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# The Book of Daniel - Number Thirty

Kitabu cha Danieli - Nambari Thelathini

The Hour of Fear

Saa ya Hofu

Author

Jeff Pippenger

Published

December 25, 2023

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Belshazzar’s fear of the mysterious handwriting addresses not only his death and the end of the sixth kingdom of Bible prophecy, but also the point in prophetic history when fear takes hold of the kings of the earth. Their fear is produced by the “east wind” of Islam. Their fear is as a woman in travail, thus identifying a progressively increasing pain, which comes with more and more rapidity. The fear begins at the “hour” of Belshazzar’s feast, though it initially arrived on September 11, 2001. From then onward the winds begin to slip through the hands of the four angels who are holding them during the sealing time of the one hundred and forty-four thousand. The lamentation for Tyrus that Ezekiel identifies, defines Tyrus by asking the prophetic question, “What city is like Tyrus, like the destroyed in the midst of the sea?”

Hofu ya Belshazzar kwa maandishi ya kifumbo yanahusu si tu kifo chake na mwisho wa ufalme wa sita wa unabii wa Biblia, bali pia hatua katika historia ya kinabii wakati ambapo hofu inawashika wafalme wa dunia. Hofu yao inatokana na "upepo wa mashariki" wa Uislamu. Hofu yao ni kama ya mwanamke katika utungu wa uzazi, hivyo ikitambulisha maumivu yanayoongezeka hatua kwa hatua, yanayokuja kwa kasi inayozidi kuongezeka. Hofu hiyo huanza katika "saa" ya karamu ya Belshazzar, ingawa ilifika mara ya kwanza tarehe 11 Septemba, 2001. Tangu wakati huo kuendelea, upepo unaanza kuteleza kupitia mikononi mwa malaika wanne wanaoushikilia wakati wa kutiwa muhuri kwa wale mia na arobaini na nne elfu. Ombolezo kwa ajili ya Tiro ambalo Ezekieli analitaja, linaifafanua Tiro kwa kuuliza swali la kinabii, "Ni mji gani ulio kama Tiro, kama aliyeangamizwa katikati ya bahari?"

> The ships of Tarshish did sing of thee in thy market: and thou wast replenished, and made very glorious in the midst of the seas. Thy rowers have brought thee into great waters: the east wind hath broken thee in the midst of the seas. Thy riches, and thy fairs, thy merchandise, thy mariners, and thy pilots, thy calkers, and the occupiers of thy merchandise, and all thy men of war, that are in thee, and in all thy company which is in the midst of thee, shall fall into the midst of the seas in the day of thy ruin. The suburbs shall shake at the sound of the cry of thy pilots. And all that handle the oar, the mariners, and all the pilots of the sea, shall come down from their ships, they shall stand upon the land; And shall cause their voice to be heard against thee, and shall cry bitterly, and shall cast up dust upon their heads, they shall wallow themselves in the ashes: And they shall make themselves utterly bald for thee, and gird them with sackcloth, and they shall weep for thee with bitterness of heart and bitter wailing. And in their wailing they shall take up a lamentation for thee, and lament over thee, saying, What city is like Tyrus, like the destroyed in the midst of the sea? When thy wares went forth out of the seas, thou filledst many people; thou didst enrich the kings of the earth with the multitude of thy riches and of thy merchandise. In the time when thou shalt be broken by the seas in the depths of the waters thy merchandise and all thy company in the midst of thee shall fall. All the inhabitants of the isles shall be astonished at thee, and their kings shall be sore afraid, they shall be troubled in their countenance. The merchants among the people shall hiss at thee; thou shalt be a terror, and never shalt be any more. Ezekiel 27:25–36.

> Merikebu za Tarshishi ziliimba juu yako katika soko lako; nawe ulijazwa, na ukafanywa mtukufu sana katikati ya bahari. Wapiga makasia wako wamekuleta kwenye maji makuu; upepo wa mashariki umekuvunja katikati ya bahari. Utajiri wako, na mabazari yako, bidhaa zako, wanamaji wako, na manahodha wako, wazibaji wako, na wanaoshughulikia biashara yako, na askari wako wote wa vita waliomo ndani yako, na mkusanyiko wako wote ulioko katikati yako, wataanguka katikati ya bahari siku ya maangamizi yako. Vitongoji vitatetemeka kwa sauti ya kilio cha manahodha wako. Na wote waishikao makasia, wanamaji, na manahodha wote wa bahari, watashuka kutoka katika merikebu zao, watasimama juu ya nchi; na watasikilizisha sauti zao juu yako, na watalia kwa uchungu mwingi, na watatupa mavumbi juu ya vichwa vyao, watajiviringisha katika majivu; na watajinyoa upara kabisa kwa ajili yako, na kujifunga magunia, nao watalia kwa ajili yako kwa uchungu wa moyo na maombolezo machungu. Na katika maombolezo yao watainua wimbo wa maombolezo kwa ajili yako, na kukuombolezea, wakisema, Ni mji gani ulio kama Tiro, kama aliyeangamizwa katikati ya bahari? Bidhaa zako zilipotoka baharini, uliwajaza watu wengi; uliwatajirisha wafalme wa dunia kwa wingi wa utajiri wako na wa biashara yako. Katika wakati utakapovunjwa na bahari kwenye vilindi vya maji, bidhaa zako na mkusanyiko wako wote ulioko katikati yako zitaanguka. Wakazi wote wa visiwa watashangaa juu yako, na wafalme wao wataingiwa na hofu kuu, watataabika nyusoni. Wafanya biashara walio kati ya watu watapigia mluzi juu yako; utakuwa hofu, wala hutakuwapo tena milele. Ezekieli 27:25-36.

Tyrus is the city, or kingdom that the merchants of the earth cry bitterly over, and then ask, “what city is like Tyrus?” They do so in the “time,” when the city is broken in the sea. In Revelation chapter eighteen, the whore of Tyre, who is the whore of Rome, who has committed fornication with the kings of the earth and is identified as that great city whose judgment comes in one hour, and in one day. She is the city that raises the prophetic question from the wailing kings and merchants.

Tiro ndiye mji, au ufalme, ambao wafanyabiashara wa dunia wanalia kwa uchungu juu yake, kisha wanauliza, "Ni mji gani ulio kama Tiro?" Wanafanya hivyo katika "wakati" ambapo mji unavunjika baharini. Katika Ufunuo sura ya kumi na nane, kahaba wa Tiro, ambaye ni kahaba wa Roma, ambaye amezini na wafalme wa dunia na anayetambulishwa kama ule mji mkuu ambaye hukumu yake huja kwa saa moja, na kwa siku moja. Huo ndio mji unaoibua swali la kinabii kutoka kwa wafalme na wafanyabiashara wanaoomboleza.

> Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her. And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning, Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come. And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more: The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble, And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men. And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee, and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all. The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls! For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off, And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city! And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate. Revelation 18:8–19.

> Kwa sababu hiyo mapigo yake yatakuja katika siku moja: mauti, maombolezo, na njaa; naye atateketezwa kabisa kwa moto; kwa maana Bwana Mungu anayemhukumu ni mwenye nguvu. Na wafalme wa dunia, waliokuwa wamezini naye na kuishi kwa anasa pamoja naye, watalia na kumwombolezea, watakapoona moshi wa kuteketezwa kwake, wakiwa wamesimama mbali kwa kuogopa mateso yake, wakisema, Ole, ole, ule mji mkuu Babeli, mji ule wenye nguvu! kwa maana katika saa moja hukumu yako imekuja. Na wafanyabiashara wa dunia watalia na kuomboleza juu yake; kwa maana hakuna mtu anayonunua bidhaa zao tena: Bidhaa za dhahabu, na fedha, na vito vya thamani, na lulu, na kitani safi, na rangi ya zambarau, na hariri, na rangi nyekundu, na kila mbao ya thaini, na kila namna ya vyombo vya pembe ya ndovu, na kila namna ya vyombo vya mti wa thamani kubwa mno, na vya shaba, na vya chuma, na vya marumaru, na mdalasini, na manukato, na marhamu, na uvumba, na divai, na mafuta, na unga mzuri, na ngano, na ng’ombe, na kondoo, na farasi, na magari, na watumwa, na nafsi za watu. Na matunda yaliyotamaniwa na roho yako yamekuondoka, na vitu vyote vilivyokuwa vya anasa na vya kupendeza vimekuondoka kwako, wala hutavipata tena kabisa. Na wafanyabiashara wa vitu hivi, waliotajirika kwa sababu yake, watasimama mbali kwa kuogopa mateso yake, wakilia na kuomboleza, na kusema, Ole, ole, ule mji mkuu, uliovikwa kitani safi, na rangi ya zambarau, na rangi nyekundu, na kupambwa kwa dhahabu, na vito vya thamani, na lulu! Kwa maana katika saa moja utajiri mkubwa hivyo umepotea. Na kila nahodha, na wote waliowemo katika merikebu, na mabaharia, na wote wafanyao biashara kwa bahari, walisimama mbali, wakapiga kelele walipoona moshi wa kuteketezwa kwake, wakisema, Ni mji gani ulio kama mji huu mkuu! Nao wakatupa mavumbi juu ya vichwa vyao, wakalia, wakilia na kuomboleza, wakisema, Ole, ole, ule mji mkuu, ambao ndani yake wote waliokuwa na merikebu baharini walitajirika kwa sababu ya fahari yake! kwa maana katika saa moja amewekwa ukiwa. Ufunuo 18:8-19.

The unsealing of the Revelation of Jesus Christ includes the message of the Midnight Cry. That message is the second prophecy of Ezekiel thirty-seven that brings the dead dry bones that have laid in the streets for three and a half days to life as a mighty army. That message is the message that includes the truth that it is Islam that the Lord employs to bring executive judgment upon the United States for Sunday enforcement. That judgment arrives in the “hour” of the great earthquake, which is also the “hour” that the handwriting came upon Belshazzar’s wall. The handwriting produced the fear, that is represented as taking hold of all the kings and merchants when the economic structure of planet earth is taken down by the “east wind” of Islam, who have secretly slipped into Belshazzar’s kingdom, through the neglected lower “wall” to the south.

Kufunguliwa kwa Ufunuo wa Yesu Kristo kunajumuisha ujumbe wa Kilio cha Usiku wa Manane. Ujumbe huo ndio unabii wa pili wa Ezekieli sura ya thelathini na saba unaoleta mifupa mikavu iliyokufa, ambayo imelala mitaani kwa siku tatu na nusu, kuhuishwa na kuwa jeshi lenye nguvu. Ujumbe huo ndio ujumbe unaojumuisha ukweli kwamba ni Uislamu ambao Bwana anautumia kuleta hukumu ya utekelezaji juu ya Marekani kwa ajili ya kulazimisha Jumapili. Hukumu hiyo inawasili katika "saa" ya tetemeko kuu la ardhi, ambayo pia ni "saa" ambayo maandishi ya mkono yalitokea kwenye ukuta wa Belshazzar. Maandishi hayo yalisababisha hofu, ambayo inaonyeshwa kama ikiwakumba wafalme wote na wafanyabiashara wakati muundo wa kiuchumi wa sayari dunia unapoangushwa na "upepo wa mashariki" wa Uislamu, ambao wamepenya kwa siri katika ufalme wa Belshazzar, kupitia "ukuta" wa chini uliopuuzwa ulioko upande wa kusini.

The “city” or kingdom that the kings and merchants lament of and ask, “what city is like unto this great city” is the kingdom of the whore of Tyre, who is then singing her songs and committing fornication with those very kings. All the prophets speak of the end of the world and they agree with one another, so Ezekiel’s merchants are the same merchants in Revelation chapter eighteen. Three times in Revelation chapter eighteen they lament “alas, alas,” as the great city and the financial structure of planet earth is taken down. The Greek word translated as “alas,” in the passage, is the very same word that is translated three times in Revelation chapter eight, and verse thirteen, which is there translated with a different English word.

"Jiji" au ufalme ambao wafalme na wafanyabiashara wanaomboleza juu yake na kuuliza, "Ni mji gani ulio kama mji huu mkuu?" ni ufalme wa kahaba wa Tiro, ambaye wakati huo anaimba nyimbo zake na kufanya uzinzi na hao hao wafalme. Manabii wote huzungumzia mwisho wa dunia na wanakubaliana wao kwa wao, hivyo wafanyabiashara wa Ezekieli ni wale wale katika Ufunuo sura ya kumi na nane. Mara tatu katika Ufunuo sura ya kumi na nane wanaomboleza, "Ole, ole," wakati mji ule mkuu unaangushwa, na mfumo wa kifedha wa sayari Dunia unaporomoshwa. Neno la Kigiriki lililotafsiriwa kama "ole" katika kifungu hicho ndilo neno lile lile linalotafsiriwa mara tatu katika Ufunuo sura ya nane, aya ya kumi na tatu, ambalo huko limetafsiriwa kwa neno tofauti la Kiingereza.

> And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound! Revelation 8:13.

> Nikaona, nikamsikia malaika mmoja akiruka katikati ya mbingu, akisema kwa sauti kuu, Ole, ole, ole, kwa wakaao juu ya nchi, kwa sababu ya sauti nyingine za tarumbeta za malaika wale watatu, ambao bado hawajapiga tarumbeta zao! Ufunuo 8:13.

The kings and merchants are lamenting the destruction of the world’s economy with the words, “alas, alas,” meaning “woe, woe,” and the “Woe” is a symbol of Islam. The fear that takes hold of Belshazzar and his lords when the handwriting appears on the wall, is the fear produced when the economic structure of planet earth is destroyed by ongoing attacks from Islam, which God employs as His providential tool to bring about His executive judgment upon those who drink the wine of Babylon, that is Sunday enforcement. This truth is the theme of the Isaiah twenty-three “burden” of the whore of “Tyre.”

Wafalme na wafanyabiashara wanaomboleza uharibifu wa uchumi wa dunia kwa maneno, "ole, ole," yakimaanisha "ole, ole," na "Ole" ni ishara ya Uislamu. Hofu inayomkumba Belshaza na wakuu wake maandishi yanapoonekana ukutani ni ile hofu inayozuka wakati mfumo wa kiuchumi wa sayari dunia unapoharibiwa na mashambulizi yanayoendelea kutoka kwa Uislamu, ambayo Mungu huyatumia kama chombo Chake cha majaliwa ili kuleta hukumu Yake ya utekelezaji juu ya wale wanaokunywa mvinyo wa Babeli, yaani kulazimishwa kwa utunzaji wa Jumapili. Ukweli huu ndicho kiini cha "mzigo" wa Isaya ishirini na tatu kuhusu kahaba wa "Tiro".

> The burden of Tyre. Howl, ye ships of Tarshish; for it is laid waste, so that there is no house, no entering in: from the land of Chittim it is revealed to them. Be still, ye inhabitants of the isle; thou whom the merchants of Zidon, that pass over the sea, have replenished. And by great waters the seed of Sihor, the harvest of the river, is her revenue; and she is a mart of nations. Be thou ashamed, O Zidon: for the sea hath spoken, even the strength of the sea, saying, I travail not, nor bring forth children, neither do I nourish up young men, nor bring up virgins. As at the report concerning Egypt, so shall they be sorely pained at the report of Tyre. Pass ye over to Tarshish; howl, ye inhabitants of the isle. Is this your joyous city, whose antiquity is of ancient days? her own feet shall carry her afar off to sojourn. Who hath taken this counsel against Tyre, the crowning city, whose merchants are princes, whose traffickers are the honourable of the earth? The Lord of hosts hath purposed it, to stain the pride of all glory, and to bring into contempt all the honourable of the earth. Pass through thy land as a river, O daughter of Tarshish: there is no more strength. He stretched out his hand over the sea, he shook the kingdoms: the Lord hath given a commandment against the merchant city, to destroy the strong holds thereof. And he said, Thou shalt no more rejoice, O thou oppressed virgin, daughter of Zidon: arise, pass over to Chittim; there also shalt thou have no rest. Behold the land of the Chaldeans; this people was not, till the Assyrian founded it for them that dwell in the wilderness: they set up the towers thereof, they raised up the palaces thereof; and he brought it to ruin. Howl, ye ships of Tarshish: for your strength is laid waste. And it shall come to pass in that day, that Tyre shall be forgotten seventy years, according to the days of one king: after the end of seventy years shall Tyre sing as an harlot. Take an harp, go about the city, thou harlot that hast been forgotten; make sweet melody, sing many songs, that thou mayest be remembered. And it shall come to pass after the end of seventy years, that the Lord will visit Tyre, and she shall turn to her hire, and shall commit fornication with all the kingdoms of the world upon the face of the earth. And her merchandise and her hire shall be holiness to the Lord: it shall not be treasured nor laid up; for her merchandise shall be for them that dwell before the Lord, to eat sufficiently, and for durable clothing. Isaiah 23:1–18.

> Ufunuo juu ya Tiro. Vilieni, enyi merikebu za Tarshishi; kwa maana imeharibiwa, hata hakuna nyumba, wala kuingia ndani; kutoka katika nchi ya Kitimu jambo hilo limefunuliwa kwao. Nyamazeni, enyi wakaao katika kisiwa; wewe ambaye wafanyabiashara wa Sidoni, wapitao baharini, wamekujaza. Na juu ya maji mengi mbegu ya Sihori, mavuno ya mto, ndiyo pato lake; naye ni soko la mataifa. Aibike, Ee Sidoni; kwa maana bahari imenena, naam, nguvu ya bahari, ikisema, Mimi sipati utungu, wala kuzaa; wala siwalee vijana, wala kuwalea wanawali. Kama walivyohuzunika sana kwa habari za Misri, ndivyo watakavyoumizwa sana kwa habari za Tiro. Vukeni kwenda Tarshishi; vilieni, enyi wakaao kisiwani. Je, huu ndio mji wenu wa furaha, ambao uzamani wake ni wa siku za kale? Miguu yake itambeba akae ugenini mbali. Ni nani aliyetoa shauri hili juu ya Tiro, mji wa kutia taji, ambaye wafanyabiashara wake ni wakuu, wauzaji wake ni waheshimiwa wa dunia? Bwana wa majeshi amekusudia hivyo, ili kudhalilisha kiburi cha utukufu wote, na kuwatia dharau waheshimiwa wote wa dunia. Pitia katika nchi yako kama mto, Ee binti wa Tarshishi; hakuna nguvu tena. Ameinyoosha mkono wake juu ya bahari, akazitikisa falme; Bwana ametoa amri juu ya mji wa biashara, kuharibu ngome zake. Naye akasema, Hutafurahi tena, ee bikira uliyedhulumiwa, binti wa Sidoni; inuka, uvuke uende Kitimu; huko nako hutapata raha. Tazama nchi ya Wakaldayo; watu hawa hawakuwako, hata Mwashuri alipoiweka kwa ajili ya wakaao nyikani; wakaisimamisha minara yake, wakayainua majumba yake ya kifalme; naye akaifanya kuwa magofu. Vilieni, enyi merikebu za Tarshishi; kwa kuwa nguvu zenu zimeharibiwa. Na itakuwa katika siku hiyo, ya kwamba Tiro itasahauliwa miaka sabini, sawasawa na siku za mfalme mmoja; baada ya mwisho wa miaka sabini Tiro ataimba kama kahaba. Twaa kinubi, zunguka mjini, ewe kahaba uliyesahauliwa; imba kwa sauti tamu, imba nyimbo nyingi, upate kukumbukwa. Na itakuwa baada ya mwisho wa miaka sabini, ya kwamba Bwana atamtembelea Tiro, naye atarejea kwenye ujira wake, naye atazinia na falme zote za ulimwengu juu ya uso wa dunia. Na biashara yake na ujira wake vitakuwa wakfu kwa Bwana; havitawekwa hazinani wala kuwekwa akiba; maana biashara yake itakuwa kwa wale wakaao mbele za Bwana, kula kwa kushiba, na kwa mavazi yadumuyo. Isaya 23:1-18.

The seventy years, which is as “the days of one king”, is represented by the kingdom of Babylon, for a king is a kingdom, and literal Babylon reigned for seventy years. The seventy years of literal Babylon ended in the “hour” the handwriting appeared upon the walls of Belshazzar’s banquet hall. That very night he was slain, by the power that came through the “wall” unnoticed, for he was having a party drinking the wine of Babylon, while Nebuchadnezzar’s orchestra was playing the music, and the whore of Tyre sang the sweet melody, and apostate Israel danced and bowed.

Miaka sabini, ambayo ni kama "siku za mfalme mmoja", inawakilishwa na ufalme wa Babeli, kwa maana mfalme ni ufalme, na Babeli halisi ilitawala kwa miaka sabini. Miaka sabini ya Babeli halisi ilikoma katika "saa" ambayo maandishi yalionekana juu ya kuta za ukumbi wa karamu wa Belshazzar. Usiku huo huo aliuliwa, kwa nguvu iliyokuja kupitia "ukuta" bila kuonekana, maana alikuwa akifanya sherehe akinywa divai ya Babeli, wakati orkestra ya Nebuchadnezzar ilikuwa ikipiga muziki, na kahaba wa Tyre akaimba melodi tamu, na Israeli mwasherati akacheza na kuinama.

Then fear took hold of all involved, for God had “taken counsel against Tyre” and had “purposed” “to stain the pride of all glory, and to bring into contempt all the honourable of the earth.” God therefore “shook the kingdoms” with the “great earthquake” of that “hour,” for God had “given a commandment against the merchant” kingdom, “to destroy the strong holds thereof.” In the “hour” of fear for Belshazzar, the kings and the merchants began a search to understand the meaning of the fiery words on the wall. The death of Belshazzar is about to happen, but at that point, he is still alive. He therefore sought to understand the mysterious words and offered rewards to the wise men, if they could interpret the writing, but it could not be done, for the wise men of Babylon employ the methodology of biblical study that was a counterfeit of truth. The mysterious words are as the vision of a book that is sealed.

Ndipo hofu ikawashika wote waliohusika, kwa maana Mungu alikuwa "amefanya shauri juu ya Tiro" na alikuwa "amekusudia" "kuutia doa kiburi cha utukufu wote, na kuleta dharau kwa wote wenye heshima duniani." Kwa hiyo Mungu "akazitikisa falme" kwa "tetemeko kuu la nchi" la ile "saa," maana Mungu alikuwa "ametoa amri dhidi ya ufalme wa biashara," "kuangamiza ngome zake." Katika "saa" ya hofu kwa Belshaza, wafalme na wafanyabiashara walianza kutafuta kuelewa maana ya maneno ya moto yaliyoandikwa ukutani. Kifo cha Belshaza kiko karibu kutokea, lakini wakati huo bado yu hai. Kwa hiyo akatafuta kuelewa maneno ya fumbo na akatoa thawabu kwa wenye hekima, ikiwa wangeweza kufasiri maandishi hayo, lakini haikuwezekana, maana wenye hekima wa Babeli walitumia mbinu ya masomo ya Kibiblia iliyokuwa bandia ya ukweli. Maneno ya fumbo ni kama maono ya kitabu kilichotiwa muhuri.

> Then came in all the king’s wise men: but they could not read the writing, nor make known to the king the interpretation thereof. Then was king Belshazzar greatly troubled, and his countenance was changed in him, and his lords were astonied. Now the queen by reason of the words of the king and his lords came into the banquet house: and the queen spake and said, O king, live forever: let not thy thoughts trouble thee, nor let thy countenance be changed: There is a man in thy kingdom, in whom is the spirit of the holy gods; and in the days of thy father light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, was found in him; whom the king Nebuchadnezzar thy father, the king, I say, thy father, made master of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers; Forasmuch as an excellent spirit, and knowledge, and understanding, interpreting of dreams, and showing of hard sentences, and dissolving of doubts, were found in the same Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar: now let Daniel be called, and he will show the interpretation. Then was Daniel brought in before the king. And the king spake and said unto Daniel, Art thou that Daniel, which art of the children of the captivity of Judah, whom the king my father brought out of Jewry? I have even heard of thee, that the spirit of the gods is in thee, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom is found in thee. And now the wise men, the astrologers, have been brought in before me, that they should read this writing, and make known unto me the interpretation thereof: but they could not show the interpretation of the thing: And I have heard of thee, that thou canst make interpretations, and dissolve doubts: now if thou canst read the writing, and make known to me the interpretation thereof, thou shalt be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about thy neck, and shalt be the third ruler in the kingdom. Daniel 5:8–16.

> Ndipo wakaingia wenye hekima wote wa mfalme; lakini hawakuweza kusoma maandishi hayo, wala kumjulisha mfalme tafsiri yake. Ndipo mfalme Belshaza akafadhaika sana, na uso wake ukabadilika, na wakuu wake wakastaajabu. Sasa malkia, kwa sababu ya maneno ya mfalme na ya wakuu wake, akaingia katika nyumba ya karamu; na malkia akanena akasema, Ee mfalme, uishi milele; mawazo yako yasikufadhaishe, wala uso wako usibadilike. Yuko mtu katika ufalme wako, ambaye roho ya miungu mitakatifu imo ndani yake; na katika siku za baba yako nuru na ufahamu na hekima, kama hekima ya miungu, vilionekana ndani yake; ambaye mfalme Nebukadneza baba yako, naam, mfalme, baba yako, alimfanya mkuu wa wachawi, wanajimu, Wakaldayo, na wapiga ramli; kwa kuwa roho iliyo bora, na maarifa, na ufahamu, na kutafsiri ndoto, na kufunua maneno magumu, na kutengua mashaka, vilionekana katika huyo Danieli, ambaye mfalme alimwita Belteshaza; sasa na aitwe Danieli, naye ataonyesha tafsiri. Ndipo Danieli akaingizwa mbele ya mfalme. Na mfalme akanena akamwambia Danieli, Je, ndiwe yule Danieli, mmoja wa wana wa mateka wa Yuda, ambaye mfalme, baba yangu, alimleta kutoka Yuda? Nimekwisha kusikia habari zako, kwamba roho ya miungu imo ndani yako, na kwamba nuru na ufahamu na hekima iliyo bora vinaonekana ndani yako. Na sasa wenye hekima, wanajimu, wameletwa mbele yangu, ili wasome maandishi haya, na kunijulisha tafsiri yake; lakini hawakuweza kuonyesha tafsiri ya jambo hilo. Nami nimesikia habari zako, kwamba waweza kufanya tafsiri, na kutengua mashaka; basi, ukiweza kusoma maandishi hayo, na kunijulisha tafsiri yake, utavikwa nguo nyekundu, na utawekwa mnyororo wa dhahabu shingoni mwako, nawe utakuwa mtawala wa tatu katika ufalme. Danieli 5:8-16.

The queen in the palace was not Belshazzar’s wife, but the queen of his grandfather, and she knew who could read the writing on the wall. There was a church (for a woman is a church prophetically), in the kingdom that knew who could understand the secrets of God.

Malkia katika kasri hakuwa mke wa Belshazzar, bali alikuwa malkia wa babu yake, na alijua ni nani angeweza kusoma maandishi ukutani. Kulikuwa na kanisa (maana mwanamke ni kanisa kinabii) katika ufalme lililojua ni nani angeweza kuelewa siri za Mungu.

> “There was in the palace a woman who was wiser than them all,—the queen of Belshazzar’s grandfather. In this emergency she addressed the king in language that sent a ray of light into the darkness. ‘O king, live forever,’ she said, ‘let not thy thoughts trouble thee, nor let thy countenance be changed. There is a man in thy kingdom in whom is the spirit of the holy gods; and in the days of thy father light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, was found in him; whom the king Nebuchadnezzar, thy father, the king, I say, thy father, made master of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers; …now let Daniel be called, and he will show the interpretation.’

> Kulikuwa na mwanamke katika kasri aliyekuwa na hekima kuliko wao wote—malkia wa babu yake Belshazzar. Katika dharura hii alimwambia mfalme kwa maneno yaliyotia mwanga katika giza. 'Ee mfalme, uishi milele,' akasema, 'mawazo yako yasikusumbue, wala uso wako usibadilike. Yuko mtu katika ufalme wako ambaye ndani yake imo roho ya miungu mitakatifu; na katika siku za baba yako mwanga na ufahamu na hekima, kama hekima ya miungu, vilipatikana ndani yake; ambaye mfalme Nebuchadnezzar, baba yako, mfalme, nasema, baba yako, alimfanya mkuu wa wachawi, wanajimu, Wakaldayo na watabiri; ...sasa Daniel na aitwe, naye ataonyesha tafsiri.'

> “‘Then was Daniel brought in before the king.’ Making an effort to brace himself and to show his authority, Belshazzar said, ‘Art thou that Daniel which art of the children of the captivity of Judah, which the king, my father, brought out of Jewry? I have even heard of thee, that the spirit of the gods is in thee, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom is found in thee…. Now if thou canst read the writing, and make known to me the interpretation thereof, thou shalt be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about thy neck, and shalt be the third ruler in the kingdom.’

> "'Ndipo Danieli akaletwa mbele ya mfalme.' Akitafuta kujikaza na kuonyesha mamlaka yake, Belshaza akasema, 'Je, wewe ndiye Danieli, mmoja wa wana wa mateka wa Yuda, ambaye mfalme, baba yangu, alimtoa kutoka Uyahudi? Naam, nimesikia habari zako, kwamba roho ya miungu imo ndani yako, na kwamba nuru na ufahamu na hekima bora imo ndani yako.... Basi sasa, ikiwa waweza kusoma yale maandishi, na kunijulisha tafsiri yake, utavikwa vazi la rangi nyekundu iliyokolea, na utawekwa mnyororo wa dhahabu shingoni mwako, na utakuwa mtawala wa tatu katika ufalme.'"

> “Daniel was not awed by the king’s appearance, nor confused or intimidated by his words. ‘Let thy gifts be to thyself,’ he answered, ‘and give thy rewards to another; yet I will read the writing unto the king, and make known to him the interpretation. O thou king, the most high God gave Nebuchadnezzar thy father a kingdom, and majesty, and glory, and honour…. But when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him…. And thou his son, O Belshazzar, hast not humbled thine heart, though thou knewest all this, but hast lifted up thyself against the God of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of His house before thee, and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines, have drunk in them, and thou hast praised the gods of silver and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know; and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose all thy ways, hast thou not glorified.’

> "Danieli hakuingiwa na hofu kwa muonekano wa mfalme, wala hakuvurugwa wala kutishwa na maneno yake. 'Zawadi zako ziwe kwako mwenyewe,' akajibu, 'na tuzo zako uwape mwingine; lakini nitalisomea mfalme maandishi, nami nitamjulisha tafsiri yake. Ee mfalme, Mungu Aliye Juu Sana alimpa Nebukadneza baba yako ufalme, na ukuu, na utukufu, na heshima.... Lakini moyo wake ulipoinuliwa, na akili yake ikawa ngumu kwa kiburi, akatolewa katika kiti chake cha kifalme, wakamnyang'anya utukufu wake.... Na wewe mwana wake, Ee Belshaza, hukujinyenyekesha moyoni mwako, ingawa ulijua haya yote, bali umejinua dhidi ya Mungu wa mbinguni; nazo vyombo vya nyumba yake vimeletwa mbele yako, nawe, na wakuu wako, wake zako, na masuria wako, mmekunywa humo, nawe umewasifu miungu ya fedha na dhahabu, ya shaba, chuma, mbao na mawe, wasioona, wala kusikia, wala kujua; na Mungu ambaye pumzi yako iko mkononi mwake, na ambaye njia zako zote ni zake, hukumtukuza.'"

> “‘This is the writing that was written, Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin. This is the interpretation of the thing: Mene: God hath numbered thy kingdom and finished it. Tekel: Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting. Peres: Thy kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians.’

> 'Hivi ndivyo maandishi yaliyoandikwa, Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin. Hivi ndivyo tafsiri ya jambo hilo: Mene: Mungu ameuhesabu ufalme wako na kuumaliza. Tekel: Umewekwa katika mizani, ukapatikana umepunguka. Peres: Ufalme wako umegawanywa na kupewa Wamedi na Waajemi.'

> “Daniel did not swerve from his duty. He held the king’s sin before him, showing him the lessons he might have learned but did not. Belshazzar had not heeded the events so significant to him. He had not read his grandfather’s history correctly. The responsibility of knowing truth had been laid upon him, but the practical lesson he might have learned and acted upon had not been taken to heart; and his course of action brought the sure result.

> Daniel hakukengeuka kutoka katika wajibu wake. Aliiweka wazi dhambi ya mfalme mbele yake, akimwonyesha mafunzo ambayo angeweza kujifunza lakini hakuyajifunza. Belshazzar hakuwa ameyatilia maanani matukio yaliyokuwa na maana kubwa kwake. Hakuwa ameisoma historia ya babu yake kwa usahihi. Wajibu wa kujua ukweli ulikuwa umewekwa juu yake, lakini somo la vitendo ambalo angeweza kujifunza na kulitia vitendo halikuwa amelichukua moyoni; na mwenendo wake ulileta matokeo ya hakika.

> “This was the last feast of boasting held by the Chaldean king; for He who bears long with man’s perversity had passed the irrevocable sentence. Belshazzar had greatly dishonoured the One who had exalted him as king, and his probation was taken from him. While the king and his nobles were at the height of their revelry, the Persians turned the Euphrates out of its channel, and marched into the unguarded city. As Belshazzar and his lords were drinking from the sacred vessels of Jehovah, and praising their gods of silver and gold, Cyrus and his soldiers stood under the walls of the palace. ‘In that night,’ the record says, ‘was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain. And Darius the Median took the kingdom.’” Bible Echo, May 2, 1898.

> "Hii ilikuwa karamu ya mwisho ya majivuno iliyofanywa na mfalme wa Wakaldayo; kwa maana Yeye avumiliaye kwa muda mrefu upotovu wa mwanadamu alikuwa ametoa hukumu isiyoweza kubatilishwa. Belshazzar alikuwa amemdhalilisha sana Yule aliyemwinua awe mfalme, na kipindi chake cha rehema kiliondolewa kwake. Wakati mfalme na wakuu wake walipokuwa kileleni mwa sherehe zao, Waajemi waliugeuza mto Frati kutoka mkondo wake, wakaingia katika mji usiolindwa. Belshazzar na mabwana wake walipokuwa wakinywa kutoka kwa vyombo vitakatifu vya Yehova, na kuwasifu miungu yao ya fedha na dhahabu, Cyrus na askari wake walisimama chini ya kuta za jumba la kifalme. 'Usiku huo,' kumbukumbu inasema, 'Belshazzar mfalme wa Wakaldayo aliuawa. Naye Darius Mmedi aliutwaa ufalme.'" Bible Echo, Mei 2, 1898.

In the midst of the crisis, the queen (a church), identified that there is a source that can identify the “Future for America”. Daniel once again stands in his lot to fulfill his purpose at the end of the days. The witness of the ensign given in the fiery furnace by Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego is now given by Daniel, as he adds to the line of truth that in the “hour” of the Sunday law crisis, those who represent the ensign will be brought before the state authorities to testify of the truth.

Katikati ya mzozo, malkia (kanisa) alitambua kwamba kuna chanzo kinachoweza kubainisha “Mustakabali wa Amerika”. Danieli anasimama tena katika urithi wake ili kutimiza kusudi lake mwishoni mwa siku. Ushuhuda wa bendera uliotolewa katika tanuru la moto na Shadraka, Meshaki na Abednego sasa unatolewa na Danieli, anapoongeza kwenye mfululizo wa ukweli kwamba katika “saa” ya mzozo wa sheria ya Jumapili, wale wanaowakilisha bendera hiyo wataletwa mbele ya mamlaka za serikali ili kushuhudia ukweli.

> “‘They will deliver you up to councils, … yea and before governors and kings shall ye be brought for My sake, for a testimony to them and to the Gentiles.’ Matthew 10:17, 18, R. V. Persecution will spread the light. The servants of Christ will be brought before the great men of the world, who, but for this, might never hear the gospel. The truth has been misrepresented to these men. They have listened to false charges concerning the faith of Christ’s disciples. Often their only means of learning its real character is the testimony of those who are brought to trial for their faith. Under examination these are required to answer, and their judges to listen to the testimony borne. God’s grace will be dispensed to His servants to meet the emergency. ‘It shall be given you,’ says Jesus, ‘in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.’ As the Spirit of God illuminates the minds of His servants, the truth will be presented in its divine power and preciousness. Those who reject the truth will stand to accuse and oppress the disciples. But under loss and suffering, even unto death, the Lord’s children are to reveal the meekness of their divine Example. Thus will be seen the contrast between Satan’s agents and the representatives of Christ. The Saviour will be lifted up before the rulers and the people.” The Desire of Ages, 354.

> ‘Mtakabidhiwa katika mabaraza, ... naam, na mbele ya wakuu na wafalme mtafikishwa kwa ajili yangu, kuwa ushuhuda kwao na kwa Mataifa.’ Mathayo 10:17, 18, R. V. Mateso yataeneza nuru. Watumishi wa Kristo wataletwa mbele ya wakuu wa dunia, ambao, la sivyo, huenda wasingepata kuisikia Injili kamwe. Kweli imewasilishwa vibaya kwa watu hawa. Wamesikiliza mashitaka ya uongo kuhusu imani ya wanafunzi wa Kristo. Mara nyingi njia yao ya pekee ya kujua tabia yake halisi ni ushuhuda wa wale wanaoletwa mahakamani kwa ajili ya imani yao. Wakati wa uchunguzi hawa hutakiwa kujibu, na mahakimu wao wanalazimika kusikiliza ushuhuda unaotolewa. Neema ya Mungu itatolewa kwa watumishi Wake ili kukabiliana na dharura hiyo. ‘Mtapewa,’ asema Yesu, ‘saa ile ile mtakachosema. Kwa maana si ninyi msemao, bali ni Roho wa Baba yenu asemaye ndani yenu.’ Roho wa Mungu anapotiia nuru akili za watumishi Wake, kweli itawasilishwa katika nguvu yake ya kimungu na thamani yake. Wale wanaoikataa kweli watasimama kuwashtaki na kuwaonea wanafunzi. Lakini chini ya hasara na mateso, hata mpaka mauti, wana wa Bwana wanapaswa kudhihirisha upole wa mfano wao wa kimungu. Hivyo utaonekana utofauti kati ya mawakala wa Shetani na wawakilishi wa Kristo. Mwokozi atainuliwa mbele ya watawala na watu. The Desire of Ages, 354.

As with the three worthies, Daniel was not interested in any gifts, nor did he need to rehearse what he was going to say. He very simply presented the interpretation of the “seven times,” represented upon the wall.

Kama ilivyokuwa kwa wale watatu wenye heshima, Daniel hakuwa akivutiwa na zawadi zozote, wala hakuhitaji kufanya mazoezi ya kile alichokuwa anakwenda kusema. Aliwasilisha kwa urahisi tu tafsiri ya "nyakati saba" zilizowakilishwa ukutani.

We will continue the story of Belshazzar in the next article.

Tutaendelea na hadithi ya Belshaza katika makala ijayo.

> “Those who are unfaithful to the work of God are lacking in principle; their motives are not of a character to lead them to choose the right under all circumstances. The servants of God are to feel at all times that they are under the eye of their employer. He who watched the sacrilegious feast of Belshazzar is present in all our institutions, in the counting-room of the merchant, in the private workshop; and the bloodless hand is as surely recording your neglect as it recorded the awful judgment of the blasphemous king. Belshazzar’s condemnation was written in words of fire, ‘Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting’; and if you fail to fulfill your God-given obligations your condemnation will be the same.” Messages to Young People, 229.

> Wale wasio waaminifu kwa kazi ya Mungu wanakosa kanuni za maadili; nia zao hazina sifa ya kuwaongoza kuchagua kilicho sahihi katika hali zote. Watumishi wa Mungu wanapaswa kuhisi kila wakati kwamba wako chini ya jicho la Mwajiri wao. Yeye aliyeshuhudia karamu ya kukufuru ya Belshazzar yupo katika taasisi zetu zote, katika ofisi ya uhasibu ya mfanyabiashara, katika karakana binafsi; na ule mkono usio na damu kwa hakika unarekodi kupuuza kwako kama ulivyorekodi hukumu ya kutisha ya yule mfalme mwenye kufuru. Hukumu ya Belshazzar iliandikwa kwa maneno ya moto, 'Umepimwa katika mizani, ukaonekana umepunguka'; na ukishindwa kutimiza wajibu wako uliopewa na Mungu, hukumu yako itakuwa ile ile. Ujumbe kwa Vijana, 229.

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