Incwadi YeBhayibheli Yama-66—IsAmbulo
Umlobi: Umphostoli uJohane
Yalotshelwa: EPhatmose
Ukuloba Kwaphela: Cishe ngo-96 C.E.
1. (a) Ngokuphathelene nokufanekisa kwencwadi yesAmbulo, yini izinceku zikaNkulunkulu ezizovumelana nayo? (b) Kungani isAmbulo sibekwe ngokufanelekile ekugcineni eBhayibhelini?
INGABE ukufanekisela okusencwadini yesAmbulo kuhloselwe ukusethusa? Lutho neze! Ukugcwaliseka kwesiprofetho kungase kulethe uvalo kwababi, kodwa izinceku zikaNkulunkulu ezithembekile ziyovumelana nesethulo esiphefumlelwe kanye namazwi engelosi asekugcineni: “[Uyajabula, NW] ofundayo nabo abawezwayo amazwi alesisiprofetho.” “[Uyajabula, NW] ogcina amazwi esiprofetho salencwadi.” (IsAm. 1:3; 22:7) Nakuba salotshwa ngaphambi kwezinye izincwadi ezine eziphefumlelwe zikaJohane, isAmbulo sibekwe ngokufanelekile ekugcineni kweqoqo lezincwadi eziphefumlelwe ezingu-66 ezakha iBhayibheli lethu, ngoba siyisAmbulo esithatha abafundi baso sibayise kude esikhathini esizayo, ngokunikeza umbono ohlanganisa konke walokho uNkulunkulu akuhlosile ngesintu, futhi silethe isihloko esikhulu seBhayibheli, ukungcweliswa kwegama likaJehova nokulwelwa kobukhosi bakhe ngoMbuso ngaphansi kukaKristu, iMbewu Ethenjisiwe, emvuthwandaba okhazimulayo.
2. IsAmbulo safika ngaziphi izindlela kuJohane, futhi kungani isihloko salencwadi sifaneleka kakhulu?
2 Ngokwevesi elinesihloko, lesi “isambulo sikaJesu Kristu amnika sona uNkulunkulu . . . ethuma ngengelosi yakhe, esibonakalisa encekwini yakhe uJohane.” Ngakho uJohane wayemane engumlobi, hhayi umqambi, walokhu kwaziswa. Ngakho-ke uJohane akayena umambuli, futhi lencwadi ayisona isambulo sikaJohane. (1:1) Lokhu kuvezwa kwezinjongo zikaNkulunkulu ezimangalisayo zesikhathi esizayo encekwini yaKhe kwenza isihloko sayo sibe esifaneleka kakhulu, ngoba igama lesiGreki lalencwadi elithi A·po·kaʹly·psis (Apocalypse) lisho “Ukuhlubula” noma “Ukuveza.”
3. IsAmbulo ngokwaso sibonisa ukuthi umlobi obizwa ngokuthi uJohane ungubani, futhi izazi-mlando zasendulo zikusekela kanjani lokhu?
3 Wayengubani loJohane okubhekiselwa kuye njengomlobi wesAmbulo esahlukweni saso sokuqala? Sitshelwa ukuthi wayeyinceku kaJesu Kristu, futhi engumzalwane nomhlanganyeli ekuhluphekeni, nokuthi wayedingisiwe esiqhingini sasePhatmose. Ngokusobala wayaziwa kahle abafundi bokuqala balencwadi yakhe, ababengakudingi ukuba azichaze ngokwengeziwe. Kumelwe abe umphostoli uJohane. Lesiphetho sisekelwa izazi-mlando eziningi zasendulo. UPapias, owaloba engxenyeni yokuqala yekhulu lesibili leminyaka C.E., kuthiwa wayekholelwa ukuthi lencwadi yayilotshwe umphostoli. Encwadini yakhe ethi “Dialogue With Trypho, a Jew” (LXXXI), uJustin Martyr, owaphila ngekhulu lesibili leminyaka uthi: “Kwakunendoda ethile eyayinathi, egama layo kwakunguJohane, omunye wabaphostoli bakaKristu, owaprofetha, ngesambulo anikwa sona.”a UIrenaeus ukhuluma ngokucacile ngomphostoli uJohane njengomlobi, njengoba kwenza uClement waseAlexandria noTertullian, abaphila ngasekupheleni kwekhulu lesibili leminyaka nasekuqaleni kwelesithathu. UOrigen, isazi esiphawulekayo seBhayibheli sekhulu lesithathu leminyaka, wathi: “Ngikhuluma ngaye owayencika esifubeni sikaJesu, uJohane, osishiyele iVangeli elilodwa, . . . futhi waloba neApocalypse.”b
4. (a) Kubangelwa yini ukwahluka endleleni yokuloba kusAmbulo uma iqhathaniswa nezinye izincwadi zikaJohane? (b) Yini ebonisa ukuthi isAmbulo siyingxenye eyiqiniso yemiBhalo ephefumlelwe?
4 Iqiniso lokuthi ezinye izincwadi zikaJohane zigcizelela kakhulu uthando alichazi ukuthi wayengeke alobe incwadi yesAmbulo enomfutho namandla amakhulu. Yena kanye nomfowabo uJakobe yibo ababewathukuthelele kakhulu amaSamariya asemzini othile kangangokuthi bafuna ukubiza umlilo wehle ezulwini. Kungakho baqanjwa ngegama lokuthi “oBowanergesi,” noma “Amadodana Okuduma.” (Marku 3:17; Luka 9:54) Lokhu kuhluka endleleni yokuloba akumelwe kubangele ubunzima uma sikhumbula ukuthi kusAmbulo indaba okuxoxwa ngayo ihlukile. Lokho uJohane akubona kulemibono kwakungafani nanoma yikuphi ayeke wakubona ngaphambili. Ukuvumelana okuvelele kwalencwadi nayo yonke imiBhalo engokwesiprofetho ngokungangabazeki kubonisa ukuthi iyingxenye eyiqiniso yeZwi likaNkulunkulu eliphefumlelwe.
5. UJohane wasiloba nini isAmbulo, futhi ngaphansi kwaziphi izimo?
5 Ngokobufakazi bokuqala kakhulu, uJohane waloba isAmbulo cishe ngo-96 C.E., cishe iminyaka engu-26 ngemva kokubhujiswa kweJerusalema. Lokhu kwakungaba ngasekupheleni kokubusa koMbusi uDomitian. Ekuqinisekiseni lokhu, encwadini yakhe ethi “Against Heresies” (V, xxx), uIrenaeus uthi ngeApocalypse: “Ngoba sona asibonakalanga esikhathini eside kakhulu kusukela ngalesosikhathi, kodwa cishe osukwini lwethu, ngasekupheleni kokubusa kukaDomitian.”c Bobabili uEusebius noJerome bayavumelana nalobufakazi. UDomitian wayengumfowabo kaTitus, owahola amabutho amaRoma ekubhubhiseni iJerusalema. Waba umbusi lapho uTitus efa, eminyakeni engu-15 ngaphambi kokulotshwa kwencwadi yesAmbulo. Wafuna ngenkani ukuba akhulekelwe njengonkulunkulu futhi wazithathela isiqu esithi Dominus et Deus noster (okusho ukuthi “Inkosi Nonkulunkulu Wethu”). Ukukhulekela umbusi akuzange kubaphazamise labo ababekhulekela onkulunkulu bamanga, kodwa amaKristu okuqala ayengeke ahileleke kukho, njengoba enqaba ukuhlehla okholweni lwawo kuleliphuzu.d Kanjalo, ngasekupheleni kokubusa kukaDomitian (81-96 C.E.), amaKristu afikelwa ushushiso olunzima. Kucatshangelwa ukuthi uDomitian owadingisela uJohane ePhatmose. Lapho uDomitian ebulawa ngo-96 C.E., walandelwa umbusi obekezela ngokwengeziwe uNerva, ngokusobala owakhulula uJohane. Kwakuphakathi nalokhu kuboshwa ePhatmose lapho uJohane athola khona imibono ayiloba.
6. Kumelwe siyibheke njengani incwadi yesAmbulo, futhi ingahlukaniswa kanjani?
6 Kumelwe siqaphele ukuthi lokho uJohane akubona futhi watshelwa ukuba akulobele amabandla kwakungelona nje uchungechunge lwemibono engahlobene, elotshwe ngobudlabha. Cha, yonke incwadi yesAmbulo, kusukela ekuqaleni kuya ekugcineni, isinikeza umbono ohlangene wezinto ezizayo, kusukela komunye umbono kuya komunye kuze kube sekupheleni kwemibono lapho ukwambulwa okugcwele kwezinjongo zoMbuso kaNkulunkulu sekufinyelelwe khona. Ngakho-ke kumelwe sibheke incwadi yesAmbulo njengephelele nanjengeyakhiwe yizingxenye ezihlobene, ezivumelanayo, ezisiyisa kude esikhathini esizayo kusukela esikhathini sikaJohane. Ngemva kwesethulo sayo (IsAm. 1:1-9), lencwadi ingabhekwa njengehlukaniswe ngemibono engu-16: (1) 1:10–3:22; (2) 4:1–5:14; (3) 6:1-17; (4) 7:1-17; (5) 8:1–9:21; (6) 10:1–11:19; (7) 12:1-17; (8) 13:1-18; (9) 14:1-20; (10) 15:1–16:21; (11) 17:1-18; (12) 18:1–19:10; (13) 19:11-21; (14) 20:1-10; (15) 20:11–21:8; (16) 21:9–22:5. Lemibono ilandelwa isiphetho esishukumisayo, lapho uJehova, uJesu, ingelosi, noJohane bonke bekhuluma, beba nengxenye yokugcina njengabavelele emzileni wokukhulumisana.—22:6-21.
OKUQUKETHWE INCWADI YESAMBULO
7. Yini uJohane ayishoyo ngomsuka wesAmbulo, futhi yiziphi izinto athi uzihlanganyela nalabo abasemabandleni ayisikhombisa?
7 Isethulo (1:1-9). UJohane uchaza uMthombo waphezulu nengxenye yengelosi emzileni okunikezwa ngawo isambulo, futhi ube esekhuluma nalabo abasemabandleni ayisikhombisa esifundeni saseAsiya. UJesu Kristu ubenze baba “umbuso nabapristi kuNkulunkulu uYise,” uJehova uNkulunkulu, uMninimandla onke. UJohane ubakhumbuza ukuthi ungumhlanganyeli kanye nabo “ekuhluphekeni nasembusweni nasekubekezeleni kukaJesu,” njengoba edingiselwe ePhatmose.—1:6, 9.
8. (a) UJohane uyalwa ukuba enzeni? (b) Ubani ambonayo phakathi kwezinti zezibani, futhi yini Lona ayichazayo?
8 Izigijimi eziya emabandleni ayisikhombisa (1:10–3:22). Njengoba umbono wokuqala uqala, ngomoya uJohane uzithola esosukwini lweNkosi. Izwi elikhulu, elinjengecilongo limtshela ukuba alobe encwadini lokho akubonayo futhi akuthumele emabandleni ayisikhombisa, e-Efesu, eSmirna, ePhergamu, eThiyathira, eSardesi, eFiladelfiya, naseLawodikeya. Lapho ebheka lapho kuvela khona izwi, uJohane ubona “ofana nendodana yomuntu” ephakathi kwezinti zezibani eziyisikhombisa, ephethe izinkanyezi eziyisikhomisa esandleni sakhe sokunene. Lona uzibiza ngokuthi ‘ungowokuqala nowokugcina,’ owayengofile kodwa manje osengophilayo kuze kube-phakade naphakade futhi unezihluthulelo zokufa nezeHayidese. Ngakho-ke unguJesu Kristu ovusiwe. Uyachaza: “Izinkanyezi eziyisikhombisa ziyizingelosi zamabandla ayisikhombisa, nezinti zezibani eziyisikhombisa zingamabandla ayisikhombisa.”—1:13, 17, 20.
9. Yikuphi ukutusa neseluleko okunikezwa ibandla lase-Efesu, eSmirna, ePhergamu, nelaseThiyathira?
9 UJohane utshelwa ukuba alobele ingelosi yebandla lase-Efesu, lelo, naphezu kwemizamo yalo, ukubekezela, nokwenqaba kwalo ukumela ababi, eliluyekile uthando lwalo lwakuqala futhi okumelwe liphenduke lenze imisebenzi yakuqala. Ibandla laseSmirna litshelwa ukuthi naphezu kokuhlupheka nobumpofu, eqinisweni licebile futhi kumelwe lingesabi: “Thembeka kuze kube-sekufeni, ngokunika umqhele wokuphila.” Ibandla lasePhergamu, elihlala “lapho kukhona isihlalo sobukhosi sikaSathane,” lilibambisisile igama likaKristu kodwa linezihlubuki phakathi kwalo, futhi lezi kumelwe ziphenduke ngaphandle kwalokho uKristu uyokulwa nazo ngenkemba yomlomo wakhe. EThiyathira ibandla “[li]nothando, nokukholwa, nokukhonza, nokubekezela,” nokho livumela “owesifazane uJezabeli.” Nokho, abathembekile ababambelelayo bayothola “amandla phezu kwezizwe.”—2:10, 13, 19, 20, 26.
10. Yiziphi izigijimi ezithunyelwa ebandleni laseSardesi, eFiladelfiya, nelaseLawodikeya?
10 Ibandla laseSardesi linedumela lokuthi liyaphila, kodwa lifile ngoba imisebenzi yalo ayiphelelisiwe phambi kukaNkulunkulu. Nokho, abanqobayo amagama abo ngeke asulwe encwadini yokuphila. Ibandla laseFiladelfiya liligcinile izwi likaKristu, ngakho uthembisa ukulonda ibandla “ngehora lokulingwa eliyakufika ezweni lonke lokulinga bonke abakhileyo emhlabeni.” UKristu uyokwenza onqobayo abe yinsika ethempelini likaNkulunkulu waKhe. UKristu uthi: “Ngiyakuloba negama likaNkulunkulu wami phezu kwakhe negama lomuzi kaNkulunkulu wami, iJerusalema elisha . . . negama lami elisha.” Ebhekisela kuye ngokwakhe ngokuthi “ukuqala kokudaliweyo kukaNkulunkulu,” uKristu utshela ibandla laseLawodikeya ukuthi alishisi futhi alibandi ngalokho lizohlanzwa liphume emlonyeni wakhe. Nakuba beqhosha ngengcebo, labo abakulelobandla eqinisweni bampofu, bayaphuphutheka, futhi bahamba-ze. Badinga izingubo ezimhlophe, futhi badinga umuthi wamehlo ukuze babone. UKristu uyongena futhi adle nanoma ubani omvulela umnyango. Lowo onqobayo, uKristu uyomnika ukuba ahlale naye esihlaweni sakhe sobukhosi, njengoba naye eye wahlala noYise esihlalweni saKhe sobukhosi.—3:10, 12, 14.
11. Yimuphi umbono omuhle ngokubabazekayo uJohane awubonayo ngokulandelayo?
11 Umbono wobungcwele nenkazimulo kaJehova (4:1–5:14). Umbono wesibili usiyisa phambi kwesihlalo sobukhosi sikaJehova sasezulwini senkazimulo. Indawo iyakhazimula ngobuhle, icwebezela njengamatshe ayigugu. Amalungu angu-24 ahlezi ezungeze isihlalo sobukhosi ethwele imiqhele. Izidalwa ezine zithi ubungcwele ngobukaJehova, futhi ukhulekelwa njengokufanele “ukwamukela inkazimulo nodumo namandla” ngenxa yokuba uMdali wazo zonke izinto.—4:11.
12. Ubani kuphela ofanelekela ukuvula incwadi enezimpawu eziyisikhombisa?
12 “Owayehlezi esihlalweni sobukhosi” uphethe incwadi enezimpawu eziyisikhombisa. Kodwa ubani ofanelekela ukuvula lencwadi? “INgonyama yesizwe sakwaJuda, iMpande kaDavide” kuphela efanele! Lona, futhi ‘oyiWundlu elahlatshwayo,’ uthatha incwadi kuJehova.—5:1, 5, 12.
13. Yimuphi umbono oyinhlanganisela ohambisana nokuvulwa kwezimpawu zokuqala eziyisithupha?
13 IWundlu livula izimpawu eziyisithupha zencwadi (6:1–7:17). Umbono wesithathu manje uyaqala. IWundlu livula izimpawu. Okokuqala, umgibeli wehhashi esehhashini elimhlophe uyaphuma “engonqobayo nokuyakunqoba.” Khona-ke umgibeli wehhashi elibomvu ususa ukuthula emhlabeni, futhi omunye osehhashini elimnyama ulinganisa okusanhlamvu. Ihhashi elimpofu ligitshelwe ukuFa, futhi kulandela iHayidese eduze. Uphawu lwesihlanu luyavulwa, futhi “ababebulewe ngenxa yezwi likaNkulunkulu” babonakala becela ukuba igazi labo liphindiselelwe. (6:2, 9) Lapho kuvulwa uphawu lwesithupha, kuba nokuzamazama okukhulu komhlaba, ilanga nenyanga kuba mnyama, futhi amaqhawe omhlaba amemeza izintaba ukuba ziwele phezu kwawo ziwasithe kuJehova nasolakeni lweWundlu.
14. Yini ebonakalayo ngokulandelayo ngokuphathelene nezinceku zikaNkulunkulu nesixuku esikhulu esingenakubalwa?
14 Ngemva kwalokhu, kuqala umbono wesine. Izingelosi ezine zibonakala zibambe imimoya emine yomhlaba kuze kube yilapho izinceku zikaNkulunkulu sezibekwe uphawu emabunzini azo. Inani lazo lingu-144 000. Ngemva kwalokho uJohane ubona isixuku esikhulu esingenakubalwa sivela kuzo zonke izizwe, simi phambi kukaNkulunkulu neWundlu, sithi insindiso ivela kubo, sikhonza imini nobusuku ethempelini likaNkulunkulu. IWundlu ngokwalo ‘liyakuselusa, lisiholele emithonjeni yamanzi okuphila.’—7:17.
15. Yini elandela ukuvulwa kophawu lwesikhombisa?
15 Uphawu lwesikhombisa luyavulwa (8:1–12:17). Kuthule dú ezulwini. Khona-ke izingelosi eziyisikhombisa zinikwa amacilongo ayisikhombisa. Ukukhala kwamacilongo okuqala ayisithupha kwenza umbono wesihlanu.
16. (a) Yini ehambisana nokubethwa okulandelanayo kwamacilongo okuqala ayisihlanu, futhi uyini umaye wokuqala kwabathathu? (b) Yini icilongo lesithupha eliyimemezelayo?
16 Njengoba amacilongo okuqala amathathu ebethwa ngokulandelanayo, kwehla izinhlekelele emhlabeni, olwandle, nasemifuleni nasemithonjeni yamanzi. Ngecilongo lesine, okwesithathu kwelanga, inyanga, nezinkanyezi kuyafiphazwa. Ngokukhala kwelesihlanu, inkanyezi evela ezulwini ivulela ubhubhane lwesikhonyane esihlasela labo “abangenalo uphawu lukaNkulunkulu emabunzini abo.” Lona “uMaye wokuqala,” futhi abanye ababili baseza. Icilongo lesithupha limemezela ukuthukululwa kwezingelosi ezine eziphumela ukubulala. “Ukuphindwa kabili kwezinkulungwane eziyishumi ziphindwé kazinkulungwane eziyishumi” kwabakhwele amahhashi kuletha enye inhlekelele nokubulala, kodwa noma kunjalo abantu abaphenduki emisebenzini yabo emibi.—9:4, 12, 16.
17. Yiziphi izenzakalo ezifinyelela emvuthwandaba ngesimemezelo sokuthi umaye wesibili udlulile?
17 Njengoba umbono wesithupha uqala, enye ingelosi enamandla yehla ezulwini futhi imemezela ukuthi “ngezinsuku zezwi lengelosi yesikhombisa . . . imfihlakalo [‘engcwele,’ NW] kaNkulunkulu . . . ngezindaba ezijabulisayo” iyofezwa. UJohane unikezwa incwadi encane ukuba ayidle. ‘Imnandi njengezinyosi’ emlonyeni wakhe, kodwa iyababa esiswini. (10:7, 9) Ofakazi ababili baprofetha izinsuku ezingu-1 260 bembethe ingubo yamasaka; khona-ke babulawa “isilo esiphuma kwalasha,” futhi izidumbu zabo zishiywa izinsuku ezintathu nengxenye “ezitaladini zomuzi omkhulu.” Abakhileyo emhlabeni bayajabula ngabo, kodwa lokhu kuphenduka ukwesaba lapho uNkulunkulu ebavusela ekuphileni. Ngalelohora, kuba nokuzamazama okukhulu komhlaba. “Kwadlula uMaye wesibili.”—11:7, 8, 14.
18. Kwenziwa siphi isimemezelo esibalulekile ngokukhala kwecilongo lesikhombisa, futhi manje yisikhathi esimisiwe sani?
18 Manje ingelosi yesikhombisa ibetha icilongo layo. Amazwi asezulwini ayamemezela: “Umbuso wezwe usungoweNkosi yethu nokaKristu wayo.” “Amalungu angamashumi amabili nane” akhuleka kuNkulunkulu futhi ayambonga, kodwa izizwe ziba nolaka. Yisikhathi sikaNkulunkulu esimisiwe sokwahlulela abafileyo nokunika abangcwele bakhe umvuzo “nokubhubhisa ababhubhisa umhlaba.” Kuvulwa ithempeli laKhe, futhi kubonakala kulo umphongolo wesivumelwano sakhe.—11:15, 16, 18.
19. Yisiphi isibonakaliso nempi okubonakala ezulwini, uba yini umphumela, futhi lokhu kumhilela kanjani umaye wesithathu?
19 Ngemva kwesimemezelo sokumiswa koMbuso, ngokushesha umbono wesikhombisa ubonisa “isibonakaliso esikhulu” ezulwini. Owesifazane obeletha “umntwana wesilisa ozobusa izizwe zonke ngentonga yensimbi.” “Udrako omkhulu obomvu” umi elungele ukushwabadela umntwana, kodwa umntwana uhlwithelwa esihlalweni sobukhosi sikaNkulunkulu. UMikayeli ulwa nodrako, futhi uyiphonsa phansi emhlabeni “[le]nyoka endala ethiwa uMhlebi noSathane.” ‘Kungumaye kuwe-mhlaba’! Udrako uzingela owesifazane futhi uyamuka eyokulwa nabaseleyo bembewu yakhe.—12:1, 3, 5, 9, 12; 8:13.
20. Yiziphi izilo ezimbili ezibonakalayo ngokulandelayo embonweni, futhi zibathonya kanjani abantu emhlabeni?
20 Isilo esivela olwandle (13:1-18). Umbono wesishiyagalombili manje ubonisa isilo esinamakhanda ayisikhombisa nezimpondo eziyishumi, sikhuphuka olwandle. Amandla aso avela kudrako. Elinye lamakhanda aso kwakungathi lidebezwe okokufa, kodwa lelapheka, futhi umhlaba wonke wasihlonipha isilo. Sihlambalaza uNkulunkulu futhi silwa nabangcwele. Kodwa, bheka! UJohane ubona esinye isilo, lesi siphuma emhlabeni. Sinezimpondo ezimbili ezifana nezewundlu, kodwa siqala ukukhuluma njengodrako. Sidukisa abakhileyo emhlabeni futhi sithi kubo mabenzele isilo sokuqala umfanekiso. Bonke baphoqelelwa ukuba bakhuleke kulomfanekiso ngaphandle kwalokho bazobulawa. Akekho ongathenga noma athengise uma engenalo uphawu noma isibalo sesilo. Isibalo saso singu-666.
21. Yini uJohane ayibonayo eNtabeni yaseSiyoni, yini izingelosi eziyiphethe neziyimemezelayo, futhi umvini womhlaba uqedwa kanjani?
21 ‘Ivangeli eliphakade’ nezigijimi ezihlangene nalo (14:1-20). Ngokuphambene ngokujabulisayo, embonweni wesishiyagalolunye, uJohane ubona iWundlu eNtabeni yaseSiyoni, kumi kanye nalo abangu-144 000 abanegama leWundlu nelikaYise emabunzini abo. “Bahlabelela igama elisha phambi kwesihlalo sobukhosi,” njengoba “bathengwa ebantwini, babe-lulibo kuNkulunkulu nakulo iWundlu.” Enye ingelosi ibonakala emkhathini wezulu, “inevangeli eliphakade ilishumayele” kuzo zonke izizwe futhi ithi: “Mesabeni uNkulunkulu, nimnike inkazimulo.” Futhi enye ingelosi iyamemezela: “Liwile iBabiloni elikhulu”! Enye, eyesithathu, imemezela ukuthi labo abakhulekela isilo nomfanekiso waso bayophuza ulaka lukaNkulunkulu. “Ofana nendodana yomuntu” ufaka isikela lakhe, nenye ingelosi nayo ifaka isikela layo futhi ibutha umvini womhlaba, iwuphonsa “esikhamweni sewayini esikhulu solaka lukaNkulunkulu.” Njengoba isikhamo sinyathelwa ngaphandle komuzi, kuphuma igazi lize lifike ematomini amahhashi, “liqeda amastadiyu ayinkulungwane namakhulu ayisithupha” (cishe amakhilomitha angu-296).—14:3, 4, 6-8, 14, 19, 20.
22. (a) Obani ngokulandelayo ababonakala bekhazimulisa uJehova, futhi ngani? (b) Izitsha eziyisikhombisa zolaka lukaNkulunkulu zithululwa kuphi, futhi yiziphi izenzakalo ezilandelayo ezinyakazisa umhlaba?
22 Izingelosi ezinezinhlupho eziyisikhombisa zokugcina (15:1–16:21). Umbono weshumi uqala ngomunye umbono omfushane wegceke lasezulwini. Labo abasinqobile isilo bakhazimulisa uJehova, “iNkosi yaphakade,” ngenxa yemisebenzi yakhe emikhulu nemangalisayo. Kuphuma izingelosi eziyisikhombisa ethempelini ezulwini futhi zinikezwa izitsha eziyisikhombisa zegolide ezigcwele ulaka lukaNkulunkulu. Ezokuqala eziyisithupha zithululelwa emhlabeni, olwandle, nasemifuleni nasemithonjeni yamanzi, naphezu kwelanga, esihlalweni sobukhosi sesilo, nasemfuleni iEwufrathe, zishisa amanzi awo ukuze kulungiswe indlela ‘yamakhosi avela empumalanga.’ Omoya bamademoni bahlanganisela ‘amakhosi ezwe lonke ekulweni kosuku olukhulu lukaNkulunkulu uMninimandla onke’ eHarmagedoni. Isitsha sesikhombisa sithululelwa emoyeni, futhi phakathi kwezenzakalo ezithusayo ezingokwemvelo, umuzi omkhulu uhlukana ube izigaba ezintathu, imizi yabezizwe iyawa, futhi iBabiloni lamukela ‘isitsha sewayini lolaka lukaNkulunkulu oluvuthayo.’—15:3, qhathanisa neNW; 16:12, 14, 19.
23. (a) Isahlulelo sikaNkulunkulu sikhishwa kanjani eBabiloni Elikhulu? (b) Yiziphi izimemezelo nokulila okuhambisana nokuwa kwalo, futhi iyiphi indumiso yokujabula eduma ezulwini?
23 Isahlulelo sikaNkulunkulu phezu kweBabiloni; umshado weWundlu (17:1–19:10). Umbono we-11 uyaqala. Bheka! Yisahlulelo sikaNkulunkulu phezu “[kwe]Babiloni elikhulu, unina wezifebe,” ‘afeba nalo amakhosi omhlaba.’ Lidakwe igazi labangcwele, ligibele isilo esibomvu esinamakhanda ayisikhombisa nezimpondo eziyishumi. Lesilo “sasikhona, asisekho; kepha sesizakwenyuka, siphuma kwalasha.” Izimpondo zaso eziyishumi zilwa neWundlu, kodwa ngoba “liyiNkosi yamakhosi noMbusi wababusi,” liyazinqoba. Izimpondo eziyishumi ziphendukela isifebe futhi zisidle, futhi ngokuqala kombono we-12, enye ingelosi, enkazimulo yayo ikhanyisa umhlaba, ithi: “Liwile, liwile iBabiloni elikhulu!” Abantu bakaNkulunkulu bayalwa ukuba baphume kulo, funa bahlanganyele izinhlupho zalo. Amakhosi namanye amaqhawe omhlaba ayalikhalela, ethi: “Maye, maye kuwe-muzi omkhulu waseBabiloni, muzi onamandla, ngokuba ngehora linye nje kufikile ukwahlulelwa kwakho!” Ingcebo yalo enkulu ichithekile. Njengoba itshe elikhulu lokusila liphonswa olwandle, kanjalo iBabiloni liphonswé phansi ngamandla, ngeke lisafunyanwa. Ekugcineni seliphindiselwe igazi labangcwele bakaNkulunkulu! Izikhathi ezine izulu liduma ngokumemeza: “Haleluya [“Dumisani uJah nina bantu,” NW]!” Dumisani uJah ngoba usahlulele isifebe esikhulu! Dumisani uJah ngoba uJehova useqalile ukubusa njengenkosi! Thokozani nethabe ngoba “umshado weWundlu ufikile, nomkalo uzilungisele”!—17:2, 5, 8, 14; 18:2, 10; 19:1, 3, 4, 6, 7.
24. (a) Ingujuqu kangakanani impi elwiwa yiWundlu? (b) Yini elandelayo phakathi neminyaka eyinkulungwane, futhi yini eyenzekayo ekupheleni kwayo?
24 IWundlu lilwa impi ngokulunga (19:11–20:10). Embonweni we-13, “iNkosi yamakhosi noMbusi wababusi” ihola izimpi zasezulwini empini yokulunga. Amakhosi namaqhawe kuba inyama yezinyoni zezulu, futhi isilo nomprofethi wamanga baphonswa besezwa echibini lomlilo elivutha isibabule. (19:16) Njengoba umbono we-14 uqala, ingelosi ibonakala “yehla ezulwini, iphethe isihluthulelo sakwalasha neketanga elikhulu ngesandla sayo.” “Udrako, inyoka endala, onguMhlebi noSathane,” uyabanjwa futhi uboshwa iminyaka eyinkulungwane. Labo abanesabelo ekuvukeni kokuqala baba ‘abapristi bakaNkulunkulu nabakaKristu futhi babusa naye njengamakhosi iminyaka eyinkulungwane.’ Ngemva kwalokho, uSathane uyokhululwa futhi uyophuma ukuba adukise izizwe zomhlaba, kodwa uyophonswa echibini lomlilo kanye nalabo abamlandelayo.—20:1, 2, 6.
25. Yimuphi umbono ovusa amadlingozi olandelayo, futhi ubani oyokudla ifa lezinto ezibonwayo?
25 USuku Lokwahlulela nenkazimulo yeJerusalema Elisha (20:11–22:5). Umbono we-15 ovusa amadlingozi uyalandela. Abafileyo, abakhulu nabancane, bayahlulelwa ngaphambi kwesihlalo sikaNkulunkulu esikhulu esimhlophe. Ukufa neHayidese kuphonswa echibini lomlilo, ‘okungukufa kwesibili,’ futhi noma ubani otholakala engalotshiwe encwadini yokuphila uphonswa kanye nakho. IJerusalema Elisha lehla livela ezulwini, futhi uNkulunkulu umisa itende phakathi kwesintu, esula zonke izinyembezi emehlweni aso. Akusekho ukufa, ukudabuka, ukukhala, noma ubuhlungu! Yebo, uNkulunkulu ‘wenza konke kube-kusha,’ futhi uqinisekisa isithembiso sakhe, ethi: “Loba, ngokuba lawamazwi athembekile, aqinisile.” Abanqobayo bayokudla ifa lalezizinto, kodwa amagwala, abantula ukholo, nabaziphethe kabi noma abathakathayo noma abakhonza izithombe ngeke balidle.—20:14; 21:1, 5.
26. (a) Iyiphi incazelo enikezwayo ngeJerusalema Elisha? (b) Yiziphi izinto ezisekela ukuphila ezibonakalayo emzini, futhi ukukhanya kwawo kuvelaphi?
26 Manje, embonweni we-16 nowokugcina, uJohane uboniswa “umkaWundlu,” iJerusalema Elisha, namasango alo angu-12 namatshe esisekelo angu-12 anamagama abaphostoli abangu-12. Linezinhlangothi ezine ezilinganayo, futhi ukukhazimula kwalo okumangalisayo kumelelwa ijaspi, igolide, neparele okukulo. UJehova neWundlu bayithempeli lalomuzi, futhi bawukukhanya kwawo. Yilabo kuphela abalotshiwe encwadini yokuphila yeWundlu abangangena kuwo. (21:9) Umfula ocwebile wamanzi okuphila uvela esihlalweni sobukhosi wehla ngesitaladi somuzi, futhi ohlangothini ngalunye kunemithi yokuphila, ethela izithelo ezintsha inyanga ngayinye futhi inamaqabunga okuphulukisa. Isihlalo sobukhosi sikaNkulunkulu neseWundlu siyoba semzini, futhi izinceku zikaNkulunkulu ziyobona ubuso baKhe. “INkosi uNkulunkulu iyakubakhanyisela; bayakubusa phakade naphakade.”—22:5.
27. (a) Yisiphi isiqinisekiso uJohane asinikezwayo ngokuphathelene nesiprofetho? (b) IsAmbulo siphetha ngasiphi isimemo esiqotho nesixwayiso?
27 Isiphetho (22:6-21). Kunikezwa isiqinisekiso: “Lawomazwi athembekile, aqinisile.” Ngempela, bayajabula bonke abagcina amazwi alesiprofetho! Esezwile futhi wabona zonke lezinto, uJohane uwa phansi ukuba akhuleke engelosini, emkhumbuza ukuthi makakhuleke kuNkulunkulu kuphela. Amazwi esiprofetho akumelwe avalwe ngophawu, “ngokuba isikhathi siseduze.” Babusisiwe abangena emzini, ngoba ngaphandle kukhona abangcolile nabo “bonke abathanda nabenza amanga.” UJesu uthi yena ngokwakhe wathumela lobufakazi emabandleni ngengelosi yakhe, nokuthi “[u]yimpande nenzalo kaDavide, inkanyezi yokusa ecwebezelayo.” “UMoya nomlobokazi bathi: Woza! Nozwayo makathi: Woza! Nowomileyo makeze; othandayo makathabathe amanzi okuphila ngesihle.” Futhi makungabikho muntu onezelayo noma osusayo emazwini alesiprofetho, funa isabelo sakhe sisuswe “emthini wokuphila, nasemzini ongcwele.”—22:6, 10, 15-17, 19.
ISIZATHU SOKUBA IBE NENZUZO
28. Yiziphi izibonelo esingaqaphela ngazo ukuthi isAmbulo siphetha ukulandisa okuqalwe engxenyeni yokuqala yeBhayibheli?
28 Yeka isiphetho esikhazimulayo incwadi yesAmbulo esinikezayo eqoqweni leBhayibheli eliphefumlelwe lezincwadi ezingu-66! Akukho lutho olushiyiwe. Akukho lutho olungacaciswanga. Manje sisibona ngokukhanyayo isiphetho esihle kanye nesiqalo. Ingxenye yokugcina yeBhayibheli iphetha ukulandisa okuqalwe engxenyeni yokuqala. Njengoba uGenesise 1:1 achaza ukudala kukaNkulunkulu amazulu abonakalayo nomhlaba, kanjalo isAmbulo 21:1-4 sichaza izulu elisha nomhlaba omusha nezibusiso ezingenakubalwa eziyolethwa esintwini, njengoba zaprofethwa futhi kuIsaya 65:17, 18; 66:22; nakweyesi-2 Petru 3:13. Njengoba nje umuntu wokuqala atshelwa ukuthi wayeyokufa nokufa uma engalaleli, kanjalo uNkulunkulu uqinisekisa ngokunamandla ukuthi kwabalalelayo, “ukufa akusayikuba-khona.” (Gen. 2:17; IsAm. 21:4) Lapho iNyoka ibonakala okokuqala njengomkhohlisi wesintu, uNkulunkulu wabikezela ukuchotshozwa kwekhanda layo, futhi isAmbulo sembula indlela inyoka endala ethiwa uMhlebi noSathane, ekugcineni ephonswa ngayo ekubhujisweni. (Gen. 3:1-5, 15; IsAm. 20:10) Njengoba umuntu ongalalelanga axoshwa emthini wokuphila wase-Edene, imithi yokuphila engokomfanekiso ibonakala ‘ingeyokuphulukisa izizwe’ zesintu esilalelayo. (Gen. 3:22-24; IsAm. 22:2) Njengoba nje umfula wawugeleza e-Edene unisela insimu, kanjalo umfula ongokomfanekiso, onikeza ukuphila nosekela ukuphila, ufanekiswa njengogeleza uvela esihlalweni sobukhosi sikaNkulunkulu. Lokhu kufana nombono wangaphambili kaHezekeli, futhi kukhumbuza ngamazwi kaJesu ‘ngomthombo wamanzi aphuphumayo, kube-ngukuphila okuphakade.’ (Gen. 2:10; IsAm. 22:1, 2; Hez. 47:1-12; Joh. 4:13, 14) Ngokuphambene nokuxoshwa phambi kukaNkulunkulu, njengoba kwaba njalo ngendoda nowesifazane bokuqala, abanqobi abathembekile bayobubona ubuso bakhe. (Gen. 3:24; IsAm. 22:4) Kunenzuzo ngempela ukucabangela lemibono yesAmbulo evusa amadlingozi!
29. (a) IsAmbulo sizihlanganisa kanjani iziprofetho eziphathelene neBabiloni? (b) Yikuphi ukufana okungabonakala phakathi kwemibono yoMbuso, kanye neyezilo, esencwadini kaDaniyeli neyesAmbulo?
29 Phawula, futhi, indlela isAmbulo esihlangana ngayo neziprofetho eziphathelene neBabiloni elibi. UIsaya wayebone ukuwa kweBabiloni elingokoqobo esikhathini eside ngaphambi kokuba kwenzeke, futhi wayethé: “Liwile, liwile iBabele [“iBabiloni!” NW]” (Isaya 21:9) UJeremiya naye waprofetha ngeBabiloni. (Jer. 51:6-12) Kodwa isAmbulo sikhuluma ngokomfanekiso “[nge]BABILONI ELIKHULU, UNINA WEZIFEBE NOWAMANYALA OMHLABA.” Nalo kumelwe ligumbuqelwe, futhi uJohane uyakubona embonweni, ethi: “Liwile, liwile iBabiloni elikhulu.” (IsAm. 17:5; 18:2) Ingabe uyawukhumbula umbono kaDaniyeli wombuso omiswe uNkulunkulu oyochoboza eminye imibuso futhi ume “phakade”? Phawula indlela lokhu okuhlangana ngayo nesimemezelo sasezulwini encwadini yesAmbulo: “Umbuso wezwe usungoweNkosi yethu nokaKristu wayo; iyakubusa kuze kube-phakade naphakade.” (Dan. 2:44; IsAm. 11:15) Futhi njengoba nje umbono kaDaniyeli wachaza ‘onjengendodana yomuntu efika namafu ezulu ezokwamukela ukubusa okuphakade nobukhosi nombuso,’ kanjalo incwadi yesAmbulo ichaza uJesu Kristu ngokuthi “[u]mbusi wamakhosi omhlaba” nangokuthi “uyeza namafu,” futhi ithi “namehlo onke ayakumbona.” (Dan. 7:13, 14; IsAm. 1:5, 7) Futhi, kunokufana okuthile okumelwe kuphawulwe phakathi kwezilo zemibono kaDaniyeli nezilo zesAmbulo. (Dan. 7:1-8; IsAm. 13:1-3; 17:12) Ngempela, incwadi yesAmbulo inikeza umkhakha obanzi wokutadisha okuqinisa ukholo.
30. (a) Yimuphi umbono ophelele isAmbulo esiwunikezayo ngokungcweliswa kwegama likaJehova ngoMbuso? (b) Yini egcizelelwayo ngokuphathelene nobungcwele, futhi lokhu kuthinta bani?
30 Yeka umbono omangalisayo, onezici eziningi isAmbulo esiwunikezayo ngokuphathelene noMbuso kaNkulunkulu! Siqokomisa ngokukhazimulayo lokho abaprofethi basendulo noJesu nabafundi bakhe abakusho ngokuphathelene noMbuso. Lapha sinombono ophelelisiwe wokungcweliswa kwegama likaJehova ngoMbuso: “Ingcwele, ingcwele, ingcwele iNkosi uNkulunkulu uMninimandla onke.” Ufanele “ukwamukela inkazimulo nodumo namandla.” Ngempela, nguye ‘othabathé amandla akhe amakhulu, wabusa’ ngoKristu. Yeka indlela leNdodana efanelwe ubukhosi, “iNkosi yamakhosi noMbusi wababusi,” eboniswa ishiseka ngayo njengoba ishaya izizwe futhi inyathela “isikhamo sewayini lentukuthelo yolaka lukaNkulunkulu uMninimandla onke”! Njengoba isihloko esikhulu seBhayibheli sokulwelwa kukaJehova sifinyelela umvuthwandaba waso, kuyagcizelelwa ukuthi wonke umuntu nayo yonke into ehlanganyela ezinjongweni zoMbuso wakhe kumelwe kube ngcwele. IWundlu, uJesu Kristu, ‘elinesihluthulelo sikaDavide,’ kukhulunywa ngalo njengelingcwele, futhi kunjalo nangezingelosi zasezulwini. Labo abanesabelo ekuvukeni kokuqala kuthiwa ‘babusisiwe futhi bangcwele,’ futhi kugcizelelwa ukuthi ‘into engcolileyo nowenza amanyala’ akusoze kwangena ‘emzini ongcwele waseJerusalema.’ Kanjalo labo abathengwe ngegazi leWundlu ukuba “babe-ngumbuso nabapristi kuNkulunkulu wethu” banesikhuthazo esinamandla sokuba balondoloze ubungcwele phambi kukaJehova. “Isixuku esikhulu” naso kumelwe ‘sihlanze izingubo zaso, sizenze zibe-mhlophe egazini leWundlu’ ukuze sinikeze inkonzo engcwele.—IsAm. 4:8, 11; 11:17; 19:15, 16; 3:7; 14:10; 20:6; 21:2, 10, 27; 22:19; 5:9, 10; 7:9, 14, 15.
31. Yiziphi izici zoMbuso ezilethwa ekunakekeleni kwethu encwadini yesAmbulo kuphela?
31 Umbono waloMbuso omangalisayo nongcwele kaNkulunkulu ucaca kakhulu ezingqondweni zethu njengoba siphawula izici ezithile ezilethwa ekunakekeleni kwethu encwadini yesAmbulo kuphela. Lapha sinombono ophelele wezindlalifa zoMbuso eNtabeni yaseSiyoni zineWundlu, zihlabelela igama elisha elaziwa yizo kuphela. YisAmbulo kuphela esisitshela inani lalabo abathengwa emhlabeni ukuba bangene eMbusweni—elingu-144 000—nokuthi lelinani libekwe uphawu livela ezizweni ezingu-12 ezingokomfanekiso zakwaIsrayeli ongokomoya. YisAmbulo kuphela esibonisa ukuthi ‘labapristi namakhosi,’ abahlanganyela noKristu ekuvukeni kokuqala, bayobusa futhi naye “iminyaka eyinkulungwane.” YisAmbulo kuphela esisinikeza umbono ophelele ‘womuzi ongcwele, iJerusalema elisha,’ sibonisa inkazimulo yawo ekhanyayo, uJehova neWundlu njengethempeli lawo, amasango awo angu-12 namatshe awo esisekelo, namakhosi abusa kuwo phakade ngokukhanya okuphakade uJehova akukhanyisa phezu kwawo.—14:1, 3; 7:4-8; 20:6; 21:2, 10-14, 22; 22:5.
32. (a) Umbono ‘wezulu elisha’ ‘nomuzi ongcwele, iJerusalema elisha,’ ukufingqa kanjani konke lokho okwabikezelwa ngokuphathelene neMbewu yoMbuso? (b) Yiziphi izibusiso uMbuso oziqinisekisayo ngesintu emhlabeni?
32 Kungashiwo ngeqiniso ukuthi lombono ‘wezulu elisha’ ‘nomuzi ongcwele, iJerusalema elisha,’ ufingqa konke lokho imiBhalo eye yakubikezela kusukela ezikhathini zasendulo ngokuphathelene neMbewu yoMbuso. UAbrahama wabheka phambili ukuba abone imbewu ‘imindeni yonke yomhlaba eyayiyobusiswa’ ngayo ‘nomuzi onezisekelo, omakhi nomenzi wawo uNkulunkulu.’ Manje, embonweni wesAmbulo, siwuchazelwa kahle lomuzi wesibusiso ngokuthi “izulu elisha”—uhulumeni omusha, uMbuso kaNkulunkulu, owakhiwa iJerusalema Elisha (umlobokazi kaKristu) noMyeni walo. Ndawonye bayoletha uhulumeni wokulunga phezu kwawo wonke umhlaba. UJehova uthembisa isintu esithembekile ukuthi singaba “abantu bakhe” esimweni esijabulayo, esingenasono, esingenakufa njengaleso umuntu asijabulela ngaphambi kokuhlubuka e-Edene. Futhi ukuze sigcizelele, isAmbulo kabili sisitshela ukuthi uNkulunkulu “uyakwesula izinyembezi zonke emehlweni abo.”—Gen. 12:3; 22:15-18; Heb. 11:10; IsAm. 7:17; 21:1-4.
33. (a) Yimuphi umbono omangalisayo ohlanganisa konke isAmbulo esiwunikezayo ngezinjongo zaphezulu ezigcwalisekile? (b) “Yonke imiBhalo” iboniswe kanjani ukuthi “iphefumlelwe uNkulunkulu futhi inenzuzo,” futhi kungani manje kuyisikhathi sokutadisha nokulalela iZwi likaNkulunkulu?
33 Yebo, yeka isiphetho esihle semiBhalo ephefumlelwe! Yeka indlela ezimangalisa ngayo lezi “zinto ezimelwe ukwenzeka masinyane”! (IsAm. 1:1) Igama likaJehova, “uNkulunkulu wemimoya yabaprofethi,” liyangcweliswa. (22:6) Imibhalo engokwesiprofetho yamakhulu angu-16 eminyaka iboniswa igcwaliseka, futhi imisebenzi yokholo yezinkulungwane zeminyaka iyavuzwa! “Inyoka endala” ifile, amabutho ayo ayabhujiswa, futhi ububi abusekho. (12:9) UMbuso kaNkulunkulu ubusa ‘njengezulu elisha’ kube udumo kuye. Izibusiso zomhlaba obuyiselwe, ogcwalisiwe futhi wanqotshwa ngokwenjongo kaJehova eshiwo esahlukweni sokuqala seBhayibheli, ziba ezaphakade ngokukhazimulayo phambi kwesintu. (Gen. 1:28) Ngempela yonke imiBhalo iye yabonakala “iphefumlelwe uNkulunkulu futhi inenzuzo yokufundisa, yokusola, yokuqondisa izinto, yokuyala ngokulunga.” UJehova uye wayisebenzisa ukuba ahole abantu bokholo abafaneleka ngokugcwele, abahlonyiswe ngokuphelele kuze kube yilolusuku olumangalisayo. Ngakho-ke, manje yisikhathi sokutadisha lemiBhalo ukuze uqinise ukholo lwakho. Lalela imiyalo ekuyo ukuze uthole izibusiso zikaNkulunkulu. Yilandele endleleni eqondile eholela ekuphileni okuphakade. Ngokwenza kanjalo, nawe ungasho, ngethemba eliqinisekile incwadi yokugcina yeBhayibheli ephetha ngalo, uthi: “Amen. Woza, Nkosi Jesu.”—2 Thim. 3:16, NW; IsAm. 22:20.
34. Singaba kanjani manje nenjabulo engenakuqhathaniswa nalutho, futhi ngani?
34 Yeka injabulo engenakuqhathaniswa esingaba nayo manje ngokudumisa ‘umbuso weNkosi yethu nokaKristu wakhe,’ iMbewu, njengoba lokhu kuletha ukungcweliswa kwaphakade egameni elingenakufaniswa ‘likaJehova uNkulunkulu, uMninimandla onke’!—IsAm. 11:15, 17.
[Imibhalo yaphansi]
a The Ante-Nicene Fathers, Umq. I, ikhasi 240.
b The Ecclesiastical History, Eusebius, VI, xxv, 9, 10.
c The Ante-Nicene Fathers, Umq. I, amakhasi 559-60.