“Ngomthetho oqinisa ukusungulwa kobupapa ngokwephula umthetho kaNkulunkulu, isizwe sakithi siyobe sesizihlukanise ngokuphelele nokulunga. Lapho ubuProthestani buyokwelula isandla sabo ngaphesheya komhosha ukuze bubambe isandla samandla aseRoma, lapho buyokwelula buwelele kwalasha ukuze buxhume izandla nokuxhwalile ngokomoya, lapho, ngaphansi kwethonya lwaleyo nhlanganisela ephindwe kathathu, izwe lakithi liyokwenqaba yonke imigomo yoMthethosisekelo walo njengohulumeni wamaProthestani nowerephabhulikhi, futhi lenze amalungiselelo okusakazwa kwamanga nobukhohlisi bobupapa, khona-ke singazi ukuthi isikhathi sesifikile sokusebenza okumangalisayo kukaSathane nokuthi ukuphela sekusondele.”
“Njengoba ukusondela kwamabutho amaRoma kwakuyisibonakaliso kubafundi sokubhujiswa okwakusondele kweJerusalema, kanjalo nalokhu ukuhlubuka makube yisibonakaliso kithi sokuthi umkhawulo wokubekezela kukaNkulunkulu usufinyelelwe, nokuthi isilinganiso sobubi besizwe sakithi sigcwele, nokuthi ingelosi yomusa isizophaphama indize, ingaphinde ibuye nanini. Abantu bakaNkulunkulu bayobe sebecwiliswa kulezo zigcawu zosizi nokucindezeleka abaprofethi abakuchaza njengesikhathi sokuhlupheka kukaJakobe. Izikhalo zabathembekileyo, abashushiswayo, zikhuphukela ezulwini. Futhi njengoba igazi lika-Abela lakhala lisemhlabathini, kanjalo kukhona namazwi akhala kuNkulunkulu evela emathuneni abafel’ ukholo, emangcwabeni olwandle, emihumeni yezintaba, emathuneni ezindela: ‘Koze kube nini, Nkosi, engcwele neyiqiniso, ungahluleli futhi ungaphindiseli igazi lethu kulabo abahlezi emhlabeni na?’”
“INkosi yenza umsebenzi waYo. Izulu lonke liyanyakaziswa. UMahluleli womhlaba wonke usezovuka masinyane afakazele ubukhosi baKhe obuhlanjalaziwe. Uphawu lokukhululwa luyobekwa phezu kwabantu abagcina imiyalo kaNkulunkulu, abahlonipha umthetho waKhe, nabala uphawu lwesilo noma olomfanekiso waso.
“UNkulunkulu wembulile okuzokwenzeka ezinsukwini zokugcina, ukuze abantu baKhe balungiselwe ukuma bamelane nesiphepho sokuphikiswa nolaka. Labo abaye baxwayiswa ngezehlakalo eziphambi kwabo akumelwe bahlale belindele ngokuthula isiphepho esizayo, beziduduza ngokuthi iNkosi iyakuvikela abathembekile baYo ngosuku losizi. Kumelwe sibe njengabantu abalindele iNkosi yabo, hhayi ngokulindela okuyize, kodwa ngomsebenzi oqotho, ngokukholwa okungantengantengi. Akusisona isikhathi manje sokuvumela izingqondo zethu zikhungatheke ngezinto ezincane ezingabalulekile. Ngesikhathi abantu belele, uSathane usebenza ngamandla ehlela izinto ukuze abantu beNkosi bangatholi umusa noma ubulungisa. Inhlangano yeSonto manje iqhubekela phambili ebumnyameni. Abaholi bafihla indaba eyiqiniso, futhi abaningi abahlanganyela kulenhlangano nabo uqobo ababoni ukuthi lokho okuhamba ngaphansi kwamanzi kuya ngakuphi. Izisho zayo zithambile futhi zibukeka njengezobuKristu, kodwa lapho seyikhuluma iyokwembula umoya kadrako. Kungumsebenzi wethu ukwenza konke okusemandleni ethu ukuvimba ingozi esongelayo. Kumelwe sizame ukususa ubandlululo ngokuzibeka ekukhanyeni okufanele phambi kwabantu. Kumelwe sibabeke phambi umbuzo wangempela ophikisanwayo, ngaleyo ndlela sifake ukuphikisa okusebenzayo kakhulu ezinyathelweni zokunciphisa inkululeko kanembeza. Kumelwe sihlole imiBhalo futhi sikwazi ukunikeza isizathu sokukholwa kwethu. Umprofethi uthi: ‘Ababi bayakwenza okubi: futhi akekho kwababi oyakuqonda; kodwa abahlakaniphileyo bayakuqonda.’ Testimonies, volume 5, 451, 452.”
Lapho “inhlangano yeSonto” “isikhuluma iyoveza umoya kadrako.” Lezi zindimana ezine zikhomba ukuthi ngomthetho weSonto i-United States “iyozihlukanisa ngokuphelele nokulunga.” Ngomthetho weSonto “isikhathi sesifikile sokusebenza okumangalisayo kukaSathane.” Ngomthetho weSonto inyunyana ephindwe kathathu iyafezwa. Ngomthetho weSonto i-United States “iyaphika yonke imigomo yoMthethosisekelo wayo njengohulumeni wobuphrothestani nowoburephabhuliki”, futhi futhi “benza amalungiselelo okusakazwa kwamanga nokudukisa kobupapa.” Lowo mthetho weSonto “uwuphawu kithi lokuthi umkhawulo wokubekezela kukaNkulunkulu usufinyelelwe, ukuthi isilinganiso sobubi besizwe sethu sigcwele, nokuthi ingelosi yomusa isizothatha ukundiza kwayo, ingabe isabuya.” Lolo phawu lwafaniswa yisixwayiso esanikezwa nguJesu esikhomba isinengiso sencithakalo esakhulunywa ngaso nguDaniyeli umprofethi. Kulapho umkhuleko owanikezwa ngabafel’ ukholo bophawu lwesihlanu uthi, “Koze kube nini, Nkosi, engcwele neqinisileyo, ungahluleli ungaphindiseli igazi lethu kulabo abahlala emhlabeni?” ufezeka. Futhi kulowo mphawu wendlela izintombi eziyiziwula neziqondayo ziveza izimilo zazo.
Emthethweni weSonto, i-United States “ilahla yonke imigomo yoMthethosisekelo wayo.” Isikhathi lapho lo msebenzi wawufezwa khona saqala ngoMthetho we-Patriot ngo-2001. Kusukela ngo-2001 kuze kube semthethweni weSonto kumela umsebenzi oqhubekayo wokulahla uMthethosisekelo. Lowo msebenzi oqhubekayo uhambisana nomugqa wesiprofetho lapho ukwakhiwa komfanekiso wesilo kufezwa khona. Umugqa womfanekiso wesilo ungase ubonakale uyinkimbinkimbi kancane, kodwa leyo nkimbinkimbi ifanele ukuqondwa. Okwenza umugqa womfanekiso wesilo ube yinkimbinkimbi ukuthi umelela imigqa emibili.
Esilwaneni somhlaba, le migqa emibili iyizimpondo zobuRiphabhulikhi nobuProthestani. Lezo zimpondo ezimbili zihlangana ebudlelwaneni besonto nombuso, ngaleyo ndlela zigcwalise ukwakheka komfanekiso wesilo. Ngakho-ke umugqa wokwakheka komfanekiso wesilo unemigqa emibili ngaphakathi kwalowo mugqa munye, ngoba izimpondo zobuRiphabhulikhi nobuProthestani zihamba ngokulingana omunye nomunye kuwo wonke umlando, kodwa imigqa yazo ngayinye nayo inomthwalo wayo wokufakaza ngokwesiprofetho. Umugqa owodwa wesiprofetho, onezifundo ezimbili ezihambisana ngokulingana, uyinkimbinkimbi kakhulu kunokumane kuphawulwe izimpawu zendlela zezenzo zezombusazwe ezimelela ukukhuluma okuhlotshaniswa noMthethosisekelo.
Imigqa emibili yezimpondo zobuRiphabhulikhi nezobuProthestani iphinde ibe yinkimbinkimbi ngokwengeziwe yiqiniso lesiprofetho lokuthi ngaphakathi kophondo lobuRiphabhulikhi kukhona umlando womzabalazo phakathi kwamaDemokhrasi asekela ubugqila, namaRiphabhulikhi amelene nobugqila; futhi ngaphezu kwalokho ukuthi ngaphakathi kophondo lobuProthestani kukhona inqubo eqhubekayo yokuvivinywa elandela izintombi ezihlakaniphileyo nezintombi eziyiziwula ngaphakathi komlando wophondo lobuProthestani. Noma kunjalo, kubaluleke kakhulu ukuba simiswe kuleli qiniso.
Ngaphakathi emgqeni omelelwa yizimpondo ezimbili zesilo sasemhlabeni kukhona umfanekiso ofanayo wokuthi kwakhiwe ubuntu bukaKristu noma ubuntu bukaSathane, okulingana nokuthi kwakhiwe umfanekiso kaKristu noma umfanekiso wesilo; ngoba kulo mongo “isilo” simelela isidalwa esimelene noMdali. Ukwakhiwa kwalezi zimfanelo kufezwa ngaphakathi kubo bonke abantu, ngokuba lapho isikhathi somusa sesivalwa sekusele kuphela izigaba ezimbili. Lokhu kwakhiwa kuphinde kufezwe nangaphandle ngokubambisana phakathi kwamandla obupapa neZizwe Ezihlangene.
Ngakho-ke, isikhathi sokuvivinywa sokubunjwa komfanekiso wesilo saqala ngo-2001, futhi siphela emthethweni weSonto e-United States. Kuleyo nkathi yesikhathi umlando wesiprofetho wezimpondo ezimbili zesilo somhlaba ubonakalisa impikiswano yangaphakathi neyangaphandle ngaphakathi kwezimpondo zazo ngokwazo, kungakhathaliseki ukuthi ingeyenkolo noma eyezepolitiki, kanye nomzabalazo phakathi kwalezo zimpondo ezimbili ngokwazo.
Umthetho weSonto e-United States umelela isixwayiso sokubaleka uJesu asichaza ngokuthi “isinengiso sencithakalo.” Umthetho weSonto e-United States uyisiphetho senkathi eyaqala ngo-2001. I-Patriot Act yayiyiso “isinengiso sencithakalo esakhulunywa nguDaniyeli”, futhi sachazwa nguJesu njengophawu lokubaleka ekubhujisweni okuzayo.
I-Patriot Act ihlanganisa ukukhanya kwesiprofetho sango-1888, kanye noMthetho-sivivane kaBlair. Ngakho-ke i-Patriot Act futhi iqukethe ngokwesiprofetho ukufanekiswa komthetho weSonto, ukuze inkathi eqala ngo-2001 iqale ngomthetho weSonto njengoba ufanekiswe ngu-1888—uMthetho-sivivane kaBlair, 2001—i-Patriot Act, futhi iphethe ngomthetho weSonto.
Isixwayiso sokubaleka emizini ngo-2001 sifanekisela isixwayiso sokuphuma eBhabhiloni ngesikhathi somthetho weSonto. Isahlulelo esehlela i-United States ngesikhathi somthetho weSonto sifanekisela isahlulelo esehlela umhlaba wonke lapho uMikayeli esukuma futhi ithuba lokuhlolwa kwesintu livala. Isiginesha kaKristu njengo-Alfa no-Omega imelwe kaningi emaqinisweni amelwe yi-Blair Bill ngo-1888, kanye nakho konke okumelelwa u-1888, kuphindaphindwa ngo-2001.
Unyaka ka-2001, owawufanekiselwa ngu-1888, awumeleli kuphela uphawu lokubaleka njengoba lwalumelwe yisinengiso sencithakalo, kodwa futhi wawumelwe ngu-66 AD kanye nokuvinjezelwa kukaCestius. Ukuvinjezelwa kukaTitus ngo-70 AD kumele umthetho weSonto e-United States. Umthetho weSonto e-United States umelwe unyaka ka-321 kanye nomthetho wokuqala weSonto kaConstantine, kanti u-538 umelela isikhathi lapho isizwe sokugcina emhlabeni sinqotshwa uphawu lwesilo.
U-2001 uyi-1888, uKhesithiyu kanye nonyaka ka-66 AD. Umthetho weSonto yiThithu kanye neminyaka ka-70 no-321. U-2001 futhi uwumbhabhadiso kaJesu, kanye nokwehla kwaKhe kuSambulo isahluko seshumi ngomhlaka 11 Agasti, 1840. Zonke lezi zimpawu zineqhaza emgqeni woMthethosisekelo.
Umlando wesiprofetho wase-United States uhamba ngokuhambisana nomlando wobu-Adventist. Ngo-1798 ubupapa bamukela inxeba labo elibulalayo, futhi u-1798 kwakuyisikhathi sokuphela lapho ingxenye yeziprofetho zikaDaniyeli eyayihlobene nomlando wezingelosi zokuqala nezesibili zesAmbulo ishumi nane yambulwa. Lapho-ke ngo-1798 kuphawulwa ukuqala kobu-Adventist ngokwesiprofetho, futhi ngo-1798 isilo somhlaba esinezimpondo ezifana nezewundlu saba ngumbuso wesithupha wesiprofetho seBhayibheli.
U-1798 wandulelwa yizimpawu ezintathu zesiprofetho ezihlotshaniswa nomugqa wesilo sasemhlabeni, ngakho-ke nokukhuluma kwe-United States, kanye noMthethosisekelo we-United States. Lezo zimpawu ezintathu kwakuyiSimemezelo Senkululeko, esakhulunywa ngo-1776, kwase kulandela uMthethosisekelo ngo-1789, bese kuba yiMithetho Yabokufika Neyokuvukela Umbuso yango-1798.
Leyo miqophamlando emithathu ibhekisa emgqeni wesiprofetho woMthethosisekelo futhi imaka ukuqala kombuso wesithupha wesiprofetho seBhayibheli. Umthetho weSonto uyisiphetho sokubusa kombuso wesithupha wesiprofetho seBhayibheli, ngakho-ke, ngokwesidingo sesiprofetho, kumelwe kube khona imiqophamlando emithathu eyandulela isiphetho, njengoba kufanekiselwa yimiqophamlando emithathu eyandulela ukuqala.
Ngo-2001, ekuweni kwemibhoshongo, i-Patriot Act ifanekiselwa uMthethosivivinywa kaBlair ka-1888, kanye nokuvukela obala kobuholi be-Adventism eMhlanganweni Jikelele waseMinneapolis. Ukuvukela okwathi ingelosi yatshela uSister White ukuthi kwakufanekiselwa ukuvukela kukaKora, uDathani no-Abiramu kuMose, kuphinde kufanekiselwe ukubhapathizwa kukaKristu ngo-27 AD, ukuvinjelwa kwe-Islam ngo-11 Agasti 1840, neSimemezelo Sokuzimela sango-1776, kanye “nesinengiso sokuchithwa, okwakhulunywa ngaso nguDaniyeli umprofethi” njengesibonakaliso sokubaleka ulaka oluzayo, njengoba lwalumelwe nguCestius nango-66 AD.
Uma usengakwazi ukukhumbula ukuthi umugqa wesiprofetho esesiwucabangayo manje ungumugqa woMthethosisekelo wase-United States, yonke imigqa yesiprofetho eshiwo ngenhla iyahlanganyela futhi imise isihloko sesiprofetho esimelwe ngumugqa woMthethosisekelo. Nokho umugqa obonakala uhlobene kakhulu kunayo yonke ungumugqa wokwakheka komfanekiso wesilo. Umfanekiso wesilo ungumfanekiso wesilo sobupapa, esimelwe njengesilo esinowesifazane obusa phezu kwaso, okuyinhlanganisela yebandla nombuso lapho ibandla lilawula khona lobu budlelwano. Ukuze i-United States yakhe umfanekiso wesilo, ubuProthestani obuhlubukile kumelwe bulawule uhulumeni kuze kufike ezingeni lapho uhulumeni ezophasisa futhi asebenzise imithetho yenkolo, futhi ekugcineni umthetho weSonto.
Njengoba inqubo yokwakha umfanekiso wesilo ifezeka, uMthethosisekelo, owabhalwa ngomgomo oyinhloko uThomas Jefferson awubhala ngokuthi “ukwehlukaniswa kwebandla nombuso,” uzogumbuqelwa phansi. Lapho uphondo lwamaProthestani selunamandla okuqondisa uphondo lweRiphabhulikhi ukuba luphoqelele imiyalo yenkolo, yona kanye inhliziyo yoMthethosisekelo iyadabuka, ngaleyo ndlela-ke kunobudlelwane besiprofetho phakathi komugqa woMthethosisekelo nomugqa womfanekiso wesilo.
Inkathi lapho kwakhiwa khona umfanekiso wesilo yaqala ngo-2001, ngoMthetho i-Patriot Act, futhi iphela emthethweni weSonto, lapho uphawu lwesilo luphoqelelwa. Ngaleso sikhathi imvula yangasemuva iyafafazwa, ngokuba imvula yangasemuva iqala ukuna lapho ingelosi enamandla yesAmbulo ishumi nesishiyagalombili yehla futhi ikhanyise umhlaba ngenkazimulo yayo, okuyinto, ngokukaDadewethu White, eyayizokwenzeka lapho izakhiwo ezinkulu zeDolobha laseNew York zehliswa ngokuthintwa yiNkosi.
“Imvula yokugcina izakwehlela phezu kwabantu bakaNkulunkulu. Ingelosi enamandla izakwehla ivela ezulwini, lomhlaba wonke uzakhanyiswa yinkazimulo yayo.” Review and Herald, April 21, 1891.
Isikhathi sokufafazwa kwemvula yokugcina simelela inkathi lapho ukolweni nokhula lwesizukulwane sokugcina sobu-Adventist kuhluzwa futhi kuhlanzwe. Lokho kuhluzwa nokuhlanzwa kuphelela emthethweni weSonto, futhi izintombi ezihlakaniphileyo ezinamafutha lapho kufika inhlekelele yomthetho weSonto, ziyabekwa uphawu; bese kuthi uMoya oNgcwele uthululwe ngaphandle kwesilinganiso kuze kube yilapho uMikayeli esukuma futhi isikhathi somusa womuntu siphela.
Ngesikhathi kwakhiwa umfanekiso wesilo e-United States, imvula yokugcina iyobe ifafaza; futhi ngesikhathi kwakhiwa umfanekiso wesilo emhlabeni, imvula yokugcina iyothululwa ngaphandle kwesilinganiso.
Ngo-2001 kwaqala ukuvivinywa kwebandla lama-Adventist oSuku lwesiKhombisa laseLawodisiya, njengoba kwakufanekiselwa amaProthestani ka-11 Agasti 1840, nangakwa-Israyeli wasendulo ngesikhathi uKristu ebhapathizwa.
“Isikhathi sokuvivinywa sesisondelene phezu kwethu, ngokuba ukukhala okukhulu kwengelosi yesithathu sekuqalile kakade ekwambulweni kokulunga kukaKristu, uMhlengi othethelela isono. Lokhu kungukuqala kokukhanya kwengelosi enkazimulo yayo eyakugcwalisa umhlaba wonke.” Selected Messages, incwadi 1, 362.
Inqubo yokugcina yokuvivinywa kwabantu besivumelwano sangaphambili iqala lapho ukukhanya kwengelosi yesAmbulo ishumi nesishiyagalombili kuqala ukwethula isigijimi saYo. Isigijimi saYo siphinde simelelwe emavesini amathathu okuqala esahluko seshumi nesishiyagalombili sencwadi yesAmbulo, futhi lawo mavesi amathathu, ngokukaDade White, agcwaliseka lapho izakhiwo ezinkulu zaseDolobheni laseNew York ziwela phansi.
Inqubo yokuvivinywa yabe isiqala, njengoba imelwe nguJohane esahlukweni seshumi seSambulo. Isivivinyo kwakungukuthi, ingabe wawuyakwamukela incwadi encane eyayisesandleni sengwezi, bese uyidla. Ngalesi sikhathi sokuvivinywa, ngesikhathi imvula yokugcina ifafazwa, iwela kuphela phezu kwalabo abakhetha ukwamukela incwadi encane bayidle.
“Abaningi bahlulekile, ngezinga elikhulu, ukwamukela imvula yokuqala. Abakazizuzanga zonke izinzuzo uNkulunkulu abebebanike zona ngaleyo ndlela. Balindele ukuthi ukuswela lokho kuzonxeshezelwa yimvula yokugcina. Lapho kuyokhishwa inala ecebile kakhulu yomusa, bahlose ukuvula izinhliziyo zabo ukuze bayamukele. Benza iphutha elesabekayo. Umsebenzi uNkulunkulu awuqalile enhliziyweni yomuntu ngokumnika ukukhanya nolwazi kumelwe uqhubeke njalo. Wonke umuntu ngamunye kumelwe abone isidingo sakhe siqu. Inhliziyo kumelwe ikhishwe konke ukungcola, futhi ihlanzwe ukuze uMoya ahlale kuyo. Kwakungokuvuma nokuyeka isono, ngomkhuleko oqotho nangokuzinikezela kwabo kuNkulunkulu, lapho abafundi bokuqala bazilungiselela ukuthululwa kukaMoya oNgcwele ngoSuku lwePhentekoste. Umsebenzi ofanayo, kodwa ngezinga elikhulu kakhulu, kumelwe wenziwe manje. Ngaleso sikhathi umenzeli ongumuntu kwakumelwe kuphela acele isibusiso, alinde iNkosi ukuba iphelelise umsebenzi omayelana naye. NguNkulunkulu owaqala umsebenzi, futhi Uyowuqeda umsebenzi waKhe, enza umuntu aphelele kuJesu Kristu. Kodwa akumelwe kube khona ukunganakwa komusa omelelwe yimvula yokuqala. Yilabo kuphela abaphila ngokuvumelana nokukhanya abanako abayokwamukela ukukhanya okukhulu. Ngaphandle kokuba nsuku zonke siqhubekele phambili ekuboniseni izimfanelo zobuKristu ezisebenzayo, asiyikukuqaphela ukubonakaliswa kukaMoya oNgcwele emvuleni yokugcina. Kungenzeka ukuthi iyana ezinhliziyweni ezisizungezile zonke, kodwa thina singeke siyibone noma siyamukele.” Testimonies to Ministers, 506, 507.
Labo abadla umlayezo ka-2001 babemukela umlayezo owawufanele leso sikhathi, kodwa kwakufanele bavivinywe ukuze kubonakale ukuthi bawungenisile ngempela yini lowo myalezo waba yisipiliyoni esilungiselelwe uphawu lukaNkulunkulu. Ngakho-ke, kuleso sikhathi imvula yokugcina imelwe njengokufafazwa, ngokuba ukolweni nokhula kuse ndawonye. Ngalokho, uDade White uthi, “Kungenzeka ukuthi iyana phezu kwezinhliziyo ezisizungezile, kodwa thina ngeke siyibone noma siyamukele.” Lapho abahlakaniphileyo sebehlukanisiwe nabayiziwula, imvula yokugcina isibe isithululwa ngaphandle kwesilinganiso, njengasePentekoste, okufanekisa umthetho weSonto.
“Futhi, le mifanekiso ifundisa ukuthi ngeke kusaba khona isikhathi somusa ngemva kokwahlulelwa. Lapho umsebenzi wevangeli usuqediwe, kulandela masinyane ukuhlukaniswa phakathi kwabalungileyo nababi, futhi isiphetho seqembu ngalinye simiswa phakade.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 123.
Isikhathi sokufafazwa kwemvula yokugcina, silandelwa yisikhathi lapho imvula yokugcina ithululwa khona ngaphandle kwesilinganiso, siphinde siboniswe njengezikhathi ezimbili lapho ukwahlulela kufezwa phezu kwabantu bakaNkulunkulu. Isikhathi sokuqala sokwahlulela phezu kwabantu bakaNkulunkulu saqala ngendlu kaNkulunkulu ngo-September 11, 2001, kuthi ekwahlulelweni komthetho weSonto lokho kwahlulela kube sekufezelwa omunye umhlambi kaNkulunkulu, abasabelayo noma abenqabayo isimemezelo esikhulu sengelosi yesithathu esiqala ngomthetho weSonto e-United States, futhi siphela lapho uMikayeli esukuma, nokuphela kwesikhathi somusa wesintu.
Izikhathi ezimbili zemvula yakamuva, eziphinde zibe yizikhathi ezimbili zokwahlulela okuqala endlini kaNkulunkulu, bese kudlulela komunye umhlambi kaNkulunkulu, futhi ziyizikhathi ezimbili zokwakheka komfanekiso wesilo.
Phakathi kwesokuqala salezo zikhathi ezimbili zesiprofetho, lapho isahlulelo sehlelwa ibandla likaNkulunkulu kanye ne-United States, kulapho impela kutholakala khona umlando ofanayo lapho uphondo lweRiphabhulikhi nophondo lwamaProthestani kwahlulelwa khona kokubili. Khona lapho i-Adventism yaseLawodikeya ikhafelwa iphumiswe emlonyeni weNkosi, i-United States igcwalisa indebe yayo yesivivinyo, futhi incithakalo yesizwe ilethwa phezu kwaleso sizwe, uSathane abe esevela aqale umsebenzi wakhe omangalisayo. Izinkulungwane eziyikhulu namashumi amane nane nane ziyabekwa uphawu futhi ziphakanyiswe njengophawu ngesikhathi somthetho weSonto.
Siyatshelwa ukuthi akunakwenzeka ukunikeza noma umbono muni “ngokuhlangenwe nakho kwabantu bakaNkulunkulu abayobe besaphila emhlabeni lapho inkazimulo yasezulwini nokuphindaphindwa kokushushiswa kwangesikhathi esidlule kuhlanganiswa.”
“USathane ungumfundi weBhayibheli okhuthele. Uyazi ukuthi isikhathi sakhe sifushane, futhi uzama kuzo zonke izindawo ukuphikisa umsebenzi weNkosi kulo mhlaba. Akunakwenzeka ukunikeza noma yimuphi umqondo wokuhlangenwe nakho kwabantu bakaNkulunkulu abayobe besaphila emhlabeni lapho inkazimulo yasezulwini nokuphindaphindwa kokuhlushwa kwasendulo kuhlanganiswa. Bayohamba ekukhanyeni okuvela esihlalweni sobukhosi sikaNkulunkulu. Ngezinceku zezingelosi kuyoba khona ukuxhumana okuqhubekayo phakathi kwezulu nomhlaba. Futhi uSathane, ezungezwe yizingelosi ezimbi, futhi ethi unguNkulunkulu, uyokwenza izimangaliso zazo zonke izinhlobo, ukuze akhohlise, uma kungenzeka, ngisho nabakhethiweyo. Abantu bakaNkulunkulu abayikuthola ukuphepha kwabo ekwenzeni izimangaliso, ngoba uSathane uyokopela izimangaliso eziyokwenziwa. Abantu bakaNkulunkulu abavivinyiwe nabahloliwe bayokuthola amandla abo esibonakalisweni okukhulunywe ngaso ku-Eksodusi 31:12–18. Kumelwe bathathe ukuma kwabo phezu kwezwi eliphilayo: ‘Kulotshiwe.’ Lesi yiso sodwa isisekelo abangema kuso ngokuphepha okuqinile. Labo abephule isivumelwano sabo noNkulunkulu ngalolo suku bayokuba ngaphandle kukaNkulunkulu futhi bengenathemba.” Testimonies, volume 9, 16.
Ukuphindaphindwa kokuhlushwa kwasendulo kuqala ngomthetho weSonto e-United States, ngokuba uSathane uqala umsebenzi wakhe omangalisayo ngaleso sikhathi, kuthi izintombi ezihlakaniphileyo esezivele “zazanywa zavivinywa,” khona-ke “zihambe ekukhanyeni okuvela esihlalweni sobukhosi sikaNkulunkulu.” Lokhu kuyofezwa ngomsebenzi wezingelosi, ngokuba “ngokusebenzisa izingelosi kuyoba nokuxhumana okuqhubekayo phakathi kwezulu nomhlaba.”
“Abagcotshiweyo abami eceleni kweNkosi yomhlaba wonke, banesikhundla esake sanikwa uSathane njengokherubi ombozayo. Ngezidalwa ezingcwele ezizungeze isihlalo sakhe sobukhosi, iNkosi igcina ukuxhumana okuqhubekayo nabahlali bomhlaba. Amafutha egolide amele umusa uNkulunkulu agcina ngawo izibani zabakholwayo zinikeziwe, ukuze zingacwayizi zicime. Ukube bekungengenxa yokuthi la mafutha angcwele athululwa evela ezulwini emilayezweni kaMoya kaNkulunkulu, amandla obubi ayeyokuba nokulawula okuphelele phezu kwabantu.”
“UNkulunkulu uyadunyazwa lapho singazamukeli izimemezelo asithumela zona. Ngalokho siyenqaba amafutha egolide abengawathululela emiphefumulweni yethu ukuze adluliselwe kulabo abasebumnyameni. Lapho sekufika isimemezelo esithi, ‘Bhekani, umkhwenyana uyeza; phumani nimhlangabeze,’ labo abangawamukelanga amafutha angcwele, abangalisondelanga ngomusa kaKristu ezinhliziyweni zabo, bayothola, njengezintombi eziyiziwula, ukuthi abakulungele ukuhlangana neNkosi yabo. Abanawo, ngaphakathi kwabo, amandla okuzuza lawo mafutha, futhi ukuphila kwabo kuyabhidlika. Kodwa uma kucelwa uMoya oNgcwele kaNkulunkulu, uma sincenga, njengoba kwenza uMose, sithi, ‘Ngibonise inkazimulo yakho,’ uthando lukaNkulunkulu luyakuthululwa ezinhliziyweni zethu. Ngamapayipi egolide, amafutha egolide ayakudluliselwa kithi. ‘Akusikho ngamandla, futhi akusikho ngokuqina, kodwa ngoMoya wami, usho uJehova Sebawoti.’ Ngokwamukela imisebe ekhanyayo yeLanga Lokulunga, abantwana bakaNkulunkulu bakhanya njengezibani emhlabeni.” Review and Herald, Julayi 20, 1897.
Abahlakaniphile yilabo abekwa uphawu kuSambulo isahluko sesikhombisa nakuHezekeli isahluko sesishiyagalolunye, futhi abaphikiswa neziwula ezihlazisa iNkosi ngokwenqaba “ukuxhumana ekuthumelayo.” Iziwula yilabo “abephule isivumelwano sabo noNkulunkulu, abayothi ngalolo suku babe ngaphandle kukaNkulunkulu futhi bengenathemba.” Lawo maqembu amabili avivinywa futhi alethwa endaweni lapho abonakalisa khona isimilo sawo ngokusekelwe ekutheni ayamukela noma ayayenqaba yini umyalezo walelo hora. Umyalezo walelo hora kusukela ngoSepthemba 11, 2001, ubuyilowo wemvula yokugcina.
Umyalezo wemvula yangemva uyabonakala ngendlela yomugqa phezu komugqa, njengoba kubekiwe ku-Isaya isahluko samashumi amabili nesishiyagalombili. Indlela yomugqa phezu komugqa iyindlela kaNkulunkulu emisiwe yokutadisha iBhayibheli, ngakho-ke ukwenqaba leyo ndlela akusikho kuphela ukwenqaba umyalezo omelwe ngokusetshenziswa komugqa phezu komugqa, lapha okuncane nalaphaya okuncane, kodwa futhi kuwukwenqaba uMniki wale ndlela.
Ngenxa yemingcele ephefumulelwe eyambulwa enqubweni yokuvivinywa eholela ekubekweni uphawu kwabayizinkulungwane eziyikhulu namashumi amane nane, kusobala ukuthi okuwukuphela kwendlela umntwana kaNkulunkulu angadabula ngayo emlandweni lapho “inkazimulo yasezulwini nokuphindwa kokuhlushwa kwangesikhathi esedlule kuhlanganiswe ndawonye,” ukuhlala esesimweni sokuhlangenwe nakho lapho ukukhanya okuvela esihlalweni sobukhosi sikaNkulunkulu kungabonakala khona. Kumele kubonakale, kungenjalo akusizi ngalutho, futhi silahlekile.
“Akumelwe silinde imvula yokugcina. Iza phezu kwabo bonke abayokubona futhi bazenzele owabo amazolo nezihlambi zomusa eziwela phezu kwethu. Lapho siqoqa izicucwana zokukhanya, lapho siwazisa umusa oqinisekileyo kaNkulunkulu, othanda ukuba simethembe Yena, khona-ke zonke izithembiso ziyogcwaliseka. [Kucashunwe u-Isaya 61:11.] Umhlaba wonke uyakugcwala inkazimulo kaNkulunkulu.” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, volume 7, 984.
Esikhathini esaqala lapho ingelosi yesAmbulo isahluko 18 igcwalisa umhlaba wonke ngenkazimulo yaYo, siqala ngoSepthemba 11, 2001, imvula yakamuva ifike kuphela “phezu” kwalabo “aba” “abavumile futhi bazisebenzisela amazolo nezihlambi zomusa ezi” “ziwela phezu kwethu.” “Iphutha elikhulu” elakhonjwa ngaphambili nguDadewethu White, kwakungesikhathi izintombi eziyiziwula zicabanga ukuthi zingalinda kuze kuthululwe imvula yakamuva ngaphandle kwesilinganiso, ngoba ngaleso sikhathi zazicabanga ukuthi zingabe sezibamba. Akunjalo; kuphela labo abakhulayo ekuqondeni kwabo iZwi likaNkulunkulu lesiprofetho abamukela ukukhanya okwengeziwe.
Njengoba siphetha lesi sihloko, iphuzu engifisa ukuliveza lihlobene nenhloso yesikhathi sokuvivinywa esikuso manje. Uma sizohamba “ekukhanyeni okuvela esihlalweni sobukhosi sikaNkulunkulu” esikhathini lapho ukuphindaphindwa kokushushiswa kwangesikhathi esidlule kwenzeka, kuyodingeka ukuba silazi kahle iZwi lesiprofetho ngaphambi kokuba kufike leyo nhlekelele.
Esahlukweni sokuqala, uDaniyeli namalunga amathathu ayesevele ephelelise ukufundiswa kwawo ngaphambi kokungena ukuba avivinywe nguNebukhadinezari. Izinsuku ezingamashumi amane uKristu wavulela ukuqonda kwabafundi iZwi lesiprofetho kusengaphambili ngaphambi kwezinsuku eziyishumi lapho abafundi baphelelisa ubunye babo. Kwase kufika iPhentekoste, elifanekisela umthetho weSonto.
Esahlukweni sesithathu sikaDaniyeli, uShadiraki, uMeshaki no-Abedinego batshela uNebukadinesari ukuthi babengadingi esinye isikhathi esengeziwe, ngoba base bevele bemi ngokuqinile mayelana nalokho ababeyokwenza esikhathini sokuvivinywa komthetho weSonto. Ukwethembeka kwabo kwakhuliswa lapho behamba esithandweni somlilo benoKristu, futhi umlayezo ababese bevele bezinze kuwo ngaphambi kokuvivinywa wathwalwa waya kuwo wonke umhlaba owawwaziwa ngaleso sikhathi yizo zonke izicukuthwane ezazivakashile ezafakaza isimangaliso esithandweni somlilo.
Sizoqhubeka nale micabango esihlokweni esilandelayo.