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# The Book of Daniel - Number Eleven

Incwadi kaDaniyeli - Inombolo Yeshumi Nanye

Prophetic Tests in Darkness and the Rise of the Image

Izivivinyo Zobuprofethi Ebumnyameni nokuVuka komFanekiso

Author

Jeff Pippenger

Published

December 6, 2023

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Daniel chapter one, represents the first angel’s message, and chapter two represents the second angel’s message. In prophetic symbolism, the first message is to fear God, the second message is to give God glory and the third message identifies the hour of judgment. Before we get directly into the second chapter of Daniel, a little review is required. The second angel’s message primarily identifies the fall of Babylon.

Isahluko sokuqala sikaDaniyeli simele umlayezo wengelosi yokuqala, kanti isahluko sesibili simele umlayezo wengelosi yesibili. Ekuwuphawuleni kwesiprofetho, umlayezo wokuqala uwukwesaba uNkulunkulu, owesibili uwukumnika uNkulunkulu inkazimulo, kanti umlayezo wesithathu ukhomba ihora lokwahlulela. Ngaphambi kokuba singene ngokuqondile esahlukweni sesibili sikaDaniyeli, kudingeka ukubuyekeza okuncane. Umlayezo wengelosi yesibili ngokuyinhloko ukhomba ukuwa kweBabiloni.

> And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. Revelation 14:8.

> Kwalandela enye ingelosi, ithi: Liwile, liwile iBhabhiloni, lowo muzi omkhulu, ngokuba laphuzisa izizwe zonke iwayini yolaka lobufebe balo. IsAmbulo 14:8.

The second angel defines the fall of Babylon as the fact that she made “all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.” Her fall is in response to her committing fornication with all nations. The fornication is brought about through her false doctrines, which are represented as “wine.” The Catholic church is made up of many false teachings, but the false doctrine that is directly associated with her fall, is the false doctrine that produces her “wrath”. That doctrine is the combination of church and state, with the church in control of the relationship. The Catholic church’s wrath, is her persecution of those she identifies as heretics. Her wrath is accomplished by her fornication with the kings of the earth. Without her connection with, and control over, the kings of the earth, she would not have the ability to persecute those she defines as heretics. Her second fall, is therefore marking the point in the future when she can once again exercise her wrath as she did in the past, that is brought about by her fornication with the kings of the earth. The kings of the earth enter into the unlawful relationship by drinking her lies. The fall of Babylon is announced for the final time in Revelation chapter eighteen.

Ingelosi yesibili ichaza ukuwa kweBabiloni njengeqiniso lokuthi yenze “zonke izizwe ziphuze iwayini lolaka lobufebe bayo.” Ukuwa kwayo kuyimpendulo yokuba yenze ubufebe nazo zonke izizwe. Lobo bufebe bulethwa izimfundiso zayo zamanga, ezimelwe njenge “wayini.” ISonto lamaKatolika lakhiwe izimfundiso eziningi zamanga, kodwa imfundiso yamanga ehlotshaniswa ngokuqondile nokuwa kwalo, yimfundiso yamanga eveza “ulaka” lwalo. Leyo mfundiso iwukuhlanganiswa kwesonto nombuso, isonto libe yilo eliphethe lobo budlelwano. Ulaka lweSonto lamaKatolika, lungukuhlupha kwalo labo elibabiza ngokuthi bangamambuka. Lolo laka lufeza ngenqubo yobufebe balo namakhosi omhlaba. Ngaphandle kokuxhumana kwalo namakhosi omhlaba, nokuwalawula kwalo, belungeke libe namandla okuhlupha labo elibachaza njengamambuka. Ukuwa kwalo kwesibili, ngakho-ke, kuphawula iphuzu esikhathini esizayo lapho lingaphinde lisebenzise ulaka lwalo njengalokhu lwenza esikhathini esedlule, olulethwa ubufebe balo namakhosi omhlaba. Amakhosi omhlaba angena kulobo budlelwano obungemthetho ngokuphuza amanga alo. Ukuwa kweBabiloni kumenyezelwa okokugcina encwadini yeSambulo isahluko seshumi nesishiyagalombili.

> 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. And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities. Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double. Revelation 18:1–6.

> Kwathi emva kwalezi zinto ngabona enye ingelosi yehla ivela ezulwini, inamandla amakhulu; nomhlaba wakhanyiswa yinkazimulo yayo. Yamemeza ngamandla ngezwi elinamandla, yathi: Liwile, liwile iBhabhiloni elikhulu, seliphenduke indawo yokuhlala yamademoni, nesiboshwa sawo wonke umoya ongcolileyo, nesibaya sazo zonke izinyoni ezingcolileyo nezinengekayo. Ngokuba zonke izizwe ziphuze iwayini yolaka lobufebe balo, namakhosi omhlaba aphingile nalo, nabathengisi bomhlaba bacebile ngobuningi bokunethezeka kwalo. Ngase ngizwa elinye izwi livela ezulwini, lithi: Phumani kulo, bantu bami, ukuze ningahlanganyeli ezonweni zalo, futhi ukuze ningemukeli ezinhluphekweni zalo. Ngokuba izono zalo sezifinyelele ezulwini, noNkulunkulu ukhumbule ububi balo. Libuyiseleni njengoba nalo linibuyisele, niliphindisele ngokuphindiwe njengokwemisebenzi yalo; endebeni eliyigcwalisile, ligcwaliseleni ngokuphindiwe. IsAmbulo 18:1–6.

The probationary cup of the Catholic church ended in 1798, but she is to repeat the persecution she accomplished in the Dark Ages, during the soon-coming Sunday law crisis.

Indebe yomusa yesikhathi sokuvivinywa yeBandla lamaKatolika yaphela ngo-1798, kodwa lizophinda ukushushisa elakwenza ngeNkathi Yobumnyama, ngesikhathi senhlekelele yomthetho weSonto osuzayo maduzane.

> 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. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. Revelation 2:20–22.

> Nokho nginokumbalwa engimelana nawe ngakho, ngokuba uvumela lowo wesifazane uJezebeli, ozibiza ngokuthi ungumphrofethikazi, ukuba afundise nokuyenga izinceku zami ukuba ziphinge, nokuba zidle okuhlatshelwe izithombe. Ngamnika ithuba lokuba aphenduke ekuphingeni kwakhe; kodwa akaphendukanga. Bheka, ngizomphonsa embhedeni, nalabo abaphinga naye ngibaphonse osizini olukhulu, ngaphandle kokuba baphenduke ezenzweni zabo. IsAmbulo 2:20–22.

She was given twelve hundred and sixty years to repent and she refused. The three and a half years of drought that led to Mount Carmel, was given to Jezebel to repent, but she also refused. At the soon-coming Sunday law in the United States, the first of the kings of the earth that commit fornication with her in the last days is the United States, the earth beast of Revelation thirteen. It then has filled the cup of its probationary time.

Wanikezwa iminyaka eyinkulungwane namakhulu amabili namashumi ayisithupha ukuba aphenduke, kodwa wenqaba. Iminyaka emithathu nengxenye yendlala eyaholela eNtabeni iKarmeli yanikezwa uJezebeli ukuba aphenduke, kodwa naye wenqaba. Emthethweni weSonto osuzayo maduze e-United States, owokuqala wamakhosi omhlaba aphinga naye ezinsukwini zokugcina yi-United States, isilo somhlaba sesAmbulo 13. Khona-ke isiyigcwalisile indebe yesikhathi sayo sokuvivinywa.

> “The greatest and most favored nation upon the earth is the United States. A gracious Providence has shielded this country, and poured upon her the choicest of Heaven’s blessings. Here the persecuted and oppressed have found refuge. Here the Christian faith in its purity has been taught. This people have been the recipients of great light and unrivaled mercies. But these gifts have been repaid by ingratitude and forgetfulness of God. The Infinite One keeps a reckoning with the nations, and their guilt is proportioned to the light rejected. A fearful record now stands in the register of Heaven against our land; but the crime which shall fill up the measure of her iniquity is that of making void the law of God.

> “Isizwe esikhulu kunazo zonke nesibusiswe kakhulu emhlabeni yi-United States. Ukubuswa koMusa kugcine leli zwe, futhi kwelekelela phezu kwalo izibusiso ezikhethwe kakhulu zaseZulwini. Lapha abashushiswayo nabacindezelweyo bathole isiphephelo. Lapha ukholo lobuKristu ebumsulweni balo lufundisiwe. Laba bantu babe ngabamukeli bokukhanya okukhulu kanye nezihawu ezingenakuqhathaniswa. Kodwa lezi zipho ziphindiselwe ngokungabongi nangokukhohlwa uNkulunkulu. Lowo Ongenasiphelo ugcina ukubalwa nezizwe, futhi icala lazo lilingana nokukhanya ezalikhalayo. Umbhalo owesabekayo manje umi encwadini yaseZulwini umelene nezwe lethu; kodwa icala eliyogcwalisa isilinganiso sobubi balo yilona lokwenza ize umthetho kaNkulunkulu.”

> “Between the laws of men and the precepts of Jehovah will come the last great conflict of the controversy between truth and error. Upon this battle we are now entering,—a battle not between rival churches contending for the supremacy, but between the religion of the Bible and the religion of fable and tradition. The agencies which will unite against truth and righteousness in this contest are now actively at work.” Spirit of Prophecy, volume 4, 398.

> “Phakathi kwemithetho yabantu nezimiso zikaJehova kuyovela impi yokugcina enkulu yombango phakathi kweqiniso nephutha. Kule mpi sesingena kuyo manje,—impi engeyona ephakathi kwamabandla aphikisanayo alwela ukubusa, kodwa ephakathi kwenkolo yeBhayibheli nenkolo yenganekwane nesiko. Izikhungo eziyohlangana zimelane neqiniso nokulunga kulo mncintiswano sezisebenza ngenkuthalo manje.” Spirit of Prophecy, volume 4, 398.

At the Sunday law, the mark of the beast is enforced, thus “making void the law of God.” Before the Sunday law, the image of the beast is formed within the United States. The Sunday law arrives at a point in time, but the formation of the image of the beast is a period of time. That period of time is the prophetic period represented by Daniel’s lifespan as represented by the seventy years of captivity in Daniel chapter one. Those seventy years began with Jehoiakim, symbolizing when the first message was empowered on September 11, 2001, and ended with the making void the law of God, as represented by the “decree” of Cyrus.

Ngomthetho weSonto, uphawu lwesilo luyaphoqelelwa, ngaleyo ndlela “kwenziwa ize umthetho kaNkulunkulu.” Ngaphambi komthetho weSonto, umfanekiso wesilo uyakhiwa ngaphakathi kwe-United States. Umthetho weSonto ufika ngesikhathi esithile, kodwa ukwakheka komfanekiso wesilo kuyinkathi yesikhathi. Leyo nkathi yesikhathi iyinkathi yesiprofetho emelwe ukuphila kukaDaniyeli njengoba kumelwe yiminyaka engamashumi ayisikhombisa yokuthunjwa kuDaniyeli isahluko sokuqala. Leyo minyaka engamashumi ayisikhombisa yaqala ngoJehoyakimi, okufanekisela isikhathi lapho umlayezo wokuqala wanikwa amandla ngoSepthemba 11, 2001, futhi yaphetha ngokwenziwa ize komthetho kaNkulunkulu, njengoba kumelwe “isimemezelo” sikaKoresi.

The history of Daniel’s prophetic life of seventy years is symbolic of several lines of prophecy. It represents the sealing time of the one hundred and forty-four thousand. It represents a three-step testing process that is illustrated in the three angels of Revelation fourteen, and represents the structure of the Hebrew word “truth.” It represents the purification of the sons of Levi that is accomplished by the messenger of the covenant. It is represented by Christ twice cleansing the temple. It is represented by the progressive apostasy within Jerusalem in Ezekiel chapters eight and nine. It also represents the history where the image of the beast is formed in the United States.

Umlando wempilo kaDaniyeli yokuprofetha weminyaka engamashumi ayisikhombisa uyisifanekiselo semigqa eminingana yesiprofetho. Umele isikhathi sokubekwa uphawu kwabeyizinkulungwane eziyikhulu namashumi amane nane. Umele inqubo yokuvivinywa enezigaba ezintathu ebonakaliswa yizingelosi ezintathu zesAmbulo ishumi nane, futhi umele ukwakheka kwegama lesiHebheru elithi “iqiniso.” Umele ukuhlanzwa kwamadodana kaLevi okufezwa yisithunywa sesivumelwano. Ufanekiswa nguKristu ehlanza ithempeli kabili. Ufanekiswa ukuhlubuka okuqhubekayo ngaphakathi kweJerusalema kuHezekeli izahluko eziyisishiyagalombili neziyisishiyagalolunye. Futhi umele umlando lapho umfanekiso wesilo wakhiwa e-United States.

The image of the beast is also represented by the fornication of Jezebel with Ahab, the fornication of Herod with Herodias, the golden calf of Aaron’s rebellion, the two counterfeit worship temples of Jeroboam located in Bethel and Dan, the prophets of Baal and the prophets of Ashtaroth in the story of Mount Carmel. The only definition of the image of the beast in the writings of Ellen White is the combination of church and state, with the church in control of the relationship. That issue of a church ruling over the state is the essence of what the sacred document, which is the Constitution of the United States, was designed to guard against. When the principle of the separation of church and state is discarded by the earth beast at the soon-coming Sunday law, the completed union of church and state in the United States will be accomplished.

Umfanekiso wesilo ubuye ufanekiswe nangokuphinga kukaJezebeli no-Ahabi, ukuphinga kukaHerode noHerodiya, ithole legolide lokuvukela kuka-Aroni, amathempeli amabili okukhonza omgunyathi kaJerobowamu aseBethele naseDani, abaprofethi bakaBhali nabaprofethi baka-Ashitoreti endabeni yaseNtabeni iKarmeli. Incazelo okuwukuphela kwayo yomfanekiso wesilo emibhalweni ka-Ellen White iyinhlanganisela yebandla nombuso, ibandla kube yilo elilawula lobo budlelwane. Lolo daba lwebandla elibusa phezu kombuso luyisona siqu salokho umbhalo ongcwele, oyiMthethosisekelo wase-United States, owaklanyelwa ukusivikela kukho. Lapho isimiso sokwehlukaniswa kwebandla nombuso silahlwa yisilo somhlaba emthethweni weSonto oza maduze, inyunyana epheleleyo yebandla nombuso e-United States iyobe isifeziwe.

From September 11, 2001 until the Sunday law in the United States there is a visual test, which is based upon students of prophecy recognizing the formation of the image of the beast. We are now at the very end of that process. In the process of forming the image of the beast there are several movements that contribute to the full development at the Sunday law, where the mark of the beast is enforced. There are political movements, religious movements, social movements and financial movements. Notice the events that are referenced in connection with the formation of the image of the beast in the following passage.

Kusukela mhla ka-11 Septhemba 2001 kuze kube ngumthetho weSonto e-United States kukhona uvivinyo olubonakalayo, olusekelwe ekutheni abafundi besiprofetho baqaphele ukwakheka komfanekiso wesilo. Manje sesisemaphethelweni kanye kanye aleyo nqubo. Enqubweni yokwakhiwa komfanekiso wesilo kukhona ukunyakaza okuningana okunomthelela ekuphelelisweni okuphelele emthethweni weSonto, lapho uphawu lwesilo luphoqelelwa khona. Kukhona ukunyakaza kwezombusazwe, ukunyakaza kwezenkolo, ukunyakaza kwezenhlalo, kanye nokunyakaza kwezezimali. Qaphelani izehlakalo ezikhonjiswe maqondana nokwakheka komfanekiso wesilo endimeni elandelayo.

> “Already preparations are advancing, and movements are in progress, which will result in making an image to the beast. Events will be brought about in the earth’s history that will fulfill the predictions of prophecy for these last days” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, volume 7, 976.

> “Sekuvele kunamalungiselelo aqhubekayo, futhi kunezinyathelo eziqhubekayo, eziyophetha ngokwenziwa komfanekiso wesilo. Kuyokwenzeka izehlakalo emlandweni womhlaba eziyogcwalisa izibikezelo zesiprofetho zalezi zinsuku zokugcina” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, volume 7, 976.

The formation of the image of the beast involves an advancing preparation that includes “events” and “movements,” both in the plural. The history represented by Daniel’s seventy years of captivity began with Jehoiakim, and ended with the decree of Cyrus. Jesus illustrates the end of a thing with the beginning of a thing, and there is a “decree” that represents the beginning of the period that Daniel’s seventy prophetic years typifies. That “decree” was the USA Patriot Act, which was publicly premised upon the attack of Islam of the third woe. But unlike the dictatorial executive orders of Abraham Lincoln in the Civil War, or Franklin Roosevelt in World War Two, the Patriot Act is still in force, and will most likely be reinforced and strengthened as hostilities with global Islam increase. The executive orders of both the Civil and Second World War ended with the end of hostilities, but there will be no end of hostilities with global Islam, but rather, escalating terror attacks around the world.

Ukubunjwa komfanekiso wesilo kuhlanganisa ukulungiselelwa okuqhubekela phambili okufaka “izehlakalo” kanye “neminyakazo,” kokubili kusobuningi. Umlando omelwe yiminyaka engamashumi ayisikhombisa yokuthunjwa kukaDaniyeli waqala ngoJehoyakimi, waphela ngesimemezelo sikaKoresi. UJesu ufanekisa ukuphela kwento ngesiqalo sento, futhi kukhona “isimemezelo” esimelela ukuqala kwesikhathi esifanekiselwa yiminyaka engamashumi ayisikhombisa yesiprofetho sikaDaniyeli. Leso “simemezelo” kwakuyi-USA Patriot Act, esasimiswa obala phezu kokuhlasela kwe-Islam kobuhlungu besithathu. Kodwa ngokungafani nemiyalo yokuphatha yobushiqela ka-Abraham Lincoln eMpini Yombango, noma kaFranklin Roosevelt eMpini Yezwe Yesibili, iPatriot Act isasebenza, futhi cishe izoqiniswa iphinde iqinisiwe njengoba ubutha ne-Islam yomhlaba wonke bukhula. Imiyalo yokuphatha yayo yomibili iMpi Yombango neMpi Yezwe Yesibili yaphela ngokuphela kobutha, kodwa ngeke kube khona ukuphela kobutha ne-Islam yomhlaba wonke; kunalokho, kuyoba nokwanda kokuhlasela kobuphekula emhlabeni wonke.

There are two primary legal philosophies within Western culture. English Law and Roman Law. The premise of English Law is that a person is innocent until proven guilty, and the premise of Roman Law is that a person is guilty until proven innocent. The USA Patriot Act is a classic example of Roman Law, and stands in direct opposition to English Law. This is one of those “events” that would be brought about in the formation of the image of the beast. If the United States is going to become the image of Catholicism, Catholic religious and political philosophy would need to be established in the United States in advance of the enforcement of the mark of the beast.

Kukhona amafilosofi amabili ayinhloko omthetho ngaphakathi kwesiko laseNtshonalanga: uMthetho wamaNgisi noMthetho wamaRoma. Isisekelo soMthetho wamaNgisi sithi umuntu akanacala kuze kube kufakazelwa ukuthi unecala, kanti isisekelo soMthetho wamaRoma sithi umuntu unecala kuze kube kufakazelwa ukuthi akanacala. I-Patriot Act yase-United States iyisibonelo esicacile soMthetho wamaRoma, futhi imi ngokuphikisana okuqondile noMthetho wamaNgisi. Lesi ngesinye salezo “zehlakalo” ebezizolethwa ekwakhekeni komfanekiso wesilo. Uma i-United States izoba ngumfanekiso wobuKatolika, kwakuyodingeka ukuthi ifilosofi yenkolo neyepolitiki yobuKatolika isungulwe e-United States ngaphambi kokuphoqelelwa kophawu lwesilo.

> “This subject is urging itself upon my mind. Consider it; for it is a matter of vast importance. With which of these two classes shall we identify our interest? We are now making our choice, and we shall soon discern between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not. Read the fourth chapter of Malachi, and think about it seriously. The day of God is right upon us. The world has converted the church. Both are in harmony, and are acting upon a short-sighted policy. Protestants will work upon the rulers of the land to make laws to restore the lost ascendency of the man of sin, who sits in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. The Roman Catholic principles will be taken under the care and protection of the State. This national apostasy will speedily be followed by national ruin. The protest of Bible truth will be no longer tolerated by those who have made not the law of God their rule of life. Then will the voice be heard from the graves of martyrs, represented by the souls which John saw slain for the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ which they held; then the prayer will ascend from every true child of God, ‘It is time, Lord, for thee to work: for they have made void thy law.’” General Conference Daily Bulletin, January 1, 1900.

> “Lesi sihloko siyaziphoqa engqondweni yami. Sicabangeleni; ngoba siyindaba ebaluleke kakhulu. Kulezi zigaba ezimbili siyakuhlanganisa kuphi intshisekelo yethu? Manje senza ukukhetha kwethu, futhi maduze sizokwazi ukwahlukanisa phakathi kwalowo okhonza uNkulunkulu nalowo ongamkhonzi. Fundani isahluko sesine sikaMalaki, nicabange ngaso ngokungathathi kancane. Usuku lukaNkulunkulu seluseduze kakhulu phezu kwethu. Izwe seliguqule ibandla. Kokubili kuyavumelana, futhi kwenza ngokwenqubo engenakubona kude. AmaProthestani ayosebenza kubabusi bezwe ukuba benze imithetho yokubuyisela ubukhosi obulahlekile bomuntu wesono, ohlezi ethempelini likaNkulunkulu, ezibonakalisa ukuthi unguNkulunkulu. Izimiso zamaRoma Katolika ziyothathwa zifakwe ngaphansi kokunakekelwa nokuvikelwa koMbuso. Lokhu ukuhlubuka kwesizwe kuyolandelwa masinyane ukubhujiswa kwesizwe. Ukuphikisa kweqiniso leBhayibheli akusayikubekezelelwa yilabo abangenzi umthetho kaNkulunkulu ube yisimiso sempilo yabo. Khona-ke kuyakuzwakala izwi livela emathuneni abafeli benkolo, abamelwe yimiphefumulo uJohane ayibona ibulewe ngenxa yezwi likaNkulunkulu nobufakazi bukaJesu Kristu ababebubambile; khona-ke umkhuleko uyokwenyuka uvela kuyo yonke ingane kaNkulunkulu yeqiniso, ‘Sekuyisikhathi, Nkosi, sokuba wena usebenze; ngoba bawenze ize umthetho wakho.’” General Conference Daily Bulletin, January 1, 1900.

The previous passage marks the time when “Roman Catholic principles will be taken under the care and protection of the State,” as occurring at the Sunday law. The Sunday law is the end of the symbolic period that began on September 11, 2001. The Patriot Act at the beginning, typifies the Sunday law at the end. Two of the events that are brought about in order to form the image of the beast was the arrival of the third Woe, and the subsequent Patriot Act.

Indima yangaphambilini iphawula isikhathi lapho “izimiso zamaRoma Katolika ziyofakwa ngaphansi kokunakekelwa nokuvikelwa koMbuso,” njengokwenzeka emthethweni weSonto. Umthetho weSonto uyisiphetho sesikhathi esingokomfanekiso esaqala ngoSepthemba 11, 2001. I-Patriot Act ekuqaleni ifanekisela umthetho weSonto ekugcineni. Imicimbi emibili kuleyo elethwa ukuze kwakhiwe umfanekiso wesilo kwakuwukufika koMaye wesithathu, kanye ne-Patriot Act eyalandela.

The formation of the image of the beast is the test where our eternal destiny will be decided, and it comes in advance of the Sunday law. At the Sunday law our probation as Seventh-day Adventists closes, and it is there that the visible seal is impressed and the ensign uplifted. The formation of the image of the beast occurs before the Sunday law, before the visible sealing, and before the close of probation.

Ukwakheka komfanekiso wesilo kuwuvivinyo lapho ikusasa lethu laphakade liyothathwa khona isinqumo, futhi kuza ngaphambi komthetho weSonto. Ngesikhathi somthetho weSonto ithuba lethu lokuvivinywa njengama-Seventh-day Adventists liyavalwa, futhi yilapho uphawu olubonakalayo lugxivizwa khona nesibhengezo siphakanyiswa khona. Ukwakheka komfanekiso wesilo kwenzeka ngaphambi komthetho weSonto, ngaphambi kokubekwa uphawu olubonakalayo, nangaphambi kokuvalwa kwethuba lokuvivinywa.

> “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. Your position is such a jumble of inconsistencies that but few will be deceived.

> “INkosi ingibonisile ngokucacileyo ukuthi umfanekiso wesilo uyokwakhiwa ngaphambi kokuba isikhathi somusa sivalwe; ngoba uyoba uvivinyo olukhulu kubantu bakaNkulunkulu, okuyilo okuyonqunywa ngalo isiphetho sabo saphakade. Isikhundla sakho siyinhlanganisela enkulu yokungahambisani kangangokuthi bambalwa kuphela abayokhohliswa.

> “In Revelation 13 this subject is plainly presented; [Revelation 13:11–17, quoted].

> “EsAmbulweni 13 lesi sihloko sivezwe ngokusobala; [IsAmbulo 13:11–17, kucashuniwe].

> “This is the test that the people of God must have before they are sealed. All who proved their loyalty to God by observing His law, and refusing to accept a spurious sabbath, will rank under the banner of the Lord God Jehovah, and will receive the seal of the living God. Those who yield the truth of heavenly origin and accept the Sunday sabbath, will receive the mark of the beast” Manuscript Releases, volume 15, 15.

> “Lesi yisivivinyo abantu bakaNkulunkulu okufanele babe naso ngaphambi kokuba babekwe uphawu. Bonke labo abafakazela ukwethembeka kwabo kuNkulunkulu ngokugcina umthetho waKhe, nangokwenqaba ukwamukela isabatha esingamanga, bayokleliswa ngaphansi kwesibhengezo seNkosi uNkulunkulu uJehova, futhi bayokwamukela uphawu lukaNkulunkulu ophilayo. Labo abayekela iqiniso elivela ezulwini futhi bamukele isabatha leSonto, bayokwamukela uphawu lwesilo” Manuscript Releases, volume 15, 15.

The period of time for the formation of the image of the beast was represented by Daniel’s seventy years of captivity. Daniel first passed the test of fearing God, by choosing to eat only God’s food. Daniel’s first test was a dietary test. Daniel’s second test was a visual test that occurred at the end of a testing period of ten days of eating God’s diet, as opposed to eating the diet of Babylon. The success of that diet was manifested in Daniel’s physical appearance. The second test is a visual test. The first test is a dietary test. Daniel manifested his faith, and passed the first test, but in the second test, Daniel could not see in advance if he was going to appear “fatter and fairer” than those who ate Babylon’s diet. There are always people who look tremendous, but eat garbage, and there are conscientious health reformers that look like walking death.

Isikhathi sokwakhiwa komfanekiso wesilo samelwa yiminyaka engamashumi ayisikhombisa yokuthunjwa kukaDaniyeli. UDaniyeli waqala ukudlula uvivinyo lokwesaba uNkulunkulu, ngokukhetha ukudla ukudla kukaNkulunkulu kuphela. Uvivinyo lokuqala lukaDaniyeli lwaluwuvivinyo lokudla. Uvivinyo lwesibili lukaDaniyeli lwaluwuvivinyo olubonakalayo olwenzeka ekupheleni kwesikhathi sokuvivinywa sezinsuku eziyishumi sokudla ukudla kukaNkulunkulu, kunokudla ukudla kwaseBhabhiloni. Impumelelo yalokho kudla yabonakaliswa ekubukekeni komzimba kaDaniyeli. Uvivinyo lwesibili luwuvivinyo olubonakalayo. Uvivinyo lokuqala luwuvivinyo lokudla. UDaniyeli wabonakalisa ukholo lwakhe, futhi wadlula uvivinyo lokuqala, kodwa ovivinyweni lwesibili, uDaniyeli wayengenakubona kusengaphambili ukuthi wayezobonakala “ekhuluphele futhi emuhle kakhulu” kunalabo ababedla ukudla kwaseBhabhiloni. Kuhlale kunabantu ababukeka bemangalisa kakhulu, kodwa badla imfucuza, futhi kukhona nabaguquli bezempilo abaqotho ababukeka njengokufa okuhambayo.

The exercise of Daniel’s self-discipline and faith in the first test is what carried him through the second test, though the outcome of the second testing period was clouded in “darkness”. The Millerites who ate the little book on August 11, 1840, thereafter glorified God in the proclamation of the Midnight Cry message as the message swept over the land as a tidal wave. The second test is a visual test, which is preceded by a literal and spiritual dietary test and then followed by a prophetic litmus test. The second test requires a visual demonstration of the faith that was professed in the first test.

Ukusetshenziswa kukaDaniyeli kokuzithiba kwakhe nokholo esivivinyweni sokuqala yikho okwamthwala wamdlulisa esivivinyweni sesibili, nakuba umphumela wesikhathi sesibili sokuvivinywa wawusibekelwe “ubumnyama”. AmaMillerite adla incwadi encane ngo-August 11, 1840, emva kwalokho akhazimulisa uNkulunkulu ekumemezeleni umlayezo Wokukhala Kwaphakathi Nobusuku, njengoba lowo mlayezo wasabalala ezweni lonke njengamagagasi amakhulu olwandle. Isivivinyo sesibili siyisivivinyo esibonakalayo, esandulelwa yisivivinyo sokudla esingokoqobo nesingokomoya, bese silandelwa yisivivinyo esingumlinganiselo ongokwesiprofetho. Isivivinyo sesibili sidinga ukubonakaliswa okubonakalayo kokholo olwavunywa esivivinyweni sokuqala.

> Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. Hebrews 11:1, 2.

> Manje ukukholwa kuyisisekelo sezinto ezithembiweyo, kuwubufakazi bezinto ezingabonwayo. Ngoba ngakho abadala bafakazelwa kahle. KumaHebheru 11:1, 2.

Daniel chapter two is a visual test, that is only successfully accomplished if the diet that was selected in the first test is actively applied to the testing process.

Isahluko sesibili sikaDaniyeli siyisivivinyo esibonakalayo, esingaphothulwa ngempumelelo kuphela uma ukudla okwanyakhethwa esivivinyweni sokuqala kusetshenziswa ngenkuthalo enqubweni yokuhlolwa.

> For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith. Habakkuk 2:3, 4.

> Ngokuba umbono useyisikhathi esimisiweyo; kodwa ekugcineni uyakukhuluma, ungabi namanga; noma wephuza, wulinde; ngokuba uyakufika nokufika, awuyikuphuzisa. Bheka, umphefumulo wakhe ozikhukhumezayo awuqondile kuye; kodwa olungileyo uyakuphila ngokukholwa kwakhe. Habakuki 2:3, 4.

The outcome of the second test is left in darkness in order to demonstrate if the professed faith of the first test was a genuine faith.

Umphumela wokuvivinywa kwesibili ushiywe ebumnyameni ukuze kubonakaliswe ukuthi ukukholwa obekuvunywe ekuvivinyweni kokuqala kwakuyikukholwa kweqiniso yini.

> “The special light given to John which was expressed in the seven thunders was a delineation of events which would transpire under the first and second angels’ messages. It was not best for the people to know these things, for their faith must necessarily be tested. In the order of God most wonderful and advanced truths would be proclaimed. The first and second angels’ messages were to be proclaimed, but no further light was to be revealed before these messages had done their specific work.” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, volume 7, 971.

> “Ukukhanya okukhethekile okwanikezwa uJohane okwavezwa ezindudumeni eziyisikhombisa kwakuwukuveza izehlakalo ezaziyokwenzeka ngaphansi kwemiyalezo yengelosi yokuqala neyesibili. Kwakungengokuhle ukuba abantu bazazi lezi zinto, ngokuba ukukholwa kwabo kwakumelwe ngempela kuvivinywe. Ngohlelo lukaNkulunkulu amaqiniso amangalisayo kakhulu naphakeme kakhulu ayeyomenyezelwa. Imiyalezo yengelosi yokuqala neyesibili kwakumelwe imenyezelwe, kodwa kwakungamelwe kwembulwe okunye ukukhanya ngaphambi kokuba le miyalezo isiwenzile umsebenzi wayo oqondile.” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, volume 7, 971.

It is divinely fitting that Daniel chapter two, is based upon an image, for it represents the test of the image of the beast. Those students of prophecy that recognized September 11, 2001 as a fulfillment of prophecy, symbolically ate the hidden book. They were then led back to the old paths of Adventism as they appear on the pioneer 1843 and 1850 Charts. The old paths identified the movement of the first angel, which they then were led to understand represented the movement of the third angel. All the precious revelations that they were led to understand came about by the understanding of the prophetic methodology that they received. That methodology was typified by the methodology of William Miller, that was confirmed when the first message of his history was empowered on August 11, 1840.

Kuyafanele ngokobunkulunkulu ukuthi isahluko sesibili sikaDaniyeli sisekelwe emfanekisweni, ngokuba simelela uvivinyo lomfanekiso wesilo. Labo bafundi besiprofetho abaqaphela uSepthemba 11, 2001 njengokugcwaliseka kwesiprofetho, ngokomfanekiso badla incwadi efihliweyo. Base beholwa babuyiselwa ezindleleni zakudala zobu-Adventist njengoba zibonakala kumaShadi amaphayona ka-1843 noka-1850. Lezo zindlela zakudala zakhomba ukuhamba kwengelosi yokuqala, ababe sebeholwa ukuba baqonde ukuthi kwakumele ukuhamba kwengelosi yesithathu. Zonke izambulo eziyigugu abaholwa ukuba baziqonde zavela ngokuqonda kwendlela yesiprofetho abayemukelayo. Leyo ndlela yafanekiswa yindlela kaWilliam Miller, eyafakazelwa ngesikhathi umyalezo wokuqala womlando wakhe unikwa amandla ngo-Agasti 11, 1840.

> “In the year 1840 another remarkable fulfillment of prophecy excited widespread interest. two years before, Josiah Litch, one of the leading ministers preaching the second advent, published an exposition of Revelation 9, predicting the fall of the Ottoman Empire. According to his calculations, this power was to be overthrown . . . on the 11th of August, 1840, when the Ottoman power in Constantinople may be expected to be broken. And this, I believe, will be found to be the case.’

> “Ngonyaka ka-1840 kwaba khona futhi okunye ukugcwaliseka okuphawulekayo kwesiprofetho okwavusa intshisekelo enkulu kakhulu. Eminyakeni emibili ngaphambili, uJosiah Litch, omunye wezikhonzi eziholayo ezazishumayela ngokufika kwesibili, washicilela incazelo yeSambulo 9, ebikezela ukuwa koMbuso wama-Ottoman. Ngokwezibalo zakhe, la mandla kwakufanele achithwe... mhla ziyi-11 ku-Agasti, 1840, lapho amandla ama-Ottoman eConstantinople engalindelwa ukuba aphulwe. Futhi lokhu, ngiyakholwa, kuyotholakala kunjalo.”

> “At the very time specified, Turkey, through her ambassadors, accepted the protection of the allied powers of Europe, and thus placed herself under the control of Christian nations. The event exactly fulfilled the prediction. When it became known, multitudes were convinced of the correctness of the principles of prophetic interpretation adopted by Miller and his associates, and a wonderful impetus was given to the advent movement. Men of learning and position united with Miller, both in preaching and in publishing his views, and from 1840 to 1844 the work rapidly extended.” The Great Controversy, 334, 335.

> “Ngeso leso kanye esibekiwe, iTurkey, ngamanxusa ayo, yamukela ukuvikelwa kwamandla ahlangene aseYurophu, ngalokho yazibeka ngaphansi kokulawulwa izizwe zobuKristu. Leso sehlakalo sagcwalisa isiprofetho ngokunembile. Lapho lokhu sekwaziwa, izixuku eziningi zaqiniseka ngokunemba kwezimiso zokuhumusha iziprofetho ezazisetshenziswa nguMiller nabangane bakhe, futhi kwanikwa umfutho omangalisayo inhlangano yokufika. Abantu abafundile nabanesikhundla bahlanganyela noMiller, kokubili ekushumayeleni nasekushicileleni imibono yakhe, futhi kusukela ngo-1840 kuya ku-1844 umsebenzi wanda ngokushesha.” The Great Controversy, 334, 335.

When men accepted September 11, 2001, as a fulfillment of prophecy, they were also “convinced of the correctness of the principles of prophetic interpretation adopted by” Future for America. The angel had descended with the hidden book and commanded those that would eat, to eat. The prophetic logic contained within the little book of the Millerite history, and the hidden book of our current history, is required to safely navigate the test of the formation of the image of the beast. But after eating, or assimilation of the prophetic methodology, the student must thereafter manifest a visual confirmation of what he had previously eaten. That act of faith must be manifested by a test which is navigated with an outcome that is “dark”.

Lapho abantu bemukela u-11 Septhemba 2001 njengokugcwaliseka kwesiprofetho, babesebuye “baqiniseka ngokunemba kwezimiso zokuchazwa kwesiprofetho ezamukelwa yi” Future for America. Ingelosi yayehle nomqulu ofihliweyo, yayala labo ababeyowudla ukuba bawudle. Umqondo ongokwesiprofetho oqukethwe encwadini encane yomlando wamaMillerite, kanye nomqulu ofihliweyo womlando wethu wamanje, uyadingeka ukuze kuqondiswe ngokuphepha uvivinyo lokubunjwa komfanekiso wesilo. Kodwa emva kokudla, noma ukuhlanganiswa ngaphakathi kwendlela yokusebenza yesiprofetho, umfundi kumele emva kwalokho abonakalise ukuqinisekiswa okubonakalayo kwalokho ayekade ekudlile ngaphambili. Leso senzo sokholo kumele sibonakaliswe ngovivinyo oluqondiswa ngesiphetho esithi “simnyama”.

The prophetic rules of William Miller in the history of the first angel, combined with the prophetic keys that were established in the history of the third angel, allows students of prophecy to recognize that each of the three angels of Revelation fourteen brought with them a message in a little book that was to be eaten. The methodology they chose to eat allows those students to then see that when the angel of Revelation eighteen descended on September 11, 2001, he had a book that must be eaten in his hand, though it is not directly addressed in chapter eighteen.

Imithetho yesiprofetho kaWilliam Miller emlandweni wengelosi yokuqala, ihlanganiswe nezikhiye zesiprofetho ezamiswa emlandweni wengelosi yesithathu, ivumela abafundi besiprofetho ukuba baqaphele ukuthi ngayinye yezingelosi ezintathu zesAmbulo ishumi nane yaletha kanye nayo umlayezo encwadini encane okwakufanele idliwe. Indlela abazikhethela yona yokuyidla ivumela labo bafundi ukuba bese bebona ukuthi lapho ingelosi yesAmbulo ishumi nesishiyagalombili yehla ngoSepthemba 11, 2001, yayiphethe incwadi esandleni sayo okwakumelwe idliwe, nakuba lokho kungakhulunywanga ngakho ngokuqondile esahlukweni seshumi nesishiyagalombili.

The angel had a hidden book in his hand. That prophetic logic is what Daniel represents when he chose to reject Babylonian food. That prophetic logic is what is necessary in order to see the formation of the image of the beast, for though we have been informed that there are “movements” and “events” that will be brought about in forming the image of the beast, we have also been informed that the movement for Sunday legislation is going on in “darkness.” We must have spiritual “night vision goggles” to be able to see their movements in the dark, for it is the formation of the image, but it is formed in “darkness”. It will only be recognized by the prophetic rules that the student of prophecy accepted when he recognized September 11, 2001, as a fulfillment of the arrival of the third Woe.

Ingelosi lalinencwadi efihliweyo esandleni salo. Lowo mqondo wokuprofetha yilokho uDaniyeli akumela lapho ekhetha ukwenqaba ukudla kwaseBhabhiloni. Lowo mqondo wokuprofetha yilokho okudingekayo ukuze kubonakale ukwakheka komfanekiso wesilo, ngokuba nakuba sazisiwe ukuthi kukhona “ukunyakaza” kanye “nezehlakalo” eziyolethwa ekwakhekeni komfanekiso wesilo, sazisiwe futhi ukuthi ukunyakaza komthetho weSonto kuyaqhubeka “ebumnyameni.” Kumelwe sibe “nezibuko zokubona ebusuku” ngokomoya ukuze sikwazi ukubona ukunyakaza kwabo ebumnyameni, ngokuba kuwukwakheka komfanekiso, kodwa wakheka “ebumnyameni”. Kuyokwaziwa kuphela ngemithetho yokuprofetha umfundi wesiprofetho ayemukele lapho ebona uSepthemba 11, 2001, njengokugcwaliseka kokufika koMaye wesithathu.

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

> “UNkulunkulu wembulile okuyakokwenzeka ezinsukwini zokugcina, ukuze abantu baKhe balungiselwe ukuma bamelane nesiphepho sokuphikiswa nolaka. Labo abaxwayisiwe ngezehlakalo ezibabhekile akumelwe bahlale ngokulindela okuzolile isiphepho esizayo, beziduduza ngokuthi iNkosi iyakubavikela abathembekile baYo ngosuku losizi. Simelwe ukuba njengabantu abalindele iNkosi yabo, hhayi ngokulindela okuyize, kodwa ngomsebenzi oqotho, ngokukholwa okungantengantengi. Lesi akusiso isikhathi manje sokuvumela izingqondo zethu ukuba zigxile ezintweni ezincane ezingabalulekile. Ngesikhathi abantu belele, uSathane usebenza ngamandla ehlela izinto ukuze abantu beNkosi bangabi nesihe noma ubulungisa. Inhlangano yeSonto manje yenza indlela yayo ebumnyameni. Abaholi bafihla udaba lweqiniso, futhi abaningi abahlanganyela kule nhlangano nabo ngokwabo abakuboni ukuthi lowo mfudlana ongaphansi uqonde ngakuphi. Izimemezelo zayo zithambile futhi zibonakala zingezobuKristu, kodwa lapho seyikhuluma iyakwembula umoya kadrako. Kungumsebenzi wethu ukwenza konke okusemandleni ethu ukuvimba ingozi esongelayo. Kufanele sizame ukuhlakaza ubandlululo ngokuzibeka ekukhanyeni okufanele phambi kwabantu. Kufanele sibabeke phambi umbuzo wangempela ophikiswanayo, ngaleyo ndlela sifake ukuphikisa okusebenza kakhulu kunakho konke ezinyathelweni ezivimbela inkululeko kanembeza. Kufanele sihlole imiBhalo futhi sikwazi ukunikeza isizathu sokukholwa kwethu. Umprofethi uthi: ‘Ababi bayakwenza ngobubi: futhi akakho noyedwa kwababi oyakuqonda; kodwa abahlakaniphileyo bayakuqonda.’” Testimonies, volume 5, 452.

Daniel represents the “wise” who can see the movement for Sunday legislation, even though it is going on in “darkness.” He can do so, for he passed the dietary test, before the visual test. The visual test of the formation of the image of the beast takes place in “darkness.”

UDaniyeli umelela “abahlakaniphileyo” abakwazi ukubona ukuhamba komkhankaso womthetho weSonto, nakuba kuqhubeka “ebumnyameni.” Angakwenza lokho, ngoba wadlula esivivinyweni sokudla ngaphambi kwesivivinyo sokubona. Isivivinyo sokubona sokwakheka komfanekiso wesilo senzeka “ebumnyameni.”

We will begin our consideration of Daniel chapter two as the second angel’s message in the next article.

Esihlokweni esilandelayo sizoqala ukucabangela kwethu ngoDaniyeli isahluko sesibili njengomyalezo wengelosi yesibili.

> And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them. Isaiah 42:16.

> Ngiyakuhola izimpumputhe ngendlela ezingayazanga; ngizibeke ezindleleni ezingazange zazi: ngiyakwenza ubumnyama bube ngukukhanya phambi kwazo, nezindawo ezigwegwile ngizenze ziqonde. Lezi zinto ngiyakuzenza kuzo, futhi angiyikuzilahla. U-Isaya 42:16.

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