In the book of Ezekiel, the ‘siege’ of Jerusalem is the ‘sign’ that is the test by which our eternal destiny will be decided, for it marks the formation of the image of the beast.
Encwadini kaHezekeli, “ukuvinjezelwa” kweJerusalema “kuwuphawu” oluyisivivinyo okuyothathwa ngaso isinqumo ngesiphetho sethu saphakade, ngoba kuphawula ukwakheka komfanekiso wesilo.
“The Lord has shown me clearly that the image of the beast will be formed before probation closes; for it is to be the great test for the people of God, by which their eternal destiny will be decided. …
“INkosi ingibonise ngokucacile ukuthi umfanekiso wesilo uyokwakhiwa ngaphambi kokuba kuphele isikhathi somusa; ngokuba lokhu kuyoba ukuvivinywa okukhulu kubantu bakaNkulunkulu, okuyikho okuyonquma isiphetho sabo saphakade. …
“This is the test that the people of God must have before they are sealed. All who proved their loyalty to God by observing His law, and refusing to accept a spurious sabbath, will rank under the banner of the Lord God Jehovah, and will receive the seal of the living God. Those who yield the truth of heavenly origin and accept the Sunday sabbath, will receive the mark of the beast.” Manuscript Releases, volume 15, 15.
“Lokhu kuyisivivinyo abantu bakaNkulunkulu okumelwe babe naso ngaphambi kokuba babekwe uphawu. Bonke abafakazele ukwethembeka kwabo kuNkulunkulu ngokugcina umthetho waKhe, nangokwenqaba ukwamukela isabatha esiyimbumbulu, bayokleliswa ngaphansi kwebhanela leNkosi uNkulunkulu uJehova, futhi bayokwamukela uphawu lukaNkulunkulu ophilayo. Labo abadela iqiniso elivela ezulwini futhi bamukele isabatha leSonto, bayokwamukela uphawu lwesilo.” Manuscript Releases, volume 15, 15.
The Christians that fled Jerusalem at the ‘sign’ of Cestius, did so because they had been forewarned and recognized the ‘sign’ when it arrived. Recognizing the formation of the image of the beast is to recognize the “events,” “preparations” and “movements” that lead to the Sunday law. The prophetic elements that make up the ‘sign’ must be understood in advance of the sign. When Cestius began the siege it was too late to learn what the sign was.
AmaKristu abaleka eJerusalema ‘ngesibonakaliso’ sikaCestius, enza kanjalo ngoba ayexwayisiwe kusengaphambili futhi asiqaphela ‘isibonakaliso’ lapho sifika. Ukuqaphela ukwakheka komfanekiso wesilo kuwukuqaphela “izehlakalo,” “amalungiselelo” kanye “nokunyakaza” okuholela emthethweni weSonto. Izakhi zesiprofetho ezakha ‘isibonakaliso’ kumelwe ziqondwe ngaphambi kokuba isibonakaliso sivele. Ngesikhathi uCestius eqala ukuvimbezela, kwase kwephuze kakhulu ukufunda ukuthi isibonakaliso sasiyini.
“Already preparations are advancing, and movements are in progress, which will result in making an image to the beast. Events will be brought about in the earth’s history that will fulfill the predictions of prophecy for these last days.” Review and Herald, April 23, 1889.
“Sekuvele kuyaqhubeka amalungiselelo, futhi sekukhona neminyakazo eqhubekayo, ezogcina ziholele ekwenzeni umfanekiso wesilo. Kuyokwenzeka izigameko emlandweni womhlaba ezizogcwalisa izibikezelo zesiprofetho zalezi zinsuku zokugcina.” Review and Herald, April 23, 1889.
Preparations, Movements and Events
Amalungiselelo, Ukunyakaza kanye Nezehlakalo
The “preparations,” “movements” and “events” must be recognized in advance of the test.
“Amalungiselelo,” “ukunyakaza” kanye “nezehlakalo” kumele kuqondwe kusengaphambili ngaphambi kovivinyo.
“All that God has in prophetic history specified to be fulfilled in the past has been, and all that is yet to come in its order will be. Daniel, God’s prophet, stands in his place. John stands in his place. In the Revelation the Lion of the tribe of Judah has opened to the students of prophecy the book of Daniel, and thus is Daniel standing in his place. He bears his testimony, that which the Lord revealed to him in vision of the great and solemn events which we must know as we stand on the very threshold of their fulfillment.
“Konke lokho uNkulunkulu akuchazile emlandweni wesiprofetho ukuthi kwakuzogcwaliseka esikhathini esadlula, sekugcwalisekile; futhi konke okusazayo, ngokulandelana kwakho, kuyakuba njalo. UDaniyeli, umprofethi kaNkulunkulu, umi endaweni yakhe. UJohane umi endaweni yakhe. EsAmbulweni iNgonyama yesizwe sakwaJuda ivulele abafundi besiprofetho incwadi kaDaniyeli, ngaleyo ndlela uDaniyeli umi endaweni yakhe. Ufakaza ubufakazi bakhe, lokho iNkosi eyakwembulela kuye embonweni ngezehlakalo ezinkulu nezinesithunzi esesabekayo okumelwe sizazi njengoba simi khona kanye embundwini wokugcwaliseka kwazo.”
“In history and prophecy the Word of God portrays the long continued conflict between truth and error. That conflict is yet in progress. Those things which have been, will be repeated.” Selected Messages, book 2, 109.
“Emlandweni nasesiprofethweni iZwi likaNkulunkulu livezela ukulwa okuqhubeke isikhathi eside phakathi kweqiniso nephutha. Lokho kungqubuzana kusasaqhubeka. Lezo zinto ebezikhona, ziyophindwa.” Selected Messages, book 2, 109.
We “must know” “the great and solemn events as we stand on the very threshold of their fulfillment.” The threshold identifies our need to understand the events in advance of their fulfilment.
Kumelwe “sazi” “izehlakalo ezinkulu nezinesizotha njengoba simi ngqo embundwini wokugcwaliseka kwazo.” Umbundu uveza isidingo sethu sokuqonda lezo zehlakalo ngaphambi kokugcwaliseka kwazo.
“But the stern tracings of the prophetic pencil reveal a change in this peaceful scene. The beast with lamb-like horns speaks with the voice of a dragon, and ‘exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him.’ The spirit of persecution manifested by paganism and the papacy is again to be revealed. Prophecy declares that this power will say ‘to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast.’ [Revelation 13:14.] The image is made to the first or leopard-like beast, which is the one brought to view in the third angel’s message. By this first beast is represented the Roman Church, an ecclesiastical body clothed with civil power, having authority to punish all dissenters. The image to the beast represents another religious body clothed with similar power. The formation of this image is the work of that beast whose peaceful rise and mild professions render it so striking a symbol of the United States. Here is to be found an image of the papacy. When the churches of our land, uniting upon such points of faith as are held by them in common, shall influence the State to enforce their decrees and sustain their institutions, then will Protestant America have formed an image of the Roman hierarchy. Then the true church will be assailed by persecution, as were God’s ancient people. Almost every century furnishes examples of what bigotry and malice can do under a plea of serving God by protecting the rights of Church and State. Protestant churches that have followed in the steps of Rome by forming alliance with worldly powers have manifested a similar desire to restrict liberty of conscience. In the seventeenth century thousands of non-conformist ministers suffered under the rule of the Church of England. Persecution always follows religious favoritism on the part of secular governments.” Spirit of Prophecy, volume 4, 277.
“Kodwa imidwebo eqinile yepensela yesiprofetho yembula uguquko kulesi sigcawu esinokuthula. Isilo esinezimpondo ezinjengezewundlu sikhuluma ngezwi likadrako, futhi ‘senza wonke amandla esilo sokuqala phambi kwaso.’ Umoya wokushushisa owabonakaliswa ubuqaba kanye nobupapa uyophinde uvezwe. Isiprofetho sithi la mandla ayakuthi ‘kwabakhileyo emhlabeni, mabenze umfanekiso wesilo.’ [IsAmbulo 13:14.] Umfanekiso wenziwa esilweni sokuqala, noma esifana nengwe, okuyiso esethulwa embikweni wengelosi yesithathu. Ngalesi silo sokuqala kumelwa iBandla laseRoma, inhlangano yenkolo ehlonyiswe ngamandla ombuso, enegunya lokujezisa bonke abaphikisayo. Umfanekiso wesilo umelela omunye umzimba wenkolo ohlonyiswe ngamandla afanayo. Ukwakhiwa kwalo mfanekiso kungumsebenzi waleso silo okuthi ukuvela kwaso okunokuthula nezimemezelo zaso ezimnene kusenze sibe uphawu olugqame kangaka lwe-United States. Lapha kutholakala umfanekiso wobupapa. Lapho amabandla ezwe lakithi, ehlangana phezu kwamaphuzu enkolo awabambe ngokufanayo, eyothonya uMbuso ukuba uphoqelele izimemezelo zawo futhi usekele izikhungo zawo, khona-ke iMelika yamaProthestani iyobe isakhe umfanekiso wobuholi benkolo baseRoma. Khona-ke ibandla leqiniso liyohlaselwa ngokushushiswa, njengoba kwakunjalo kubantu bakaNkulunkulu basendulo. Cishe wonke amakhulu eminyaka ahlinzeka ngezibonelo zalokho ukucwasa nokukhohlakala okungakwenza ngaphansi kwezaba zokukhonza uNkulunkulu ngokuvikela amalungelo eBandla noMbuso. Amabandla amaProthestani alandele ezinyathelweni zeRoma ngokwakha umfelandawonye namandla asemhlabeni abonakalisile isifiso esifanayo sokunciphisa inkululeko kanembeza. Ekhulwini leshumi nesikhombisa izinkulungwane zabefundisi abangazange bavumelane nezimiso ezimisiwe zahlupheka ngaphansi kokubusa kweBandla laseNgilandi. Ukushushisa kulandela njalo ukukhethwa kwenkolo ngokukhethekile ohlangothini lwemibuso yezwe.” Spirit of Prophecy, volume 4, 277.
The formation of the image of the beast is accomplished first in the United States, and thereafter in the world.
Ukubunjwa komfanekiso wesilo kufezwa kuqala e-United States, bese kuthi emva kwalokho kufezwe emhlabeni.
“Foreign nations will follow the example of the United States. Though she leads out, yet the same crisis will come upon our people in all parts of the world.” Testimonies, volume 6, 395.
“Izizwe zakwamanye amazwe ziyolandela isibonelo se-United States. Nakuba yona ihola ekuqaleni, nokho yona le nkinga efanayo iyakwehlela abantu bethu kuzo zonke izingxenye zomhlaba.” Testimonies, volume 6, 395.
The Edict of Milan in 313 represents the starting of the formation, and also identifies the closed door for Seventh-day Adventists. Constantine of the west and Licinius of the east attached a treaty marriage to the Edict, when Constantine gave his half-sister Constantia to Licinius in the fourth treaty marriage represented in a prophetic line of the six treaty marriages within the prophetic history of Daniel eleven. The first two were associated with wars between the north and south, the next two were civil wars between east and west and the last two are symbolic marriages of the papal church power and state power.
Umyalo waseMilan ngo-313 umelela ukuqala kokwakheka, futhi ubuye uhlonze nomnyango ovaliwe wama-Adventist osuku lwesikhombisa. UConstantine wasentshonalanga noLicinius wasempumalanga banamathisela umshado wesivumelwano kuMyalo, lapho uConstantine enika uLicinius udadewabo ongowokuzalana naye ngoyise noma ngonina, uConstantia, emshadweni wesine wesivumelwano omelelwe emgqeni wesiprofetho wemishado eyisithupha yesivumelwano ngaphakathi komlando wesiprofetho kaDaniyeli ishumi nanye. Emibili yokuqala yayihlotshaniswa nezimpi phakathi kwasenyakatho naseningizimu, emibili elandelayo yayiyizimpi zombango phakathi kwasempumalanga nasentshonalanga, kanti emibili yokugcina iyimishado engokomfanekiso yamandla esonto lobupapa namandla ombuso.
Antiochus II Theos set aside his wife Laodice I to marry the Ptolemaic princess Berenice (daughter of Ptolemy II) around 252 BC. The treaty marriages of the Seleucid Empire were accomplished between the king of the north and the king of the south, whereas; the treaty marriage of 313 was between the emperor of the east and the emperor of the west.
U-Antiochus II Theos wabeka eceleni umkakhe uLaodice I ukuze ashade inkosazana yakwaPtolemy uBerenice (indodakazi kaPtolemy II) cishe ngonyaka ka-252 BC. Imishado yezivumelwano yoMbuso wakwaSeleucid yenziwa phakathi kwenkosi yasenyakatho nenkosi yaseningizimu, kanti-ke; umshado wesivumelwano ka-313 wawuphakathi kombusi wasempumalanga nombusi wasentshonalanga.
The treaty marriage of Antiochus II Theos in 252 BC, represented the beginning of the Seleucid Empire that reached its conclusion as an empire in the history represented in verses ten through sixteen of Daniel eleven. In the final history of the Seleucid empire another treaty marriage was accomplished by Antiochus III the Great, when he gave his daughter Cleopatra I Syra, (the very first Cleopatra of prophetic history) to Ptolemy V in 193 BC. At the time Ptolemy V was about 16 and Cleopatra I Syra about 10 years old. Their marriage was a diplomatic settlement after the fifth Syrian war. The alpha treaty marriage between the king of the north and south in Daniel eleven had marked the end of the second Syrian war.
Umshado wesivumelwano ka-Antiochus II Theos ngonyaka ka-252 BC wawumela ukuqala koMbuso wamaSeleucus owafinyelela esiphethweni sawo njengombuso emlandweni omelwe emavesini eshumi kuya kwayishumi nesithupha kaDaniyeli ishumi nanye. Emlandweni wokugcina wombuso wamaSeleucus kwaphinde kwafezwa omunye umshado wesivumelwano ngu-Antiochus III Omkhulu, lapho enika indodakazi yakhe uCleopatra I Syra, (uCleopatra wokuqala ngqa emlandweni wesiprofetho) kuPtolemy V ngonyaka ka-193 BC. Ngaleso sikhathi uPtolemy V wayeneminyaka ecishe ibe yi-16 kanti uCleopatra I Syra wayeneminyaka ecishe ibe yi-10. Umshado wabo wawuyisixazululo sezokuxhumana kombuso ngemva kwempi yesihlanu yaseSiriya. Umshado wesivumelwano we-alpha phakathi kwenkosi yasenyakatho nenkosi yaseningizimu kuDaniyeli ishumi nanye wawuphawule ukuphela kwempi yesibili yaseSiriya.
The last Cleopatra of prophetic history interacted with both Julius Caesar and thereafter with Mark Antony. After the assassination of Julius Caesar in 44 BC the second Triumvirate was formed in 43 BC. Three men made up the triumvirate and after one of those three, Marcus Lepidus was forced out of the threefold union by Octavian, a power struggle between Mark Antony of the east and Octavian of the west ensued. At Brundisium, in 40 BC a treaty between the two eastern and western rivals was made. The treaty included the marriage between Octavian’s sister Octavia and Mark Antony. The treaty and accompanying marriage did not hold, and after Mark Antony became involved with Cleopatra, he divorced Octavia in 32 BC. At the battle of Actium in 31 BC, the empires of east and west were consolidated into one power, and Octavian thereafter became Augustus Caesar, the symbol of the height of Roman glory and power.
UCleopatra wokugcina emlandweni wesiprofetho waxhumana bobabili noJulius Caesar, kwathi emva kwalokho noMark Antony. Emva kokubulawa kukaJulius Caesar ngo-44 BC, kwakhiwa i-Triumvirate yesibili ngo-43 BC. Amadoda amathathu akha le triumvirate, futhi emva kokuba omunye kulabo abathathu, uMarcus Lepidus, exoshwe kule nhlanganisela yabathathu ngu-Octavian, kwalandela umbango wamandla phakathi kukaMark Antony wasempumalanga no-Octavian wasentshonalanga. EBrundisium, ngo-40 BC, kwenziwa isivumelwano phakathi kwalaba bancintisana ababili basempumalanga nabasentshonalanga. Leso sivumelwano sasihlanganisa umshado phakathi kukadadewabo ka-Octavian, u-Octavia, noMark Antony. Isivumelwano nomshado owawuhambisana naso akuzange kuhlale kuqinile, futhi emva kokuba uMark Antony esengene ebudlelwaneni noCleopatra, wahlukanisa no-Octavia ngo-32 BC. Empini yase-Actium ngo-31 BC, imibuso yasempumalanga neyasentshonalanga yahlanganiswa yaba ngamandla awodwa, futhi emva kwalokho u-Octavian waba ngu-Augustus Caesar, uphawu lwesiqongo senkazimulo namandla eRoma.
Prophetically the first treaty marriage of Daniel eleven was between the kings of the north and south in an attempt to end hostilities between the two combatants who were struggling to re-establish the empire of Alexander the Great. That first treaty marriage between the Seleucids and the Ptolemy’s of Egypt was the alpha treaty marriage of the Seleucid and Ptolemaic kingdoms, which typified the omega treaty marriage between the same two powers. In the last or omega treaty marriage, the very first or alpha Cleopatra of Egyptian history became the prophetic link to the last, or omega Cleopatra; whose relationship with Mark Antony became the point of reference for the divorce of Octavia and Mark Antony. The divorce marked the renewed hostilities between Mark Antony of the east and Octavian of the west which ended at the battle of Actium in 31 BC.
Ngokwesiprofetho, umshado wokuqala wesivumelwano kaDaniyeli isahluko 11 wawuphakathi kwamakhosi asenyakatho naseningizimu ngomzamo wokuqeda ubutha phakathi kwala maqembu amabili ayelwa, ayebambana ukuze aphinde amise umbuso ka-Alexander Omkhulu. Lowo mshado wokuqala wesivumelwano phakathi kwamaSeleucid namaPtolemy aseGibhithe wawuyisivumelwano somshado se-alpha semibuso yamaSeleucid neyamaPtolemy, esaba ngumfanekiso womshado wesivumelwano we-omega phakathi kwalawo mandla afanayo. Emshadweni wokugcina, noma we-omega, uCleopatra wokuqala impela emlandweni waseGibhithe waba yisixhumanisi sesiprofetho noCleopatra wokugcina, noma we-omega; ubuhlobo bakhe noMark Antony baba yiphuzu lokubhekisela esehlukanisweni sika-Octavia noMark Antony. Leso sehlukaniso saphawula ukuvuseleleka kabusha kobutha phakathi kukaMark Antony wasempumalanga no-Octavian wasentshonalanga, obaphela empini yase-Actium ngo-31 BC.
The treaty marriage of Brundisium in 40 BC was the alpha treaty marriage of the struggle between east and west, just as the treaty marriage of Laodice and Antiochus II Theo was the alpha of the struggle between north and south. The treaty marriage of 313 was the omega to the alpha treaty marriage of Mark Antony and Octavia, just as the treaty marriage between Ptolemy V and Cleopatra I Syra was the omega treaty marriage of the northern and southern kingdoms. The three treaty marriages that led to the omega treaty marriage of 313 all align, and provide three witnesses to the prophetic characteristics associated with the Edict of Milan. Together the four literal treaty marriages of east, west, north and south align with the two symbolic treaty marriages of the papacy.
Umshado wesivumelwano waseBrundisium ngo-40 BC wawungumshado wesivumelwano we-alpha womzabalazo phakathi kwempumalanga nentshonalanga, njengoba nje umshado wesivumelwano kaLaodice no-Antiochus II Theo wawuyi-alpha yomzabalazo phakathi kwenyakatho neningizimu. Umshado wesivumelwano ka-313 wawuyi-omega kumshado wesivumelwano we-alpha kaMark Antony no-Octavia, njengoba nje umshado wesivumelwano phakathi kukaPtolemy V noCleopatra I Syra wawungumshado wesivumelwano we-omega wemibuso yasenyakatho neyaseningizimu. Imishado emithathu yesivumelwano eyaholela emshadweni wesivumelwano we-omega ka-313 yonke iyahambisana, futhi inikeza ofakazi abathathu bezimpawu zesiprofetho ezihlotshaniswa noMyalelo waseMilan. Ngokuhlangene, le mishado emine yesivumelwano engokoqobo yempumalanga, yentshonalanga, yenyakatho neningizimu iyahambisana nemishado emibili yesivumelwano engokomfanekiso yobupapa.
In 496, Clovis the king of the Franks was married to Clotilda. Clotilda was a Burgundian princess, the daughter of King Chilperic II of Burgundy. After her father and mother were murdered in a family power struggle, she lived under the protection of her uncle before being given in marriage to Clovis I, king of the Franks, in 493. She was a Catholic, that is, she held the Nicene/orthodox faith of the Roman Church. This set her apart from many other Germanic royal families of the time, who were Arian Christians. Her mother Caretena had been Catholic, and Clotilda was raised in that faith. She is remembered for persistently urging Clovis to abandon paganism and accept Catholic baptism, and thereafter his conversion in 496 is one of the most important events in the early history of France and of Western so-called Christianity.
Ngo-496, uClovis inkosi yamaFranks wayeshade noClotilda. UClotilda wayeyinkosazana yaseBurgundy, indodakazi yeNkosi uChilperic II yaseBurgundy. Emva kokuba uyise nonina sebebulewe emzabalazweni wamandla womndeni, waphila ngaphansi kwesivikelo sikamalume wakhe ngaphambi kokwetheswa uClovis I, inkosi yamaFranks, ngo-493. WayengumKatolika, okusho ukuthi wayebambe ukholo lwaseNicaea/olweqiniso lweBandla laseRoma. Lokhu kwamenza wahluka kweminye imindeni eminingi yobukhosi bamaJalimane yangaleso sikhathi, eyayingamaKristu ama-Ariya. Unina uCaretena wayengumKatolika, futhi uClotilda wakhuliswa kulolo kholo. Ukhunjulwa ngokuphikelela ekuncengeni uClovis ukuba alahle ubuqaba futhi amukele ubhapathizo lobuKatolika, futhi emva kwalokho ukuguquka kwakhe ngo-496 kungesinye sezigameko ezibaluleke kakhulu emlandweni wokuqala waseFrance nowobuKristu baseNtshonalanga obubizwa kanjalo.
Clovis vowed that if he won the battle of Tolbiac he would convert to Clotilda’s Catholic faith and be baptized. The Alemanni king was killed, their army broke, and the Franks won. After the victory Clotilda arranged for Bishop Remigius of Reims to instruct Clovis, and he was baptized (traditionally on Christmas Day 496), along with several thousand of his warriors.
UClovis wafunga isifungo sokuthi, uma enqoba impi yaseTolbiac, wayezoguqukela ekukholweni kukaClotilda kwamaKatolika futhi abhapathizwe. Inkosi yama-Alemanni yabulawa, ibutho labo lachitheka, kwathi amaFranks anqoba. Ngemva kwalokho kunqoba, uClotilda wahlela ukuba uMbhishobhi uRemigius waseReims afundise uClovis, wabe esebhapathizwa (ngokwesiko ngoSuku lukaKhisimusi ngonyaka ka-496), kanye nezinkulungwane eziningana zamaqhawe akhe.
Clovis was the king of the Franks, which in modern terms is the king of France. He became the first of the kings of Europe who would ultimately surrender their pagan religion and turn to Catholicism. For this reason, Clovis is considered the “eldest son of the Catholic church,” and France is called, “the eldest daughter of the Catholic church.” In 1980, when pope John Paul II visited France he asked, “France, eldest daughter of the Church, are you faithful to your baptism?”
UClovis wayeyinkosi yamaFranks, okungukuthi, ngokwendlela yesimanje yokukhuluma, inkosi yaseFrance. Waba ngowokuqala phakathi kwamakhosi aseYurophu ayeyogcina elahlile inkolo yawo yobuqaba aphendukela ebuKatolikeni. Ngenxa yalesi sizathu, uClovis uthathwa “njengendodana endala kunazo zonke yeBandla lamaKatolika,” kanti iFrance ibizwa ngokuthi, “indodakazi endala kunazo zonke yeBandla lamaKatolika.” Ngo-1980, lapho upapa uJohn Paul II evakashele eFrance, wabuza wathi, “France, ndodakazi endala yeBandla, wethembekile yini embhaphathizweni wakho?”
Clovis' conversion to Nicene Catholicism identifies the start of a symbolic marriage procession that would lead to the symbolic treaty marriage of 538. The symbolic treaty marriage between Clovis and the whore who commits fornication with the kings of the earth was typified by the four previous treaty marriages in Daniel eleven. Clovis was the first European king to provide military and economic support for the Roman church and Clovis is therefore represented within the history in Daniel eleven.
Ukuguquka kukaClovis abe sebuKhatholikeni baseNicaea kukhomba ukuqala kohambo oluyisimboli lomshado olwaluyoholela emshadweni wesivumelwano oyisimboli ka-538. Lowo mshado wesivumelwano oyisimboli phakathi kukaClovis nesifebe esiphinga namakhosi omhlaba wawufanekiswe yimishado emine yesivumelwano eyandulela lona kuDaniyeli ishumi nanye. UClovis wayeyinkosi yokuqala yaseYurophu ukunikeza ibandla laseRoma ukwesekwa kwezempi nokwezomnotho, ngakho-ke uClovis umelelwe ngaphakathi kwalowo mlando kuDaniyeli ishumi nanye.
And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate. Daniel 11:31.
Futhi izingalo ziyakuma ngakolwakhe uhlangothi, zingcolise indawo engcwele yamandla, zisuse umnikelo wemihla ngemihla, zibeke isinengiso esenza incithakalo. Daniyeli 11:31.
Clovis in 496 marks the beginning of the European political structures to “stand up” to aid the papacy as it rose to power. It marks the beginning of a symbolic marriage procession. The “arms” of the verse would also pollute the “sanctuary of strength,” which for both pagan and papal Rome is the city of Rome.
UClovis ngo-496 uphawula ukuqala kwezinhlaka zombusazwe zaseYurophu “ukuma” zisize ubupapa njengoba babukhuphukela emandleni. Uphawula ukuqala kodwendwe lomshado olungokomfanekiso. “Izingalo” zaleli vesi zaziyophinde zingcolise “indawo engcwele yamandla,” okuthi kuzo zombili iRoma yobuhedeni neRoma yobupapa kube yidolobha laseRoma.
Two Sanctuary's
Izindawo Ezingcwele Ezimbili
There are two different Hebrew words in the book of Daniel that are translated as “sanctuary.” The Hebrew words ‘miqdash’ and ‘qodesh’ are both translated as “sanctuary,” but qodesh can only represent a holy entity, whereas miqdash can represent either a holy or unholy sanctuary—as determined by context.
Kunezwi ezimbili ezihlukene zesiHeberu encwadini kaDaniyeli ezihunyushwa ngokuthi “ingcwele.” Amagama esiHeberu athi ‘miqdash’ nelithi ‘qodesh’ womabili ahunyushwa ngokuthi “ingcwele,” kodwa u-qodesh ungamela kuphela into engcwele, kanti u-miqdash ungamela ingcwele engcwele noma engengcwele—njengoba kunqunywa umongo.
The “sanctuary of strength” in verse thirty-one is ‘miqdash’ and represents the sanctuary of Rome’s strength, which for both pagan and papal Rome was the city of Rome. From the battle of Actium, when Octavian united the empire, pagan Rome was invincible for three hundred and sixty years (a time) in fulfilment of verse twenty-four of Daniel eleven.
“Indawo engcwele yamandla” evesini lamashumi amathathu nanye ithi ‘miqdash’ futhi imelela indawo engcwele yamandla eRoma, okuyinto, kokubili eRoma lobuqaba naseRoma lobupapa, eyayiwumuzi waseRoma. Kusukela empini yase-Actium, lapho u-Octavian ehlanganisa umbuso, iRoma lobuqaba lalinganqotshwa iminyaka engamakhulu amathathu namashumi ayisithupha (isikhathi) ekugcwalisekeni kwevesi lamashumi amabili nane likaDaniyeli ishumi nanye.
He shall enter peaceably even upon the fattest places of the province; and he shall do that which his fathers have not done, nor his fathers’ fathers; he shall scatter among them the prey, and spoil, and riches: yea, and he shall forecast his devices against the strong holds, even for a time. Daniel 11:24.
Uyongena ngokuthula ngisho nasezindaweni ezicebe kakhulu zesifundazwe; futhi uyakwenza lokho okungazange kwenziwe oyise, noma oyise boyise; uyakubahlakazela impango, nempahla ephangiweyo, nengcebo; yebo, uyakuhlela amacebo akhe okulwa nezinqaba eziqinileyo, kube yisikhathi. Daniyeli 11:24.
When pagan Rome ruled from the city of Rome it was invincible, but when Constantine moved the capital to Constantinople in 330, the “time” of verse twenty-four was fulfilled. When the last of the three horns (the Goths) of Daniel seven were driven out of the city, papal Rome prophetically took the throne as the fifth kingdom of Bible prophecy in 538. The Goths had besieged Rome, but ultimately retreated as Belsarius, general for Justinian secured the city. The Roman church then ruled supremely for twelve hundred and sixty years until Napoleon had the pope removed and put in exile in 1798.
Lapho iRoma lobuqaba libusa lisuka emzini waseRoma lalinganqotshwa, kodwa lapho uConstantine ehambisa inhloko-dolobha eya eConstantinople ngo-330, “isikhathi” sevesi lamashumi amabili nane sagcwaliseka. Lapho olokugcina ezimpondweni ezintathu (amaGoth) zikaDaniyeli isahluko sesikhombisa luxoshwa emzini, iRoma yobupapa ngokwesiprofetho yathatha isihlalo sobukhosi njengombuso wesihlanu wesiprofetho seBhayibheli ngo-538. AmaGoth ayeyivimbezele iRoma, kodwa ekugcineni ahoxa njengoba uBelsarius, umkhuzi wempi kaJustinian, eqinisa ukulawulwa komuzi. Isonto laseRoma lase libusa ngobukhulu obuphelele iminyaka eyinkulungwane namakhulu amabili namashumi ayisithupha kwaze kwaba yilapho uNapoleon esusa upapa futhi emthumela ekudingisweni ngo-1798.
Rome, “the sanctuary of strength” was “polluted,” (polluted, meaning ‘wounded or dissolved’), through the “arms” from the ongoing warfare against the city, represented primarily by the first four trumpets of Revelation chapter eight.
IRoma, “indawo engcwele yamandla,” “yangcoliswa,” (ukuthi yangcoliswa, okusho ‘yalinyazwa noma yachithwa’), “ngezingalo” ezivela empini eyayiqhubeka imelene nomuzi, emelwe ikakhulukazi yizimpondo ezine zokuqala zesAmbulo isahluko sesishiyagalombili.
The history that ensued from 496 onward would see the city of Rome polluted as it changed from the power and glory of the Roman empire unto the power and glory of the Roman Catholic empire. Those arms would take away the religion of paganism, represented by the word “daily” in the passage, as they accepted the religion of Nicene Catholicism.
Umlando owalandela kusukela ku-496 kuya phambili wawuzobona umuzi waseRoma ungcoliswa njengoba wawuguquka usuka emandleni nasekubukhosini boMbuso WaseRoma uye emandleni nasekubukhosini boMbuso WamaRoma Katolika. Lezo zingalo zaziyakususa inkolo yobuqaba, emelwe yigama elithi “daily” kuleso siqephu, njengoba zamukela inkolo yobuKatolika baseNisiya.
At the battle of Vouillé, Clovis defeated the Arian Visigoths under Alaric II and took Aquitaine. In the aftermath of the victory, in 508, the Eastern emperor Anastasius I (in Constantinople) honored Clovis for his victory over the Visigoths. Gregory of Tours says that Anastasius sent Clovis' official papers making him consul. At Tours, in Saint Martin’s church, Clovis put on a purple tunic and cloak, set a diadem on his head, rode out, and scattered gold and silver to the crowd. Gregory says that from that day he was hailed as consul and recognized by the Roman emperor that Clovis was a legitimate Christian king in the west. He was rewarded for breaking the Arian Visigoths, whom Constantinople also opposed. 508 is the year the emperor in the East publicly honored the Catholic Frankish king—church, victory, and Roman legitimacy in one scene. 508 is the year the Frankish Catholic kingdom stood as the dominant Catholic power in Gaul after breaking Arian Visigoth’s rule. Clovis is the first major barbarian king to fight for Nicene Catholicism against Arian kingdoms, and thus the prototype of the French role as “eldest daughter of the Church.” Clovis represents the period of 496 unto 508 and is the alpha symbol of the symbolic marriage treaty. The thirty years from 508 unto 538 are represented by Justinian who is the omega symbol of the procession.
Empini yaseVouillé, uClovis wanqoba amaVisigoth angama-Arian ngaphansi kuka-Alaric II futhi wathatha i-Aquitaine. Emva kwalokho kokunqoba, ngonyaka ka-508, umbusi waseMpumalanga u-Anastasius I (eConstantinople) wahlonipha uClovis ngenxa yokunqoba kwakhe amaVisigoth. UGregory waseTours uthi u-Anastasius wathumela izincwadi ezisemthethweni zikaClovis ezamenza waba yiconsul. ETours, esontweni likaSaint Martin, uClovis wagqoka ingubo ende ensomi nesembatho, wabeka umqhele wobukhosi ekhanda lakhe, waphuma egibele, futhi wasakazela isixuku igolide nesiliva. UGregory uthi kusukela ngalolo suku wabingelelwa njengeconsul, futhi umbusi waseRoma wavuma ukuthi uClovis wayeyinkosi yobuKristu esemthethweni entshonalanga. Wavuzwa ngenxa yokuphihliza amaVisigoth angama-Arian, lawo iConstantinople nayo eyayiwaphikisa. U-508 ungumnyaka lapho umbusi waseMpumalanga ahlonipha khona obala inkosi yamaFrank engumKhatholika—isonto, ukunqoba, nokuba semthethweni kwaseRoma endaweni eyodwa. U-508 ungumnyaka lapho umbuso wamaFrank ongumKhatholika wema khona njengamandla abusayo obuKhatholika eGaul emva kokuphihliza umbuso wamaVisigoth angama-Arian. UClovis uyinkosi yokuqala enkulu yamaqaba ukulwela ubuKhatholika baseNicaea ngokumelene nemibuso yama-Arian, futhi ngalokho uyisibonelo sokuqala sendima yaseFrance njengokuthi “indodakazi endala yeBandla.” UClovis umele isikhathi sika-496 kuya ku-508 futhi uyisibonakaliso se-alpha sesivumelwano somshado esingokomfanekiso. Iminyaka engamashumi amathathu esukela ku-508 kuya ku-538 imelwe uJustinian, oyisibonakaliso se-omega sodwendwe.
In 538, the “arms” placed the papal power on the throne of the earth for 1260 years. It was then that the symbolic treaty marriage was consummated at the conclusion of the marriage procession that had begun in 496. In 1798, the treaty marriage that had begun between the pope of Rome and Clovis of France, was disannulled when Napoleon of France divorced the papal power by having his general take the pope captive.
Ngo-538, “izingalo” zabeka amandla obupapa esihlalweni somhlaba iminyaka eyi-1260. Kwakungaleso sikhathi lapho umshado wesivumelwano ongokomfanekiso waqinisekiswa ngokuphelele ekupheleni kodwendwe lomshado olwalwaqala ngo-496. Ngo-1798, lowo mshado wesivumelwano owawuqale phakathi kukapapa waseRoma noClovis waseFrance, waqedwa njengongasebenzi lapho uNapoleon waseFrance ehlukanisa amandla obupapa ngokwenza ukuthi ujenene wakhe athumbe upapa.
The alpha symbolic papal treaty marriage, which had begun its marriage procession in 496, was consummated at the Sunday law in 538, and it was thereafter disannulled in 1798, just as was every other treaty marriage of Daniel eleven. Revelation adds to the papal marital relationship between the kings of Europe and popes of Catholicism, for the dragon of Revelation twelve is both Satan and pagan Rome’s kings.
Umshado ongokomfanekiso wobupapa wesivumelwano somshado, owawusuqale udwendwe lwawo lomshado ngo-496, wapheleliswa emthethweni weSonto ngeSonto ngo-538, futhi ngemva kwalokho wachithwa ngo-1798, njengoba kwaba njalo nangawo wonke omunye umshado wesivumelwano kaDaniyeli ishumi nanye. IsAmbulo sinezela ebudlelwaneni bomshado bobupapa obuphakathi kwamakhosi aseYurophu nopapa bobuKatolika, ngoba udrako weSAmbulo ishumi nambili unguSathane futhi uyinkosi yaseRoma lobuqaba.
“Thus while the dragon, primarily, represents Satan, it is, in a secondary sense, a symbol of pagan Rome.” The Great Controversy, 439.
“Ngakho-ke, nakuba udrako, ngokuyinhloko, emele uSathane, ngokwesibili uwuphawu lweRoma lobuhedeni.” The Great Controversy, 439.
In Revelation John informs us of three things the kings (the dragon) gave to the sea beast of Catholicism.
Encwadini Isambulo uJohane usazisa ngezinto ezintathu amakhosi (udrako) azinika isilo sasolwandle sobuKatolika.
And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. Revelation 13:2.
Isilo engasibona sasifana nengwe, izinyawo zaso zazinje ngezinyawo zebhere, nomlomo waso unjengomlomo wengonyama; udrako wasinika amandla akhe, nesihlalo sakhe sobukhosi, negunya elikhulu. IsAmbulo 13:2.
In 496, the kings of Europe began providing the papal beast their “power” as represented by their military might and economic support. They had moved the capital of their empire to Constantinople in 330, leaving the city of Rome as the “seat” of the papal authority. The “arms” thereafter identified the papal church as the head of all churches in 533 with the decree of Justinian. The decree included the use of their military might to persecute those who the papacy identified as heretics, thus placing their civil “authority” into the hands of the popes.
Ngo-496, amakhosi aseYurophu aqala ukunikeza isilo sobupapa “amandla” awo njengoba emelwe amandla awo ezempi kanye nokwesekwa kwawo kwezomnotho. Ayesehambise inhloko-dolobha yombuso wawo eConstantinople ngo-330, eshiya umuzi waseRoma njengesi“Hlalo” segunya lobupapa. “Izingalo” kamuva zakhomba ibandla lobupapa njengenhloko yawo wonke amabandla ngo-533 ngomthetho kaJustinian. Lowo mthetho wawuhlanganisa ukusetshenziswa kwamandla awo ezempi ukuhlupha labo ubupapa obababiza ngokuthi bangabaphambukile, ngaleyo ndlela bebeka “igunya” labo lombuso ezandleni zopapa.
The alpha treaty marriage between the papacy and the kings of Europe began with Clovis in 496. By 508, paganism, the legal religion of the realm was set aside for the religion of Nicene Catholicism. In 533, Justinian identified the papacy as the head of all churches, and surrendered the legal authority of their respective thrones unto the papal power.
Umshado womfelandawonye we-alpha phakathi kobupapa namakhosi aseYurophu waqala ngoClovis ngowe-496. Ngowe-508, ubuqaba, obabuyinkolo esemthethweni yombuso, babekwa eceleni ngenxa yenkolo yobuKhatholika baseNicaea. Ngowe-533, uJustinian wabiza ubupapa njengenhloko yawo wonke amabandla, wanikela igunya elisemthethweni lezihlalo zabo zobukhosi ezahlukene emandleni obupapa.
The Alpha and Omega Seat
Isihlalo Se-Alpha ne-Omega
In 330, the city of Rome was left in the hands of the Roman church where she would be seated until she is destroyed in the lake of fire at Christ’s second coming. In 538, she was officially seated again upon the papal throne, thus identifying the history of 330 unto 538 as a prophetic period that begins with an alpha seat and ends with an omega seat. The period represents the ending of the fourth kingdom of Bible prophecy (Pergamos) as a progressive demise beginning in 330 and ending in 538 with the arrival of Thyatira. Both western and eastern Rome continued the slow dissolution beyond 538, but the period began with giving the seat, representing the city of Rome to the papacy in 330, until the seat became not simply a throne over the city, but over the kingdom represented by the city in 538.
Ngo-330, umuzi waseRoma washiywa ezandleni zesonto laseRoma, lapho ayezohlala khona aze achithwe echibini lomlilo ekufikeni kukaKristu kwesibili. Ngo-538, waphinde wabekwa ngokusemthethweni esihlalweni sobukhosi sobupapa, ngaleyo ndlela kukhonjiswa umlando wango-330 kuya ku-538 njengenkathi yesiprofetho eqala ngesihlalo se-alpha futhi iphele ngesihlalo se-omega. Le nkathi imelela ukuphela kombuso wesine wesiprofetho seBhayibheli (Pergamos) njengokubhubha okuqhubekayo okuqala ngo-330 futhi kuphele ngo-538 ngokufika kweThiyathira. Kokubili iRoma lasentshonalanga neRoma lasempumalanga kwaqhubeka nokuhlakazeka kancane kancane nangemva kuka-538, kodwa le nkathi yaqala ngokunikezwa kwesihlalo, okwakumele umuzi waseRoma ebupapeni ngo-330, kwaze kwaba yilapho isihlalo singasekho nje isihlalo sobukhosi phezu komuzi, kodwa sesiphezu kombuso owawumelwe yilowo muzi ngo-538.
330 to 538 is a specific prophetic period that defines the ‘eight’ waymarks of the papacy’s empowerment. Those eight steps are repeated in the healing of the papacy’s deadly wound at the soon-coming Sunday law.
U-330 kuya ku-538 uyisikhathi esithile sesiprofetho esichaza izimpawu zendlela eziyisishiyagalombili zokunikezwa amandla kobupapa. Lezo zinyathelo eziyisishiyagalombili ziyaphindwa ekuphilisweni kwesilonda esibulalayo sobupapa emthethweni weSonto ozayo maduze.
The first of the eight steps was the giving of the city of Rome to the papal power, and the eighth step was the giving of the city as the throne of the fifth kingdom of Bible prophecy. This identifies 538 as the seat, and as ‘the eighth step, that is of the previous seven steps.’ The first step was the giving of the seat and the eighth step was the giving of the seat; thus, the first step in 330 is the alpha and 538 is the omega. Two seats, three horns removed, the daily taken away, Clovis’ conversion and Justinian’s decree equal eight total steps that identify the marriage procession, and ultimately the marriage.
Esokuqala kulezo zinyathelo eziyisishiyagalombili kwakuwukunikezwa komuzi waseRoma emandleni obupapa, kanti isinyathelo sesishiyagalombili kwakuwukunikezwa kwalowo muzi njengesihlalo sobukhosi sombuso wesihlanu wesiprofetho seBhayibheli. Lokhu kukhomba u-538 njengesihlalo, futhi njengokuthi “isinyathelo sesishiyagalombili, esivela kulezo zinyathelo eziyisikhombisa ezandulelayo.” Isinyathelo sokuqala kwakuwukunikezwa kwesihlalo, futhi isinyathelo sesishiyagalombili kwakuwukunikezwa kwesihlalo; ngalokho, isinyathelo sokuqala ngo-330 siyi-alpha futhi u-538 uyi-omega. Izihlalo ezimbili, izimpondo ezintathu ezasuswa, umhlatshelo wansuku zonke owasuswa, ukuphenduka kukaClovis, kanye nomthetho kaJustinian kwenza izinyathelo eziyisishiyagalombili sezizonke ezikhomba umgubho womshado, futhi ekugcineni umshado uqobo.
In 1798, France, the power who had represented the ten European kings, who placed the papacy on the throne in 538, removed the papacy from that very throne. The alpha treaty marriage represented in the history of 538 unto 1798 typifies the omega treaty marriage of the papal power with the ten kings of Revelation seventeen. The marriage procession from 496 unto 538 typifies eight steps that align with the last eight presidents of the United States. Clovis and France are symbols of the ten European kings. They represent the United States who will become the premier king of Revelation seventeen’s ten kings at the soon-coming Sunday law.
Ngo-1798, iFrance, amandla ayemele amakhosi ayishumi aseYurophu, lawo abeka upapa esihlalweni sobukhosi ngo-538, amsusa lowo upapa kuleso sihlalo sobukhosi uqobo. Umshado wesivumelwano we-alpha, omelelwe emlandweni ka-538 kuya ku-1798, uyisifaniso somshado wesivumelwano we-omega wamandla opapa namakhosi ayishumi esAmbulo 17. Uhlelo lomshado olusukela ku-496 kuya ku-538 luyisifaniso sezinyathelo eziyisishiyagalombili ezihambisana nabongameli abayisishiyagalombili bokugcina base-United States. UClovis neFrance bayizimpawu zamakhosi ayishumi aseYurophu. Bamele i-United States ezoba inkosi ehamba phambili yamakhosi ayishumi esAmbulo 17 emthethweni weSonto osuzayo maduze.
The five previous treaty marriages of Daniel eleven align with the sixth and final treaty marriage of the latter days. The alpha and omega treaty marriages of north and south identify the bride from the south as the alpha and the omega is a bride from the north. In the treaty marriages of pagan Rome, the alpha bride from the east was given to the west, and the omega of 313 was a bride from the west. Those four marriages are prophetically linked together by Cleopatra the first and Cleopatra the last. The symbolic treaty marriage of papal Rome represented the groom as the premier king of a prophetic confederacy of ten kings joining with their bride—the scarlet woman of Rome. The divorce was carried out by the premier king of the ten kings in 1798.
Imishado emihlanu yangaphambilini yezivumelwano yomshado kaDaniyeli isahluko 11 ihambisana nomshado wesithupha nowokugcina wesivumelwano wezinsuku zokugcina. Imishado yesivumelwano ye-alpha ne-omega yasenyakatho neyaseningizimu iveza umakoti ovela eningizimu njenge-alpha, kanti i-omega ingumakoti ovela enyakatho. Emishadweni yesivumelwano yeRoma lobuhedeni, umakoti we-alpha ovela empumalanga wanikelwa entshonalanga, kanti i-omega ka-313 yayingumakoti ovela entshonalanga. Leyo mishado emine ixhumene ndawonye ngokwesiprofetho ngoCleopatra wokuqala nangoCleopatra wokugcina. Umshado oyisifanekiselo wesivumelwano weRoma yobupapa wawumela umkhwenyana njengenkosi enkulu yokuqala yomfelandawonye wesiprofetho wamakhosi ayishumi ehlangana nomakoti wawo—owesifazane obomvu klebhu waseRoma. Isehlukaniso senziwa yileyo nkosi enkulu yokuqala yamakhosi ayishumi ngo-1798.
The treaty marriage of 313 represents the final treaty marriage of the papal power with the United States—the premier king of Revelation seventeen’s ten kings; a two horned power that is typified by the two horned power of France. The history that began with Clovis in 496 and ultimately led to the decree of Justinian in 533 and the enthronement of the papacy in 538, represents the history of 1989 unto the Sunday law.
Umshado womshado wesivumelwano ka-313 umelela umshado wokugcina wesivumelwano wamandla obupapa ne-United States—inkosi ephambili phakathi kwamakhosi ayishumi eSambulo isahluko seshumi nesikhombisa; amandla anezimpondo ezimbili afanekiselwa ngamandla anezimpondo ezimbili aseFrance. Umlando owaqala ngoClovis ngo-496 nowagcina uholele emthethweni kaJustinian ngo-533 nasekubekweni kobupapa esihlalweni sobukhosi ngo-538, umelela umlando ka-1989 kuze kube ngumthetho weSonto.
We will continue these things in the next article.
Sizoqhubeka nalezi zinto esihlokweni esilandelayo.