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# The Book of Daniel - Number One-Hundred and Sixty

Kitabu cha Danieli - Nambari mia na sitini

The Prophetic Significance of Daniel’s Last Vision: Unveiling Truth for the Last Days

Umuhimu wa Kinabii wa Maono ya Mwisho ya Danieli: Kufunua Ukweli kwa Nyakati za Mwisho

Author

Jeff Pippenger

Published

March 26, 2024

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Daniel is identified in chapter ten, as being resurrected from the days of mourning by the three-step process of the everlasting gospel. Gabriel then provides Daniel with the prophetic history of chapter eleven, thus identifying the history of the light of the great River Hiddekel.

Danieli anatambulika katika sura ya kumi kuwa amefufuliwa kutoka katika siku za maombolezo kupitia mchakato wa hatua tatu wa injili ya milele. Kisha Gabrieli anampa Danieli historia ya kinabii ya sura ya kumi na moja, hivyo kutambulisha historia ya nuru ya Mto Mkuu Hidekeli.

> “There is need of a much closer study of the Word of God. Especially should Daniel and the Revelation have attention as never before in the history of our work. We may have less to say in some lines, in regard to the Roman power and the papacy, but we should call attention to what the prophets and the apostles have written under the inspiration of the Spirit of God. The Holy Spirit has so shaped matters, both in the giving of the prophecy, and in the events portrayed, as to teach that the human agent is to be kept out of sight, hid in Christ, and the Lord God of heaven and His law are to be exalted.

> Kuna haja ya kusoma kwa makini zaidi Neno la Mungu. Hasa, Danieli na Ufunuo vinapaswa kuzingatiwa kwa makini kuliko wakati wowote uliopita katika historia ya kazi yetu. Huenda tukawa na machache ya kusema katika baadhi ya vipengele kuhusu mamlaka ya Kirumi na upapa, lakini tunapaswa kuelekeza umakini kwenye yale ambayo manabii na mitume wameandika kwa uvuvio wa Roho wa Mungu. Roho Mtakatifu amepanga mambo kwa namna hiyo, katika utoaji wa unabii na katika matukio yanayoonyeshwa, ili kufundisha kwamba mtendaji wa kibinadamu anapaswa kuwekwa mbali na macho, afichwe ndani ya Kristo, na Bwana Mungu wa mbinguni pamoja na sheria yake watukuzwe.

> “Read the book of Daniel. Call up, point by point, the history of the kingdoms there represented. Behold statesmen, councils, powerful armies, and see how God wrought to abase the pride of men, and lay human glory in the dust. God alone is represented as great. In the vision of the prophet He is seen casting down one mighty ruler and setting up another. He is revealed as the monarch of the universe, about to set up His everlasting kingdom—the Ancient of days, the living God, the Source of all wisdom, the Ruler of the present, the Revealer of the future. Read and understand how poor, how frail, how short-lived, how erring, how guilty, is man in lifting up his soul unto vanity.

> Soma kitabu cha Danieli. Kumbuka, kipengele kwa kipengele, historia ya falme zilizowakilishwa humo. Tazama watawala, mabaraza, majeshi yenye nguvu, na uone jinsi Mungu alivyotenda kuudhalilisha kiburi cha wanadamu, na kuiweka heshima ya mwanadamu mavumbini. Mungu peke yake ndiye anayeonyeshwa kuwa mkuu. Katika maono ya nabii, anaonekana akiangusha mtawala mmoja mwenye nguvu na kumweka mwingine. Anafunuliwa kama mtawala mkuu wa ulimwengu, yuko karibu kuusimamisha ufalme wake wa milele, Mzee wa Siku, Mungu aliye hai, Chanzo cha hekima yote, Mtawala wa sasa, Mfunuaji wa mambo yajayo. Soma na uelewe jinsi mwanadamu alivyo maskini, dhaifu, wa muda mfupi, mwenye kukosea, mwenye hatia, anapoinua nafsi yake kwa ubatili.

> “The Holy Spirit through Isaiah points us to God, the living God, as the chief object of attention—to God as revealed in Christ. ‘Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace’ [Isaiah 9:6].

> Roho Mtakatifu, kupitia Isaya, anatuelekeza kwa Mungu, Mungu aliye hai, kama lengo kuu la kuzingatia—kwa Mungu kama alivyofunuliwa katika Kristo. 'Kwetu mtoto amezaliwa, kwetu mwana amepewa; na mamlaka itakuwa juu ya bega lake; na jina lake ataitwa Ajabu, Mshauri, Mungu Mwenye Nguvu, Baba wa Milele, Mfalme wa Amani' [Isaiah 9:6].

> “The light that Daniel received direct from God was given especially for these last days. The visions he saw by the banks of the Ulai and the Hiddekel, the great rivers of Shinar, are now in process of fulfillment, and all the events foretold will soon have come to pass.” Manuscript Releases, volume 16, 333, 334.

> Nuru ambayo Danieli alipokea moja kwa moja kutoka kwa Mungu ilitolewa hasa kwa siku hizi za mwisho. Maono aliyoyaona kando ya Mto Ulai na Mto Hidekeli, ile mito mikuu ya Shinari, sasa yamo katika mchakato wa kutimia, na matukio yote yaliyotabiriwa hivi karibuni yatakuwa yametukia. Manuscript Releases, juzuu ya 16, 333, 334.

The Holy Spirit “so shaped matters” in the giving of the prophecy “and events” of Daniel’s last vision that the first chapter (ten), represents the experience of God’s people in the latter days, as does the last chapter (twelve). The shaping of those three chapters that make up the light of the Hiddekel River, that “was given especially for these last days,” was designed to bear the three-step definition of “truth.” In the first agreeing with the last, and the middle representing rebellion, we have not only the structure of the Hebrew word “truth,” which was created by the first, thirteenth and last letter of the Hebrew alphabet, but we also see the signature of Alpha and Omega.

Roho Mtakatifu “aliunda mambo hivyo” katika kutolewa kwa unabii “na matukio” ya njozi ya mwisho ya Danieli kiasi kwamba sura ya kwanza (kumi), huwakilisha uzoefu wa watu wa Mungu katika siku za mwisho, kama vile sura ya mwisho (kumi na mbili) inavyofanya. Uundaji wa sura hizo tatu zinazounda nuru ya Mto Hidekeli, ambayo “ilitolewa hasa kwa ajili ya siku hizi za mwisho,” ulikusudiwa kubeba ufafanuzi wa hatua tatu wa “kweli.” Katika ile ya kwanza kupatana na ya mwisho, na ya katikati ikiwakilisha uasi, hatuoni tu muundo wa neno la Kiebrania “kweli,” ambalo liliumbwa kwa herufi ya kwanza, ya kumi na tatu, na ya mwisho ya alfabeti ya Kiebrania, bali pia tunaona saini ya Alfa na Omega.

Daniel chapter ten identifies the one hundred and forty-four thousand who understand both the “chazon” vision of the twenty-five hundred and twenty years, and the “mareh” vision of the twenty-three hundred years. Not only do they understand those two visions, but they possess the experience of justification by faith that is produced by the feminine and causative “marah” vision of “the appearance”.

Danieli sura ya kumi inawatambulisha laki moja na arobaini na nne elfu wanaoelewa maono yote mawili: maono ya "chazon" ya miaka elfu mbili mia tano na ishirini, na maono ya "mareh" ya miaka elfu mbili mia tatu. Siyo tu kwamba wanaelewa maono hayo mawili, bali pia wana uzoefu wa kuhesabiwa haki kwa imani unaotokana na maono ya "marah" ya kike na ya kisababishi ya "mwonekano".

> “For the mind and the soul, as well as for the body, it is God’s law that strength is acquired by effort. It is exercise that develops. In harmony with this law, God has provided in His word the means for mental and spiritual development.

> Kwa akili na roho, na vilevile kwa mwili, ni sheria ya Mungu kwamba nguvu hupatikana kwa juhudi. Ni mazoezi ndiyo hujenga. Kwa kuambatana na sheria hii, Mungu ametoa katika neno lake njia za ukuaji wa kiakili na kiroho.

> “The Bible contains all the principles that men need to understand in order to be fitted either for this life or for the life to come. And these principles may be understood by all. No one with a spirit to appreciate its teaching can read a single passage from the Bible without gaining from it some helpful thought. But the most valuable teaching of the Bible is not to be gained by occasional or disconnected study. Its great system of truth is not so presented as to be discerned by the hasty or careless reader. Many of its treasures lie far beneath the surface, and can be obtained only by diligent research and continuous effort. The truths that go to make up the great whole must be searched out and gathered up, ‘here a little, and there a little.’ Isaiah 28:10.

> Biblia ina kanuni zote ambazo wanadamu wanahitaji kuelewa ili waandaliwe kwa maisha haya au yale yajayo. Na kanuni hizi zinaweza kufahamika na wote. Hakuna mtu mwenye moyo wa kuthamini mafundisho yake anayeweza kusoma aya moja tu ya Biblia bila kupata kutoka humo wazo lenye manufaa. Lakini mafundisho yenye thamani kuu zaidi ya Biblia hayapatiwi kwa kusoma kwa nyakati za hapa na pale au kusoma kukatika-katika. Mfumo wake mkuu wa kweli haujaonyeshwa kwa namna ya kutambulika na msomaji wa pupa au asiyejali. Hazina zake nyingi ziko mbali chini ya uso, na zinaweza kupatikana tu kwa utafiti wa bidii na jitihada endelevu. Kweli zinazounda jumla kubwa lazima zitafutwe na kukusanywa, ‘hapa kidogo, na pale kidogo.’ Isaya 28:10.

> “When thus searched out and brought together, they will be found to be perfectly fitted to one another. Each Gospel is a supplement to the others, every prophecy an explanation of another, every truth a development of some other truth. The types of the Jewish economy are made plain by the gospel. Every principle in the word of God has its place, every fact its bearing. And the complete structure, in design and execution, bears testimony to its Author. Such a structure no mind but that of the Infinite could conceive or fashion.

> Yanapotafutwa kwa namna hiyo na kuletwa pamoja, yatapatikana kuwa yameoanishwa kikamilifu kila kimoja na kingine. Kila Injili inakamilisha nyingine, kila unabii ni ufafanuzi wa mwingine, kila kweli ni upanuzi wa kweli nyingine. Vielelezo vya utaratibu wa Kiyahudi vinafanywa dhahiri na Injili. Kila kanuni katika neno la Mungu ina nafasi yake, kila jambo lina uzito wake. Na muundo mzima, katika usanifu na utekelezaji wake, unatoa ushahidi kumhusu Mwandishi wake. Muundo wa aina hiyo hakuna akili ila ile ya Asiye na kikomo ingeweza kuubuni au kuunda.

> “In searching out the various parts and studying their relationship, the highest faculties of the human mind are called into intense activity. No one can engage in such study without developing mental power.

> Katika kuchunguza sehemu mbalimbali na kusoma uhusiano kati yao, uwezo wa juu kabisa wa akili ya binadamu huamshwa kufanya kazi kwa nguvu kubwa. Hakuna mtu anayeweza kujihusisha na utafiti wa namna hiyo bila kuendeleza uwezo wa kiakili.

> “And not alone in searching out truth and bringing it together does the mental value of Bible study consist. It consists also in the effort required to grasp the themes presented. The mind occupied with commonplace matters only, becomes dwarfed and enfeebled. If never tasked to comprehend grand and far-reaching truths, it after a time loses the power of growth. As a safeguard against this degeneracy, and a stimulus to development, nothing else can equal the study of God’s word. As a means of intellectual training, the Bible is more effective than any other book, or all other books combined. The greatness of its themes, the dignified simplicity of its utterances, the beauty of its imagery, quicken and uplift the thoughts as nothing else can. No other study can impart such mental power as does the effort to grasp the stupendous truths of revelation. The mind thus brought in contact with the thoughts of the Infinite cannot but expand and strengthen.

> Na si tu katika kuitafuta kweli na kuikusanya pamoja ndipo thamani ya kiakili ya kujifunza Biblia inapatikana. Inapatikana pia katika jitihada zinazohitajika kuelewa mada zinazowasilishwa. Akili inayoshughulishwa na mambo ya kawaida tu, hudadumaa na kudhoofika. Ikiwa haitawahi kupewa kazi ya kuelewa kweli kuu na zenye upeo mpana, baada ya muda hupoteza uwezo wa kukua. Kama kinga dhidi ya kudorora huku, na kichocheo cha maendeleo, hakuna kitu kingine kinachoweza kulinganishwa na kujifunza Neno la Mungu. Kama njia ya mafunzo ya kiakili, Biblia ina ufanisi kuliko kitabu kingine chochote, au hata vitabu vyote vikijumlishwa. Ukubwa wa mada zake, urahisi wenye heshima wa kauli zake, uzuri wa taswira zake, huhuisha na kuinua mawazo kama hakuna kingine kinavyoweza. Hakuna somo jingine linaloweza kutoa nguvu za kiakili kama juhudi ya kushika kweli kuu mno za ufunuo. Akili iliyoletwa kwa namna hii kukutana na mawazo ya Asiye na mipaka haiwezi ila kupanuka na kuimarika.

> “And even greater is the power of the Bible in the development of the spiritual nature. Man, created for fellowship with God, can only in such fellowship find his real life and development. Created to find in God his highest joy, he can find in nothing else that which can quiet the cravings of the heart, can satisfy the hunger and thirst of the soul. He who with sincere and teachable spirit studies God’s word, seeking to comprehend its truths, will be brought in touch with its Author; and, except by his own choice, there is no limit to the possibilities of his development.

> Na hata kuu zaidi ni nguvu ya Biblia katika maendeleo ya asili ya kiroho. Mwanadamu, aliyeumbwa kwa ushirika na Mungu, ni katika ushirika huo tu ndiko anaweza kupata maisha yake ya kweli na maendeleo yake. Akiumbwa ili apate katika Mungu furaha yake ya juu kabisa, hawezi kupata katika kitu kingine chochote kinachoweza kutuliza tamaa za moyo, na kuridhisha njaa na kiu ya nafsi. Yeye ambaye kwa moyo wa unyofu na roho inayofundishika huisoma Neno la Mungu, akitafuta kuelewa kweli zake, ataletwa katika uhusiano na Mwandishi wake; na, isipokuwa kwa chaguo lake mwenyewe, hakuna mipaka kwa maendeleo anayoweza kuyafikia.

> “In its wide range of style and subjects the Bible has something to interest every mind and appeal to every heart. In its pages are found history the most ancient; biography the truest to life; principles of government for the control of the state, for the regulation of the household—principles that human wisdom has never equaled. It contains philosophy the most profound, poetry the sweetest and the most sublime, the most impassioned and the most pathetic. Immeasurably superior in value to the productions of any human author are the Bible writings, even when thus considered; but of infinitely wider scope, of infinitely greater value, are they when viewed in their relation to the grand central thought. Viewed in the light of this thought, every topic has a new significance. In the most simply stated truths are involved principles that are as high as heaven and that compass eternity.

> Katika wigo wake mpana wa mitindo na mada, Biblia ina kitu cha kuvutia kila akili na kugusa kila moyo. Katika kurasa zake hupatikana historia ya kale kuliko zote; wasifu ulio wa kweli mno kwa maisha; kanuni za utawala kwa udhibiti wa taifa, kwa uratibu wa kaya—kanuni ambazo hekima ya kibinadamu haijawahi kulingana nazo. Inayo falsafa ya kina kabisa, ushairi mtamu zaidi na wa juu kabisa, wenye hisia kali zaidi na wenye kugusa moyo zaidi. Maandishi ya Biblia yana thamani isiyopimika kuliko kazi za mwandishi yeyote wa kibinadamu, hata yakitazamwa kwa namna hii; lakini upeo wake huwa mpana mno, na thamani yake huwa kuu mno, yanapotazamwa katika uhusiano na wazo kuu la msingi. Yakiangaliwa kwa mwanga wa wazo hili, kila mada hupata maana mpya. Ndani ya kweli zilizoelezwa kwa urahisi kabisa, kuna kanuni zilizo juu kama mbingu na zinazoenea umilele.

> “The central theme of the Bible, the theme about which every other in the whole book clusters, is the redemption plan, the restoration in the human soul of the image of God. From the first intimation of hope in the sentence pronounced in Eden to that last glorious promise of the Revelation, ‘They shall see His face; and His name shall be in their foreheads’ (Revelation 22:4), the burden of every book and every passage of the Bible is the unfolding of this wondrous theme,—man’s uplifting,—the power of God, ‘which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.’ 1 Corinthians 15:57.” Education, 123–125.

> Mada kuu ya Biblia, mada ambayo mada nyingine zote katika kitabu chote hujikusanya kuizunguka, ni mpango wa ukombozi, urejesho wa mfano wa Mungu ndani ya nafsi ya mwanadamu. Kuanzia dalili za kwanza za tumaini katika hukumu iliyotamkwa Edeni hadi ile ahadi ya mwisho yenye utukufu katika Ufunuo, 'Nao wataona uso wake; na jina lake litakuwa katika vipaji vya nyuso zao' (Ufunuo 22:4), kiini cha ujumbe wa kila kitabu na kila fungu la Biblia ni kufunuliwa kwa mada hii ya ajabu,- kuinuliwa kwa mwanadamu,- nguvu ya Mungu, 'atupaye ushindi kwa njia ya Bwana wetu Yesu Kristo.' 1 Wakorintho 15:57." Elimu, 123-125.

In the passage just cited it is identified that the Bible, when considered from any avenue of literature, is by far superior to any human production. Sister White stated, “In its pages are found history the most ancient; biography the truest to life; principles of government for the control of the state, for the regulation of the household—principles that human wisdom has never equaled. It contains philosophy the most profound, poetry the sweetest and the most sublime, the most impassioned and the most pathetic,” and that “such a structure no mind but that of the Infinite could conceive or fashion.”

Katika kifungu kilichonukuliwa sasa hivi inaonyeshwa kwamba Biblia, inapochunguzwa kwa mtazamo wowote wa fasihi, ni kuu zaidi sana kuliko utungo wowote wa kibinadamu. Dada White alisema, “Katika kurasa zake hupatikana historia ya kale kuliko zote; wasifu wa maisha ulio wa kweli kuliko yote; kanuni za utawala kwa ajili ya kuiongoza nchi, kwa ajili ya kuisimamia nyumba—kanuni ambazo hekima ya kibinadamu haijawahi kuzifikia kwa usawa. Ina ndani yake falsafa iliyo ya kina kuliko yote, ushairi ulio mtamu zaidi na ulio tukufu zaidi, uliojaa hisia kali zaidi na wa kuhuzunisha zaidi,” na kwamba “muundo wa jinsi hiyo hakuna akili isipokuwa ile ya Yule asiye na mwisho ingeweza kuubuni au kuuumba.”

All the recognized rules of humanity that identify the rules that provide the structure of literature are surpassed by the Bible. The principles that are presented in universities of humanity, which identify the difference between average or lesser literature, all the way to the masterpieces of human literature, are all surpassed by the Bible. With that in mind, it is worth recognizing that the climax, the grand conclusion of the prophetic testimony of the entire Bible, is represented in Daniel’s last vision. It is the capstone of the prophetic testimony, and there is no climax in human literature that comes close to the testimony of Daniel chapter eleven, beginning in verse one and continuing on through chapter twelve verse four.

Kanuni zote zinazotambulika za ubinadamu zinazotambua kanuni zinazotoa muundo wa fasihi zimepitwa na Biblia. Misingi inayowasilishwa katika vyuo vikuu vya ubinadamu, inayotambua tofauti kati ya fasihi ya kawaida au ya kiwango cha chini, hadi kufikia kazi bora kabisa za fasihi ya kibinadamu, yote imepitwa na Biblia. Hivyo basi, yafaa kutambua kwamba kilele, hitimisho kuu la ushuhuda wa kinabii wa Biblia yote, kinawakilishwa katika maono ya mwisho ya Danieli. Hilo ndilo jiwe la kilele la ushuhuda wa kinabii, wala hakuna kilele chochote katika fasihi ya kibinadamu kinachoweza kukaribia ushuhuda wa Danieli sura ya kumi na moja, kuanzia aya ya kwanza na kuendelea hadi sura ya kumi na mbili aya ya nne.

In the book of Revelation, all the books of the Bible meet and end, and in the revelation the same lines of prophecy are taken up as in the book of Daniel, but in relation to one-another the book of Daniel is the first mention, and Revelation the last. Everything exists in the first mention, and everything exists in the book of Daniel, and the climax to the book is the vision given by the Hiddekel River. The climax to the events represented in that vision begin in verse forty, and continue until the book is sealed in verse four of chapter twelve. Those verses represent the grand finale of every prophetic truth ever uttered or recorded by the holy men of old, including Sister White.

Katika kitabu cha Ufunuo, vitabu vyote vya Biblia hukutana na kukamilika, na katika Ufunuo mistari ileile ya unabii huendelezwa kama ilivyo katika kitabu cha Danieli; lakini kati ya vitabu hivyo viwili, kitabu cha Danieli ndicho kinachotajwa kwanza, na kitabu cha Ufunuo ndicho cha mwisho. Kila jambo limo katika kutajwa kwa kwanza, na kila jambo limo katika kitabu cha Danieli, na kilele cha kitabu hicho ni maono yaliyotolewa kando ya Mto Hidekeli. Kilele cha matukio yanayowakilishwa katika maono hayo huanza katika aya ya arobaini, na kuendelea hadi kitabu kinapotiwa muhuri katika aya ya nne ya sura ya kumi na mbili. Aya hizo zinawakilisha tamati kuu ya kila kweli ya kinabii iliyowahi kutamkwa au kuandikwa na watu watakatifu wa kale, akiwemo Dada White.

What leads up to that conclusion in chapter eleven are histories within the chapter that provide witnesses to the correct understanding of the last six verses of chapter eleven, where the threefold enemies of the dragon, the beast and the false prophet are now leading the world to the close of human probation. Sister White directly identifies this internal principle.

Kinachopelekea hitimisho hilo katika sura ya kumi na moja ni matukio ya kihistoria ndani ya sura hiyo yanayotoa ushuhuda wa ufahamu sahihi wa mistari sita ya mwisho ya sura ya kumi na moja, ambapo maadui watatu—joka, mnyama na nabii wa uongo—sasa wanaongoza ulimwengu kuelekea mwisho wa wakati wa rehema kwa wanadamu. Dada White anabainisha moja kwa moja kanuni hii ya ndani.

> “We have no time to lose. Troublous times are before us. The world is stirred with the spirit of war. Soon the scenes of trouble spoken of in the prophecies will take place. The prophecy in the eleventh of Daniel has nearly reached its complete fulfillment. Much of the history that has taken place in fulfillment of this prophecy will be repeated. In the thirtieth verse a power is spoken of that ‘shall be grieved, and return, and have indignation against the holy covenant: so shall he do; he shall even return, and have intelligence with them that forsake the holy covenant. And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate. And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days. Now when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries. And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed. And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done.’ Daniel 11:30–36.

> "Hatuna wakati wa kupoteza. Nyakati za taabu ziko mbele yetu. Dunia imechochewa na roho ya vita. Hivi karibuni matukio ya taabu yaliyotajwa katika unabii yatatokea. Unabii ulioko katika Danieli sura ya kumi na moja umekaribia kutimia kikamilifu. Sehemu kubwa ya historia iliyotokea katika kutimia kwa unabii huu itajirudia. Katika aya ya thelathini inatajwa nguvu ambayo ‘atahuzunika, na atarudi, naye atakasirika dhidi ya agano takatifu: ndivyo atakavyofanya; naam, atarudi, naye atafanya mashauri na wale walioiacha agano takatifu. Na majeshi yatasimama upande wake, nao watalitia unajisi patakatifu pa nguvu, nao wataondoa sadaka ya daima, nao wataweka chukizo la uharibifu. Na wale wafanyao uovu juu ya agano atawarubuni kwa ubembelezi; lakini watu wanaomjua Mungu wao watakuwa imara, na watatenda mambo makuu. Nao walio na ufahamu miongoni mwa watu watawaelimisha wengi; walakini wataanguka kwa upanga, na kwa moto, kwa utekwa, na kwa uporaji, siku nyingi. Na watakapoanguka, watasaidiwa kwa msaada mdogo; lakini wengi wataambatana nao kwa ubembelezi. Na baadhi ya wenye ufahamu miongoni mwao wataanguka, ili kuwajaribu, na kuwasafisha, na kuwafanya weupe, hata wakati wa mwisho; kwa kuwa bado ni kwa wakati uliowekwa. Na mfalme atafanya kama apendavyo; naye atajiinua, na atajitukuza juu ya kila mungu, naye atanena mambo ya ajabu dhidi ya Mungu wa miungu, naye atafanikiwa hata ghadhabu itakapokamilika; kwa maana lililoamriwa litatendeka.’ Danieli 11:30-36."

> “Scenes similar to those described in these words will take place. We see evidence that Satan is fast obtaining the control of human minds who have not the fear of God before them. Let all read and understand the prophecies of this book, for we are now entering upon the time of trouble spoken of:

> Matukio yanayofanana na yale yaliyoelezwa katika maneno haya yatatokea. Tunaona ushahidi kwamba Shetani anapata kwa haraka udhibiti wa akili za wanadamu wasiomcha Mungu. Wote wasome na waelewe unabii wa kitabu hiki, kwa maana sasa tunaingia katika wakati wa taabu uliotajwa:

> “‘And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.’ Daniel 12:1–4.” Manuscript Releases, number 13, 394.

> "'Na wakati huo Mikaeli atasimama, yule mkuu asimamaye kwa ajili ya wana wa watu wako; na kutakuwapo wakati wa taabu, ambayo haijawahi kuwako tangu kulipokuwapo taifa hata wakati uo huo; na wakati huo watu wako wataokolewa, kila mmoja atakayepatikana ameandikwa katika kitabu. Na wengi wa hao waliolala katika mavumbi ya nchi wataamka, wengine kwa uzima wa milele, na wengine kwa aibu na dharau ya milele. Na wenye hekima watang'aa kama uangavu wa anga; na wale waongozao wengi katika haki watang'aa kama nyota milele na milele. Lakini wewe, Ee Danieli, funga maneno haya, na tia muhuri kitabu, hata wakati wa mwisho; wengi wataenda huku na huku, na maarifa yataongezeka.' Danieli 12:1-4." Manuscript Releases, nambari 13, 394.

In this passage Sister White first references Daniel chapter eleven and then identifies the principle “that much of the history which has taken place in fulfillment of this prophecy will be repeated.” She then directly quotes verse thirty to thirty-six and follows with the statement that, “scenes similar to those described in these words will take place.” After identifying verse thirty to thirty-six, and saying scenes similar to those verses will take place, she then identifies the close of probation, when Michael stands up in verse one of chapter twelve. In doing so, she is isolating those seven verses, and placing them in the history which immediately precedes Michael standing up.

Katika kifungu hiki Dada White kwanza anarejelea Danieli sura ya kumi na moja kisha anatambua kanuni ya kwamba “sehemu kubwa ya historia ambayo imekwisha kutokea katika utimizo wa unabii huu itarudiwa.” Kisha ananukuu moja kwa moja mstari wa thelathini hadi wa thelathini na sita na kufuatisha na kauli kwamba, “matukio yanayofanana na yale yaliyofafanuliwa katika maneno haya yatatukia.” Baada ya kutambua mstari wa thelathini hadi wa thelathini na sita, na kusema kwamba matukio yanayofanana na mistari hiyo yatatukia, ndipo anatambua kufungwa kwa muda wa rehema, wakati Mikaeli anaposimama katika mstari wa kwanza wa sura ya kumi na mbili. Kwa kufanya hivyo, anaitenga mistari hiyo saba, na kuiweka katika historia inayotangulia mara moja kusimama kwa Mikaeli.

More than once we have addressed the history of verses thirty to thirty-six, and how they parallel verses forty to forty-five of Daniel eleven, and we will now begin to consider other periods of prophetic history in chapter eleven that is repeated in those final six verses. However, before we do we will once again present a brief summary of the parallel of verses thirty to thirty-six with verses forty to forty-five.

Mara kadhaa tumejadili historia ya mistari thelathini hadi thelathini na sita, na jinsi yanavyolingana na mistari arobaini hadi arobaini na tano katika Danieli sura ya kumi na moja; na sasa tutaanza kuzingatia vipindi vingine vya historia ya kinabii katika sura ya kumi na moja vinavyorudiwa katika mistari sita ya mwisho. Hata hivyo, kabla hatujafanya hivyo, tutatoa tena muhtasari mfupi wa ulinganifu kati ya mistari thelathini hadi thelathini na sita na mistari arobaini hadi arobaini na tano.

Verse thirty marks the transition from pagan Rome to papal Rome. That transitional history is addressed in a variety of prophetic passages that identify such dates as the years 330, 508, 533 and 538. There are other prophetic markers in the transition from the fourth kingdom to the fifth kingdom of Bible prophecy, but in verse thirty-one pagan Rome stands up for the papacy, as represented by Clovis in the year 496. The pagan powers initially represented by Clovis in the verse accomplish the work of removing any pagan resistance (the daily) to the rise of the papacy by the year 508. The warfare of those times brings destruction against the City of Rome during that history as represented by the “sanctuary of strength”, and by the year 538, the pagan powers place the papacy on the throne of the earth, and she then passes a Sunday law at the Council of Orleans.

Aya ya thelathini huashiria mpito kutoka Roma ya kipagani kwenda Roma ya kipapa. Historia hiyo ya mpito inashughulikiwa katika vifungu mbalimbali vya unabii vinavyotaja tarehe kama vile miaka ya 330, 508, 533 na 538. Kuna alama nyingine za kiunabii katika mpito kutoka ufalme wa nne kwenda ufalme wa tano wa unabii wa Biblia, lakini katika aya ya thelathini na moja Roma ya kipagani husimama kwa niaba ya upapa, kama anavyowakilishwa na Clovis katika mwaka wa 496. Mamlaka za kipagani zilizowakilishwa hapo awali na Clovis katika aya hiyo hutimiza kazi ya kuondoa upinzani wowote wa kipagani (wa daima) dhidi ya kuinuka kwa upapa kufikia mwaka wa 508. Vita vya nyakati hizo huleta maangamizo juu ya Mji wa Roma katika historia hiyo kama inavyowakilishwa na “patakatifu pa nguvu”, na kufikia mwaka wa 538, mamlaka za kipagani humweka upapa juu ya kiti cha enzi cha dunia, naye kisha hupitisha sheria ya Jumapili katika Mtaguso wa Orleans.

Verses thirty-two through thirty-six identify the murderous warfare the papacy then brought against God’s faithful during the twelve hundred and sixty years of the Dark Ages. Ultimately the papacy comes to her end in verse thirty-six. In verse forty, Reagan formed a secret alliance with the antichrist, marking when the resistance of Protestantism had been taken away, as represented by the year 508. Reagan’s commitment of finances and military might had been typified by the “arms” standing up for the papacy in 496. The destruction of pagan Rome’s sanctuary of strength, represented by the city of Rome, typifies the destruction of the US Constitution at the soon coming Sunday law, for the Constitution is the sanctuary of strength for the United States. At the Sunday law the papacy will once again be placed upon the throne of the earth, as represented by the year 538.

Aya ya thelathini na mbili hadi thelathini na sita zinatambulisha vita vya uuaji ambavyo upapa uliwaletea waaminifu wa Mungu katika kipindi cha miaka elfu moja mia mbili na sitini ya Zama za Giza. Hatimaye upapa hufikia mwisho wake katika aya ya thelathini na sita. Katika aya ya arobaini, Reagan aliunda muungano wa siri na mpinga-Kristo, akiashiria wakati ambapo upinzani wa Uprotestanti ulikuwa umeondolewa, kama unavyowakilishwa na mwaka 508. Kujitolea kwa Reagan kwa fedha na nguvu za kijeshi kulikuwa kumefananishwa na “majeshi” yaliyoinuka kuutetea upapa mwaka 496. Uharibifu wa patakatifu pa nguvu pa Rumi ya kipagani, uliowakilishwa na mji wa Roma, unafananisha uharibifu wa Katiba ya Marekani katika sheria ya Jumapili inayokuja karibuni, kwa maana Katiba ndiyo patakatifu pa nguvu ya Marekani. Katika sheria ya Jumapili, upapa utawekwa tena juu ya kiti cha enzi cha dunia, kama unavyowakilishwa na mwaka 538.

Then will begin the final period of murderous papal persecution brought against God’s faithful as occurred in the Dark Ages from 538 unto 1798. This will lead to the close of human probation, when Michael stands up, as represented by 1798, when the papacy, who had prospered for twelve hundred and sixty years, received the indignation of the deadly wound.

Kisha kipindi cha mwisho cha mateso ya kipapa ya kikatili na ya umwagaji damu dhidi ya waaminifu wa Mungu kitaanza, kama ilivyotokea katika Enzi za Giza kuanzia mwaka 538 hadi 1798. Hii itasababisha kufungwa kwa kipindi cha rehema kwa wanadamu, wakati Mikaeli atakaposimama, kama inavyoakilishwa na mwaka 1798, wakati upapa, uliokuwa umestawi kwa miaka elfu moja mia mbili na sitini, ulipopokea ghadhabu ya jeraha la mauti.

We will continue this study in the next article.

Tutaendelea na utafiti huu katika makala ijayo.

> “On one occasion, when in New York City, I was in the night season called upon to behold buildings rising story after story toward heaven. These buildings were warranted to be fireproof, and they were erected to glorify their owners and builders. Higher and still higher these buildings rose, and in them the most costly material was used. Those to whom these buildings belonged were not asking themselves: ‘How can we best glorify God?’ The Lord was not in their thoughts.

> Mara moja, nilipokuwa katika Jiji la New York, wakati wa usiku niliitwa kutazama majengo yakipanda ghorofa baada ya ghorofa kuelekea mbinguni. Majengo haya yalihakikishwa kuwa yasiyoshika moto, na yalijengwa ili kuwatukuza wamiliki na wajenzi wao. Juu na juu zaidi majengo haya yaliinuka, na katika hayo zilitumika nyenzo za gharama kubwa zaidi. Wale ambao majengo haya yalikuwa yao hawakujiuliza: ‘Tunawezaje kumtukuza Mungu kwa njia bora zaidi?’ Bwana hakuwa katika mawazo yao.

> “I thought: ‘Oh, that those who are thus investing their means could see their course as God sees it! They are piling up magnificent buildings, but how foolish in the sight of the Ruler of the universe is their planning and devising. They are not studying with all the powers of heart and mind how they may glorify God. They have lost sight of this, the first duty of man.’

> Nilifikiri: 'Laiti wale wanaowekeza rasilimali zao kwa namna hii wangeuona mwenendo wao kama Mungu anavyouona! Wanajenga na kujilimbikizia majengo makuu ya kifahari, lakini jinsi ilivyo ya kipumbavu machoni pa Mtawala wa ulimwengu mipango na mikakati yao. Hawatafakari kwa nguvu zote za moyo na akili jinsi wanavyoweza kumtukuza Mungu. Wamelisahau hili, wajibu wa kwanza wa mwanadamu.'

> “As these lofty buildings went up, the owners rejoiced with ambitious pride that they had money to use in gratifying self and provoking the envy of their neighbors. Much of the money that they thus invested had been obtained through exaction, through grinding down the poor. They forgot that in heaven an account of every business transaction is kept; every unjust deal, every fraudulent act, is there recorded. The time is coming when in their fraud and insolence men will reach a point that the Lord will not permit them to pass, and they will learn that there is a limit to the forbearance of Jehovah.

> Kadiri majengo haya marefu yalipoinuka, wamiliki walishangilia kwa kiburi cha tamaa kwamba walikuwa na fedha za kutumia kwa kujiridhisha wao wenyewe na kuamsha wivu wa majirani zao. Sehemu kubwa ya fedha walizowekeza hivyo zilikuwa zimepatikana kwa kutoza kwa mabavu, kwa kuwakandamiza maskini. Walisahau kwamba mbinguni kumbukumbu ya kila muamala wa biashara huhifadhiwa; kila makubaliano yasiyo ya haki, kila tendo la udanganyifu, huandikwa huko. Wakati unakuja ambapo, katika udanganyifu wao na ujeuri wao, wanadamu watafikia hatua ambayo Bwana hatawaruhusu kuipita, nao watajifunza kwamba kuna kikomo cha uvumilivu wa Yehova.

> “The scene that next passed before me was an alarm of fire. Men looked at the lofty and supposedly fire-proof buildings and said: ‘They are perfectly safe.’ But these buildings were consumed as if made of pitch. The fire engines could do nothing to stay the destruction. The firemen were unable to operate the engines.

> Tukio lililofuata lililopita mbele yangu lilikuwa king'ora cha moto. Wanaume waliyatazama majengo marefu na yanayodhaniwa kuwa yasiyoshika moto, wakasema: 'Ni salama kabisa.' Lakini majengo haya yaliteketea kana kwamba yametengenezwa kwa lami. Magari ya zimamoto hayakuweza kufanya lolote kuzuia uharibifu. Wazima moto hawakuweza kuyaendesha magari hayo.

> “I am instructed that when the Lord’s time comes, should no change have taken place in the hearts of proud, ambitious human beings, men will find that the hand that had been strong to save will be strong to destroy. No earthly power can stay the hand of God. No material can be used in the erection of buildings that will preserve them from destruction when God’s appointed time comes to send retribution on men for their disregard of His law and for their selfish ambition.

> Nimeagizwa kwamba wakati wa Bwana utakapowadia, ikiwa hakutakuwa na mabadiliko yaliyotokea katika mioyo ya wanadamu wenye kiburi na tamaa ya ukuu, watu watagundua kwamba mkono uliokuwa wenye nguvu kuokoa utakuwa wenye nguvu kuangamiza. Hakuna nguvu ya kidunia inayoweza kuzuia mkono wa Mungu. Hakuna nyenzo yoyote inayoweza kutumika katika ujenzi wa majengo ili kuyahifadhi kutokana na uharibifu wakati aliouweka Mungu utakapowadia kuleta adhabu juu ya wanadamu kwa kupuuza kwao sheria Yake na kwa tamaa yao ya ubinafsi.

> “There are not many, even among educators and statesmen, who comprehend the causes that underlie the present state of society. Those who hold the reins of government are not able to solve the problem of moral corruption, poverty, pauperism, and increasing crime. They are struggling in vain to place business operations on a more secure basis. If men would give more heed to the teaching of God’s word, they would find a solution of the problems that perplex them.

> Si wengi, hata miongoni mwa waelimishaji na wanasiasa, wanaoelewa sababu zilizo chimbuko la hali ya sasa ya jamii. Wanaoshikilia hatamu za serikali hawawezi kutatua tatizo la upotovu wa maadili, umaskini, ufukara, na kuongezeka kwa uhalifu. Wanahangaika bure kuziweka shughuli za biashara katika msingi ulio thabiti zaidi. Kama watu wangezingatia zaidi mafundisho ya neno la Mungu, wangepata suluhisho la matatizo yanayowatatiza.

> “The Scriptures describe the condition of the world just before Christ’s second coming. Of the men who by robbery and extortion are amassing great riches, it is written: ‘Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days. Behold, the hire of the laborers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth. Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter. Ye have condemned and killed the just; and he doth not resist you.’ James 5:3–6.

> Maandiko yanaeleza hali ya dunia kabla tu ya kuja kwa pili kwa Kristo. Kuhusu watu ambao kwa wizi na udhulumu wanajilimbikizia utajiri mwingi, imeandikwa: 'Mmejiwekea hazina kwa siku za mwisho. Tazama, ujira wa wale waliovuna mashamba yenu, ambao mmeuzuia kwa hila, unalia; na kilio cha wale waliovuna kimeingia masikioni mwa Bwana wa majeshi. Mmeishi kwa anasa duniani, na mkajifurahisha; mmeulea mioyo yenu, kana kwamba siku ya machinjo. Mmemhukumu na mmemuua yule mwenye haki; wala yeye hampingi.' Yakobo 5:3-6.

> “But who reads the warnings given by the fast-fulfilling signs of the times? What impression is made upon worldlings? What change is seen in their attitude? No more than was seen in the attitude of the inhabitants of the Noachian world. Absorbed in worldly business and pleasure, the antediluvians ‘knew not until the Flood came, and took them all away.’ Matthew 24:39. They had heaven-sent warnings, but they refused to listen. And today the world, utterly regardless of the warning voice of God, is hurrying on to eternal ruin.

> Lakini ni nani anayesoma maonyo yanayotolewa na ishara za nyakati zinazotimia kwa haraka? Wapenda dunia wanaathirika vipi? Ni mabadiliko gani yanaonekana katika mtazamo wao? Si zaidi ya yale yaliyoonekana katika mtazamo wa wakazi wa ulimwengu wa enzi za Nuhu. Wakiwa wamezama katika shughuli na anasa za kidunia, watu wa kabla ya Gharika ‘hawakujua mpaka Gharika ilipokuja, ikawachukua wote.’ Mathayo 24:39. Walikuwa na maonyo yaliyotumwa kutoka mbinguni, lakini walikataa kusikiliza. Na leo ulimwengu, ukiipuuzia kabisa sauti ya onyo ya Mungu, unakimbilia kwenye maangamizi ya milele.

> “The world is stirred with the spirit of war. The prophecy of the eleventh chapter of Daniel has nearly reached its complete fulfillment. Soon the scenes of trouble spoken of in the prophecies will take place.” Testimonies, volume 9, 12–14.

> “Ulimwengu unachochewa na roho ya vita. Unabii wa sura ya kumi na moja ya Danieli umekaribia sana kufikia utimilifu wake kamili. Hivi karibuni matukio ya taabu yaliyonenwa katika unabii yatatukia.” Testimonies, juzuu ya 9, 12–14.

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