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# The Book of Daniel - Number Sixty-Eight

Kitabu cha Danieli - Nambari ya Sitini na Nane

Unveiling the Prophetic Message of Ezekiel Chapter Eight: The Sunday Law and the Last Days

Kufunua Ujumbe wa Kinabii wa Ezekieli Sura ya Nane: Sheria ya Jumapili na Nyakati za Mwisho

Author

Jeff Pippenger

Published

February 1, 2024

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Ezekiel chapter eight is one of the easiest prophetic chapters in the Scriptures. The chapter has a distinct starting point.

Ezekieli sura ya nane ni miongoni mwa sura rahisi zaidi za kinabii katika Maandiko Matakatifu. Sura hiyo ina mwanzo ulio bayana.

> And it came to pass in the sixth year, in the sixth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I sat in mine house, and the elders of Judah sat before me, that the hand of the Lord God fell there upon me. Ezekiel 8:1.

> Ikawa katika mwaka wa sita, katika mwezi wa sita, siku ya tano ya mwezi, nilipokuwa nimeketi nyumbani kwangu, na wazee wa Yuda walipokuwa wameketi mbele yangu, mkono wa Bwana Mungu ulinishukia pale. Ezekieli 8:1.

The vision has a distinct ending in chapter eleven.

Maono yana mwisho dhahiri katika sura ya kumi na moja.

> Afterwards the spirit took me up, and brought me in a vision by the Spirit of God into Chaldea, to them of the captivity. So the vision that I had seen went up from me. Then I spake unto them of the captivity all the things that the Lord had showed me. Ezekiel 11:24, 25.

> Baadaye Roho alininyanyua, akanileta katika maono kwa Roho ya Mungu mpaka Kaldea, kwa wale waliokuwa matekani. Basi maono niliyokuwa nimeyaona yakaniondokea. Kisha niliwaambia wale waliokuwa matekani mambo yote ambayo Bwana alikuwa amenionyesha. Ezekieli 11:24, 25.

The vision of chapter eight begins on the fifth day, of the sixth month of the sixth year, just a day before the date aligns with “666,” and sure enough the vision is about the Sunday law, which is the mark of the beast, whose number is the number of the “man of sin,” and also the number of the eighth kingdom that is of the seven. Those that get the victory over the number “666,” receive the seal of God, and in chapter nine, the seal of God is being placed upon God’s faithful people of the last days.

Maono ya sura ya nane yanaanza siku ya tano, ya mwezi wa sita wa mwaka wa sita, siku moja tu kabla ya tarehe kuendana na "666," na kweli maono hayo yanahusu sheria ya Jumapili, ambayo ni chapa ya mnyama, ambaye nambari yake ni nambari ya "mtu wa dhambi," na pia nambari ya ufalme wa nane ulio wa wale saba. Wale wanaopata ushindi juu ya nambari "666" hupokea muhuri wa Mungu, na katika sura ya tisa, muhuri wa Mungu unawekwa juu ya watu wa Mungu waaminifu wa siku za mwisho.

> And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God. And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and 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 they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. Revelation 15:1–3.

> Nikaona ishara nyingine mbinguni, kuu na ya ajabu, malaika saba wenye mapigo saba ya mwisho; kwa maana ndani yao imekamilika ghadhabu ya Mungu. Nikaona kama bahari ya kioo iliyochanganyika na moto; na wale waliomshinda yule mnyama, na sanamu yake, na chapa yake, na hesabu ya jina lake, wamesimama juu ya ile bahari ya kioo, wakiwa na vinubi vya Mungu. Nao wanaimba wimbo wa Musa, mtumishi wa Mungu, na wimbo wa Mwana-Kondoo, wakisema, Matendo yako ni makuu na ya ajabu, Bwana Mungu Mwenyezi; njia zako ni za haki na za kweli, Ee Mfalme wa watakatifu. Ufunuo 15:1-3.

Just before the close of probation (for the seven angels with the seven last plagues are going to pour out God’s wrath in the next chapter of Revelation), God’s last day people are identified. They have obtained the victory over four things. The word translated as victory means to conquer. The faithful have conquered the beast, the image of the beast, the mark of the beast and the number of his name. The victory includes the fact that they understand what the four symbols represent. It is only a very small percentage of people that know what those four prophetic symbols actually represent.

Hapo kabla tu ya kufungwa kwa mlango wa rehema (maana malaika saba wenye mapigo saba ya mwisho watamimina hasira ya Mungu katika sura inayofuata ya Ufunuo), watu wa Mungu wa siku za mwisho wanatambuliwa. Wamepata ushindi juu ya mambo manne. Neno linalotafsiriwa kuwa “ushindi” linamaanisha kushinda. Waaminifu wamelishinda yule mnyama, sanamu ya yule mnyama, alama ya yule mnyama, na nambari ya jina lake. Ushindi huo unajumuisha ukweli kwamba wanaelewa kile ambacho zile alama nne zinawakilisha. Ni asilimia ndogo sana ya watu wanaojua kile ambacho zile alama nne za kinabii kwa kweli zinawakilisha.

The world used to know the papacy was the whore of Babylon in chapter seventeen, but as God’s Word identified, the understanding of the whore of Tyre who commits fornication with the kings of the earth is forgotten during the history of the United States. To get victory over the beast means to rightly divide the word of truth in ascertaining that the beast of Bible prophecy is the papacy. In the very next chapter, the dragon, the beast and the false prophet lead the world to Armageddon, and God’s faithful of the last days must know who those three powers are.

Dunia ilijua zamani kwamba upapa ndiye kahaba wa Babeli katika sura ya kumi na saba, lakini, kama Neno la Mungu lilivyobainisha, uelewa kuhusu kahaba wa Tiro anayefanya uzinzi na wafalme wa dunia umesahaulika katika historia ya Marekani. Kupata ushindi juu ya mnyama kunamaanisha kugawanya sawasawa neno la kweli ili kubaini kwamba mnyama wa unabii wa Biblia ni upapa. Katika sura inayofuata moja kwa moja, joka, mnyama na nabii wa uongo wanaiongoza dunia kwenda Armagedoni, na waaminifu wa Mungu wa siku za mwisho lazima wajue ni mamlaka gani hizo tatu.

> And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared. And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon. Revelation 16:12–16.

> Na yule malaika wa sita akamimina bakuli lake juu ya mto ule mkubwa, Frati; maji yake yakakauka, ili njia ya wafalme wa mashariki iandaliwe. Nikaona roho watatu wachafu kama vyura wakitoka katika kinywa cha yule joka, na katika kinywa cha yule mnyama, na katika kinywa cha yule nabii wa uongo. Maana hao ni roho za mapepo, watendao ishara, hutoka kwenda kwa wafalme wa dunia yote, kuwakusanya kwa vita ya siku ile kuu ya Mungu Mwenyezi. Tazama, naja kama mwivi. Heri akeshaye, na azitunzaye nguo zake, ili asiende uchi, wasiione aibu yake. Naye akawakusanya pamoja hata mahali paitwao kwa Kiebrania, Armagedoni. Ufunuo 16:12-16.

The victory over the beast is the victory of understanding correctly who the beast is. The passage just cited pronounces a blessing upon those that watch and keep their garments, yet by the sixth plague, probation has fully closed for all men. When Michael stands up, human probation closes and then the seven last plagues are poured out. There is no way to change garments after the close of probation, yet there is a warning associated with the sixth plague. That warning has to do with having the correct understanding of the beast before probation closes, and if you do not have that understanding, you will lose the garment of Christ’s righteousness before the close of probation.

Ushindi dhidi ya mnyama ni ushindi wa kumtambua kwa usahihi mnyama ni nani. Aya iliyotajwa hivi punde inatangaza baraka juu ya wale wanaokaa macho na kuyatunza mavazi yao, lakini kufikia pigo la sita, kipindi cha rehema kimefungwa kabisa kwa wanadamu wote. Mikaeli anaposimama, kipindi cha rehema kwa wanadamu hufungwa, kisha mapigo saba ya mwisho humiminwa. Hakuna njia ya kubadili mavazi baada ya kufungwa kwa kipindi cha rehema, lakini kuna onyo linalohusishwa na pigo la sita. Onyo hilo linahusu kuwa na uelewa sahihi wa mnyama kabla ya kipindi cha rehema kufungwa, na ikiwa huna uelewa huo, utapoteza vazi la haki ya Kristo kabla ya kufungwa kwa kipindi cha rehema.

> “Those who become confused in their understanding of the word, who fail to see the meaning of antichrist, will surely place themselves on the side of antichrist. There is no time now for us to assimilate with the world. Daniel is standing in his lot and in his place. The prophecies of Daniel and of John are to be understood. They interpret each other. They give to the world truths which everyone should understand. These prophecies are to be witness in the world. By their fulfillment in these last days, they will explain themselves.” Kress Collection, 105.

> Wale wanaochanganyikiwa katika uelewa wao wa neno, wanaoshindwa kuona maana ya mpinga Kristo, bila shaka watajiweka upande wa mpinga Kristo. Hakuna wakati sasa kwetu kujiambatanisha na ulimwengu. Danieli amesimama katika fungu lake na mahali pake. Unabii wa Danieli na ule wa Yohana unapaswa kueleweka; kila mmoja unaufafanua mwingine. Unauletea ulimwengu ukweli ambao kila mtu anapaswa kuuelewa. Unabii huu unapaswa kuwa ushuhuda ulimwenguni. Kwa kutimizwa kwake katika siku hizi za mwisho, utajieleza. Mkusanyiko wa Kress, 105.

If a person does not understand that the antichrist is the papacy, they will end up on the side of the papacy, or as John wrote, they will walk naked and manifest their shame. To get the victory over the beast is to understand that the beast is the papal power, and all that is revealed of the papal power. Those who get the victory and understand that the papacy is the man of sin, will need to understand that the image of the papacy represents the principle of the combination of church and state, with the church in control of the relationship.

Ikiwa mtu haelewi kwamba Mpinga-Kristo ni upapa, ataishia upande wa upapa, au kama Yohana alivyoandika, atatembea uchi na kudhihirisha aibu yake. Kupata ushindi dhidi ya mnyama ni kuelewa kwamba mnyama ni nguvu ya kipapa, na yote yanayofunuliwa kuhusu nguvu ya kipapa. Wale wanaopata ushindi na wanaoelewa kwamba upapa ndiye mtu wa dhambi, watahitaji kuelewa kwamba sanamu ya upapa inawakilisha kanuni ya muungano wa kanisa na serikali, huku kanisa likidhibiti uhusiano huo.

In the book of Daniel, the structure of the beast, which is the combination of church and state, is represented as the transgression of desolation. Transgression is sin, and the sin that forms the papal beast is when kings surrender their power unto the papal authority. In doing this they commit spiritual fornication, which is Daniel’s transgression of desolation, and John’s image to the beast.

Katika Kitabu cha Danieli, muundo wa yule mnyama, ambao ni muungano wa kanisa na dola, umewakilishwa kama maasi ya ukiwa. Maasi ni dhambi, na dhambi inayounda yule mnyama wa kipapa ni pale wafalme wanapokabidhi mamlaka yao kwa mamlaka ya kipapa. Kwa kufanya hivyo wanatenda uzinzi wa kiroho, ambao ndio maasi ya ukiwa ya Danieli, na sanamu kwa mnyama ya Yohana.

To get victory over the papal image is to understand through God’s Word that the United States first forms this relationship, and ratifies it at the soon-coming Sunday law, and then forces the entire world to accept the same relationship.

Kupata ushindi juu ya mfano wa kipapa ni kuelewa kupitia Neno la Mungu kwamba Marekani kwanza huanzisha uhusiano huu, na kuuthibitisha wakati wa sheria ya Jumapili inayokuja karibuni, kisha kulazimisha ulimwengu wote kuukubali uhusiano huo huo.

The church and state relationship that will be forced upon the earth by the United States consists of the one-world government (the United Nations), coming into an alliance with the papacy as the controlling power in the arrangements. Getting the victory over the image of the beast, is to understand by God’s prophetic Word that the image of the beast represents these very things.

Uhusiano kati ya kanisa na serikali ambao utalazimishwa duniani na Marekani unajumuisha serikali ya dunia moja (Umoja wa Mataifa) ikiingia katika muungano na upapa kama mamlaka inayoongoza katika mpangilio huo. Kupata ushindi juu ya sanamu ya mnyama ni kuelewa kupitia Neno la kinabii la Mungu kwamba sanamu ya mnyama inawakilisha mambo haya haya.

Getting the victory over the beast and the image of the beast includes getting the understanding of the beast’s (the papacy’s) mark of authority.

Kupata ushindi juu ya mnyama na sanamu ya mnyama kunajumuisha kuelewa alama ya mamlaka ya mnyama (ya upapa).

The mark of the beast is the forced observance of Sunday as God’s Sabbath. To get victory over the mark requires understanding that Sunday worship is the worship of the sun, and that it is nothing less than pagan Baal worship. The victory includes the truth that no one receives the mark of the beast until it is forced upon men.

Alama ya mnyama ni kushika kwa lazima Jumapili kama Sabato ya Mungu. Kupata ushindi juu ya alama hiyo kunahitaji kuelewa kwamba ibada ya Jumapili ni ibada ya jua, na kwamba si chochote ila ibada ya kipagani ya Baali. Ushindi huo unajumuisha ukweli kwamba hakuna mtu anayepokea alama ya mnyama mpaka itakapolazimishwa juu ya watu.

> “But Christians of past generations observed the Sunday, supposing that in so doing they were keeping the Bible Sabbath; and there are now true Christians in every church, not excepting the Roman Catholic communion, who honestly believe that Sunday is the Sabbath of divine appointment. God accepts their sincerity of purpose and their integrity before Him. But when Sunday observance shall be enforced by law, and the world shall be enlightened concerning the obligation of the true Sabbath, then whoever shall transgress the command of God, to obey a precept which has no higher authority than that of Rome, will thereby honor popery above God. He is paying homage to Rome and to the power which enforces the institution ordained by Rome. He is worshiping the beast and his image. As men then reject the institution which God has declared to be the sign of His authority, and honor in its stead that which Rome has chosen as the token of her supremacy, they will thereby accept the sign of allegiance to Rome—‘the mark of the beast.’ And it is not until the issue is thus plainly set before the people, and they are brought to choose between the commandments of God and the commandments of men, that those who continue in transgression will receive ‘the mark of the beast.’” The Great Controversy, 449.

> Lakini Wakristo wa vizazi vilivyopita walishika Jumapili, wakidhani kwamba kwa kufanya hivyo walikuwa wanashika Sabato ya Biblia; na sasa wapo Wakristo wa kweli katika kila kanisa, bila kuacha ushirika wa Kikatoliki wa Roma, ambao kwa dhati wanaamini kwamba Jumapili ndiyo Sabato ya agizo la Mungu. Mungu anakubali ukweli wa nia yao na unyofu wao mbele Yake. Lakini wakati ushikaji wa Jumapili utakapolazimishwa kisheria, na ulimwengu utaelimishwa kuhusu wajibu wa Sabato ya kweli, basi yeyote atakayevunja amri ya Mungu, ili kutii agizo lisilo na mamlaka yoyote ya juu kuliko mamlaka ya Roma, atakuwa kwa kufanya hivyo ameuheshimu Upapa kuliko Mungu. Anatoa heshima kwa Roma na kwa nguvu inayolazimisha utaratibu uliowekwa na Roma. Anamwabudu mnyama na sanamu yake. Watu watakapoikataa ile taasisi ambayo Mungu ametangaza kuwa ishara ya mamlaka Yake, na kuiheshimu badala yake ile ambayo Roma imeichagua kuwa ishara ya mamlaka yake kuu, basi watakuwa wamekubali ishara ya utii kwa Roma—‘alama ya mnyama.’ Wala si hadi suala hili liwekwe wazi hivyo mbele ya watu, na waletwe kuchagua kati ya amri za Mungu na amri za wanadamu, ndipo wale wanaoendelea katika uasi watakapopokea ‘alama ya mnyama.’ Pambano Kuu, 449.

Those who obtain the victory over the beast, the image of the beast and the mark of the beast must also obtain the victory over the number of his name. In the period of history when the whore of Tyre was not forgotten, the Protestant world knew the papacy was the antichrist. They knew that Paul had identified the papacy as “that wicked,” “the man of sin,” “the mystery of iniquity” and “the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.” But now the great whore of Tyre has been forgotten.

Wale wanaopata ushindi juu ya mnyama, picha ya mnyama na alama ya mnyama lazima pia wapate ushindi juu ya nambari ya jina lake. Katika kipindi cha historia ambapo kahaba wa Tiro hakuwa amesahauliwa, ulimwengu wa Kiprotestanti ulijua kwamba Upapa ulikuwa Mpinga Kristo. Walijua kwamba Paulo alikuwa ametambua Upapa kama "yule muovu," "mtu wa dhambi," "siri ya uovu" na "mwana wa uharibifu; ambaye hupinga na hujikweza juu ya yote yanayoitwa Mungu, au yanayoabudiwa; hata aketi kama Mungu katika hekalu la Mungu, akijionyesha kwamba yeye ni Mungu." Lakini sasa kahaba mkuu wa Tiro amesahauliwa.

In ages past there were various isopsephy, or gematria, applications that demonstrated that the number “666” symbolically represented the papacy. A classic example of this is that on the pope’s miter the words Vicarius Filii Dei are written. Vicarius Filii Dei, which means the “Vicegerent of the Son of God”, and therefore addresses his claim of being seated in God’s temple, claiming to be God. The Latin letters of Vicarius Filii Dei equate to the number six hundred and sixty-six.

Katika nyakati za kale kulikuwa na matumizi mbalimbali ya isopsephy, au gematria, yaliyodhihirisha kwamba nambari "666" kwa njia ya ishara iliwakilisha upapa. Mfano wa kawaida wa hili ni kwamba kwenye mitra ya Papa yameandikwa maneno Vicarius Filii Dei. Vicarius Filii Dei, ambayo ina maana ya "Naibu wa Mwana wa Mungu", na hivyo inazungumzia dai lake la kuketi katika hekalu la Mungu, akidai kuwa Mungu. Herufi za Kilatini za Vicarius Filii Dei hutoa jumla ya nambari mia sita sitini na sita.

The beast, which is the papal power, is identified by his number and his number is “666,” but the man of sin received a deadly wound in 1798, and has been forgotten. In the last days the deadly wound is to be healed, and the healing of the deadly wound identifies that the United States first forms an image to the beast in its own nation, and then forces the world to do the same.

Mnyama, ambaye ni mamlaka ya kipapa, anatambulika kwa nambari yake, na nambari yake ni ‘666’, lakini yule mtu wa dhambi alipokea jeraha la mauti mwaka 1798, naye amesahaulika. Katika siku za mwisho, jeraha hilo la mauti litaponywa, na uponyaji wa jeraha hilo la mauti unaonyesha kwamba Marekani kwanza itaunda mfano wa mnyama ndani ya taifa lake lenyewe, kisha italazimisha dunia kufanya vivyo hivyo.

The world image of the beast is both twofold and threefold. It is prophetically twofold for it is made up of a combination of church and state, but it is threefold in that it is made up of the dragon, the beast and the false prophet. When the threefold union of the very powers that will lead the world to Armageddon is established, they will be the beast that is the eighth kingdom that is of the seven, and it will also be the threefold union of the sixth kingdom. The number of the beast’s name in the last days is again “666,” for it represents three kingdoms that are each part of the sixth kingdom.

Taswira ya mnyama duniani ni ya sehemu mbili na pia ya sehemu tatu. Kwa kinabii ni ya sehemu mbili kwa kuwa imeundwa na mchanganyiko wa kanisa na serikali, lakini ni ya sehemu tatu kwa kuwa imeundwa na joka, mnyama, na nabii wa uongo. Wakati muungano wa sehemu tatu wa zile nguvu zitakazoiongoza dunia kuelekea Armagedoni utakapowekwa, wao watakuwa yule mnyama ambaye ni ufalme wa nane utokao kwa wale saba, na pia huo utakuwa muungano wa sehemu tatu wa ufalme wa sita. Nambari ya jina la mnyama katika siku za mwisho tena ni "666," kwa kuwa inawakilisha falme tatu ambazo kila moja ni sehemu ya ufalme wa sita.

To get victory over the beast, his image, his mark and the number of his name is to understand the riddle that “the eighth is of the seven”, which is the secret of Daniel two, which Daniel prayed to understand. It is an element of the Revelation of Jesus Christ that is unsealed just before probation closes, for as John said, the “time is at hand.” For this reason, those who get that victory are represented as being with the angels who pour out the plagues, for they get the victory, or the necessary prophetic understanding, just before probation closes.

Kupata ushindi juu ya mnyama, sanamu yake, chapa yake, na hesabu ya jina lake ni kuelewa kitendawili kwamba “wa nane ni wa wale saba,” ambacho ndicho siri ya Danieli sura ya pili, ambayo Danieli aliomba aelewe. Ni kipengele cha Ufunuo wa Yesu Kristo ambacho hufunuliwa muda mfupi kabla ya wakati wa rehema kufungwa, maana kama Yohana alivyosema, “wakati umekaribia.” Kwa sababu hiyo, wale wanaoupata ushindi huo wanaonyeshwa kuwa pamoja na malaika wanaomimina mapigo, kwa kuwa hupata ushindi huo, yaani ufahamu wa kinabii unaohitajika, muda mfupi kabla ya wakati wa rehema kufungwa.

Those who understand that the Revelation of Jesus Christ is unsealed just before the close of probation, and that the number “666,” is an element of that vision will not miss that the vision of Ezekiel chapter eight begins on the fifth day (which is the day before the sixth day), in the sixth month of the sixth year. By the end of chapter eight twenty-five men are bowing down to the sun, and chapter nine identifies those who receive the seal of God.

Wale wanaoelewa kwamba Ufunuo wa Yesu Kristo umefunuliwa kabla tu ya kufungwa kwa mlango wa rehema, na kwamba nambari "666" ni sehemu ya maono hayo, hawatakosa kutambua kwamba maono ya Ezekieli sura ya nane yanaanza siku ya tano (ambayo ni siku iliyo kabla ya siku ya sita), katika mwezi wa sita wa mwaka wa sita. Mwishoni mwa sura ya nane wanaume ishirini na watano wanasujudia jua, na sura ya tisa inawatambua wale wanaopokea muhuri wa Mungu.

The context of the vision is the mark of the beast and the seal of God, and the vision is opened up just before probation closes at the Sunday law, as typified by the number “666.” But the close of probation that is identified as occurring at the Sunday law in the United States, is not the close of human probation, it is the close of probation only for Seventh-day Adventists.

Muktadha wa maono hayo ni chapa ya mnyama na muhuri wa Mungu, na maono hayo hufunuliwa kabla tu ya mlango wa rehema kufungwa wakati wa sheria ya Jumapili, kama inavyowakilishwa na nambari "666." Lakini kufungwa kwa mlango wa rehema kunakotambuliwa kuwa kunatokea wakati wa sheria ya Jumapili nchini Marekani si kufungwa kwa rehema kwa wanadamu wote; ni kufungwa kwa mlango wa rehema kwa Waadventista wa Sabato pekee.

The vision is represented as taking place within Jerusalem, which is a symbol of the Seventh-day Adventist church. At the Sunday law in the United States, Seventh-day Adventists are the only class that is, there and then, held accountable to the light of the Sabbath.

Maono yanaonyeshwa yakifanyika ndani ya Yerusalemu, ishara ya Kanisa la Waadventista Wasabato. Wakati wa sheria ya Jumapili nchini Marekani, Waadventista Wasabato ndio kundi pekee ambalo, hapo na wakati huo, linawajibishwa kwa nuru ya Sabato.

> “If the light of truth has been presented to you, revealing the Sabbath of the fourth commandment, and showing that there is no foundation in the Word of God for Sunday observance, and yet you still cling to the false sabbath, refusing to keep holy the Sabbath which God calls ‘my holy day,’ you receive the mark of the beast. When does this take place?—When you obey the decree that commands you to cease from labor on Sunday and worship God, while you know that there is not a word in the Bible showing Sunday to be other than a common working-day, you consent to receive the mark of the beast, and refuse the seal of God. If we receive this mark in our foreheads or in our hands, the judgments pronounced against the disobedient must fall upon us. But the seal of the living God is placed upon those who conscientiously keep the Sabbath of the Lord.” Review and Herald, April 27, 1911.

> Ikiwa nuru ya kweli imekuwasilishwa, ikifunua Sabato ya amri ya nne, na kuonyesha kwamba hakuna msingi katika Neno la Mungu kwa kuishika Jumapili, na bado unaendelea kushikilia sabato ya uongo, ukikataa kuitunza kuwa takatifu Sabato ambayo Mungu anaiita ‘siku yangu takatifu,’ unapokea alama ya mnyama. Hili hutokea lini?—Wakati unapotii amri inayokuamuru uache kufanya kazi siku ya Jumapili na kumwabudu Mungu, ilhali unajua kwamba hakuna neno lolote katika Biblia linaloonyesha kwamba Jumapili si chochote ila siku ya kawaida ya kazi, unakubali kupokea alama ya mnyama, na unakataa muhuri wa Mungu. Tukipokea alama hii katika vipaji vyetu vya uso au katika mikono yetu, hukumu zilizotamkwa juu ya wasiotii lazima zishuke juu yetu. Lakini muhuri wa Mungu aliye hai huwekwa juu ya wale wanaoishika Sabato ya Bwana kwa uaminifu wa dhamiri. Review and Herald, Aprili 27, 1911.

The vision of Ezekiel chapter eight through chapter eleven, identifies the history leading up to the close of probation for Jerusalem. It is portrayed as taking place just a day before the number “666” arrives, and chapter eight identifies an escalating rebellion within Jerusalem that culminates with the leading men bowing to the sun, thus receiving the mark of the beast.

Maono ya Ezekieli sura ya nane hadi sura ya kumi na moja yanaelezea historia inayopelekea kufungwa kwa mlango wa rehema kwa Yerusalemu. Inaonyeshwa kana kwamba hutokea siku moja tu kabla ya nambari "666" kuwasili, na sura ya nane inaonyesha uasi unaoongezeka ndani ya Yerusalemu unaohitimia kwa viongozi wakuu kusujudia jua, hivyo kupokea alama ya mnyama.

Chapter nine, represents an angel going through Jerusalem (thus identifying a progression), and placing a seal upon one class in advance of the destroying angels who thereafter slay all who do not have the seal. Both chapters represent a progressive history that leads to the Sunday law, where one class bows to the sun, and the other receives the seal of God. The wicked are then removed from Jerusalem, for the Sunday law separates the wicked and the wise.

Sura ya tisa inaonyesha malaika akipitia Yerusalemu (hivyo ikionyesha mwendelezo), na kuweka muhuri juu ya kundi moja kabla ya malaika waangamizaji ambao baadaye huua wote wasio na muhuri. Sura zote mbili zinawakilisha mfululizo wa kihistoria unaoelekea kwenye sheria ya Jumapili, ambapo kundi moja linainama mbele ya jua, na jingine linapokea muhuri wa Mungu. Waovu kisha wanaondolewa Yerusalemu, kwa kuwa sheria ya Jumapili inawatenganisha waovu na wenye hekima.

The sealing that is represented in Ezekiel chapter nine is the same sealing that is represented in Revelation chapter seven.

Utiwaji muhuri unaowakilishwa katika Ezekieli sura ya tisa ni uleule unaowakilishwa katika Ufunuo sura ya saba.

> “If such scenes as this are to come, such tremendous judgments on a guilty world, where will be the refuge for God’s people? How will they be sheltered until the indignation be overpast? John sees the elements of nature—earthquake, tempest, and political strife—represented as being held by four angels. These winds are under control until God gives the word to let them go. There is the safety of God’s church. The angels of God do His bidding, holding back the winds of the earth, that the winds should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree, until the servants of God should be sealed in their foreheads. The mighty angel is seen ascending from the east (or sunrising). This mightiest of angels has in his hand the seal of the living God, or of Him who alone can give life, who can inscribe upon the foreheads the mark or inscription, to whom shall be granted immortality, eternal life. It is the voice of this highest angel that had authority to command the four angels to keep in check the four winds until this work was performed, and until he should give the summons to let them loose.

> Ikiwa matukio kama haya yatakuja, hukumu za kutisha kama hizi juu ya ulimwengu wenye hatia, makimbilio ya watu wa Mungu yatakuwa wapi? Watalindwa vipi hadi ghadhabu ipite? Yohana anaona vipengele vya asili—tetemeko la ardhi, dhoruba, na mizozo ya kisiasa—vimeonyeshwa kana kwamba vimeshikiliwa na malaika wanne. Pepo hizi ziko chini ya udhibiti mpaka Mungu atakapotoa neno la kuwaachilia. Hapo ndiko usalama wa kanisa la Mungu ulipo. Malaika wa Mungu hutekeleza agizo Lake, wakizuia pepo za dunia, ili upepo usivume juu ya nchi, wala juu ya bahari, wala juu ya mti wowote, mpaka watumishi wa Mungu watakapotiwa muhuri katika vipaji vya nyuso zao. Malaika hodari anaonekana akitoka mashariki (au penye kuchomoza kwa jua). Huyu malaika mwenye nguvu kuliko wote anao mkononi mwake muhuri wa Mungu aliye hai, yaani wa Yeye peke yake awezaye kutoa uhai, awezaye kuandika kwenye vipaji alama au andiko, juu ya wale watakaokirimiwa kutokufa, uzima wa milele. Ni sauti ya huyu malaika wa juu kabisa iliyo na mamlaka ya kuwaamuru wale malaika wanne waendelee kudhibiti pepo nne mpaka kazi hii itakapokamilishwa, na mpaka atakapotoa amri ya kuwaachilia.

> “Those that overcome the world, the flesh, and the devil, will be the favored ones who shall receive the seal of the living God. Those whose hands are not clean, whose hearts are not pure, will not have the seal of the living God. Those who are planning sin and acting it will be passed by. Only those who, in their attitude before God, are filling the position of those who are repenting and confessing their sins in the great anti-typical Day of Atonement, will be recognized and marked as worthy of God’s protection. The names of those who are steadfastly looking and waiting and watching for the appearing of their Saviour—more earnestly and wishfully than they who wait for the morning—will be numbered with those who are sealed. Those who, while having all the light of truth flashing upon their souls, should have works corresponding to their avowed faith, but are allured by sin, setting up idols in their hearts, corrupting their souls before God, and polluting those who unite with them in sin, will have their names blotted out of the book of life, and be left in midnight darkness, having no oil in their vessels with their lamps. ‘Unto you that fear My name shall the Sun of Righteousness arise with healing in His wings.’

> Wale wanaoishinda dunia, mwili, na ibilisi, watakuwa waliopendelewa watakaopokea muhuri wa Mungu aliye hai. Wale ambao mikono yao si safi, ambao mioyo yao si safi, hawatakuwa na muhuri wa Mungu aliye hai. Wale wanaopanga dhambi na kuitekeleza watapuuzwa. Ni wale tu ambao, katika hali yao mbele za Mungu, wanachukua nafasi ya wale wanaotubu na kukiri dhambi zao katika ile Siku Kuu ya Upatanisho ya mfano halisi, ndio watakaotambuliwa na kutiwa alama kuwa wastahili wa ulinzi wa Mungu. Majina ya wale ambao kwa uthabiti wanatazama, kungoja, na kukesha kwa ajili ya kuonekana kwa Mwokozi wao, kwa bidii na shauku kubwa kuliko wangojao asubuhi, yatahesabiwa pamoja na ya waliotiwa muhuri. Wale ambao, ingawa mwanga wote wa kweli unawangazia nafsi zao, walipaswa kuwa na matendo yanayolingana na imani yao waliyoikiri, lakini wanavutiwa na dhambi, wakiweka sanamu mioyoni mwao, wakiharibu nafsi zao mbele za Mungu, na kuwachafua wale wanaoungana nao katika dhambi, majina yao yatafutwa katika Kitabu cha Uzima, nao wataachwa katika giza la usiku wa manane, bila mafuta katika mitungi yao pamoja na taa zao. 'Kwenu ninyi mnaoliogopa Jina Langu, Jua la Haki litachomoza pamoja na uponyaji katika mbawa Zake.'

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

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

The sealing of the one hundred and forty four thousand in Revelation chapter seven is also represented in chapter nine of Ezekiel, and the sealing angel is the mightiest angel, who ascends from the east. Those who are lost, who have their names blotted out of the book of life, are represented as having “no oil in their vessels with their lamps.” The two classes in the vision of Ezekiel chapter eight through eleven, are the wise and foolish virgins of Matthew twenty-five, and they are therefore Adventists.

Kutiwa muhuri kwa wale laki moja na arobaini na nne elfu katika Ufunuo sura ya saba kunaonyeshwa pia katika Ezekieli sura ya tisa, na malaika wa kuweka muhuri ni malaika mwenye nguvu kuliko wote, anayeinuka kutoka mashariki. Wale wanaopotea, ambao majina yao yamefutwa kwenye Kitabu cha Uzima, wanaonyeshwa kuwa "hawana mafuta katika vyombo vyao pamoja na taa zao." Makundi mawili katika maono ya Ezekieli sura ya nane hadi ya kumi na moja ni wanawali wenye busara na wajinga wa Mathayo sura ya ishirini na tano, na hivyo ni Waadventista.

> “The parable of the ten virgins of Matthew 25 also illustrates the experience of the Adventist people.” The Great Controversy, 393.

> "Mfano wa wanawali kumi katika Mathayo 25 pia unaonyesha uzoefu wa watu Waadventista." Pambano Kuu, 393.

Sister White specifically identifies Jerusalem of Ezekiel’s vision as Adventism:

Dada White anaibainisha waziwazi Yerusalemu ya maono ya Ezekieli kuwa Uadventista:

> “The true people of God, who have the spirit of the work of the Lord and the salvation of souls at heart, will ever view sin in its real, sinful character. They will always be on the side of faithful and plain dealing with sins which easily beset the people of God. Especially in the closing work for the church, in the sealing time of the one hundred and forty-four thousand who are to stand without fault before the throne of God, will they feel most deeply the wrongs of God’s professed people. This is forcibly set forth by the prophet’s illustration of the last work under the figure of the men each having a slaughter weapon in his hand. One man among them was clothed with linen, with a writer’s inkhorn by his side. ‘And the Lord said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.’” Testimonies, volume 3, 266.

> Watu wa kweli wa Mungu, ambao wana roho ya kazi ya Bwana na wokovu wa nafsi mioyoni mwao, daima wataiona dhambi katika tabia yake halisi ya dhambi. Daima watakuwa upande wa kushughulikia kwa uaminifu na kwa uwazi dhambi zinazowakumba kwa urahisi watu wa Mungu. Hasa katika kazi ya mwisho kwa ajili ya kanisa, katika wakati wa kutiwa muhuri kwa wale mia moja arobaini na nne elfu watakaosimama wasio na mawaa mbele ya kiti cha enzi cha Mungu, ndipo watahisi kwa kina zaidi makosa ya watu wa Mungu wanaokiri kuwa wake. Hili limeonyeshwa kwa nguvu na mfano wa nabii kuhusu kazi ya mwisho, kwa taswira ya wanaume ambao kila mmoja ana silaha ya kuangamiza mkononi mwake. Na mtu mmoja miongoni mwao alikuwa amevaa kitani, na dawa ya kuandikia ubavuni mwake. ‘Bwana akamwambia, Pita kati ya mji, kati ya Yerusalemu, ukatie alama katika vipaji vya nyuso za watu walio na kuugua na kulia kwa sababu ya machukizo yote yanayotendeka kati yake.’ Shuhuda, juzuu ya 3, 266.

The vision of Ezekiel chapters eight through eleven, is directly addressing the history of Adventism leading up to and at the Sunday law. It identifies the two classes of worshippers who are within Jerusalem (Adventism), and is prophetically associated with the Revelation of Jesus Christ that is unsealed just before the close of probation, for its first references is setting forth the number “666” in prophetic symbolism. In doing so it identifies one of four things the wise must get victory over in the last days, and those four things are part of the light of the eighth being “of the seven”. Revelation fifteen also identifies that those that get the victory over the four symbolic aspects of the papacy, sing the song of Moses and the Lamb.

Maono ya Ezekieli, sura ya nane hadi kumi na moja, yanashughulikia moja kwa moja historia ya Uadventista inayoelekea kwenye sheria ya Jumapili na kipindi cha sheria hiyo. Yanatambua makundi mawili ya waabudu waliomo Yerusalemu (Uadventista), na kwa kinabii yameunganishwa na Ufunuo wa Yesu Kristo unaofunguliwa muda mfupi kabla ya kufungwa kwa mlango wa rehema, kwa kuwa marejeo yake ya kwanza yanaweka mbele nambari "666" katika ishara za kinabii. Kwa kufanya hivyo, yanabainisha mojawapo ya mambo manne ambayo wenye hekima lazima wapate ushindi juu yake katika siku za mwisho, na mambo hayo manne ni sehemu ya nuru ya yule wa nane aliye "wa wale saba". Ufunuo kumi na tano pia unatambua kwamba wale wanaopata ushindi juu ya vipengele vinne vya mfano vya upapa, wanaimba wimbo wa Musa na wa Mwana-Kondoo.

In that day Isaiah, in chapter twenty-seven says that the righteous of the last days will sing the song of the vineyard, which is a song that the Lamb sang when he walked among men that identifies a chosen people who are being passed by as a new chosen people are being selected. That song is sung by “the wise” of the last days during the sealing of Ezekiel nine and Revelation seven. Ezekiel’s vision of chapters eight through eleven is part of that very song.

Katika siku hiyo, Isaya, katika sura ya ishirini na saba, anasema kwamba wenye haki wa siku za mwisho wataimba wimbo wa shamba la mizabibu, ambao ni wimbo aliouimba Mwanakondoo alipokuwa akitembea miongoni mwa wanadamu, unaotambua watu wateule wanaopitwa kando huku watu wateule wapya wakichaguliwa. Wimbo huo unaimbwa na "wenye hekima" wa siku za mwisho wakati wa kutiwa muhuri uliotajwa katika Ezekieli sura ya tisa na Ufunuo sura ya saba. Maono ya Ezekieli katika sura za nane hadi kumi na moja ni sehemu ya wimbo huo huo.

We will continue this study in the next article.

Tutaendelea na utafiti huu katika makala ijayo.

> “The true people of God, who have the spirit of the work of the Lord and the salvation of souls at heart, will ever view sin in its real, sinful character. They will always be on the side of faithful and plain dealing with sins which easily beset the people of God. Especially in the closing work for the church, in the sealing time of the one hundred and forty-four thousand who are to stand without fault before the throne of God, will they feel most deeply the wrongs of God’s professed people. This is forcibly set forth by the prophet’s illustration of the last work under the figure of the men each having a slaughter weapon in his hand. One man among them was clothed with linen, with a writer’s inkhorn by his side. ‘And the Lord said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.’

> Watu wa kweli wa Mungu, ambao wana roho ya kazi ya Bwana na wokovu wa nafsi mioyoni mwao, daima wataitazama dhambi katika tabia yake halisi ya uovu. Daima watakuwa upande wa uaminifu na uwazi katika kushughulikia dhambi zinazowakumba watu wa Mungu kwa urahisi. Hasa katika kazi ya mwisho kwa ajili ya kanisa, wakati wa kutiwa muhuri kwa wale mia moja arobaini na nne elfu watakaosimama bila lawama mbele ya kiti cha enzi cha Mungu, ndipo watakapohisi kwa kina zaidi makosa ya watu wa Mungu wanaokiri kuwa Wake. Hili limewekwa wazi kwa nguvu na mfano alioutumia nabii kuhusu kazi ya mwisho, kwa taswira ya wanaume ambao kila mmoja alikuwa na silaha ya kuangamiza mkononi mwake. Mtu mmoja miongoni mwao alikuwa amevaa kitani, na chombo cha wino cha mwandishi ubavuni mwake. “Bwana akamwambia, Pita katikati ya mji, katikati ya Yerusalemu, ukaweke alama katika vipaji vya nyuso za watu wauguao na walialiao kwa ajili ya machukizo yote yanayofanywa katikati yake.”

> “Who are standing in the counsel of God at this time? Is it those who virtually excuse wrongs among the professed people of God and who murmur in their hearts, if not openly, against those who would reprove sin? Is it those who take their stand against them and sympathize with those who commit wrong? No, indeed! Unless they repent, and leave the work of Satan in oppressing those who have the burden of the work and in holding up the hands of sinners in Zion, they will never receive the mark of God’s sealing approval. They will fall in the general destruction of the wicked, represented by the work of the five men bearing slaughter weapons. Mark this point with care: Those who receive the pure mark of truth, wrought in them by the power of the Holy Ghost, represented by a mark by the man in linen, are those ‘that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done’ in the church. Their love for purity and the honor and glory of God is such, and they have so clear a view of the exceeding sinfulness of sin, that they are represented as being in agony, even sighing and crying. Read the ninth chapter of Ezekiel.

> Ni nani wanaosimama katika baraza la Mungu wakati huu? Je, ni wale wanaohalalisha kwa vitendo maovu miongoni mwa watu wanaokiri kuwa wa Mungu na ambao hunung'unika mioyoni mwao, hata kama si wazi, dhidi ya wale wanaokemea dhambi? Je, ni wale wanaowapinga na kuonea huruma wanaofanya maovu? La, hasha! Isipokuwa watubu, na waache kazi ya Shetani ya kuwatesa wale wanaobeba mzigo wa kazi na ya kuutia nguvu mikono ya wenye dhambi katika Sayuni, hawatapokea kamwe muhuri wa kibali cha Mungu. Wataanguka katika uharibifu wa jumla wa waovu, unaowakilishwa na kazi ya wale watu watano waliobeba silaha za kuchinja. Zingatia jambo hili kwa uangalifu: Wale wapokeao alama safi ya kweli, inayofanyizwa ndani yao kwa nguvu ya Roho Mtakatifu, inayoonyeshwa na alama ya yule mtu aliyevikwa kitani, ni wale ‘wanaougua na kulia kwa ajili ya machukizo yote yanayotendeka’ kanisani. Upendo wao kwa usafi na heshima na utukufu wa Mungu ni wa namna hiyo, na wana mtazamo ulio wazi sana wa ubaya uliokithiri wa dhambi, hata wanaonyeshwa kuwa katika maumivu, hata wakiugua na kulia. Soma sura ya tisa ya Ezekieli.

> “But the general slaughter of all those who do not thus see the wide contrast between sin and righteousness, and do not feel as those do who stand in the counsel of God and receive the mark, is described in the order to the five men with slaughter weapons: ‘Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity: slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at My sanctuary.” Testimonies, volume 3, 266, 267.

> Lakini kuangamizwa kwa jumla kwa wote wasiotambua kwa namna hii tofauti kubwa kati ya dhambi na haki, wala wasiohisi kama wale wasimamao katika shauri la Mungu na kupokea ile alama, kumeelezwa katika amri kwa wale wanaume watano wenye silaha za kuangamiza: 'Nendeni mkamfuate kote katika mji, mkapige; jicho lenu lisione huruma, wala msiwe na huruma; ueni kabisa wazee na vijana, wanawali, watoto wadogo, na wanawake; lakini msimkaribie mtu ye yote ambaye juu yake iko alama; nanyi anzeni katika patakatifu pangu.' Testimonies, juzuu ya 3, 266, 267.

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