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# Rome Establishes the Vision - Number Thirteen

Roma Inathibitisha Maono - Nambari Kumi na Tatu

The Controversies of Rome: Understanding the Final Test of the Image of the Beast

Mabishano ya Roma: Kuelewa Mtihani wa Mwisho wa Sanamu ya Mnyama

Author

Jeff Pippenger

Published

September 1, 2024

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As we bring the consideration of the various controversies which have occurred in Advent history together line upon line in order to conclude our understanding of the current issue, we have taken selected attributes of five prophetic lines. The first line is also the last line, for both controversies were directly based upon verse fourteen of Daniel eleven’s “robbers of thy people.” We considered the controversies of Uriah Smith and James White and the controversy of “the daily”, in the book of Daniel. We considered the controversy that occurred after the unsealing of the last six verses of Daniel eleven in 1989, concerning the king of the north. We then considered the four insects of the book of Joel. There is so much more that might be added to each of these lines, but we are simply isolating certain characteristics that contributed to the positions that rejected the truths connected with the subject of Rome.

Tunapokusanya kwa pamoja, mstari juu ya mstari, tafakari ya mabishano mbalimbali yaliyotokea katika historia ya Adventi ili kuhitimisha uelewa wetu wa suala la sasa, tumechukua sifa zilizochaguliwa za mistari mitano ya kinabii. Mstari wa kwanza pia ndiyo mstari wa mwisho, kwa kuwa mabishano yote mawili yalitegemea moja kwa moja aya ya kumi na nne ya Danieli kumi na moja ya “wanyang’anyi wa watu wako.” Tulitazama mabishano ya Uriah Smith na James White na mzozo kuhusu “cha kila siku” katika kitabu cha Danieli. Tulitazama pia mzozo uliotokea baada ya kufunuliwa kwa aya sita za mwisho za Danieli kumi na moja mwaka 1989, kuhusu mfalme wa kaskazini. Kisha tukazingatia wadudu wanne wa kitabu cha Yoeli. Kuna mengi zaidi ambayo yangeweza kuongezwa kwa kila moja ya mistari hii, lakini tunabainisha tu sifa fulani zilizochangia misimamo iliyokataa kweli zinazohusiana na mada ya Roma.

Five histories, but the first also being the last represents six lines. The prophetic setting for these lines of controversy is the last days, so for this reason the lines are to be applied during the test of the image of the beast.

Historia tano; lakini ya kwanza, ambayo pia ndiyo ya mwisho, inawakilisha mistari sita. Muktadha wa kinabii wa mistari hii ya mabishano ni siku za mwisho, kwa hiyo kwa sababu hii mistari hii inapaswa kutumika wakati wa jaribu la sanamu ya mnyama.

> “The Lord has shown me clearly that the image of the beast will be formed before probation closes; for it is to be the great test for the people of God, by which their eternal destiny will be decided. . ..

> Bwana amenionyesha kwa uwazi kwamba sanamu ya mnyama itaundwa kabla mlango wa rehema haujafungwa; kwa maana itakuwa jaribu kuu kwa watu wa Mungu, ambalo kwa njia yake hatima yao ya milele itaamuliwa. . ..

> “This is the test that the people of God must have before they are sealed.” Manuscript Releases, volume 15, 15.

> "Hili ndilo jaribio ambalo watu wa Mungu lazima wawe nalo kabla hawajatiwa muhuri." Matoleo ya Miswada, juzuu ya 15, 15.

The test of the formation of the image of the beast is, as with the other six lines of controversy a test concerning the prophetic subject of Rome. The great test that occurs before God’s people are sealed is about the formation of the image of the Roman beast. The beast is the papal power, and the United States forms an image of the papal power as it progresses to the soon-coming Sunday law.

Jaribio la uundaji wa sanamu ya mnyama, kama ilivyo kwa sehemu sita nyingine za mabishano, ni jaribio linalohusu somo la kinabii la Roma. Jaribio kuu linalotokea kabla ya watu wa Mungu kutiwa muhuri linahusu uundaji wa sanamu ya mnyama wa Kirumi. Mnyama ni mamlaka ya kipapa, na Marekani huunda sanamu ya mamlaka ya kipapa inavyoendelea kuelekea sheria ya Jumapili inayokuja karibuni.

> “In order for the United States to form an image of the beast, the religious power must so control the civil government that the authority of the state will also be employed by the church to accomplish her own ends.” The Great Controversy, 443.

> "Ili Marekani iweze kuunda sanamu ya mnyama, mamlaka ya kidini lazima yadhibiti serikali ya kiraia kiasi kwamba mamlaka ya dola itumiwe pia na kanisa kutekeleza makusudi yake yenyewe." Pambano Kuu, 443.

That Sunday law in the United States identifies that the image of the beast has been fully formed in the United States.

Ile sheria ya Jumapili nchini Marekani inabainisha kwamba sanamu ya mnyama imekamilika kuundwa nchini Marekani.

> “But in the very act of enforcing a religious duty by secular power, the churches would themselves form an image to the beast; hence the enforcement of Sundaykeeping in the United States would be an enforcement of the worship of the beast and his image.” The Great Controversy, 449.

> "Lakini katika tendo lenyewe la kulazimisha wajibu wa kidini kwa mamlaka ya kisekula, makanisa yenyewe yangetengeneza sanamu kwa ajili ya yule mnyama; hivyo kulazimisha kushika siku ya Jumapili nchini Marekani kungekuwa ni kulazimisha ibada ya yule mnyama na sanamu yake." Utata Mkubwa, 449.

At the Sunday law the image of the beast has been fully formed in the United States, and the United States is then fully disconnected from God and it begins its prophetic work of forcing the entire world to form an image of the beast. At the Sunday law in the United States Satan begins his marvelous work in leading the nations of the world to repeat the process of forming an image of the beast that encompasses all the nations of the world.

Wakati sheria ya Jumapili inapowekwa, sanamu ya mnyama itakuwa imeundwa kikamilifu nchini Marekani, na Marekani itakuwa imetengwa kabisa na Mungu, nayo inaanza kazi yake ya kinabii ya kulazimisha ulimwengu wote kuunda sanamu ya mnyama. Wakati wa sheria ya Jumapili nchini Marekani, Shetani anaanza kazi yake ya ajabu ya kuyaongoza mataifa ya ulimwengu kurudia mchakato wa kuunda sanamu ya mnyama inayojumuisha mataifa yote ya ulimwengu.

> “By the decree enforcing the institution of the Papacy in violation of the law of God, our nation will disconnect herself fully from righteousness. When Protestantism shall stretch her hand across the gulf to grasp the hand of the Roman power, when she shall reach over the abyss to clasp hands with Spiritualism, when, under the influence of this threefold union, our country shall repudiate every principle of its Constitution as a Protestant and republican government, and shall make provision for the propagation of papal falsehoods and delusions, then we may know that the time has come for the marvelous working of Satan and that the end is near.” Testimonies, volume 5, 451.

> "Kwa amri inayolazimisha utekelezwaji wa taasisi ya Upapa, kinyume na sheria ya Mungu, taifa letu litajitenga kikamilifu na uadilifu. Wakati Uprotestanti utakaponyosha mkono wake kuvuka pengo kushika mkono wa mamlaka ya Kirumi, na utakapovuka shimo kuu kushikana mikono na Uspiritizimu, wakati, chini ya ushawishi wa muungano huu wa mara tatu, nchi yetu itakapoikana kila kanuni ya Katiba yake kama serikali ya Kiprotestanti na ya kijamhuri, na itakapoweka utaratibu wa kueneza uongo na udanganyifu wa kipapa, ndipo tutajua kwamba wakati umefika wa utendaji wa ajabu wa Shetani na kwamba mwisho umekaribia." Ushuhuda, juzuu ya 5, 451.

At the soon-coming Sunday law in the United States, Satan, in cooperation with the United States, will force every nation to follow the example of the United States in forming a church and state system, and enforcing Sunday worship.

Wakati sheria ya Jumapili itakapotungwa hivi karibuni nchini Marekani, Shetani, kwa kushirikiana na Marekani, atalazimisha kila taifa kufuata mfano wa Marekani katika kuunda mfumo wa kanisa na serikali, na kulazimisha ibada ya Jumapili.

> “Satan will work the miracles to deceive those who dwell upon the earth. Spiritualism will do its work by causing the dead to be personated. Those religious bodies who refuse to hear God’s messages of warning will be under strong deception, and will unite with the civil power to persecute the saints. The Protestant churches will unite with the papal power in persecuting the commandment-keeping people of God. This is that power which constitutes the great system of persecution which will exercise spiritual tyranny over the consciences of men.

> Shetani atafanya miujiza ili kuwadanganya wakaao juu ya nchi. Uroho utafanya kazi yake kwa kuwasababisha wafu kuigizwa. Madhehebu ya kidini yanayokataa kusikia ujumbe wa onyo wa Mungu yatakuwa chini ya udanganyifu mkubwa, na yataungana na mamlaka ya kiraia kuwatesa watakatifu. Makanisa ya Kiprotestanti yataungana na mamlaka ya Kipapa katika kuwatesa watu wa Mungu waishikao amri. Hii ndiyo ile mamlaka inayounda mfumo mkubwa wa mateso utakaotekeleza udhalimu wa kiroho juu ya dhamiri za watu.

> “‘He had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.’ Though professing to be followers of the Lamb of God, men become imbued with the spirit of the dragon. They profess to be meek and humble but they speak and legislate with the spirit of Satan, showing by their actions that they are the opposite of what they profess to be. This lamb-like power unites with the dragon in making war upon those who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. And Satan unites with Protestants and papists, acting in consort with them as the god of this world, dictating to men as if they were the subjects of his kingdom, to be handled and governed and controlled as he pleases.

> "Alikuwa na pembe mbili mfano wa Mwanakondoo, akanena kama joka." Ijapokuwa wanadai kuwa wafuasi wa Mwanakondoo wa Mungu, watu hujazwa roho ya joka. Wanadai kuwa wapole na wanyenyekevu, lakini husema na kutunga sheria kwa roho ya Shetani, wakionyesha kwa matendo yao kwamba ni kinyume cha kile wanachodai kuwa. Nguvu hii yenye mfano wa Mwanakondoo huungana na joka kufanya vita dhidi ya wale waishikao amri za Mungu na walio na ushuhuda wa Yesu Kristo. Naye Shetani huungana na Waprotestanti na Wakatoliki, akishirikiana nao kama mungu wa dunia hii, akiwaamulia watu kana kwamba ni raia wa ufalme wake, ili washughulikiwe, watawaliwe, na kudhibitiwe apendavyo.

> “If men will not agree to trample underfoot the commandments of God, the spirit of the dragon is revealed. They are imprisoned, brought before councils, and fined. ‘He causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads’ [Revelation 13:16]. ‘He had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed’ [verse 15]. Thus Satan usurps the prerogatives of Jehovah. The man of sin sits in the seat of God, proclaiming himself to be God, and acting above God.” Manuscript Releases, volume 14, 162.

> Ikiwa watu hawatakubali kukanyaga chini amri za Mungu, roho ya joka hufunuliwa. Wanafungwa, wanafikishwa mbele ya mabaraza, na kutozwa faini. ‘Awasababisha wote, wadogo kwa wakubwa, matajiri na maskini, walio huru na watumwa, wapokee chapa katika mkono wao wa kuume, au katika vipaji vya nyuso zao’ [Ufunuo 13:16]. ‘Alikuwa na uwezo wa kuipa uhai sanamu ya mnyama, ili sanamu ya mnyama inene, na kusababisha kwamba wote wasioiabudu sanamu ya mnyama wauawe’ [aya 15]. Hivyo Shetani anapora mamlaka za pekee za Yehova. Yule mtu wa dhambi anaketi katika kiti cha Mungu, akijitangaza kuwa Mungu, na kutenda kana kwamba yuko juu ya Mungu.” Manuscript Releases, juzuu ya 14, ukurasa 162.

The papal power is the beast, the United Nations is the dragon and the United States is the false prophet. Those who become confused on the meaning of antichrist, who is both Satan and Satan’s earthly representative, the pope of Rome, will end up on the side of antichrist.

Mamlaka ya kipapa ni mnyama, Umoja wa Mataifa ni joka na Marekani ni nabii wa uongo. Wale wanaochanganyikiwa kuhusu maana ya Mpinga Kristo, ambaye ni Shetani na pia mwakilishi wa Shetani duniani, Papa wa Roma, wataishia upande wa Mpinga Kristo.

The United States is not the man of sin. The man of sin is the antichrist and he is Satan’s earthly representative. To confuse the power that places the papacy on the throne of the earth with the papacy is represented by Paul as evidence of not loving the truth. To reject the prophetic relationship of pagan Rome who restrained the papal power, until pagan Rome was removed, in order for the papal power to be revealed, as set forth in Second Thessalonians chapter two, is to reject the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and accept the outpouring of the unholy spirit, which Paul identifies as strong delusion. That being said, each of the ancient prophets spoke more directly of the last days than the days in which they lived.

Marekani si mtu wa dhambi. Mtu wa dhambi ni Mpinga Kristo, naye ni mwakilishi wa Shetani duniani. Kuchanganya mamlaka inayoweka upapa kwenye kiti cha enzi cha ulimwengu na upapa wenyewe kunaonyeshwa na Paulo kuwa ushahidi wa kutokupenda kweli. Kukataa uhusiano wa kinabii wa Roma ya kipagani, iliyodhibiti mamlaka ya kipapa, hadi Roma ya kipagani iondolewe ili mamlaka ya kipapa ifunuliwe, kama ilivyoainishwa katika Waraka wa Pili kwa Wathesalonike sura ya pili, ni kukataa kumiminwa kwa Roho Mtakatifu na kukubali kumiminwa kwa roho isiyo takatifu, ambayo Paulo anaieleza kuwa nguvu ya upotovu. Hata hivyo, kila mmoja wa manabii wa kale alinena kwa moja kwa moja zaidi kuhusu siku za mwisho kuliko kuhusu siku walizoishi wao wenyewe.

> “Each of the ancient prophets spoke less for their own time than for ours, so that their prophesying is in force for us. ‘Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.’ 1 Corinthians 10:11. ‘Not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.’ 1 Peter 1:12. . . .

> “Kila mmoja wa manabii wa kale hakunena sana kwa ajili ya wakati wao wenyewe kama kwa ajili ya wakati wetu, hivi kwamba unabii wao una nguvu kwa ajili yetu. ‘Basi hayo yote yaliwapata wao kwa jinsi ya mifano; nayo yakaandikwa ili kutuonya sisi, tuliofikiwa na miisho ya dunia.’ 1 Wakorintho 10:11. ‘Wakifunuliwa ya kuwa si kwa ajili ya nafsi zao wenyewe, bali kwa ajili yenu walihudumu mambo hayo, ambayo sasa mmehubiriwa na hao waliowahubiria Injili kwa Roho Mtakatifu aliyetumwa kutoka mbinguni; mambo hayo ambayo malaika hutamani kuyaangalia.’ 1 Petro 1:12....”

> “The Bible has accumulated and bound up together its treasures for this last generation. All the great events and solemn transactions of Old Testament history have been, and are, repeating themselves in the church in these last days.” Selected Messages, book 3, 338, 339.

> “Biblia imekusanya na kufunga pamoja hazina zake kwa ajili ya kizazi hiki cha mwisho. Matukio yote makuu na mambo yenye uzito ya historia ya Agano la Kale yamekuwa yakijirudia, na bado yanajirudia, katika kanisa katika siku hizi za mwisho.” Ujumbe Teule, kitabu cha 3, 338, 339.

Pagan Rome and the man of sin in Second Thessalonians represents the United States and papal Rome of the last days. To misunderstand this truth is to demonstrate, among other things, that even if a person claims to be basing their private interpretation upon the principle of “type and antitype,” they actually do not understand “type and antitype.” The United States has been typified by several powers in sacred history. Every two-horned power represents the United States in the last days, whether it be the northern and southern kingdoms of Israel, the Medo-Persian Empire, or atheistic France represented by Sodom and Egypt.

Roma ya kipagani na yule mtu wa dhambi katika Wathesalonike wa Pili vinawakilisha Marekani na Roma ya Kipapa ya siku za mwisho. Kukosa kuelewa ukweli huu kunadhihirisha, pamoja na mambo mengine, kwamba hata kama mtu anadai kuitegemeza tafsiri yake binafsi juu ya kanuni ya “mfano na mfanowe,” kwa kweli haelewi “mfano na mfanowe.” Marekani imewakilishwa kwa mfano na mamlaka kadhaa katika historia takatifu. Kila nguvu yenye pembe mbili inawakilisha Marekani katika siku za mwisho, iwe ni falme za kaskazini na za kusini za Israeli, Dola ya Umedi na Uajemi, au Ufaransa isiyomwamini Mungu inayowakilishwa na Sodoma na Misri.

The period when the United States forms an image of and to the beast has been typified by the iron and clay of Daniel two, and the little horn that manifests as male and female in Daniel eight as well as the prophets of Baal and priests of the grove in the witness of Elijah at Mount Carmel. Salome typifies the United States in the witness of Herod’s drunken birthday party. Pergamos typifies the United States and identifies the compromise that leads to Thyatira, which typifies the papal power of the last days.

Kipindi ambacho Marekani inapounda sanamu ya mnyama na kwa ajili ya mnyama kimeashiriwa na chuma na udongo wa Danieli sura ya pili, na pembe ndogo inayojidhihirisha kama kiume na kike katika Danieli sura ya nane, pamoja na manabii wa Baali na makuhani wa Ashera katika ushuhuda wa Eliya huko Mlima Karmeli. Salome anaashiria Marekani katika ushuhuda wa karamu ya siku ya kuzaliwa ya Herode yenye ulevi. Pergamo inaashiria Marekani na kubainisha maridhiano yanayopelekea Thiatira, ambayo inaashiria mamlaka ya kipapa ya siku za mwisho.

Clovis, king of the Franks in 496, typifies the United States in the Ronald Reagan era. Justinian in 533 represents Donald Trump in advance of the Sunday law. In each typification the United States represents the power that bows in submission to the papal power of the last days. The power who bows in submission is represented as paying homage to Rome. The act of ‘homage” includes bowing to the king, who is the head.

Clovis, mfalme wa Wafranki mwaka 496, ni kielelezo cha Marekani katika enzi ya Ronald Reagan. Justinian mwaka 533 anamwakilisha Donald Trump kabla ya sheria ya Jumapili. Katika kila kielelezo, Marekani inawakilisha nguvu inayoinama kwa utii chini ya mamlaka ya kipapa ya siku za mwisho. Nguvu inayoinama kwa utii inaonyeshwa kama inayotoa heshima kwa Roma. Kitendo cha 'heshima' kinajumuisha kuinamia mfalme, ambaye ndiye kichwa.

> “It has been shown that the United States is the power represented by the beast with lamblike horns, and that this prophecy will be fulfilled when the United States shall enforce Sunday observance, which Rome claims as the special acknowledgment of her supremacy. But in this homage to the papacy the United States will not be alone. The influence of Rome in the countries that once acknowledged her dominion is still far from being destroyed. And prophecy foretells a restoration of her power. ‘I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.’ Verse 3. The infliction of the deadly wound points to the downfall of the papacy in 1798.

> Imeonyeshwa kwamba Marekani ndiyo nguvu inayowakilishwa na mnyama mwenye pembe kama za mwana-kondoo, na kwamba unabii huu utatimizwa wakati Marekani itakapolazimisha utunzaji wa Jumapili, ambao Roma inadai kuwa ni uthibitisho maalum wa ukuu wake. Lakini katika heshima hii kwa upapa, Marekani haitakuwa peke yake. Ushawishi wa Roma katika nchi ambazo zamani zilitambua utawala wake bado uko mbali na kuangamizwa. Na unabii unatabiri kurejeshwa kwa nguvu zake. ‘Nikaona moja ya vichwa vyake kama kwamba kilikuwa kimejeruhiwa hata kufa; na jeraha lake la mauti likaponywa; na dunia yote ikastaajabu kumfuata yule mnyama.’ Mstari wa 3. Kushukiwa na jeraha la mauti kunaashiria anguko la upapa mnamo mwaka 1798.

> After this, says the prophet, ‘his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.’ Paul states plainly that the ‘man of sin’ will continue until the second advent. 2 Thessalonians 2:3-8. To the very close of time he will carry forward the work of deception. And the revelator declares, also referring to the papacy: ‘All that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life.’ Revelation 13:8. In both the Old and the New World, the papacy will receive homage in the honor paid to the Sunday institution, that rests solely upon the authority of the Roman Church.” The Great Controversy, 578.

> Baada ya haya, anasema nabii, 'jeraha lake la mauti liliponywa; na ulimwengu wote ukamstaajabia yule mnyama.' Paulo anasema kwa uwazi kwamba 'mtu wa dhambi' ataendelea hadi marejeo ya pili. 2 Wathesalonike 2:3-8. Mpaka mwisho kabisa wa wakati ataendeleza kazi ya udanganyifu. Naye mfunuaji atangaza, pia akirejezea upapa: 'Wote wakaao juu ya nchi watamsujudia, ambao majina yao hayakuandikwa katika kitabu cha uzima.' Ufunuo 13:8. Katika Ulimwengu wa Kale na Ulimwengu Mpya, upapa utapokea heshima kupitia heshima inayotolewa kwa taasisi ya Jumapili, ambayo inategemea tu mamlaka ya Kanisa la Kirumi." The Great Controversy, 578.

The last sentence provides more evidence that Sister White understood the expression, “old world” to represent Europe, and the “new world” to represent the Americas. That being as it is, the United States that pays homage to the papal power and forces the rest of the world to do the same. This identifies the United States as in subjection to the directions of the papal power. Isaiah’s identification and emphasis upon understanding the “head” in order to be established finds its divine purpose in that the symbol “head,” becomes a key to understand the external line of prophecy, and also the internal line of prophecy.

Sentensi ya mwisho inatoa ushahidi zaidi kwamba Dada White alielewa usemi ‘ulimwengu wa zamani’ kuwa unawakilisha Ulaya, na ‘ulimwengu mpya’ kuwa unawakilisha Amerika. Kwa kuwa ndivyo ilivyo, ni Marekani inayotoa heshima kwa mamlaka ya kipapa na kulazimisha ulimwengu uliosalia kufanya vivyo hivyo. Hili huitambulisha Marekani kuwa iko chini ya maelekezo ya mamlaka ya kipapa. Utambuzi wa Isaya na msisitizo wake juu ya kuelewa ‘kichwa’ ili kuimarishwa hupata kusudi lake la kimungu kwa kuwa ishara ya ‘kichwa’ inakuwa ufunguo wa kuelewa mstari wa nje wa unabii, na pia mstari wa ndani wa unabii.

> For the head of Syria is Damascus, and the head of Damascus is Rezin; and within threescore and five years shall Ephraim be broken, that it be not a people. And the head of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is Remaliah’s son. If ye will not believe, surely ye shall not be established. Isaiah 7:8, 9.

> Kwa maana kichwa cha Shamu ni Dameski, na kichwa cha Dameski ni Resini; na ndani ya miaka sitini na mitano Efraimu atavunjika, asiwe watu tena. Na kichwa cha Efraimu ni Samaria, na kichwa cha Samaria ni mwana wa Remalia. Msipoamini, kwa hakika hamtathibitika. Isaya 7:8, 9.

In the last days, which is when every prophet’s testimony is in force, the “robbers of thy people” establish the vision. Upon the authority of the Spirit of Prophecy, and in agreement with the foundational truths of Adventism, as represented upon the two sacred charts of Habakkuk, the “robbers,” are a symbol of Rome. When pagan Rome inserted itself into history for the first time in 200 BC, they typified modern Rome of the last days. This prophetic truth is what establishes the prophetic vision of the last days, and if you refuse to see that modern Rome’s “head” is the papal power, then surely you will not be established.

Katika siku za mwisho, ambapo ushuhuda wa kila nabii unatumika, "wanyang'anyi wa watu wako" wanaimarisha maono. Kwa mamlaka ya Roho ya Unabii, na kwa kuafikiana na kweli za msingi za Uadventista, kama zinavyoonyeshwa katika chati mbili takatifu za Habakuki, "wanyang'anyi" ni ishara ya Roma. Wakati Roma ya kipagani ilipojitokeza katika historia kwa mara ya kwanza mwaka 200 K.K., ilikuwa mfano wa Roma ya kisasa ya siku za mwisho. Huu ukweli wa kinabii ndio unaoimarisha maono ya kinabii ya siku za mwisho, na ukikataa kuona kwamba "kichwa" cha Roma ya kisasa ni mamlaka ya kipapa, basi hakika hutaimarishwa.

> “The world is filled with storm and war and variance. Yet under one head—the papal power—the people will unite to oppose God in the person of His witnesses.” Testimonies, volume 7, 182.

> Ulimwengu umejaa dhoruba, vita na mfarakano. Hata hivyo, chini ya kichwa kimoja—mamlaka ya upapa—watu wataungana kumpinga Mungu kwa kuwapinga mashahidi Wake. Ushuhuda, juzuu ya 7, 182.

If you have ears to hear, then you may understand that a primary failing of the Jews of Christ’s era was that they identified the “shadow” as the “substance.” The Jews before and after the cross trusted in the types of their system of worship, and rejected the Antitype. They argued that the “shadow” was the “substance”, and in doing so they left in the inspired record, a people in the last days who will also identify the shadow as the substance.

Kama una masikio ya kusikia, basi utaweza kuelewa kwamba kosa kuu la Wayahudi wa enzi za Kristo lilikuwa kulitambua “kivuli” kuwa ndicho “hali halisi.” Wayahudi kabla na baada ya msalaba walitegemea vielelezo vya mfumo wao wa ibada, na wakakataa kile halisi kilichoashiriwa. Walidai kwamba “kivuli” ndicho “hali halisi,” na kwa kufanya hivyo, katika Maandiko yaliyovuviwa wameacha kumbukumbu ya watu wa siku za mwisho ambao pia watakitambua “kivuli” kuwa ndicho “hali halisi.”

When the United States forms an image to the beast, they are forming a shadow of the beast. They are forming a shadow of the substance, for an image is a typification. To identify the United States, when it forms the image of the beast, as the symbol of Modern Rome, is to parallel ancient Israel’s rejection and crucifixion of the Great Antitype.

Wakati Marekani inapounda sanamu kwa ajili ya yule mnyama, inaunda kivuli cha yule mnyama. Inaunda kivuli cha kitu halisi, maana sanamu ni kielelezo. Kuitambulisha Marekani, inapounda sanamu ya yule mnyama, kuwa ishara ya Roma ya Kisasa, ni kulinganisha na kukataa kwa Israeli wa kale na kumsulubisha Yule Antitipu Mkuu.

Those teaching the flawed view that the United States is the robbers of thy people speak much about their use of type and antitype, and they often identify the United States as the image of the beast and somehow think that by identifying the United States as the image of the beast somehow proves the United States is “the robbers.” If they truly allowed themselves to be governed by the basic principles of “type and antitype” they would quickly see that the prophetic role of the United States which has been repeatedly typified in God’s word identifies the United States as the power that is in subjection to the papal authority. They would see that without the beast as the point of reference, it is absurd to identify an image to the beast that did not exist. The only thing which can define the image of the beast, is the beast itself, for the papal power is what establishes the image in the looking glass vision.

Wale wanaofundisha maoni potofu kwamba Marekani ndiyo wanyang’anyi wa watu wako huzungumza sana kuhusu matumizi yao ya “mfano na timilizo wake,” na mara nyingi huitambua Marekani kama sanamu ya mnyama, na kwa namna fulani hudhani kwamba kwa kuitambua Marekani kama sanamu ya mnyama hilo linathibitisha kwamba Marekani ndiyo “wanyang’anyi.” Kama kweli wangeruhusu kuongozwa na kanuni za msingi za “mfano na timilizo wake” wangeona upesi kwamba nafasi ya kinabii ya Marekani, ambayo imeonyeshwa kwa mfano mara kwa mara katika neno la Mungu, huitambulisha Marekani kama nguvu iliyo chini ya mamlaka ya kipapa. Wangeona kwamba bila mnyama kuwa rejea kuu, ni upuzi kuainisha sanamu ya mnyama ambaye hakuwepo. Kitu pekee kinachoweza kufafanua sanamu ya mnyama ni mnyama mwenyewe, kwa kuwa nguvu ya kipapa ndiyo inayoweka sanamu hiyo katika maono ya kioo cha kuangalia.

The parallel line of prophecy to the United States forming an image of the beast is when the horn of true Protestantism forms an image of Christ. That formation is specifically identified in Daniel chapter ten, when Daniel beholds the “marah,” vision, which is the “looking glass” vision. Daniel represents those who behold Christ, and in so doing they reflect Christ’s character. If the vision of Christ was not presented to Daniel, he would have been unable to reflect the character of Christ. In order for the one hundred and forty-four thousand, who are represented by Daniel in chapter ten of forming an image of Christ within, they must behold His character. By beholding they are changed.

Mstari sambamba wa unabii kwa tukio la Marekani kuunda sanamu ya mnyama ni wakati pembe ya Uprotestanti wa kweli inapounda mfano wa Kristo. Uundaji huo unatambulishwa mahsusi katika Danieli sura ya kumi, wakati Danieli anapoona maono ya “marah”, ambayo ni maono ya kioo cha kujiangalia. Danieli anawakilisha wale wanaomtazama Kristo, na kwa kufanya hivyo wanaakisi tabia ya Kristo. Ikiwa maono ya Kristo yasingemwonyeshwa Danieli, asingekuwa na uwezo wa kuakisi tabia ya Kristo. Ili wale elfu mia na arobaini na nne—wanaowakilishwa na Danieli katika sura ya kumi kama wanaounda mfano wa Kristo ndani yao—ni lazima watazame tabia Yake. Kwa kutazama, hubadilishwa.

> But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. 2 Corinthians 3:18.

> Lakini sisi sote, kwa uso usiofunikwa, tukitazama utukufu wa Bwana kama katika kioo, tunabadilishwa tuwe katika mfano uleule, kutoka utukufu hadi utukufu, kama vile kwa Roho wa Bwana. 2 Wakorintho 3:18.

The Hebrew definition of the “marah” vision which Daniel beheld in chapter ten is “a vision; also (causatively) a mirror: —looking glass, vision.” The Greek word translated as glass in the previous verse is to mirror oneself, that is, to see reflected (figuratively): —behold as in a glass.

Ufafanuzi wa Kiebrania wa maono ya "marah" ambayo Danieli aliona katika sura ya kumi ni "maono; pia (kwa namna ya usababishi) kioo: -kioo cha kutazamia, maono." Neno la Kigiriki lililotafsiriwa kama kioo katika aya iliyotangulia ni kujijiangalia kwenye kioo, yaani, kuona kinachoakisiwa (kimajazi): -kutazama kama katika kioo.

James also sets forth a line of truth connected with the looking glass.

James pia anaweka wazi hoja ya ukweli inayohusiana na kioo cha kujiangalia.

> For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. James 1:23–25.

> Kwa sababu mtu ye yote akiwa msikiaji wa neno tu, wala si mtenda, huyo ni kama mtu ajitazamaye uso wake wa asili katika kioo; maana anajitazama, kisha huenda zake, mara husahau vile alivyo. Lakini yeye aangaliae katika sheria kamilifu, iliyo sheria ya uhuru, naye akadumu humo, si msikiaji msahau, bali mtenda kazi; mtu huyo atabarikiwa katika kutenda kwake. Yakobo 1:23-25.

If we love the truth, and we are therefore a doer of the Word, then the looking glass we behold is the perfect law of liberty, then if we do not love the truth, and thereafter go our own way, as those with Daniel did when they fled, then the looking glass is simply a reflection of ourselves.

Ikiwa tunaupenda ukweli, na hivyo sisi ni watendaji wa Neno, basi kioo tunachokitazama ni sheria kamilifu, iliyo sheria ya uhuru, kisha ikiwa hatuupendi ukweli, na baadaye tukaenda njia zetu wenyewe, kama wale waliokuwa pamoja na Danieli walivyofanya walipokimbia, basi kioo ni akisi yetu tu.

> “God’s law is the mirror presenting a complete reflection of the man as he is, and holding up before him the correct likeness. Some will turn away and forget this picture, while others will employ abusive epithets against the law, as though this would cure their defects of character. Still others who are condemned by the law will repent of their transgressions and, through faith in Christ’s merits, will perfect Christian character.” Faith and Works, 31.

> "Sheria ya Mungu ni kioo kinachoonyesha taswira kamili ya mwanadamu alivyo, na kumwekea mbele taswira sahihi. Wengine watageuka na kusahau picha hii, ilhali wengine watatoa matusi dhidi ya sheria kana kwamba hilo lingeondoa dosari za tabia zao. Nao wengine ambao wamehukumiwa na sheria watatubu makosa yao, na kwa imani katika stahili za Kristo, watakamilisha tabia ya Kikristo." Imani na Matendo, 31.

Daniel did not see himself in the looking glass vision, He saw Christ, who is the perfect representation of James’ perfect law of liberty.

Daniel hakujiiona katika maono ya kioo cha kujiangalia, alimwona Kristo, ambaye ni uwakilishi kamili wa sheria kamilifu ya uhuru kama alivyoieleza Yakobo.

> “Christ’s life on earth is a perfect reflection of the divine law. In Him is life and hope and light. Behold Him, and you will be changed into the same likeness, from character to character.” Signs of the Times, May 10, 1910.

> "Maisha ya Kristo duniani ni kielelezo kamilifu cha sheria ya Mungu. Ndani Yake kuna uzima na tumaini na nuru. Mtazameni Yeye, nanyi mtabadilishwa kuwa mfanano ule ule, kutoka tabia hadi tabia." Ishara za Nyakati, Mei 10, 1910.

The image of the beast reflects the beast, and the formation of the image of the beast is the great test for the people of God, by which their eternal destiny will be decided. When the Protestant churches take control of the government of the United States, they will have formed an image of the church state system which the papal power has always employed. In the same period of time the image of Christ will be produced into His last-day people. Yet, those that were with Daniel saw not the vision, for they fled from the vision.

Sanamu ya mnyama huakisi mnyama, na kuundwa kwa sanamu ya mnyama ndio mtihani mkuu kwa watu wa Mungu; kupitia mtihani huo hatima yao ya milele itaamuliwa. Makanisa ya Kiprotestanti yatakapochukua udhibiti wa serikali ya Marekani, yatakuwa yameunda sanamu ya mfumo wa kanisa na dola ambao mamlaka ya kipapa imekuwa ikiutumia daima. Katika kipindi hicho hicho, mfano wa Kristo utaundwa ndani ya watu wake wa siku za mwisho. Hata hivyo, wale waliokuwa pamoja na Danieli hawakuona maono, maana waliyakimbia maono hayo.

The formation of the image of Christ produces a manifestation of two classes of worshippers. One class rejects the principle of reflection. The principle of reflection being represented by a mirror, for Christ employs the literal earthly things to represent spiritual heavenly truths.

Uundaji wa taswira ya Kristo husababisha kudhihirika kwa makundi mawili ya waabudu. Kundi moja hukataa kanuni ya uakisi. Kanuni ya uakisi inawakilishwa na kioo, kwa kuwa Kristo hutumia mambo halisi ya duniani kuwakilisha kweli za kiroho za mbinguni.

> “In Christ’s parable teaching the same principle is seen as in His own mission to the world. That we might become acquainted with His divine character and life, Christ took our nature and dwelt among us. Divinity was revealed in humanity; the invisible glory in the visible human form. Men could learn of the unknown through the known; heavenly things were revealed through the earthly; God was made manifest in the likeness of men. So it was in Christ’s teaching: the unknown was illustrated by the known; divine truths by earthly things with which the people were most familiar.

> Katika mafundisho ya mifano ya Kristo kanuni ileile inaonekana kama ilivyo katika utume wake mwenyewe kwa ulimwengu. Ili tupate kufahamu tabia yake ya kimungu na maisha yake, Kristo alichukua asili yetu na akaishi miongoni mwetu. Uungu ulidhihirishwa katika ubinadamu; utukufu usioonekana katika umbo la kibinadamu linaloonekana. Watu wangeweza kujifunza kuhusu yasiyojulikana kupitia yale yanayojulikana; mambo ya mbinguni yalifunuliwa kupitia mambo ya duniani; Mungu alidhihirishwa katika mfano wa wanadamu. Ndivyo ilivyokuwa katika mafundisho ya Kristo: yasiyojulikana yalifafanuliwa kwa yale yanayojulikana; kweli za kimungu kwa mambo ya duniani ambayo watu walikuwa wameyazoea zaidi.

> “The Scripture says, ‘All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; … that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.’ Matthew 13:34, 35. Natural things were the medium for the spiritual; the things of nature and the life-experience of His hearers were connected with the truths of the written word. Leading thus from the natural to the spiritual kingdom, Christ’s parables are links in the chain of truth that unites man with God, and earth with heaven.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 17.

> "Maandiko yanasema, 'Mambo haya yote Yesu akawaambia makutano kwa mifano; ... ili litimizwe lililonenwa na nabii, akisema, Nitaufungua kinywa changu kwa mifano; Nitatamka mambo yaliyositirika tangu kuwekwa misingi ya ulimwengu.' Mathayo 13:34, 35. Mambo ya asili yalikuwa chombo cha kufikisha yale ya kiroho; mambo ya asili na uzoefu wa maisha wa wasikilizaji wake yaliunganishwa na kweli za neno lililoandikwa. Hivyo, akiwaongoza kutoka katika mambo ya asili hadi katika ufalme wa kiroho, mifano ya Kristo ni viungo katika mnyororo wa kweli unaounganisha mwanadamu na Mungu, na dunia na mbingu." Christ's Object Lessons, 17.

The spiritual principle of reflection is accomplished by looking into a mirror that represents Christ, and because the “marah” vision is a causative vision, the image of Christ in the mirror, produces the image of Christ in humanity.

Kanuni ya kiroho ya kuakisi hutimizwa kwa kuangalia ndani ya kioo kinachomwakilisha Kristo, na kwa sababu maono ya "marah" ni maono yanayosababisha, sura ya Kristo ndani ya kioo huzalisha sura ya Kristo katika ubinadamu.

To claim the United States is what establishes the vision, is to claim that the image of Daniel is what establishes Christ. Christ is what establishes the vision of His character and work, and the antichrist is what establishes the vision of his character and work. The vision is what is reflected with the looking glass, and the vision is established by the robbers. To misunderstand an image of a beast, by identifying the image as the actual beast, produces parallel lines.

Kudai kwamba Marekani ndiyo inayothibitisha maono, ni kudai kwamba picha ya Danieli ndiyo inayomthibitisha Kristo. Kristo ndiye anayethibitisha maono ya tabia yake na kazi yake, na mpinga Kristo ndiye anayethibitisha maono ya tabia yake na kazi yake. Maono ndiyo yanayoakisiwa kwa kioo, na maono yanathibitishwa na wanyang’anyi. Kukosea kuelewa picha ya mnyama, kwa kuitambua picha kama mnyama halisi, kunazalisha mistari sambamba.

The unconverted man sees himself in the mirror, or if he does see God’s law, he throws contempt upon the law in an attempt to avoid its claims. A converted man sees Christ and His law in the looking glass. The United States forms an image to the papal power by beholding the papal power and duplicating it. The antichrist is duplicated by the United States.

Mtu asiyeongoka hujiona katika kioo, au, akiona sheria ya Mungu, huidharau sheria hiyo ili kuepuka madai yake. Mtu aliyeongoka humwona Kristo na sheria Yake katika kioo. Marekani hutengeneza mfano wa mamlaka ya kipapa kwa kuitazama mamlaka hiyo na kuiiga. Mpinga Kristo huigwa na Marekani.

Lucifer desired to be seated upon God’s political and religious thrones.

Lusifa alitamani kuketi juu ya viti vya enzi vya Mungu vya kisiasa na vya kidini.

> How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Ezekiel 14:12–14.

> Umeangukaje kutoka mbinguni, Ee Lusifa, mwana wa asubuhi! Jinsi gani umeangushwa chini mpaka ardhini, wewe uliyedhoofisha mataifa! Kwa maana ulisema moyoni mwako, Nitapanda mbinguni; nitaliinua kiti changu cha enzi juu ya nyota za Mungu: nitaketi pia juu ya mlima wa mkutano, pande za kaskazini: nitapaa juu ya vilele vya mawingu; nitakuwa kama Aliye Juu Sana. Ezekieli 14:12-14.

Satan is the antichrist, and so too is the papal power. The papal power was seated in the church and reigned over the political thrones of Europe. The causative looking glass of Daniel chapter ten, when seen in its spiritual application, transforms those who behold into the image of Christ. That truth governs the line of the antichrist. When a nation or an individual looks into the looking glass vision it produces a causative effect, as it reproduces its image in either the individual or nation who beholds it and that produces either the image of Christ or the image of the beast. It parallels the same effect represented by Daniel. Christ is what established the vision for Daniel, and the antichrist establishes the vision for the United States when it forms an image of the beast.

Shetani ndiye mpinga Kristo, na vilevile mamlaka ya kipapa. Mamlaka ya kipapa iliwekwa katika kanisa na ikatawala juu ya viti vya enzi vya kisiasa vya Ulaya. Kioo cha kujiangalia chenye athari ya kisababishi cha sura ya kumi ya Danieli, kinapotazamwa katika matumizi yake ya kiroho, hubadilisha wanaokitazama kuwa mfano wa Kristo. Kweli hiyo inaongoza mkondo wa mpinga Kristo. Taifa au mtu binafsi anapotazama ndani ya maono ya kioo cha kujiangalia, maono hayo huleta athari, kwa kuwa huzalisha taswira yake ndani ya yule anayetazama, iwe ni mtu au taifa, na hilo huzalisha ama mfano wa Kristo au mfano wa mnyama. Hulingana na athari ileile iliyowakilishwa na Danieli. Kristo ndiye aliyethibitisha maono kwa Danieli, na mpinga Kristo ndiye anayathibitisha maono kwa Marekani inapounda mfano wa mnyama.

We will continue these thoughts in the next article.

Tutaendelea na mawazo haya katika makala ijayo.

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