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# Panium - Number Five

Panium - Inombolo Yesihlanu

The Robbers of Thy People: Rome’s Exaltation and Fall in Prophecy

Abaphangi Babantu Bakho: Ukuphakanyiswa Nokuwa KweRoma Esiprofethweni

Author

Jeff Pippenger

Published

March 5, 2025

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The Book of Daniel unfolds a remarkable prophetic narrative, weaving a principle of repeat and enlarge which threads through its visions, from the metallic statue of chapter 2 to the intricate kingly conflicts of chapter 11. Within this framework, a compelling case emerges: the Battle of Actium in 31 BC, culminating in Egypt’s fall in 30 BC, stands as a pivotal fulfillment of Daniel 11:25, 26, marking the dawn of pagan Rome’s 360-year supremacy.

Incwadi kaDaniyeli yembula ukulandisa okuyisiprofetho okumangalisayo, ihlanganisa isimiso sokuphinda nokwandisa esidabula emibonweni yayo, kusukela esithombeni sensimbi sesahluko 2 kuze kufike ezingxabanweni eziyinkimbinkimbi zamakhosi zesahluko 11. Ngaphakathi kwalolu hlelo, kuvela ubufakazi obuqinile: iMpi yase-Actium ngo-31 BC, eyaphetha ngokuwa kweGibhithe ngo-30 BC, imi njengokugcwaliseka okuyinqophamlando kukaDaniyeli 11:25, 26, okuphawula ukuqala kobukhosi obukhulu baseRoma lobuqaba beminyaka engu-360.

Daniel 11 begins with the rise and fall of empires following Alexander the Great’s death in 323 BC. Yet, by verse 14, a shift occurs. Around 200 BC, as Antiochus III (Magnus) prepared for the Battle of Panium against the child-king Ptolemy V, Rome intervened, not as a mere bystander but as the “robbers of thy people.” Concerned about securing Egypt’s wheat supply amid Hellenistic turmoil, Rome flexed its influence during the Second Macedonian War (200–197 BC), setting the stage for its prophetic role.

UDaniyeli 11 uqala ngokuvuka nokuwa kwemibuso kulandela ukufa kuka-Alexander Omkhulu ngo-323 BC. Nokho, ngevesi 14, kwenzeka uguquko. Cishe ngo-200 BC, ngesikhathi u-Antiochus III (Magnus) ezilungiselela iMpi yasePanium emelene nenkosi-engumntwana uPtolemy V, iRoma yangenelela, hhayi njengombukeli nje kuphela, kodwa “njengabaphangi babantu bakho.” Ngenxa yokukhathazeka ngokuvikela ukutholakala kukakolweni waseGibhithe phakathi kwezinxushunxushu zamaGreki obuHellenistic, iRoma yabonisa amandla ethonya layo ngesikhathi seMpi Yesibili YaseMakedoniya (200–197 BC), yalungiselela indawo yendima yayo yesiprofetho.

## Rome’s Dominance Over the Jews

Ukubusa KweRoma Phezu KwamaJuda

Fast forward to 63 BC, and verse 16 finds fulfillment when Pompey storms Jerusalem, entering the Holy of Holies and asserting Roman dominion over the “glorious land.” From here, verses 17 through 22 trace a succession of Roman figures: Pompey’s eastern campaigns, Julius Caesar’s conquests and assassination in 44 BC, Augustus Caesar’s tax-raising reign (noted in Luke 2:1) ending in 14 AD, and Tiberius overseeing Christ’s crucifixion in the year 31 AD, when the “prince of the covenant” was broken. The prophetic line from Pompey in Jerusalem to Titus in Jerusalem in 70 AD, sets forth the line of Rome’s dominance over God’s people.

Masinyane siye phambili sifike ku-63 BC, futhi ivesi 16 lithola ukugcwaliseka kwalo lapho uPompey ehlasela iJerusalema, engena eNgcwelengcwele futhi emisa ukubusa kweRoma phezu “kwezwe elikhazimulayo.” Kusukela lapha, amavesi 17 kuya ku-22 alandelela ukulandelana kwabantu baseRoma: imikhankaso kaPompey empumalanga, ukunqoba kukaJulius Caesar nokubulawa kwakhe ngo-44 BC, ukubusa kuka-Augustus Caesar kokuqoqwa kwentela (okuphawulwe kuLuka 2:1) okuphela ngo-14 AD, kanye noTiberiyu oqondisa ukubethelwa kukaKristu ngonyaka ka-31 AD, lapho “inkosana yesivumelwano” yephulwa. Umugqa wesiprofetho osuka kuPompey eJerusalema uya kuTitus eJerusalema ngo-70 AD, ubeka obala umugqa wokubusa kweRoma phezu kwabantu bakaNkulunkulu.

Beginning with a Roman General desecrating the temple on to the ending when a Roman General destroyed the temple provides the signature of Alpha and Omega. Beginning with desecrating and ending with destruction the historical line also contains the desecration and the destruction of the One who said of Himself, “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.” Truth is made up of the first, thirteenth and last letter of the Hebrew alphabet, and the line beginning with Pompey and ending with Titus includes a middle temple destruction that is represented by the middle of three crosses, that were erected at the very middle of the week Christ came to confirm the covenant. Verses sixteen through twenty-two represent a prophetic line that bears the signature of truth. There are a handful of important prophetic lines within the history represented by the verses, but the primary theme of the line is Rome’s dominance over the Jews.

Ukuqala ngoJenerali waseRoma ongcolisa ithempeli kuze kube sekugcineni lapho uJenerali waseRoma elibhubhisa ithempeli kunikeza uphawu luka-Alfa no-Omega. Ukuqala ngokungcolisa nokuphetha ngokubhujiswa, umugqa womlando uqukethe futhi ukungcoliswa kanye nokubhujiswa kwaLowo owasho ngaye uqobo wathi, “Dilizani leli thempeli, ngolwezinsuku ezintathu ngiyakulivusa.” Iqiniso lakhiwa uhlamvu lokuqala, lweshumi nantathu, nolokugcina lwezinhlamvu zamaHebheru, futhi umugqa oqala ngoPompey uphethe ngoTitus uhlanganisa ukubhujiswa kwethempeli okuphakathi, okumelwe yisiphambano esiphakathi kweziphambano ezintathu, ezamiswa maphakathi impela neviki uKristu afika ngalo ukuqinisekisa isivumelwano. Amavesi eshumi nesithupha kuya kwamashumi amabili nambili amele umugqa wesiprofetho ophethe uphawu lweqiniso. Kukhona imigqa embalwa ebalulekile yesiprofetho ngaphakathi komlando omelelwe yilawa mavesi, kodwa umongo oyinhloko walowo mugqa ukubusa kweRoma phezu kwamaJuda.

## Leagues and Treaties

Imifelandawonye Nezivumelwano

Verse 23 “repeats and enlarges” by looping back to 161–158 BC, when the Jews under Judas Maccabeus forged a league with Rome (1 Maccabees 8). This highlights Rome’s unique empire-building strategy—conquest through treaties and alliances, a method distinct from its predecessors. Verse 24 concludes this phase, noting Rome would “forecast its devices from the strongholds, even for a time.”

Ivesi 23 “iyaphinda futhi iyandise” ngokubuyela emuva eminyakeni ka-161–158 BC, lapho amaJuda ngaphansi kukaJudas Maccabeus enza isivumelwano neRoma (1 Maccabees 8). Lokhu kugqamisa isu eliyingqayizivele laseRoma lokwakha umbuso—ukunqoba ngezivumelwano nangobudlelwane bokubambisana, indlela ehlukile kweyabandulelayo. Ivesi 24 liphetha lesi sigaba, liphawula ukuthi iRoma “yayiyohlela amacebo ayo isuka ezinqabeni, kuze kube yisikhathi.”

> And after the league made with him he shall work deceitfully: for he shall come up, and shall become strong with a small people. He shall enter peaceably even upon the fattest places of the province; and he shall do that which his fathers have not done, nor his fathers’ fathers; he shall scatter among them the prey, and spoil, and riches: yea, and he shall forecast his devices against the strong holds, even for a time. Daniel 11:23, 24.

> Futhi emva kwesivumelwano esenziwe naye uyakwenza ngokukhohlisa; ngokuba uyakwenyuka, abe namandla ngesizwe esincane. Uyakungena ngokuthula, aze afike nasezindaweni ezicebile kakhulu zesifundazwe; futhi uyakwenza lokho abangakwenzanga oyise, naboyise boyise; uyakubahlakazela phakathi impango, nempango etholiwe, nengcebo; yebo, uyakuhlela amacebo akhe emelene nezinqaba eziqinileyo, kube yisikhathi. Daniyeli 11:23, 24.

## For a Time

Okwesikhathi Esithile

The word translated “against” can be understood as the word “from”. Rome forecasts its devices “from”. The word “from” in the verse points to the city of Rome, the empire’s political and military heart, as the base of its strategies. The “time” is prophetically 360 years, beginning when Egypt falls in 30 BC after Actium, and ending in the year 330 when Constantine abandons Rome for Constantinople.

Igama elihunyushwe ngokuthi “ngokumelene” lingaqondwa futhi njengegama elithi “kuvela”. IRoma ibikezela amacebo ayo “kuvela” kuyo. Igama elithi “kuvela” evesini likhomba emzini waseRoma, inhliziyo yezombusazwe neyempi yombuso, njengesisekelo samasu awo. “Isikhathi” ngokwesiprofetho siyiminyaka engama-360, siqala lapho iGibhithe liwa ngo-30 BC emva kwe-Actium, siphethe ngonyaka ka-330 lapho uConstantine eshiya iRoma ngenxa yeConstantinople.

Verses 25 and 26 zero in on Actium itself.

Amavesi 25 no-26 agxila ngqo e-Actium uqobo.

> And he shall stir up his power and his courage against the king of the south with a great army; and the king of the south shall be stirred up to battle with a very great and mighty army; but he shall not stand: for they shall forecast devices against him. Yea, they that feed of the portion of his meat shall destroy him, and his army shall overflow: and many shall fall down slain. Daniel 11:25, 26.

> Uyovusa amandla akhe nesibindi sakhe amelane nenkosi yaseningizimu enempi enkulu; nenkosi yaseningizimu iyakuvuselwa ukulwa ngempi enkulu kakhulu, enamandla; kodwa ayiyikuma, ngokuba bayakumceba amacebo. Yebo, abadla isabelo sokudla kwakhe bayakumbhubhisa, nebutho lakhe liyakuchichima; futhi abaningi bayakuwa bebulewe. Daniyeli 11:25, 26.

In 31 BC, Octavian, representing Rome as the “king of the north,” marshaled his forces against Cleopatra’s Egypt, the “king of the south,” in a monumental naval clash. Antony and Cleopatra’s “very great and mighty army” faltered, undone by strategic “devices” (Agrippa’s tactics) and betrayals—defections from Antony’s allies and Cleopatra’s mid-battle retreat. By 30 BC, Egypt was a Roman province, launching pagan Rome’s unchallenged rule. This 360-year span, from 30 BC to 330, aligns with Rome’s supremacy centered in its original stronghold, until Constantine’s shift “cast down” the stronghold, as Daniel 8:11 foretells.

Ngo-31 BC, u-Octavian, emele iRoma “njengenkosi yasenyakatho,” wahlanganisa amabutho akhe ukuba amelane neGibhithe likaCleopatra, “inkosi yaseningizimu,” empini enkulu yasolwandle. “Ibutho elikhulu kakhulu nelinamandla” lika-Antony noCleopatra ladikibala, linqotshwa “ngamasu” obuqili (amaqhinga ka-Agrippa) nangokukhaphela—ukuhlubuka kwabanye babambisene no-Antony kanye nokuhoxa kukaCleopatra phakathi nempi. Ngo-30 BC, iGibhithe lase liyisifundazwe saseRoma, kwase kuvulwa ukubusa kweRoma yobuqaba okungenakuphikiswa. Lesi sikhathi seminyaka engu-360, kusukela ku-30 BC kuya ku-330, sihambisana nobukhulu beRoma obugxile enqabeni yayo yokuqala, kwaze kwaba yilapho ukuguquka kukaConstantine “kwawisa phansi” leyo nqaba, njengoba uDaniyeli 8:11 ebikezela.

> Yea, he magnified himself even to the prince of the host, and by him the daily sacrifice was taken away, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down. Daniel 8:11.

> Yebo, wazikhulisa kwaze kwaba ngisho nakwiNkosana yebutho, futhi ngomsebenzi wayo umhlatshelo wansuku zonke wasuswa, nendawo yendlu yakhe engcwele yadilizwa. Daniyeli 8:11.

When Constantine cast down the city of Rome for the city of Constantinople, he left a power vacuum in the city of Rome open for the papal church to take the seat of authority represented by the city of Rome. The act fulfilled verse two of Revelation thirteen.

Lapho uConstantine ehlisa idolobha laseRoma ngenxa yedolobha laseConstantinople, washiya isikhala samandla edolobheni laseRoma sivulekile ukuze ibandla lobupapa lithathe isihlalo segunya esimelwe yidolobha laseRoma. Leso senzo sagcwalisa ivesi lesibili lesAmbulo ishumi nantathu.

> And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. Revelation 13:2.

> Futhi isilo engisibonileyo sasifana nengwe, izinyawo zaso zinjengezebhere, nomlomo waso unjengowengonyama; udrako wasinika amandla akhe, nesihlalo sakhe sobukhosi, negunya elikhulu. IsAmbulo 13:2.

In Daniel 8, two different Hebrew words, both translated as “sanctuary” distinguish the story of the sanctuary in the book of Daniel. The book of Daniel represents a warfare between Christ and Satan as illustrated in the earthly representatives of Christ and Satan. Babylon, Satan’s earthly representative conquers Jerusalem in the opening of Daniel, and Jerusalem conquers Babylon in verse forty-five of chapter eleven. The kingdoms represented by the city of Jerusalem and the city of Babylon are “sanctuaries of strength.” The cities of Babylon and Jerusalem are both sanctuaries of strength, and they both have their own temples within the city. The Pantheon temple is in the city of Rome, and the temple in Jerusalem is the counterpart in the prophetic narrative. Babylon and the city of Rome are counterfeits of Jerusalem.

KuDaniyeli 8, amagama amabili ahlukene esiHeberu, womabili ahunyushwa ngokuthi “indawo engcwele,” ahlukanisa indaba yendawo engcwele encwadini kaDaniyeli. Incwadi kaDaniyeli iveza impi phakathi kukaKristu noSathane njengoba ibonakaliswa kubamele basemhlabeni bakaKristu noSathane. IBhabhiloni, ummeleli wasemhlabeni kaSathane, inqoba iJerusalema ekuqaleni kukaDaniyeli, kanti iJerusalema inqoba iBhabhiloni evesini lamashumi amane nanhlanu lesahluko seshumi nanye. Imibuso emelwe yidolobha laseJerusalema nedolobha laseBhabhiloni “iyizindawo ezingcwele zamandla.” Imizi yaseBhabhiloni neJerusalema yomibili iyizindawo ezingcwele zamandla, futhi yomibili inamathempeli ayo ngaphakathi komuzi. Ithempeli lePantheon lisemzini waseRoma, kanti ithempeli laseJerusalema liyilo elihambisanayo endabeni yesiprofetho. IBhabhiloni nomuzi waseRoma kuyizifaniso ezingamanga zeJerusalema.

In Daniel 8, the two Hebrew words are “miqdash” in verse 11, where the little horn (pagan Rome) casts down the “place of his sanctuary” (the city of Rome), when Constantine relocates in 330. The other word is “qodesh” in verses 13, 14, where God’s sanctuary awaits cleansing after 2300 days. Though both words are translated as sanctuary, “miqdash” can represent either God’s fortress or a pagan fortress, whereas “qodesh” is only used in the Bible to represent God’s sanctuary.

KuDanieli 8, la magama amabili esiHeberu athi “miqdash” evesini 11, lapho uphondo oluncane (iRoma lobuqaba) luphonsa phansi “indawo yendlu yalo engcwele” (umuzi waseRoma), lapho uConstantine ethutha khona ngo-330. Elinye igama lithi “qodesh” emavesini 13, 14, lapho indlu engcwele kaNkulunkulu ilindele ukuhlanzwa emva kwezinsuku ezingu-2300. Nakuba womabili la magama ehunyushwa ngokuthi indlu engcwele, “miqdash” ingamela inqaba kaNkulunkulu noma inqaba yobuqaba, kanti “qodesh” lisetshenziswa eBhayibhelini kuphela ukumela indlu engcwele kaNkulunkulu.

In Daniel 11:31, the “sanctuary of strength” (the city of Rome) is polluted as the Barbarians and Vandals bring warfare to the city of Rome. The “arms” in the verse started with Clovis in 496 and continued until papal Rome, was fully ascendant by 538, when the Ostrogoths are expelled from the city.

KuDaniyeli 11:31, “indlu engcwele yamandla” (umuzi waseRoma) iyangcoliswa njengoba abahedeni namaVandali beletha impi emzini waseRoma. “Izingalo” kulelo vesi zaqala ngoClovis ngo-496 futhi zaqhubeka kwaze kwaba yilapho iRoma yobupapa isiphakeme ngokuphelele ngo-538, lapho ama-Ostrogoth exoshwa emzini.

The prophetic line from Actium extends beyond 330. Verse 30’s “ships of Chittim” identify the Vandals under Genseric, who sacked Rome in 455, signaling Western Rome’s collapse. Papal Rome then rises, ruling from 538 until 1798; for 1260 years until Napoleon’s General Berthier delivered the “deadly wound” by capturing Pius VI. The 360 years of pagan Rome, from 30 BC to 330, mirrors the 1260 years of papal Rome, each beginning when a third obstacle (Egypt, Ostrogoths) falls.

Umugqa wesiprofetho osuka e-Actium udlulela ngalé kuka-330. “Imikhumbi yaseKhithimi” yendima 30 ikhomba amaVandal ngaphansi kukaGenseric, aphanga iRoma ngo-455, okwakuwuphawu lokuwa kweRoma yaseNtshonalanga. Kwase kuvuka iRoma yobupapa, yabusa kusukela ngo-538 kwaze kwaba ngu-1798; iminyaka eyi-1260 kwaze kwaba yilapho uJenerali kaNapoleon uBerthier eletha “inxeba elibulalayo” ngokubamba uPius VI. Iminyaka engu-360 yeRoma yobuqaba, kusukela ku-30 BC kuya ku-330, ifanekisela iminyaka eyi-1260 yeRoma yobupapa, kokubili kuqala lapho kuwa isithiyo sesithathu (iGibhithe, ama-Ostrogoth).

The modern “king of the north” emerges in verse 40. In 1989, the papacy, allied secretly with Reagan’s USA (symbolized as chariots, ships, and horsemen), topples the USSR, the “king of the south” (atheism/Communism). Verse 41 identifies the papacy conquering the “glorious land”—turning the Protestant USA into the Catholic USA—while verses 42, 43 identify the United Nations represented by Egypt yielding to a threefold union consisting of the United Nations (the dragon) the Vatican (the beast) and the United States (the false prophet), steering the world to Armageddon. Verse 45 predicts this power’s end, “with none to help,” its wound healed in verse forty-one, but its fate sealed by verse forty-five.

“inkosi yasenyakatho” yesimanje ivela evesini 40. Ngo-1989, ubupapa, obabubambisene ngasese ne-USA kaReagan (efanekiselwa izinqola, imikhumbi, nabagibeli bamahhashi), buchitha i-USSR, “inkosi yaseningizimu” (ukungakholelwa kuNkulunkulu/ubuKhomanisi). Ivesi 41 likhomba ubupapa bunqoba “izwe elihle”—buphendula i-USA yamaProthestani ibe yi-USA yamaKatolika—kanti amavesi 42, 43 akhomba iZizwe Ezihlangene, ezimelelwe yiGibhithe, zinikela enhlanganweni ephindwe kathathu ehlanganisa iZizwe Ezihlangene (udrako), iVatican (isilo), ne-United States (umprofethi wamanga), kuqondiswa izwe liye e-Armagedoni. Ivesi 45 libikezela ukuphela kwala mandla, “kungekho noyedwa oyolusiza,” isilonda sawo siphulukisiwe evesini 41, kodwa isiphetho sawo sesivaliwe evesini 45.

Actium in 31 BC is the focus of verses 25, 26, launching Rome’s 360-year reign from its sanctuary-stronghold. With verse fourteen as a caveat, the story of pagan Rome from verse sixteen unto the transition to papal Rome in verse thirty-one is the complete line of pagan Rome. That line is divided into three parts. Verse sixteen to twenty-two is the line of Rome’s dominance over ancient Israel. Verse twenty-three and twenty-four identifies that work of empire building which Rome employed when conquering through leagues and treaties in conjunction with military might. Verse twenty-four through to the last expression in verse thirty-one is a two-part line representing a period when Rome exalted itself, followed by a fall.

I-Actium ngo-31 BC iyona okugxilwe kuyo emavesini 25, 26, iqala ukubusa kweRoma kweminyaka engu-360 kusukela endaweni yayo engcwele eyinqaba. Ngevesi leshumi nane njengesixwayiso, indaba yeRoma yobuhedeni kusukela evesini leshumi nesithupha kuze kube sekuguqukeleni eRoma yobupapa evesini lamashumi amathathu nanye iyona umugqa ophelele weRoma yobuhedeni. Lowo mugqa uhlukaniswe izingxenye ezintathu. Ivesi leshumi nesithupha kuya kwelamashumi amabili nambili liyisigaba sokubusa kweRoma phezu kuka-Israyeli wasendulo. Ivesi lamashumi amabili nantathu nelamashumi amabili nane lichaza lowo msebenzi wokwakha umbuso iRoma eyawusebenzisa lapho inqoba ngezivumelwano nezinhlangano kanye namandla ezempi. Ivesi lamashumi amabili nane kuze kufike enkulumweni yokugcina evesini lamashumi amathathu nanye liyisigaba esiyizingxenye ezimbili esimelela inkathi lapho iRoma yaziphakamisa khona, kwalandela ukuwa.

The “time appointed” is the conclusion of the 360 years in the year 330. Verses twenty-seven unto the last phrase of verse thirty-one, which identifies when the papal power, represented as the abomination that maketh desolate was placed on the throne in 538 is the history of pagan Rome in the context of the period of three hundred and sixty years of supreme rule, which is then followed by two hundred and eight years of a progressive fall.

“Isikhathi esimisiwe” siyisiphetho seminyaka engama-360 ngonyaka ka-330. Amavesi angamashumi amabili nesikhombisa kuze kufike emshweni wokugcina wevesi lamashumi amathathu nanye, okhomba ukuthi amandla obupapa, amelwe njengesinengiso esichithayo, abekwa nini esihlalweni sobukhosi ngo-538, angumlando weRoma yobuhedeni esimweni sesikhathi seminyaka engamakhulu amathathu namashumi ayisithupha sokubusa okuphezulu, okulandelwa yileso sikhathi seminyaka engamakhulu amabili nesishiyagalombili sokuwa okuqhubekayo.

Therefore the “time” of verse twenty-four begins in 31 BC with an addition of the king of the south to the domain of the king of the north, and it ends in 330 with a division of the king of the north into east and west. From 330 unto 538 pagan Rome progressively falls apart. The various prophetic identifications associated with the various steps of demise of pagan Rome are the prophetic anchors that allow the student of prophecy to recognize God’s prophetic Word. In fulfillment of verse fourteen of Daniel eleven, Rome establishes the vision, and one of the ways that it does that very thing is through its fall. The verse states, “also the robbers of thy people shall exalt themselves to establish the vision; but they shall fall.”

Ngakho-ke “isikhathi” sevesi lamashumi amabili nane siqala ngonyaka ka-31 BC ngokwengezwa kwenkosi yaseningizimu embusweni wenkosi yasenyakatho, futhi siphela ngo-330 ngokwahlukaniswa kwenkosi yasenyakatho ibe empumalanga nentshonalanga. Kusukela ku-330 kuze kube ku-538 iRoma yobuqaba iya ngokuya idilika. Ukuhlonzwa okuhlukahlukene kwesiprofetho okuhambisana nezigaba ezehlukene zokubhujiswa kweRoma yobuqaba kuyizikhonkwane zesiprofetho ezivumela umfundi wesiprofetho ukuba aqaphele iZwi likaNkulunkulu lesiprofetho. Ekugcwalisekeni kwevesi leshumi nane likaDaniyeli ishumi nanye, iRoma imisa umbono, futhi enye yezindlela eyenza ngayo yona kanye leyo nto ingokuwa kwayo. Ivesi lithi, “nabaphangi babantu bakho bayoziphakamisa ukuze baqinise umbono; kepha bayakuwa.”

When Rome is attacked by the ships of Chittim, and thereafter attacks the south, it was not as the either the former or the latter, for from here onward the fall of the Roman power is being portrayed. The first four trumpets of the seven trumpets of Revelation found in chapter eight specifically describe the four major powers that ultimately brought Western Rome to a conclusion by 476. The vision is established when the robbers of thy people exalt themselves and fall. The prophetic vision is illustrated upon the framework of Rome’s fall. Western pagan Rome fell from 330 unto 538. Papal Rome fell in 1798. In the history of the fifth and sixth trumpet Eastern Rome fell to the Ottoman Turks in 1453. Those three falls are part of the vision that is established by the robbers of thy people.

Lapho iRoma ihlaselwa yimikhumbi yaseKhithimi, bese kamuva ihlasela eningizimu, kwakungafani nokwangaphambili noma nokwangemva kwalokho, ngokuba kusukela lapha kuya phambili sekuchazwa ukuwa kwamandla oMbuso waseRoma. Amacilongo amane okuqala kwamacilongo ayisikhombisa eSambulo, atholakala esahlukweni sesishiyagalombili, achaza ngokukhethekile imibuso emine emikhulu eyagcina ilethe iRoma yaseNtshonalanga ekupheleni kwayo ngonyaka ka-476. Umbono uyamiselwa lapho abaphangi babantu bakho beziphakamisa futhi bewa. Umbono wesiprofetho uvezwa phezu kohlaka lokuwa kweRoma. IRoma yaseNtshonalanga yobuqaba yawa kusukela ngowe-330 kwaze kwaba ngowe-538. IRoma lobuPapa lawa ngowe-1798. Emlandweni wecilongo lesihlanu nelesithupha, iRoma yaseMpumalanga yawa kumaTurkey ase-Ottoman ngowe-1453. Lokho kuwa okuthathu kuyingxenye yombono omiswe ngabaphangi babantu bakho.

The verse states, “also the robbers of thy people shall exalt themselves to establish the vision; but they shall fall.” From 31 BC to 330 pagan Rome “exalted themselves” in their supremacy over the world. From 330 to 538 pagan Rome fell away to prepare for the man of sin to be seated in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God. From 538 unto 1798 the papal power “exalted themselves,” and in 1798 they fell. From 31 BC to 330 Western Rome “exalted” that it was the center of the Roman empire, and from 330 unto 476 it fell. In 330 Constantine exalted that Constantinople was the center of Eastern Rome and in 1453 Eastern Rome fell. The periods of the various representations of Rome, each possess a period where Rome exalts, followed by a period illustrating its fall, for “the robbers of thy people shall exalt themselves to establish the vision; but they shall fall.”

Ivesi lithi, “nabaphangi babantu bakho nabo bayoziphakamisa ukuze baqinise umbono; kodwa bayakuwa.” Kusukela ku-31 BC kuya ku-330 iRoma yamaqaba “yaziphakamisa” ebukhosini bayo obuphezulu phezu komhlaba. Kusukela ku-330 kuya ku-538 iRoma yamaqaba yawa ukuze kulungiselwe ukuba umuntu wesono ahlale ethempelini likaNkulunkulu, ezimemezela ukuthi unguNkulunkulu. Kusukela ku-538 kuze kube ngu-1798 amandla obupapa “aziphakamisa,” kwathi ngo-1798 awa. Kusukela ku-31 BC kuya ku-330 iRoma yaseNtshonalanga “yaziphakamisa” ngokuthi yayiyisikhungo sombuso wamaRoma, futhi kusukela ku-330 kuze kube ngu-476 yawa. Ngo-330 uConstantine waphakamisa ukuthi iConstantinople yayiyisikhungo seRoma yaseMpumalanga, kwathi ngo-1453 iRoma yaseMpumalanga yawa. Izikhathi zalezi zimelo ezehlukene zeRoma, ngayinye inenkathi lapho iRoma iziphakamisa khona, ilandelwe yinkathi ebonisa ukuwa kwayo, ngokuba “nabaphangi babantu bakho bayoziphakamisa ukuze baqinise umbono; kodwa bayakuwa.”

The Hebrew word translated as “robbers” is better translated as “breakers” for it aligns more closely with the root’s primary sense—to break through or disrupt—rather than strictly “robbers” (which implies theft). The term suggests those who fracture boundaries, laws, or covenants, not just steal goods. Rome is the breaker in Bible prophecy, though it is translated as “robbers” in verse fourteen. In Daniel chapter two Rome is the iron kingdom, and then in chapter seven the fourth beast is also Rome.

Igama lesiHeberu elihunyushwe ngokuthi “abaphangi” lihunyushwa kangcono ngokuthi “abaphuli,” ngokuba livumelana ngokuseduze kakhulu nomqondo oyinhloko wempande yalo—ukugqekeza noma ukuphazamisa—kunokuba kube “abaphangi” kuphela (okuphakamisa ukweba). Leli gama libhekisa kulabo abaphula imingcele, imithetho, noma izivumelwano, hhayi kuphela abeba impahla. IRoma ingumphuli esiprofethweni seBhayibheli, nakuba ihunyushwe ngokuthi “abaphangi” evesini leshumi nane. KuDaniyeli isahluko sesibili iRoma ingumbuso wensimbi, bese kuthi futhi esahlukweni sesikhombisa isilo sesine sibe yiRoma.

> After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns. Daniel 7:7.

> Emva kwalokhu ngabona emibonweni yasebusuku, bheka, isilo sesine, esesabekayo neshaqisayo, sinamandla amakhulu kakhulu; sasineminyo emikhulu yensimbi; sadla, sachoboza saba yizicucu, sase sinyathela insali ngezinyawo zaso; futhi sasingafani nazo zonke izilo ezaziphambi kwaso; futhi sasinamaphondo ayishumi. Daniyeli 7:7.

The fourth beast–which is Rome–has “iron” teeth, for it is the same fourth kingdom represented as iron in chapter two. In verse seven the fourth beast of Rome “breaks in pieces,” and when it breaks in pieces it “stamped the residue with the feet of it.” The beast of Rome is the iron kingdom and the characteristic of braking in pieces and stamping the residue represents the act of persecution. The persecution brought upon ancient Israel was a “sign.”

Isilo sesine—esiyiRoma—sinamazinyo “ensimbi,” ngoba singumbuso wesine ofanayo omelwe njengensimbi esahlukweni sesibili. Evesini lesikhombisa isilo sesine saseRoma “siphihliza sibe yizicucu,” futhi lapho siphihliza sibe yizicucu “sanyathela insali ngezinyawo zaso.” Isilo saseRoma singumbuso wensimbi, futhi isici sokuphihliza sibe yizicucu nokunyathela insali simelela isenzo sokushushisa. Ukushushiswa okwehliselwa u-Israyeli wasendulo kwakuyi“phawu.”

> Moreover all these curses shall come upon thee, and shall pursue thee, and overtake thee, till thou be destroyed; because thou hearkenedst not unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which he commanded thee: And they shall be upon thee for a sign and for a wonder, and upon thy seed forever. Because thou servedst not the Lord thy God with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things; Therefore shalt thou serve thine enemies which the Lord shall send against thee, in hunger, and in thirst, and in nakedness, and in want of all things: and he shall put a yoke of iron upon thy neck, until he have destroyed thee. The Lord shall bring a nation against thee from far, from the end of the earth, as swift as the eagle flieth; a nation whose tongue thou shalt not understand; A nation of fierce countenance, which shall not regard the person of the old, nor shew favour to the young. Deuteronomy 28:45–50.

> Ngaphezu kwalokho zonke lezi ziqalekiso ziyakwehlela, zikuxoshe, zikufinyelele, uze ubhujiswe; ngokuba awulalelanga izwi likaJehova uNkulunkulu wakho, ukuba ugcine imiyalo yakhe nezimiso zakhe akuyale ngakho. Futhi ziyakuba phezu kwakho zibe yisibonakaliso nesimangaliso, naphezu kwenzalo yakho kuze kube phakade. Ngokuba awumkhonzanga uJehova uNkulunkulu wakho ngokuthokoza nangokwenama kwenhliziyo, ngenxa yokuchichima kwezinto zonke; ngalokho uyakukhonza izitha zakho uJehova ayakuzithumela kuwe, ngokulamba, nangokoma, nangobunqunu, nangokuswela izinto zonke; yona iyakubeka ijoka lensimbi entanyeni yakho, ize ikubhubhise. UJehova uyakulethela isizwe esivela kude, emkhawulweni womhlaba, esishesha njengokhozi lundiza; isizwe olimi lwaso ongeke uluqonde; isizwe esinobuso obunolaka, esingayikuhlonipha omdala, noma sibonise umusa komncane. Duteronomi 28:45–50.

The curses upon ancient Israel brought about by their rebellion are a “sign and a wonder, and upon thy seed forever.” The curse was to be brought upon them with “a nation of fierce countenance.” The beast with iron teeth that “breaks in pieces and stamps the residue” in chapter seven is also the fourth kingdom which proceeds from the division of Alexander’s kingdom, and just as with Moses in Deuteronomy, that kingdom is a nation whose tongue ancient Israel would not understand. The kingdom of Rome in Daniel chapter eight is a nation of fierce countenance and a nation who speaks a different language.

Iziqalekiso phezu kuka-Israyeli wasendulo ezalethelwa ukuhlubuka kwabo ziyisi “ibonakaliso nesimangaliso, naphezu kwenzalo yakho kuze kube phakade.” Isiqalekiso sasizakulethwa phezu kwabo “ngesizwe esinobuso obunolaka.” Isilo esinamazinyo ensimbi “esichoboza sibe yizicucu, sinyathele okusele” esahlukweni sesikhombisa naso singumbuso wesine ophuma ekuhlukanisweni kombuso ka-Alexander, futhi njengakukaMose kuDuteronomi, lowo mbuso uyisizwe olimini lwaso u-Israyeli wasendulo ayengeke aluqonde. Umbuso waseRoma kuDaniyeli isahluko sesishiyagalombili uyisizwe esinobuso obunolaka nesizwe esikhuluma ulimi oluhlukile.

> Now that being broken, whereas four stood up for it, four kingdoms shall stand up out of the nation, but not in his power. And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up. Daniel 8:22, 23.

> Manje-ke, mayelana nalokho okwephukileyo, njengokuba ezine zema endaweni yako, kuyakuvela imibuso emine ivela kuleso sizwe, kodwa ingeyona enamandla akhe. Futhi esikhathini sokugcina sombuso wazo, lapho izoni sezifikile ekupheleleni kokona kwazo, kuyakuvela inkosi enobuso obunesihluku, neqondayo izimfihlakalo ezinzima. Daniyeli 8:22, 23.

The “robbers (breakers) of thy people” establish the vision, they exalt themselves and they fall. The fourth iron kingdom was pagan Rome who ruled supremely when exalting themselves, but whose ultimate fall became a prophetic characteristic which establishes the vision. They are breakers for they trample down God’s people through persecution.

“Abaphangi (abaphulayo) babantu bakho” bamisa umbono; bayaziphakamisa, bese bewa. Umbuso wesine wensimbi kwakuyiRoma yobuqaba, eyabusa ngobukhosi obukhulu lapho iziphakamisa, kodwa ukuwa kwayo kokugcina kwaba yisici esiyisiprofetho esimisa umbono. Bangabaphulayo, ngoba banyathela phansi abantu bakaNkulunkulu ngokubashushisa.

We will continue this study in the next article.

Sizoqhubeka nalesi sifundo esihlokweni esilandelayo.

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