Izikhombo Ze-Ncwajana YoMhlangano Wokuphila Nenkonzo
NOVEMBA 4-10
AMAGUGU ASEZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU | 1 JOHANE 1-5
“Ningalithandi Izwe Noma Izinto Ezisezweni”
(1 Johane 2:15, 16) Ningalithandi izwe noma izinto ezisezweni. Uma umuntu ethanda izwe, uthando lukaBaba alukho kuye; 16 ngoba konke okusezweni—isifiso senyama nesifiso samehlo nokugabisa ngalokho umuntu aziphilisa ngakho—akuveli kuBaba, kodwa kuvela ezweni.
Namathela Esibonelweni Esabekwa UJesu
13 Abanye bangase bathi akuyona yonke into esezweni engalungile. Noma kunjalo, izwe nezinto zalo ezikhangayo lingasiphazamisa kalula ekukhonzeni uJehova. Futhi akukho lutho ezweni oluklanyelwe ukuba lusisondeze kuNkulunkulu. Ngakho sisengozini uma siya ngokuya sithanda izinto ezisezweni, ngisho nalezo zinto ezingezimbi ngokwazo. (1 Thimothewu 6:9, 10) Ngaphandle kwalokho, okuningi okusezweni kubi ngempela futhi kungasonakalisa. Uma sibukela amabhayisikobho noma izinhlelo zethelevishini ezigqamisa ubudlova, ukuthanda izinto ezibonakalayo, noma ukuziphatha okubi ngokobulili, lezo zinto zingase zibonakale zilungile—bese ziyasilinga. Uma sijwayelana nabantu abamgomo wabo oyinhloko ukuthuthukisa indlela yabo yokuphila noma ukwakha amathuba amabhizinisi, nakithi lezo zinto zingaba izona zinto ezibaluleke kakhulu.—Mathewu 6:24; 1 Korinte 15:33.
(1 Johane 2:17) Ngaphezu kwalokho, izwe liyadlula, kanjalo nesifiso salo, kodwa lowo owenza intando kaNkulunkulu uhlala kuze kube phakade.
Cabanga Ngohlobo Lomuntu Okufanele Ube Yilo
18 Enye into esisiza ukuba simelane ‘nezinto ezisezweni’ ukuhlale sikhumbula amazwi kaJohane aphefumulelwe: “Izwe liyadlula, kanjalo nesifiso salo, kodwa lowo owenza intando kaNkulunkulu uhlala kuze kube phakade.” (1 Joh. 2:17) Isimiso sikaSathane sibonakala singokoqobo futhi siyinto engenakunyakaziswa. Noma kunjalo, lunye olwaso. Akukho lutho esingalunikwa izwe likaSathane oluyohlala phakade. Ukukhumbula lelo qiniso kuyosisiza ukuba singakhohliswa izilingo zikaDeveli.
Ukumba Sifuna Ingcebo Engokomoya
(1 Johane 2:7, 8) Bathandekayo, anginilobeli umyalo omusha, kodwa umyalo omdala ebenilokhu ninawo kusukela ekuqaleni. Lo myalo omdala uyizwi enalizwa. 8 Ngakolunye uhlangothi, nginilobela umyalo omusha, iphuzu eliyiqiniso ngokuqondene naye nangokuqondene nani, ngoba ubumnyama buyadlula futhi ukukhanya kweqiniso sekuyakhanya kakade.
Izikhumbuzo ZikaJehova Zithembekile
14 ImiBhalo YamaKristu YesiGreki igcwele izikhumbuzo zokuba sibonise uthando komunye nomunye. UJesu wathi umyalo wesibili omkhulu uwukuba “uthande umakhelwane wakho njengoba uzithanda wena.” (Math. 22:39) Ngokufanayo, umfowabo kaJesu ngamzali munye, uJakobe, wabiza uthando ngokuthi “umthetho wobukhosi.” (Jak. 2:8) Umphostoli uJohane wabhala: “Bathandekayo, anginilobeli umyalo omusha, kodwa umyalo omdala ebenilokhu ninawo kusukela ekuqaleni.” (1 Joh. 2:7, 8) Wayekhuluma ngani uJohane lapho ethi “umyalo omdala”? Wayekhuluma ngomyalo wothando. ‘Wawumdala’ ngomqondo wokuthi uJesu wayewunikeze emashumini eminyaka ngaphambili, “kusukela ekuqaleni.” Kodwa futhi ‘wawumusha’ ngomqondo wokuthi wawudinga ukuba babonise uthando lokuzidela, lolo abafundi ababengase baludinge njengoba babebhekana nezimo ezintsha. Njengabafundi bakaKristu, asizazisi yini izixwayiso ezisisiza ukuba siqaphe umoya wobugovu ogcwele kangaka kuleli lizwe, ongaqeda uthando lwethu ngomakhelwane?
(1 Johane 5:16, 17) Uma umuntu ebona umfowabo ona ngesono esingalethi ukufa, uyocela, futhi uyomnika ukuphila, yebo, labo abangoni ngokona okuletha ukufa. Sikhona isono esiletha ukufa. Yileso sono engingamtsheli ukuba acele ngaso. 17 Konke ukungalungi kuyisono; kodwa nokho sikhona isono esingakulethi ukufa.
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Intethelelo
Kuyinto efanelekayo ukucelela abanye intethelelo kuNkulunkulu, ngisho nokucelela lonke ibandla. UMose wenza kona kanye lokho lapho ecelela isizwe sakwa-Israyeli intethelelo, evuma izono zesizwe sabo, futhi uJehova wasithethelela. (Num 14:19, 20) Lapho uSolomoni enikezela ithempeli, wathandazela ukuba uJehova abathethelele abantu bakhe lapho bona futhi bephenduka ebubini babo. (1Kho 8: 30, 33-40, 46-52) U-Ezra wamelela amaJuda ayesebuyele ezweni lawo, wavuma izono zawo obala. Umthandazo wakhe wokunxusa osuka enhliziyweni wenza abantu bathatha isinyathelo esifanele ukuze uJehova abathethelele. (Ezr 9:13–10: 4, 10-19, 44) UJakobe wakhuthaza abagulayo ngokomoya ukuba babize abadala bebandla babathandazele, futhi ‘uma benze izono, bayothethelelwa.’ (Jak 5: 14-16) Nokho, kukhona ‘ukona okuletha ukufa,’ ukona umoya ongcwele, okuyisono esenziwe ngamabomu esingathethelelwa. UmKristu akufanele abathandazele labo abona ngaleyo ndlela.—1Joh 5:16; Math 12:31; Heb 10:26, 27; bheka ezithi SIN, I; SPIRIT.
Ukufundwa KweBhayibheli
(1 Johane 1:1–2:6) Lokho okwakukhona kusukela ekuqaleni, esikuzwile, esikubonile ngamehlo ethu, esikubhekisisile nezandla zethu ezikuthintile, okuphathelene nezwi lokuphila, 2 (yebo, ukuphila kwenziwa kwabonakala, sibonile futhi siyafakaza futhi sinibikela ngokuphila okuphakade okwakunoYise futhi kwabonakaliswa kithi,) 3 lokho esikubonile nesikuzwile sinibikela kona nani, ukuze nani nibe nesabelo kanye nathi. Ngaphezu kwalokho, lesi sabelo sethu sikuBaba neNdodana yakhe uJesu Kristu. 4 Ngakho siloba lezi zinto ukuze injabulo yethu ibe ngesilinganiso esigcwele. 5 Yilesi isigijimi esisizwe kuye futhi esinazisa sona, ukuthi uNkulunkulu ungukukhanya futhi abukho nhlobo ubumnyama kuye. 6 Uma sithi: “Sinesabelo kanye naye,” kodwa sibe siqhubeka sihamba ebumnyameni, siqamba amanga asikhulumi iqiniso. 7 Nokho, uma sihamba ekukhanyeni njengoba naye ngokwakhe esekukhanyeni, sinaso isabelo esisihlanganyelayo, futhi igazi likaJesu iNdodana yakhe lisihlanza kuso sonke isono. 8 Uma sithi: “Asinaso isono,” siyazidukisa futhi iqiniso alikho kithi. 9 Uma sizivuma izono zethu, yena uthembekile futhi ulungile ukuba asithethelele izono zethu futhi asihlanze kukho konke ukungalungi. 10 Uma sithi: “Asonanga,” simenza umqambimanga, futhi izwi lakhe alikho kithi.
2 Bantwanyana bami, nginilobela lezi zinto ukuze ningasenzi isono. Kodwa nokho, uma-ke umuntu enza isono, sinomsizi kuBaba, uJesu Kristu, olungileyo. 2 Ungumhlatshelo oyisihlawulelo wezono zethu, nokho kungezona ezethu kuphela kodwa nezalo lonke izwe. 3 Sazi ngalokhu ukuthi sesiyamazi, okungukuthi, uma siqhubeka sigcina imiyalo yakhe. 4 Lowo othi: “Sengiyamazi,” kodwa engayigcini imiyalo yakhe, ungumqambimanga, iqiniso alikho kulowo muntu. 5 Kodwa umuntu oligcinayo izwi lakhe, ngempela uthando lukaNkulunkulu lwenziwe lwaphelela kulowo muntu. Sazi ngalokhu ukuthi simunye naye. 6 Lowo othi uhlala emunye naye ungaphansi kwesibopho ngokwakhe sokuqhubeka ehamba njengoba nje lowo ahamba.
NOVEMBA 11-17
AMAGUGU ASEZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU | 2 JOHANE 1-13; 3 JOHANE 1-14–JUDE 1-25
“Kumelwe Silwe Ukuze Sihlale Siseqinisweni”
(Jude 3) Bathandekayo, nakuba bengenza wonke umzamo wokunilobela ngensindiso esiyihlanganyelayo, ngikutholé kudingekile ukuba nginilobele ukuze nginikhuthaze ukuba nilulwele kanzima ukholo olwanikelwa kwabangcwele kanye kwaba kuphela.
“Qhubekani Nizuza Amandla ENkosini”
8 Asibona abangawazi amacebo kaSathane ngoba imiBhalo iyawadalula amaqhinga akhe ayisisekelo. (2 Korinte 2:11) Endodeni elungile uJobe, uDeveli wasebenzisa izinkinga ezinzima zomnotho, ukushonelwa abathandekayo, ukuphikisa komkhaya, ubuhlungu enyameni, nokugxeka okungenasisekelo kwabangane bamanga. UJobe wacindezeleka, wazizwa eshiyiwe nguNkulunkulu. (Jobe 10:1, 2) Nakuba uSathane engase angazibangeli ngokuqondile lezi zinkinga namuhla, ziyawathinta amaKristu amaningi, futhi uDeveli angasizakala ngazo.
9 Izingozi ezingokomoya ziye zanda kakhulu kulesi sikhathi sokuphela. Siphila ezweni lapho iminako yezinto ezibonakalayo igqiba imigomo engokomoya. Izinto ezifundwayo nezibukelwayo zihlale ziveza ubulili obungemthetho njengobuletha injabulo kunosizi. Futhi iningi labantu seliye laba “abathandi benjabulo kunokuba abathandi bakaNkulunkulu.” (2 Thimothewu 3:1-5) Le ndlela yokucabanga ingasongela ukuzimelela kwethu ngokomoya, uma ‘singalulweli kanzima ukholo.’—Jude 3.
Ukumba Sifuna Ingcebo Engokomoya
(Jude 4) Isizathu sami siwukuthi sebengene ngokunyenya abantu abathile imiBhalo eyabamisela kudala lesi sahlulelo, abantu abangamhloniphi uNkulunkulu, abaphendula umusa ongafanelwe kaNkulunkulu wethu bawenze izaba zokuziphatha okubi futhi abazibonakalisa bengathembekile kowukuphela koMnikazi wethu neNkosi, uJesu Kristu.
(Jude 12) Laba bangamadwala afihleke ngaphansi kwamanzi emadilini enu othando kuyilapho bedla nani, bangabelusi abazondla bona ngaphandle kokwesaba; bangamafu angenamanzi apheshulwa umoya ayiswe ngapha nangapha; bayimithi ekupheleni kwekwindla, kodwa engenazithelo, efe kabili, esishuliwe;
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Amadili Othando
IBhayibheli alichazi ukuthi ayenjani noma ukuthi ayenziwa kaningi kangakanani la madili othando. (Jude 12) INkosi uJesu Kristu noma abaphostoli bayo, abazange bayale ukuba enziwe, futhi kusobala ukuthi akufanele abhekwe njengento eyisidingo noma okufanele yenziwe njalo. Abanye bathi lezi kwakuyizikhathi lapho amaKristu acebile ayenza khona amadili, ameme kuyo amakholwa ampofu akanye nawo. Izintandane, abafelokazi, abacebile nabaswele babehlangana ndawonye badle esiphihlini sedili njengabantu bandawonye.
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Idwala
Elinye igama lesiGreki elithi, spi·lasʹ, kusobala ukuthi lisho idwala elifihleke ngaphansi kwamanzi. Leli gama lisetshenziswe uJude ukuze achaze abantu abangena ngesinyenyela ebandleni lobuKristu ngoba befuna ukulona. Njengoba amadwala acashile ayeyingozi emikhunjini, nalaba bantu babeyingozi yangempela kwabanye ebandleni. Ekhuluma ngabantu abanjalo, wathi: “Laba bangamadwala afihleke ngaphansi kwamanzi emadilini enu othando kuyilapho bedla nani.”—Jude 12.
(Jude 14, 15) Yebo, owesikhombisa ohlwini kusukela ku-Adamu, u-Enoke, naye waprofetha ngabo, lapho ethi: “Bheka! UJehova wafika namashumi akhe ezinkulungwane ezingcwele, 15 ezokhipha isahlulelo kubo bonke, futhi ezobalahla ngecala bonke abangamhloniphi uNkulunkulu ngenxa yazo zonke izenzo zabo zokungamhloniphi uNkulunkulu abazenza ngendlela yokungamhloniphi uNkulunkulu, nangenxa yezinto ezishaqisayo izoni ezingamhloniphi uNkulunkulu ezazikhuluma ngaye.”
“Wayemjabulisile UNkulunkulu”
Sasithini isiprofetho sika-Enoke? Sasithi: “Bheka! UJehova wafika namashumi akhe ezinkulungwane ezingcwele, ezokhipha isahlulelo kubo bonke, futhi ezobalahla ngecala bonke abangamhloniphi uNkulunkulu ngenxa yazo zonke izenzo zabo zokungamhloniphi uNkulunkulu abazenza ngendlela yokungamhloniphi uNkulunkulu, nangenxa yezinto ezishaqisayo izoni ezingamhloniphi uNkulunkulu ezazikhuluma ngaye.” (Jude 14, 15) Into yokuqala okungenzeka uyinakile ukuthi u-Enoke wayekhuluma esebenzisa inkathi eyedlule, njengokungathi uNkulunkulu wayesekwenzile lokho okuchazwa isiprofetho. Le indlela abaprofethi abaningi abamlandela abayisebenzisa. Nali iphuzu: Umprofethi ukhuluma ngokuthile okuqinisekwayo ukuthi kuzokwenzeka kangangokuthi kungachazwa njengosekwenzekile!—Isaya 46:10.
“Wayemjabulisile UNkulunkulu”
Ukholo luka-Enoke lungasenza sizibuze ukuthi ingabe sibheka izwe esiphila kulo ngendlela uNkulunkulu alibheka ngalo. Isahlulelo esamenyezelwa u-Enoke ngesibindi sisenjalo, sisasebenza ezweni lanamuhla njengoba nje sasisebenza ezweni nangosuku luka-Enoke. Njengoba sasishilo isixwayiso sika-Enoke, uJehova waletha uZamcolo omkhulu ngokumelene nezwe langosuku lukaNowa elalingamhloniphi uNkulunkulu. Leyo mbubhiso yaba isibonelo sembubhiso enkulu nakakhulu eseza. (Mathewu 24:38, 39; 2 Petru 2:4-6) Nanamuhla, njengoba kwakunjalo ngaleso sikhathi, uNkulunkulu namashumi akhe ezinkulungwane ezingcwele ukulungele ukuletha isahlulelo esilungile ngokumelene nezwe elingamhloniphi. Ngamunye wethu kudingeka asinakisise isixwayiso sika-Enoke futhi asidlulisele kwabanye. Abangane nemindeni yethu bangase bamelane nathi. Singase sibe nomzwangedwa ngezinye izikhathi. Kodwa uJehova akazange amshiye u-Enoke, futhi ngeke azishiye nezinceku zakhe ezithembekile namuhla!
Ukufundwa KweBhayibheli
(2 Johane 1-13) Indoda endala enkosazaneni ekhethiwe nakubantwana bayo, engibathanda ngeqiniso, kungemina ngedwa, kodwa nabo bonke labo asebelazi iqiniso, 2 ngenxa yeqiniso elihlala kithi, futhi liyoba nathi kuze kube phakade. 3 Umusa ongafanelwe uyoba nathi, nesihe nokuthula okuvela kuNkulunkulu uBaba nakuJesu Kristu iNdodana kaBaba, kanye neqiniso nothando. 4 Ngijabula kakhulu ngoba abathile kubantwana bakho ngibathole behamba eqinisweni, njengoba nje samukela umyalo ovela kuBaba. 5 Ngakho manje ngiyakucela, nkosazana, njengomuntu ongakulobeli umyalo omusha, kodwa lowo ebesilokhu sinawo kusukela ekuqaleni, wokuba sithandane. 6 Yilokhu okushiwo uthando, ukuba siqhubeke sihamba ngokwemiyalo yakhe. Nanku umyalo, njengoba nje nizwile kusukela ekuqaleni, ukuthi kufanele niqhubeke nihamba ngawo. 7 Ngoba sekukhona abakhohlisi abaningi ezweni, abantu abangavumi ukuthi uJesu Kristu weza enyameni. Lona ngumkhohlisi nomphik’ ukristu. 8 Ziqapheleni ukuba ningalahlekelwa izinto esisebenzele ukuzikhiqiza, kodwa ukuba nithole umvuzo ogcwele. 9 Wonke umuntu odlulela phambili angahlali emfundisweni kaKristu akanaye uNkulunkulu. Lowo ohlalayo kule mfundiso nguye onabo bobabili uBaba neNdodana. 10 Uma umuntu eza kini futhi engalethi le mfundiso, ningalokothi nimamukele emakhaya enu noma nimbingelele. 11 Ngoba lowo ombingelelayo ungumhlanganyeli emisebenzini yakhe emibi. 12 Nakuba nginezinto eziningi zokunilobela zona, angifisi ukwenza kanjalo ngephepha nangoyinki, kodwa ngithemba ukufika kini futhi ngikhulume nani ubuso nobuso, ukuze injabulo yenu ibe ngesilinganiso esigcwele. 13 Abantwana bakadadewenu, okhethiwe, bayakhonza kuwe.
NOVEMBA 18-24
AMAGUGU ASEZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU | ISAMBULO 1-3
“Ngiyazazi Izenzo Zakho”
(IsAmbulo 1:20) Ngokuqondene nemfihlo engcwele yezinkanyezi eziyisikhombisa oziboné esandleni sami sokunene, neyezinti zezibani eziyisikhombisa zegolide: Izinkanyezi eziyisikhombisa zisho izingelosi zamabandla ayisikhombisa, kanti izinti zezibani eziyisikhombisa zisho amabandla ayisikhombisa.
Hlobo Luni Lomoya Owubonisayo?
8 Ukuze sigweme lolo hlobo lomoya, kuhle sikhumbule ukuthi eBhayibhelini uJesu uvezwa ephethe ‘izinkanyezi eziyisikhombisa esandleni sakhe sokunene.’ “Izinkanyezi” zimelela ababonisi abagcotshiweyo futhi, ngomqondo obanzi, zimelela nabo bonke ababonisi emabandleni. UJesu angaqondisa “izinkanyezi” ezisesandleni sakhe nganoma iyiphi indlela anomuzwa wokuthi ifanele. (IsAm. 1:16, 20) Ngakho, njengeNhloko yebandla lobuKristu, uJesu unegunya eliphelele phezu kwezindikimba zabadala. Uma kunothile endikimbeni okudinga ngempela ukuqondiswa, Lowo ‘onamehlo anjengelangabi lomlilo’ uyoqinisekisa ukuthi lokhu kuyenziwa ngesikhathi nangendlela yaKhe. (IsAm. 1:14) Okwamanje, silondoloza inhlonipho efanele ngalabo abamiswe ngomoya ongcwele, ngoba uPawulu waloba: “Lalelani abaholayo phakathi kwenu futhi nizithobe, ngoba baqapha imiphefumulo yenu njengabayolandisa; ukuze lokhu bakwenze ngenjabulo hhayi ngokububula, ngoba lokhu bekuyonilimaza.”—Heb. 13:17.
(IsAmbulo 2:1, 2) “Ingelosi yebandla lase-Efesu, yilobele lokhu: Yilezi izinto azishoyo lowo ophethe izinkanyezi eziyisikhombisa esandleni sakhe sokunene, yena ohamba phakathi kwezinti zezibani eziyisikhombisa zegolide, 2 ‘Ngiyazazi izenzo zakho, nomshikashika wakho nokukhuthazela kwakho, nokuthi awukwazi ukubekezelela abantu ababi, nokuthi wabavivinya labo abathi bangabaphostoli bengebona, wabathola bengabaqambimanga.
UJehova Uyasilonda Ukuze Sisindiswe
11 Embonweni osesahlukweni sesibili nesesithathu zencwadi yesAmbulo, uJesu Kristu okhazinyulisiwe uhlola amabandla ayisikhombisa ase-Asia Minor. Lo mbono ubonisa ukuthi uKristu akaboni kuphela imikhuba evamile kodwa nezimo ezithile ezikhona ebandleni ngalinye. Kwezinye izimo, uze akhulume nangabathile, futhi esimweni ngasinye, unikeza ukutusa noma iseluleko esifanelekayo. Kubonisani lokhu? Ekugcwalisekeni kwalo mbono, amabandla ayisikhombisa amelela amaKristu agcotshiwe angemva kuka-1914, futhi ngomqondo obanzi, iseluleko asinikeza amabandla ayisikhombisa sisebenza kuwo wonke amabandla abantu bakaNkulunkulu namuhla emhlabeni wonke. Ngakho, kuphephile ukuphetha ngokuthi uJehova uhola abantu bakhe ngeNdodana yakhe. Singazuza kanjani kuleso siqondiso?
Hambisana Nenhlangano KaJehova
20 Ukuhambisana nenhlangano kaJehova ethuthukayo kudinga ukuba siqaphele indima uJesu Kristu ayabelwe nguNkulunkulu ‘njengenhloko yebandla.’ (Efesu 5:22, 23) Uyaphawuleka futhi u-Isaya 55:4, lapho sitshelwa khona: “Bheka, [mina Jehova] ngimniké abe ngufakazi kubantu, umholi nomyali kubantu.” UJesu uyakwazi ngempela ukuhola. Uyazazi nezimvu zakhe nezenzo zazo. Eqinisweni, lapho ehlola amabandla ayisikhombisa ase-Asia Minor, washo kahlanu ukuthi: “Ngiyazazi izenzo zakho.” (IsAmbulo 2:2, 19; 3:1, 8, 15) UJesu uyazazi nezidingo zethu, njengoba uYise, uJehova, ezazi. Ngaphambi kokunikeza uMthandazo Oyisibonelo, uJesu wathi: “UNkulunkulu uYihlo uyazi ukuthi yiziphi izinto enizidingayo nangaphambi kokuba nicele kuye.”— Mathewu 6:8-13.
Ukumba Sifuna Ingcebo Engokomoya
(IsAmbulo 1:7) Bhekani! Uyeza kanye namafu, wonke amehlo ayombona, nalabo abamgwazayo; zonke izizwe zomhlaba ziyozishaya zilusizi ngenxa yakhe. Yebo, Amen.
UMbuso KaNkulunkulu Ususa Izitha Zawo
10 Ukukhishwa kwesahlulelo. Ngaleso sikhathi zonke izitha zoMbuso kaNkulunkulu ziyophoqeleka ukuba zibone isenzakalo esiyokwenezela osizini lwazo. UJesu uthi: “Bayobona iNdodana yomuntu iza isemafwini inamandla amakhulu nenkazimulo.” (Marku 13:26) Lokhu kubonakaliswa kwamandla angaphezu kwavamile kuyoba uphawu lokuthi uJesu usefikile ezokhipha isahlulelo. Kwenye ingxenye yaso lesi siprofetho esimayelana nezinsuku zokugcina, uJesu unikeza imininingwane eyengeziwe ngesahlulelo esiyokhishwa ngalesi sikhathi. Lokho sikuthola emfanekisweni wezimvu nezimbuzi. (Funda uMathewu 25:31-33, 46.) Abasekeli abaqotho boMbuso kaNkulunkulu bayokwahlulelwa “njengezimvu” futhi ‘bayophakamisa amakhanda abo’ beqaphela ukuthi ‘ukukhululwa kwabo kuyasondela.’ (Luka 21:28) Kodwa abaphikisi boMbuso bayokwahlulelwa “njengezimbuzi” futhi ‘bayozishaya belila,’ beqaphela ukuthi ‘ukunqunywa kwaphakade’ kubalindele.—Math. 24:30; IsAm. 1:7.
(IsAmbulo 2:7) Onendlebe makezwe lokho umoya okushoyo emabandleni: Lowo onqobayo ngiyomnika ukuba adle emthini wokuphila, osepharadesi likaNkulunkulu.’
Amaphuzu Avelele Encwadi YesAmbulo—I
2:7—Liyini ‘ipharadesi likaNkulunkulu’? Njengoba la mazwi eshiwo kumaKristu agcotshiwe, lapha ipharadesi kumelwe ukuba libhekisela endaweni yasezulwini enjengepharadesi—lapho kukhona uNkulunkulu uqobo. Abagcotshiwe abathembekile bayothola umvuzo wokudla “emthini wokuphila.” Bayonikwa ukungafi.—1 Kor. 15:53.
Ukufundwa KweBhayibheli
(IsAmbulo 1:1-11) Isambulo sikaJesu Kristu, uNkulunkulu amnika sona, ukuze abonise izinceku zakhe izinto okumelwe zenzeke maduzane. Wathuma ingelosi yakhe, wasethula ngayo ngezibonakaliso encekwini yakhe uJohane, 2 owafakazela izwi alinikezwa uNkulunkulu nobufakazi obanikezwa nguJesu Kristu, ngisho nazo zonke izinto azibona. 3 Uyajabula lowo ofunda ngokuzwakalayo nalabo abezwa amazwi alesi siprofetho, futhi abagcina izinto ezilotshwe kuso; ngoba isikhathi esimisiwe siseduze. 4 UJohane emabandleni ayisikhombisa esifundeni sase-Asiya: Kwangathi ningaba nomusa ongafanelwe nokuthula okuvela “kuLowo okhona nowayekhona nozayo,” nasemimoyeni eyisikhombisa ephambi kwesihlalo sakhe sobukhosi, 5 nakuJesu Kristu, “uFakazi Othembekileyo,” “Izibulo kwabavela kwabafileyo,” “noMbusi wamakhosi omhlaba.” Kuye osithandayo nowasikhulula ezonweni zethu ngegazi lakhe siqu— 6 wasenza saba ngumbuso, abapristi kuNkulunkulu wakhe noYise—yebo, inkazimulo namandla makube kuye kuze kube phakade. Amen. 7 Bhekani! Uyeza kanye namafu, wonke amehlo ayombona, nalabo abamgwazayo; zonke izizwe zomhlaba ziyozishaya zilusizi ngenxa yakhe. Yebo, Amen. 8 “Ngingu-Alfa no-Omega,” kusho uJehova uNkulunkulu, “Okhona nowayekhona nozayo, uMninimandla onke.” 9 Mina Johane, umfowenu nomhlanganyeli kanye nani osizini nasembusweni nasekukhuthazeleni kanye noJesu, ngaba sesiqhinganeni esibizwa ngokuthi iPhatmose ngenxa yokukhuluma ngoNkulunkulu nangenxa yokufakaza ngoJesu. 10 Ngokuphefumulelwa ngaba sosukwini lweNkosi, futhi ngezwa ngemva kwami izwi elinamandla elinjengelecilongo, 11 lithi: “Lokho okubonayo kulobe emqulwini, uwuthumele emabandleni ayisikhombisa, elase-Efesu nelaseSmirna nelasePhergamu nelaseThiyathira nelaseSardesi nelaseFiladelfiya nelaseLawodikeya.”
NOVEMBA 25–DESEMBA 1
AMAGUGU ASEZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU | ISAMBULO 4-6
“Abagibeli Bamahhashi Abane”
(IsAmbulo 6:2) Ngabona, bheka! ihhashi elimhlophe; oligibele wayenomnsalo; wanikwa umqhele, waphuma enqoba futhi eyophelelisa ukunqoba kwakhe.
Abagibeli Bamahhashi Abane—Bangobani?
Ubani umgibeli wehhashi elimhlophe? Incwadi yeBhayibheli, isAmbulo, isisiza sibone ukuthi lo mgibeli ungubani, imchaza ngokuthi “uLizwi KaNkulunkulu.” (IsAmbulo 19:11-13) UJesu Kristu ubizwa ngokuthi uLizwi ngoba ungumkhulumeli kaNkulunkulu. (Johane 1:1, 14) Uphinde abizwe ngokuthi “iNkosi yamakhosi noMbusi wababusi” nangokuthi “oThembekileyo noQinisileyo.” (IsAmbulo 19:16) Kuyacaca ukuthi unegunya lokuba inkosi enqobayo futhi akawasebenzisi amandla akhe ngendlela enobuqili necindezelayo. Nokho, kuphakama eminye imibuzo.
Abagibeli Bamahhashi Abane—Bangobani?
Abagibeli bamahhashi abane baqala nini ukuwagibela? Umgibeli wokuqala, uJesu, waqala ukuligibela lapho eqala ukubusa ezulwini. (IsAmbulo 6:2) Kwenzeka nini lokhu? Akwenzekanga ngemva nje kokuvuselwa kwakhe ezulwini. Ngoba ngemva kukuba evusiwe waqale walinda ngaphambi kokuba abuse. (Hebheru 10:12, 13) UJesu watshela abalandeli bakhe indlela ababeyobona ngayo ukuthi useqalile ukubusa ezulwini. Wathi izimo zomhlaba zaziyoba zimbi kakhulu lapho eqala ukubusa. Kwakuyoba nezimpi, indlala, kanye nezifo eziwumshaya bhuqe. (Mathewu 24:3, 7; Luka 21:10, 11) Ngokushesha ngemva kokuqala kweMpi Yezwe Yokuqala, ngo-1914, kwaba sobala ukuthi yayisiqalile inkathi enzima iBhayibheli eliyibiza ngokuthi ‘izinsuku zokugcina.’—2 Thimothewu 3:1-5.
(IsAmbulo 6:4-6) Kwaphuma elinye ihhashi, elinombala onjengomlilo; oligibele wanikwa ukususa ukuthula emhlabeni ukuze babulalane; wanikwa nenkemba enkulu. 5 Lapho livula uphawu lwesithathu, ngezwa isidalwa esiphilayo sesithathu sithi: “Woza!” Ngabona, bheka! ihhashi elimnyama; lowo ohlezi phezu kwalo wayephethe isikali esandleni sakhe. 6 Ngezwa izwi njengokungathi liphakathi kwezidalwa ezine eziphilayo lithi: “Ilitha likakolweni ngodenariyu, namalitha amathathu ebhali ngodenariyu; ungawoni amafutha omnqumo newayini.”
Abagibeli Bamahhashi Abane—Bangobani?
Lo mgibeli umelela izimpi. Phawula ukuthi akaqedi ukuthula ezizweni ezithile nje kodwa emhlabeni wonke. Kwakuqala ngqa ngo-1914 ukuba kube nempi eyaliwa emhlabeni wonke. Yalandelwa yimpi yezwe yesibili eyaba yimbi nakakhulu. Abanye bathi kusukela ngo-1914 cishe bangaphezu kwezigidi eziyikhulu abantu abafe ngenxa yezimpi nokulwa kuhlonyiwe! Abanye baye balimala kabi ngenxa yezimpi.
Abagibeli Bamahhashi Abane—Bangobani?
“Ngabona, bheka! ihhashi elimnyama; lowo ohlezi phezu kwalo wayephethe isikali esandleni sakhe. Ngezwa izwi njengokungathi liphakathi kwezidalwa ezine eziphilayo lithi: ‘Ilitha likakolweni ngodenariyu, namalitha amathathu ebhali ngodenariyu; ungawoni amafutha omnqumo newayini.’”—IsAmbulo 6:5, 6.
Lo mgibeli umelela indlala. Lapha kuthiwa ukudla kwakuyontuleka kangangokuthi ukolweni ocishe ulingane nelitha (1,08L) wawuyobiza udenariyu owodwa, okuyimali eyayilingana nomholo wosuku lonke ngezikhathi zeBhayibheli. (Mathewu 20:2) Imali efanayo yayingathenga amalitha angaphezudlwana kwamathathu (3,24L) ebhali elaliwuhlobo lokudla okucishe kufane nommbila olwalubhekwa njengolungabalulekile kunokolweni. Lokho kwakungawenela yini umndeni omkhulu? Abantu baxwayiswa ukuba bonge ngisho ukudla okuvamile, kuze kwenziwe isibonelo ngamafutha omnqumo newayini okwakubhekwa njengokudla okuyisisekelo ngezikhathi zeBhayibheli.
(IsAmbulo 6:8) Ngabona, bheka! ihhashi eliphaphathekile; oligibele wayenegama elithi, ukuFa. IHayidesi lalimlandela eduze. Banikwa igunya phezu kwengxenye yesine yomhlaba, ukuba babulale ngenkemba ende nangokusweleka kokudla, nangesifo esibulalayo nangezilo zasendle zomhlaba.
Abagibeli Bamahhashi Abane—Bangobani?
Umgibeli wehhashi lesine umelela ukufa okubangelwa izifo nokunye. Ngemva nje kuka-1914, umkhuhlane waseSpain wabulala amashumi ezigidi zabantu. Abantu abangaba yizigidi ezingu-500 basithola lesi sifo!
Nokho, umkhuhlane waseSpain uwubala uma kuqhathaniswa nalokho okwalandela. Izazi zilinganisa ukuthi kunamakhulu ezigidi zabantu ababulawa ingxibongo kusukela ngo-1901 kuya ku-2000. Ngisho namanje, naphezu kocwaningo olukhulu olwenziwa abezempilo, kunezigidi zabantu ababulawa ingculazi, isifo sofuba nomalaleveva.
Kukho konke, isiphetho sinye, ukufa—kungaba ngenxa yezimpi, indlala noma izifo. IThuna liwola kwasani, alishiyi nhlansi yethemba.
Ukumba Sifuna Ingcebo Engokomoya
(IsAmbulo 4:4) Kukhona izihlalo zobukhosi ezingamashumi amabili nane zizungeze isihlalo sobukhosi, futhi kulezi zihlalo zobukhosi ngabona kuhlezi abadala abangamashumi amabili nane begqoke izingubo zangaphandle ezimhlophe, emakhanda abo kunemiqhele yegolide.
(IsAmbulo 4:6) Phambi kwesihlalo sobukhosi kukhona okunjengokungathi ulwandle lwengilazi olunjengekristalu. Kwakunezidalwa ezine eziphilayo zigcwele amehlo ngaphambili nangemuva, ziphakathi kwesihlalo sobukhosi futhi zisizungezile.
Ubuhle Besihlalo Sobukhosi SikaJehova Sasezulwini
8 UJohane wayazi ukuthi abapristi babemiselwe ukukhonza etabernakele lasendulo. Ngakho kungenzeka wamangala lapho ebona lokho akuchaza ngokulandelayo: “Kukhona izihlalo zobukhosi ezingamashumi amabili nane zizungeze isihlalo sobukhosi, futhi kulezi zihlalo zobukhosi ngabona kuhlezi abadala abangamashumi amabili nane begqoke izingubo zangaphandle ezimhlophe, emakhanda abo kunemiqhele yegolide.” (IsAmbulo 4:4) Yebo, esikhundleni sabapristi kukhona abadala abangu-24, abasezihlalweni zobukhosi futhi banemiqhele njengamakhosi. Bangobani laba badala? Abasibo abanye ngaphandle kwabagcotshiwe bebandla lobuKristu, bevuswe kwabafileyo futhi besendaweni yasezulwini uJehova abathembisa yona. Sikwazi kanjani lokho?
Ubuhle Besihlalo Sobukhosi SikaJehova Sasezulwini
19 Zimeleleni lezi zidalwa? Umbono owabikwa omunye umprofethi, uHezekeli, uyasisiza ukuba sithole impendulo. UHezekeli wabona uJehova esesihlalweni sobukhosi enqoleni yasezulwini, eyayikanye nezidalwa eziphilayo ezinezici ezifana nalezo ezichazwa uJohane. (Hezekeli 1:5-11, 22-28) Kamuva, uHezekeli waphinda futhi wabona leso sihlalo sobukhosi esiyinqola sikanye nezidalwa eziphilayo. Nokho, kulokhu wabhekisela ezidalweni eziphilayo njengamakherubi. (Hezekeli 10:9-15) Izidalwa ezine eziphilayo uJohane azibonayo kumelwe ukuba zimelele amakherubi kaNkulunkulu amaningi—izidalwa zesigaba esiphezulu enhlanganweni yaKhe yomoya. UJohane wayengenakukucabangela njengokungavamile ukubona amakherubi eseduze kangaka noJehova, ngoba elungiselelweni letabernakele lasendulo, amakherubi amabili egolide ayebekwe phezu kwesembozo somphongolo wesivumelwano, owawumelele isihlalo sobukhosi sikaJehova. Phakathi kwala makherubi, izwi likaJehova laliyala isizwe.—Eksodusi 25:22; IHubo 80:1.
(IsAmbulo 5:5) Kodwa omunye wabadala uthi kimi: “Yeka ukukhala. Bheka! INgonyama yesizwe sakwaJuda, impande kaDavide, inqobile ukuze iwuvule umqulu nezimpawu zawo eziyisikhombisa.”
“Bheka! INgonyama Yesizwe SakwaJuda”
5 Ingonyama ivame ukuhlotshaniswa nesibindi. Wake wabhekana ubuso nobuso nengonyama endala yenduna? Uma wake wabhekana nayo, kungenzeka ukuthi wawuhlukaniswe nayo ucingo olubiyele izilwane e-zoo. Nokho, kwakhona lokho nje kuyethusa. Njengoba usibuka emehlweni lesi silwane esikhulu nesinamandla nanjengoba naso sikubuka, awunakuyicabanga ingonyama ibalekela noma yini ngoba yesaba. IBhayibheli likhuluma ‘ngengonyama, enamandla kunazo zonke izilwane futhi engafulatheli ngaphambi kwanoma ubani.’ (IzAga 30:30) Sinjalo isibindi sikaKristu.
6 Ake sixoxe ngendlela uJesu abonisa ngayo isibindi esinjengesengonyama ngezindlela ezintathu: ekumeleleni iqiniso, ekumeleleni ubulungisa, nasekubhekaneni nokuphikiswa. Sizobona nokuthi sonke—kungakhathaliseki ukuthi sinesibindi ngokwemvelo noma cha—singamlingisa uJesu ekuboniseni isibindi.
Ukufundwa KweBhayibheli
(IsAmbulo 4:1-11) Ngemva kwalezi zinto ngabona, bheka! umnyango ovulekile ezulwini, izwi lokuqala engalizwa lalinjengelecilongo, likhuluma nami, lithi: “Khuphukela lapha, ngizokubonisa izinto okumelwe zenzeke.” 2 Ngemva kwalezi zinto masinyane ngaba semandleni omoya: bheka! isihlalo sobukhosi sasisendaweni yaso ezulwini, kukhona ohlezi phezu kwalesi sihlalo sobukhosi. 3 Lowo owayehlezi, ubonakala, njengetshe lejaspi netshe eliyigugu elinombala obomvu, futhi isihlalo sobukhosi sizungezwe uthingo olubonakala lunjengesimaragidu. 4 Kukhona izihlalo zobukhosi ezingamashumi amabili nane zizungeze isihlalo sobukhosi, futhi kulezi zihlalo zobukhosi ngabona kuhlezi abadala abangamashumi amabili nane begqoke izingubo zangaphandle ezimhlophe, emakhanda abo kunemiqhele yegolide. 5 Esihlalweni sobukhosi kuphuma imibani, namazwi, nokuduma kwezulu; kukhona izibani zomlilo eziyisikhombisa ezivuthayo phambi kwesihlalo sobukhosi, lezi zisho imimoya eyisikhombisa kaNkulunkulu. 6 Phambi kwesihlalo sobukhosi kukhona okunjengokungathi ulwandle lwengilazi olunjengekristalu. Kwakunezidalwa ezine eziphilayo zigcwele amehlo ngaphambili nangemuva, ziphakathi kwesihlalo sobukhosi futhi zisizungezile. 7 Isidalwa esiphilayo sokuqala sinjengengonyama, isidalwa esiphilayo sesibili sinjengenkunzi, isidalwa esiphilayo sesithathu, sinobuso obunjengobomuntu, kanti isidalwa esiphilayo sesine sinjengokhozi olundizayo. 8 Ngokuqondene nalezi zidalwa ezine eziphilayo, ngasinye sazo ngokuhluka kwaso sinamaphiko ayisithupha; nxazonke nangaphansi egcwele amehlo. Aziphumuli imini nobusuku njengoba zithi: “Ungcwele, ungcwele, ungcwele uJehova uNkulunkulu, uMninimandla onke, owayekhona nokhona nozayo.” 9 Noma nini lapho izidalwa eziphilayo zinikela inkazimulo nodumo nokubonga kuLowo ohlezi esihlalweni sobukhosi, Lowo ophila kuze kube phakade naphakade, 10 abadala abangamashumi amabili nane bawa phansi phambi kwaLowo ohlezi esihlalweni sobukhosi bakhulekele Lowo ophila kuze kube phakade naphakade, baphonse imiqhele yabo phambi kwesihlalo sobukhosi, bathi: 11 “Uyakufanelekela, Jehova, yebo Nkulunkulu wethu, ukwamukela inkazimulo nodumo namandla, ngoba wadala zonke izinto, nangenxa yentando yakho zaba khona zadalwa.”