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# The Hidden History of Verse Forty - Number Four

Historia Iliyofichwa ya Aya ya Arobaini - Namba Nne

Testing and Triumph: The Formation of the Image of the Beast and the Sealing of the Wise

Majaribu na Ushindi: Kuundwa kwa sanamu ya mnyama na kutiwa muhuri kwa wenye hekima

Author

Jeff Pippenger

Published

September 23, 2024

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The prophetic line which illustrates the testing represented by the formation of the image of the beast in the United States runs parallel with the three waymarks that represent the line of the Constitution. They run parallel to each other and they contribute specific information that addresses the other line. How is it that those who pass the image of the beast test will then be prepared to walk in the light that proceeds from the throne-room of God, during the time of persecution that begins at the Sunday law in the United States? What is it about the test of the formation of the image of the beast that seals the wise virgins into an experience which allows them to navigate through the period of persecution that begins at the Sunday law, when national apostasy is followed by national ruin, and Satan begins his marvelous works?

Mstari wa kinabii unaoonyesha jaribio linalowakilishwa na kuundwa kwa sura ya mnyama nchini Marekani unaenda sambamba na alama tatu za njia zinazoakilisha mstari wa Katiba. Mistari hii miwili inaenda sambamba, na kila mmoja huchangia taarifa mahususi zinazoshughulikia ule mwingine. Je, inawezekanaje kwamba wale watakaopita jaribio la sura ya mnyama wataandaliwa kutembea katika nuru itokayo katika chumba cha enzi cha Mungu, wakati wa mateso yanayoanza wakati wa sheria ya Jumapili nchini Marekani? Ni nini kuhusu jaribio la kuundwa kwa sura ya mnyama linalowatia muhuri wanawali wenye hekima katika uzoefu unaowawezesha kupitia kipindi cha mateso kinachoanza wakati wa sheria ya Jumapili, wakati uasi wa taifa unafuatwa na uharibifu wa taifa, na Shetani anapoanza kazi zake za maajabu?

> “It is impossible to give any idea of the experience of the people of God who shall be alive upon the earth when celestial glory and a repetition of the persecutions of the past are blended. They will walk in the light proceeding from the throne of God. By means of the angels there will be constant communication between heaven and earth. And Satan, surrounded by evil angels, and claiming to be God, will work miracles of all kinds, to deceive, if possible, the very elect.” Testimonies, volume 9, 16.

> "Haiwezekani kutoa wazo lolote kuhusu uzoefu wa watu wa Mungu watakaokuwa hai duniani wakati utukufu wa mbinguni na marudio ya mateso ya zamani vitakapochangamana. Watatembea katika nuru itokayo kwenye kiti cha enzi cha Mungu. Kwa njia ya malaika kutakuwa na mawasiliano ya kila wakati kati ya mbingu na dunia. Naye Shetani, akiwa amezungukwa na malaika waovu, na akijidai kuwa Mungu, atafanya miujiza ya kila aina, ili, ikiwezekana, awadanganye hata wateule." Testimonies, juzuu ya 9, 16.

Sister White comments on the message Christ presented in the synagogue in Capernaum recorded in John chapter six. Her comments are in The Desire of Ages, in the chapter titled The Crisis in Galilee. There she emphasizes that Christ made no effort to prevent the rebellion that occured in John six, though He knew full well He would lose more disciples then than at any other time in His ministry among men.

Dada White anatoa maoni kuhusu ujumbe ambao Kristo aliwasilisha katika sinagogi huko Kapernaumu uliorekodiwa katika Yohana sura ya sita. Maoni yake yako katika The Desire of Ages, katika sura iliyoitwa The Crisis in Galilee. Huko anasisitiza kwamba Kristo hakufanya juhudi zozote kuzuia uasi uliotokea katika Yohana sura ya sita, ingawa alijua vyema kabisa kwamba angepoteza wanafunzi wengi zaidi wakati huo kuliko wakati mwingine wowote katika huduma yake miongoni mwa wanadamu.

> “When Jesus presented the testing truth that caused so many of His disciples to turn back, He knew what would be the result of His words; but He had a purpose of mercy to fulfill. He foresaw that in the hour of temptation every one of His beloved disciples would be severely tested. His agony in Gethsemane, His betrayal and crucifixion, would be to them a most trying ordeal. Had no previous test been given, many who were actuated by merely selfish motives would have been connected with them. When their Lord was condemned in the judgment hall; when the multitude who had hailed Him as their king hissed at Him and reviled Him; when the jeering crowd cried, ‘Crucify Him!’—when their worldly ambitions were disappointed, these self-seeking ones would, by renouncing their allegiance to Jesus, have brought upon the disciples a bitter, heart-burdening sorrow, in addition to their grief and disappointment in the ruin of their fondest hopes. In that hour of darkness, the example of those who turned from Him might have carried others with them. But Jesus brought about this crisis while by His personal presence He could still strengthen the faith of His true followers.

> Wakati Yesu alipowasilisha kweli ya kuwajaribu iliyosababisha wanafunzi Wake wengi warudi nyuma, Alijua matokeo ya maneno Yake yangekuwa nini; lakini Alikuwa na kusudi la rehema la kutimiza. Alijua mapema kwamba katika saa ya majaribu kila mmoja wa wanafunzi Wake wapendwa angejaribiwa vikali. Mateso Yake kule Gethsemane, usaliti Wake na kusulubiwa Kwake, yangekuwa kwao mtihani mgumu sana. Kama jaribio la awali lisingekuwa limetolewa, wengi waliokuwa wakichochewa na nia za ubinafsi tu wangekuwa wamejiunga nao. Wakati Bwana wao alihukumiwa katika ukumbi wa hukumu; wakati umati uliokuwa umemshangilia kama mfalme wao ulimzomea na kumtukana; wakati umati wa dhihaka ulipolia, ‘Msulubishe!’—wakati tamaa zao za kidunia zilipovunjika, hawa wenye kujitafutia wao wenyewe, kwa kukana uaminifu wao kwa Yesu, wangewaletea wanafunzi huzuni chungu, mzigo mzito wa moyo, juu ya huzuni yao na masikitiko ya kuvunjika kwa matumaini yao ya kupendwa zaidi. Katika saa hiyo ya giza, mfano wa wale waliomwacha ungeweza kuwavuta wengine pia. Lakini Yesu alileta mgogoro huu wakati ambapo kwa uwepo Wake binafsi angeweza bado kuimarisha imani ya wafuasi Wake wa kweli.

> “Compassionate Redeemer, who in the full knowledge of the doom that awaited Him, tenderly smoothed the way for the disciples, prepared them for their crowning trial, and strengthened them for the final test!” The Desire of Ages, 394.

> "Mkombozi mwenye huruma, ambaye kwa ufahamu kamili wa hatima mbaya iliyomngoja, kwa upole aliwaandalia wanafunzi njia, akawaandaa kwa jaribu lao kuu, na akawaimarisha kwa mtihani wa mwisho!" The Desire of Ages, 394.

The Sunday law is the final test where character is manifested. Before the final test Christ, who never changes, allows a test by which His people’s eternal destiny will be decided. It is a test they must pass before they are sealed, and before their probation closes at the Sunday law. It is a prophetic test that prepares the wise virgins “for their crowning trial, and strengthens them for the final test!” Their “crowning trial” is their crowning test, for the wise virgins are those who are “purified, made white and tried.” The final test is their crowning trial, and in that testing time, the wise virgins “will walk in light proceeding from the throne of God”. What is it within the testing process represented as “the formation of the image of the beast” that prepares the wise virgins for the crowning trial and allows them to walk in the light proceeding from the throne of God. What is the light that proceeds from the throne of God?

Sheria ya Jumapili ndiyo jaribio la mwisho ambamo tabia inadhihirishwa. Kabla ya jaribio la mwisho, Kristo, ambaye habadiliki kamwe, anaruhusu jaribio ambalo kwalo hatima ya milele ya watu wake itaamuliwa. Ni jaribio ambalo ni lazima wafaulu kabla ya kutiwa muhuri, na kabla mlango wa rehema kwao kufungwa wakati wa sheria ya Jumapili. Ni jaribio la kinabii linalowaandaa wanawali wenye busara "kwa jaribio lao la kilele, na kuwatia nguvu kwa jaribio la mwisho!" "Jaribio lao la kilele" ndilo jaribio lao la kilele, kwa maana wanawali wenye busara ni wale ambao "wametakaswa, wamefanywa weupe na kujaribiwa." Jaribio la mwisho ndilo jaribio lao la kilele, na katika wakati huo wa kujaribiwa, wanawali wenye busara "watatembea katika nuru itokayo katika kiti cha enzi cha Mungu". Ni nini ndani ya mchakato wa kujaribiwa unaowakilishwa kama "kuundwa kwa sanamu ya mnyama" kinachowaandaa wanawali wenye busara kwa jaribio la kilele na kuwawezesha kutembea katika nuru itokayo katika kiti cha enzi cha Mungu? Nuru hiyo itokayo katika kiti cha enzi cha Mungu ni nini?

> And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour. And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets. And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel’s hand. And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake. Revelation 8:1–5.

> Na alipofungua ile muhuri wa saba, kukawa kimya mbinguni kama muda wa nusu saa. Nikaona wale malaika saba waliokuwa wamesimama mbele za Mungu; nao wakapewa tarumbeta saba. Na malaika mwingine akaja akasimama kwenye madhabahu, akiwa na kifaa cha kufukizia uvumba cha dhahabu; naye akapewa uvumba mwingi, apate kuutolea pamoja na maombi ya watakatifu wote juu ya ile madhabahu ya dhahabu iliyokuwa mbele ya kile kiti cha enzi. Na moshi wa ule uvumba, uliokuwa pamoja na maombi ya watakatifu, ukapaa mbele za Mungu kutoka mkononi mwa yule malaika. Kisha yule malaika akakitwaa kile kifaa cha kufukizia, akakijaza moto wa madhabahu, akakitupa duniani; palikuwa na sauti, na ngurumo, na umeme, na tetemeko la nchi. Ufunuo 8:1-5.

In the last days, in the period where the parable of the ten virgins is being fulfilled and the one hundred and forty-four thousand are being sealed, the seventh seal is unsealed and it identifies fire being cast to the earth in answer to the prayers of the saints. The fire that is cast down in the final and perfect fulfillment of the parable of the ten virgins is the message of the midnight cry, as typified by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at the Exeter camp meeting, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, which was there represented as fire. Notice Sister White’s commentary on the message of the midnight cry.

Katika siku za mwisho, katika kipindi ambapo mfano wa wanawali kumi unatimilizwa na wale elfu mia moja arobaini na nne wanatiwa muhuri, muhuri wa saba unafunguliwa, na unaonyesha kwamba moto unatupwa duniani kama jibu kwa maombi ya watakatifu. Moto unaotupwa chini katika utimilifu wa mwisho na mkamilifu wa mfano wa wanawali kumi ni ujumbe wa kilio cha usiku wa manane, kama unavyoonyeshwa kwa mfano na kumiminwa kwa Roho Mtakatifu katika mkutano wa makambi huko Exeter, na kumiminwa kwa Roho Mtakatifu siku ya Pentekoste, ambapo kulionyeshwa kwa ishara ya moto. Angalia maelezo ya Dada White kuhusu ujumbe wa kilio cha usiku wa manane.

> “Those who rejected the first message could not be benefited by the second; neither were they benefited by the midnight cry, which was to prepare them to enter with Jesus by faith into the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary. And by rejecting the two former messages, they have so darkened their understanding that they can see no light in the third angel’s message, which shows the way into the most holy place. I saw that as the Jews crucified Jesus, so the nominal churches had crucified these messages, and therefore they have no knowledge of the way into the most holy, and they cannot be benefited by the intercession of Jesus there. Like the Jews, who offered their useless sacrifices, they offer up their useless prayers to the apartment which Jesus has left; and Satan, pleased with the deception, assumes a religious character, and leads the minds of these professed Christians to himself, working with his power, his signs and lying wonders, to fasten them in his snare.” Early Writings, 259–261.

> Walioikataa ujumbe wa kwanza hawakuweza kufaidika na ule wa pili; wala hawakufaidi na mwito wa usiku wa manane, uliokusudiwa kuwaandaa waingie pamoja na Yesu kwa imani katika Patakatifu pa Patakatifu la hekalu la mbinguni. Na kwa kuukataa ujumbe wa kwanza na wa pili, wameutia ufahamu wao giza kiasi kwamba hawaoni nuru yoyote katika ujumbe wa malaika wa tatu, unaoonyesha njia ya kuingia katika Patakatifu pa Patakatifu. Niliona kwamba kama vile Wayahudi walivyosulubisha Yesu, vivyo hivyo makanisa ya jina tu yamesulubisha huu ujumbe, na kwa hiyo hawana maarifa ya njia ya kuingia katika Patakatifu pa Patakatifu, wala hawawezi kufaidika na maombezi ya Yesu huko. Kama Wayahudi, waliotoa dhabihu zao zisizofaa, wao hutoa maombi yao yasiyofaa kuelekea sehemu ambayo Yesu ameiacha; naye Shetani, akipendezwa na udanganyifu huo, hujivika umbo la kidini, na kuyaelekeza mawazo ya hawa wanaojidai kuwa Wakristo kwake, akifanya kazi kwa nguvu zake, ishara zake na maajabu yake ya uongo, ili kuwafunga katika mtego wake. Maandiko ya Mapema, 259-261.

In the Millerite history the test of the message of the midnight cry “was to prepare them to enter with Jesus by faith into the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary.” The message of the midnight cry that is now being developed is also represented as the testing of the formation of the image of the beast. They are both the test that leads to the close of probation where character is manifested. When the Millerites entered into the Most Holy Place by faith, their faith was once again tested. The faith of the one hundred and forty-four thousand will be tested at the Sunday law, but they are promised that they will be safe, for they will walk “in the light proceeding from” the seventh seal, which was opened when the message of the midnight cry began to be unsealed in July of 2023.

Katika historia ya Wamileriti, mtihani wa ujumbe wa Kilio cha usiku wa manane "ulikuwa ili kuwaandaa waingie pamoja na Yesu kwa imani katika Mahali Patakatifu pa Patakatifu katika hekalu la mbinguni." Ujumbe wa Kilio cha usiku wa manane unaoendelezwa sasa pia unawakilishwa kama mtihani wa uundaji wa sanamu ya mnyama. Vyote viwili ni mtihani unaoongoza hadi kufungwa kwa mlango wa rehema, ambapo tabia hudhihirishwa. Wakati Wamileriti walipoingia katika Mahali Patakatifu pa Patakatifu kwa imani, imani yao ilijaribiwa tena. Imani ya elfu mia moja arobaini na nne itajaribiwa katika sheria ya Jumapili, lakini wameahidiwa kwamba watakuwa salama, kwa kuwa watatembea "katika nuru itokayo kutoka" kwa muhuri wa saba, ambao ulifunguliwa wakati ujumbe wa Kilio cha usiku wa manane ulipoanza kufunuliwa mnamo Julai 2023.

The message that was unsealed at that time is established through the methodology of line upon line, which is the methodology of the latter rain. The latter rain began to sprinkle in 2001, and the final testing of Adventism began. In July of 2023 the final period in the testing process that concludes at the Sunday law began when the message of the midnight cry, which is also the latter rain, which is also the increase of knowledge that is produced when the seventh seal is removed, and is also the unsealing of the seven thunders as well as the Revelation of Jesus Christ. All the lines that represent an unsealing of prophetic light are identified as being unsealed in the hidden history of verse forty of Daniel chapter eleven.

Ujumbe uliotiwa wazi wakati huo unathibitishwa kupitia mbinu ya mstari juu ya mstari, ambayo ndiyo mbinu ya mvua ya masika. Mvua ya masika ilianza kunyesha kwa manyunyu mwaka 2001, na jaribio la mwisho la Uadventista lilianza. Mwezi Julai 2023, kipindi cha mwisho katika mchakato wa majaribio kinachokamilika katika sheria ya Jumapili kilianza wakati ujumbe wa mwito wa usiku wa manane, ambao pia ni mvua ya masika, ambao pia ni ongezeko la maarifa linalozalishwa wakati muhuri wa saba unaondolewa, na pia ni kutiwa wazi kwa ngurumo saba pamoja na Ufunuo wa Yesu Kristo. Mistari yote inayowakilisha kutiwa wazi kwa nuru ya kinabii inatambuliwa kuwa imetiwa wazi katika historia iliyofichika ya aya ya arobaini ya Danieli sura ya kumi na moja.

In that hidden history the line of the Constitution’s three primary waymarks is represented. It is the line when church and state come together to form the image of the beast. It contains a prophetic line that addresses the presidents of the United States which illustrate the dynamics of the political struggles that occur in the history of the Republican horn of the earth-beast. That line includes the parallel histories of both major political parties of the United States. That line is closely related to the horn of apostate Protestantism from its beginning in 1844, until it usurps the control of the civil government at the Sunday law.

Katika historia hiyo iliyofichika, mstari wa alama tatu kuu za njia za Katiba unawakilishwa. Ni mstari wakati kanisa na serikali vinapoungana kuunda sanamu ya mnyama. Unajumuisha mstari wa kinabii unaowahusu marais wa Marekani, ambao wanaonyesha mienendo ya mapambano ya kisiasa yanayotokea katika historia ya pembe ya Kirepubliki ya mnyama wa nchi. Mstari huo unajumuisha historia sambamba za vyama vyote viwili vikuu vya kisiasa vya Marekani. Mstari huo unahusiana kwa karibu na pembe ya Uprotestanti mkengeufu tangu mwanzo wake mwaka 1844, hadi inaponyakua udhibiti wa serikali ya kiraia wakati wa sheria ya Jumapili.

The prophetic role of apostate Protestantism includes the witness of the Hasmonaean Dynasty as a symbol of apostate Protestantism. In the backdrop of the line of the horn of apostate Protestantism you also have the line of the Laodicean Seventh-day Adventist church. From the line of Laodicean Adventism you have the line of the one hundred and forty-four thousand. That hidden history also has the line of Islam of the third woe. Russia has a line, the United Nations has a line and of course, the papal power has a line.

Jukumu la kinabii la Uprotestanti uliopotoka linajumuisha ushuhuda wa Nasaba ya Hasmonea kama ishara ya Uprotestanti uliopotoka. Katika usuli wa mstari wa pembe ya Uprotestanti uliopotoka pia kuna mstari wa Kanisa la Waadventista Wasabato la Laodikia. Kutoka katika mstari wa Uadventista wa Laodikia, kuna mstari wa mia moja arobaini na nne elfu. Historia hiyo iliyofichwa pia ina mstari wa Uislamu wa ole la tatu. Urusi ina mstari, Umoja wa Mataifa una mstari na bila shaka, nguvu ya kipapa ina mstari.

If a student of prophecy applies himself as a Berean living in the last days, he will feed upon the lines that are identified in the hidden history of verse forty. The student of prophecy will take the book out of the angel’s hand and eat it. Then when the final test of the Sunday law arrives, he will not only have come to understand the message of the midnight cry that was unsealed, but he will fully understand how the image of the beast was formed in the United States.

Ikiwa mwanafunzi wa unabii atajitahidi kama Mberoya anayeishi katika siku za mwisho, atajilisha kwa mistari iliyobainishwa katika historia iliyofichika ya aya ya arobaini. Mwanafunzi wa unabii atakitwaa kitabu kutoka mkononi mwa malaika na kukila. Kisha, mtihani wa mwisho wa sheria ya Jumapili utakapowasili, si tu kwamba atakuwa ameuelewa ujumbe wa mwito wa usiku wa manane ulioondolewa muhuri, bali pia ataelewa kikamilifu jinsi sanamu ya mnyama ilivyoundwa nchini Marekani.

The light of the seventh seal proceeds from the throne and in the context of the parable of the ten virgins it is the message of the midnight cry. The message of the midnight cry is what prepares the wise virgins for the period when the persecutions of the past are repeated.

Nuru ya muhuri wa saba hutoka katika kiti cha enzi, na katika muktadha wa mfano wa wanawali kumi ni ujumbe wa kilio cha usiku wa manane. Ujumbe wa kilio cha usiku wa manane ndicho kinachowaandaa wanawali wenye busara kwa kipindi ambacho mateso ya zamani yanajirudia.

> “In reviewing our past history, having traveled over every step of advance to our present standing, I can say, Praise God! As I see what God has wrought, I am filled with astonishment, and with confidence in Christ as leader. We have nothing to fear for the future except as we shall forget the way the Lord has led us, and His teaching in our past history.” Testimonies to Ministers, 31.

> "Katika kutafakari historia yetu iliyopita, baada ya kupitia kila hatua ya maendeleo hadi tulipo sasa, naweza kusema, Mungu asifiwe! Ninapoona yale ambayo Mungu ametenda, nimejawa na mshangao, na nina ujasiri katika Kristo kama kiongozi. Hatuna cha kuogopa kuhusu siku zijazo isipokuwa tutakaposahau jinsi Bwana alivyotuongoza, na mafundisho yake katika historia yetu iliyopita." Testimonies to Ministers, 31.

The Lord is leading His people in the testing process that began in July 2023. His leading included opening up the prophetic word in relation to the hidden history of verse forty. That history identifies how the image of the beast is formed in the United States, and of course much more than simply that element of end-time events. When we find ourselves in the crowning trial at the Sunday law, when the persecutions of the past are beginning to repeat, we “have nothing to fear for the future except as we shall forget the way the Lord has led us, and His teaching in our past history.”

Bwana anawaongoza watu wake katika mchakato wa kujaribiwa ulioanza Julai 2023. Uongozi wake ulijumuisha kufungua neno la unabii kuhusiana na historia iliyofichwa ya aya ya arobaini. Historia hiyo inaonyesha jinsi picha ya mnyama inavyoundwa nchini Marekani, na bila shaka mambo mengi zaidi ya kipengele hicho tu cha matukio ya nyakati za mwisho. Tunapojikuta katika jaribu la kilele katika sheria ya Jumapili, wakati mateso ya zamani yanaanza kujirudia, sisi “hatuna cha kuogopa kuhusu wakati ujao, isipokuwa tutakaposahau njia aliyoituongoza Bwana, na mafundisho yake katika historia yetu ya zamani.”

At the Sunday law the “past history” will be repeated in the period of the formation of the image of the beast in the United States. The Lion of the tribe of Judah has unsealed the final message and led His people to the hidden history of verse forty. There He taught His people to not simply understand His prophetic word, but also the privilege and responsibility to attain an experience qualified to be among those of His people who were to be His representatives in the final crisis.

Wakati wa sheria ya Jumapili, "historia ya zamani" itarudiwa katika kipindi cha kuundwa kwa picha ya mnyama nchini Marekani. Simba wa kabila la Yuda amefunua ujumbe wa mwisho na kuwaongoza watu wake kwenye historia iliyofichwa ya aya ya arobaini. Huko aliwafundisha watu wake kwamba wasiridhike tu kuuelewa neno lake la kinabii, bali watambue pia heshima na wajibu wa kupata uzoefu unaowastahilisha kuwa miongoni mwa wale wa watu wake waliopaswa kuwa wawakilishi wake katika mgogoro wa mwisho.

One of the prophetic characteristics of those people is that they know how to walk by the light proceeding from the throne. That light is the light of the hidden history of verse forty, which describes in minute detail the religious, political, social and economic dynamics involved in erecting the image of the beast in the United States. The light which is recognized concerning this sacred history is produced through the application of line upon line, from here a little and there a little, and it is the light that describes the history when the persecutions of the past are once again initiated.

Moja ya sifa za kinabii za watu hao ni kwamba wanajua kutembea katika nuru itokayo kwenye kiti cha enzi. Nuru hiyo ni nuru ya historia iliyofichika ya aya ya arobaini, inayoeleza kwa undani wa kina mienendo ya kidini, kisiasa, kijamii na kiuchumi iliyohusika katika kusimamisha sanamu ya mnyama nchini Marekani. Nuru inayotambuliwa kuhusu historia hii takatifu hutokana na matumizi ya mstari juu ya mstari, hapa kidogo na pale kidogo, na hiyo ndiyo nuru inayoelezea historia wakati mateso ya zamani yanapoanzishwa tena.

Those who understand the increase of knowledge are the wise, and the increase of knowledge is upon the formation of the image of the beast, and the wise will understand the history of the formation of the image of the beast in the world in advance of the arrival of that history. Jesus, as Alpha and Omega, always illustrates the end of a thing with the beginning of a thing.

Wale wanaoelewa kuongezeka kwa maarifa ni wenye hekima, na kuongezeka kwa maarifa ni juu ya uundaji wa picha ya mnyama, na wenye hekima wataelewa historia ya uundaji wa picha ya mnyama ulimwenguni kabla ya kuwasili kwa historia hiyo. Yesu, kama Alfa na Omega, daima huonyesha mwisho wa jambo kwa mwanzo wake.

It is worth noting that the passage where Sister White identifies that God’s people will walk in light proceeding from the throne is the conclusion of the first chapter in Testimonies, volume nine. The chapter begins on page eleven, so the chapter begins at nine-eleven and it ends describing the Sunday law. It describes the period where the image of the beast is formed and the one hundred and forty-four thousand are manifested, but only if you have the faith to see that chapter in such a fashion.

Inafaa kutambua kwamba kifungu ambacho Dada White anabainisha kuwa watu wa Mungu watatembea katika nuru itokayo katika kiti cha enzi ndicho hitimisho la sura ya kwanza katika Ushuhuda, juzuu ya tisa. Sura hiyo inaanza katika ukurasa wa kumi na moja, hivyo sura inaanza katika tisa-kumi na moja na inamalizika kwa kuelezea sheria ya Jumapili. Inaelezea kipindi ambacho picha ya mnyama inaundwa na wale 144,000 wanafunuliwa, lakini ni iwapo tu una imani ya kuiona sura hiyo kwa namna hiyo.

Being the first section of volume nine, it opens with that identification, and employs the title, For the Coming of the King. It is clearly referencing not only the Second Coming of Christ, but also the parable of the ten virgins, for the section title then quotes Paul.

Kwa kuwa ni sehemu ya kwanza ya juzuu ya tisa, huanza kwa utambulisho huo, na hutumia kichwa, “Kwa Ajili ya Kuja kwa Mfalme.” Ni wazi kinarejelea si tu Kurudi kwa Mara ya Pili kwa Kristo, bali pia mfano wa wanawali kumi, maana kichwa cha sehemu hiyo kisha kinamnukuu Paulo.

> “Section 1—For the Coming of the King

> Sehemu ya 1 - Kwa ajili ya ujio wa mfalme

> “‘Yet a little while, and He that shall come will come, and will not tarry.’ Hebrews 10:37.”

> 'Bado kitambo kidogo, naye ajaye atakuja, wala hatakawia.' Waebrania 10:37.

The following two verses are left off, but they contribute to the light in the passage.

Aya mbili zinazofuata hazijajumuishwa, lakini zinachangia mwangaza katika kifungu.

> For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul. Hebrews 10:37–39.

> Bado kitambo kidogo, naye ajaye atakuja, wala hatakawia. Basi mwenye haki ataishi kwa imani; lakini mtu akirudi nyuma, nafsi yangu haitapendezwa naye. Lakini sisi si wa wale warudiao nyuma wapotee; bali ni wa wale waaminio kwa wokovu wa nafsi. Waebrania 10:37-39.

Paul was referring to Habakkuk where the faithful wise virgins are contrasted with those who Paul says “draw back unto perdition.” Habakkuk said it this way:

Paulo alikuwa akirejelea Habakuki, ambako wanawali waaminifu wenye hekima wanapinganishwa na wale ambao Paulo anasema "hurudi nyuma mpaka uangamivu." Habakuki alisema hivi:

> Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith. Habakkuk 2:4.

> Tazama, roho yake iliyoinuliwa si nyoofu ndani yake; bali mwenye haki ataishi kwa imani yake. Habakuki 2:4.

Habakkuk’s tarrying time is the tarrying time of the ten virgins, and the chapter of the coming King, in connection with Paul’s words from Hebrews, identifies the perfect fulfillment and application of this chapter in the period of the sealing of the one hundred and forty-four thousand. That period began on September 11, 2001 and ends at the Sunday law, which is Laodicean Adventism’s last crisis, which in the parable of the ten virgins is the manifestation of character at the Sunday law. The last paragraphs of the chapter address the Sunday law, and the chapter begins by addressing September 11, 2001.

Wakati wa kukawia wa Habakuki ni wakati wa kukawia wa wanawali kumi, na sura ya Mfalme ajaye, kwa kuhusisha maneno ya Paulo katika Waebrania, inatambua utimizaji kamili na matumizi ya sura hii katika kipindi cha kutiwa muhuri kwa wale mia arobaini na nne elfu. Kipindi hicho kilianza Septemba 11, 2001 na kitaishia katika sheria ya Jumapili, ambayo ndiyo mgogoro wa mwisho wa Uadventista wa Laodikia, ambao katika mfano wa wanawali kumi ni udhihirisho wa tabia katika sheria ya Jumapili. Aya za mwisho za sura hiyo zinazungumzia sheria ya Jumapili, na sura hiyo inaanza kwa kushughulikia Septemba 11, 2001.

> “The Last Crisis

> Mgogoro wa Mwisho

> “We are living in the time of the end. The fast-fulfilling signs of the times declare that the coming of Christ is near at hand. The days in which we live are solemn and important. The Spirit of God is gradually but surely being withdrawn from the earth. Plagues and judgments are already falling upon the despisers of the grace of God. The calamities by land and sea, the unsettled state of society, the alarms of war, are portentous. They forecast approaching events of the greatest magnitude.

> Tunaishi katika wakati wa mwisho. Ishara za nyakati zinazotimia kwa haraka zinatangaza kwamba kuja kwa Kristo kuko karibu sana. Siku tunamoishi ni nzito na muhimu. Roho ya Mungu inaondolewa polepole lakini kwa hakika kutoka duniani. Mapigo na hukumu tayari yanaangukia wanaodharau neema ya Mungu. Majanga barani na baharini, hali ya jamii isiyotulia, kelele za vita, ni ya kutisha. Zinatabiri matukio makuu sana yanayokaribia.

> “The agencies of evil are combining their forces and consolidating. They are strengthening for the last great crisis. Great changes are soon to take place in our world, and the final movements will be rapid ones.

> Mawakala wa uovu wanaunganisha nguvu zao na kujiimarisha. Wanaimarika kwa ajili ya mgogoro mkuu wa mwisho. Mabadiliko makubwa yanakaribia kutokea duniani kwetu, na harakati za mwisho zitakuwa za kasi.

> “The condition of things in the world shows that troublous times are right upon us. The daily papers are full of indications of a terrible conflict in the near future. Bold robberies are of frequent occurrence. Strikes are common. Thefts and murders are committed on every hand. Men possessed of demons are taking the lives of men, women, and little children. Men have become infatuated with vice, and every species of evil prevails.

> Hali ya mambo duniani inaonyesha kwamba nyakati za taabu zimetukumba. Magazeti ya kila siku yamejaa dalili za mzozo wa kutisha ujao hivi karibuni. Wizi wa waziwazi hutokea mara kwa mara. Migomo ni ya kawaida. Wizi na mauaji yanatendeka kila mahali. Watu waliopagawa na mapepo wanaua wanaume, wanawake, na watoto wadogo. Watu wamepumbazwa na maovu, na kila aina ya uovu imetawala.

> “The enemy has succeeded in perverting justice and in filling men’s hearts with the desire for selfish gain. ‘Justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter.’ Isaiah 59:14. In the great cities there are multitudes living in poverty and wretchedness, well-nigh destitute of food, shelter, and clothing; while in the same cities are those who have more than heart could wish, who live luxuriously, spending their money on richly furnished houses, on personal adornment, or worse still, upon the gratification of sensual appetites, upon liquor, tobacco, and other things that destroy the powers of the brain, unbalance the mind, and debase the soul. The cries of starving humanity are coming up before God, while by every species of oppression and extortion men are piling up colossal fortunes.

> Adui amefaulu kupotosha haki na kujaza mioyo ya watu tamaa ya kujinufaisha binafsi. “Haki inasimama mbali; kwa maana kweli imeanguka barabarani, na uadilifu hauwezi kuingia.” Isaya 59:14. Katika miji mikubwa kuna makundi mengi yanayoishi katika umaskini na taabu, karibu kabisa bila chakula, makazi, na mavazi; ilhali katika miji hiyo hiyo wapo wale walio na zaidi ya yale moyo ungeweza kutamani, wanaoishi kwa anasa, wakitumia fedha zao kwa nyumba zilizowekewa samani za kifahari, kwa mapambo ya kibinafsi, au hata mbaya zaidi, katika kuridhisha matamanio ya mwili, katika pombe, tumbaku, na mambo mengine yanayoharibu uwezo wa ubongo, kuvuruga akili, na kudhalilisha roho. Vilio vya wanadamu wanaokufa kwa njaa vinapanda mbele za Mungu, ilhali kwa kila namna ya uonevu na unyonyaji watu wanajilimbikizia utajiri mkubwa mno.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

> “The world is stirred with the spirit of war. The prophecy of the eleventh chapter of Daniel has nearly reached its complete fulfillment. Soon the scenes of trouble spoken of in the prophecies will take place.

> Dunia imechochewa na roho ya vita. Unabii wa sura ya kumi na moja ya Danieli umekaribia kufikia utimilifu wake kamili. Hivi karibuni matukio ya dhiki yaliyotajwa katika unabii yatatokea.

> “‘“Behold, the Lord maketh the earth empty, and maketh it waste, and turneth it upside down, and scattereth abroad the inhabitants thereof…. Because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant. Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are desolate…. The mirth of tabrets ceaseth, the noise of them that rejoice endeth, the joy of the harp ceaseth.’ Isaiah 24:1–8.

> "'Tazama, Bwana huifanya dunia kuwa tupu, na huifanya ukiwa, na huipindua juu-chini, na huwatawanya wakaao ndani yake.... Kwa sababu wamezivunja sheria, wamebadili amri, wamevunja agano la milele. Kwa hiyo laana imeila dunia, na wakaao ndani yake wameachwa ukiwa.... Shangwe ya matari hukoma, kelele za wafurahio huisha, furaha ya kinubi hukoma.' Isaya 24:1-8."

> “‘Alas for the day! for the day of the Lord is at hand, and as a destruction from the Almighty shall it come…. The seed is rotten under their clods, the garners are laid desolate, the barns are broken down, for the corn is withered. How do the beasts groan! the herds of cattle are perplexed, because they have no pasture; yea, the flocks of sheep are made desolate.’ ‘The vine is dried up, and the fig tree languisheth; the pomegranate tree, the palm tree also, and the apple tree, even all the trees of the field, are withered: because joy is withered away from the sons of men.” Joel 1:15–18, 12.

> 'Ole kwa siku hiyo! Kwa maana siku ya Bwana iko karibu, nayo itakuja kama uharibifu utokao kwa Mwenyezi.... Mbegu zimeoza chini ya vipande vya udongo vyao, mabohari yameachwa ukiwa, maghala yamebomoka, kwa maana nafaka imenyauka. Ni kwa jinsi gani wanyama wanaomboleza! Makundi ya ng'ombe yametahayari, kwa sababu hayana malisho; naam, makundi ya kondoo yameachwa ukiwa.' 'Mzabibu umekauka, na mtini umedhoofika; mkomamanga, mtende pia, na mti wa tofaa, naam, hata miti yote ya mashamba imekauka: kwa sababu furaha imekauka miongoni mwa wana wa watu.' Yoeli 1:15-18, 12.

> “‘I am pained at my very heart; … I cannot hold my peace, because thou has heard, O my soul, the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war. Destruction upon destruction is cried; for the whole land is spoiled.’ Jeremiah 4:19, 20.

> 'Ninaumia mno moyoni mwangu; ... Siwezi kunyamaza, kwa kuwa wewe, ee nafsi yangu, umesikia sauti ya baragumu, na kelele za vita. Uharibifu juu ya uharibifu umetangazwa; kwa maana nchi yote imeharibiwa.' Yeremia 4:19, 20.

> “‘I beheld the earth, and, lo, it was without form, and void; and the heavens, and they had no light. I beheld the mountains, and, lo, they trembled, and all the hills moved lightly. I beheld, and, lo, there was no man, and all the birds of the heavens were fled. I beheld, and, lo, the fruitful place was a wilderness, and all the cities thereof were broken down.’ Verses 23–26.

> 'Nikaangalia nchi, na tazama, ilikuwa ukiwa, tena utupu; na mbingu, wala hazikuwa na nuru. Nikaangalia milima, na tazama, ilitetemeka, na vilima vyote vikayumbayumba. Nikaangalia, na tazama, hapakuwa na mwanadamu, na ndege wote wa mbinguni walikuwa wamekimbia. Nikaangalia, na tazama, sehemu yenye rutuba ilikuwa jangwa, na miji yake yote ilikuwa imebomolewa.' Aya 23-26.

> “‘“Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.” Jeremiah 30:7.

> '"Ole! maana siku ile ni kuu, hata hakuna iliyo kama hiyo: ni wakati wa shida ya Yakobo; lakini ataokolewa kutoka humo." Yeremia 30:7.'

> “Not all in this world have taken sides with the enemy against God. Not all have become disloyal. There are a faithful few who are true to God; for John writes: ‘Here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.’ Revelation 14:12. Soon the battle will be waged fiercely between those who serve God and those who serve Him not. Soon everything that can be shaken will be shaken, that those things that cannot be shaken may remain.

> Si wote ulimwenguni wamejiunga na adui dhidi ya Mungu. Si wote wamekuwa wasio waaminifu. Wapo wachache waaminifu walio wa kweli kwa Mungu; kwa maana Yohana anaandika: 'Hapa ndipo wale wazishikao amri za Mungu, na imani ya Yesu.' Ufunuo 14:12. Hivi karibuni vita vitapiganwa vikali kati ya wale wanaomtumikia Mungu na wale wasiomtumikia Yeye. Hivi karibuni yote yanayoweza kutikiswa yatatikiswa, ili yale yasiyoweza kutikiswa yabaki.

> “Satan is a diligent Bible student. He knows that his time is short, and he seeks at every point to counterwork the work of the Lord upon this earth. It is impossible to give any idea of the experience of the people of God who shall be alive upon the earth when celestial glory and a repetition of the persecutions of the past are blended. They will walk in the light proceeding from the throne of God. By means of the angels there will be constant communication between heaven and earth. And Satan, surrounded by evil angels, and claiming to be God, will work miracles of all kinds, to deceive, if possible, the very elect. God’s people will not find their safety in working miracles, for Satan will counterfeit the miracles that will be wrought. God’s tried and tested people will find their power in the sign spoken of in Exodus 31:12–18. They are to take their stand on the living word: ‘It is written.’ This is the only foundation upon which they can stand securely. Those who have broken their covenant with God will in that day be without God and without hope.

> Shetani ni msomaji wa Biblia mwenye bidii. Anajua kwamba muda wake ni mfupi, na anatafuta kwa kila njia kuipinga na kuivuruga kazi ya Bwana juu ya dunia hii. Haiwezekani kutoa wazo lolote la uzoefu wa watu wa Mungu watakaokuwa hai duniani wakati utukufu wa mbinguni na kurudiwa kwa mateso ya zamani vitakapochangamana. Watatembea katika nuru itokayo kwenye kiti cha enzi cha Mungu. Kwa njia ya malaika kutakuwa na mawasiliano ya kudumu kati ya mbingu na dunia. Na Shetani, akiwa amezungukwa na malaika waovu, na akidai kuwa Mungu, atafanya miujiza ya kila namna, ili kudanganya, ikiwezekana hata wateule wenyewe. Watu wa Mungu hawatapata usalama wao katika kutenda miujiza, kwa kuwa Shetani ataiga miujiza itakayofanywa. Watu wa Mungu waliothibitishwa kwa majaribu watapata nguvu yao katika ishara iliyotajwa katika Kutoka 31:12-18. Wanapaswa kusimama juu ya neno lililo hai: ‘Imeandikwa.’ Huu ndio msingi wa pekee ambao wanaweza kusimama imara juu yake. Wale waliovunja agano lao na Mungu siku hiyo watakuwa bila Mungu na bila tumaini.

> “The worshipers of God will be especially distinguished by their regard for the fourth commandment, since this is the sign of God’s creative power and the witness to His claim upon man’s reverence and homage. The wicked will be distinguished by their efforts to tear down the Creator’s memorial and to exalt the institution of Rome. In the issue of the conflict all Christendom will be divided into two great classes, those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, and those who worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark. Although church and state will unite their power to compel all, ‘both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond,’ to receive the mark of the beast, yet the people of God will not receive it. Revelation 13:16. The prophet of Patmos beholds ‘them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God,’ and singing the song of Moses and the Lamb. Revelation 15:2.

> Waabudu wa Mungu watajitofautisha hasa kwa kuitunza amri ya nne, kwa kuwa hii ndiyo ishara ya uwezo wa uumbaji wa Mungu na ushuhuda wa haki Yake ya kupokea heshima na ibada ya mwanadamu. Waovu watatambulika kwa juhudi zao za kubomoa kumbukumbu ya Muumba na kuitukuza taasisi ya Roma. Katika suala la mzozo huo, Ukristo wote utagawanywa katika makundi mawili makuu: wale wanaoshika amri za Mungu na imani ya Yesu, na wale wanaoabudu yule mnyama na sanamu yake, na kuipokea chapa yake. Ijapokuwa kanisa na dola vitaunganisha nguvu zao ili kuwalazimisha wote, 'wadogo kwa wakubwa, matajiri na maskini, walio huru na watumwa,' kuipokea chapa ya yule mnyama, bado watu wa Mungu hawataipokea. Ufunuo 13:16. Nabii wa Patmo anaona 'wale waliopata ushindi juu ya yule mnyama, na juu ya sanamu yake, na juu ya chapa yake, na juu ya hesabu ya jina lake, wakiwa wamesimama juu ya bahari ya kioo, wakiwa na vinubi vya Mungu,' na wakiimba wimbo wa Musa na wa Mwanakondoo. Ufunuo 15:2.

> “Fearful tests and trials await the people of God. The spirit of war is stirring the nations from one end of the earth to the other. But in the midst of the time of trouble that is coming,—a time of trouble such as has not been since there was a nation,—God’s chosen people will stand unmoved. Satan and his host cannot destroy them, for angels that excel in strength will protect them.” Testimonies, volume 9, 11–17.

> Majaribu na mitihani ya kutisha yanawasubiri watu wa Mungu. Roho ya vita inachochea mataifa kutoka mwisho mmoja wa dunia hadi mwingine. Lakini katikati ya wakati wa taabu unaokuja - wakati wa taabu ambao haujawahi kuwapo tangu kulipokuwapo taifa - watu teule wa Mungu watasimama bila kutikisika. Shetani na majeshi yake hawawezi kuwaangamiza, kwa kuwa malaika wenye nguvu kuu watawalinda. Ushuhuda, juzuu ya 9, 11-17.

The one hundred and forty-four thousand, who are “God’s tried and tested people” His “chosen people” “will stand unmoved” when “the persecutions of the past” are repeated. The light they will “walk in” is the light of the message of the seventh seal, which is the midnight cry, which is the light identifying the formation of the image of the beast.

Wale elfu mia moja arobaini na nne, ambao ni "watu wa Mungu waliothibitishwa kwa majaribu" "watu wake wateule" "watasimama bila kutetereka" wakati "mateso ya zamani" yatakaporudiwa. Nuru ambayo "watatembea ndani yake" ni nuru ya ujumbe wa muhuri wa saba, ambao ni kilio cha usiku wa manane, ambacho ni nuru inayotambulisha kuundwa kwa picha ya mnyama.

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