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

Incwadi kaDaniyeli - Inombolo Ikhulu Neshumi

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

Umfelandawonye Ohlanganisa Kathathu WaseRoma: Ukwembula Ukubaluleka Kobuprofethi Kwezimpondo Zokumemeza Encwadini yeSambulo

Author

Jeff Pippenger

Published

March 1, 2024

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

UbuSulumane bobubi bokuqala nobesibili besAmbulo isahluko sesishiyagalolunye babemele isahlulelo esalethwa phezu kweRoma. UWilliam Miller wayebize amacilongo ngokuthi, “izahlulelo ezikhethekile” ezalethwa phezu kweRoma, kodwa uMiller wayengenakuyibona iRoma yesiKhathi Samanje, njengobumbano oluphindwe kathathu oluholela izwe e-Armagedoni. U-Uriah Smith waqaphela ukuthi amacilongo ayemele isahlulelo sikaNkulunkulu phezu kweRoma, nokuthi icilongo lesihlanu nelesithupha (ububi bokuqala nobesibili), kwakuyizahlulelo phezu kwesonto lamaKatolika.

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

> “Ngokuchazwa kwaleli cilongo, sizophinda sithathe emibhalweni kaMnu. Keith. Lo mbhali usho ngeqiniso ukuthi: ‘Kukhona cishe ukuvumelana okufanayo phakathi kwabachazi mayelana nanoma iyiphi enye ingxenye yeSambulo njengalokho okuphathelene nokusetshenziswa kwecilongo lesihlanu nelesithupha, noma umaye wokuqala nowesibili, kumaSaracens namaTurkey. Kusobala kakhulu kangangokuthi akunakwenzeka neze ukuba kuqondwe ngokungeyikho. Esikhundleni sevesi elilodwa noma amabili elikhomba ngayinye, sonke isahluko sesishiyagalolunye seSambulo, ngezingxenye ezilinganayo, sigxile encazelweni yakho kokubili.’

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

> “‘Umbuso waseRoma wehla, njengoba wavuka, ngokunqoba; kodwa amaSaracens namaTurkey ayeyizinsimbi uhlobo lwenkolo yamanga olwaba yisihlava sesonto elahlubukayo; ngakho-ke, esikhundleni sokuba uphondo lwesihlanu nolwesithupha, njengalolo lwangaphambili, lubizwe ngalelo gama lodwa, lubizwa ngokuthi yizinhlupheko.” Uriah Smith, Daniel and Revelation, 495.

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

Lokho uMiller noSmith abangakubonanga mayelana namacilongo njengokwahlulela kukaNkulunkulu phezu kweRoma, kwakungukuthi lezo zahlulelo zalethwa ukuphoqelelwa kokukhulekelwa kwelanga. Ngonyaka ka-321, uConstantine wamisa umthetho wokuqala weSonto, kwathi eminyakeni eyisishiyagalolunye kamuva wasusa inhloko-dolobha wayisusa emzini waseRoma wayiyisa emzini waseConstantinople, ngaleyo ndlela eqalisa inqubo yokuhlakazeka koMbuso WaseRoma. KuDaniyeli isahluko seshumi nanye, iRoma yobuqaba yayizobusa ngobukhosi obuphelele “isikhathi” esisodwa, esasimelela iminyaka engamakhulu amathathu namashumi ayisithupha, kusukela eMpini yase-Actium, ngonyaka ka-31 BC, kuze kube ngonyaka ka-330, lapho uConstantine ehlukanisa umbuso waba yiNtshonalanga neMpumalanga.

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

> Uyongena ngokuthula nasezindaweni ezivunde kakhulu zesifundazwe; futhi uyokwenza lokho okungazange kwenziwe ngoyise, nangoyise boyise; uyobahlakazela impango, nokuphanga, nengcebo; yebo, uyokwakha amacebo akhe amelene nezinqaba eziqinile, kuze kube yisikhathi. Daniyeli 11:24.

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

Phakathi kwaleyo minyaka engamakhulu amathathu namashumi ayisithupha, uMbuso WaseRoma wawungahlulwa cishe nhlobo; kodwa lapho inhloko-dolobha isithuthelwe eMpumalanga, ikhono lokubusa umbuso omkhulu kangaka lalingasekho. UConstantine wazama ukulondoloza ukubusa ngokuhlukanisa umbuso phakathi kwamadodana akhe amathathu, kodwa lokho kwanezela kuphela ekuwohlokeni kombuso wangaphambili.

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

Ngenkathi upapa ethatha isihlalo sobukhosi somhlaba ngonyaka ka-538, eMkhandlwini wesithathu wase-Orleans kwaphasiswa umthetho weSonto. Kanjalo, ngonyaka ka-606, uMohammed waqala inkonzo yakhe yokuprofetha, futhi ngokomfanekiso wamelela icilongo okwakuzoba yilokho izazi-mlando ezikubiza ngokuthi “isijeziso sesonto elihlubukile.” Umlando woMaye wokuqala nowesibili, oqala ngenkonzo kaMohammed ngonyaka ka-606, waphetha ngo-Okthoba 22, 1844, lapho kukhala icilongo lesikhombisa.

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

> Mayedlula eyesibili selwedlulile; bheka, usizi lwesithathu luza masinyane. Ingelosi yesikhombisa yakhala icilongo; kwase kuba khona amazwi amakhulu ezulwini, ethi, Imibuso yaleli zwe isiphenduke imibuso yeNkosi yethu, neyoKristu wayo; iyakubusa kuze kube phakade naphakade. IsAmbulo 11:14, 15.

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

Ngesikhathi somlando woMaye ababili bokuqala, iConstantinople, inhloko-dolobha yeRoma yasempumalanga, yanqotshwa ngo-1453, kanti iRoma lobupapa entshonalanga yathola inxeba layo elibulalayo ngo-1798. “Isiswebhu sebandla elihlubukileyo,” sase sidilize kokubili iRoma yombuso neRoma yenkolo. Inyunyana ephindwe kathathu yeRoma yanamuhla ifezwa emthethweni weSonto ozayo maduze e-United States.

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

> “AmaProthestani ase-United States azoba phambili ekweluleni izandla zawo ngaphesheya komhosha ukuze abambe isandla soKuxhumana Nemimoya; ayokwelulela ngaphesheya kwalasha ukuze axhawulane namandla obuRoma; futhi ngaphansi kwethonya lwalolu bumbano oluphindwe kathathu, leli zwe liyolandela ezinyathelweni zaseRoma ekunyatheleni amalungelo kanembeza.” The Great Controversy, 588.

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

Ngaleso sikhathi, ubuSulumane boMaye wesithathu buyofeza ukwahlulela kukaNkulunkulu phezu kweRoma Yesimanje ngenxa yokuphoqelela kwayo ukukhonza iSonto, njengoba enza ngeRoma yobuqaba, nangeRoma yobupapa. NgeRoma yobuqaba wasebenzisa amacilongo amane okuqala ukuqeda ukubusa kwamaRoma enhlokodolobha yeRoma yasentshonalanga ngonyaka ka-476, ngoba emva konyaka ka-476, akubanga khona mbusi wedolobha owayengowozalo lwamaRoma. Ngo-1453 icilongo lesihlanu lobuSulumane laqeda ukubusa kwamaRoma eRoma yasempumalanga. Ngo-1798, ukubusa kobupapa phezu kwesigaba sangaphambili esiyizigaba eziyishumi sezizwe zaseYurophu kwaqedwa emlandweni wecilongo lesithupha lobuSulumane. Ukubhujiswa kombuso womphakathi waseRoma, kokubili entshonalanga nasempumalanga, kanye nombuso wenkolo waseRoma, kwalethwa ukulandela ukuphoqelelwa kokukhonza kwelanga kobuqaba.

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

> “Abantu base-United States baye baba ngabantu abathandwayo; kodwa lapho bevinjelela inkululeko yenkolo, belahla ubuProthestani, futhi besekela ubuPapa, isilinganiso secala labo siyakugcwala, futhi ‘ukuhlubuka kwesizwe’ kuyakubhaliswa ezincwadini zezulu. Umphumela walokhu kuhlubuka uyakuba yincithakalo yesizwe.” Review and Herald, May 2, 1893.

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

Ukusetshenziswa okuphindwe kathathu kwesiprofetho kumisa isimo sokugcwaliseka kokugcina kwesiprofetho ngokusekelwe ezimweni zokugcwaliseka kokuqala kokubili. NgoSepthemba 11, 2001, uMaye wesithathu wafika emlandweni. Ekuqaleni wayesefikile ngo-Okthoba 22, 1844, ngokuba uMaye wesithathu uyicilongo lesikhombisa, futhi lelocilongo laqala ukukhala ngaleso sikhathi. Kodwa njengakwa-Israyeli wasendulo, u-Israyeli wanamuhla wakhetha ukuvukela, waletha isikhathi sokuzulazula ehlane esikhundleni sokuqeda umsebenzi. Ngakho-ke isikhathi sokubekwa uphawu sengelosi yesithathu sabambezeleka, kwaze kwaba yilapho siqala futhi ngoSepthemba 11, 2001.

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

> “Iminyaka engamashumi amane ukungakholwa, ukukhononda, nokuvukela kwavimbela u-Israyeli wasendulo ekungeneni ezweni laseKhanani. Izono ezifanayo zilibazise ukungena kuka-Israyeli wanamuhla eKhanani lasezulwini. Kuzo zombili lezi zimo, izithembiso zikaNkulunkulu azibanga nephutha. Yikukungakholwa, ukuthanda izwe, ukungazinikezeli ngokuphelele, kanye nokuxabana phakathi kwabantu beNkosi abazibiza ngokuthi bangabayo, okwenze sahlala kuleli zwe lesono nosizi iminyaka eminingi kangaka.” Selected Messages, incwadi 2, 69.

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

UNkulunkulu akaguquki, futhi wahlulela ngokokukhanya okukhona. U-Israyeli wanamuhla wayenokukhanya okuningi kakhulu kuno-Israyeli wasendulo, futhi siyatshelwa ukuthi “izono ezifanayo zibambezele ukungena kuka-Israyeli wanamuhla eKhanani lasezulwini.” Ukuba u-Israyeli wanamuhla wayebekwe icala kuphela ngokokukhanya u-Israyeli wasendulo ayebekwe icala ngakho, lokho kwakuyobe kwanele, kodwa bona babenokukhanya okungaphezulu. Ngakho-ke, uma kwaba “yizono ezifanayo” ezabangela ukuba “u-Israyeli wasendulo” azulazule ehlane “iminyaka engamashumi amane,” khona-ke u-Israyeli wanamuhla akazange nje kuphela axoshwe “ehlane” ekuvukeleni kuka-1863, kodwa futhi wayemiselwe ngokuqinisekileyo ukufa khona. “Izono” zabo zibambezele umsebenzi wengelosi yesithathu kwaze kwaba manje.

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

> “Ingelosi yathi, ‘Ingelosi yesithathu iyababopha, noma ibafaka uphawu, ngezixhaxha ukuze baya esibayeni sasezulwini.’ Leli qembu elincane lalibukeka ligugile ngenxa yokukhathazeka, sengathi lalidlule ezivivinyweni ezinzima nasezingxabanweni. Kwase kubonakala sengathi ilanga lisanda kuphuma ngemuva kwefu, lakhanyisa ebusweni babo, kwabenza babonakale benqobile, sengathi ukunqoba kwabo kwase sekuseduze ukuba kufezeke.” Early Writings, 88.

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

Izono ezifanayo ezaxosha u-Israyeli wasendulo ukuba afe ehlane ziye zabambezela umsebenzi wengelosi yesithathu eyafika ngo-Okthoba 22, 1844.

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

> “Emva kokuba uJesu evule umnyango Wendawo eNgcwelengcwele kunazo zonke, ukukhanya kweSabatha kwabonakala, futhi abantu bakaNkulunkulu bavivinywa, njengoba abantwana bakwa-Israyeli bavivinywa endulo, ukuze kubonakale ukuthi bayakugcina yini umthetho kaNkulunkulu. Ngabona ingelosi yesithathu ikhomba phezulu, ikhombisa abadumazekileyo indlela eya eNdaweni eNgcwelengcwele kunazo zonke yesigodlo sasezulwini. Njengoba bengena ngokukholwa eNdaweni eNgcwelengcwele kunazo zonke, bathola uJesu, futhi ithemba nenjabulo kuhluma kabusha. Ngababona bebheka emuva, bebuyekeza okwedlule, kusukela ekumemezelweni kokufika kwesibili kukaJesu, kwehle njalo kulo lonke ulwazi lwabo kwaze kwadlula isikhathi ngo-1844. Babona ukuchazwa kokudumala kwabo, futhi injabulo nesiqiniseko kuyabavuselela futhi. Ingelosi yesithathu ikhanyisele okwedlule, okwamanje, nekusasa, futhi bayazi ukuthi uNkulunkulu ngempela ubaholile ngokuhlinzeka kwaKhe okuyimfihlakalo.” Early Writings, 254.

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

Ingelosi yesithathu iyingelosi yokubekwa uphawu, futhi yafika ngo-Okthoba 22, 1844, kodwa umsebenzi wayo wabambezeleka ngenxa yezono ezifanayo ezabangela u-Israyeli wasendulo ukuba afele ehlane. Ukubambezeleka okwabangelwa ukuvukela kuka-1863 kwaba ukubambezeleka komsebenzi wengelosi yesithathu, ngakho-ke ukubekwa uphawu kuvinjiwe futhi kubambezelekile iminyaka engaphezu kwekhulu elilodwa.

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

> “[Numeri 32:6–15, kucashuniwe.] INkosi uNkulunkulu inguNkulunkulu onomhawu, nokho ibekezela isikhathi eside ngezono neziphambeko zabantu baYo kulesi sizukulwane. Ukuba abantu bakaNkulunkulu bahamba ngeseluleko saYo, umsebenzi kaNkulunkulu ngabe waqhubekela phambili, izigijimi zeqiniso ngabe zahanjiswa kubo bonke abantu abahlala ebusweni bomhlaba wonke. Ukuba abantu bakaNkulunkulu babekholiwe kuYo futhi baba ngabenzi bezwi laYo, ukuba babegcine imiyalo yaYo, ingelosi ngabe ayifikanga indiza phakathi kwezulu inomlayezo ezingelosini ezine ezazizodedela imimoya ukuba ivuthe phezu komhlaba, imemeza ithi, Bamba, bamba imimoya emine, ukuba ingavuthi phezu komhlaba ngize ngibeke uphawu eziphongweni zezinceku zikaNkulunkulu. Kodwa ngenxa yokuthi abantu bayalalela kancane, abanakubonga, abangcwele, njengokuba kwakunjalo ngo-Israyeli wasendulo, isikhathi siyalulwa ukuba bonke bezwe isigijimi sokugcina somusa esimemezelwa ngezwi elikhulu. Umsebenzi weNkosi uvinjiwe, isikhathi sokubekwa kophawu sibambezelekile. Abaningi abakaze balizwe iqiniso. Kodwa iNkosi iyobanika ithuba lokulizwa nokuguquka, futhi umsebenzi omkhulu kaNkulunkulu uyoqhubekela phambili.” Manuscript Releases, volume 15, 292.

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

Ngosuku luka-11 kuMandulo, 2001, ingelosi yesithathu yafika futhi, futhi isikhathi sokubekwa uphawu esasibambezelekile selokhu kwaba khona ukuhlubuka kuka-1863, saqala futhi. Kwakuwukufika kobuSulumane boMaye wesithathu, okuyilo futhi icilongo lesikhombisa eliphawula ukuqala kwesikhathi sokubekwa uphawu. Isikhathi sokubekwa uphawu saqala ngokufika kwengelosi yesithathu ngo-Okthoba 22, 1844, lapho icilongo lesikhombisa liqala ukukhala, kodwa lelo cilongo lavinjelwa futhi labambezeleka.

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

> Ingelosi engayibona imi phezu kolwandle naphezu komhlaba yaphakamisa isandla sayo ezulwini, yafunga ngaye ophila kuze kube phakade naphakade, owadala izulu nezinto ezikulo, nomhlaba nezinto ezikuwo, nolwandle nezinto ezikulo, ukuthi isikhathi asisayikuba khona; kodwa ngezinsuku zezwi lengelosi yesikhombisa, lapho isiqala ukukhala ngecilongo, imfihlakalo kaNkulunkulu iyobe isiphelelisiwe, njengoba ayimemezela ezincekwini zakhe, abaprofethi. IsAmbulo 10:5–7.

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

“Izwi” lengelosi yesikhombisa, yizwi lengelosi yesAmbulo isahluko seshumi nesishiyagalombili, eyehla ngesikhathi izakhiwo ezinkulu zomuzi waseNew York City ziphonswa phansi.

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

> Kwathi emva kwalezi zinto ngabona enye ingelosi yehla ivela ezulwini, inamandla amakhulu; nomhlaba wakhanyiswa yinkazimulo yayo. Yamemeza ngamandla ngezwi elikhulu, yathi: Liwile, liwile iBabiloni elikhulu, selibe yindawo yokuhlala yamademoni, nesiboshwa sawo wonke umoya ongcolileyo, nesibaya sazo zonke izinyoni ezingcolileyo nezinengekayo. Ngokuba zonke izizwe ziphuze iwayini lolaka lobufebe balo, namakhosi omhlaba afebile nalo, nabathengisi bomhlaba bacebile ngobuningi bokunethezeka kwalo. IsAmbulo 18:1–3.

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

“Izwi” lengelosi enamandla eyehlayo liyala izingelosi ukuba zibambe imimoya yomine, emelwe “njengehhashi elithukuthele” elifuna ukuphunyuka lilethe ukufa nokubhujiswa endleleni yalo.

> “The angels of God do His bidding, holding back the winds of the earth, that the winds should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree, until the servants of God should be sealed in their foreheads. The mighty angel is seen ascending from the east (or sunrising). This mightiest of angels has in his hand the seal of the living God, or of Him who alone can give life, who can inscribe upon the foreheads the mark or inscription, to whom shall be granted immortality, eternal life. It is the voice of this highest angel that had authority to command the four angels to keep in check the four winds until this work was performed, and until he should give the summons to let them loose.” Testimonies to Ministers, 445.

> “Izingelosi zikaNkulunkulu zenza intando yaKhe, zibamba imimoya yomhlaba, ukuze imimoya ingavunguzi emhlabeni, nasolwandle, noma kunoma yimuphi umuthi, kuze kube yilapho izinceku zikaNkulunkulu sezibekwe uphawu emabunzini azo. Ingelosi enamandla ibonakala ikhuphuka ivela empumalanga (noma ekuphumeni kwelanga). Le ngelosi enamandla kunazo zonke inesibekiso sikaNkulunkulu ophilayo esandleni sayo, noma saLowo kuphela onganika ukuphila, ongabhala emabunzini uphawu noma umbhalo, labo abayakuphiwa ukungafi, ukuphila okuphakade. Yilizwi lale ngelosi ephakeme kunazo zonke elalinamandla okugunyaza izingelosi ezine ukuba zibambe imimoya emine kuze kube yilapho lo msebenzi usuphothuliwe, futhi kuze kube yilapho inika isimemo sokuyidedela.” Testimonies to Ministers, 445.

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

Ingelosi eyala izingelosi ezine ukuba zibambe imimoya, iyiyo ingelosi yesAmbulo isahluko seshumi nesishiyagalombili ekhanyisa umhlaba ngenkazimulo yayo, futhi “izwi” layo “elinamandla” liyizwi lengelosi yesikhombisa.

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

> “Futhi yeka ukumelwa okunikeziwe kusAmbulo 7 ukuze sikucabangele, kusiduduze, futhi kusikhuthaze! Izingelosi ezine zithunyiwe ukuba zenze umsebenzi emhlabeni. Kodwa kukhona Othile owathenga izwe ngokuzinikela Yena uqobo ukuba libe yisihlengo salo, oneqoqo elikhethiweyo labambalwa. Obani? Yibo abagcina yonke imiyalo kaNkulunkulu futhi abanokukholwa kukaJesu.

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

> “Ukunaka kukaJohane kwaqondiswa kwesinye isigcawu: ‘Ngase ngibona enye ingelosi ikhuphuka ivela empumalanga, inophawu lukaNkulunkulu ophilayo’ (IsAmbulo 7:2). Ngubani lo? UyiNgelosi yesivumelwano. Uvela lapho kuphuma khona ilanga. UnguMthombo wokusa ovela phezulu. UngukuKhanya kwezwe. ‘Kuye kwakukhona ukuphila; futhi ukuphila kwakuyikukhanya kwabantu’ (Johane 1:4). NguYena lo u-Isaya amchazayo: ‘Sizalelwe umntwana, siphiwe indodana; nombuso uyakuba semahlombe ayo; igama layo liyakuthiwa uMangaliso, uMeluleki, uNkulunkulu onaMandla, uYise onguPhakade, iNkosana yokuThula’ (Isaya 9:6). Wamemeza, njengOmunye owayenobukhosi obungaphezu kwamabandla ezingelosi ezulwini, kulabo ‘ababekuphiwe ukuba balimaze umhlaba nolwandle,’ ethi, ‘ningalimazi umhlaba, nolwandle, nomuthi, size sibeke uphawu eziphongweni zezinceku zikaNkulunkulu wethu’ (IsAmbulo 7:2, 3).”

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

> “Nangu ubunkulunkulu nobuntu kuhlangene. Umyalo unikezwa ezingelosini ezine ukuba zibambe imimoya emine ize yamukele ukubizwa kwaKhe. Funda sonke isahluko. Isililo esithi, ‘Ningoni,’ sikhulunywa nguMbuyiseli, uMhlengi.

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

> “Ukwahlulela nolaka kwakufanele kubanjwe emuva isikhashana nje kuphela kuze kube yilapho umsebenzi othile usufezekile. Umlayezo, umlayezo wokugcina wesixwayiso nesihe, ubambezeleke ekwenzeni umsebenzi wawo ngenxa yothando lobugovu lwemali, uthando lobugovu lokunethezeka, kanye nokungafaneleki komuntu ukwenza umsebenzi odinga ukwenziwa. Ingelosi ezokhanyisa umhlaba ngenkazimulo yaYo ilinde amathuluzi abantu okwakungakhanya ngawo ukukhanya kwezulu, bese ngalokho ibambisane ukuze inikeze, ngobungcwele nobunzulu bawo obunesizotha, umlayezo ozonquma isiphetho sezwe.” Manuscript Releases, volume 15, 222.

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

Ingelosi yesithathu, onguyena uKristu, futhi iyingelosi yokubeka uphawu eyafika ngo-Okthoba 22, 1844, kodwa ngenxa yokungalaleli kwabantu bakaNkulunkulu, umsebenzi waYo wokubeka uphawu kwabeyizinkulungwane eziyikhulu namashumi amane nane ubambezelekile kwaze kwaba nguSepthemba 11, 2001. Khona-ke ubuSulumane boMaye besithathu, badiliza izakhiwo ezinkulu zaseNew York, futhi inqubo yokubekwa kophawu yaqala. Ngaleso sikhathi izizwe zathukuthela, “kepha zabanjwa zingalawuleki.” Izwi lokuqala lesAmbulo isahluko seshumi nesishiyagalombili, liyizwi eliyala izingelosi ezine ukuba zibambe, ngesikhathi abantu bakaNkulunkulu bebekwa uphawu.

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

UJesu uhlala ebonisa ukuphela ngesiqalo, futhi ngoFebhuwari 26, 1993, ubuSulumane boMaye wesithathu baqhumisa ibhomu leloli egalaji lokupaka elingaphansi komhlaba leNorth Tower yeWorld Trade Center. Lokho kuqhuma kwadala umonakalo omkhulu esakhiweni, kwabulala abantu abayisithupha kwalimaza abanye abangaphezu kwenkulungwane. Nakuba ukuhlasela kungazange kwehlise le mibhoshongo, kwakuyisenzo esikhulu sobuphekula enhlabathini yase-United States futhi kwaba yisandulela sezehlakalo zikaSepthemba 11, 2001.

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

Isikhathi sokubekwa uphawu saqala ngoSepthemba 11, 2001, kodwa sasihlanganisa isixwayiso sangaphambili eminyakeni eyisishiyagalombili ngaphambi kwalokho. Ukuhlasela kwamaSulumane kwa-Israyeli ngo-Okthoba 7, 2023 kuyisixwayiso sangaphambili sokuphela kwesikhathi sokubekwa uphawu. Izimpawu zesiprofetho zoMaye wesithathu sezimiswe kanye nezimpawu zesiprofetho zoMaye ababili bokuqala. Emavesini okuvula esahluko sesishiyagalolunye sencwadi yesAmbulo, kuboniswa ukubekwa uphawu kwabantu abayizinkulungwane eziyikhulu namashumi amane nane.

We will consider that subject in the next article.

Sizocabangela leso sihloko esihlokweni esilandelayo.

> “If such scenes as this are to come, such tremendous judgments on a guilty world, where will be the refuge for God’s people? How will they be sheltered until the indignation be overpast? John sees the elements of nature—earthquake, tempest, and political strife—represented as being held by four angels. These winds are under control until God gives the word to let them go. There is the safety of God’s church. The angels of God do His bidding, holding back the winds of the earth, that the winds should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree, until the servants of God should be sealed in their foreheads. The mighty angel is seen ascending from the east (or sunrising). This mightiest of angels has in his hand the seal of the living God, or of Him who alone can give life, who can inscribe upon the foreheads the mark or inscription, to whom shall be granted immortality, eternal life. It is the voice of this highest angel that had authority to command the four angels to keep in check the four winds until this work was performed, and until he should give the summons to let them loose.

> “Uma izigameko ezinjengalezi zizakufika, izahlulelo ezinkulu kangaka phezu kwezwe elinecala, kuyoba kuphi ukuphephela kwabantu bakaNkulunkulu? Bayokhoselelwa kanjani kuze kudlule ukuthukuthela? UJohane ubona izakhi zemvelo—ukuzamazama komhlaba, isiphepho, nombango wezepolitiki—zimelwe njengezibanjwe yizingelosi ezine. Le mimoya ilawulwa kuze kube yilapho uNkulunkulu enikeza izwi lokuba iyekwe. Kulapho kukhona ukuphepha kwebandla likaNkulunkulu. Izingelosi zikaNkulunkulu zenza intando Yakhe, zibambe imimoya yomhlaba, ukuze imimoya ingavunguzi emhlabeni, nasolwandle, nakunoma yimuphi umuthi, kuze kube yilapho izinceku zikaNkulunkulu sezibekwe uphawu emabunzini azo. Ingelosi enamandla ibonakala inyuka ivela empumalanga (noma ekuphumeni kwelanga). Le ngelosi enamandla kunazo zonke iphethe esandleni sayo uphawu lukaNkulunkulu ophilayo, noma lwaKhe Yena kuphela onganika ukuphila, ongaloba emabunzini uphawu noma umbhalo, labo abayokuphiwa ukungafi, ukuphila okuphakade. Yizwi lale ngelosi ephakeme kunazo zonke elalinegunya lokuyala izingelosi ezine ukuba zibambe imimoya emine kuze kube yilapho lo msebenzi usuqediwe, kuze kube yilapho yona isinikeza umyalo wokuyikhulula.”

> “Those that overcome the world, the flesh, and the devil, will be the favored ones who shall receive the seal of the living God. Those whose hands are not clean, whose hearts are not pure, will not have the seal of the living God. Those who are planning sin and acting it will be passed by. Only those who, in their attitude before God, are filling the position of those who are repenting and confessing their sins in the great anti-typical Day of Atonement, will be recognized and marked as worthy of God’s protection. The names of those who are steadfastly looking and waiting and watching for the appearing of their Saviour—more earnestly and wishfully than they who wait for the morning—will be numbered with those who are sealed. Those who, while having all the light of truth flashing upon their souls, should have works corresponding to their avowed faith, but are allured by sin, setting up idols in their hearts, corrupting their souls before God, and polluting those who unite with them in sin, will have their names blotted out of the book of life, and be left in midnight darkness, having no oil in their vessels with their lamps. ‘Unto you that fear My name shall the Sun of Righteousness arise with healing in His wings.’

> “Labo abanqoba izwe, inyama, noSathane, bayoba yilabo abathandwayo abayokwamukela uphawu lukaNkulunkulu ophilayo. Labo izandla zabo ezingahlanzekile, nezinhliziyo zabo ezingemsulwa, abayikuba nophawu lukaNkulunkulu ophilayo. Labo abahlela isono bese besenza bayodluliswa. Yilabo kuphela okuthi, esimweni sabo sengqondo phambi kukaNkulunkulu, bagcwalisa isikhundla sabalabo abaphendukayo nabavuma izono zabo ngosuku olukhulu lokubuyisana oluyisifaniso sangempela, abayobonwa futhi baphawulwe njengabafanele ukuvikelwa nguNkulunkulu. Amagama alabo ababheka ngokuqina, belinda futhi beqapha ukuvela koMsindisi wabo—ngokukhuthala okukhulu nangokulangazelela okwedlula okwabalinda ukusa—ayobalwa kanye nalabo ababekiwe uphawu. Labo okuthi, nakuba benakho konke ukukhanya kweqiniso kubaneka emiphefumulweni yabo, befanele babe nemisebenzi ehambisana nokholo lwabo abaluvumayo, kodwa bayengwa yisono, bemisa izithixo ezinhliziyweni zabo, bonakalisa imiphefumulo yabo phambi kukaNkulunkulu, futhi bengcolisa labo abahlanganyela nabo esonweni, bayakucinywa amagama abo encwadini yokuphila, bashiywe ebumnyameni baphakathi kobusuku, bengenawo amafutha ezitsheni zabo kanye nezibani zabo. ‘Kepha kini enilesabayo igama Lami iLanga Lokulunga liyakuphuma, liphatha ukuphulukisa emaphikweni alo.’”

> “This sealing of the servants of God is the same that was shown to Ezekiel in vision. John also had been a witness of this most startling revelation. He saw the sea and the waves roaring, and men’s hearts failing them for fear. He beheld the earth moved, and the mountains carried into the midst of the sea (which is literally taking place), the water thereof roaring and troubled, and the mountains shaking with the swelling thereof. He was shown plagues, pestilence, famine, and death performing their terrible mission.” Testimonies to Ministers, 445.

> “Lokhu kufakwa uphawu kwezinceku zikaNkulunkulu kuyefana nalokho okwaboniswa uHezekeli embonweni. NoJohane futhi wayengufakazi walesi sembulo esimangalisa kakhulu. Wabona ulwandle namagagasi kuvungama, nezinhliziyo zabantu ziphela amandla ngenxa yokwesaba. Wabona umhlaba unyakaziswa, nezintaba zithwalwa ziyiswe phakathi kolwandle (okuyinto eyenzeka ngokoqobo), amanzi alo evungama futhi ephithizela, nezintaba zithuthumela ngenxa yokuvuvukala kwalo. Waboniswa izifo, ubhubhane, indlala, nokufa kugcwalisa umsebenzi wako omubi nowesabekayo.” Testimonies to Ministers, 445.

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