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# The Book of Daniel - Number Seventy-Nine

Kitabu cha Danieli - Nambari Sabini na Tisa

Unveiling the Rebellion of 1888: Lessons from the Second Generation of Laodicean Adventism

Kufunua Uasi wa 1888: Masomo kutoka kwa Kizazi cha Pili cha Uadventista wa Laodikia

Author

Jeff Pippenger

Published

February 12, 2024

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The second generation of Laodicean Adventism arrived in 1888, and that generation is symbolically represented in Ezekiel chapter eight, as the second abomination, which is represented by the “chambers of his imagery.”

Kizazi cha pili cha Uadventista wa Laodikia kilijitokeza mwaka 1888, na kizazi hicho kinawakilishwa kwa njia ya mfano katika Ezekieli sura ya nane, kama chukizo la pili, ambacho kinawakilishwa na "vyumba vya sanamu zake."

> So I went in and saw; and behold every form of creeping things, and abominable beasts, and all the idols of the house of Israel, pourtrayed upon the wall round about. And there stood before them seventy men of the ancients of the house of Israel, and in the midst of them stood Jaazaniah the son of Shaphan, with every man his censer in his hand; and a thick cloud of incense went up. Then said he unto me, Son of man, hast thou seen what the ancients of the house of Israel do in the dark, every man in the chambers of his imagery? for they say, The Lord seeth us not; the Lord hath forsaken the earth. Ezekiel 8:10–12.

> Basi nikaingia na kuona; na tazama, kila namna ya viumbe watambaao, na wanyama wa machukizo, na sanamu zote za nyumba ya Israeli, zimechorwa ukutani pande zote. Na mbele yao walikuwa wamesimama wanaume sabini miongoni mwa wazee wa nyumba ya Israeli, na katikati yao alisimama Jaazaniah mwana wa Shaphan, na kila mtu alikuwa na kifukizio chake mkononi; na wingu zito la uvumba likapaa. Kisha akaniambia, Mwanadamu, je, umeona wanayoyafanya wazee wa nyumba ya Israeli gizani, kila mtu katika vyumba vya picha zake? Maana wanasema, Bwana hatuoni; Bwana ameiacha nchi. Ezekieli 8:10-12.

The chambers of imagery represent the wicked secrets within the hearts of those represented as the ancient men, and they have brought that very wickedness into not only the chambers of their minds, but also into the chambers of God’s sanctuary.

Vyumba vya taswira vinawakilisha siri ovu zilizo ndani ya mioyo ya wale wanaowakilishwa kama wazee wa kale, na wameuingiza uovu huo huo si tu ndani ya vyumba vya mawazo yao, bali pia ndani ya vyumba vya patakatifu pa Mungu.

> Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meats: For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee. Proverbs 23:6, 7.

> Usile mkate wa mtu mwenye jicho ovu, wala usitamani vyakula vyake vya anasa; kwa maana kama awazavyo moyoni mwake, ndivyo alivyo; asema kwako, 'Kula na kunywa'; lakini moyo wake si pamoja nawe. Mithali 23:6, 7.

The wickedness of the chambers of imagery is written both on the walls of the temple and the walls of the ancient men’s minds. The secret chambers of imagery of the second abomination of Ezekiel chapter eight, represent the second generation of Laodicean Adventism, and of the four abominations the second abomination takes more time to emphasize a corporate rebellion, although all four abominations are represented as being carried out by the men who were supposed to be the guardians of the people.

Uovu wa vyumba vya sanamu umeandikwa kwenye kuta za hekalu na pia kwenye kuta za akili za wazee wa kale. Vyumba vya siri vya sanamu vya chukizo la pili katika Ezekieli sura ya nane vinawakilisha kizazi cha pili cha Uadventista wa Laodikia, na kati ya machukizo manne, chukizo la pili hutumia muda zaidi kusisitiza uasi wa pamoja, ingawa machukizo yote manne yanaonyeshwa kuwa yanatendwa na wanaume waliopaswa kuwa walinzi wa watu.

> “The mark of deliverance has been set upon those ‘that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done.’ Now the angel of death goes forth, represented in Ezekiel’s vision by the men with the slaughtering weapons, to whom the command is given: ‘Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at My sanctuary.’ Says the prophet: ‘They began at the ancient men which were before the house.’ Ezekiel 9:1–6. The work of destruction begins among those who have professed to be the spiritual guardians of the people. The false watchmen are the first to fall. There are none to pity or to spare. Men, women, maidens, and little children perish together.” The Great Controversy, 656.

> Alama ya wokovu imewekwa juu ya wale “wanaougua na kulia kwa ajili ya machukizo yote yanayofanyika.” Sasa malaika wa mauti anatoka, anayewakilishwa katika maono ya Ezekieli na watu wenye silaha za kuchinja, ambao wamepewa amri: “Uwaueni kabisa wazee na vijana, wanawali, watoto wadogo, na wanawake; lakini msimkaribie mtu yeyote ambaye ana alama; nanyi anzeni katika patakatifu pangu.” Asema nabii: “Wakaanza kwa wale wazee waliokuwa mbele ya nyumba.” Ezekieli 9:1-6. Kazi ya maangamizi inaanza miongoni mwa wale waliodai kuwa walinzi wa kiroho wa watu. Walinzi wa uongo ndio wa kwanza kuanguka. Hakuna wa kuonewa huruma, wala wa kuachwa hai. Wanaume, wanawake, wanawali, na watoto wadogo wanaangamia pamoja. Pambano Kuu, 656.

The rebellion that marks the arrival of the second generation is specifically associated with the leadership of Laodicean Adventism, as fulfilled at the 1888 General Conference meeting in Minneapolis. It is represented by the expression “ancients of the house of Israel” and also by the “seventy men.” It was seventy elders that were associated with the work of Moses, and Jesus’ second group of disciples consisted of seventy men. “Seventy” represents leadership, as does “the ancients.” The second abomination places an extra emphasis upon the leadership, and in so doing it places the emphasis upon the abomination as being associated with a corporate rebellion of the leadership.

Uasi unaoashiria kuwasili kwa kizazi cha pili unahusishwa mahsusi na uongozi wa Uadventista wa Laodikia, kama ulivyotimia katika mkutano wa 1888 wa Mkutano Mkuu huko Minneapolis. Uasi huo unawakilishwa na usemi "wazee wa nyumba ya Israeli" na pia na "wanaume sabini." Ilikuwa wazee sabini waliokuwa wakihusishwa na kazi ya Musa, na kundi la pili la wanafunzi wa Yesu lilikuwa na wanaume sabini. "Sabini" huwakilisha uongozi, vivyo hivyo "wazee." Chukizo la pili linaweka mkazo wa ziada juu ya uongozi, na kwa kufanya hivyo linaweka mkazo kwamba chukizo hilo linahusishwa na uasi wa pamoja wa uongozi.

In the midst of the seventy ancient men stood “Jaazaniah the son of Shaphan.” The name “Jaazaniah,” means “heard of God”, and he represents a leadership that rebelled at the very time that God was speaking, for he heard God, but refused to listen, for he professed that God had forsaken his people, and that God did not see what was happening in the secret chambers. Jaazaniah was the “son of Shaphan,” and the name “Shaphan” means “to hide”. The setting of the second generation represents a rebellion of the leadership that rebelled in the very time when God was speaking, and they believed that God did not see or care about their actions.

Katikati ya wale wazee wa kale sabini alisimama “Jaazaniah mwana wa Shaphan.” Jina “Jaazaniah” linamaanisha “aliyemsikia Mungu,” naye anawakilisha uongozi uliokaidi wakati wenyewe Mungu alipokuwa akinena, kwa kuwa alimsikia Mungu lakini alikataa kusikiliza, maana alidai kwamba Mungu alikuwa amewatelekeza watu wake, na kwamba Mungu hakuona kilichokuwa kikitendeka katika vyumba vya siri. Jaazaniah alikuwa “mwana wa Shaphan,” na jina “Shaphan” linamaanisha “kuficha.” Muktadha wa kizazi cha pili unawakilisha uasi wa uongozi uliokaidi wakati wenyewe Mungu alipokuwa akinena, nao waliamini kwamba Mungu hakuona wala kujali matendo yao.

Sister White recorded that she was shown the conversations of the leadership of Laodicean Adventism during the 1888 General Conference. At the 1888 General Conference God showed Sister White the meetings of the leaders which they had among themselves when they thought God was not listening. There in the secrecy of their rooms they spoke evil against Sister White, her son, and Elders Jones and Waggoner. They believed they could speak freely, for God could not see them in their private quarters, but God showed these very conversations to the prophetess. They were in a corporate meeting, and according to inspiration they were hearing the message of the latter rain, but they refused to hear.

Dada White aliandika kwamba alionyeshwa mazungumzo ya viongozi wa Uadventista wa Laodikia wakati wa Mkutano Mkuu wa 1888. Katika Mkutano Mkuu wa 1888 Mungu alimwonyesha Dada White mikutano ya viongozi waliyokuwa wakifanya wao kwa wao walipodhani kwamba Mungu hasikiliza. Huko katika usiri wa vyumba vyao walinena maovu dhidi ya Dada White, mwanawe, na Wazee Jones na Waggoner. Waliamini wangeweza kusema kwa uhuru, maana walidhani Mungu asingeweza kuwaona katika vyumba vyao binafsi, lakini Mungu alimwonyesha nabii mwanamke mazungumzo hayo hayo. Walikuwa katika mkutano wa pamoja, na kulingana na ufunuo walikuwa wakisikia ujumbe wa mvua ya mwisho, lakini walikataa kuusikia.

What was it that had produced a leadership that manifested such open rebellion in 1888, that Sister White compared it to the rebellion of Korah, Dathan and Abiram?

Ni nini kilichosababisha uongozi uliodhihirisha uasi wa wazi kama huo mwaka 1888, kiasi kwamba Dada White akaulinganisha na uasi wa Korah, Dathan na Abiram?

> “When you are enlightened by the Holy Spirit, you will see all that wickedness at Minneapolis as it is, as God looks upon it. If I never see you again in this world, be assured that I forgive you the sorrow and distress and burden of soul you have brought upon me without any cause. But for your soul’s sake, for the sake of Him who died for you, I want you to see and confess your errors. You did unite with those who resisted the Spirit of God. You had all the evidence that you needed that the Lord was working through Brethren Jones and Waggoner; but you did not receive the light; and after the feelings indulged, the words spoken against the truth, you did not feel ready to confess that you had done wrong, that these men had a message from God, and you had made light of both message and messengers.

> Utakapotiwa nuru na Roho Mtakatifu, utaona ule uovu wote huko Minneapolis kama ulivyo, kama Mungu anavyouangalia. Ikiwa sitakuona tena katika dunia hii, uwe na hakika kwamba nimekusamehe huzuni, dhiki, na mzigo wa roho uliyoniletea bila sababu yoyote. Lakini kwa ajili ya roho yako, kwa ajili ya Yeye aliyekufa kwa ajili yako, nataka uone na ukiri makosa yako. Uliungana na wale waliompinga Roho wa Mungu. Ulikuwa na ushahidi wote uliouhitaji kwamba Bwana alikuwa akifanya kazi kupitia Ndugu Jones na Waggoner; lakini hukupokea nuru; na baada ya kuendekeza hisia hizo, na kusema maneno dhidi ya kweli, hukuhisi uko tayari kukiri kwamba ulikuwa umekosea, kwamba watu hawa walikuwa na ujumbe kutoka kwa Mungu, na ulikuwa umedharau ujumbe pamoja na wajumbe.

> “Never before have I seen among our people such firm self-complacency and unwillingness to accept and acknowledge light as was manifested at Minneapolis. I have been shown that not one of the company who cherished the spirit manifested at that meeting would again have clear light to discern the preciousness of the truth sent them from heaven until they humbled their pride and confessed that they were not actuated by the Spirit of God, but that their minds and hearts were filled with prejudice. The Lord desired to come near to them, to bless them and heal them of their backslidings, but they would not hearken. They were actuated by the same spirit that inspired Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. Those men of Israel were determined to resist all evidence that would prove them to be wrong, and they went on and on in their course of disaffection until many were drawn away to unite with them.

> Sijawahi kuona kabla miongoni mwa watu wetu kujiridhisha nafsi kwa uthabiti na kutokutaka kukubali na kukiri nuru kama kulivyodhihirishwa huko Minneapolis. Nimeonyeshwa kwamba hakuna hata mmoja wa wale waliokumbatia roho iliyodhihirishwa katika mkutano ule ambaye angepata tena nuru iliyo wazi ya kutambua thamani ya kweli iliyotumwa kwao kutoka mbinguni hadi watakaponyenyekea, wakashusha kiburi chao, na kukiri kwamba hawakuwa wanaongozwa na Roho wa Mungu, bali akili zao na mioyo yao zilikuwa zimejaa upendeleo. Bwana alitamani kuwakaribia, kuwabariki, na kuwaponya kutokana na kurudi nyuma kwao, lakini hawakutaka kusikiliza. Waliongozwa na roho ile ile iliyowachochea Kora, Dathani, na Abiramu. Wale wanaume wa Israeli walikuwa wameazimia kupinga ushahidi wote ambao ungetibitisha kwamba walikuwa wamekosea, nao waliendelea tu katika mwenendo wao wa uasi hata wengi wakavutwa mbali wakaungana nao.

> “Who were these? Not the weak, not the ignorant, not the unenlightened. In that rebellion there were two hundred and fifty princes famous in the congregation, men of renown. What was their testimony? ‘All the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the Lord?’ [Numbers 16:3]. When Korah and his companions perished under the judgment of God, the people whom they had deceived saw not the hand of the Lord in this miracle. The whole congregation the next morning charged Moses and Aaron, ‘Ye have killed the people of the Lord’ [Verse 41], and the plague was upon the congregation, and more than fourteen thousand perished.

> Hawa walikuwa akina nani? Si wadhaifu, si wasiojua, si wasio na nuru. Katika uasi huo kulikuwa na wakuu mia mbili na hamsini waliotajika katika kusanyiko, wanaume mashuhuri. Ushuhuda wao ulikuwa upi? ‘Kusanyiko lote ni watakatifu, kila mmoja wao, na Bwana yuko kati yao; mbona basi mnajiinua juu ya kusanyiko la Bwana?’ [Hesabu 16:3]. Korah na wenzake walipoangamia chini ya hukumu ya Mungu, watu waliokuwa wamewadanganya hawakuona mkono wa Bwana katika muujiza huu. Kusanyiko lote asubuhi iliyofuata liliwashitaki Musa na Haruni, ‘Mmeua watu wa Bwana’ [Aya 41], nayo tauni ikawa juu ya kusanyiko, na zaidi ya elfu kumi na nne wakaangamia.

> “When I purposed to leave Minneapolis, the angel of the Lord stood by me and said: ‘Not so; God has a work for you to do in this place. The people are acting over the rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. I have placed you in your proper position, which those who are not in the light will not acknowledge; they will not heed your testimony; but I will be with you; My grace and power shall sustain you. It is not you they are despising, but the messengers and the message I send to My people. They have shown contempt for the word of the Lord. Satan has blinded their eyes and perverted their judgment; and unless every soul shall repent of this their sin, this unsanctified independence that is doing insult to the Spirit of God, they will walk in darkness. I will remove the candlestick out of his place except they repent and be converted, that I should heal them. They have obscured their spiritual eyesight. They would not that God would manifest His Spirit and His power; for they have a spirit of mockery and disgust at My word. Lightness, trifling, jesting, and joking are daily practiced. They have not set their hearts to seek Me. They walk in the sparks of their own kindling, and unless they repent they shall lie down in sorrow. Thus saith the Lord: Stand at your post of duty; for I am with thee, and will not leave thee nor forsake thee.’ These words from God I have not dared to disregard.

> "Nilipokusudia kuondoka Minneapolis, malaika wa Bwana akasimama karibu nami akasema: 'Sivyo; Mungu ana kazi uifanye mahali hapa. Watu wanaurudia uasi wa Kora, Dathani, na Abiramu. Nimekuweka katika nafasi yako ipasayo, ambayo wale wasio katika nuru hawataitambua; hawatazingatia ushuhuda wako; lakini nitakuwa pamoja nawe; Neema Yangu na nguvu Zangu zitakutegemeza. Si wewe wanayemdharao, bali wajumbe na ujumbe ninaotuma kwa watu Wangu. Wamedharau neno la Bwana. Shetani amepofusha macho yao na kupotosha hukumu yao; na isipokuwa kila nafsi itubu dhambi yao hii, huu uhuru usiotakaswa unaomkashifu Roho wa Mungu, watatembea gizani. Nitaiondoa kinara kutoka mahali pake isipokuwa watubu na waongoke, ili nipate kuwaponya. Wamefifisha uoni wao wa kiroho. Hawataki Mungu adhihirishe Roho Wake na nguvu Zake; kwa maana wana roho ya dhihaka na chukizo kwa neno Langu. Uzaha, upuuzi, utani, na maskhara hufanywa kila siku. Hawajaweka mioyo yao kunitafuta. Wanatembea katika cheche walizowasha wenyewe, na wasipotubu watalala katika huzuni. Hivi asema Bwana: Simama katika kituo chako cha wajibu; kwa maana Mimi nipo pamoja nawe, wala sitakuacha wala sitakutupa.' Maneno haya kutoka kwa Mungu sijathubutu kuyapuuza."

> “Light has been shining in Battle Creek in clear, bright rays; but who of those that acted a part in the meeting at Minneapolis have come to the light and received the rich treasures of truth which the Lord sent them from heaven? Who have kept step and step with the Leader, Jesus Christ? Who have made full confession of their mistaken zeal, their blindness, their jealousies and evil surmisings, their defiance of truth? Not one; and because of their long neglect to acknowledge the light, it has left them far behind; they have not been growing in grace and in the knowledge of Christ Jesus our Lord. They have failed to receive the needed grace which they might have had, and which would have made them strong men in religious experience.

> Nuru imekuwa iking'aa huko Battle Creek kwa miale iliyo wazi na ang'avu; lakini ni nani miongoni mwa wale walioshiriki katika mkutano huko Minneapolis waliokuja kwenye nuru na kupokea hazina tele za kweli ambazo Bwana aliwatumia kutoka mbinguni? Ni nani amekuwa akienda hatua kwa hatua na Kiongozi, Yesu Kristo? Ni nani ametoa ungamo kamili la ari yao iliyokosea, upofu wao, wivu wao na dhana zao mbaya, ukaidi wao dhidi ya kweli? Hakuna hata mmoja; na kwa sababu ya kuipuuzia kwa muda mrefu ile nuru, imewaacha mbali sana; hawajakuwa wakikua katika neema na katika kumjua Kristo Yesu Bwana wetu. Wameshindwa kupokea neema iliyohitajika ambayo wangeweza kuwa nayo, na ambayo ingewafanya wawe watu imara katika uzoefu wa kidini.

> “The position taken at Minneapolis was apparently an insurmountable barrier which in a great degree shut them in with doubters, questioners, with the rejecters of truth and the power of God. When another crisis comes, those who have so long resisted evidence piled upon evidence will again be tested upon the points where they failed so manifestly, and it will be hard for them to receive that which is from God and refuse that which is from the powers of darkness. Therefore their only safe course is to walk in humility, making straight paths for their feet, lest the lame be turned out of the way. It makes every difference whom we company with, whether it is with men who walk with God and who believe and trust Him, or with men who follow their own supposed wisdom, walking in the sparks of their own kindling.

> Msimamo ulioshikiliwa huko Minneapolis ulionekana kuwa kizuizi kisichoweza kupitika ambacho, kwa kiasi kikubwa, kiliwafungia ndani pamoja na wenye shaka, wenye kuuliza maswali, pamoja na waliokataa ukweli na nguvu za Mungu. Wakati mzozo mwingine utakapokuja, wale ambao kwa muda mrefu wameupinga ushahidi juu ya ushahidi watajaribiwa tena katika mambo yale yale waliyoshindwa kwa dhahiri, na itakuwa vigumu kwao kupokea kile kilicho kutoka kwa Mungu na kukataa kile kinachotoka kwa nguvu za giza. Kwa hiyo, njia yao ya pekee iliyo salama ni kutembea kwa unyenyekevu, wakitengeneza njia zilizo nyoofu kwa miguu yao, ili vilema wasije wakapotoka njiani. Inaleta tofauti kubwa ni nani tunaandamana naye, iwe ni na watu waendao na Mungu na wanaomwamini na kumtumaini, au na watu wanaofuata hekima yao wanayojiwazia, wakitembea katika cheche za mwako wao wenyewe.

> “The time and care and labor required to counteract the influence of those who have worked against the truth has been a terrible loss; for we might have been years ahead in spiritual knowledge; and many, many souls might have been added to the church if those who ought to have walked in the light had followed on to know the Lord, that they might know His going forth is prepared as the morning. But when so much labor has to be expended right in the church to counteract the influence of workers who have stood as a granite wall against the truth God sends to His people, the world is left in comparative darkness.

> Muda, uangalizi, na kazi vinavyohitajika kupinga ushawishi wa wale waliokuwa wakifanya kazi kinyume na kweli vimekuwa hasara kubwa; maana huenda tungalikuwa miaka mingi mbele katika maarifa ya kiroho; na nafsi nyingi mno zingeongezwa kanisani kama wale waliopaswa kutembea katika nuru wangeendelea kumjua Bwana, ili wajue kwamba kutokea kwake kumetayarishwa kama asubuhi. Lakini wakati juhudi nyingi kiasi hicho zinapaswa kutumika ndani ya kanisa lenyewe ili kupinga ushawishi wa watenda kazi ambao wamesimama kama ukuta wa graniti dhidi ya kweli ambayo Mungu anaituma kwa watu wake, dunia huachwa katika giza la kiasi.

> “God meant that the watchmen should arise and with united voices send forth a decided message, giving the trumpet a certain sound, that the people might all spring to their post of duty and act their part in the great work. Then the strong, clear light of that other angel who comes down from heaven having great power, would have filled the earth with his glory. We are years behind; and those who stood in blindness and hindered the advancement of the very message that God meant should go forth from the Minneapolis meeting as a lamp that burneth, have need to humble their hearts before God and see and understand how the work has been hindered by their blindness of mind and hardness of heart.” Manuscript Releases, volume 14, 107–111.

> "Mungu alikusudia kwamba walinzi wainuke na kwa sauti moja watoe ujumbe wenye msimamo thabiti, wakiupa baragumu sauti ya hakika, ili watu wote wajitokeze mara moja katika vituo vyao vya wajibu na watimize sehemu yao katika kazi kuu. Ndipo nuru yenye nguvu na iliyo wazi ya yule malaika mwingine ashukaye kutoka mbinguni akiwa na uwezo mkuu, ingekuwa imeujaza ulimwengu kwa utukufu wake. Tuko nyuma kwa miaka; na wale waliokuwa katika upofu na waliokwamisha maendeleo ya ule ujumbe wenyewe ambao Mungu alikusudia utoke katika mkutano wa Minneapolis kama taa iwakayayo, wanahitaji kunyenyekesha mioyo yao mbele za Mungu na kuona na kufahamu jinsi kazi hiyo imekwamishwa na upofu wa akili zao na ugumu wa mioyo yao." Manuscript Releases, juzuu ya 14, 107-111.

What was it that had produced a leadership that manifested such open rebellion in 1888, that Sister White compared it to the rebellion of Korah, Dathan and Abiram? The answer no doubt lies in the rebellion of 1863, that prepared the way for what Ezekiel was told would be even greater abominations. Rejecting the “seven times,” of Leviticus twenty-six, and introducing a counterfeit chart, would produce the necessity to uphold the counterfeit of 1863. Thus, Miller would watch his jewels get scattered and covered up with rubbish and counterfeit jewels and coins. The worldly saying says, “history is written by the victors.”

Ni nini kilichosababisha uongozi uliodhihirisha uasi wa wazi namna hiyo mwaka 1888, kiasi kwamba Dada White aliufananisha na uasi wa Kora, Dathani na Abiramu? Jibu bila shaka lipo katika uasi wa mwaka 1863, uliotayarisha njia kwa yale ambayo Ezekieli aliambiwa yangekuwa machukizo makubwa zaidi. Kukataa “mara saba” za Walawi sura ya ishirini na sita, na kuanzisha chati ya bandia, kungeleta ulazima wa kutetea ile bandia ya mwaka 1863. Hivyo, Miller angeona vito vyake vikitawanywa na kufunikwa na takataka na vito na sarafu za bandia. Usemi wa kidunia unasema, “historia huandikwa na washindi.”

Though not actually the victors, those leading the Laodicean Adventist church have spent time and effort to construct a historical narrative that upholds the increasing rebellion through the four generations, in an attempt to place that rebellion in a light that is far from the actual history recorded by the heavenly angels. The revision of history is a hallmark characteristic of the Jesuits of the Catholic Church, and historical revisionism has been a stock and trade of Laodicean Adventist historians. What is written these days by Laodicean Adventist “historians” about the Minneapolis General Conference session is a classic example of historical revisionism.

Ingawa si washindi halisi, viongozi wa Kanisa la Waadventista la Laodikia wametumia muda na juhudi kujenga simulizi la kihistoria linalounga mkono uasi unaozidi kuongezeka kupitia vizazi vinne, kwa jaribio la kuiweka hali hiyo ya uasi katika mwanga ulio mbali na historia halisi iliyorekodiwa na malaika wa mbinguni. Marekebisho ya historia ni sifa bainifu ya Wajesuiti wa Kanisa Katoliki, na urekebishaji wa kihistoria umekuwa shughuli ya kawaida ya wanahistoria wa Waadventista wa Laodikia. Kinachoandikwa siku hizi na “wanahistoria” wa Waadventista wa Laodikia kuhusu kikao cha Baraza Kuu kilichofanyika Minneapolis ni mfano dhahiri wa urekebishaji wa kihistoria.

There may have been a few of the rebels from that conference that eventually repented, but the exception to the rule, does not deny the rule. Sister White was commanded to stay and record the meeting, for the rebellion of Korah, Dathan and Abiram was being repeated. For Adventist historians to construct the testimony around whether the message of righteousness by faith was understood, not understood; rejected or not rejected, or thereafter accepted is to avoid the inspired testimony of a rebellion that was typified by Korah, Dathan and Abiram.

Huenda kulikuwa na wachache kati ya waasi kutoka kwenye mkutano huo ambao hatimaye walitubu, lakini kuwepo kwa isipokuwa hakukanushi kanuni. Dada White aliagizwa abaki na aandike kumbukumbu za mkutano, kwa kuwa uasi wa Kora, Dathani na Abiramu ulikuwa ukirudiwa. Kwa wanahistoria Waadventista kuelekeza ushuhuda katika swali la iwapo ujumbe wa haki kwa imani ulieleweka au haukueleweka; ulikataliwa au haukukataliwa, au baadaye ukakubaliwa, ni kukwepa ushuhuda uliovuviwa kuhusu uasi ambao mfano wake ni ule wa Kora, Dathani na Abiramu.

Which of those three rebels did Moses’ record show was afterward repentant and accepted back in the leadership with Moses?

Ni nani kati ya wale waasi watatu ambaye kumbukumbu ya Musa ilionyesha kwamba baadaye alitubu na akakubaliwa tena katika uongozi pamoja na Musa?

> “Korah, the leading spirit in this movement, was a Levite, of the family of Kohath, and a cousin of Moses; he was a man of ability and influence. Though appointed to the service of the tabernacle, he had become dissatisfied with his position and aspired to the dignity of the priesthood. The bestowal upon Aaron and his house of the priestly office, which had formerly devolved upon the first-born son of every family, had given rise to jealousy and dissatisfaction, and for some time Korah had been secretly opposing the authority of Moses and Aaron, though he had not ventured upon any open act of rebellion. He finally conceived the bold design of overthrowing both the civil and the religious authority. He did not fail to find sympathizers. Close to the tents of Korah and the Kohathites, on the south side of the tabernacle, was the encampment of the tribe of Reuben, the tents of Dathan and Abiram, two princes of this tribe, being near that of Korah. These princes readily joined in his ambitious schemes. Being descendants from the eldest son of Jacob, they claimed that the civil authority belonged to them, and they determined to divide with Korah the honors of the priesthood.

> Kora, kiongozi mkuu wa harakati hii, alikuwa Mlawi wa jamaa ya Koathi, na binamu wa Musa; alikuwa mtu mwenye uwezo na ushawishi. Ingawa alikuwa amekabidhiwa huduma ya hema ya kukutania, hakuridhishwa na nafasi yake, naye alitamani hadhi ya ukuhani. Kukabidhiwa kwa Haruni na nyumba yake cheo cha ukuhani, ambacho hapo awali kilikuwa kimekabidhiwa kwa mzaliwa wa kwanza wa kila familia, kulisababisha wivu na kutoridhika; na kwa muda fulani Kora alikuwa akipinga kwa siri mamlaka ya Musa na Haruni, ingawa hakuwa amethubutu kufanya tendo lolote la uasi waziwazi. Hatimaye alibuni mpango wa ujasiri wa kupindua mamlaka ya kiraia na ya kidini pia. Hakukosa kupata waungaji mkono. Karibu na hema za Kora na Wakoathi, upande wa kusini wa hema ya kukutania, palikuwa na kambi ya kabila la Reubeni; hema za Dathani na Abiramu, wakuu wawili wa kabila hilo, zilikuwa karibu na ile ya Kora. Wakuu hao waliungana kwa urahisi na mipango yake ya tamaa ya madaraka. Kwa kuwa walikuwa wazao wa mzaliwa wa kwanza wa Yakobo, walidai kwamba mamlaka ya kiraia ni yao, nao wakaazimia kugawana na Kora heshima za ukuhani.

> “The state of feeling among the people favored the designs of Korah. In the bitterness of their disappointment, their former doubts, jealousy, and hatred had returned, and again their complaints were directed against their patient leader. The Israelites were continually losing sight of the fact that they were under divine guidance. They forgot that the Angel of the covenant was their invisible leader, that, veiled by the cloudy pillar, the presence of Christ went before them, and that from Him Moses received all his directions.

> Hali ya hisia miongoni mwa watu iliipa nafasi hila za Kora. Katika uchungu wa kukatishwa tamaa kwao, mashaka yao ya zamani, wivu, na chuki vilikuwa vimerudi, na tena malalamiko yao yalielekezwa dhidi ya kiongozi wao mvumilivu. Waisraeli walikuwa mara kwa mara wakisahau kwamba walikuwa chini ya uongozi wa Mungu. Walisahau kwamba Malaika wa agano alikuwa kiongozi wao asiyeonekana, kwamba, akiwa amefunikwa na nguzo ya wingu, uwepo wa Kristo uliwatangulia, na kwamba kutoka Kwake Musa alipokea maelekezo yake yote.

> “They were unwilling to submit to the terrible sentence that they must all die in the wilderness, and hence they were ready to seize upon every pretext for believing that it was not God but Moses who was leading them and who had pronounced their doom. The best efforts of the meekest man upon the earth could not quell the insubordination of this people; and although the marks of God’s displeasure at their former perverseness were still before them in their broken ranks and missing numbers, they did not take the lesson to heart. Again they were overcome by temptation.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 395, 396.

> "Hawakuwa radhi kukubali hukumu ile ya kutisha kwamba wote walipaswa kufa jangwani, hivyo wakawa tayari kunyakua kila kisingizio cha kuamini kwamba si Mungu bali Musa ndiye aliyekuwa akiwaongoza na aliyekuwa ametamkia maangamizi yao. Jitihada bora kabisa za mtu mnyenyekevu mno duniani hazikuweza kuudhibiti uasi wa watu hawa; na ingawa dalili za ghadhabu ya Mungu juu ya ukaidi wao wa zamani zilikuwa bado mbele yao katika safu zao zilizovunjika na idadi yao iliyopungua, hawakulitia moyoni somo hilo. Tena walishindwa na majaribu." Mababu na Manabii, 395, 396.

Laodicean Adventism began in 1856, and in 1863 it became the legally registered Laodicean Adventist church. As previously addressed in prior articles, there is no inspired testimony that Laodicea is ever saved. It cannot be saved unless it repents of its condition, and accepts the experience represented by Philadelphia. Laodicea is a people that is judged, by being spewed out of the mouth of the Lord. As the Laodicean church, inspiration identifies that the church was destined to wander in the wilderness as did ancient Israel.

Uadventista wa Laodikia ulianza mwaka 1856, na mwaka 1863 ukawa kanisa la Waadventista wa Laodikia lililosajiliwa kisheria. Kama ilivyojadiliwa katika makala zilizopita, hakuna ushuhuda uliovuviwa unaoonyesha kwamba Laodikia huokolewa wakati wowote. Haiwezi kuokolewa isipokuwa itubu hali yake, na ikubali uzoefu unaowakilishwa na Filadelfia. Laodikia ni watu wanaohukumiwa kwa kutapikwa kutoka kinywani mwa Bwana. Kama kanisa la Laodikia, uvuvio unaonyesha kwamba kanisa lilikusudiwa kutangatanga jangwani kama Israeli ya kale.

Which of the rebels of ancient Israel wandered in the wilderness for forty years and then entered into the Promised Land? Not a single soul, and their wandering typified the wandering of modern Israel.

Ni yupi miongoni mwa waasi wa Israeli wa kale aliyetangatanga jangwani kwa miaka arobaini kisha akaingia katika Nchi ya Ahadi? Hakuna hata mmoja, na kutangatanga kwao kulikuwa kielelezo cha kutangatanga kwa Israeli ya kisasa.

The rebellion of Korah, Dathan and Abiram (that typified the rebellion of 1888), was premised upon their unwillingness to accept the judgment upon the people assigning them to wander for forty years in the wilderness. The rebellion of 1888, was premised upon the leadership’s rejection of the pronouncement identifying them as Laodicea and assigning them to wander many more years in the wilderness because of their insubordination.

Uasi wa Kora, Dathani na Abiramu (uliokuwa mfano wa uasi wa 1888), ulitokana na kutokutaka kwao kukubali hukumu juu ya watu iliyowahukumu kuzunguka jangwani kwa miaka arobaini. Uasi wa 1888 ulitokana na uongozi kukataa tamko lililowatambua kuwa ni Laodikia na lililowahukumu kuzunguka jangwani kwa miaka mingi zaidi kwa sababu ya ukaidi wao.

> “The message given us by A. T. Jones, and E. J. Waggoner is the message of God to the Laodicean church, and woe be unto anyone who professes to believe the truth and yet does not reflect to others the God-given rays.” The 1888 Materials, 1053.

> Ujumbe uliotolewa kwetu na A. T. Jones na E. J. Waggoner ni ujumbe wa Mungu kwa kanisa la Laodikia, na ole kwa yeyote anayedai kuamini ukweli na bado asiyeakisi kwa wengine miale iliyotolewa na Mungu. The 1888 Materials, 1053.

The ancient men, who were to be the guardians of the people in 1888, believed they were “rich and increased with goods”. We will consider what produced this condition in advance of 1888, in the next article.

Wazee, ambao walipaswa kuwa walinzi wa watu mwaka 1888, waliamini kwamba walikuwa "matajiri na walioongezeka kwa mali". Tutazingatia kile kilichosababisha hali hii kabla ya 1888, katika makala inayofuata.

> “My soul is made very sad to see how quickly some who have had light and truth will accept the deceptions of Satan, and be charmed with a spurious holiness. When men turn away from the landmarks the Lord has established that we may understand our position as marked out in prophecy, they are going they know not whither.

> Nafsi yangu imehuzunika sana kuona jinsi ambavyo baadhi ya wale waliopata nuru na ukweli wanavyokubali kwa haraka udanganyifu wa Shetani, na kuvutiwa na utakatifu bandia. Watu wanapoacha alama za mipaka ambazo Bwana ameziweka ili tuelewe nafasi yetu kama ilivyoainishwa katika unabii, wanakwenda wasijue wanakoelekea.

> “I question whether genuine rebellion is ever curable. Study in Patriarchs and Prophets the rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. This rebellion was extended, including more than two men. It was led by two hundred and fifty princes of the congregation, men of renown. Call rebellion by its right name and apostasy by its right name, and then consider that the experience of the ancient people of God with all its objectionable features was faithfully chronicled to pass into history. The Scripture declares, ‘These things … are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.’ And if men and women who have the knowledge of the truth are so far separated from their Great Leader that they will take the great leader of apostasy and name him Christ our Righteousness, it is because they have not sunk deep into the mines of the truth. They are not able to distinguish the precious ore from the base material.

> Ninatilia shaka iwapo uasi wa kweli unaweza kuponyeka kamwe. Chunguza katika Patriarchs and Prophets uasi wa Kora, Dathani, na Abiramu. Uasi huu ulienea, ukihusisha zaidi ya wanaume wawili. Uliongozwa na wakuu mia mbili na hamsini wa kusanyiko, wanaume mashuhuri. Ite uasi kwa jina lake halisi na ukengeufu kwa jina lake halisi, kisha tafakari kwamba uzoefu wa watu wa kale wa Mungu, pamoja na vipengele vyake vyote visivyopendeza, uliandikwa kwa uaminifu ili uingie katika historia. Maandiko yanasema, ‘Mambo haya ... yaliandikwa kwa maonyo yetu, sisi ambao miisho ya dunia imetukuta.’ Na ikiwa wanaume na wanawake walio na maarifa ya kweli wamejitenga sana na Kiongozi wao Mkuu kiasi kwamba watamchukua kiongozi mkuu wa ukengeufu na kumwita Kristo Haki Yetu, ni kwa sababu hawajazama kwa kina katika migodi ya ukweli. Hawawezi kutofautisha madini yenye thamani na yale yasiyo na thamani.

> “Read the cautions so abundantly given in the Word of God in regard to false prophets that will come in with their heresies, and if possible will deceive the very elect. With these warnings, why is it that the church does not distinguish the false from the genuine? Those who have in any way been thus misled need to humble themselves before God, and sincerely repent, because they have so easily been led astray. They have not distinguished the voice of the true Shepherd from that of a stranger. Let all such review this chapter of their experience.

> Someni maonyo yaliyotolewa kwa wingi katika Neno la Mungu kuhusu manabii wa uongo watakaokuja na uzushi wao, na ikiwezekana watawadanganya hata wateule. Pamoja na maonyo haya, kwa nini kanisa halitofautishi manabii wa uongo na wa kweli? Wale ambao kwa njia yoyote wamedanganywa kwa namna hii wanapaswa kujinyenyekeza mbele za Mungu, na kutubu kwa dhati, kwa sababu wamepotoshwa kwa urahisi sana. Hawajatofautisha sauti ya Mchungaji wa kweli na ile ya mgeni. Wote kama hao na waipitie tena sura hii ya uzoefu wao.

> “For more than half a century God has been giving His people light through the testimonies of His Spirit. After all this time is it left for a few men and their wives to undeceive the whole church of believers, declaring Mrs. White a fraud and a deceiver? ‘By their fruits ye shall know them.’

> Kwa zaidi ya nusu karne Mungu amekuwa akiwapa watu Wake nuru kupitia ushuhuda wa Roho Wake. Baada ya muda wote huu, je, imebaki kwa wanaume wachache na wake zao kuondoa udanganyifu katika kanisa lote la waumini, wakimtangaza Bi. White kuwa mlaghai na mdanganyifu? "Kwa matunda yao mtawatambua."

> “Those who can ignore all the evidences which God has given them, and change that blessing into a curse, should tremble for the safety of their own souls. Their candlestick will be removed out of its place unless they repent. The Lord has been insulted. The standard of truth, of the first, second, and third angels’ messages has been left to trail in the dust. If the watchmen are left to mislead the people in this fashion, God will hold some souls responsible for a lack of keen discernment to discover what kind of provender was being given to His flock.

> Wale wanaoweza kupuuza ushahidi wote ambao Mungu amewapa, na kugeuza baraka hiyo kuwa laana, wanapaswa kutetemeka kwa ajili ya usalama wa roho zao wenyewe. Kinara chao cha taa kitaondolewa mahali pake iwapo hawatatubu. Bwana amedharauliwa. Bendera ya kweli, ya ujumbe wa malaika wa kwanza, wa pili, na wa tatu, imeachwa ibururwe mavumbini. Ikiwa walinzi wataachwa kuwapotosha watu kwa namna hii, Mungu atawawajibisha watu fulani kwa kukosa utambuzi makini wa kubaini ni aina gani ya malisho yaliyokuwa yakitolewa kwa kundi Lake.

> “Apostasies have occurred and the Lord has permitted matters of this nature to develop in the past in order to show how easily His people will be misled when they depend upon the words of men instead of searching the Scriptures for themselves, as did the noble Bereans, to see if these things are so. And the Lord has permitted things of this kind to occur that warnings may be given that such things will take place.

> Matukio ya uasi wa imani yametokea, na Bwana ameruhusu mambo ya aina hii kujitokeza katika nyakati zilizopita ili kuonyesha jinsi watu wake watakavyopotoshwa kwa urahisi wanapotegemea maneno ya wanadamu badala ya kuchunguza Maandiko wao wenyewe, kama walivyofanya Waberea waungwana, ili kuona kama mambo haya ni kweli. Na Bwana ameruhusu mambo ya namna hii kutokea ili maonyo yapewe kwamba mambo kama hayo yatatokea.

> “Rebellion and apostasy are in the very air we breathe. We shall be affected by them unless we by faith hang our helpless souls upon Christ. If men are so easily misled now, how will they stand when Satan shall personate Christ, and work miracles? Who will be unmoved by his misrepresentations then—professing to be Christ when it is only Satan assuming the person of Christ, and apparently working the works of Christ? What will hold God’s people from giving their allegiance to false christs? ‘Go not after them.’

> "Uasi na ukengeufu wa imani viko katika hewa yenyewe tunayopumua. Tutaathiriwa nazo isipokuwa kama kwa imani tutazining'iniza roho zetu zisizo na msaada juu ya Kristo. Iwapo wanadamu wanadanganywa kwa urahisi hivi sasa, watasimama vipi Shetani atakapojifanya Kristo na kufanya miujiza? Ni nani atakayekosa kutikiswa na upotoshaji wake wakati huo, akijidai kuwa Kristo ilhali ni Shetani tu anayechukua umbo la Kristo, na kwa kuonekana anafanya matendo ya Kristo? Ni nini kitakachowazuia watu wa Mungu wasitoe uaminifu wao kwa makristo wa uongo? 'Msiwafuate.'"

> “The doctrines must be plainly understood. The men accepted to preach the truth must be anchored; then their vessel will hold against storm and tempest, because the anchor holds them firmly. The deceptions will increase, and we are to call rebellion by its right name. We are to stand with the whole armor on. In this conflict we do not meet men only, but principalities and powers. We wrestle not against flesh and blood. Let Ephesians 6:10–18 be read carefully and impressively in our churches.” Notebook Leaflets, 57, 58.

> Mafundisho lazima yaeleweke kwa uwazi. Wanaume waliokubaliwa kuhubiri ukweli lazima wawe wametiwa nanga; ndipo chombo chao kitastahimili dhoruba na tufani, kwa kuwa nanga inawashikilia kwa uthabiti. Udanganyifu utaongezeka, na inatupasa kuiita uasi kwa jina lake halisi. Inatupasa kusimama tukiwa tumevaa silaha zote. Katika mapambano haya hatukabiliani na wanadamu tu, bali na falme na mamlaka. Hatushindani na mwili na damu. Waefeso 6:10-18 isomwe kwa makini na kwa kusisitiza katika makanisa yetu. Notebook Leaflets, 57, 58.

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