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# Rome Establishes the Vision - Number Thirteen

IRoma Iseka Umbono — Inani Leshumi Elinesithathu

The Controversies of Rome: Understanding the Final Test of the Image of the Beast

Iimpikiswano zaseRoma: Ukuqonda Uvavanyo Lokugqibela loMfanekiso weRhamncwa

Author

Jeff Pippenger

Published

September 1, 2024

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As we bring the consideration of the various controversies which have occurred in Advent history together line upon line in order to conclude our understanding of the current issue, we have taken selected attributes of five prophetic lines. The first line is also the last line, for both controversies were directly based upon verse fourteen of Daniel eleven’s “robbers of thy people.” We considered the controversies of Uriah Smith and James White and the controversy of “the daily”, in the book of Daniel. We considered the controversy that occurred after the unsealing of the last six verses of Daniel eleven in 1989, concerning the king of the north. We then considered the four insects of the book of Joel. There is so much more that might be added to each of these lines, but we are simply isolating certain characteristics that contributed to the positions that rejected the truths connected with the subject of Rome.

Njengoko sihlanganisa ukuqwalaselwa kweempikiswano ezahlukeneyo eziye zenzeka kwimbali yama-Advent, umgca phezu komgca, ukuze sigqibe ukuqonda kwethu umcimbi wangoku, sithathe iimpawu ezikhethiweyo zemigca emihlanu yesiprofeto. Umgca wokuqala ukwangowokugqibela, kuba zombini ezo mpikiswano zazisekelwe ngokuthe ngqo kwindima yeshumi elinesine kaDaniyeli ishumi elinanye, ethi “abaphangi babantu bakho.” Siqwalasele iimpikiswano zikaUriah Smith noJames White kunye nempikiswano “yemihla ngemihla,” encwadini kaDaniyeli. Siqwalasele nempikiswano eyenzeka emva kokutyhilwa kwamatywina kweendima ezintandathu zokugqibela zikaDaniyeli ishumi elinanye ngowe-1989, ephathelele kukumkani wasemntla. Emva koko saqwalasela izinambuzane ezine zencwadi kaYoweli. Kuninzi gqitha okunokongezwa kumgca ngamnye kule migca, kodwa simane sahlula iimpawu ezithile ezanegalelo kwizikhundla ezazala iinyaniso ezinxulumene nesihloko saseRoma.

Five histories, but the first also being the last represents six lines. The prophetic setting for these lines of controversy is the last days, so for this reason the lines are to be applied during the test of the image of the beast.

Iimbali ezintlanu, kodwa eyokuqala ikwangeyokugqibela, zimela imigca emithandathu. Imeko yesiprofeto yale migca yempikiswano yimihla yokugqibela, ngoko ke ngenxa yesi sizathu le migca imele ukusetyenziswa ngexesha lovavanyo lomfanekiselo werhamncwa.

> “The Lord has shown me clearly that the image of the beast will be formed before probation closes; for it is to be the great test for the people of God, by which their eternal destiny will be decided. . ..

> “INkosi indibonisile ngokucacileyo ukuba umfanekiso werhamncwa uya kumiswa ngaphambi kokuba kuvalwe ixesha lovavanyo; kuba oku kuya kuba luvavanyo olukhulu kubantu bakaThixo, apho isiphelo sabo sikanaphakade siya kugqitywa khona....”

> “This is the test that the people of God must have before they are sealed.” Manuscript Releases, volume 15, 15.

> “Olu luvavanyo abantu bakaThixo ekufuneka benalo ngaphambi kokuba batywinwe.” Manuscript Releases, umqulu 15, 15.

The test of the formation of the image of the beast is, as with the other six lines of controversy a test concerning the prophetic subject of Rome. The great test that occurs before God’s people are sealed is about the formation of the image of the Roman beast. The beast is the papal power, and the United States forms an image of the papal power as it progresses to the soon-coming Sunday law.

Uvavanyo lokubunjwa komfanekiselo werhamncwa, njengakweminye imiqolo emithandathu yempikiswano, luluvavanyo oluphathelele isihloko sesiprofeto esingoRoma. Uvavanyo olukhulu olwenzekayo phambi kokuba abantu bakaThixo batywinwe lumalunga nokubunjwa komfanekiselo werhamncwa laseRoma. Irhamncwa lingamandla obupopu, yaye iUnited States yenza umfanekiselo wamandla obupopu njengoko iqhubela phambili isiya kumthetho weCawa oza kufika kungekudala.

> “In order for the United States to form an image of the beast, the religious power must so control the civil government that the authority of the state will also be employed by the church to accomplish her own ends.” The Great Controversy, 443.

> “Ukuze i-United States yenze umfanekiso werhamncwa, igunya lenkolo limele liyilawule ngolo hlobo urhulumente woluntu, ukuze negunya likarhulumente lisetyenziswe yicawe ekuphumezeni iinjongo zayo.” The Great Controversy, 443.

That Sunday law in the United States identifies that the image of the beast has been fully formed in the United States.

Loo mthetho weCawa waseUnited States uchaza ukuba umfanekiso werhamncwa sele wenziwe ngokupheleleyo eUnited States.

> “But in the very act of enforcing a religious duty by secular power, the churches would themselves form an image to the beast; hence the enforcement of Sundaykeeping in the United States would be an enforcement of the worship of the beast and his image.” The Great Controversy, 449.

> “Kodwa kwisenzo kanye sokunyanzelisa umsebenzi wonqulo ngamandla elizwe, iicawa zaziya kuthi ngokwazo zenze umfanekiselo werhamncwa; ngoko ke ukunyanzeliswa kokugcinwa kweCawa eUnited States kwakuya kuba kukunyanzeliswa konqulo lwerhamncwa nomfanekiselo walo.” The Great Controversy, 449.

At the Sunday law the image of the beast has been fully formed in the United States, and the United States is then fully disconnected from God and it begins its prophetic work of forcing the entire world to form an image of the beast. At the Sunday law in the United States Satan begins his marvelous work in leading the nations of the world to repeat the process of forming an image of the beast that encompasses all the nations of the world.

Ngomthetho weCawa umfanekiso werhamncwa uya kube usenziwe ngokupheleleyo eUnited States, yaye ngoko iUnited States iya kube yahlulwe ngokupheleleyo kuThixo, ibe iya kuqalisa umsebenzi wayo wobuprofeti wokunyanzela ihlabathi lonke ukuba lenze umfanekiso werhamncwa. Ngomthetho weCawa eUnited States uSathana uya kuqalisa umsebenzi wakhe omangalisayo wokukhokela iintlanga zehlabathi ukuba ziphinde inkqubo yokwenza umfanekiso werhamncwa oquka zonke iintlanga zehlabathi.

> “By the decree enforcing the institution of the Papacy in violation of the law of God, our nation will disconnect herself fully from righteousness. When Protestantism shall stretch her hand across the gulf to grasp the hand of the Roman power, when she shall reach over the abyss to clasp hands with Spiritualism, when, under the influence of this threefold union, our country shall repudiate every principle of its Constitution as a Protestant and republican government, and shall make provision for the propagation of papal falsehoods and delusions, then we may know that the time has come for the marvelous working of Satan and that the end is near.” Testimonies, volume 5, 451.

> “Ngommiselo onyanzelisa ukusekwa kobuPapasi ngokwaphula umthetho kaThixo, isizwe sethu siya kuzihlukanisa ngokupheleleyo nobulungisa. Xa ubuProtestanti buya kolula isandla sabo ngaphesheya komsantsa ukuze bubambe isandla samandla obuRoma, xa buya kuwela ngaphaya kwenzonzobila ukuze buhlanganise izandla noMimoya, xa, phantsi kwempembelelo yalo manyano luphindwe kathathu, ilizwe lethu liya kuzilahla zonke izimiso zoMgaqo-siseko walo njengorhulumente wobuProtestanti nowerephabliki, lize lenze amalungiselelo okusasazwa kobuxoki neenkohliso zobuPapasi, ngoko ke siya kwazi ukuba ixesha lifikile lokusebenza okumangalisayo kukaSathana nokuba isiphelo sikufuphi.” Testimonies, volume 5, 451.

At the soon-coming Sunday law in the United States, Satan, in cooperation with the United States, will force every nation to follow the example of the United States in forming a church and state system, and enforcing Sunday worship.

Kumthetho weCawa oza kusungulwa kungekudala eUnited States, uSathana, esebenzisana neUnited States, uya kunyanzela zonke iintlanga ukuba zilandele umzekelo weUnited States ekumiseni inkqubo yomanyano lwecawe norhulumente, nasekunyanzeliseni unqulo lwangeCawa.

> “Satan will work the miracles to deceive those who dwell upon the earth. Spiritualism will do its work by causing the dead to be personated. Those religious bodies who refuse to hear God’s messages of warning will be under strong deception, and will unite with the civil power to persecute the saints. The Protestant churches will unite with the papal power in persecuting the commandment-keeping people of God. This is that power which constitutes the great system of persecution which will exercise spiritual tyranny over the consciences of men.

> “USathana uya kwenza imimangaliso ukuze akhohlise abo bahlala emhlabeni. Imimoya iya kwenza umsebenzi wayo ngokubangela ukuba abafileyo baziswe njengabaphilayo. Ezo zikhungo zonqulo ezingavumiyo ukuva imiyalezo kaThixo yesilumkiso ziya kuba phantsi kokulukuhlekiswa okunamandla, yaye ziya kudibana namandla olawulo lwaseburhulumenteni ukuze zitshutshise abangcwele. Iicawa zamaProtestanti ziya kudibana namandla opapa ekutshutshiseni abantu bakaThixo abagcina imithetho. La ngamandla enza inkqubo enkulu yentshutshiso eya kusebenzisa ubuzwilakhe bomoya phezu kwezazela zabantu.

> “‘He had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.’ Though professing to be followers of the Lamb of God, men become imbued with the spirit of the dragon. They profess to be meek and humble but they speak and legislate with the spirit of Satan, showing by their actions that they are the opposite of what they profess to be. This lamb-like power unites with the dragon in making war upon those who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. And Satan unites with Protestants and papists, acting in consort with them as the god of this world, dictating to men as if they were the subjects of his kingdom, to be handled and governed and controlled as he pleases.

> “‘Yayineempondo ezimbini ezifana nezegusha, yaza yathetha njengenamba.’ Nangona besithi bangabalandeli beMvana kaThixo, abantu bazaliswa ngumoya wenamba. Bavuma ukuba banobulali kwaye bathobekile, kodwa bathetha benze imithetho ngomoya kaSathana, bebonisa ngezenzo zabo ukuba bachasene kanye noko bavuma ukuba bakuko. La mandla anjengawemvana amanyana nenamba ekulweni nabo bagcina imiyalelo kaThixo baza babe nobungqina bukaYesu Kristu. Kwaye uSathana uyamanyana namaProtestanti namaPapi, esebenza kunye nawo njengothixo weli hlabathi, eyalela abantu ngokungathi bangabalawulwa bobukumkani bakhe, ukuba baphathwe baze balawulwe kwaye balawulwe ngokupheleleyo njengoko ethanda.

> “If men will not agree to trample underfoot the commandments of God, the spirit of the dragon is revealed. They are imprisoned, brought before councils, and fined. ‘He causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads’ [Revelation 13:16]. ‘He had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed’ [verse 15]. Thus Satan usurps the prerogatives of Jehovah. The man of sin sits in the seat of God, proclaiming himself to be God, and acting above God.” Manuscript Releases, volume 14, 162.

> “Xa abantu bengavumi ukuvuma ukunyhasha imithetho kaThixo phantsi kweenyawo, umoya wenamba uyatyhilwa. Bayabanjwa, baziswe phambi kwamabhunga, baze bahlawuliswe. ‘Yaye ubangela bonke, abancinane nabakhulu, izityebi namahlwempu, abakhululekileyo nabakhobokileyo, ukuba bamkeliswe uphawu esandleni sabo sokunene, okanye emabunzini abo’ [ISityhilelo 13:16]. ‘Yaye wayenamandla okunika umfanekiso werhamncwa ubomi, ukuze umfanekiso werhamncwa uthethe, wenze nokuba bonke abangayi kunqula umfanekiso werhamncwa babulawe’ [ivesi 15]. Ngaloo ndlela uSathana uzithathela ngokungekho mthethweni amalungelo akhethekileyo kaYehova. Umntu wesono uhlala esihlalweni sikaThixo, ezibhengeza ukuba unguThixo, aze enze ngaphezu koThixo.” Manuscript Releases, umqulu 14, 162.

The papal power is the beast, the United Nations is the dragon and the United States is the false prophet. Those who become confused on the meaning of antichrist, who is both Satan and Satan’s earthly representative, the pope of Rome, will end up on the side of antichrist.

Amandla kapopu lirhamncwa, iZizwe eziManyeneyo yidrako, yaye iUnited States ngumprofeti wobuxoki. Abo badidekayo ngentsingiselo yomchasi-Kristu, ongumSathana kwakunye nommeli kaSathana wasemhlabeni, upopu waseRoma, baya kugqibela bese kwicala lomchasi-Kristu.

The United States is not the man of sin. The man of sin is the antichrist and he is Satan’s earthly representative. To confuse the power that places the papacy on the throne of the earth with the papacy is represented by Paul as evidence of not loving the truth. To reject the prophetic relationship of pagan Rome who restrained the papal power, until pagan Rome was removed, in order for the papal power to be revealed, as set forth in Second Thessalonians chapter two, is to reject the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and accept the outpouring of the unholy spirit, which Paul identifies as strong delusion. That being said, each of the ancient prophets spoke more directly of the last days than the days in which they lived.

I-United States ayinguye umntu wesono. Umntu wesono ngumchasi-Kristu, yaye ungummeli kaSathana wasemhlabeni. Ukubhidanisa amandla abeka ubupopu etroneni yomhlaba nobupopu ngokwabo kuboniswa nguPawulos njengobungqina bokungayithandi inyaniso. Ukwala ubudlelwane besiprofeto beRoma yobuhedeni, eyathintela amandla obupopu de yasuswa iRoma yobuhedeni, ukuze amandla obupopu abonakaliswe, njengoko kubekiwe kweyesBini kwabaseTesalonika isahluko sesibini, kukwala ukuthululwa koMoya oyiNgcwele nokwamkela ukuthululwa komoya ongengcwele, awuchaza uPawulos njengenkohliso enamandla. Oko sekutshiwo, ngamnye kubaprofeti bamandulo wathetha ngokuthe ngqo ngakumbi ngemihla yokugqibela kunemihla ababephila kuyo.

> “Each of the ancient prophets spoke less for their own time than for ours, so that their prophesying is in force for us. ‘Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.’ 1 Corinthians 10:11. ‘Not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.’ 1 Peter 1:12. . . .

> “Ngamnye kubaprofeti bamandulo wathetha kancinane ngexesha lakhe kunangexesha lethu, ukuze ukuprofeta kwabo kusebenze kuthi. ‘Ke kaloku ezo zinto zonke zabehlela bona ngokuba bayimizekelo; zaza zabhalelwa ukuyala thina, abafikelwe ziziphelo zephakade.’ 1 Korinte 10:11. ‘Babetyhilelwe ukuba ababekhonzi bona ngokwabo, koko bakhonza thina ngezo zinto, ezithe zaxelwa kuni ngoku ngabo banishumayeleyo iindaba ezilungileyo ngoMoya oyiNgcwele othunywe evela ezulwini; ezi zizinto ezinqwenelwa ziingelosi ukuzikhangela.’ 1 Petros 1:12....”

> “The Bible has accumulated and bound up together its treasures for this last generation. All the great events and solemn transactions of Old Testament history have been, and are, repeating themselves in the church in these last days.” Selected Messages, book 3, 338, 339.

> “IBhayibhile iye yaqokelela yaza yabopha ndawonye ubuncwane bayo ngenxa yesi sizukulwana sokugqibela. Zonke iziganeko ezinkulu neentsebenziswano ezinzulu zembali yeTestamente eNdala bezikho, yaye ziyaphinda zenzeke ebandleni kule mihla yokugqibela.” Selected Messages, book 3, 338, 339.

Pagan Rome and the man of sin in Second Thessalonians represents the United States and papal Rome of the last days. To misunderstand this truth is to demonstrate, among other things, that even if a person claims to be basing their private interpretation upon the principle of “type and antitype,” they actually do not understand “type and antitype.” The United States has been typified by several powers in sacred history. Every two-horned power represents the United States in the last days, whether it be the northern and southern kingdoms of Israel, the Medo-Persian Empire, or atheistic France represented by Sodom and Egypt.

IRoma yobuhedeni nendoda yesono ekwiSibhalo sesiBini kwabaseTesalonika zimela iUnited States neRoma yobupopu yemihla yokugqibela. Ukungayiqondi le nyaniso kubonakalisa, phakathi kwezinye izinto, ukuba nokuba umntu esithi usekela utoliko lwakhe lwabucala phezu komgaqo othi “uhlobo nomzaliseko,” enyanisweni akaluqondi “uhlobo nomzaliseko.” IUnited States iye yamelwa kwangaphambili ngamandla aliqela kwimbali engcwele. Onke amandla aneempondo ezimbini amela iUnited States yemihla yokugqibela, nokuba bubukumkani basentla nobasentla boSirayeli, uBukhosi bamaMedi namaPersi, okanye iFransi engenankolo emelwe yiSodom neYiputa.

The period when the United States forms an image of and to the beast has been typified by the iron and clay of Daniel two, and the little horn that manifests as male and female in Daniel eight as well as the prophets of Baal and priests of the grove in the witness of Elijah at Mount Carmel. Salome typifies the United States in the witness of Herod’s drunken birthday party. Pergamos typifies the United States and identifies the compromise that leads to Thyatira, which typifies the papal power of the last days.

Ixesha apho i-United States yenza umfanekiso werhamncwa nerhamncwa ngokwalo limelwe kwangaphambili yintsimbi nodongwe kuDaniyeli 2, nophondo oluncinane oluzibonakalisa njengendoda nomfazi kuDaniyeli 8, kwangokunjalo ngabaprofeti bakaBhahali nababingeleli base-Ashera kubungqina bukaEliya eNtabeni yeKarmele. USalome umela i-United States kubungqina bendibano yokubhiyozela usuku lokuzalwa lukaHerode ekunxileni kwakhe. IPergamo imela i-United States yaye ichaza ukulalanisa okukhokelela eTiyatira, emela igunya lobupopu leentsuku zokugqibela.

Clovis, king of the Franks in 496, typifies the United States in the Ronald Reagan era. Justinian in 533 represents Donald Trump in advance of the Sunday law. In each typification the United States represents the power that bows in submission to the papal power of the last days. The power who bows in submission is represented as paying homage to Rome. The act of ‘homage” includes bowing to the king, who is the head.

UClovis, ukumkani wamaFranks ngowama-496, umele ngomfuziselo i-United States ngexesha likaRonald Reagan. UJustinian ngowama-533 umele uDonald Trump phambi komthetho weCawe. Kulo naluphi na olu phawu, i-United States imele amandla athoba entobekweni phantsi kwamandla opopu emihla yokugqibela. Amandla athoba entobekweni amelwe njengahlawula imbeko eRoma. Isenzo “sokuhlawula imbeko” siquka ukuqubuda kukumkani, oyintloko.

> “It has been shown that the United States is the power represented by the beast with lamblike horns, and that this prophecy will be fulfilled when the United States shall enforce Sunday observance, which Rome claims as the special acknowledgment of her supremacy. But in this homage to the papacy the United States will not be alone. The influence of Rome in the countries that once acknowledged her dominion is still far from being destroyed. And prophecy foretells a restoration of her power. ‘I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.’ Verse 3. The infliction of the deadly wound points to the downfall of the papacy in 1798.

> “Kubonisiwe ukuba i-United States ligunya elimelwe lirhamncwa elineempondo ezifana nezemvana, nokuba esi siprofeto siya kuzaliseka xa i-United States iya kunyanzelisa ukugcinwa kweCawa, athe iRoma ithi kungumqondiso okhethekileyo wokuvuma ubukhosi bayo obuphezulu. Kodwa kule ntlonipho kubupopu i-United States ayiyi kuba yodwa. Impembelelo yeRoma kumazwe awayekhe avuma ulawulo lwayo isekude kakhulu nokuba itshatyalaliswe. Kwaye isiprofeto sixela kwangaphambili ukubuyiselwa kwamandla ayo. ‘Ndabona elinye lamakhanda alo lingathi lonzakaliswe lada lafa; ke inxeba lalo elibulalayo laphiliswa; laza ihlabathi liphela lamangaliswa lirhamncwa elo.’ Ivesi 3. Ukubethwa kwenxeba elibulalayo kubhekisa ekuweni kobupopu ngowe-1798.”

> After this, says the prophet, ‘his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.’ Paul states plainly that the ‘man of sin’ will continue until the second advent. 2 Thessalonians 2:3-8. To the very close of time he will carry forward the work of deception. And the revelator declares, also referring to the papacy: ‘All that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life.’ Revelation 13:8. In both the Old and the New World, the papacy will receive homage in the honor paid to the Sunday institution, that rests solely upon the authority of the Roman Church.” The Great Controversy, 578.

> Emva koku, utsho umprofeti, “inxeba lakhe lokufa laphiliswa; laza ihlabathi lonke lamangaliswa, lalandela irhamncwa.” UPawulos uthetha ngokucacileyo ukuba “umntu wesono” uya kuhlala ade afike umbonakalo wesibini. 2 Tesalonika 2:3-8. Kude kuse ekupheleni kwexesha uya kuqhubekeka nomsebenzi wenkohliso. Kanti nombhali weSityhilelo uvakalisa, ekwabhekisa kubupopu, ukuthi: “Bonke abahleli emhlabeni baya kulinqula, abo amagama abo angabhalwanga encwadini yobomi.” ISityhilelo 13:8. Kuzo zombini iLizwe eliDala neLizwe eliTsha, ubupopu buya kwamkelwa intlonipho ekunqulweni kwesikhungo seCawa, ekuxhomekeke kuphela phezu kwegunya leBandla laseRoma.” Imbambano Enkulu, 578.

The last sentence provides more evidence that Sister White understood the expression, “old world” to represent Europe, and the “new world” to represent the Americas. That being as it is, the United States that pays homage to the papal power and forces the rest of the world to do the same. This identifies the United States as in subjection to the directions of the papal power. Isaiah’s identification and emphasis upon understanding the “head” in order to be established finds its divine purpose in that the symbol “head,” becomes a key to understand the external line of prophecy, and also the internal line of prophecy.

Isivakalisi sokugqibela sinika ubungqina obungakumbi bokuba uDade uWhite wayeqonda intetho ethi, “ihlabathi elidala,” njengemele iYurophu, nethi “ihlabathi elitsha” limela amazwe aseMerika. Kuba kunjalo ke, yi-United States enika imbeko kumandla obupopu yaza inyanzela ihlabathi liphela ukuba lenze okufanayo. Oku kuchaza i-United States njengesephantsi kolwalathiso lwamandla obupopu. Ukuchongwa kukaIsaya nokugxininisa kwakhe ekuqondeni “intloko” ukuze kuqiniswe kufumana injongo yako yobuthixo ekubeni umfuziselo othi “intloko” uba sisitshixo sokuqonda umgca wangaphandle wesiprofeto, kwanomgca wangaphakathi wesiprofeto.

> For the head of Syria is Damascus, and the head of Damascus is Rezin; and within threescore and five years shall Ephraim be broken, that it be not a people. And the head of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is Remaliah’s son. If ye will not believe, surely ye shall not be established. Isaiah 7:8, 9.

> Ngokuba intloko yama-Aram yiDamasko, nentloko yeDamasko inguRezini; yaye zingekapheli iminyaka emashumi mathandathu anesihlanu uEfrayim uya kwaphulwa, ukuze angabi sabantu. Nentloko kaEfrayim yiSamariya, nentloko yeSamariya ngunyana kaRemaliya. Ukuba aniyi kukholwa, inene anisayi kumiswa. Isaya 7:8, 9.

In the last days, which is when every prophet’s testimony is in force, the “robbers of thy people” establish the vision. Upon the authority of the Spirit of Prophecy, and in agreement with the foundational truths of Adventism, as represented upon the two sacred charts of Habakkuk, the “robbers,” are a symbol of Rome. When pagan Rome inserted itself into history for the first time in 200 BC, they typified modern Rome of the last days. This prophetic truth is what establishes the prophetic vision of the last days, and if you refuse to see that modern Rome’s “head” is the papal power, then surely you will not be established.

Ngemihla yokugqibela, elo lixesha apho ubungqina bomprofeti ngamnye busasebenza, “abaphangi babantu bakho” bamisela umbono. Ngokusekelwe kugunya loMoya weSiprofeto, nangokuvumelana neenyaniso ezisisiseko zobu-Adventist, njengoko zimelwe kwiitshati ezimbini ezingcwele zikaHabakuki, “abaphangi” bangumqondiso weRoma. Xa iRoma yobuqaba yazingenisa kwimbali okokuqala ngo-200 BC, yaba ngumfuziselo weRoma yanamhlanje yemihla yokugqibela. Le nyaniso yesiprofeto yiyo emisela umbono wesiprofeto wemihla yokugqibela, yaye ukuba uyala ukubona ukuba “intloko” yeRoma yanamhlanje ligunya lobupopu, ngokuqinisekileyo nawe akuyi kusekwa.

> “The world is filled with storm and war and variance. Yet under one head—the papal power—the people will unite to oppose God in the person of His witnesses.” Testimonies, volume 7, 182.

> “Ihlabathi lizele sisiphango, yimfazwe, nokungavisisani. Noko ke, phantsi kwentloko enye—amandla opopu—abantu baya kumanyana ukuze bamchase uThixo emntwini wamangqina aKhe.” Testimonies, volume 7, 182.

If you have ears to hear, then you may understand that a primary failing of the Jews of Christ’s era was that they identified the “shadow” as the “substance.” The Jews before and after the cross trusted in the types of their system of worship, and rejected the Antitype. They argued that the “shadow” was the “substance”, and in doing so they left in the inspired record, a people in the last days who will also identify the shadow as the substance.

Ukuba uneendlebe zokuva, ngoko unokuqonda ukuba ukusilela okuphambili kwamaYuda exesha likaKristu yayikukuba achonga “isithunzi” “njengobunyani.” AmaYuda ngaphambi nasemva komnqamlezo athembela kwimizekelo yenkqubo yawo yonqulo, aza alala i-Antitype. Aphikisa esithi “isithunzi” “sasibobunyani”, yaye ngokwenjenjalo ashiya, kwingxelo ephefumlelweyo, abantu bemihla yokugqibela abaya kuthi nabo bachonge isithunzi njengobunyani.

When the United States forms an image to the beast, they are forming a shadow of the beast. They are forming a shadow of the substance, for an image is a typification. To identify the United States, when it forms the image of the beast, as the symbol of Modern Rome, is to parallel ancient Israel’s rejection and crucifixion of the Great Antitype.

Xa i-United States yenza umfanekiselo werhamncwa, yenza isithunzi serhamncwa. Yenza isithunzi sento yokwenene, kuba umfanekiselo usisifaniso somfuziselo. Ukuchaza i-United States, xa yenza umfanekiselo werhamncwa, njengomfuziselo weRoma yanamhlanje, kukuyilinganisa nokwala nokubethelelwa emnqamlezweni nguSirayeli wakudala koMchasi-mzekelo Omkhulu.

Those teaching the flawed view that the United States is the robbers of thy people speak much about their use of type and antitype, and they often identify the United States as the image of the beast and somehow think that by identifying the United States as the image of the beast somehow proves the United States is “the robbers.” If they truly allowed themselves to be governed by the basic principles of “type and antitype” they would quickly see that the prophetic role of the United States which has been repeatedly typified in God’s word identifies the United States as the power that is in subjection to the papal authority. They would see that without the beast as the point of reference, it is absurd to identify an image to the beast that did not exist. The only thing which can define the image of the beast, is the beast itself, for the papal power is what establishes the image in the looking glass vision.

Abo bafundisa imbono enesiphako ethi i-United States ingabaphangi babantu bakho bathetha kakhulu ngokusebenzisa kwabo umzekelo nento ewuzalisekisayo, yaye badla ngokuchaza i-United States njengomfanekiso werhamncwa, baze ngandlela ithile bacinge ukuba ngokuyichaza i-United States njengomfanekiso werhamncwa kungqina ukuba i-United States “ingabaphangi.” Ukuba ngenene babengavuma ukulawulwa yimigaqo esisiseko “yomzekelo nento ewuzalisekisayo,” babeya kukhawuleza babone ukuba indima yesiprofeto ye-United States, eye yamelwa ngokuphindaphindiweyo eLizwini likaThixo, iyichaza i-United States njengamandla aphantsi kwegunya lopopu. Babeya kubona ukuba ngaphandle kwerhamncwa njengendawo ekubhekiselwa kuyo, bubudenge ukuchaza umfanekiso werhamncwa elalingekabikho. Ekuphela kwento enokuwuchaza umfanekiso werhamncwa, lirhamncwa ngokwalo, kuba igunya lopopu lilo elimisa umfanekiso embonweni wesibuko.

The parallel line of prophecy to the United States forming an image of the beast is when the horn of true Protestantism forms an image of Christ. That formation is specifically identified in Daniel chapter ten, when Daniel beholds the “marah,” vision, which is the “looking glass” vision. Daniel represents those who behold Christ, and in so doing they reflect Christ’s character. If the vision of Christ was not presented to Daniel, he would have been unable to reflect the character of Christ. In order for the one hundred and forty-four thousand, who are represented by Daniel in chapter ten of forming an image of Christ within, they must behold His character. By beholding they are changed.

Umgca ohambelanayo wesiprofeto malunga ne-United States esenza umfanekiso werhamncwa kuxa uphondo lobuProtestanti bokwenyaniso lusenza umfanekiso kaKristu. Oko kusenziwa kuchongwa ngokukodwa kuDaniyeli isahluko seshumi, xa uDaniyeli ebona “marah,” umbono, ongumbono “wesipili esikhangelwayo.” UDaniyeli umele abo babona uKristu, yaye ngokwenjenjalo babonakalisa isimilo sikaKristu. Ukuba umbono kaKristu wawungazange uboniswe kuDaniyeli, wayengenakukwazi ukubonakalisa isimilo sikaKristu. Ukuze ikhulu elinamashumi amane anesine amawaka, amelwe nguDaniyeli kwisahluko seshumi ekwenzeni umfanekiso kaKristu ngaphakathi, benze oko, kufuneka babone isimilo saKhe. Ngokubona bayaguqulwa.

> But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. 2 Corinthians 3:18.

> Kodwa thina sonke, sinobuso obutyhiliweyo, sibukhangela njengasesipilini uzuko lweNkosi, siyaguqulwa sibe ngumfanekiso kwaloo nto, sisuka eluzukweni siye eluzukweni, njengoko kusenziwa nguMoya weNkosi. 2 Korinte 3:18.

The Hebrew definition of the “marah” vision which Daniel beheld in chapter ten is “a vision; also (causatively) a mirror: —looking glass, vision.” The Greek word translated as glass in the previous verse is to mirror oneself, that is, to see reflected (figuratively): —behold as in a glass.

Ingcaciso yesiHebhere yombono othiwa “marah” awawubonayo uDaniyeli kwisahluko seshumi ithi “umbono; kwanjalo (ngesizathu) isipili: —isibuko sokuzijonga, umbono.” Igama lesiGrike eliguqulelwe ngokuba yiglasi kwivesi engaphambili lithetha ukuzijonga esipilini, oko kukuthi, ukubona kubuyiselwe umfanekiso (ngokomfuziselo): —ukubona ngokungathi usesipilini.

James also sets forth a line of truth connected with the looking glass.

UYakobi naye ubeka phambili umgca wenyaniso onxulumene nesipili.

> For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. James 1:23–25.

> Kuba ukuba kukho nabani na ongumphulaphuli welizwi, engengomenzi walo, unjengendoda ezijonga ubuso bayo bendalo esipilini; kuba iyazijonga, ihambe imke, ize kwaoko ilibale ukuba ibingumntu onjani na. Kodwa lowo ukhangela emthethweni ogqibeleleyo wenkululeko, aze aqhubeke kuwo, yena engengomphulaphuli olibalayiyo, koko engumenzi womsebenzi, lowo uya kusikelelwa ekwenzeni kwakhe. Yakobi 1:23–25.

If we love the truth, and we are therefore a doer of the Word, then the looking glass we behold is the perfect law of liberty, then if we do not love the truth, and thereafter go our own way, as those with Daniel did when they fled, then the looking glass is simply a reflection of ourselves.

Ukuba siyayithanda inyaniso, yaye ngenxa yoko singabenzi beLizwi, ngoko isipili esizibukelayo ngumthetho ogqibeleleyo wenkululeko; kodwa ukuba asiyithandi inyaniso, size emveni koko sihambe ngeendlela zethu, njengabo babenaye uDaniyeli benza xa babalekayo, ngoko isipili sisuke sibe ngumfanekiso nje wethu ngokwethu.

> “God’s law is the mirror presenting a complete reflection of the man as he is, and holding up before him the correct likeness. Some will turn away and forget this picture, while others will employ abusive epithets against the law, as though this would cure their defects of character. Still others who are condemned by the law will repent of their transgressions and, through faith in Christ’s merits, will perfect Christian character.” Faith and Works, 31.

> “Umthetho kaThixo sisipili esibonisa umfanekiso opheleleyo womntu njengoko enjalo, size sibambe phambi kwakhe umfanekiso ofanelekileyo. Abanye baya kujika bashiye lo mfanekiso bawulibale, kanti abanye baya kusebenzisa amagama okunyelisa ngokuchasene nomthetho, ngokungathi oko kuya kunyanga iziphene zabo zesimilo. Kanti ke abanye abagwetywayo ngumthetho baya kuguquka ezonweni zabo yaye, ngokholo ekufanelekeni kukaKristu, baya kuyigqibezela imilo yobuKristu.” Faith and Works, 31.

Daniel did not see himself in the looking glass vision, He saw Christ, who is the perfect representation of James’ perfect law of liberty.

UDaniyeli akazange azibone embonweni wesipili, wabona uKristu, ongumfanekiselo ogqibeleleyo womthetho ogqibeleleyo wenkululeko kaYakobi.

> “Christ’s life on earth is a perfect reflection of the divine law. In Him is life and hope and light. Behold Him, and you will be changed into the same likeness, from character to character.” Signs of the Times, May 10, 1910.

> “Ubomi bukaKristu emhlabeni bubonakalisa ngokugqibeleleyo umthetho kaThixo. Kuye kukho ubomi, nethemba, nokukhanya. Mjonge, yaye uya kuguqulwa ube seso sifaniso sinye, usuke kummilo wesimilo uye komnye.” Signs of the Times, May 10, 1910.

The image of the beast reflects the beast, and the formation of the image of the beast is the great test for the people of God, by which their eternal destiny will be decided. When the Protestant churches take control of the government of the United States, they will have formed an image of the church state system which the papal power has always employed. In the same period of time the image of Christ will be produced into His last-day people. Yet, those that were with Daniel saw not the vision, for they fled from the vision.

Umfanekiso werhamncwa ubonakalisa irhamncwa, yaye ukwakhiwa komfanekiso werhamncwa lolo vavanyo lukhulu kubantu bakaThixo, apho ikamva labo lanaphakade liya kugqitywa khona. Xa iicawa zamaProtestanti zithabatha ulawulo lorhulumente wase-United States, ziya kube zenze umfanekiso wenkqubo yecawa norhulumente athe amandla obupopu asoloko eyisebenzisa. Kwangelo xesha umfanekiso kaKristu uya kuveliswa kubantu baKhe bemihla yokugqibela. Noko ke, abo babekunye noDaniyeli abawubonanga umbono, kuba basaba ngenxa yombono.

The formation of the image of Christ produces a manifestation of two classes of worshippers. One class rejects the principle of reflection. The principle of reflection being represented by a mirror, for Christ employs the literal earthly things to represent spiritual heavenly truths.

Ukubunjwa komfanekiso kaKristu kuvelisa ukubonakala kweendidi ezimbini zabanquli. Olunye udidi luyawugatya umgaqo wokubonakalisa. Umgaqo wokubonakalisa umelwe sisipili, kuba uKristu usebenzisa izinto zokoqobo zasemhlabeni ukumela iinyaniso zokomoya zasezulwini.

> “In Christ’s parable teaching the same principle is seen as in His own mission to the world. That we might become acquainted with His divine character and life, Christ took our nature and dwelt among us. Divinity was revealed in humanity; the invisible glory in the visible human form. Men could learn of the unknown through the known; heavenly things were revealed through the earthly; God was made manifest in the likeness of men. So it was in Christ’s teaching: the unknown was illustrated by the known; divine truths by earthly things with which the people were most familiar.

> “Kwimfundiso kaKristu ngemizekeliso kubonakala kwaeso simiso sinye njengakwimisebenzi Yakhe ngokwaKhe ehlabathini. Ukuze sikwazi ukuqhelana nesimilo nobomi Bakhe bobuThixo, uKristu wathabatha indalo yethu waza wahlala phakathi kwethu. UbuThixo babonakaliswa ebuntwini; uzuko olungabonwayo kubume bomntu obubonwayo. Abantu babenokufunda ngongaziwayo ngoko kwaziwayo; izinto zasezulwini zatyhilwa ngezinto zasemhlabeni; uThixo wabonakaliswa ngokufana nabantu. Kwanjalo kwakunjalo nasemfundisweni kaKristu: into engaziwayo yayicaciswa ngoko kwaziwayo; iinyaniso zobuThixo ngezinto zasemhlabeni abantu ababeziqhelene nazo kakhulu.”

> “The Scripture says, ‘All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; … that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.’ Matthew 13:34, 35. Natural things were the medium for the spiritual; the things of nature and the life-experience of His hearers were connected with the truths of the written word. Leading thus from the natural to the spiritual kingdom, Christ’s parables are links in the chain of truth that unites man with God, and earth with heaven.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 17.

> “ISibhalo sithi, ‘Zonke ezo zinto uYesu wazithetha esihlweleni ngemizekeliso; … ukuze kuzaliseke okwathethwayo ngumprofeti, esithi, Ndiya kuvula umlomo Wam ngemizekeliso; ndiya kuthetha izinto ebezifihliwe kususela ekusekweni kwehlabathi.’ Mateyu 13:34, 35. Izinto zendalo zazisisixhobo sezinto zomoya; izinto zendalo namava obomi abo babemphulaphule zadaniswa neenyaniso zelizwi elibhaliweyo. Ngokukhokela ngaloo ndlela ukusuka kwindalo ukuya ebukumkanini bomoya, imizekeliso kaKristu ingamakhonkco kwityathanga lenyaniso elimanyanisa umntu noThixo, nomhlaba nezulu.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 17.

The spiritual principle of reflection is accomplished by looking into a mirror that represents Christ, and because the “marah” vision is a causative vision, the image of Christ in the mirror, produces the image of Christ in humanity.

Umgaqo wokubonakalisa ongowomoya uzalisekiswa ngokujonga esipilini esimela uKristu, yaye ngenxa yokuba umbono we-“marah” ungumbono obangela isiphumo, umfanekiso kaKristu osesipilini uvelisa umfanekiso kaKristu ebantwini.

To claim the United States is what establishes the vision, is to claim that the image of Daniel is what establishes Christ. Christ is what establishes the vision of His character and work, and the antichrist is what establishes the vision of his character and work. The vision is what is reflected with the looking glass, and the vision is established by the robbers. To misunderstand an image of a beast, by identifying the image as the actual beast, produces parallel lines.

Ukuthi i-United States yiyo emisa umbono, kukufana nokuthi umfanekiso kaDaniyeli ngowona umisa uKristu. UKristu nguye omisa umbono wesimilo saKhe nomsebenzi waKhe, yaye umchasi-kristu nguye omisa umbono wesimilo sakhe nomsebenzi wakhe. Umbono ngowona ubonakaliswa ngesipili, yaye umbono umiswa ngabaphangi. Ukungawuqondi kakuhle umfanekiso werhamncwa, ngokuchonga umfanekiso ngokungathi ulilo kanye irhamncwa, kuvelisa imigca ehambelanayo.

The unconverted man sees himself in the mirror, or if he does see God’s law, he throws contempt upon the law in an attempt to avoid its claims. A converted man sees Christ and His law in the looking glass. The United States forms an image to the papal power by beholding the papal power and duplicating it. The antichrist is duplicated by the United States.

Umntu ongaguqukanga uzibona esipilini, okanye ukuba uthe wawubona umthetho kaThixo, uphosa indelelo phezu komthetho ngelizama ukuphepha iimfuno zawo. Umntu oguqukileyo ubona uKristu nomthetho waKhe esipilini. I-United States yenza umfanekiso wamandla obupapa ngokuwabona amandla obupapa ize iwaphindaphinde. Umchasi-kakristu uphindaphindwa yi-United States.

Lucifer desired to be seated upon God’s political and religious thrones.

ULusifa wayenqwenela ukuhlala ezihlalweni zobukhosi zikaThixo zopolitiko nezenkolo.

> How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Ezekiel 14:12–14.

> Hayi, uwe njani na ukuwa ezulwini, Owu Lusifa, nyana wokusa! uwe njani na ukusikwa phantsi emhlabeni, wena owawuzidimaza iintlanga! Kuba watsho entliziyweni yakho wathi, Ndiya kunyuka ndiye ezulwini, ndiphakamise itrone yam ngaphezu kweenkwenkwezi zikaThixo; ndiya kuhlala entabeni yebandla, emacaleni asentla; ndiya kunyuka ngaphezu kweendawo eziphakamileyo zamafu; ndiya kufana naLowo Osenyangweni. Hezekile 14:12–14.

Satan is the antichrist, and so too is the papal power. The papal power was seated in the church and reigned over the political thrones of Europe. The causative looking glass of Daniel chapter ten, when seen in its spiritual application, transforms those who behold into the image of Christ. That truth governs the line of the antichrist. When a nation or an individual looks into the looking glass vision it produces a causative effect, as it reproduces its image in either the individual or nation who beholds it and that produces either the image of Christ or the image of the beast. It parallels the same effect represented by Daniel. Christ is what established the vision for Daniel, and the antichrist establishes the vision for the United States when it forms an image of the beast.

USathana ungumchasi-Kristu, yaye namandla opopu nawo anjalo. Amandla opopu amiselwa ecaweni aza alawula phezu kwezihlalo zobukhosi bezopolitiko zaseYurophu. Isipili esibangela iziphumo sikaDaniyeli isahluko seshumi, xa sibonwa ekusebenzeni kwaso ngokomoya, siguqula abo basijongileyo babeyimbonakalo kaKristu. Leyo nyaniso ilawula umgca womchasi-Kristu. Xa uhlanga okanye umntu ejonga embonweni wesipili, uvelisa isiphumo esibangela utshintsho, njengoko lo mbono uvelisa umfanekiso wawo nokuba kumntu okanye kuhlanga olubujongileyo, yaye oko kuvelisa nokuba ngumfanekiso kaKristu okanye umfanekiso werhamncwa. Oku kuyahambelana nesiphumo esinye esimelwe nguDaniyeli. UKristu nguye owamisela umbono kuDaniyeli, yaye umchasi-Kristu nguye omisela umbono weUnited States xa yenza umfanekiso werhamncwa.

We will continue these thoughts in the next article.

Siya kuqhubeka nale mizekelo kwinqaku elilandelayo.

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