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# The Book of Daniel - Number Twenty-Eight

Knjiga proroka Daniela - broj dvadeset osam

Walls

Zidovi

Author

Jeff Pippenger

Published

December 23, 2023

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Nebuchadnezzar represents the beginning of Adventism, the beginning of the United States, the beginning of the Protestant horn and the beginning of the Republican horn. Belshazzar represents the end of all these lines.

Nebukadnezar predstavlja početak adventizma, početak Sjedinjenih Država, početak protestantskoga roga i početak republikanskoga roga. Baltazar predstavlja kraj svih tih linija.

Nebuchadnezzar represents the history of the first and second angels’ messages from 1798, through to 1844, and the beginning of God’s investigative judgment. His testimony parallels Daniel chapter one. Belshazzar represents the history of the third angel’s message from 1989, through to the Sunday law, and the beginning of God’s executive judgment. His testimony parallels Daniel chapters one through three.

Nebukadnezar predstavlja povijest poruka prvoga i drugoga anđela od 1798. do 1844. godine te početka Božjega istražnoga suda. Njegovo svjedočanstvo usporedno je s Danielom, prvim poglavljem. Baltazar predstavlja povijest poruke trećega anđela od 1989. godine do nedjeljnoga zakona te početka Božjega izvršnoga suda. Njegovo svjedočanstvo usporedno je s Danielom, od prvoga do trećega poglavlja.

Nebuchadnezzar marks the end of the “seven times” that came upon the northern kingdom of Israel in 1798, when his kingdom was restored unto him after living with the heart of a beast. His testimony continues until the opening of the investigative judgment at the end of the “seven times,” that came upon the southern kingdom of Judah in 1844. In his testimony the word “hour” represents the judgment hour message of the first angel, and then again, it represents the arrival of that message. The “hour” in his testimony marks both 1798, and 1844, which both represent the conclusion of the first indignation and the last indignation respectively.

Nebukadnezar označava završetak „sedam vremena” koja su došla na sjeverno kraljevstvo Izraela 1798. godine, kada mu je bilo vraćeno njegovo kraljevstvo nakon što je živio sa srcem zvijeri. Njegovo se svjedočanstvo nastavlja sve do otvaranja istražnoga suda na kraju „sedam vremena” koja su došla na južno kraljevstvo Jude 1844. godine. U njegovu svjedočanstvu riječ „čas” predstavlja vijest o času suda prvoga anđela, a zatim opet predstavlja dolazak te vijesti. „Čas” u njegovu svjedočanstvu označava i 1798. i 1844. godinu, koje obje predstavljaju završetak prve srdžbe, odnosno posljednje srdžbe.

Belshazzar’s end is marked by the mystical handwriting that equates to twenty-five hundred and twenty. The “seven times,” whether represented as an “hour,” a “scattering,” or “twenty-five hundred and twenty,” are a symbol of judgment. Nimrod’s judgment was a “scattering,” Nebuchadnezzar’s was “seven times,” and Belshazzar’s was twenty-five hundred and twenty. When Nebuchadnezzar judged the three worthies, he had the furnace heated “seven times,” above normal.

Belšazarov svršetak obilježen je mističnim rukopisom koji odgovara broju dvije tisuće petsto i dvadeset. „Sedam vremena“, bilo da su prikazana kao „čas“, „raspršenje“ ili „dvije tisuće petsto i dvadeset“, simbol su suda. Nimrodov sud bio je „raspršenje“, Nabukodonozorov „sedam vremena“, a Belšazarov dvije tisuće petsto i dvadeset. Kada je Nabukodonozor sudio trojici vrijednih, dao je da se peć užari „sedam puta“ više nego obično.

The judgment of the “seven times” is marked at the arrival of the first message, and the arrival of the third message. The end of Millerite Adventism in 1863 begins with the rejection of the doctrine of the “seven times,” and one hundred and twenty-six years later in 1989, “the time of the end” for the history of the third angel arrived. One hundred and twenty-six is a symbol of the “seven times”; so the end of the movement of the first angel in 1863, until the beginning of the movement of the third angel in 1989, is bridged together by the “seven times” by the symbolic one hundred and twenty-six.

Sud o „sedam vremena” označen je dolaskom prve poruke i dolaskom treće poruke. Kraj mileritskog adventizma 1863. započinje odbacivanjem nauka o „sedam vremena”, a sto dvadeset i šest godina kasnije, 1989., stiglo je „vrijeme svršetka” za povijest trećeg anđela. Sto dvadeset i šest simbol je „sedam vremena”; stoga je kraj pokreta prvoga anđela 1863., sve do početka pokreta trećega anđela 1989., povezan „sedam vremena” kroz simboličnih sto dvadeset i šest.

Yet the testimony of Belshazzar’s fall in Daniel chapter five, teaches that no one can see the judgment of the “seven times,” even though it is written upon the “wall”. For the Republican horn, the judgment is written on Thomas Jefferson’s “wall of separation of church and state” that is removed in chapter five of Daniel. For the true Protestant horn, the judgment is written on the two sacred charts that are hung upon the “wall” in order that those who read it may run. But in the blindness of Laodicea the words are indiscernible. In both cases, the words of judgment represent that both the true Protestant and Republican horns are weighed in the balances, and found wanting. The story of Belshazzar has a message for the Republican horn, representing the nations of the world.

Ipak, svjedočanstvo o Baltazarovu padu u petom poglavlju Daniela uči da nitko ne može vidjeti sud „sedam vremena”, premda je zapisan na „zidu”. Za republikanski rog, sud je zapisan na „zidu razdvajanja Crkve i države” Thomasa Jeffersona, koji se uklanja u petom poglavlju Daniela. Za pravi protestantski rog, sud je zapisan na dvjema svetim kartama koje su obješene na „zid” kako bi oni koji to čitaju mogli trčati. Ali u sljepoći Laodiceje riječi su nerazlučive. U oba slučaja, riječi suda predstavljaju da su i pravi protestantski i republikanski rog izvagani na tezulji i nađeni manjkavima. Priča o Baltazaru nosi poruku za republikanski rog, koji predstavlja narode svijeta.

> “In the history of Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar, God speaks to nations of today.” Signs of the Times, July 20, 1891.

> „U povijesti Nabukodonozora i Baltazara Bog govori narodima današnjice.” Signs of the Times, 20. srpnja 1891.

The story of Belshazzar also has a message for the Protestant horn, representing the people of the world.

Priča o Baltazaru također nosi poruku za protestantski rog, koji predstavlja ljude svijeta.

> “In the history of Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar, God speaks to the people of today.” Bible Echo, September 17, 1894.

> „U povijesti Nabukodonozora i Baltazara Bog govori ljudima današnjice.“ Bible Echo, 17. rujna 1894.

The sin of Belshazzar represents the sin of both horns of the earth beast. The sin of either of the horns is found in their rejection of their foundational truths, while having full knowledge of those truths. The Republican horn is held accountable to the light of the Constitution, and the beginning history when that divine document was produced, but has since been progressively rejected. When the nation speaks as a dragon the symbolic wall of separation of church and state will have been removed. For the true Protestant horn, the light from the history of the first and second angels’ messages, when the foundations were established, has been progressively rejected, and will continue to be increasingly rejected, until the “wall” of God’s law will also, ultimately be rejected.

Belšazarov grijeh predstavlja grijeh obaju rogova zvijeri iz zemlje. Grijeh svakoga od tih rogova nalazi se u njihovu odbacivanju vlastitih temeljnih istina, premda imaju potpuno znanje o tim istinama. Republikanski rog smatra se odgovornim za svjetlo Ustava i za ranu povijest u kojoj je taj božanski dokument nastao, ali je od tada postupno odbacivan. Kada narod progovori kao zmaj, simbolični zid odvajanja crkve i države bit će uklonjen. Što se tiče pravoga protestantskog roga, svjetlo iz povijesti poruka prvoga i drugoga anđela, kada su temelji bili postavljeni, postupno je odbacivano i nastavit će se sve više odbacivati, sve dok i „zid” Božjega zakona naposljetku ne bude odbačen.

> “The prophet here describes a people who, in a time of general departure from truth and righteousness, are seeking to restore the principles that are the foundation of the kingdom of God. They are repairers of a breach that has been made in God’s law—the wall that He has placed around His chosen ones for their protection, and obedience to whose precepts of justice, truth, and purity is to be their perpetual safeguard.

> „Prorok ovdje opisuje narod koji, u vrijeme općega otpadanja od istine i pravednosti, nastoji obnoviti načela koja su temelj Božjega kraljevstva. Oni su popravljači pukotine koja je načinjena u Božjem zakonu — zidu koji je On postavio oko svojih izabranika radi njihove zaštite i čija poslušnost propisima pravde, istine i čistoće treba biti njihova trajna zaštita.

> “In words of unmistakable meaning the prophet points out the specific work of this remnant people who build the wall. ‘If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on My holy day; and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honorable; and shalt honor Him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.’ Isaiah 58:13, 14.” Prophets and Kings, 677, 678.

> „Riječima nedvojbena značenja prorok ukazuje na posebnu zadaću toga ostatka naroda koji gradi zid. ‘Ako odvratiš nogu svoju od subote, da ne činiš što je tebi po volji na Moj sveti dan; i nazoveš subotu milinom, svetim danom Gospodnjim, časnim; i budeš Ga poštovao ne idući svojim putovima, ne tražeći svoje zadovoljstvo, niti govoreći svoje riječi: tada ćeš uživati u Gospodinu; i učinit ću da jašeš po uzvišicama zemaljskim, i hranit ću te baštinom Jakova, oca tvojega: jer su usta Gospodnja govorila.’ Izaija 58,13.14.” Proroci i kraljevi, 677, 678.

The biblical methodology revealed by angels to William Miller, represents God’s prophetic laws, and unlike ancient Israel, modern Israel was to be the depositaries of not only the law of the Ten Commandments, but also the prophecies.

Biblijska metodologija koju su anđeli otkrili Williamu Milleru predstavlja Božje proročke zakone, a za razliku od drevnoga Izraela, suvremeni je Izrael trebao biti čuvar ne samo zakona Deset zapovijedi, nego i proročanstava.

> “God has called His church in this day, as He called ancient Israel, to stand as a light in the earth. By the mighty cleaver of truth, the messages of the first, second, and third angels, He has separated them from the churches and from the world to bring them into a sacred nearness to Himself. He has made them the depositaries of His law and has committed to them the great truths of prophecy for this time. Like the holy oracles committed to ancient Israel, these are a sacred trust to be communicated to the world. The three angels of Revelation 14 represent the people who accept the light of God’s messages and go forth as His agents to sound the warning throughout the length and breadth of the earth. Christ declares to His followers: ‘Ye are the light of the world.’ To every soul that accepts Jesus the cross of Calvary speaks: ‘Behold the worth of the soul: “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.’” Nothing is to be permitted to hinder this work. It is the all-important work for time; it is to be far-reaching as eternity. The love that Jesus manifested for the souls of men in the sacrifice which He made for their redemption, will actuate all His followers.” Testimonies, volume 5, 455.

> „Bog je pozvao svoju crkvu u ovo doba, kao što je pozvao stari Izrael, da stoji kao svjetlost na zemlji. Moćnim sjekačem istine, porukama prvoga, drugoga i trećega anđela, odvojio ih je od crkava i od svijeta kako bi ih doveo u svetu blizinu sa samim sobom. Učinio ih je čuvarima svojega Zakona i povjerio im velike istine proročanstva za ovo vrijeme. Kao sveti proročki iskazi povjereni starome Izraelu, ovo je sveti zalog koji treba priopćiti svijetu. Tri anđela iz Otkrivenja 14 predstavljaju narod koji prihvaća svjetlo Božjih poruka i izlazi kao Njegovo oruđe da razglasi opomenu po svoj širini i dužini zemlje. Krist objavljuje svojim sljedbenicima: ‘Vi ste svjetlost svijeta.’ Svakoj duši koja prihvaća Isusa križ s Kalvarije govori: ‘Gledaj vrijednost duše: „Idite po svemu svijetu i propovijedajte evanđelje svakomu stvorenju.”’ Ničemu se ne smije dopustiti da ometa ovo djelo. To je najvažnije djelo za ovo vrijeme; ono treba dosezati daleko kao vječnost. Ljubav koju je Isus pokazao prema ljudskim dušama u žrtvi koju je prinio za njihovo otkupljenje pokretat će sve Njegove sljedbenike.” Testimonies, volume 5, 455.

The “great truths of prophecy,” which were delivered by angels, and established through the work of William Miller, are “a sacred trust to be communicated to the world.” The law of the Ten Commandments, the laws of nature, the laws of health and the laws of prophetic study were given by the same Great Lawgiver, and to reject one Commandment is to reject them all. The rejection of the methodology given to William Miller began a progressive rebellion, that ultimately will lead to Adventism rejecting the seventh-day Sabbath.

„Velike istine proročanstva“, koje su objavili anđeli i utvrdili djelom Williama Millera, „sveto su povjerenje koje treba prenijeti svijetu“. Zakon Deset zapovijedi, zakoni prirode, zakoni zdravlja i zakoni proučavanja proročanstava dani su od istoga Velikog Zakonodavca, i odbaciti jednu Zapovijed znači odbaciti sve njih. Odbacivanje metodologije dane Williamu Milleru započelo je postupnu pobunu koja će na koncu dovesti do toga da adventizam odbaci subotu sedmoga dana.

> “The Lord has a controversy with his professed people in these last days. In this controversy men in responsible positions will take a course directly opposite to that pursued by Nehemiah. They will not only ignore and despise the Sabbath themselves, but they will try to keep it from others by burying it beneath the rubbish of custom and tradition. In churches and in large gatherings in the open air, ministers will urge upon the people the necessity of keeping the first day of the week. There are calamities on sea and land: and these calamities will increase, one disaster following close upon another; and the little band of conscientious Sabbath-keepers will be pointed out as the ones who are bringing the wrath of God upon the world by their disregard of Sunday.

> „Gospodin ima spor sa svojim narodom koji se izjašnjava kao Njegov u ovim posljednjim danima. U tom će sporu ljudi na odgovornim položajima zauzeti smjer izravno suprotan onomu kojim je išao Nehemija. Oni ne samo da će sami zanemarivati i prezirati subotu, nego će je nastojati uskratiti i drugima, zatrpavajući je pod ruševinama običaja i predaje. U crkvama i na velikim skupovima na otvorenome propovjednici će narodu nametati nužnost svetkovanja prvoga dana u tjednu. Na moru i na kopnu događaju se nesreće; i te će se nesreće umnožavati, jedna će katastrofa slijediti drugu; a mala skupina savjesnih svetkovatelja subote bit će označena kao oni koji svojim nepoštivanjem nedjelje navlače Božji gnjev na svijet.״

> “Satan urges this falsehood that he may take the world captive. It is his plan to compel men to accept errors. He takes an active part in the promulgation of all false religions, and will stop at nothing in his efforts to enforce erroneous doctrines. Under a cloak of religious zeal, men, influenced by his spirit, have invented the most cruel tortures for their fellow-men, and have inflicted the most awful sufferings upon them. Satan and his agents have the same spirit still; and the history of the past will be repeated in our day.

> „Sotona potiče ovu laž kako bi svijet odveo u ropstvo. Njegov je plan prisiliti ljude da prihvate zablude. On aktivno sudjeluje u širenju svih lažnih religija i neće prezati ni pred čim u svojim nastojanjima da nametne pogrešne nauke. Pod plaštem vjerske revnosti, ljudi pod utjecajem njegova duha izmislili su najokrutnija mučenja za svoje bližnje i nanijeli im najstrašnija stradanja. Sotona i njegovi zastupnici još uvijek imaju isti duh; i povijest prošlosti ponovit će se u naše dane.“

> “There are men who have set their minds and will to accomplish evil; in the dark recesses of their hearts they have resolved what crimes they will commit. These men are self-deceived. They have rejected God’s great rule of right, and in its stead have erected a standard of their own, and comparing themselves with this standard they pronounce themselves holy. The Lord will permit them to reveal what is in their hearts, to act out the spirit of the master that controls them. He will let them show their hatred of his law in their treatment of those who are loyal to its requirements. They will be actuated by the same spirit of religious frenzy that goaded on the mob that crucified Christ; church and State will be united in the same corrupt harmony.

> „Ima ljudi koji su upravili svoj um i volju na izvršenje zla; u tamnim skrovitostima svojih srdaca odlučili su koje će zločine počiniti. Ti se ljudi sami obmanjuju. Odbacili su veliko Božje mjerilo pravde, a na njegovo su mjesto podigli vlastito mjerilo te se, uspoređujući sami sebe s tim mjerilom, proglašavaju svetima. Gospodin će dopustiti da otkriju što je u njihovim srcima, da očituju duh gospodara koji njima upravlja. Dopustit će im da pokažu svoju mržnju prema njegovu zakonu u svojem postupanju prema onima koji su odani njegovim zahtjevima. Njima će upravljati isti duh vjerske pomame koji je podjarivao svjetinu što je razapela Krista; Crkva i država sjedinit će se u istom pokvarenom skladu.

> “The church of today has followed in the steps of the Jews of old, who set aside the commandments of God for their own traditions. She has changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant, and now, as then, pride, unbelief, and infidelity are the result. Her true condition is set forth in these words from the song of Moses: ‘They have corrupted themselves, their spot is not the spot of his children; they are a perverse and crooked generation. Do ye thus requite the Lord, O foolish people and unwise? is not he thy father that hath bought thee? hath he not made thee, and established thee?’” Review and Herald, March 18, 1884.

> „Današnja je crkva pošla stopama nekadašnjih Židova, koji su zapovijedi Božje stavili ustranu radi svojih predaja. Promijenila je odredbu, prekršila vječni savez, i sada su, kao i tada, oholost, nevjerovanje i nevjera posljedica. Njezino je pravo stanje izneseno u ovim riječima iz Mojsijeve pjesme: ‘Pokvarili su se, nisu više njegova djeca, sramota su; naraštaj su izopačen i pokvaren. Zar tako uzvraćate Gospodu, narode ludi i nerazumni? Nije li on otac tvoj koji te je stekao? Nije li te on načinio i utvrdio?’” Review and Herald, 18. ožujka 1884.

The ultimate rejection of truth by Adventism occurs at the Sunday law, as Adventism repeats the history of ancient Israel, when “actuated by the same spirit of religious frenzy that goaded on the mob that crucified Christ; church and State will be united in the same corrupt harmony.” The progressive rebellion of Adventism is represented in Ezekiel chapter eight, with four escalating abominations, that prophetically mark the four generations of Adventism that began in 1863. The final abomination is when the leaders of Jerusalem bow down to the sun.

Konačno odbacivanje istine od strane adventizma događa se pri nedjeljnom zakonu, dok adventizam ponavlja povijest drevnoga Izraela, kada će, „potaknuti istim duhom vjerske mahnitosti koji je huškao svjetinu da razapne Krista, Crkva i država biti sjedinjene u istome pokvarenome skladu.” Postupna pobuna adventizma prikazana je u osmom poglavlju Ezekiela, s četiri sve veće gnusobe, koje proročki označuju četiri naraštaja adventizma koji su započeli 1863. godine. Konačna gnusoba nastupa kada se vođe Jeruzalema klanjaju suncu.

> And he brought me into the inner court of the Lord’s house, and, behold, at the door of the temple of the Lord, between the porch and the altar, were about five and twenty men, with their backs toward the temple of the Lord, and their faces toward the east; and they worshipped the sun toward the east. Then he said unto me, Hast thou seen this, O son of man? Is it a light thing to the house of Judah that they commit the abominations which they commit here? for they have filled the land with violence, and have returned to provoke me to anger: and, lo, they put the branch to their nose. Therefore will I also deal in fury: mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity: and though they cry in mine ears with a loud voice, yet will I not hear them. Ezekiel 8:16–18.

> I uvede me u unutarnje predvorje Doma Gospodnjega; i gle, na vratima Hrama Gospodnjega, između trijema i žrtvenika, bijaše oko dvadeset i pet ljudi, leđima okrenutih prema Hramu Gospodnjemu, a licima prema istoku; i klanjahu se suncu prema istoku. Tada mi reče: Jesi li to vidio, sine čovječji? Je li domu Judinu mala stvar što čine gadosti koje ovdje čine? Jer su zemlju napunili nasiljem i opet su se vratili da me gnjeve; i gle, prinose granu svome nosu. Zato ću i ja postupiti s gnjevom: oko moje neće poštedjeti, niti ću se smilovati; i premda budu vikali na moje uši jakim glasom, ipak ih neću uslišiti. Ezekiel 8:16–18.

The judgment that is brought about at that time is illustrated in the “hour” of Belshazzar’s judgment.

Sud koji će se izvršiti u to vrijeme predočen je „časom” Belšazarova suda.

> Belshazzar the king made a great feast to a thousand of his lords, and drank wine before the thousand. Belshazzar, whiles he tasted the wine, commanded to bring the golden and silver vessels which his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken out of the temple which was in Jerusalem; that the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, might drink therein. Then they brought the golden vessels that were taken out of the temple of the house of God which was at Jerusalem; and the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, drank in them. They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone. In the same hour came forth fingers of a man’s hand, and wrote over against the candlestick upon the plaister of the wall of the king’s palace: and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote. Then the king’s countenance was changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his loins were loosed, and his knees smote one against another. The king cried aloud to bring in the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. And the king spake, and said to the wise men of Babylon, Whosoever shall read this writing, and shew me the interpretation thereof, shall be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about his neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom. Then came in all the king’s wise men: but they could not read the writing, nor make known to the king the interpretation thereof. Then was king Belshazzar greatly troubled, and his countenance was changed in him, and his lords were astonied. Daniel 5:1–9.

> Kralj Baltazar priredi veliku gozbu za tisuću svojih velikaša i pio je vino pred tom tisućom. Baltazar, dok je kušao vino, zapovjedi da se donesu zlatne i srebrne posude koje je njegov otac Nabukodonozor bio uzeo iz Hrama koji bijaše u Jeruzalemu, da iz njih piju kralj i njegovi knezovi, njegove žene i njegove priležnice. Tada donesoše zlatne posude koje bijahu uzete iz Hrama Doma Božjega koji bijaše u Jeruzalemu; i kralj, i njegovi knezovi, njegove žene i njegove priležnice, pili su iz njih. Pili su vino i slavili bogove od zlata i od srebra, od mjedi, od željeza, od drveta i od kamena. U isti čas iziđoše prsti čovječje ruke i pisahu nasuprot svijećnjaku po žbuci zida kraljeve palače; i kralj vidje dio ruke koja je pisala. Tada se kraljevo lice promijeni i njegove ga misli uznemiriše, tako da mu se razriješiše zglobovi bokova i koljena mu udarahu jedno o drugo. Kralj povika iza glasa da dovedu zvjezdare, Kaldejce i gatare. I kralj progovori te reče mudracima babilonskim: Tko god pročita ovo pismo i kaže mi njegovo tumačenje, bit će odjeven u skerlet, imat će zlatan lanac o vratu i bit će treći upravitelj u kraljevstvu. Tada uđoše svi kraljevi mudraci, ali ne mogoše pročitati pismo niti obznaniti kralju njegovo tumačenje. Tada se kralj Baltazar veoma uznemiri, lice mu se promijeni i njegovi velikaši bijahu smeteni. Daniel 5:1–9.

In the “same hour” that Belshazzar’s judgment arrived, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were cast into the furnace that had been heated “seven times” hotter than normal.

U „isti čas” kada je stigao Belšazarov sud, Šadrah, Mešah i Abednego bili su bačeni u peć koja je bila užarena „sedam puta” više nego obično.

> Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of music, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands? Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated. Daniel 3:15–19.

> Sada, ako ste spremni da, u vrijeme kad čujete zvuk roga, svirale, citre, harfe, psaltira i gajdi, i svakojake glazbe, padnete ničice i poklonite se kipu koji sam načinio — dobro; ali ako se ne poklonite, istoga ćete časa biti bačeni usred užarene ognjene peći; i tko je taj bog koji će vas izbaviti iz mojih ruku? Šadrak, Mešak i Abednego odgovoriše i rekoše kralju: O Nabukodonozore, nije nam potrebno da ti na to odgovaramo. Ako bude tako, naš Bog kojemu služimo može nas izbaviti iz užarene ognjene peći, i izbavit će nas iz tvoje ruke, o kralju. Ali ako i ne bi, neka ti bude znano, o kralju, da ne ćemo služiti tvojim bogovima niti se pokloniti zlatnom kipu koji si postavio. Tada se Nabukodonozor napuni gnjevom, i izraz njegova lica promijeni se protiv Šadraka, Mešaka i Abednega; stoga progovori i zapovjedi da se peć ugrije sedam puta više nego što se obično grijala. Daniel 3,15–19.

The “hour” of judgment for Belshazzar is the same “hour” of judgment for Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and in both lines “seven times” are represented as the symbol of that judgment. The three worthies are representing the two witnesses that ascend with clouds into heaven as the ensign in the “hour” of the great earthquake at the Sunday Law, and Belshazzar represents the judgment of national ruin that is brought upon the earth beast in the very same “hour.”

„Čas“ suda za Baltazara isti je onaj „čas“ suda za Šadraha, Mešaha i Abednega, a u objema linijama „sedam vremena“ prikazana su kao simbol toga suda. Ta tri dostojanstvenika predstavljaju dva svjedoka koji s oblacima uzlaze na nebo kao stijeg u „času“ velikoga potresa pri Nedjeljnom zakonu, a Baltazar predstavlja sud nacionalne propasti koji se na zemaljsku zvijer obara upravo u tom istom „času“.

We will continue our study of Belshazzar’s judgment in the next article.

Nastavit ćemo naše proučavanje Belšazarova suda u sljedećem članku.

> “I am deeply exercised in mind in reference to the low standard of piety among our people. And when I think of the woes passed on Capernaum, I think of how much heavier will come the condemnation upon those who know the truth and have not walked according to the truth, but in the sparks of their own kindling. In the night seasons I am addressing the people in a very solemn manner, beseeching them to ask their own consciences; What am I? Am I a Christian, or am I not? Is my heart renewed? Has the transforming grace of God moulded my character? Are my sins repented of? Are they confessed? Are they forgiven? Am I one with Christ as he is one with the Father? Do I hate what I once loved? Do I now love what I once hated? Do I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus? Do I feel I am the purchased possession of Jesus Christ, and that every hour I must consecrate myself to his service?

> „Duboko sam uznemirena u umu glede niskog mjerila pobožnosti među našim narodom. A kada pomislim na jao izrečen nad Kafarnaumom, mislim koliko će teža osuda doći na one koji poznaju istinu, a nisu hodili u skladu s istinom, nego u iskrama vlastitoga ognja. U noćnim satima obraćam se narodu na vrlo svečan način, preklinjući ih da upitaju vlastitu savjest: Što sam ja? Jesam li kršćanin ili nisam? Je li moje srce obnovljeno? Je li preobražavajuća milost Božja oblikovala moj karakter? Jesu li moji grijesi pokajani? Jesu li priznani? Jesu li oprošteni? Jesam li jedno s Kristom kao što je on jedno s Ocem? Mrzim li ono što sam nekoć ljubio? Ljubim li sada ono što sam nekoć mrzio? Smatram li sve gubitkom prema uzvišenosti spoznaje Krista Isusa? Osjećam li da sam otkupljeno vlasništvo Isusa Krista i da se svakoga sata moram posvetiti njegovoj službi?“

> “We are standing upon the threshold of great and solemn events. The whole earth is to be lightened with the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the channels of the great deep. Prophecies are being fulfilled, and stormy times are before us. Old controversies which have apparently been hushed for a long time will be revived, and new controversies will spring up; new and old will commingle, and this will take place right early. The angels are holding the four winds, that they shall not blow, until the specified work of warning is given to the world; but the storm is gathering, the clouds are loading, ready to burst upon the world, and to many it will be as a thief in the night.

> „Stojimo na pragu velikih i svečanih događaja. Cijela zemlja treba biti obasjana slavom Gospodnjom kao što vode prekrivaju korita velike dubine. Proročanstva se ispunjavaju, a burna vremena stoje pred nama. Stare rasprave koje su, kako se činilo, dugo bile utišane bit će oživljene, a nove će rasprave nastati; novo i staro izmiješat će se, i to će se dogoditi vrlo rano. Anđeli zadržavaju četiri vjetra da ne pušu, dok se svijetu ne uputi određeno djelo upozorenja; ali oluja se skuplja, oblaci se gomilaju, spremni da se obruše na svijet, i mnogima će to doći kao tat u noći.

> “Many smiled and would not believe when we told them, twenty and thirty years ago, that the Sunday would be urged upon all the world, and a law be made to compel its observance, and force conscience. We see it being fulfilled. All that God has said of the future will surely come to pass; not one thing will fail of all that he has spoken. Protestantism is now reaching hands across the gulf to clasp hands with papacy, and a confederacy is being formed to trample out of sight the Sabbath of the fourth commandment; and the man of sin, who, at the instigation of Satan, instituted the spurious sabbath, this child of papacy, will be exalted to take the place of God.

> „Mnogi su se smiješili i nisu htjeli vjerovati kada smo im, prije dvadeset i trideset godina, govorili da će se nedjelja nametati cijelome svijetu te da će biti donesen zakon kako bi prisilio na njezino svetkovanje i izvršio prisilu nad savješću. Vidimo kako se to ispunjava. Sve što je Bog rekao o budućnosti zacijelo će se ispuniti; ništa neće izostati od svega što je rekao. Protestantizam sada pruža ruke preko provalije da bi se rukovao s papinstvom, i stvara se savez kako bi se iz vidokruga pogazio subotnji dan četvrte zapovijedi; a čovjek grijeha, koji je, na Sotonin poticaj, ustanovio krivotvorenu subotu, to dijete papinstva, bit će uzvišen da zauzme mjesto Boga.“

> “All heaven is represented to me as watching the unfolding of events. A crisis is to be revealed in the great and prolonged controversy in the government of God on earth. Something great and decisive is to take place, and that right early. If any delay, the character of God and his throne will be compromised. The armory of heaven is open; all the universe of God and its equipments are ready. One word has justice to speak, and there will be terrific representations upon the earth, of the wrath of God. There will be voices and thunderings and lightnings and earthquakes and universal desolation. Every movement in the universe of heaven is to prepare the world for the great crisis.

> „Cijelo mi je nebo prikazano kako promatra razvoj događaja. Treba se otkriti kriza u velikoj i dugotrajnoj borbi oko Božje vladavine na zemlji. Nešto veliko i odlučujuće treba se dogoditi, i to vrlo uskoro. Ako bude ikakva odgoda, bit će dovedeni u pitanje Božji karakter i Njegovo prijestolje. Nebesko je oružarnica otvorena; sav Božji svemir i sva njegova oprema spremni su. Dovoljna je jedna riječ koju pravda ima izreći, i na zemlji će se očitovati strašni prizori Božjega gnjeva. Bit će glasovi i grmljavine i munje i potresi i sveopće pustošenje. Svaki pokret u nebeskom svemiru treba pripraviti svijet za veliku krizu.

> “Intensity is taking possession of every earthly element; and as a people who have had great light and wonderful knowledge, many of them are represented by the five sleeping virgins with their lamps, but no oil in their vessels; cold, senseless, with a feeble, waning piety. While a new life is being diffused and is springing up from beneath and taking fast hold of all Satan’s agencies, preparatory to the last great conflict and struggle, a new light and life and power is descending from on high, and taking possession of God’s people who are not dead, as many now are, in trespasses and sins. The people who will now see what is soon to come upon us by what is being transacted before us, will no longer trust in human inventions, and will feel that the Holy Spirit must be recognized, received, presented before the people, that they may contend for the glory of God, and work everywhere in the byways and highways of life, for the saving of the souls of their fellow-men. The only rock that is sure and steadfast is the Rock of Ages. Those only who build on this Rock are secure.

> „Žestina obuzima svaki zemaljski element; a kao narod koji je imao veliku svjetlost i divno znanje, mnogi su među njima prikazani kao pet usnulih djevica sa svojim svjetiljkama, ali bez ulja u svojim posudama; hladni, neosjetljivi, sa slabom pobožnošću koja jenjava. Dok se novi život širi i niče odozdo te čvrsto obuhvaća sva Sotonina oruđa, pripremajući se za posljednji veliki sukob i borbu, nova svjetlost i život i sila silaze odozgo i obuzimaju Božji narod koji nije mrtav, kao što su mnogi sada mrtvi, u prijestupima i grijesima. Narod koji će sada po onome što se zbiva pred nama vidjeti što će uskoro doći na nas, više se neće uzdati u ljudske izume, nego će osjetiti da Sveti Duh mora biti priznat, primljen, iznesen pred narod, kako bi se mogli boriti za slavu Božju i djelovati posvuda, po stranputicama i putovima života, za spasenje duša svojih bližnjih. Jedina stijena koja je sigurna i postojana jest Stijena vjekova. Sigurni su samo oni koji grade na toj Stijeni.“

> “Those who are carnally minded now, notwithstanding the warnings given of God in his word and through the testimonies of his Spirit, will never unite with the holy family of the redeemed. They are sensual, debased in thought, and abominable in the sight of God. They have never been sanctified through the truth. They are not partakers of the divine nature, have never overcome self and the world with its affections and lusts. These characters are all through our churches, and as the result the churches are weak and sickly and ready to die. There must be no indifferent testimony borne now, but a decided, pointed testimony, rebuking every impurity, and exalting Jesus. We must as a people be in the attitude of expectation, working and waiting and watching and praying.

> „Oni koji su sada tjelesno usmjereni, unatoč opomenama koje je Bog dao u svojoj Riječi i kroz svjedočanstva svoga Duha, nikada se neće sjediniti sa svetom obitelji otkupljenih. Oni su puteni, poniženi u mislima i odvratni u Božjim očima. Nikada nisu bili posvećeni po istini. Nisu dionici božanske naravi, nikada nisu nadvladali sebe ni svijet s njegovim naklonostima i požudama. Takvi se nalaze po svim našim crkvama, i kao posljedica toga crkve su slabe, boležljive i na umoru. Sada se ne smije iznositi ravnodušno svjedočanstvo, nego odlučno, izravno svjedočanstvo koje kori svaku nečistoću i uzvisuje Isusa. Mi kao narod moramo biti u stavu iščekivanja, radeći i čekajući i bdijući i moleći.”

> “This blessed hope of the second appearing of Christ needs to be presented often to the people, with its solemn realities; looking for the soon appearing of our Lord Jesus to come in his glory, will lead to the regarding of earthly things as emptiness and nothingness. All worldly honor or distinction is of no value, for the true believer lives above the world; his steps are advancing heavenward. He is a pilgrim and stranger. His citizenship is above. He is gathering the sunbeams of the righteousness of Christ into his soul, that he may be a burning and shining light in the moral darkness that has enshrouded the world. What vigorous faith, what lively hope, what fervent love, what holy, consecrated zeal for God is seen in him, and what a decided distinction between him and the world! ‘Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.’ ‘Watch ye therefore, for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.’ ‘Therefore be ye ready also; for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.” “Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments.’” Pamphlets, 38–40.

> „Tu blaženu nadu u drugi Kristov dolazak treba često iznositi pred narod, sa svim njezinim ozbiljnim stvarnostima; iščekivanje skoroga pojavljivanja našega Gospodina Isusa da dođe u svojoj slavi navest će na to da se na zemaljske stvari gleda kao na ispraznost i ništavilo. Svaka svjetovna čast ili ugled nemaju nikakve vrijednosti, jer pravi vjernik živi iznad svijeta; njegovi koraci napreduju prema nebu. On je putnik i pridošlica. Njegovo je građanstvo gore. On sabire sunčane zrake Kristove pravednosti u svoju dušu, kako bi bio goruće i svijetleće svjetlo u moralnoj tami koja je obavila svijet. Kakva se snažna vjera, kakva živa nada, kakva gorljiva ljubav, kakva sveta, posvećena revnost za Boga vidi u njemu, i kako je odlučna razlika između njega i svijeta! ‘Bdijte dakle i molite svagda da se uzmognete smatrati dostojnima izbjeći sve ovo što se ima zbiti i stati pred Sina Čovječjega.’ ‘Bdijte dakle, jer ne znate u koji čas dolazi Gospodin vaš.’ ‘Zato i vi budite pripravni, jer Sin Čovječji dolazi u čas kad se ne nadate.’ ‘Evo, dolazim kao tat. Blažen je onaj koji bdije i čuva svoje haljine.’” Pamphlets, 38–40.

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