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# Rome Establishes the Vision - Number Thirteen

IRoma Imisa Umbono - Inombolo Yeshumi Nantathu

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

Izimpikiswano ZaseRoma: Ukuqonda Uvivinyo Lokugcina Lomfanekiso Wesilo

Author

Jeff Pippenger

Published

September 1, 2024

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

Njengoba sihlanganisa ukucabangela izingxabano ezihlukahlukene ezenzeke emlandweni wama-Adventist, umugqa phezu komugqa, ukuze siphethe ukuqonda kwethu ngendaba yamanje, sithathe izici ezikhethiwe zemigqa emihlanu yesiprofetho. Umugqa wokuqala ubuye ube ngumugqa wokugcina, ngokuba zombili lezo zingxabano zazisekelwe ngokuqondile evesini leshumi nane likaDaniyeli ishumi nanye mayelana “nabaphangi babantu bakho.” Sicabangele izingxabano zika-Uriah Smith noJames White kanye nengxabano “yokuqhubekayo,” encwadini kaDaniyeli. Sicabangele ingxabano eyavela emva kokwambulwa kwamavesi ayisithupha okugcina kaDaniyeli ishumi nanye ngonyaka ka-1989, mayelana nenkosi yasenyakatho. Sabe sesicabangela izinambuzane ezine zencwadi kaJoweli. Kuningi kakhulu okunganezelwa kuleyo naleyo migqa, kodwa simane sihlukanisa izimpawu ezithile ezaba negalelo ezimweni ezalenqaba amaqiniso axhumene nendaba yeRoma.

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

Izindaba ezinhlanu, kodwa eyokuqala futhi iyiyokugcina, zimelela imigqa eyisithupha. Isimo sesiprofetho sale migqa yempikiswano siyizinsuku zokugcina; ngakho ngenxa yalesi sizathu le migqa kufanele isetshenziswe ngesikhathi sokuvivinywa komfanekiso wesilo.

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

> “INkosi ingibonisile ngokucacile ukuthi umfanekiso wesilo uyokwakhiwa ngaphambi kokuba umusa wokuvivinywa uvalwe; ngoba uyoba uvivinyo olukhulu kubantu bakaNkulunkulu, okuyilo okuyonquma ngalo isiphetho sabo saphakade....”

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

> “Lesi yisivivinyo abantu bakaNkulunkulu okumelwe babe naso ngaphambi kokuba babekwe uphawu.” Manuscript Releases, ivolumu 15, 15.

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

Ukuhlolwa kokwakheka komfanekiso wesilo, njengakwezinye izintambo eziyisithupha zempikiswano, kuwukuhlolwa okuphathelene nesihloko sesiprofetho esingoRoma. Ukuhlolwa okukhulu okwenzeka ngaphambi kokuba abantu bakaNkulunkulu babekwe uphawu kuwukumayelana nokwakheka komfanekiso wesilo saseRoma. Isilo singamandla obupapa, futhi i-United States yakha umfanekiso wamandla obupapa njengoba iqhubekela emthethweni weSonto ozayo maduze.

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

> “Ukuze i-United States yakhe umfanekiso wesilo, amandla enkolo kumelwe alawule uhulumeni wombuso ngendlela yokuthi negunya lombuso lisetshenziswe yibandla ukuze lifeze izinhloso zalo uqobo.” The Great Controversy, 443.

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

Lowo mthetho weSonto e-United States ukhomba ukuthi umfanekiso wesilo usumiswe ngokuphelele e-United States.

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

> “Kodwa khona kanye esenzweni sokuphoqelela umsebenzi wenkolo ngamandla ombuso, amabandla ngokwawo ayeyokwakha umfanekiso wesilo; ngakho-ke ukuphoqelelwa kokugcinwa kweSonto e-United States kwakuyoba ukuphoqelelwa kokukhulekelwa kwesilo nomfanekiso waso.” The Great Controversy, 449.

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

Ngomthetho weSonto isithombe sesilo sesesimisiwe ngokuphelele e-United States, futhi i-United States isuke seyihlukaniswe ngokuphelele noNkulunkulu, bese iqala umsebenzi wayo wesiprofetho wokuphoqelela umhlaba wonke ukuba wakhe isithombe sesilo. Ngomthetho weSonto e-United States uSathane uqala umsebenzi wakhe omangalisayo wokuhola izizwe zomhlaba ukuba ziphinde inqubo yokwakha isithombe sesilo esihlanganisa zonke izizwe zomhlaba.

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

> “Ngesinqumo esiphoqelela ukusungulwa koBuPapa ngokwephula umthetho kaNkulunkulu, isizwe sakithi siyakuzihlukanisa ngokuphelele nokulunga. Lapho ubuProthestani buyokwelulela isandla salo ngaphesheya kwegebe ukuze bubambe isandla samandla aseRoma, lapho buyofinyelela ngaphesheya kwalasha ukuze buhlanganise izandla noMoya-mimoya, lapho-ke, ngaphansi kwethonya lwaleyo nyunyana ephindwe kathathu, izwe lakithi liyakulahla yonke imigomo yoMthethosisekelo walo njengohulumeni wobuProthestani noweriphabhulikhi, futhi liyokwenza amalungiselelo okusakazwa kwamanga nokudukisa kobuPapa, khona-ke singakwazi ukuthi isikhathi sesifikile sokusebenza okumangalisayo kukaSathane nokuthi ukuphela sekusondele.” Testimonies, ivolumu 5, 451.

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

Emthethweni weSonto ozayo maduze e-United States, uSathane, esebenzisana ne-United States, uyophoqa zonke izizwe ukuba zilandele isibonelo se-United States ekumiseni uhlelo lwebandla nombuso, nasekuphoqeleleni ukukhulekelwa kweSonto.

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

> “USathane uzosebenzisa izimangaliso ukuze akhohlise labo abahlala emhlabeni. Ukuthakathwa kwemimoya kuyokwenza umsebenzi wako ngokubangela ukuba abafileyo balingiswe ngokubonakala kwabo. Lezo zinhlangano zenkolo ezenqaba ukulalela imiyalezo kaNkulunkulu yesexwayiso ziyakuba ngaphansi kokukhohliswa okunamandla, futhi ziyohlangana namandla ombuso ukuze zihluphe abangcwele. Amasonto amaProthestani ayohlangana namandla obupapa ekuhlupheni abantu bakaNkulunkulu abagcina imiyalo. Lawa yilawo mandla akha uhlelo olukhulu lokuhlupha oluyosebenzisa ubudlova bomoya phezu konembeza babantu.”

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

> “‘Yayinezimpondo ezimbili ezifana nezewundlu, futhi yakhuluma njengodrako.’ Nakuba bevuma ukuthi bangabalandeli beWundlu likaNkulunkulu, abantu bagcwala umoya kadrako. Bavuma ukuthi bamnene futhi bathobekile, kodwa bakhuluma futhi benze imithetho ngomoya kaSathane, bebonakalisa ngezenzo zabo ukuthi baphambene nalokho abathi bayikho. La mandla afana newundlu ahlangana nodrako ekulweni nalabo abagcina imiyalo kaNkulunkulu futhi abanobufakazi bukaJesu Kristu. Futhi uSathane uhlangana namaProthestani namaPapa, esebenza ngokuvumelana nawo njengonkulunkulu waleli zwe, eyalela abantu sengathi bayizakhamuzi zombuso wakhe, ukuba aphathe, ababuse, futhi abalawule ngendlela athanda ngayo.

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

> “Uma abantu bengavumi ukunyathela phansi imiyalo kaNkulunkulu, umoya kadrako uyabonakaliswa. Bayaboshwa, balethwe phambi kwemikhandlu, futhi bahlawuliswa. ‘Wenza bonke, abancane nabakhulu, abacebileyo nabampofu, abakhululekileyo nezigqila, ukuba bamukele uphawu esandleni sabo sokunene noma emabunzini abo’ [IsAmbulo 13:16]. ‘Futhi wanikwa amandla okupha ukuphila umfanekiso wesilo, ukuze umfanekiso wesilo ukhulume futhi wenze ukuba bonke abangawukhonzanga umfanekiso wesilo babulawe’ [ivesi 15]. Ngaleyo ndlela uSathane uzithathela ngokungekho emthethweni amalungelo akhethekile kaJehova. Umuntu wesono uhlala esihlalweni sikaNkulunkulu, ezimemezela ukuthi unguNkulunkulu, futhi enza okungaphezu kukaNkulunkulu.” Manuscript Releases, ivolumu 14, 162.

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

Amandla obupapa ayisilo leso, iZizwe Ezihlangene ziyidrako, kanti i-United States ingumprofethi wamanga. Labo abadidekayo ngencazelo yomphikukristu, oyikho kokubili uSathane nommeleli kaSathane wasemhlabeni, upapa waseRoma, bayogcina besohlangothini lomphikukristu.

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

I-United States akayena umuntu wesono. Umuntu wesono ungumphikukristu, futhi uyimmeleli kaSathane yasemhlabeni. Ukudida amandla abeka ubuPapa esihlalweni sobukhosi bomhlaba nobuPapa uqobo lwabo, uPawulu ukukubonisa njengobufakazi bokungathandi iqiniso. Ukwenqaba ubudlelwane besiprofetho beRoma lobuhedeni obabubambezela amandla obuPapa, kwaze kwasuswa iRoma lobuhedeni, ukuze amandla obuPapa embulwe, njengoba kubekiwe kweyesibili kwabaseThesalonika isahluko sesibili, kuwukwenqaba ukuthululwa kukaMoya oNgcwele nokwamukela ukuthululwa komoya ongangcwele, uPawulu awuchaza njengokudukiswa okunamandla. Sekushiwo lokho, yilowo nalowo wabaprofethi basendulo wakhuluma ngokuqondile kakhulu ngezinsuku zokugcina kunangezinsuku ababephila kuzo.

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

> “Ngamunye wabaprofethi basendulo akazange akhulumele kakhulu inkathi yabo kunenkathi yethu, ukuze ukuprofetha kwabo kusebenze kithina. ‘Manje zonke lezi zinto zabehlela bona ukuba zibe yizibonelo; futhi zalotshwa ukuba zisiyale thina esifikelwe yiziphetho zomhlaba.’ 1 Korinte 10:11. ‘Abazange bakhonze bona uqobo, kodwa bakhonza thina ngalezo zinto enesaziswa ngazo manje yilabo abanishumayezele ivangeli ngoMoya oNgcwele owathunyelwa evela ezulwini; izinto lezo izingelosi ezifisa ukuzibhekisisa.’ 1 Petru 1:12....”

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

> “IBhayibheli liqoqe lahlanganisa ndawonye ingcebo yalo ngenxa yalesi sizukulwane sokugcina. Zonke izehlakalo ezinkulu nazo zonke izenzo ezinesithunzi zomlando weTestamente Elidala bezilokhu ziphindaphindeka, futhi ziyaphindaphindeka, ebandleni kulezi zinsuku zokugcina.” Selected Messages, book 3, 338, 339.

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

IRoma lobuhedeni kanye nomuntu wesono kuThesalonika Yesibili kumela i-United States neRoma lobupapa yezinsuku zokugcina. Ukungaliqondi leli qiniso kuwukubonisa, phakathi kwezinye izinto, ukuthi noma umuntu ethi usekela ukuhumusha kwakhe siqu phezu komgomo othi “uhlobo nesigcwaliseko salo,” empeleni akaqondi “uhlobo nesigcwaliseko salo.” I-United States imelelwe kusengaphambili amandla amaningana emlandweni ongcwele. Wonke umbuso onezimpondo ezimbili umelela i-United States ezinsukwini zokugcina, noma ngabe kungumbuso wakwa-Israyeli wasenyakatho nowaseningizimu, uMbuso wamaMede namaPheresiya, noma iFrance engenankolo emelwe yiSodoma neGibhithe.

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

Isikhathi lapho i-United States yakha umfanekiso wesilo nasesilweni sifanekisiwe ngensimbi nobumba bukaDaniyeli ezimbili, nangophondo oluncane oluzibonakalisa njengowesilisa nowesifazane kuDaniyeli isishiyagalombili, kanye nabaprofethi bakaBhali nabapristi besihlahla ebufakazini buka-Eliya eNtabeni iKarmeli. USalome ufanekisela i-United States ebufakazini bedili lokuzalwa likaHerode lokudakwa. IPergamu lifanekisela i-United States futhi likhomba ukuyekethisa okuholela eThiyathira, efanekisela amandla obupapa ezinsukwini zokugcina.

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

UClovis, inkosi yamaFranks ngo-496, uyisifaniso se-United States esikhathini sikaRonald Reagan. UJustinian ngo-533 umelela uDonald Trump ngaphambi komthetho weSonto. Kuleso naleso sifaniso, i-United States imelela amandla akhothamela ngokuzithoba emandleni obupapa ezinsuku zokugcina. Amandla akhothamela ngokuzithoba amelwe njengakhokha ukuhlonipha iRoma. Isenzo sokuthi “ukuhlonipha” sihlanganisa ukukhothamela inkosi, eyinhloko.

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

> “Kubonisiwe ukuthi i-United States ingumbuso omelwe yisilo esinezimpondo ezinjengezewayini, nokuthi lesi siprofetho siyogcwaliseka lapho i-United States iphoqelela ukugcinwa kweSonto, okuyinto iRoma eyisho njengokuvuma okukhethekile kobukhosi bayo obuphakeme. Kodwa kulokhu kuhlonishwa kobupapa i-United States ngeke ibe yodwa. Ithonya leRoma emazweni ake avuma ukubuswa yiyo lisekude kakhulu nokuba libhujiswe. Futhi isiprofetho sibikezela ukubuyiselwa kwamandla ayo. ‘Ngabona elinye lamakhanda aso kungathi lilimele laze lafa; kepha isilonda saso esibulalayo saphulukiswa: izwe lonke lamangala lalandela isilo.’ Ivesi 3. Ukushaywa kwesilonda esibulalayo kubhekisela ekuweni kobupapa ngo-1798.”

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

> Emva kwalokhu, kusho umprofethi, ‘isilonda sakhe esibulalayo saphulukiswa; futhi umhlaba wonke wamangala walandela isilo.’ UPawulu usho ngokusobala ukuthi ‘umuntu wesono’ uyakuqhubeka kuze kube sekufikeni kwesibili. 2 Thesalonika 2:3-8. Kuze kube sekupheleni kwesikhathi kakhulu uyakuqhubekisela phambili umsebenzi wokukhohlisa. Futhi umembuli uyamemezela, naye ebhekisela ebupapeni, athi: ‘Bonke abahlala emhlabeni bayakusikhonza, labo amagama abo angalotshiwe encwadini yokuphila.’ IsAmbulo 13:8. Kokubili eMhlabeni Omdala naseMhlabeni Omusha, ubupapa buyakwemukeliswa udumo ngokuhlonishwa okunikezwa umgubho weSonto, oncike kuphela phezu kwegunya leBandla laseRoma.” The Great Controversy, 578.

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

Umusho wokugcina unikeza ubufakazi obengeziwe bokuthi uDadewethu White wayeqonda inkulumo ethi, “izwe elidala” ukuba imele iYurophu, nokuthi “izwe elisha” limele amaMelika. Njengoba kunjalo, yi-United States ekhokha inhlonipho emandleni obupapa futhi iphoqe wonke umhlaba ukuba wenze okufanayo. Lokhu kukhomba i-United States njengengaphansi kokulawulwa yiziqondiso zamandla obupapa. Ukuhlonza kuka-Isaya nokugcizelela kwakhe ekuqondeni “ikhanda” ukuze kusungulwe kuthola injongo yakho yobunkulunkulu ngokuthi uphawu “ikhanda” luba yisihluthulelo sokuqonda umugqa wangaphandle wesiprofetho, kanye nomugqa wangaphakathi wesiprofetho.

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

> Ngokuba inhloko yaseSiriya iyiDamaseku, nenhloko yeDamaseku inguRezini; kuthi eminyakeni engamashumi ayisithupha nanhlanu u-Efrayimi aphulwe, angabe esaba yisizwe. Nenhloko ka-Efrayimi iyiSamariya, nenhloko yeSamariya iyindodana kaRemaliya. Uma ningakholwa, impela aniyikuqiniswa. U-Isaya 7:8, 9.

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

Ezinsukwini zokugcina, okuyisikhathi lapho ubufakazi bawo wonke umprofethi busebenza khona, “abaphangi babantu bakho” baqinisa umbono. Ngaphansi kwegunya loMoya Wokuprofetha, futhi ngokuvumelana namaqiniso ayisisekelo obu-Adventist, njengoba emelwe emashadini amabili angcwele kaHabakuki, “abaphangi” bayisifanekiselo seRoma. Ngenkathi iRoma yobuqaba izingenisa emlandweni okokuqala ngqa ngonyaka ka-200 BC, yayingumfanekiso wangaphambili weRoma yanamuhla yezinsuku zokugcina. Leli qiniso lesiprofetho yilona eliqinisa umbono wesiprofetho wezinsuku zokugcina, futhi uma wenqaba ukubona ukuthi “ikhanda” leRoma yanamuhla lingamandla obupapa, khona impela awuyikuqiniswa.

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

> “Umhlaba ugcwele izivunguvungu nezimpi nokungezwani. Nokho ngaphansi kwenhloko eyodwa—amandla obupapa—abantu bayobumbana ukuze bamelane noNkulunkulu ngomuntu wofakazi baKhe.” Testimonies, volume 7, 182.

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

Uma unezindlebe zokuzwa, khona-ke ungakuqonda ukuthi ukwehluleka okuyinhloko kwamaJuda enkathini kaKristu kwakungukuthi abona “isithunzi” njengokuthi “yiyona nto uqobo.” AmaJuda ngaphambi nangemva kwesiphambano athembela emifanekisweni yesimiso sawo sokukhonza, futhi ayilahla i-Antitype. Aphikisa ngokuthi “isithunzi” “yiyona nto uqobo,” futhi ngokwenza kanjalo ashiya embhalweni ophefumulelweyo isixwayiso ngabantu bezinsuku zokugcina nabo abayakubona isithunzi njengento uqobo.

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

Lapho i-United States yakha umfanekiso wesilo, yakha isithunzi sesilo. Yakha isithunzi sengqikithi, ngokuba umfanekiso uyisifanekiselo. Ukuchaza i-United States, lapho yakha umfanekiso wesilo, njengophawu lweRoma Yesimanje, kuwukuyilinganisa nokwenqatshwa nokubethelwa kukaMfanekiso Omkhulu Wangempela okwenziwa u-Israyeli wasendulo.

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

Labo abafundisa umbono onephutha wokuthi i-United States ingabaphangi babantu bakho bakhuluma kakhulu ngokusebenzisa kwabo isifaniso nesigcwaliseko saso, futhi bavame ukuhlonza i-United States njengomfanekiso wesilo, bese ngandlela-thile becabanga ukuthi ngokuhlonza i-United States njengomfanekiso wesilo lokho ngandlela-thile kufakazela ukuthi i-United States “ingabaphangi.” Ukuba bebengazivumela ngempela ukuba babuswe yizimiso eziyisisekelo “zesifaniso nesigcwaliseko saso,” bebeyobona masinyane ukuthi indima yesiprofetho ye-United States, eye yamelelwa kaningi eZwini likaNkulunkulu ngesifaniso, ikhomba i-United States njengamandla angaphansi kokuthobela igunya lobupapa. Bebeyobona ukuthi ngaphandle kwesilo njengendawo yokubhekisela kuyo, kuwubuwula ukuhlonza umfanekiso wesilo owawungekho. Into okuwukuphela kwayo engachaza umfanekiso wesilo, yisilo uqobo lwaso, ngoba amandla obupapa yiwo amisa umfanekiso embonweni wesibuko.

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

Umugqa ohambisanayo wesiprofetho oya e-United States owakha umfanekiso wesilo yilapho uphondo lobuProthestani beqiniso lwakha umfanekiso kaKristu. Lokho kwakheka kukhonjiswa ngokuqondile kuDaniyeli isahluko seshumi, lapho uDaniyeli ebona i-“marah,” umbono, okuwumbono “wesibuko.” UDaniyeli umelela labo ababuka uKristu, futhi ngokwenza kanjalo babonakalisa isimilo sikaKristu. Uma umbono kaKristu wawungavezwanga kuDaniyeli, wayengeke akwazi ukubonakalisa isimilo sikaKristu. Ukuze abayizinkulungwane eziyikhulu namashumi amane nane, abamelwe nguDaniyeli esahlukweni seshumi, bakhe ngaphakathi umfanekiso kaKristu, kumelwe babuke isimilo saKhe. Ngokubuka bayaguqulwa.

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

> Kodwa thina sonke, ngobuso obembuliweyo, sibuka njengasesibukweni inkazimulo yeNkosi, siguqulwa sibe ngumfanekiso ofanayo sisuka enkazimulweni siye enkazimulweni, njengokwenziwa nguMoya weNkosi. 2 Korinte 3:18.

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

Incazelo yesiHeberu yombono othi “marah” uDaniyeli awubona esahlukweni seshumi ithi “umbono; futhi (ngesimo esibangela umphumela) isibuko: —ingilazi yokuzibuka, umbono.” Igama lesiGreki elihunyushwe ngokuthi ingilazi evesini elandulelayo lisho ukuzibona esibukweni, okungukuthi, ukubona isithombe esibonakalisiwe (ngokwesingathekiso): —ukubona njengasesibukweni.

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

UJakobe naye ubeka obala umugqa weqiniso ohlobene nesibuko.

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

> Ngokuba uma umuntu engowezwayo wezwi, kepha engesiye umenzi, ufaniswa nomuntu obuka ubuso bakhe bemvelo esibukweni; ngokuba uyazibuka, ahambe indlela yakhe, bese masinyane akhohlwe ukuthi ubengumuntu onjani. Kodwa lowo obhekisisa umthetho opheleleyo wenkululeko, aqhubeke kuwo, engesiye owezwayo okhohlwayo, kodwa engumenzi womsebenzi, lowo muntu uyakubusiswa ekwenzeni kwakhe. Jakobe 1:23–25.

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

Uma sithanda iqiniso, ngakho-ke siyabenzi beLizwi, khona-ke isibuko esisibhekayo ngumthetho ophelele wenkululeko; kodwa uma singalithandi iqiniso, bese kuthi ngemva kwalokho sihambe ngendlela yethu siqu, njengalabo ababenaye uDaniyeli benza lapho bebaleka, khona-ke isibuko simane nje sibe yisithombe sethu ngokwethu.

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

> “Umthetho kaNkulunkulu uyisibuko esiveza ngokuphelele isithombe somuntu njengoba enjalo, futhi simbeke phambi kwakhe umfanekiso oqondile. Abanye bayophenduka basuke bakhohlwe lesi sithombe, kuthi abanye basebenzise izithuko ezihlambalazayo ngokumelene nomthetho, sengathi lokhu kungelapha iziphambeko zabo zesimilo. Kanti abanye futhi abalahlwa ngumthetho bayophenduka eziphambekweni zabo, futhi ngokukholwa ekufanelekeni kukaKristu bayophelelisa isimilo sobuKristu.” Faith and Works, 31.

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

UDaniyeli akazange azibone embonweni wesibuko; wabona uKristu, ongumfanekiso ophelele womthetho ophelele wenkululeko kaJakobe.

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

> “Impilo kaKristu emhlabeni iwukubonakaliswa okuphelele komthetho wobuNkulunkulu. Kuye kukhona ukuphila nethemba nokukhanya. Mbhekeni, khona niyoguqulwa nibe ngokomfanekiso ofanayo, nisuke esimilweni niye esimilweni.” Signs of the Times, May 10, 1910.

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

Isithombe sesilo sibonisa isilo, futhi ukwakhiwa kwesithombe sesilo kuyisivivinyo esikhulu kubantu bakaNkulunkulu, okuyiso okuyonqunywa ngaso isiphetho sabo saphakade. Lapho amasonto amaProthestani elawula uhulumeni wase-United States, ayobe esewakhe isithombe sohlelo lombuso wesonto amandla obupapa abehlale elusebenzisa njalo. Kuleso sikhathi esifanayo isithombe sikaKristu siyokhiqizwa kubantu baKhe bezinsuku zokugcina. Nokho, labo ababenaye uDaniyeli abalibonanga umbono, ngoba babaleka embonweni.

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

Ukwakheka komfanekiso kaKristu kuveza ukubonakaliswa kwezigaba ezimbili zabakhulekeli. Esinye isigaba siyasala umgomo wokubonakalisa. Lo mgomo wokubonakalisa umelelwa yisibuko, ngokuba uKristu usebenzisa izinto ezingokoqobo zasemhlabeni ukumela amaqiniso omoya asezulwini.

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

> “Ekufundiseni kukaKristu ngemifanekiso kubonakala lowo mgomo ofanayo nowabonakala emsebenzini waKhe uqobo emhlabeni. Ukuze sikwazi ukwazana nesimilo saKhe sobuNkulunkulu nokuphila kwaKhe, uKristu wathatha imvelo yethu, wahlala phakathi kwethu. Ubunkulunkulu bembulwa ebuntwini; inkazimulo engabonakali embonakalweni wobuntu obubonakalayo. Abantu babengafunda okungaziwayo ngalokho okwaziwayo; izinto zasezulwini zembulwa ngezinto zasemhlabeni; uNkulunkulu wabonakaliswa ngokufana kwabantu. Kwakunjalo nasekufundiseni kukaKristu: okungaziwayo kwakuchazwa ngalokho okwaziwayo; amaqiniso obuNkulunkulu ngezinto zasemhlabeni abantu ababewajwayele kakhulu.”

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

> “Umbhalo uthi, ‘Konke lokhu uJesu wakukhuluma esixukwini ngemifanekiso; … ukuze kugcwaliseke okwakhulunywa ngumprofethi, ethi, Ngiyakuvula umlomo waMi ngemifanekiso; ngiyakuveza izinto ebezifihlakele kusukela ekusekelweni komhlaba.’ Mathewu 13:34, 35. Izinto zemvelo zaziyindlela yokudlulisa ezikamoya; izinto zemvelo kanye nokuhlangenwe nakho kwempilo yabamuzwayo kwakuxhunyaniswe namaqiniso ezwi elilotshiwe. Ngokuhola kanjalo kusuka embusweni wemvelo kuya embusweni kamoya, imifanekiso kaKristu iyizixhumanisi ochungechungeni lweqiniso oluhlanganisa umuntu noNkulunkulu, nomhlaba nezulu.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 17.

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

Isimiso esingokomoya sokubonakalisa sigcwaliseka ngokubheka esibukweni esimelela uKristu, futhi ngenxa yokuthi umbono “marah” ungumbono oyimbangela, umfanekiso kaKristu osesibukweni ukhiqiza umfanekiso kaKristu esintwini.

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

Ukuthi i-United States iyona emisa umbono, kuwukusho ukuthi umfanekiso kaDaniyeli yiwo omisa uKristu. UKristu uyena omisa umbono wesimilo saKhe nomsebenzi waKhe, futhi umphikukristu uyena omisa umbono wesimilo sakhe nomsebenzi wakhe. Umbono yilokho okubonakaliswayo ngesibuko, futhi umbono umiswa ngabaphangi. Ukungaqondi kahle umfanekiso wesilo, ngokubiza umfanekiso ngokuthi uyiso kanye uqobo lwesilo, kuveza imigqa ehambisanayo.

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

Umuntu ongaphendukile akaziboni esibukweni; noma uma impela ebona umthetho kaNkulunkulu, udelela lowo mthetho ngenhloso yokubalekela izimfuno zawo. Umuntu ophendukile ubona uKristu nomthetho waKhe esibukweni. I-United States yakha umfanekiso wamandla obupapa ngokubuka amandla obupapa nokuwaphindaphinda. Umphikukristu uphindaphindwa yi-United States.

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

ULusifa wafisa ukuhlala ezihlalweni zobukhosi zikaNkulunkulu zezepolitiki nezenkolo.

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

> Yeka kanjani ezulwini, wena Lusifa, ndodana yokusa! yeka indlela ogawulwe ngayo phansi emhlabathini, wena owawenza izizwe zibe buthakathaka! Ngokuba ushilo enhliziyweni yakho wathi: Ngiyakwenyukela ezulwini, ngiphakamise isihlalo sami sobukhosi ngaphezu kwezinkanyezi zikaNkulunkulu; ngihlale futhi entabeni yebandla, emikhawulweni yasenyakatho; ngiyakwenyukela ngaphezu kwezindawo eziphakeme zamafu; ngiyokuba njengoPhezukonke. Hezekeli 14:12–14.

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

USathane ungumphikukristu, kanjalo futhi namandla obupapa. Amandla obupapa amiswa esontweni futhi abusa phezu kwezihlalo zobukhosi bezepolitiki zaseYurophu. Isibuko esibangela umphumela sikaDaniyeli isahluko seshumi, lapho sibonwa ekusebenzisweni kwaso ngokomoya, siguqula labo abasibukayo babe sesimweni sikaKristu. Lelo qiniso libusa umugqa womphikukristu. Lapho isizwe noma umuntu ebuka embonweni wesibuko, kuveza umphumela obangela okuthile, njengoba lo mbono ukhiqiza kabusha umfanekiso wawo kumuntu noma esizweni esiwubukayo, futhi lokho kuveza noma umfanekiso kaKristu noma umfanekiso wesilo. Lokho kuhambisana nomphumela ofanayo omelelwe nguDaniyeli. UKristu nguyena owamisa umbono kaDaniyeli, futhi umphikukristu umisa umbono we-United States lapho yakha umfanekiso wesilo.

We will continue these thoughts in the next article.

Sizoqhubeka nale micabango esihlokweni esilandelayo.

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