ISahluko 43

Umuzi Okhazimulayo

Umbono 16—IsAmbulo 21:9–22:5

Isihloko: Incazelo yeJerusalema Elisha

Isikhathi sokugcwaliseka: Ngemva kosizi olukhulu nokufakwa kukaSathane kwalasha

 1, 2. (a) Ingelosi imyisa kuphi uJohane ukuze abone iJerusalema Elisha, futhi imuphi umehluko esiwuphawulayo lapha? (b) Kungani lona kuwumvuthwandaba omkhulu wesAmbulo?

INGELOSI ibiyise uJohane ehlane ukuze imbonise iBhabhiloni Elikhulu. Manje enye yeqembu elifanayo lezingelosi iyisa uJohane entabeni ephakeme. Yeka umehluko awubonayo! Lapha akuwona umuzi ongcolile, oziphethe kabi njengesifebe esiyiBhabhiloni, kodwa iJerusalema Elisha—limsulwa, lingokomoya, lingcwele—futhi lehla livela ezulwini ngokwalo.—IsAmbulo 17:1, 5.

² Ngisho neJerusalema lasemhlabeni alikaze libe nenkazimulo enjengalena. UJohane uyasitshela: “Kwase kuza enye yezingelosi eziyisikhombisa ezazinezitsha eziyisikhombisa zigcwele izinhlupho eziyisikhombisa zokugcina, yakhuluma nami yathi: ‘Woza lapha, ngizokubonisa umlobokazi, umkaWundlu.’ Ngakho yangithwala ngamandla omoya yangiyisa entabeni enkulu nephakeme, yangibonisa umuzi ongcwele iJerusalema, wehla uvela ezulwini kuNkulunkulu, unenkazimulo kaNkulunkulu.” (IsAmbulo 21:9-11a) Esendaweni ebonisa kahle kuleyo ntaba ende, uJohane ubuka zonke izici ezinhle zalo muzi omuhle. Amadoda okholo abekulindele ngokulangazela ukuza kwawo kusukela ekuweleni kwesintu esonweni nasekufeni. Ekugcineni usufikile! (Roma 8:19; 1 Korinte 15:22, 23; Hebheru 11:39, 40) Ungumuzi omuhle ongokomoya, owakhiwe abagcini bobuqotho abathembekile abangu-144 000, owedlulele ngobungcwele bawo futhi obonisa yona kanye inkazimulo kaJehova. Nanku umvuthwandaba omkhulu wesAmbulo!

 3. UJohane ubuchaza kanjani ubuhle beJerusalema Elisha?

³ IJerusalema Elisha likhexisa umlomo ngobuhle balo: “Ukubengezela kwawo kwakunjengokwetshe eliyigugu, kunjengetshe lejaspi elicwebezela njengekristalu. Wawunodonga olukhulu noluphakeme futhi unamasango ayishumi nambili, emasangweni kukhona izingelosi eziyishumi nambili, kuqoshwe amagama ezizwe eziyishumi nambili zabantwana bakwa-Israyeli. Empumalanga kwakukhona amasango amathathu, enyakatho kukhona amasango amathathu, eningizimu amasango amathathu, nasentshonalanga amasango amathathu. Udonga lomuzi lwalunamatshe esisekelo ayishumi nambili, kuwo kukhona amagama ayishumi nambili abaphostoli abayishumi nambili beWundlu.” (IsAmbulo 21:11b-14) Yeka ukuthi kufaneleka kanjani ukuthi umbono wokuqala uJohane awubonayo ungowukukhanya okukhazimulayo! Njengoba likhazimula njengomlobokazi omusha, iJerusalema Elisha lenza umkaKristu ofanelekayo. Ngempela liyakhazimula, njengoba kufanele ngendalo ‘kaYise wezinkanyiso zasezulwini.’—Jakobe 1:17.

 4. Yini ebonisa ukuthi iJerusalema Elisha alisona isizwe sakwa-Israyeli esingokwenyama?

⁴ Emasangweni awo angu-12, kulotshwe amagama ezizwe ezingu-12 zakwa-Israyeli. Ngakho-ke, lo muzi ongokomfanekiso wakhiwe abangu-144 000, ababekwa uphawu “kuzo zonke izizwe zabantwana bakwa-Israyeli.” (IsAmbulo 7:4-8) Ngokuvumelana nalokhu, ematsheni ayisisekelo kulotshwe amagama abaphostoli beWundlu abangu-12. Yebo, iJerusalema Elisha alisona isizwe sakwa-Israyeli esingokwenyama esivela emadodaneni kaJakobe angu-12. Lingu-Israyeli ongokomoya, osekelwe phezu ‘kwabaphostoli nabaprofethi.’—Efesu 2:20.

 5. Yini eboniswa ‘udonga olukhulu noluphakemeyo’ lweJerusalema Elisha nayiqiniso lokuthi izingelosi zimiswe esangweni ngalinye?

⁵ Lo muzi ongokomfanekiso unodonga olukhulu. Ezikhathini zasendulo, izindonga zomuzi zazakhelwa ukulondeka nokuvimbela izitha. ‘Udonga olukhulu noluphakeme’ lweJerusalema Elisha lubonisa ukuthi lilondekile ngokomoya. Akukho sitha sokulunga, akukho muntu ongcolile noma ongathembekile, oyokwazi ukungena. (IsAmbulo 21:27) Kodwa ngalabo abavunyelwa ukuba bangene, ukungena kulo muzi omuhle kufana nokungena ePharadesi. (IsAmbulo 2:7) Ngemva kokuxoshwa kuka-Adamu, kwamiswa amakherubi phambi kwePharadesi lokuqala ukuze avimbele abantu abangahlanzekile. (Genesise 3:24) Ngokufanayo, kumiswe izingelosi esangweni ngalinye lomuzi ongcwele iJerusalema ukuze kuqinisekiswe ukulondeka komuzi okungokomoya. Ngempela, phakathi nazo zonke izinsuku zokugcina, izingelosi bezilonde ibandla lamaKristu agcotshiwe, eliba iJerusalema Elisha, ekungcolisweni yiBhabhiloni.—Mathewu 13:41.

Ukulinganisa Umuzi

 6. (a) UJohane ukuchaza kanjani ukulinganiswa komuzi, futhi lokhu kulinganisa kubonisani? (b) Kungase kusho ukuthini ukuthi isilinganiso esasetshenziswa ‘yisilinganiso somuntu, ngesikhathi esifanayo okungesengelosi’? (Bheka umbhalo waphansi.)

⁶ UJohane uqhuba ukulandisa kwakhe: “Leyo ngelosi eyayikhuluma nami yayiphethe umhlanga wegolide njengesilinganiso, ukuze ilinganise umuzi namasango awo nodonga lwawo. Umuzi uyizinhlangothi ezine ezilinganayo, ubude bawo bukhulu njengobubanzi bawo. Yawulinganisa umuzi ngomhlanga, amastadiyu ayizinkulungwane eziyishumi nambili; ubude bawo nobubanzi nokuphakama kwawo kuyalingana. Yalinganisa nodonga lwawo, izingalo eziyikhulu namashumi amane nane, ngokwesilinganiso somuntu, ngesikhathi esifanayo okungesengelosi.” (IsAmbulo 21:15-17) Lapho kulinganiswa ithempeli, lokhu kwaqinisekisa ukugcwaliseka kwezinjongo zikaJehova ngokuqondene nalo. (IsAmbulo 11:1) Manje, ukulinganisa kwengelosi iJerusalema Elisha kubonisa indlela izinjongo zikaJehova ezingenakuguquka ngayo ngokuqondene nalo muzi okhazimulayo.a

 7. Yini ephawulekayo ngezilinganiso zomuzi?

⁷ Yeka ukuthi umuzi omangalisa kanjani lona! Isikwele esiphelele esingamastadiyu angu-12 000 (cishe amakhilomitha angu-2 220) ukuzungeza, uzungezwe udonga oluyizingalo ezingu-144, noma amamitha angu-64, ukuphakama. Awukho umuzi ongokoqobo ongaba nezilinganiso ezinjalo. Ungathatha indawo engaphinda i-Israyeli yanamuhla cishe izikhathi ezingu-14, futhi ungaphakama cishe ngamakhilomitha angu-560! IsAmbulo sanikezwa ngezibonakaliso. Ngakho, lezi zilinganiso zisitshelani ngeJerusalema Elisha lasezulwini?

 8. Yini eboniswa (a) izindonga zomuzi eziyizingalo ezingu-144 ukuphakama? (b) isilinganiso somuzi esingamastadiyu angu-12 000? (c) isimo somuzi esiyisikwele esiphelele?

⁸ Izindonga eziyizingalo ezingu-144 ukuphakama zisikhumbuza ukuthi umuzi wakhiwe amadodana kaNkulunkulu amukelwe ngokomoya angu-144 000. Isibalo esingu-12 esivela esilinganisweni somuzi esingamastadiyu angu-12 000—onobude, ububanzi, nokuphakama okulinganayo—sisetshenziswa ngokomfanekiso ohlelweni olungokwenhlangano esiprofethweni seBhayibheli. Ngakho, iJerusalema Elisha liyilungiselelo elingokwenhlangano eliklanywe ngokwezinga eliphezulu ukuze lifeze injongo kaNkulunkulu yaphakade. IJerusalema Elisha, kanye neNkosi uJesu Kristu, liyinhlangano yoMbuso kaJehova. Bese kuba khona isimo somuzi: isikwele esiphelele. Ethempelini likaSolomoni, iNgcwelengcwele, eyayiqukethe ukumelelwa okungokomfanekiso kokuba khona kukaJehova, yayiyisikwele esiphelele. (1 AmaKhosi 6:19, 20) Khona-ke, yeka ukuthi kufaneleka kanjani ukuthi iJerusalema Elisha, elikhanyiswe inkazimulo kaJehova ngokwakhe, libonakala liyisikwele esikhulu, esiphelele! Zonke izilinganiso zalo zilingene ngokuphelele. Lingumuzi ongenakho ukungalingani noma amaphutha.—IsAmbulo 21:22.

Izinto Zokwakha Eziyigugu

 9. UJohane uzichaza kanjani izinto zokwakha zomuzi?

⁹ UJohane uqhuba incazelo yakhe: “Udonga lwalwakhiwe ngejaspi, futhi umuzi wawuyigolide elihlanzeke njengengilazi ekhanyayo. Izisekelo zodonga lomuzi zazihlotshiswe ngazo zonke izinhlobo zamatshe ayigugu: isisekelo sokuqala sasiyijaspi, esesibili siyisafire, esesithathu siyikhalkedoni, esesine siyisimaragidu, esesihlanu siyisaridonikisi, esesithupha siyisardiyu, esesikhombisa siyikrisolithe, esesishiyagalombili siyibherile, esesishiyagalolunye siyitopazi, eseshumi siyikrisoprasi, eseshumi nanye siyihiyakinte, eseshumi nambili siyi-amethiste. Amasango ayishumi nambili ayengamaparele ayishumi nambili; ngalinye lamasango lalenziwe ngeparele elilodwa. Indlela ebanzi yomuzi yayiyigolide elihlanzekileyo, njengengilazi ekhanya ngalé.”—IsAmbulo 21:18-21.

10. Yini eboniswa iqiniso lokuthi umuzi wakhiwe ngejaspi, igolide, ‘nangazo zonke izinhlobo zamatshe ayigugu’?

¹⁰ Isakhiwo salo muzi sikhazimula ngempela. Esikhundleni sezinto zokwakha zasemhlabeni, ezinjengobumba noma itshe, sifunda ngejaspi, igolide elicwengekileyo ‘nangazo zonke izinhlobo zamatshe ayigugu.’ Yeka ukuthi lokhu kuzifanekisela ngokufaneleke kanjani izinto zokwakha zasezulwini! Akukho lutho obelungaba luhle ngaphezu kwalokhu. Umphongolo wesivumelwano wasendulo wawunanyekwe ngegolide elimsulwa, futhi ngokuvamile eBhayibhelini leli litshe limelela izinto ezinhle neziyigugu. (Eksodusi 25:11; IzAga 25:11; Isaya 60:6, 17) Kodwa lonke iJerusalema Elisha, ngisho nesitaladi salo, kwakhiwe ‘ngegolide elihlanzeke njengengilazi ekhanyayo,’ okubonisa ubuhle nobugugu boqobo obudida ingqondo.

11. Yini eqinisekisa ukuthi labo abakha iJerusalema Elisha bayokhanya ngobuhle obukhulu bobumsulwa obungokomoya?

¹¹ Akukho mncibilikisi wensimbi ongumuntu ongakhiqiza igolide elimsulwa kangako. Kodwa uJehova unguMcwengi Omkhulu. Usebenza “njengomcwengi nanjengomhlanzi wesiliva,” futhi ucwenga amalungu ngamanye, athembekile ka-Israyeli ongokomoya “njengegolide nanjengesiliva,” esusa kuwo konke ukungcola. Kuphela abantu abacwengisiswe ngempela futhi bahlanzwa ekugcineni abayokwakha iJerusalema Elisha, futhi ngale ndlela uJehova wakha umuzi ngezinto zokwakha eziphilayo ezikhazimula ngobuhle obukhulu bobumsulwa obungokomoya.—Malaki 3:3, 4.

12. Yini eboniswa iqiniso lokuthi (a) izisekelo zomuzi zihlotshiswe ngamatshe ayigugu angu-12? (b) amasango omuzi angamaparele?

¹² Ngisho nezisekelo zalo muzi zinhle, zihlotshiswe ngamatshe ayigugu angu-12. Lokhu kusikhumbuza ngompristi omkhulu wasendulo ongumJuda, okwakuthi ngezinsuku zemikhosi ambathe ingubo yamahlombe enamatshe ayigugu ahlukahlukene angu-12 athi awafane nalawa achazwe lapha. (Eksodusi 28:15-21) Ngokuqinisekile lokhu akuqondananga ngengozi! Kunalokho, kugcizelela umsebenzi wobupristi weJerusalema Elisha, uJesu, umPristi Ophakeme, ‘ayisibani’ salo. (IsAmbulo 20:6; 21:23; Hebheru 8:1) Futhi, izinzuzo zenkonzo kaJesu yobupristi obukhulu zidluliselwa esintwini ngeJerusalema Elisha. (IsAmbulo 22:1, 2) Amasango omuzi angu-12, ngalinye eliyiparele elihle kakhulu, asikhumbuza ngomfanekiso kaJesu owafanisa uMbuso neparele elinenani elikhulu. Bonke abangena ngalawo masango bayobe bebonise ukwazisa kweqiniso ngezindinganiso ezingokomoya.—Mathewu 13:45, 46; qhathanisa noJobe 28:12, 17, 18.

Umuzi Wokukhanya

13. Yini uJohane ayishoyo ngokulandelayo ngeJerusalema Elisha, futhi kungani umuzi ungalidingi ithempeli elingokoqobo?

¹³ Esikhathini sikaSolomoni, iJerusalema lalenganyelwe ithempeli elalakhiwe endaweni yomuzi ephakeme eNtabeni yaseMoriya esenyakatho. Kodwa kuthiwani ngeJerusalema Elisha? UJohane uthi: “Angilibonanga ithempeli kuwo, ngoba uJehova uNkulunkulu uMninimandla onke uyithempeli lawo, neWundlu nalo liyilo. Lo muzi awulidingi ilanga noma inyanga ukuba kuwukhanyise, ngoba inkazimulo kaNkulunkulu yayiwukhanyisile, futhi isibani sawo siyiWundlu.” (IsAmbulo 21:22, 23) Eqinisweni, asikho isidingo sokwakha ithempeli elingokoqobo lapha. Ithempeli lamaJuda lasendulo lalimane nje liwumfuziselo, futhi okwakumelelwe yilowo mfuziselo, ithempeli elikhulu elingokomoya, belikhona kusukela uJehova agcoba uJesu njengomPristi Ophakeme ngo-29 C.E. (Mathewu 3:16, 17; Hebheru 9:11, 12, 23, 24) Futhi ithempeli lifanekisela isigaba sobupristi esenza imihlatshelo kuJehova ngenxa yabantu. Kodwa bonke labo abayingxenye yeJerusalema Elisha bangabapristi. (IsAmbulo 20:6) Futhi umhlatshelo omkhulu, ukuphila kukaJesu kobuntu okuphelele, uye wanikelwa kanye. (Hebheru 9:27, 28) Ngaphezu kwalokho, uJehova angafinyelelwa yibo bonke abahlala kulo muzi.

14. (a) Kungani iJerusalema Elisha lingalidingi ilanga nenyanga ukuba kulikhanyisele? (b) Sabikezelani isiprofetho sika-Isaya ngokuqondene nenhlangano kaJehova yendawo yonke, futhi iJerusalema Elisha lihileleke kanjani kulokhu?

¹⁴ Lapho inkazimulo kaJehova idlula kuMose eNtabeni iSinayi, yabangela ukuba ubuso bukaMose bukhanye kakhulu kangangokuba kwadingeka ukuba abusithe kuma-Israyeli akubo. (Eksodusi 34:4-7, 29, 30, 33) Khona-ke, ungakucabanga ukukhanya komuzi ohlala ukhanyiswe yinkazimulo kaJehova? Umuzi onjalo awunakuba nobusuku. Ngeke ulidinge ilanga noma inyanga engokoqobo. Uyokhipha ukukhanya kuze kube phakade. (Qhathanisa neyoku-1 Thimothewu 6:16.) IJerusalema Elisha ligcwele lolo hlobo lokukhanya okukhazimulayo. Ngempela, lo Mlobokazi noMyeni wakhe oyiNkosi baba yikomkhulu lenhlangano kaJehova yendawo yonke—“umfazi” wakhe, “iJerusalema eliphezulu”—u-Isaya aprofetha ngayo: “Ilanga ngeke lisaba ukukhanya kuwe emini, nenyanga ngeke isakunika ukukhanya ukuze kube khona ukukhanya okukhulu. UJehova uyoba ngukukhanya okumi kuze kube nini nanini kuwe, uNkulunkulu wakho abe ngubuhle bakho. Ilanga lakho ngeke lisashona, nenyanga yakho ngeke isafa; ngoba uJehova uyoba ngukukhanya okumi kuze kube nini nanini kuwe, futhi izinsuku zokulila kwakho ziyobe zifinyelele ekupheleni.”—Isaya 60:1, 19, 20; Galathiya 4:26.

Ukukhanya Ezizweni

15. Imaphi amazwi esAmbulo ngeJerusalema Elisha afana nesiprofetho sika-Isaya?

¹⁵ Sona lesi siprofetho sabikezela futhi: “Izizwe ziyokuza ekukhanyeni kwakho, namakhosi eze ekukhanyeni okukhulu kokukhanya kwakho.” (Isaya 60:3) IsAmbulo sibonisa ukuthi la mazwi ayeyohlanganisa neJerusalema Elisha: “Izizwe ziyohamba ngokukhanya kwawo, namakhosi omhlaba ayoletha kuwo inkazimulo yawo. Amasango awo ngeke aze avalwe emini, ngoba ngeke bube khona ubusuku khona. Ayoletha inkazimulo nodumo lwezizwe kuwo.”—IsAmbulo 21:24-26.

16. Zingobani “izizwe” eziyohamba ngokukhanya kweJerusalema Elisha?

¹⁶ Zingobani lezi “zizwe” ezihamba ngokukhanya kweJerusalema Elisha? Zingabantu, abake baba ingxenye yezizwe zaleli zwe elikhohlakele, abasabela ekukhanyeni okukhishwa ngalo muzi wasezulwini okhazimulayo. Abavelele kubo yisixuku esikhulu, esesiye saphuma kakade “kuzo zonke izizwe nezinhlanga nabantu nezilimi” futhi esikhulekela uNkulunkulu imini nobusuku kanye nesigaba sikaJohane. (IsAmbulo 7:9, 15) Ngemva kokuba iJerusalema Elisha lehle ezulwini futhi uJesu esebenzise izihluthulelo zokufa nezeHayidesi ukuba avuse abafileyo, siyohlangana nezigidi ezengeziwe, ezivela ‘ezizweni,’ ezifinyelela ekuthandeni uJehova neNdodana yakhe, uMyeni weJerusalema Elisha onjengeWundlu.—IsAmbulo 1:18.

17. Angobani “amakhosi omhlaba ayoletha . . . inkazimulo yawo” eJerusalema Elisha?

¹⁷ Khona-ke, angobani “amakhosi omhlaba ayoletha kuwo inkazimulo yawo”? Awawona amakhosi omhlaba angokoqobo njengeqembu, ngoba aya ekubhujisweni ngesikhathi elwa noMbuso kaNkulunkulu e-Armagedoni. (IsAmbulo 16:14, 16; 19:17, 18) Kungenzeka yini la makhosi kube abathile bezizwe abasezikhundleni eziphakeme ababa yingxenye yesixuku esikhulu, noma ingabe bangamakhosi avusiwe azithoba eMbusweni kaNkulunkulu ezweni elisha? (Mathewu 12:42) Akunakwenzeka, ngoba ikakhulukazi, inkazimulo yamakhosi anjalo yayingeyezwe futhi kade yafiphala. Khona-ke, “amakhosi omhlaba,” aletha inkazimulo yawo eJerusalema Elisha kumelwe kube abangu-144 000, ‘abathengwa kuzo zonke izinhlanga nezilimi nabantu nezizwe’ ukuba babuse njengamakhosi kanye neWundlu, uJesu Kristu. (IsAmbulo 5:9, 10; 22:5) Baletha emzini inkazimulo yabo abayinikwe uNkulunkulu ukuba banezele enkazimulweni yawo.

18. (a) Obani abangayikungeniswa eJerusalema Elisha? (b) Obani kuphela abayovunyelwa ukuba bangene kulo muzi?

¹⁸ UJohane uyaqhubeka: “Kodwa noma yini engengcwele nanoma ubani oqhubeka enza isinengiso namanga akayikungena kuwo nangayiphi indlela; kuyongena kuphela labo abalotshwe emqulwini wokuphila weWundlu.” (IsAmbulo 21:27) Akukho lutho olungcoliswe isimiso sezinto sikaSathane olungaba ingxenye yeJerusalema Elisha. Ngisho nakuba amasango awo ehlala evuliwe, akukho muntu “oqhubeka enza isinengiso namanga” oyovunyelwa ukuba angene. Ngeke zibe khona izihlubuki kulowo muzi nanoma yimaphi amalungu eBhabhiloni Elikhulu. Futhi uma noma ibaphi bezama ukungcolisa umuzi ngokonakalisa amalungu awo esikhathi esizayo lapho esesemhlabeni, imizamo yabo iyokwenziwa ize. (Mathewu 13:41-43) “Abalotshwe emqulwini wokuphila weWundlu” kuphela, abangu-144-000, ekugcineni abayongena eJerusalema Elisha.b—IsAmbulo 13:8; Daniyeli 12:3.

Umfula Wamanzi Okuphila

19. (a) UJohane ulichaza kanjani iJerusalema Elisha njengelidlulisela izibusiso esintwini? (b) “Umfula wamanzi okuphila” ugeleza nini, futhi sazi kanjani?

¹⁹ IJerusalema Elisha elikhazimulayo liyodlulisela izibusiso ezinhle esintwini esisemhlabeni. Lokhu yilokho uJohane akubonayo ngokulandelayo: “Yangibonisa futhi umfula wamanzi okuphila, ucwebe njengekristalu, ugeleza uvela esihlalweni sobukhosi sikaNkulunkulu neseWundlu wehla maphakathi nendlela yawo ebanzi.” (IsAmbulo 22:1, 2a) Ugeleza nini lo “mfula”? Njengoba ugeleza “uvela esihlalweni sobukhosi sikaNkulunkulu neseWundlu,” kungaba kuphela ngemva kokuba usuku lweNkosi luqalile ngo-1914. Leso kwakuyisikhathi sesenzakalo esamenyezelwa ngokushaywa kwecilongo lesikhombisa nesimemezelo esikhulu: “Manje isikhona insindiso, namandla, nombuso kaNkulunkulu wethu negunya likaKristu wakhe.” (IsAmbulo 11:15; 12:10) Phakathi nesikhathi sokuphela, umoya nomlobokazi bebemema abathambekele ngokufanele ukuba bathathe amanzi okuphila ngesihle. Laba bayolokhu bethola amanzi avela kulo mfula kuze kube sekupheleni kwalesi simiso sezinto nangemva kwalokho, kuqhubeke kuze kube sezweni elisha, lapho iJerusalema Elisha ‘lehla livela ezulwini kuNkulunkulu.’—IsAmbulo 21:2.

20. Yini ebonisa ukuthi isilinganiso esithile samanzi okuphila sesiyatholakala kakade?

²⁰ Lesi akusona isikhathi sokuqala lapho amanzi okuphila enikwa isintu. Lapho esemhlabeni, uJesu wakhuluma ngamanzi anika ukuphila okuphakade. (Johane 4:10-14; 7:37, 38) Ngaphezu kwalokho, uJohane usezozwa isimemo sothando: “Umoya nomlobokazi bathi: ‘Woza!’ Noma ubani ozwayo makathi: ‘Woza!’ Noma ubani owomile makeze; nanoma ubani othandayo makathathe amanzi okuphila ngesihle.” (IsAmbulo 22:17) Lesi simemo siyamenyezelwa ngisho kwamanje, okubonisa ukuthi isilinganiso esithile samanzi okuphila sesiyatholakala kakade. Kodwa ezweni elisha, lawo manzi ayogeleza evela esihlalweni sobukhosi sikaNkulunkulu ngeJerusalema Elisha njengomfula okuyiwonawona.

21. Yini emelelwe “umfula wamanzi okuphila,” futhi umbono kaHezekeli walo mfula usisiza kanjani ukuba sazi?

²¹ Uyini lo “mfula wamanzi okuphila”? Amanzi angokoqobo ayisici esibalulekile sokuphila. Umuntu angaphila amasonto amaningana ngaphandle kokudla, kodwa ngaphandle kwamanzi angafa cishe ngesonto elilodwa. Amanzi futhi ayisihlanzi futhi abalulekile ukuze umuntu abe nempilo enhle. Kanjalo, amanzi okuphila kumelwe ukuba amelele okuthile okubalulekile ngokuphila nangempilo yesintu. Nomprofethi uHezekeli futhi wanikwa umbono walo “mfula wamanzi okuphila,” futhi embonweni wakhe, umfula wawugeleza usuka ethempelini wehlela oLwandle Olufile. Kwase kwenzeka isimanga sezimanga! Lawo manzi angenakuphila, agcwele amakhemikhali aguqulwa aba amanzi amahle agcwele izinhlanzi! (Hezekeli 47:1-12) Yebo, amanzi ombono abuyisela ekuphileni okuthile okwakufile ngaphambili, okugcizelela ukuthi umfula wamanzi okuphila ufanekisela ilungiselelo likaNkulunkulu ngoJesu Kristu lokubuyisela ukuphila okuphelele kobuntu ohlangeni lwesintu “olufile.” Lo mfula “ucwebe njengekristalu,” okubonisa ubumsulwa nobungcwele bamalungiselelo kaNkulunkulu. Awufani ‘namanzi’ eLobukholwa abulalayo, angcoliswe igazi.—IsAmbulo 8:10, 11.

22. (a) Usukaphi lo mfula, futhi kungani lokhu kufanelekile? (b) Yini ehilelekile emanzini okuphila, futhi uhlanganisani lo mfula ongokomfanekiso?

²² Lo mfula usuka “esihlalweni sobukhosi sikaNkulunkulu neseWundlu.” Lokhu kufanelekile, njengoba isisekelo samalungiselelo kaJehova anika ukuphila siwumhlatshelo wesihlengo, futhi lesi salungiselelwa ngoba uJehova “walithanda izwe kangangokuba waze wanikela ngeNdodana yakhe ezelwe yodwa, ukuze wonke umuntu obonisa ukholo kuyo angabhubhi kodwa abe nokuphila okuphakade.” (Johane 3:16) Amanzi okuphila ahlanganisa futhi neZwi likaNkulunkulu, elikhulunyelwa njengamanzi eBhayibhelini. (Efesu 5:26) Nokho, umfula wamanzi okuphila awuhlanganisi iqiniso kuphela kodwa futhi nawo wonke amanye amalungiselelo kaJehova, asekelwe emhlatshelweni kaJesu, okusindisa isintu esilalelayo esonweni nasekufeni nokusinika ukuphila okuphakade.—Johane 1:29; 1 Johane 2:1, 2.

23. (a) Kungani kufaneleka ukuthi umfula wamanzi okuphila ugeleza phakathi kwesitaladi seJerusalema Elisha? (b) Isiphi isithembiso saphezulu esenziwa ku-Abrahama esiyogcwaliseka lapho amanzi okuphila egeleza ngobuningi?

²³ Phakathi nokuBusa Kweminyaka Eyinkulungwane, izinzuzo zesihlengo zisetshenziswa ngokugcwele ngobupristi bukaJesu nabapristi abangaphansi kwakhe abangu-144 000. Khona-ke, ngokufanelekile umfula wamanzi okuphila ugeleza phakathi kwesitaladi seJerusalema Elisha. Leli lakhiwa u-Israyeli ongokomoya, yena kanye noJesu abakha inzalo ka-Abrahama yeqiniso. (Galathiya 3:16, 29) Ngakho-ke, lapho amanzi okuphila egeleza ngobuningi phakathi kwesitaladi somuzi ongokomfanekiso, “zonke izizwe zomhlaba” ziyoba nethuba eligcwele lokuzibusisa ngenzalo ka-Abrahama. Isithembiso sikaJehova ku-Abrahama siyogcwaliseka ngokuphelele.—Genesise 22:17, 18.

Imithi Yokuphila

24. Yini manje uJohane ayibonayo ezinhlangothini zombili zomfula wamanzi okuphila, futhi ifanekiselani?

²⁴ Embonweni kaHezekeli, umfula waze waba yisikhukhula, futhi umprofethi wabona kukhula ezinhlangothini zawo zombili zonke izinhlobo zemithi ethela izithelo. (Hezekeli 47:12) Kodwa yini uJohane ayibonayo? Nakhu: “Nganeno komfula nangaphesheya kwakukhona imithi yokuphila ithela izithelo eziyishumi nambili, ithela izithelo zawo inyanga ngayinye. Amaqabunga ale mithi ayengawokwelapha izizwe.” (IsAmbulo 22:2b) Kumelwe futhi ukuba le “mithi yokuphila” ifanekisela ingxenye yelungiselelo likaJehova lokunika ukuphila okuphakade esintwini esilalelayo.

25. Yiliphi ilungiselelo eliyinala uJehova alenzela isintu esisabelayo ePharadesi lomhlaba wonke?

²⁵ Yeka ilungiselelo eliyinala uJehova alenzela abantu abasabelayo! Ngeke nje kuphela baphuze lawo manzi aqabulayo kodwa bangakha kuleyo mithi izinhlobonhlobo ezingapheli zezithelo ezinempilo. Oh, ukube nje abazali bethu bokuqala baneliswa ilungiselelo elifanayo ‘elifiselekayo’ ePharadesi lase-Edene! (Genesise 2:9) Kodwa manje iPharadesi lomhlaba wonke selilapha, futhi uJehova wenza ngisho nelungiselelo ngamaqabunga aleyo mithi engokomfanekiso ukuze ‘kwelashwe izizwe.’c Kungokungaphezulu kakhulu kwanoma imuphi umuthi wokwelapha, oyikhambi noma wolunye uhlobo, otholakalayo namuhla, ukusetshenziswa okuthobayo kwalawo maqabunga angokomfanekiso kuyoletha isintu esikholwayo ekupheleleni okungokomoya nokungokomzimba.

26. Ingahlanganisani imithi yokuphila, futhi ngani?

²⁶ Leyo mithi, eniselwa kahle umfula, ingase ihlanganise amalungu omkaWundlu angu-144 000. Lapho besemhlabeni laba baphuza futhi elungiselelweni likaNkulunkulu lokuphila ngoJesu Kristu. Kuyathakazelisa ukuthi laba bafowabo bakaJesu abazelwe ngomoya babizwa ngokwesiprofetho ngokuthi “imithi emikhulu yokulunga.” (Isaya 61:1-3; IsAmbulo 21:6) Kakade sebeye bakhiqiza izithelo eziningi ezingokomoya kwaba udumo kuJehova. (Mathewu 21:43) Futhi phakathi nokuBusa Kweminyaka Eyinkulungwane, bayoba nengxenye ekukhipheni amalungiselelo esihlengo ‘ayokwelapha izizwe’ esonweni nasekufeni.—Qhathanisa neyoku-1 Johane 1:7.

Abusekho Ubusuku

27. Yiziphi izibusiso ezengeziwe uJohane aziphawulayo ngalabo abanelungelo lokungena eJerusalema Elisha, futhi kungani kuthiwa “ngeke kusaba khona noma yisiphi isiqalekiso”?

²⁷ Ukungena eJerusalema Elisha—ngokuqinisekile, alikho elinye ilungelo elihle ngaphezu kwalelo! Cabanga nje—labo bantu abake baba abaphansi, abangaphelele bayolandela uJesu eya ezulwini ukuze babe ingxenye yelungiselelo elikhazimula kangaka! (Johane 14:2) UJohane unikeza umqondo othile ngezibusiso eziyojatshulelwa yilaba, ethi: “Ngeke kusaba khona noma yisiphi isiqalekiso. Kodwa isihlalo sobukhosi sikaNkulunkulu neseWundlu siyoba semzini, futhi izinceku zakhe ziyonikela kuye inkonzo engcwele; ziyobubona ubuso bakhe, negama lakhe liyoba semabunzini azo.” (IsAmbulo 22:3, 4) Lapho abapristi bakwa-Israyeli bonakala, babethola isiqalekiso sikaJehova. (Malaki 2:2) UJesu wathi uyilahlile “indlu” yaseJerusalema engenalukholo. (Mathewu 23:37-39) Kodwa eJerusalema Elisha, “ngeke kusaba khona noma yisiphi isiqalekiso.” (Qhathanisa noZakariya 14:11.) Bonke abahlala khona baye bahlolwa emlilweni wovivinyo lapha emhlabeni, futhi lapho sebenqobile, bayobe ‘sebegqoke ukungonakali nokungafi.’ Ngokuqondene nabo, uJehova uyazi, njengoba nje ayazi ngoJesu, ukuthi abasoze bahlubuka. (1 Korinte 15:53, 57) Ngaphezu kwalokho, “isihlalo sobukhosi sikaNkulunkulu neseWundlu” siyoba lapho, senza isimo somuzi sibe esilondekile kuze kube phakade.

28. Kungani amalungu eJerusalema Elisha enegama likaNkulunkulu lilotshwe emabunzini awo, futhi iliphi ithemba elivusa amadlingozi eliphambi kwawo?

²⁸ NjengoJohane ngokwakhe, wonke amalungu esikhathi esizayo alowo muzi wasezulwini ‘ayizinceku’ zikaNkulunkulu. Ngaleso sizathu, alotshwe igama likaNkulunkulu ngokugqamile emabunzini awo, embonakalisa njengoMnikazi wawo. (IsAmbulo 1:1; 3:12) Ayokubheka njengelungelo elingenakulinganiswa ukumnikeza inkonzo engcwele njengengxenye yeJerusalema Elisha. Lapho uJesu esemhlabeni, wenza isithembiso esivusa amadlingozi kulabo babusi besikhathi esizayo, ethi: “Bayajabula abahlanzekile enhliziyweni, ngoba bayobona uNkulunkulu.” (Mathewu 5:8) Yeka ukuthi lezi zinceku ziyojabula kanjani ngokubona nangokukhonza uJehova uqobo!

29. Kungani uJohane ethi ngeJerusalema Elisha lasezulwini “ubusuku ngeke busaba khona”?

²⁹ UJohane uyaqhubeka: “Ubusuku ngeke busaba khona, azikudingi nokukhanya kwesibani, nokukhanya kwelanga azinakho, ngoba uJehova uNkulunkulu uyozikhanyisela.” (IsAmbulo 22:5a) IJerusalema lasendulo, njenganoma imuphi omunye umuzi wasemhlabeni, lalithembele elangeni ukuze lithole ukukhanya emini nasenyangeni nasekukhanyeni kokuzenzela ebusuku. Kodwa eJerusalema Elisha lasezulwini, ukukhanyisa okunjalo ngeke kudingeke. Umuzi uyokhanyiswa uJehova ngokwakhe. “Ubusuku” bungase futhi busetshenziswe ngomqondo ongokomfanekiso, bubhekisela ebutheni noma ekuhlukaneni noJehova. (Mika 3:6; Johane 9:4; Roma 13:11, 12) Alusoze lwaba khona lolo hlobo lobumnyama ebukhoneni obukhazimulayo bukaNkulunkulu umninimandla onke.

30. UJohane uwuphetha kanjani umbono umuhle ngokumangalisayo, futhi isAmbulo sisiqinisekisa ngani?

³⁰ UJohane uphetha lo mbono omuhle ngokumangalisayo ngokusho lokhu ngezinceku zikaNkulunkulu: “Ziyobusa njengamakhosi kuze kube phakade naphakade.” (IsAmbulo 22:5b) Yiqiniso, ekupheleni kweminyaka eyinkulungwane, izinzuzo zesihlengo ziyobe sezisetshenziswe ngokuphelele, futhi uJesu uyoletha uhlanga lwabantu oluphelelisiwe kuYise. (1 Korinte 15:25-28) Asazi ukuthi yini uJehova ayigcinele uJesu nabangu-144 000 emva kwalokho. Kodwa isAmbulo siyasiqinisekisa ukuthi inkonzo yabo engcwele kuJehova eyilungelo iyoqhubeka kuze kube phakade.

Umvuthwandaba WesAmbulo Ojabulisayo

31. (a) Yimuphi umvuthwandaba ophawulwa umbono weJerusalema Elisha? (b) IJerusalema Elisha libenzelani abanye abathembekile besintu?

³¹ Ukufezeka kwalo mbono weJerusalema Elisha, umlobokazi weWundlu, kuwumvuthwandaba ojabulisayo isAmbulo esikhomba kuwo, futhi ngokufanelekile. Wonke amaKristu ekhulu lokuqala ayekanye noJohane incwadi eyayiyiswa kuwo ekuqaleni ayebheke phambili ekungeneni kulowo muzi njengababusi bomoya abangenakufa abakanye noJesu Kristu. Insali yamaKristu agcotshiwe esaphila namuhla emhlabeni inethemba elifanayo. Kanjalo isAmbulo siqhubekela emvuthwandaba waso omkhulu, njengoba umlobokazi ophelelisiwe ehlanganiswa neWundlu. Ngokulandelayo, ngeJerusalema Elisha, izinzuzo zomhlatshelo kaJesu wesihlengo ziyosetshenziswa esintwini, ukuze ekugcineni bonke abathembekile bangene ekuphileni okuphakade. Ngale ndlela umlobokazi, iJerusalema Elisha, njengomsizi othembekile weNkosi yalo enguMyeni, uyohlanganyela ekwakheni umhlaba omusha wokulunga oyohlala phakade—konke kube inkazimulo yeNkosi yethu enguMbusi uJehova.—Mathewu 20:28; Johane 10:10, 16; Roma 16:27.

32, 33. Yini esiyifundile encwadini yesAmbulo, futhi kufanele kube yini ukusabela kwethu okusuka enhliziyweni?

³² Khona-ke, yeka injabulo esiyizwayo njengoba sisondela ekupheleni kokucabangela kwethu incwadi yesAmbulo! Siyibonile imizamo yokugcina kaSathane nenzalo yakhe ibhuntshiswa ngokuphelele futhi izahlulelo zikaJehova zokulunga zikhishwa ngokuphelele. IBhabhiloni Elikhulu kumelwe lingabibikho phakade, lilandelwe yizo zonke izingxenye zezwe likaSathane ezonakele ezingenathemba. USathane ngokwakhe namademoni akhe bayofakwa kwalasha futhi kamuva babhujiswe. IJerusalema Elisha liyobusa kanye noKristu emazulwini njengoba uvuko nokwahlulela kuqhubeka, futhi ekugcineni isintu esiphelelisiwe siyojabulela ukuphila okuphakade emhlabeni oyiPharadesi. Yeka indlela isAmbulo esiziveza ngokucace ngayo zonke lezi zinto! Yeka indlela esiqinisa ngayo ukuzimisela kwethu ‘ukumemezela izindaba ezinhle zaphakade kuzo zonke izizwe, nezinhlanga nezilimi nabantu’ emhlabeni namuhla! (IsAmbulo 14:6, 7) Ingabe uzikhandla ngokugcwele kulo msebenzi omkhulu?

³³ Njengoba izinhliziyo zethu zigcwele kangaka ukubonga, masigxilise ukunakekela emazwini okuphetha esAmbulo.

[Imibhalo yaphansi]