“Ngalesosikhathi uMikhayeli uzakusukuma, umbusi omkhulu omela abantu bakini: njalo kuzakubakhona isikhathi sokuhlupheka esingazange sibe khona kusukela ekuqaleni kwezizwe kuze kube ngaleso sikhathi, kodwa ngaleso sikhathi bazakukhululwa abantu bakini, bonke abazatholakala bebhaliwe egwalweni.” Danyeli 12.1. {GC 613.1} IEP 613.1
Nxa ukutshunyayelwa kodaba lwengilosi yesithathu sekugqitshiwe, umusa wokuncengela izoni emhlabeni lawo uzabe usuvaliwe. Abantwana bakaNkulunkulu bazabe sebewuqedile umsebenzi wabo emhlabeni. Bazabe sebeyamukele “imvula yokucina,” yona “eyikuvuselelwa okuvela kuNkulunkulu,” njalo bazabe sebelungiselelwe ithuba lokuhlolwa elizabe liphambi kwabo. Ingilosi zizabe ziphambana ezinye zinyuka zisiya ezulwini ezinye zisiza emhlabeni. Ingilosi evela emhlabeni izamemezela ukuthi umsebenzi wayo usuphelile, umhloliso wokucina sulethiwe kubo bonke abaphila emhlabeni, njalo bonke ababonise uthando lokulandela intando kaNkulunkulu sebamukele “uphawu lukaNkulunkulu ophilayo.” Ngaleso isikhathi uJesu uzakuma umsebenzi wakhe wokuncengela abantu ethempelini elisezulwini. Uzakuphakamisa izandla zakhe amemeze ngelizwi elikhulu ethi: “Kuphelile” njalo zonke ingilosi zizakubeka imiqhele yazo nxa esenza isimemezelo esilandelayo: “Owenza okungalunganga kahlale esenza okungalunganga; longcolileyo ahlale engcolile, lolungileyo ahlale elungisisiwe; longcwele ahlale engcwelisiwe.” Sambulo 22:11. Impilo zabantu bonke ziyabe sezihlolisisiwe, abanye besiya ekuphileni njalo abanye besiya ekufeni. UKrestu uzabe seyenzile umsebenzi wokubuyisa abantu bakhe njalo wesula izono zabo. Inani lombuso wakhe lizabe seliphelelisiwe; “umbuso njalo lamandla, lobukhulu bawo ngaphansi kwezulu lonke,” uzabe usumelele ukunikwa indlalifa zosindiso, njalo uJesu uqobo lwakhe nguye ozakubusa njengeNkosi yamaKhosi njalo loMbusi wabaBusi. {GC 613.2} IEP 613.2
Nxa uJesu ephuma ethempelini, umnyama uzakwembesa bonke abaphila emhlabeni. Esikhathini lesi esesabekayo abalungileyo kuzamele baphile phambi kaNkulunkulu ongcwele bengaselayo uMmeli obancengelayo. Amandla abekade enqanda ababi azakuzuswa emhlabeni, njalo uSathane uzabe eselamandla okulawula bonke abangamukelanga iqiniso. Umusa kaNkulunkulu obukade uncenga abantu okwebanga elide kangaka uzabe usuphelile. Umhlaba wonke uzabe ususalile isihawu sakhe, waphika uthando lwakhe, njalo wavoxa phezu komthetho wakhe. Bonke ababi bazabe sebedlulile umngcele womusa, uMoya kaNkulunkulu, abawuphike okwesikhathi eside, ngalesi sikhathi uzabe usususiwe. Ngenxa yokuthi bazabe sebengelamthunzi womusa ukuthi ubasithele, bazabe sebengasavikelekanga emandleni omubi. USathane uzaphosela bonke abazabe bephila emhlabeni phakathi kobunzima obukhulu obuzaba ngobokucina emhlabeni. Nxa ingilosi zikaNkulunklu zisima ukubamba imimoya emibi eqhamuka enkanukweni zabantu, bonke ububi buzayekelelwa emhlabeni. Umhlaba wonke uzabaphakathi kokubhidlizwa okubi kakhulu okwedlula lokho okwehlela idolobho laseJerusalema endulo. {GC 614.1} IEP 614.1
Ingilosi eyodwa endulo yenelisa ukubhubhisa wonke amazibulo elizweni laseGibhithe okwabangela ukuthi ilizwe lonke ligcwale ukububula. Nxa uDavida wayeseyenze isenzo esasiphambene lentando kaNkulunkulu esokubala abantu, ingilosi eyodwa yaletha isifo esikhulu kakhulu esaba yisijeziso sokona kwakhe. Amandla okubhubhisa afananayo ingilosi ezingcwele ezenelisa ukuwabonakalisa nxa uNkulunkulu ezithumile, azasetshenziswa zingilosi zikaSathane ngesikhathi lapho uNkulunkulu evumile. Kulemimoya khathesi elungeleyo ukuzibonakalisa emhlabeni, emelele kuphela imvumo yokuletha ukubhidlizwa emhlabeni wonke. {GC 614.2} IEP 614.2
Labo abalandela imilayo kaNkulunkulu ngesikhathi lesi bazabekwa icala lokuletha izijeziso lezi emhlabeni, njalo bazabekwa icala lokubangela inguquko yonke ezabonakala endalweni njalo lokuphithizela lokuchitheka kwegazi okuzaletha usizi emhlabeni wonke. Amandla abekade eholela ukutshunyayelwa kwesixwayiso sokucina azabe esezondise abenzi bobubi, njalo ulaka lwabo luzaqondiswa kibo bonke abazabe sebeyamukele udaba lolu, njalo uSathane uzaletha inzondo enkulu ezabangela umoya wokuhlukumeza. {GC 614.3} IEP 614.3
Nxa ubukhona bukaNkulunkulu basebususiwe ngokokucina esizweni samaJuda, abapristi ndawonye labantu abazange bakwazi lokhu. Loba nje babengaphansi kwamandla kaSathane, njalo babekhokhelwa yimizwa emibi njalo leyesabekayo, babelokhe bezibiza abakhethekileyo bakaNkulunkulu. Inkozo zonke ezazisenziwa ethempelini zaqhubeka njengenjwayelo, iminikelo yenziwa elathini elaselingcolile, njalo izibususo zansuku zonke zazinikwa abantu ababelecala lokubulala iNdodana kaNkulunkulu ayithanda kangaka njalo babelokhe besenza imizamo yokubulala abafundi njalo labapostoli. Ngokufanayo nxa isinqumo esingaguqulekiyo sesiyenziwe ethempelini lasezulwini, njalo lesiphetho somhlaba wonke sesibekiwe labo abasemhlabeni abasoke bakwazi lokhu. Inkonzo zonke ezenziwayo zizaqhubeka zisenziwa ngabantu uMoya kaNkulunulu ozabe usubatshiye kudala, njalo lamadlabuzane avelela kuSathane azabafuqela ukuthi bafeze injongo zakhe ezobubi, kodwa kuzabonakala sengathi ngumsebenzi abawenzela uNkulunkulu. {GC 615.1} IEP 615.1
Njengoba usuku lweSabatha luzabe selwenziwe lube yindikimba yempikiswano phakathi kwamaKrestu, abaholi bamabandla ndawonye lababusi bamazwe bazabe sebebambene ukufaka umthetho wokuthi kukhonzwe ngosuku lwangeSonto, labo abalutshwane abazaqhubeka besala ukulandela umthetho lowu bazamukelwa njengezitha zomhlaba wonke ezifanele ukutshabalilswa. Kuzafuqwa ukuba iqula leli elilabantu abalutshwane eliphikisa umthetho webandla njalo lowelizwe akumelanga bavunyelwe, ukuthi bakwenze lokhu, lokuthi kungcono ukuthi bahlukunyezwe bona kulokuthi umhlaba wonke ungene phakathi kwesiphithiphithi njalo lasesimeni sokungalandelwa kwemithetho. Isizatho esifananayo sasetshenziswa eminyakeni eminengi eyadlulayo kuKrestu, silethwa ngabaholi bebandla. “Kungcono kithi,” watsho uKhefasi, “ukuthi kufe umuntu oyedwa afele abantu, ukwenzela ukuthi isizwe sonke singabhubhi.” Johane 11:50. Amazwi lawa azabonakala sengathi alesisindo njalo ekucineni umthetho uzafakwa ozamelana lalabo abazabe begcina usuku lweSabatha ngcwele olutholakala emthethweni wesine, njalo umthetho lowu uzatsho ukuthi bafanele ukujeziswa kalukhuni, njalo uzanika abantu imvumo ngemva kwesikhathi esithileyo ukubabulala. Lokho okwenziwa libandla leRoma endulo kuzakwenziwa kulabo abalandela imilayo kaNkulunkulu kukhokhelwa ngamabandla alamuhla azabe esihlamukele iqiniso leBhayibhili. {GC 615.2} IEP 615.2
Abantu bakaNkulunkulu bazadlula phakathi kokuhlupheka okukhulu njalo lensizi ezesabekayo, okuyisikhathi esichazwa ngumprofethi uDaniyeli njengesikhathi sokuhlupheka kukaJakobe. “INkosi ithi: Sizwile ilizwi lokwethuka, lelokwesaba, lelokuswela ukuthula...kungani ubuso bonke bunyukubele. Maye! Lukhulu lolosuku, kalukho olunye olunjalo, kuyisikhathi sokuhlupheka kukaJacobe, kodwa uzakhululwa kikho.” Jeremiya 30:5-7. {GC 661.1} IEP 616.1
Ubusuku bokuhlupheka uJakobe adlula kibo, nxa wayekhulekela ukukhululwa esandleni sika Esawu (Genesisi 32:24-30), bumele isehlakalo abantu bakaNkulunkulu abazadlula kiso ngesikhathi senhlupheko. Ngenxa yobuqili abenzayo ngesikhathi ethatha izibusiso zikayise, ezazifanele ukuba ziphiwe uIsawu, uJakobe ngemva kwalokho wabalekela ukusinda impilo yakhe, ngoba esesaba lokho umfowabo ayezamenza khona. Ngemva kokuhlala komalumakhe okweminyaka eminengi, wayeselubhekise ekhaya ngemva kokuthola ilizwi elalivela kuNkulunkulu elokuthi ayenze njalo, ndawonye labomkakhe kanye lezifuyo zakhe. Nxa wayefika emngceleni welizwe, wafikelwa yikwesaba ngemva kokuthola umbiko wokuthi uIsawu wayemhlangabeza lexuku lebutho njalo wayengalakho ukuthandabuza ukuthi wayelenhloso yokuphindisela. Abantu ababehamba loJakobe ngenxa yokuthi babengahlomanga, njalo bengelandlela yokuzivikela, kwasekubonakala sengathi basebezakuba yikudla kwenyoni zasendle. Njalo phezu komhedehede lokwesaba kwangezelelwa umthwalo wokuzisola, ngoba kwakungenxa yesono sakhe esasibangele ingozi leyi. Ithemba lakhe elilodwa lalisemuseni kaNkulunkulu, isiviko sakhe esisodwa sasingumkhuleko kuphela. Loba kwakunjalo kazange ayekela ukwenza konke okwakusemandleni akhe ukuvuma njalo lokuxolisa umfowabo ngenxa yesono amenza sona njalo lokuzama ukususa ingozi eyayiphambi kwakhe. Kuzamele kubenjalo lakubalandeli bakaKrestu, nxa belanda isikhathi senhlupheko, kuzamele benze yonke imizamo yokuziveza phambi kwabantu ngendlela eqondileyo, basuse wonke amehlo ensolo abantu abangabakhangela ngawo ngoba bengabazwisisi, njalo lokuthi bazame ukususa ingozi efuna ukulwisana lokukhululeka kwemzangedwa yabantu. {GC 616.2} IEP 616.2
Nxa uJakobe wayesethumele imuli yakhe khatshana ukwenzela ukuthi bangaboni usizi lwakhe, wasala yedwa ukuba ancenge uNkulunkulu. Waqala ngokuvuma isono sakhe njalo waphakamisa umusa uNkulunkulu ayewubonise kuye, njalo ngokuzehlisa wancenga esebenzisa isivumelwano saboyise njalo lezithembiso uNkulunkulu amenzela zona embonweni abalawo eBetheli njalo laselizweni lokuphephela kwakhe. Manje kwasekufike isikhathi esinzima empilweni yakhe lapho konke kuye okwasekulenga emoyeni. Ebunyameni lobu obabugcwele ukuthula waqhubeka ekhuleka njalo ezehlisa phambi kaNkulunkulu. Khonokho nje wezwa isandla simbamba emahlombe. Umcabango owafika kuye wabangowokuthi lesi kwakuyisitha, ngamandla akhe onke waqala ukulwisana lomuntu lowu. Ilanga lathi selizaphuma, umuntu lowu wasebenzisa amandla akhe ezulu, wathi esemthintile wazizwa esephele amandla wawela phansi njalo wakhala wancenga lowu ayecabanga ukuthi wayeyisitha. UJakobe wabakwazi sobala ukuthi leyi kwakuyingilosi yesivumelwano ayekade elwisana layo. Loba nje wayesekhubazekile njalo esebuhlungwini, kazange alahle injongo yakhe. Kwasekukudala edlule phakathi kobuhlungu lokuzisola ngenxa yesono sakhe khathesi kwasekumele athole isiqiniseko sokuthethelelwa kwakhe. Isithunywa sezulu sasesibonakala sengathi sasesilungele ukusuka kodwa uJakobe wasinamathela, wancenga ukuthi simbusise. Ingilosi yathi: “Ngekela ngihambe ngoba ilanga selizaphuma,” kodwa uJakobe waphendula wathi, “angisoke ngikwekele, ngaphandle kokuthi ungibusise.” Khepha isibindi esingaka, lokuzithemba akubonisa lapha! Ngabe wayekwenze lokhu ngokuzikhukhumeza, lokuziphakamisa, uJakobe wayezahle afe khonaphana, kodwa okwakhe kwakuyisiqiniseko salowo ovuma ubuthakathaka bakhe njalo lokungafaneli kwakhe, kodwa loba kunjalo othemba isihawu sikaNkulunkulu ogcina isivumelwano sakhe. {GC 616.3} IEP 616.3
“Wabalamandla phezu kwengilosi njalo wanqoba.” Hosiya 12:4. Ngenxa yokuzehlisa, lokuvuma izono zakhe njalo lokuzinikela, isoni lesi senelisa ukumelana lesithunywa sezulu. Wenelisa ukugagadlela izithembiso zikaNkulunkulu, njalo inhliziyo egcwele uthando olungapheliyo yayingeke ifulathele ukuncenga kwesoni lesi. Njengobufakazi bokunqoba kwakhe njalo lesibonelo sokunika abanye isibindi sokuthi balandele umzekeliso wakhe, ibizo lakhe laguqulwa lasuka kulowo owayehlala ekhunjuzwa isono sakhe, laba yilelo elaliyisikhumbuzo okunqoba kwakhe. Njalo njengoba kwakusobala kuthi uJakobe wayelwisane njalo wanqoba phambi kaNkulunkulu lokhu kwaba yisiqiniseko sokuthi wayezanqoba phambi kwabantu. Wayengasabi ukuhlangana lolaka lomfowabo, ngoba iNkosi yayiyisiviko sakhe. {GC 617.1} IEP 617.1
USathane wayevezile isono sikaJakobe phambi kwengilosi zikaNkulunkulu, njalo wayetshilo ukuthi wayelalo ilungelo lokumbulala ngenxa yesono sakhe; njalo wayefuqe uIsawu ukuthi amhlangabeze ngenhloso yokumlimaza, njalo nxa uJakobe wayedlula phakathi kobusuku obude ethandaza, uSathane wazama ukumnyathezela ngokuletha umthwalo wamacala akhe ngenhloso yokuthi amenze alahle ithemba ayekele ukwethembela kuNkulunkulu. Kwasala kancane ukuthi uJakobe alahle ithemba, kodwa wayesazi ukuba ngaphandle kokuba athole usizo oluvela ezulwini kwakufanele abulawe. Wayesesivumile isono sakhe ngenhliziyo yakhe yokhe, njalo wancenga isihawu sikaNkulunkulu. Wayengeke ephanjulwe yilutho kule injongo ayelayo, kodwa wayibamba ingilosi njalo waletha amazwi wakhe okuncenga, esehlisa izinyembezi waze wathola ukunqoba. {GC 618.1} IEP 618.1
Njengoba uSathane wafuqa uIsawu ukuthi ahlangabeze umfowabo ngenhloso yokuphindisela, ngokufanayo uzafuqa ababi ukuthi babulale abantu bakaNkulunkulu ngesikhathi sokuhlupheka. Njalo ngendlela azama ngayo ukubeka icala uJacobe phambi kwezulu, uzaletha njalo amacala ngabantu bakaNkulunkulu phambi kwezulu. Lokhu kungenxa yokuthi ukholwa ukuba bonke abasemhlabeni ngabakhe, kodwa iqula leli elincane elizabe ligcina imiyo kaNkulunkulu yilo kuphela elizabe lisala ukukhothamela amandla akhe. Ngabe bekungenzeka abacitshe embalini yomhlaba, ukunqoba kwakhe bekuzabe sekuphelele. Uyananzelela ukuba ingilosi zezulu zibelusile, njalo uyacabangela ukuba izono zabo sezithethelelwe; kodwa kakwazi ukuthi isiphetho sabo sesilungisiwe ethempelini eliphezulu. Uyazazi ngokuphelela zonke izono abalinga ukuba bazenze njalo uzaziletha phambi kukaNkulunkulu ngoba efuna ukuveza abantwana bakaNkulunkulu njengabantu abafanele njengaye ukulehlekelwa luthando lukaNkulunkulu. Uzakutsho ukuthi uNkulunkulu ngeke abe elungile nxa engabathethelela izono zabo kodwa abulale yena kanye lengilosi zakhe. Uzakutsho ukuthi abantu laba bangabakhe njalo bafanele ukuba banikelwe ezandleni zakhe ukuze ababulale. {GC 618.2} IEP 618.2
Ngesikhathi uSathane ebeka icala abantu beNkosi phambi kwayo ngenxa yezono zabo, iNkosi izamvumela ukuba abalinge ngazozonke izilingo alazo. Ukumthemba kwabo uNkulunkulu njalo lokuqina kokukholwa kwabo, kuzahlolwa ngendlela elukhuni. Nxa bekhangela imbali, amathemba wabo azatshona, ngoba empilweni zabo bazabona ubuhle obuncane kakhulu ababenzileyo. Bazabe besazi ubuthakathaka babo njalo lokungafaneli kwabo izulu. USathane uzazama ukubethusa ngokuletha imicabango yokuthi isimo sabo asilathemba, njalo lokuthi ukungcola kwabo ngeke kuhlambululeke. Uzabe elethemba lokutshabalalisa ukukholwa kwabo ukwenzela ukuthi bawele ngaphansi kwezilingo zakhe baphambuke ekulandeleni intando kaNkulunkulu. {GC 618.3} IEP 618.3
Loba nje abantu bakaNkulunkulu bazabe begonjolezelwe yizitha ezifuna ukubabulala, kodwa usizi abazadlula kilo ayisilo lokwesaba ukubulawelwa iqiniso; bazabe besesaba ukuthi kambe kungabe kukhona isono abangasivumanga, njalo lokuthi ngenxa yokwehluleka kwabo bazakwehluleka ukwamukela isithembiso soMsindisi esithi: “ngizakulondoloza eholeni lokulingwa okuzafika emhlabeni wonke.” Sambulo 3:10. Ngabe kuphela bebengaba lesiqiniseko sokuthethelelwa bebengeke besabe ukuhlukunyezwa loba ukufa, kodwa nxa kungenzeka bahluleke ukutholakala befanele, njalo balahlekelwe yimphefumulo yabo ngenxa yamaphutha ezimilweni zabo, ibizo likaNkulunkulu belingatshaphazwa. {GC 619.1} IEP 619.1
Ngakunxazonke abantwana beNkosi bazakuzwa amacala amakhulu azabekwa phezukwabo njalo bazabona umphumela wokuhlamukela iqiniso endaweni zonke, njalo bazafikelwa yisifiso esikhulu esivelela emoyeni wabo, esokuthi sengathi ukuhlamuka lokhu kungaqedwa njalo lobubi obenziwa ngabantu ababi bungafika emaphethelweni. Kodwa nxa belokhe bencenga uNkulunkulu ukuthi aqede ukuhlamuka lokhu, bazasindwa ngumthwalo wokuthi labo abalamandla okulwisana lesikhukhula sobubi obuzabe bukhona emhlabeni. Bazacabanga ukuthi ngabe babesebenzise wonke amandla wabo ekusebenzeleni uKrestu, baqhubeka bethola amandla kuselokuthula emhlabeni, uSathane lequla lakhe bebengeke benelisa ukubehlula ngalesi isikhathi. {GC 619.2} IEP 619.2
Bazabubula phambi kaNkulunkulu, bekhomba ukuvuma kwabo izono abakwenze emuva, njalo bazancenga ukuthi bamukeliswe isithembiso soMsindisi esithi: “kabambelele emandleni ami, ukuze enze ukuthula lami njalo uzakwenza ukuthula. Isaya 27.5. Ukukholwa kwabo akusoke kwehluleke loba nje imithandazo yabo izabonakala sengathi ayiphendulwa khonapho. Loba nje bedlula phakathi kobuhlungu obunzima, lokwesaba, lokudangala, abasoke bame ukuncenga phambi kwezulu. Bazagagadlela amandla kaNkulunkulu njengoJakobe agagadlela ngayo ingilosi, njalo amazwi enhliziyo zabo azabe ngathi: “angisoke ngikwekele ngaphandle kokuthi ungibusise.” {GC 619.3} IEP 619.3
Ngabe uJakobe wayengavumanga isono sakhe sokweba izibusiso zobuzibulo, uNkulunkulu wayengasoke awuzwe umthandazo wakhe futhi wayengeke wayihlenga impilo yakhe. Ngokunjalo ngesikhathi senhlupheko, ngabe abantu bakaNkulunkulu bebengatholakala belezono abangazivumanga ebezizahlangana labo ngesikhathi bedlula ebuhlungwini bokwesaba, bebezakwehlulwa, ukudangala bekungaqamula ukukholwa kwabo, njalo bebengeke babelesibindi sokububula phambi kaNkulunkulu ukuthi abahlenge. Kodwa loba nje besazi ukuthi akukho okubenza bafanele ukwamukelwa ezulwini, abalazo izono abangaziveza abazifihlileyo. Izono zabo kudala zahamba phambi komthethwandaba njalo sezayesulwa, futhi abasenelisi ukuziletha emkhumbulweni yabo. {GC 620.1} IEP 620.1
USathane khathesi uholela abantu abanengi ukuthi bacabange ukuthi uNkulunkulu kalandaba lokungathembeki kwabo ezintweni ezincane zempilo, kodwa iNkosi iyabonisa ngendlela eyaphatha ngayo indaba kaJakobe ukuthi ayisoke loba nini yamukela ububi. Bonke abenza imizamo yokuvikela loba eyokufihla izono zabo, njalo abazavumela ukuthi izono zabo zihlale encwadini zezulu zingavunywanga njalo zingathethelelwanga, bazanqotshwa nguSathane. Ukukhula kwezikhundla zabo njalo lokuhlonipheka kwazo, kwenza ukuthi izono zabo zibenkulu phambi kukaNkulunkulu njalo kwenza ukuthi ukunqoba kwesitha kube kukhulu. Labo abadlulisela phambili ukulungiselela usuku lweNkosi akwenzeki ukuthi bathole ukulungiselela lokhu ngesikhathi sokuhlupheka kumbe loba ngasiphi isikhathi ngemva kwalesi. Indaba yabantu abanjalo ayilangitsho ithemba. {GC 620.2} IEP 620.2
Bonke abazibiza amaKrestu abazafika esikhathini lesi bengazilungiselelanga, bazavuma izono zabo phakathi kokudangala besebenzisa amazwi okudabuka, ngesikhathi ababi bejabula ngenxa yobuhlungu abazabe bedlula kibo. Ukuvuma kwabo izono kuzabe kufana lalokho okwenziwa nguIsawu kumbe uJadasi. Labo abavuma izono ngale indlela, bayabe bekhalela umphumela wokona kwabo, hatshi ububi besono sabo. Abalayo imizwa eqotho eyokuzisola, njalo abalayo inzondo yesono edingekayo. Bayavuma isono sabo, ngenxa yokwesaba ukujeziswa, kodwa njengoFaro wasendulo, bebengabuyela esimeni sokumelana loNkulunkulu ngabe izijeziso lezi bezingasuswa. {GC 620.3} IEP 620.3
Imbali kaJakobe iphinde njalo ibe yisiqiniseko sokuthi uNkulunkulu kasoke alahle labo abathe ngenxa yokulingwa nguSathane bakhetha ukuwela esonweni, kodwa ababuye njalo bakhetha ukuphendukela kuye bevuma izono zabo ngokweqiniso. Ngesikhathi uSathane ezama ukubhubhisa iqula leli, uNkulunkulu uzathumela ingilosi zakhe ukuba zibaduduze njalo zibavikele ngesikhathi sokuhlupheka kwabo. Izikhali zikaSathane zizakuza ngamandla njalo langolaka, lokudukisa kwakhe kuzabe kulukhuni, kodwa loba kunjalo ilihlo likaNkulunkulu lizabe liphezu kwabantu bakhe, njalo lendlebe zakhe zizahlala zilindele ukuzwa ukukhala kwabo. Ubuhlungu babo buzabe bubukhulu kakhulu, lamalangabi omlilo azabonakala sengathi asezabaqeda, kodwa umnini wegolide uzabakhipha belungisisiwe njengendlela igolide eliphuma lihlambuluke ngayo emlilweni. Uthando uNkulunkulu alalo ngabantwana bakhe ngesikhathi lesi sokuvivinywa kwabo okukhulu luzabe lulokhe luqinile njalo lujulile njengasezikhathini zokuphumelela kwabo, kodwa kuzabe kudingeka ukuthi badlule phakathi kwamalangabi omlilo, konke okwasemhlabeni okukibo kumele kutshiswe, ukwenzela ukuthi umfanekiso kaKrestu ubonakale ngokuphelela. {GC 621.1} IEP 621.1
Isikhathi sokudangala lokukhathazeka esiphambi kwethu sizadinga ukukholwa okwenelisa ukumelana lokudinwa, lokuphuza, njalo lendlala — ukukholwa okungasoke kuphele amandla laloba sekuvivinywe kangakanani. Isikhathi sokuthula esikhona khathesi sinikwe wonke umuntu ukuba alungiselele isikhathi lesi esizayo. UJakobe waphumelela ngoba kazange alahle ithemba njalo wayelokuzimisela. Ukunqoba kwakhe kuyibufakazi bamandla omthandazo ophikelelayo. Bonke abazagagadlela izithembiso zikaNkulunkulu, ngendlela uJakobe ayenza ngayo, njalo abazazimisela njalo baphikelele njengaye bazaphumelela ngendlela aphumelela ngayo laye. Labo abangazimiselanga ukuzidela, ukwenzela ukuthi babubule phambi kaNkulunkulu, lokuba bathandaze bengaphumuli becela izibusiso zakhe, abasoke bazifumane. Ukulwisana loNkulunkulu, yeka ukuthi balutshwane kangakanani abakwaziyo ukuthi kuyini! Balutshwane kangakanani asebeke bezwa umoya wabo udinga uNkulunkulu ngamandla amakhulu kangaka okwaze kwabangela ukuthi baphelelwe ngamandla enyama. Nxa amagagasi okudangala okungela mazwi okuwachasisa esethanyela lowo ozincengelayo, balutshwane kangakanani ababambelela ngokukholwa ezithembisweni zikaNkulunkulu. {GC 621.2} IEP 621.2
Labo abasebenzisa ukukholwa okuncane khathesi, basengozini enkulu yokuwela ngaphansi kwamandla okudukisa kukaSathane njalo lokuzithola bengaphansi komthetho ozabekwa ukuba ubambe ngamandla umzwangedwa. Njalo laloba bengenelisa ukumelana lokuvivinywa lokhu bangena ngaphansi kobuhlungu lokudangala okukhulu ngesikhathi sokuhlupheka, ngoba bangazange bakwenza injwayelo ukwethemba uNkulunkulu. Izifundo zokukholwa abayekele ukuziqakathekisa bazabanjwa ngamandla ukuthi bazifunde ngaphansi kubunzima bokudangala. {GC 622.1} IEP 622.1
Kumele khathesi sijwayele ukubumba ubudlelwane loNkulunkulu ngokuhlola izithembiso zakhe. Ingilosi ziyaloba yonke imithandazo eqinisekileyo njalo lephuma enhliziyweni. Kungangcono sitshiyane lezinto zokuzithokozisa kulokuthi siyekele ukuchitha isikhathi loNkulunkulu. Ukuswela okwedlula konke, lokuzidela okwedlula konke, nxa kulesandla sikaNkulunkulu kungcono kulenotho, lezikhundla, njalo lobungane yena engekho. Kumele sibeke izikhathi zokukhuleka. Uba sivumela ingqondo zethu ukuba zigcwale inkanuko zomhlaba, uNkulunkulu sengasinika isikhathi ngokusithathela izithixo zethu zegolide, lezindlu ngitsho lezemihlabathi evundileyo. {GC 622.2} IEP 622.2
Abantu abatsha bebengeke bawela ezilingweni ngabe bebengazifundisa ukwala ukungena endleleni lapho abangenelisi khona ukucela izibusiso zikaNkulunkulu. Ngabe izithunywa ezithwele udaba lokucina olucolekileyo okumele lunikwe umhlaba wonke bezingathandazela izibusiso zikaNkulunkulu, hatshi ngendlela eqandayo, leyokunganaki njalo loyobuvila, kodwa ngokuzimisela njalo lokukholwa, ngendlela uJakobe akhuleka ngayo, bebengathola indawo ezinengi lapho abebezakuthi: “Ngiyibonile iNkosi manqamu, njalo angizange ngilahlekelwe yimpilo yami.” Genesisi 32:30. Ezulwini bebezakwaziwa njengamakhosana, njengabantu abalamandla okubindana loNkulunkulu njalo labantu. {GC 622.3} IEP 622.3
“Isikhathi sokuhlupheka esingakaze sibekhona,” sizabonakala phambi kwethu masinyazana, njalo sizadinga inkambo esingakabi layo khathesi njalo abanengi abalobuvila bokuyidinga. Kujwayelekile ukuthi uhlupho lubonakale lulukhulu nxa abantu becabanga ngalo lungakafiki kulanxa selufikile, kodwa lokhu akusilo iqiniso nxa sikhangele isikhathi senhlupheko esiphambi kwethu. Ukuchasisa okulobunono obukhulu okungenziwa ngeke kuveze lokhu okuzayo. Ngesikhathi lesi sokuvivinywa, wonke umuntu kuzamele azimele yedwa phambi kaNkulunkulu. “Loba uNowa loDanyeli loJobe bebekhona, ngiyazifunga kutsho iNkosi uJehova, bebengayikukhulula indodana loba indodakazi, kodwa bebezazikhulula bona kuphela ngokulunga kwabo.” Hezekeli 14:20. {GC 622.4} IEP 622.4
Khathesi ngesikhathi uMpristi wethu omkhulu esincengela, kumele sidinge ukubamsulwa kuKrestu. Ngitsho langemicabango, uKrestu kazange avumele ukuwa ngenxa yokulingwa nguSathane. USathane uyafumana enhliziyweni zabantu into eyodwa angangena ngayo, nxa kulenkanuko yesono ethile ethandwa ngumuntu, uyayisebenzisa ukuba izilingo zakhe ziqinise amandla wakhe emuntwini onjalo. Kodwa uKrestu nxa wayezitsho yena wathi: “Ngoba umbusi walumhlaba uyeza, kodwa kalalutho kimi.” Johane 14:30. USathane kazange afumane lutho eNdodaneni kaNkulunkulu eyayingamsiza ukuthi amnqobe. UKrestu wayeyenze konke ayengakwenza ukugcina imilayo kaYise, njalo kwakungelasono kuye uSathane ayengasisebenzisa ekumlwiseni kwakhe. Lesi yiso isimo okumele batholakale bekuso labo abazakuma ngesikhathi senhlupheko. {GC 623.1} IEP 623.1
Kusempilweni leyi esiyiphila khathesi okumele senze imizamo yokwehlukana lesono, ngokukholwa egazini likaKrestu elisusa izono. Umsindisi wethu omuhle uyasincenga ukuba sizihlanganise laye, ukuba sibambanise ubuthakathaka bethu lamandla akhe, ukungazi kwethu lokuhlakanipha kwakhe, ukungafaneli kwethu lemisebenzi yakhe emihle. Ukukhokhela kukaNkulunkulu kuyiso isikolo okumele sifunde kiso ubumnene lokuzehlisa kukaKrestu. INkosi ihlala ibeka phambi kwethu, hatshi indlela ebesizayikhetha, ekhangeleka ilula njalo imnandi kithi, kodwa inhloso zeqiniso zempilo. Kweyeme kithi ukuba sisebenzisane ndawonye lamacebo asetshenziswa lizulu awokulungisisa izimilo zethu ukuba zifane lalezo ezisezulwini. Akulamuntu ongavika kumbe adlulisele phambili umsebenzi lowu ngaphandle kokuthi alahlekelwe ngumphefumulo wakhe. {GC 623.2} IEP 623.2
Umphostoli uJohane wezwa ilizwi elikhulu ngesikhathi esembonweni lisithi: “Maye kulabo abakhileyo emhlabeni lasolwandle, ngoba uSathane wehlele kini elolaka olukhulu ngoba esazi ukuthi ulesikhathi esifitshane.” Sambulo 12:12. Ziyesabeka izehlakalo ezibangela ukuthi ilizwi leli liphume ezulwini. Ulaka lukaSathane luya lukhula nxa isikhathi sakhe silokhe sincipha, njalo umsebenzi wakhe wokudukisa njalo lokubhidliza uzafika esiqongweni sawo ngesikhathi senhlupheko. {GC 623.3} IEP 623.3
Izibonakaliso ezesabekayo ezingajwayelekanga zizabonakala masinyazana emkhathini, lokhu kuzabe kuyibufakazi bamandla amadimoni okwenza izibonakaliso. Omoya ababi bazathunyelwa emakhosini wonke omhlaba njalo lasemhlabeni wonke, besiyabadukisa, njalo bazabakhuthaza ukuba babambane loSathane empini yakhe yokucina lohulumende wezulu. Ngenxa yokusebenzisa ingilosi zakhe, ababusi njalo labalandeli babo bazadukiswa ngokufanayo. Kuzavela amadoda athile azazibiza ngokuthi anguKrestu ngokwakhe, njalo bazafuna inhlonipho njalo lokukhonzwa okufanele uMsindisi womhlaba kuphela. Bazakwenza izibonakaliso ezimangalisayo ezokusilisa abagulayo njalo bazaveza ukuthi balembono evela ezulwini kodwa ezabe iphikisana lamazwi eBhayibhili. {GC 624.1} IEP 624.1
Njengesicoco emdlalweni omkhulu wokudukisa abantu esiqongweni, uSathane uqobo lwakhe uzakwehla azenze uKrestu. Ibandla sekukade litshumayela ngokuza kukaKrestu njengesiqongo samathemba walo. Khathesi umkhohlisi omkhulu uzakwenza kubonakale sengathi uKrestu sebuyile. Endaweni ezitshiyeneyo emhlabeni, uSathane uzazibonakalisa phambi kwabantu njengesidalwa esilenkazimulo enkulu, efana lendlela uKrestu achazwa ngayo eyanikwa nguJohane encwadini kaSambulo. Sambulo 1:13-15. Inkazimulo ezabe imgombolozele ayikho eyidlulayo eseyake yabonakala emhlabeni. Kuzezwakala amazwi okunqoba endaweni zonke athi: “UKrestu sebuyile! uKrestu sebuyile!” Abantu bazazilahlela phambi kwakhe bemdumisa, yena uzaphakamisa izandla zakhe akhulume amazwi ayisibusiso phezu kwabo, ngendlela efanana laleyo uKrestu abusisa ngayo abafundi bakhe nxa wayeseselapha emhlabeni. Ilizwi lakhe lizabe lipholile njalo lizothile, kodwa lizwakala njengengoma emnandi. Uzasebenzisa amazwi alozwelo, ukuchaza amanye amaqiniso ezulu akhulunywa nguKrestu, uzasilisa abagulayo, njalo ngemva kokwenza lokhu uzakhuluma amazwi okuthi useguqule usuku lweSabatha walubeka ngosuku lwangeSonto, njalo uzalaya wonke umuntu ukuthi ahloniphe usuku lolu alubusisileyo. Uzakutsho njalo ukuba labo abaqhubeka begcina usuku lwesikhombisa ngcwele bahlambaza ibizo lakhe ngenxa yokwala ukulalela ingilosi ezithunyelwe kibo zilokukhanya njalo leqiniso. Leyi yiyo inkohliso enkulu, njalo lokudukisa okulamandla phose angeke amelwe ngumuntu. Njengabantu baseSamariya ababedukiswe nguSimon Magus, amaxuku abantu, kusukela kwabakhulu kusiya kwabancane, bazakwamukela amanga lawa besithi: “Lawa ngamandla amakhulu, kaNkulunkulu.” Imisebenzi 8:10. {GC 624.2} IEP 624.2
Kodwa abantwana bakaNkulunkulu abasoke bakhohliswe. Imfundiso zikaKrestu lowu owamanga zizabe ziphambene lamaqiniso eBhayibhili. Izibusiso zakhe zizanikwa labo abakhonza isilo njalo lomfanekiso waso, bona okuliqula leli iBhayibhili elifundisa ukuthi uluka lukaNkulunkulu olungaxutshaniswanga uthelwa phezu kwabo. {GC 625.1} IEP 625.1
Okunye njalo yikuthi uSathane kasoke avunyelwe ukulingisela indlela uKrestu azakuza ngayo lapha emhlabeni. UKrestu waxwayisa abantu ukuba bangadukiswa mayelana lendaba leyi, njalo wakuveza sobala indlela ukuza kwakhe kwesibili okuzakwenzeka ngayo. “Ngoba kuzavuka okristu bamanga labaprofethi bamanga, benze izibonakaliso, ukuze kuthi, nxa kungenzeka badukise labakhethekileyo...Ngakho uba bengathi kini; khangelani usenkangala, lingaphumi, khangelani usendlini yensitha, lingakholwa. Ngoba njengalokhu umbane ubaneka empumalanga ukhanye lentshonalanga, kuzakuba njalo lokufika kweNdodana yomuntu. Mathewu 24:24-27, 31; 25:31; Sambulo 1:7; 1 Thesalonika 4:16,17. Ukuza lokhu akulandlela yokukulungisela. Kuzakwazakala njalo kubonwe emhlabeni wonke jikelele. {GC 625.2} IEP 625.2
Kuphela labo abakade bengabafundi beBhayibhili abaqotho njalo asebeyamukele uthando lweqiniso bazakuvikelwa ekudukisweni okulamandla amakhulu okuzathumba umhlaba wonke. Ngokusebenzisa ubufakazi beBhayibhili laba bazakwenelisa ukumbona umkhohlisi loba nje ezabe ezamile ukuzifihla. Kubo bonke abantu isikhathi sokuhlolwa sizafika. Ngenxa yokuhlungula okuzalethwa yizilingo wonke amaKrestu eqiniso azavezwa. Kambe abantu bakhe khathesi sebejulile ngokweqiniso elizwini lakhe kangaka okokuthi abasoke bamukele inkohliso ngenxa yobufakazi balokho abakubonayo kumbe abakuzwayo na? Bazakwenelisa yini phakathi kwesiphithiphithi lesi ukubambelela eBhayibhili, njalo eBhayibhilini kuphela na? USathane uzazama nxa kusenzeka ukubanqabela ukuba benze amalungiselelo okuba benelise ukuma ngalolo suku. Uzahlela izehlakalo ngendlela yokuba abiyele indlela yabo ngothango, abafake phakathi kwezilingo zokuthanda inotho yomhlaba, abenze ukuba bathwale umthwalo onzima, lodinisayo, ukwenzela ukuthi inhliziyo zabo zikhathalele inkanuko zalumhlaba ukwenzela ukuthi usuku lokuhlolwa lubafikele njengesela. {GC 625.3} IEP 625.3
Nxa umthetho ozafakwa ngababusi abehlukeneyo emazweni atshiyeneyo ozabe uphikisana lalabo abagcina imilayo kaNkulunkulu, uzakwenza ukuthi kususwe wonke amalungelo abo okuthi bavikelwe yilizwe njalo ozakwenza ukuthi balahlelwe ezandleni zalabo abafuna ukubabhidliza abantwana bakaNkulunkulu bazabaleka emadolobheni lasemaphandleni babuthane ndawonye bebengamaxuku atshiyeneyo, behlale endaweni ezilugwadule njalo lezisithakeleyo. Abanengi bazathola ukuphephela ezintabeni. NjengamaKrestu asesigodini lasePiedmont, bazakwenza ukuthi indawo eziphakemeyo zasemhlabeni zibengamakhayo abo, njalo bazabonga uNkulunkulu ngenxa “yokudalwa kwamadwala” Isaya 33:16. Kodwa abantu abanengi emazweni wonke ngokutshiyana kwezigaba zabo zempilo, abakhulu labancane, abaswelayo lezinothi, abansundu labamhlophe, bazakufakwa phakathi kochuku njalo lokugqilazwa okubuhlungu kakhulu. Abathandekayo bakaNkulunkulu bazadlula phakathi kwensuku ezilukhuni, bebotshwe ngamaketane, bevalelwe entolongweni, begwetshelwe ukubulawa, abanye batshiywe lapho ngenhloso yokuthi bafele khona ngenxa yendlala phakathi kwemigodi emnyama njalo engcole okumangalisayo. Kuzabe kungekho indlebe yomuntu ezabe ivulelwe ukuzwa ukububula kwabo, njalo sizabe singekho isandla somuntu esizabe silungele ukubanika usizo. {GC 626.1} IEP 626.1
Kambe uNkulunkulu uzabakhohlwa yini abantwana bakhe ngalelihola lokuvivinywa na? Wamkhohlwa uNowa othembekileyo nxa izijeziso zazisehliselwa abantu ayephila labo na? Wamkhohlwa yini uLothi nxa umlilo wawusehla uzotshisa amadolobho asemagcekeni na? Wamkhohlwa na uJosefa nxa wayephila phakathi kwabahedeni baseGibhithe? Wamkhohlwa na uElija nxa ukufunga kukaJezebheli kwasekungathi kwakuzabangela ukubulawa kwakhe njengalokho akwakuyehlele abaprofethi bakaBhali. Wamkhohlwa yini uJeremiya nxa wayesephoselwe emgodini wentolongo omnyama na? Wabakhohlwa yini abafana bamaHebheru abathathu nxa basebephoselwe emlilweni ovuthayo na? kumbe uDanyeli emgodini wezilwane? {GC 626.2} IEP 626.2
“IZion ithe iNkosi ingilahlile, njalo leNkosi yami isingikhohliwe. Kambe owesifazane engamkhohlwa umtanakhe omunyayo, okungenza ukuthi angazweli indodana ayizeleyo na? yebo sebengayikhohlwa, kodwa mina angisoke ngilikhohlwe lina. Bhekani ngilibhale ngaphakathi kwezandla zami.” Isaya 49:14-16. INkosi yamabandla isikhulumile yathi: “Lowo othinta lina uthinte intanga yelihlo lakhe.” Zakhariya 2:8. {GC 626.3} IEP 626.3
Loba izitha zingabaphosela entolongweni, kodwa loba kunjalo imiduli yemigodi ngeke iqume ukukhulumisana kwenhliziyo zabo loKrestu. Yena obona ubuthakathaka babo, owazi konke ukuvivinywa kwabo, ungaphezu kwamandla wonke asemhlabeni, njalo ingilosi zizabathekelela ezitokisini zabo, ziletha ukukhanya njalo lokuthula kwasezulwini. Antolongweni lawa azafana lezigodlo zamakhosi, ngoba labo abanothileyo ekukholweni bazabe behlala lapho, njalo imiduli leyi emnyama izakhanyiswa yikukhanya kwasezulwini ngendlela efananayo okwakhanyiswa ngayo nxa uPhawuli loSilasi babekhuleka njalo behlabela ingoma zokudumisa phakathi kobusuku entolongweni yasePhiliphi. {GC 627.1} IEP 627.1
Izijeziso zikaNkulunkulu zizakwehliselwa phezu kwalabo abazabe bezama ukuhlukumeza njalo lokubhubhisa abantu bakhe. Ukubekezelela kwakhe izoni kwenza ukuthi zone ngamandla, kodwa ukujeziswa kwabo loba kunjalo kubalindele njalo kuzabalukhuni ngenxa yokuthi kumiswe kwaze kwadlula isikhathi eside kungalethwanga. “Ngoba iNkosi izavuka njengentabeni yasePerazimi, ithukuthele njengesigodini seGibeyoni, ukuze yenze umsebenzi wayo, umsebenzi wayo ongejwayelekanga, yenze isenzo sayo, esingejwayelekanga.” Isaya 28:21. KuNkulunkulu wethu olesihawu isenzo sokujezisa abantu, yisenzo esingajwayelekanga kuye. “Tshono kibo uthi: INkosi ithi: Ngiyazifunga mina, kangithokozi ngokufa komubi. Hezekeli 33:11. UNkulunkulu uyiNkosi “elesihawu elomusa, ephuza ukuthukuthela, levame ububele lobuqotho, egcinela abayizinkulungwane umusa, ethethelela ububi lesiphambeko lesono, engayikuyekela lokuyekela olecala.” Exodusi 34:6,7. “INkosi iyaphuza ukuthukuthela, kodwa ilamandla amakhulu, kayiyikumyekela ngitsho olecala.” Nahume 1:3. Uzakwenza izenzo ezesabakayo ekulungeni kwakhe, ukwenzela ukuthi aphindisele amandla omthetho wakhe osuvoxelwe phansi emhlabeni. Ubukhulu besijeziso esilindele bonke abephula imilayo yakhe singahlolwa ngokukhangela indlela uNkulunkulu abukeka ethikaza ngayo ukwehlisa izijeziso zakhe. Isizwe asibonisa umusa ngokusibekezelela, njalo angasoke asitshaye ngoswazi ngaphandle kokuthi sigcwalise inkezo yobubi baso phambi kwakhe, ekucineni sizanatha inkezo yolaka lwakhe engaxutshaniswanga lesihawu sakhe. {GC 627.2} IEP 627.2
Ngesikhathi lapho uKrestu azakuma khona umsebenzi wakhe wokusincengela ethempelini lasezulwini, ulaka olungaxutshaniswanga oluthenjiswe labo abakhonza isilo njalo lomfanekiso waso njalo labamukela uphawu lwaso (Sambulo 14:9,10), luzakuthelwa. Izijeziso zolaka lukaNkulunkulu ezehliselwa phezu kwelizwe laseGibhithe ngesikhathi lapho uNkulunkulu ayeselungiselela ukukhulula abantwana bakoIsrayeli ziyafanana lalezo kodwa zizabe zisesaka kakhulu ezizathelwa phezu komhlaba ngesikhathi lapho uNkulunkulu azabe eselungiselela ukukhulula abantu bakhe emhlabeni. Nxa umlobi kaSambulo echaza isimo lesi esesabekayo uthi: “Kwasekuvela isilonda esibi esibuhlungu ebantwini abalophawu lwesilo, labakhonza umfanekiso waso.” Lolwandle “lwaselusiba ligazi njengelofileyo, lawo wonke umphefumulo ophilayo wafa olwandle. Njalo “lemifula njalo lemithombo yamanzi yaphenduka yaba ligazi.” Laloba izijeziso lezi zizimbi kangaka, ukulunga kukaNkulunkulu kuzabonakaliswa emehlweni womuntu wonke. Ingilosi kaNkulunkulu ithi: “Ulungile Nkosi, okhona lowayekhona lozakuba khona, ngoba wahlulela lezizinto; ngoba bachitha igazi labangcwele lelabaprofethi, ubanike labo igazi ukulinatha, ngoba balifanele.” Sambulo 16:2-6. Ngenxa yesenzo sabo sokugwebela abangcwele ukufa, sebethole icala legazi labo sengathi bababulele ngezandla zabo. Ngendlela efanayo uKrestu wabeka icala phezu kwamaJuda ayephila ngesikhathi sakhe lokuchitha igazi lamadoda angcwele elalichithiwe kusukela ensukwini zika Abela, ngenxa yokuthi labo babelomoya ofanayo njalo babefuna ukwenza umsebenzi ofanayo owenziwa yilabo ababulala abaprofethi. {GC 627.3} IEP 627.3
Esijezisweni esilandelayo, amandla azanikwa ilanga ukuba “litshise abantu ngomlilo. Abantu baqothulwa yikutshisa okukhulu.” Sambulo 16:8,9. Abaprofethi bachaza isimo somhlaba ngesikhathi lesi esesabekayo ngale indlela: “Umhlabathi uyakhala; ...ngoba isivuno semasimini siphelile...zonke izihlahla zeganga sezomile, lentokozo iphelile ebantwini.” “Inhlanyelo iyabola ngaphansi kwamagade, iziphala zamabele azilalutho...Yeka ukukhala kwezifuyo! Imihlambi yenkomo ididekile ngoba kayilalo idlelo,imifula yamanzi itshile, lomlilo utshisile amadlelo eganga.” Joweli 1: 10-12, 17-20. “Izingoma zethempelini zizaphenduka zibe yikukhala mhlalokho, kutsho iNkosi uJehova, izidumbu zizagcwala yonke indawo, zikhutshelwe phandle ngokuthula.” Amos 8:3. {GC 628.1} IEP 628.1
Izijeziso lezi azisoke ziyehlele umhlaba wonke jikelele ndawonye kumbe ngokulandelana kwazo, ngoba ngabe bekungaba njalo bonke abantu abakhileyo emhlabeni bebezakufa ngenxa yazo. Loba kunjalo zizaba yizijeziso ezesabekayo esezike zehlela abantu selokhe umhlaba wadalwayo. Zonke izijeziso esezike zehlela abantu ngaphambi kokuvalwa komusa, zazisiza zixutshaniswe lomusa. Ukuncenga kwegazi likaKrestu yikho obekuvikela isoni ukuthi singamukeli isilinganiso esigcweleyo esifanele amacala aso, kodwa ekwahlulelweni kokucina, ulaka lukaNkulunkulu luzakuthelwa lungaxutshaniswanga lomusa. {GC 628.2} IEP 628.2
Ngalolosuku amaxuku abantu azafisa ukuvikela kwesihawu sikaNkulunkulu abasiphikileyo okwesikhathi eside ekuphileni kwabo. “Khangelani insuku ziyeza, kutsho iNkosi uJehova, lapho ngizathumela indlala elizweni, kungabi yindlala yokudla, kungabi ngeyokomela amanzi, kodwa kube ngeyokuzwa amazwi eNkosi. Abantu bazazula kusukela elwandle kuze kube selwandle, kusukela enyakatho kuze kube sempumalanga bagijimele le lale, bedinga ilizwi leNkosi bangalitholi.” Amosi 8:11,12. {GC 629.1} IEP 629.1
Abantu bakaNkulunkulu labo ayisikho ukuthi bazabe bengalazo labo inhlupho zabo, kodwa loba nje bezabe bezingelwa njalo bephakathi kobuhlungu benhliziyo, ngesikhathi bedlula phakathi kwendlala kodwa uNkulunkulu kasoke avumele ukuthi balambe baze bafe. UNkulunkulu ofanayo owanakekela uElijah kasoke adlule ngitsho loyedwa umntanakhe ozabe ephila impilo yokuzidela. Yena owenelisa ukubala inani lenwele ezisemakhanda wabo uzabanakekela, njalo ngesikhathi sendlala bazakusuthiswa. Ngesikhathi ababi besifa ngendlala njalo langezifo, ingilosi zizavikela abangcwele njalo zibanike konke abakudingayo. Kulowo ohamba ngokulunga nansi isithembiso: “Isinkwa sakhe uzasiphiwa, lamanzi wakhe azabakhona.” “Abayanga labaswelayo badinga amanzi, kodwa engekho, ulimi lwabo lome ngokoma, mina Nkosi ngizabaphendula; mina Nkulunkulu kaIsrayeli kangiyikubadela.” Isaya 33:15,16; 41:17. {GC 629.2} IEP 629.2
“Loba umkhiwa ungavezi impoko, loba kungekho izithelo evinini lomhlwathi liphuthe ukuthela, amasimu angavezi ukudla, izimvu ziqunywe zisuka esibayeni, kungabi khona inkomo esibayeni, kanti mina ngizathokoza ngeNkosi, ngijabule ngoNkulunkulu wokukhululwa kwami.” Habhakhukhi 3:17,18. {GC 629.3} IEP 629.3
“INkosi ingumlondolozi wakho; iNkosi ingumthunzi wakho esandleni sakho sokunene. Ilanga kaliyikukutshaya emini, lenyanga ebusuku. INkosi izakulondoloza kukho konke okubi; izalondoloza umphefumulo wakho.” “Sibili yena uzakukhulula emjibileni womthiyi, kuye umatshayabhuqe wesifo obhubhisayo. Uzakusibekela ngensiba zakhe, uzathembela langaphansi kwempiko zakhe, iqiniso lakhe liyisihlangu lehawu. Kawuyikwesaba isesabiso sebusuku, umtshoko ophaphayo emini, umatshayabhuqe wesifo ohambayo emnyameni, incithakalo ebhubhisayo emini enkulu. Bazakuwa abayinkulungwane eceleni kwakho, labayizinkulungwane ezilitshumi ngakwesokunene sakho, kuwe kakuyikusondela. Uzakhangela nje ngamehlo akho, ubone impindiselo kwababi. Ngoba wena, Nkosi uyisiphephelo sami, imenzile oPhezukonke waba yindawo yakho yokuhlala. Kakulabubi obuzakwehlela, lenhlupheko kayiyikusondela ethenteni lakho.” Amahubo 121:5-7; 91:3-10. {GC 629.4} IEP 629.4
Kodwa emehlweni abantu kuzabonakala sengathi abantu bakaNkulunkulu sekuzamele babophe ubufakazi bokukholwa kwabo ngegazi labo njengalokho okwenziwa yilabo abafela eqiniso abaphila phambi kwabo. Labo bazaqala ukwesaba ukuthi mhlawumbe uNkulunkulu sebatshiyile ukuba bawele ezandleni zezitha zabo. Lesi kuzaba yisikhathi sobuhlungu obesabekayo. Ebusuku lemini bazakhala eNkosini becela ukukhululwa. Abantu ababi bazathokoza, njalo kuzezwakala amazwi okukloloda athi: “Kungaphi manje ukukholwa kwenu? Kungani uNkulunkulu engalikhululi ezandleni zethu nxa kuyikuthi lingabantu bakhe na?” Kodwa laba abalindileyo bazakukhumbula uJesu esifa esiphambanweni saseKhalivari njalo labapristi abakhulu lababusi bememeza besithi: “Wasindisa abanye; kodwa kenelisi ukuzukhulula yena. Nxa eyiNkosi yakoIsrayeli, akehle esiphambanweni khathesi, njalo sizakumkholwa.” Mathewu 27:42. NjengoJakhobe endulo, bonke bazabe belwisana loNkulunkulu. Ubuso babo buzabe bubonisa ukulwisana okuzabe kuphakathi kwenhliziyo zabo. Ukubuna kuzabonakala ebusweni babo. Kodwa loba kunjalo abasoke bame ukuncenga abazabe bekwenza phambi kwesihlalo sobukhosi. {GC 630.1} IEP 630.1
Ngabe abantu bebengavulwa amehlo babone ngelihle lezulu, bebezabona amaxuku engilosi ezilamandla amakhulu ezizabe zihanqe labo abazabe begcine ilizwi lokubekezela kukaKrestu. Ngenhliziyo ezilozwelo ingilosi lezi zizabe zikhangele ukuhlukumezeka kwabo njalo zezwa lemithandazo yabo. Zizabe zilindele kuphela ilizwi elivela eNduneni yebutho ukuba zibahluthune phakathi kobunzima abazabe bekibo. Kodwa kuzabe kusafanele ukuba balinde okwesikhatshana. Abantu bakaNkulunkulu kusafanele ukuba banathe inkezo leyi njalo babhabhathizwe ngombhabhathizo lowu. Ukudlula kwezikhathi lokuphuza emehlweni wabo, okuzabe kubuhlungu kangaka, kuzabe kuyimpendulo engcono kakhulu yemithandazo yabo. Nxa belokhe bezama ukulinda bethembele ukuba iNkosi isebenze baholelwa ukuba babonise ukukholwa, lethemba, njalo lokubekezela, abakusebenzise kancane enkambeni yabo yokukholwa. Loba kunjalo ngenxa yabakhethekileyo isikhathi sokuhlupheka sizakufinyezwa. “Kanti uNkulunkulu kayikwenza impindiselo yabakhethiweyo bakhe abakhalayo kuye emini lebusuku?... Ngithi kini uzakwenza impindiselo yabo masinyane.” Lukha 18:7,8. Ukuphela kuzakuza masinyane okwedlula lokho abantu abakukhangeleleyo. Amabele azakubuthwa abeyizithungo ezizafakwa esiphaleni sikaNkulunkulu, kuthi umfaba ubuthelwe emlilweni ukuze utshiswe. {GC 630.2} IEP 630.2
Abalindi bezulu, ngokwethembeka emsebenzini wabo, baqhubeka bekhangele okwenzakalayo emhlabeni. Loba nje kuzabe sekubekiwe umthetho ozaphawula isikhathi esithile sokuba bonke abagcina imilayo kaNkulunkulu bengabulawa, izitha zabo ezikhathini ezitshiyeneyo zizazama ukuhambela phambili umthetho lowu, zizame ukuthatha imphefumulo yabo. Kodwa kakho ngitsho loyedwa ongenelisa ukudlula abalindi laba bazabe behanqe abalungileyo. Abanye bazahlaselwa nxa bezama ukubaleka besuka emadolobheni lasemaphandleni, kodwa inkemba ezizabe ziphakamiselwe bona zizaqamuka ziswele amandla njalo ziwele phansi njengotshani obuwomileyo. Abanye bazavikelwa zingilosi ezizabe zithethe izimo zamadoda empi. {GC 631.1} IEP 631.1
Kusukela endulo uNkulunkulu ukewasebenzisa ingilosi ezingcwele emsebenzini wokukhulula abantu bakhe. Ingilosi zezulu sezike zaphatheka endabeni zabantu benyama emhlabeni lowu. Sezike zabonakala zigqoke izembatho ezikhazimula njengombani, futhi sezike zabonakala zigqoke izembatho zezihambi. Ingilosi sezike zabonaka zisesimeni sabantu phambi kwamadoda angcwele kaNkulunkulu. Sezike zaphumula sengathi bezikhathele, ngaphansi kwemithunzi yezihlahla emini. Sezike zamukela uthando lokwamukelwa emizini ethile. Sezike zenza njalo imisebenzi yokuphelekezela abantu abathile ohambeni lwabo. Sezike zasebenzisa izandla zazo ukubasa umlilo ealthareni. Sezike zavula iminyango yentolongweni njalo zakhulula inceku zikaNkulunkulu. Zathi zigqoke izembatho zezulu, zabuya zagiqela khatshana ilitshe elalivale ithuna loMsindisi. {GC 631.2} IEP 631.2
Ingilosi zezulu zandise ukubakhona emhlanganweni yabangcwele zembethe izimo zabantu benyama, njalo ziyethekelela imihlangano yababi, ngendlela ezahamba ngayo eSodoma, ukuyahlolisisa izenzo zabo, ngenhloso yokuqedisisa ukuba basebedlulile na umngcele womusa kaNkulunkulu. INkosi iyathokoza ngomusa wayo, njalo ngenxa yabantu abalutshwana abamkhonza ngeqiniso, uyamisa izehlakalo ezingachitha imphefumulo yabantu njalo uyaqhubekisa ukuthula ebantwini abanengi. Izoni ezonela uNkulunkulu azinanzeleli ukuthi kumele zibonge abalungileyo ngenxa yokuphila kwabo laloba nje beqhubeka bebahlukumeza njalo bebazonda. {GC 631.3} IEP 631.3
Laloba nje ababusi balumhlaba bengakwazi, kodwa ezikhathini ezinengi ingilosi zezulu zilokuba khona emihlanganweni yabo njengezikhulumi. Amehlo abantu ake azibona, njalo lendlebe zabo zike zezwa amazwi azo awokuncenga, lendebe zabo zike zaphikisana lemibono yazo njalo benza amazwi wazo inhlekisa, lezandla zabantu sezike zasetshenziswa ukuzihlukumeza lokuzithuka. Emhlanganweni yekhansilini lasemthethwandabeni yelizwe izithunywa zezulu sezike zabonisa ulwazi lwazo mayelana lembali yoluntu, sezike zazibonisa ukuthi yizo ezilobungcitshi abokhulu bokwenelisa ukumela labo abahlukunyeziweyo okwedlula ingcitshi zonke ebezingabamela. Ingilosi sezenelise ukumisa injongo ezithile njalo zenqabela ububi obabungaphambanisa ukuhamba komsebenzi kaNkulunkulu njalo obabungabangela ukuhlupheka okukhulu ebantwini bakhe. Ngehola lobunzima njalo lokulwiswa “ingilosi yeNkosi izingelezela labo abayesabayo iNkosi, njalo ibakhulule.” Amahubo 34:7. {GC 632.1} IEP 632.1
Ngokulangazelela okukhulu abantwana bakaNkulunkulu bazalinda izibonakaliso zokuza kweNkosi yabo. Nxa abalindi bebuzwa ukuthi, “mlindi uthini ngobusuku?” impendulo izaphiwa ngamazwi angelakuthandabuza, “Kuyeza ukusa, lobusuku futhi.’ Isaya 21:11,12. Ukukhanya kuzaqala ukubonakala phezu kwezintaba. Masinyazana nje inkazimulo yakhe izabonakaliswa. Ilanga loKulunga lizabe selilungele ukukhanyisa umhlaba wonke. Ukusa ndawonye lobusuku kuzabe sekusondele kokubili, kwabalungileyo kuzavulwa imini engayikuphela, kwababi kuzabe sekufike ukutshona kwelanga okungayikuphela.” {GC 632.2} IEP 632.2
Nxa laba abazabe bedlula phakathi kokulwisana lezulu beqhubeka beletha izicelo zabo phambi kaNkulunkulu, iveyili ebelikade libahlukanisa lalokho okungabonwayo lizabonakala sengathi selisuswa. Izulu lizaqala ukukhanya ngenxa yokuza kokusa okungapheliyo, njalo njengengoma ephuma endebeni zezingilosi kuzazwakala endlebeni zabo amazwi athi: “Bambelelani ebuqothweni benu. Usizo luyeza” UKrestu yena onguMnqobi omkhulu, uzaphakamisela amasotsha akhe azabe esebonakala edinwe kakhulu umqhele onaphakade, njalo ilizwi lakhe lizazwakala liphuma emasangweni avulekileyo lisithi: “Bhekani ngilani. Lingesabi. Ngikwazi konke ukudabuka kwenu; ngibuthwalile bonke ubuhlungu benu. Alilwisani lezitha ezingakaze zilwiswe. Ngiyilwile impi leyi endaweni yenu, njalo ngegama lami ledlula abanqobi.” {GC 632.3} IEP 632.3
Umsindisi wethu omuhle uzathumela usizo kithi ngesikhathi lapho sesiludinga. Indlela eyokuya ezulwini iphambwe ngamanyathelo wakhe. Wonke ameva alimaza inyawo zethu alimaza inyawo zakhe ngaphambilini. Zonke iziphambano esibizelwa ukuthi sizithwale wazithwala laye phambi kwethu. INkosi iyavumela izikhathi zokulwiswa, ukwenzela ukuthi alungiselele inhliziyo zethu ukuthula. Isikhathi senhlupheko siyisehlakalo esesabekayo ebantwini bakaNkulunkulu, kodwa siyisikhathi sokuthi bonke abakholwa ngeqiniso bekhangele phezulu, njalo ngokukholwa munye ngamunye bazabona umkhumbi wezithembiso ozabe ubasibakele. {GC 633.1} IEP 633.1
“Ngakho abahlengiweyo beNkosi bazabuya, beze eZiyoni behlabela, lentokozo elaphakade phezu kwekhanda labo, bazazuza intokozo lenjabulo, usizi lokulila kuzabaleka. Mina, mina uqobo nginguye oliduduzayo, ungubani wena ozakwesaba umuntu ozakufa, lendodana yomuntu ezakwenziwa ibe njengotshani, ubusukhohlwa iNkosi umenzi wakho...uqhubeka usesaba insuku zonke ngenxa yokuvutha kwentukuthelo yomncindezeli, kungathi uzimisele ukuchitha? Ingaphi-ke intukuthelo yomncindezeli? Isibotshwa esithunjiweyo siyaphangisa ukuze sikhululwe, lokuthi singafeli emgodini, njalo ukuthi ukudla kwaso kungasweleki. Ngoba ngiyi Nkosi uNkulunkulu wakho eyadabula ulwandle, amagagasi alo ahlokoma, iNkosi yamabandla libizo layo. Ngifakile amazwi ami emlonyeni wakho, ngakusibekela emthunzini wesandla sami.” Isaya 51:11-16. {GC 633.2} IEP 633.2
“Ngakho khathesi zwana lokhu wena ohluphekayo lodakiweyo, kodwa hatshi ngewayini: Itsho njalo iNkosi yakho, uJehova uNkulunkulu wakho oncengela udaba lwabantu bakhe: Khangela ngisusile esandleni sakho inkezo yokuthuthumela, inzece zenkezo yolaka lwami, kawusayikuyinatha futhi; kodwa ngizayibeka esandleni salabo abakuhluphayo, abathe emphefumulweni wakho: Khothama ukuze sedlule phezulu; usubeke umzimba wakho njengomhlabathi, lanjengomgwaqo kwabadlula phezulu.” Isaya 51:21-23. {GC 633.3} IEP 633.3
Ilihlo likaNkulunkulu nxa lalikhangele esikhathini sokucina, laliphezu kwenhlupheko abantu bakhe abazahlangana layo, lapho amandla asemhlabeni azabambana ukuba alwisane labo. Njengesigqili esithunjiweyo, bazabe besesaba ukubulawa yindlala kumbe ngodlame. Kodwa yena oNgcwele owahlukanisa ulwandle olubomvu phambi kwesizwe sakoIsrayeli, uzabonisa amandla wakhe aguqule ukuthunjwa kwabo. “Bazakuba ngabami, itsho iNkosi yamabandla, ngalolosuku engizakwenza ngalo okuligugu kwami, njalo ngizabagcina njengendoda egcina indodana yayo eyisebenzelayo.” Malaki 3:17. Ngabe igazi labalandleli bakaKrestu abathembekileyo belingachithwa ngalesi isikhathi, belingeke libe yinhlanyelo njengelalabo abafela iqiniso endulo ebizaletha isivuno kuNkulunkulu. Ukwethembeka kwabo ngalesi isikhathi lasekufeni ngeke kusaphendulela abanye eqinisweni, ngoba inhliziyo ezilikhuni zizabe sezikhahlelele khatshana amagagasi omusa kwazekwafika isikhathi lapho angabuyanga aphenduka futhi khona. Ngabe abangcwele bebengayekelwa ukuba babulawe yizitha zabo, bekuzaletha ukunqoba lentokozo enkosini yobunyama. UDavida nxa eloba uthi: “Ngoba izangifihla edumbeni layo ngosuku lobubi, ingifihle ekusithekeni kwethente layo, ingiphakamisele edwaleni.” Amahubo 27:5. UKrestu laye wakhuluma wathi: “Hambani bantu bami, lingene emakamelweni enu, livale iminyango yenu ngemva kwenu, licatshe okwesikhatshana, luze ludlule ulaka. Ngoba khangelani, iNkosi iyaphuma endaweni yayo ukuthi ijezise abahlali bomhlaba ngenxa yobubi babo; lomhlaba uzaveza igazi lawo, ungabe usabafihla ababuleweyo bawo. Isaya 26:20,21. Kuzaba ligugu elimangalisayo ukukhululwa kwalabo abazabe belindele ukuza kwakhe ngokubekezela njalo abalamabizo abo alotshwe encwadini yokuphila. {GC 634.1} IEP 634.1