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

Kitabu cha Danieli - Nambari mia moja ishirini na moja

Unlocking the Signs of the Last Days: Understanding Christ’s Pointers to the Budding Trees of Spring

Kufumbua Ishara za Siku za Mwisho: Kuelewa Jinsi Kristo Alivyotoa Ishara Kupitia Miti Inayochipua Katika Msimu wa Kuchipua

Author

Jeff Pippenger

Published

March 7, 2024

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Christ pointed His people to the budding trees of Spring, in order that they would understand the “signs” and the implication of the “signs” of the last days.

Kristo aliwaelekeza watu wake kwenye miti iliyokuwa ikichipua wakati wa majira ya kuchipua, ili waelewe "ishara" na maana ya "ishara" za siku za mwisho.

> “Christ had bidden His people watch for the signs of His advent and rejoice as they should behold the tokens of their coming King. ‘When these things begin to come to pass,’ He said, ‘then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.’ He pointed His followers to the budding trees of spring, and said: ‘When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.’ Luke 21:28, 30, 31.” The Great Controversy, 308.

> Kristo alikuwa amewaagiza watu Wake waangalie ishara za ujio Wake na wafurahi watakapoona alama za Mfalme wao ajaye. ‘Mambo haya yanapoanza kutimia,’ alisema, ‘basi angaliani juu, na inuweni vichwa vyenu; kwa maana ukombozi wenu umekaribia.’ Aliwaonyesha wafuasi Wake miti iliyokuwa ikichipua katika majira ya kuchipua, akasema: ‘Yanapoanza kuchipuka, mwaona na kujua wenyewe kwamba kiangazi sasa kimekaribia. Vivyo hivyo nanyi, mnapoona mambo haya yakitukia, jueni ya kwamba ufalme wa Mungu umekaribia.’ Luka 21:28, 30, 31. Pambano Kuu, 308.

The “signs” of the last days were typified by the “signs,” that announced and ushered in the movement of the first angel. Those “signs” included the shaking of the heavens, but Joel identifies that the “signs” of the last days, the days when the iniquity of Israel shall be sought for and not found, when God’s holy mountain is holy forever, for no strangers will ever pass through her again, the shaking of the powers of the heavens, will also include the shaking of the powers of earth. Sister White identifies the distinction between the shaking of the powers of the heavens and the powers of the earth.

"Ishara" za siku za mwisho zilifananishwa na "ishara" zilizotangaza na kuanzisha harakati ya malaika wa kwanza. "Ishara" hizo zilijumuisha kutikiswa kwa nguvu za mbinguni, lakini Yoeli anabainisha kuwa "ishara" za siku za mwisho, siku ambazo uovu wa Israeli utatafutwa wala hautapatikana, wakati mlima mtakatifu wa Mungu utakapokuwa mtakatifu milele, kwa maana hakuna wageni watakaopita tena ndani yake kamwe, kutikiswa kwa nguvu za mbinguni kutajumuisha pia kutikiswa kwa nguvu za dunia. Dada White anabainisha tofauti kati ya kutikiswa kwa nguvu za mbinguni na kutikiswa kwa nguvu za dunia.

> “December 16, 1848, the Lord gave me a view of the shaking of the powers of the heavens. I saw that when the Lord said ‘heaven,’ in giving the signs recorded by Matthew, Mark, and Luke, He meant heaven, and when He said ‘earth’ He meant earth. The powers of heaven are the sun, moon, and stars. They rule in the heavens. The powers of earth are those that rule on the earth. The powers of heaven will be shaken at the voice of God. Then the sun, moon, and stars will be moved out of their places. They will not pass away, but be shaken by the voice of God.

> Tarehe 16 Desemba 1848, Bwana alinipa maono ya mtikisiko wa nguvu za mbingu. Niliona kwamba Bwana, alipokuwa akitoa ishara zilizorekodiwa na Mathayo, Marko na Luka, aliposema ‘mbingu’ alimaanisha mbingu, na aliposema ‘nchi’ alimaanisha nchi. Nguvu za mbingu ni jua, mwezi na nyota. Zinatawala mbinguni. Nguvu za nchi ni wale wanaotawala duniani. Nguvu za mbingu zitatikiswa kwa sauti ya Mungu. Kisha jua, mwezi na nyota zitahamishwa kutoka nafasi zao. Hazitapita, bali zitatikiswa kwa sauti ya Mungu.

> “Dark, heavy clouds came up and clashed against each other. The atmosphere parted and rolled back; then we could look up through the open space in Orion, whence came the voice of God. The Holy City will come down through that open space. I saw that the powers of earth are now being shaken and that events come in order. War, and rumors of war, sword, famine, and pestilence are first to shake the powers of earth, then the voice of God will shake the sun, moon, and stars, and this earth also. I saw that the shaking of the powers in Europe is not, as some teach, the shaking of the powers of heaven, but it is the shaking of the angry nations.” Early Writings, 41.

> Mawingu meusi, mazito yaliibuka na yakagongana. Anga iligawanyika na kurudi nyuma; ndipo tuliweza kutazama juu kupitia nafasi iliyo wazi katika Orion, ambako kulitoka sauti ya Mungu. Mji Mtakatifu utashuka kupitia nafasi hiyo iliyo wazi. Niliona kwamba mamlaka za dunia sasa zinatikiswa na kwamba matukio yanakuja kwa mfululizo. Vita, na uvumi wa vita, upanga, njaa, na tauni kwanza ndizo zitakazotikisa mamlaka za dunia, kisha sauti ya Mungu itatikisa jua, mwezi, na nyota, na dunia hii pia. Niliona kwamba kutikiswa kwa mamlaka huko Ulaya si, kama wengine wafundishavyo, kutikiswa kwa nguvu za mbinguni, bali ni kutikiswa kwa mataifa yenye hasira. Maandishi ya Mapema, 41.

The shaking of the heavens in Matthew, Mark and Luke represent the shaking of the powers that rule the heavens, as represented by the sun, moon and stars. All of these heavenly powers were shaken, and produced the “signs,” which ushered in and announced the movement of the first angel. Those heavenly powers will be again shaken during the movement of the third angel. But in the movement of the third angel, the powers of earth will also be shaken. The powers of earth are the powers that rule the earth. On September 11, 2001, the powers of earth, not heaven, were shaken.

Kutikiswa kwa mbingu katika Mathayo, Marko na Luka kunawakilisha kutikiswa kwa mamlaka zinazotawala mbingu, kama zinavyowakilishwa na jua, mwezi na nyota. Mamlaka hizi zote za mbinguni zilitikiswa, na zikazalisha "ishara" ambazo zilizindua na kutangaza harakati ya malaika wa kwanza. Mamlaka hizo za mbinguni zitatikiswa tena wakati wa harakati ya malaika wa tatu. Lakini katika harakati ya malaika wa tatu, mamlaka za dunia pia zitatikiswa. Mamlaka za dunia ni mamlaka zinazotawala dunia. Tarehe 11 Septemba, 2001, mamlaka za dunia, si za mbinguni, zilitikiswa.

> “Now comes the word that I have declared that New York is to be swept away by a tidal wave? This I have never said. I have said, as I looked at the great buildings going up there, story after story, ‘What terrible scenes will take place when the Lord shall arise to shake terribly the earth! Then the words of Revelation 18:1–3 will be fulfilled.’ The whole of the eighteenth chapter of Revelation is a warning of what is coming on the earth. But I have no light in particular in regard to what is coming on New York, only that I know that one day the great buildings there will be thrown down by the turning and overturning of God’s power. From the light given me, I know that destruction is in the world. One word from the Lord, one touch of his mighty power, and these massive structures will fall. Scenes will take place the fearfulness of which we cannot imagine.” Review and Herald, July 5, 1906.

> "Sasa inasemekana kwamba nimetamka kuwa New York itafagiliwa na wimbi kubwa la bahari? Hili sijawahi kulisema. Nimesema, nilipokuwa nikiangalia majengo makubwa yanayojengwa huko, ghorofa juu ya ghorofa, ‘Ni matukio ya kutisha kiasi gani yatakayotokea Bwana atakapoinuka kuutikisa dunia kwa kutisha sana! Ndipo maneno ya Ufunuo 18:1-3 yatatimia.’ Sura nzima ya kumi na nane ya Ufunuo ni onyo la yale yanayokuja juu ya dunia. Lakini sina nuru mahususi kuhusu yatakayoupata New York, ila najua kwamba siku moja majengo makubwa yaliyoko huko yataangushwa kwa kugeuzwa na kupinduliwa na nguvu ya Mungu. Kwa nuru niliyopewa, najua kwamba uharibifu umo duniani. Neno moja kutoka kwa Bwana, mguso mmoja wa nguvu zake kuu, na majengo haya makubwa yataanguka. Matukio yatajitokeza, yenye kutisha kuliko tuwezavyo kufikiria." Review and Herald, Julai 5, 1906.

In the history of the Millerites one of the signs recorded by Luke was the “distress of nations.” The nations represent the powers that rule the earth, and on September 11, 2001, every nation on earth was shaken as the third Woe arrived into prophetic history. That earthly shaking was represented in Luke twenty-one, but not by the biblical expression of the shaking of the powers of the earth. It was represented by the phrase, “the distress of nations,” as was brought upon the nations of the world when the great buildings of New York were brought down. “The distress of nations” in Luke is the shaking of the powers of earth, and it was fulfilled in the history of the Millerites.

Katika historia ya Wamileraiti, mojawapo ya ishara zilizorekodiwa na Luka ilikuwa "dhiki ya mataifa." Mataifa yanawakilisha mamlaka zinazotawala dunia, na tarehe 11 Septemba 2001, kila taifa duniani lilikitikiswa wakati Ole wa tatu ulipoingia katika historia ya kinabii. Mtikisiko huo wa dunia uliwakilishwa katika Luka sura ya ishirini na moja, lakini si kwa usemi wa Kibiblia wa kutikiswa kwa mamlaka za dunia. Uliwakilishwa na kauli, "dhiki ya mataifa," kama ilivyowakumba mataifa ya ulimwengu wakati majengo makubwa ya New York yalipoangushwa. "Dhiki ya mataifa" katika Luka ndicho kutikiswa kwa mamlaka za dunia, na ilitimia katika historia ya Wamileraiti.

> “I saw that the powers of earth are now being shaken and that events come in order. War, and rumors of war, sword, famine, and pestilence are first to shake the powers of earth, then the voice of God will shake the sun, moon, and stars, and this earth also. I saw that the shaking of the powers in Europe is not, as some teach, the shaking of the powers of heaven, but it is the shaking of the angry nations.” Early Writings, 41.

> "Niliona kwamba nguvu za dunia sasa zinatikiswa na kwamba matukio yanakuja kwa mpangilio. Vita, na uvumi wa vita, upanga, njaa, na tauni ndizo za kwanza kutikisa nguvu za dunia; kisha sauti ya Mungu itatikisa jua, mwezi, na nyota, na dunia hii pia. Niliona kwamba mtikisiko wa nguvu katika Ulaya si, kama wengine wafundishavyo, mtikisiko wa nguvu za mbinguni, bali ni mtikisiko wa mataifa yenye hasira." Maandishi ya Mapema, 41.

The “shaking of the powers of the angry nations,” is the shaking of the “powers of earth,” as illustrated in the early history of Adventism by the shaking of the “powers in Europe.” Uriah Smith identified what was shaking the powers in Europe in 1838.

"Kutikisika kwa mamlaka za mataifa yenye ghadhabu" ni kutikisika kwa "mamlaka za dunia," kama ilivyoonyeshwa katika historia ya mapema ya Uadventista kupitia kutikisika kwa "mamlaka barani Ulaya." Uriah Smith alitambua kilichokuwa kikitikisa mamlaka barani Ulaya mwaka 1838.

> “As the prophetic period of this [6th] trumpet commenced by the voluntary surrender of power into the hands of the Turks by the Christian emperor of the East, so we might justly conclude that its termination would be marked by the voluntary surrender of that power by the Turkish Sultan back again into the hands of the Christians. In 1838 Turkey became involved in war with Egypt. The Egyptians bid fair to overthrow the Turkish power. To prevent this, the four great powers of Europe, England, Russia, Austria, and Prussia, interfered to sustain the Turkish government. Turkey accepted their intervention. A conference was held in London at which an ultimatum was drawn up to be presented to Mehemet Ali, the Pacha of Egypt. It is evident that when this ultimatum should be placed in the hands of Mehemet, the destiny of the Ottoman Empire would be virtually lodged in the hands of the Christian powers of Europe. This ultimatum was placed in the hands of Mehemet on the 11th day of August 1840! and on that very day the Sultan addressed a note to the ambassadors of the four powers, inquiring what should be done in case Mehemet refused to comply with the terms which they had proposed. The answer was that he need not alarm himself about any contingency that might arise; for they had made provision for that. The prophetic period ended, and on that very day the control of Mohammedan affairs passed into the hands of Christians, just as the control of Christian affairs had passed into the hands of the Mohammedans 391 years and 15 days before. Thus the second woe ended, and the sixth trumpet ceased its sounding.” Uriah Smith, Synopsis of Present Truth, 218.

> Kama vile kipindi cha kinabii cha baragumu hili [la sita] kilianza kwa mfalme Mkristo wa Mashariki kujisalimisha kwa hiari mamlaka mikononi mwa Waturuki, vivyo hivyo tunaweza kwa haki kuhitimisha kwamba mwisho wake ungeashiriwa na Sultani wa Kituruki kujisalimisha kwa hiari mamlaka hiyo, akiirudisha tena mikononi mwa Wakristo. Mwaka 1838, Uturuki iliingia vitani na Misri. Wamisri walionekana kuwa na uwezekano mkubwa wa kuipindua mamlaka ya Kituruki. Kuzuia hili, madola makuu manne ya Ulaya, Uingereza, Urusi, Austria, na Prussia, yaliingilia ili kuusaidia serikali ya Kituruki. Uturuki ilikubali uingiliaji wao. Mkutano uliitishwa London ambapo ultimatumu iliandaliwa ili kuwasilishwa kwa Mehemet Ali, Pacha wa Misri. Ni dhahiri kwamba ultimatumu hii itakapowekwa mikononi mwa Mehemet, hatima ya Dola ya Uthmani ingekuwa kimsingi mikononi mwa madola ya Kikristo ya Ulaya. Ultimatumu hii iliwekwa mikononi mwa Mehemet tarehe 11 Agosti 1840! Na siku hiyo hiyo Sultani alituma barua kwa mabalozi wa madola yale manne, akiuliza nini kifanyike iwapo Mehemet angekataa kutii masharti waliyokuwa wamependekeza. Jibu lilikuwa kwamba asijitie wasiwasi kuhusu lolote ambalo lingeweza kujitokeza; kwa kuwa walikuwa wameweka mipango kwa hilo. Kipindi cha kinabii kikamalizika, na siku hiyo hiyo udhibiti wa mambo ya Kiislamu ukapita mikononi mwa Wakristo, kama vile udhibiti wa mambo ya Kikristo ulikuwa umepita mikononi mwa Waislamu miaka 391 na siku 15 kabla. Hivyo ole wa pili ukafikia kikomo, na baragumu la sita likaacha kupiga. Uriah Smith, Synopsis of Present Truth, 218.

Islam of the second Woe, had passed the zenith of its power, which according to God’s word was to continue for three hundred and ninety-one years and fifteen days. Yet in the 1830’s Egypt was attempting to re-establish a caliphate in Egypt for the purpose of continuing the second great jihad of Muslim history. The possibility of more Islamic warfare was causing the European powers to shake in fear. For decades the crisis of Islam re-igniting its warfare was labelled by the historians and the reporters of those years as the “Eastern Question.” The warfare of the children of the east had been carried out for centuries against the nations of Europe, who derived their religion from the Roman church. In 1838, “the distress of nations,” referred to by Christ represented the shaking of the angry nations that was produced by the warfare brought against the former Roman Empire by Islam.

Uislamu wa Ole wa pili ulikuwa umeshavuka kilele cha nguvu zake; kulingana na neno la Mungu, kipindi hicho kilipaswa kuendelea kwa miaka mia tatu na tisini na moja na siku kumi na tano. Hata hivyo, katika miaka ya 1830, Misri ilikuwa ikijaribu kuanzisha upya ukhalifa huko Misri kwa madhumuni ya kuendeleza jihadi kuu ya pili katika historia ya Uislamu. Uwezekano wa vita zaidi vya Kiislamu uliyasababisha madola ya Ulaya kutetemeka kwa hofu. Kwa miongo kadhaa, mgogoro wa Uislamu kuwasha upya vita vyake uliitwa na wanahistoria na waandishi wa habari wa miaka hiyo kama "Suala la Mashariki." Vita vya watoto wa mashariki vilikuwa vimeendeshwa kwa karne nyingi dhidi ya mataifa ya Ulaya, ambayo yalipata dini yao kutoka kwa Kanisa la Roma. Mnamo 1838, "shida ya mataifa," iliyotajwa na Kristo, iliwakilisha kutikisika kwa mataifa yenye hasira kulikosababishwa na vita vilivyoletwa na Uislamu dhidi ya Dola ya Kirumi ya zamani.

> “By [loosing] the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates, I understand that God was now about to suffer the four principal nations of which the Ottoman empire was composed, which had in vain attempted to subdue the Eastern Empire at Constantinople, and made but little progress in conquering Europe, now to take Constantinople, and to overrun and subdue one third part of Europe, which was the fact about the middle of the fifteenth century.” Works of William Miller, Volume 2, 121.

> "Kwa [kuwaachilia] malaika wanne ambao wamefungwa katika mto mkubwa Frati, ninaelewa kwamba Mungu sasa alikuwa karibu kuruhusu mataifa manne makuu yaliyounda Dola ya Uthmaniyya, ambayo yalikuwa yamejaribu bure kuitiisha Dola ya Mashariki huko Konstantinopoli, na yalikuwa yamepiga hatua ndogo tu katika kuiteka Ulaya, sasa yauteke mji wa Konstantinopoli, na yavamie na yaitiishe theluthi moja ya Ulaya, jambo ambalo lilikuwa kweli mnamo katikati ya karne ya kumi na tano." Kazi za William Miller, Juzuu ya 2, 121.

The distress of nations in the narrative found in Luke was “with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring,” and with men’s “hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth.” The perplexity of the Eastern Question continued to agitate the powers of earth all the way into the twentieth century, and the symbol of that distress was “men’s hearts failing them for fear” and the “sea and waves roaring.”

Taabu za mataifa katika simulizi iliyo katika Luka zilikuwa “kwa kuchanganyikiwa; bahari na mawimbi yakivuma,” na “mioyo ya watu ikizimia kwa hofu, na kwa kutazamia mambo yatakayokuja juu ya ulimwengu.” Utata wa Swali la Mashariki uliendelea kuwasumbua wenye mamlaka duniani hadi karne ya ishirini, na ishara ya taabu hiyo ilikuwa “mioyo ya watu ikizimia kwa hofu” na “bahari na mawimbi yakivuma.”

> “This sealing of the servants of God is the same that was shown to Ezekiel in vision. John also had been a witness of this most startling revelation. He saw the sea and the waves roaring, and men’s hearts failing them for fear. He beheld the earth moved, and the mountains carried into the midst of the sea (which is literally taking place), the water thereof roaring and troubled, and the mountains shaking with the swelling thereof. He was shown plagues, pestilence, famine, and death performing their terrible mission.” Testimonies to Ministers, 445.

> "Huu kutiwa muhuri kwa watumishi wa Mungu ni ule ule ulioonyeshwa kwa Ezekieli katika maono. Yohana pia alikuwa shahidi wa ufunuo huu wa kushitua sana. Aliona bahari na mawimbi yakivuma, na mioyo ya watu ikizimia kwa hofu. Alitazama nchi ikitikiswa, na milima ikibebwa hadi katikati ya bahari (ambalo linafanyika kihalisi), maji yake yakivuma na kuvurugika, na milima ikitetemeshwa kwa kiburi chake. Alionyeshwa mapigo, tauni, njaa, na mauti zikitimiza jukumu lao la kutisha." Ushuhuda kwa Wahudumu, 445.

When John was shown the sealing of the one hundred and forty-four thousand, he saw the distress of nations, as represented by the seas and waves roaring, and men’s hearts failing for fear, and it was the same sealing that Ezekiel was shown in chapter nine. Ezekiel was shown the internal elements of the sealing and John was shown the external elements associated with the sealing. John saw that the angering of the nations is associated with the sealing of the one hundred and forty-four thousand, and the angering of the nations is also Luke’s distress of nations which is historically identified as the Eastern Question. John was shown that Islam of the third Woe, is the external sign of the sealing of the one hundred and forty-four thousand.

Yohana alipoonyeshwa kutiwa muhuri kwa elfu mia moja arobaini na nne, aliona taabu ya mataifa, kama inavyowakilishwa na kishindo cha bahari na mawimbi, na mioyo ya watu ikizimia kwa hofu, nayo ilikuwa ndiyo ile ile kutiwa muhuri ambayo Ezekieli alionyeshwa katika sura ya tisa. Ezekieli alionyeshwa vipengele vya ndani vya kutiwa muhuri na Yohana alionyeshwa vipengele vya nje vinavyohusiana na kutiwa muhuri. Yohana aliona kwamba kuwakasirisha mataifa kunahusishwa na kutiwa muhuri kwa elfu mia moja arobaini na nne, na kuwakasirisha mataifa ndiko pia taabu ya mataifa ya Luka ambayo kihistoria inatambuliwa kama Suala la Mashariki. Yohana alionyeshwa kwamba Uislamu wa Ole wa tatu ndio ishara ya nje ya kutiwa muhuri kwa elfu mia moja arobaini na nne.

> “The present is a time of overwhelming interest to all living. Rulers and statesmen, men who occupy positions of trust and authority, thinking men and women of all classes, have their attention fixed upon the events taking place about us. They are watching the strained, restless relations that exist among the nations. They observe the intensity that is taking possession of every earthly element, and they recognize that something great and decisive is about to take place—that the world is on the verge of a stupendous crisis.

> Wakati uliopo ni kipindi cha shauku kubwa kwa wote walio hai. Watawala na wanasiasa, watu wanaoshika nyadhifa za kuaminika na mamlaka, wanaume na wanawake wenye kufikiri kutoka tabaka zote, wamekazia mawazo yao juu ya matukio yanayotokea karibu nasi. Wanafuatilia mahusiano yenye mvutano na kutotulia yanayokuwapo miongoni mwa mataifa. Wanaona ukali unaokumba kila nyanja ya mambo ya kidunia, na wanatambua kwamba kuna jambo kubwa na la maamuzi liko karibu kutokea, kwamba dunia iko ukingoni mwa mgogoro mkubwa wa kutisha.

> “Angels are now restraining the winds of strife, that they may not blow until the world shall be warned of its coming doom; but a storm is gathering, ready to burst upon the earth; and when God shall bid His angels loose the winds, there will be such a scene of strife as no pen can picture.

> Malaika sasa wanazuia upepo wa ugomvi, ili usivume mpaka ulimwengu uonywe juu ya maangamizi yake yajayo; lakini dhoruba inajikusanya, tayari kuikumba dunia; na Mungu atakapowaamuru malaika wake waachilie ule upepo, patakuwa na hali ya ugomvi ambayo hakuna kalamu inayoweza kuielezea.

> “The Bible, and the Bible only, gives a correct view of these things. Here are revealed the great final scenes in the history of our world, events that already are casting their shadows before, the sound of their approach causing the earth to tremble and men’s hearts to fail them for fear.” Education, 179, 180.

> "Biblia, na Biblia peke yake, inatoa mtazamo sahihi kuhusu mambo haya. Hapa yanafunuliwa matukio makubwa ya mwisho katika historia ya dunia yetu, matukio ambayo tayari yanatupa vivuli vyao mbele, sauti ya kukaribia kwao ikisababisha dunia kutetemeka na mioyo ya watu kuzimia kwa hofu." Elimu, 179, 180.

In Luke chapter twenty-one Jesus identified the “signs” that ushered in the Millerite movement, and all those “signs”, according to Sister White, were fulfilled. The Lisbon earthquake, the dark day, the falling of the stars, and the distress of nations, which represented the shaking of the powers of earth that was fulfilled by Islam in the fear produced by the Eastern Question, are all fulfilled. The Millerite “signs” also include the Son of man coming with a cloud which was fulfilled in the correct order that the “signs” were given by Christ, for after the distress of nations ended with the restraint of the Ottoman supremacy in 1840, Christ came to the Most Holy Place on October 22, 1844, and when He came He came with clouds.

Katika Luka sura ya ishirini na moja Yesu alibainisha “ishara” zilizoleta mwanzo wa harakati za Millerite, na “ishara” zote hizo, kulingana na Dada White, zilitimizwa. Tetemeko la ardhi la Lisbon, siku ya giza, kuanguka kwa nyota, na dhiki ya mataifa, ambayo iliwakilisha kutikiswa kwa nguvu za dunia kulikotimizwa na Uislamu katika hofu iliyosababishwa na Swali la Mashariki, vyote vimetimizwa. “Ishara” za Millerite pia zinajumuisha Mwana wa Adamu akija pamoja na wingu, ambayo ilitimia katika mpangilio sahihi ambao “ishara” zilitolewa na Kristo, kwa maana baada ya dhiki ya mataifa kuisha kwa kuzuiliwa kwa utawala wa Othmani mwaka 1840, Kristo aliingia Patakatifu pa Patakatifu tarehe 22 Oktoba 1844, na alipokuja alikuja pamoja na mawingu.

> “‘And, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought Him near before Him. And there was given Him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve Him: His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away.’ Daniel 7:13, 14. The coming of Christ here described is not His second coming to the earth. He comes to the Ancient of Days in heaven to receive dominion and glory and a kingdom, which will be given Him at the close of His work as a mediator. It is this coming, and not His second advent to the earth, that was foretold in prophecy to take place at the termination of the 2300 days in 1844. Attended by heavenly angels, our great High Priest enters the holy of holies and there appears in the presence of God to engage in the last acts of His ministration in behalf of man—to perform the work of investigative judgment and to make an atonement for all who are shown to be entitled to its benefits.” The Great Controversy, 479.

> "Na, tazama, mmoja aliyefanana na Mwana wa Adamu alikuja pamoja na mawingu ya mbinguni, akaja kwa yule Mzee wa Siku, nao wakamleta karibu mbele zake. Naye akapewa mamlaka, na utukufu, na ufalme, ili watu wote, mataifa yote, na lugha zote, wamtumikie; mamlaka yake ni mamlaka ya milele, isiyopita." Danieli 7:13, 14. Kuja kwa Kristo kunakoelezwa hapa si ujio wake wa pili duniani. Yeye huja kwa yule Mzee wa Siku mbinguni ili apokee mamlaka na utukufu na ufalme, ambavyo atapewa mwishoni mwa kazi yake ya upatanishi. Ni kuja huku, na si ujio wake wa pili duniani, kulikotabiriwa katika unabii kutokea mwishoni mwa siku 2300 mwaka 1844. Akiwa ameandamana na malaika wa mbinguni, Kuhani Mkuu wetu anaingia patakatifu pa patakatifu na huko anaonekana mbele za Mungu kushughulikia hatua za mwisho za huduma yake kwa niaba ya wanadamu - kutekeleza kazi ya hukumu ya uchunguzi na kufanya upatanisho kwa wote wanaoonyeshwa kuwa na haki ya manufaa yake." The Great Controversy, 479.

The “signs” associated with the history of the Millerites typified the “signs” associated with the history of the one hundred and forty-four thousand. When Christ provided the second witness to the historical narrative with the parable, He pointed His disciples to “the budding trees of spring.” He informed them that when the trees begin to bud out you know you are near the end of the world, and that the generation that witnesses the budding trees of spring will live to see the heavens and the earth pass away, in the fires of His second coming.

"Ishara" zilizohusishwa na historia ya Millerites zilikuwa kielelezo cha "ishara" zilizohusishwa na historia ya wale mia na arobaini na nne elfu. Wakati Kristo alipotoa ushuhuda wa pili kwa simulizi la kihistoria kupitia mfano, aliwaelekeza wanafunzi wake kwa "miti inayochipua ya majira ya kuchipua." Aliwajulisha kwamba miti inapoanza kuchipua mnajua kuwa mko karibu na mwisho wa dunia, na kwamba kizazi kitakachoshuhudia kuchipua kwa miti katika majira ya kuchipua kitaishi kuona mbingu na nchi zikapita, katika moto wa kurudi kwake mara ya pili.

> When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. Luke 21:30–33.

> Yanapoanza kuchipua, mnaona na kujua wenyewe kwamba kiangazi kimekaribia. Vivyo hivyo ninyi, mnapoyaona mambo haya yakitukia, jueni kwamba ufalme wa Mungu umekaribia. Amin, nawaambia, kizazi hiki hakitapita hata yote yatimie. Mbingu na nchi zitapita; lakini maneno yangu hayatapita. Luka 21:30-33.

The question then becomes, “when did the trees begin to shoot forth?” The latter rain began to sprinkle on September 11, 2001, which according to Isaiah is “the day” of God’s “rough wind in the day of the east wind.”

Basi swali linakuwa, "miti ilianza kuchipua lini?" Mvua ya mwisho ilianza kunyesha kwa manyunyu mnamo Septemba 11, 2001, ambayo, kulingana na Isaya, ni "siku" ya "upepo mkali wa Mungu katika siku ya upepo wa mashariki."

> In measure, when it shooteth forth, thou wilt debate with it: he stayeth his rough wind in the day of the east wind. By this therefore shall the iniquity of Jacob be purged; and this is all the fruit to take away his sin; when he maketh all the stones of the altar as chalkstones that are beaten in sunder, the groves and images shall not stand up. Yet the defenced city shall be desolate, and the habitation forsaken, and left like a wilderness: there shall the calf feed, and there shall he lie down, and consume the branches thereof. When the boughs thereof are withered, they shall be broken off: the women come, and set them on fire: for it is a people of no understanding: therefore he that made them will not have mercy on them, and he that formed them will shew them no favour. And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall beat off from the channel of the river unto the stream of Egypt, and ye shall be gathered one by one, O ye children of Israel. And it shall come to pass in that day, that the great trumpet shall be blown, and they shall come which were ready to perish in the land of Assyria, and the outcasts in the land of Egypt, and shall worship the Lord in the holy mount at Jerusalem. Isaiah 27:8–13.

> Kwa kipimo, kwa kuipeleka mbali, utabishana nayo; yeye huuzuia upepo wake mkali katika siku ya upepo wa mashariki. Kwa jambo hili basi uovu wa Yakobo utatakaswa; na hili ndilo tunda lote la kuondoa dhambi yake; atakapoyafanya mawe yote ya madhabahu kuwa kama mawe ya chokaa yaliyopondwapondwa, maashera na sanamu hazitasimama. Lakini mji wenye ngome utakuwa ukiwa, makao yataachwa, na kuachwa kama jangwa; huko ndama atalisha, na huko atajilaza, na atamaliza matawi yake. Matawi yake yakikauka, yatavunjwa; wanawake watakuja, na kuyatia moto; kwa maana ni watu wasio na ufahamu; kwa hiyo yeye aliyewaumba hatawarehemu, naye aliyewafinyanga hatawaonyesha fadhili. Na itakuwa siku ile, Bwana atapiga kutoka mkondo wa mto hata kijito cha Misri, nanyi mtakusanywa mmoja mmoja, enyi wana wa Israeli. Na itakuwa siku ile, baragumu kuu litapigwa, nao watakuja waliokuwa karibu kuangamia katika nchi ya Ashuru, na waliotawanyika katika nchi ya Misri, nao watamwabudu Bwana katika mlima mtakatifu huko Yerusalemu. Isaya 27:8-13.

The latter rain began to sprinkle (measured) on September 11, 2001, and the debate over the message of the latter rain and the counterfeit peace and safety message began. The history of that debate is where the iniquity of Jacob is removed (purged, meaning atoned for). The history of the debate, which is the debate of Habakkuk, is the period of the sealing of the one hundred and forty-four thousand, that concludes with the Laodicean Seventh-day Adventist being spewed out of the mouth of the Lord, for it, as “the defenced city,” shall be desolate, for it had become the city of a people of no understanding, who find no mercy or favor. At that time the “second voice” of Revelation eighteen, will blow a great trumpet, which is the seventh trumpet and the third woe, and God’s other flock shall come and worship at “Jerusalem”, which will have become the movement of the church triumphant.

Mvua ya masika ilianza kunyesha manyunyu (iliyopimwa) tarehe 11 Septemba 2001, na mjadala juu ya ujumbe wa mvua ya masika na ule wa amani na usalama wa bandia ukaanza. Historia ya mjadala huo ndiko uovu wa Yakobo unapoondolewa (kusafishwa, maana yake kupatanishwa). Historia ya mjadala huo, ambao ni mjadala wa Habakuki, ni kipindi cha kuwatiwa muhuri wale mia moja arobaini na nne elfu, ambacho kinakamilika kwa Waadventista wa Sabato wa Laodikia kutapikwa kutoka kinywani mwa Bwana, kwa kuwa, kama "mji wenye boma," utakuwa ukiwa, maana ulikuwa umekuwa mji wa watu wasio na ufahamu, wasiopata rehema wala kibali. Wakati huo "sauti ya pili" ya Ufunuo kumi na nane itapiga tarumbeta kuu, ambayo ni tarumbeta ya saba na ole wa tatu, na kondoo wengine wa Mungu watakuja kuabudu huko "Yerusalemu", ambayo itakuwa imekuwa harakati ya kanisa linaloshinda.

September 11, 2001, identifies that the last generation of earth’s history has arrived, and only those that recognize the budding trees of spring will receive the rain that is causing the trees to bud. Only those that recognize that Islam of the third woe, is what marks the arrival of the latter rain and the sealing of the one hundred and forty-four thousand, will be among that group.

Tarehe 11 Septemba 2001 inaonyesha kwamba kizazi cha mwisho cha historia ya dunia kimewasili, na ni wale tu wanaotambua miti inayochipua katika majira ya kuchipua ndio watakaopokea mvua inayosababisha miti ichipue. Ni wale tu wanaotambua kwamba Uislamu wa ole wa tatu ndicho kinachoashiria kuwasili kwa mvua ya masika na kutiwa muhuri kwa mia moja arobaini na nne elfu, ndio watakaokuwa miongoni mwa kundi hilo.

> “Only those who are living up to the light they have will receive greater light. Unless we are daily advancing in the exemplification of the active Christian virtues, we shall not recognize the manifestations of the Holy Spirit in the latter rain. It may be falling on hearts all around us, but we shall not discern or receive it.” Testimonies to Ministers, 507.

> “Ni wale tu wanaotembea katika nuru waliyo nayo ndiyo watakaopokea nuru kubwa zaidi. Isipokuwa tu tuwe kila siku tukisonga mbele katika kudhihirisha kwa vitendo maadili ya Kikristo yenye uhai, hatutatambua madhihirisho ya Roho Mtakatifu katika ile mvua ya mwisho. Huenda ile mvua ya mwisho inanyeshea mioyo ya watu kote kutuzunguka, lakini hatutaitambua wala kuipokea.” Ushuhuda kwa Wahudumu, 507.

> “We must not wait for the latter rain. It is coming upon all who will recognize and appropriate the dew and showers of grace that fall upon us. When we gather up the fragments of light, when we appreciate the sure mercies of God, who loves to have us trust Him, then every promise will be fulfilled. ‘For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations’ (Isaiah 61:11). The whole earth is to be filled with the glory of God.” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, volume 7, 984.

> Hatupaswi kusubiri mvua ya mwisho. Inakuja juu ya wote watakaotambua na kuyapokea umande na manyunyu ya neema yanayoanguka juu yetu. Tunapokusanya chembechembe za nuru, tunapothamini rehema za hakika za Mungu, anayependa tuwe tumwamini, ndipo kila ahadi itatimizwa. ‘Kwa maana kama nchi itoavyo chipukizi lake, na kama bustani ioteshavyo vitu vilivyopandwa ndani yake; ndivyo Bwana Mungu atakavyosababisha haki na sifa zichipuke mbele ya mataifa yote’ (Isaya 61:11). Dunia yote itajazwa na utukufu wa Mungu. Maoni ya Biblia ya Waadventista Wasabato, juzuu ya 7, ukurasa 984.

We will continue the study in the next article.

Tutaendelea na utafiti katika makala inayofuata.

> “Unless those who can help in——are aroused to a sense of their duty, they will not recognize the work of God when the loud cry of the third angel shall be heard. When light goes forth to lighten the earth, instead of coming up to the help of the Lord, they will want to bind about His work to meet their narrow ideas. Let me tell you that the Lord will work in this last work in a manner very much out of the common order of things, and in a way that will be contrary to any human planning. There will be those among us who will always want to control the work of God, to dictate even what movements shall be made when the work goes forward under the direction of the angel who joins the third angel in the message to be given to the world. God will use ways and means by which it will be seen that He is taking the reins in His own hands. The workers will be surprised by the simple means that He will use to bring about and perfect His work of righteousness.” Testimonies to Ministers, 300.

> "Isipokuwa wale wanaoweza kusaidia waamshiwe hisia ya wajibu wao, hawatatambua kazi ya Mungu wakati sauti kuu ya malaika wa tatu itakaposikika. Nuru itakapotoka kuuangazia ulimwengu, badala ya kuja kusaidia Bwana, watataka kuipangia mipaka kazi Yake ili ikidhi mawazo yao finyu. Nikwambieni kwamba Bwana atafanya kazi katika kazi hii ya mwisho kwa njia iliyo mbali sana na utaratibu wa kawaida wa mambo, na kwa namna itakayoenda kinyume na mipango yoyote ya kibinadamu. Kutakuwa na wale miongoni mwetu ambao daima watataka kudhibiti kazi ya Mungu, hata kuamuru ni hatua zipi zichukuliwe wakati kazi inapoendelea chini ya uongozi wa malaika anayejiunga na malaika wa tatu katika ujumbe wa kupewa ulimwengu. Mungu atatumia njia na mbinu ambazo zitadhihirisha kwamba Yeye anachukua hatamu mikononi Mwake mwenyewe. Wafanyakazi watashangazwa na njia rahisi ambazo atazitumia kuleta na kukamilisha kazi Yake ya haki." Ushuhuda kwa Wahudumu, 300.

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