had discovered themselves to be transgressors of God’s law, were blest, and their countenances lighted up with hope and joy. They joined in the work of the third angel, and raised their voices and proclaimed the solemn warning. But few at first received the message, yet they continued with energy to proclaim the warning. Then I saw many embrace the message of the third angel, and unite their voices with those who had first proclaimed the warning, and they exalted God and magnified him by observing his sanctified Rest-day.
“Ndabona isiqhumiso esisesitshisweni somsi njengoko uYesu wayenikela izivumo zabo nezibongozo zabo kuYise. Kwaye njengoko sasinyuka, ukukhanya okuqaqambileyo kwahlala phezu kukaYesu, naphezu kwesihlalo senceba; baza abo babethandaza ngokunyanisekileyo, ababesenkathazweni ngenxa yokuba babeziqondile ukuba bangabagqithi bomthetho kaThixo, basikelelwa, nobuso babo bakhanyiswa lithemba novuyo. Bazimanya nomsebenzi wengelosi yesithathu, baza baphakamisa amazwi abo baza bavakalisa isilumkiso esinzulu. Kodwa ekuqaleni bambalwa abawamkelayo umyalezo, sekunjalo baqhubeka ngamandla ukuvakalisa isilumkiso. Emva koko ndabona abaninzi bewamkela umyalezo wengelosi yesithathu, bemanyanisa amazwi abo nabo babengabokuqala ukuvakalisa isilumkiso, baza bamphakamisa uThixo baza bamenza mkhulu ngokugcina iMhla yakhe yokuPhumla engcwalisiweyo.”
“Many who embraced the third message had not an experience in the two former messages. Satan understood this, and his evil eye was upon them to overthrow them; but the third angel was pointing them to the Most Holy place, and those who had an experience in the past messages were pointing them the way to the heavenly Sanctuary. Many saw the perfect chain of truth in the angels’ messages, and gladly received it. They embraced them in their order, and followed Jesus by faith into the heavenly Sanctuary. These messages were represented to me as an anchor to hold the body. And as individuals receive and understand them, they are shielded against the many delusions of Satan.
“Abaninzi abamkela isigidimi sesithathu babengazange babe namava kwezo zigidimi zimbini zangaphambili. USathana wakukuqonda oku, yaye iliso lakhe elingendawo lalibajongile ukuze abawise; kodwa ingelosi yesithathu yayibakhomba eNtweni Engcwele Kakhulu, yaye abo babenamava kwizigidimi zangaphambili babebabonisa indlela eya kwiNgcwele yasezulwini. Abaninzi babona ikhonkco eligqibeleleyo lenyaniso kwizigidimi zeengelosi, baza balamkela ngovuyo. Bazamkela ngokolandelelwano lwazo, baza balandela uYesu ngokholo bangena kwiNgcwele yasezulwini. Ezi zigidimi zavezwa kum njengentsika yokubambelela ukuze ibambe umzimba. Kwaye njengoko abantu ngabanye bezamkela yaye beziqonda, bayakhuselwa kwiinkohliso ezininzi zikaSathana.
“After the great disappointment in 1844, Satan and his angels were busily engaged in laying snares to unsettle the faith of the body. He was affecting the minds of individuals who had a personal experience in these things. They had an appearance of humility. They changed the first and second messages, and pointed to the future for their fulfillment, while others pointed far back in the past, declaring that they had been there fulfilled. These individuals were drawing the minds of the inexperienced away, and unsettling their faith. Some were searching the Bible to try to build up a faith of their own, independent of the body. Satan exulted in all this; for he knew that those who broke loose from the anchor, he could affect by different errors and drive about with winds of doctrine. Many who had led in the first and second messages, denied them, and division and scattering was throughout the body. I then saw Wm. Miller. He looked perplexed, and was bowed with sorrow and distress for his people. He saw the company who were united and loving in 1844, losing their love for each other, and opposing one another. He saw them fall back into a cold, backslidden state. Grief wasted his strength. I saw leading men watching Wm. Miller, and fearing lest he should embrace the third angel’s message and the commandments of God. And as he would lean towards the light from heaven, these men would lay some plan to draw his mind away. I saw a human influence exerted to keep his mind in darkness, and to retain his influence among them. At length Wm. Miller raised his voice against the light from heaven. He failed in not receiving the message which would have fully explained his disappointment, and cast a light and glory on the past, which would have revived his exhausted energies, brightened up his hope, and led him to glorify God. But he leaned to human wisdom instead of divine, and being broken with arduous labor in his Master’s cause, and by age, he was not as accountable as those who kept him from the truth. They are responsible, and the sin rests upon them. If Wm. Miller could have seen the light of the third message, many things which looked dark and mysterious to him would have been explained. His brethren professed such deep love and interest for him, he thought he could not tear away from them. His heart would incline towards the truth; but then he looked at his brethren. They opposed it. Could he tear away from those who had stood side and shoulder with him in proclaiming Jesus’ coming? He thought they surely would not lead him astray.
“Emva kokudana okukhulu ngo-1844, uSathana neengelosi zakhe babesebenza ngokukhutheleyo besibeka imigibe ukuze balugungqise ukholo lomzimba. Wayechaphazela iingqondo zabathile ababebenamava obuqu kwezi zinto. Babenembonakalo yokuthobeka. Bayitshintsha imiyalezo yokuqala neyesibini, baza balatha kwixesha elizayo ukuba apho yayiza kuzaliseka khona, logama abanye babelatha kude emva kwixesha elidlulileyo, besithi apho yayisele izalisekile khona. Aba bantu babetsalela iingqondo zabangenamava kude, beshukumisa ukholo lwabo. Abanye babesihlola iBhayibhile bezama ukuzakhela olwabo ukholo, oluzimeleyo emzimbeni. USathana wayevuya kuko konke oku; kuba wayesazi ukuba abo baqhawuka kwisikhonkwane sokubambelela, wayenokubachaphazela ngeemfundiso eziphosakeleyo ezahlukeneyo, aze abaqhubeqhube ngemimoya yemfundiso. Abaninzi ababekhe bakhokela kwimiyalezo yokuqala neyesibini, bayikhanyela, yaye ukwahlukana nokuchithachitheka kwakukho kuwo wonke umzimba. Ndaza ke ndambona uWm. Miller. Wayebonakala edidekile, yaye eguqe phantsi lusizi nentlungu ngenxa yabantu bakhe. Wabona iqela elalibumbene yaye lithandana ngo-1844, lilahlekelwa luthando lwalo omnye komnye, yaye limelana. Wababona bebuyela umva bangene kwimeko ebandayo, yokutyibilika umva. Intlungu yayimchitha amandla. Ndabona amadoda akhokelayo emjongile uWm. Miller, yaye esoyika hleze amkele umyalezo wengelosi yesithathu nemithetho kaThixo. Kwaye njengoko wayethambekela ekukhanyeni okuvela ezulwini, la madoda ayebeka icebo elithile lokutsalela ingqondo yakhe kude. Ndabona impembelelo yobuntu isetyenziswa ukugcina ingqondo yakhe isebumnyameni, nokugcina impembelelo yakhe iphakathi kwabo. Ekugqibeleni uWm. Miller waliphakamisa ilizwi lakhe ngokuchasene nokukhanya okuvela ezulwini. Wasilela ngokungawamkeli umyalezo owawuza kuyicacisa ngokupheleleyo inkxwaleko yakhe, nowawuza kuphosa ukukhanya nozuko kwixesha elidlulileyo, nto leyo eyayiya kuwavuselela amandla akhe adiniweyo, ikhanyise ithemba lakhe, yaye imkhokelele ekumdumiseni uThixo. Kodwa wathambekela kubulumko babantu endaweni yobulumko obungcwele; yaye ngenxa yokuba wayephukile ngumsebenzi onzima enkonzweni yeNkosi yakhe, nangobudala, wayengenguye onoxanduva kangako njengabo babemgcina engekho enyanisweni. Ngabo abanoxanduva, yaye isono siphezu kwabo. Ukuba uWm. Miller wayenokukubona ukukhanya komyalezo wesithathu, izinto ezininzi ezazibonakala zimnyama yaye ziyimfihlakalo kuye ngeza zicaciswe. Abazalwana bakhe babebanga uthando olunzulu kangaka nomdla onjalo ngaye, kangangokuba wayecinga ukuba wayengenako ukuzahlula kubo. Intliziyo yakhe yayityekela enyanisweni; kodwa emva koko wayejonge kubazalwana bakhe. Bayichasa. Ngaba wayenokuzahlula kwabo babemi ngasecaleni kwakhe, begxalaba negxalaba naye ekuvakaliseni ukuza kukaYesu? Wayecinga ukuba ngokuqinisekileyo babengenakumkhokelela ekulahlekeni.”
“God suffered him to come under the power of Satan, and death to have dominion over him. He hid him in the grave, away from those who were constantly drawing him from God. Moses erred just as he was about to enter the promised land. So also, I saw that Wm. Miller erred as he was soon to enter the heavenly Canaan, in suffering his influence to go against the truth. Others led him to this. Others must account for it. But angels watch the precious dust of this servant of God, and he will come forth at the sound of the last trump.
“UThixo wamvumela ukuba eze phantsi kwamandla kaSathana, nokuba ukufa kube nobukhosi phezu kwakhe. Wamfihla engcwabeni, emsusa kwabo babemrhola bemsusa kuThixo ngokungapheziyo. UMoses waphambuka kanye xa wayesele eza kungena kwilizwe lesithembiso. Kwangokunjalo, ndabona ukuba uWm. Miller waphambuka xa wayesele eza kungena eKanan yasezulwini, ngokuvumela impembelelo yakhe ukuba iye ichase inyaniso. Abanye bamkhokelela koku. Abanye mabaphendule ngako. Kodwa iingelosi ziyalinda uthuli oluxabisekileyo lwalo mkhonzi kaThixo, yaye uya kuphuma ngesandi sexilongo lokugqibela.”
“I saw a company who stood well guarded and firm, and would give no countenance to those who would unsettle the established faith of the body. God looked upon them with approbation. I was shown three steps—one, two and three—the first, second and third angels’ messages. Said the angel, Woe to him who shall move a block, or stir a pin in these messages. The true understanding of these messages is of vital importance. The destiny of souls hangs upon the manner in which they are received. I was again brought down through these messages, and saw how dearly the people of God had purchased their experience. It had been obtained through much suffering and severe conflict. Step by step had God brought them along, until he had placed them upon a solid, immovable platform. Then I saw individuals as they approached the platform, before stepping upon it examine the foundation. Some with rejoicing immediately stepped upon it. Others commenced to find fault with the laying of the foundation of the platform. They wished improvements made, and then the platform would be more perfect, and the people much happier. Some stepped off the platform and examined it, then found fault with it, declaring it to be laid wrong. I saw that nearly all stood firm upon the platform, and exhorted others who had stepped off to cease their complaints, for God was the master-builder, and they were fighting against him. They recounted the wonderful work of God, which had led them to the firm platform, and in union nearly all raised their eyes to heaven, and with a loud voice glorified God. This affected some of those who had complained, and left the platform, and again they with humble look stepped upon it.
“Ndabona ibandla labantu elalimi likhuselwe kakuhle yaye limi liqinile, yaye lalingayi kunika ncedo nakubani na owayeya kuphazamisa ukholo olumisiweyo lomzimba. UThixo wabajonga ngovuyo lokwamkela. Ndaboniswa amanyathelo amathathu—elinye, amabini nelesithathu—imilayezo yengelosi yokuqala, eyesibini neyesithathu. Ingelosi yathi, Yeha kulowo uya kushenxisa isithintelo, okanye ashukumise isikhonkwane kule milayezo. Ukuqondwa okuyinyaniso kwale milayezo kubaluleke kakhulu ebomini. Ikamva lemiphefumlo lixhomekeke kwindlela eyamkelwa ngayo. Ndaphinda ndehliselwa kule milayezo, ndaza ndabona ukuba abantu bakaThixo babethenge amava abo ngexabiso elikhulu kangakanani na. Ayefunyenwe ngokubandezeleka okukhulu nangongquzulwano oluqatha. Inyathelo ngenyathelo uThixo wayebabhekele phambili, wada wabamisa phezu kweqonga eliqinileyo, elingenakushukunyiswa. Emva koko ndabona abantu ngabanye, xa besondela eqongeni, ukuba ngaphambi kokuba banyathele kulo babekhangela isiseko. Abanye, benovuyo, banyathela kulo ngoko nangoko. Abanye baqalisa ukufumana iziphoso ekubekweni kwesiseko seqonga. Babenqwenela ukuba kwenziwe uphuculo, yaye ngoko iqonga beliya kuba ligqibelele ngakumbi, nabantu bonwabe ngakumbi. Abanye behla eqongeni baza balihlola, baza bafumana iziphoso kulo, besithi limiswe gwenxa. Ndabona ukuba phantse bonke babemi beqinile phezu kweqonga, yaye babebongoza abanye ababesehle eqongeni ukuba bayeke izikhalazo zabo, kuba uThixo wayengumakhi oyintloko, yaye bona babemilwa naye. Babebalisa umsebenzi omangalisayo kaThixo, owawubakhokelele kwelo qonga liqinileyo, yaye bemanyene phantse bonke baphakamisa amehlo abo ezulwini, baza ngelizwi elikhulu bamzukisa uThixo. Oku kwachaphazela abanye kwabo babekhalaza, baza balishiya iqonga, baza kwakhona, benobuso obuthobekileyo, banyathela kulo.”
“I was pointed back to the proclamation of the first advent of Christ. John was sent in the spirit and power of Elijah to prepare the way for Jesus’ coming. Those who rejected the testimony of John were not benefited by the teachings of Jesus. Their opposition to the proclamation of his first advent placed them where they could not readily receive the strongest evidence of his being the Messiah. Satan led on those who rejected the message of John to go still further, to reject Jesus and crucify him. In doing this, they placed themselves where they could not receive the blessing on the day of Pentecost, which would have taught them the way into the heavenly Sanctuary. The rending of the vail of the temple showed that the Jewish sacrifices and ordinances would no longer be received. The great Sacrifice had been offered, and had been accepted, and the Holy Spirit which descended on the day of Pentecost carried the minds of the disciples from the earthly Sanctuary to the heavenly, where Jesus had entered by his own blood, and shed upon his disciples the benefits of his atonement. The Jews were left in complete deception and total darkness. They lost all the light they might have had upon the plan of salvation, and still trusted in their useless sacrifices and offerings. They could not be benefited by the mediation of Christ in the Holy place. The heavenly Sanctuary had taken the place of the earthly, yet they had no knowledge of the way to the heavenly.
“Ndabuyiselwa ekubhengezweni kokuza kukaKristu kokuqala. UYohane wathunywa ngomoya nangamandla kaEliya ukuze alungise indlela yokuza kukaYesu. Abo balalayo ubungqina bukaYohane abazange baxhamle kwiimfundiso zikaYesu. Ukuchasana kwabo nokubhengezwa kokuza kwakhe kokuqala kwabeka bona kwindawo apho babengakwazi ukwamkela ngokulula obona bungqina bunamandla bokuba unguMesiya. USathana wabakhokelela abo balalayo isigidimi sikaYohane ukuba baqhubele phambili ngakumbi, balale noYesu baze bambethelele emnqamlezweni. Ngokwenza oku, bazibeka kwindawo apho babengenako ukwamkela intsikelelo yosuku lwePentekoste, eyayiza kubafundisa indlela eya eNgcweleni yasezulwini. Ukukrazuka kwesigqubuthelo setempile kwabonisa ukuba imibingelelo nemimiselo yamaYuda yayingasayi kuphinda yamkelwe. Umbingelelo omkhulu wawusele unikelwe, waza wamkelwa, yaye uMoya oyiNgcwele owehla ngomhla wePentekoste wathwala iingqondo zabafundi wasusa kwiNgcwele yasemhlabeni wazisa kweyasezulwini, apho uYesu wayengene khona ngegazi lakhe, waza wathululela phezu kwabafundi bakhe izibonelelo zocamagushelo lwakhe. AmaYuda ashiywa ekulukuhlekeni okupheleleyo nasebumnyameni obupheleleyo. Alahlekelwa lulo lonke ukhanyiso awayenokuba nalo ngelicebo losindiso, aza aqhubeka ethembele kwimibingelelo nakwiminikelo yawo engenamsebenzi. Ayengenako ukuxhamla kulamlo lukaKristu eNgcweleni. INgcwele yasezulwini yayisele ithabathe indawo yeyasemhlabeni, ukanti ayengenaso nokusazi isango eliya kweyasezulwini.”
“Many look with horror at the course the Jews pursued toward Jesus in rejecting and crucifying him. And as they read the history of his shameful abuse, they think they love Christ, and would not have denied him like Peter, or crucified him like the Jews. But God who has witnessed their professed sympathy for his Son, has proved them, and has brought to the test that love which they professed for Jesus.
“Abaninzi bajonga ngoloyiko olukhulu indlela amaYuda awamphatha ngayo uYesu ekumlahleni nasekumbetheleleni emnqamlezweni. Kwaye njengoko befunda imbali yokuphathwa kwakhe kakubi ngendlela elihlazo, bacinga ukuba bayamthanda uKristu, nokuba ngebengazange bamkhanyele njengoko uPetros wenzayo, okanye bambethelele emnqamlezweni njengamaYuda. Kodwa uThixo, othe wangqina uvelwano lwabo oluvakaliswayo ngoNyana wakhe, ubavavanyile, waza waluzisa eluvavanyweni olo thando ababeluvakalisa ngoYesu.
“All heaven watched with the deepest interest the reception of the message. But many who profess to love Jesus, and who shed tears as they read the story of the cross, instead of receiving the message with gladness, are stirred, with anger, and deride the good news of Jesus’ coming, and declare it to be delusion. They would not fellowship those who loved his appearing, but hated them, and shut them out of the churches. Those who rejected the first message could not be benefited by the second, and were not benefited by the midnight cry, which was to prepare them to enter with Jesus by faith into the Most Holy place of the heavenly Sanctuary. And by rejecting the two former messages, they can see no light in the third angel’s message, which shows the way into the Most Holy place. I saw that the nominal churches, as the Jews crucified Jesus, had crucified these messages, and therefore they have no knowledge of the move made in heaven, or of the way into the Most Holy, and they cannot be benefited by the intercession of Jesus there. Like the Jews, who offered their useless sacrifices, they offer up their useless prayers to the apartment which Jesus has left, and Satan, pleased with the deception of the professed followers of Christ, fastens them in his snare, and assumes a religious character, and leads the minds of these professed Christians to himself, and works with his power, his signs and lying wonders. Some he deceives in one way and some in another. He has different delusions prepared to affect different minds. Some look with horror upon one deception, while they readily receive another. Satan deceives some with Spiritualism. He also comes as an angel of light, and spreads his influence over the land. I saw false reformations everywhere. The churches were elated, and considered that God was marvelously working for them, when it was another spirit. It will die away and leave the world and the church in a worse condition than before.
“Izulu lonke labukela ngowona mdla unzulu ukwamkelwa kwalesi sigidimi. Kodwa baninzi abo bazibiza ngokuba bayamthanda uYesu, nabathi bakhalela xa befunda ibali lomnqamlezo, abathi, endaweni yokusamkela esi sigidimi ngovuyo, bavuswe ngumsindo, baze bahlekise ngeendaba ezilungileyo zokufika kukaYesu, baze bavakalise ukuba lulahlekiso. Babengayi kuba nobudlelane nabo babekuthanda ukubonakala kwakhe, kodwa babebathiyile, baza babagxotha ezicaweni. Abo basalayo isigidimi sokuqala babengenakuxhamla kwesesibini, yaye abaxhamlanga nakwisikhalo sasezinzulwini zobusuku, esasimele ukubalungiselela ukuba bangene noYesu ngokholo eNdingcweleni yeeNgcwele yeNgcwele yasezulwini. Kwaye ngokusala kwabo ezi zigidimi zimbini zangaphambili, abanako ukubona kukhanya nakwisigidimi sengelosi yesithathu, esibonisa indlela eya eNdingcweleni yeeNgcwele. Ndabona ukuba iicawa ezizenzisayo, njengoko amaYuda ambethelela emnqamlezweni uYesu, ziye zazibethelela emnqamlezweni ezi zigidimi; yaye ngenxa yoko azinalwazi ngentshukumo eyenziweyo ezulwini, okanye ngendlela eya eNdingcweleni yeeNgcwele, yaye azinakuxhamla ekucengeni kukaYesu apho. NjengamaYuda, awanikela amadini awo angenamsebenzi, anikela imithandazo yawo engenamsebenzi kwigumbi uYesu alishiyileyo, yaye uSathana, evuyiswa yinkohliso yabalandeli bakaKristu abazenzisayo, ubabophelela emgibeni wakhe, aze azithabathele isimilo senkolo, aze akhokelele iingqondo zaba bazibiza ngokuba bangamaKristu kuye ngokwakhe, aze asebenze ngamandla akhe, nangeempawu zakhe, nangezimanga zobuxoki. Abanye ubakhohlisa ngenye indlela, abanye ngenye. Uneelahlekiso ezahlukeneyo azilungiselele ukuchukumisa iingqondo ezahlukeneyo. Abanye bakubona ngoloyiko olukhulu ukulahlekiswa okuthile, lo gama besamkela ngokukhawuleza okunye. USathana ukhohlisa abanye ngoMoya wobuxoki. Kananjalo uza njengengelosi yokukhanya, aze asasaze impembelelo yakhe phezu kwelizwe. Ndabona iinguqu zobuxoki kuyo yonke indawo. Iicawa zazivuyile, zaza zacinga ukuba uThixo usebenza ngokumangalisayo ngenxa yazo, kanti yayingomnye umoya. Oko kuya kuphela, kushiye ihlabathi necawe zikwimeko embi ngakumbi kunangaphambili.
“I saw that God had honest children among the nominal Adventists, and the fallen churches, and ministers and people will yet be called out from these churches, before the plagues shall be poured out, and they will gladly embrace the truth. Satan knows this, and before the loud cry of the third angel, raises an excitement in these religious bodies, that those who have rejected the truth may think God is with them. He hopes to deceive the honest, and lead them to think that God is still working for the churches. But the light will shine, and every one of the honest ones will leave the fallen churches, and take their stand with the remnant.” Spiritual Gifts, volume 1, 151–172.
“Ndabona ukuba uThixo wayenabantwana abanyanisekileyo phakathi kwama-Adventist angabizwa ngegama kuphela, naphakathi kweecawa eziwile; yaye abalungiseleli nabantu basaya kubizelwa ukuphuma kwezi cawa, phambi kokuba izibetho zigalelwe, kwaye baya kuyamkela ngenjabulo inyaniso. USathana uyakwazi oku, yaye phambi kwesikhalo esikhulu sengwezi yesithathu, uvusa uchulumanco kule mibutho yonqulo, ukuze abo bayalayo inyaniso bacinge ukuba uThixo unabo. Unethemba lokukhohlisa abanyanisekileyo, aze abakhokelele ekucingeni ukuba uThixo usasebenza ngenxa yeecawa. Kodwa ukukhanya kuya kukhanya, yaye wonke umntu onyanisekileyo uya kuziyeka iicawa eziwile, aze athabathe indawo yakhe kunye nentsalela.” Spiritual Gifts, volume 1, 151–172.
This passage has so many important truths, but I am using the passage to isolate some characteristics of the messages of Millerite history, in order to understand how those typify our history. All three of the angels of Revelation fourteen have a message in their hands. The second and third angel are identified as having a “parchment,” with them as they descend with their message. Each angel represents a message, and the arrival of each message causes an effect.
Le ndawo inesininzi iinyaniso ezibalulekileyo, kodwa ndiyisebenzisa le ndawo ukuze ndicacise ngokwahlula ezinye iimpawu zemiyalezo yembali yamaMillerite, ukuze siqonde indlela eziluphawu ngayo zembali yethu. Zontathu iingelosi zeSityhilelo seshumi elinesine zinomyalezo ezandleni zazo. Ingelosi yesibini neyesithathu zichazwa njengazine “msongo,” kunye nazo njengoko zisihla nomyalezo wazo. Ingelosi nganye imele umyalezo, yaye ukufika komyalezo ngamnye kubangela isiphumo.
We will continue this subject in the next article.
Siya kuqhubekisa esi sifundo kwinqaku elilandelayo.