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# The Book of Daniel - Number One-Hundred and Twenty-Eight

Incwadi kaDaniyeli - Inombolo Eyikhulu Namashumi Amabili Nesishiyagalombili

The Prophetic Significance of Christ’s Baptism and Temptation: Unveiling the Characteristics of Three World Powers

Ukubaluleka Kwesiprofetho Kobhapathizo LukaKristu Nokulingwa Kwakhe: Ukwembula Izimpawu Zokubusa Kwamandla Ezwe Amathathu

Author

Jeff Pippenger

Published

March 10, 2024

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The sealing began on September 11, 2001 when the mighty angel of chapter eighteen of Revelation descended. His descent was typified by the descent of the angel of Revelation ten on August 11, 1840, and also by the descent of the Holy Spirit at Christ’s baptism. Christ’s baptism points forward to the latter rain descending when the great buildings of New York City were brought down. The power from above began, and also at that time the power from beneath (bottomless pit) would be manifested, for God’s Word never fails.

Ukubekwa uphawu kwaqala ngoSepthemba 11, 2001, lapho ingelosi enamandla yesahluko seshumi nesishiyagalombili seSambulo yehla. Ukwehla kwayo kwafanekiswa ukwehla kwengelosi yeSambulo ishumi ngo-Agasti 11, 1840, futhi kwafanekiswa nangokwehla kukaMoya oNgcwele ekubhapathizweni kukaKristu. Ukubhapathizwa kukaKristu kubhekisa phambili emvuleni yokugcina eyehla ngesikhathi izakhiwo ezinkulu zeDolobha laseNew York zidilizwa. Amandla avela phezulu aqala, futhi ngaleso sikhathi futhi amandla avela ngaphansi (emgodini ongenamkhawulo) ayeyobonakaliswa, ngoba iZwi likaNkulunkulu alihluleki nanini.

When Christ was baptized, He immediately went into the wilderness and fasted for forty days, after which He was tempted by Satan with three temptations. Each of those three temptations represent primary characteristics of each of the three powers who lead the world to Armageddon. Those three temptations were pride, a characteristic of the dragon; appetite, a characteristic of the beast, and presumption, a characteristic of the false prophet. Pride and self-exaltation are represented by Lucifer in the classic description of Isaiah.

Lapho uKristu ebhapathizwa, masinyane waya ehlane wazila ukudla izinsuku ezingamashumi amane, emva kwalokho walingwa nguSathane ngezilingo ezintathu. Ngasinye salezo zilingo ezintathu simele izimpawu eziyinhloko zamandla amathathu ahola izwe e-Armagedoni. Lezo zilingo ezintathu kwakuyiziqhenya, okuyisici sedrako; inkanuko yokudla, okuyisici sesilo; kanye nokuzidla ngokungafanele, okuyisici somprofethi wamanga. Ukuziqhenya nokuziphakamisa kumelwe nguLusifa encazelweni evamile ka-Isaya.

> 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. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms. Isaiah 14:12–16.

> Yeka kanjani ezulwini, wena Lusifa, ndodana yokusa! Uqunywe phansi kanjani emhlabathini, wena owawenza izizwe zibe buthakathaka! Ngokuba usho enhliziyweni yakho ukuthi: Ngiyakwenyukela ezulwini, ngiphakamise isihlalo sami sobukhosi ngaphezu kwezinkanyezi zikaNkulunkulu; ngihlale futhi entabeni yebandla, emikhawulweni yasenyakatho; ngiyokwenyuka ngaphezu kwezindawo eziphakemeyo zamafu; ngiyokufana noPhezukonke. Nokho uyakwehliselwa phansi esihogweni, emikhawulweni yomgodi. Abakubonayo bayokugqolozela, bakucabangele, bethi: Yilo yini le ndoda eyanyakazisa umhlaba, eyazamazamisa imibuso. Isaya 14:12–16.

Five times Lucifer proclaims in his heart “I will.” Satan, once named the “light bearer” (Lucifer), who now only bears darkness, is he “that did shake the nations.” Prophetically he is associated with the “nations,” for he is the leader of the evil confederacy of the nations, and the confederacy of merchants identified in Revelation chapters seventeen and eighteen.

Izikhathi ezinhlanu uLusifa uzimemezela enhliziyweni yakhe athi, “Ngiyakwenza.” USathane, owayekade ebizwa ngokuthi “umphathi wokukhanya” (uLusifa), kodwa manje osephatha ubumnyama kuphela, nguyena “owanyakazisa izizwe.” Ngokwesiprofetho uhlotshaniswa “nezizwe,” ngoba ungumholi wenhlangano embi yezizwe, kanye nenhlangano yabathengisi echazwa encwadini yesAmbulo izahluko zeshumi nesikhombisa neshumi nesishiyagalombili.

> “Kings and rulers and governors have placed upon themselves the brand of antichrist, and are represented as the dragon who goes to make war with the saints—with those who keep the commandments of God and who have the faith of Jesus.” Testimonies to Ministers, 38.

> “Amakhosi nababusi nabaphathi bazibeke phezu kwabo uphawu lomphikukristu, futhi bamelwa njengodrako oya ukuyolwa nabangcwele—nalabo abagcina imiyalo kaNkulunkulu futhi abanokukholwa kukaJesu.” Testimonies to Ministers, 38.

At Christ’s baptism the Holy Spirit descended, typifying post-September 11, 2001. After His baptism Satan tempted Christ with the offer to give Christ the power Satan uses to rule the kingdoms of the world, for at the fall of Adam, Satan had become the ruler of the kingdoms of the world.

Ekubhapathizweni kukaKristu uMoya oNgcwele wehlela phezu Kwakhe, kufanekisela isikhathi sangemva kuka-September 11, 2001. Emva kokubhapathizwa Kwakhe uSathane walinga uKristu ngomnikelo wokumnika amandla uSathane awasebenzisayo ukubusa imibuso yezwe, ngoba ekuweni kuka-Adamu, uSathane wayesebe ngumbusi wemibuso yezwe.

> And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, showed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Luke 4:5–8.

> Usathane wamthatha wamusa entabeni ende, wamkhombisa yonke imibuso yezwe ngomzuzwana nje wesikhathi. Usathane wasethi kuye: Lawa onke amandla ngiyakukunika wona, nenkazimulo yako; ngokuba kunikelwe kimi lokho; ngikunika noma ubani engithanda ukumnika khona. Ngakho-ke uma ungakhuleka kimi, konke kuyakuba ngokwakho. UJesu wamphendula wathi kuye: Suka emva kwami, Sathane; ngokuba kulotshiwe ukuthi: Wokhuleka eNkosini uNkulunkulu wakho, ukhonze yona yodwa. Luka 4:5–8.

Two primary characteristics of papal Rome (the beast), is her fornication and the poisoned “food” and drink she distributes.

Izici ezimbili eziyinhloko zeRoma yobupapa (isilo) ubufebe bayo kanye “nokudla” nesiphuzo esinobuthi ekusabalalisayo.

> Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. Revelation 2:14.

> Nokho nginokumbalwa engikumelene nawe ngakho, ngoba uyamyeka lowomfazi uJezebeli, ozibiza ngomprofethikazi, ukuba afundise futhi ayenge inceku zami ukuba zenze ubufebe, nokuba zidle okunikelwe ezithombeni. IsAmbulo 2:14.

The “food” and drink she provides is her false doctrines.

“Ukudla” nesiphuzo akunikezayo kuyizimfundiso zakhe zamanga.

> “The great sin charged against Babylon is that she ‘made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.’ This cup of intoxication which she presents to the world represents the false doctrines that she has accepted as the result of her unlawful connection with the great ones of the earth.” The Great Controversy, 388.

> “Isono esikhulu esibekwe phezu kweBabiloni siyilesi sokuthi ‘linathelise zonke izizwe iwayini lentukuthelo yobufebe balo.’ Le ndebe yokudakwa eliyethula emhlabeni imelela izimfundiso zamanga elizamukele ngenxa yokuxhumana kwalo okungemthetho nabakhulu bomhlaba.” The Great Controversy, 388.

The beast of Catholicism also deceives the world by her sorceries, which is once again something that is taken internally.

Isilo sobuKatolika naso siyadukisa umhlaba ngobuthakathi baso, okuyinto futhi futhi ethathelwa ngaphakathi.

> And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived. Revelation 18:23.

> Futhi ukukhanya kwesibani akusayikukhanya neze kuwe; nezwi lomyeni nelomlobokazi alisayikuzwakala neze kuwe; ngokuba abathengisi bakho babeyizingwazi zomhlaba; ngokuba zonke izizwe zadukiswa ngobuthakathi bakho. IsAmbulo 18:23.

The Greek word translated as “sorceries,” is pharmakeia, meaning medications. The golden cup in her hand, represents not only a cup to drink wine from, but also the cup where her magical medical potions are prepared and delivered. In the modern world today, those magical potions are delivered in needles, not so much in a cup. When Satan appears after the soon-coming Sunday law, he will perform miracles of healing. The miracles associated with the potions and false doctrines of the papacy, was represented by Satan telling Christ to perform a miracle in turning the stone into bread.

Igama lesiGreki elihunyushwe ngokuthi “ubuthakathi” lithi pharmakeia, elisho imithi. Indebe yegolide esesandleni sakhe ayimeli nje kuphela indebe yokuphuzela iwayini, kodwa futhi imele indebe lapho kulungiswa khona futhi kunikezwe khona iziphuzo zakhe zemilingo zokwelapha. Ezweni lanamuhla, lezo ziphuzo zemilingo sezilethwa ngezinaliti, hhayi kakhulu ngendebe. Lapho uSathane ebonakala emva komthetho weSonto oza maduzane, uyokwenza izimangaliso zokuphulukisa. Izimangaliso ezihlotshaniswa nalezo ziphuzo nezimfundiso zamanga zobupapa zamelelwa nguSathane etshela uKristu ukuba enze isimangaliso ngokuguqula itshe libe yisinkwa.

The prophetic history before and after the Sunday law possesses the same characteristics. The image of the beast testing period for Adventism leading to the Sunday law in the United States typifies the image of the beast testing period for the entire world. This is why we are informed that, “the same crisis will come upon our people in all parts of the world.”

Umlando wesiprofetho ngaphambi nangemva komthetho weSonto unezimpawu ezifanayo. Isikhathi sokuvivinywa ngomfanekiso wesilo ngokuphathelene nobu-Adventism esiholela emthethweni weSonto e-United States sifanekisa isikhathi sokuvivinywa ngomfanekiso wesilo somhlaba wonke. Yingakho sitshelwa ukuthi, “inkinga efanayo iyakwehlela abantu bethu kuzo zonke izingxenye zomhlaba.”

The miracles of satanic healings that are accomplished by Satan after the Sunday law, represent the “sorceries” of so-called medicine that are pawned off during the history beginning on September 11, 2001. Jesus stated that, “man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.” Rome’s “food” is traditions and customs which she places above the Word of God.

Izimangaliso zokuphilisa zikaSathane ezenziwa nguSathane emva komthetho weSonto, zimelela “ubuthakathi” bomuthi okuthiwa ngowokwelapha obudayiswa njengobuyiqiniso phakathi nomlando oqala ngoSepthemba 11, 2001. UJesu wathi, “umuntu kayikuphila ngesinkwa sodwa, kodwa ngamazwi onke kaNkulunkulu.” “Ukudla” kweRoma kuyizithethe namasiko akubeka ngaphezu kweZwi likaNkulunkulu.

> “In the movements now in progress in the United States to secure for the institutions and usages of the church the support of the state, Protestants are following in the steps of papists. Nay, more, they are opening the door for the papacy to regain in Protestant America the supremacy which she has lost in the Old World. And that which gives greater significance to this movement is the fact that the principal object contemplated is the enforcement of Sunday observance—a custom which originated with Rome, and which she claims as the sign of her authority. It is the spirit of the papacy—the spirit of conformity to worldly customs, the veneration for human traditions above the commandments of God—that is permeating the Protestant churches and leading them on to do the same work of Sunday exaltation which the papacy has done before them.” The Great Controversy, 573.

> “Ezinyakazweni ezenzeka manje e-United States zokuzuzela izinhlangano nemikhuba yesonto ukusekelwa nguhulumeni, amaProthestani alandela ezinyathelweni zamaPapa. Yebo, nangaphezu kwalokho, avulela upapa umnyango wokuba aphinde azuze eMelika yamaProthestani ubukhosi obukhulu abulahlekelwa yibo eMhlabeni Omdala. Futhi okwenza le nhlangano ibaluleke kakhulu yileli qiniso lokuthi into enkulu ehloswe ngayo ukuphoqelelwa kokugcinwa kweSonto—umkhuba owaqala eRoma, futhi lona awubiza njengophawu lwegunya lalo. Yiwona umoya wobupapa—umoya wokuvumelana nemikhuba yezwe, wokuhlonipha amasiko abantu ngaphezu kwemiyalo kaNkulunkulu—ongena phakathi emasontweni amaProthestani futhi uwaholele ekwenzeni wona lowo msebenzi wokuphakanyiswa kweSonto owake wenziwa upapa ngaphambi kwawo.” The Great Controversy, 573.

Tradition and custom are the doctrinal “food” which the beast replaces for the Word of God, in order that it might lift up its pagan idolatry.

Isiko nesiko kuyikho “ukudla” kwemfundiso isilo esikubeka esikhundleni seZwi likaNkulunkulu, ukuze siphakamise ukukhonza kwaso izithombe kobuqaba.

> “How the Roman Church can clear herself from the charge of idolatry we cannot see. True, she professes to worship God through these images; so did the Israelites when they bowed before the golden calf. But the Lord’s wrath was kindled against them, and many were slain. God pronounced them impious idolaters, and the same record is made today in the books of heaven against those who adore images of saints and so-called holy men.

> “Ukuthi iSonto laseRoma lingazihlambulula kanjani esolweni sokukhonza izithombe thina asiboni. Kuyiqiniso, lithi likhonza uNkulunkulu ngalezi zithombe; kanjalo nama-Israyeli enza lapho ekhothama phambi kwethole legolide. Kodwa ulaka lweNkosi lwavutha ngokumelene nabo, kwabulawa abaningi. UNkulunkulu wabamemezela njengabakhonzi bezithombe abangamesabi uNkulunkulu, futhi lowo mlando ofanayo ulotshwa namuhla ezincwadini zasezulwini umelana nalabo abakhonza izithombe zabangcwele nalabo okuthiwa bangamadoda angcwele.”

> “And this is the religion which Protestants are beginning to look upon with so much favor, and which will eventually be united with Protestantism. This union will not, however, be effected by a change in Catholicism; for Rome never changes. She claims infallibility. It is Protestantism that will change. The adoption of liberal ideas on its part will bring it where it can clasp the hand of Catholicism. ‘The Bible, the Bible, is the foundation of our faith,’ was the cry of Protestants in Luther’s time, while the Catholics cried, ‘The Fathers, custom, tradition.’ Now many Protestants find it difficult to prove their doctrines from the Bible, and yet they have not the moral courage to accept the truth which involves a cross; therefore they are fast coming to the ground of Catholics, and, using the best arguments they have to evade the truth, cite the testimony of the Fathers, and the customs and precepts of men. Yes, the Protestants of the nineteenth century are fast approaching the Catholics in their infidelity concerning the Scriptures. But there is just as wide a gulf today between Rome and the Protestantism of Luther, Cranmer, Ridley, Hooper, and the noble army of martyrs, as there was when these men made the protest which gave them the name of Protestants.

> “Futhi lena yiyo inkolo amaProthestani aseqala ukuyibheka ngomusa omkhulu kangaka, futhi ekugcineni eyohlanganiswa nobuProthestani. Nokho, lolu bumbano ngeke lwenziwe ngokuguquka kobuKatolika; ngokuba iRoma ayiguquki neze. Izibiza ngokuthi ayiphambuki. Yibo ubuProthestani obuyoguquka. Ukwamukela kwabo imibono yenkululeko kuyobafikisa lapho bengabambana khona ngezandla nobuKatolika. ‘IBhayibheli, iBhayibheli, liyisisekelo sokukholwa kwethu,’ kwakuyisililo samaProthestani ngesikhathi sikaLuther, kuyilapho amaKatolika ememeza ethi, ‘Obaba, isiko, umkhuba.’ Manje amaProthestani amaningi akuthola kunzima ukufakazela izimfundiso zawo ngeBhayibheli, nokho awanaso isibindi sokuziphatha sokwamukela iqiniso elihilela isiphambano; ngakho-ke ashesha kakhulu ukuya endaweni yamaKatolika, futhi, esebenzisa izizathu ezinhle kunazo zonke abanazo ukuze agweme iqiniso, acaphuna ubufakazi boBaba, namasiko nemithetho yabantu. Yebo, amaProthestani ekhulwini leshumi nesishiyagalolunye ashesha kakhulu ukusondela kumaKatolika ekungakholweni kwawo mayelana nemiBhalo. Kodwa namuhla kusekhona umhosha omkhulu kangako phakathi kweRoma nobuProthestani bukaLuther, Cranmer, Ridley, Hooper, nebutho elihle labafel’ ukholo, njengalokho okwakukhona ngesikhathi la madoda enza ukuphikisa okwawanika igama lokuthi amaProthestani.”

> “Christ was a protestant. He protested against the formal worship of the Jewish nation, who rejected the counsel of God against themselves. He told them that they taught for doctrines the commandments of men, and that they were pretenders and hypocrites. Like whited sepulchers they were beautiful without, but within full of impurity and corruption. The Reformers date back to Christ and the apostles. They came out and separated themselves from a religion of forms and ceremonies. Luther and his followers did not invent the reformed religion. They simply accepted it as presented by Christ and the apostles. The Bible is presented to us as a sufficient guide; but the pope and his workers remove it from the people as if it were a curse, because it exposes their pretensions and rebukes their idolatry.” Review and Herald, June 1, 1886.

> “UKristu wayengumProthestani. Waphikisana nokukhonza okusemthethweni kwesizwe samaJuda, esasenqaba iseluleko sikaNkulunkulu maqondana nabo ngokwabo. Wabatshela ukuthi bafundisa imiyalo yabantu njengezimfundiso, nokuthi babengabazenzisi nabangabahanahanisi. Njengamathuna acakwe mhlophe babebahle ngaphandle, kodwa ngaphakathi begcwele ukungcola nokubola. AbaVuseleli baqala kuKristu nakubaphostoli. Baphuma bazihlukanisa nenkolo yamafomu nemikhosi. ULuther nabalandeli bakhe abazange basungule inkolo eguquliwe. Bamane bayamukela njengoba yethulwa nguKristu nabaphostoli. IBhayibheli sethulwa kithi njengomhlahlandlela owanele; kodwa upapa nezisebenzi zakhe balisusa kubantu sengathi liyisiqalekiso, ngoba lembula ukuzenzisa kwabo futhi likhuza ukukhonza kwabo izithixo.” Review and Herald, June 1, 1886.

Miracles of healing, that form the basis of spiritualism, are her stock and trade.

Izimangaliso zokuphilisa, ezakha isisekelo sokukhonza imimoya, ziyimpahla yakhe yokuthengisa.

> “Many endeavor to account for spiritual manifestations by attributing them wholly to fraud and sleight of hand on the part of the medium. But while it is true that the results of trickery have often been palmed off as genuine manifestations, there have been, also, marked exhibitions of supernatural power. The mysterious rapping with which modern spiritualism began was not the result of human trickery or cunning, but was the direct work of evil angels, who thus introduced one of the most successful of soul-destroying delusions. Many will be ensnared through the belief that spiritualism is a merely human imposture; when brought face to face with manifestations which they cannot but regard as supernatural, they will be deceived, and will be led to accept them as the great power of God.

> “Abaningi bazama ukuchaza izibonakaliso zomoya ngokuzibeka ngokuphelele enkohlisweni nasekubhandeni kwezandla ngasohlangothini lomlamuli. Kodwa nakuba kuyiqiniso ukuthi imiphumela yobugebengu bokukhohlisa ivame ukwedluliswa njengokungathi iyizibonakaliso eziyiqiniso, kube khona futhi ukubonakaliswa okusobala kwamandla angaphezu kwawemvelo. Ukungqongqoza okuyimfihlakalo okwaqala ngakho imimoya yesimanje kwakungewona umphumela wokukhohlisa noma wobuqili bomuntu, kodwa kwakuwumsebenzi oqondile wezingelosi ezimbi, ezangenisa ngaleyo ndlela enye yezinkohliso eziphumelela kakhulu ekubhujiseni imiphefumulo. Abaningi bayobanjwa ngenkolelo yokuthi imimoya iyinkohliso nje yabantu; lapho sebebhekene ubuso nobuso nezibonakaliso abangeke bakwazi ukuzibheka ngaphandle kokuthi zingezingaphezu kwawemvelo, bayokhohliswa, baholelwe ekuzamukeleni njengamandla amakhulu kaNkulunkulu.

> “These persons overlook the testimony of the Scriptures concerning the wonders wrought by Satan and his agents. It was by satanic aid that Pharaoh’s magicians were enabled to counterfeit the work of God. Paul testifies that before the second advent of Christ there will be similar manifestations of satanic power. The coming of the Lord is to be preceded by ‘the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness.’ 2 Thessalonians 2:9,10. And the apostle John, describing the miracle-working power that will be manifested in the last days, declares: ‘He doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, and deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do.’ Revelation 13:13, 14. No mere impostures are here foretold. Men are deceived by the miracles which Satan’s agents have power to do, not which they pretend to do.” The Great Controversy, 553.

> “Laba bantu abalunaki ubufakazi bemiBhalo mayelana nezimangaliso ezenziwa nguSathane nezithunywa zakhe. Kwakungenxa yosizo lukaSathane lapho izangoma zikaFaro zanikezwa amandla okulingisa umsebenzi kaNkulunkulu. UPawulu ufakaza ngokuthi ngaphambi kokubuya kwesibili kukaKristu kuyakuba khona izibonakaliso ezifanayo zamandla kaSathane. Ukuza kweNkosi kuyakwandelwa ‘ngokusebenza kukaSathane ngamandla onke nangezibonakaliso nezimangaliso zamanga, nangakho konke ukukhohlisa kokungalungi.’ 2 Thesalonika 2:9,10. Futhi umphostoli uJohane, echaza amandla okwenza izimangaliso ayakubonakaliswa ezinsukwini zokugcina, uthi: ‘Yenza izimangaliso ezinkulu, ize yehle umlilo ezulwini uye emhlabeni phambi kwabantu, ibakhohlise abahlezi emhlabeni ngezibonakaliso eyaphiwa amandla okuzenza.’ IsAmbulo 13:13, 14. Lapha akukhulunywa nje ngenkohliso elula. Abantu bakhohliswa yizimangaliso izithunywa zikaSathane ezinawo amandla okuzenza, hhayi lezo ezizenza sengathi ziyakwazi ukuzenza.” The Great Controversy, 553.

The false doctrines built upon customs and traditions, the spiritualistic manifestations of miracles, the counterfeit medical-industrial industry and the combination of churchcraft with statecraft are all the attributes of the beast of Catholicism. Pride is a characteristic of the dragon power. Presumption is the characteristic of the false prophet of apostate Protestantism.

Izimfundiso zamanga ezakhiwe phezu kwemikhuba namasiko, izibonakaliso zezimangaliso ezivela emimoyeni, imboni-mbumbulu yezokwelapha neyezimboni, kanye nokuhlanganiswa kobuqili bebandla nobuqili bombuso, konke kuyizimpawu zesilo sobuKhatholika. Ukuziqhenya kuwuphawu lwamandla kadrako. Ukuzazisa ngokungafanele kuwuphawu lomprofethi wamanga wobuProthestani obuhlubukile.

> And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered. And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread. And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God. Luke 4:1–4.

> UJesu, egcwele uMoya oNgcwele, wabuya evela eJordani, waholwa nguMoya waya ehlane, ezilingwa usuku ezingamashumi amane nguSathane. Ngalezo zinsuku akazange adle lutho; kwathi seziphelile, kamuva walamba. USathane wayesethi kuye: Uma uyiNdodana kaNkulunkulu, yala leli tshe ukuba libe yisinkwa. UJesu wamphendula, wathi: Kulotshiwe ukuthi umuntu akayikuphila ngesinkwa sodwa, kodwa ngamazwi onke kaNkulunkulu. Luka 4:1–4.

Presumption is a noun that refers to the act or instance of assuming something to be true without sufficient evidence or proof. It involves making a judgment or drawing a conclusion based on incomplete or insufficient information. Presumption can also imply a certain level of confidence in one’s assumption, even when it may not be entirely justified.

Ukuzidla kuyibizo elibhekisela esenzweni noma esenzakalweni sokuthatha into njengayiqiniso ngaphandle kobufakazi noma ubufakazi obanele. Kuhilela ukwenza isahlulelo noma ukufinyelela esiphethweni ngokusekelwe olwazini olungaphelele noma olunganele. Ukuzidla kungabuye kubonise izinga elithile lokuzethemba kulokho umuntu akucabangayo, ngisho noma lokho kungase kungabi nokuthetheleleka okuphelele.

Apostate Protestantism has accepted Sunday as God’s day of worship without any evidence to support that flawed idea from God’s Word, and they do so while knowingly professing that they are Protestants, whose motto is “God’s word alone,” or as Martin Luther proclaimed, “Sola Scriptura!” They choose to accept it based upon the traditions and customs of the Roman church, or perhaps as simply an accepted inheritance from their forefathers. At the loud cry of the third angel the truth that there is absolutely no justification for worshipping the sun that can be provided from the Bible will be clearly revealed, and then those who continue in their flawed presumption will receive the mark of the beast.

UbuProthestani obuhlubukayo bamukele iSonto njengosuku lukaNkulunkulu lokukhonza bengenabufakazi nakancane obusekela lowo mbono oyiphutha ovela eZwini likaNkulunkulu, futhi benza lokho ngesikhathi bevuma ngokuqondayo ukuthi bangamaProthestani, isiqubulo sabo esithi “iZwi likaNkulunkulu lodwa,” noma njengoba uMartin Luther amemezela, “Sola Scriptura!” Bakhetha ukulamukela ngokusekelwe emasikweni nasezinkambisweni zebandla laseRoma, noma mhlawumbe njengelifa nje elamukelwa koyisemkhulu babo. Ekukhaleni okukhulu kwengelosi yesithathu iqiniso lokuthi akukho nhlobo ukulunga kokukhonza ilanga okunganikezwa yiBhayibheli liyokwambulwa ngokucacileyo, bese kuthi labo abaqhubeka ekuziqhenyeni kwabo okuyiphutha bayokwamukela uphawu lwesilo.

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

> “Uma ukukhanya kweqiniso kulethiwe kuwe, kwembula iSabatha yomyalo wesine, futhi kukhombisa ukuthi akukho sisekelo eZwini likaNkulunkulu sokugcinwa kweSonto, kodwa nokho usabambelele esabatheni elingamanga, wenqaba ukungcwelisa iSabatha uNkulunkulu alibiza ngokuthi ‘usuku lwami olungcwele,’ wamukela uphawu lwesilo. Lokhu kwenzeka nini?—Lapho ulalela isimemezelo esikuyala ukuba uyeke ukusebenza ngeSonto futhi ukhulekele uNkulunkulu, kuyilapho wazi ukuthi alikho nelilodwa izwi eBhayibhelini elikhombisa ukuthi iSonto liyinto enye ngaphandle kosuku olujwayelekile lomsebenzi, uyavuma ukwamukela uphawu lwesilo, futhi wenqaba uphawu lukaNkulunkulu. Uma samukela lolu phawu emabunzini ethu noma ezandleni zethu, izahlulelo ezamenyezelwa phezu kwabangalaleli kumelwe zisehlele. Kodwa uphawu lukaNkulunkulu ophilayo lubekwa phezu kwalabo abagcina iSabatha leNkosi ngonembeza ohlanzekileyo.” Review and Herald, April 27, 1911.

The commonly understood weakness of the Republican party is their willingness to assume their political opponents are fair and honest, when the fruits of the Democratic party clearly reveal that they are the children of the father of lies. Repeatedly and consistently the Republicans take their political opponents at their word, when they have been shown over and over that their opponents never keep their word. They project honest motivations upon those who repeatedly have manifested no rational justification to support the Republicans flawed projections of expected honesty and integrity. It is true also that many Republicans refuse to uphold principle for personal financial gain, or because of secret immoral circumstances that allow them to be easily manipulated, but the primary prophetic attribute of the Republican party is presumption.

Ubuthakathaka beqembu lamaRiphabhulikhi, njengoba kuvame ukuqondwa, yikuzimisela kwalo ukucabanga ukuthi abaphikisi balo kwezombusazwe banobulungisa futhi baqotho, kanti izithelo zeqembu lamaDemokhrasi ziveza ngokucacile ukuthi bangabantwana bakayise wamanga. Kaningi, futhi ngokungaguquguquki, amaRiphabhulikhi athatha abaphikisi bawo kwezombusazwe ngokwezwi labo, nakuba sebevezelwe kaninginingi ukuthi labo baphikisi abaligcini neze izwi labo. Baphonsa izisusa eziqotho phezu kwalabo asebeveze ngokuphindaphindiwe ukuthi akukho sizathu esinengqondo esingasekela ukuqagela okuyiphutha kwamaRiphabhulikhi kokulindela ubuqotho nokwethembeka. Kuyiqiniso futhi ukuthi amaRiphabhulikhi amaningi ayakwenqaba ukumela isimiso ngenxa yenzuzo yomuntu siqu yezezimali, noma ngenxa yezimo eziyimfihlo zokungaziphathi kahle ezibavumela ukuba balawuleke kalula, kodwa isici esiyinhloko sesiprofetho seqembu lamaRiphabhulikhi wukuzazisa.

It is the attribute of presumption which is prophetically marked in apostate Protestants, that allows them to pretend they have taken the higher moral and political ground, when in reality they have abdicated their civil responsibilities under the empty expectation that their political opponents will keep their word. The very common definition of insanity is to try and do the same thing over and over, while expecting a different outcome, yet the Republicans argue that it is the Democrats that have been infected with insanity as manifested in their hatred of Trump.

Yilesi sokuziqhenya okuyiso esiphawulwa ngokwesiprofetho kumaProthestani ahlubukayo, esibavumelayo ukuba bazenze sengathi bathathe isikhundla esiphakeme ngokokuziphatha nangokwepolitiki, kanti empeleni bazihlubile emithwalweni yabo yobuzwe ngaphansi kokulindela okuyize ukuthi izimbangi zabo zezepolitiki zizogcina izwi lazo. Incazelo ejwayeleke kakhulu yobuhlanya iwukuzama ukwenza into efanayo kaningi nangokuphindaphindiwe, kuyilapho kulindelwe umphumela ohlukile, nokho amaRiphabhulikhi aphikisa ngokuthi amaDemokhrasi yiwo atheleleke ngobuhlanya obubonakala enzondweni yawo ngoTrump.

Yet the insanity of the Republicans is repeatedly illustrated as they agree to compromises, under the premise of compromise being the work of the legislative process, while their political compromises, which they claim are based upon the principle of “the legislative process,” is made with a class who never compromise. Democrats only give ground in the political process when they are fully restrained by the numbers against them. They have never provided evidence of truly working for a middle ground with the political process. The insanity of Republicans is their repeated optimistic expectations of others that are fully unwarranted.

Nokho ubuhlanya bamaRepublican buqhubeka bubonakaliswa ngokuphindaphindiwe lapho bevumelana nokuyekethisa, ngaphansi komqondo wokuthi ukuyekethisa kuwumsebenzi wenqubo yomthetho, kanti ukuyekethisa kwabo kwezombusazwe, abathi kusekelwe esimisweni “senqubo yomthetho,” bakwenza nesigaba esingalokothi siyekethise. AmaDemocrat anikela kuphela enqubweni yezombusazwe lapho eboshwe ngokuphelele yizinombolo ezimelene nawo. Awakaze anikeze ubufakazi bokusebenza ngempela ukuze kufinyelelwe indawo ephakathi ngenqubo yezombusazwe. Ubuhlanya bamaRepublican yithemba labo eliphindaphindayo, eligcwele ithemba elihle ngabanye, elingenasisekelo nhlobo.

By far and away the majority of those who are supportive of Donald Trump will testify to the fact that the worst attribute of Trump is his willingness to accept men as supporters of his agenda, when the available evidence identifies that it was totally presumption on Trump’s part to make that choice. Presumption is the prophetic attribute of apostate Protestantism. Satan tempted Christ by quoting the Bible, but in so doing, Satan twisted the passage into an unwarranted and unscriptural test.

Iningi kakhulu lalabo abasekela uDonald Trump liyofakaza ukuthi isici esibi kunazo zonke sikaTrump ukuzimisela kwakhe ukwamukela amadoda njengabasekeli bohlelo lwakhe, kuyilapho ubufakazi obukhona bukhomba ukuthi kwakuwukuzigabisa okuphelele ngasohlangothini lukaTrump ukwenza lolo khetho. Ukuzigabisa kuyisici esingokwesiprofetho sobuProthestani obuhlubukileyo. USathane walinga uKristu ngokucaphuna iBhayibheli, kodwa ngokwenza kanjalo, uSathane wawuhlanekezela lowo mbhalo wawenza isivivinyo esingenasisekelo nesingekho emiBhalweni.

> And he brought him to Jerusalem, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple, and said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down from hence: For it is written, He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee: And in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. And Jesus answering said unto him, It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. Luke 4:9–12.

> Wamletha eJerusalema, wammisa esiqongweni sethempeli, wayesethi kuye: Uma wena uyiNdodana kaNkulunkulu, ziphonse phansi usuka lapha; ngoba kulotshiwe ukuthi: Uyakuyala izingelosi zakhe ngawe, ukuba zikulonde; futhi ziyakukuthwala ngezandla zazo, funa noma nini unyawo lwakho lushayeke etsheni. UJesu ephendula wathi kuye: Kuthiwe: Ungayilingi iNkosi uNkulunkulu wakho. Luka 4:9–12.

At the soon-coming Sunday law it will be the Protestants of the United States who will take the biblical mandate to cease from labor on the Sabbath day, and twist the commandment to worship God on the seventh-day Sabbath into a fabricated command that it is actually paganism’s day of the sun that men are required to worship upon. They will twist a biblical passage into an unwarranted and unscriptural test.

Emthethweni yeSonto esezayo maduzane, kuyoba amaProthestani ase-United States ayothatha umyalo weBhayibheli wokuyeka ukusebenza ngosuku lweSabatha, aphendukezelwe umyalo wokukhonza uNkulunkulu ngeSabatha losuku lwesikhombisa uwenze umyalo oqanjiwe wokuthi empeleni usuku lwelanga lobuqaba yilo abantu okufanele bakhonze ngalo. Bayophendukezela indima yeBhayibheli bayenze isivivinyo esingenasisekelo nesingokomBhalo.

We will continue this study in the next article.

Sizoqhubeka nalesi sifundo esihlokweni esilandelayo.

> “I saw that the two-horned beast had a dragon’s mouth, and that his power was in his head, and that the decree would go out of his mouth. Then I saw the Mother of Harlots; that the mother was not the daughters, but separate and distinct from them. She has had her day, and it is past, and her daughters, the Protestant sects, were the next to come on the stage and act out the same mind that the mother had when she persecuted the saints. I saw that as the mother has been declining in power, the daughters had been growing, and soon they will exercise the power once exercised by the mother.

> “Ngabona ukuthi isilo esinezimpondo ezimbili sasino mlomo kadrako, nokuthi amandla aso ayesekhanda laso, nokuthi isimemezelo sasiyophuma emlonyeni waso. Ngase ngibona uNina Wezifebe; ukuthi unina wayengewona amadodakazi, kodwa wayehlukile futhi ehlukanisiwe nawo. Ube nosuku lwakhe, futhi selwedlule, namadodakazi akhe, amahlelo amaProthestani, ayelandelayo ukuvela enkundleni nokwenza ngokomoya ofanayo nalowo unina ayenawo ngesikhathi ehlupha abangcwele. Ngabona ukuthi njengoba unina ebe ewohloka ngamandla, amadodakazi ebe ekhula, futhi maduzane ayosebenzisa amandla ake asetshenziswa ngunina.”

> “I saw the nominal church and nominal Adventists, like Judas, would betray us to the Catholics to obtain their influence to come against the truth. The saints then will be an obscure people, little known to the Catholics; but the churches and nominal Adventists who know of our faith and customs (for they hated us on account of the Sabbath, for they could not refute it) will betray the saints and report them to the Catholics as those who disregard the institutions of the people; that is, that they keep the Sabbath and disregard Sunday.

> “Ngabona ibandla elingelokuzisholo kuphela nama-Adventist angawokuzisholo kuphela, ukuthi, njengoJuda, bayakusikhaphela kumaKatolika ukuze bathole ithonya lawo ukuze beze bamelane neqiniso. Khona-ke abangcwele bayokuba ngabantu abangaziwa kakhulu, abaziwa kancane kumaKatolika; kodwa amabandla nama-Adventist angawokuzisholo kuphela azi ngokholo lwethu nangamasiko ethu (ngokuba ayesizonda ngenxa yeSabatha, ngoba ayengenakuyiphikisa) ayobakhaphela abangcwele, abike ngabo kumaKatolika njengalabo abangayinaki imithetho yabantu; okungukuthi, ukuthi bagcina iSabatha, bengayinaki iSonto.

> “Then the Catholics bid the Protestants to go forward, and issue a decree that all who will not observe the first day of the week, instead of the seventh day, shall be slain. And the Catholics, whose numbers are large, will stand by the Protestants. The Catholics will give their power to the image of the beast. And the Protestants will work as their mother worked before them to destroy the saints. But before their decree bring or bear fruit, the saints will be delivered by the Voice of God.” Spalding and Magan, 1, 2.

> “Khona-ke amaKatolika ayala amaProthestani ukuba aqhubekele phambili, akhiphe isimemezelo sokuthi bonke abangeke balugcine usuku lokuqala lwesonto, esikhundleni sosuku lwesikhombisa, bayobulawa. Futhi amaKatolika, anesibalo esikhulu, ayoma ngasekela amaProthestani. AmaKatolika ayakunika umfanekiso wesilo amandla awo. Futhi amaProthestani ayosebenza njengoba unina wasebenza ngaphambi kwawo ukuze abhubhise abangcwele. Kodwa ngaphambi kokuba isimemezelo sawo siveze noma sithele izithelo, abangcwele bayokhululwa ngePhimbo likaNkulunkulu.” Spalding and Magan, 1, 2.

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