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.
Ngenkathi umfanekiso wezintombi eziyishumi ugcwaliseka emlandweni wamaMillerite, kwenzeka phakathi komlayezo wengelosi yesibili. Umlayezo wengelosi yesibili umelela imilayezo emibili ehlukene, kokubili ngesikhathi esihlanganiswa yiyo nangokuphathelene nezithameli ebeziqondiwe yilo mlayezo. Umlayezo wengelosi yesibili waqondiswa emabandleni amaProthestani ayesanda kubuyela eRoma futhi aba ngamadodakazi aseBabiloni. Ukukhala Kwaphakathi Kwamabili kwaqondiswa kumaMillerite ayebuthongo. Umlayezo wokuqala waqondiswa ngaphandle kwamaMillerite, owesibili waqondiswa ngaphakathi. Lokhu kuyogcwaliseka ngokwezwi nezwi ezinsukwini zethu.
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.
Umehluko okufanele uqashelwe ekuphindaphindweni kosuku lwethu yilokhu: ekuqaleni kobu-Adventism, umlayezo wengelosi yesibili waqala ukuphuma uye kulabo abangaphandle kwamaMillerite, bese kuthi ingxenye yesibili yomlayezo yangena phakathi kwamaMillerite. Ekupheleni kobu-Adventism, lapho umfanekiso uphindaphindwa futhi, kanjalo nomlayezo wengelosi yesibili uyaphindwa. Sikhunjuzwa lokho ngokuqondile izikhathi ezingaphezu kwesandla esigcwele. Kodwa ubunjalo bomlayezo obuyizingxenye ezimbili buphendulwa ekugcineni. Umlayezo wokuqala uya kubu-Adventism, owesibili uye kulabo abangaphandle kobu-Adventism. Siyatshelwa ukuthi umsebenzi nomlayezo omelwe yingelosi yesAmbulo 18 kuwukuphindaphindwa komlayezo wengelosi yesibili.
“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).
“Umprofethi uthi, ‘Ngabona enye ingelosi yehla ivela ezulwini, inamandla amakhulu; nomhlaba wakhanyiswa yinkazimulo yayo. Yamemeza ngezwi elinamandla, yathi, Liwile, liwile iBabiloni elikhulu, laba yindawo yokuhlala yamadimoni’ (IsAmbulo 18:1, 2). Lona ngumlayezo ofanayo nowanikezwa yingelosi yesibili. IBabiloni liwile, ‘ngokuba linathise zonke izizwe iwayini lolaka lobufebe balo’ (IsAmbulo 14:8). Iyini lelo wayini?—Yizimfundiso zalo zamanga. Linike izwe isabatha lamanga esikhundleni seSabatha somyalo wesine, laphinda amanga uSathane aqala ukuwatshela u-Eva e-Edene—ukungafi kwemvelo komphefumulo. Amaphutha amaningi ahlobene nalokho liwasaqe kude nakubanzi, ‘lifundisa njengezimfundiso imiyalo yabantu’ (Mathewu 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.
“Lapho uJesu eqala inkonzo Yakhe yomphakathi, wahlanza iThempeli ekungcolisweni kwalo okuyinhlamba engcwele. Phakathi kwezenzo zokugcina zenkonzo Yakhe kwakukhona ukuhlanzwa kwesibili kweThempeli. Kanjalo nasemsebenzini wokugcina wokuxwayisa umhlaba, kwenziwa izimemo ezimbili ezihlukile emabandleni. Umlayezo wengelosi yesibili uthi, ‘Liwile, liwile iBabiloni, umuzi omkhulu, ngokuba lanisela zonke izizwe ngewayini lolaka lobufebe balo’ (IsAmbulo 14:8). Futhi ekukhaleni okukhulu komlayezo wengelosi yesithathu kuzwakala izwi livela ezulwini lithi, ‘Phumani kulo, bantu bami, ukuze ningahlanganyeli ezonweni zalo, nokuba ningamukeli izinhlupho zalo. Ngokuba izono zalo sezifinyelele ezulwini, futhi uNkulunkulu uzikhumbulile iziphambeko zalo’ (IsAmbulo 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.”
Umlayezo wengelosi yesibili ekuqaleni kwe-Adventism uyefana ncamashi nomlayezo omelwe yingelosi yesAmbulo ishumi nesishiyagalombili, futhi kuleso sixwayiso kukhona amazwi amabili amemezela umlayezo. Izwi lokuqala limenyezelwa lapho umhlaba ukhanyiswa yinkazimulo yayo, futhi evesini lesine uJohane wezwa elinye izwi lithi, “phumani kulo.”
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.
Emlandweni wamaMillerite, ubizo lokuphuma eBhabhiloni lwafika kuqala, kwase kuthi umlayezo oya kumaMillerite ufike ngokwesibili. KuSambulo isahluko 18, yilizwi lesibili, noma umlayezo wesibili, okhuluma nalabo abangaphandle kwe-Adventism. Kanye nesimemezelo sokuthi “kunobizo obubili obuhlukene obenziwa emasontweni,” sithola nokuthi izikhathi ezimbili uKristu ahlanza ngazo ithempeli (ekuqaleni nasekugcineni kwenkonzo yaKhe) nazo ziyisifanekiso sokuqala nesokuphela kwe-Adventism.
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 kwe-Adventism kwabonisa ukuhlanzwa kwabasebenzi okwasiza ekwakheni isisekelo uWilliam Miller asetshenziswa ukusimisa. Isisekelo saqedwa ekupheleni komlayezo wengelosi yesibili, ngoba ngokufika kwengelosi yesithathu ngo-Okthoba 22, 1844, amaqiniso akha izisekelo ze-Adventism enziwa atholakala ukuba aqondwe yilabo abazimisele ukuzwa.
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 isisekelo waphetha esicongweni somlando wengelosi yesibili, lapho “kwenziwa izimemezelo ezimbili ezihlukene emabandleni.” Isimemezelo sokuqala sasiqondiswe kulabo ababengaphandle kwamaMillerite; esesibili sasiqondiswe kumaMillerite. Kodwa kukhona futhi esinye isiqalo esihambisana nesiqalo soBu-Adventismu, okuyinkonzo kaKristu ngesikhathi ehlanza ithempeli laKhe okokuqala. Umfanekiso wesiprofetho wokuhlanzwa kwethempeli uphawula ukuhlanzwa ekuqaleni nasekupheleni kwenkonzo yaKhe, okuwukuthi-ke kufanekisela ukuhlanzwa koBu-Adventismu ekuqaleni kwabo nasekupheleni kwabo. Ukuhlanzwa kwethempeli kukaKristu kabili kuhambisana nesiqalo nesiphetho soBu-Adventismu, kodwa umlayezo waKhe wawubhekiswe kuphela kubantu baKhe besivumelwano ababesesimweni sokuzahlukanisa noNkulunkulu unomphela.
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 kobu-Adventist kwethula umlayezo owawumemezela ukuvulwa kokwahlulela, kanti ukuphela kobu-Adventist kumemezela ukuphela kokwahlulela. UJesu wahlanza ithempeli okokuqala futhi wakhuza amaJuda ngokuphendula indlu yaKhe yaba umhume wabaphangi, kodwa ukuhlanzwa kwesibili kwethempeli kwakuphakathi “kwezenzo zokugcina zenkonzo yaKhe.” Ekupheleni kwenkonzo yaKhe, akabe esawatsheli amaJuda ukuthi ayenzile indlu kaYise yaba umhume wabaphangi; kunalokho wabatshela ukuthi indlu yawo “yayishiyelwe wona incithakalo.”
“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.
“Phakathi naleso sikhathi abakhulekeli ababevela kuzo zonke izizwe babefuna ithempeli elalinikezelwe ekukhonzeni uNkulunkulu. Lalicwebezela ngegolide nangamatshe ayigugu, liyisibonakaliso sobuhle nobukhosi obukhulu. Kodwa uJehova wayengasatholakali kuleyo ndlu yobuhle. U-Israyeli njengesizwe wayesehlukanise umshado wakhe noNkulunkulu. Ngenkathi uKristu, esesondela ekupheleni kwenkonzo Yakhe yasemhlabeni, ebuka okokugcina ingaphakathi lethempeli, wathi, ‘Bhekani, indlu yenu ishiyelwe nina iyincithakalo.’ Mathewu 23:38. Kuze kube yileso sikhathi wayelibize ithempeli ngokuthi yindlu kaYise; kodwa lapho iNdodana kaNkulunkulu iphuma kulezo zindonga, ubukhona bukaNkulunkulu basuswa kuze kube phakade ethempelini elakhiwa ngenjongo yenkazimulo Yakhe.” Izenzo ZabaPhostoli, 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.
Ithempeli Ayihlanza ekuqaleni yayiyithempeli elihlukile kunalelo Ayihlanza ekugcineni. Ithempeli lokuqala laliyindlu kaYise, kodwa ithempeli lesibili laliyindlu yamaJuda. INkosi yangena esivumelwaneni ne-Adventism ekuqaleni, kwathi ama-Adventist aba ngabapristi ethempelini laYo. Ekupheleni kwe-Adventism, abasayikuba ngabapristi, nendlu yabo iyakwenziwa incithakalo.
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 lesibili limelela imiyalezo emibili. Lesi ngesinye isizathu sokuba umlayezo umelwe ngokuthi iBhabhiloni liwa kabili. Lesi akusona isizathu esiyinhloko sokumenyezelwa okuphindwe kabili kokuwa kweBhabhiloni, kodwa singesinye sezizathu. Kanjani kungaba yimiyalezo emibili?
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 lesibili lafika lisabela ekwenqatshweni komlayezo wengelosi yokuqala. Ngenkathi ukubikezela okwehlulekayo, okwachaza u-1843 njengesiphetho sesiprofetho seminyaka engu-2300, amasonto amaProthestani asebenzisa lowo mlayezo oyiphutha ukuze enqabe umlayezo kaMiller. Umlayezo kaMiller wawungumlayezo wengelosi yokuqala. Ekuchithweni kwawo, amasonto amaProthestani, ayekade eyiBandla likaNkulunkulu ehlane iminyaka engaphezu kuka-1260, anqatshwa futhi aba yindodakazi yaseBhabhiloni. Ngaleso sikhathi ingelosi yesibili yafika nomlayezo wayo.
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.
Kunamaphuzu athile abaluleke kakhulu ahilelekile ezingxenyeni ezehlukene zalo mlando esiwucabangelayo. Kukhona okungenani iphuzu elilodwa okumelwe lithuthukiswe kancane, ngoba ngempela linegalelo ekuqondeni umlayezo weSambulo sikaJesu Kristu okwamanje osavulwa uphawu. Ngenxa yalesi sizathu, ngifaka indima ebaluleke kakhulu emayelana nalowo mlando. Kuyizahluko ezimbili engikhomba kuzo, kodwa kukhona futhi isahluko sesithathu esibalulekile phakathi kwalezo zahluko ezimbili. Angisifaki lesi ngalesi sikhathi ukuze ngilinganisele ububanzi bokucabangela 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 ukuthi iyiphi ingelosi ekhulunyiswa kuyo njengoba ufunda, funa inqubo yokuvivinywa eqhubekayo, qaphela esigabeni sokuqala ukuthi izimpawu zesiprofetho zengelosi yeSambulo isahluko seshumi nesishiyagalombili nazo ziyizimpawu zengelosi yokuqala. Qaphela ukuthi ukubethela esiphambanweni owodwa wemiyalezo kungukubethela uKristu esiphambanweni, futhi qaphela ukuthi izingelosi ezintathu zonke zethulwa njengezingelosi ezizimele zodwa, kodwa umlayezo Wokukhala Kwaphakathi Kwamabili uyisixuku sezingelosi.
“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.
“Ngaboniswa intshisekelo izulu lonke elalinalo emsebenzini owawuqhubeka emhlabeni. UJesu wathuma ingelosi enamandla neyiqhawe ukuba yehle, ixwayise abakhileyo emhlabeni ukuba bazilungiselele ukuvela kwakhe kwesibili. Ngabona leyo ngelosi enamandla isuka ebukhoneni bukaJesu ezulwini. Phambi kwayo kwahamba ukukhanya okugqame ngokwedlulele nokunenhlonipho enkulu. Ngatshelwa ukuthi umsebenzi wayo kwakuwukukhanyisa umhlaba ngenkazimulo yayo, nokuxwayisa abantu ngolaka lukaNkulunkulu oluzayo. Izixuku zamukela ukukhanya. Abanye babebonakala benokuzithoba okukhulu, kanti abanye babejabule futhi bethatheke kakhulu. Ukukhanya kwakhanyiselwa bonke, kodwa abanye bamane bangena ngaphansi kwethonya lokukhanya, abakwemukelanga ngenhliziyo yonke. Kodwa bonke abakwamukelayo baphendulela ubuso babo phezulu ezulwini, badumisa uNkulunkulu. Abaningi bagcwala ulaka olukhulu. Abefundisi nabantu bahlangana nababi, bamelana ngokuqinile nokukhanya okwachithwa yileyo ngelosi enamandla. Kodwa bonke abakwamukelayo bazihlukanisa nezwe, bahlanganiswa ndawonye eduze kakhulu.”
“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.
“USathane nezingelosi zakhe babematasa kakhulu befuna ukuheha izingqondo zabo bonke ababengabathola ukuba zisuke ekukhanyeni. Iqembu elalikwala lona lashiywa ebumnyameni. Ngabona ingelosi ibukele ngesithakazelo esijulile kakhulu abantu bakaNkulunkulu abazibiza ngokuthi bangabakhe, ukuze iqophe isimilo abasikhulisayo, ngesikhathi umlayezo onemvelaphi yasezulwini wethulwa kubo. Futhi njengoba abaningi kakhulu ababethi bayamthanda uJesu baphenduka bawushiya umlayezo wasezulwini ngokwedelela, ngokuklolodela nangenzondo, ingelosi eyayiphethe isikhumba sokubhalela esandleni sayo yabhala lowo mlando oyihlazo. Izulu lonke lagcwala ulaka, ngenxa yokuthi uJesu wayedelelwa ngabalandeli bakhe abazibiza ngokuthi 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.
“Ngabona ukudumala kwababethembile. Abayibonanga iNkosi yabo ngesikhathi ababekulindele. Kwakuyinjongo kaNkulunkulu ukufihla ikusasa, nokuletha abantu bakhe endaweni yokuthatha isinqumo. Ngaphandle kwaleso sikhathi umsebenzi owawuhlelwe nguNkulunkulu wawungeke ufezwe. USathane wayehola izingqondo zabantu abaningi kakhulu ziye phambili kakhulu esikhathini esizayo. Isikhathi esimemezelwe sokubonakala kukaKristu sasifanele silethe ingqondo ekufuneni ngokuqotho ukulungela kwamanje. Lapho isikhathi sesidlulile, labo ababengakamamukeli ngokuphelele ukukhanya kwengelosi, bahlangana nalabo ababesidelele umlayezo wasezulwini, base bephendukela kwabedumele ngokubahleka usulu. Ngabona izingelosi ezulwini zibonisana noJesu. Zazisiphawule isimo sabalandeli bakaKristu ababezibiza ngokuthi bangabakhe. Ukudlula kwesikhathi esiqondile kwakubavivinyile futhi kwabaveza, futhi abaningi kakhulu balinganiswa esikalini, batholakala bentula. Bonke babememeza kakhulu bevuma ukuthi bangamaKristu, nokho behluleka ukulandela uKristu cishe kukho konke. USathane wajabula ngesimo salabo ababezibiza ngokuthi bangabalandeli bakaKristu. Wayebanjiwe ogibeni lwakhe. Wayehole iningi ukuba lishiye indlela eqondileyo, futhi babezama ukukhuphukela ezulwini ngenye indlela. Izingelosi zabona abahlanzekileyo, abamsulwa, nabangcwele, bonke bexubene nezoni eZiyoni, kanye nomzenzisi othanda izwe. Zaziqaphe abathandi bakaJesu beqiniso; kodwa abonakele babethinta 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.
“Labo izinhliziyo zabo zazivutha ngokulangazelela, ngesifiso esinamandla sokubona uJesu, benqatshelwa ngabazalwane babo abazishoyo ukuba bakhulume ngokuza kwakhe. Izingelosi zabuka sonke lesi sigameko, zazwelana nensali, eyayikuthanda ukubonakala kukaJesu. Enye ingelosi enamandla yathunywa ukuba yehlele emhlabeni. UJesu wabeka esandleni sayo umbhalo, kwathi lapho ifika emhlabeni, yamemeza yathi, Liwile iBhabhiloni! liwile! Khona-ke ngabona labo ababedumele bephinda babukeka bejabule, baphakamisela amehlo abo ezulwini, bebheke ngokukholwa nangethemba ukubonakala kweNkosi yabo. Kodwa abaningi babebonakala behlezi esimweni sobulima, kungathi balele; nokho ngangikwazi ukubona umkhondo wosizi olujulile ebusweni babo. Labo ababedumele babona eBhayibhelini ukuthi babesesikhathini sokulibala, nokuthi kwakufanele balinde ngokubekezela ukugcwaliseka kombono. Ubufakazi obufanayo obabaholela ukuba balindele iNkosi yabo ngo-1843, yibona obabaholela ukuba bayilindele ngo-1844. Ngabona ukuthi iningi lalingenawo lawo mandla ayewuphawu lokukholwa kwalo ngo-1843. Ukudumala kwabo kwase kwehlise ukukholwa kwabo. Kodwa kwathi lapho labo ababedumele behlangana ekumemezeni kwesithunywa sesibili, ibandla lasezulwini labuka ngentshisekelo ejule kakhulu, laqaphela umphumela walowo myalezo. Lababona labo ababephethe igama lokuthi bangamaKristu bephendukela labo ababedumele ngokubadelela nangokubaklolodela. Kwathi lapho la mazwi ephuma ezindebeni zomklolodeli, Anikakhuphuki phezulu nokho! ingelosi yawabhala. Ingelosi yathi, Bahlekisa ngoNkulunkulu.”
“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.
“Ngabuyiselwa emuva ekwenyukeni kuka-Eliya. Ingubo yakhe yawela ku-Elisha, kwase kuthi abantwana ababi (noma intsha) bamlandela, bemhleka usulu, bememeza bethi, Khuphuka wena mpandla! Khuphuka wena mpandla! Bamhleka usulu uNkulunkulu, futhi bahlangabezana nesijeziso sabo khona lapho. Babekufunde kubazali babo. Futhi labo abaye bagcona futhi bahleka usulu umbono wokwenyuka kwabangcwele, bayakuhlaselwa yizinhlupho zikaNkulunkulu, futhi bayakuqonda ukuthi akusiyo into encane 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.
“UJesu wathuma ezinye izingelosi ukuba zindize ngokushesha zivuselele futhi ziqinise ukholo olwalusudangalele lwabantu bakhe, futhi zibalungiselele ukuba baqonde umlayezo wengelosi yesibili, kanye nesinyathelo esibalulekileyo esasizokwenziwa maduze ezulwini. Ngabona lezi zingelosi zamukela amandla amakhulu nokukhanya okuvela kuJesu, zase zindizela emhlabeni ngokushesha ukuyofeza ukuthunywa kwazo, ukuze zisize ingelosi yesibili emsebenzini wayo. Ukukhanya okukhulu kwakhanya phezu kwabantu bakaNkulunkulu lapho izingelosi zimemeza zithi, Bhekani, uMyeni uyeza; phumani nimhlangabeze. Ngase ngibona labo ababedumele besukuma, futhi ngokuvumelana nengelosi yesibili, bememezela bethi, Bhekani, uMyeni uyeza; phumani nimhlangabeze. Ukukhanya okuvela ezingelosini kwangena ebumnyameni yonke indawo. USathane nezingelosi zakhe bafuna ukuvimba lokhu kukhanya ekusabalaleni, nasekufezeni umphumela okwakwenzelwe wona. Baphikisana nezingelosi zikaNkulunkulu, bazitshela ukuthi uNkulunkulu wayebakhohlisile abantu, nokuthi nangakho konke ukukhanya namandla azo, zazingeke zibenze abantu bakholwe ukuthi uJesu uyeza. Izingelosi zikaNkulunkulu zaqhubeka nomsebenzi wazo, nakuba uSathane ayelwela ukuvala indlela, nokudonsela izingqondo zabantu zisuke ekukhanyeni. Labo abakwamukela babebonakala bejabule kakhulu. Amehlo abo bawabhekisa phezulu ezulwini, balangazelela ukubonakala kukaJesu. Abanye babesesizini esikhulu, bekhala futhi bethandaza. Amehlo abo ayebonakala egxile kubo uqobo, futhi babengesabi ukubheka 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 okuyigugu okuvela ezulwini kwahlukanisa ubumnyama kubo, namehlo abo, ayebheke phezu kwabo ngokudangala, aphakanyiselwa phezulu, kwathi ukubonga nenjabulo engcwele kwabonakala ebusweni babo bonke. UJesu kanye nalo lonke ibandla lezingelosi bababuka ngokuvuma labo abathembekileyo, abalindileyo.
“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. . . .
“Labo abenqaba futhi baphikisa ukukhanya komlayezo wengilosi yokuqala, balahlekelwa ukukhanya kowesibili, futhi abakwazanga ukuhlomula emandleni nasenkazimulweni eyayihambisana nomlayezo othi, Bhekani, uMyeni uyeza. UJesu wabafulathela ngobuso obushwabene. Babemdelele futhi bamenqaba. Labo abawamukelayo umyalezo bagubuzelwa ifu lenkazimulo. Balinda, baqapha, futhi bathandaza ukuze bazi intando kaNkulunkulu. Besaba kakhulu ukumona. Ngabona uSathane nezingelosi zakhe befuna ukuvimba lokhu kukhanya kwasezulwini kubantu bakaNkulunkulu; kodwa inqobo nje uma labo abalindayo begcina lokhu kukhanya kuyigugu, futhi begcina amehlo abo ephakanyisiwe esuka emhlabeni eya kuJesu, uSathane wayengenamandla okubaphuca lokhu kukhanya okuyigugu. Umlayezo owanikezwa uvela ezulwini wamthukuthelisa uSathane nezingelosi zakhe, futhi labo ababethi bayamthanda uJesu, kodwa bedelela ukuza kwakhe, bahleka usulu futhi baklolodela labo ababethembekile nababethembe. Kodwa ingelosi yaphawula konke ukuthukwa, konke ukudelelwa, konke ukuhlukunyezwa abakwamukela kubafowabo ababethi bangababo. Abaningi kakhulu baphakamisa amazwi abo bememeza bethi, Bhekani, uMyeni uyeza, base beshiya abafowabo ababengakuthandi ukubonakala kukaJesu, futhi ababengeke babavumele ukuba bagxile ekufikeni kwakhe kwesibili. Ngabona uJesu ephendula ubuso bakhe ebususa kulabo ababenqaba futhi bedelela ukuza kwakhe, wabe eseyala izingelosi ukuba zikhiphe abantu bakhe phakathi kwabangcolileyo, funa bangcoliswe. Labo ababelalela imiyalezo bema ngokukhululeka nangobunye. Ukukhanya okungcwele nokuhle kakhulu kwabakhanyisela. Balilahla izwe, badabula ukunamathela kwabo kulo, futhi banikela izithakazelo zabo zasemhlabeni. Badela ingcebo yabo yasemhlabeni, futhi ukubheka kwabo okulangazelelayo kwaqondiswa ezulwini, belindele ukubona uMkhululi wabo abamthandayo. Injabulo engcwele, engcwele ngempela, yakhanya ebusweni babo, futhi yabonisa ukuthula nenjabulo eyayibusa ngaphakathi. UJesu wayala izingelosi zakhe ukuba zihambe ziyobaqinisa, ngokuba ihora lokulingwa kwabo laliseduze. Ngabona ukuthi laba abalindayo babengakakavivinywa njengoba kwakufanele bavivinywe. Babengakakhululeki emaphutheni. Futhi ngabona umusa nobuhle bukaNkulunkulu ngokuthumela isixwayiso kubantu bomhlaba, kanye nemiyalezo ephindaphindiwe yokubayisa esikhathini esithile, ukuze ibaholele ekuzihloleni ngokukhuthala, ukuze bazikhulule emaphutheni adluliselwe phansi evela kwabahedeni nakubapapa. Ngale miyalezo uNkulunkulu ubekhipha abantu bakhe ebayisa lapho engabasebenzela khona ngamandla amakhulu ngokwengeziwe, nalapho bengagcina khona yonke imiyalo 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.
“Njengokuba inkonzo kaJesu yaphela eNdaweni eNgcwele, wadlulela eNgcwelengcwele, wema phambi komphongolo owawuphethe umthetho kaNkulunkulu, wathumela omunye futhi ingelosi enamandla emhlabeni inomlayezo wesithathu. Wafaka umqulu esandleni sengwekazi, futhi njengoba yehlela emhlabeni ngobukhosi nangamandla, yamemezela isixwayiso esesabekayo, usongo olubi kunawo wonke olwake lwethulwa kumuntu. Lo mlayezo wawuhloselwe ukubeka abantwana bakaNkulunkulu ekuqapheni, nokubabonisa ihora lokulingwa nelosizi elaliphambi kwabo. Ingelosi yathi, Bayolethwa empini esondelene kakhulu nesilo nomfanekiso waso. Ithemba labo lodwa lokuphila okuphakade ngukuhlala beqinile bengantengantengi. Nakuba ukuphila kwabo kusengozini, nokho kumelwe babambelele ngokuqinile eqinisweni. Ingelosi yesithathu iphetha umlayezo wayo ngala mazwi, Nansi ukubekezela kwabangcwele; naba abagcina imiyalo kaNkulunkulu nokukholwa kukaJesu. Lapho iwaphinda la mazwi yakhomba eThempelini lasezulwini. Izingqondo zabo bonke abamukela lo mlayezo ziqondiswa eNgcwelengcwele lapho uJesu emi khona phambi komphongolo, enza ukuncenga kwakhe kokugcina ngenxa yabo bonke labo umusa osalibaziselwe kubo, kanye nalabo abephule umthetho kaNkulunkulu bengazi. Lokhu kubuyisana kwenziwa ngenxa yabafileyo abalungileyo kanye nabaphilayo abalungileyo. UJesu wenza ukubuyisana ngenxa yalabo abafa bengakwemukelanga ukukhanya ngemiyalo kaNkulunkulu, abona 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 uJesu evule umnyango weNgcwelengcwele, ukukhanya kweSabatha kwabonakala, futhi abantu bakaNkulunkulu kwakufanele bavivinywe futhi bafakazelwe, njengoba uNkulunkulu wavivinya abantwana bakwa-Israyeli endulo, ukuze abone ukuthi bayowugcina yini umthetho wakhe. Ngabona ingelosi yesithathu ikhomba phezulu, ikhombisa abadumazekileyo indlela eya eNgcwelengcwelengcwele yeNdawo eNgcwele yasezulwini. Bamlandela uJesu ngokukholwa bangena eNgcwelengcwele. Baphinde bamthola uJesu, futhi injabulo nethemba kwavuka kabusha. Ngababona bebheka emuva, bebuyekeza okwedlule, kusukela ekumenyezelweni kokubuya kwesibili kukaJesu, kuze kwehle ngohambo lwabo kuze kufike ukudlula kwesikhathi ngo-1844. Babona ukuchazwa kokudumazeka kwabo, futhi injabulo nokuqiniseka kwabavuselela futhi. Ingelosi yesithathu ikhanyisele okwedlule, okwamanje, nesikhathi esizayo, futhi bayazi ukuthi ngempela uNkulunkulu ubaholile ngokuhlinzeka kwakhe okuyimfihlakalo.”
“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.
“Kwabonakaliswa kimi ukuthi insali yamlandela uJesu yangena eNdaweni eNgcwelengcwele, yabona umphongolo, nesihlalo somusa, futhi yathunjwa inkazimulo yakho. UJesu waphakamisa isembozo somphongolo, bhekani! amatafula etshe, anemithetho eyishumi ilotshiwe kuwo. Bayilandela phansi imilomo ephilayo; kodwa bayahlehla bethuthumela lapho bebona umthetho wesine uphila phakathi kwemiyalo eyishumi engcwele, kuyilapho ukukhanya okugqame kakhudlwana kukhanya phezu kwawo kunakweyinye eyisishiyagalolunye, futhi inkazimulo enjengesiyingi ibungeze wona wonke. Abatholi lutho lapho olubatshela ukuthi iSabatha liqediwe, noma liguqulelwe osukwini lokuqala lweviki. Lifundeka njengoba lalikhulunywa ngomlomo kaNkulunkulu ngobukhosi obunesizotha nobesabekayo entabeni, lapho imibani ibaneka nezulu liduma, nalapho lalotshwa ngomunwe wakhe ongcwele phezu kwamatafula etshe. Izinsuku eziyisithupha uyakusebenza wenze wonke umsebenzi wakho; kepha usuku lwesikhombisa luyiSabatha likaJehova uNkulunkulu wakho. Bayamangala lapho bebona ukunakekelwa okwenziwe ngemithetho eyishumi. Bayibona ibekwe eduze noJehova, imbozwe yaze yavikelwa ngobungcwele bakhe. Bayabona ukuthi bebeyinyathela umthetho wesine weDekhalogi, futhi begcine usuku oludluliselwe phansi ngabahedeni nangabapapa, esikhundleni sosuku olwangcweliswa nguJehova. Bazithoba phambi kukaNkulunkulu, bakhale ngenxa yeziphambeko zabo zesikhathi esidlule.
“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.
“Ngabona impepho esitsheni sempepho ibhema ngesikhathi uJesu enikela ukuvuma kwabo nezicelo zabo kuYise. Futhi njengoba inyukela phezulu, ukukhanya okukhazimulayo kwahlala phezu kukaJesu, naphezu kwesihlalo somusa; futhi labo ababekhuleka ngobuqotho, ababekhathazekile ngenxa yokuthi babezimisele ukuthi bayizephulamthetho zomthetho kaNkulunkulu, babusiswa, nobuso babo bakhanyiswa ngethemba nenjabulo. Bahlanganyela emsebenzini wengelosi yesithathu, baphakamisa amazwi abo bamemezela isixwayiso esinzima. Kodwa ekuqaleni bambalwa abamukela umlayezo; nokho baqhubeka ngamandla bememezela isixwayiso. Khona-ke ngabona abaningi bemukela umlayezo wengelosi yesithathu, bahlanganisa amazwi abo nalabo ababememezele isixwayiso kuqala, bamphakamisa uNkulunkulu bammisa phezulu ngokugcina usuku lwakhe lokuphumula olungcwelisiweyo.”
“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.
“Abaningi abamukela umlayezo wesithathu babengenalo ulwazi lwangempela emilayezweni emibili eyandulela. USathane wakuzwa lokhu, futhi iso lakhe elibi lalibheke kubo ukuze abachithe; kodwa ingelosi yesithathu yayibakhomba eNdaweni eNgcwele kakhulu, futhi labo ababebenolwazi emilayezweni eyedlule babebakhombisa indlela eya eThempelini lasezulwini. Abaningi babona uchungechunge oluphelele lweqiniso emilayezweni yezingelosi, balwamukela ngenjabulo. Bayamukela ngokulandelana kwalo, balandela uJesu ngokukholwa bangena eThempelini lasezulwini. Le miyalezo yaboniswa kimi njengehange lokubamba ibandla liqine. Futhi njengoba abantu ngabanye beyemukela futhi beyiqonda, bayavikelwa ekudukisweni okuningi kukaSathane.”
“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 kokudumala okukhulu ngo-1844, uSathane nezingelosi zakhe babematasa kakhulu bebeka izingibe zokuphazamisa ukholo lwebandla. Wayethonya izingqondo zabanye abantu ababekade benokuhlangenwe nakho siqu kulezi zinto. Babebonakala benokuzithoba. Bashintsha umyalezo wokuqala nowesibili, base bekhomba esikhathini esizayo ukuze kugcwaliseke khona, kuyilapho abanye babekhomba emuva kakhulu esikhathini esedlule, bememezela ukuthi lapho khona kwase kugcwalisekile. Laba bantu babedonsela izingqondo zabangenalwazi, bezikhipha endleleni, futhi bephazamisa ukholo lwabo. Abanye babecwaninga iBhayibheli bezama ukwakha ukholo olungolwabo, oluzimele ngaphandle kwebandla. USathane wajabula kakhulu ngakho konke lokhu; ngoba wayazi ukuthi labo ababededela ihange labo, wayengabathonya ngamaphutha ahlukahlukene, abaqhuzule yonke indawo ngemimoya yemfundiso. Abaningi ababebephambili emiyalezweni yokuqala neyesibili, bayiphika, kwase kuba nokwahlukana nokuhlakazeka kulo lonke ibandla. Ngase ngibona uWm. Miller. Wayebonakala edidekile, futhi ekhothame ngenxa yosizi nokucindezeleka ngenxa yabantu bakhe. Wabona iqembu elalibumbene futhi linothando ngo-1844, selilahlekelwa uthando lwalo komunye nomunye, futhi seliphikisana lodwa. Wababona bebuyela emuva besiya esimweni sokubanda nokuhlehla emuva. Usizi lwamqeda amandla. Ngabona amadoda aholayo eqaphe uWm. Miller, esaba ukuthi angase amukele umyalezo wengelosi yesithathu nemiyalo kaNkulunkulu. Futhi njengoba ayethambekela ekukhanyeni okuvela ezulwini, la madoda ayebeka icebo elithile lokudonsela ingqondo yakhe kude. Ngabona ithonya lomuntu lisetshenziswa ukumgcina ingqondo yakhe isebumnyameni, nokugcina ithonya lakhe liphakathi kwabo. Ekugcineni uWm. Miller waphakamisa izwi lakhe ngokumelene nokukhanya okuvela ezulwini. Wehluleka ngokungawamukeli umyalezo owawuyochaza ngokuphelele ukudumala kwakhe, futhi ubeke ukukhanya nenkazimulo phezu kwesikhathi esedlule, obekuyovuselela amandla akhe ayesekhathele, ukhanyise ithemba lakhe, futhi umholele ekudumiseni uNkulunkulu. Kodwa wencika ekuhlakanipheni komuntu esikhundleni sokuhlakanipha kukaNkulunkulu, futhi ngenxa yokuba ephukile ngenxa yomsebenzi onzima odinisayo emsebenzini weNkosi yakhe, nangobudala, wayengeke abe necala kangako njengalabo ababemgcina kude neqiniso. Yibo abanomthwalo, futhi isono siphezu kwabo. Ukube uWm. Miller wayekwazi ukubona ukukhanya komyalezo wesithathu, izinto eziningi ezazibonakala zimnyama futhi ziyimfihlakalo kuye, bezizochazwa. Abafowabo babebonisa uthando olujule kangaka nentshisekelo ngaye, wacabanga ukuthi wayengenakuzihlukanisa nabo. Inhliziyo yakhe yayithambekela eqinisweni; kodwa-ke wayesebheka abafowabo. Babeluphikisa. Wayengakwazi yini ukuzihlukanisa nalabo ababemi naye eceleni nehlombe nehlombe ekumemezeleni ukuza kukaJesu? Wacabanga ukuthi nakanjani babengeke bamdukise.”
“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.
“UNkulunkulu wamvumela ukuba angene ngaphansi kwamandla kaSathane, nokuba ukufa kube nombuso phezu kwakhe. Wamfihla ethuneni, kude nalabo ababemhudulela njalo besuka kuNkulunkulu. UMose wona ngesikhathi esezongena ezweni lesithembiso. Kanjalo nami ngabona ukuthi uWm. Miller wona ngesikhathi eseseduze nokungena eKhanani lasezulwini, ngokuvumela ukuba ithonya lakhe limelane neqiniso. Abanye bamholela kulokho. Abanye bayakuphendulela lokho. Kodwa izingelosi zilinda uthuli oluyigugu lwalesi sikhonzi sikaNkulunkulu, futhi uyakuphuma ngokuzwakala kwecilongo lokugcina.
“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.
“Ngabona ibandla labantu elalimi livikelwe kahle futhi liqinile, futhi lalingeke linikeze ukweseka kulabo ababezama ukuphazamisa ukholo olumisiwe lomzimba. UNkulunkulu wabheka phezu kwabo ngokuvuma. Ngakhonjiswa izinyathelo ezintathu—owokuqala, owesibili nowesithathu—imiyalezo yezingelosi ezintathu. Ingelosi yathi, Maye kuye oyakususa ibhulokhi, noma anyakazise iphini kule miyalezo. Ukuqondwa kweqiniso kwale miyalezo kubaluleke ngokuphila nokufa. Isiphetho semiphefumulo silenga ngendlela eyamukelwa ngayo. Ngabuye ngehliswa ngaleyo miyalezo, ngabona ukuthi abantu bakaNkulunkulu babethenge ngokubiza kangakanani okuhlangenwe nakho kwabo. Kwakuzuzwe ngokuhlupheka okukhulu nangokulwa okunamandla. Isinyathelo ngesinyathelo uNkulunkulu wayebaholile, waze wabamisa phezu kwepulatifomu eqinile, engenakunyakaziswa. Ngase ngibona abantu ngabanye njengoba besondela epulatifomini, ngaphambi kokuba banyathele phezu kwayo behlola isisekelo. Abanye ngokuthokoza banyathela phezu kwayo masinyane. Abanye baqala ukusola ukubekwa kwesisekelo sale pulatifomu. Bafisa ukuba kwenziwe izinguquko, bese kuthi lapho ipulatifomu ibe ephelele kakhulu, nabantu babe nokuthokoza okukhulu. Abanye behla epulatifomini bayihlola, base beyisola, bememezela ukuthi yabekwa ngokungafanele. Ngabona ukuthi cishe bonke bema baqinile phezu kwepulatifomu, futhi banxusa abanye ababeye behla kuyo ukuba bayeke ukukhononda kwabo, ngokuba uNkulunkulu wayengumakhi omkhulu, futhi babelwa naye. Babalisa umsebenzi omangalisayo kaNkulunkulu, owawubaholele kuleyo pulatifomu eqinile, futhi ngokuvumelana cishe bonke baphakamisela amehlo abo ezulwini, base bemdumisa uNkulunkulu ngezwi elikhulu. Lokhu kwathinta abanye kulabo ababekhononda, futhi ababeshiye ipulatifomu, base beyiphinda futhi benobuso obuthobekile banyathela phezu kwayo.”
“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.
“Ngabuyiselwa emuva esimemezelweni sokuza kokuqala kukaKristu. UJohane wathunywa ngomoya nangamandla ka-Eliya ukuba alungise indlela yokuza kukaJesu. Labo abenqaba ubufakazi bukaJohane abazange bazuze ngezimfundiso zikaJesu. Ukuphikisa kwabo isimemezelo sokuza kwakhe kokuqala kwabeka lapho babengeke bakwamukele kalula ubufakazi obunamandla kakhulu bokuthi unguMesiya. USathane wahola labo abenqaba umlayezo kaJohane ukuba baqhubekele phambili, benqabe uJesu futhi bambethele. Ngokwenza lokhu, bazibeka lapho babengeke bamukele isibusiso ngosuku lwePhentekoste, esasiyobafundisa indlela eya eSanctuary yasezulwini. Ukudabuka kweveyili lethempeli kwabonisa ukuthi imihlatshelo nemithetho yamaJuda kwakungeke kusamukelwe. Umhlatshelo omkhulu wawusunikelwe, futhi wawamukelwe, kanti noMoya oNgcwele owehla ngosuku lwePhentekoste waholela izingqondo zabafundi zisuke eSanctuary yasemhlabeni ziye kweyasezulwini, lapho uJesu ayengene khona ngegazi lakhe uqobo, futhi wathela phezu kwabafundi bakhe izinzuzo zokubuyisana kwakhe. AmaJuda ashiywa ekukhohlisweni okuphelele nasebumnyameni obuphelele. Alahlekelwa yikho konke ukukhanya ayengaba nakho mayelana necebo lensindiso, futhi aqhubeka ethembela emihlatshelweni naseminikelweni yawo engenalusizo. Ayengeke azuze ngokumela kukaKristu eNdaweni eNgcwele. ISanctuary yasezulwini yayisithathe indawo yeyasemhlabeni, nokho ayengenalo ulwazi lwendlela eya 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.
“Abaningi babuka ngokwesabeka indlela amaJuda amphatha ngayo uJesu ngokumlahla nokumbethela esiphambanweni. Futhi lapho befunda umlando wokuphathwa kwakhe ngendlela eyihlazo, bacabanga ukuthi bayamthanda uKristu, nokuthi babengeke bamphike njengoPetru, noma bambethele esiphambanweni njengamaJuda. Kodwa uNkulunkulu, obone uzwelo lwabo oluvunyiwe ngeNdodana yakhe, ubavivinyile, waluletha ovivinyweni lolo thando ababeluvuma ngoJesu.
“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.
“Lonke izulu lalubukela ngokunaka okujulileyo ukwamukelwa kwalesi sigijimi. Kodwa abaningi abathi bayamthanda uJesu, futhi abakhalisa izinyembezi lapho befunda indaba yesiphambano, esikhundleni sokwamukela isigijimi ngenjabulo, bayavuswa intukuthelo, bahlekise ngezindaba ezinhle zokuza kukaJesu, futhi bamemezele ukuthi kuyinkohliso. Abazange bavume ukuhlanganyela nalabo ababethanda ukubonakala kwakhe, kodwa babazonda, babakhipha emabandleni. Labo abasenqaba isigijimi sokuqala babengenakuzuza esesibili, futhi abazange bazuziswe ukukhala kwaphakathi kobusuku, okwakuzobalungiselela ukuba bangene noJesu ngokukholwa eNdaweni eNgcwele kunazo zonke yesiGodlo esiseZulwini. Futhi ngokwenqaba lezi zigijimi ezimbili zangaphambili, abakwazi ukubona ukukhanya esigijimini sengwezi yesithathu, esikhombisa indlela eya eNdaweni eNgcwele kunazo zonke. Ngabona ukuthi amabandla angokwegama kuphela, njengoba amaJuda ambethela uJesu esiphambanweni, ayebethele lezi zigijimi esiphambanweni; ngakho-ke awanalo ulwazi ngesinyathelo esathathwa ezulwini, noma ngendlela eya eNdaweni eNgcwele kunazo zonke, futhi awakwazi ukuzuziswa ukuncengela kukaJesu lapho. NjengamaJuda, ayenikela imihlatshelo yawo eyize, anikela imithandazo yawo eyize kulowo mnyango uJesu asuka kuwo, futhi uSathane, ethokoziswa yileyo nkohliso yabalandeli bakaKristu abathi bangabakhe, ubaqinisa ogibeni lwakhe, azithathe isimilo senkolo, ahole izingqondo zalaba abazibiza ngamaKristu ziye kuye, futhi asebenze ngamandla akhe, nangezibonakaliso zakhe, nezimangaliso ezingamanga. Abanye uyabakhohlisa ngenye indlela, nabanye ngenye. Unezinkohliso ezahlukene azilungiselele ukuthinta izingqondo ezahlukene. Abanye babheka enye inkohliso ngokwesaba okukhulu, kuyilapho bemukela kalula enye. USathane ukhohlisa abanye ngeMimoyezelo. Ubuye futhi njengengelosi yokukhanya, asakaze ithonya lakhe ezweni lonke. Ngabona izinguquko ezingamanga yonke indawo. Amabandla ayejabule kakhulu, ecabanga ukuthi uNkulunkulu wayewasebenzela ngokumangalisayo, kanti kwakungomunye umoya. Kuyakuphela, kushiye izwe nebandla kusesimweni esibi kakhulu kunangesikhathi esandulela leso.”
“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.
“Ngabona ukuthi uNkulunkulu wayenabantwana abaqotho phakathi kwama-Adventist okwegama kuphela, naphakathi kwamabandla awileyo, futhi abefundisi nabantu bayobizwa basakhishwa kule mabandla, ngaphambi kokuba izinhlupho zithululwe, futhi bayokwamukela iqiniso ngenjabulo. USathane uyakwazi lokhu, futhi ngaphambi kokumemeza okukhulu kwengelosi yesithathu, uvusa injabulo kule mibhikisho yenkolo, ukuze labo abalenqabile iqiniso bacabange ukuthi uNkulunkulu unabo. Unethemba lokukhohlisa abaqotho, nokubaholela ekucabangeni ukuthi uNkulunkulu usasebenzela amabandla. Kodwa ukukhanya kuyokhanya, futhi wonke umuntu oqotho uyowashiya amabandla awileyo, ame kanye nensali.” 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 ndima iqukethe amaqiniso amaningi abalulekile, kodwa ngiyisebenzisa ukuze ngihlukanise izimpawu ezithile zemiyalezo yomlando wamaMillerite, ukuze siqonde ukuthi leyo ifanekisela kanjani umlando wethu. Zonke izingelosi ezintathu zesAmbulo ishumi nane ziphethe umlayezo ezandleni zazo. Ingelosi yesibili neyesithathu ziboniswa ziphethe “isikhumba somqulu,” kanye nazo njengoba zehla nomlayezo wazo. Ingelosi ngayinye imelela umlayezo, futhi ukufika komlayezo ngamunye kubangela umphumela.
We will continue this subject in the next article.
Sizoqhubeka nalesi sihloko esihlokweni esilandelayo.