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

Incwadi kaDaniyeli — Inani Lekhulu Elineshumi

The Threefold Alliance of Rome: Unveiling the Prophetic Significance of the Trumpets in Revelation

Umanyano Oluphindwe Kathathu lwaseRoma: Ukutyhila Intsingiselo Yesiprofeto Yamaxilongo encwadini yeSityhilelo

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Jeff Pippenger

Published

March 1, 2024

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Islam of the first and second woes of Revelation chapter nine represented the judgment that was brought upon Rome. William Miller had called the trumpets, “the peculiar judgments” which were brought upon Rome, but Miller could not see Modern Rome, as the threefold alliance which leads the world to Armageddon. Uriah Smith recognized the trumpets represented God’s judgment upon Rome, and that the fifth and sixth trumpets (first and second Woes), were judgments upon the Catholic church.

UbuSilamsi boohe bokuqala nobesibini beSityhilelo isahluko sesithoba babumela umgwebo owaziswa phezu kweRoma. UWilliam Miller wayebize izigodlo ngokuba “yimigwebo ekhethekileyo” eyaziswa phezu kweRoma, kodwa uMiller wayengayiboni iRoma yanamhlanje, njengomanyano oluphindwe kathathu olukhokela ihlabathi eArmagedon. U-Uriah Smith waqonda ukuba izigodlo zazimela umgwebo kaThixo phezu kweRoma, nokuba isigodlo sesihlanu nesesithandathu (oohe bokuqala nabesibini), yayiyimigwebo phezu kwecawa yamaKatolika.

> “For an exposition of this trumpet, we shall again draw from the writings of Mr. Keith. This writer truthfully says: ‘There is scarcely so uniform an agreement among interpreters concerning any other part of the Apocalypse as respecting the application of the fifth and sixth trumpets, or the first and second woes, to the Saracens and Turks. It is so obvious that it can scarcely be misunderstood. Instead of a verse or two designating each, the whole of the ninth chapter of the Revelation in equal portions, is occupied with a description of both.

> “Ngokubhekisele ekucacisweni kweli xilongo, siya kuphinda sithabathe kwizibhalo zikaMnu. Keith. Lo mbhali utsho ngenyaniso ukuthi: ‘Akukho nanye enye indawo yeSityhilelo ekukho kuyo ukuvumelana okungako phakathi kwabachazi njengakubhekisele ekusetyenzisweni kwexilongo lesihlanu nelesithandathu, okanye owesibini nowesithathu umashwabulo, kumaSaracene nakumaTurkey. Kucace gca kangangokuba akunakwenzeka ukuba kuqondwe kakubi. Endaweni yokuba ibe yivesi enye okanye ezimbini ezichaza nganye kuzo, sonke isahluko sesithoba seSityhilelo, ngokwemiqathango elinganayo, sixakeke kukuchazwa kwazo zombini.”

> “‘The Roman empire declined, as it arose, by conquest; but the Saracens and the Turks were the instruments by which a false religion became the scourge of an apostate church; and hence, instead of the fifth and sixth trumpets, like the former, being designated by that name alone, they are called woes.” Uriah Smith, Daniel and Revelation, 495.

> “‘Ubukhosi baseRoma behla, njengoko bavukayo, ngokoyisa; kodwa amaSaracen namaTurkey ayengamaziko awasetyenziswa ukuze unqulo lobuxoki lube sisibetho sebandla elawayo; yaye ngenxa yoko, endaweni yokuba amaxilongo esihlanu nelesithandathu, njengalawo angaphambili, achazwe ngelo gama lodwa, abizwa ngokuba ziintlekele.” Uriah Smith, Daniel and Revelation, 495.

What Miller and Smith did not recognize about the trumpets as God’s judgment upon Rome, was that those judgments were brought about by the enforcement of the worship of the sun. In the year 321, Constantine passed the first Sunday law, and nine years later he moved the capital from the city of Rome, to the city of Constantinople, thus initiating the process of disintegration of the Roman Empire. In Daniel chapter eleven, pagan Rome was to rule supremely for a “time,” which represented the three hundred and sixty years, from the Battle of Actium, in the year 31 BC, unto the year 330, when Constantine divided the kingdom into the West and the East.

Into uMiller noSmith abazange baqonde ngokuphathelele amaxilongo njengomgwebo kaThixo phezu kweRoma, kukuba loo migwebo yaziswa ngokunyanzeliswa konqulo lwelanga. Ngonyaka wama-321, uConstantine wamisa umthetho wokuqala weCawa, yaye kwiminyaka elithoba kamva wasusa ikomkhulu kwisixeko saseRoma wasisa kwisixeko saseConstantinople, ngaloo ndlela eqalisa inkqubo yokuqhekeka koBukhosi baseRoma. KuDaniyeli isahluko seshumi elinanye, iRoma yobuhedeni yayimele ilawule ngobukhulu obupheleleyo “ixesha,” elalimela iminyaka engamakhulu amathathu anamashumi amathandathu, ukususela kwiDabi laseActium, ngonyaka wama-31 BC, kude kuse kunyaka wama-330, xa uConstantine wahlula ubukumkani baba yiNtshona neMpuma.

> He shall enter peaceably even upon the fattest places of the province; and he shall do that which his fathers have not done, nor his fathers’ fathers; he shall scatter among them the prey, and spoil, and riches: yea, and he shall forecast his devices against the strong holds, even for a time. Daniel 11:24.

> Uya kungena ngoxolo nakwezona ndawo zichumileyo zephondo; aze enze oko abazali bakhe abangazange bakwenze, kwanookhokho bakhe; uya kubasasazela amaxhoba, nempango, nobutyebi; ewe, uya kuceba amacebo akhe nxamnye neenqaba ezinqatyisiweyo, kude kube lixesha. Daniyeli 11:24.

During those three hundred and sixty years, the Roman Empire was essentially invincible, but once the capital was moved to the East, the ability to govern such a massive empire was no longer possible. Constantine tried to maintain control by dividing the kingdom between his three sons, but that only furthered the crumbling of the former empire.

Ngalo minyaka imakhulu mathathu anamashumi amathandathu, uBukhosi baseRoma babungenakoyiswa ngokwenene; kodwa emva kokuba ikomkhulu lasuswa laya eMpuma, amandla okulawula ubukhosi obukhulu kangako akabe esenokwenzeka. UConstantine wazama ukugcina ulawulo ngokwahlula ubukumkani phakathi koonyana bakhe abathathu, kodwa oko kwakhawulezisa ngakumbi ukuwohloka kobukhosi bangaphambili.

When the papacy took the throne of the earth in the year 538, at the third Council of Orleans a Sunday law was passed. Thus, in the year 606, Mohammed began his prophetic ministry, and symbolically represented the trumpet that was to be what the historians identify as a “scourge of an apostate church.” The history of the first and second woes, beginning with the ministry of Mohammed in the year 606, concluded on October 22, 1844, when the seventh trumpet sounded.

Xa ubupopu bangenisa itrone yomhlaba ngonyaka wama-538, kwiBhunga lesithathu lase-Orleans kwamiselwa umthetho weCawa. Ngaloo ndlela, ngonyaka wama-606, uMohammed waqalisa ulungiselelo lwakhe lwesiprofeto, waza ngokomfuziselo wamelwa lixilongo elaliza kuba koko ababhali bembali bakuchaza “njengesibetho secawa eyawexukayo.” Imbali yesishwangusha sokuqala nesesibini, eqala ngolungiselelo lukaMohammed ngonyaka wama-606, yagqitywa ngo-Oktobha 22, 1844, xa ixilongo lesixhenxe lavakala.

> The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly. And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. Revelation 11:14, 15.

> Ushwangusha lwesibini ludlulile; yaye, yabona, ushwangusha lwesithathu luza ngokukhawuleza. Yaza ingelosi yesixhenxe yavuthela; kwaza kwabakho amazwi amakhulu ezulwini, esithi, Izikumkani zeli hlabathi ziye zaba zezikaNkosi wethu, nezikaKristu wayo; yaye uya kulawula ngonaphakade kanaphakade. ISityhilelo 11:14, 15.

During the history of the first two Woes, Constantinople, the capital of eastern Rome, was conquered in 1453, and papal Rome in the west was delivered its deadly wound in 1798. The “scourge of an apostate church,” had brought down both civil and religious Rome. The threefold union of Modern Rome is accomplished at the soon-coming Sunday law in the United States.

Ngexesha lembali yeeYeha ezimbini zokuqala, iConstantinople, ikomkhulu laseRoma yasempuma, yoyiswa ngowe-1453, yaye iRoma yobupopu entshona yanikwa inxeba layo elibulalayo ngowe-1798. “Isibetho secawa ewileyo,” sasizise phantsi zombini iRoma yolawulo lwaseburhulumenteni neRoma yonqulo. Umanyano oluphindwe kathathu lweRoma yanamhlanje luzalisekiswa kumthetho weCawa osondeleyo wokugcina iCawa ngeCawe eUnited States.

> “The Protestants of the United States will be foremost in stretching their hands across the gulf to grasp the hand of Spiritualism; they will reach over the abyss to clasp hands with the Roman power; and under the influence of this threefold union, this country will follow in the steps of Rome in trampling on the rights of conscience.” The Great Controversy, 588.

> “Amava eProtestanti aseUnited States aya kuba ngabaphambili ekoluleni izandla zawo ngaphesheya komsantsa ukuze abambe isandla soMoya; aya kufikelela ngaphaya kwenzonzobila ukuze axhawule amandla obuRoma; yaye phantsi kwempembelelo yalo manyano luphindwe kathathu, eli lizwe liya kulandela emanyathelweni eRoma ekunyatheleni amalungelo esazela.” The Great Controversy, 588.

At that time, Islam of the third Woe will accomplish God’s judgment against Modern Rome for its enforcement of Sunday worship, as He did with pagan Rome, and papal Rome. With pagan Rome He employed the first four trumpets to bring an end to Roman rulership in the capital of western Rome by the year 476, for after the year 476, no ruler of the city was of Roman lineage. By 1453 the fifth trumpet of Islam brought Roman rulership of eastern Rome to an end. By 1798, papal rulership of the former tenfold division of the nations of Europe was brought to an end in the history of the sixth trumpet of Islam. The demise of the civil kingdom of Rome, both west and east, and the religious kingdom of Rome was brought about following the enforcement of the pagan worship of the sun.

Ngelo xesha, ubuSilamsi besibetho sesithathu buya kuphumeza umgwebo kaThixo nxamnye neRoma yale mihla ngenxa yokunyanzelisa kwalo unqulo lweCawa, njengoko Wenzayo ngeRoma yobuhedeni, nangeRoma yobupopu. NgeRoma yobuhedeni wasebenzisa amaxilongo amane okuqala ukuzisa isiphelo kulawulo lwamaRoma kwisixeko esilikomkhulu laseRoma yasentshona ngonyaka ka-476, kuba emva konyaka ka-476, akukho mlawuli wesixeko wayengowenzala yamaRoma. Ngowama-1453 ixilongo lesihlanu lobuSilamsi lazisa ulawulo lwamaRoma eRoma yasempuma esiphelweni. Ngowama-1798, ulawulo lobupopu phezu kolwahlulo lwangaphambili oluphindwe kalishumi lweentlanga zaseYurophu lwaziswa esiphelweni kwimbali yexilongo lesithandathu lobuSilamsi. Ukutshabalala kobukumkani baseRoma bezopolitiko, entshona nasempuma, kunye nobukumkani baseRoma benkolo, kwenzeka kulandela ukunyanzeliswa konqulo lobuhedeni lwelanga.

> “The people of the United States have been a favored people; but when they restrict religious liberty, surrender Protestantism, and give countenance to popery, the measure of their guilt will be full, and ‘national apostasy’ will be registered in the books of heaven. The result of this apostasy will be national ruin.” Review and Herald, May 2, 1893.

> “Abantu baseUnited States baye baba ngabantu abathandwayo; kodwa xa bethintela inkululeko yonqulo, bancama ubuProtestanti, baze banike inkxaso kubupopu, umlinganiselo wetyala labo uya kube uzalisekile, kwaye ‘ukuwexuka kwesizwe’ kuya kubhaliswa ezincwadini zezulu. Isiphumo solu lwexuko siya kuba yintshabalalo yesizwe.” Review and Herald, May 2, 1893.

The triple application of prophecy establishes the characteristic of the final fulfillment of the prophecy based upon the characteristics of the first two fulfillments. On September 11, 2001 the third Woe arrived in history. It had initially arrived on October 22, 1844, for the third Woe is the seventh trumpet, and that trumpet began to sound at that time. But as with ancient Israel, modern Israel chose rebellion and brought about a period of wandering in the wilderness instead of finishing the work. The sealing time of the third angel was therefore delayed, until it began again on September 11, 2001.

Ukusetyenziswa kathathu kwesiprofeto kuseka uphawu lokuzaliseka kokugqibela kwesiprofeto ngokusekelwe kwiimpawu zokuzaliseka kwaso kokuqala nezimbini. NgoSeptemba 11, 2001, uYeha lwesithathu lwafika embalini. Lwafika okokuqala ngo-Oktobha 22, 1844, kuba uYeha lwesithathu luyixilongo lesixhenxe, yaye elo xilongo laqalisa ukuvakala ngelo xesha. Kodwa njengakuSirayeli wamandulo, uSirayeli wale mihla wakhetha uvukelo waza wazisa ixesha lokubhadula entlango endaweni yokuwugqiba umsebenzi. Ngoko ke ixesha lokutywinwa kwengelosi yesithathu lalibaziseka, lada laqalisa kwakhona ngoSeptemba 11, 2001.

> “For forty years did unbelief, murmuring, and rebellion shut out ancient Israel from the land of Canaan. The same sins have delayed the entrance of modern Israel into the heavenly Canaan. In neither case were the promises of God at fault. It is the unbelief, the worldliness, unconsecration, and strife among the Lord’s professed people that have kept us in this world of sin and sorrow so many years.” Selected Messages, book 2, 69.

> “Kwiminyaka emashumi mane ukungakholwa, ukukrokra, nokuvukela kwabavimbela amaSirayeli amandulo ukuba angene ezweni laseKanan. Ezo zono zifanayo zilibazisile ukungena kukaSirayeli wanamhlanje eKanan lasezulwini. Kuzo zombini ezo meko izithembiso zikaThixo azinatyala. Kukungakholwa, ukuthanda ihlabathi, ukunganikelwa ngokupheleleyo, neengxabano phakathi kwabantu beNkosi abazibanga bengabayo, okusigcine kweli hlabathi lesono nentlungu iminyaka emininzi kangaka.” Selected Messages, incwadi 2, 69.

God does not change, and He judges according to the available light. Modern Israel had more available light than ancient Israel, and we are informed “the same sins have delayed the entrance of modern Israel into the heavenly Canaan.” If modern Israel was only held accountable to the light which ancient Israel was held accountable to, it would have been enough, but they had more light. Therefore, if it was the “same sins” that caused “ancient Israel” to wander in the wilderness for “forty years,” then not only was modern Israel banished to the “wilderness” in the rebellion of 1863, but they were just as certainly destined to die there. Their “sins” have delayed the work of the third angel until now.

UThixo akaguquki, yaye ugweba ngokokukhanya okukhoyo. UIsrayeli wanamhlanje wayenokukhanya okukhulu ngakumbi kunoIsrayeli wamandulo, yaye siyaziswa ukuba “izono ezifanayo zilibazisile ukungena kukaIsrayeli wanamhlanje eKanan lasezulwini.” Ukuba uIsrayeli wanamhlanje wayebanjwe uxanduva kuphela ngokokukhanya awayebanjwe uxanduva ngako uIsrayeli wamandulo, oko ngekwakwanele, kodwa bona babenokukhanya okungakumbi. Ngoko ke, ukuba yayizi “zono ezifanayo” ezabangela ukuba “uIsrayeli wamandulo” abhace entlango iminyaka “engamashumi amane,” ngoko uIsrayeli wanamhlanje akazange agxothelwe kuphela “entlango” kwimvukelo ka-1863, kodwa ngokwenene wayemiselwe kanye ngokufanayo ukuba afele khona. “Izono” zabo zilibazisile umsebenzi wengelosi yesithathu kwada kwangoku.

> “Said the angel, ‘The third angel is binding, or sealing, them in bundles for the heavenly garner.’ This little company looked careworn, as if they had passed through severe trials and conflicts. And it appeared as if the sun had just risen from behind a cloud and shone upon their countenances, causing them to look triumphant, as if their victories were nearly won.” Early Writings, 88.

> “Ingelosi yathi, ‘Ingelosi yesithathu iyababopha, okanye iyabatywina, babe zizithungu zengqolowa zovimba wasezulwini.’ Eli qela lincinane lalibonakala likhathazekile, ngokungathi lalidlule kwizilingo ezinzima nasezingxabanweni. Kwaye kwabonakala ngathi ilanga lalisandul’ ukuphuma emva kwelifu laza lakhanya ebusweni babo, labenza babonakale benoloyiso, ngokungathi uloyiso lwabo lwalusele luphantse lufezeke.” Early Writings, 88.

The same sins that banished ancient Israel to die in the wilderness have delayed the work of the third angel who arrived on October 22, 1844.

Ezo zono zifanayo ezagxotha uSirayeli wamandulo ukuba afe entlango zilibazisile umsebenzi wengelosi yesithathu eyafikayo ngomhla wama-22 ku-Oktobha, 1844.

> “After Jesus opened the door of the most holy, the light of the Sabbath was seen, and the people of God were tested, as the children of Israel were tested anciently, to see if they would keep God’s law. I saw the third angel pointing upward, showing the disappointed ones the way to the holiest of the heavenly sanctuary. As they by faith enter the most holy, they find Jesus, and hope and joy spring up anew. I saw them looking back, reviewing the past, from the proclamation of the second advent of Jesus, down through their experience to the passing of the time in 1844. They see their disappointment explained, and joy and certainty again animate them. The third angel has lighted up the past, the present, and the future, and they know that God has indeed led them by His mysterious providence.” Early Writings, 254.

> “Emva kokuba uYesu evule umnyango wengcwele kangcwele, ukukhanya kweSabatha kwabonwa, baza abantu bakaThixo bavavanywa, njengoko abantwana bakwaSirayeli bavavanywa mandulo, ukuze kubonakale ukuba baya kuwugcina na umthetho kaThixo. Ndabona ingelosi yesithathu yalatha phezulu, ibonisa abo badanileyo indlela eya kweyona ndawo ingcwele yengcwele yasezulwini. Xa bengena ngokholo kwingcwele kangcwele, bafumana uYesu, kuze ithemba novuyo kuhlume kwakhona. Ndababona bekhangela emva, bephengulula ixesha eladlulayo, ukususela ekubhengezweni kokuza kwesibini kukaYesu, behla ngawo onke amava abo kude kuse ekudluleni kwexesha ngo-1844. Bakubona kuchaziwe ukudana kwabo, yaye uvuyo nokuqiniseka kuphinde kubaphilise. Ingelosi yesithathu ikhanyise ixesha eladlulayo, elangoku, nelizayo, yaye bayazi ukuba ngokwenene uThixo ubakhokele ngolwalathiso lwaKhe oluyimfihlakalo.” Early Writings, 254.

The third angel is the sealing angel, and he arrived on October 22, 1844, but his work was delayed by the same sins that caused ancient Israel to die in the wilderness. The delay caused by the rebellion of 1863, was a delaying of the work of the third angel, and therefore the sealing has been hindered and delayed for over one hundred years.

Ingelosi yesithathu yingelosi yokutywina, yaye yafika ngomhla wama-22 ku-Oktobha, 1844, kodwa umsebenzi wayo walibaziseka ngenxa yezono ezazinye ezabangela ukuba amaSirayeli amandulo afe entlango. Ulibaziseko olwabangelwa luvukelo lowe-1863, lwalukulibaziseka komsebenzi wengelosi yesithathu, yaye ngenxa yoko ukutywinwa kuye kwathintelwa kwaza kwalibaziseka ngaphezu kweminyaka elikhulu.

> “[Numbers 32:6–15, quoted.] The Lord God is a jealous God, yet He bears long with the sins and transgressions of His people in this generation. If the people of God had walked in His counsel, the work of God would have advanced, the messages of truth would have been borne to all people that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Had the people of God believed Him and been doers of His word, had they kept His commandments, the angel would not have come flying through heaven with the message to the four angels that were to let loose the winds that they should blow upon the earth crying, Hold, hold the four winds that they blow not upon the earth until I have sealed the servants of God in their foreheads. But because the people are disobedient, unthankful, unholy, as were ancient Israel, time is prolonged that all may hear the last message of mercy proclaimed with a loud voice. The Lord’s work has been hindered, the sealing time delayed. Many have not heard the truth. But the Lord will give them a chance to hear and be converted, and the great work of God will go forward.” Manuscript Releases, volume 15, 292.

> “[Numeri 32:6–15, kucatshulwe.] INkosi uThixo nguThixo onekhwele, kanti noko unyamezela ixesha elide izono neziphambuko zabantu baKhe kwesi sizukulwana. Ukuba abantu bakaThixo babehambe ngecebo laKhe, umsebenzi kaThixo ngewuhambele phambili, izigidimi zenyaniso ngezazisiwe kubo bonke abantu abahleli phezu kobuso bomhlaba wonke. Ukuba abantu bakaThixo babekholiwe kuYe baza baba ngabenzi belizwi laKhe, ukuba babegcine imithetho yaKhe, ingelosi ngeyingazange ize ibhabha phakathi kwezulu inomyalezo oya kwiingelosi ezine ezaziza kuwakhulula umoya ukuba uvuthuze emhlabeni, ikhala isithi, Bamba, bamba imimoya emine ukuba ingavuthuzi emhlabeni ndide ndibatywine ebunzini abakhonzi bakaThixo. Kodwa ngenxa yokuba abantu bengathobeli, bengenambulelo, bengcwele, njengoko kwakunjalo ngoSirayeli wakudala, ixesha liyandiswa ukuze bonke beve isigidimi sokugqibela senceba esivakaliswa ngezwi elikhulu. Umsebenzi weNkosi uthintelekile, ixesha lokutywinwa libazisekile. Baninzi abangakhange bayive inyaniso. Kodwa iNkosi iya kubanika ithuba lokuva baguquke, kwaye umsebenzi omkhulu kaThixo uya kuqhubela phambili.” Manuscript Releases, volume 15, 292.

On September 11, 2001 the third angel arrived again, and the sealing time which had been delayed since the rebellion of 1863, began again. It was the arrival of Islam of the third Woe, which is also the seventh trumpet that marks the beginning of the sealing time. The sealing time began with the arrival of the third angel on October 22, 1844, when the seventh trumpet began to sound, but that trumpet was hindered and delayed.

Ngomhla we-11 kuSeptemba 2001 ingelosi yesithathu yafika kwakhona, yaza yaqalisa kwakhona ixesha lokutywinwa elalilibazisekile ukusukela kwimvukelo ka-1863. Yayikukufika kobuSilamsi boYeha lwesithathu, olukwangexilongo lesixhenxe eliphawula ukuqala kwexesha lokutywinwa. Ixesha lokutywinwa laqala ngokufika kwengelosi yesithathu ngomhla wama-22 kuOktobha 1844, xa ixilongo lesixhenxe laqalisa ukuvakala, kodwa elo xilongo lathintelwa laza lalibaziseka.

> And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven, And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer: But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets. Revelation 10:5–7.

> Yaza ingelosi endayibonayo imi phezu kolwandle naphezu komhlaba yaphakamisa isandla sayo ezulwini, yaza yafunga ngaye ophilayo ngonaphakade kanaphakade, owadala izulu, nezinto ezikulo, nomhlaba, nezinto ezikuwo, nolwandle, nezinto ezikulo, ukuba akusayi kubakho xesha lide; kodwa ngemihla yelizwi lengelosi yesixhenxe, xa iya kuqalisa ukuvuthela isigodlo, imfihlelo kaThixo iya kugqitywa, njengoko wayivakalisayo kubakhonzi bakhe abaprofeti. ISityhilelo 10:5–7.

The “voice” of the seventh angel, is the voice of the angel of Revelation chapter eighteen, which descended when the great buildings of New York City were thrown down.

“Izwi” lengelosi yesixhenxe, lelona zwi lengelosi ekwiSityhilelo isahluko seshumi elinesibhozo, eyehla ngexesha izakhiwo ezikhulu zeSixeko saseNew York zaziphoswa phantsi.

> And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. Revelation 18:1–3.

> Kwaye emva kwezi zinto ndabona esinye isithunywa sezulu sisihla sivela ezulwini, sinamandla amakhulu; nomhlaba wakhanyiselwa bubuqaqawuli baso. Saza samemeza ngamandla ngezwi elikhulu, sisithi, Liwile, liwile iBhabheli elikhulu, laza laba yindawo yokuhlala yeedemon, nentolongo yawo wonke umoya ongcolileyo, nekheji yayo yonke intaka engcolileyo nenyanyekayo. Kuba zonke iintlanga zisele iwayini yengqumbo yohenyuzo lwalo, nookumkani bomhlaba benze uhenyuzo nalo, nabarhwebi bomhlaba bazityebisa ngobuninzi bobunewunewu balo. ISityhilelo 18:1–3.

The “voice” of the mighty angel who descends, commands the angels to hold the four winds, that are represented as an “angry horse” seeking to break loose and bring death and destruction in its path.

“Izwi” lengelosi enamandla eyehlayo, iyalela iingelosi ukuba zibambe imimoya emine, emelwe “njengehashe elinomsindo” elifuna ukuphuncuka lize nezisa ukufa nentshabalalo endleleni yalo.

> “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.” Testimonies to Ministers, 445.

> “Iingelosi zikaThixo zenza ukuthanda kwaKhe, zibamba imimoya yomhlaba, ukuze imimoya ingavuthuzi phezu komhlaba, nangaphezu kolwandle, nangaphezu kwawo nawuphi na umthi, kude kube ngabakhonzi bakaThixo batywinwe eziphongweni zabo. Ingelosi enamandla ibonwa inyuka ivela empuma (okanye ekuphumeni kwelanga). Le ngelosi inamandla kunazo zonke inesitywina sikaThixo ophilayo esandleni sayo, okanye sikaYe onguYe yedwa onokunika ubomi, onokubhala eziphongweni uphawu okanye umbhalo, abo baya kunikwa ukungafi, ubomi obungunaphakade. Lilizwi lale ngelosi iphakamileyo elalinegunya lokuyalela ezo ngelosi zine ukuba zigcine imimoya emine ithintelekile kude kwenziwe lo msebenzi, kwaye kude kube ulunike umyalelo wokuba zikhululwe.” Testimonies to Ministers, 445.

The angel who commands the four angels to hold the winds, is the angel of Revelation chapter eighteen who lightens the earth with His glory, and his “strong voice” is the voice of the seventh angel.

Ingelosi eyalela iingelosi ezine ukuba zibambe imimoya, yingelosi yeSityhilelo isahluko seshumi elinesibhozo ekhanyisela ihlabathi ngobuqaqawuli baYo, yaye “ilizwi” layo “elinamandla” lilizwi lengelosi yesixhenxe.

> “And what a representation is given in Revelation 7 for our consideration and comfort and encouragement! The four angels are commissioned to do a work upon the earth. But One who purchased the world by giving Himself for its ransom has a chosen few. Who? Those who are keeping all of the commandments of God and have the faith of Jesus.

> “Kwaye kungummelo onjani na onikwayo kwiSityhilelo 7 ukuze siwuqwalasele, sithuthuzelwe, size sikhuthazwe! Iingelosi ezine zithunyiwe ukuba zenze umsebenzi emhlabeni. Kodwa Mnye owathenga ihlabathi ngokuzinikela Yena ngokwaKhe ukuba libe yintlawulelo yalo unabambalwa abanyuliweyo. Ngoobani? Ngabo bagcina yonke imithetho kaThixo, yaye banokholo lukaYesu.

> “John’s attention was called to another scene: ‘And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God’ (Revelation 7:2). Who is this? The Angel of the covenant. He comes from the sunrising. He is the Dayspring from on high. He is the Light of the world. ‘In Him was life; and the life was the light of men’ (John 1:4). This is the One Isaiah describes: ‘Unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder; and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace’ (Isaiah 9:6). He cried, as One who had superiority over the hosts of angels in heaven ‘to whom it was given to hurt the earth, and the sea, saying, “hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads” (Revelation 7:2, 3).

> Ingqalelo kaYohane yabizelwa komnye umbono: “Ndabona esinye isithunywa sezulu sinyuka sivela empumalanga, sinetywina loThixo ophilileyo” (ISityhilelo 7:2). Ngubani lo? Yingelosi yomnqophiso. Uvela ekuphumeni kwelanga. UnguKhanyiso oluvela phezulu. Ulukhanyiso lwehlabathi. “KuYe kwakukho ubomi; yaye ubomi babulukhanyiso lwabantu” (Yohane 1:4). NguLo uIsaya amchazayo: “Kuba sizalelwe uMntwana, siphiwe uNyana; nolawulo luya kuba segxalabeni laKhe; negama laKhe liya kubizwa ngokuba nguMmangaliso, uMcebisi, uThixo onamandla, uYise ongunaphakade, iNkosana yoXolo” (Isaya 9:6). Wakhala, njengalowo wayenobungangamsha ngaphezu kwemikhosi yezithunywa zezulu ezulwini, “ezo zanikwayo ukonakalisa umhlaba nolwandle,” esithi, “Musani ukuwonakalisa umhlaba, nolwandle, nemithi, side sibatywine ebunzini abakhonzi boThixo wethu” (ISityhilelo 7:2, 3).

> “Here is the divine and human united. The command is given to the four angels to hold in check the four winds until they receive His summons. Read the entire chapter. The cry, ‘Hurt not,’ is uttered by the Restorer, the Redeemer.

> “Nanku ubuthixo nobuntu bunxulunyaniswe kunye. Umyalelo unikwa kwiingelosi ezine wokuba zibambe zinqande imimoya emine de zifumane ubizo lwaKhe. Funda isahluko sonke. Isikhalo esithi, ‘Musa ukonakalisa,’ sivakaliswa nguMbuyiseli, uMkhululi.

> “Judgment and wrath were to be repressed only for a little space until a certain work was done. The message, the last message of warning and mercy, has been retarded in doing its work by the selfish love of money, the selfish love of ease, and the unfitness of man to do a work that needs to be done. The angel that is to lighten the earth with His glory has waited for human instrumentalities through whom the light of heaven could shine, and they thus cooperate to give, in its sacred, solemn importance, the message which is to decide the destiny of the world.” Manuscript Releases, volume 15, 222.

> “Umgwebo nomsindo kwakufuneka kubanjwe umva kuphela okwethutyana elincinane de kugqitywe umsebenzi othile. Isigidimi, esona sigidimi sokugqibela sesilumkiso nenceba, siye salibaziseka ekwenzeni umsebenzi waso ngenxa yothando lokuzingca lwemali, uthando lokuzingca lokuphola, nokungafaneleki komntu ukwenza umsebenzi omele ukwenziwa. Ingelosi emele ukukhanyisa ihlabathi ngozuko lwaYo ilinde izixhobo zobuntu ekunokukhanya kuzo ukukhanya kwezulu, zize ngaloo ndlela zisebenzisane ekunikeni, ngobungcwele bayo nobunzulu bayo obunesidima, isigidimi esimele kugqitywe ngaso ikamva lehlabathi.” Manuscript Releases, umqulu 15, 222.

The third angel, who is Christ, is also the sealing angel who arrived on October 22, 1844, but due to the disobedience of God’s people, His work of sealing the one hundred and forty-four thousand has been delayed until September 11, 2001. Then Islam of the third Woe, brought down the great buildings of New York, and the sealing process began. At that point the nations became “angry, yet held in check”. The first voice of Revelation chapter eighteen, is the voice that commands the four angels to hold, while God’s people are sealed.

Ingelosi yesithathu, onguKristu, ikwangengelosi etywinayo eyafikayo ngo-Oktobha 22, 1844, kodwa ngenxa yokungathobeli kwabantu bakaThixo, umsebenzi waYo wokutywina ikhulu elinamashumi amane anesine amawaka uye walibaziseka kwada kwangoSeptemba 11, 2001. Emva koko ubuSilamsi boYeha lwesithathu lwehlisa izakhiwo ezikhulu zaseNew York, yaza inkqubo yokutywina yaqalisa. Ngelo xesha iintlanga zaba “nomsindo, ukanti zabanjwa zingakhululwa.” Ilizwi lokuqala leSityhilelo isahluko seshumi elinesibhozo, lilizwi eliyalela iingelosi ezine ukuba zibambe, ngoxa abantu bakaThixo betywinwa.

Jesus always illustrates the ending with the beginning, and on February 26, 1993, Islam of the third Woe detonated a truck bomb in the underground parking garage of the North Tower of the World Trade Center. The explosion resulted in significant damage to the building, killing six people and injuring over a thousand others. While the attack did not bring down the towers, it was a significant act of terrorism on U.S. soil and foreshadowed the events of September 11, 2001.

UYesu usoloko ebonakalisa isiphelo ngesiqalo, yaye ngomhla wama-26 kuFebruwari 1993, ubuSilamsi boYeha lwesithathu baqhumisa ibhombu elalifakwe kwilori kwigaraji yokupaka engaphantsi komhlaba yeNorth Tower yeWorld Trade Center. Olo qhushumbo lwabangela umonakalo omkhulu kweso sakhiwo, lwabulala abantu abathandathu lwaza lonzakalisa abangaphezu kwewaka. Nangona olo hlaselo lwalungazizisanga phantsi ezo nqaba, lwalusisenzo esibalulekileyo sobugrogrisi kumhlaba wase-United States kwaye lwasisilumkiso sangaphambili seziganeko zomhla we-11 kuSeptemba 2001.

The sealing time began on September 11, 2001, but it included a forewarning eight years before. The Islamic attack on Israel on October 7, 2023 is a forewarning of the ending of the sealing time. The prophetic characteristics of the third Woe have been established with the prophetic characteristics of the first two Woes. In the opening verses of chapter nine of Revelation the sealing of the one hundred and forty-four thousand is illustrated.

Ixesha lokutywina laqala ngomhla we-11 kuSeptemba, 2001, kodwa lalibandakanya isilumkiso sangaphambili kwiminyaka esibhozo ngaphambi koko. Uhlaselo lwamaSilamsi kwaSirayeli ngomhla we-7 kuOktobha, 2023, lisisilumkiso sangaphambili sokuphela kwexesha lokutywina. Iimpawu zesiprofeto zoweha yesithathu zimiselwe kunye neempawu zesiprofeto zoweha zokuqala ezimbini. Kwiivesi zokuvula zesahluko sesithoba seSityhilelo kubonakaliswa ukutywinwa kwekhulu elinamashumi amane anesine amawaka.

We will consider that subject in the next article.

Siza kuwujonga loo mba kwinqaku elilandelayo.

> “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.

> “Ukuba imiboniso enjengale imele ifike, izigwebo ezinkulu ngolo hlobo phezu kwehlabathi elinetyala, luya kuba phi na usabela lwabantu bakaThixo? Baya kukhuselwa njani na de umsindo udlule? UYohane ubona iziqalelo zendalo—inyikima yomhlaba, uqhwithela, neembambano zopolitiko—zimelwe njengokuba zibanjwe ziingelosi ezine. Le mimoya ilawulwa de uThixo anike ilizwi lokuba iyekwe. Kuko apho ukhuseleko lwebandla likaThixo lukhona. Iingelosi zikaThixo zenza umyalelo waKhe, zibamba umva imimoya yomhlaba, ukuze imimoya ingavuthuzi emhlabeni, naselwandle, nakuwuphi na umthi, kude kube abakhonzi bakaThixo betywiniwe emabunzini abo. Ingelosi enamandla ibonwa inyuka ivela empuma (okanye ekuphumeni kwelanga). Le ngelosi inamandla kunazo zonke iphethe esandleni sayo itywina loThixo ophilileyo, okanye laLowo yena yedwa onokunika ubomi, onokubhala emabunzini uphawu okanye umbhalo, abo baya kunikwa ukungafi, ubomi obungunaphakade. Lilizwi lale ngelosi iphakamileyo elalinelungelo lokuyalela iingelosi ezine ukuba ziyigcine ilawulwa imimoya emine de lo msebenzi ugqitywe, nangokunjalo de inike isimemo sokuba iyekwe ikhululeke.”

> “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.’

> “Abo abawoyisayo ihlabathi, inyama, noMtyholi, baya kuba ngabo baxatyisiweyo abaya kwamkela itywina loThixo ophilayo. Abo izandla zabo zingacocekanga, abantliziyo zabo zinganyulu, abasayi kuba netywina loThixo ophilayo. Abo baceba isono baze basenze, baya kudlulwa. Kuphela ngabo bathi, kwimo yabo phambi koThixo, bazalisa indawo yabo baguqukayo nabavumayo izono zabo ngomhla omkhulu wokucamagushela ongumfuziselo ozalisekileyo, abaya kwamkelwa baze baphawulwe njengabafaneleyo ukhuseleko lukaThixo. Amagama abo bahlala bejonga, belindile, bephaphile ngenxa yokubonakala koMsindisi wabo—ngokunyaniseka nangomnqweno ongaphezulu kunabo balindela ukusa—aya kubalwa phakathi kwabo batywiniweyo. Abo bathi, nangona benalo lonke ukhanyiselo lwenyaniso lubengezela phezu kwemiphefumlo yabo, befanele ukuba nemisebenzi ehambelana nokholo abaluvumayo, kodwa barhintyelwe sisono, bemisa izithixo ezintliziyweni zabo, bonakalisa imiphefumlo yabo phambi koThixo, bengcolisa nabo bamanyana nabo esonweni, amagama abo aya kucinywa encwadini yobomi, baze bashiywe ebumnyameni bobusuku obuphakathi, bengenayo ioli ezityeni zabo kunye nezibane zabo. ‘Ke kuni nina niloyikayo igama laM, ilanga loBulungisa liya kuniphumela linokuphilisa emaphikweni alo.’”

> “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.

> “Oku kutywinwa kwabakhonzi bakaThixo kukwangokunje oko kwaboniswa kuHezekile embonweni. NoYohane wayekwangqina kwesi sityhilelo simangalisayo gqitha. Wabona ulwandle namaza egquma, neentliziyo zabantu zityhafa ngenxa yokoyika. Wabona umhlaba ushukunyiswa, neentaba zithwalwa zisiwa embindini wolwandle (oko kusenzeka ngokoqobo), amanzi alo egquma ephithizela, neentaba zingcangcazela ngenxa yokudumba kwalo. Waboniswa izibetho, indyikitya yokufa, indlala, nokufa, zisenza umsebenzi wazo owoyikekayo.” Testimonies to Ministers, 445.

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