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# The Book of Daniel - Number Fifty-Five

Incwadi kaDaniyeli - Inombolo Yamashumi Amahlanu Nanhlanu

Unveiling the Prophetic Tapestry: Gabriel’s Revelation to Daniel

Ukuvezwa Kwendwangu Yesiprofetho: Isambulo SikaGabriyeli KuDaniyeli

Author

Jeff Pippenger

Published

January 19, 2024

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Gabriel came to Daniel after he had come to understand the seventy years of captivity of the prophecy of Jeremiah, and the oath and curse of Moses.

UGabriyeli weza kuDaniyeli emva kokuba esefinyelele ekuqondeni iminyaka engamashumi ayisikhombisa yokuthunjwa kwesiprofetho sikaJeremiya, nesifungo nesiqalekiso sikaMose.

> In the first year of his reign I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem. . . . Yea, all Israel have transgressed thy law, even by departing, that they might not obey thy voice; therefore the curse is poured upon us, and the oath that is written in the law of Moses the servant of God, because we have sinned against him. And he hath confirmed his words, which he spake against us, and against our judges that judged us, by bringing upon us a great evil: for under the whole heaven hath not been done as hath been done upon Jerusalem. As it is written in the law of Moses, all this evil is come upon us: yet made we not our prayer before the Lord our God, that we might turn from our iniquities, and understand thy truth. Therefore hath the Lord watched upon the evil, and brought it upon us: for the Lord our God is righteous in all his works which he doeth: for we obeyed not his voice. Daniel 9:2, 11–14.

> Ngonyaka wokuqala wokubusa kwakhe mina Daniyeli ngaqonda ngezincwadi inani leminyaka, okwafika ngalo izwi likaJehova kuJeremiya umprofethi, ukuthi wayezogcwalisa iminyaka engamashumi ayisikhombisa ekuchithweni kweJerusalema.... Yebo, wonke u-Israyeli weqe umthetho wakho, ngisho nangokuphambuka, ukuze bangalaleli izwi lakho; ngalokho isiqalekiso sithelwe phezu kwethu, nesifungo esilotshiwe emthethweni kaMose inceku kaNkulunkulu, ngokuba sonile kuye. Futhi uqinisile amazwi akhe awakhuluma ngathi nangabahluleli bethu abasahlulelayo, ngokusilethela ububi obukhulu; ngokuba phansi kwezulu lonke akukaze kwenziwe njengalokhu okwenziwe phezu kweJerusalema. Njengokulotshiwe emthethweni kaMose, bonke lobu bubi bufikile phezu kwethu; nokho asizange sincenge phambi kukaJehova uNkulunkulu wethu, ukuze siphenduke ebubini bethu, siqonde iqiniso lakho. Ngalokho uJehova waqaphela ububi, wabuletha phezu kwethu; ngokuba uJehova uNkulunkulu wethu ulungile kuyo yonke imisebenzi yakhe ayenzayo; ngokuba asilizwanga izwi lakhe. Daniyeli 9:2, 11–14.

The word that Daniel used that is translated as “the oath,” is the same word Moses used that is translated as “seven times,” in Leviticus twenty-six. Sister White informs us that in chapter nine, Daniel was seeking to understand the relationship of Jeremiah’s period of seventy years and the period of twenty-three hundred years. Gabriel had been commanded in chapter eight to make Daniel understand the vision of the twenty-three hundred days, and Gabriel is finishing his work when he returns in chapter nine, and informs Daniel to mentally separate the two visions that have been the theme of chapters, seven, eight and also nine. Those two visions are the theme of the “increase of knowledge” that was unsealed in 1798.

Igama uDaniyeli alisebenzisayo, elihunyushwe ngokuthi “isifungo,” liyilo kanye igama uMose alisebenzisayo, elihunyushwe ngokuthi “izikhathi eziyisikhombisa,” kuLevitikusi 26. USister White uyasazisa ukuthi esahlukweni sesishiyagalolunye, uDaniyeli wayefuna ukuqonda ubudlelwano phakathi kwesikhathi sikaJeremiya seminyaka engamashumi ayisikhombisa nesikhathi seminyaka eyizinkulungwane ezimbili namakhulu amathathu. UGabriyeli wayeyalelwe esahlukweni sesishiyagalombili ukuba enze uDaniyeli aqonde umbono wezinsuku eziyizinkulungwane ezimbili namakhulu amathathu, futhi uGabriyeli uqedela umsebenzi wakhe lapho ebuya esahlukweni sesishiyagalolunye, futhi azise uDaniyeli ukuba ngokwengqondo ahlukanise le mibono emibili ebiyisihloko sezihluko zesikhombisa, zesishiyagalombili, kanye nesesishiyagalolunye. Leyo mibono emibili iyisihloko “sokwanda kolwazi” olwavulwa uphawu ngonyaka ka-1798.

Jeremiah’s seventy years and the “curse” of Moses are both symbols of the “seven times,” as represented by Moses’ “oath,” but Gabriel is going to present the breakdown of the period of twenty-three hundred years. It can only be rightly divided when the relation of the vision (“chazon”) of the trampling down, and the vision (“mareh”) of the appearance are rightly divided. Gabriel began by identifying that a probationary period of four hundred and ninety years was given for the Jews. That period was the same as the four hundred and ninety year period of rebellion which had produced the seventy years of captivity.

Iminyaka engamashumi ayisikhombisa kaJeremiya kanye “nesiqalekiso” sikaMose kokubili kuyizimpawu “zezikhathi eziyisikhombisa,” njengoba zimelwe “yisifungo” sikaMose, kodwa uGabriyeli uzokwethula ukuhlukaniswa kwesikhathi seminyaka eyizinkulungwane ezimbili namakhulu amathathu. Singahlukaniswa ngokufanele kuphela lapho ubudlelwano bombono (“chazon”) wokunyathelwa phansi, nombono (“mareh”) wokubonakala kuhlukaniswa ngokufanele. UGabriyeli waqala ngokubonisa ukuthi isikhathi sokuhlolwa seminyaka engamakhulu amane namashumi ayisishiyagalolunye sanikezwa amaJuda. Leso sikhathi sasifana nesikhathi seminyaka engamakhulu amane namashumi ayisishiyagalolunye sokuvukela esasikhiqize iminyaka engamashumi ayisikhombisa yokuthunjwa.

The word “determined” in verse twenty-four addresses the period from the going forth of the third decree in 457 BC, until the stoning of Stephen in 34 AD, but the word “determined” in verses twenty-six and twenty-seven is identifying the desolating powers of paganism and papalism.

Igama elithi “kunqunyiwe” evesini lamashumi amabili nane likhuluma ngenkathi esukela ekuphumeni komyalo wesithathu ngo-457 BC kuze kube sekukhandweni ngamatshe kukaStefanu ngo-34 AD, kodwa igama elithi “kunqunyiwe” emavesini lamashumi amabili nesithupha nelamashumi amabili nesikhombisa likhomba amandla enza incithakalo obuhedeni nobobupapa.

> And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. Daniel 9:26, 27.

> Ngemva kwamasonto angamashumi ayisithupha nambili uMesiya uyakusikwa, kodwa kungabi ngenxa yakhe; nabantu benkosi ezakuza bayakulichitha umuzi nendlu engcwele; futhi ukuphela kwalo kuyakuba ngezikhukhula, kuze kube sekupheleni kwempi incithakalo imisiwe. Futhi yena uyakuqinisa isivumelwano nabaningi isonto elilodwa; phakathi nesonto uyakumisa umhlatshelo nomnikelo ukuba kuphele, kuthi ngenxa yokwanda kwezinengiso uyakulenza libe yincithakalo, kuze kube sekuphelelisweni; nalokho okumisiwe kuyakuthululelwa phezu kwelichithakeleyo. Daniyeli 9:26, 27.

Gabriel informs Daniel that “after” the “Messiah” was “cut off” the “people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary.” Pagan Rome destroyed the “city and sanctuary” in the siege that lasted exactly three and a half years from the year 66 to 70 AD. Gabriel identifies that “the end of the war” would be “with a flood,” and that the war would consist of “desolations.” The war that was accomplished against Jerusalem and the sanctuary was the trampling down that was accomplished by paganism and papalism. The pagan power that would destroy Jerusalem in the beginning was Babylon, but the pagan power that would destroy it after the Messiah was crucified was pagan Rome. But the war against the sanctuary and host was accomplished by two desolating powers, and the second of the two desolating powers in the Scriptures is the papacy.

UGabriyeli wazisa uDaniyeli ukuthi “emva kokuba” “uMesiya” “esuswe,” “abantu benkosana ezayo bayakuchitha umuzi nendlu engcwele.” IRoma yobuqaba yachitha “umuzi nendlu engcwele” ekuvinjezelweni okwathatha khona kanye iminyaka emithathu nengxenye kusukela ngonyaka ka-66 kuya ku-70 AD. UGabriyeli ubonisa ukuthi “ukuphela kwempi” kwakuyokuba “kube ngozamcolo,” nokuthi impi yayiyokuba ngeyoku “cekelwa phansi.” Impi eyafezwa imelene neJerusalema nendlu engcwele kwakuyikunyathelwa phansi okwafezwa ubuqaba nobupapa. Umbuso wobuqaba owawuyochitha iJerusalema ekuqaleni kwakuyiBhabhiloni, kodwa umbuso wobuqaba owawuyochitha ngemva kokuba uMesiya ebethelwe kwakuyiRoma yobuqaba. Kepha impi emelene nendlu engcwele nebandla yafezwa ngamandla amabili okuchitha, futhi owesibili kulawo mandla amabili okuchitha emiBhalweni ungubupapa.

The papacy is the power represented as the “overflowing scourge,” it is the power in verse forty of Daniel eleven, that “overflows and passes over.” The trampling down of Jerusalem that began with Babylon, and continued with the iron nation that spoke dark sentences as represented by Moses in Deuteronomy, was followed by the papacy. Until the end of the trampling down “desolations” were “determined.” In verse twenty-seven, Christ confirms the covenant with many for one week. In the middle of that week, the earthly sacrificial system would cease as Christ began his high priestly ministry in the sanctuary in heaven. Because of the Jews’ disobedience during the probationary time that had been cut off for them, the sanctuary and city were again to be made desolate.

Ubupapa bungamandla amelwe njengesi“sishayo esichichimayo,” bungamandla asevesini lamashumi amane kaDaniyeli ishumi nanye, “achichimayo adlule.” Ukunyathelwa phansi kweJerusalema okwaqala ngeBabiloni, kwaqhubeka ngesizwe sensimbi esasikhuluma amazwi amnyama njengoba sasimelwe nguMose kuDuteronomi, kwalandelwa ubupapa. Kwaze kwaba sekupheleni kokunyathelwa phansi “izincithakalo” “zazimisiwe.” Evesini lamashumi amabili nesikhombisa, uKristu uqinisekisa isivumelwano nabaningi isonto elilodwa. Maphakathi nalelo sonto, uhlelo lomhlaba lwemihlatshelo lwaluzophela njengoba uKristu eqala inkonzo yakhe yobupristi obukhulu endlini engcwele ezulwini. Ngenxa yokungalaleli kwamaJuda ngesikhathi somusa esasinqanyulelwe wona, indlu engcwele nomuzi kwakuzophinde kwenziwe incithakalo.

The verse says “for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.” When the Jews finally filled their cup of probationary time to the brim, the city and sanctuary were to be desolate until the end of the war. At the “consummation” of the trampling down in 1798, it had been “determined” that the papacy would receive a deadly wound. Then the city and the sanctuary were to be restored and rebuilt, as typified when the Jews came out of literal Babylon under the three decrees.

Ivesi lithi, “ngokwandiswa kwezinyanyiso uyakwenza kube yincithakalo, kuze kube sekupheleni; nalokho okumisiweyo kuyakuthululelwa phezu kwaleyo ncithakalo.” Lapho amaJuda ekugcineni egcwalisa indebe yesikhathi sawo sokuvivinywa yaze yachichima, umuzi nendlu engcwele kwakuzakuba yincithakalo kuze kube sekupheleni kwempi. “Ekupheleni” kokunyathelwa phansi ngo-1798, kwase “kumisiweyo” ukuthi upapa uzamukela isilonda esibulalayo. Khona-ke umuzi nendlu engcwele kwakumele kubuyiselwe futhi kwakhiwe kabusha, njengoba kwafaniswa ngesikhathi amaJuda ephuma eBabiloni elingokoqobo ngaphansi kwezimemezelo ezintathu.

Until the consummation of that war Jerusalem was to be trampled down by the papal power. The prophetic periods that make up the distinct periods within the twenty-three hundred years can only be understood correctly when the relation of the vision of trampling down of the seventy years is understood in connection with the vision of the restoration of the sanctuary and host. To reject the vision of the scattering of Moses curse is to reject the vision of the gathering. The vision of the seventy years is the vision of the scattering. The vision of the twenty-three hundred years is the vision of the gathering. The vision of the seventy years is the “chazon” vision of the scattering, and the vision of the twenty-three hundred years is the “mareh” vision of the gathering.

Kuze kube sekuphelelisweni kwaleyo mpi iJerusalema lalizokhandwa phansi ngamandla obupapa. Izikhathi zesiprofetho ezakha izikhathi ezihlukene phakathi kweminyaka eyizinkulungwane ezimbili namakhulu amathathu zingaqondwa kahle kuphela lapho ubudlelwane bombono wokukhandwa phansi beminyaka engamashumi ayisikhombisa buqondwa maqondana nombono wokubuyiselwa kwendawo engcwele kanye nebutho. Ukwenqaba umbono wokuhlakazeka kwesiqalekiso sikaMose kuwukwenqaba umbono wokubuthwa ndawonye. Umbono weminyaka engamashumi ayisikhombisa ungumbono wokuhlakazeka. Umbono weminyaka eyizinkulungwane ezimbili namakhulu amathathu ungumbono wokubuthwa ndawonye. Umbono weminyaka engamashumi ayisikhombisa ungumbono we-“chazon” wokuhlakazeka, kanti umbono weminyaka eyizinkulungwane ezimbili namakhulu amathathu ungumbono we-“mareh” wokubuthwa ndawonye.

> What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. Mark 10:9.

> Ngakho-ke lokho uNkulunkulu akuhlanganisile, makungahlukaniswa ngumuntu. Marku 10:9.

The two visions have been prophetically joined together, and to reject one is to reject them both. This fact identifies that in spite of Adventism claiming that they uphold the twenty-three hundred year prophecy, they have rejected the central pillar of Adventism, as certainly as they rejected the “seven times” in 1863. Did not the Jews profess to keep the law of God? Did not ancient Israel profess to be looking for the Messiah? Profession is meaningless if it does not uphold the Word of God.

Le mibono emibili ihlanganiswe ndawonye ngokwesiprofetho, futhi ukwenqaba owodwa kuwukwenqaba yomibili. Leli qiniso libonisa ukuthi, nakuba ubu-Adventist bethi buyasisekela isiprofetho seminyaka eyizinkulungwane ezimbili namakhulu amathathu, buyenqabile insika emaphakathi yobuqiniso be-Adventist, ngokuqinisekileyo njengalokhu benqaba “izikhathi eziyisikhombisa” ngo-1863. AmaJuda awazange yini azibize ngokuthi agcina umthetho kaNkulunkulu na? U-Israyeli wasendulo awuzange yini uzibize ngokuthi ubheke uMesiya na? Ukuzibiza akunamsebenzi uma kungalondolozi iZwi likaNkulunkulu.

The Millerites eventually identified October 22, 1844, as the termination of the period of twenty-three hundred days, but their understanding was limited. It was not until after the great disappointment that light came concerning the heavenly sanctuary and Christ’s appearance in the Most Holy Place on that date. Not until after that date, did they see the third angel’s message and the law of God.

AbakwaMiller ekugcineni babona u-22 Okthoba 1844 njengokuphela kwesikhathi sezinsuku eziyizinkulungwane ezimbili namakhulu amathathu, kodwa ukuqonda kwabo kwakulinganiselwe. Kwaze kwaba ngemva kokudumala okukhulu lapho ukukhanya kwafika khona ngokuphathelene nendlu engcwele yasezulwini kanye nokubonakala kukaKristu eNdaweni eNgcwele Kakhulu ngalolo suku. Kwaze kwaba ngemva kwalolo suku lapho babona khona umlayezo wengelosi yesithathu nomthetho kaNkulunkulu.

The Lord intended to increase the prophetic light associated with the twenty-three hundred years, and in 1856, he opened the door to further light, and over the next seven years Adventism closed that door. It was not until after September 11, 2001, that the Lord led students of prophecy back to Hiram Edson’s articles, and the light of the “seven times,” once again began to increase.

INkosi yayihlose ukwandisa ukukhanya kwesiprofetho okuhlobene neminyaka eyizinkulungwane ezimbili namakhulu amathathu, futhi ngo-1856 yavula umnyango wokukhanya okwengeziwe, kwathi eminyakeni eyisikhombisa eyalandela ubu-Adventism bawuvala lowo mnyango. Kwaze kwaba ngemva kukaSepthemba 11, 2001, lapho iNkosi ihola abafundi besiprofetho ukuba babuyele ezihlokweni zikaHiram Edson, ukukhanya “kwezikhathi eziyisikhombisa” saqala futhi ukwanda.

Refusing to see the relation between the twenty-three hundred year prophecy and the prophecy of twenty-five hundred and twenty years, Adventism came to understand October 22, 1844 in a stunted and incomplete fashion.

Ngokwenqaba ukubona ubudlelwane obuphakathi kwesiprofetho seminyaka eyizinkulungwane ezimbili namakhulu amathathu nesiprofetho seminyaka eyizinkulungwane ezimbili namakhulu amahlanu namashumi amabili, ubu-Adventisti bafinyelela ekuqondeni u-Okthoba 22, 1844 ngendlela encishisiwe nengaphelele.

Once S. S. Snow locked-in the date for the crucifixion, the date of October 22, 1844, was ascertained.

Kwathi nje u-S. S. Snow esenqumile usuku lokubethelwa, kwase kutholakala usuku luka-Okthoba 22, 1844.

> Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. Daniel 9:25–27.

> Yazi-ke uqonde lokhu: kusukela ekuphumeni komyalo wokubuyisela nokwakha iJerusalema kuze kube nguMesiya, iNkosana, kuyakuba ngamaviki ayisikhombisa, nangamaviki angamashumi ayisithupha nambili; umgwaqo uyakuphinde wakhiwe, nodonga futhi, yebo, ngezikhathi zokuhlupheka. Kwathi emva kwamaviki angamashumi ayisithupha nambili uMesiya uyakunqunywa, kodwa kungabi ngenxa yakhe; nabantu benkosana ezayo bayakuchitha umuzi nendlu engcwele; nesiphetho sawo siyakuba njengesikhukhula, kuze kube sekupheleni kwempi; ukunxapha kumisiwe. Yona iyakuqinisa isivumelwano nabaningi iviki linye; phakathi neviki iyakwenza umhlatshelo nomnikelo kuphele, futhi ngenxa yokwanda kwezinengiso iyakwenza kube yincithakalo, kuze kube sekupheleni, nalokho okumisiwe kuyakuthululelwa phezu kwencithakalo. Daniyeli 9:25–27.

The Millerites recognized the correct date for the crucifixion and then the end of the period of twenty-three hundred years was identified. The “cutting off of the Messiah” in “the midst of the week” in which Christ confirmed “the covenant” because of the Jews filling their cup of probationary time to the top, as represented by the “overspreading of Abominations”, was also identified. The cross became the historical waymark that was essential in the recognition of the message of the Midnight Cry.

AmaMillerite aqaphela usuku oluyilo lokubethelwa esiphambanweni, kwase kuthi-ke kwahlonzwa ukuphela kwesikhathi seminyaka eyizinkulungwane ezimbili namakhulu amathathu. “Ukusikwa kukaMesiya” “phakathi nesonto,” lapho uKristu aqinisa khona “isivumelwano” ngenxa yokuba amaJuda egcwalisa indebe yesikhathi sawo sokuvivinywa kwaze kwagcwala, njengoba kumelwe “ukwendlala kwezinengiso,” nakho kwahlonzwa. Isiphambano saba uphawu lomlando olwalubalulekile ekuqaphelweni komyalezo Wokukhala Kwaphakathi Kwamabili.

In spite of the light located in the verses that produced such a powerful manifestation of God’s power, the Millerites never reached an understanding of those verses which was represented by Daniel’s desire to understand the relationship of the two visions. The week in which Christ confirmed the covenant was divided into two periods, which Sister White later identified as representing Christ’s personal ministry of three and a half years, followed by his ministry as represented by the disciples. They saw that the historical waymark of the cross became the anchor to ascertain the date of October 22, 1844, but they did not see that it also represented the center of two identical periods of three and a half years, and thus represented the “seven times,” which God through Moses called the “quarrel of his covenant.”

Naphezu kokukhanya okwakusemavesini akhiqiza ukubonakaliswa okunamandla kangaka kwamandla kaNkulunkulu, amaMillerite awazange afinyelele ekuqondeni lawo mavesi okwakumelwe isifiso sikaDaniyeli sokuqonda ubudlelwane phakathi kwemibono emibili. Isonto uKristu aqinisa ngalo isivumelwano lahlukaniswa laba yizikhathi ezimbili, uDade White kamuva azichaza njengokumelwa yinkonzo kaKristu uqobo yeminyaka emithathu nengxenye, elandelwa yinkonzo yakhe njengoba imelwe ngabafundi. Babona ukuthi uphawu lomlando lwesiphambano lwaba yisikhonkwane sokuqinisekisa usuku luka-Okthoba 22, 1844, kodwa abazange babone ukuthi lwaluphinde lumelele maphakathi nezikhathi ezimbili ezifanayo zeminyaka emithathu nengxenye, ngalokho lumelele “izikhathi eziyisikhombisa,” uNkulunkulu, ngoMose, azibiza ngokuthi “ukuxabana kwesivumelwano sakhe.”

> Then will I also walk contrary unto you, and will punish you yet seven times for your sins. And I will bring a sword upon you, that shall avenge the quarrel of my covenant: and when ye are gathered together within your cities, I will send the pestilence among you; and ye shall be delivered into the hand of the enemy. Leviticus 26:24, 25.

> Nami futhi ngiyakuhamba ngiphikisane nani, ngijezise nina kasikhombisa ngenxa yezono zenu. Ngiyakwehlisela inkemba phezu kwenu, eyoziphindiselela impikiswano yesivumelwano sami; kuthi lapho nibuthelene phakathi kwemizi yenu, ngithumele isifo esiwumashayabhuqe phakathi kwenu; khona niyakunikelwa esandleni sesitha. Levitikusi 26:24, 25.

When Christ was confirming the covenant with many, it was the covenant that he had a quarrel over with the disobedient Jews. The “quarrel of his covenant,” began in 723 BC, when the Assyrians took the northern kingdom into captivity, and then for twelve hundred and sixty prophetic days, paganism trampled down literal Israel. That trampling down was then followed by another twelve hundred and sixty prophetic days, of papalism trampling down spiritual Israel.

Ngenkathi uKristu eqinisa isivumelwano nabaningi, kwakuyileso sivumelwano ayenempikiswano ngaso namaJuda angalaleli. “Impikiswano yesivumelwano sakhe” yaqala ngo-723 BC, lapho abase-Asiriya bethumba umbuso wasenyakatho, kwase kuthi izinsuku eziyinkulungwane namakhulu amabili namashumi ayisithupha ezingokwesiprofetho, ubuhedeni banyathela u-Israyeli ongokoqobo. Lokho kunyathelwa kwase kulandelwa ezinye izinsuku eziyinkulungwane namakhulu amabili namashumi ayisithupha ezingokwesiprofetho, zobupapa bunyathela u-Israyeli ongokomoya.

The prophetic week in which Christ confirmed the covenant, in fulfillment of the vision of twenty three hundred years, also represented the vision of twenty-five hundred and twenty years. The Millerites recognized enough of the prophecy of twenty-three hundred years to correctly proclaim the message of the Midnight Cry, but they chose to reject some of the light which Gabriel’s interpretation in chapter nine was meant to convey.

Isonto lesiprofetho uKristu aqinisa ngalo isivumelwano, ekugcwalisekeni kombono weminyaka eyizinkulungwane ezimbili namakhulu amathathu, laphinde lamelela nombono weminyaka eyizinkulungwane ezimbili namakhulu amahlanu namashumi amabili. AmaMillerite aqonda ngokwanele isiprofetho seminyaka eyizinkulungwane ezimbili namakhulu amathathu ukuze amemezele ngokufaneleyo umlayezo Wokukhala Kwaphezulu Kwamaphakathi Nobusuku, kodwa akhetha ukwenqaba okunye kokukhanya incazelo kaGabriyeli esahlukweni sesishiyagalolunye eyayihloselwe ukukudlulisa.

Gabriel had instructed Daniel to rightly divide (mentally separate) the two visions, represented as “matter” and “vision,” and in fulfillment of that counsel Sister White informs us that this was the very burden of Daniel as he sought to understand the relation of the seventy weeks (a symbol of “seven times”), and the twenty-three hundred years.

UGabriyeli wayeyalele uDaniyeli ukuba ahlukanise ngokufaneleyo (engqondweni ahlukanise) le mibono emibili, emelwe ngokuthi “indaba” kanye “nombono,” futhi ekugcwalisekeni kwaleso seluleko uDadewethu White usazisa ukuthi lokhu kwakuyikho impela umthwalo kaDaniyeli njengoba ayefuna ukuqonda ubudlelwane bamasonto angamashumi ayisikhombisa (uphawu “lwezikhathi eziyisikhombisa”), kanye neminyaka eyizinkulungwane ezimbili namakhulu amathathu.

Adventism’s rejection of the “seven times,” placed them in a position where they could not understand that the first period of four hundred and ninety years, which was cut off from the twenty-three hundred years, represented the rebellion of the covenant that Moses identifies as the “quarrel of his covenant”.

Ukwenqaba koBu-Adventist “izikhathi eziyisikhombisa” kwabafaka esimweni sokuthi babengenakuqonda ukuthi inkathi yokuqala yeminyaka engamakhulu amane namashumi ayisishiyagalolunye, eyayinqunyiwe yasuswa eminyakeni eyizinkulungwane ezimbili namakhulu amathathu, yayimele ukuhlubuka kwesivumelwano uMose akuchaza ngokuthi “ingxabano yesivumelwano sakhe”.

They were also prevented from recognizing that the crucifixion in the midst of the week did more than simply identify the date, for it identified the very center of Christ’s quarrel with Israel’s disobedience with the blood of the covenant. They were blind to the fact that the blood that was shed for many at the cross, that was confirming his covenant, was also confirming the covenant set forth in Leviticus twenty-five and twenty-six.

Baphinde bavinjelwa ukuba baqaphele ukuthi ukubethelwa esiphambanweni phakathi nesonto akwenzanga okungaphezu kokumane kukhombe usuku nje kuphela, ngokuba kwakhomba wona kanye umongo wengxabano kaKristu nokungalaleli kuka-Israyeli ngegazi lesivumelwano. Babeyizimpumputhe eqinisweni lokuthi igazi elachithekelwa abaningi esiphambanweni, elaliqinisekisa isivumelwano sakhe, laliphinde liqinisekise nesivumelwano esibekwe kuLevitikusi amashumi amabili nanhlanu namashumi amabili nesithupha.

Ancient Israel took upon themselves a covenant where they defined the covenant as their proclamation “that all that the Lord has said, we will do,” totally unaware that the covenant which Christ was offering required that His law be written upon the heart. Their pharisaical definition of the terms of the covenant prevented them from understanding and accepting the true covenant.

U-Israyeli wasendulo wazibophezela esivumelwaneni lapho bachaza khona leso sivumelwano njengesimemezelo sabo esithi, “konke iNkosi ekushilo, siyakukwenza,” bengazi nhlobo ukuthi isivumelwano uKristu ayesinikeza sasidinga ukuba umthetho waKhe ulotshwe enhliziyweni. Ukuchazwa kwabo ngendlela yabaFarisi kwemigomo yesivumelwano kwabavimbela ekuqondeni nasekwamukeleni isivumelwano seqiniso.

Modern Israel has defined the blood of the cross in the midst of the week in terms which cause the same blindness for modern Israel that was upon ancient Israel when they rejected the Messiah and proclaimed they had no king but Caesar.

U-Israyeli wanamuhla uchaze igazi lesiphambano maphakathi nesonto ngamazwi adala ubumpumputhe obufanayo ku-Israyeli wanamuhla nalobo obabuphezu kuka-Israyeli wasendulo ngesikhathi benqaba uMesiya futhi bememezela ukuthi babengenayo inkosi ngaphandle kukaKhesari.

Modern Israel is blind to the fact that the history which Gabriel outlined for Daniel not only includes the confirmation of the covenant, but also the scattering that is brought upon those who reject that covenant, for the verses identify that pagan Rome (the prince that was to come), would destroy the city and the sanctuary, and that unto the end of the war (which trampled down the sanctuary and the host) “desolations,” in the plural, were determined.

U-Israyeli wanamuhla uyimpumputhe eqinisweni lokuthi umlando uGabriyeli awuchazela uDaniyeli awufaki nje kuphela ukuqinisekiswa kwesivumelwano, kodwa futhi nokuhlakazeka okwehliselwa phezu kwalabo abasenqaba leso sivumelwano, ngoba amavesi akhomba ukuthi iRoma yobuqaba (inkosana eyayizakuza) yayiyobhubhisa umuzi nendlu engcwele, nokuthi kuze kube sekupheleni kwempi (eyanyathela phansi indlu engcwele nebutho) “amanxiwa,” ngobuningi, ayemisiwe.

In the history where Christ shed his blood to confirm the covenant with many, the two desolating powers of pagan and papal Rome are specifically identified. The blood shed upon the cross is what Christ brings into the heavenly sanctuary, and is a symbol of His work represented by the “mareh” vision of twenty-three hundred years. That history is woven in with the history of the “chazon” vision of twenty-five hundred and twenty years, as represented by the two desolating powers that would trample down the sanctuary and the host.

Emlandweni lapho uKristu achitha igazi lakhe ukuze aqinise isivumelwano nabaningi, lawo mandla amabili achithayo eRoma lobuhedeni neRoma yobupapa aboniswa ngokucacile. Igazi elachithwa esiphambanweni yilo uKristu alingenisa endaweni engcwele yasezulwini, futhi liyisibonakaliso somsebenzi waKhe omelwe ngombono we-“mareh” weminyaka eyizinkulungwane ezimbili namakhulu amathathu. Lowo mlando ulukiwe kanye nomlando wombono we-“chazon” weminyaka eyizinkulungwane ezimbili namakhulu amahlanu namashumi amabili, njengoba kumelwe yilawo mandla amabili achithayo ayeyakunyathela phansi indawo engcwele nebutho.

The truths which were represented in Miller’s dream as jewels shone as bright as the sun, but they were incomplete. In the last days, when the Midnight Cry is repeated to the very letter, those very jewels will be cast into the new, larger casket by the “dirt brush Man”, and they will then shine ten times brighter than they originally did. They become the test of the final Midnight Cry message. Those jewels were specifically identified by the two witnesses prophesied by Habakkuk, as tables. When the two tables of the 1843 and 1850 pioneer charts are laid upon each other “line upon line”, Miller’s jewels are specifically identified, and in so doing those jewels represent the message of the final Midnight Cry.

Amaqiniso ayemelwe emaphusheni kaMiller njengamatshe ayigugu akhanya njengelanga, kodwa ayengakapheleli. Ezinsukwini zokugcina, lapho Ukuhlokoma Kwaphakathi Kwamabili kuphindwa ngokwezwi nezwi, wona lawo matshana ayigugu ayophonswa ebhokisini elisha, elikhulu, ngu“Ndoda Yebhulashi Lothuli”, bese-ke ekhanya ngokuphindwe kayishumi kunalokho ayekhanya ngakho ekuqaleni. Aba yisivivinyo somlayezo wokugcina Wokuhlokoma Kwaphakathi Kwamabili. Lawo matshana ayigugu akhonjiswa ngokucacile ngofakazi ababili abaprofethwa nguHabakuki, njengamatafula. Lapho amatafula amabili amashadi amaphayona ka-1843 no-1850 ebekwa phezu komunye nomunye “umugqa phezu komugqa”, amatshe ayigugu kaMiller akhonjiswa ngokucacile, futhi ngokwenza kanjalo lawo matshe ayigugu amele umyalezo wokugcina Wokuhlokoma Kwaphakathi Kwamabili.

Most of the truths upon the two charts illustrate prophecies that were fulfilled prior to 1844, such as the identification of the beasts of Daniel seven and eight. The image of Daniel two is represented. The argument over whether it is Rome or Antiochus Epiphanes which establishes the vision is there. The first disappointment and the tarrying time of Habakkuk and the ten virgins is there. The arrival of the third angel is there, as is the heavenly sanctuary. “The daily” as a symbol of paganism is there. And of course, the three Woes of Islam are there. When brought together the charts represent an illustration of the “increase of knowledge” that takes place when the Lion of the tribe of Judah unseals a prophetic truth.

Iningi lamaqiniso akulezi zeshadi ezimbili libonisa iziprofetho ezagcwaliseka ngaphambi kuka-1844, njengokuchazwa kwezilo zikaDaniyeli isahluko sesikhombisa nesesishiyagalombili. Umfanekiso kaDaniyeli isahluko sesibili uvezwa khona. Impikiswano yokuthi ngabe yiRoma noma u-Antiochus Epiphanes emisela umbono ikhona lapho. Ukudumala kokuqala nesikhathi sokulibala sikaHabakuki nezintombi eziyishumi kukhona lapho. Ukufika kwengelosi yesithathu kukhona lapho, kanye nendawo engcwele yasezulwini. “Okwansuku zonke” njengophawu lobuqaba kukhona lapho. Futhi, kambe, imishayo emithathu ye-Islamu ikhona lapho. Uma zihlanganiswa ndawonye, lezi zeshadi zimelela umfanekiso “wokwanda kolwazi” okwenzeka lapho iNgonyama yesizwe sakwaJuda ivula uphawu lweqiniso lesiprofetho.

As we wind down our consideration of the vision of the Ulai River as the symbol of the prophetic knowledge that was unsealed at the time of the end in 1798, which increased to make up the jewels in the new, larger casket of William Miller’s dream, we will revisit the Millerite truths which were incomplete in their history. Some were left in an incomplete state because of the time in history in which the Millerites were living, and others were left incomplete through the disobedience of those who refused to keep up with the advancing light of the third angel.

Njengoba siphetha ukucabangela kwethu umbono woMfula i-Ulai njengophawu lolwazi lwesiprofetho olwakhululwa ngesikhathi sokuphela ngo-1798, olwakhula lwaze lwakha amagugu ebhokisini elisha, elikhulu kakhulu, lephupho likaWilliam Miller, sizophinde sibuyekeze amaqiniso obuMillerite ayengakapheleli emlandweni wawo. Amanye ashiywa esesimweni esingakapheleli ngenxa yesikhathi somlando amaMillerite ayephila kuso, kanti amanye ashiywa engakapheleli ngenxa yokungalaleli kwalabo abenqaba ukuhambisana nokukhanya okuqhubekela phambili kwengelosi yesithathu.

We will continue these things in the next article.

Sizoqhubeka ngalezi zinto esihlokweni esilandelayo.

> “Those whom God has sent with a message are only men, but what is the character of the message which they bear? Will you dare to turn from, or make light of, the warnings, because God did not consult you as to what would be preferred? God calls men who will speak, who will cry aloud and spare not. God has raised up his messengers to do his work for this time. Some have turned from the message of the righteousness of Christ to criticize the men and their imperfections, because they do not speak the message of truth with all the grace and polish desirable. They have too much zeal, are too much in earnest, speak with too much positiveness, and the message that would bring healing and life and comfort to many weary and oppressed souls, is, in a measure, excluded; for just in proportion as men of influence close their own hearts and set up their own wills in opposition to what God has said, will they seek to take away the ray of light from those who have been longing and praying for light and for vivifying power. Christ has registered all the hard, proud, sneering speeches spoken against his servants as against himself.

> “Labo uNkulunkulu abathumile benomyalezo bangabantu kuphela, kodwa bunjani isimilo somyalezo abawuphetheyo? Niyokuba nesibindi sokufulathela, noma ukwenza into encane ngezixwayiso, ngoba uNkulunkulu akazange abonisane nani ngokuthi bekungathandwa ini? UNkulunkulu ubiza abantu abayokhuluma, abayomemeza ngezwi elikhulu bangayeki. UNkulunkulu uphakamise izithunywa zakhe ukuba zenze umsebenzi wakhe waleli khathi. Abanye baye baphambuka emlayezweni wokulunga kukaKristu ukuze bagxeke abantu nokungapheleli kwabo, ngoba bengawukhulumi umlayezo weqiniso ngawo wonke umusa nokucoliseka okufiselekayo. Banokushisekela okukhulu kakhulu, baqotho kakhulu, bakhuluma ngokuqiniseka okukhulu kakhulu, futhi umlayezo obuyoletha ukuphulukiswa nokuphila nenduduzo emiphefumulweni eminingi ekhathele neyacindezelwayo, uyavalelwa ngaphandle ngezinga elithile; ngokuba njengoba nje amadoda anethonya evala izinhliziyo zawo futhi emisa intando yawo siqu ukuphikisa lokho uNkulunkulu akushilo, kanjalo ayofuna ukususa umsebe wokukhanya kulabo abebelokhu belangazelela futhi bethandazela ukukhanya namandla avusayo. UKristu uqophe zonke izinkulumo ezilukhuni, eziziqhenyayo, nezokudelela ezikhulunywe ngezinceku zakhe njengokungathi zikhulunywe ngaye uqobo.

> “The third angel’s message will not be comprehended, the light which will lighten the earth with its glory will be called a false light, by those who refuse to walk in its advancing glory. The work that might have been done, will be left undone by the rejecters of truth, because of their unbelief. We entreat of you who oppose the light of truth, to stand out of the way of God’s people. Let Heaven-sent light shine forth upon them in clear and steady rays. God holds you to whom this light has come, responsible for the use you make of it. Those who will not hear will be held responsible; for the truth has been brought within their reach, but they despised their opportunities and privileges. Messages bearing the divine credentials have been sent to God’s people; the glory, the majesty, the righteousness of Christ, full of goodness and truth, have been presented; the fullness of the Godhead in Jesus Christ has been set forth among us with beauty and loveliness, to charm all whose hearts were not closed with prejudice. We know that God has wrought among us. We have seen souls turn from sin to righteousness. We have seen faith revived in the hearts of the contrite ones. Shall we be like the lepers that were cleansed who went on their way, and only one returned to give glory to God? Let us rather tell of his goodness, and praise God with heart, with pen, and with voice.” Review and Herald, May 27, 1890.

> “Umlayezo wengelosi yesithathu awuyikuqondwa, ukukhanya okuyokhanyisa umhlaba ngenkazimulo yakho kuyobizwa ngokuthi kungukukhanya kwamanga yilabo abenqaba ukuhamba enkazimulweni yako eqhubekela phambili. Umsebenzi obungase wenziwe uyoshiywa ungenziwanga ngabalenqaba iqiniso ngenxa yokungakholwa kwabo. Siyanicela nina eniphikisa ukukhanya kweqiniso ukuba nisuke endleleni yabantu bakaNkulunkulu. Makukhanye kubo ukukhanya okuthunyelwe yiZulu ngemisebe ecacile neqhubekayo. UNkulunkulu unibeka nina enifikelwe yilokhu kukhanya ngaphansi komthwalo wokuphendula ngendlela enilusebenzisa ngayo. Labo abangayikuzwa bayakubanjelwa icala; ngokuba iqiniso lilethwe lafinyelelwa yibo, kodwa bawadelela amathuba namalungelo abo. Imilayezo ephethe izimpawu zobuNkulunkulu ithunyelwe kubantu bakaNkulunkulu; inkazimulo, ubukhosi, nokulunga kukaKristu, kugcwele ubuhle neqiniso, kwethuliwe; ukugcwala kobuNkulunkulu kuJesu Kristu kubekwe obala phakathi kwethu ngobuhle nangothandeka, ukuze kuthokozise bonke izinhliziyo ezingazange zivalwe ubandlululo. Siyazi ukuthi uNkulunkulu usebenzile phakathi kwethu. Sibone imiphefumulo iphenduka esonweni iye ekulungeni. Sibone ukholo luvuselelwa ezinhliziyweni zabaphukileyo. Ngabe siyakuba njengabanochoko abahlanjululwa baqhubeka nendlela yabo, kwabuya oyedwa kuphela ukuzodumisa uNkulunkulu na? Kunalokho masilandise ngobuhle bakhe, simdumise uNkulunkulu ngenhliziyo, ngepeni, nangezwi.” Review and Herald, May 27, 1890.

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