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

Incwadi kaDaniyeli - Inombolo Eyikhulu Nesihlanu

The Progressive Rejection of the Gospel: From Christ’s Birth to Stephen’s Stoning

Ukwaliwa Kwevangeli Okuqhubekayo: Kusukela Ekuzalweni KukaKristu Kuze Kube Ukukhandwa Ngamatshe KukaStefanu

Author

Jeff Pippenger

Published

February 29, 2024

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In the last article we noted that inspiration identified that the Jews “sealed their rejection” of the gospel at the cross, and then confirmed their rejection again at the stoning of Stephen. How can this be? Of course, the rejection of the gospel by the quibbling Jews of that history was accomplished progressively. They had already been passed by at His birth. Christ’s birth to the stoning of Stephen illustrates a progressive rejection of the gospel.

Esihlokweni esedlule siphawulile ukuthi ugqozi lwabonisa ukuthi amaJuda “avalela uphawu ukwenqaba kwawo” ivangeli esiphambanweni, ase ephinda eqinisa lokho kwenqaba kwawo ekukhandweni ngamatshe kukaStefanu. Kungenzeka kanjani lokhu? Kusobala ukuthi ukwenqaba ivangeli ngamaJuda alalayo ngalezo zikhathi kwafezeka kancane kancane. Ayesedlulwe kakade ngesikhathi sokuzalwa Kwakhe. Kusukela ekuzalweni kukaKristu kuze kufike ekukhandweni ngamatshe kukaStefanu kubonisa ukwenqatshwa okuqhubekayo kwevangeli.

> “Men know it not, but the tidings fill heaven with rejoicing. With a deeper and more tender interest the holy beings from the world of light are drawn to the earth. The whole world is brighter for His presence. Above the hills of Bethlehem are gathered an innumerable throng of angels. They wait the signal to declare the glad news to the world. Had the leaders in Israel been true to their trust, they might have shared the joy of heralding the birth of Jesus. But now they are passed by.” The Desire of Ages, 47.

> “Abantu abakwazi lokhu, kodwa lezi zindaba zigcwalisa izulu ngokwethaba. Ngentshisekelo ejulile nenesisa ngokwengeziwe, izidalwa ezingcwele ezivela ezweni lokukhanya zidonselwa emhlabeni. Umhlaba wonke ukhanya ngokwengeziwe ngenxa yobukhona Bakhe. Phezu kwamagquma aseBetlehema kuqoqene ixuku lezingelosi elingenakubalwa. Balindele isibonakaliso sokumemezela ezweni izindaba ezinhle. Ukuba abaholi bakwa-Israyeli babethembekile kulokho ababekuphathisiwe, babengase bahlanganyele enjabulweni yokwazisa ngokuzalwa kukaJesu. Kodwa manje bayedluliswa.” The Desire of Ages, 47.

From the birth of Jesus to the death of Stephen the progressive rejection of the gospel by ancient Israel is illustrated. Acknowledging the Jews rejection of Christ as progressive allows an identification of “sealing their rejection,” at both the cross, where the veil of the temple was rent, and at Stephen’s death. The rending of the veil was a symbol that they were no longer God’s covenant people, and when Stephen was stoned, Stephen saw Jesus standing on the right hand of God, which in Daniel chapter twelve, verse one is a symbol of the close of probation. The destruction of Jerusalem is also a symbol of the close of probation.

Kusukela ekuzalweni kukaJesu kuze kube sekufeni kukaStefanu kubonakaliswa ukwenqatshwa okuqhubekayo kwevangeli ngu-Israyeli wasendulo. Ukwamukela ukuthi ukwenqatsha kwamaJuda uKristu kwakuyinqubo eqhubekayo kuvumela ukubonwa “kokuvalwa kokuqiniswa kokwenqatsha kwawo,” kokubili esiphambanweni, lapho ikhethini lethempeli ladatshulwa, nasekufeni kukaStefanu. Ukudatshulwa kwekhethini kwakuyisibonakaliso sokuthi ayesengasengabantu bakaNkulunkulu besivumelwano, futhi ngesikhathi uStefanu ekhandwa ngamatshe, uStefanu wabona uJesu emi ngakwesokunene sikaNkulunkulu, okuyinto kuDaniyeli isahluko seshumi nambili, ivesi lokuqala, eyisibonakaliso sokuvalwa komusa wokuhlolwa. Ukubhujiswa kweJerusalema nakho kuyisibonakaliso sokuvalwa komusa wokuhlolwa.

> “The retribution to come upon Jerusalem could be delayed only a short time; and as Christ’s eye rested upon the doomed city, he saw not merely its destruction, but the destruction of a world. He saw that as Jerusalem was given up to destruction, so the world will be given up to its doom. He saw the retribution that will be visited on the adversaries of God. The scenes that were transacted at the destruction of Jerusalem will be repeated at the great and terrible day of the Lord, but in a more fearful manner.” Review and Herald, December 7, 1897.

> “Isijeziso esasizakwehlela iJerusalema sasingabambezeleka isikhathi esifushane kuphela; futhi njengoba iso likaKristu lalibheke phezu kwalowo muzi owawumiselwe ukubhujiswa, akazange abone ukubhujiswa kwawo kuphela, kodwa wabona nokubhujiswa kwezwe. Wabona ukuthi njengoba iJerusalema lanikelwa ekubhujisweni, kanjalo nezwe lizonikelwa ekupheleni kwalo. Wabona isijeziso esiyakwehlela abamelene noNkulunkulu. Izehlakalo ezenzeka ekubhujisweni kweJerusalema ziyakuphindwa ngosuku olukhulu nolwesabekayo lweNkosi, kodwa ngendlela eyesabeka kakhulu.” Review and Herald, December 7, 1897.

It was only God’s mercy that prevented Jerusalem from being destroyed at the cross.

Kwakuyisihe sikaNkulunkulu kuphela okwavimbela iJerusalema ekubhujisweni esiphambanweni.

> “In the Jews’ crucifixion of Christ was involved the destruction of Jerusalem. The blood shed upon Calvary was the weight that sank them to ruin for this world and for the world to come. So it will be in the great final day, when judgment shall fall upon the rejecters of God’s grace. Christ, their rock of offense, will then appear to them as an avenging mountain. The glory of His countenance, which to the righteous is life, will be to the wicked a consuming fire. Because of love rejected, grace despised, the sinner will be destroyed.” The Desire of Ages, 600.

> “Ekubethelweni kukaKristu amaJuda kwakuhilelekile ukubhujiswa kweJerusalema. Igazi elachitheka eKalvari laba yisisindo esabacwilisa ekubhujisweni kulomhlaba nakwelozwe elizayo. Kanjalo kuyakuba njalo ngosuku olukhulu lokugcina, lapho ukwahlulela kuyakwehlela phezu kwalabo abenqaba umusa kaNkulunkulu. UKristu, idwala labo lokukhubeka, uyakubonakala kubo ngaleso sikhathi njengentaba ephindiselayo. Inkazimulo yobuso baKhe, okuyimpilo kwabalungileyo, iyakuba kwabayizoni umlilo oqothulayo. Ngenxa yothando olwenqatshiwe, nomusa odelelweyo, isoni siyakubhujiswa.” The Desire of Ages, 600.

It was only God’s mercy that lingered in not bringing Jerusalem’s destruction at the time of the cross.

Kwakungumusa kaNkulunkulu kuphela okwabambezela ukungalethi ukubhujiswa kweJerusalema ngesikhathi sesiphambano.

> “For nearly forty years after the doom of Jerusalem had been pronounced by Christ Himself, the Lord delayed His judgments upon the city and the nation. Wonderful was the long-suffering of God toward the rejectors of His gospel and the murderers of His Son.” The Great Controversy, 27.

> “Sekuyiminyaka ecishe ibe ngamashumi amane ngemva kokuba ukubhujiswa kweJerusalema sekumenyezelwe nguKristu uqobo, iNkosi yalibambezela izahlulelo zayo phezu komuzi nangesizwe. Kwakumangalisa ukubekezela okude kukaNkulunkulu kubo ababenqaba ivangeli laKhe nababulali beNdodana yaKhe.” The Great Controversy, 27.

At the time of His last temple cleansing Jesus had set forth the warning to flee Jerusalem when the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, was seen by His followers. The first time He cleansed the temple He had stated that the Jews had made His father’s house a den of thieves, but the last time He said “your house” is left unto you desolate. Even before the cross, which was just about to take place, the temple where the veil was to be rent at the crucifixion had already been identified as the Jew’s house, not God’s house. Sister White addresses when Christ made that declaration, and as her testimony proceeds she also addresses the forty years of extended mercy.

Ngesikhathi sokuhlanzwa kokugcina kwethempeli nguJesu, wayeseveze isixwayiso sokubaleka eJerusalema lapho isinengiso sokuchithwa, esakhulunywa nguDaniyeli umprofethi, sibonwa ngabalandeli Bakhe. Ngesikhathi sokuqala ehlanza ithempeli wayeshilo ukuthi amaJuda ayenze indlu kaYise yaba umhume wabaphangi, kodwa ngesikhathi sokugcina wathi, “indlu yenu” ishiyelwe nina iyincithakalo. Ngisho nangaphambi kwesiphambano, esasizokwenzeka masinyane, ithempeli lapho umgubuzelo wawuzodatshulwa khona ekubethelweni lase selichazwe njengendlu yamaJuda, hhayi indlu kaNkulunkulu. USister White ukhuluma ngesikhathi uKristu enza leso simemezelo, futhi njengoba ubufakazi bakhe buqhubeka, uphinde akhulume ngeminyaka engamashumi amane yomusa owandisiwe.

> “Christ’s words to the priests and rulers, ‘Behold, your house is left unto you desolate’ (Matthew 23:38), had struck terror to their hearts. They affected indifference, but the question kept rising in their minds as to the import of these words. An unseen danger seemed to threaten them. Could it be that the magnificent temple, which was the nation’s glory, was soon to be a heap of ruins? . . .

> “Amazwi kaKristu kubapristi nakubabusi, athi, ‘Bhekani, indlu yenu ishiyelwe nina iyincithakalo’ (Mathewu 23:38), ayesabethuse kakhulu ezinhliziyweni zabo. Bazenza abangenandaba, kodwa umbuzo waqhubeka uvela ezingqondweni zabo mayelana nencazelo yala mazwi. Ingozi engabonakali yayibonakala ibasongela. Kungenzeka yini ukuthi ithempeli elikhazimulayo, elaliyinkazimulo yesizwe, lase lizoba yinqwaba yamanxiwa maduze na?…”

> “Christ gave His disciples a sign of the ruin to come on Jerusalem, and He told them how to escape: ‘When ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. Then let them which are in Judea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto. For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.’ This warning was given to be heeded forty years after, at the destruction of Jerusalem. The Christians obeyed the warning, and not a Christian perished in the fall of the city.” The Desire of Ages, 628, 630.

> “UKristu wanika abafundi baKhe isibonakaliso sencithakalo eyayizokwehlela iJerusalema, wabatshela nokuthi bangaphunyuka kanjani: ‘Kepha nxa selibona iJerusalema livinjezelwe ngamabutho, yazini khona ukuthi ukuchithwa kwalo sekusondele. Khona abaseJudiya mabalekele ezintabeni; nalabo abaphakathi kwalo mabaphume; nabasemaphandleni mabangangeni kulo. Ngokuba lezo ziyizinsuku zempindiselo, ukuze kugcwaliseke konke okulotshiwe.’ Lesi sixwayiso sanikezwa ukuba silalelwe eminyakeni engamashumi amane kamuva, ngesikhathi sokubhujiswa kweJerusalema. AmaKristu asilalela lesi sixwayiso, futhi akuzange kubhubhe ngisho noyedwa umKristu ekuweni komuzi.” The Desire of Ages, 628, 630.

Christ was crucified in the year 31, and nearly forty years later in the year 70, Jerusalem was destroyed after a three-and-a-half-year siege. How could Jerusalem have been destroyed at the cross in the year 31, if there was still three and a half years of probationary time identified as seventy weeks in Daniel chapter nine, verse twenty-four? How can these seeming inconsistencies be resolved? The easiest resolution is to simply identify the fact that when it comes to the close of the probationary time represented by the seventy weeks, that it must be understood as a progressive close of probation. This is true, but it removes any prophetic specificity when applying the waymarks of that history. I will try to explain.

UKristu wabethelwa esiphambanweni ngonyaka ka-31, kwathi cishe eminyakeni engamashumi amane kamuva, ngonyaka ka-70, iJerusalema labhujiswa ngemva kokuvinjezelwa iminyaka emithathu nengxenye. Kungenzeka kanjani ukuthi iJerusalema labhujiswa esiphambanweni ngonyaka ka-31, uma kwakusasele iminyaka emithathu nengxenye yesikhathi sokuvivinywa esikhonjiswe njengamasonto angamashumi ayisikhombisa kuDaniyeli isahluko sesishiyagalolunye, ivesi lamashumi amabili nane? Kungaxazululwa kanjani lokhu kubonakala kungahambisani? Isixazululo esilula kunazo zonke ukumane siqaphele iqiniso lokuthi, uma kukhulunywa ngokuphela kwesikhathi sokuvivinywa esimelelwe yila masonto angamashumi ayisikhombisa, kufanele kuqondwe njengokuphela kwesikhathi sokuvivinywa okuqhubekela phambili. Lokhu kuyiqiniso, kodwa kususa noma yikuphi ukunemba okungokwesiprofetho lapho kusetshenziswa izimpawu zalowo mlando. Ngizozama ukuchaza.

If Pentecost represents the soon-coming Sunday law where the other flock in Babylon is called out, why was it three and a half years after Pentecost that the gospel went to the Gentiles? Is the death of Christ or the death of Stephen a sign of the close of probation for ancient Israel? If Laodicean Adventism ceases to be a church at the soon-coming Sunday law, did the destruction of the temple in the year 70, represent the end of the temple of Laodicean Adventism at the Sunday law? What might appear as seeming inconsistencies is resolved by the application of “line upon line,” and when that application is employed the testimony of the waymarks we are identifying become very clear and concise.

Uma iPentekoste limelela umthetho weSonto ozayo maduze lapho omunye umhlambi oseBhabhiloni ubizelwa ukuphuma, kungani kwaba yiminyaka emithathu nengxenye emva kwePentekoste ukuba ivangeli liye kwabeZizwe? Ingabe ukufa kukaKristu noma ukufa kukaStefanu kuwuphawu lokuvalwa komusa kwa-Israyeli wasendulo? Uma ubu-Adventist baseLawodikeya buyeka ukuba ibandla emthethweni weSonto ozayo maduze, ingabe ukubhujiswa kwethempeli ngonyaka ka-70 kwakumele ukuphela kwethempeli lobu-Adventist baseLawodikeya emthethweni weSonto? Lokho okungase kubonakale njengokungahambisani okuthile kuyaxazululeka ngokusetshenziswa kokuthi “umugqa phezu komugqa,” futhi lapho lokho kusetshenziswa, ubufakazi bezimpawu zendlela esizihlonzayo buba sobala kakhulu futhi buqondile.

The week that Christ confirmed the covenant is broken up into two equal periods of three and a half years. The first three and a half years begins at Christ’s baptism and ends with His death. Baptism is the symbol of His death and resurrection, so the beginning of that period of three and a half years is identical to the ending. In that period Christ presented the gospel exclusively to the Jews. The end of that three and a half years marks the beginning of the following three and a half years. The beginning of the second period of three and a half years begins with the death of Christ, and it ends with the death of Stephen. In that period the disciples presented the gospel exclusively to the Jews.

Isonto uKristu aqinisa ngayo isivumelwano ihlukaniswe yaba yizikhathi ezimbili ezilinganayo zeminyaka emithathu nengxenye. Iminyaka emithathu nengxenye yokuqala iqala ekubhapathizweni kukaKristu futhi iphele ngokufa kwaKhe. Ukubhapathizwa kuwuphawu lokufa nokuvuka kwaKhe, ngakho ukuqala kwaleso sikhathi seminyaka emithathu nengxenye kuyefana nokuphela kwaso. Kuleso sikhathi uKristu waletha ivangeli kumaJuda kuphela. Ukuphela kwaleyo minyaka emithathu nengxenye kuphawula ukuqala kweminye iminyaka emithathu nengxenye elandelayo. Ukuqala kwesikhathi sesibili seminyaka emithathu nengxenye kuqala ngokufa kukaKristu, futhi kuphele ngokufa kukaStefanu. Kuleso sikhathi abafundi baletha ivangeli kumaJuda kuphela.

Those two periods, which are separate prophetic lines, are to be brought together “line upon line.” Both beginnings and endings possess the signature of Alpha and Omega, for the beginning and ending histories are the same. Both periods of duration are identical, and the work that is carried out during each period is identical. Christ who is the First and the Last, is also the creator of all things, and in that regard He is the Creator of Truth. The Hebrew word “truth” was created by three Hebrew letters. The first letter, followed by the thirteenth letter, followed by the last letter of the Hebrew alphabet are combined to make the Hebrew word “truth.”

Lezo zikhathi ezimbili, ezingamizila ehlukene yesiprofetho, kufanele zihlanganiswe “umugqa phezu komugqa.” Kokubili ukuqala nokuphela kuthwala uphawu luka-Alfa no-Omega, ngokuba imilando yokuqala neyokuphela iyafana. Zombili lezi zikhathi zobude besikhathi ziyefana, futhi nomsebenzi owenziwayo phakathi nesikhathi ngasinye uyefana. UKristu, onguwokuQala nowokuGcina, futhi unguMdali wezinto zonke, futhi ngalokho unguMdali weQiniso. Igama lesiHeberu elithi “iqiniso” lakhiwa ngezinhlamvu ezintathu zesiHeberu. Uhlamvu lokuqala, lulandelwe uhlamvu lweshumi nantathu, lulandelwe uhlamvu lokugcina lwezinhlamvu zesiHeberu, kuhlanganiswa kwenziwe igama lesiHeberu elithi “iqiniso.”

Both of the periods of three and a half years have Christ as the first and the last, for Christ is at the beginning of the first period at His baptism, as He is at the ending at His death in the first period. And Christ is at His death in the beginning of the second period and He is standing at the right hand of God at the ending of the second period. The number thirteen is the symbol of rebellion, and in both periods whether the gospel was presented in person by Christ, or in the second period by His disciples, the quibbling Jews rebelled against the message of the gospel.

Zombili lezi zikhathi zeminyaka emithathu nengxenye zinoKristu njengowokuqala nowokugcina, ngokuba uKristu ukhona ekuqaleni kwesikhathi sokuqala ekubhapathizweni Kwakhe, njengoba ekhona nasekugcineni kwaso ekufeni Kwakhe esikhathini sokuqala. Futhi uKristu ukhona ekufeni Kwakhe ekuqaleni kwesikhathi sesibili, futhi umi ngakwesokunene sikaNkulunkulu ekugcineni kwesikhathi sesibili. Inombolo yeshumi nantathu iwuphawu lokuvukela, futhi kuzo zombili izikhathi, noma ivangeli lalethulwa nguKristu uqobo Lwakhe, noma esikhathini sesibili ngabafundi Bakhe, amaJuda aphikisanayo avukela umlayezo wevangeli.

Both periods are the same duration, possess the signature of Alpha and Omega, and identify the same gospel message. Those two periods are to be brought together “line upon line.” The methodology of “line upon line,” is the testing methodology of the latter rain. It is the methodology of the last days, and the truths which are identified and established by that methodology in the last days are what purges or purifies the sons of Levi during the sealing of the one hundred and forty-four thousand.

Zombili lezi zikhathi ziyisikhathi esilinganayo, ziphethe uphawu luka-Alfa no-Omega, futhi zikhomba umlayezo wevangeli ofanayo. Lezo zikhathi ezimbili kufanele zihlanganiswe “umugqa phezu komugqa.” Indlela yokusebenza ethi “umugqa phezu komugqa” iyindlela yokuvivinya yemvula yakamuva. Iyona ndlela yokusebenza yezinsuku zokugcina, futhi amaqiniso abonwa futhi amiswe yileyo ndlela yokusebenza ezinsukwini zokugcina yiwo ahlanza noma ahlambulule amadodana kaLevi ngesikhathi sokubekwa uphawu kwabayi ikhulu namashumi amane nane ezinkulungwane.

> Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little: For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear. But the word of the Lord was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken. Isaiah 28:9–13.

> Uyofundisani ulwazi bani? Uyomenzani aqonde isifundiso bani? Labo abalunyuliweyo ebisini, nabasusiweyo emabeleni. Ngokuba umyalo kumelwe ube phezu komyalo, umyalo phezu komyalo; umugqa phezu komugqa, umugqa phezu komugqa; lapha okuncane, nalaphaya okuncane; ngokuba uyakukhuluma kulesi sizwe ngezindebe ezingingizayo nangolunye ulimi. Labo athi kubo, Lokhu ngukuphumula eningaphumuza ngakho okhatheleyo; nalokhu ngukuqabuleka; kepha abazange bathande ukuzwa. Kodwa izwi leNkosi laba kubo umyalo phezu komyalo, umyalo phezu komyalo; umugqa phezu komugqa, umugqa phezu komugqa; lapha okuncane, nalaphaya okuncane; ukuze bahambe, bawe emuva, baphuke, babanjwe ogibeni, bathathwe. U-Isaya 28:9–13.

The next verse in Isaiah addresses the scornful men that rule the people of Jerusalem. For those scornful men, the “rest and the refreshing” (the latter rain), which they refused to “hear,” is what causes them to “go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.” That test was presented to them from another tongue, for Elijah, John the Baptist and William Miller were not trained in the theological schools of their respective histories. The latter rain message that tests Laodicean Adventism, is the message that is produced by the application of “line upon line.”

Ivesi elilandelayo ku-Isaya likhuluma ngabantu abaklolodayo ababusa abantu baseJerusalema. Kulabo bantu abaklolodayo, “ukuphumula nokuvuseleleka” (imvula yakamuva), abenqaba “ukuzwa,” yikho okubabangela ukuba “bahambe, bawele emuva, baphulwe, babanjiswe ngogibe, futhi bathathwe.” Leso sivivinyo savezwa kubo ngolunye ulimi, ngoba u-Eliya, uJohane uMbhapathizi, noWilliam Miller babengafundiswanga ezikoleni zemfundiso yenkolo emlandweni wabo ngamunye. Umlayezo wemvula yakamuva ovivinya ubu-Adventisti baseLawodikeya, ngumlayezo okhiqizwa ngokusetshenziswa “komugqa phezu komugqa.”

When the first three and a half years of the week in which Christ confirmed the covenant is laid over the second three and a half years, we find prophetic light that clarifies any seeming inconsistencies that might arise in an inquiring mind. The week was when the Messenger of the Covenant was to confirm the covenant, and a biblical covenant must be confirmed with blood. The baptism and crucifixion of Christ and the stoning of Stephen all identify blood. Both lines represent the blood of the covenant, and those lines are confirming the covenant.

Lapho iminyaka emithathu nengxenye yokuqala yeviki uKristu aqinisa ngalo isivumelwano ibekwa phezu kweminyaka emithathu nengxenye yesibili, sithola ukukhanya okungokwesiprofetho okucacisa noma yikuphi ukungavumelani okubonakalayo okungase kuvele engqondweni efunisisayo. Lelo viki kwakuyisikhathi lapho isiThunywa seSivumelwano sasizakuqinisa isivumelwano, futhi isivumelwano seBhayibheli kufanele siqiniswe ngegazi. Umbhabhadiso nokubethelwa kukaKristu, kanye nokukhandwa ngamatshe kukaStefanu, konke kukhomba igazi. Yomibili imigqa imele igazi lesivumelwano, futhi leyo migqa iyaqinisekisa isivumelwano.

When brought together “line upon line,” the baptism and crucifixion are the first waymark, and the crucifixion and stoning of Stephen are the last waymark. When brought together into one line we find the cross and Michael standing up at the death of Stephen as two witnesses of the Jews sealing their rejection of the gospel. The death of Christ, is also the death of His disciple Stephen, which is Passover when the two lines are combined. Three days later Christ is resurrected as the First Fruit offering.

Lapho kuhlanganiswa “umugqa phezu komugqa,” ubhapathizo nokubethelwa esiphambanweni kuyisibonakaliso sokuqala sendlela, futhi ukubethelwa esiphambanweni kanye nokukhandwa ngamatshe kukaStefanu kuyisibonakaliso sokugcina sendlela. Lapho kuhlanganiswa kube umugqa owodwa sithola isiphambano noMikayeli emi ngesikhathi sokufa kukaStefanu njengofakazi ababili bokuthi amaJuda aqinisa ngokusemthethweni ukwenqaba kwawo ivangeli. Ukufa kukaKristu, kuyikho futhi ukufa komfundi waKhe uStefanu, okuyiPhasika lapho le migqa emibili ihlanganiswa. Ezinsukwini ezintathu kamuva uKristu uyavuswa njengomnikelo weZithelo zokuQala.

> But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first fruits of them that slept. 1 Corinthians 15:20.

> Kodwa manje uKristu uvusiwe kwabafileyo, futhi usephenduke izithelo zokuqala zalabo abalele. 1 Korinte 15:20.

In between Passover and the feast of First Fruits on the third day is the beginning of the feast of Unleavened Bread. Unleavened bread does not “rise”, and Christ did not rise on the second day, He rose on the third day. Christ and Stephen die together in the “line upon line” application, but Stephen is resurrected after Christ for there is an order to the first fruit resurrection.

Phakathi kwePhasika nomkhosi wezithelo zokuqala ngosuku lwesithathu kukhona ukuqala komkhosi wezinkwa ezingenamvubelo. Isinkwa esingenamvubelo asivuki, futhi noKristu akavukanga ngosuku lwesibili; wavuka ngosuku lwesithathu. UKristu noStefanu bafa ndawonye ekusetshenzisweni kwe-“line upon line”, kodwa uStefanu uvuswa emva kukaKristu, ngokuba kukhona ukuhleleka ekuvukeni kwezithelo zokuqala.

> But every man in his own order: Christ the first fruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming. 1 Corinthians 15:22.

> Kepha wonke umuntu ngokohlelo lwakhe: uKristu uyizithelo zokuqala; emva kwalokho laba abangabakaKristu ekufikeni kwakhe. 1 Korinte 15:22.

The Spring feasts cannot be separated from each other, for they are directly related to one another. In this sense, Pentecost represents the soon-coming Sunday law, when there will be a repetition of the pouring out of the Holy Spirit, and the second voice of Revelation chapter eighteen will then call those that do not currently know the gospel, to come out of Babylon. The word “Babylon,” is based upon the word, “Babel,” which means confusion, for it was in the fall of Babel that God confused the languages, and it was at Pentecost that God reverses the confusion of the languages in order to carry the gospel to the world. Thus Pentecost and the Sunday law align.

Imikhosi yasentwasahlobo ayinakuhlukaniswa komunye nomunye, ngokuba ihlobene ngokuqondile. Ngalo mqondo, iPentekoste imelela umthetho weSonto oseduze ukufika, lapho kuyoba khona ukuphindaphindwa kokuthululwa kukaMoya oNgcwele, futhi izwi lesibili lesAmbulo isahluko seshumi nesishiyagalombili liyakuthi ngaleso sikhathi libize labo abangakayazi manje ivangeli ukuba baphume eBhabhiloni. Igama elithi “Bhabhiloni” lisekelwe egameni elithi “Babele,” elisho ukudideka, ngokuba kwakusekuweni kweBabele lapho uNkulunkulu adida khona izilimi, futhi kwakusePentekoste lapho uNkulunkulu ephendula emuva ukudideka kwezilimi ukuze athwale ivangeli alise emhlabeni. Ngakho-ke iPentekoste nomthetho weSonto kuyavumelana.

At Pentecost the gift of languages was given to the disciples, but their message then was still restricted to the Jews. When both lines are brought together Pentecost occurs in the year 34, when Stephen was stoned and the gospel was then carried to those who do not currently know the gospel.

NgePentekoste isipho sezilimi sanikwa abafundi, kodwa umlayezo wabo ngaleso sikhathi wawusagcinelwe amaJuda kuphela. Lapho yomibili imigqa ihlanganiswa, iPentekoste iba ngonyaka ka-34, lapho uStefanu akhandwa ngamatshe, kwase kuthi ivangeli liyiswe kulabo abangayazi njengamanje ivangeli.

Stephen represents those who are resurrected “at His coming,” but who have died with Him. The First Fruit offering marks the resurrection of Christ on the third day, and it also marks the beginning of the Feast of Weeks, which is also the feast of Pentecost, and which commemorates the giving of the Ten Commandments at Sinai.

UStefanu umelela labo abavuswa “ekufikeni kwakhe,” kodwa abafa kanye Naye. Umnikelo wezithelo zokuqala uphawula ukuvuka kukaKristu ngosuku lwesithathu, futhi uphawula nokuqala koMkhosi Wamaviki, ongumkhosi wePhentekoste futhi, okhumbuza ukunikezwa kweMiyalo Elishumi eSinayi.

October 22, 1844, aligns with the cross, for among other proofs Sister White aligns the disappointment of the disciples after the cross with the disappointment that followed October 22, 1844. Both the cross and October 22, 1844, prefigure the soon-coming Sunday law. Pentecost also typifies the soon coming Sunday law, but Pentecost came fifty-two days after the cross. The cross, which was typified by Passover, ushers in a series of feasts which commemorate the old paths of ancient Israel from the night the angel of death passed over Egypt, through to the giving of the law. Though the feasts possess their own distinctions, they are inseparably linked to each other. It is therefore accurate to apply the complete fifty-two days from Passover to Pentecost as one singular waymark.

Umhla ka-22 kuMfumfu 1844, uyahambisana nesiphambano, ngoba phakathi kobunye ubufakazi uDadewethu uWhite uhlanganisa ukudumala kwabafundi ngemva kwesiphambano nokudumala okwalandela umhla ka-22 kuMfumfu 1844. Kokubili isiphambano nomhla ka-22 kuMfumfu 1844 kuyisifanekiso sangaphambili somthetho weSonto osuzofika maduze. NePhentekoste futhi liyisifaniso somthetho weSonto osuzofika maduze, kodwa iPhentekoste lafika ezinsukwini ezingamashumi amahlanu nambili ngemva kwesiphambano. Isiphambano, esasifanekiswa yiPhasika, singenisa uchungechunge lwemikhosi olukhumbuza izindlela zakudala zakwa-Israyeli wasendulo kusukela ebusuku lapho ingelosi yokufa yeqa khona iGibhithe, kuqhubeke kuze kufike ekunikezweni komthetho. Nakuba imikhosi inomehluko wayo uqobo, ixhumene ngokungenakuhlukaniswa komunye nomunye. Ngakho-ke kunembile ukusebenzisa izinsuku eziphelele ezingamashumi amahlanu nambili kusukela ePhasikeni kuya ePhentekoste njengophawu lwendlela olulodwa.

For this reason, the cross, the death of Stephen, and Pentecost all prefigure the soon coming Sunday law, when the progressive executive judgment upon Modern Babylon begins, as the second voice of Revelation chapter eighteen begins to call God’s other flock out of Babylon. It is at that waymark that the executive judgment upon Jerusalem arrived, though God in His mercy deferred the actual destruction of the temple and city nearly forty years after the cross to the year 70. The destruction of ancient Jerusalem represents the beginning of the progressive executive judgment that begins in the United States when “national apostasy is followed by national ruin.”

Ngenxa yalokhu, isiphambano, ukufa kukaStefanu, nePhentekoste konke kufanekisela kusengaphambili umthetho weSonto osuzayo maduze, lapho ukwahlulela okuphoqelelayo okuqhubekayo phezu kweBhabhiloni lesiSikhathi kuqala, njengoba izwi lesibili lesAmbulo isahluko seshumi nesishiyagalombili liqala ukubiza omunye umhlambi kaNkulunkulu ukuba uphume eBhabhiloni. Kungenxa yalowo mphawu wendlela lapho ukwahlulela okuphoqelelayo phezu kweJerusalema kwafika khona, nakuba uNkulunkulu ngomusa waKhe wabambezela ukubhujiswa kwangempela kwethempeli nomuzi cishe iminyaka engamashumi amane emva kwesiphambano kwaze kwaba unyaka ka-70. Ukubhujiswa kweJerusalema lasendulo kumelela ukuqala kokwahlulela okuphoqelelayo okuqhubekayo okuqala e-United States lapho “ukuhlubuka kwesizwe kulandelwa ukubhujiswa kwesizwe.”

Truth is established upon the testimony of two, and in the two lines of three and a half years that Christ confirmed the covenant we find two witnesses of a death and resurrection that is associated with the history that identifies the soon-coming Sunday law. That Sunday law in Revelation chapter eleven, is identified as the “hour of the great earthquake.” That “hour” is directly connected to two witnesses that gave a testimony of three and a half years. Their testimony ends with their death and resurrection.

Iqiniso limiswa phezu kobufakazi bababili, futhi emigqeni emibili yeminyaka emithathu nengxenye lapho uKristu aqinisa khona isivumelwano sithola ofakazi ababili bokufa nokuvuka okuhlobene nomlando okhomba umthetho weSonto ozofika maduzane. Lowo mthetho weSonto encwadini yeSambulo isahluko seshumi nanye, uchazwa ngokuthi “ihora lokuzamazama komhlaba okukhulu.” Lelo “hora” lixhumene ngokuqondile nofakazi ababili abanikela ubufakazi beminyaka emithathu nengxenye. Ubufakazi babo buphela ngokufa kwabo nangokuvuka kwabo.

Their testimony of three and a half years, followed by their death and resurrection has been represented by the death and resurrection of both Jesus and Stephen, for “line upon line,” Stephen is represented as being resurrected with Christ. In the feast of First Fruits, two primary offerings were presented.

Ubufakazi babo beminyaka emithathu nengxenye, obulandelwa ukufa kwabo nokuvuka kwabo, bumelwe ukufa nokuvuka kukaJesu noStefanu bobabili; ngokuba “umugqa phezu komugqa,” uStefanu uvezwa njengovuswe kanye noKristu. Emkhosini weZithelo Zokuqala, kwanikelwa iminikelo emibili eyinhloko.

One was a lamb without blemish, and the other an offering of barley. The barley represented the crop to follow, and the lamb represented Christ. Christ was resurrected on the third day, and Stephen represented those that follow, and the barley represented the crop that was to follow. The two witnesses in Revelation eleven testified for three and a half years, after which they were then slain and then were resurrected three and a half days later. Those two witnesses had been typified by Christ, who was the First Fruits, for they represent the one hundred and forty-four thousand, who are also first fruits.

Omunye wayeyiwundlu elingenasici, kanti omunye wayengumnikelo webhali. Ibhali lalimelela isivuno esasizolandela, kanti iwundlu lalimelela uKristu. UKristu wavuswa ngosuku lwesithathu, kanti uStefanu wayemelela labo abalandelayo, futhi ibhali lalimelela isivuno esasizolandela. Ofakazi ababili abakwiSambulo isahluko 11 bafakaza iminyaka emithathu nengxenye, okwathi emva kwalokho babulawa, base bevuswa futhi ezinsukwini ezintathu nengxenye kamuva. Labo fakazi ababili babeshaywe isithombe kusengaphambili ngoKristu, owayeyiZithelo zokuQala, ngokuba bamelelayo abayizinkulungwane eziyikhulu namashumi amane nane, nabo abayizithelo zokuqala.

> And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the first fruits unto God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God. Revelation 14:1–5.

> Ngase ngibheka, bheka, iWundlu limi entabeni yaseSiyoni, kanye nalo abayizinkulungwane eziyikhulu namashumi amane nane, benegama likaYise lilotshiwe emabunzini abo. Ngase ngizwa izwi livela ezulwini, linjengezwi lamanzi amaningi, nanjengezwi lokuduma okukhulu; futhi ngezwa izwi lababetha amahabhu, bebetha amahabhu abo. Base behuba kungathi yingoma entsha phambi kwesihlalo sobukhosi, naphambi kwezidalwa ezine, nabadala; futhi kwakungekho muntu owayengayifunda leyo ngoma ngaphandle kwabayizinkulungwane eziyikhulu namashumi amane nane, abahlengwa emhlabeni. Laba yibo abangazange bangcoliswe ngabesifazane; ngokuba bayizintombi. Laba yibo abalandela iWundlu nomaphi lapho liya khona. Laba bahlengwa phakathi kwabantu, beyizithelo zokuqala kuNkulunkulu nakuWundlu. Nasemlonyeni wabo akufunyanwanga nkohliso; ngokuba abanasici phambi kwesihlalo sobukhosi sikaNkulunkulu. IsAmbulo 14:1–5.

The barley offering on the feast of First Fruits represented the crop that was to follow, and Stephen in the year 34, followed Christ’s death in the year 31, though “line upon line,” they died at the same waymark. In relation to the first fruit offerings, Christ was the lamb that was slain and Stephen was the barley. According to Paul “Christ” is “the first fruits of them that slept,” and then “afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.” The one hundred and forty-four thousand are first fruits, and they are those “which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth.”

Umnikelo webhali emkhosini wezithelo zokuqala wawumela isivuno esasiyolandelwa, futhi uStefanu ngonyaka ka-34 walandela ukufa kukaKristu ngonyaka ka-31, nakuba “umugqa phezu komugqa,” bafa esibonakalisweni esifanayo. Ngokuphathelene neminikelo yezithelo zokuqala, uKristu wayeyiwundlu elahlatshwa, kanti uStefanu wayeyibhali. NgokukaPawulu “uKristu” “uyizithelo zokuqala zabalele,” bese kuthi “emva kwalokho labo abangabakaKristu ekufikeni kwakhe.” Izinkulungwane eziyikhulu namashumi amane nane ziyizithelo zokuqala, futhi yizo “ezilandela iWundlu nomaphi lapho liya khona.”

In the “hour” of the “great earthquake” of Revelation chapter eleven, the two witnesses that have prophesied for three and a half years, only to be slain and lie in the streets for three and a half days, are resurrected. They are those represented by Stephen who prophetically was resurrected with Jesus, but also after Jesus. They are therefore resurrected “three and a half days,” after they are murdered by the beast that ascended from the bottomless pit. The same “hour,” that they are resurrected they ascend to heaven as an ensign. The process of their resurrection and ascension is carefully outlined in God’s prophetic Word, and it includes that they were typified by the literal death of Stephen, thus representing a spiritual death that is accomplished upon the two witnesses as they are transformed from the Laodicean movement of the third angel unto the Philadelphian movement of the third angel.

“Ngehora” “lokuzamazama komhlaba okukhulu” kwesAmbulo isahluko seshumi nanye, ofakazi ababili abebeprofethile iminyaka emithathu nengxenye, bese bebulelwa futhi balale ezitaladini izinsuku ezintathu nengxenye, bayavuswa. Yibo labo abamelelwa nguStefanu, yena ngokwesiprofetho owavuswa kanye noJesu, kodwa futhi emva kukaJesu. Ngakho-ke bavuswa “emva kwezinsuku ezintathu nengxenye,” ngemva kokuba bebulewe yisilo esenyuka emgodini ongenasiphelo. Ngehora elifanayo abavuswa ngalo benyukela ezulwini njengophawu. Inqubo yokuvuswa kwabo nokwenyuka kwabo ichazwe ngokucophelela eZwini likaNkulunkulu lesiprofetho, futhi ihlanganisa nokuthi bafanekiswa ukufa kukaStefanu ngokwenyama, ngaleyo ndlela bemele ukufa komoya okufezwa phezu kofakazi ababili njengoba beguqulwa besuka enhlanganweni yaseLawodikeya yengelosi yesithathu beya enhlanganweni yaseFiladelfiya yengelosi yesithathu.

We will continue this study in the next article.

Sizoqhubeka nalesi sifundo esihlokweni esilandelayo.

> “One thing is certain: those Seventh-day Adventists who take their stand under Satan’s banner will first give up their faith in the warnings and reproofs contained in the Testimonies of God’s spirit.

> “Kunye okuqinisekileyo: labo ma-Adventist oSuku lweSikhombisa abathatha ukuma kwabo phantsi kwesibhengezo sikaSathana bayo kuqala balahle ukholo lwabo kwizilumkiso nasezikhalimelweni eziqukethwe eBufakazini boMoya kaNkulunkulu.

> “The call to greater consecration and holier service is being made, and will continue to be made. Some who are now voicing Satan’s suggestions will come to their senses. There are those in important positions of trust who do not understand the truth for this time. To them the message must be given. If they receive it, Christ will accept them, and will make them workers together with him. But if they refuse to hear the message, they will take their stand under the black banner of the Prince of Darkness.

> “Ubizo lokuya ekuzinikezeleni okukhulu nakwinkonzo engcwele ngokwedlulele luyenziwa, futhi luyoqhubeka lwenziwa. Abanye manje abakhuluma iziphakamiso zikaSathane bayovuka emqondweni. Bakhona abasezikhundleni ezibalulekile zokwethembwa abangaliqondi iqiniso lalesi sikhathi. Kubo umlayezo kufanele unikezwe. Uma bewamukela, uKristu uyobamukela, abenze babe yizisebenzi ezisebenzisana naye. Kodwa uma benqaba ukuzwa umlayezo, bayothatha ukuma kwabo ngaphansi kwesibhengezo esimnyama seNkosana yoBumnyama.

> “I am instructed to say that the precious truth for this time is open more and more clearly to human minds. In a special sense men and women are to eat of Christ’s flesh and drink of his blood. There will be a development of the understanding, for the truth is capable of constant expansion. The divine originator of truth will come into closer and still closer communion with those who follow on to know him. As God’s people receive his word as the bread of heaven, they will know that his goings forth are prepared as the morning. They will receive spiritual strength, as the body receives physical strength when food is eaten.

> “Ngiyalelwe ukuba ngisho ukuthi iqiniso eliyigugu lalesi sikhathi livuleka ngokucace ngokwengeziwe ezingqondweni zabantu. Ngomqondo okhethekile amadoda nabesifazane kumelwe badle inyama kaKristu baphuze negazi lakhe. Kuyoba khona ukukhula kokuqonda, ngoba iqiniso liyakwazi ukwanda njalo. Umsunguli wobuNkulunkulu weqiniso uyakusondela ebudlelwaneni obuseduze, obuya ngokuya busondele, nalabo abaqhubeka bemazi. Njengokuba abantu bakaNkulunkulu bemukela izwi lakhe njengesinkwa sezulu, bayokwazi ukuthi ukuphuma kwakhe kulungisiwe njengokusa. Bayokwamukela amandla omoya, njengokuba umzimba wamukela amandla enyama lapho kudliwa ukudla.

> “We do not half understand the Lord’s plan in taking the children of Israel from Egyptian bondage, and leading them through the wilderness into Canaan.

> “Asiliqondi ngokugcwele icebo leNkosi ekukhipheni abantwana bakwa-Israyeli ebugqilini baseGibhithe, nasekubaholeni ehlane bayiswe eKhanani.

> “As we gather up the divine rays shining from the gospel, we shall have a clearer insight into the Jewish economy, and a deeper appreciation of its important truths. Our exploration of truth is yet incomplete. We have gathered up only a few rays of light. Those who are not daily students of the Word will not solve the problems of the Jewish economy. They will not understand the truths taught by the temple service. The work of God is hindered by a worldly understanding of his great plan. The future life will unfold the meaning of the laws that Christ, enshrouded in the pillar of cloud, gave to his people.” Spalding and Magan, 305, 306.

> “Njengoba siqoqa imisebe yobunkulunkulu ekhanya ivela evangelini, siyakuba nokuqonda okucacile ngokwengeziwe ngomnotho wamaJuda, kanye nokwazisa okujulile kakhulu amaqiniso awo abalulekile. Ukuhlola kwethu iqiniso kusengakapheleli. Siqoqe kuphela imisebe embalwa yokukhanya. Labo abangabafundi beZwi nsuku zonke abayikuxazulula izinkinga zomnotho wamaJuda. Abayikuwaqonda amaqiniso afundiswa yinkonzo yethempeli. Umsebenzi kaNkulunkulu uyaphazanyiswa ukuqonda kwezwe ngecebo lakhe elikhulu. Impilo ezayo iyakwembula incazelo yemithetho uKristu, embeswe yinsika yefu, ayinika abantu bakhe.” Spalding and Magan, 305, 306.

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