28 – Izingilosi

Esemxotshile umuntu wamisa ngempumalanga kweSivande sase-Edeni amakherubhi kanye lenkemba ebhebhayo, iphazima isiyale lale ukulinda indlela eya esihlahleni sokuphila.

Ingilosi yengeza yathi, “Ngizakwandisa izizukulwane zakho zibe zinengi okungelakubalwa.” Ingilosi kaJehova yaphinda yathi kuye: “Khathesi usukhulelwe uzazala indodana. Uzayibiza ngokuthi ngu-Ishmayeli, ngokuba uJehova usezwile ngokuhawula kwakho. Uzakuba ngubabhemi ohlanyayo wendoda; isandla sakhe sizaxabana labantu bonke lesandla somuntu wonke sixabane laye, njalo uzaphila ngenzondano labafowabo bonke.”

UJehova wabonakala ku-Abhrahama eduzane lezihlahla ezinkulu zikaMamure, ehlezi emnyango wethente lakhe, ilanga litshisa kakhulu. U-Abhrahama waphosa amehlo wabona amadoda amathathu emi eduze. Wonela ukuwabona wasuka ngokuphangisa emnyango wethente lakhe wawahlangabeza wafika wakhothama phansi.

Yikho asewatshaya ngobuphofu amadoda ayesemnyango wendlu leyo, amajaha lamaxhegu, basebesehluleka ukubona umnyango. Amadoda lawo amabili athi kuLothi, “Bakhona yini abanye olabo lapha abakhwenyana, amadodana kumbe amadodakazi, loba nje omunye edolobheni leli ongowakho? Bakhuphe lapha, ngokuba sizayibhubhisa indawo le. Insolo efika kuJehova ngalababantu inkulu kabi okokuthi useze wasithuma ukuthi silibhubhise.” Ngakho uLothi waphuma wayakhuluma labakhwenyana bakhe labo abasebethembise ukulobola amadodakazi akhe. Wathi, “Phangisani, phumani kulindawo, ngokuba uJehova usezalibhubhisa idolobho leli!” Kodwa abakhwenyana bakhe bacabanga ukuthi uyahlayaza. Kwathi emathathakusa izingilosi zakhuthaza uLothi zathi, “Phangisani! Thatha umkakho lamadodakazi akho womabili akhona lapha, ngoba lizaqabuka likhukhulwa nxa idolobho selijeziswa.”

Kodwa ingilosi kaJehova yammemeza isezulwini yathi, “Abhrahama! Abhrahama!” Waphendula wathi, “Ngilapha.” Yathi, “Ungamthinti ngesandla sakho umfana. Ungenzi lutho kuye. Khathesi sengisazi ukuthi uyamesaba uNkulunkulu, ngokuba kawuyigodlanga indodana yakho eyiyo yodwa.”

Ingilosi kaJehova yabiza u-Abhrahama isezulwini ngokwesibili yathi, “Ngifunga ngami ngokwami,” kutsho uJehova, “ukuthi ngenxa yokuthi ukwenzile lokhu, kawaze wayigodla indodana yakho eyiyo yodwa, ngempela ngizakubusisa ngenze izizukulwane zakho zibe zinengi njengezinkanyezi emkhathini lanjengetshebetshebe ogwini lolwandle. Izizukulwane zakho zizawathatha amadolobho ezitha zazo, kuthi ngenzalo yakho zonke izizwe zomhlaba zizabusiswa, ngokuba ungilalele.”

Wehlelwa liphupho wabona ilele ligxile phansi emhlabeni, isiqongo salo sifinyelela ezulwini, kwathi izingilosi zikaNkulunkulu zabe ziqansa zisehla kulo.

Ingilosi kaNkulunkulu yathi kimi kulelophupho, ‘Jakhobe.’ Ngasabela ngathi, “Ngilapha.’

UJakhobe laye wabamba eyakhe indlela, wasehlangabezwa yizingilosi zikaNkulu-nkulu. Wathi ezibona uJakhobe wathi, “Le yinkundla kaNkulunkulu!” Waseyibiza leyondawo ngokuthi yiMahanayimi.

Lapho-ke ingilosi kaJehova yabonakala kuye iphakathi kwamalangabi omlilo esixukwini. UMosi wabona ukuthi loba isixuku sasibhebha asizange sitshe silobe. Ngakho uMosi wacabanga esithi, “Ngizasondela ngiyebona isimanga lesi ukuba kungani isixuku singatshi silobe.”

Kwathi khonapho ingilosi kaNkulunkulu eyayikade ihamba phambili kwempi ka-Israyeli yasuka yayahamba ngemuva kwabo. Insika yeyezi layo yatshuduka yasuka phambili yayakuma ngemuva kwabo, yehlukanisa impi yamaGibhithe leyama-Israyeli. Ubusuku bonke iyezi laletha ubumnyama kuleli icele (lamaGibhithe), laletha ukukhanya ngakuleliyana icele (lama-Israyeli); ngakho kabakho abasondela kwabanye ubusuku bonke.

“Khangelani, sengithumela ingilosi phambi kwenu ukuze ilivikele endleleni yenu njalo ize ilifikise endaweni engililungisele yona.

Ingilosi yami izahamba phambi kwenu ize ilingenise elizweni lama-Amori, lamaHithi, lamaPherizi, lamaKhenani lamaHivi kanye lamaJebusi njalo ngizababhuqa.

Lizakwenza amakherubhi amabili ngegolide elicanduliweyo, liwenze ekucineni kwesisibekelo esiyisihlalo somusa emaceleni womabili. Yenzani ikherubhi elilodwa nganxanye kuthi ngakwelinye icele lenze elinye, uzawenza amakherubhi abe yinto yinye lesisibekelo kumacele womabili. Amakherubhi azakwelulela amaphiko awo phezulu amboze isisibekelo ngawo. Kuzamele ukuthi amakherubhi aqondanise ubuso akhangele isisibekelo. Bekani isisibekelo phezu kwebhokisi lesivumelwano, ubusufaka ubufakazi engizakunika bona ebhokisini lesivumelwano. Kulapho engizahlangana lawe khona ngikunika imithetho ka-Israyeli ngisesihlalweni somusa, phakathi kwamakherubhi.

Khathesi hamba, ukhokhelele abantu endaweni engakhuluma ngayo kuwe. Ingilosi yami izahamba phambi kwakho. Kodwa-ke nxa isikhathi sami sokujezisa sesifikile, ngizabajezisa ngenxa yesono sabo.”

Ngizathuma ingilosi ihambe phambi kwakho ixotshe amaKhenani, ama-Amori, amaHithi, amaPherizi, amaHivi lama-Jebusi.

Kwathi uMosi engena eThenteni lokuHlanganela ukuba ayekhuluma loJehova, wezwa ilizwi likhuluma laye liphuma sengathi liphahlwe ngamakherubhi amabili ngaphezu kwesisibekelo sesihlalo somusa, phezu kwebhokisi lobuFakazi. Wasekhuluma laye.

kodwa sakhala kuJehova wezwa ukukhala kwethu wasithumela ingilosi yasikhipha eGibhithe. “Khathesi silapha eKhadeshi idolobho elisemgceleni welizwe lakho.

Kodwa uNkulunkulu wathukuthela kakhulu ngokuhamba kwakhe, ngakho ingilosi kaJehova yajama phambi kwakhe yamvimbela. UBhalamu wayegade ubabhemi wakhe elezinceku zakhe ezimbili. Kwathi ubabhemi ebona ingilosi kaJehova imi endleleni iphethe inkemba esandleni sayo, waphambuka endleleni waqonda iganga. UBhalamu wamtshaya ubabhemi embuyisela endleleni. Ngakho ingilosi kaJehova yayakuma emkhandlwini phakathi kwezivini ezimbili, kulemiduli nxa zonke. Kwathi ubabhemi ebona ingilosi kaJehova, ubabhemi wasondela emdulini, ehluzulela unyawo lukaBhalamu emdulini. Ngalokho wamtshaya njalo ubabhemi. Ngakho ingilosi kaJehova yaya phambili yema emkhandlwini onciphileyo lapho okwakungelandlela yokuphendukela kwesokudla loba esenxele. Kwathi ubabhemi ebona ingilosi kaJehova, ubabhemi walala phansi, uBhalamu wathukuthela kakhulu wamtshaya ubabhemi ngodondolo lwakhe. Ngalokho uJehova wavula umlomo kababhemi, wathi kuBhalamu, “Kanti ngenzeni na kuwe uze ungitshaye okwamahlandla amathathu?” UBhalamu waphendula ubabhemi wathi, “Ungenze isiwula! Ngabe bengilenkemba esandleni sami bengizakubulala khathesi.” Ubabhemi wathi kuBhalamu, “Kanti kangisubabhemi wakho na, ovele uhlezi umgada izinsuku zonke, kuze kube namhlanje? Kambe ngikwejayele ukwenza lokhu kuwe na?” UBhalamu waphendula wathi, “Hatshi.”

Ngakho uJehova wavula amehlo kaBhalamu, wabona ingilosi kaJehova imi endleleni iqaphise inkemba. Ngakho wakhothama wawa phansi ngobuso. Ingilosi kaJehova yambuza yathi, “Kungani utshaye ubabhemi wakho okwamahlandla amathathu na? Ngize lapha ukukuvimbela ngoba indlela yakho ibutshapha phambi kwami. Ubabhemi ungibonile waphambuka okwamahlandla amathathu. Alubana kaphambukanga, ngabe khathesi sengikubulele wena, ngayekela ubabhemi.” UBhalamu wathi engilosini kaJehova, “Ngonile. Angizange nginanzelele ukuthi umi endleleni ukungivimbela. Nxa kungakuthokozisi khathesi, ngizabuyela emuva.” Ingilosi yathi kuBhalamu, “Hamba lawo lamadoda, kodwa ukhulume lokho engikutshela khona kuphela.” Ngakho uBhalamu wahamba lamakhosana kaBhalaki.

Kwathi uJoshuwa esesondele eJerikho, wakhangela wabona indoda eyayimi phambi kwakhe ilomhedla esandleni sayo, uJoshuwa wasondela kuyo wayibuza wathi “Ungowakithi kumbe ungowezitha zethu?” Yaphendula yathi “Angikho ndawo, kodwa njengomlawuli webutho likaJehova sengifikile.” UJoshuwa wathi mbo phansi ngobuso ngokudumisa waseyibuza esithi, “Kambe uJehova ulombiko bani kule inceku yakhe?” Umlawuli wamabutho kaJehova waphendula wathi, “Khulula izicathulo zakho ngoba indawo omi kuyo ingcwele.” UJoshuwa wenza njalo.

Kwathi ingilosi kaJehova isizikhulumile zonke lezizinto kubo bonke abako-Israyeli, abantu bakhala kakhulu,

Izinkanyezi zalwa zisemazulwini, zalwa loSisera zisezindleleni zazo.

Ingilosi kaJehova isibonakele kuGidiyoni yathi kuye, “UJehova ulawe, butho elilamandla.”

Ngesihloko somqwayi eyayiwuphethe ingilosi kaJehova yathinta inyama lesinkwa esingelamvubelo. Umlilo walavuka edwaleni watshisa inyama lesinkwa. Ingilosi kaJehova yasinyamalala. Kwathi uGidiyoni esenanzelele ukuthi kwakuyingilosi kaJehova, wamemeza wathi, “A, Jehova Wobukhosi! Ngibone ingilosi kaJehova ubuso ngobuso!”

Emva kwalokho owesifazana lowo waya kumkakhe wamtshela wathi, “Kufike umuntu kaNkulunkulu kimi. Ubefana lengilosi kaNkulunkulu, esesabeka kakhulu. Angimbuzanga ukuthi ubevela ngaphi, njalo laye kangitshelanga ibizo lakhe.

Yaphendula yathi, “Kungani ungibuza ibizo lami? Kaliqedisiseki.” Lapho-ke uManowa wathatha izinyane lembuzi, ndawonye lomnikelo wamabele wakunikela kuJehova phezu kwedwala. Njalo uJehova wenza into emangalisayo uManowa lomkakhe bekhangele: Kwathi ilangabi libhebha lisuka e-alithareni lisiya ezulwini, ingilosi kaJehova yenyukela phezulu iphakathi kwelangabi. Bebona lokhu uManowa lomkakhe bathi mbo phansi ngobuso.

Ngakho uJehova wathumela isifo ku-Israyeli kusukela ekuseni kwamhlalokho kwaze kwafika isikhathi esasimisiwe, kwafa abantu abayizinkulungwane ezingamatshumi ayisikhombisa kusukela koDani kusiya eBherisheba. Kwathi ingilosi isiyelule isandla sayo ukuba itshabalalise iJerusalema, uJehova wayeselusizi ngenxa yomonakalo ngakho wathi engilosini eyayiqothula abantu, “Kwanele! Susa isandla sakho.” Ngalesosikhathi ingilosi yayisisesizeni sika-Arawuna umJebusi. Kwathi uDavida ebona ingilosi eyayibulala abantu, wathi kuJehova, “Mina yimi engenze isono ngenza okubi. Laba bayizimvu nje. Kuyini abakwenzileyo? Isandla sakho kasiwele phezu kwami labendlu yami.”

Wasecambalala elala ngaphansi kwesihlahla wajunywa yibuthongo. Khonokho ingilosi yamthinta yathi kuye, “Vuka udle.” Wathalaza, lakanye wabona ngemakhanda nantiyana iqebelengwana lisatshisa emalahleni elaliphekwe kuwo, kanye lenkezo eyayilamanzi okunatha. Wadla njalo wanatha, waphinda walala. Ingilosi kaJehova yaphinda yabuya okwesibili yamthinta, yathi kuye, “Vuka udle, ngoba uhambo lude luzakukhulela.” Ngakho wavuka, wadla njalo wehlisa ngamanzi. Eseqiniswe yilokhokudla wahamba izinsuku ezingamatshumi amane lobusuku obungamatshumi amane waze wayafika eHorebi intaba kaNkulunkulu.

UMikhaya waqhubekela phambili wathi, “Ngakho zwana ilizwi likaJehova elithi, “Ngabona uJehova ehlezi esihlalweni sakhe sobukhosi lamabandla wonke asezulwini emi ngakwesokunene sakhe lakwesokhohlo sakhe.

Ingilosi kaJehova yathi ku-Elija, “Yehla kanye layo induna; ungayesabi.” Ngakho u-Elija wasukuma wehla kanye lenduna waya enkosini.

Besahamba belokhu bekhuluma, kwafika inqola yokulwa yomlilo lamabhiza ayo avuthayo yabehlukanisa, ngakho u-Elija waya ezulwini ngesivunguzane. U-Elisha ebona lokhu wamemeza wathi, “Baba! Baba! Izinqola zokulwa labamabhiza okulwa ako-Israyeli!” UElisha kasazange aphinde ambone futhi. Wasethatha izigqoko zakhe wazidabula.

U-Elisha wasekhuleka wathi, “O Jehova, vula amehlo akhe ukuze abone.” Ngakho uJehova wavula amehlo enceku, yakhangela yabona amaqaqa agcwele amabhiza lezinqola zokulwa ezomlilo zihonqolozele u-Elisha.

UHezekhiya wakhuleka kuJehova wathi: “O Jehova ka-Israyeli, ohlezi ngaphezu kwamaKherubhi, wena wedwa unguNkulunkulu phezu kwemibuso yonke yomhlaba. Wenzile izulu lomhlaba.

Ngalobobusuku ingilosi kaJehova yaphuma yayabulala amadoda azinkulungwane ezilikhulu lamatshumi aficamibili lanhlanu enkambeni yama-Asiriya. Kwathi abantu bevuka ngelanga elilandelayo bafumana lezozidumbu!

Ngakho uJehova wathumela isifo ko-Israyeli, kwafa amadoda ayizinkulungwane ezingamatshumi ayisikhombisa ko-Israyeli. Njalo uNkulunkulu wasethumela ingilosi ukuba iyechitha iJerusalema. Kodwa ingilosi ithe isakwenza lokho, uJehova wazisola ngencithakalo eyayizakwenzakala wahle wakhuza ingilosi eyayizabhubhisa abantu wathi, “Kwanele! Yekela.” Ingilosi kaJehova ngalesosikhathi yayisimi esizeni sika-Arawuna umJebusi. UDavida wakhangela phezulu wabona ingilosi kaJehova imi phakathi kwezulu lomhlaba, iphethe inkemba esandleni sayo phezu kweJerusalema. Ngakho uDavida labadala, begqoke amasaka, bawa phansi ngobuso.

Ithabanikeli likaJehova, elalakhiwe nguMosi enkangala, kanye lealithare lemihlatshelo yokutshiswa ngalesosikhathi kwakusendaweni ephakemeyo eGibheyoni. Kodwa uDavida wehluleka ukuya khona ukuze abuze kuNkulunkulu ngoba wayesesaba inkemba yengilosi kaJehova.

ENdaweni eNgcwele Kakhulu wenza amakherubhi abaziweyo wawahuqa ngegolide. Amaphiko amakherubhi nxa evulekile eyizingalo ezingamatshumi amabili. Uphiko olulodwa lwekherubhi lakuqala lwaluzingalo ezinhlanu ubude balo njalo luthinta umduli wethempeli, kusithi olunye uphiko, lalo luzingalo ezinhlanu, luthinta uphiko lwelinye ikherubhi.

Amakherubhi avula amaphiko awo phezu kwendawo yebhokisi lesivumelwano sikaJehova, amboza ibhokisi lesivumelwano kanye lemijabo yalo yokulithwala.

INkosi uHezekhiya lomphrofethi u-Isaya indodana ka-Amozi bakhala ngomkhuleko kuNkulunkulu ngalokhu. UJehova wathuma ingilosi, eyabhubhisa wonke amadoda empi labakhokheli lezikhulu enkambeni yenkosi yase-Asiriya. Ngakho wabuyela elizweni lakhe ngokuyangeka. Esengene ethempelini likankulunkulu wakhe, amanye amadodana akhe amjuqa ngenkemba.

Wena wedwa unguJehova. Wenza amazulu, kanye lamazulu aphezukonke, lazo zonke izinkanyezi zawo, umhlaba lakho konke okukuwo, izilwandle lakho konke okukuzo. Uyapha ukuphila kukho konke, lamabandla wonke asezulwini ayakukhonza.

Ngelinye ilanga izingilosi zaziletha phambi kukaJehova, loSathane weza lazo.

Kwelinye ilanga njalo izingilosi zaziletha phambi kukaJehova, loSathane laye weza lazo ukuziletha kuye.

lapho izinkanyezi zokusa zazihlabelela kanyekanye lezingilosi zonke zamemeza ngentokozo?

uyini umuntu osungaze uzihluphe ngaye na, indodana yomuntu ukuthi uyinanze? Wamenza wasilela kancane kulezidalwa zasezulwini, wamethesa umqhele wenkazimulo.

Ingilosi kaJehova iyabazungeza labo abamesabayo, ibakhulule.

Sengathi bangaba njengamakhoba emoyeni, ingilosi kaJehova ibe ibadudula ibaxotsha; sengathi indlela yabo ingaba mnyama itshelele, ingilosi kaJehova ibe ibahlezi ezithendeni. Ngokuba bangithiya ngamambule abo ngingonanga lutho, baphinde bangimbela umgodi kungelasizatho,

Izinqola zikaNkulunkulu zingamatshumi ezinkulungwane; lezinkulungwane zezinkulungwane; uJehova usefikile evela eSinayi wangena endlini yakhe engcwele.

wanisa imana ukuthi badle abantu, wabapha amabele asezulwini. Abantu badla isinkwa sezingilosi; wabathumela konke ukudla ababengakudla.

Wabathululela ulaka lwakhe oluvuthayo, intukuthelo yakhe, ukucunuka lenzondo ixuku lezingilosi ezibhubhisayo.

Ngokuba uzayala izingilosi zakhe ngawe zikulinde kuzo zonke izindlela zakho; zizakuphakamisa ezandleni zazo, ukuze ungakhubeki elitsheni.

UJehova uyabusa, izizwe kazithuthumele; uhlezi esihlalweni sobukhosi phakathi kwamakherubi, umhlaba kawuzamazame.

Dumisani uJehova, lina maxuku akhe asezulwini, lina zinceku zakhe elenza intando yakhe, elilalela ilizwi lakhe. Dumisani uJehova, lonke mabandla akhe asezulwini, lina zinceku zakhe elenza intando yakhe.

Wenza izikhatha zomoya zibe yizigijimi zakhe, amalangabi omlilo izinceku zakhe.

Mdumiseni zingilosi zakhe zonke, mdumiseni lonke mabandla asezulwini.

Ngomnyaka inkosi u-Uziya eyafa ngawo, ngabona uJehova ehlezi esihlalweni sobukhosi esiphezulu esiphakemeyo, injobo yesambatho sakhe igcwele ithempeli. Ngaphezu kwakhe kwakulamaserafi, elinye lelinye lilezimpiko eziyisithupha. Ayegubuzele ubuso bawo ngezimpiko ezimbili, egubuzele izinyawo zawo ngezimbili, ephapha ngezimbili. Elinye lamemezela kwelinye lisithi: “Ungcwele, ungcwele, ungcwele uJehova uSomandla, Umhlaba wonke ugcwele inkazimulo yakhe.” Ekuzwakaleni kwamazwi awo imigubazi lombundu kwanyikinyeka, kwathi ithempeli lagcwala intuthu. Mina ngakhala ngathi, “Maye mina! Sengibhujisiwe! Ngoba ngingumuntu olezindebe ezingcolileyo, njalo ngihlala phakathi kwabantu abalezindebe ezingcolileyo, lamehlo ami asebone uJehova, uJehova uSomandla.” Lapho-ke elinye lamaserafi laphaphela kimi liphethe ilahle elivuthayo esandleni salo elalilithathe ngodlawu e-alithareni. Lathinta umlomo wami ngalo lathi, “Khangela, lokhu sekuthinte izindebe zakho; icala lakho selisusiwe, njalo lesono sakho sesihlawulelwe.”

“Awu, Jehova Somandla, Nkulunkulu ka-Israyeli osebukhosini phakathi kwamaKherubhi, wena kuphela nguwe onguNkulunkulu wemibuso yonke yasemhlabeni. Nguwe owenza izulu lomhlaba.

“Idolobho leli ngizalivikela ngilihlenge, ngenxa yami langenxa kaDavida inceku yami!” Lapho-ke ingilosi kaJehova yasuka yayabulala abantu abalikhulu elilamatshumi aficaminwemibili lanhlanu lezinkulungwane ezihonqweni zama-Asiriya. Kwathi lapho abantu bevuka ekuseni kwakhona bonke kwasekuyizidumbu kuphela!

Ngakhangela, ngabona isiphepho sisiza sivela enyakatho  —  kuliyezi elikhulukazi lokuphazima kombane njalo lizungezwe yikukhanya okubenyezelayo. Phakathi laphakathi komlilo kwakungathi yinsimbi evuthayo, njalo phakathi komlilo kwakulokwakungathi yizidalwa ezine eziphilayo. Ngokukhangeleka isimo sazo sasingesomuntu, kodwa ngasinye sazo sasilobuso obune lezimpiko ezine. Imilenze yazo yayiqondile; izinyawo zazo zinjengezethole njalo zinkanyazela njengethusi elilolongiweyo. Ngaphansi kwezimpiko zazo emaceleni azo amane zazilezandla zomuntu. Zonke zone zazilobuso lezimpiko, njalo izimpiko zazo zazithintana. Esinye lesinye sazo saya phambili; kaziphendukanga ekuhambeni kwazo. Ubuso bazo babukhangeleka kanje: Esinye lesinye sazo sasilobuso bomuntu, njalo eceleni langakwesokudla esinye lesinye sasilobuso besilwane, ngakwesenxele silobuso benkabi; njalo ngasinye sasilobuso bengqungqulu. Babunjalo ubuso bazo. Izimpiko zazo zazichayekele phezulu; ngasinye silezimpiko ezimbili olunye luthinta uphiko lwesinye isidalwa emaceleni womabili, lezimpiko ezimbili zigubuzele umzimba waso. Esinye lesinye saya phambili. Loba kungaphi lapho umoya owaya khona lazo zaya khona zingaphenduki ekuhambeni kwazo. Isimo sezidalwa eziphilayo sasinjengamalahle avuthayo omlilo loba njengezibane. Umlilo wahamba usiya phambili lasemuva phakathi kwezidalwa; wawukhazimula, njalo umbane uphazima uphuma kuwo. Izidalwa zagijima zisiya emuva laphambili njengokuphazima kombane.

Kwathi lapho ngizikhangele izidalwa eziphilayo, ngabona ivili phansi eceleni kwesidalwa ngasinye silobuso obune. Nansi isimo lokwakhiwa kwamavili: Ayecazimula njengekhrisoli, njalo wonke womane ayefanana. Elinye lelinye lalingathi lenziwa lanquma kwelinye ivili. Ekuhambeni, ayesiya loba kuliphi lamacele amane lapho izidalwa ezazikhangele khona, njalo amavili ayengaphenduki lapho izidalwa zihamba. Amarimu awo ayephakeme njalo esesabeka, njalo womane amarimu ayelamehlo indawo yonke. Lapho izidalwa eziphilayo zihamba, lamavili eceleni kwazo ayehamba, njalo lapho izidalwa eziphilayo ziphakama emhlabathini amavili lawo ayephakama lazo. Loba kungaphi lapho umoya owaya khona lazo zaya khona, njalo lamavili ayephakama lazo, ngoba umoya wezidalwa eziphilayo wawusemavilini. Kwakusithi izidalwa zingahamba lawo ahambe, kuthi izidalwa zingema lawo ame; njalo kuthi lapho izidalwa ziphakama emhlabathini lawo aphakame lazo, ngoba umoya wezidalwa eziphilayo wawusemavilini.

Ngaphezu kwamakhanda ezidalwa eziphilayo kwakwendlaleke okwakungathi ngumkhathi, kucazimula njengongqoqwane, njalo kusesabeka. Ngaphansi komkhathi izimpiko zazo zazelulekele olunye kolunye, njalo esinye lesinye sasilezimpiko ezimbili ezembese umzimba waso. Lapho izidalwa zihamba ngezwa umsindo wezimpiko zazo, unjengokuhlokoma kwamanzi ahamba ngesiqubu, njengelizwi likaSomandla, njengokuxokozela kwebutho. Lapho sezimi, zehlisa izimpiko zazo. Emva kwalokho kweza ilizwi elavela ngaphezu komkhathi ngaphezu kwamakhanda azo lapho zazimi izimpiko zazo zehlisiwe.

umdumo wezimpiko zezidalwa eziphilayo zigudlana lomdumo wamavili eceleni kwazo, umdumo wokundindizela okukhulu.

Ngakhangela ngabona okwakufana lesihlalo sobukhosi esenziwe ngesafire ngaphezu komkhathi owawungaphezu kwamakhanda amakherubhi. UJehova wathi emuntwini owayegqoke ilineni, “Ngena phakathi kwamavili ngaphansi kwamakherubhi. Gcwalisa izandla zakho ngamalahle atshisayo avela kumakherubhi uwahaze phezu kwedolobho.” Ngathi ngisabukele wangena. Amakherubhi ayesemi ngaseningizimu kwethempeli lapho umuntu lowo engena phakathi, iyezi lagcwala iguma langaphakathi. Lapho-ke inkazimulo kaJehova yaphakama isuka ngaphezu kwamakherubhi yasudukela ngasemnyango wethempeli. Iyezi lagcwala ethempelini, kwathi iguma lagcwala ukukhanya kwenkazimulo kaJehova. Umdumo wezimpiko zamakherubhi wawuzwakala khatshana le egumeni langaphandle, unjengelizwi likaNkulunkulu uSomandla nxa ekhuluma. Kwathi lapho uJehova elaya umuntu owayegqoke ilineni esithi, “Thatha umlilo phakathi kwamavili, phakathi kwamakherubhi,” umuntu lowo wangena wema phansi kwevili. Elinye lamakherubhi lelulela isandla salo emlilweni owawuphakathi kwawo. Lawokha lawubeka ezandleni zomuntu owayegqoke ilineni, owawuthathayo wasephuma. (Ngaphansi kwezimpiko zamakherubhi kwakubonakala okwakungathi yizandla zomuntu.)

Ngakhangela, ngabona amavili amane eceleni kwamakherubhi, lilinye eceleni kwekherubhi ngalinye, amavili ayecazimula njengekhrisoli. Ukukhangeleka kwawo, amane awo ayekhanya efanana; elinye lelinye lingathi livili elalinqume phakathi kwelinye. Ekuhambeni kwawo, ayesiya loba kuluphi lwezinhlangothi ezine lapho amakherubhi ayekhangele khona; amavili ayengaphenduki lapho amakherubhi ehamba. Amakherubhi ayesiya loba kuluphi uhlangothi ikhanda elalikhangele kulo, kungekho kuphenduka ekuhambeni kwawo. Imizimba yawo yonke, kugoqela imihlane yawo, lezandla zawo kanye lezimpiko zawo, kwakugcwele amehlo, njengoba ayenjalo lamavili awo amane. Amavili ngezwa kuthiwa athiwa “ngamavili atshibilika ngesiqubu esikhulu.” Ikherubhi ngalinye lalilobuso obune: Obunye ubuso babungobekherubhi, obesibili bungobomuntu, obesithathu bungobesilwane, obesine kuyibuso bengqungqulu. Amakherubhi aphakama aya phezulu. La ayeyizidalwa eziphilayo engangizibone phansi komfula uKhebhari. Kwathi lapho amakherubhi ehamba, lamavili emaceleni awo ahamba; njalo kwathi lapho amakherubhi eselula izimpiko zawo ukuba aphakame esuka phansi, amavili kawasasukanga emaceleni awo. Njalo kwathi lapho amakherubhi esima, amavili lawo ema, kuthi lapho amakherubhi ephakama, amavili lawo aphakame, ngoba umoya wezidalwa eziphilayo wawukuwo.

Inkazimulo kaJehova yasuka ngasemnyango wethempeli yayakuma ngaphezu kwamakherubhi. Amakherubhi elula amaphiko awo ngikhangele, aphakama esuka phansi, njalo kwathi lapho esehamba amavili ahamba lawo. Ema ekungeneni kwesango langasempumalanga lendlu kaJehova, njalo inkazimulo kaNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli yayingaphezu kwawo. Lezi kwakuyizidalwa eziphilayo engangizibone ngaphansi kukaNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli ngasemfuleni uKhebhari, ngananzelela ukuthi kwakunga-makherubhi. Lelo lalelo lalilobuso obune lamaphiko amane, njalo ngaphansi kwamaphiko kwakulokwakungathi yizandla zomuntu. Ubuso bawo babufanana lobalawana engangiwabone ngasemfuleni uKhebhari. Lelo lalelo laqonda nqo phambili.

Lapho-ke amakherubhi, ayelamavili emaceleni, elula izimpiko zawo, njalo inkazimulo kaNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli yayingaphezu kwawo.

kwathi amadoda la womathathu ayebotshwe nko awela phakathi kwesithando somlilo olavuzayo. Khonapho inkosi uNebhukhadinezari wathi lothu ngokumangala, wabuza abacebisi bakhe wathi, “Kanti angithi abemathathu amadoda esiwabophileyo sawaphosela emlilweni na?” Baphendula bathi, “Liqiniso lelo, O nkosi.” Wathi, “Khangelani! Ngibona amadoda amane ehambahamba phakathi komlilo, engabotshwanga njalo engalinyazwanga lutho, njalo owesine lowo ukhangeleka njengendodana yabonkulunkulu.” UNebhukhadinezari wasesondela emlonyeni wesithando somlilo olavuzayo wamemeza wathi, “Shadreki, loMeshaki lo-Abhediniko, zinceku zikaNkulunkulu oPhezukonke, phumani! Wozani lapha!” Ngakho oShadreki, loMeshaki lo-Abhediniko baphuma emlilweni, kwathi ababusi bezigaba, labalisa, lababusi bemikhono yelizwe labeluleki besikhosini bababunganyela. Babona ukuthi umlilo wawungabalimazanga imizimba yabo, njalo kungahaqazekanga lalunye unwele lwamakhanda abo; izambatho zabo zingahangulekanga, njalo kunganuki mlilo kubo. UNebhukhadinezari wasesithi, “Kadunyiswe uNkulunkulu waboShadreki, loMeshaki lo-Abhediniko, othume ingilosi yakhe wasindisa izinceku zakhe! Bathemba kuye badelela umlayo wenkosi njalo bazimisela ukunikela izimpilo zabo kulokuthi bakhonze loba badumise omunye unkulunkulu ngaphandle kowabo uNkulunkulu.

“Ezibonakalisweni ezeza ngilele embhedeni wami, ngakhangela, ngabona khonapho phambi kwami kulesithunywa, singongcwele, sisehla sisuka ezulwini.

“ ‘Isinqumo lesi sibikwa yizithunywa, zona ezingcwele yizo ezimemezela lesi isigwebo, ukuze kuthi abaphilayo bazi ukuthi oPhezukonke uyinkosi yemibuso yabantu njalo uyabanikela loba kukubani amfunayo futhi enze babuswe ngumuntukazana.’

UNkulunkulu wami uthume ingilosi yakhe yayivala imilomo yezilwane. Kazingilimazanga ngokuba ngifunyanwe ngingelacala phambi kwakhe. Njalo kangikaze ngenze okubi kuwe, O nkosi.”

Kwakugeleza umfula womlilo, uphethuka ngaphambi kwakhe. Izinkulungwane lezinkulungwane zazimkhonza; izinkulungwane ezilitshumi ziphindwe ngezinkulungwane ezilitshumi zema phambi kwakhe. Inkundla yokwahlulela yahlala phansi, kwasekuvulwa izincwadi.

Ngasengisizwa ilizwi lomuntu limemeza lisuka e-Ulayi lisithi, “Gabhriyeli, tshela umuntu lo incazelo yombono lo.” Wathi esondela engangimi khona ngezwa ngisesaba kubi ngawa ngathi thwitshi. Wathi kimi, “Ndodana yomuntu, zwana ukuthi umbono umayelana lesikhathi sokucina.”

ngilokhu ngisakhuleka, uGabhriyeli, indoda engayibonayo embonweni wokuqala, weza kimi entweza kungesikhathi somhlatshelo wakusihlwa. Wangilaya wathi kimi, “Danyeli, khathesi sengilande ukukupha ukuqonda lokuzwisisa.

Isandla sangithinta ngezwa sengiqhaqhazela ezandleni lemadolweni. Wathi, “Danyeli, uyaqakathekiswa kakhulu, nanzelela amazwi esengizawakhuluma kuwe, usukume, ngokuba manje ngithunywe kuwe.” Wathi esitsho lokhu kimi ngasukuma ngiqhaqhazela. Waseqhubeka wathi, “Ungesabi, Danyeli. Kulokhu kwasukela mhla ubeka ingqondo yakho ukuzuza ukuzwisisa lokuzithoba phambi kukaNkulunkulu wakho, amazwi akho ezwakala, yikho ngilapha ngenxa yalokho. Kodwa inkosi yombuso wasePhesiya yangivimbela okwezinsuku ezingamatshumi amabili lanye. Kwasekusithi uMikhayeli, omunye wamakhosana amakhulu, weza ezongisiza, ngokuba ngangivalelwe khonale yinkosi yasePhesiya. Manje ngilande ukuzakuchasisela lokho okuzakwenzakala ebantwini bakini esikhathini esizayo, ngokuba umbono umayelana lesikhathi esizafika.”

Uthe esitsho lokhu kimi ngakhothamisela ubuso bami phansi ngehluleka ukukhuluma. Kwasekusithi othile owayefana lomuntu wathinta izindebe zami, ngasengivula umlomo wami ngakhuluma. Ngathi kulowo owayemi phambi kwami, “Sengigajelwa yikudabuka kwenhliziyo ngenxa yombono, nkosi yami, njalo sengiphelelwe yikho konke. Mina inceku yakho, ngingakhuluma kanjani lawe na, nkosi yami? Amandla ami kawasekho njalo sekusala ukuthi ngiphefumule.” Waphinda njalo othile owayefana lomuntu wangithinta wangipha amandla. Wathi, “Ungesabi, O muntu oqakathekiswayo kakhulu. Ukuthula! Qina manje; qina.” Wathi ekhuluma lami ngaqina ngathi, “Khuluma, nkosi yami, njengoba usungiphile amandla.” Ngakho wasesithi, “Uyakwazi nje ukuthi kungani ngize kuwe na? Masinyane ngizabuya ukuzakulwa lenkosi yasePhesiya, kuthi ngingahamba, kuzakuza inkosi yaseGirisi; kodwa ngizaqala ngikutshele okulotshiweyo eNcwadini yeQiniso. (Kakho ongelekelelayo ukumelana labo ngaphandle kukaMikhayeli inkosana yakho.

“Ngalesosikhathi uMikhayeli, umbusi omkhulu olinda abantu bakini, uzavela. Kuzakuba khona isikhathi sokuhlukumezeka okungazange kube khona kulokhu kwadabuka izizwe kuze kube yiso. Kodwa kulesosikhathi abantu bakini  —  bonke labo abalamabizo azafunyanwa elotshiwe encwadini  —  bazahlengwa.

Vuthelani icilongo eZiyoni; hlabani umkhosi entabeni yami engcwele. Bonke abahlala elizweni kabathuthumele, ngoba usuku lukaJehova luyeza. Selusondele, selufikile  — usuku lomnyama lokudana, usuku lwamayezi lobumnyama. Njengokusa kusendlaleka phezu kwezintaba, liyeza ibutho elikhulu elilamandla elingazange libe khona endulo kumbe libe khona eminyakeni ezayo. Phambi kwabo umlilo uyatshisa, ngemuva kwabo amalangabi ayavutha. Phambi kwabo ilizwe linjengensimu yase-Edeni ngemuva kwabo yinkangala elugwadule  —  akukho okubaphunyukayo. Bakhangeleka benjengamabhiza; bamatha njengamabhiza empi. Ngomsindo onjengowezinqola zempi bayeqa phezu kwezingqongo zezintaba, njengomlilo ochachambayo utshisa izinhlanga, njengebutho elilamandla selilungele impi. Ekubaboneni nje, izizwe zizwa ubuhlungu; ubuso bonke buyadana. Bahlasela njengamaqhawe; bakhwele imiduli njengamabutho. Bonke bahamba beludwendwe bengaphambuki endleleni yabo. Kabasunduzani; lowo lalowo uhamba eqonde phambili. Badabula phakathi kwezivikelo kungekho kwehlukana kubo. Baya ngesiqubu edolobheni; bagijima besekele umduli. Bayakhwela bangene ezindlini; bangena ngamawindi njengamasela. Umhlaba uyanyikinyeka phambi kwabo; umkhathi uyaqhaqhazela, ilanga lenyanga kube mnyama, lezinkanyezi kazisakhanyisi. UJehova uyakhwaza phambi kwebutho lakhe; amabutho akhe angeke abalwe, njalo balamandla labo abalalela ukulaya kwakhe. Usuku lukaJehova lukhulu; luyesabeka. Ngubani ongalumela na?

Ebusuku ngafikelwa ngumbono  —  khonapho phambi kwami kwakulendoda igade ibhiza elibomvu! Yayimi phakathi kwezihlahla zommethile edongeni. Ngemuva kwayo kwakulamanye amabhiza, elibomvu, eliyinsundu lelimhlophe. Ngayibuza ngathi, “Kuyini lokhu, nkosi yami na?” Ingilosi eyayikhuluma lami yaphendula yathi, “Ngizakutshengisa ukuthi kuyini.” Kwasekusithi leyondoda eyayimi ezihlahleni zommethile yachaza yathi, “Laba yibo uJehova abathumileyo ukuba bahambe emhlabeni wonke.” Base bebika engilosini yenkosi eyayimi phakathi kwezihlahla zommethile bathi, “Sesiwuhambile wonke umhlaba safumana ukuthi ilizwe lihlezi kuhle phakathi kokuthula.” Ingilosi kaJehova yasisithi, “Jehova Somandla, koze kube nini ulokhu ugodla isihawu sakho phezu kweJerusalema lamadolobho akwaJuda olokhu uwathukuthelele yonke iminyaka le engamatshumi ayisikhombisa?” Ngakho uJehova wasekhuluma amazwi omusa, aduduzayo kuleyongilosi eyayikhuluma lami. Kwasekusithi ingilosi eyayikhuluma lami yathi, “Memezela leli ilizwi: Nanku akutshoyo uJehova uSomandla, uthi: ‘Ngilobukhwele ngeJerusalema leZiyoni,

Ngaphakamisa amehlo  —  khonapho phambi kwami kwakulomuntu ophethe intambo yokulinganisa! Ngabuza ngathi, “Uya ngaphi na?” Wangiphendula wathi, “Ngiyalinganisa iJerusalema, ukubona ukuthi ibanzi njalo yinde kanganani.” Ingilosi leyo eyayikhuluma lami yasisuka, kweza enye ingilosi iyihlangabeza yathi kuyo: “Gijima utshele ijaha leliyana uthi, ‘IJerusalema izakuba lidolobho elingelamiduli ngenxa yobunengi babantu lezifuyo phakathi kwalo. Mina ngokwami ngizakuba ngumduli womlilo olizungezileyo,’ kutsho uJehova, ‘njalo ngizakuba yinkazimulo ngaphakathi kwalo.’

Yase ingitshengisa uJoshuwa umphristi omkhulu emi phambi kwengilosi kaJehova, loSathane emi kwesokunene sakhe emmangalela. UJehova wathi kuSathane, “UJehova uyakukhuza, Sathane! UJehova oyikhethileyo iJerusalema, uyakukhuza! Umuntu lo kasisikhuni esihwatshwe sibhebha na?” UJoshuwa wema phambi kwengilosi egqoke ezitshutshumayo ngokungcola. Ingilosi yasisithi kulabo ababemi phambi kwayo, “Mkhululeni izigqoko lezi ezingcolileyo.” Yasisithi kuJoshuwa, “Uyabona, sengisisusile isono sakho, yikho sengizakugqokisa izigqoko ezinhle kakhulu.” Ngasengisithi, “Mthwaliseni iqhiye ehlanzekileyo ekhanda lakhe.” Basebemthwalisa iqhiye ehlanzekileyo ekhanda, bamgqokisa njalo, ingilosi kaJehova ilokhu imi khonapho. Ingilosi yasimupha umlayo lo uJoshuwa, yathi: “Nanku akutshoyo uJehova uSomandla: ‘Uma uzahamba ngezindlela zami ugcine izimiso zami, lapho-ke uzabusa indlu yami, uwaphathe lamaguma ami, njalo mina ngizakupha indawo phakathi kwalaba abemiyo lapha.

Ngayibuza ingilosi eyayikhuluma lami ngathi, “Kuyini lokhu, nkosi yami?” Ingilosi yangiphendula yathi, “Le yimimoya emine yasezulwini, ephumayo ekumeni phambi kukaJehova womhlaba wonke.

Uthe esekucabangile lokhu, kwafika kuye ingilosi yeNkosi ephutsheni yathi, “Josefa ndodana kaDavida, ungesabi ukuthatha uMariya umlethe ekhaya abe ngumkakho ngokuba lokhu akumithiyo kuvela kuMoya oNgcwele. Uzabeletha indodana ozayetha ibizo uthi nguJesu, ngokuba uzasindisa abantu bakhe ezonweni zabo.” Konke lokhu kwenzakala ukugcwalisa okwakutshiwo yiNkosi ngomphrofethi ukuthi: “Intombi epheleleyo izakhulelwa izale indodana, bayibize ngokuthi ngu-Imanuweli  —  okutsho ukuthi, uNkulunkulu ulathi.” UJosefa esevukile wenza lokho ingilosi yeNkosi eyayimtshele khona wahamba loMariya ekhaya waba ngumkakhe.

Kwathi sezihambile ingilosi yeNkosi yabonakala kuJosefa ngephupho. Yathi, “Vuka uthathe umntwana lonina libalekele eGibhithe. Lihlale khonale ngize ngilitshele, ngoba uHerodi uzamdinga umntwana efuna ukumbulala.”

UHerodi esefile ingilosi yeNkosi yabonakala ngephupho kuJosefa eseGibhithe yathi, “Sukuma, thatha umntwana lonina liye elizweni lako-Israyeli, ngokuba labo ababefuna impilo yomntwana sebefile.”

Wathi, “Uma uyiNdodana kaNkulunkulu, ziphosele phansi. Phela kulotshiwe ukuthi: “ ‘Uzayala izingilosi zakhe ngawe, zizakugama ngezandla zazo, ukuze ungatshayeleli unyawo lwakho elitsheni,’ ”

Omubi wasemtshiya, izingilosi zeza zamnakekela.

njalo isitha esiluhlanyelayo nguSathane. Isivuno siyikuphela komhlaba, njalo abavuni yizingilosi. “Njengalokhu ukhula lusitshunwa lutshiswe emlilweni, kuzakuba njalo ekupheleni komhlaba. Indodana yoMuntu izathuma izingilosi zayo zicente konke okubanga isono embusweni wayo labo bonke abenza ububi. Zizabaphosela esihogweni somlilo ongungumayo okuzakuba khona ukukhala lokugedla amazinyo.

Lokhu yikho okuzakwenzakala ekupheleni komhlaba. Izingilosi zizakuza zehlukanise ababi kwabalungileyo zibaphosele esihogweni somlilo ongungumayo, lapho okuzaba lokukhala lokugedla amazinyo.

Phela iNdodana yoMuntu izakuza ngobukhosi bukaYise kanye lezingilosi zakhe, ibisivuza umuntu ngamunye mayelana lalokho akwenzileyo.

“Nanzelelani ukuthi lingeyisi lamunye walaba abancinyane. Phela ngilitshela ukuthi izingilosi zabo ezulwini zihlezi zibubona ubuso bukaBaba ezulwini. (

Ekuvukeni kwabafileyo abantu kabayikuthatha loba bendiswe; bazakuba njengezingilosi ezulwini.

Njalo izathumela izingilosi zayo zitshaya icilongo ngomsindo omkhulu, beseziqoqa abakhethiweyo bayo kumagumbi womane omhlaba, kusukela ngapha kwasezulwini kusiya ngale.

“Kakho owaziyo ngalolosuku kumbe ngehora, hatshi, kanye lezingilosi zasezulwini, kanye leNdodana, kodwa nguBaba kuphela.

“Nxa iNdodana yoMuntu isisiza ngenkazimulo yayo, ikanye lezingilosi zonke, izahlala esihlalweni sayo sobukhosi ilenkazimulo yasezulwini.

Ucabanga ukuthi ngingaze ngacela kuBaba, masinyane nje angiphe amaviyo alitshumi lambili ezingilosi?

Kwaba lokuzamazama okukhulu komhlaba ngoba ingilosi yeNkosi yehla ivela ezulwini, yaya ethuneni yaligiqela eceleni ilitshe yahlala phezu kwalo. Ukubonakala kwayo kwakunjengombane, lezigqoko zayo zimhlophe nke njengongqoqwane. Abalindi bayesaba baze bathuthumela baba njengabafileyo. Ingilosi yathi kwabesifazana, “Lingesabi, ngoba ngiyazi ukuthi lidinga uJesu owabethelwayo. Kakho lapha; usevukile njengoba watsho. Wozani libone indawo abelele kuyo. Selizahamba masinyane liyotshela abafundi bakhe lithi: ‘Usevukile kwabafileyo, usehamba phambi kwenu ukuya eGalile. Kulapho elizambona khona. Mina sengilitshelile manje.’ ”

wahlala khona enkangala izinsuku ezingamatshumi amane elingwa nguSathane. Wayehlala lezinyamazana zeganga, ekhonzwa yizingilosi.

Aluba umuntu elamahloni ngami kanye lamazwi ami kulesi isizukulwane esifebayo lesonayo, iNdodana yoMuntu izakuba lamahloni ngaye nxa isifika enkazimulweni kaYise lezingilosi ezingcwele.”

Nxa abafileyo sebevuka kabayikuthatha loba bathathwe; bazakuba njengezingilosi ezulwini.

Izathuma izingilosi zayo ziqoqe abakhethiweyo bayo kuyo yonke imimoya yomine, kusukela emikhawulweni yomhlaba kusiya emikhawulweni yamazulu.

“Kakho owaziyo ngelanga lelo loba ukuthi yiliphi ihora, loba lezingilosi zasezulwini kumbe leNdodana, kodwa uBaba kuphela.

Bathi bengena ethuneni babona ijaha ligqoke isigqoko esimhlophe lihlezi ngasekunene, bethuka kakhulu. Lathi, “Lingaze lethuka. Lidinga uJesu umNazarini obebethelwe. Usevukile! Kakho lapha. Bonani, nansi indawo lapho bebembeke khona. Kodwa hambani liyotshela abafundi bakhe loPhethro lithi, ‘Usehamba phambi kwenu ukuya eGalile. Lizambona khonale, njengoba walitshela.’ ”

Kwase kubonakala kuye ingilosi yeNkosi imi ekunene kwe-alithare lempepha. UZekhariya wathi eyibona wethuka wesaba kakhulu. Kodwa ingilosi yathi kuye, “Ungesabi, Zekhariya; umthandazo wakho usuzwakele. Umkakho u-Elizabethi uzakuzalela indodana ofanele ukuyetha ibizo uthi nguJohane. Uzakuba yintokozo lenjabulo kuwe, njalo abanengi bazathokoza ngenxa yokuzalwa kwakhe, ngokuba uzabamkhulu emehlweni eNkosi. Kakumelanga anathe iwayini lanini loba yini ebilisiweyo, njalo uzagcwaliswa ngoMoya oNgcwele kusukela ekuzalweni kwakhe. Uzabuyisa abantu bako-Israyeli abanengi eNkosini uNkulunkulu wabo. Uzahamba phambili kweNkosi, ngomoya langamandla ka-Elija, ukuguqulela izinhliziyo zaboyise kubantwana babo labayiziqholo elwazini lwabalungileyo  —  ukuqondisa abantu abalungiselelwe iNkosi.” UZekhariya wayibuza ingilosi wathi, “Ngilithathe ngaphi iqiniso lakho na? Sengilixhegu njalo lomkami useluphele.” Ingilosi yaphendula yathi, “Ngingu Gabhariyeli mina. Ngima phambi kukaNkulunkulu, ngithunyiwe ukuzakhuluma lawe ngikwazise izindaba lezi ezinhle. Okwamanje uzakuba yisimungulu wehluleke ukukhuluma kuze kufike lolosuku okuzakwenzakala ngalo lokhu, ngokuba kawuzange uwakholwe amazwi ami, wona azafezeka ngesikhathi sawo esiqondileyo.”

Ngenyanga yesithupha uNkulunkulu wathuma ingilosi uGabhariyeli eNazaretha, idolobho elaliseGalile, ukuya entombini emsulwa eyayithembise ukutshada lendoda eyayithiwa nguJosefa, owesizukulwane sikaDavida. Ibizo lentombi emsulwa kwakunguMariya. Ingilosi yaya kuye yathi, “Sabona, wena othandiweyo! INkosi ilawe.” Amazwi ayo amhlupha kakhulu uMariya wamangala ukuthi kanti kwakuyikubingelela bani lokhu. Kodwa ingilosi yathi kuye, “Ungesabi, Mariya, uthole umusa kuNkulunkulu. Uzakhulelwa uzale indodana, uyethe ibizo uthi nguJesu. Uzabangumuntu omkhulu abizwe ngokuthi yiNdodana yoPhezukonke. INkosi uNkulunkulu izamupha isihlalo sikayise uDavida, njalo uzabusa phezu kwendlu kaJakhobe laphakade; umbuso wakhe kawuyikuphela.” UMariya wayibuza ingilosi wathi, “Lokho kuzakwenzakala kanjani njengoba mina ngimsulwa ngingayazi indoda?” Ingilosi yaphendula yathi, “UMoya oNgcwele uzakwehlela phezu kwakho, lamandla akhe oPhezukonke azakusibekela. Ngakho ongcwele ozazalwa uzathiwa yiNdodana kaNkulunkulu. Lo-Elizabethi isihlobo sakho uzakuba lomntwana lokuba eseluphele, yena okwakuthiwa yinyumba usesenyangeni yakhe yesithupha. Ngokuba kakukho okwahlulayo kuNkulunkulu.” UMariya waphendula wathi, “Ngiyincekukazi yeNkosi. Kakwenzeke kimi njengoba utshilo.” Ingilosi yasisuka kuye.

Kwakulabelusi behlala emlageni eduze kwalapho, belinda imihlambi yabo yezimvu ebusuku. Ingilosi yeNkosi yabonakala kubo, inkazimulo yeNkosi yakhanya ibazingelezile, ngakho besaba kakhulu. Kodwa ingilosi yathi kubo, “Lingesabi. Ngililethele izindaba ezimnandi ezentokozo enkulu ezakuba ngeyabantu bonke. Lamuhla lizalelwe uMsindisi emzini kaDavida; unguKhristu iNkosi. Lokhu kuzakuba yisiboniso kini: Lizafumana umntwana egoqelwe ngamalembu elele esibayeni.” Masinyane kwaqhamuka ixuku lebandla lasezulwini likanye lengilosi lidumisa uNkulunkulu lisithi, “Inkazimulo kuNkulunkulu phezulu kwaphezulu, emhlabeni ukuthula ebantwini abathokozelwa nguye.” Kwathi izingilosi sezibatshelile zabuyela ezulwini, abelusi bakhulumisana bathi, “Kasihambeni siye eBethilehema siyobona into le esiyenzakele, iNkosi esisitshele ngayo.”

Phela kulotshiwe, kuthiwa: “ ‘Uzathuma izingilosi zakhe kuwe zikulinde ngokunanzelela; zizakuphatha ngezandla zazo, ukuze ungatshayeleli unyawo lwakho elitsheni.’ ”

Nxa umuntu eyangeka ngami langamazwi ami, iNdodana yoMuntu izayangeka ngaye nxa isifikile ngenkazimulo yayo langenkazimulo kaYise lezingilosi ezingcwele.

“Ngiyalitshela, lowo ongivumayo phambi kwabantu iNdodana yoMuntu layo izamvuma phambi kwezingilosi zikaNkulunkulu. Kodwa lowo ongiphikayo phambi kwabantu uzaphikwa phambi kwezingilosi zikaNkulunkulu.

Ngilitshela ukuthi ngaleyondlela kuzakuba lokuthokoza ezulwini ngokuphenduka kwesoni esisodwa okudlula labobantu abalungileyo abangamatshumi aficamunye lesificamunye abangasweli ukuphenduka.

Ngiyalitshela ukuthi ngaleyondlela kulokuthokoza phambi kwezingilosi zikaNkulunkulu ngesoni esisodwa nxa siphenduka.”

“Kwafika isikhathi isiceli safa, izingilosi zasithwala zasisa eceleni lika-Abhrahama. Lesicebi laso safa sambelwa.

njalo kabasayikufa; ngoba sebenjengezingilosi. Bangabantwana bakaNkulunkulu, ngokuba bengabantwana bokuvuka kwabafileyo.

Ingilosi yabonakala kuye ivela ezulwini yamqinisa.

Bathi belokhu besathithibele ngakho, masinyane kwema eduze labo amadoda amabili egqoke izigqoko ezibenyezela njengombane. Bethuka abesifazana bathi mbo phansi ngobuso, kodwa amadoda lawo athi kubo, “Lidingelani ophilayo kwabafileyo na? Kakho lapha; usevukile! Khumbulani ukuthi walitshela njani eseselani eGalile wathi: ‘INdodana yoMuntu kumele inikelwe ezandleni zabantu abayizoni, ibethelwe esiphambanweni kuthi ngosuku lwesithathu ivuswe njalo.’ ”

kodwa kabasifumananga isidumbu sakhe. Babuyile bazasitshela ukuthi babone umbono wezingilosi ezithe uyaphila.

Waphinda wengeza wathi, “Ngikutshela iqiniso, uzabona izulu livuleka, lezingilosi zikaNkulunkulu zikhwela zisehlela eNdodaneni yoMuntu.”

EJerusalema kukhona ichibi eduze lesango leZimvu, elithiwa ngesi-Aramu yiBhethisida, elalihonqolozelwe ngezinsika ezinhlanu ezibiyelweyo. Khonapho abantu abayizilima abanengi babandise ukulala  —  iziphofu, abaqhugezelayo, abome umhlubulo  —  belindele ukuqubuka kwamanzi; ( ngokuba kwakusithi ngezikhathi ezithile ingilosi yeNkosi yayisehlela echibini, amanzi adungadungwe, besekusithi umuntu oqalayo ukungena emanzini ngemuva kokudungeka kwawo asiliswe loba kukuwuphi umkhuhlane owawumbambile.)

kodwa uMariya wasala emi ngaphandle kwethuna ekhala. Wathi elokhu ekhala wakhothama walunguza ethuneni wabona izingilosi ezimbili zigqoke okumhlophe zihlezi lapho isidumbu sikaJesu sasikade sikhona, enye ngasemakhanda, enye ngasezinyaweni. Zambuza zathi, “Mama, ukhalelani na?” Wathi, “Bayisusile iNkosi yami, kangazi ukuthi bayibeke ngaphi.”

Esekutshilo lokhu wakhutshulwa phambi kwamehlo abo, iyezi lamfihla ababe besambona. Kwathi belokhu besakhangele ngawo wonke esibhakabhakeni khonokho ehamba, masinyane kwema eduze kwabo amadoda amabili egqoke okumhlophe.” Athi, “Madoda aseGalile, limeleni lapha lijolozele esibhakabhakeni na? Yena lo uJesu osethethwe kini wasiwa ezulwini uzabuya ngayonale indlela elimbone esiya ngayo ezulwini.”

Bababopha abaphostoli babaphosela entolongweni yomuntu wonke. Kodwa ebusuku ingilosi yeNkosi yavula iminyango yentolongo yabakhupha. Yathi, “Hambani liyokuma emagumeni ethempeli litshele abantu lonke ilizwi lempilo entsha.”

lina eseliwemukele umthetho ngezingilosi kodwa kaliwulahlanga.”

Ingilosi yeNkosi yathi kuFiliphu, “Yehlela eningizimu emgwaqweni  —  umgwaqo wenkangala  —  osuka eJerusalema usiya eGaza.”

Ngelinye ilanga kungaba lihora lesithathu emini waba lombono. Wabona kamhlophe ingilosi kaNkulunkulu, yeza kuye yathi, “Khoneliya!” UKhoneliya wayiqhuzulela amehlo esesaba. Wabuza wathi, “Kuyini, Nkosi?” Ingilosi yaphendula yathi, “Imithandazo yakho lezipho zakho kwabampofu sekufinyelele kuNkulunkulu kwaba yisikhumbuzo.

Ngakho uPhethro wagcinwa entolongweni, kodwa ibandla laphitsheka limkhulekela kuNkulunkulu. Ngobusuku obandulela ukuthonisiswa kukaPhethro nguHerodi, uPhethro wayelele ephahlwe ngamabutho amabili, ebotshiwe ngamaketane amabili, kumi abalindi entubeni. Masinyane ingilosi yeNkosi yavela, kwabakhona ukukhanya kulelokamela lentolongo. Yaphumputha uPhethro ohlangothini yamvusa, yathi, “Phangisa, vuka!” Amaketane akhithika ezingalweni zikaPhethro. Ingilosi yasisithi kuye, “Gqoka, ufake lamanyathelo akho.” UPhethro wenzenjalo. Ingilosi yamtshela yathi, “Yembatha ijazi lakho ungilandele. UPhethro wayilandela ngaphandle kwentolongo, kodwa wayedidekile engakwazi ukuthi lokho ingilosi eyayikwenza kwakusenzakala ngempela; wayekhumbula ukuthi ubona umbono. Bedlula kubalindi, owokuqala lowesibili bafika esangweni lensimbi elaliphumela edolobheni. Lazivulekela baphuma. Kwathi sebehambe baphutsha umgwaqo wedolobho, ingilosi yaphanga yamtshiya.

Kwayikhona uPhethro eqaqabuka, wathi, “Khathesi sengisazi kungelakuthandabuza ukuthi iNkosi ithume ingilosi yayo yangihlenga ezibotshweni zikaHerodi lakukho konke obekufiswa ngabaJuda.” Sekumkhanyela kuhle lokhu, waqonda endlini kaMariya unina kaJohane, owayethiwa njalo nguMakho, lapho abantu abanengi babebuthene khona bekhuleka. UPhethro waqoqoda entubeni yangaphandle, kwathi inceku eyintombazana eyayithiwa nguRoda yayabuza ukuthi ngubani owayesemnyango. Isilizwile ilizwi likaPhethro yathaba yafa, yagijimela phakathi ingasawuvulanga, yabika yathi, “UPhethro usemnyango!” Bathi, “Uyahlanya wena.” Kwathi ngoba wala elokhu ephikelela ukuthi liqiniso, bathi, “Kutsho ukuthi yingilosi yakhe.” Kodwa uPhethro wala elokhu eqoqoda, bathi bevula umnyango bambona, bamangala kakhulu.

Mhla wosuku olumisiweyo uHerodi wagqoka ezobukhosi wahlala esihlalweni sakhe sobukhosi wasekhuluma ebantwini. Bamemeza bathi, “Leli yilizwi likankulunkulu, hatshi elomuntu.” Masinyane nje, ngenxa yokuthi uHerodi wayengamkhonzi uNkulunkulu, ingilosi yeNkosi yamtshaya yamlahla phansi wadliwa zimpethu wafa.

(AbaSadusi bathi kakulakuvuka ekufeni, lokuthi kakulazingilosi loba imimoya, kodwa abaFarisi bayakuvuma konke lokho ukuthi kukhona.)

Izolo ebusuku ingilosi kaNkulunkulu mina engingowakhe njalo engimkhonzayo ime phambi kwami yathi, ‘Ungesabi, Phawuli. Kumele uyothonisiswa nguKhesari; njalo uNkulunkulu usebe lomusa wokukunika izimpilo zabo bonke owela labo.’

Kalazi yini ukuthi sizakwahlulela izingilosi? Pho sizakwehlulwa yini ukwahlulela izindaba zale impilo!

Ngakho-ke, njalo ngenxa yezingilosi, owesifazana kumele abe lophawu lwamandla ekhanda lakhe.

Loba ngikhuluma ngezindimi zabantu lezezingilosi, kodwa ngingelalo uthando, ngiyinsimbi nje ekhalayo loba izenge elincencethayo.

Kodwa lanxa thina, loba ingilosi evela ezulwini, singatshumayela elinye ivangeli ngaphandle kwalelo esalitshumayelayo kini, kalahlwe kuze kube nini lanini!

Lingavumeli muntu othokoziswa yikuzithoba kwamanga lokukhonza izingilosi eliphuthisa umvuzo wenu. Umuntu onjalo ubalisa ngokupheleleyo konke akubonileyo, kuthi ingqondo yakhe engayisiyo yomoya imkhukhumeze ngemicabango eyize.

Ngoba iNkosi uqobo izakwehla ivela ezulwini, ngelizwi elikhulu, ngelizwi lengilosi enkulu langokumemeza kwecilongo likaNkulunkulu, kuthi abafileyo kuKhristu bavuke kuqala.

Ngoba kukuyiphi ingilosi uNkulunkulu ake wathi kuyo, “Wena uyiNdodana yami; lamhla sengibe nguYihlo”? Kumbe njalo wathi, “Ngizakuba nguYise, yona izakuba yiNdodana yami”?

Njalo, lapho uNkulunkulu eletha izibulo lakhe emhlabeni, uthi, “Zonke izingilosi zikaNkulunkulu kazimkhonze.”

Lapho ekhuluma ngezingilosi uthi, “Wenza izingilosi zakhe zibe yimimoya, izinceku zakhe zibe ngamalangabi omlilo.”

Kukuyiphi yezingilosi uNkulunkulu ake watsho kuyo ukuthi, “Hlala esandleni sami sokudla; izitha zakho ngize ngizenze isinabelo sakho?” Izingilosi kazisimimoya esebenzayo yini ethunywe ukukhonza labo abazakudla ilifa lokusindiswa na?

Akusikho kuzingilosi abeka ngaphansi kwazo ilizwe elizayo, esikhuluma ngalo. Kodwa ikhona indawo lapho omunye ofakaza khona esithi: “Umuntu uyini ukuba ukhathazeke ngaye, loba indodana yomuntu ukuba uyinanze na? Wamenza waba mncinyazana kulezingilosi; wambeka umqhele wobukhosi lodumo,

Ngoba impela akusizingilosi azisizayo, kodwa inzalo ka-Abhrahama.

Ngaphezu kwebhokisi kwakulamakherubhi eNkazimulo enze ithunzi phezu kwendawo yenhlawulelo. Kodwa khathesi asingeke silandise okugcweleyo ngalezozinto.

Kodwa lina lize eNtabeni iZiyoni, iJerusalema lasezulwini, umuzi kaNkulunkulu ophilayo. Lize kuzinkulungwane lezinkulungwane zezingilosi ezihlangane ngentokozo, ebandleni lezibulo, ezimabizo azo alotshiwe ezulwini. Lize kuNkulunkulu, umahluleli wabantu bonke, emimoyeni yabantu abalungileyo abaphelelisiweyo,

Lingakhohlwa ukwamukela izihambi, ngoba ngokwenza njalo abanye abantu bamukela izingilosi bengazi.

Kwabonakaliswa kubo ukuthi bona babengazisebenzeli, kodwa besebenzela lina lapho babekhuluma ngezinto khathesi eselizitshelwe yilabo abatshumayele ivangeli kini ngoMoya oNgcwele owathunywa evela ezulwini. Lezingilosi ziyafisa ukuzibona lezizinto.

oseye ezulwini njalo usesandleni sokunene sikaNkulunkulu  —  lezingilosi, leziphathamandla kanye lezikhulu ekuzehliseni kuye.

ikanti lezingilosi, lanxa ziqinile njalo zilamandla amakhulu, kazizethesi macala ngokuhlambaza izidalwa ezinjalo phambi kweNkosi.

Bazalwane abathandekayo, lingaze labakholwa omoya bonke, kodwa bahloleni omoya ukuba libone langabe bavela kuNkulunkulu, ngoba abaphrofethi bamanga abanengi sebekhona emhlabeni. Lingamazi kanje uMoya kaNkulunkulu: Umoya wonke ovumayo ukuthi uJesu Khristu weza engumuntu uvela kuNkulunkulu,

Kodwa lengilosi enkulu uMikhayeli, lapho ephikisana loSathane ngesidumbu sikaMosi, kazange alokothe ukumthuka ngenhlamba, kodwa wathi, “INkosi kayikukhuze!”

Imfihlakalo yezinkanyezi eziyisikhombisa ozibone esandleni sami sokunene kanye lezinti zezibane zegolide eziyisikhombisa yile: Izinkanyezi eziyisikhombisa yizingilosi zamabandla ayisikhombisa, izinti zezibane ngamabandla ayisikhombisa.

Lowo onqobayo uzagqoka okumhlophe njengabo. Ibizo lakhe kangisoze ngilesule encwadini yokuphila, kodwa ibizo lakhe ngizalivuma phambi kukaBaba lezingilosi zakhe.

Kwakulezinye izihlalo zobukhosi ezingamatshumi amabili lane ezazizingeleze isihlalo sobukhosi leso, kuzo kuhlezi abadala abangamatshumi amabili lane. Babegqoke okumhlophe njalo belemiqhele yegolide emakhanda abo. Esihlalweni sobukhosi kwaba lokuphazima kombane, lokundindizela kanye lokukhwaza kwezulu. Phambi kwesihlalo sobukhosi kwakuvutha izibane eziyisikhombisa. Lezi zazingomoya abayisikhombisa bakaNkulunkulu.

Phambi kwesihlalo futhi kwakulokwakungathi lulwandle lwengilazi, kucwebile njengelitshe elikhazimulayo. Phakathi, emaceleni wonke esihlalo sobukhosi, kwakulezidalwa ezine eziphilayo, zigcwele amehlo phambili langemuva. Isidalwa sakuqala esiphilayo sasinjengesilwane, esesibili sinjengenkabi, esesithathu sasilobuso obunjengobomuntu, esesine sasinjengokhozi oluphaphayo. Esinye lesinye salezozidalwa eziphilayo sasilezimpiko eziyisithupha njalo sigcwele amehlo macele wonke, kanye langaphansi kwezimpiko. Emini lebusuku kazizange zithule ukuthi: “Ingcwele, ingcwele, ingcwele iNkosi uNkulunkulu uSomandla, owayekhona, okhona, njalo ozakuza.” Kuthi lapho izidalwa eziphilayo zimdumisa, zimhlonipha njalo zimbonga lowo ohleziyo esihlalweni sobukhosi njalo ophila kuze kube nininini, abadala abangamatshumi amabili lane bawela phansi phambi kwakhe ohlezi esihlalweni sobukhosi, bamkhonze yena ophila kuze kube nininini. Babeka imiqhele yabo phambi kwesihlalo sobukhosi bathi: “Ufanele, Nkosi yethu loNkulunkulu wethu, ukwamukela udumo lenhlonipho kanye lamandla, ngoba wena wadala izinto zonke, njalo zadalwa ngentando yakho njalo zilabo ubukhona bazo.”

Ngabuya ngabona ingilosi elamandla imemeza ngelizwi eliphakemeyo isithi, “Ngubani ofanele ukuqhaqha izimpawu avule umqulu na?”

Ngabona iWundlu, kukhanya angathi lalibulewe, limi ngaphakathi kwesihlalo sobukhosi, lizingelezwe yizidalwa eziphilayo ezine labadala. Lalilezimpondo eziyisikhombisa lamehlo ayisikhombisa, okungomoya abayisikhombisa baka-Nkulunkulu abathunywe emhlabeni wonke. Leza lathatha umqulu esandleni sokunene salowo owayehlezi esihlalweni sobukhosi. Esewuthethe, izidalwa ezine eziphilayo labadala abangamatshumi amabili lane bawela phansi phambi kweWundlu. Omunye lomunye wabo wayelechacho njalo babephethe imiganu yegolide igcwele impepha, eyimikhuleko yabangcwele.

Ngakhangela ngasengisizwa amazwi ezingilosi ezinengi, ezaziyizinkulungwane lezinkulungwane, lezinkulungwane ezilitshumi ziphindwe okuzinkulungwane ezilitshumi. Zazizingeleze isihlalo sobukhosi lezidalwa eziphilayo kanye labadala. Zahlabela ngamazwi aphezulu zisithi: “Lifanele iWundlu, elabulawayo, Ukwamukela amandla lenotho lenhlakanipho lokuqina lodumo lenkazimulo kanye lokudunyiswa!” Ngezwa izidalwa zonke ezulwini lasemhlabeni langaphansi komhlaba laselwandle lakho konke okukukho, kuhlabela kusithi: “Kuye ohlezi esihlalweni sobukhosi lakulo iWundlu kakube lenhlonipho lodumo lenkazimulo kanye lamandla kuze kube nininini!” Izidalwa ezine eziphilayo zathi, “Ameni,” kwathi abadala bawela phansi bakhonza.

Emva kwalokhu ngabona izingilosi ezine zimi emagumbini amane omhlaba, zivimbele imimoya emine yomhlaba zisenqabela loba yiwuphi umoya ukuvunguza elizweni loba elwandle loba kwesinye isihlahla. Ngabuya ngabona enye ingilosi isiza ivela empumalanga, ilophawu lukaNkulunkulu ophilayo. Yamemeza ngelizwi elikhulu ezingilosini ezine ezaziphiwe amandla okulimaza umhlaba lolwandle, isithi: “Lingawulimazi umhlaba loba ulwandle loba izihlahla size sibeke uphawu emabunzini ezinceku zikaNkulunkulu wethu.”

Izingilosi zonke zazimi zizingeleze isihlalo sobukhosi njalo zizingeleze abadala kanye lezidalwa ezine eziphilayo. Zathi mbo phansi ngobuso bazo phambi kwesihlalo sobukhosi zakhonza uNkulunkulu zisithi: “Ameni! Udumo lobukhosi lokuhlakanipha lokubongwa lokuhlonitshwa lamandla kanye lokuqina kakube kuNkulunkulu wethu nini lanini. Ameni!”

Ngasengibona izingilosi eziyisikhombisa ezima phambi kukaNkulunkulu, ezaphiwa amacilongo ayisikhombisa. Enye ingilosi eyayilomganu wegolide wokutshisela impepha, yeza yema ngasealithareni. Yanikwa impepha enengi ukuba iyinikele, lemikhuleko yabangcwele bonke, e-alithareni legolide phambi kwesihlalo sobukhosi. Intuthu yempepha kanye lemikhuleko yabangcwele, kwaya phezulu phambi kukaNkulunkulu kusuka esandleni sengilosi leyo. Ingilosi yasithatha umganu wokutshisela impepha, yawugcwalisa ngomlilo osuka e-alithareni, yasiwuphosela emhlabeni, kwasekusiba lokukhwaza kwezulu, lokundindizela, lokuphazima kombane kanye lokuzamazama komhlaba. Izingilosi eziyisikhombisa ezazilamacilongo ayisikhombisa zalungisela ukuwakhalisa.

Ingilosi yokuqala yakhalisa icilongo layo, kwasekusiba lesiqhotho lomlilo kuhlangene legazi, kwasekuphoselwa phansi emhlabeni. Ingxenye yesithathu yomhlaba yatsha, lotshani bonke obuluhlaza batsha. Ingilosi yesibili yakhalisa icilongo layo, kwathi ulutho olwalunjengentaba enkulu, olwalubhebha, lwaphoselwa elwandle. Ingxenye yesithathu yolwandle yaphenduka yaba ligazi, kwathi ingxenye yesithathu yezidalwa eziphilayo elwandle yafa, kwathi lengxenye yesithathu yemikhumbi yatshabalaliswa. Ingilosi yesithathu yakhalisa icilongo layo, kwathi inkanyezi enkulukazi, eyayilavuza njengesikhuni, yawa ivela emkhathini yawela phezu kwengxenye yesithathu yemifula lasemithonjeni yamanzi  — ibizo lenkanyezi leyo nguMhlonyane. Ingxenye yesithathu yamanzi yaphenduka yababa, abantu abanengi bafa ngenxa yamanzi ayesebaba. Ingilosi yesine yakhalisa icilongo layo, kwathi ingxenye yesithathu yelanga yatshaywa, lengxenye yesithathu yenyanga, kanye lengxenye yesithathu yezinkanyezi, okwenza ingxenye yesithathu yalokhu yaphenduka yaba mnyama. Ingxenye yesithathu yemini yayingelakukhanya, kanye lengxenye yesithathu yobusuku. Kwathi ngilokhu ngikhangele ngezwa ukhozi olwaluphapha emoyeni lumemeza ngelizwi elikhulu lusithi, “Yiya belo! Yiya belo! Yiya belo kwabahlezi emhlabeni, ngenxa yokukhala kwamacilongo asezakhaliswa ngezinye izingilosi ezintathu!”

Ingilosi yesihlanu yakhalisa icilongo layo, ngasengibona inkanyezi eyavela emkhathini iwela emhlabeni. Inkanyezi leyo yayiphiwe ikhiye yoMgodi ongelamkhawulo.

Ingilosi yesithupha yakhalisa icilongo layo, ngasengisizwa ilizwi livela ezimpondweni ze-alithare legolide eliphambi kukaNkulunkulu. Lathi engilosini yesithupha eyayiphethe icilongo, “Khulula izingilosi ezine ezibotshiweyo emfuleni omkhulu uYufrathe.” Ngakho izingilosi ezine lezo ezazigcinwe zilindele lesisikhathi losuku lenyanga kanye lomnyaka zakhululelwa ukubulala ingxenye yesithathu yoluntu. Inani lamabutho ayegade amabhiza laliyizigidi ezingamakhulu amabili. Ngalizwa inani lawo.

Ngabuya ngabona enye ingilosi elamandla isehla ivela ezulwini. Yayembethe iyezi, kulomchilo wamakhosikazi ngaphezu kwekhanda layo; ubuso bayo babunjengelanga; imilenze yayo injengezinsika zomlilo. Yayiphethe umqulu omncane, uvulekile usezandleni zayo. Yagxilisa unyawo lwayo lokunene elwandle kwathi unyawo lwayo lwenxele lwaba emhlabathini, njalo yamemeza ngelizwi elikhulu njengokubhonga kwesilwane. Ekumemezeni kwayo, imidumo eyisikhombisa yakhuluma. Kwathi imidumo eyisikhombisa ikhuluma, ngasengilungele ukubhala kodwa ngezwa ilizwi elavela ezulwini lisithi, “Gcika lokho okutshiwo yimidumo eyisikhombisa njalo ungakulobi.” Ingilosi engangiyibone imi elwandle lasemhlabathini yaphakamisela isandla sayo sokunene ezulwini. Yafunga ngaye ophilayo kuze kube nini lanini, owadala amazulu lakho konke okukuwo, lomhlaba lakho konke okukuwo, lolwandle lakho konke okukulo, yathi, “Kakusayikuba khona ukuphuza futhi! Kodwa ngezinsuku lapho ingilosi yesikhombisa isizakhalisa icilongo layo, imfihlakalo kaNkulunkulu izafezeka njengokutsho kwakhe ezincekwini zakhe abaphrofethi.”

Ilizwi engangilizwe livela ezulwini lakhuluma lami futhi lathi: “Hamba uyethatha umqulu ovulekileyo esandleni sengilosi emi elwandle lasemhlabathini.” Ngakho ngaya kuleyongilosi ngacela ukuba ingiphe lowomqulu omncane. Yathi kimi, “Uthathe uwudle. Uzaqubula isisu sakho, kodwa emlonyeni wakho kuzakuba mnandi njengoluju. Ngawuthatha umqulu omncane esandleni sengilosi ngawudla. Emlonyeni wami wanambitheka mnandi njengoluju, kodwa sengiwudlile, isisu sami saqubuka. Ngasengitshelwa ukuthi, “Kumele uphrofethe futhi ngabantu abanengi, langezizwe, langezindimi kanye langamakhosi.”

Ingilosi yesikhombisa yakhalisa icilongo layo, kwasekusiba lamazwi amakhulu ezulwini, ayesithi: “Umbuso wasemhlabeni usube ngumbuso weNkosi yethu loKhristu wayo, njalo izabusa kuze kube nininini.” Abadala abangamatshumi amabili lane, ababehlezi ezihlalweni zobukhosi phambi kukaNkulunkulu, bathi mbo phansi ngobuso babo bakhonza uNkulunkulu, besithi: “Siyakubonga Nkosi Nkulunkulu Somandla, okhona lowayekhona njalo, ngoba usuwathethe amandla akho amakhulu njalo usuqalisile ukubusa.

Kwaba lempi ezulwini. UMikhayeli lezingilosi zakhe balwa lomgobho, kwathi umgobho kanye lezingilosi zawo lawo walwa labo. Kodwa wawungelamandla kangako, njalo wona lezingilosi zawo balahlekelwa yindawo yabo ezulwini.

Bahlabela ingoma entsha phambi kwesihlalo sobukhosi laphambi kwezidalwa ezine eziphilayo kanye laphambi kwabadala. Kakho owayengayifunda ingoma leyo ngaphandle kwabayizi-144,000, ababehlengwe emhlabeni.

Ngabuya ngabona enye ingilosi indiza emoyeni, ilevangeli elingapheliyo ukuba ilitshumayele kulabo abahlezi emhlabeni  —  lasezizweni zonke, lasezizwaneni, lasezindimini kanye lasebantwini. Ngelizwi elikhulu yathi, “Mesabeni uNkulunkulu limdumise, ngoba isikhathi sokwahlulela kwakhe sesifikile. Mkhonzeni yena owadala amazulu, lomhlaba, lolwandle kanye lemithombo yamanzi.” Ingilosi yesibili yalandela yathi, “Iwile! Iwile iBhabhiloni eNkulu eyenza izizwe zonke zinathe iwayini elihlanyisayo elobufebe bayo.” Ingilosi yesithathu yazilandela yathi ngelizwi elikhulu, “Nxa umuntu angakhonza isilo lesifanekiso saso abekwe uphawu lwaso ebunzini loba esandleni, laye uzanatha iwayini lentukuthelo kaNkulunkulu, elithelwe ngamandla agcweleyo enkomitshini yolaka lwakhe. Uzachukuluzwa ngesolufa elitshisayo phambi kwezingilosi ezingcwele laphambi kweWundlu.

Enye ingilosi yaphuma ethempelini yamemezela ngelizwi elikhulu kulowo owayehlezi phezu kweyezi isithi, “Thatha isikela uvune, ngoba isikhathi sokuvuna sesifikile, ngoba isivuno emhlabeni sesivuthiwe.” Ngakho lowo owayehlezi phezu kweyezi watshibilikisela isikela yakhe emhlabeni, umhlaba wavunwa.

Enye ingilosi yaphuma ethempelini ezulwini, layo futhi yayilesikela ebukhali. Enye njalo ingilosi eyayilamandla phezu komlilo, yeza ivela e-alithareni yamemezela ngelizwi elikhulu kulowo owayelesikela ebukhali isithi, “Thatha isikela yakho ebukhali ubuthe amahlukuzo amavini esivinini somhlaba, ngoba amavini aso asevuthiwe.” Ingilosi leyo yatshibilikisela isikela yayo emhlabeni, yabutha amavini awo yawaphosela esikhamelweni sewayini solaka lukaNkulunkulu. Anyathelwa phakathi kwesikhamelo sewayini ngaphandle kwedolobho, igazi lageleza liphuma esikhamelweni, laphakama okufika ematomini ebhiza okwebanga elingamakhilomitha angamakhulu amathathu.

Ezulwini ngabona esinye isibonakaliso esikhulu esimangalisayo: Izingilosi eziyisikhombisa zilezifo zokucina eziyisikhombisa  —  ezokucina, ngoba ngazo ulaka lukaNkulunkulu luyapheleliswa.

Ethempelini kwaphuma izingilosi eziyisikhombisa zilezifo eziyisikhombisa. Zazigqoke ilineni elihlanzekileyo elicazimulayo njalo zibophe izifuba zazo ngamabhanti egolide. Esinye sezidalwa ezine eziphilayo sanika izingilosi eziyisikhombisa imiganu yegolide eyisikhombisa igcwele ulaka lukaNkulunkulu, ophila kuze kube nininini. Ithempeli lagcwala intuthu evela enkazimulweni kaNkulunkulu lasemandleni akhe, njalo kakho owayengangena ethempelini izifo eziyisikhombisa zezingilosi eziyisikhombisa zingakapheli.

Ngezwa ilizwi elikhulu livelela ethempelini lisithi ezingilosini eziyisikhombisa, “Hambani, lithululele emhlabeni imiganu eyisikhombisa yolaka lukaNkulunkulu.” Ingilosi yakuqala yahamba yathululela umganu wayo emhlabeni, kwasekuphihlika izilonda ezenyanyekayo njalo ezibuhlungu ebantwini ababelophawu lwenyamazana bekhonza isifanekiso sayo. Ingilosi yesibili yathululela umganu wayo elwandle, lwaphenduka lwaba ligazi elinjengelomuntu ofileyo, kwathi yonke into ephilayo eselwandle yafa. Ingilosi yesithathu yathululela umganu wayo emifuleni lasemithonjeni yamanzi, yaba ligazi. Ngasengisizwa ingilosi eyayingumphathi wamanzi isithi: “Ulungile ngalezizahlulelo wena okhona lowayekhona, oNgcwele, ngoba wahlulele kanjalo; ngoba bachitha igazi labangcwele bakho lelabaphrofethi, ngakho ubanike igazi ukuba balinathe njengokubafaneleyo.” Ngezwa i-alithare liphendula lisithi: “Yebo, Nkosi Nkulunkulu Somandla, ziqotho njalo zilungile lezi zahlulelo zakho.” Ingilosi yesine yathululela umganu wayo elangeni, ilanga laseliphiwa amandla okutshisa abantu ngomlilo. Bosiwa yikutshisa okukhulu kwelanga njalo balithuka ibizo likaNkulunkulu, owayelamandla phezu kwezifo lezi, kodwa bala ukuba baphenduke bamdumise. Ingilosi yesihlanu yathululela umganu wayo phezu kwesihlalo sobukhosi sesilo, umbuso waso wembeswa ngumnyama. Abantu baxhanxatha izilimi zabo ngobuhlungu, bamthuka uNkulunkulu wasezulwini ngenxa yobuhlungu bezilonda zabo, kodwa bala ukuphenduka kulokho ababekwenzile. Ingilosi yesithupha yathululela umganu wayo emfuleni omkhulu uYufrathe, amanzi awo asesitsha ukuba kulungiswe indlela yamakhosi avela empumalanga.

Ingilosi yesikhombisa yathululela umganu wayo emoyeni, kwasekuphuma ilizwi elikhulu ethempelini livela esihlalweni sobukhosi, lisithi, “Sekwenziwe!”

Enye yezingilosi eziyisikhombisa ezazilemiganu eyisikhombisa yeza kimi yathi, “Woza ngikutshengise ukujeziswa kwesiphingi esikhulu, sihlezi phezu kwamanzi amanengi. Amakhosi omhlaba afeba laso njalo abahlezi emhlabeni badakwa yiwayini yobufebe baso.” Ingilosi yasingithatha ngiseMoyeni yangisa enkangala. Khonapho ngabona owesifazana ehlezi phezu kwenyamazana ebomvu gebhu eyayigcwele amabizo ahlambazayo, njalo yayilamakhanda ayisikhombisa lezimpondo ezilitshumi.

Emva kwalokhu ngabona enye ingilosi isehla ivela ezulwini. Yayilamandla amakhulu, njalo umhlaba wakhanyiswa yikukhazimula kwayo.

Ingilosi elamandla yasidobha ilitshe elingangelitshe elikhulu lokuchola yaliphosela elwandle, yathi: “Idolobho elikhulu laseBhabhiloni lizaphoselwa phansi ngodlakela olunje, lingaphindi libonakale futhi.

Abadala abangamatshumi amabili lane lezidalwa ezine eziphilayo bawela phansi bakhonza uNkulunkulu, owayehlezi esihlalweni sobukhosi. Bamemeza njalo bathi: “Ameni, Haleluya!”

Ngasengibona ingilosi imi elangeni, eyamemezela ngelizwi elikhulu ezinyonini zonke ezazindiza emoyeni isithi, “Wozani libuthanele idili elikhulu likaNkulunkulu,

Ngabona ingilosi isehlela phansi isuka ezulwini, ilesihluthulelo soMgodi ongelamkhawulo iphethe ngesandla sayo iketane elikhulu. Yabamba umgobho, inyoka endala leyana, engoMubi loba uSathane, yambopha okweminyaka eyinkulungwane.

Enye yezingilosi eziyisikhombisa eyayilemiganu eyisikhombisa eyayigcwele izifo zokucina eziyisikhombisa yeza yathi kimi, “Woza, ngizakutshengisa umlobokazi, umkaWundlu.” Yangithwala ngiseMoyeni yangisa entabeni enkulu ende, yangitshengisa iDolobho eliNgcwele, iJerusalema, lisehla liphuma ezulwini kuNkulunkulu.

Yalinganisa umduli walo, wawuyizingalo ezilikhulu lamatshumi amane lane ubuqatha bawo, ngesilinganiso sabantu esasisetshenziswa yingilosi.

Mina Johane, yimi engazibonayo njalo ngazizwa izinto lezi. Kwathi lapho sengizwile njalo ngazibona, ngawela phansi ukuba ngikhonze ezinyaweni zengilosi eyayingitshengisa zona. Kodwa yathi kimi, “Ungakwenzi lokhu! Mina ngiyinceku kanye lawe kanye labazalwane bakho abaphrofethi labo bonke abagcina amazwi encwadi le. Khonza uNkulunkulu!”

“Mina Jesu, ngithume ingilosi yami ukuba ilinike ubufakazi lobu emabandleni. NgiyiMpande leNzalo kaDavida, kanye leNdonsakusa ekhanyayo.”