30 – Ukuthathwa kwabakholewayo

Njalo ngizafaka ubutha phakathi kwakho lowesifazana, laphakathi kwenzalo yakho leyowesifazana; uzahlifiza ikhanda lakho, njalo wena uzamnqanda isithende sakhe.”

Ngiyazi ukuthi uMhlengi wami uyaphila, lokuthi ekupheleni uzakuma emhlabeni. Kuzakuthi nxa isikhumba sami sesibhujisiwe, kodwa ngikuyo inyama yami ngizambona uNkulunkulu; mina ngokwami ngizambona ngawami amehlo  —  mina, hatshi omunye. Inhliziyo yami iyagubhazela ngokulangatha!

Ngezinsuku zokucina intaba yethempeli likaJehova izakuba ngelodumo phakathi kwezintaba; izaphakanyiselwa phezu kwamaqaqa njalo izizwe zonke zizabekelela zisiya kuyo. Abantu abanengi bazakuza bathi, “Wozani siye phezu kwentaba kaJehova, endlini kaNkulunkulu kaJakhobe. Uzasifundisa izindlela zakhe ukuze sihambe ezindleleni zakhe.” Umthetho uzavela eZiyoni, ilizwi likaJehova livele eJerusalema. Uzakwahlulela phakathi kwezizwe, alamule izingxabano zabantu abanengi. Bazakhanda izinkemba zabo zibe yimihlathi yamakhuba kuthi imikhonto yabo ibe zingqamu zokuthena izihlahla. Isizwe asiyikuhlomela isizwe ngezinkemba loba sifundele ukulwa izimpi futhi.

Ngenani ezimbalwini zamatshe lasemhlabathini, licatshele ukwesabeka kukaJehova lenkazimulo yobukhosi bakhe! Amehlo omuntu oziphakamisayo azathobekiswa lokuzazisa kwabantu kwehliselwe phansi; uJehova kuphela nguye ozaphakanyiswa ngalolosuku. UJehova uSomandla ulosuku alubekele bonke abazazigqaja labazikhukhumezayo; olwakho konke okuphakemeyo (bazathobekiswa), olwazo zonke izihlahla zemisedari zaseLebhanoni ezinde leziphakemeyo, lazo zonke izihlahla zama-okhi zaseBhashani, olwazo zonke izintaba ezindekazi lamaqaqa wonke aphakemeyo, olwayo yonke imiphotshongo ephakemeyo layo yonke imiduli eyinqaba, olwemikhumbi yonke yaseThashishi layo yonke imikolo emihle. Ukuziphakamisa kwabantu kuzakwehliselwa phansi, ukuzazisa kwabantu kuthobekiswe; uJehova kuphela nguye ozadunyiswa ngalolosuku, izithombe zizanyamalala zithi nya. Abantu bazabalekela ezimbalwini zamatshe lasemilindini emhlabathini bebalekela ukwesabeka kukaJehova lenkazimulo yobukhosi bakhe lapho ephakama ukuba anyikinye umhlaba. Ngalolosuku abantu bazazilahlela ezimvukuzaneni lakubolulwane izithombe zabo zesiliva lezegolide abazenzela ukuba bazikhonze. Bazabalekela ezimbalwini zamatshe lasezingoxweni zamawa bebalekela ukwesabeka kukaJehova lenkazimulo yobukhosi bakhe lapho ephakama ukuba anyikinye umhlaba.

UJehova uzagezisa ingcekeza yabesifazana baseZiyoni, uzahlambulula amachatha egazi eJerusalema ngomoya wokwahlulela langomoya womlilo. Lapho-ke ngaphezu kwayo yonke iNtaba iZiyoni langaphezulu kwabo bonke abahlangana khona uJehova uzakwenza iyezi lentuthu emini, lokukhanya kwamalangabi omlilo ebusuku. Ngaphezu kwenkazimulo yonke kuzakuba lesivikelo esinjengophahla.

Ngoba sizalelwe umntwana, siphiwe indodana, umbuso uzakuba phezu kwamahlombe akhe. Uzabizwa ngokuthi uMeluleki Omangalisayo, uNkulunkulu uSomandla, uBaba Waphakade, iNkosana yokuThula. Ukwanda kombuso wakhe lokuthula akuyikuba lomkhawulo. Uzabusa esihlalweni sobukhosi sikaDavida laphezu kombuso wakhe, ewumisa njalo ewuqinisa ngokufaneleyo langokulunga, kusukela ngalesisikhathi kusiya phambili, kuze kube nininini. Ukutshisekela kukaJehova uSomandla kuzakufeza lokhu.

Lilani ngoba usuku lwenkosi seluseduze. Luzafika njengokuchithakala okuvela kuSomandla. Ngenxa yalokhu izandla zonke zizakuba buthakathaka, izinhliziyo zabantu bonke zizaphela amandla. Bazakuba lokwesaba okukhulu, baphathwe yibuhlungu losizi; bazabhinqika njengowesifazana ehelelwa. Bazakhangelana bemangele, ubuso babo bungamalangabi. Khangelani usuku lukaJehova luyeza  —  usuku lwesihluku, ulaka lokuthukuthela okukhulu  —  ukwenza ilizwe lichitheke, kubhujiswe izoni eziphakathi kwalo. Izinkanyezi zezulu lemithala yazo akuyikukhanyisa. Ilanga eliphumayo lizafiphazwa lenyanga ayiyikukhanyisa. Umhlaba ngizawujezisa ngenxa yobubi bawo, lababi ngenxa yezono zabo. Ngizaqeda ukukloloda kwabazikhukhumezayo ngehlise ukuzigqaja kwabalesihluku. Ngizakwenza abantu basweleke okudlula igolide elicengekileyo, basweleke okudlula igolide lase-Ofiri. Ngakho-ke ngizakwenza amazulu anyikinyeke lomhlaba uzamazame endaweni yawo ngokuthukuthela kukaJehova uSomandla, ngosuku lolaka lwakhe oluvuthayo.

uzakuginya kokuphela ukufa. UJehova Wobukhosi uzakwesula izinyembezi ebusweni babantu bonke; uzasusa ihlazo labantu bakhe emhlabeni wonke. UJehova usekhulumile.

UJehova uthukuthelele izizwe zonke, ulaka lwakhe luphezu kwezitha zabo zonke. Uzazibhubhisa ngokupheleleyo, uzazinikela ekubulaweni. Ababuleweyo bakibo bazaphoselwa ngaphandle, izidumbu zabo zizanuka; izintaba zizacwila egazini labo. Zonke izinkanyezi zasemazulwini zizanyamalala, umkhathi ugoqwe njengomqulu; wonke amaxuku ezinkanyezi azakuwa njengamahlamvu abunileyo evinini lanjengomkhiwa otshwabheneyo usiwa esihlahleni somkhiwa. Inkemba yami isinathe yanela emazulwini; khangelani yehlela phezu kwe-Edomi ukulahlulela, abantu esengibabhubhise baphela. Inkemba kaJehova igxanyuzwe egazini, igcwele amafutha  —  igazi lezimvu lelezimbuzi, amafutha ezinso zezinqama. Ngoba uJehova ulomhlatshelo eBhozira lokubulawa okukhulu kwezifuyo e-Edomi. Izinkabi zeganga zizakufa kanye lazo, amathole azinkunzi kanye lezinkunzi ezinkulu. Ilizwe labo lizagcwala igazi, umhlabathi uzakuba manzi ngamafutha. Ngoba uJehova ulosuku lokuphindisela, umnyaka wokujezisa, ukuqinisa injongo yeZiyoni. Izifula zase-Edomi zizaphendulwa zibe yingcino, umhlabathi wakhona ube ngumlilo wesolufa, ilizwe lakhona lizakuba yingcino etshayo! Aliyikucitshwa ebusuku lemini; intuthu yalo izathunqa kokuphela. Lizakuba ngelichithiweyo kusukela kusizukulwane kusiya kusizukulwane; kakho ozadabula phakathi kwalo futhi.

“Phendukelani kimi lisindiswe, lonke lina mikhawulo yomhlaba; Ngoba mina nginguNkulunkulu, njalo kakho omunye. Ngifunge ngami, ngobuqotho bonke umlomo wami ukhulume ilizwi elingayikwesulwa. Amadolo wonke azaguqa phambi kwami; izindimi zonke zizafunga ngami.

Mina ngenza isiphetho sazakale kusukela ekuqaleni; lokuzakwenzakala kusukela ezikhathini zasendulo. Ngithi: Injongo yami izakuma kokuphela, njalo ngizakwenza konke engikufunayo.

Lalela! Abalindi bakho baphakamisa amazwi abo, bonke bahlaba umkhosi ngokuthokoza. Lapho uJehova ebuyela eZiyoni bazayibona iZiyoni ngamehlo abo.

“Khangelani, ngizadala izulu elitsha lomhlaba omutsha. Izinto zakuqala aziyikukhunjulwa, kumbe zifike engqondweni.

“Njengamazulu amatsha lomhlaba omutsha engikwenzayo kuzakuma kokuphela phambi kwami,” kutsho uJehova, “ngokunjalo ibizo lakho lenzalo yakho izakuma kokuphela.

Yeka ukwesabeka okuzakuba yilolosuku! Kalukho oluzakuba njengalo. Kuzakuba yisikhathi sokuhlupheka kukaJakhobe, kodwa uzahlengwa kukho.

Ngoba nanku okutshiwo nguJehova Wobukhosi: Mina ngokwami ngizadinga izimvu zami ngizeluse. Njengomelusi eluse umhlambi wakhe ohlakazekileyo elawo, ngizazelusa kanjalo izimvu zami. Ngizazihlenga ezindaweni zonke ezahlakazekela kuzo ngosuku lwamayezi lomnyama. Ngizazikhupha ezizweni ngizibuthe emazweni, njalo ngizazisa elizweni lazo uqobo. Ngizazidlisa phezu kwezintaba zako-Israyeli, ezihotsheni kanye lasemizaneni yonke eselizweni.

Ngakho phrofetha uthi kubo: ‘Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova Wobukhosi: Awu bantu bami, ngizavula amangcwaba enu ngilivuse kuwo; ngizalibuyisela elizweni lako-Israyeli. Lapho-ke, lina bantu bami, lizakwazi ukuthi mina nginguJehova, lapho sengivula amangcwaba enu ngilivusa kuwo.

kodwa ukhona uNkulunkulu ezulwini owambula zonke izimfihlakalo. Utshengise inkosi uNebhukhadinezari okuzakwenzakala ngezinsuku ezizayo. Iphupho lakho lemibono eyafika engqondweni yakho ulele embhedeni wakho yile:

“Wathi uyakhangela, O nkosi, wabona kumi phambi kwakho isithombe esikhulukazi  —  inkalakatha yesithombe esikhazimulayo, sisesabeka ukukhangeleka kwaso. Ikhanda lesithombe lalenziwe ngegolide elicengekileyo, isifuba saso lezingalo kubunjwe ngesiliva, isisu lemilenze kubunjwe ngethusi, imibala ibunjwe ngensimbi, izinyawo zaso zilengxenye yensimbi lenye ingxenye yebumba elitshisiweyo. Wathi ulokhu usabukele, kwaqetshulwa ilitshe, kungesingazandla zamuntu. Lasigxoba isithombe ezinyaweni zaso zensimbi lebumba lazihlifiza. Kwasekusithi insimbi, lebumba, lethusi, lesiliva kanye legolide kwachobozeka kwaba yizicucu kanyekanye kwaba njengomule esizeni ehlobo. Umoya waziphephula izicucu wazikhucula du. Kodwa ilitshe elagxoba isithombe laba yintaba enkulu yagcwala umhlaba wonke.

“Leli bekuyilo iphupho, manje-ke sesizalichazela inkosi. Wena, O nkosi uyinkosi yamakhosi. UNkulunkulu wasezulwini ukunikile umbuso, lamandla lobukhulu lodumo; uluntu lonke ulunikele ezandleni zakho kanye lezinyamazana zeganga lezinyoni zemoyeni. Loba zihlala ngaphi, ukwenze wena waba ngumbusi wakho konke. Ulikhanda leliyana legolide. “Ngemuva kwakho, kuzakuba khona omunye umbuso, ophansi kulowakho. Kuzalandela owesithathu owethusi ozabusa umhlaba wonke.

Ekucineni kuzakuba lombuso wesine oqinileyo njengensimbi ngoba insimbi iyephula ivodloze yonke into  —  yikho njengoba insimbi isephula izinto zibe yizicucu, kanjalo umbuso lowo uzayichoboza yonke eminye. Njengoba ubonile ukuthi izinyawo lamazwane bekulengxenye yebumba elitshisiweyo lengxenye yensimbi, yikho lo uzakuba ngumbuso odabukene phakathi; loba nje uzakuba lamanye amandla ensimbi phakathi kwawo, njengalokhu uyibonile insimbi ixubene lebumba. Njengoba amazwane abelengxenye yensimbi, lengxenye yebumba, kanjalo umbuso lo uzakuba lamandla nganxanye, nganxanye ubucuzeke. Njalo njengoba ubonile insimbi ixubene lebumba elitshisiweyo, kanjalo abantu bazakuba yinhlanganisela bahlale bengamanyananga, njengoba insimbi ingahlangani lebumba.

“Ngalesosikhathi samakhosi lawo uNkulunkulu wasezulwini uzabeka umbuso ongasoze wabhidlizwa lanini njalo ongasoze utshiyelwe abanye abantu. Uzayibhidliza yonke leyomibuso iphele, kodwa wona uzakuma laphakade. Le yiyo incazelo yombono welitshe elaqhekezwa entabeni, kungasingezandla zomuntu  —  ilitshe elaphahlaza insimbi, lethusi, lebumba, lesiliva kanye legolide kwaba yizicucu. “UNkulunkulu omkhulu uyitshengisile inkosi okuzakwenzeka ngesikhathi esizayo. Iphupho liliqiniso lencazelo iqondile.”

UDanyeli wathi: “Embonweni wami ebusuku ngakhangela ngabona phambi kwami imimoya emine yasezulwini iqubula ulwandle olukhulu. Izilo ezine ezinkulu, yileso singafanani lezinye, zaqhamuka olwandle. “Esakuqala sasinjengesilwane, njalo silamaphiko engqungqulu. Ngabukela amaphiko aso aze ajumbulwa sase siphakanyiswa emhlabathini sema ngezinyawo ezimbili njengomuntu, sase siphiwa inhliziyo yomuntu. “Khonapho phambi kwami kwakujame isilo sesibili esasifana lebhere. Sasiphakanyisiwe kwelinye icele laso, njalo emlonyeni waso sasilezimbambo ezintathu emazinyweni aso. Satshelwa kwathiwa, ‘Sukuma udle inyama usuthe!’ “Ngemva kwalokho ngakhangela ngabona phambi kwami esinye isilo esasikhangeleka njengengwe. Emhlane waso sasilamaphiko amane afana lawenyoni. Isilo lesi sasilamakhanda amane, saphiwa amandla okuba sibuse. “Ngemva kwalokho, embonweni wami ebusuku ngakhangela, kwathi phambi kwami kwema isilo sesine  —  sithuthumelisa, sisesabeka njalo silamandla amakhulu. Sasilamazinyo ensimbi amakhulu; safohloza esikubambileyo sakudla, okuseleyo sakugxobela phansi. Sasingafanani lazo zonke izilo zakuqala, sona silezimpondo ezilitshumi. “Ngisalokhu ngicabanga ngezimpondo lezo, thutshu phambi kwami olunye uphondo oluncinyane olwema phakathi kwazo; kwathi ezintathu zezimpondo zakuqala zagunyulwa phambi kwalo. Uphondo lolu lwalulamehlo anjengamehlo omuntu lomlomo owawukhuluma okokuzikhukhumeza.

“Ngisakhangele, “kwabekwa izihlalo zobukhosi, uSimakade wahlala kwesakhe. Izigqoko zakhe zazimhlophe njengeqhwa; izinwele zekhanda lakhe zimhlophe njengoboya bezimvu. Isihlalo sakhe sasilavuka umlilo, lamavili aso wonke evutha umlilo. Kwakugeleza umfula womlilo, uphethuka ngaphambi kwakhe. Izinkulungwane lezinkulungwane zazimkhonza; izinkulungwane ezilitshumi ziphindwe ngezinkulungwane ezilitshumi zema phambi kwakhe. Inkundla yokwahlulela yahlala phansi, kwasekuvulwa izincwadi.

“Ngasengiqhubeka ngilokhu ngibukele ngenxa yamazwi okuzikhukhumeza ayekhulunywa luphondo. Ngala ngilokhu ngikhangele isilo saze sabulawa, isidumbu saso saphoselwa emlilweni ovuthayo. (Leziyana ezinye izilo zase ziphuciwe ubukhulu bazo kodwa zavunyelwa ukuphila okwesikhathi esithile.)

“Embonweni wami ebusuku ngakhangela kwabonakala khonapho phambi kwami lowo owayefana lendodana yomuntu esiza ngamayezi ezulu. Yasondela kuSimakade yesiwa phambi kwakhe. Yaphiwa amandla lobukhosi lamandla okubusa; bonke abantu, lezizwe zonke labantu bendimi zonke bamkhonza. Ubukhosi bakhe yibukhosi obungapheliyo obungayikwedlula, lombuso wakhe kawusoze uchithwe.

‘Izilo ezine ezinkulu yimibuso emine ezaqhamuka emhlabeni. Kodwa abangcwele bakhe oPhezukonke bazawemukela umbuso ube ngowabo lanininini  —  yebo, okwanini lanini.’

“Ngase ngifisa ukwazi incazelo eqotho eyesilo sesine, esasingafanani lezinye njalo sisesabeka kakhulu, ngamazinyo aso ensimbi lezinzipho zethusi  —  isilo esafohloza sadla esikubambileyo sagxobagxoba okuseleyo. Ngafuna njalo ukwazi ngezimpondo ezilitshumi ekhanda laso langalolo olunye uphondo olwamilayo, okwathi ezinye ezintathu zawa phambi kwalo  —  lolophondo olwabonakala kakhulu kulezinye, olwalulamehlo kanye lomlomo owawukhuluma ngokukloloda. Ngilokhu ngibukele, uphondo lolu lwalusilwa luhlasela abangcwele lubehlula, kwaze kwafika uSimakade wabalamulela abangcwele bakhe oPhezukonke, kwafika isikhathi bawuthatha umbuso.

“Wangipha incazelo le: ‘Isilo sesine singumbuso wesine ozavela emhlabeni. Uzaba lomahluko kweminye yonke imibuso njalo uzawuthumba wonke umhlaba, uwugxobagxobe, uwufohloze. Izimpondo ezilitshumi ngamakhosi alitshumi azavela kuwo lo umbuso. Ngemva kwawo kuzavela enye inkosi engafani lalayana awokuqala; izanqoba amakhosi amathathu. Izakhuluma okubi ngoPhezukonke icindezele abangcwele bakhe izame ukuguqula izikhathi ezimisiweyo kanye lemithetho. Abangcwele bazanikelwa kuyo okwesikhathi esithile, izikhathi ezilengxenye yesikhathi. “Kodwa umthethwandaba uzahlala phansi, amandla ayo asuswe abhidlizwe okwanini lanini. Lapho-ke ubukhosi, lamandla lobukhulu bemibuso leyo ngaphansi kwezulu lonke kuzaphiwa abangcwele, abantu bakhe oPhezukonke. Umbuso wakhe uzakuba ngumbuso ongapheliyo, njalo bonke ababusi bazamkhonza bamlalele.

Kolunye uphondo lwayo kwathutsha olunye uphondo olwaqalisa luluncinyane kodwa lwakhula ngamandla kusiya eningizimu, lasempumalanga laseLizweni Elihle. Lwakhula lwaze lwafinyelela izinkanyezi zezulu, lwaphosela phansi emhlabeni ezinye izinkanyezi lwazigxobagxoba. Lwaziphakamisa lwazenza lukhulu njengeNkosana yezinkanyezi; lwamisa umhlatshelo wakhe wansuku zonke lendawo yakhe yokukhonzela yangcoliswa. Ngenxa yomvukela, ixuku labangcwele, kanye lomhlatshelo wansuku zonke kwanikelwa kulo. Lwaphumelela kukho konke olwalukwenza, iqiniso alabe lisatsho ulutho. Ngase ngisizwa ongcwele ekhuluma, omunye ongcwele wathi kuye, “Kuzathatha isikhathi esinganani ukuze umbono lo ugcwaliseke  —  umbono omayelana lomhlatshelo wansuku zonke, lomvukela oletha incithakalo, lokukhalala indawo yokukhonzela, lezinkanyezi ezizagxotshwagxotshwa?” Wathi kimi, “Kuzathatha izikhathi zokuhlwa lezokusa eziyizi 2,300; lapho-ke indawo yokukhonzela izangcweliswa kutsha.”

Kwathi mina Danyeli ngilokhu ngiwubukele umbono lo, ngizama ukuwuzwisisa, kwema khonapho phambi kwami othile owayefana lomuntu. 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.” Wathi esakhuluma lami, ngalala ubuthongo obunzima ngithe mbo phansi ngobuso. Wasengithinta wangiphakamisa wangimisa ngezinyawo zami. Wathi, “Ngizakutshela okuzakwenzakala ngemuva, ngesikhathi esimisiweyo esokucina.

“Lapho umbuso wabo ususiya ekucineni, abahlamuki nxa sebexhwale beqisa, inkosi elolunya, eliqili kakhulu, izavela. Izaqina kakhulu kodwa kungasikho ngenxa yamandla ayo. Izakwenza umonakalo wokubhidliza okukhulu, iphumelele kukho konke ekwenzayo. Izawabhubhisa amaqhawe kanye labantu abangcwele. Izakwandisa inkohlakalo, izibone yona isedlula bonke abanye. Bazakuthi besithi sebezinzile, izabhubhisa abanengi ibe isihlasela iNkosi yamakhosi. Ikanti yona izabhujiswa kodwa hatshi ngezandla zomuntu. “Umbono owuphiweyo owezikhathi zokuhlwa lezokusa uliqiniso, kodwa ugcike umbono lo, ngoba uphathelane lesikhathi esizayo esikhatshana.”

“Amatshumi ayisikhombisa ‘ezikhombisa’ (amaviki) asequnyelwe abantu bakini ledolobho lenu elingcwele ukuqedisa ukona, ukukhawula isono, ukuhlawulela ububi, ukuletha ukulunga okungapheliyo, ukuphetha umbono lesiphrofetho lokugcoba indawo engcwelengcwele. “Yazi njalo uzwisise lokhu: Kusukela ekukhutshweni kwesimemezelo sokuthi kuvuselelwe njalo kwakhiwe kutsha iJerusalema kuze kufike umbusi ongo-Gcotshiweyo kuzakuba ‘lezikhombisa’ (amaviki) eziyisikhombisa ‘lezikhombisa’ ezingamatshumi ayisithupha lambili. Lizakwa-khiwa libe lemigwaqo lomgelo, kodwa kuyi-zikhathi zohlupho. Ngemva ‘kwezikhombisa’ lezo ezingamatshumi ayisithupha lambili oGcotshiweyo uzaqunywa afe engelalutho. Abantu bombusi ozakuza bazalibhidliza idolobho lendlu yenkonzo. Ukuphela kuzafika njengesikhukhula: Impi izaqhubeka kuze kube sekupheleni, sekumenyezelwe izincithakalo. Uzaqinisa isivumelwano labanengi ‘okwesikhombisa’ esisodwa. Phakathi ‘kwesikhombisa’ uzacinisa imihlatshelo leminikelo. Kuzakuthi eceleni lethempeli uzabeka isinengiso esibanga incithakalo, kuze kuthi ukucina okumisiweyo kuchithelwe kuye.”

Manje ngilande ukuzakuchasisela lokho okuzakwenzakala ebantwini bakini esikhathini esizayo, ngokuba umbono umayelana lesikhathi esizafika.”

Amakhosi la amabili alezinhliziyo ezigaya izibozi azahlala tafula linye aqambelane amanga, kodwa kungancedi lutho ngokuba isiphetho sizajinge sifike ngesikhathi esimisiweyo. Inkosi yaseNyakatho izabuyela elizweni layo ikhithika ngenotho, kodwa inhliziyo yayo izabe ilokozela isivumelwano esingcwele. Kukhona ezakwenza ngaso anduba ibuyele elizweni layo.

“Ngesikhathi esimisiweyo izahlasela eNingizimu njalo, kodwa ngalesi isikhathi imiphumela yakhona kayizukufana leyakuqala. Imikhumbi evela emakhunjini olwandle lwasentshonalanga izamelana layo ihle iphele amandla. Izabuyela emuva iyobhodlisela ulaka lwayo phezu kwesivumelwano esingcwele. Izaphinda ibuye izithandanise lalabo abadela isivumelwano esingcwele. “Amabutho ayo ahlomileyo azasuka angcolise inqaba yethempeli, acinise umhlatshelo wansuku zonke. Yikho-ke abesemisa lawomanyala azaletha incithakalo. Ngobuqili bayo izabaxhwalisa labo asebesephulile isivumelwano, kodwa labobantu abamaziyo uNkulunkulu wabo bazajamelana layo yehluleke. “Labo abahlakaniphileyo bazafundisa abanengi, lokuba nje okwesikhathi esithile bezakuwa ngenkemba, kumbe batshiswe, kumbe bathunjwe loba baphangwe. Ekumeni kwabo bazazuza uncedo oluncinyane, kuthi abanengi abangazimiselanga bazihlanganise lezitha.

Abanye babahlakaniphileyo bazakhubeka, ukuze bacoliswe, bahlanjululwe njalo benziwe bangabi latshatha kuze kufike isikhathi sokucina, ngoba sijinge sizafika ngesikhathi leso esimisiweyo.

“Inkosi izakwenza njengokuthanda kwayo. Izaziphakamisa njalo izikhukhumeze ngaphezu kwabonkulunkulu bonke ikhihlize izibozi ngoNkulunkulu wabonkulunkulu. Izaphumelela kuze kugcwaliseke isikhathi sentukuthelo, ngokuba lokho okumisiweyo kusamele kwenzeke. Kayizukubananza onkulunkulu baboyise, kumbe lowo olangathwa ngabesifazana, njalo kayiyikunanza lawuphi unkulunkulu, kodwa izaziphakamisa ngaphezulu kwabo bonke. Esikhundleni sabo izakhonza unkulunkulu wezinqaba, unkulunkulu owayengaziwa ngoyise izamkhonza ngegolide langesiliva langamatshe aligugu lezipho ezidulayo. Izahlasela izinqaba eziqine okudlulayo incediswa ngunkulunkulu wezizweni njalo ibahloniphe kakhulu labo abayivumayo. Izababeka ukuba ngababusi babantu abanengi njalo umhlaba izawaba ngokuphiwa intengo.

“Ngesikhathi sokucina inkosi yaseNingizimu izadumelana layo empini, lenkosi yaseNyakatho izathelekana layo ngezinqola zempi lebutho lamabhiza langemikhumbi eminengi. Izahlasela amazwe amanengi ikhukhule langemikhumbi eminengi. Izahlasela amazwe amanengi ikhukhule phakathi kwawo njengozamcolo. Izahlasela njalo iLizwe Elihle. Azakuwa amazwe amanengi, kodwa i-Edomi leMowabi labakhokheli bako-Amoni bazaphepha esandleni sayo. Izaqhelisa amandla ayo phezu kwamazwe amanengi; iGibhithe kayiyikuphunyuka. Izahluthuna inotho legolide lesiliva layo yonke inotho yaseGibhithe, amaLibhiya lamaNubhi ayikhonze. Kodwa imibiko evela empumalanga lasenyakatho izayethusa ibisiphuma ngolaka olukhulu ukuyabulala lokutshabalalisa abanengi. Izamisa amathente ayo obukhosi phakathi kolwandle lentaba engcwele enhle. Kodwa kuzafika okwayo ukuphela, engasekho ongayisiza.

“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. Izixuku lezixuku zabaleleyo othulini lomhlaba bazavuka; abanye baye ekuphileni okungapheliyo, abanye baye ehlazweni lokunengeka okungapheliyo. Labo abahlakaniphileyo bazakhazimula njengokubenyezela kwamazulu, lalabo abaholela abanengi ekulungeni, bazakhazimula njengezinkanyezi okwanini lanini. Kodwa wena Danyeli, vala unameke amazwi omgoqwancwadi kuze kube yisikhathi sokucina. Abanengi bazakuya lapha lale ukwandisa ulwazi.”

Kwathi mina, Danyeli, ngakhangela, ngabona khonapho phambi kwami kumi abanye ababili, omunye ngakuleli ikhumbi lomfula lomunye ngakuleliyana ikhumbi. Omunye wabo wathi emuntwini owayegqoke ilineni owayengaphezulu kwamanzi omfula, “Kuzakuba yisikhathi esinganani zingakenzakali izinto lezi eziyisimanga na?” Indoda eyayigqoke ilineni, eyayiphezulu kwamanzi omfula yaphakamisela isandla sayo sokunene lesandla sayo sokhohlo ezulwini, ngayizwa ifunga ngaye ohleziyo laphakade, isithi, “Kuzakuba ngokwesikhathi, izikhathi lengxenye yesikhathi. Lapho amandla abantu abangcwele eseze afohlozwa, zonke lezi izinto zizapheleliswa.”

Ngezwa, kodwa kangizwisisanga. Yikho ngabuza ngathi, “Nkosi yami, pho sizaba yini isiphetho sakho konke lokhu na?” Waphendula wathi, “Zihambele, Danyeli, ngokuba amazwi asevaliwe ananyekwa kuze kube sekucineni kwesikhathi. Abanengi bazahlanjululwa, bangabi latshatha njalo bacolisiswe, kodwa abagangileyo bazaqhubeka begangile. Kakho kwababi ozazwisisa, kodwa labo abahlakaniphileyo bazazwisisa.

“Kusukela ngesikhathi kusaliswa umhlatshelo wansuku zonke sekumiswe amanyala abanga incithakalo kuzakuba lezinsuku eziyi 1,290. Ubusisiwe lowo okulindelayo njalo akufice ukucina kwezinsuku eziyi 1,335. “Kodwa wena, zihambele nje kuze kube sekucineni. Uzaphumula, bese kusithi ekucineni kwezinsuku uzavuka ukuba wamukele elakho ilifa olabelweyo.”

“Ngalolosuku,” kutsho uJehova, “lizangibiza ngokuthi ‘ndoda yami;’ kalisayikungibiza ngokuthi ‘nkosi yami.’

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?

“Emva kwalokho, ngizathela uMoya wami ebantwini bonke. Amadodana enu lamadodakazi enu azaphrofetha, abadala benu bazaphupha amaphupho, izinsizwa zakini zizabona imibono. Lakuzinceku zami, ezesilisa lezesifazana, ngizathela uMoya wami ngalezonsuku.

Ngizabonakalisa izimangaliso emazulwini lasemhlabeni, igazi lomlilo lezikhatha zentuthu. Ilanga lizaphendulwa libe ngumnyama lenyanga ibe ligazi phambi kokuba kufike usuku olukhulu lukaJehova olwesabekayo. Njalo loba ngubani okhuleka ebizweni likaJehova uzasindiswa; ngoba eNtabeni iZiyoni leJerusalema kuzakuba lokukhululwa njengoba uJehova etshilo, phakathi kwabasindileyo labo ababizwa nguJehova.

Hehethani ngesikela ngoba okuvunwayo sekuvuthiwe. Wozani, gxobani amavini, ngoba isikhamelo sewayini sesigcwele lezimbizakazi seziphuphuma  —  bukhulu kangaka ububi bazo!” Amaxuku, amaxuku esigodini sesinqumo! Ngoba usuku lukaJehova luseduze esigodini sezinqumo. Ilanga lenyanga kuzakuba mnyama, lezinkanyezi zingabe zisakhanya. UJehova uzavungama eseZiyoni aphinde akhwaze eseJerusalema; umhlaba lomkhathi kuzagedezela. Kodwa uJehova uzakuba yisiphephelo sabantu bakhe, inqaba yabantu bako-Israyeli.

“Ngakho lizakwazi ukuthi mina, uJehova uNkulunkulu wenu, ngihlala eZiyoni, intaba yami engcwele. IJerusalema izakuba ngcwele; kayiyikuphinda ihlaselwe ngabezizweni futhi. “Ngalolosuku izintaba zizagobhoza iwayini elitsha, lamaqaqa ageleze uchago; zonke izindonga zakoJuda zizageleza amanzi. Umthombo uzantuntuza endlini kaJehova uthambise isigodi saseShithimi. Kodwa iGibhithe izachithakala, i-Edomi ibe yinkangala elugwadule, ngenxa yodlakela olwenziwa ebantwini bakoJuda lapho bachitha khona igazi elingelacala elizweni labo. KoJuda kuzahlalwa khona kuze kube nininini laseJerusalema kuzahlala izizukulwane zonke. Umlandu wabo wegazi, engingakaxoli ngawo, ngizabaxolela ngawo.” UJehova uhlala eZiyoni!

Ngezinsuku zokucina intaba yethempeli likaJehova izamiswa njengenhloko phakathi kwezintaba; izaphakanyiselwa phezu kwezintaba njalo izizwe zizathululeka kuyo. Izizwe ezinengi zizafika zithi, “Wozani sikhwele entabeni kaJehova, siye endlini kaNkulunkulu kaJakhobe. Uzasifundisa izindlela zakhe, ukuze sihambe emikhondweni yakhe.” Umthetho uzavela eZiyoni, ilizwi likaJehova livele eJerusalema. Uzakwahlulela phakathi kwezizwe ezinengi alamule lezingxabano zezizwe ezilamandla ezindaweni ezikhatshana. Bazakhanda izinkemba zabo zibe yimilomo yamakhuba, lemikhonto yabo ibe zingqamu zokuthena izihlahla. Isizwe kasiyikuhlomela esinye isizwe ngenkemba, loba zifundele ukulwa impi futhi. Umuntu wonke uzahlala ngaphansi kwesihlahla sakhe sevini langaphansi kwesihlahla sakhe somkhiwa, njalo kakho ozabenza besabe, ngoba uJehova uSomandla usekhulumile.

“Usuku olukhulu lukaJehova seluseduze  —  seluseduze njalo luza ngokuphangisa. Lalelani! Ukukhala ngosuku lukaJehova kuzakuba buhlungu, lokuklabalala kwebutho khonapho. Lolosuku luzakuba lusuku lolaka, usuku losizi lokudabuka; usuku lokuhlupheka lokuchitheka, usuku lomnyama lokudana, usuku lwamayezi lobumnyama, usuku lwecilongo lokuhlaba umkhosi wokulwa impi lamadolobho avikelweyo kanye lezinqaba zasemajikweni. Ngizaletha usizi ebantwini njalo bazahamba njengeziphofu, ngoba bonile kuJehova. Igazi labo lizachithwa njengothuli lezibilini zabo njengamanyala. Isiliva sabo loba igolide labo kakuyikwanelisa ukubasindisa ngosuku lolaka lukaJehova. Umhlaba wonke uzatshiswa emlilweni womona wakhe ngoba uzakwenza isiphetho ngokuphangisa kubo bonke abahlala emhlabeni.”

Ngakho ngilindela,” kutsho uJehova, “lolusuku engizasukuma ngalo ngifakaze. Sengimise ukubuthanisa izizwe, ngiqoqe imibuso, ngehlisele ulaka lwami phezu kwabo  —  konke ukuthukuthela kwami okukhulu. Umhlaba wonke uzaqothulwa ngomlilo womona wentukuthelo yami.

“Lapho-ke ngizahlambulula izindebe zezizwe, ukuze zonke zikhuleke ebizweni likaJehova zimkhonze zimanyane.

“Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova uSomandla: ‘Ngesikhatshana nje ngizaphinda nginyikinye amazulu lomhlaba, ulwandle lelizwe elomileyo. Ngizanyikinya izizwe zonke, abathandwayo kuzo zonke izizwe bazakuza, njalo indlu le ngizayigcwalisa ngenkazimulo,’ kutsho uJehova uSomandla, ‘Isiliva ngesami legolide ngelami,’ kutsho uJehova uSomandla. ‘Inkazimulo yale indlu yakhathesi izakuba nkulu kuleyendlu yakuqala,’ kutsho uJehova uSomandla. ‘Njalo indawo le ngizayipha ukuthula,’ kutsho uJehova uSomandla.”

Usuku lukaJehova luyeza mhla impango yenu izakwabiwa phakathi kwenu. Ngizaqoqa zonke izizwe eJerusalema zilwe layo, idolobho lizathunjwa, izindlu ziguduzwe, abesifazana badlwengulwe. Ingxenye yedolobho izathunjwa isiwe ebugqilini, kodwa abaseleyo edolobheni kabayikubuthwa bathathwe. Kuzakuthi kunjalo uJehova uzaphuma alwe lalezozizwe, njengokulwa kwakhe nxa kulilanga lempi.

Ngalelolanga izinyawo zakhe zizakuma phezu kweNtaba yama-Oliva, empumalanga kusiya entshonalanga, kudaleke isigodi esikhulu, ingxenye yentaba isudukele enyakatho, kuthi enye ingxenye isudukele eningizimu. Lizabaleka ngesigodi sami sentaba ngoba sihamba size siyofika e-Azeli. Lizabaleka njengalokho elakwenza libalekela ukuzamazama komhlaba ngezinsuku zika-Uziya inkosi yakoJuda. Laphoke uJehova uNkulunkulu wami uzakuza elabo bonke abangcwele bakhe. Mhlalokho akuyikuba lokukhanya, kumbe ukuqanda loba ungqwaqwane. Kuzakuba lusuku olungajayelekanga, olungelamini njalo olungelabusuku  —  usuku olwaziwa nguJehova. Ukuhlwa kungafika kuzavela ukukhanya. Ngalolosuku amanzi aphilisayo azageleza esuka eJerusalema, ingxenye iyothela olwandle lwempumalanga kuthi eyinye ithele entshonalanga, ehlobo kanye lebusika.

UJehova uzakuba yinkosi kuwo wonke umhlaba. Ngalolosuku kuzakuba loJehova oyedwa, lebizo lakhe libe yilo lodwa ibizo.

Ilizwe lonke kusukela eGebha kusiya eRimoni eningizimu kweJerusalema lizakuba njenge-Arabha. Kodwa iJerusalema izaphakanyiswa ihlale isendaweni yayo, kusukela eNtubeni kaBhenjamini kusiya eNtubeni Yokuqala, eNtubeni yaseJikweni, njalo kusukela eMphotshongweni kaHanaleli kusiya esikhamelweni sewayini likaJehova. Kuzakuba yindawo ehlala abantu, kayisayikuphinde njalo ibhidlizwe lanini. IJerusalema izahlala ivikelekile. Lesi yiso isifo uJehova azatshaya ngaso zonke izizwe ezalwa leJerusalema. Inyama yabo izabola bona belokhu besazihambela ngezinyawo zabo, amehlo abo azabolela ezingoxweni zawo, lezindimi zabo zizabolela emilonyeni yabo. Ngalelolanga abantu bazakwehliselwa nguJehova ukwethuka okwesabekayo. Ngulowo uzaxhakalaza isandla somunye, bahlaselane. UJuda laye uzakulwa eJerusalema. Inotho yazo zonke izizwe eziseduze izabuthwa  —  inqwaba yegolide lesiliva kanye lezigqoko. Isifo esifana lalesi sizakwehlela amabhiza, izimbongolo, amakamela labobabhemi lazo zonke izinyamazana ezizabe zikulezozihonqo.

Kuzakuthi bonke abayinsalela kulezozizwe ezahlasela iJerusalema bazakhuphuka umnyaka ngomnyaka ukuyakhonza uJehova, uJehova uSomandla lokugubha uMkhosi weZihonqo. Nxa bezakuba khona abesinye isizwe emhlabeni abangayikuya eJerusalema ukuyakhonza uJehova, uJehova uSomandla, labo kabayikunelwa lizulu. Aluba abantu baseGibhithe bengayi ukuyakhonza, kabayikuzuza izulu. UJehova uzabehlisela isifo asehlisela lezozizwe ezingayiyo ukuyagubha uMkhosi weZihonqo. Lesi sizakuba yisijeziso seGibhithe lesijeziso sazo zonke izizwe ezingayiyo ukugubha uMkhosi weZihonqo.

Ngalolosuku kuzalotshwa ukuthi KUNGCWELE KUJEHOVA ezinsimbini ezikhencezayo zamabhiza, lezimbiza zokupheka endlini kaJehova zizakuba njengemiganu engcwele ephambi kwe-alithare. Yiphi layiphi imbiza eJerusalema lakoJuda izaba ngcwele kuJehova uSomandla, njalo bonke abafikayo ukuza kwenza umhlatshelo bazathatha ezinye zezimbiza bapheke ngazo. Njalo ngalolosuku kakusayikuba lomKhenani endlini kaJehova uSomandla.

Kodwa ngubani na ongalumela usuku lokuza kwaso? Ngubani ongema nxa eqhamuka na? Ngokuba sizakuba njengomlilo womcengi wensimbi kumbe njengesepa yomgezisi. Sizahlala njengomcengi lomhlambululi wesiliva; sizahlambulula abaLevi sibacenge njengesiliva legolide. Kulapho-ke uJehova azakuba lawo amadoda azaletha iminikelo ngokulunga,

Insimu yilizwe, njalo inhlanyelo enhle imele amadodana ombuso. Ukhula lungamadodana omubi, 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. Lapho-ke abalungileyo bazakhazimula njengelanga embusweni kaYise wabo. Lowo olezindlebe, kezwe.

“Futhi, umbuso wezulu ufana lombule owehliselwa phansi echibini wahuquluza zonke izinhlobo zezinhlanzi. Wathi usugcwele, abagoli bezinhlanzi bawudonsela okhunjini. Basebehlala phansi baqoqela ezitsheni zonke izinhlanzi ezilungileyo kodwa ezimbi bazilahla. Lokhu yikho okuzakwenzakala ekupheleni komhlaba. Izingilosi zizakuza zehlukanise ababi kwabalungileyo zibaphosele esihogweni somlilo ongungumayo, lapho okuzaba lokukhala lokugedla amazinyo.

Waphendula wathi, “Nxa kufika ukuhlwa lithi, ‘Umkhathi uzaba muhle ngoba isibhakabhaka sibomvu,’ ekuseni lithi, ‘Lamuhla kuzaqubuka isiphepho ngokuba isibhakabhaka sibomvu, sigubuzele.’ Liyakwazi ukuchaza izibonakaliso zezikhathi.

Phela iNdodana yoMuntu izakuza ngobukhosi bukaYise kanye lezingilosi zakhe, ibisivuza umuntu ngamunye mayelana lalokho akwenzileyo. Ngilitshela iqiniso, abanye abemiyo khonapha kabayikukuzwa ukufa bengakayiboni iNdodana yoMuntu isiza embusweni wayo.”

UJesu wathi kubo, “Ngilitshela iqiniso ukuthi ngesikhathi sokwenziwa kabutsha izinto zonke, lapho iNdodana yoMuntu isihlezi esihlalweni sobukhosi, lina elingilandelayo lani lizahlala ezihlalweni zobukhosi ezilitshumi lambili, lahlulele izizwana ezilitshumi lambili zako-Israyeli.

Kwathi uJesu ehlezi eNtabeni yama-Oliva abafundi bakhe beza kuye ngasese bathi, “Sitshele, kuzakwenzakala nini lokhu na, njalo kuzakuba lesiboniso bani sokuza kwakho lokucina kwesikhathi na?” UJesu waphendula wathi, “Qaphelani ukuze lingakhohliswa muntu. Ngoba abanengi bazakuza ngebizo lami besithi, ‘Nginguye uKhristu,’ bakhohlise abanengi. Lizakuzwa ngezimpi lamahungahunga ezimpi, kodwa lingaze lethuka. Izinto ezinjalo zizakwenzeka, kodwa ukucina kulokhu kuseza. Isizwe sizahlasela isizwe, lombuso uhlasele umbuso. Kuzakuba lendlala lokuzamazama komhlaba ezindaweni ezitshiyeneyo. Konke lokhu kuyikuqalisa kobuhlungu bokuhelelwa.

“Lapho lizanikelwa ukuba lihlutshwe njalo libulawe, futhi lizazondwa yizizwe zonke ngenxa yami. Ngalesosikhathi abanengi bazadela ukukholwa banikelane njalo bazondane, kuvele abaphrofethi abanengi abazakhohlisa abantu abanengi. Ngenxa yokwanda kobubi, uthando lwabanengi luzaphola, kodwa lowo oma aqine kuze kube sekupheleni uzasindiswa. Njalo lelivangeli lombuso lizatshunyayelwa kuwo wonke umhlaba njengobufakazi kuzo zonke izizwe, besekufika ukucina.

“Nxa libona kumi endaweni engcwele ‘amanyala aletha incithakalo’, okwakhulunywa ngomphrofethi uDanyeli  —  ofundayo kezwisise  — lapho-ke akuthi labo abaseJudiya babalekele ezintabeni. Akungabi khona osephahleni lwendlu yakhe owehlela phansi ukuthatha loba yini endlini. Lowo osemasimini kangabuyeli ngekhaya ukuthatha ijazi lakhe. Kuzakuba buhlungu kanganani ngalezozinsuku kumakhosikazi akhulelweyo lalawo amunyisayo! Thandazani ukuba ukuphaphatheka kwenu kungabi sebusika loba ngeSabatha. Ngoba ngalesosikhathi kuzakuba lokuhlupheka okukhulu, okungazange kube khona kulokhu kwadabuka umhlaba kuze kube manje  —  njalo kakusoze kube khona futhi. Uma lezosinsuku bezingaphungulwanga, kakho obezaphepha, kodwa ngenxa yabakhethiweyo lezozinsuku zizaphungulwa.

Nxa ngalesosikhathi omunye esithi kini, ‘Khangela, nangu uKhristu!” loba ‘Ulaphaya!’ lingakukholwa lokho. Ngoba oKhristu bamanga labaphrofethi bamanga bazavela benze imimangaliso emikhulu ukukhohlisa kanye labakhethiweyo  —  aluba lokho kungenzeka. Zwanini, sengihle ngalitshela mandulo kwesikhathi. “Ngakho-ke nxa umuntu elitshela esithi, ‘Nanguyana, laphayana egangeni,’ lingayi khona; loba athi, ‘Nangu lapha ezindlini ezingaphakathi,’ lingaze lakukholwa lokho. Ngoba njengombane osuka empumalanga uhle ubonakale lasentshonalanga, kuzakuba njalo ukufika kweNdodana yoMuntu. Lapho okulesidumbu khona kulapho amanqe abuthana khona.

“Masinyane ngemuva kokuhlupheka kwalezozinsuku “ ‘ilanga lizafiphala lenyanga kayiyikukhanya; izinkanyezi zizakuwa esibhakabhakeni, konke okusemkhathini kuzaxukuxwa.’ “Kulesosikhathi isiboniso seNdodana yoMuntu sizavela emkhathini, kuthi zonke izizwe zomhlaba zilile. Zizabona iNdodana yoMuntu isiza ngamayezi esibhakabhakeni, ilamandla lobukhosi obukhulu. Njalo izathumela izingilosi zayo zitshaya icilongo ngomsindo omkhulu, beseziqoqa abakhethiweyo bayo kumagumbi womane omhlaba, kusukela ngapha kwasezulwini kusiya ngale.

“Manje-ke fundani lesisifundo emkhiwaneni. Amahlumela awo angaqalisa ukutebha lamahlamvu awo ahlume, selihle lisazi ukuthi ihlobo selisondele. Kanjalo-ke lapho selizibona zonke lezi izinto, lizakwazi ukuthi sekusondele, khonapho emnyango. Ngiqinisile, lesisizukulwane kasiyikudlula zingakenzakali zonke lezi izinto. Izulu lomhlaba kuzadlula, kodwa amazwi ami kasoze edlule lanini. “Kakho owaziyo ngalolosuku kumbe ngehora, hatshi, kanye lezingilosi zasezulwini, kanye leNdodana, kodwa nguBaba kuphela. Njengoba kwakunjalo ezinsukwini zikaNowa, kuzabanjalo ekufikeni kweNdodana yoMuntu. Ngoba ezinsukwini kungakabi khona uzamcolo, abantu babesidla benatha, bethatha njalo besendisa, kwaze kwaba lusuku uNowa angena ngalo emkhunjini; futhi babengazi lutho ngalokho okwakuzakwenzeka uzamcolo waze wafika wabatshabalalisa. Kuzakuba njalo ekufikeni kweNdodana yoMuntu.

Kuzakuthi amadoda emabili esensimini, oyedwa uzathathwa, omunye atshiywe. Kuzakuthi abesifazana bebabili bechola ngomtshina wezandla, oyedwa uzathathwa omunye atshiywe. “Ngakho lindani ngokuba kalikwazi ukuthi iNkosi yenu izafika ngaluphi usuku. Kodwa zwisisani lokhu: Uba umninindlu wayekwazile ukuthi isela lizafika ngasiphi isikhathi sobusuku ngabe walinda kaze avumela ukuthi indlu yakhe igqekezwe. Ngakho lani hlalani lilindile, ngokuba iNdodana yoMuntu izafika ngesikhathi leso elizabe lingayikhumbuleli sona.

“Ngubani kambe oyinceku ethembekileyo lehlakaniphileyo umninimuzi ayibeke esikhundleni sokukhangela izisebenzi zalapha ekhaya ukuthi azinike ukudla kwazo ngesikhathi esifaneleyo? Kuzakuba kuhle kuleyonceku inkosi yayo ezakuthi ibuya iyifumane isenza njalo. Ngiqinisile, izabekwa ibe ngumlawuli wayo yonke imfuyo yakhe. Kodwa ake kuthi inceku leyo ibe ngembi, izitshele ithi, ‘Umnumzana usesekhatshana ukubuya,’ ibisiqalisa ukuzitshaya ezinye izisebenzi, iyozitika inatha lezidakwa. Inkosi yaleyonceku izabuya ngosuku ingacatshangelwa langesikhathi inceku engasilindelanga. Izayiquma iziqayiqa, iyabele indawo kanye labazenzisi, lapho okuzakuba khona ukukhala lokugedla amazinyo.

“Kulesosikhathi umbuso wezulu uzakuba njengezintombi ezilitshumi ezathatha izibane zazo zaphuma ukuyahlangabeza umyeni. Ezinhlanu zazo zaziyiziwula, ezinhlanu zihlakaniphile. Eziyiziwula zathatha izibane zazo kodwa kazithathanga amafutha. Kodwa ezihlakaniphileyo zathwala amafutha emagabheni kanye lezibane zazo. Umyeni waphuza ukufika zonke zaze zawozela zathathwa yibuthongo. “Phakathi kobusuku kwamenyezelwa kwathiwa, ‘Nangu umyeni! Phumani limhlangabeze!’ “Zasezivuka zonke izintombi zalumathisa izibane zazo. Lezo ezaziyiziwula zathi kwezihlakaniphileyo, ‘Ake lisiphe lathi amanye amafutha enu; izibane zethu ziyacima.’ “Zaphendula ezihlakaniphileyo zathi, ‘Hatshi, kakulamafutha angasanela thina lani. Hambani liye kulabo abathengisa amafutha liyozithengela awenu.’ “Kodwa kwathi besayathenga amafutha umyeni wafika. Izintombi ezazizilungiselele zangena laye edilini lomthimba. Umnyango wase uvalwa. “Ngemuva kwesikhathi ezinye lazo zatsho sezifikile. Zathi, ‘Mnumzana! Mnumzana! Ake usivulele umnyango!’ “Kodwa waphendula wathi, ‘Ngiqinisile, kangilazi.’ “Ngakho lindani ngokuba kalilwazi usuku loba isikhathi.

“Nxa iNdodana yoMuntu isisiza ngenkazimulo yayo, ikanye lezingilosi zonke, izahlala esihlalweni sayo sobukhosi ilenkazimulo yasezulwini. Zonke izizwe zizabuthaniswa phambi kwayo, ibe isisahlukanisa abantu omunye komunye njengomalusi esahlukanisa izimvu ezimbuzini. Izabeka izimvu ngasekunene kwayo lezimbuzi ngasekhohlo.

Lapho-ke iNkosi izakuthi kulabo abangasekunene kwayo, ‘Wozani, lina elibusisiweyo nguBaba; thathani ilifa lenu, umbuso owalungiselwa lina kulokhu kwadalwa umhlaba. Ngokuba ngangilambile, langinika ulutho oludliwayo, ngangomile langipha okunathwayo, ngangiyisihambi langingenisa, ngangiswela izambatho langigqokisa, ngangigula langonga, ngangisentolongweni lazongibona.’ “Abalungileyo bazamphendula bathi, ‘Nkosi, sakubona nini ulambile sakupha ukudla na, kumbe womile sakunathisa? Sakubona nini uyisihambi sakungenisa na, kumbe uswela izambatho sakugqokisa? Sakubona nini ugula kumbe usentolongweni seza sazakubona na?’ “INkosi izaphendula ithi, ‘Ngilitshela iqiniso ukuthi loba yini elayenzela loba ngomncinyane kanganani walaba abazalwane bami, lakwenzela mina.’

“INkosi izakuthi kulabo abasekhohlo kwayo, ‘Xekani kimi lina elithukiweyo liye emlilweni wanininini owalungiselwa uSathane lezingilosi zakhe. Ngokuba ngangilambile, kalingiphanga lutho lokudla, ngangomile kalingiphanga lutho lokunatha, ngangiyisihambi kalingingenisanga, ngangiswela izambatho kalingigqokisanga, ngangigula njalo ngisentolongweni kalizange lingidinge.’ “Labo bazaphendula bathi, ‘Nkosi, sakubona nini ulambile kumbe womile kumbe uyisihambi kumbe ungelazigqoko kumbe ugula noma usentolongweni asaze sakunceda na?’ “Izaphendula ithi, ‘Ngiqinisile ngithi, loba kuyini elingakwenzelanga oyedwa nje omncinyane kulabo bonke walaba, kalikwenzelanga mina.’ “Bazasuka baye ekujezisweni kwaphakade, kodwa abalungileyo baye ekuphileni okungapheliyo.”

“Yebo,” kuphendula uJesu. “Kunjengoba usitsho. Kodwa ngithi kini lonke: Ngesikhathi esizayo lizayibona iNdodana yoMuntu ihlezi kwesokunene sikaMninimandla isehla ngamayezi ezulwini.”

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

Wasesithi kubo, “Ngilitshela iqiniso ukuthi abanye abemiyo khona lapha kabayikukuzwa ukufa bengakawuboni umbuso kaNkulunkulu ufika ulamandla.”

“Sitshele, zizakwenzakala nini izinto lezi? Njalo kuzakuba lesibonelo bani ukuthi sezizagcwaliseka?” UJesu wathi kubo: “Qaphelani ukuze lingakhohliswa muntu. Banengi abazakuza ngebizo lami, besithi, ‘Nginguye,’ bakhohlise abanengi. Nxa lisizwa ngezimpi lamahungahunga ngezimpi, lingaze lethuka. Lezozinto kumele zenzakale, kodwa ukucina kulokhu kuseza. Isizwe sizavukela isizwe, lombuso uvukele umbuso. Kuzakuba lokuzamazama komhlaba ezindaweni ezinengi, lezindlala. Lezi ziyikuqala kokuhelelwa.

“Libohlala liqaphele. Lizanikelwa kubaphathi bezindawo litshaywe emasinagogweni. Ngenxa yami lizamiswa phambi kwababusi lamakhosi libe yibufakazi kubo. Njalo ivangeli kufanele liqale litshunyayelwe ezizweni zonke. Loba lingaze libotshwe lilethwe emthethwandabeni lingaze lazihlupha mandulo ukuthi lizakhuluma lithini. Khulumani ingqe yilokho elizakuphiwa ngalesosikhathi, ngoba kakusini elikhulumayo, kodwa nguMoya oNgcwele. “Umfowabo uzanikela umfowabo ekufeni, loyise anikele umntanakhe. Abantwana bazahlamukela abazali babo bababulalise. Bonke abantu bazalizonda ngenxa yami, kodwa lowo omayo aqine kuze kube sekupheleni uzasindiswa.

“Kodwa nxa libona ‘amanyala abanga incithakalo’ kumi lapho okungesikwakhona  —  umfundi kezwisise  —  lapho-ke akuthi labo abaseJudiya babalekele ezintabeni. Lowo osephahleni lwendlu yakhe kangehli loba angene endlini ukuthatha ulutho. Osensimini kangabuyeli emuva ukuyathatha isigqoko sakhe. Kuzakuba lukhuni kangakanani ngalezozinsuku kwabesifazana abakhulelweyo labangabadlezane! Khulekani ukuthi lokhu kungenzakali ebusika, ngoba lezo zizakuba yizinsuku zokuhlukuluzeka okungakaze kube khona kwasekuqaleni, lapho uNkulunkulu adala umhlaba, kuze kube manje  —  njalo kakuzukubuye kube khona. Aluba iNkosi yayingaziphungulanga lezozinsuku, kwakungeyukuphepha muntu. Kodwa ngenxa yalabo abakhethiweyo, labo ebakhethileyo, iziphungulile.

Ngalesosikhathi nxa umuntu esithi kini, ‘Khangelani, nangu uKhristu!’ loba ‘Khangelani, nanguya,’ lingamkholwa. Ngokuba oKhristu bamanga labaphrofethi bamanga bazavela benze izibonakaliso lemimangaliso ukukhohlisa abakhethiweyo  —  aluba lokho kungenzeka. Ngakho lilimuke; sengilitshelile konke ngaphambili.

“Kodwa ngalezozinsuku, kulandela lokho kuhlukuluzeka, “ ‘ilanga lizafiphala, lenyanga kayikukhanya; izinkanyezi zizakuwa emkhathini, lezibunjwa zasemazulwini zizazanyazanyiswa.’ “Kuleso isikhathi abantu bazayibona iNdodana yoMuntu isiza emayezini ilamandla amakhulu lenkazimulo. Izathuma izingilosi zayo ziqoqe abakhethiweyo bayo kuyo yonke imimoya yomine, kusukela emikhawulweni yomhlaba kusiya emikhawulweni yamazulu.

“Ake lifunde lesi isifundo esihlahleni somkhiwa: Angavele amagatsha aso abe buthakathaka lamahlamvu ahlume, selihle lisazi ukuthi ihlobo selisondele. Kanjalo-ke nxa lingabona izinto lezi sezisenzakala, lazi ukuthi sekusondele, khonapho emnyango. Ngilitshela iqiniso ukuthi isizukulwane sona lesi kasiyikudlula zize zenzakale zonke izinto lezi. Izulu lomhlaba kuzakwedlula, kodwa amazwi ami kawayikwedlula lanini. “Kakho owaziyo ngelanga lelo loba ukuthi yiliphi ihora, loba lezingilosi zasezulwini kumbe leNdodana, kodwa uBaba kuphela. Lindani! Qaphelani! Kalikwazi ukuthi sizafika nini lesosikhathi. Kunjengomuntu ezathatha uhambo: utshiya indlu yakhe ayinikele izisebenzi zakhe ukuba ziyilinde, yileso sabelwe owaso umsebenzi, atshele lowo olinda emnyango ukuthi aqaphele. “Ngakho lindani ngokuba kalikwazi ukuthi umninindlu uzabuya nini  —  mhlawumbe kusihlwa, kumbe phakathi kwamabili, loba inkukhu sezikhala loba emathathakusa. Nxa efika masinyane, makangalifici lilele. Engikutshoyo kini ngikutsho emuntwini wonke: ‘Lindani!’ ”

UJesu wathi, “Nginguye. Njalo lizayibona iNdodana yoMuntu ihlezi kwesokunene salowo Olamandla isehla ngamayezi ezulu.”

Nxa umuntu eyangeka ngami langamazwi ami, iNdodana yoMuntu izayangeka ngaye nxa isifikile ngenkazimulo yayo langenkazimulo kaYise lezingilosi ezingcwele. Ngilitshela iqiniso ngithi abanye abemi khonapha kabayikukuzwa ukufa bengakawuboni umbuso kaNkulunkulu.”

“Gqokani lilindele inkonzo, izibane zenu zihlale zibhebha, njengamadoda elindele inkosi yawo ukuba ibuye edilini lomthimba, ukuze kuthi nxa ifika iqoqoda aphange ayivulele umnyango. Kuzakuba kuhle kulezozinceku inkosi yazo ezifica zilindile nxa ifika. Ngilitshela iqiniso ukuthi yona izagqokela ukubadekela, bona bahlale beyame etafuleni, yona ibadekele. Kuzakuba kuhle kulezo zinceku inkosi yazo ezazifica zilindile loba ingabe ifika ngomlindo wesibili loba owesithathu ebusuku. Kodwa zwisisani lokhu: Aluba umninindlu ubesazi ukuthi isela lizafika ngasiphi isikhathi ubengasoze ayekele indlu yakhe igqekezwe. Lani hlalani lilindile ngokuba iNdodana yoMuntu izafika ngesikhathi elingayilindelanga ngaso.”

Kuzakuba kuhle kuleyo nceku inkosi eyifica isenza njalo ekubuyeni kwayo. Ngilitshela iqiniso ukuthi, izambeka ukuthi aphathe yonke impahla yayo. Kodwa uma inceku leyo ingathi ngenhliziyo, ‘Inkosi yami isiphuzile ukubuya,’ ibisiqalisa ukutshaya izisebenzi zesilisa lezesifazana ibisisidla, ibisinatha idakwe. Inkosi yaleyonceku izabuya ngosuku ingayilindelanga langesikhathi engasaziyo. Izayiquma iziqa, iyabele indawo labangakholwayo. “Leyonceku ethi ikwazi okufunwa yinkosi yayo kodwa ingalindi kumbe ingalungisi lokho inkosi yayo ekufunayo izatshaywa okuzwayo.

Wathi exukwini labantu: “Lithi lingabona iyezi liqhamuka entshonalanga liphanga lithi, ‘Izulu lizakuna,’ lakanye line. Kuthi kungavunguza umoya weningizimu lithi, ‘Kuzatshisa,’ lakanye kube njalo. Bazenzisi! Liyakwazi ukuchaza izibonakaliso zomhlaba lezomkhathi. Kungani pho lingakwazi ukuchaza isikhathi lesi esikuso na?

Wasesithi kubafundi bakhe, “Siyeza isikhathi lapho lizaloyisa ukubona olunye lwezinsuku zeNdodana yoMuntu, kodwa kalisoze lilubone. Abantu bazalitshela bathi, ‘Nanguyana laphaya!’ kumbe, ‘Nangu lapha!’ Lingathatheki ngabo. Ngokuba ngosuku lwayo iNdodana yoMuntu izakuba njengombane, olavuza ukhanyise umkhathi kusukela ngapha kuhle kuyofika ngale.

Kodwa kumele iqale ihlupheke ezintweni ezinengi njalo ilahlwe yilesisizukulwane. “Njengoba kwakunjalo ezinsukwini zikaNowa, kuzakuba njalo ezinsukwini zeNdodana yoMuntu. Abantu babesidla, benatha, bethathana njalo besendiselana kwaze kwafika usuku uNowa angena ngalo emkhunjini. Kwasekufika uzamcolo wababhubhisa bonke. “Kwakunjalo futhi ngezinsuku zikaLothi. Abantu babesidla, benatha, njalo bethenga, bethengisa, behlanyela njalo besakha. Kodwa ngosuku uLothi aphuma ngalo eSodoma, umlilo lesalufa kwathululeka kuvela ezulwini kwababhubhisa bonke. “Kuzakuba njalo kanye ngalolosuku lapho iNdodana yoMuntu izabonakaliswa.

Ngalolosuku kakho ozakuthi ephezulu esephahleni lwendlu yakhe, izimpahla zakhe ziphakathi, ehle ukuyazithatha. Kanjalo kakho osensimini ozakuyathatha loba yini. Khumbulani umkaLothi! Lowo ozama ukulondoloza impilo yakhe izamlahlekela, lalowo olahlekelwa yimpilo yakhe uzayilondoloza.

Ngiyalitshela, kuzakuthi ngalobobusuku abantu bebabili embhedeni omunye uzathathwa kodwa omunye atshiywe. Abesifazana ababili bazabe bechola elitsheni ndawonye; omunye uzathathwa omunye atshiywe. Ababili bazabe besensimini; oyedwa uzathathwa omunye atshiywe.” Babuza bathi, “Ngaphi, Nkosi?” Waphendula wathi, “Lapho okulesidumbu khona, kulapho okuqoqana khona amanqe.”

Manje-ke kambe uNkulunkulu kayikubalungisela yini abakhethiweyo bakhe abakhuleka kuye imini lobusuku? Uzabe elokhu ebanina yini? Ngiyalitshela, uzabalungisela, futhi masinyane. Kodwa, nxa iNdodana yoMuntu isifika, izakufumana ukukholwa emhlabeni na?”

Wasesithi kubo: “Isizwe sizavukela isizwe, lombuso uvukele umbuso. Kuzakuba kunengi ukuzamazama komhlaba okukhulu, izindlala lezifo ezindaweni ezinengi, lezenzakalo ezesabekayo leziboniso ezinengi zisuka emkhathini.

Kodwa mandulo kwakho konke lokhu bazalibeka isandla, balihlukuluze. Bazalinikela emasinagogeni lasezintolongweni, kungenxa yebizo lami. Lokhu kuzalenza libe ngofakazi kubo. Kodwa bekani phansi amaphaphu linganqinekeli ukuthi lizazivikela lithini. Ngokuba ngizalinika amazwi lokuhlakanipha ukuze angabi khona ezitheni zenu ozalehlula loba aliphikise. Lizanikelwa ngabazali, ngabafowenu layizihlobo labangane njalo abanye benu bazalibulala. Bonke abantu bazalizonda ngenxa yami. Kodwa kakuyikubhubha lanwele olulodwa emakhanda enu. Uma lisima liqine lizazisindisa.

“Lingabona iJerusalema isihonqolozelwe yizimpi lizakwazi ukuthi incithakalo isisondele. Lapho-ke akuthi labo abaseJudiya babalekele ezintabeni, abasedolobheni kabaphume, kuthi labo abasemaphandleni bangangeni edolobheni. Ngokuba lesi yisikhathi sokujeziswa ukugcwalisa konke okwalotshwayo. Yeka ukwesabeka okuzaba yikho khona kulezozinsuku kwabesifazana abakhulelweyo lakubadlezane! Kuzakuba khona ukuhlukuluzeka okukhulu elizweni lolaka phezu kwabantu. Bazakuwa ngenkemba babuthwe babe yizibotshwa zezizwe zonke. IJerusalema izagidagidwa ngabeZizwe kuze kugcwaliseke izikhathi zabeZizwe.

“Kuzabakhona iziboniso elangeni, lenyangeni lasezinkanyezini. Emhlabeni izizwe zizaba phakathi kosizi lokudideka ngenxa yokuhuba lokukhaphaza kolwandle. Abantu bazaphela amandla ngokwesaba, benqinekiswa yilokho okuzayo emhlabeni, ngokuba izibunjwa zasemkhathini zizazanyazanyiswa. Kulesosikhathi bazayibona iNdodana yoMuntu isiza ngeyezi ilamandla lenkazimulo enkulu. Nxa lezizinto seziqala ukwenzakala manini liqine, liphakamise amakhanda enu, ngokuba ukuhlengwa kwenu sekusondela.”

Wabatshela umzekeliso lo: “Ake likhangele isihlahla somkhiwa kanye lezinye zonke izihlahla. Nxa zihluma lizazibonela lani njalo lazi ukuthi ihlobo seliseduze. Kanjalo-ke, nxa selibona izinto lezi sezisenzakala, selisazi ukuthi umbuso kaNkulunkulu ususondele. “Ngilitshela iqiniso, lesisizukulwana kasiyikudlula zize ziqale zenzakale lezizinto. Izulu lomhlaba kuzadlula, kodwa amazwi ami akasoze lanini edlule. Nanzelelani funa izinhliziyo zenu zithundubale ngokuzitika lokudakwa lokunqineka ngezinto zempilo, ngoba lolosuku luzalijuma njengomjibila. Ngokuba luzafikela bonke labo abahlala kuwo wonke umhlaba. Hlalani lilindile, likhulekele ukuthi liphephe kukho konke osekuzakwenzeka masinyane, lokuthi libe lamandla okuma phambi kweNdodana yoMuntu.”

Ngiqinisile ngithi, isikhathi siyeza njalo sivele sesifikile lapho abafileyo bezalizwa ilizwi leNdodana kaNkulunkulu, kuthi bonke abezwayo baphile. Njengoba uYise elokuphila kuye yena ngokwakhe, yikho useyinikile iNdodana ukuba ibe lokuphila kuyo yona ngokwayo. Njalo useyiphile amandla okwahlulela ngokuba iyiNdodana yoMuntu. “Kakungalimangalisi lokhu ngokuba siyeza isikhathi lapho kuzakuthi bonke abasemathuneni abo bezalizwa ilizwi layo baphume  —  labo abenze okuhle bazavuka baphile, lalabo abenze ububi bazavuka balahlwe.

Emzini kaBaba kulezindlu ezinengi; aluba kungenjalo ngabe ngalitshela. Ngiya khona ukuyalilungisela indawo. Njalo nxa sengiyile ukulilungisela indawo ngizabuya ngizolithatha ukuthi libe lami, ukuze lani libe khona lapho engikhona.

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.”

Ngikholwa ukuthi izinhlupheko zethu zakhathesi kazifanelanga ukulinganiswa lenkazimulo ezabonakaliswa kithi. Indalo ilindile ngokuthakazelela okukhulu ukuba amadodana kaNkulunkulu abonakaliswe.

Kulotshiwe ukuthi: “ ‘Ngeqiniso elinjengoba ngikhona,’ kutsho uJehova, ‘amadolo wonke azaguqa phambi kwami; izindimi zonke zizavuma kuNkulunkulu.’ ”

UNkulunkulu wokuthula uzamchoboza masinyane uSathane ngaphansi kwezinyawo zenu. Umusa weNkosi yethu uJesu kawube lani.

Uma umuntu esakhela phezu kwalesisisekelo ngegolide, ngesiliva, ngamatshe adulayo, ngezigodo, ngotshani loba ngamahlanga, umsebenzi wakhe uzabonakaliswa unjalo, ngoba uSuku luzawubeka ekukhanyeni. Uzavezwa obala ngomlilo, njalo umlilo uzahlola umsebenzi womuntu ngamunye ukuthi unjani. Uma lokho okwakhileyo kusala kukhona, uzakwamukela umvuzo wakhe. Kodwa uma kusitsha kuphele du, uzalahlekelwa; yena ngokwakhe uzaphepha, kodwa kube njengomuntu ophunyuka edabula phakathi kwamalangabi.

Ngakho-ke lingahluleli lutho isikhathi esimisiweyo singakafiki; manini iNkosi ize ifike. Yona izakubeka ekukhanyeni okufihlwe emnyameni, njalo izaziveza obala izinjongo zezinhliziyo zabantu. Ngalesosikhathi omunye lomunye uzakwamukela ukubongwa kwakhe kuNkulunkulu.

umuntu lo mnikeleni kuSathane, ukuze imvelo yakhe yesono ichithwe lomoya wakhe usindiswe ngosuku lweNkosi. Ukuzincoma kwenu akulunganga. Kalikwazi yini ukuthi imvubelo encane ibilisa inhlama yonke?

Bazalwane, ngithi kini inyama legazi akungeke kudle ilifa lombuso kaNkulunkulu, lokubolayo akulidli ilifa lokungaboliyo. Lalelani, ngilitshela imfihlakalo: Kasiyikufa sonke, kodwa sonke sizaguqulwa  — ngesikhatshana, ngokucwayiza kwelihlo, ngecilongo lokucina. Ngoba icilongo lizakhala, abafileyo bazavuswa bengabolanga, njalo sizaguqulwa.

ukuba amadolo wonke aguqe ebizweni likaJesu, ezulwini lasemhlabeni kanye langaphansi komhlaba, lezindimi zonke zivume ukuthi uJesu Khristu uyiNkosi, kube ludumo lukaNkulunkulu uYise.

Lapho uKhristu, oyikuphila kwenu, ebonakala, lani futhi lizabonakala laye enkazimulweni.

lilindele leNdodana yakhe evela ezulwini, ayivusayo kwabafileyo  —  uJesu, osihlengayo elakeni oluzayo.

Bazalwane, kasifuni ukuba libe ngabangaziyo ngalabo abalalayo loba lidabuke njengabanye abantu, abangelalo ithemba. Siyakholwa ukuthi uJesu wafa wabuya wavuka njalo ngalokho siyakholwa ukuthi uNkulunkulu uzabavusa kanye loJesu labo asebelele kuye. Ngoba mayelana lelizwi leNkosi, siyalitshela ukuthi thina esisaphilayo, esatshiywayo iNkosi ize ifike, kasiyikubandulela impela labo asebelele.

Ngoba iNkosi uqobo izakwehla ivela ezulwini, ngelizwi elikhulu, ngelizwi lengilosi enkulu langokumemeza kwecilongo likaNkulunkulu, kuthi abafileyo kuKhristu bavuke kuqala. Emva kwalokho, thina esisaphilayo njalo sitshiyiwe sizahlwithwa kanye labo emayezini ukuba sihlangabeze iNkosi emoyeni. Ngakho sizahlala leNkosi kuze kube nininini.

Bazalwane, mayelana lezikhathi lezinsuku akusweleki ukuba sililobele, ngoba likwazi kuhle ukuthi usuku lweNkosi luzafika njengesela ebusuku. Abantu besathi, “Ukuthula lokuvikeleka,” incithakalo izakwehlela phezu kwabo ngokujuma njengomhelo kowesifazana ozithweleyo, njalo kabayikuphunyuka. Kodwa lina, bazalwane, kalikho emnyameni ukuba usuku lolu lulijume njengesela.

Ngoba uNkulunkulu kasimiselanga ulaka kodwa ukuba sithole ukusindiswa ngeNkosi yethu uJesu Khristu. Wasifela ukuze, loba sikhangele kumbe silele, sihlale laye.

Ngakho-ke, phakathi kwamabandla kaNkulunkulu thina siyazincoma ngokuqinisela kwenu lokukholwa phakathi kwakho konke lokhukuhlukuluzwa kanye lokuhlupheka elikubekezelelayo. Konke lokhu kuyibufakazi bokuthi ukwahlulela kukaNkulunkulu kulungile, ngakhoke lizabalwa njengabafanele umbuso kaNkulunkulu, eliwuhluphekelayo. UNkulunkulu ulungile: Uzaphindisela izinhlupho kulabo abalihluphayo alinike, kanye lathi, ukuhlaliseka lina elihlutshwayo. Lokhu kuzakwenzakala lapho iNkosi uJesu isibonakaliswa ezulwini phakathi komlilo ovuthayo ilezingilosi zayo ezilamandla. Izabajezisa labo abangamaziyo uNkulunkulu njalo bengalilaleli ivangeli leNkosi yethu uJesu. Bazajeziswa ngokubhujiswa okulaphakade bavalelwe ngaphandle kobukhona beNkosi lasenkazimulweni yamandla ayo ngosuku ezafika ngalo ukuba idunyiswe ngabantu bayo abangcwele lokuba ibatshazwe phakathi kwabo bonke abakholwayo. Lokhu kugoqela lani, ngoba labukholwa ubufakazi bethu kini.

Mayelana lokuza kweNkosi yethu uJesu Khristu, lokubuthana kwethu kuyo, siyalicela, bazalwane, ukuba lingaphangi likhathazeke kumbe lethuswe ngobunye ubuphrofethi, umbiko loba incwadi okungathi ivela kithi, kuthiwa usuku lweNkosi selufikile. Lingavumeli muntu elikhohlisa langayiphi indlela, ngoba lolosuku kaluyikufika umvukela uze wenzakale lomuntu ongelamthetho abonakaliswe, umuntu omiselwe ukubhujiswa. Uzaphikisa azikhukhumeze ezintweni zonke ezithiwa Nkulunkulu loba ezikhonzwayo, aze azihlalise ethempelini likaNkulunkulu, amemezele ukuthi yena unguNkulunkulu.

Kalisakhumbuli yini ukuthi ngisekini ngangijwayele ukulitshela izinto lezi? Khathesi selikwazi okumvimbelayo, ukuze abonakaliswe ngesikhathi esifaneleyo. Ngoba amandla afihlakeleyo okungabi lamthetho asesebenza; kodwa lowo owavimbelayo khathesi uzaqhubeka esenza njalo aze asuswe endleleni. Lapho-ke lowo ongelamthetho uzabonakaliswa, lowo iNkosi uJesu ezamchitha ngomoya womlomo wayo imqede ngenkazimulo yokufika kwayo. Ukufika kwalowo ongelamthetho kuza kuya mayelana lomsebenzi kaSathane obonakaliswa kuzo zonke izinhlobo zezimangaliso zamanga, izibonakaliso kanye lezimanga, kanye lezinhlobo zonke zobubi obukhohlisa ababhubhayo. Bayabhubha ngoba bala ukuthanda iqiniso ukuba basindiswe. Ngenxa yalokhu uNkulunkulu ubehlisela inkohliso elamandla ukuze bakholwe amanga, ukuze balahlwe bonke abangalikholwanga iqiniso kodwa bathokoziswa yibubi.

ukuba ugcine umlayo lo kungekho sici loba ukusoleka kuze kube sekubonakaleni kweNkosi yethu uJesu Khristu, okuzalethwa nguNkulunkulu ngesikhathi sakhe  —  uNkulunkulu obusisekileyo njalo onguyena Mbusi kuphela, iNkosi yamakhosi loMbusi wababusi, onguye kuphela ongafiyo lohlala ekukhanyeni okungafinyelelekiyo, okungekho owake wambona loba ongambona. Udumo lamandla akube kuye kuze kube laphakade. Ameni.

Kodwa nanzelela lokhu: Ezinsukwini zokucina kuzakuba lezikhathi ezinzima. Abantu bazakuba ngabazithandayo, labathanda imali, labazikhukhumezayo, labazigqajayo, labathukayo, labangalaleli abazali babo, labangabongiyo, labangcolileyo, abangelathando, labangathetheleliyo, labahlebayo, labangazikhuziyo, labalesihluku, labangakuthandiyo okuhle, labalamacebo amabi, labacaphuka ngeze, labaziphakamisayo, labathanda injabulo kulokuthanda uNkulunkulu  — belesimo sokukholwa kuNkulunkulu kodwa belandula amandla akho ukukholwa. Ungahlanganyeli labo.

Phambi kukaNkulunkulu loKhristu uJesu, ozakwahlulela abaphilayo labafileyo, njalo mayelana lokubonakala kwakhe kanye lombuso wakhe, ngikunika umlayo lo: Tshumayela iLizwi; lungisela ngesikhathi esifaneleyo langesikhathi esingafanelanga; lungisa, ukhuze njalo ukhuthaze  —  ngokubekezelela okukhulu langokulaya ngokunanzelela. Ngoba isikhathi sizafika lapho abantu abangayikuyivuma imfundiso eqotho. Kodwa, ukuze basuthise izinkanuko zabo, bazaziqoqela abafundisi abanengi ukuba batsho lokho izindlebe zabo ezilumayo ezifuna ukukuzwa. Izindlebe zabo bazazisusa eqinisweni baphambukele ezinganekwaneni. Kodwa wena chuma kuzo zonke izehlakalo, ubekezele ebunzimeni, wenze umsebenzi womvangeli, uyifeze yonke imisebenzi yenkonzo yakho.

Khathesi ngigcinelwe umqhele wokulunga, iNkosi, uMahluleli olungileyo, ezanginika wona ngalelolanga  —  njalo kungayisimi kuphela, kodwa bonke futhi abatshisekela ukubonakala kwayo.

lapho sisalindele ithemba elibusisiweyo  —  ukubonakala ngenkazimulo kukaNkulunkulu wethu ophakemeyo longuMsindisi, uJesu Khristu

Njalo uthi, “Ekuqaleni, O Nkosi, wabeka isisekelo somhlaba, lamazulu angumsebenzi wezandla zakho. Kuzabhubha, kodwa wena uyasala ukhona; konke kuzaguga njengesigqoko. Uzakugoqa njengesambatho; kuzantshintshwa njengesigqoko. Kodwa wena uhlala unjalo, leminyaka yakho kayiyikuphela.”

Ngakho kwakufanele ukuba izifanekiso zezinto zasezulwini zihlanjululwe ngemihlatshelo le, kodwa izinto zasezulwini uqobo kube ngemihlatshelo engcono kulale. Ngoba uKhristu kangenanga endaweni engcwele eyenziwa ngabantu eyayiyisifanekiso nje kuphela saleyo eqotho; yena wangena ezulwini uqobo, ukuba asimele phambi kukaNkulunkulu. Kangenanga ezulwini ukuba azinikele njalonjalo, njengomphristi omkhulu engena eNdaweni eNgcwele kaKhulu minyaka yonke legazi elingayisilo lakhe. Ngakho uKhristu wayezahlupheka kanengi kusukela ekudalweni komhlaba. Kodwa khathesi usebonakale kanye kuphela ekupheleni kwezikhathi ukuba asuse isono ngomhlatshelo onguye. Njengalokhu umuntu wamiselwa ukufa kanye, kuthi emva kwalokho abhekane lokwahlulelwa, ngokunjalo uKhristu wanikelwa kanye ukuba asuse izono zabantu abanengi; njalo uzabonakala okwesibili, hatshi ukuthwala isono, kodwa ukuletha ukusindiswa kulabo abamlindeleyo.

Kasingakudeli ukuhlangana, njengalokhu abanye abajayele ukukwenza, kodwa kasikhuthazane  —  ikakhulu njengoba libona uSuku lusondela.

Abesifazana bamukela abafayo babo sebevuselwe ekuphileni futhi. Abanye bahlukuluzwa njalo bala ukukhululwa, ukuze bathole ukuvuka ekufeni okuhle.

Lalelani lina bantu abanothileyo, khalani lilile ngenxa yosizi oluzayo phezu kwenu. Inotho yenu isibolile, lezigqoko zenu sezidliwe zinondo. Igolide lenu lesiliva senu sekuthombile. Ukuthomba kwakho kuzafakaza kubi ngani kudle inyama yemizimba yenu njengomlilo. Libuthelele inotho ezinsukwini zokucina.

Ngakho, bazalwane, bekezelani iNkosi ize ifike. Khangelani ukuthi umlimi uyilindela njani insimu ukuba ithele izilimo zayo eziligugu kanye lokuthi ukubekezelela njani ukuna kwezulu lentwasa. Lani futhi, bekezelani liqine, ngoba ukufika kweNkosi sekusondele.

Kuqala, kumele liqedisise ukuthi ngezinsuku zokucina kuzafika abaklolodayo baklolode belandela izinkanuko zabo ezimbi. Bazakuthi, “Kungaphi ‘ukuza’ lokhu akuthembisayo? Selokhu obaba bafayo, konke kuqhubeka njengokwakuvele kusenzakala kusukela ekuqaleni kokudaliweyo.” Kodwa bakhohlwa ngabomu ukuthi endulo ngelizwi likaNkulunkulu amazulu aba khona lomhlaba wavela emanzini njalo ngamanzi. Ngamanzi futhi umhlaba wakulezozinsuku wakhukhulwa wachitheka. Ngalonalelolizwi amazulu akhathesi kanye lomhlaba kugcinelwe umlilo, kulindele usuku lokwahlulela lokubhujiswa kwabantu abangamesabiyo uNkulunkulu.

Kodwa, bangane abathandekayo, lingakhohlwa into le eyodwa ukuthi: ENkosini usuku lunjengeminyaka eyinkulungwane, leminyaka eyinkulungwane injengosuku olulodwa. INkosi kayiphuzi ukugcwalisa isithembiso sayo, njengokuqedisiswa ngabanye ngokuphuza. Iyalibekezelela, ingafuni ukuba lamunye abhubhe, kodwa ukuba umuntu wonke aphenduke.

Kodwa usuku lweNkosi luzafika njengesela. Amazulu azanyamalala ngokuhlokoma; imimoya izaqothulwa ngomlilo, lomhlaba lakho konke okukuwo kuzatshabalaliswa. Njengoba izinto zonke zizachithwa ngale indlela, lina kumele libe ngabantu abanjani na? Kumele liphile impilo engcwele leyokumesaba uNkulunkulu lisalindele usuku lwakhe liphangisise ukufika kwalo. Lolosuku luzaletha ukuchithwa kwamazulu ngomlilo, njalo imimoya izancibilikiswa yikutshisa. Kodwa mayelana lesithembiso sakhe silindele izulu elitsha lomhlaba omutsha, ikhaya lokulunga.

Umhlaba lezinkanuko zawo kuyadlula, kodwa umuntu owenza intando kaNkulunkulu uphila kuze kube nininini. Bantwana abathandekayo, lesi yisikhathi sokucina; njalo njengoba lizwile ukuthi umphikuKhristu uyeza, lakhathesi abanengi abaphika uKhristu sebekhona. Sikwazi kanjalo ukuthi lesi yisikhathi sokucina. Baphuma besuka kithi, kodwa impela babengasibo bakithi. Ngoba aluba babengabakithi, babezahlala lathi; kodwa ukusuka kwabo kwatshengisa ukuthi kakho kubo owayengowakithi.

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 wonke umoya ongamvumiyo uJesu kawuveli kuNkulunkulu. Lowo ngumoya womphikuKhristu, elezwayo ukuthi uyeza njalo osukhona khathesi emhlabeni. Lina, bantwana abathandekayo, lingabakaNkulunkulu, njalo selibanqobile, ngoba lowo okini mkhulu kulalowo osemhlabeni. Bona bangabasemhlabeni, ngakho bakhuluma ngokwengqondo yasemhlabeni, njalo umhlaba uyabalalela. Thina singabakaNkulunkulu, njalo lowo omaziyo uNkulunkulu uyasilalela; kodwa lowo ongasuye kaNkulunkulu kasilaleli. Simazi kanje uMoya weqiniso lomoya wamanga.

Abakhohlisi abanengi, abangavumiyo ukuthi uJesu Khristu weza engumuntu, sebekhona emhlabeni. Lowomuntu onjalo ungumkhohlisi lomphikuKhristu. Qaphelani ukuba lingalahlekelwa yilokho elakusebenzelayo, kodwa ukuba livuzwe okupheleleyo. Lowo odlulela phambili angabe esaqhubeka ngemfundiso kaKhristu kalaye uNkulunkulu; lowo oqhubekayo ngemfundiso uloBaba leNdodana. Uma umuntu esiza kini engalethi imfundiso le, lingamngenisi ezindlini zenu njalo lingamamukeli. Lowo omamukelayo uyahlanganyela emisebenzini yakhe emibi.

U-Enoki, owesikhombisa kusukela ku-Adamu, waphrofetha ngabantu laba wathi: “Khangelani, iNkosi iza lezinkulungwane lezinye izinkulungwane zabangcwele bayo ukwahlulela abantu bonke, lokubalahla ngamacala bonke abangamesabiyo uNkulunkulu ngenxa yezenzo zabo zonke zokweyisa uNkulunkulu abazenzayo ezindleleni zabo zokwedelela uNkulunkulu, langenxa yamazwi wonke alukhuni izoni ezingamesabiyo uNkulunkulu ezawakhuluma kubi ngaye.”

Isambulo sikaJesu Khristu, asiphiwa nguNkulunkulu ukuba atshengise izinceku zakhe okufanele kwenzakale masinyane. Wakwenza kwazakala ngokuthuma ingilosi yakhe encekwini yakhe uJohane,

Khangelani uyeza ngamayezi, amehlo wonke azambona, lalabo abamgwazayo; labantu bonke basemhlabeni bazalila ngenxa yakhe. kuzakuba njalo! Ameni.

Njengoba ugcine umlayo wami ukuba ubekezele ngesineke, lami ngizakugcina esikhathini sokulingwa esizafika emhlabeni wonke ukuhlola labo abahlala emhlabeni. Ngiyeza masinyane. Bambelela kulokho olakho, ukuze kungabi khona othatha umqhele wakho. Lowo onqobayo ngizamenza abe yinsika ethempelini likaNkulunkulu. Kasoze asuke kulo futhi. Ngizaloba phezu kwakhe ibizo likaNkulunkulu wami kanye lebizo ledolobho likaNkulunkulu wami, iJerusalema elitsha, elehlela phansi liphuma ezulwini livela kuNkulunkulu wami; njalo ngizaloba phezu kwakhe lebizo lami elitsha.

Ngiyazazi izenzo zakho, ukuthi kawuqandi njalo kawutshisi. Ngifisa ukuthi ngabe uyilokhu loba uyilokhuyana. Ngakho njengoba ubuthukuthuku  —  ungatshisi njalo ungaqandi  —  sekuseduze ukuba ngikukhafule emlonyeni wami. Wena uthi, ‘Nginothile; sengazuza inotho njalo kangisweli lutho.’ Kodwa kawunanzeleli ukuthi uyahlupheka, ulusizi, ungumyanga, uyisiphofu njalo unqunu. Ngiyakucebisa ukuba uthenge kimi igolide elihlanjululwe emlilweni, ukuze unothe; ugqoke izigqoko ezimhlophe, ukuze uvale ubunqunu bakho obulihlazo, lamafutha okugcoba amehlo akho ukuze ubone. Labo engibathandayo ngiyabakhuza ngibajezise. Ngakhoke woba lokutshiseka, uphenduke.

Emva kwalokhu ngakhangela, ngabona umnyango phambi kwami uvulekile ezulwini. Ilizwi engangilizwe kuqala lingikhulumisa kungathi licilongo lathi, “Woza lapha ngikutshengise okuzakwenzakala emva kwalokhu.”

Esandleni sakhe sokunene lowo owayehlezi esihlalweni sobukhosi, ngabona umqulu ulombhalo emaceleni womabili unanyekwe ngezimpawu eziyisikhombisa. Ngabuya ngabona ingilosi elamandla imemeza ngelizwi eliphakemeyo isithi, “Ngubani ofanele ukuqhaqha izimpawu avule umqulu na?” Kodwa kakho ezulwini loba emhlabeni loba ngaphansi komhlaba owayengawuvula umqulu kumbe akhangele phakathi kwawo. Ngakhala, ngakhala ngoba kakho owatholakala efanele ukuwuvula umqulu loba ukukhangela phakathi kwawo. Omunye wabadala wathi kimi, “Ungakhali! Khangela, iSilwane sesizwana sakoJuda, iMpande kaDavida, sinqobile. Sizakwanelisa ukuwuvula umqulu lezimpawu zawo eziyisikhombisa.” 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. Bahlabela ingoma entsha bathi: “Wena ufanele ukuwuthatha umqulu lokuvula izimpawu zawo, ngokuba wabulawa, kwathi ngegazi lakho wathengela uNkulunkulu abantu bezizwana zonke lezindimi labantu kanye lezizwe. Ubenze baba ngumbuso labaphristi ukuba bakhonze uNkulunkulu wethu, njalo bazabusa emhlabeni.”

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.

Ngakhangela iWundlu livula uphawu lwakuqala lweziyisikhombisa. Ngasengisizwa esinye sezidalwa ezine eziphilayo sisithi, ngelizwi elinjengomdumo wezulu, “Woza!” Ngakhangela, khonapho phambi kwami kwakulebhiza elimhlophe! Umgadi walo wayephethe idandili, njalo waphiwa umqhele, wasuka wahamba njengomnqobi ehlose ukunqoba.

Kwathi iWundlu selivula uphawu lwesibili, ngezwa isidalwa sesibili esiphilayo sisithi, ‘Woza!” Kwaphuma elinye ibhiza; libomvu okomlilo. Umgadi walo wanikwa amandla okususa ukuthula emhlabeni lokuthi abantu babulalane. Waphiwa inkemba enkulu.

Kwathi iWundlu livula uphawu lwesithathu, ngezwa isidalwa sesithathu esiphilayo sisithi, “Woza!” Ngakhangela, khonapho phambi kwami kwakulebhiza elimnyama! Umgadi walo wayephethe isikali sokulinganisa. Ngasengisizwa okwakungathi yilizwi phakathi kwezidalwa ezine eziphilayo lisithi, “Ilitha elilodwa lamabele umholo wosuku, lamalitha amathathu ebhali umholo wosuku, njalo ungoni amafutha lewayini!”

Kwathi iWundlu livula uphawu lwesine, ngezwa ilizwi lesidalwa sesine esiphilayo lisithi, “Woza!” Ngakhangela, khonapho phambi kwami kwakulebhiza eliliganu! Umgadi walo wayethiwa nguKufa, leHadesi lalimlandela eduzane ngemuva kwakhe. Babephiwe amandla phezu kwengxenye yesine yomhlaba ukuba babulale ngenkemba, langendlala, langezifo kanye langezinyamazana zeganga zasemhlabeni.

Kwathi livula uphawu lwesihlanu, ngabona ngaphansi kwe-alithare imiphefumulo yalabo ababebulewe ngenxa yelizwi likaNkulunkulu lobufakazi abema ngabo. Yamemeza ngelizwi elikhulu yathi, “Koze kube nini, Nkosi Yobukhosi, engcwele leqotho, ukuze wahlulele abasemhlabeni uphindisele igazi lethu na?” Lapho-ke omunye lomunye wayo waphiwa isambatho esimhlophe, ukuba ilinde okwesikhatshana, inani lezinceku ezingabakhula bayo labazalwane ababezabulawa njengayo lize liphelele.

Ngakhangela lapho livula uphawu lwesithupha. Kwaba lokuzamazama okukhulu komhlaba. Ilanga laphenduka laba mnyama tshu njengelembu lamasaka elenziwe ngoboya bembuzi, inyanga yonke yaphenduka yaba bomvu okwegazi, izinkanyezi emkhathini zawela emhlabeni njengemikhiwa yamuva ikhithika esihlahleni somkhiwa lapho sinyikinywa ngumoya olamandla. Umkhathi wahlehla njengomqulu, ugoqeka, kwathi izintaba zonke lezihlenge kwasuswa ezindaweni zakho. Amakhosi omhlaba, lamakhosana, lezinduna zamabutho, lezinothi, labalamandla, lezigqili zonke kanye labantu bonke abakhululekileyo, bacatsha ezimbalwini kanye lasemadwaleni ezintaba. Babiza izintaba lamadwala besithi, “Welani phezu kwethu lisifihle ebusweni balowo ohlezi esihlalweni sobukhosi kanye laselakeni lweWundlu! Ngoba usuku olukhulu lolaka lwabo selufikile, pho ngubani ongema na?”

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.”

Ngasengisizwa inani lalabo ababekwa uphawu: Izi-144,000 abezizwana zonke zako-Israyeli. Abesizwana sakoJuda abayizi  —  12,000 babekwa uphawu, abesizwana sakoRubheni abayizi  —  12,000, abesizwana sakoGadi abayizi  —  12,000, abesizwana sako-Asheri abayizi  —  12,000, abesizwana sakoNafithali abayizi  —  12,000, abesizwana sakoManase abayizi  —  12,000, abesizwana sakoSimeyoni abayizi  —  12,000, abesizwana sakoLevi abayizi  —  12,000, abesizwana sako-Isakhari abayizi  —  12,000, abesizwana sakoZebhuluni abayizi  —  12,000, abesizwana sakoJosefa abayizi  —  12,000, abesizwana sikaBhenjamini abayizi  —  12,000.

Emva kwalokhu ngakhangela, khonapho phambi kwami kwakulexuku elikhulukazi okungelamuntu owayengalibala, livela ezizweni zonke, lezizwaneni, lasebantwini kanye lasezindimini zonke, limi phambi kwesihlalo sobukhosi laphambi kweWundlu. Babegqoke izambatho ezimhlophe bephethe izingatsha zelala ngezandla zabo. Bamemeza ngelizwi elikhulu besithi: “Ukusindisa ngokukaNkulunkulu wethu, ohlezi esihlalweni sobukhosi, kanye lokweWundlu.” 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!” Emva kwalokho omunye wabadala wangibuza wathi, “Laba abezambatho ezimhlophe  —  ngobani, njalo bavele ngaphi?” Ngaphendula ngathi, “Nkosi, uyakwazi.” Wasesithi, “Laba yibo abaphume ekuhluphekeni okukhulu; bagezise izambatho zabo egazini leWundlu bazenza zaba mhlophe. Ngakho-ke, “baphambi kwesihlalo sobukhosi sikaNkulunkulu bemkhonza emini lebusuku ethempelini lakhe; njalo yena ohlezi esihlalweni sobukhosi uzakwendlala ithente lakhe ngaphezu kwabo. Kabasoze balambe futhi; njalo kabasoze bome futhi. Ilanga kalisayikuhlaba phezu kwabo loba ukutshisa okuhangulayo. Ngoba iWundlu elingaphakathi kwesihlalo sobukhosi lizakuba ngumelusi wabo; lizabaholela emithonjeni yamanzi okuphila. UNkulunkulu uzazesula zonke izinyembezi emehlweni abo.”

Kwathi lapho iWundlu livula uphawu lwesikhombisa, kwaba lokuthula ezulwini okwesikhathi esasingaba yingxenye yehora. 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. Isivule umgodi ongelamkhawulo kwaphuma kuwo inthuthu efana lentuthu ephuma esithandweni somlilo esikhulukazi. Ilanga lomkhathi kwaba mnyama ngentuthu eyaphuma emgodini ongelamkhawulo. Entuthwini leyo kwaphuma izintethe zehlela phansi emhlabeni ziphiwe amandla anjengawezinkume zasemhlabeni. Zazitshelwe ukuthi zingalimazi tshani basemhlabeni loba olunye ulutho olwamilayo loba isihlahla, kodwa kuphela labobantu ababengelalo uphawu lukaNkulunkulu emabunzini abo. Zazingaphiwanga amandla okubabulala, kodwa ukubazwisa ubuhlungu okwezinyanga ezinhlanu. Ubuhlungu ababuzwayo babufana lobodonsi lwenkume lapho itinyela umuntu. Ngalezozinsuku abantu bazadinga ukufa, kodwa bazakuswela; bazafisa ukufa, kodwa ukufa kuzababalekela. Izintethe lezo zazifana lamabhiza alungele impi. Emakhanda azo zazigqoke ulutho olwalunjengemiqhele yegolide, ubuso bazo babufana lobuso babantu. Uboya bazo babunjengezinwele zabesifazana, amazinyo azo enjengamazinyo esilwane. Zazilezivikelo zesifuba ezinjengezivikelo zensimbi, njalo umdumo wezimpiko zazo wawunjengomdumo wamabhiza amanengi lezinqola zempi kugijimela empini. Zazilemisila lezindonsi njengezinkume, njalo emisileni yazo zazilamandla okuzwisa abantu ubuhlungu okwezinyanga ezinhlanu. Inkosi yazo ezazilayo yingilosi yoMgodi ongelamkhawulo, ebizo layo ngesiHebheru lalingu-Abhadoni, ngesiGriki lingu-Apholiyoni. Uhlupho lokuqala seludlule; ezinye izinhlupho ezimbili zisezakuza.

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. Amabhiza labagadi engakubona embonweni wami kwakukhanya kunje: Izivikelo zabo zesifuba zazibomvu okomlilo, ziluhlazanyana, njalo zilithanga njengesolufa. Amakhanda amabhiza ayenjengamakhanda ezilwane, njalo emilonyeni yawo kwaphuma umlilo lentuthu kanye lesolufa. Ingxenye yesithathu yoluntu yabulawa yizifo ezintathu zomlilo, lentuthu kanye lesolufa okwaphuma emilonyeni yawo. Amandla amabhiza ayesemilonyeni yawo lasemisileni yawo; ngoba imisila yawo yayinjengezinyoka, ilamakhanda elimaza ngawo. Abanengi boluntu ababengabulawanga yizifo lezi bajinge bengaphenduki emisebenzini yezandla zabo; kabayekelanga ukukhonza amadimoni, lezithombe zegolide, lezesiliva, lezethusi, lezamatshe kanye lezezigodo  —  izithombe ezingeke zibone loba zizwe loba zihambe. Njalo kabaphendukanga ezenzweni zabo zokubulala, lasebuthakathini babo, ekuxhwaleni kwabo kobufebe loba ebuseleni babo.

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.”

Ngaphiwa umhlanga njengoluthi lokulinganisa ngasengitshelwa kuthiwa, “Hamba uyelinganisa ithempeli likaNkulunkulu le-alithare, ubale labakhonzayo khona. Kodwa utshiye iguma langaphandle, ungalilinganisi, ngoba liphiwe abezizweni. Bazanyathela idolobho elingcwele izinyanga ezingamatshumi amane lambili. Ofakazi bami ababili ngizabanika amandla, njalo bazaphrofetha izinsuku eziyi-1,260, begqoke amasaka.” Laba bayizihlahla ezimbili zama-oliva lezinti ezimbili zezibane ezimi phambi kweNkosi yomhlaba. Umuntu angazama ukuzilimaza, kuphuma umlilo emilonyeni yazo uqothule izitha zazo. Le yiyo indlela umuntu ofuna ukuzilimaza afa ngayo. Abantu laba balamandla okuvala umkhathi ukuba izulu lingani lapho bephrofetha; njalo balamandla okuphendula amanzi abe ligazi lawokutshaya umhlaba ngezinhlobo zonke zezifo kanengi njengokuthanda kwabo.

Kuzakuthi lapho sebeqedile ukuphrofetha kwabo, isilo esiphuma eMgodini ongelamkhawulo sizabahlasela, sibehlule sibabulale. Izidumbu zabo zizalala emgwaqweni wedolobho elikhulu, okuthi ngokulinganisa libizwe ngokuthi Sodoma leGibhithe, lapho leNkosi yabo eyabethelwa khona esiphambanweni. Okwezinsuku ezintathu lengxenye yosuku abantu abavela emihlotsheni yonke yabantu, lasezizwaneni zonke, lasezindimini zonke, kanye lasezizweni zonke bazakhangela izidumbu zabo bale ukuba zingcwatshwe. Abantu basemhlabeni bazazikhangela ngokuthokoza bazijabulise ngokuthumela izipho, ngoba abaphrofethi ababili laba babebahluphile abahlala emhlabeni.

Kodwa emva kwalezozinsuku ezintathu lengxenye yosuku umoya wokuphila owavela kuNkulunkulu wabangena, basebesima ngezinyawo zabo, kwathi labo abababonayo batshaywa luvalo. Bezwa ilizwi elikhulu livela ezulwini lisithi kubo, “Wozani phezulu lapha.” Baya phezulu ezulwini bephakathi kweyezi, izitha zabo zilokhu zikhangele. Ngasonalesosikhathi kwaba lokuzamazama okukhulu komhlaba, kwathi ingxenye yetshumi yedolobho yabhidlika. Abantu abayizinkulungwane eziyisikhombisa bafa ekuzamazameni komhlaba, abaphephayo, besaba kakhulu bamdumisa uNkulunkulu wasezulwini. Uhlupho lwesibili seludlule; uhlupho lwesithathu luyeza masinyane.

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. Izizwe zazithukuthele; lolaka lwakho selufikile. Isikhathi sokwahlulela abafileyo sesifikile, kanye lesokuvuza izinceku zakho abaphrofethi labangcwele bakho kanye lalabo abalihloniphayo ibizo lakho, abancinyane labakhulu  —  kanye lesokuchitha labo abachitha umhlaba.” Emva kwalokho ithempeli likaNkulunkulu lavulwa ezulwini, phakathi kwethempeli lakhe kwabonakala ibhokisi elingcwele lesivumelwano sakhe. Kwasekusiba lokuphazima kwemibane, lokundindizela, lokukhwaza kwezulu, lokuzamazama komhlaba kanye lesiqhotho esikhulu.

Isibonakaliso esikhulu lesimangalisayo sabonakala ezulwini: owesifazana egqoke ilanga, inyanga ingaphansi kwezinyawo zakhe, umqhele wezinkanyezi ezilitshumi lambili usekhanda lakhe. Wayezithwele, njalo ekhala ngobuhlungu bomhelo ngoba wayesezabeletha. Kwabuya kwabonakala esinye isibonakaliso ezulwini: umgobho omkhulukazi obomvu olamakhanda ayisikhombisa lezimpondo ezilitshumi kanye lemiqhele eyisikhombisa emakhanda awo. Umsila wawo wakhucula ingxenye yesithathu yezinkanyezi emkhathini waziphosela emhlabeni. Umgobho wema phambi kowesifazana owayesezabeletha, ukuze kuthi umntwana angazalwa uhle umtshwabadele. Wazala indodana, umntwana wesilisa, ozabusa izizwe zonke ngentonga yensimbi. Umntanakhe wahluthunelwa phezulu kuNkulunkulu lasesihlalweni sakhe sobukhosi. Owesifazana wabalekela enkangala endaweni ayeyilungiselwe nguNkulunkulu, lapho aye zagcinakala khona okwezinsuku eziyi-1,260.

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. Umgobho omkhulu waphoselwa phansi  —  inyoka leyana endala ethiwa ngoMubi loba uSathane, odukisa umhlaba wonke. Waphoselwa emhlabeni, ekanye lezingilosi zakhe. Ngasengisizwa ilizwi elikhulu ezulwini lisithi: “Khathesi ukusindiswa sekufikile lamandla kanye lombuso kaNkulunkulu wethu, kanye lobukhosi bukaKhristu wakhe. Ngoba ummangaleli wabazalwane bethu, obamangalelayo phambi kukaNkulunkulu wethu emini lebusuku, usephoselwe phansi. Bamnqobile ngegazi leWundlu langelizwi lobufakazi babo; kabakuthandanga kakhulu ukuphila kwabo ukuba besabe ukufa. Ngakho-ke thokozani, lina mazulu kanye lani elihlala kuwo! Kodwa maye kuwo umhlaba lolwandle ngoba omubi useze phansi kini! Ugcwele intukuthelo, ngoba uyakwazi ukuthi isikhathi sakhe sifitshane.”

Kwathi umgobho ubona ukuthi wawusuphoselwe emhlabeni, wamdinga owesifazana owayezale umntwana wesilisa. Owesifazana lowo wayephiwe amaphiko amabili okhozi olukhulu, ukuze andizele endaweni ayilungiselwayo enkangala, lapho ayezagcinwa khona okwesikhathi, lezikhathi, lengxenye yesikhathi, lapho inyoka eyayingeke ifike khona. Inyoka yasikhupha amanzi emlonyeni wayo angathi ngumfula ukuze ifice owesifazana imkhucule ngesikhukhula. Kodwa umhlaba wasiza owesifazana ngokuvula umlomo wawo wasuginya umfula owawukhutshwe ngumgobho emlonyeni wawo. Ngakho umgobho wamthukuthelela owesifazana, wasusuka usiyakulwa impi lenzalo yonke yowesifazana  —  labo abagcina imilayo kaNkulunkulu babambelele lakubufakazi bukaJesu. Umgobho wema ekhunjini lolwandle.

Ngabuya ngabona isilo siphuma elwandle. Sasilezimpondo ezilitshumi lamakhanda ayisikhombisa, silemiqhele elitshumi phezu kwezimpondo zaso, njalo ekhanda ngalinye kulebizo elihlambazayo. Isilo engasibonayo sasinjengengwe, kodwa silezinyawo ezifana lezebhere lomlomo onjengowesilwane. Umgobho wanika isilo leso amandla awo lesihlalo sawo sobukhosi kanye lelungelo elikhulu. Elinye lamakhanda esilo leso lalingathi lalike laba lenxeba elibulalayo, kodwa inxeba elibulalayo lelo laselipholile. Umhlaba wonke wamangala wasilandela isilo. Abantu bawukhonza umgobho ngoba wawunike isilo ilungelo, lesilo basikhonza babuza bathi, “Ngubani onjengesilo? Ngubani ongalwa impi laso na?” Isilo saphiwa umlomo ukuba sikhulume amazwi okuzigqaja lokuhlambaza kanye lokuthi sisebenzise amandla aso okwezinyanga ezingamatshumi amane lambili. Savula umlomo waso ukuba sihlambaze uNkulunkulu lokuba sichothoze ibizo lakhe lendawo yakhe yokuhlala kanye lalabo abahlala ezulwini.

Sasiphiwe amandla okulwa impi labangcwele kanye lokubanqoba. Saphiwa lamandla phezu kwezizwana zonke, labantu, lezindimi kanye lezizwe zonke. Bonke abantu abahlala emhlabeni bazasikhonza isilo leso  —  bonke abalamabizo abo angalotshwanga encwadini yokuphila eyeMvana eyabulawayo kusukela ekudalweni komhlaba. Lowo olendlebe, kezwe. Uma umuntu kumele aye ekuthunjweni, uzakuya ekuthunjweni. Uma umuntu kumele abulawe ngenkemba, uzabulawa ngayo inkemba. Lokhu kufuna ukubekezela okuqinileyo lokuthembeka kwabangcwele.

Ngabuya ngabona esinye isilo siphuma emhlabeni. Sasilezimpondo ezimbili njengemvana, kodwa sikhuluma njengomgobho. Sasisebenzisa wonke amandla esilo sakuqala esikhundleni saso, njalo senza umhlaba labahlezi kuwo bakhonze isilo sakuqala, esinxeba laso elibubulayo eselapholayo. Njalo senza izibonakaliso ezinkulu lezimangalisayo, kanye lokwenza ukuthi umlilo wehlele phansi usuka ezulwini usiza emhlabeni abantu bezibonela. Ngenxa yezibonakaliso saphiwa amandla okumela isilo sakuqala, sakhohlisa abahlezi emhlabeni. Sabalaya ukuba bamise isifanekiso sokuhlonipha isilo esalinyazwa ngenkemba kodwa saphila. Saphiwa amandla okuba isifanekiso sesilo sakuqala sisinike umphefumulo, ukuze sikhulume njalo sibangele ukuthi bonke abalayo ukukhonza isifanekiso babulawe.

Njalo sabamba abantu bonke ngamandla, abancane labakhulu, abanothileyo labayanga, abakhululekileyo kanye lezigqili, ukuba babekwe uphawu ezandleni zabo zokudla loba emabunzini abo, ukuze angabi khona ozathenga kumbe athengise ngaphandle kokuba elophawu lolo, olulibizo lesilo leso loba inombolo yebizo laso. Lokhu kufuna inhlakanipho. Uma umuntu elengqondo ebonayo, kayicabange inombolo yesilo, ngoba yinombolo yomuntu. Inombolo yaso ngama-666.

Ngabuya ngakhangela, khonapho phambi kwami kwakuleWundlu, limi phezu kweNtaba iZiyoni, lilabayizi-144,000 ababelotshwe ibizo lalo lelikaYise emabunzini abo. Ngezwa umdumo ovela ezulwini ufana lokuhuba kwamanzi agelezayo lanjengokukhwaza okukhulu kwezulu. Umdumo engawuzwayo wawunjengowabatshayi bamachacho betshaya amachacho abo. Bahlabela ingoma entsha phambi kwesihlalo sobukhosi laphambi kwezidalwa ezine eziphilayo kanye laphambi kwabadala. Kakho owayengayifunda ingoma leyo ngaphandle kwabayizi-144,000, ababehlengwe emhlabeni. Laba yilabo abangazingcolisanga ngesifazana, ngoba bazigcina behlambulukile. Bayalilandela iWundlu loba kungaphi lapho eliya khona. Bathengwa phakathi kwabantu banikelwa njengezithelo zakuqala kuNkulunkulu laseWundlwini. Akulamanga atholakala emilonyeni yabo; kabalasici.

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. Intuthu yokuchukuluzwa kwabo ithunqa kuze kube nininini. Akukho suku lokuphumula loba ubusuku kulabo abakhonza inyamazana lesifanekiso sayo, loba lowo obekwa uphawu lwebizo layo.” Lokho kufuna ukuqinisela lokubekezela kwabangcwele abagcina imilayo kaNkulunkulu baqhubeke bethembekile kuJesu.

Ngasengisizwa ilizwi livela ezulwini lisithi, “Loba ukuthi: Babusisiwe abafileyo befela eNkosini kusukela khathesi kusiya phambili.” “Yebo,” kutsho uMoya, “bazaphumula ekusebenzeni kwabo, ngoba izenzo zabo zizabalandela.”

Ngakhangela, khonapho phambi kwami kwakuleyezi elimhlophe, njalo phezu kweyezi lelo kwakuhlezi “ofana lendodana yomuntu,” elomqhele wegolide ekhanda lakhe lesikela ebukhali esandleni sakhe. 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.

Ngabuya ngabona okwakungathi lulwandle lwamangilazi axutshaniswe lomlilo, njalo eceleni kolwandle kwakumi labo ababeyinqobile inyamazana lesifanekiso sayo kanye lenombolo yebizo layo. Babephethe amachacho ababewaphiwe nguNkulunkulu behlabela ingoma kaMosi inceku kaNkulunkulu, kanye lengoma yeWundlu besithi: “Mikhulu iyamangalisa imisebenzi yakho Nkosi Nkulunkulu Somandla. Zilungile njalo ziqotho izindlela zakho, Nkosi yezikhathi zonke. Ngubani ongayikukwesaba, wena Nkosi, adumise ibizo lakho na? Ngoba nguwe kuphela ongcwele. Zonke izizwe zizakuza zikhonze phambi kwakho, ngoba imisebenzi yakho elungileyo isibonakalisiwe.”

Emva kwalokhu ngakhangela, ngabona ezulwini ithempeli, okutsho ithabanikeli lobufakazi, lalivuliwe. 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.

Ngabuya ngabona imimoya emibi emithathu eyayifana lamaxoxo; yaphuma emlonyeni womgobho, lasemlonyeni wesilo kanye lasemlonyeni womphrofethi wamanga. Yimimoya yamadimoni eyenza izibonakaliso ezimangalisayo, njalo iyahamba iye emakhosini omhlaba wonke iwaqoqela impi ngosuku olukhulu lukaNkulunkulu uSomandla. “Khangelani, ngiza njengesela! Ubusisiwe lowo ohlala elindile egcina izigqoko zakhe zikuye, ukuze angahambi nqunu enekwe okuhlazisayo.” Basebeqoqela amakhosi ndawonye endaweni ethiwa yi-Amagedoni ngesiHebheru.

Ingilosi yesikhombisa yathululela umganu wayo emoyeni, kwasekuphuma ilizwi elikhulu ethempelini livela esihlalweni sobukhosi, lisithi, “Sekwenziwe!” Kwasekusiba lokuphazima kwemibane, lemidumo, lokukhwaza kwezulu kanye lokuzamazama okukhulu komhlaba. Akulakuzamazama komhlaba okunjengakho okwake kwenzeka selokhu umuntu aba semhlabeni, kwakukukhulu kakhulu lokho kuzamazama komhlaba. Idolobho elikhulu lehlukana laba yizigaba ezintathu, amadolobho ezizwe abhidlika. UNkulunkulu wakhumbula iBhabhiloni eNkulu wayinika inkomitshi egcwele ukuvutha kolaka lwakhe. Izihlenge zonke zabaleka kwathi izintaba zanyamalala. Emkhathini kwehla amatshe amakhulukazi esiqhotho lilinye lingaba ngamakhilogramu angama-30 awela phezu kwabantu. Bamthuka uNkulunkulu ngenxa yesifo sesiqhotho, ngoba isifo leso sasisesabeka.

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. Owesifazana lowo wayegqoke okulubende lokubomvu gebhu, njalo wayekhazimula ngegolide, langamatshe aligugu kanye langobuhlalu. Esandleni sakhe wayephethe inkomitshi, igcwele izinto ezenyanyekayo kanye lamanyala obufebe bakhe. Umbhalo lo wawulotshiwe ebunzini lakhe: IMFIHLAKALO IBHABHILONI ENKULU UNINA WEZIPHINGI KANYE LAMANYALA OMHLABA. Ngabona ukuthi owesifazana lowo wayedakwe ligazi labangcwele, igazi lalabo abafakazela uJesu. Ekumboneni kwami, ngamangala kakhulu. Ingilosi yasisithi kimi, “Kungani umangala? Ngizakuchazela imfihlakalo yowesifazana leyenyamazana ayigadileyo, elamakhanda ayisikhombisa lezimpondo ezilitshumi.

Inyamazana oyibonileyo yake yaba khona, khathesi kayisekho, njalo izaphuma eMgodini ongelamkhawulo iye ekubhujisweni kwayo. Abahlezi emhlabeni abalamabizo abo angalotshwanga encwadini yokuphila kusukela ekudalweni komhlaba bazamangala lapho bebona leyo inyamazana, ngoba yake yaba khona, khathesi kayisekho, kodwa izavela. “Lokhu kufuna ingqondo elokuhlakanipha. Amakhanda ayisikhombisa ngamaqaqa ayisikhombisa owesifazana ahlezi phezu kwawo. Njalo angamakhosi ayisikhombisa. Amahlanu asewile, eyodwa ikhona, enye kayikaveli, kodwa nxa isisiza kumele ihlale isikhatshana. Inyamazana eyake yaba khona, njalo khathesi engasekho, yinkosi yesificamibili. Ngenye yalawo ayisikhombisa njalo isisiya ekubhujisweni kwayo. “Izimpondo ezilitshumi ozibonileyo ngamakhosi alitshumi angakatholi mbuso, kodwa azathola amandla obukhosi okwehora elilodwa kanye lenyamazana. Anjongo yinye njalo azakupha inyamazana amandla awo kanye lelungelo.

Azakulwa impi leWundlu, kodwa iWundlu lizawanqoba ngoba liyiNkosi yamakhosi loMbusi wababusi  —  njalo lizakuba lilababiziweyo balo, abangabalandeli abakhethiweyo labathembekileyo.” Ingilosi yabuya yathi kimi, “Amanzi owabonileyo, lapho isiphingi esihlezi khona, ngabantu bemihlobo yonke, amaxuku, lezizwe kanye lezindimi. Inyamazana lezimpondo ezilitshumi ozibonileyo kuzasizonda isiphingi. Zizasichitha zisitshiye size; zizakudla inyama yomzimba waso zisitshise ngomlilo. Ngoba uNkulunkulu ubeke ezinhliziyweni zazo ukuba afeze injongo yakhe ngokuvuma ukunika isilo amandla azo okubusa, amazwi kaNkulunkulu aze agcwaliseke. Owesifazana ombonileyo lidolobho elikhulu elibusa amakhosi omhlaba.”

Emva kwalokhu ngabona enye ingilosi isehla ivela ezulwini. Yayilamandla amakhulu, njalo umhlaba wakhanyiswa yikukhazimula kwayo. Yamemeza ngelizwi elikhulu yathi: “Idilikile! Idilikile iBhabhiloni eNkulu! Isibe likhaya lamadimoni Lommango wabomoya ababi, Lommango wezinyoni zonke ezingcolileyo lezenyanyekayo. Ngoba izizwe zonke zinathe iwayini elihlanyisayo lobufebe bayo. Amakhosi omhlaba afeba layo, labathengisi basemhlabeni banothiswa yinotho yayo edlulisileyo.”

Ngabuya ngezwa elinye ilizwi livela ezulwini lisithi: “Bantu bami, phumani kuyo, ukuze lingahlanganyeli ezonweni zayo, ukuze lingehlelwa yizifo zayo; ngoba izono zayo ziyinqwaba efika ezulwini, njalo uNkulunkulu usekhumbule amacala ayo. Sipheni njengokupha kwayo; buyiselani ngokuphindiweyo kulokho ekwenzileyo. Thelani kabili isilinganiso enkomitshini yayo. Izwiseni uchuku olukhulu losizi okulingana inkazimulo lenotho ezipha khona. Enhliziyweni yayo iyazincoma isithi, ‘Ngihlezi njengendlovukazi; kangisumfelokazi, njalo kangisoze ngilile.’ Ngakho ngosuku olulodwa izifo zayo zizayifica: ukufa, lokukhala kanye lendlala. Izahangulwa ngumlilo, ngoba ilamandla iNkosi uNkulunkulu oyahlulelayo.

“Lapho amakhosi asemhlabeni afeba layo njalo abelana layo inotho yayo ebona intuthu yokutsha kwayo, azayikhalela ayililele. Azatshaywa luvalo ngenxa yokuchukuluzwa kwayo, eme khatshana akhale esithi: “ ‘Maye! Maye, O dolobho elikhulu, O Bhabhiloni, dolobho lamandla! Ngehora linye nje incithakalo yakho ifikile!’ “Abathengisi basemhlabeni bazayikhalela bayililele ngoba kasekho othenga impahla yabo  — imithwalo yegolide, leyesiliva, leyamatshe aligugu, leyobuhlalu; eyelineni elihle, leyokulubende, leyesilika lelembu elibomvu gebhu; izinhlobo zonke zezigodo zesithironi, lezinhlobo zonke zezinto ezenziwe ngezimpondo zendlovu, lezigodo ezidulayo, lethusi, lensimbi kanye lelitshe elimhlophe; imithwalo yesinamoni leyeziyoliso, eyempepha, leyemure kanye leyamakha, eyewayini lamafutha e-oliva, eyefulawa ecolekileyo kanye lengqoloyi; inkomo lezimvu; amabhiza lezinqola, lezigqili kanye lemiphefumulo yabantu. Bazakuthi, “Izithelo owawuzikhanuka zisukile kuwe. Yonke inotho yakho lenkazimulo sekunyamalele, kakuyikutholakala futhi.” Abathengisi ababethengisa lezizinto bezuza inotho yabo kuyo bazakuma khatshana betshaywa luvalo ngokuchukuluzwa kwayo. Bazalila babubule njalo bakhale kakhulu besithi: ‘Maye! Maye, O dolobho elikhulu, eligqoke ilineni elihle, lokulubende lokubomvu, lelikhazimulayo ngegolide, langamatshe aligugu kanye lobuhlalu! Ngehora linye nje inotho enengi kangaka isichithiwe!’ “Izinduna zonke zemikhumbi, labo bonke abahamba ngayo, labatshayeli, labo bonke abazuza ukuphila kwabo elwandle, bazakuma khatshana. Lapho bebona intuthu yokutsha kwayo, bazachaza bathi, ‘Kambe kwake kwaba ledolobho elinjengaleli idolobho elikhulu na?’ Bazathela uthuli emakhanda abo, balile babubule bekhala besithi: “ ‘Maye! Maye, O dolobho elikhulu lapho bonke ababelemikhumbi elwandle abanothiswa khona yinotho yalo! Ngehora linye nje selichithiwe! Thokoza ngalo, O Zulu! Thokozani bangcwele labaphostoli kanye labaphrofethi! UNkulunkulu uselahlulele ngendlela elaliphatha ngayo.’ ” Ingilosi elamandla yasidobha ilitshe elingangelitshe elikhulu lokuchola yaliphosela elwandle, yathi: “Idolobho elikhulu laseBhabhiloni lizaphoselwa phansi ngodlakela olunje, lingaphindi libonakale futhi. Umculo wabatshayi bamachacho labahlabeleli, labatshayi bemihlanga lamacilongo, kawusoze uzwakale kuwe futhi. Akukho sisebenzi lesawuphi umsebenzi esizatholakala kuwe futhi. Umsindo welitshe lokuchola kawusoze uzwakale kuwe futhi.

Ukukhanya kwesibane akusoze kukhanye kuwe futhi. Ilizwi lomyeni lelomlobokazi kalisoze lizwakale kuwe futhi. Abathengisi bakho babeyizikhulu zomhlaba. Izizwe zonke zadukiswa yibuthakathi bakho. Kuwe kwafunyanwa igazi labaphrofethi lelabangcwele, kanye lelabo bonke ababulawayo emhlabeni.’ ”

Emva kwalokhu ngezwa umsindo onjengokuhlokoma kwexuku elikhulu ezulwini limemeza lisithi: “Haleluya! Ukusindisa lodumo lamandla ngokukaNkulunkulu wethu, ngoba ukwahlulela kwakhe kuqotho njalo kulungile. Usilahlile isiphingi esikhulu esixhwalisa umhlaba ngobufebe baso. Uphindisele kuso igazi lezinceku zakhe.” Bamemeza njalo bathi: “Haleluya! Intuthu yokutsha kwaso ithunqa kuze kube nininini.” Abadala abangamatshumi amabili lane lezidalwa ezine eziphilayo bawela phansi bakhonza uNkulunkulu, owayehlezi esihlalweni sobukhosi. Bamemeza njalo bathi: “Ameni, Haleluya!” Kwasekuzwakala ilizwi elavela esihlalweni sobukhosi, lisithi: “Dumisani uNkulunkulu wethu lonke lina zinceku zakhe, lina elimesabayo, abancane labakhulu!” Ngabuya ngezwa okwakungathi lixuku elikhulu, kunjengokuhlokoma kwamanzi agelezayo lanjengokukhwaza kwezulu besithi: “Haleluya! Ngoba iNkosi yethu uNkulunkulu uSomandla uyabusa.

Kasithokozeni sithabe simuphe udumo. Ngoba umthimba weWundlu usufikile lomlobokazi walo usezilungisele. Ilineni elihle, elicazimulayo elihlanzekileyo, uliphiwe ukuba agqoke.” (Ilineni elihle limele imisebenzi emihle yabangcwele.) Ingilosi yasisithi kimi, “Loba ukuthi: ‘Babusisiwe labo abanxusiweyo edilini lomtshado weWundlu!’ ” Yengeza yathi, “La ngamazwi aqotho kaNkulunkulu.” Ngawela ezinyaweni zayo ngayikhonza. Kodwa yathi kimi, “Ungakwenzi lokhu! Mina ngiyinceku kanye lawe kanye labazalwane bakho abangofakazi bakaJesu. Khonza uNkulunkulu! Ngoba ubufakazi bukaJesu ngumoya wobuphrofethi.”

Ngabona izulu livulekile njalo khonapho phambi kwami kwakulebhiza elimhlophe, umgadi walo ethiwa nguThembekile loQiniso. Uyahlulela ngokulunga alwe impi. Amehlo akhe anjengomlilo ovuthayo, njalo ekhanda lakhe kulemiqhele eminengi. Ulebizo elilotshwe kuye elingaziwa muntu ngaphandle kwakhe yena ngokwakhe. Ugqoke isambatho esigxanyuzwe egazini, njalo ibizo lakhe nguLizwi likaNkulunkulu. Amabutho asezulwini ayemlandela, egade amabhiza amhlophe njalo egqoke ilineni elihle, elimhlophe njalo lihlanzekile. Emlonyeni wakhe kuphuma inkemba ebukhali agalela ngayo izizwe. Uzazibusa ngentonga yensimbi. Unyathela isikhamelo sewayini sentukuthelo yolaka lukaNkulunkulu uSomandla. Esambathweni sakhe lasemlenzeni wakhe kulotshwe ibizo leli elithi: INKOSI YAMAKHOSI LOMBUSI WABABUSI.

Ngasengibona ingilosi imi elangeni, eyamemezela ngelizwi elikhulu ezinyonini zonke ezazindiza emoyeni isithi, “Wozani libuthanele idili elikhulu likaNkulunkulu, ukuze lidle inyama yemizimba yamakhosi, leyezinduna zempi, leyamadoda alamandla, eyamabhiza leyabagadi bawo, kanye leyabantu bonke, abakhululekileyo lezigqili, abancane labakhulu.”

Ngabuya ngabona isilo lamakhosi asemhlabeni lamabutho awo ebuthanele ukulwa impi lomgadi webhiza kanye lebutho lakhe. Kodwa isilo sathunjwa, ndawonye lomphrofethi wamanga owayenze izibonakaliso ezimangalisayo emele sona. Ngalezizibonakaliso wabedukisa labo ababebekwe uphawu lwesilo bakhonza isifanekiso sayo. Sona lomphrofethi wamanga baphoselwa bephila echibini lomlilo wesolufa elivuthayo. Abanye babo, babulawa ngenkemba eyaphuma emlonyeni womgadi webhiza, njalo izinyoni zonke zazitika ngenyama yemizimba yabo.

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. Yamphosela eMgodini ongelamkhawulo, yakhiya, yawuvala silikici, ukumvimbela ukuba angakhohlisi izizwe futhi kuze kuphele iminyaka eyinkulungwane. Emva kwalokho kumele akhululwe okwesikhatshana.

Ngabona izihlalo zobukhosi okwakuhlezi kuzo labo ababephiwe amandla okwahlulela. Ngabona imiphefumulo yalabo ababequnywe amakhanda ngenxa yokufakazela kwabo uJesu langenxa yelizwi likaNkulunkulu. Babengasikhonzanga isilo loba isifanekiso saso njalo bengabekwanga uphawu lwaso emabunzini abo loba ezandleni zabo. Bavuka, njalo baphila njalo babusa loKhristu iminyaka eyinkulungwane. (Inengi labafileyo kalivukanga kwaze kwaphela iminyaka eyinkulungwane.) Lokhu yikuvuka ekufeni kwakuqala. Babusisiwe njalo bangcwele labo abahlanganyela ekuvukeni ekufeni kwakuqala. Ukufa kwesibili akulamandla phezu kwabo, kodwa bazakuba ngabaphristi bakaNkulunkulu labakaKhristu njalo bazabusa laye okweminyaka eyinkulungwane.

Iminyaka eyinkulungwane isidlule, uSathane uzakhululwa entolongweni yakhe, aphume ukuyakhohlisa izizwe emagumbini amane omhlaba  —  uGogi loMagogi  —  ukuba abaqoqele impi. Ngobunengi bangangenhlabathi ekhunjini lolwandle. Badabula phakathi komhlaba bahonqolozela izihonqo zabantu bakaNkulunkulu, idolobho alithandayo. Kodwa kwehla umlilo uvela ezulwini wabaqothula.

Omubi, owayebakhohlisile, waphoselwa echibini lesolufa elivuthayo, lapho okwakuphoselwe khona inyamazana lomphrofethi wamanga. Bazachukuluzwa emini lebusuku kuze kube nininini.

Ngabuya ngabona isihlalo sobukhosi esikhulu kanye lalowo owayehlezi kuso. Umhlaba lomkhathi kwabaleka phambi kwakhe, akwaze kwaba lendawo yakho. Ngasengibona abafileyo, abancane labakhulu, bemi phambi kwesihlalo sobukhosi, kwasekuvulwa izincwadi. Kwavulwa enye incwadi, eyincwadi yokuphila. Abafileyo bahlulelwa mayelana lalokho ababekwenzile okwakulotshwe ezincwadini. Ulwandle lwakhupha abafileyo ababekulo, ukufa leHadesi kwakhupha abafileyo ababekukho, umuntu ngamunye wahlulelwa mayelana lalokho akwenzayo. Ukufa leHadesi kwaphoselwa echibini lomlilo. Ichibi lomlilo liyikufa kwesibili. Uma umuntu ibizo lakhe lalitholakala lingalotshwanga encwadini yokuphila, wayephoselwa echibini lomlilo.

Ngabuya ngabona izulu elitsha lomhlaba omutsha, ngoba izulu lakuqala lomhlaba wakuqala kwasekudlule, njalo ulwandle lwalungasekho. Ngabona iDolobho eliNgcwele, iJerusalema elitsha, lisehlela phansi liphuma ezulwini kuNkulunkulu lilungiswe njengomlobokazi ececele umkakhe.

Ngezwa ilizwi elikhulu livela esihlalweni sobukhosi lisithi, “Khathesi ikhaya likaNkulunkulu selisebantwini, uzahlala labo. Bazakuba ngabantu bakhe, njalo uNkulunkulu yena uqobo uzakuba labo abe nguNkulunkulu wabo. Uzazesula zonke izinyembezi emehlweni abo. Akusayikuba khona futhi ukufa loba ukulila loba ukukhala loba ubuhlungu, ngoba umumo omdala wezinto usudlule.” Lowo owayehlezi esihlalweni sobukhosi wathi, “Ngenza izinto zonke zibe zintsha!” Wabuya wathi, “Kulobe lokhu, ngoba amazwi la aqotho njalo aliqiniso.” Wasesithi kimi, “Sekwenzakele. Mina ngingu-Alfa lo-Omega, ukuQala lokuCina. Lowo owomileyo ngizamnathisa emthonjeni wamanzi okuphila kungekho mbadalo. Lowo onqobayo uzakudla ilifa lakho konke lokhu, njalo ngizakuba nguNkulunkulu wakhe yena abe yindodana yami. Kodwa amagwala, labangakholwayo, labaxhwalileyo, lababulali leziphingi, labathakathi, labakhonza izithombe labo bonke abaqamba amanga  —  indawo yabo izakuba sechibini lomlilo wesolufa ovuthayo. Lokhu yikufa kwesibili.” 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. Lakhanyisa ngenkazimulo kaNkulunkulu, ukucwebezela kwalo kwakufana lokwelitshe eliligugu, njengejaspha, licwebezela njengelitshe elikhanyisayo. Lalilomduli omkhulu, ophakemeyo lamasango alitshumi lambili kanye lezingilosi ezilitshumi emasangweni. Emasangweni kwakulotshwe amabizo ezizwana ezilitshumi lambili zako-Israyeli. Kwakulamasango amathathu ngasempumalanga, lamathathu ngasenyakatho, lamathathu ngaseningizimu, kanye lamathathu ngasentshonalanga. Umduli wedolobho wawulezisekelo ezilitshumi lambili, njalo phezu kwazo kwakulamabizo abaphostoli beWundlu abalitshumi lambili. Ingilosi eyakhuluma lami yayilomqwayi wegolide owokulinganisa idolobho, amasango alo lomduli walo. Idolobho lalakhiwe lalingana inxa zonke, lilide okungangobubanzi balo. Yalilinganisa idolobho ngomqwayi yathola lingamakhilomitha azi-2,200 ubude, njalo libanzi liphakeme okulingana lobude balo. Yalinganisa umduli walo, wawuyizingalo ezilikhulu lamatshumi amane lane ubuqatha bawo, ngesilinganiso sabantu esasisetshenziswa yingilosi. Umduli wawenziwe ngejaspha, idolobho lakhiwe ngegolide elicengeke njengengilazi. Izisekelo zemiduli yedolobho zaziceciswe ngezinhlobo zonke zamatshe aligugu. Isisekelo sakuqala sasiyijaspha, esesibili kuyisafire, esesithathu kuyikhalisedoni, esesine kuyiemaralidi, esesihlanu kuyisadonikisi, esesithupha kuyikhaneliyani, esesikhombisa kuyikhrisolithe, eseficamibili kuyibherili, eseficamunye kuyithophazi, esetshumi kuyikhrisophirase, esetshumi lanye kuyijasinti, esetshumi lambili kuyiamethisithi. Amasango alitshumi lambili ayengamatshe obuhlalu alitshumi lambili, isango ngalinye lenziwe ngelitshe elilodwa lobuhlalu. Umgwaqo omkhulu wedolobho wawuligolide elicengekileyo njengengilazi ebonisa okungale kwayo.

Kangibonanga thempeli edolobheni, ngoba iNkosi uNkulunkulu uSomandla leWundlu balithempeli lalo. Idolobho kalisweli langa loba inyanga yokukhanyisa kulo, ngoba inkazimulo kaNkulunkulu ilinika ukukhanya, leWundlu liyisibane salo. Izizwe zizahamba ekukhanyeni kwalo, lamakhosi omhlaba azaletha ubukhazikhazi bawo kulo. Akulasuku lapho amasango alo azake avalwe ngalo, ngoba akuyikuba lobusuku khona. Inkazimulo lodumo lwezizwe kuzalethwa kulo. Akulalutho olungcolileyo oluzake lungene kulo, loba ngubani owenza okulihlazo kumbe inkohliso, kodwa labo kuphela abalamabizo abo alotshwe encwadini yokuphila yeWundlu.

“Khangelani, ngiyeza masinyane! Umvuzo wami ukimi, njalo umuntu wonke ngizamupha mayelana lalokho akwenzileyo.