Isahluko 15

Ukubuyela KuNkulunkulu Weqiniso

“Ngininika umyalo omusha wokuba nithandane; njengalokho nginithandile, nani nithandane. Ngalokho bonke bayakukwazi ukuthi ningabafundi bami, uma nithandana.”—Johane 13:34, 35.

 1, 2. Kumelwe ibe yini imiphumela yothando phakathi kwamaKristu eqiniso?

NGALAWOMAZWI, uJesu wamisa indinganiso ngalabo abathi bangabalandeli bakhe beqiniso. Uthando lobuKristu kwakuyomelwe lweqe yonke imingcele yezinhlanga, imindeni, neyobuzwe. Kwakuyodingeka ukuba amaKristu eqiniso ‘angabi awezwe,’ njengoba noJesu ayenjalo futhi namanje ‘akasiye owezwe.’—Johane 17:14, 16; Roma 12:17-21.

² UmKristu uzibonakalisa kanjani ukuthi ‘akasiye owezwe’? Ngokwesibonelo, kufanele enze kanjani ngokuphathelene nezombangazwe ezinesiyaluyalu, udlame, nezimpi zesikhathi sethu? Umphostoli uJohane ongumKristu wabhala ngokuvumelana namazwi kaJesu angenhla: “Lowo ongenzi ukulunga akasiye okaNkulunkulu, naye ongamthandi umzalwane wakhe. Nanti izwi enalizwayo kwasekuqaleni lokuba sithandane.” Futhi uJesu ngokwakhe wachaza ukuthi kungani abafundi bakhe bengazange balwe ukuze bamkhulule, ethi: “Umbuso wami awusiwo owalelizwe. Uma umbuso wami ubungowalelizwe, izikhonzi zami zaziyakulwa . . . Kepha kalokhu umbuso wami awusiwo owalapha.” Ngisho nalapho ukuphila kukaJesu kwakusengozini, lezozikhonzi azizange zihileleke ekuxazululeni impikiswano ngokwezindlela zezwe zokulwa.—1 Johane 3:10-12; Johane 18:36.

 3, 4. (a) Yini uIsaya ayiprofetha ngokuqondene ‘nengxenye yokugcina yezinsuku’? (b) Yimiphi imibuzo edinga impendulo?

³ Eminyakeni engaphezu kwengu-700 ngaphambi kukaKristu, uIsaya waprofetha ukuthi abantu bazo zonke izizwe babeyobuthanela ekukhulekeleni kukaJehova kweqiniso futhi babengasayikuyifunda impi. Wathi: “Kuyakuthi ngezinsuku ezizayo [“engxenyeni yokugcina yezinsuku,” NW] intaba yendlu kaJehova iqiniswe esiqongweni sezintaba, . . . nezizwe zonke ziyakugobhozela khona. Abantu abaningi bayakuhamba, bathi: Wozani sikhuphukele entabeni kaJehova endlini kaNkulunkulu kaJakobe; uyakusifundisa izindlela zakhe, sihambe emikhondweni yakhe, ngokuba umthetho uyakuvela eSiyoni, nezwi likaJehova eJerusalema. Uyakwahlulela phakathi kwezizwe, anqume phakathi kwabantu abaningi; bayakukhanda izinkemba zabo zibe-ngamakhuba, nemikhonto yabo ibe-ngocelemba; isizwe asiyikuphakamisela isizwe inkemba, zingabe zisafunda ukulwa.”a—Isaya 2:2-4.

⁴ Iyiphi kuzo zonke izinkolo zezwe eye yaba ngevelele ekuhlangabezaneni nalezimfuneko? Obani abaye benqaba ukufunda impi naphezu kwamajele, amakamu okuhlushwa, nezigwebo zokufa?

Uthando LobuKristu Nokungathathi-hlangothi

 5. Yiliphi irekhodi lokungathathi-hlangothi kobuKristu oFakazi BakaJehova abaye baliqopha njengabantu ngabanye, futhi ngani?

⁵ OFakazi BakaJehova baziwa emhlabeni wonke ngokuma kwabo komuntu siqu kokungathathi-hlangothi kobuKristu ngenxa kanembeza. Baye bakhuthazelela amajele, amakamu okuhlushwa, ukuhlushwa, ukudingiswa, nokushushiswa kulo lonke lelikhulu lama-20 leminyaka ngoba beye benqaba ukudela uthando lwabo nobunye njengebandla lomhlaba wonke lamaKristu asondelene noNkulunkulu. EJalimane yobuNazi phakathi neminyaka ka-1933-45, cishe kwafa oFakazi abayinkulungwane futhi izinkulungwane zaboshwa ngenxa yokwenqaba kwazo ukubambisana nomzamo kaHitler wempi. Ngokufanayo, ngaphansi kukaFranco eSpain eyayikade ingeyamaFascist, amakhulu entsha engoFakazi yaboshwa futhi eningi yachitha isilinganiso seminyaka eyishumi umuntu ngamunye isemajele ezempi kunokuba ifunde impi. Kuze kube namuhla emazweni ahlukahlukene, intsha eningi engoFakazi BakaJehova iwohlokela emajele ngenxa yesimo sayo sokungathathi-hlangothi kobuKristu. Nokho, oFakazi BakaJehova ababaphazamisi ohulumeni ezimisweni zabo zempi. Ukungathathi-hlangothi kobuKristu okungantengantengi koFakazi ezindabeni zezombangazwe kuye kwaba ngenye yezinto ezingaguquki ezinkolelweni zabo kuzo zonke izingxabano nezimpi zekhulu lama-20 leminyaka. Kubabonakalisa njengabalandeli beqiniso bakaKristu futhi kuyabehlukanisa ezinkolweni zeLobukholwa.—Johane 17:16; 2 Korinte 10:3-5.

 6, 7. Yini oFakazi BakaJehova abaye bayiqonda ngokuqondene nobuKristu?

⁶ Ngokunamathela eBhayibhelini nasesibonelweni sikaKristu, oFakazi BakaJehova babonakalisa ukuthi baqhuba ukukhulekela kukaNkulunkulu weqiniso, uJehova. Baqaphela uthando lukaNkulunkulu njengoba lubonakaliswe ekuphileni nasemhlatshelweni kaJesu. Bayaqonda ukuthi uthando lobuKristu lweqiniso luphumela ebuzalwaneni bomhlaba wonke obungenakwehlukaniswa—obungalé kwemingcele yezombangazwe, yobuhlanga, nobuzwe. Ngamanye amazwi, ubuKristu bungaphezu kokuba obezizwe zonke; abunamingcele yobuzwe, beqa imingcele yobuzwe, yegunya, noma yezithakazelo. Bubheka uhlanga lwesintu njengomkhaya owodwa onokhokho ofanayo futhi onoMdali ofanayo, uJehova uNkulunkulu.—IzEnzo 17:24-28; Kolose 3:9-11.

⁷ Nakuba cishe zonke ezinye izinkolo ziye zahileleka ezimpini—zokubulala abafowabo nabanye abantu—oFakazi BakaJehova baye babonisa ukuthi basithatha ngokungathi sína isiprofetho sikaIsaya 2:4, esicashunwe ngaphambili. ‘Kodwa,’ ungase ubuze, ‘oFakazi BakaJehova bavelaphi? Baqhuba kanjani?’

Uhlu Olude Lofakazi BakaNkulunkulu

 8, 9. Yisiphi isimemo uNkulunkulu aye wasidlulisela esintwini?

⁸ Eminyakeni engaphezu kwengu-2 700 edlule, umprofethi uIsaya waphinde washo lesimemo esilandelayo: “Mfuneni uJehova esenokutholwa, nimbize eseseduze. Omubi makashiye indlela yakhe, nomuntu owenza okubi imicabango yakhe, abuyele kuJehova, uyakuba-nomusa kuye, yebo, abuyele kuNkulunkulu wethu, ngokuba uyakwenza ukuthethelela kube-kukhulu.”—Isaya 55:6, 7.

⁹ Emakhulwini eminyaka kamuva, umphostoli uPawulu ongumKristu wachazela lawomaGreki aseAthene ‘ayekhonza kakhulu onkulunkulu [basezinganekwaneni]’: “[UNkulunkulu] wazenza izizwe zonke ngagazi linye ukuba zakhe ebusweni bonke bomhlaba, wamisa izikhathi ezinqunyiweyo nemikhawulo yokuhlala kwazo, ukuze zifune uNkulunkulu, ingabe zingamuzwa, zimfumane; ingani kakude kulowo nalowo kithi.”—IzEnzo 17:22-28.

10. Sazi kanjani ukuthi uNkulunkulu wayengekude kuAdamu noEva nabantwana babo?

¹⁰ Ngokuqinisekile uNkulunkulu wayengekude nezidalwa zakhe ezingabantu uAdamu noEva. Wakhuluma nabo, ebatshela imiyalo yakhe nezifiso. Ngaphezu kwalokho, uNkulunkulu akazange azifihle emadodaneni abo oKayini noAbela. Weluleka uKayini onenzondo lapho ebonisa umona ngomhlatshelo womfowabo kuNkulunkulu. Nokho, kunokuba aguqule uhlobo lwakhe lokukhulekela, uKayini wabonisa umona, inzondo engokwenkolo futhi wabulala umfowabo uAbela.—Genesise 2:15-17; 3:8-24; 4:1-16.

11. (a) Lisho ukuthini igama elithi “umfel’ ukholo?” (b) UAbela waba kanjani umfel’ ukholo wokuqala?

¹¹ UAbela, ngokwethembeka kwakhe kuNkulunkulu kuze kube sekufeni, waba umfel’ ukholob wokuqala. Futhi wayengufakazi kaJehova wokuqala, nomhambeli-phambili wohlu olude lofakazi abagcina ubuqotho kuwo wonke umlando. Ngalokho uPawulu wayengathi: “Ngokukholwa uAbela wanikela kuNkulunkulu ngomhlatshelo omuhle kunoKayini, athola ngakho ubufakazi bokuthi ulungile, uNkulunkulu uqobo efakaza ngezipho zakhe; nangakho usakhuluma, noma efile.”—Heberu 11:4.

12. Obani abayizibonelo ezengeziwe zoFakazi BakaJehova abathembekile?

¹² Kuleyoncwadi efanayo eya kumaHeberu, uPawulu unikeza lonke uhide lwamadoda nabesifazane abathembekile, njengoNowa, uAbrahama, uSara, noMose, labo, ngerekhodi labo lobuqotho, abakha ‘ifu elikhulu lofakazi [ngesiGreki, martyʹron]’ abaye baba yizibonelo nesikhuthazo kwabanye abafuna ukwazi futhi bakhonze uNkulunkulu weqiniso. Babengamadoda nabesifazane ababenobuhlobo noJehova uNkulunkulu. Babeye bamfuna futhi bamthola.—Heberu 11:1–12:1.

13. (a) Kungani uJesu ewukubonakaliswa okuvelele kothando lukaNkulunkulu? (b) Kungayiphi indlela ekhethekile uJesu eyisibonelo kubalandeli bakhe?

¹³ Owayevelele phakathi kofakazi abanjalo yilowo ochazwe encwadini yesAmbulo, “UJesu Kristu ufakazi othembekayo.” UJesu ungobunye ubufakazi obuqand’ ikhanda bothando lukaNkulunkulu, ngoba njengoba uJohane abhala: “Thina sibonile, siyafakaza ukuthi uYise wayithuma iNdodana ibe-nguMsindisi wezwe. Lowo ovuma ukuthi uJesu uyiNdodana kaNkulunkulu, uNkulunkulu uhlala kuye, naye kuNkulunkulu. Thina siyalwazi, sikholwa yilo loluthando uNkulunkulu analo kithina.” Ezalwé engumJuda, uJesu wayengufakazi weqiniso futhi wafa engumfel’ ukholo ethembekile kuYise, uJehova. Ngokufanayo kuyo yonke iminyaka abalandeli bakaKristu abathembekile babeyoba ngofakazi bakhe nabakaNkulunkulu weqiniso, uJehova.—IsAmbulo 1:5; 3:14; 1 Johane 4:14-16; Isaya 43:10-12; Mathewu 28:19, 20; IzEnzo 1:8.

14. Yimuphi umbuzo manje odinga impendulo?

¹⁴ Isiprofetho sikaIsaya sabonisa ukuthi ukubuyela kuNkulunkulu weqiniso, uJehova, kwakuyoba isici esivelele ‘sengxenye yokugcina yezinsuku,’ noma lokho ezinye izingxenye zeBhayibheli ezikubiza ngokuthi “izinsuku zokugcina.”c Ngenxa yokwehlukahlukana okungokwenkolo nokudideka esikuchazile kulencwadi, kuphakama umbuzo: Obani kulezinsuku zokugcina esiphila kuzo abaye bamfuna ngempela uNkulunkulu weqiniso, ukuba bamkhonze “ngomoya nangeqiniso”? Ukuze siphendule lowombuzo, okokuqala kumelwe siphendulele ukunakekela kwethu ezenzakalweni zekhulu le-19 leminyaka.—Isaya 2:2-4, qhathanisa neNW; 2 Thimothewu 3:1-5; Johane 4:23, 24.

Insizwa Eyayifuna UNkulunkulu

15. (a) Wayengubani uCharles Taze Russell? (b) Kwakuyini okunye kokungabaza kwakhe okungokwenkolo?

¹⁵ Ngo-1870 insizwa eshisekayo, uCharles Taze Russell (1852-1916), yaqala ukubuza imibuzo ngezimfundiso zeLobukholwa ezingokwesiko. Njengosemusha, wayesebenza ebhizinisini likayise edolobheni eliphithizelayo lezimboni laseAllegheny (manje ingxenye yePittsburgh), ePennsylvania, eU.S.A. Isizinda sakhe esingokwenkolo sasiyisonto laseHabe nelobuCongregational. Nokho, waphazanyiswa izimfundiso ezinjengokumiselwa kusengaphambili nokuhlushwa phakade esihogweni somlilo. Zaziyini izizathu zakhe zokungabaza lezimfundiso eziyisisekelo zezinkolo ezithile zeLobukholwa? Wabhala: “UNkulunkulu owayengasebenzisa amandla akhe edala abantu ayazi kusengaphambili nayekudale kusengaphambili ukuthi kumelwe bahlushwe phakade, akanakuba ohlakaniphile, olungile futhi onothando. Indinganiso yakhe yayingaba engaphansi kwaleyo yabantu abaningi.”—Jeremiya 7:31; 19:5; 32:35; 1 Johane 4:8, 9.

16, 17. (a) Yiziphi izimfundiso ezathakazelisa ngokujulile iqembu likaRussell lesifundo seBhayibheli? (b) Yikuphi ukungavumelani okukhulu okwaphakama, futhi uRussell waphendula kanjani?

¹⁶ Ngenkathi engakawahlanganisi amashumi amabili, uRussell waqalisa iqembu lesifundo seBhayibheli samasonto onke nezinye izinsizwa. Baqala ukuhlaziya izimfundiso zeBhayibheli ngezinye izindaba, njengokungafi komphefumulo kanye nomhlatshelo kaKristu wesihlengo nokuza kwakhe kwesibili. Ngo-1877, eneminyaka engu-25, uRussell wathengisa ingxenye yakhe ebhizinisini likayise elichumayo futhi waqala umsebenzi wokushumayela wesikhathi esigcwele.

¹⁷ Ngo-1878 uRussell waba nokungavumelani okukhulu nomunye wabasizi bakhe, owayenqabe imfundiso yokuthi ukufa kukaKristu kungaba inhlawulo yezoni. Eziphendulela uRussell wabhala: “UKristu wasifezela izinto eziningi ezinhle ngokufa nangokuvuka kwakhe. Wayefela thina; wafa engolungile ngenxa yabangalungile—bonke babengalungile. Ngomusa kaNkulunkulu uJesu Kristu wanambitha ukufa ngenxa yabo bonke abantu. . . . Waba umsunguli wensindiso yaphakade kubo bonke abamlalelayo.” Waqhubeka: “Ukuhlenga kuwukubuyisa ngokuthenga. Yini uKristu ayibuyisela abantu ngokuyithenga? Ukuphila. Kwasilahlekela ngokungalaleli kuka-Adamu wokuqala. UAdamu wesibili [uKristu] wakubuyisa ngokukuthenga ngokuphila kwakhe siqu.”—Marku 10:45; Roma 5:7, 8; 1 Johane 2:2; 4:9, 10.

18. (a) Yini eyalandela ukungavumelani ngesihlengo? (b) Iyiphi indlela abaFundi BeBhayibheli abayilandela ngokuqondene neminikelo?

¹⁸ Njengoba ngaso sonke isikhathi ayengumsekeli othembekile wemfundiso yesihlengo, uRussell wanqamula bonke ubuhlobo nalomsizi wakhe wangaphambili. NgoJuly 1879 uRussell waqala ukunyathelisa iZion’s Watch Tower and Herald of Christ’s Presence, namuhla eyaziwa emhlabeni wonke ngokuthi INqabayokulinda—Ememezela UMbuso KaJehova. Ngo-1881, yena, kanye namanye amaKristu azinikezele, bamisa inhlangano yeBhayibheli engafuni-nzuzo. Yabizwa ngokuthi iZion’s Watch Tower Tract Society, namuhla eyaziwa ngokuthi iWatch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, inxusa elingokomthetho elimelela oFakazi BakaJehova. Zisuka nje, uRussell wagcizelela ukuthi ngeke zibe khona izinkongozelo ezizothathwa emihlanganweni yebandla noma iminikelo ezocelwa ngezincwadi zeWatch Tower. Abantu abahlanganyela noRussell ekutadisheni iBhayibheli ngokujulile bamane baziwa kalula ngokuthi abaFundi BeBhayibheli.

Ukubuyela Eqinisweni LeBhayibheli

19. Yiziphi izimfundiso zeLobukholwa abaFundi BeBhayibheli abazenqaba?

¹⁹ Ngenxa yokutadisha kwabo iBhayibheli, uRussell nabangane bakhe baqala ukuzenqaba izimfundiso zeLobukholwa ‘ngoZiqu-zintathu Ongcwelengcwele’ oyimfihlakalo, umphefumulo ongafi ongaphakathi kumuntu, nokuhlushwa kwaphakade esihogweni somlilo. Basenqaba futhi isidingo sokuba nesigaba esihlukile sabefundisi abaqeqeshwe ezikoleni zobufundisi. Bafuna ukubuyela emisukeni yobuKristu yokuthobeka, enabadala abafanelekayo ngokomoya ababezohola amabandla ngaphandle komqondo weholo noma inkokhelo.—1 Thimothewu 3:1-7; Thithu 1:5-9.

20. Yini labobaFundi BeBhayibheli abayithola ngokuqondene neparou·siʹa kaKristu no-1914?

²⁰ Ekuhloleni kwabo iZwi likaNkulunkulu, labobaFundi BeBhayibheli babenesithakazelo esibukhali eziprofethweni zemiBhalo YamaKristu YesiGreki ezihlangene ‘nokuphela kwezwe’ kanye ‘nokuza’ kukaKristu. (Mathewu 24:3) Ngokuphendukela embhalweni wesiGreki, bathola ukuthi eqinisweni “ukuza” kukaKristu kwakuyi“pa·rou·siʹa,” noma ukuba khona okungabonakali. Ngakho-ke, uKristu wayenikeze abafundi bakhe ukwaziswa ngobufakazi bokuba khona kwakhe okungabonakali esikhathini sokuphela, hhayi ngokuza kwakhe okubonakalayo esikhathini esizayo. Kanye nalesifundo, labobafundi beBhayibheli baba nesifiso esibukhali sokuqonda ukubalwa kwezenzakalo zeBhayibheli ngokulandelana kwezikhathi ezihlobene nokuba khona kukaKristu. Bengayiqondi yonke imininingwane, uRussell nabangane bakhe baqaphela ukuthi u-1914 wawuyoba usuku olubucayi emlandweni wesintu.—Mathewu 24:3-22; Luka 21:7-33, Int.

21. URussell nayekholwa nabo bazizwa benamuphi umthwalo wemfanelo?

²¹ URussell wayazi ukuthi kwakumelwe kwenziwe umsebenzi omkhulu wokushumayela. Wayewaqaphela amazwi kaJesu alotshwa nguMathewu: “Lelivangeli lombuso liyakushunyayelwa ezweni lonke, kube-ngubufakazi ezizweni zonke, andukuba kufike ukuphela.” (Mathewu 24:14; Marku 13:10) Kwakunomuzwa wokuphuthuma emsebenzini walabobaFundi BeBhayibheli ngaphambi kuka-1914. Babekholelwa ukuthi umsebenzi wabo wokushumayela wawuyofinyelela umvuthwandaba ngalowonyaka, ngalokho baba nomuzwa wokuthi kwakumelwe benze wonke umzamo ukuba basize abanye balazi “lelivangeli lombuso.” Ekugcineni, izintshumayelo zeBhayibheli zikaC. T. Russell zazikhishwa ezinkulungwaneni zamaphephandaba kuwo wonke umhlaba.

Uvivinyo Nezinguquko

22-24. (a) Kwaba yini ukusabela kwabaningi babaFundi BeBhayibheli lapho uC. T. Russell efa? (b) Ubani owalandela uRussell njengomongameli weWatch Tower Society?

²² Ngo-1916, eneminyaka engu-64, uCharles Taze Russell wafa kungazelelwe esohambweni lokuyoshumayela edabula iUnited States. Manje kwakuzokwenzekani kubaFundi BeBhayibheli? Ingabe babeyophela njengokungathi babengabalandeli bomuntu? Babeyobhekana kanjani novivinyo lweMpi Yezwe I (1914-18), iUnited States ngokushesha eyayizohlanganyela ekubulaleni kwayo okucekayo?

²³ Ukusabela kwabaningi babaFundi BeBhayibheli kwaboniswa amazwi kaW. E. Van Amburgh, omunye wabaqondisi beWatch Tower Society: “Lomsebenzi omkhulu womhlaba wonke awuwona umsebenzi womuntu oyedwa. Mkhulu kakhulu ukuba ungaba njalo. Ungumsebenzi kaNkulunkulu futhi awuguquki. UNkulunkulu uye wasebenzisa izinceku eziningi esikhathini esidlule futhi akungabazeki ukuthi usazosebenzisa eziningi esikhathini esizayo. Asizinikelanga kumuntu, noma emsebenzini womuntu, kodwa ukuba senze intando kaNkulunkulu, njengoba ezosambulela yona ngeZwi laKhe, nangeziqondiso zaphezulu. UNkulunkulu useyinhloko.”—1 Korinte 3:3-9.

²⁴ NgoJanuary 1917, uJoseph F. Rutherford, ummeli nomfundi okhuthele weBhayibheli, wakhethwa njengomongameli wesibili weWatch Tower Society. Wayenobuntu obunethonya, futhi wayengenakusatshiswa kalula. Wayazi ukuthi uMbuso kaNkulunkulu kwakumelwe ushunyayelwe.—Marku 13:10.

Intshiseko Evuselelwe Negama Elisha

25. AbaFundi BeBhayibheli basabela kanjani enseleleni eminyakeni eyalandela impi yezwe yokuqala?

²⁵ IWatch Tower Society yahlela imihlangano eUnited States ngo-1919 nango-1922. Ngemva koshushiso lweMpi Yezwe I eUnited States, kwakucishe kube sengathi kungelinye iPentekoste kubaFundi BeBhayibheli abayizinkulungwane ezimbalwa ngalesosikhathi. (IzEnzo 2:1-4) Esikhundleni sokuba bahlehle ngenxa yokwesaba umuntu, bamukela ngomfutho onamandla ngisho nangokwengeziwe ubizo lweBhayibheli lokuhamba bayoshumayela ezizweni. Ngo-1919 iWatch Tower Society yakhipha umngane kamagazini iWatch Tower obizwa ngokuthi iGolden Age, owaziwa emhlabeni wonke namuhla ngokuthi iPhaphama! Lona uye wasebenza njengethuluzi elinamandla lokuvusa abantu ukuba babone ukubaluleka kwezikhathi esiphila kuzo nokuba bakhe ukwethembela esithembisweni soMdali somhlaba omusha onokuthula.

26. (a) Yimuphi umthwalo wemfanelo abaFundi BeBhayibheli abawunikeza ukubaluleka okwengeziwe ngisho nangaphezulu? (b) Yikuphi ukuqondwa kweBhayibheli okukhanya ngokwengeziwe abaFundi BeBhayibheli abakuthola?

²⁶ Phakathi nawo-1920 nawo-1930, abaFundi BeBhayibheli bayigcizelela ngisho nangokwengeziwe indlela yokushumayela yamaKristu okuqala—endlini ngendlu. (IzEnzo 20:20) Okholwayo ngamunye wayenomthwalo wemfanelo wokufakaza ngokubusa koMbuso kaKristu kubantu abaningi ngangokunokwenzeka. Baqala ukubona ngokukhanyayo ngokuvela eBhayibhelini ukuthi impikiswano enkulu eyayiphambi kwesintu kwakuyileyo yobukhosi bendawo yonke nokuthi uJehova uNkulunkulu wayezoyixazulula lempikiswano ngokuchoboza uSathane nayo yonke imisebenzi yakhe eyonakalisayo emhlabeni. (Roma 16:20; IsAmbulo 11:17, 18) Ngokomongo walempikiswano, kwaqondwa ukuthi insindiso yomuntu yayiza kamuva ekulwelweni kukaNkulunkulu njengoMbusi ofanelekile. Ngakho-ke, emhlabeni kwakuyomelwe kube nofakazi abathembekile abazimisele ukufakaza ngezinjongo zikaNkulunkulu nobukhulu. Lesidingo saneliswa kanjani?—Jobe 1:6-12; Johane 8:44; 1 Johane 5:19, 20.

27. (a) Yisiphi isenzakalo esibalulekile esenzeka ngo-1931? (b) Yiziphi ezinye zezinkolelo zoFakazi ezibahlukanisayo?

²⁷ NgoJuly 1931 abaFundi BeBhayibheli baba nomhlangano eColumbus, eOhio, lapho izinkulungwane zababekhona zamukela izwi lesinqumo. Ngalelizwi zamukela ngenjabulo “igama eliqanjwe umlomo weNkosi uNkulunkulu,” futhi zagomela: Sifisa ukwaziwa nokubizwa ngegama, elithi, ‘Ofakazi bakaJehova.’” Kusukela ngalolosuku, oFakazi BakaJehova baye bangaziwa emhlabeni wonke ngezinkolelo zabo ezihlukile kuphela kodwa futhi nangenkonzo yabo yentshiseko yendlu ngendlu neyasemgwaqweni. (Bheka amakhasi 356-7.)—Isaya 43:10-12; Mathewu 28:19, 20; IzEnzo 1:8.

28. Ngo-1935 yikuphi ukuqonda okukhanya ngokwengeziwe oFakazi abakuthola ngokuqondene nobubusi boMbusi?

²⁸ Ngo-1935 oFakazi bafinyelela ekuqondeni okukhanya ngokwengeziwe ngokuqondene nesigaba soMbuso sasezulwini, esizobusa noKristu, nangezikhonzi zabo emhlabeni. Base bazi kakade ukuthi inani lamaKristu agcotshiwe abizelwa ukuba abuse noKristu esemazulwini laliyoba u-144 000 kuphela. Ngakho, laliyoba yini ithemba ngabo bonke abanye besintu? Uhulumeni udinga izikhonzi ukuze kuthiwe ukhona. Lohulumeni wasezulwini, uMbuso, nawo wawuzoba nezigidi zezikhonzi ezilalelayo lapha emhlabeni. Lezi zaziyoba “isixuku esikhulu ebesingenakubalwa-muntu, sivela kuzo zonke izizwe, nemindeni, nabantu, nezilimi,” esimemezayo: “Insindiso ngekaNkulunkulu wethu [uJehova] ohlezi esihlalweni sobukhosi neyeWundlu [uKristu Jesu].”—IsAmbulo 7:4, 9, 10; 14:1-3; Roma 8:16, 17.

29. Iyiphi inselele oFakazi abayiqonda futhi bayamukela?

²⁹ Lokhu kuqonda ngesixuku esikhulu kwasiza oFakazi BakaJehova ukuba babone ukuthi babenenselele enkulu ngaphambi kwabo—yokuthola nokufundisa zonke lezozigidi ezazifuna uNkulunkulu weqiniso nezaziyokwakha “isixuku esikhulu.” Kwakuyohilela umkhankaso wokufundisa wezizwe zonke. Kwakuyodinga izikhulumi nezikhonzi eziqeqeshiwe. Kwakuyodingeka izikole. Konke lokhu kwabonwa kusengaphambili umongameli weWatch Tower Society owalandela.

Ukufunwa Kwabafuna UNkulunkulu Emhlabeni Wonke

30. Yiziphi izenzakalo zawo-1930 nawo-1940 ezathinta oFakazi?

³⁰ Ngo-1931 kwakunoFakazi abangaphansi kuka-50 000 emazweni angaphansi kuka-50. Izenzakalo zawo-1930 nawo-1940 azizange zenze ukushumayela kwabo kube lula. Ngalenkathi kwaba nokudlondlobala kobuFascist nobuNazi nokugqashuka kweMpi Yezwe II. Ngo-1942 uJ. F. Rutherford wafa. IWatch Tower Society yayizodinga ubuholi bentshiseko ukuze iqhubeke ifaka umfutho ekushumayeleni koFakazi BakaJehova.

31. Yini eyaqala ukusebenza ngo-1943 ukuze kwandiswe ukushunyayelwa kwezindaba ezinhle?

³¹ Ngo-1942, eneminyaka engu-36, uNathan H. Knorr wakhethwa ukuba abe umongameli wesithathu weWatch Tower Society. Wayengumhleli okhuthele esiqondisisa ngokukhanyayo isidingo sokuthuthukisa ukushunyayelwa kwezindaba ezinhle kuwo wonke umhlaba ngokushesha ngangokunokwenzeka, ngisho nakuba izizwe zazisahileleke eMpini Yezwe II. Ngenxa yalokho, washesha waqalisa uhlelo lwesikole sokuqeqesha izithunywa zevangeli, esibizwa ngokuthi iWatchtower Bible School of Gilead.d Abafundi abayikhulu bokuqala, bonke ababeyizikhonzi zesikhathi esigcwele, babhalisa ngoJanuary 1943. Batadisha ngokujulile iBhayibheli nezindaba eziphathelene nenkonzo cishe izinyanga eziyisithupha ngaphambi kokuba bathunyelwe ezabelweni zabo, ikakhulukazi kwamanye amazwe. Kuze kufike ku-1990, amakilasi angu-89 aye athola iziqu, futhi izinkulungwane zezikhonzi ziye zaphuma eGileyadi ziyokhonza kuwo wonke umhlaba.

32. Iyiphi intuthuko eye yenziwa oFakazi BakaJehova kusukela ngo-1943?

³² Ngo-1943 kwakunoFakazi abangu-126 329 kuphela ababeshumayela emazweni angu-54. Naphezu kokuphikisa okunonya kobuNazi, ubuFascist, ubuKhomanisi, noMzabalazo WamaKatolika kanye nokwakuvela kulabo ababezibiza ngokuthi abesimiso sentando yeningi phakathi kweMpi Yezwe II, ngo-1946 oFakazi BakaJehova babeye bafinyelela inani eliphakeme labashumayeli boMbuso abangaphezu kuka-176 000. Eminyakeni engamashumi amane nane kamuva, bacishe babe izigidi ezine ababematasa emazweni angaphezu kuka-200, iziqhingi, nezindawo. Ngaphandle kokungabaza, ukwaziwa kwabo okucacile ngegama nomsebenzi kuye kwasiza ekubenzeni baziwe emhlabeni wonke. Kodwa kuye kwahileleka ezinye izici eziye zakuthonya kakhulu ukuphumelela kwabo.—Zakariya 4:6.

Inhlangano Yemfundo YeBhayibheli

33. Kungani oFakazi BakaJehova benamaHholo OMbuso?

³³ OFakazi BakaJehova baqhuba imihlangano yokutadisha iBhayibheli yamasonto onke emaHholo abo oMbuso akhonza amabandla angaphezu kuka-60 000 emhlabeni wonke. Lemihlangano ayisekelwe emasikweni noma emizwelweni kodwa ekuzuzeni ulwazi oluqondile ngoNkulunkulu, iZwi lakhe, nezinjongo zakhe. Ngakho-ke, oFakazi BakaJehova bahlangana izikhathi ezintathu ngesonto ukuba bandise ukuqonda kwabo iBhayibheli futhi bafunde indlela yokushumayela nokufundisa isigijimi salo kwabanye.—Roma 12:1, 2; Filipi 1:9-11; Heberu 10:24, 25.

34. Iyini injongo yeSikole SeNkonzo EsingokwaseZulwini?

³⁴ Ngokwesibonelo, umhlangano waphakathi nesonto uhlanganisa iSikole SeNkonzo EsingokwaseZulwini, okungabhalisa kuso amalungu ebandla. Lesikole, esenganyelwa umdala ongumKristu ofanelekayo, sisiza ekuqeqesheni amadoda, abesifazane, nabantwana ekhonweni lokufundisa nelokuzikhulumela ngokwabo ngokuvumelana nezimiso zeBhayibheli. Umphostoli uPawulu wathi: “Ukukhuluma kwenu makube-nomusa njalo, kuyolisiwe ngosawoti, ukuze nazi enifanele ukubaphendula ngakho bonke abantu.” Emihlanganweni yabo yobuKristu, oFakazi bafunda futhi nendlela yokukhuluma isigijimi soMbuso “ngomoya omnene nenhlonipho ejulile.”—Kolose 4:6; 1 Petru 3:15, NW.

35. Imiphi eminye yemihlangano oFakazi ababa nayo, futhi ziyini izinzuzo zayo?

³⁵ Ngolunye usuku oluhlukile, oFakazi bayahlangana futhi ukuze balalele inkulumo yeBhayibheli yemizuzu engu-45 elandelwa ukucabangela kwebandla (ngemibuzo nezimpendulo) esikhathini esingangehora isihloko seBhayibheli esiphathelene nemfundiso noma ukuziphatha kobuKristu. Amalungu ebandla akhululekile ukuba abe nengxenye. Minyaka yonke oFakazi baya futhi emihlanganweni emithathu emikhulu, ethatha usuku olulodwa kuya kwezine, lapho ngokuvamile izinkulungwane zihlangana khona ukuba zilalele izinkulumo zeBhayibheli. Ngenxa yalena kanye neminye imihlangano yamahhala, uFakazi ngamunye ujulisa ulwazi lwakhe ngezithembiso zikaNkulunkulu ngalomhlaba nangesintu ngaphezu kokuthola imfundo enhle kakhulu ngokuziphatha kobuKristu. Ngamunye usondezwa eduze noNkulunkulu weqiniso, uJehova, ngokulandela izimfundiso nesibonelo sikaKristu Jesu.—Johane 6:44, 65; 17:3; 1 Petru 1:15, 16.

OFakazi Bahlelwe Kanjani?

36. (a) Ingabe oFakazi banesigaba sabefundisi abakhokhelwayo? (b) Khona-ke, obani abaholayo ebandleni?

³⁶ Ngokunengqondo, uma oFakazi BakaJehova beba nemihlangano futhi behlelelwa ukushumayela, kumelwe ukuba banothile oholayo. Nokho, abanaso isigaba sabefundisi abakhokhelwayo futhi abanaye umholi osesikhundleni esiphakeme ovukwa umoya. (Mathewu 23:10) UJesu wathi: “Namukelisiwe ngesihle, yiphani ngesihle.” (Mathewu 10:8; IzEnzo 8:18-21) Ebandleni ngalinye, kunabadala nezinceku ezikhonzayo abafanelekayo ngokomoya, abaningi babo abanomsebenzi wokuziphilisa futhi abanakekela umkhaya, abahola ngokuzithandela ekufundiseni nasekuqondiseni ibandla. Lesi yiso kanye isibonelo esabekwa amaKristu ekhulu lokuqala leminyaka.—IzEnzo 20:17; Filipi 1:1; 1 Thimothewu 3:1-10, 12, 13.

37. Bamiswa kanjani abadala nezinceku ezikhonzayo?

³⁷ Labadala nezinceku ezikhonzayo bamiswa kanjani? Ukumiswa kwabo kwenziwa ngaphansi kokuqondisa kwendikimba ebusayo yabadala abagcotshiwe abavela emazweni ahlukahlukene nabamsebenzi wabo uyefana nalowo wendikimba yabaphostoli namalunga eJerusalema ababehola ebandleni lamaKristu okuqala. Njengoba sibonile eSahlukweni 11, akekho umphostoli owayengaphezu kwabanye. Babefinyelela izinqumo zabo njengendikimba, futhi lezi zazihlonishwa amabandla ayehlakazekele kulo lonke izwe lamaRoma lasendulo.—IzEnzo 15:4-6, 22, 23, 30, 31.

38. Isebenza kanjani iNdikimba Ebusayo?

³⁸ Ilungiselelo elifanayo liyasebenza ngeNdikimba Ebusayo yoFakazi BakaJehova namuhla. Iba nemihlangano yamasonto onke endlunkulu yabo yomhlaba eBrooklyn, eNew York, khona-ke iziyalezo zithunyelwa zisuka lapho ziye emaKomitini AmaGatsha emhlabeni wonke aqondisa umsebenzi wenkonzo ezweni ngalinye. Ngokulandela isibonelo samaKristu okuqala, oFakazi BakaJehova baye bakwazi ukuhlanganisa izingxenye ezinkulu zomhlaba ngokushumayela izindaba ezinhle zoMbuso kaNkulunkulu. Lowomsebenzi uyaqhubeka ngesilinganiso sembulunga yonke.—Mathewu 10:23; 1 Korinte 15:58.

Ukuthuthelekela KuNkulunkulu Weqiniso

39. (a) Kungani oFakazi bethatha isimo sokungathathi-hlangothi ezindabeni zezombangazwe? (b) OFakazi baye bachuma kanjani ngaphansi kokuvinjelwa?

³⁹ Phakathi nekhulu lama-20 leminyaka, oFakazi BakaJehova baye bachuma kuwo wonke umhlaba. Lokhu kuye kwaba njalo ngisho nasemazweni abebevinjelwe noma benqatshelwe kuwo. Lokhu kuvinjelwa kwakwenziwe ikakhulukazi imibuso eyayihluleka ukuqonda isimo sokungathathi-hlangothi soFakazi BakaJehova ngokuphathelene nokwethembeka kulelizwe ngokwezombangazwe nangokobuzwe. (Bheka ibhokisi, ekhasini 347.) Nokho, emazweni anjalo, amashumi ezinkulungwane zabantu aye aphendukela eMbusweni kaNkulunkulu njengowukuphela kwethemba leqiniso lokuthula nokulondeka kwesintu. Ezizweni eziningi kuye kwanikezwa ubufakazi obukhulu, futhi manje kunezigidi zoFakazi abashisekayo kuyo yonke indawo.—Bheka ishadi, ekhasini 361.

40, 41. (a) Yini oFakazi BakaJehova manje abayilindele? (b) Yimuphi umbuzo okumelwe uphendulwe?

⁴⁰ Ngothando lwabo lobuKristu nethemba labo ‘lezulu elisha nomhlaba omusha,’ oFakazi BakaJehova balindele izenzakalo ezizonyakazisa umhlaba esikhathini esizayo esiseduze okumelwe ngokushesha ziqede konke ukwahlulela ngokungalungi, ukonakala, nokungalungi okukulomhlaba. Ngenxa yalesosizathu bazoqhubeka bevakashela omakhelwane babo ngomzamo oqotho wokusondeza abanhliziyo ziqotho eduze noNkulunkulu weqiniso, uJehova.—IsAmbulo 21:1-4; Marku 13:10; Roma 10:11-15.

⁴¹ Okwamanje, ngokwesiprofetho seBhayibheli, yini ikusasa eliyiphathele isintu, inkolo, nalomhlaba ongcolisiwe? Isahluko sethu sokugcina sizophendula lowombuzo obalulekile.—Isaya 65:17-25; 2 Petru 3:11-14.

[Imibhalo yaphansi]

[Ibhokisi ekhasini 347]

Ukungathathi-hlangothi KobuKristu ERoma Yobuqaba

Ngokuvumelana nezimiso zothando nokuthula uJesu azifundisa, nangokusekelwe esifundweni sawo somuntu siqu seZwi likaNkulunkulu, amaKristu akuqala ayengenakuhlanganyela ezimpini noma ekuziqeqesheleni zona. UJesu wayethé: “Umbuso wami awusiwo owalelizwe. Uma umbuso wami ubungowalelizwe, izikhonzi zami zaziyakulwa ukuba nginganikezelwa kubaJuda. Kepha kalokhu umbuso wami awusiwo owalapha.”—Johane 18:36.

Kamuva impela ngo-295 C.E., uMaximilianus waseTheveste, indodana yesosha lezempi laseRoma elingumakad’ ebona, wabuthelwa inkonzo yezempi. Lapho umphathi wempi embuza igama lakhe, waphendula: “Manje, ulifunelani igama lami? Ngenqaba ngenxa kanembeza ukungena kwezempi: NgingumKristu. . . . Ngeke ngihlanganyele; Ngeke ngone ngokumelene nonembeza wami.” Umphathi wezempi wamxwayisa ngokuthi wayezolahlekelwa ukuphila kwakhe uma ayengalaleli. “Ngeke ngihlanganyele. Ninganginquma ikhanda, kodwa ngeke ngihlanganyele emibusweni yaleliZwe; ngizokhonza uNkulunkulu wami.”—An Historian’s Approach to Religion, ka-Arnold Toynbee.

Ezikhathini zanamuhla, isifundo somuntu siqu seBhayibheli siye saholela oFakazi BakaJehova ngabanye emhlabeni wonke, ukuba balandele lokho okushiwo unembeza ngokuthatha isimo esifanayo. Kwamanye amazwe abaningi bahlangabezana nobunzima obukhulu, ikakhulukazi eJalimane lobuNazi, lapho badutshulwa khona, balengiswa, futhi banqunywa amakhanda phakathi neMpi Yezwe II. Kodwa ubunye babo bomhlaba wonke, obusekelwe othandweni lobuKristu, abuzange buphulwe. Akekho owake wafa empini ebulawa omunye woFakazi BakaJehova abangamaKristu. Yeka indlela obungahluka ngayo umlando wezwe ukuba wonke umuntu othi ungumKristu ubephila futhi ngokuvumelana nomthetho kaKristu wothando!—Roma 13:8-10; 1 Petru 5:8, 9.

[Ibhokisi/Izithombe ekhasini 356, 357]

Lokho OFakazi BakaJehova Abakukholelwayo

Umbuzo: Uyini umphefumulo?

Impendulo: EBhayibhelini umphefumulo (ngesiHeberu, neʹphesh; ngesiGreki, psy·kheʹ) uwumuntu noma isilwane noma ukuphila umuntu noma isilwane esikujabulelayo.

“UNkulunkulu wathi: Umhlaba mawuveze izilwane eziphilayo ngezinhlobo zazo, izinkomo, nezilwanyana ezinwabuzelayo, nezilo zomhlaba ngezinhlobo zazo. UJehova uNkulunkulu wambumba umuntu ngomhlabathi, waphefumulela emakhaleni akhe umoya wokuphila; umuntu waba-kanjalo umphefumulo ophilayo.”—Genesise 1:24; 2:7.

Izilwane nomuntu KUYIMIPHEFUMULO ephilayo. Umphefumulo awukhona okuthile okuphila ngokwehlukile. Ungafa futhi uyafa. “Bheka, yonke imiphefumulo ingeyami, umphefumulo kayise njengomphefumulo womntwana; ingeyami; umphefumulo owonayo uyakufa.”—Hezekeli 18:4.

Umbuzo: Ingabe uNkulunkulu unguZiqu-zintathu?

Impendulo: OFakazi BakaJehova bakholelwa ukuthi uJehova uyiNkosi enguMbusi wendawo yonke engenakulinganiswa. “Yizwa, Israyeli: uJehova uNkulunkulu wethu, uJehova, munye.” (Duteronomi 6:4) UKristu Jesu njengoLizwi wayeyisidalwa somoya futhi weza emhlabeni elalela intando kaYise. Ungaphansi kukaJehova. “Kodwa nxa izinto zonke sezithotshiselwe phansi kwakhe [uKristu], lapho-ke nayo iNdodana iyakuzithoba phansi kwalowo owathobisa zonke izinto phansi kwayo, ukuze uNkulunkulu abe-yikho konke kukho konke.”—1 Korinte 15:28; bheka futhi uMathewu 24:36; Marku 12:29; Johane 1:1-3, 14-18; Kolose 1:15-20.

Umoya ongcwele ungamandla kaNkulunkulu ayisiphekupheku, noma amandla asebenzayo, awuyena umuntu.—IzEnzo 2:1-4, 17, 18.

Umbuzo: Ingabe oFakazi BakaJehova bakhulekela noma bahloniphe izithombe?

Impendulo: Alukho uhlobo lokukhulekela izithombe oFakazi BakaJehova abaluqhubayo, kungakhathaliseki ukuthi luhilela izithombe, abantu, noma izinhlangano.

“Siyazi ukuthi asikho isithombe ezweni nokuthi akakho omunye uNkulunkulu, munye kuphela. Ngokuba noma kukhona okuthiwa onkulunkulu, nokuba kusezulwini nokuba kusemhlabeni, njengoba bakhona onkulunkulu abaningi namakhosi amaningi, nokho kithina kukhona uNkulunkulu munye, uYise, okuvela kuye konke, nathi sikhonela yena, neNkosi inye, uJesu Kristu, okungaye konke, nathi sikhona ngaye.”—1 Korinte 8:4-6; bheka futhi iHubo 135:15-18.

Umbuzo: Ingabe oFakazi BakaJehova bayaligubha iMisa noma iSidlo Esingcwele?

Impendulo: OFakazi BakaJehova abakholelwa ekuguqukeni kwezifanekiselo zibe ngokoqobo, okuyimfundiso yeSonto lamaRoma Katolika. Bayasigubha iSidlo SeNkosi Sakusihlwa ngosuku oluhambisana noNisan 14 wamaJuda (ngokuvamile ngoMarch noma ngoApril) njengesikhumbuzo saminyaka yonke sokufa kukaKristu. Kulomhlangano badlulisa ebandleni isinkwa esingenamvubelo newayini elibomvu okufanekisela umzimba kaKristu ongenasono negazi lomhlatshelo. Yilabo kuphela abanethemba lokubusa noKristu eMbusweni wakhe wasezulwini abadla izifanekiselo.—Marku 14:22-26; Luka 22:29; 1 Korinte 11:23-26; IsAmbulo 14:1-5.e

[Izithombe]

OFakazi BakaJehova bayahlangana njalo emaHholo OMbuso ukuze bafunde iBhayibheli

AmaHholo OMbuso: eDolobheni laseIchihara, eJapane, (ekhasini elingaphesheya), naseBoituva, eBrazil

[Umbhalo waphansi]

[Ishadi ekhasini 361]

Amanye Amazwe OFakazi Abashumayela Kuwo

Izwe OFakazi Abakhona

Argentina 79 000

Australia 51 000

Brazil 267 000

Britain 117 000

Canada 98 000

Colombia 42 000

El Salvador 18 000

Finland 17 000

France 109 000

Germany, F. R. 129 000

Greece 24 000

Hungary 10 000

India 9 000

Italy 172 000

Japan 138 000

Korea 57 000

Lebanon 2 500

Mexico 277 000

Nigeria 137 000

Philippines 102 000

Poland 91 000

Portugal 36 000

Puerto Rico 24 000

South Africa 46 000

Spain 78 000

U.S.A. 818 000

Venezuela 47 000

Zambia 72 000

angaphansi kokuvinjelwa angu-36 220 000

[Izithombe ekhasini 346]

Umfanekiso wokuthula oqoshiwe weUN uthi: “Siyakukhanda izinkemba zethu zibe ngamakhuba”; “uDonga LukaIsaya” lunikeza umbhalo ongokweBhayibheli

[Isithombe ekhasini 351]

OFakazi BakaJehova bakholelwa emhlatshelweni kaKristu wesihlengo ngezono zesintu

[Izithombe ekhasini 363]

AmaHholo Omhlangano oFakazi BakaJehova: Isithombe esithathwe emoyeni sehholo laseMpumalanga Pennines, eNgilandi

IHholo Lomhlangano eFort Lauderdale, eFlorida, eU.S.A., elisetshenziselwa isimiso sesiNgisi, isiPanishi, nesiFulentshi

[Izithombe ekhasini 364]

INdlunkulu Yomhlaba Wonke YeWatch Tower Society, eBrooklyn, eNew York; (ukusuka phezulu ngakwesobunxele) amahhovisi, amafektri, nezindlu zokuhlala (ezigqanyisiwe)

[Izithombe ekhasini 365]

Amahhovisi eGatsha eWatch Tower (ukusuka phezulu ngakwesobunxele) eNingizimu Afrika, eSpain, naseNew Zealand