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# The Hidden History of Verse Forty - Number Three

Umlando Ofihlekile Wevesi Lamashumi Amane - Inombolo Yesithathu

The Sunday Law and the Prophetic Journey: From the Patriot Act to the Final Test

Umthetho WeSonto noHambo Lwesiprofetho: Kusukela kuMthetho i-Patriot kuya Esivivinyweni Sokugcina

Author

Jeff Pippenger

Published

September 22, 2024

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> “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.

> “Ngomthetho oqinisa ukusungulwa kobupapa ngokwephula umthetho kaNkulunkulu, isizwe sakithi siyobe sesizihlukanise ngokuphelele nokulunga. Lapho ubuProthestani buyokwelula isandla sabo ngaphesheya komhosha ukuze bubambe isandla samandla aseRoma, lapho buyokwelula buwelele kwalasha ukuze buxhume izandla nokuxhwalile ngokomoya, lapho, ngaphansi kwethonya lwaleyo nhlanganisela ephindwe kathathu, izwe lakithi liyokwenqaba yonke imigomo yoMthethosisekelo walo njengohulumeni wamaProthestani nowerephabhulikhi, futhi lenze amalungiselelo okusakazwa kwamanga nobukhohlisi bobupapa, khona-ke singazi ukuthi isikhathi sesifikile sokusebenza okumangalisayo kukaSathane nokuthi ukuphela sekusondele.”

> “As the approach of the Roman armies was a sign to the disciples of the impending destruction of Jerusalem, so may this apostasy be a sign to us that the limit of God’s forbearance is reached, that the measure of our nation’s iniquity is full, and that the angel of mercy is about to take her flight, never to return. The people of God will then be plunged into those scenes of affliction and distress which prophets have described as the time of Jacob’s trouble. The cries of the faithful, persecuted ones ascend to heaven. And as the blood of Abel cried from the ground, there are voices also crying to God from martyrs’ graves, from the sepulchers of the sea, from mountain caverns, from convent vaults: ‘How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost Thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?’

> “Njengoba ukusondela kwamabutho amaRoma kwakuyisibonakaliso kubafundi sokubhujiswa okwakusondele kweJerusalema, kanjalo nalokhu ukuhlubuka makube yisibonakaliso kithi sokuthi umkhawulo wokubekezela kukaNkulunkulu usufinyelelwe, nokuthi isilinganiso sobubi besizwe sakithi sigcwele, nokuthi ingelosi yomusa isizophaphama indize, ingaphinde ibuye nanini. Abantu bakaNkulunkulu bayobe sebecwiliswa kulezo zigcawu zosizi nokucindezeleka abaprofethi abakuchaza njengesikhathi sokuhlupheka kukaJakobe. Izikhalo zabathembekileyo, abashushiswayo, zikhuphukela ezulwini. Futhi njengoba igazi lika-Abela lakhala lisemhlabathini, kanjalo kukhona namazwi akhala kuNkulunkulu evela emathuneni abafel’ ukholo, emangcwabeni olwandle, emihumeni yezintaba, emathuneni ezindela: ‘Koze kube nini, Nkosi, engcwele neyiqiniso, ungahluleli futhi ungaphindiseli igazi lethu kulabo abahlezi emhlabeni na?’”

> “The Lord is doing His work. All heaven is astir. The Judge of all the earth is soon to arise and vindicate His insulted authority. The mark of deliverance will be set upon the men who keep God’s commandments, who revere His law, and who refuse the mark of the beast or of his image.

> “INkosi yenza umsebenzi waYo. Izulu lonke liyanyakaziswa. UMahluleli womhlaba wonke usezovuka masinyane afakazele ubukhosi baKhe obuhlanjalaziwe. Uphawu lokukhululwa luyobekwa phezu kwabantu abagcina imiyalo kaNkulunkulu, abahlonipha umthetho waKhe, nabala uphawu lwesilo noma olomfanekiso waso.

> “God has revealed what is to take place in the last days, that His people may be prepared to stand against the tempest of opposition and wrath. Those who have been warned of the events before them are not to sit in calm expectation of the coming storm, comforting themselves that the Lord will shelter His faithful ones in the day of trouble. We are to be as men waiting for their Lord, not in idle expectancy, but in earnest work, with unwavering faith. It is no time now to allow our minds to be engrossed with things of minor importance. While men are sleeping, Satan is actively arranging matters so that the Lord’s people may not have mercy or justice. The Sunday movement is now making its way in darkness. The leaders are concealing the true issue, and many who unite in the movement do not themselves see whither the undercurrent is tending. Its professions are mild and apparently Christian, but when it shall speak it will reveal the spirit of the dragon. It is our duty to do all in our power to avert the threatened danger. We should endeavor to disarm prejudice by placing ourselves in a proper light before the people. We should bring before them the real question at issue, thus interposing the most effectual protest against measures to restrict liberty of conscience. We should search the Scriptures and be able to give the reason for our faith. Says the prophet: ‘The wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.’” Testimonies, volume 5, 451, 452.

> “UNkulunkulu wembulile okuzokwenzeka ezinsukwini zokugcina, ukuze abantu baKhe balungiselwe ukuma bamelane nesiphepho sokuphikiswa nolaka. Labo abaye baxwayiswa ngezehlakalo eziphambi kwabo akumelwe bahlale belindele ngokuthula isiphepho esizayo, beziduduza ngokuthi iNkosi iyakuvikela abathembekile baYo ngosuku losizi. Kumelwe sibe njengabantu abalindele iNkosi yabo, hhayi ngokulindela okuyize, kodwa ngomsebenzi oqotho, ngokukholwa okungantengantengi. Akusisona isikhathi manje sokuvumela izingqondo zethu zikhungatheke ngezinto ezincane ezingabalulekile. Ngesikhathi abantu belele, uSathane usebenza ngamandla ehlela izinto ukuze abantu beNkosi bangatholi umusa noma ubulungisa. Inhlangano yeSonto manje iqhubekela phambili ebumnyameni. Abaholi bafihla indaba eyiqiniso, futhi abaningi abahlanganyela kulenhlangano nabo uqobo ababoni ukuthi lokho okuhamba ngaphansi kwamanzi kuya ngakuphi. Izisho zayo zithambile futhi zibukeka njengezobuKristu, kodwa lapho seyikhuluma iyokwembula umoya kadrako. Kungumsebenzi wethu ukwenza konke okusemandleni ethu ukuvimba ingozi esongelayo. Kumelwe sizame ukususa ubandlululo ngokuzibeka ekukhanyeni okufanele phambi kwabantu. Kumelwe sibabeke phambi umbuzo wangempela ophikisanwayo, ngaleyo ndlela sifake ukuphikisa okusebenzayo kakhulu ezinyathelweni zokunciphisa inkululeko kanembeza. Kumelwe sihlole imiBhalo futhi sikwazi ukunikeza isizathu sokukholwa kwethu. Umprofethi uthi: ‘Ababi bayakwenza okubi: futhi akekho kwababi oyakuqonda; kodwa abahlakaniphileyo bayakuqonda.’ Testimonies, volume 5, 451, 452.”

When the “Sunday movement” “shall speak it will reveal the spirit of the dragon.” The four paragraphs identify that at the Sunday law the United States “will disconnect herself fully from righteousness.” At the Sunday law “the time has come for the marvelous working of Satan.” At the Sunday law the threefold union is accomplished. At the Sunday law the United States “repudiates every principle of its Constitution as a Protestant republican government”, and they also “make provision for the propagation of papal falsehoods and delusions.” That Sunday law is a “sign to us that the limit of God’s forbearance is reached, that the measure of our nation’s iniquity is full, and that the angel of mercy is about to take her flight, never to return.” That sign was typified by the warning given by Jesus identifying the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel the prophet. It is there that the prayer given by the martyrs of the fifth seal ask, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost Thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?” is accomplished. It is also at that waymark that the foolish and wise virgins manifest their characters.

Lapho “inhlangano yeSonto” “isikhuluma iyoveza umoya kadrako.” Lezi zindimana ezine zikhomba ukuthi ngomthetho weSonto i-United States “iyozihlukanisa ngokuphelele nokulunga.” Ngomthetho weSonto “isikhathi sesifikile sokusebenza okumangalisayo kukaSathane.” Ngomthetho weSonto inyunyana ephindwe kathathu iyafezwa. Ngomthetho weSonto i-United States “iyaphika yonke imigomo yoMthethosisekelo wayo njengohulumeni wobuphrothestani nowoburephabhuliki”, futhi futhi “benza amalungiselelo okusakazwa kwamanga nokudukisa kobupapa.” Lowo mthetho weSonto “uwuphawu kithi lokuthi umkhawulo wokubekezela kukaNkulunkulu usufinyelelwe, ukuthi isilinganiso sobubi besizwe sethu sigcwele, nokuthi ingelosi yomusa isizothatha ukundiza kwayo, ingabe isabuya.” Lolo phawu lwafaniswa yisixwayiso esanikezwa nguJesu esikhomba isinengiso sencithakalo esakhulunywa ngaso nguDaniyeli umprofethi. Kulapho umkhuleko owanikezwa ngabafel’ ukholo bophawu lwesihlanu uthi, “Koze kube nini, Nkosi, engcwele neqinisileyo, ungahluleli ungaphindiseli igazi lethu kulabo abahlala emhlabeni?” ufezeka. Futhi kulowo mphawu wendlela izintombi eziyiziwula neziqondayo ziveza izimilo zazo.

At the Sunday law, the United States “repudiates every principle of its Constitution.” The period of time when this work was accomplished began with the Patriot Act in 2001. 2001 until the Sunday law represents a progressive work of repudiating the Constitution. That progressive work corresponds to the line of prophecy where the formation of the image of the beast is accomplished. The line of the image of the beast may appear a bit more complicated, but the complication is worth understanding. What complicates the line of the image of the beast is that it represents two lines.

Emthethweni weSonto, i-United States “ilahla yonke imigomo yoMthethosisekelo wayo.” Isikhathi lapho lo msebenzi wawufezwa khona saqala ngoMthetho we-Patriot ngo-2001. Kusukela ngo-2001 kuze kube semthethweni weSonto kumela umsebenzi oqhubekayo wokulahla uMthethosisekelo. Lowo msebenzi oqhubekayo uhambisana nomugqa wesiprofetho lapho ukwakhiwa komfanekiso wesilo kufezwa khona. Umugqa womfanekiso wesilo ungase ubonakale uyinkimbinkimbi kancane, kodwa leyo nkimbinkimbi ifanele ukuqondwa. Okwenza umugqa womfanekiso wesilo ube yinkimbinkimbi ukuthi umelela imigqa emibili.

For the earth beast the two lines are the horns of Republicanism and Protestantism. Those two horns come together into a church-state relationship and thus fulfill the formation of the image of the beast. The line of the formation of the image of the beast therefore has two lines within the one line, for the Republican and Protestant horns run parallel to one another through history, but their individual lines also have their own prophetic testimony to bear. One prophetic line, with two parallel subjects, is more complicated than simply marking the waymarks of political actions that represent the speaking associated with the Constitution.

Esilwaneni somhlaba, le migqa emibili iyizimpondo zobuRiphabhulikhi nobuProthestani. Lezo zimpondo ezimbili zihlangana ebudlelwaneni besonto nombuso, ngaleyo ndlela zigcwalise ukwakheka komfanekiso wesilo. Ngakho-ke umugqa wokwakheka komfanekiso wesilo unemigqa emibili ngaphakathi kwalowo mugqa munye, ngoba izimpondo zobuRiphabhulikhi nobuProthestani zihamba ngokulingana omunye nomunye kuwo wonke umlando, kodwa imigqa yazo ngayinye nayo inomthwalo wayo wokufakaza ngokwesiprofetho. Umugqa owodwa wesiprofetho, onezifundo ezimbili ezihambisana ngokulingana, uyinkimbinkimbi kakhulu kunokumane kuphawulwe izimpawu zendlela zezenzo zezombusazwe ezimelela ukukhuluma okuhlotshaniswa noMthethosisekelo.

The two lines of Republican and Protestant horns is further complicated by the prophetic fact that within the Republican horn is the history of the struggle between proslavery Democrats, and antislavery Republicans; and further that within the Protestant horn there is a continual testing process that follows the wise and the foolish virgins within the history of the Protestant horn. Still, it is highly important to settle into these truths.

Imigqa emibili yezimpondo zobuRiphabhulikhi nezobuProthestani iphinde ibe yinkimbinkimbi ngokwengeziwe yiqiniso lesiprofetho lokuthi ngaphakathi kophondo lobuRiphabhulikhi kukhona umlando womzabalazo phakathi kwamaDemokhrasi asekela ubugqila, namaRiphabhulikhi amelene nobugqila; futhi ngaphezu kwalokho ukuthi ngaphakathi kophondo lobuProthestani kukhona inqubo eqhubekayo yokuvivinywa elandela izintombi ezihlakaniphileyo nezintombi eziyiziwula ngaphakathi komlando wophondo lobuProthestani. Noma kunjalo, kubaluleke kakhulu ukuba simiswe kuleli qiniso.

Within the line represented by the earth beast’s two horns is the parallel illustration of either forming a character of Christ or a character of Satan, which equates to either forming an image of Christ or an image of the beast, for in this context the “beast” represents a created being in contrast with the Creator. The formation of these attributes is accomplished internally among all men, for when probation closes there are only two classes. The formation is also accomplished externally with the alliance between the papal power and the United Nations.

Ngaphakathi emgqeni omelelwa yizimpondo ezimbili zesilo sasemhlabeni kukhona umfanekiso ofanayo wokuthi kwakhiwe ubuntu bukaKristu noma ubuntu bukaSathane, okulingana nokuthi kwakhiwe umfanekiso kaKristu noma umfanekiso wesilo; ngoba kulo mongo “isilo” simelela isidalwa esimelene noMdali. Ukwakhiwa kwalezi zimfanelo kufezwa ngaphakathi kubo bonke abantu, ngokuba lapho isikhathi somusa sesivalwa sekusele kuphela izigaba ezimbili. Lokhu kwakhiwa kuphinde kufezwe nangaphandle ngokubambisana phakathi kwamandla obupapa neZizwe Ezihlangene.

So, the testing time for the formation of the image of the beast began in 2001, and it ends at the Sunday law in the United States. In that period of time the prophetic history of the earth beast’s two horns illustrates an internal and external controversy within their respective horns, whether it be religious or political, and also a struggle between the two horns themselves.

Ngakho-ke, isikhathi sokuvivinywa sokubunjwa komfanekiso wesilo saqala ngo-2001, futhi siphela emthethweni weSonto e-United States. Kuleyo nkathi yesikhathi umlando wesiprofetho wezimpondo ezimbili zesilo somhlaba ubonakalisa impikiswano yangaphakathi neyangaphandle ngaphakathi kwezimpondo zazo ngokwazo, kungakhathaliseki ukuthi ingeyenkolo noma eyezepolitiki, kanye nomzabalazo phakathi kwalezo zimpondo ezimbili ngokwazo.

The Sunday law in the United States represents the warning to flee which Jesus identified as “the abomination of desolation.” The Sunday law in the United States is the conclusion of the period that began in 2001. The Patriot Act was the “abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel”, and identified by Jesus as a sign to flee from a coming destruction.

Umthetho weSonto e-United States umelela isixwayiso sokubaleka uJesu asichaza ngokuthi “isinengiso sencithakalo.” Umthetho weSonto e-United States uyisiphetho senkathi eyaqala ngo-2001. I-Patriot Act yayiyiso “isinengiso sencithakalo esakhulunywa nguDaniyeli”, futhi sachazwa nguJesu njengophawu lokubaleka ekubhujisweni okuzayo.

The Patriot Act includes the prophetic light of 1888, and the Blair Bill. The Patriot Act then also prophetically contains the typification of the Sunday law, so the period from 2001 begins with a Sunday law as typified by 1888—Blair Bill, 2001—Patriot Act, and it ends with the Sunday law.

I-Patriot Act ihlanganisa ukukhanya kwesiprofetho sango-1888, kanye noMthetho-sivivane kaBlair. Ngakho-ke i-Patriot Act futhi iqukethe ngokwesiprofetho ukufanekiswa komthetho weSonto, ukuze inkathi eqala ngo-2001 iqale ngomthetho weSonto njengoba ufanekiswe ngu-1888—uMthetho-sivivane kaBlair, 2001—i-Patriot Act, futhi iphethe ngomthetho weSonto.

The warning to flee the cities in 2001, typifies the warning to flee from Babylon at the Sunday law. The judgment brought upon the United States at the Sunday law typifies the judgment brought upon the entire world when Michael stands up and human probation closes. Christ’s signature as Alpha and Omega is repeatedly represented within the truths represented by the Blair Bill in 1888, and all that 1888 represents, repeating in 2001.

Isixwayiso sokubaleka emizini ngo-2001 sifanekisela isixwayiso sokuphuma eBhabhiloni ngesikhathi somthetho weSonto. Isahlulelo esehlela i-United States ngesikhathi somthetho weSonto sifanekisela isahlulelo esehlela umhlaba wonke lapho uMikayeli esukuma futhi ithuba lokuhlolwa kwesintu livala. Isiginesha kaKristu njengo-Alfa no-Omega imelwe kaningi emaqinisweni amelwe yi-Blair Bill ngo-1888, kanye nakho konke okumelelwa u-1888, kuphindaphindwa ngo-2001.

2001, which was typified by 1888, represents not only the sign to flee as represented by the abomination of desolation, but it was also represented by 66 AD and the siege of Cestius. The siege of Titus in 70 AD represents the Sunday law in the United States. The Sunday law in the United States is represented by the year 321 and the first Sunday law of Constantine, and 538 represents when the last nation of the earth succumbs to the mark of the beast.

Unyaka ka-2001, owawufanekiselwa ngu-1888, awumeleli kuphela uphawu lokubaleka njengoba lwalumelwe yisinengiso sencithakalo, kodwa futhi wawumelwe ngu-66 AD kanye nokuvinjezelwa kukaCestius. Ukuvinjezelwa kukaTitus ngo-70 AD kumele umthetho weSonto e-United States. Umthetho weSonto e-United States umelwe unyaka ka-321 kanye nomthetho wokuqala weSonto kaConstantine, kanti u-538 umelela isikhathi lapho isizwe sokugcina emhlabeni sinqotshwa uphawu lwesilo.

2001 is 1888, Cestius and the year 66 AD. The Sunday law is Titus and the years 70 and 321. 2001 is also the baptism of Jesus, and His descent in Revelation chapter ten on August 11, 1840. All these symbols contribute to the line of the Constitution.

U-2001 uyi-1888, uKhesithiyu kanye nonyaka ka-66 AD. Umthetho weSonto yiThithu kanye neminyaka ka-70 no-321. U-2001 futhi uwumbhabhadiso kaJesu, kanye nokwehla kwaKhe kuSambulo isahluko seshumi ngomhlaka 11 Agasti, 1840. Zonke lezi zimpawu zineqhaza emgqeni woMthethosisekelo.

The prophetic history of the United States runs parallel to the history of Adventism. In 1798 the papacy received its deadly wound, and 1798 was the time of the end when the portion of the prophecies of Daniel that related to the history of the first and second angels of Revelation fourteen was unsealed. There in 1798, Adventism’s prophetic beginning is marked, and in 1798 the earth-beast with lamblike horns became the sixth kingdom of Bible prophecy.

Umlando wesiprofetho wase-United States uhamba ngokuhambisana nomlando wobu-Adventist. Ngo-1798 ubupapa bamukela inxeba labo elibulalayo, futhi u-1798 kwakuyisikhathi sokuphela lapho ingxenye yeziprofetho zikaDaniyeli eyayihlobene nomlando wezingelosi zokuqala nezesibili zesAmbulo ishumi nane yambulwa. Lapho-ke ngo-1798 kuphawulwa ukuqala kobu-Adventist ngokwesiprofetho, futhi ngo-1798 isilo somhlaba esinezimpondo ezifana nezewundlu saba ngumbuso wesithupha wesiprofetho seBhayibheli.

1798 was preceded by three prophetic waymarks associated with the line of the earth beast, and therefore with the speaking of the United States, and the Constitution of the United States. Those three waymarks were the Declaration of Independence, spoken in 1776, then the Constitution in 1789, and then the Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798.

U-1798 wandulelwa yizimpawu ezintathu zesiprofetho ezihlotshaniswa nomugqa wesilo sasemhlabeni, ngakho-ke nokukhuluma kwe-United States, kanye noMthethosisekelo we-United States. Lezo zimpawu ezintathu kwakuyiSimemezelo Senkululeko, esakhulunywa ngo-1776, kwase kulandela uMthethosisekelo ngo-1789, bese kuba yiMithetho Yabokufika Neyokuvukela Umbuso yango-1798.

Those three waymarks address the prophetic line of the Constitution and mark the beginning of the sixth kingdom of Bible prophecy. The Sunday law is the end of the sixth kingdom of Bible prophecy’s reign, and therefore there must be of prophetic necessity three waymarks that precede the end, as typified by the three waymarks that preceded the beginning.

Leyo miqophamlando emithathu ibhekisa emgqeni wesiprofetho woMthethosisekelo futhi imaka ukuqala kombuso wesithupha wesiprofetho seBhayibheli. Umthetho weSonto uyisiphetho sokubusa kombuso wesithupha wesiprofetho seBhayibheli, ngakho-ke, ngokwesidingo sesiprofetho, kumelwe kube khona imiqophamlando emithathu eyandulela isiphetho, njengoba kufanekiselwa yimiqophamlando emithathu eyandulela ukuqala.

In 2001, at the fall of the towers, the Patriot Act, is typified by the Blair Bill of 1888, along with the manifest rebellion of Adventism’s leadership at the Minneapolis General Conference. A rebellion which an angel told Sister White was typified by the rebellion against Moses by Korah, Dathan and Abiram is also typified by the baptism of Christ in 27 AD, the restraint of Islam on August 11, 1840 and the Declaration of Independence in 1776, as well as the “abomination of desolation, spoken by Daniel the prophet” as a sign to flee from the coming wrath, as represented by Cestius and 66 AD.

Ngo-2001, ekuweni kwemibhoshongo, i-Patriot Act ifanekiselwa uMthethosivivinywa kaBlair ka-1888, kanye nokuvukela obala kobuholi be-Adventism eMhlanganweni Jikelele waseMinneapolis. Ukuvukela okwathi ingelosi yatshela uSister White ukuthi kwakufanekiselwa ukuvukela kukaKora, uDathani no-Abiramu kuMose, kuphinde kufanekiselwe ukubhapathizwa kukaKristu ngo-27 AD, ukuvinjelwa kwe-Islam ngo-11 Agasti 1840, neSimemezelo Sokuzimela sango-1776, kanye “nesinengiso sokuchithwa, okwakhulunywa ngaso nguDaniyeli umprofethi” njengesibonakaliso sokubaleka ulaka oluzayo, njengoba lwalumelwe nguCestius nango-66 AD.

If you can still remember that the line of prophecy we are now considering is the line of the Constitution of the United States, all of the aforementioned prophetic lines contribute to and establish the prophetic theme represented by the line of the Constitution. Yet the line which appears to be the most interconnected line is the line of the formation of the image of the beast. The image of the beast is an image of the papal beast, which is represented as a beast with a woman reigning over the beast, which is the combination of church and state with the church in control of the relationship. In order for the United States to form an image to the beast, apostate Protestantism must so control the government to the point where the government will pass and enforce religious statutes, and ultimately the Sunday law.

Uma usengakwazi ukukhumbula ukuthi umugqa wesiprofetho esesiwucabangayo manje ungumugqa woMthethosisekelo wase-United States, yonke imigqa yesiprofetho eshiwo ngenhla iyahlanganyela futhi imise isihloko sesiprofetho esimelwe ngumugqa woMthethosisekelo. Nokho umugqa obonakala uhlobene kakhulu kunayo yonke ungumugqa wokwakheka komfanekiso wesilo. Umfanekiso wesilo ungumfanekiso wesilo sobupapa, esimelwe njengesilo esinowesifazane obusa phezu kwaso, okuyinhlanganisela yebandla nombuso lapho ibandla lilawula khona lobu budlelwano. Ukuze i-United States yakhe umfanekiso wesilo, ubuProthestani obuhlubukile kumelwe bulawule uhulumeni kuze kufike ezingeni lapho uhulumeni ezophasisa futhi asebenzise imithetho yenkolo, futhi ekugcineni umthetho weSonto.

As the process of forming the image of the beast is accomplished, the Constitution, written with a premier principle which Thomas Jefferson penned as “separation of church and state,” is to be overturned. When the Protestant horn has the power to direct the Republican horn to enforce religious mandates, the very heart of the Constitution is torn apart, thus you have the prophetic relationship between the line of the Constitution and the line of the image of the beast.

Njengoba inqubo yokwakha umfanekiso wesilo ifezeka, uMthethosisekelo, owabhalwa ngomgomo oyinhloko uThomas Jefferson awubhala ngokuthi “ukwehlukaniswa kwebandla nombuso,” uzogumbuqelwa phansi. Lapho uphondo lwamaProthestani selunamandla okuqondisa uphondo lweRiphabhulikhi ukuba luphoqelele imiyalo yenkolo, yona kanye inhliziyo yoMthethosisekelo iyadabuka, ngaleyo ndlela-ke kunobudlelwane besiprofetho phakathi komugqa woMthethosisekelo nomugqa womfanekiso wesilo.

The period where the image of the beast is formed began in 2001, with the Patriot Act, and it ends at the Sunday law, when the mark of the beast is enforced. During that period the latter rain is sprinkled, for the latter rain begins to fall when the mighty angel of Revelation eighteen descends and lightens the earth with His glory, which, according to Sister White, would occur when the great buildings of New York City were brought down by a touch of the Lord.

Inkathi lapho kwakhiwa khona umfanekiso wesilo yaqala ngo-2001, ngoMthetho i-Patriot Act, futhi iphela emthethweni weSonto, lapho uphawu lwesilo luphoqelelwa. Ngaleso sikhathi imvula yangasemuva iyafafazwa, ngokuba imvula yangasemuva iqala ukuna lapho ingelosi enamandla yesAmbulo ishumi nesishiyagalombili yehla futhi ikhanyise umhlaba ngenkazimulo yayo, okuyinto, ngokukaDadewethu White, eyayizokwenzeka lapho izakhiwo ezinkulu zeDolobha laseNew York zehliswa ngokuthintwa yiNkosi.

> “The latter rain is to fall upon the people of God. A mighty angel is to come down from heaven, and the whole earth is to be lighted with his glory.” Review and Herald, April 21, 1891.

> “Imvula yokugcina izakwehlela phezu kwabantu bakaNkulunkulu. Ingelosi enamandla izakwehla ivela ezulwini, lomhlaba wonke uzakhanyiswa yinkazimulo yayo.” Review and Herald, April 21, 1891.

The period of the sprinkling of the latter rain represents a period of time when the wheat and tares of Adventism’s last generation are being sifted and purged. That sifting and purging ends at the Sunday law, and the wise virgins who possess the oil when the crisis of the Sunday law arrives, are sealed and then the Holy Spirit is poured out without measure until Michael stands up and human probation closes.

Isikhathi sokufafazwa kwemvula yokugcina simelela inkathi lapho ukolweni nokhula lwesizukulwane sokugcina sobu-Adventist kuhluzwa futhi kuhlanzwe. Lokho kuhluzwa nokuhlanzwa kuphelela emthethweni weSonto, futhi izintombi ezihlakaniphileyo ezinamafutha lapho kufika inhlekelele yomthetho weSonto, ziyabekwa uphawu; bese kuthi uMoya oNgcwele uthululwe ngaphandle kwesilinganiso kuze kube yilapho uMikayeli esukuma futhi isikhathi somusa womuntu siphela.

During the formation of the image of the beast in the United States the latter rain will be sprinkling, and during the formation of the image of the beast in the world the latter rain will be poured out without measure.

Ngesikhathi kwakhiwa umfanekiso wesilo e-United States, imvula yokugcina iyobe ifafaza; futhi ngesikhathi kwakhiwa umfanekiso wesilo emhlabeni, imvula yokugcina iyothululwa ngaphandle kwesilinganiso.

In 2001 the testing of the Laodicean Seventh-day Adventist church began, as typified by the Protestants of August 11, 1840, and by ancient Israel when Christ was baptized.

Ngo-2001 kwaqala ukuvivinywa kwebandla lama-Adventist oSuku lwesiKhombisa laseLawodisiya, njengoba kwakufanekiselwa amaProthestani ka-11 Agasti 1840, nangakwa-Israyeli wasendulo ngesikhathi uKristu ebhapathizwa.

> “The time of test is just upon us, for the loud cry of the third angel has already begun in the revelation of the righteousness of Christ, the sin-pardoning Redeemer. This is the beginning of the light of the angel whose glory shall fill the whole earth.” Selected Messages, book 1, 362.

> “Isikhathi sokuvivinywa sesisondelene phezu kwethu, ngokuba ukukhala okukhulu kwengelosi yesithathu sekuqalile kakade ekwambulweni kokulunga kukaKristu, uMhlengi othethelela isono. Lokhu kungukuqala kokukhanya kwengelosi enkazimulo yayo eyakugcwalisa umhlaba wonke.” Selected Messages, incwadi 1, 362.

The final testing process for the former covenant people begins when the light of the angel of Revelation eighteen begins to present His message. His message is also represented in the first three verses of chapter eighteen of Revelation, and those three verses were, according to Sister White fulfilled when the great buildings of New York City came down.

Inqubo yokugcina yokuvivinywa kwabantu besivumelwano sangaphambili iqala lapho ukukhanya kwengelosi yesAmbulo ishumi nesishiyagalombili kuqala ukwethula isigijimi saYo. Isigijimi saYo siphinde simelelwe emavesini amathathu okuqala esahluko seshumi nesishiyagalombili sencwadi yesAmbulo, futhi lawo mavesi amathathu, ngokukaDade White, agcwaliseka lapho izakhiwo ezinkulu zaseDolobheni laseNew York ziwela phansi.

The testing process then began, as represented by John in chapter ten of Revelation. The test was whether you would take the little book that was in the angel’s hand, and then eat it. During this testing period, while the latter rain is being sprinkled it is falling only upon those who choose to take the little book and eat it.

Inqubo yokuvivinywa yabe isiqala, njengoba imelwe nguJohane esahlukweni seshumi seSambulo. Isivivinyo kwakungukuthi, ingabe wawuyakwamukela incwadi encane eyayisesandleni sengwezi, bese uyidla. Ngalesi sikhathi sokuvivinywa, ngesikhathi imvula yokugcina ifafazwa, iwela kuphela phezu kwalabo abakhetha ukwamukela incwadi encane bayidle.

> “Many have in a great measure failed to receive the former rain. They have not obtained all the benefits that God has thus provided for them. They expect that the lack will be supplied by the latter rain. When the richest abundance of grace shall be bestowed, they intend to open their hearts to receive it. They are making a terrible mistake. The work that God has begun in the human heart in giving His light and knowledge must be continually going forward. Every individual must realize his own necessity. The heart must be emptied of every defilement and cleansed for the indwelling of the Spirit. It was by the confession and forsaking of sin, by earnest prayer and consecration of themselves to God, that the early disciples prepared for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost. The same work, only in greater degree, must be done now. Then the human agent had only to ask for the blessing, and wait for the Lord to perfect the work concerning him. It is God who began the work, and He will finish His work, making man complete in Jesus Christ. But there must be no neglect of the grace represented by the former rain. Only those who are living up to the light they have will receive greater light. Unless we are daily advancing in the exemplification of the active Christian virtues, we shall not recognize the manifestations of the Holy Spirit in the latter rain. It may be falling on hearts all around us, but we shall not discern or receive it.” Testimonies to Ministers, 506, 507.

> “Abaningi bahlulekile, ngezinga elikhulu, ukwamukela imvula yokuqala. Abakazizuzanga zonke izinzuzo uNkulunkulu abebebanike zona ngaleyo ndlela. Balindele ukuthi ukuswela lokho kuzonxeshezelwa yimvula yokugcina. Lapho kuyokhishwa inala ecebile kakhulu yomusa, bahlose ukuvula izinhliziyo zabo ukuze bayamukele. Benza iphutha elesabekayo. Umsebenzi uNkulunkulu awuqalile enhliziyweni yomuntu ngokumnika ukukhanya nolwazi kumelwe uqhubeke njalo. Wonke umuntu ngamunye kumelwe abone isidingo sakhe siqu. Inhliziyo kumelwe ikhishwe konke ukungcola, futhi ihlanzwe ukuze uMoya ahlale kuyo. Kwakungokuvuma nokuyeka isono, ngomkhuleko oqotho nangokuzinikezela kwabo kuNkulunkulu, lapho abafundi bokuqala bazilungiselela ukuthululwa kukaMoya oNgcwele ngoSuku lwePhentekoste. Umsebenzi ofanayo, kodwa ngezinga elikhulu kakhulu, kumelwe wenziwe manje. Ngaleso sikhathi umenzeli ongumuntu kwakumelwe kuphela acele isibusiso, alinde iNkosi ukuba iphelelise umsebenzi omayelana naye. NguNkulunkulu owaqala umsebenzi, futhi Uyowuqeda umsebenzi waKhe, enza umuntu aphelele kuJesu Kristu. Kodwa akumelwe kube khona ukunganakwa komusa omelelwe yimvula yokuqala. Yilabo kuphela abaphila ngokuvumelana nokukhanya abanako abayokwamukela ukukhanya okukhulu. Ngaphandle kokuba nsuku zonke siqhubekele phambili ekuboniseni izimfanelo zobuKristu ezisebenzayo, asiyikukuqaphela ukubonakaliswa kukaMoya oNgcwele emvuleni yokugcina. Kungenzeka ukuthi iyana ezinhliziyweni ezisizungezile zonke, kodwa thina singeke siyibone noma siyamukele.” Testimonies to Ministers, 506, 507.

Those who ate the message of 2001 were receiving a message appropriate for that period, but they were to be tested in order to manifest if they truly internalized the message into an experience prepared for the seal of God. In that period the latter rain is therefore represented as sprinkling, for the wheat and tares are still together. Therefore, Sister White says, “It may be falling on hearts all around us, but we shall not discern or receive it.” When the wise are separated from the foolish, the latter rain is then poured out without measure, as it was at Pentecost, which typifies the Sunday law.

Labo abadla umlayezo ka-2001 babemukela umlayezo owawufanele leso sikhathi, kodwa kwakufanele bavivinywe ukuze kubonakale ukuthi bawungenisile ngempela yini lowo myalezo waba yisipiliyoni esilungiselelwe uphawu lukaNkulunkulu. Ngakho-ke, kuleso sikhathi imvula yokugcina imelwe njengokufafazwa, ngokuba ukolweni nokhula kuse ndawonye. Ngalokho, uDade White uthi, “Kungenzeka ukuthi iyana phezu kwezinhliziyo ezisizungezile, kodwa thina ngeke siyibone noma siyamukele.” Lapho abahlakaniphileyo sebehlukanisiwe nabayiziwula, imvula yokugcina isibe isithululwa ngaphandle kwesilinganiso, njengasePentekoste, okufanekisa umthetho weSonto.

> “Again, these parables teach that there is to be no probation after the judgment. When the work of the gospel is completed, there immediately follows the separation between the good and the evil, and the destiny of each class is forever fixed.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 123.

> “Futhi, le mifanekiso ifundisa ukuthi ngeke kusaba khona isikhathi somusa ngemva kokwahlulelwa. Lapho umsebenzi wevangeli usuqediwe, kulandela masinyane ukuhlukaniswa phakathi kwabalungileyo nababi, futhi isiphetho seqembu ngalinye simiswa phakade.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 123.

The period of the sprinkling of the latter rain, followed by a period when the latter rain is poured out without measure, are also illustrated as two periods where judgment is accomplished upon God’s people. The first period of judgment upon God’s people began with the house of God on September 11, 2001, and at the Sunday law judgment is then accomplished for God’s other flock who are responding to or rejecting the loud cry of the third angel that begins at the Sunday law in the United States, and ends when Michael stands up, and human probation closes.

Isikhathi sokufafazwa kwemvula yokugcina, silandelwa yisikhathi lapho imvula yokugcina ithululwa khona ngaphandle kwesilinganiso, siphinde siboniswe njengezikhathi ezimbili lapho ukwahlulela kufezwa phezu kwabantu bakaNkulunkulu. Isikhathi sokuqala sokwahlulela phezu kwabantu bakaNkulunkulu saqala ngendlu kaNkulunkulu ngo-September 11, 2001, kuthi ekwahlulelweni komthetho weSonto lokho kwahlulela kube sekufezelwa omunye umhlambi kaNkulunkulu, abasabelayo noma abenqabayo isimemezelo esikhulu sengelosi yesithathu esiqala ngomthetho weSonto e-United States, futhi siphela lapho uMikayeli esukuma, nokuphela kwesikhathi somusa wesintu.

The two periods of the latter rain, which are also the two periods of the judgment which begins with the house of God, and then moves to God’s other flock, are also the two periods of the formation of the image of the beast.

Izikhathi ezimbili zemvula yakamuva, eziphinde zibe yizikhathi ezimbili zokwahlulela okuqala endlini kaNkulunkulu, bese kudlulela komunye umhlambi kaNkulunkulu, futhi ziyizikhathi ezimbili zokwakheka komfanekiso wesilo.

Within the first of those two prophetic periods, when judgment is brought upon God’s church and also the United States, is the very same history where the Republican horn and the Protestant horn are both judged. Right where Laodicean Adventism is spewed out of the mouth of the Lord, the United States fills its probationary cup, and national ruin is brought upon the nation, and Satan then appears and begins his marvelous work. The one hundred and forty-four thousand are sealed and lifted up as an ensign at the Sunday law.

Phakathi kwesokuqala salezo zikhathi ezimbili zesiprofetho, lapho isahlulelo sehlelwa ibandla likaNkulunkulu kanye ne-United States, kulapho impela kutholakala khona umlando ofanayo lapho uphondo lweRiphabhulikhi nophondo lwamaProthestani kwahlulelwa khona kokubili. Khona lapho i-Adventism yaseLawodikeya ikhafelwa iphumiswe emlonyeni weNkosi, i-United States igcwalisa indebe yayo yesivivinyo, futhi incithakalo yesizwe ilethwa phezu kwaleso sizwe, uSathane abe esevela aqale umsebenzi wakhe omangalisayo. Izinkulungwane eziyikhulu namashumi amane nane nane ziyabekwa uphawu futhi ziphakanyiswe njengophawu ngesikhathi somthetho weSonto.

We are informed that it is impossible to give any idea of “the experience of the people of God who shall be alive upon the earth when celestial glory and a repetition of the persecutions of the past are blended.”

Siyatshelwa ukuthi akunakwenzeka ukunikeza noma umbono muni “ngokuhlangenwe nakho kwabantu bakaNkulunkulu abayobe besaphila emhlabeni lapho inkazimulo yasezulwini nokuphindaphindwa kokushushiswa kwangesikhathi esidlule kuhlanganiswa.”

> “Satan is a diligent Bible student. He knows that his time is short, and he seeks at every point to counterwork the work of the Lord upon this earth. It is impossible to give any idea of the experience of the people of God who shall be alive upon the earth when celestial glory and a repetition of the persecutions of the past are blended. They will walk in the light proceeding from the throne of God. By means of the angels there will be constant communication between heaven and earth. And Satan, surrounded by evil angels, and claiming to be God, will work miracles of all kinds, to deceive, if possible, the very elect. God’s people will not find their safety in working miracles, for Satan will counterfeit the miracles that will be wrought. God’s tried and tested people will find their power in the sign spoken of in Exodus 31:12–18. They are to take their stand on the living word: ‘It is written.’ This is the only foundation upon which they can stand securely. Those who have broken their covenant with God will in that day be without God and without hope.” Testimonies, volume 9, 16.

> “USathane ungumfundi weBhayibheli okhuthele. Uyazi ukuthi isikhathi sakhe sifushane, futhi uzama kuzo zonke izindawo ukuphikisa umsebenzi weNkosi kulo mhlaba. Akunakwenzeka ukunikeza noma yimuphi umqondo wokuhlangenwe nakho kwabantu bakaNkulunkulu abayobe besaphila emhlabeni lapho inkazimulo yasezulwini nokuphindaphindwa kokuhlushwa kwasendulo kuhlanganiswa. Bayohamba ekukhanyeni okuvela esihlalweni sobukhosi sikaNkulunkulu. Ngezinceku zezingelosi kuyoba khona ukuxhumana okuqhubekayo phakathi kwezulu nomhlaba. Futhi uSathane, ezungezwe yizingelosi ezimbi, futhi ethi unguNkulunkulu, uyokwenza izimangaliso zazo zonke izinhlobo, ukuze akhohlise, uma kungenzeka, ngisho nabakhethiweyo. Abantu bakaNkulunkulu abayikuthola ukuphepha kwabo ekwenzeni izimangaliso, ngoba uSathane uyokopela izimangaliso eziyokwenziwa. Abantu bakaNkulunkulu abavivinyiwe nabahloliwe bayokuthola amandla abo esibonakalisweni okukhulunywe ngaso ku-Eksodusi 31:12–18. Kumelwe bathathe ukuma kwabo phezu kwezwi eliphilayo: ‘Kulotshiwe.’ Lesi yiso sodwa isisekelo abangema kuso ngokuphepha okuqinile. Labo abephule isivumelwano sabo noNkulunkulu ngalolo suku bayokuba ngaphandle kukaNkulunkulu futhi bengenathemba.” Testimonies, volume 9, 16.

The repetition of the persecutions of the past begins at the Sunday law in the United States, for Satan begins his marvelous work at that time, and the wise virgins who have already been “tried and tested,” will then “walk in the light proceeding from the throne of God.” This will be accomplished through the work of angels, for “by means of the angels there will be constant communication between heaven and earth.”

Ukuphindaphindwa kokuhlushwa kwasendulo kuqala ngomthetho weSonto e-United States, ngokuba uSathane uqala umsebenzi wakhe omangalisayo ngaleso sikhathi, kuthi izintombi ezihlakaniphileyo esezivele “zazanywa zavivinywa,” khona-ke “zihambe ekukhanyeni okuvela esihlalweni sobukhosi sikaNkulunkulu.” Lokhu kuyofezwa ngomsebenzi wezingelosi, ngokuba “ngokusebenzisa izingelosi kuyoba nokuxhumana okuqhubekayo phakathi kwezulu nomhlaba.”

> “The anointed ones standing by the Lord of the whole earth, have the position once given to Satan as covering cherub. By the holy beings surrounding his throne, the Lord keeps up a constant communication with the inhabitants of the earth. The golden oil represents the grace with which God keeps the lamps of believers supplied, that they shall not flicker and go out. Were it not that this holy oil is poured from heaven in the messages of God’s Spirit, the agencies of evil would have entire control over men.

> “Abagcotshiweyo abami eceleni kweNkosi yomhlaba wonke, banesikhundla esake sanikwa uSathane njengokherubi ombozayo. Ngezidalwa ezingcwele ezizungeze isihlalo sakhe sobukhosi, iNkosi igcina ukuxhumana okuqhubekayo nabahlali bomhlaba. Amafutha egolide amele umusa uNkulunkulu agcina ngawo izibani zabakholwayo zinikeziwe, ukuze zingacwayizi zicime. Ukube bekungengenxa yokuthi la mafutha angcwele athululwa evela ezulwini emilayezweni kaMoya kaNkulunkulu, amandla obubi ayeyokuba nokulawula okuphelele phezu kwabantu.”

> “God is dishonored when we do not receive the communications which he sends us. Thus we refuse the golden oil which he would pour into our souls to be communicated to those in darkness. When the call shall come, ‘Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him,’ those who have not received the holy oil, who have not cherished the grace of Christ in their hearts, will find, like the foolish virgins, that they are not ready to meet their Lord. They have not, in themselves, the power to obtain the oil, and their lives are wrecked. But if God’s Holy Spirit is asked for, if we plead, as did Moses, ‘Show me thy glory,’ the love of God will be shed abroad in our hearts. Through the golden pipes, the golden oil will be communicated to us. ‘Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of Hosts.’ By receiving the bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness, God’s children shine as lights in the world.” Review and Herald, July 20, 1897.

> “UNkulunkulu uyadunyazwa lapho singazamukeli izimemezelo asithumela zona. Ngalokho siyenqaba amafutha egolide abengawathululela emiphefumulweni yethu ukuze adluliselwe kulabo abasebumnyameni. Lapho sekufika isimemezelo esithi, ‘Bhekani, umkhwenyana uyeza; phumani nimhlangabeze,’ labo abangawamukelanga amafutha angcwele, abangalisondelanga ngomusa kaKristu ezinhliziyweni zabo, bayothola, njengezintombi eziyiziwula, ukuthi abakulungele ukuhlangana neNkosi yabo. Abanawo, ngaphakathi kwabo, amandla okuzuza lawo mafutha, futhi ukuphila kwabo kuyabhidlika. Kodwa uma kucelwa uMoya oNgcwele kaNkulunkulu, uma sincenga, njengoba kwenza uMose, sithi, ‘Ngibonise inkazimulo yakho,’ uthando lukaNkulunkulu luyakuthululwa ezinhliziyweni zethu. Ngamapayipi egolide, amafutha egolide ayakudluliselwa kithi. ‘Akusikho ngamandla, futhi akusikho ngokuqina, kodwa ngoMoya wami, usho uJehova Sebawoti.’ Ngokwamukela imisebe ekhanyayo yeLanga Lokulunga, abantwana bakaNkulunkulu bakhanya njengezibani emhlabeni.” Review and Herald, Julayi 20, 1897.

The wise are those who are sealed in Revelation chapter seven and Ezekiel chapter nine, and who are contrasted with the foolish who dishonor the Lord, by refusing “the communications he sends.” The foolish are those “who have broken their covenant with God who will in that day be without God and without hope.” Those two classes were tested and brought to a point where they manifested their character based upon whether they accepted or rejected the message of the hour. The message of the hour since September 11, 2001 has been the message of the latter rain.

Abahlakaniphile yilabo abekwa uphawu kuSambulo isahluko sesikhombisa nakuHezekeli isahluko sesishiyagalolunye, futhi abaphikiswa neziwula ezihlazisa iNkosi ngokwenqaba “ukuxhumana ekuthumelayo.” Iziwula yilabo “abephule isivumelwano sabo noNkulunkulu, abayothi ngalolo suku babe ngaphandle kukaNkulunkulu futhi bengenathemba.” Lawo maqembu amabili avivinywa futhi alethwa endaweni lapho abonakalisa khona isimilo sawo ngokusekelwe ekutheni ayamukela noma ayayenqaba yini umyalezo walelo hora. Umyalezo walelo hora kusukela ngoSepthemba 11, 2001, ubuyilowo wemvula yokugcina.

The message of the latter rain is recognized by the methodology of line upon line as set forth in Isaiah chapter twenty-eight. The methodology of line upon line is God’s appointed method of biblical study, and therefore to reject that methodology is not only to reject the message represented through the application of line upon line, from here a little and there a little, it is also to reject the Giver of the methodology.

Umyalezo wemvula yangemva uyabonakala ngendlela yomugqa phezu komugqa, njengoba kubekiwe ku-Isaya isahluko samashumi amabili nesishiyagalombili. Indlela yomugqa phezu komugqa iyindlela kaNkulunkulu emisiwe yokutadisha iBhayibheli, ngakho-ke ukwenqaba leyo ndlela akusikho kuphela ukwenqaba umyalezo omelwe ngokusetshenziswa komugqa phezu komugqa, lapha okuncane nalaphaya okuncane, kodwa futhi kuwukwenqaba uMniki wale ndlela.

Because of the inspired parameters revealed in the testing process that leads to the sealing of the one hundred and forty-four thousand, it is apparent that the only way a child of God can navigate through the history where “celestial glory and a repetition of the persecutions of the past are blended,” is to be in an experience where the light from the throne of God can be recognized. It must be recognized, or it is useless, and we are lost.

Ngenxa yemingcele ephefumulelwe eyambulwa enqubweni yokuvivinywa eholela ekubekweni uphawu kwabayizinkulungwane eziyikhulu namashumi amane nane, kusobala ukuthi okuwukuphela kwendlela umntwana kaNkulunkulu angadabula ngayo emlandweni lapho “inkazimulo yasezulwini nokuphindwa kokuhlushwa kwangesikhathi esedlule kuhlanganiswe ndawonye,” ukuhlala esesimweni sokuhlangenwe nakho lapho ukukhanya okuvela esihlalweni sobukhosi sikaNkulunkulu kungabonakala khona. Kumele kubonakale, kungenjalo akusizi ngalutho, futhi silahlekile.

> “We must not wait for the latter rain. It is coming upon all who will recognize and appropriate the dew and showers of grace that fall upon us. When we gather up the fragments of light, when we appreciate the sure mercies of God, who loves to have us trust Him, then every promise will be fulfilled. [Isaiah 61:11 quoted.] The whole earth is to be filled with the glory of God.” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, volume 7, 984.

> “Akumelwe silinde imvula yokugcina. Iza phezu kwabo bonke abayokubona futhi bazenzele owabo amazolo nezihlambi zomusa eziwela phezu kwethu. Lapho siqoqa izicucwana zokukhanya, lapho siwazisa umusa oqinisekileyo kaNkulunkulu, othanda ukuba simethembe Yena, khona-ke zonke izithembiso ziyogcwaliseka. [Kucashunwe u-Isaya 61:11.] Umhlaba wonke uyakugcwala inkazimulo kaNkulunkulu.” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, volume 7, 984.

In the period that began when the angel of Revelation eighteen fills the whole earth with His glory, beginning on September 11, 2001, the latter rain has only come “upon” those “who” have “recognized and appropriated the dew and showers of grace that” is “falling upon us.” The “great mistake” identified earlier by Sister White, was when the foolish virgins thought they could wait until the latter rain was poured out without measure, for then they thought they could catch up. Not so, only those who are growing in their understanding of God’s prophetic Word receive more light.

Esikhathini esaqala lapho ingelosi yesAmbulo isahluko 18 igcwalisa umhlaba wonke ngenkazimulo yaYo, siqala ngoSepthemba 11, 2001, imvula yakamuva ifike kuphela “phezu” kwalabo “aba” “abavumile futhi bazisebenzisela amazolo nezihlambi zomusa ezi” “ziwela phezu kwethu.” “Iphutha elikhulu” elakhonjwa ngaphambili nguDadewethu White, kwakungesikhathi izintombi eziyiziwula zicabanga ukuthi zingalinda kuze kuthululwe imvula yakamuva ngaphandle kwesilinganiso, ngoba ngaleso sikhathi zazicabanga ukuthi zingabe sezibamba. Akunjalo; kuphela labo abakhulayo ekuqondeni kwabo iZwi likaNkulunkulu lesiprofetho abamukela ukukhanya okwengeziwe.

As we conclude this article, the point I wish to identify is in connection with the purpose of the testing time we are now in. If we are to “walk in the light proceeding from the throne of God” in the time when the persecutions of the past are repeated, we will need to master the prophetic Word in advance of the crisis.

Njengoba siphetha lesi sihloko, iphuzu engifisa ukuliveza lihlobene nenhloso yesikhathi sokuvivinywa esikuso manje. Uma sizohamba “ekukhanyeni okuvela esihlalweni sobukhosi sikaNkulunkulu” esikhathini lapho ukuphindaphindwa kokushushiswa kwangesikhathi esidlule kwenzeka, kuyodingeka ukuba silazi kahle iZwi lesiprofetho ngaphambi kokuba kufike leyo nhlekelele.

In chapter one, Daniel and the three worthies had already perfected their education before they went in to be tested by Nebuchadnezzar. For forty days Christ opened the prophetic Word to the understanding of the disciples in advance of the ten days where the disciples perfected their unity. Then came Pentecost, which typifies the Sunday law.

Esahlukweni sokuqala, uDaniyeli namalunga amathathu ayesevele ephelelise ukufundiswa kwawo ngaphambi kokungena ukuba avivinywe nguNebukhadinezari. Izinsuku ezingamashumi amane uKristu wavulela ukuqonda kwabafundi iZwi lesiprofetho kusengaphambili ngaphambi kwezinsuku eziyishumi lapho abafundi baphelelisa ubunye babo. Kwase kufika iPhentekoste, elifanekisela umthetho weSonto.

In Daniel chapter three, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego informed Nebuchadnezzar they needed no extra time, for they were already settled as to what they were to do in the Sunday law testing time. Their faithfulness was magnified when they walked in the furnace with Christ, and the message they had already settled into before the test was carried to all the then-known world by all the visiting dignitaries that witnessed the miracle in the furnace.

Esahlukweni sesithathu sikaDaniyeli, uShadiraki, uMeshaki no-Abedinego batshela uNebukadinesari ukuthi babengadingi esinye isikhathi esengeziwe, ngoba base bevele bemi ngokuqinile mayelana nalokho ababeyokwenza esikhathini sokuvivinywa komthetho weSonto. Ukwethembeka kwabo kwakhuliswa lapho behamba esithandweni somlilo benoKristu, futhi umlayezo ababese bevele bezinze kuwo ngaphambi kokuvivinywa wathwalwa waya kuwo wonke umhlaba owawwaziwa ngaleso sikhathi yizo zonke izicukuthwane ezazivakashile ezafakaza isimangaliso esithandweni somlilo.

We will continue these thoughts in the next article.

Sizoqhubeka nale micabango esihlokweni esilandelayo.

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