Isahluko 6 — Umyalezo Nabathunywa

GSAM 108.1“Bhala umbono, uwubeke ngokusobala ezibhebheni, ukuze lowo owufundayo agijime. Ngoba umbono usalindele isikhathi esinqunyiwe, kodwa ekugcineni uzokhuluma, futhi ngeke uqambe amanga; noma ulibazisekile, wulindele; ngoba nakanjani uzofika, ngeke ubambezeleke.”¹

GSAM 108.2“Ngabona enye ingelosi indizela phakathi kwesibhakabhaka, inevangeli elingapheli lokushumayela kulabo abahlala emhlabeni, nakuzo zonke izizwe, imindeni, izilimi nabantu, yathi ngelizwi elikhulu, Yesabani uNkulunkulu, nimnike udumo; ngoba sekufikile isikhathi sokwahlulela kwakhe; niyakhonze lowo owadala izulu nomhlaba, ulwandle nemithombo yamanzi.”²

GSAM 108.3Labo ababeyisa isimemezelo sokufika kwakhe bathi lo “mbono” onesikhathi sawo “esibekiwe,” okukhulunywe ngawo ngumprofethi Habakuki, ubandakanya imibono yeziprofetho zikaDaniyeli nowomlobi weNcwadi yeSambulo. Lezi bazicacisa ngokucacile ezichazweni zabo kumashadi abo eziprofetho, kangangokuba lowo owafunda incazelo wayengashesha “agijime” futhi adlulisele lolu lwazi kwabanye.

GSAM 108Umyalezo Oqondile

GSAM 108.4Isimemezelo sabantu bama-Adventist sasingesona nje isimemezelo esenziwe nguPawulu phambi kukaFelix, esithi “Ubulungisa, ukuzithiba, nesahlulelo esizayo;” futhi sasingesona nesisho esenziwe uMartin Luther, ngemva kokuqeda ukuhumusha iBhayibheli, lapho, isikhathi esifushane ngaphambi kokushona kwakhe, kubikwa ukuthi wathi, “Ngiyakholwa ukuthi isahlulelo asikude; yebo, ukuthi uJehova uqobo akasoze alibazise ngaphezu kweminyaka engamakhulu amathathu.” Futhi kwakungewona nombiko kaJohn Wesley, lapho ethi “ecabanga ukuthi i-millennium ingaqala cishe eminyakeni eyikhulu.” Ama-Adventist abebanga ukuthi anikela ngomyalezo obonakaliswe ku-IsAmbulo 14:6, 7, “Lifike ihora lokwahlulela kwakhe,” kanye nokukhala kweSambulo 10:6, “Isikhathi ngeke sibe khona.” Lesi siprofetho asikwazanga ukugcwaliseka ngokumemezela isenzakalo esazayo “esizofika” “eminyakeni engu-300” noma “engu-100”, kodwa ngesikhathi esiqondile, “sesifikile.” Umyalezo onjalo, onokucaca okufanayo nalokho okufunwa yiziprofetho ezingenhla, wamemezwa ngabantu bama-Adventist emhlabeni wonke.

GSAM 109Ukwahlulelwa Ekufikeni kukaKristu

GSAM 109.1Ngesikhathi lo myalezo umemezelwa okokuqala, zonke izinhlangano zobuKristu zazibamba ukuthi ukwahlulela kuzokwenzeka ekufikeni kwesibili kukaKristu. Ngakho-ke abantu ababephansi kwalezo zimo, behambisa umyalezo wokuthi ihora lokwahlulela selifikile, ngenkathi bebambe lowo mbono, kwakuyodingeka bamemezele ukufika kwesibili kukaKristu. Eqinisweni, lokho okwawunika lo myalezo amandla, futhi okwawushukumisela kakhulu abantu, kwakuwukumemezela isikhathi esiqondile. Okokuqala bathi ukuphela komhlaba kuzofika ngesinye isikhathi phakathi “konyaka wamaJuda” ka-1843, nokuthi lokhu kwakubandakanya isikhathi phakathi kukaMashi 21, 1843, noMashi 21, 1844. Ngemva kokudlula kwalesi sikhathi, sifunda eMidnight Cry yonyaka ka-1844 ukuthi usuku oluqondile lwalumisiwe ekupheleni kwezikhathi zobuprofethi. Lolu kwakuwusuku lwe-10 lenyanga yesikhombisa yamaJuda, oluhambelana no-Okthoba 22, 1844.

GSAM 109Ukubala izinsuku ezingama-2300

GSAM 109.2Isisekelo sesikhathi—1843—sasiyizinsuku eziyizinkulungwane ezimbili namakhulu amathathu zesahluko 8 sikaDaniyeli. Kwathiwa njengoba lezi “zinsuku” zihlangene neziprofetho lapho izilwane zikhethwa ukumela imibuso, “izinsuku” kumele zisetshenziswe ngokomfanekiso ukumela iminyaka, ngokwencazelo yeNkosi mayelana nesikhathi esifanekiswayo, njengoba kunikezwe kuNumeri 14:34 nase-Hezekeli 4:5, 6; ukuthi amaviki angamashumi ayisikhombisa—izinsuku ezingama-490—aseDaniyeli 9 kwakuyoba yingxenye yokuqala yezinsuku eziyizinkulungwane ezimbili namakhulu amathathu, nokuthi lezi zikhathi zombili zaqala ngasikhathi sinye. Isigameko esichazwe kuDaniyeli 9, esaphawula ukuqala kwamaviki angamashumi ayisikhombisa, kwakuyi “ukuphuma komyalo wokubuyisela nokwakha iJerusalema.” Lo myalo waphuma ngonyaka wesikhombisa ka-Artaxerxes Longimanus, ngo-457 B.C., njengoba kubhalwe ku-Ezra 7.

GSAM 110.1Lokhu kwakuyisikhathi sangempela sokuqala kwamaviki angamashumi ayisikhombisa kwabonakala ngokuthi emavikini angamashumi ayisithupha nesishiyagalolunye kuphela—iminyaka engu-483—kusukela ngo-457 B.C., noma ngo-27 A.D., uKristu wabhapathizwa nguJohane wangena enkonzweni yakhe, ethi, “Isikhathi sesigcwalisekile,”³ njll. Ukuqala kwenkonzo kaKristu, ngo-27 A.D., ukubulawa kwakhe esiphambanweni eminyakeni emithathu nengxenye kusukela ngaleso sikhathi, “phakathi [phakathi nendawo] kweviki [lamashumi ayisikhombisa],” ukuphela komsebenzi okhethekile phakathi kwamaJuda, ngonyaka ka-34 AD, nokuguqulwa ngokushesha kukaSauli, umphostoli wabezizwe, kwafakazela ukuthi amaviki angamashumi ayisikhombisa aphelile ngalelo langa, ngakho-ke aqala ngo-457 BC. Bahlela udaba kanje: Kusuka ku-2300 susa u-457, bese kusala u-1843. Futhi njengoba iminyaka engu-457 yayingaphambi kukaKristu, sifika ekupheleni kwezinsuku ezingu-2300 ekupheleni konyaka ka-1843.

GSAM 110Ukuvuma kwabaphikisi

GSAM 110.2Kushiwo ngokwethembeka ukuthi “ukwamukelwa kweqiniso okuvela kubaphikisi bakhona kunikeza ubufakazi obuphakeme kakhulu.” Akekho umphikisi womyalezo wokufika oke waphakamisa ukuthi ukwahlulelwa kokuphenya kwabantu bakaJehova kwakuyisenzakalo esizokwenzeka ngaphambi kokufika kukaKristu; kodwa bacabanga ngalolu daba ngokuhambisana nama-Adventist. Njengobufakazi balokhu, sicaphuna kubaphikisi ababili abadumile.

GSAM 110.3UMnu. N. Colver, efundisa eMarlboro Street Chapel, eBoston, ngo-1842, ephikisana nama-Adventist, wathi:—

GSAM 111.1“Uma lezi zinsuku ziyiminyaka, umhlaba uzophela ngo-1843; noma iyiphi ingane yesikole ingakubona lokhu; ngoba uma ama-490 ephelile ekufeni kukaKristu, izinsuku eziyi-2300 nazo zizophela ngo-1843; futhi umhlaba kumele uphele, ngaphandle kokuthi kungakhombiswa ukuthi esinye isenzakalo sizokwenzeka, futhi angiboni ukuthi lokho kungenziwa kanjani.”

GSAM 111.2UProfesa Stuart, cishe ngaleso sikhathi, wathi:

GSAM 111.2“Kuyinto engaqhelekanga ukuthi iningi labahumushi emhlabeni waseNgilandi naseMelika, iminyaka eminingi, belivame ukuqonda izinsuku ezibhalwe kuDaniyeli naseSambulweni njengokumela, noma izimpawu, zeminyaka. Ngibonile kunzima ukulandela imvelaphi yalo mkhuba ojwayelekile, ngingasho ukuthi cishe wonke umhlaba.”

GSAM 111Ubufakazi bukaProfesa Bush

GSAM 111.3UProfesa Bush wathi: “Noma ubani ohlasela uMnu. Miller ngesihloko sakhe sesikhathi, umhlasela ngesihloko sakhe esinamandla kakhulu. Isikhathi sakhe siqondile; kodwa uyaphutha ngomcimbi ozokwenzeka.” UBush wayekholelwa ekuguqulweni kwezwe lonke ngaphambi kokufika kukaKristu. Umbono wakhe wawukuthi i-millennium izoqala ngo-1844.

GSAM 111.4Abashumayeli bokholo lokufika bafundisa ezinkulumweni zabo zomphakathi ukuthi umlando womhlaba wawubonisa izizwe ezahlukene zisesimweni esibonakaliswa isithombe saseDaniyeli 2, lapho itshe lalizobetha isithombe ezinyaweni, uNkulunkulu wasezulwini wasungula umbuso wakhe; futhi esahlukweni 7, lapho “umbuso nobukhosi nobukhulu bombuso ngaphansi kwezulu lonke kuzonikezwa abangcwele boMphakeme.” Baphinde bagcizelela ukuthi izimpawu—zomzimba, zezombusazwe, nezokuziphatha—zaziyikho nje lokho imiBhalo eyayibike ukuthi kuzobonakala lapho iNkosi izobonakala.

GSAM 111Izimangaliso Ezulwini

GSAM 111.5INkosi, ngomprofethi uJoweli, ithi: “Ngizobonisa izimangaliso ezulwini nasemhlabeni, igazi nomlilo nezinsika zomusi. Ilanga lizoba mnyama, nenyanga ibe yegazi, ngaphambi kokufika kosuku olukhulu nolwesabekayo lweNkosi.”⁴ Ama-Adventist akholelwa futhi afundisa ukuthi i-aurora borealis yamakhulu eminyaka adlule (evame ukubizwa ngokuthi izibani zaseNyakatho) kwakuyi “mlilo nezinsika zomusi” ezihlangabezana nezimfuneko zomprofethi; futhi ngokwemininingwane engcono kakhulu etholakala emlandweni (sibhekisela ku-Edinburg Encyclopedia njengobufakazi), yayingavamile ukubonwa ngaphambi kwalesi sikhathi.

GSAM 112.1Ngakho-ke, ngenkathi umyalezo wokushesha kokufika kweNkosi wawusabalala ezingxenyeni ezikude kakhulu zomhlaba, kwavezwa izimpawu ezulwini ezaqinisa iqiniso futhi zathwebula ukunaka kwabantu.

GSAM 112.2NgoJanuwari 25, 1837, kwabonakala ukubonakaliswa okumangalisayo kwe-aurora borealis evuthayo, okwakubonakala kuqondisa izingqondo zabantu abaningi ngqo esiprofethweni sikaJoweli sokuthi yini ezolandela ngaphambi kosuku olukhulu lweNkosi. Incazelo elandelayo yesigcawu ivela ku-New York Commercial Advertiser yango-22 Okthoba 1839. Iyahambisana ngokunembile nesigcawu njengoba umbhali asibonile eVictor, e-Ontario County, eNew York.

GSAM 112I-Aurora Yomlilo ka-1837

GSAM 112.3“Ngobusuku bangoJanuwari 25, 1837, kwaba nombukiso omangalisayo wezimo ezifanayo [okusho i-aurora borealis] ezindaweni ezahlukene zezwe, njengoba abafundi bethu bengasoze bakukhohlwa. Lapho umhlaba wawugcwele iqhwa, umbono wawumangalisayo futhi ‘wesabekayo’ ngendlela engakaze ibonwe ngaphambili. Endaweni eyodwa, eseduze kwentaba, abantu ababebona lesi simo basitshela ukuthi sasifana ‘namagagasi omlilo ehla entabeni,’ futhi ngokuvamile, ngokwalokho esikutholile, iqhwa elalimboza umhlaba lalibonakala njengomlilo oxubene negazi, kanti phezulu (njengoba umphostoli ethi), ‘izulu lishiswa umlilo,’ kwakufana kakhulu nencazelo yeziprofetho ngosuku lokugcina kangangokuthi abaningi bamangala; Izingane ezazibona zazethukile, zaphonsa umbuzo ukuthi ingabe kuwukuza kokwahlulela; ngisho nezilwane zazizamazama ngokwesaba okukhulu.”

GSAM 113.1Akuzange kube eMelika kuphela lapho lesi sibonakaliso sikaMprofethi uJoweli savela khona, kodwa njengoba imfundiso yokufika kweNkosi yayithola ukuduma eBrithani Elikhulu, lesi sibonakaliso esifanayo sabonakala ezulwini kulelo zwe. I-New York Commercial Advertiser yango-22 Okthoba 1839, icaphuna okulandelayo emaphepheni aseLondon mayelana nesimanga esiyingqayizivele esibonwe kulelo lizwe ebusuku mhlaka 3 Septhemba:—

GSAM 113I-Aurora ka-1839

GSAM 113.2“LONDON, SEPTEMBA 5.—Phakathi kwehora leshumi ngobusuku boLwesine nehora lesithathu ekuseni izolo, ezulwini kwabonakala esinye sezibonakaliso ezinhle kakhulu zalezi zimo ezingajwayelekile, izinkanyezi eziwayo nezibani zaseNyakatho, ezake zabonwa eminyakeni eminingi edlule. Isibonakaliso sokuqala salesi simanga esingajwayelekile sabonakala ngemizuzu eyishumi ngaphambi kwehora leshumi ebusuku, lapho ukukhanya okubomvu okukhanyayo, okwakubonakala njengomusi, kwaphuma engxenyeni enyakatho yesibhakabhaka, kwase kancane kancane kwanda kwaze kwafinyelela emaphakathi ezulwini, kwathi ngo-10 ebusuku noma ngo-10:15, konke kusuka empumalanga kuya entshonalanga kwaba yisicaba esikhulu sokukhanya. Kwabonakala kuyethusa kakhulu, futhi kwakufana ngqo nalokho okubangelwa umlilo omkhulu. Ukukhanya kwashintsha kakhulu; kwesinye isikhathi kwabonakala kwehla, kwathi ngokushesha kwakhuphuka ngokukhanya okukhulu. Kwakubonakala nezinqwaba zomusi exubene nakho, egijima izikhathi eziningi, futhi wonke umuntu obukayo wayeqinisekile ukuthi ‘kwakuwumlilo omkhulu owesabekayo.’

GSAM 113.3“Ukwesaba okukhulu kwakuseDolobheni Elikhulu; izinkulungwane zabantu zazigijima ziya endaweni lapho kwakucatshangwa khona lesi sigameko esesabekayo. Izinjini zomlilo ezivela eziteshini zeBrigade Yomlilo eBaker Street, eFarringdon Street, eWatling Street, eWaterloo Road, kanye nalezo ezivela eziteshini zaseNtshonalanga London—ngempela, yonke injini yomlilo eLondon, yafakwa amahhashi yagijima ngamandla angaphezu kwajwayelekile iya endaweni ekucatshangwayo ‘yokubhujiswa’, ilandelwa izinqola, abagibeli bamahhashi, nezixuku ezinkulu. Ezinye zezinjini zomlilo zaya eHigh Gate naseHalloway [cishe amayela amane] ngaphambi kokuthi iphutha litholakale. Lezi zimo zihlale zingaphezu kwamahora amabili, futhi ekuseni umbono waba ngowobukhulu.

GSAM 114.1“Ngehora lesibili ekuseni lesi simo sabonisa umbono omangalisayo kakhulu, onzima kakhulu ukuchaza. Yonke iLondon yayikhanyisiwe njengokukhanya kwemini, futhi umoya wawucacile ngokumangalisayo. Ingxenye yesibhakabhaka eseningizimu, ngaleso sikhathi esishiwo, yize ingenaso ifu, yayimnyama kakhulu; kodwa izinkanyezi, ezingenakubalwa, zazikhanya ngobuhle. Eceleni okuphambene kwesibhakabhaka kwakukhona umehluko oyingqayizivele kodwa omangalisayo; kwakucacile ngokuphelele, nokukhanya kwakukhanyayo kakhulu; kwakukhona ukuqhubeka okuqhubekayo kwezinkanyezi ezidlulayo, ezazihluka ekukhanyeni kwazo—zazibonakala zisungulwa emaphakathi esibhakabhakeni, futhi zasakazeka kuze kwabonakala sengathi ziyaphuka. Umphumela wawumangalisayo. Izinkulungwane zezinkanyezi ezincane zaphuma ngaphezu komkhathizwe, zashesha ngokwedlulele zaya emhlabeni kangangokuba iso belingakwazi ukulandela umkhondo wazo; zazibonakala ziqhuma futhi zikhupha intuthu ebomvu emnyama kuso sonke isigamu sesibhakabhaka. Imibala yayimangalisayo kakhulu.

GSAM 114.2“Ngehora lesibili nengxenye, umbono waguquka waba ubumnyama, obathi lapho buhlakazeka, babonisa uthingo lwenkosazana olukhanyayo phezulu ezulwini, nasezindaweni ezizungeze umngcele wobumnyama owawugobile ingxenye eseningizimu yezwe. Maduzane ngemva kwalokho kwavela izinsika zokukhanya okusiliva zisuka kulo. Zakhula ngokumangalisayo, zaxubana nomusi obomvu owawuvela ngasikhathi sinye, futhi lapho sezifinyelele phezulu umbono wawungaphezu kwazo zonke izicabango. Izinkanyezi zazidubula ziya ezindaweni zonke, futhi zaqhubeka kuze kube yihora lesine, lapho zonke zanyamalala khona.”

GSAM 114Ukubonakala Okumangazayo Elangeni

GSAM 114.3Ngesikhathi abashumayeli abaphilayo bechaza iqiniso lokufika kweNkosi, kwabonakala izimangaliso eziningi nezehlukahlukene ezulwini ezingxenyeni ezahlukene zomhlaba. Phakathi kwazo, isikhala sethu sivumela kuphela ukubonisa ukubonakala kwelanga eNorwich, eNgilandi, ngoDisemba 1843. Okufanayo kwenzeka eNew Haven, eConnecticut, mhla zingama-9 kuSepthemba 1844, amahora amabili ngaphambi nangemva kwemini, futhi kwabonwa ngabantu abayizinkulungwane.

GSAM 115Ukubonakala Okumangazayo Kwelanga

GSAM 115.1Indilinga encane sangaphakathi simela ilanga. Sasinombala osawolintshi okhanyayo. Ingxenye yangaphandle yalezi zindilinga ezimbili, ezazikude ngokungalingani nelanga futhi ziyizungeze, yayinombala ofanayo; kodwa ingxenye yangaphakathi yalezi zindilinga yayiphuzi ejulile, isibhakabhaka phakathi kwazo sasibonakala sinombala onsundu omnyama, kanti izindilinga ezinkulu ezintathu ezidlula phakathi kwelanga nangaphansi kwalo zazibonakala ziwukukhanya okucacile okuqhakazile.

GSAM 115.2Mayelana nalokhu okwenzeka eNgilandi sifunda encwadini evela ku-E. Lloyd, eLondon, mhla ziyi-3 Januwari 1844, kanje:—

GSAM 115.3“Kube nophawu olumangalisayo ‘elangeni,’ olwabonwa izakhamuzi eziphambili zaseNorwich kanye nezindawo ezizungezile, olungakaze lubonwe eNgilandi ngaphambili. Lwabonwa ngoDisemba odlule, cishe ngo-12 emini, lwaqhubeka amahora amabili. Lwethusa kakhulu izakhamuzi. Kwenzeka ngaphambi nje kokuba abafowethu uWinter, uBurgess noRouton bavule umsebenzi wabo wokushumayela kulelo dolobha. Kwabonakala sengathi kulungiselela indlela yobuqiniso, ngakho baphumelela kahle lapho.”

GSAM 116.1Incazelo yalesi simanga njengoba senzeka eNew Haven, Conn., inikezwe kuMidnight Cry ka-10 Okthoba 1844, futhi yathathwa kuNew Haven Palladium ka-10 Septhemba 1844. Encazelweni kuCry umhleli uthi, “Akekho isazi somqondo okwazile ukunikeza incazelo yembangela yalesi simanga eyamanelisayo.”

GSAM 116.2Incazelo yalesi sibonakaliso esavela ngokuhlobene nelanga eNew Haven, Conn., mhla zingama-9 Septhemba 1844, yaphinde yashicilelwa kuHartford Courant mhla zingama-12 Septhemba 1844, futhi ifundeka kanje:—

GSAM 116.3“Izindandatho ezizungeze ilanga ngoMsombuluko, mhlaka 9 Septhemba 1844, amahora amabili ngaphambi nangemva kwemini, kubonakala sengathi zabonwa ngabantu bethu ngokujwayelekile ngentshisekelo enkulu, futhi zivuse intshisekelo ehlakaniphile yokufunda kabanzi mayelana nokubonakala okufana nalokhu kanye nesizathu sawo.

GSAM 116.4“Ihalo yamanje yayimangalisayo ngokuhlala kwayo isikhathi eside, futhi yanikeza amathuba amahle okuqaphela. Cishe emini emaqanda yayihlanganisa ikakhulu imijikelezo emibili ephelele, eyodwa cishe amadigri angama-45 ububanzi, ezungeza ilanga enkabeni yalo, kanti enye cishe amadigri angama-72 ububanzi, enenhliziyo yayo ezenithi, kanti umjikelezo wayo wawudlula elangeni. Umjikelezo omncane wawuhambisana ne-ellipse enomgogodla omkhulu, kanti i-eccentricity yayo yayincane. Ngqo ngaphesheya kwelanga, futhi amadigri angamashumi amathathu nesithupha enyakatho kwezenithi, isiyingi esikhulu sasihlukaniswa yiziyingi ezimbili ezazicishe zibe ngosayizi ofanayo, okwakwakha endaweni yokuhlangana indawo ekhanyayo, njengoba kungavela ngokwemvelo ekukhanyeni okuhlanganisiwe kwezindandatho ezintathu ezikhanyayo. Indandatho eyayizungeza ilanga yayiveza imibala yothingo lwenkosazana, kaningi ngokucaca nangobuhle obukhulu. Ezinye izindandatho zazimhlophe futhi zazibuthakathaka, njengoba zazikude nelanga. Nokho, izingxenye ezincane zezindandatho, ezinombala we-prismatic [wothingo lwenkosazana], zavela ngezikhathi ezahlukene, empumalanga nasentshonalanga.... Lokhu kufana kokwakheka kumele kuxhomeke kumthetho olawula ukwakheka kwe-halo; kodwa imvelo yalo mthetho ayikacaci ngokuphelele.... Akubanga nobunzima obukhulu ekuchazeni ukwakheka kwendandatho ezungeza ilanga, ngoba imbangela yayo ifana naleyo ekhiqiza uthingo lwenkosazana, kodwa ukuchaza umthombo wendandatho enomjikelezo wayo enkabeni yelanga kube nzima kakhulu.”

GSAM 117Izimangaliso Ezifezela Izibikezelo ZemiBhalo

GSAM 117.1Mayelana nokusetshenziswa kwalezi zimangaliso ezibonwe ezulwini eNgilandi naseMelika, singafunda ngokufunda i-Exposition of the Twenty-fourth of Matthew, ebhalwe uSylvester Bliss, eyashicilelwa eBoston ngo-1843. Ngemva kokucaphuna eminye yale mibiko engenhla, uthi:—

GSAM 117.2“Ngakho-ke ‘izimpawu ezinkulu’ ‘nezibukwayo ezesabekayo’ ezibikezelwe eMibhalweni yeQiniso zibonakala sezifezekile zonke, kanye nalezo uMsindisi ayeshilo ukuthi zizolandela ngaphambi kokufika kwakhe.

GSAM 117.3“Njengoba ukuhluma kwamaqabunga ezihlahleni kuyisibonakaliso sehlobo, kanjalo-ke, lapho lezi zimpawu sezifezekile, amaKristu kumele azi ukuthi ukufika kukaKristu sekuseduze, sekusemnyango. Akuyona nje imvume yokukwazi lokhu, kodwa uMsindisi wethu uyala ukuthi bakwazi lokhu.”⁵

GSAM 117IZITHUNYWA

GSAM 117.4Ngemva kokugcizelela ezinye zezici eziphambili zomyalezo wokubuya kwesibili kukaKristu, njengoba wawumemezelwa okokuqala, kungaba nentshisekelo ukuqaphela abambalwa babo ababeyindima ebalulekile ekumemezelweni okukhulu. Sesivele sanikeza amagama abaningi ababengabashumayeli abanekhono kakhulu ngaleso sikhathi emazweni angaphandle ababememezela lesi simemezelo. Njengoba sigcizelela abanye abahola phambili eMelika, ababebekwe uJehova umthwalo womsebenzi, lokhu kuzosiza ukukhombisa ngokwengeziwe ukuthi isandla sikaJehova sasikulo mkhankaso ngempela.

GSAM 118uWilliam Miller

GSAM 118.1Okokuqala sizobheka udaba lukaWilliam Miller, owayedume kakhulu emkhankasweni wokufika e-United States kangangokuba kwabaningi lo mkhankaso wawaziwa kuphela ngokuthi “UbuMiller.”

GSAM 118.2UWilliam Miller wazalelwa ePittsfield, eMassachusetts, ngoFebhuwari 1782. Ebuncaneni bakhe, kwabonakala izimpawu zokuba namandla engqondo nokusebenza okuphezulu okungajwayelekile. Eminyakeni embalwa kamuva, lezi zimpawu zaqala ukuvela kakhulu kubo bonke ababehlanganyela naye. Wayenempilo eqinile, ingqondo esebenzayo futhi ethuthukile ngokwemvelo, kanye nobuntu obungenasono. Wayethola amathuba amancane esikoleni sendawo, kodwa ngemva kweminyaka embalwa kwavuma wonke umuntu ukuthi lokho ayekufundile kwakudlula okwabafundisi abajwayelekile.

GSAM 118.3UMnu. Miller washada ngo-1802, wahlala ePoultney, eVt. Amadoda ayehambisana nawo kusukela ngesikhathi ethuthela ePoultney, futhi ayebakweleta kakhulu ngenxa yezibusiso zakhe zomhlaba, ayethonywe kakhulu yizimfundiso zokungabaza kanye nezimfundiso zikaDeism. Babengamadoda anezimilo ezinhle, kodwa njengokuhlanganyela kwabo babeyizakhamuzi ezinhle, futhi ngokuvamile babe nesimilo esinzima, benobuntu futhi benomusa. Nokho, baphika iBhayibheli njengomgomo weqiniso lenkolo, futhi bazama ukwenza ukuphika kwabo kubonakale kuyiqiniso ngosizo ababewuthola ezincwadini zikaVoltaire, Hume, Volney, Paine, Ethan Allen nabanye. UMnu. Miller wafunda le misebenzi ngokucophelela, ekugcineni waziveza njengomlandeli weDeism. Wathi yena ukuthi impilo yakhe yeDeism yathatha iminyaka eyishumi nambili, yaqala cishe ngo-1804.

GSAM 118.4Ethola isikhundla sikakaputeni, wangena ebuthweni ngo-1810. Lapho ebuya ebuthweni, wahambisa umndeni wakhe eLow Hampton, eNew York, ukuze aqale ukulima khona ngo-1812. Njengomlimi, wayenethuba eliningi lokufunda. Wathola ukuthi imibono yakhe yeDeism ayimniki isiqiniseko sokujabula ngemuva kokuphila kwamanje. Ngale kwethuna konke kwakumnyama futhi kudabukisa. Ukusebenzisa amazwi akhe:

GSAM 118.4“Ukubhujiswa kwakuwumcabango obandayo nowethusayo, futhi ukubophezela kwakuyiqiniso lokubhujiswa kwabo bonke. Izulu lalifana nethusi phezu kwekhanda lami, nomhlaba wawunjengensimbi ngaphansi kwezinyawo zami. Ingunaphakade!—kwakuyini? Futhi ukufa!—kungani? Lapho ngicabanga kakhulu, lapho ngikude kakhulu nokuqinisekisa. Lapho ngicabanga kakhulu, lapho iziphetho zami zazihlukaniswa kakhulu. Ngizamile ukuyeka ukucabanga, kodwa imicabango yami ayizange ilawulwe. Bengihluphekile ngempela, kodwa angizange ngiqonde imbangela.... Maduzane ngemva kwalokho, ngokuzumayo isimilo soMsindisi safakwa ngokusobala engqondweni yami. Kwabonakala sengathi kungaba khona isidalwa esinobubele nesihawu kangangokuthi singahlawulela sona iziphambeko zethu, futhi ngaleyo ndlela sisisindise ekubhekaneni nesijeziso sesono. Ngashesha ngazizwa ukuthi lowo muntu angaba muhle kangakanani; futhi ngacabanga ukuthi bengingazibeka ezingalweni zakhe, ngithembele emusa wakhe.”

GSAM 119Ukuguqulwa kukaWilliam Miller

GSAM 119.1Waphinde wathi:

GSAM 119.1“Ngabona ukuthi iBhayibheli laliveza uMsindisi ofanele engangimdingayo; futhi ngangididekile ukuthola ukuthi incwadi engaphefumulelwe ingaveza kanjani izimiso ezifanele ngokuphelele izidingo zomhlaba owehlile. Ngaphoqeleka ukuvuma ukuthi iziBhalo kumele zibe ukuvezwa okuvela kuNkulunkulu. Zaba yinjabulo yami; futhi kuJesu ngathola umngane.... IBhayibheli manje laba yincwadi yami eyinhloko engangiyifunda, futhi ngingasho ngempela ukuthi ngayifunda ngenjabulo enkulu. Ngathola ukuthi angikaze ngitshelwe ngisho nengxenye. Ngazibuza ukuthi kungani bengingakaze ngibone ubuhle nobuqaqawuli bayo ngaphambili, futhi ngamangala ukuthi ngangikwazi kanjani ukuyinqaba.”

GSAM 119.2Indlela uWilliam Miller ayefunda ngayo iBhayibheli ichazwe yena ngokwakhe kanje:

GSAM 119.2“Ngazimisela ukubeka eceleni zonke izimvo zami zangaphambilini, ukuze ngiqhathanise ngokuphelele izahluko zemiBhalo nemiBhalo, futhi ngilandele ukutadisha kwazo ngendlela ehlelekile, enohlelo.... Noma nini lapho ngithola okuthile okungacacile, kwakuyindlela yami ukuqhathanisa nazo zonke izahluko ezihlobene; futhi, ngosizo lukaCruden, ngahlola zonke izahluko zeBhayibheli lapho kwakutholakala khona noma yimaphi amagama avelele ayekuleyo ngxenye engacacile.... Ngale ndlela ngalandela ukufunda iBhayibheli, ekuqaleni kokufunda kwami, cishe iminyaka emibili, futhi ngagcina nganelisekile ngokuphelele ukuthi iyazichazela yona.

GSAM 120.1“Ngesikhathi ngifunda kanjalo, ngagcina ngiqinisekile ukuthi uma iziprofetho esezigcwaliswe esikhathini esedlule ziyisilinganiso sokwahlulela indlela yokugcwaliseka kwalezo ezisazayo, imibono evamile ngobukhosi bokomoya bukaKristu—iminyaka eyinkulungwane yokubusa kwasemhlabeni ngaphambi kokuphela komhlaba, nokubuyela kwamaJuda—ayisekelwa izwi likaNkulunkulu.... Ngithole kufundiswa ngokusobala eMibhalweni ukuthi uJesu Kristu uzophinde wehle kulo mhlaba, eze emafini ezulwini, ngenkazimulo yonke kayise.

GSAM 120.2“Ngazizwa ngijabule ngokufunda imiBhalo engangingakaze ngicabange ukuthi inganginika injabulo enjalo ngaphambilini. Ngaqala ukuyifunda ngaphandle kokulindela ukuthola isikhathi sokufika koMsindisi, futhi ekuqaleni kwakunzima ukukholwa emiphumeleni engangifika kuyo; kodwa ubufakazi bangishaya ngamandla kangangokuthi angikwazanga ukumelana nokukholwa kwami. Ngazizwa sengiqinisekile cishe ngokuphelele eziphethweni zami, ngase ngiqala ukulinda, nokuqapha, nokuthandaza ngokufika koMsindisi.”

GSAM 120.3Futhi uphinde wathi:

GSAM 120.3“Ngakholwa; futhi ngokushesha isibopho sokushicilela lesi sifundo, ukuze umhlaba ukholwe futhi ulungele ukuhlangabezana noMahluleli nomkhwenyana ekufikeni kwakhe, safakwa engqondweni yami. Angidingi lapha ukungena ngokuningiliziwe ezivivinyweni zami ezinde nezibuhlungu. Kwanele ukuthi ngithi, emva kweminyaka ethile ngaphoqeleka nguMoya kaNkulunkulu, amandla eqiniso nothando lwemiphefumulo, ukuthi ngithathe isiphambano sami ngimemezele lezi zinto emhlabeni oshonayo nowonakele.”

GSAM 120.4UMnu. Miller, njengalabo abashukunyiswe yilo myalezo kwamanye amazwe, waqala wacabanga ukufeza umsebenzi wakhe ngokubhala nokushicilela ezincwadini zomphakathi nasezincwajaneni. Waqala ukushicilela imibono yakhe ku-Vermont Telegraph, iphephandaba lamaBaptist, elashicilelwa eBrandon, eVermont. Lokhu kwenzeka ngonyaka ka-1831. Waqala ukukhuluma obala ngalesi sihloko ngonyaka ka-1832. Wathi ngalowo mhlangano, “INkosi yachithela umusa wayo enhlanganweni, abaningi bakholwa ekusindisweni kwemiphefumulo yabo.”

GSAM 121.1Ngo-1836 izinkulumo zakhe zaphrintwa kwezinye izincwadi zomphakathi zaleso sikhathi. Ebusika baka-1837 kuya ku-1838 izinkulumo zakhe zakhishwa encwadini encane. Ngo-1838 kwashicilelwa iphamphulethi yesibili enamakhasi angu-204, futhi kule phamphulethi uMnu. Miller wathi amandla ama-Ottoman angawa ngonyaka ka-1839 noma ka-1840. Izinkulumo zakhe zokuqala emadolobheni amakhulu zaba ngonyaka ka-1836. Wabe esekhuluma emadolobheni aseRandolph, eLowell, eGroton, naseLynn, eMass.

GSAM 121.2Kuze kube ngonyaka ka-1840 uMnu. Miller wayemi yedwa cishe njengomkhulumi womphakathi ngesihloko sokufika okusondelene kukaKristu. Ngalowo nyaka, ngokuzumayo, amakhulu abantu bamjoyina ekushumayeleni lo myalezo. Okwabangela le nguquko enkulu kuzochazwa esahlukweni esilandelayo. Ebusika bonyaka ka-1839 kuya ku-1840 uMnu. Miller wanikeza uchungechunge lwezinkulumo e-Exeter, eNew Hampshire. Lapho wahlangana khona okokuqala noMfundisi J. V. Himes, owamukela inkolo ngaleso sikhathi, futhi kusukela ngalolo suku wema eceleni kukaMfundisi Miller njengomshicileli nomshumayeli onomdlandla womyalezo omkhulu wokufika kwesibili kukaKristu.

GSAM 121Joshua V. Himes

GSAM 121.3Mayelana nalesi sisebenzi esiqotho kulo mkhankaso omkhulu asikwazi ukwenza kangcono kunokucaphuna kumlobi wempilo yakhe, othi:—

GSAM 121.4“UJoshua V. Himes wazalelwa eWickford, eR.I., mhla ziyi-19 kuMeyi 1805. Ubaba wakhe wayeyaziwa kahle njengomhwebi waseWest Indies, futhi wayedume njengelungu leBandla lama-Episcopal laseSt. Paul eWickford. Umama wakhe wayenomusa futhi ethanda uMsindisi, uthando lwakhe alufaka ezindlebeni ezizimisele zendodana yakhe.

GSAM 121.5“Bekuyinhloso kayise ukufundisa indodana yakhe, uJoshua, ukuze abe ngumshumayeli wenkonzo yebandla ayelilungu lalo, kodwa izimo zamenqabela. UNkulunkulu wayenomsebenzi ohlukile ayefuna lowo mfana awenze, futhi wayehlela izinto ngendlela eyayizoholela emiphumeleni ayeyifunayo. Ngo-1817, ubaba wathumela umthwalo obalulekile ngaphansi kokuqondiswa kukaKaputeni Carter, no-Alexander Stewart njengomphathi wempahla. Laba bantu babonakala bengathembekile, futhi sebebefike echwebeni laseWest Indies, bathengisa umkhumbi nomthwalo, babaleka. Lesi sigameko sashintsha zonke izinhlelo ezazihlelwe ikusasa likaJoshua osemncane, owayezothunyelwa eNyuvesi yaseBrown, eProvidence, eRhode Island. Esikhundleni salokho, ngo-Ephreli 1821, wathuthelwa eNew Bedford, eMassachusetts, wabekwa njengomfundi kuWilliam Knights ukuze afunde umsebenzi wokuba umkhandi wezinto zokhuni.

GSAM 122.1“Efika endlini yakhe entsha, wangena ngokuzimisela emsebenzini ayewunikezwe, ethatha isinqumo sokuba nguchwepheshe emsebenzini wakhe. Kodwa wathola ngokushesha ukuthi indawo yakhe yokukholwa yayingahambisani ngokuphelele nezintandokazi zakhe. Uthi, ‘Umphathi wami wayengu-Unitarian, wangithatha waya esontweni lakhe. UMhlonishwa Orville Dewey wayengumfundisi. Wayengumuntu osanda kushiya ukholo oluvamile. Ukuqeqeshwa kwami ngaphansi kukaBhishobhi Griswold noMfundisi William Burge, umholi weBandla likaSt. Paul eWickford, kanye nokuzwa kaningi inkulumo enobuciko kaDkt. Crocker waseSt. John's eProvidence, eR.I., kwangenza ngingafaneleki nhlobo ukwamukela ukuphika okunobuciko kukaMnu. Dewey izimfundiso zikaKristu nabaphostoli bakhe.’

GSAM 122.2“Ngaleso sikhathi kwakungekho ibandla lama-Episcopal eNew Bedford, wanquma ukuya ebandleni lokuqala lamaKristu [hhayi iDisciple] kwathi kamuva wahlanganyela nalelo qembu. ‘Lapha,’ kusho yena, ‘ngithole iBhayibheli elivulekile nenkululeko yokucabanga, futhi ngazisebenzisa kahle zombili.’ Leli bandla laliphethwe ngokunakekelwa komfundisi uMoses Howe. UMfundisi uClough wabhapathiza uJoshua V. Himes ngomhlaka 2 Februwari 1823. Ngenhliziyo eyayivutha ngomdlandla ngenxa yoMphathi wakhe, waqala ngokushesha, eneminyaka eyishumi nesishiyagalombili, ukuxoxa indaba yesiphambano nokukhuthaza abantu ukuba bazisole. Uthi ngaye:—

GSAM 122.3“‘Maduzane ngaba ngumkhuthazi, futhi nganikezwa ilayisensi yokuthuthukisa isipho sami.... Ngagcwalisa ukuqeqeshwa kwami ngokwaneliseka, futhi ngathola ukudunyiswa. Kodwa iminyaka emihlanu noma eyisithupha ngangijwayele ukusebenza ngokweqile ngakho-ke ngangithola usuku olulodwa noma ezimbili ngesonto lokuzifundela nomsebenzi wobumishinari emiphakathini ehlwempu, izithelo zazo engangizinikela kumfundisi wami.’

GSAM 123.1“Ngo-1825 wathunywa njengomishinari wengqungquthela yamabandla amaKristu eningizimu yeMassachusetts. ‘Bekungekho hlelo noma indlela yokuxhasa abamishinari,’ kusho uMfundisi Himes, ‘ngakho nganquma ukungena ebhizinisini ukuze ngiziphilise, futhi ngishumayele ngangokusemandleni ami.’

GSAM 123.2“Ngo-1828 washiya eNew Bedford, hhayi ngokungabaza noma ngokuntula amandla, kodwa enesibindi esiqinile sokuthi uzowina, waya ePlymouth, lapho afundisa khona izwi likaNkulunkulu ezindlini zesikole, emakamelweni aguqulelwe le njongo, noma kuphi lapho abantu abebemlalela khona. Ngo-1829 waqhubeka nomsebenzi ofanayo eFall River kuze kube ngo-1830, lapho athuthela eBoston njengomfundisi weBandla Lokuqala neLesibili lamaKristu; lapho ahlala khona iminyaka engamashumi amathathu nantathu. Ngo-1839 waphenduka waba ngowomkhankaso wokufika, njengoba uchazwe nguMfundisi odumile uWilliam Miller. Wangenela lo mkhankaso omusha ngenjabulo yakhe yonke, futhi inkonzo yakhe yagcwala umlilo namandla. Ngo-1840, waqala ukushicilela i-Signs of the Times, ekhuthaza umgomo ayewunike konke inhliziyo yakhe. Yonke imali yakhe, yonke imisebenzi yakhe, onke amandla akhe ayechithwa kulo mgomo, kwaze kwashintshwa izinkulungwane zabantu.”

GSAM 123Imisebenzi Ehlangene kaMiller noHimes

GSAM 123.3Kusukela ngo-1840 kuya ekwindla ka-1844 imisebenzi yoMfundisi uMiller noHimes yayihlangene kakhulu njengoba behamba besuka edolobheni liye edolobheni, ehlobo netende labo elikhulu, ebusika ezindaweni zokukhulekela nasezindaweni zomphakathi. Amandla omzimba amakhulu kaMfundisi uHimes amgcinile aze angene onyakeni wakhe wama-92. Amakhono akhe engqondo ayeqinile kuze kube sekupheleni. Ngo-1894, mhla ziyi-28 kuSepthemba, wanikeza inkulumo evusa inhliziyo kakhulu enhlanganweni yama-Adventist oSuku Lwesikhombisa abangaphezu kwezinkulungwane ezintathu endaweni yokukhempa eLansing, eMichigan. Kwabonakala ekhuluma ngokuzimisela nangamandla njengasezinsukwini zakudala. Lokhu kwakumangalisa ngempela kumuntu owayesenezinyanga ezintathu engenile onyakeni wakhe wama-91, futhi owayelunywa isifo esingelapheki afa ngaso ngonyaka owalandela.

GSAM 124.1OMfundisi uMiller noHimes babemi, njengokuthi, “phambili empini” emkhankasweni wokufika kwesibili kukaKristu eMelika, futhi babengababili kuphela phakathi kwabanye abaningi ababesebenza nabo ekushumayeleni imfundiso yokufika kukaKristu, izimpawu zabo eziphambili kwakuwukuqina kwezinjongo nokuthembeka okungenamabala. Iningi lalaba bantu lalingabantu balelo qembu elibizwa ngumhlaba ngokuthi “abantu abazenzele bona,”—abantu abazithuthukisile ngokubhekana neqiniso eliqinile lempilo, abafunde ukunquma ngokufaneleka komgomo ngokususelwa ezimisweni hhayi ngokubheka inzuzo. Babengabantu abanezimo ezifana nalezo uMfundisi uMiller ayehlala ethi bavame ukwamukela umyalezo evela ezindaweni zenkolo, “amalungu anhlonipho enkolo, azinikele, futhi aphilayo.” Leli qiniso laqinisekiswa ngabashumayeli bezinkolo ezahlukene, abathi, ngemva kokwahlukana kokugcina kwama-Adventist kubo, “Yona [le mfundiso] ithathe amalungu amahle kakhulu omhlambi wethu.”

GSAM 124Abanye Abashumayeli Abavelele bama-Adventist

GSAM 124.2Kungaba nentshisekelo ukukhuluma ngamagama amanye amadoda adlale indima ebalulekile noMfundisi Miller no-Himes emkhankasweni waleso sikhathi sasekuqaleni. Okokuqala ohlwini nguCharles Fitch, waseCleveland, e-Ohio, owaphakamisa umbono wokwenza amashadi ukukhombisa imibono kaDaniyeli noSambulo ngo-1842. Umsuka walolu cebo wawusekelwe kuHabakuki 2:2, 3. Ukushona kukaCharles Fitch kwenzeka mhla ziyi-10 Okthoba 1844.

GSAM 124.3UDkt. Josiah Litch, wasePhiladelphia, owathi, njengoba sizobona esahlukweni esilandelayo, washukunyiswa nguJehova ukuba amemezele iqiniso elathi, lapho ligcwaliseka, labangela ukwanda okungazelelwe nokusheshayo kwentshisekelo emyalezweni wokufika kukaKristu.

GSAM 124.4U-Elon Galusha, wase-Lockport, eNew York, umshumayeli odumile wamaBaptist, imibhalo yakhe nokushumayela kwakhe ngesihloko sokufika okusondelene kweNkosi kwadala ukuduma okukhulu kulelo hlelo lenkolo.

GSAM 125.1U-E. R. Pinney, waseSeneca Falls, eNew York, omunye umshumayeli ozinikele weBandla lamaBaptist, umsebenzi wakhe wokushumayela nezincwadi zakhe kwaba namandla kulo msebenzi. Wayengabizwa kahle ngokuthi “Usawoti womhlaba.”

GSAM 125.2UGeo. Storrs, waseNew York City, owayengumshumayeli odumile wokuvuselelwa ngaphambi kokuguqulwa kwakhe aye emfundisweni yokufika. Imibhalo yakhe yaba nomthelela omkhulu ekushukumiseni abantu ukuba bazinikele ngokwengeziwe ngokwabo nangempahla yabo kulo msebenzi; ikakhulukazi emasontweni wokugcina ezinsukwini eziyizinkulungwane ezimbili namakhulu amathathu. Kwakuyena, ngemuva kokudumazeka, owethula kubantu bama-Adventist nasemhlabeni izinkulumo zakhe eziyisithupha ngemvelo yomuntu, isimo sabafileyo, nokujeziswa okuzayo.

GSAM 125.3UMfundisi uStockman, wasePortland, eMaine, wayengomunye wabasebenzi abaqotho ekuvuseleleni kukaWilliam Miller kulelo dolobha. Ukushona kwakhe kwenzeka amasonto ambalwa ngaphambi kokuphela konyaka wamaJuda ka-1843, ngenkathi abantu bama-Adventist bethemba futhi belindele ukuthi iNkosi izofika ngaleso sikhathi.⁶

GSAM 125.4Kwakukhona nabanye amadoda adumile esizobasho nje ngenxa yokuntuleka kwendawo, njengabo uN. N. Whiting, owahumusha iTestamente Elisha ngesiNgisi, eyaziwa ngokuthi iNguqulo kaWhiting; uS. S. Snow, uF. G. Brown, u-Apollos Hale, uL. D. Mansfield, uGeo. Needham, no-O. R. Fassett; uGeorge, uWesley no-Edwin Burnham (izelamani ezintathu), bonke babe ngabasebenzi abasebenza kahle emyalezweni.