ISahluko 40

Ukuchoboza Ikhanda Lenyoka

Umbono 14—IsAmbulo 20:1-10

Isihloko: Ukufakwa kukaSathane kwalasha, ukuBusa Kweminyaka Eyinkulungwane, uvivinyo lokugcina lwesintu, nokubhujiswa kukaSathane

Isikhathi sokugcwaliseka: Kusukela ekupheleni kosizi olukhulu kuya ekubhujisweni kukaSathane

 1. Kuye kwaqhubeka kanjani ukugcwaliseka kwesiprofetho sokuqala seBhayibheli?

INGABE uyasikhumbula isiprofetho sokuqala seBhayibheli? Sashiwo uJehova uNkulunkulu lapho ethi eNyokeni: “Ngizobeka ubutha phakathi kwakho nowesifazane naphakathi kwenzalo yakho nenzalo yakhe. Yona iyokulimaza ekhanda wena uyoyilimaza esithendeni.” (Genesise 3:15) Manje ukugcwaliseka kwaleso siprofetho kufinyelela umvuthwandaba wakho! Siye salandela umlando wokulwa kukaSathane nenhlangano kaJehova yasezulwini enjengomfazi. (IsAmbulo 12:1, 9) Inzalo yeNyoka yasemhlabeni, kanye nenkolo yayo, ezombangazwe, namabhizinisi amakhulu, kuye kwanqwabelanisa ushushiso lonya enzalweni yowesifazane, uJesu Kristu nabalandeli bakhe abagcotshiwe abangu-144 000, lapha emhlabeni. (Johane 8:37, 44; Galathiya 3:16, 29) USathane wabulala uJesu kabuhlungu. Kodwa lokhu kwafana nenxeba esithendeni, ngoba uNkulunkulu wayivusa iNdodana yakhe ethembekile ngosuku lwesithathu.—IzEnzo 10:38-40.

 2. INyoka ichotshozwa kanjani, futhi kwenzekani enzalweni yeNyoka yasemhlabeni?

² Kuthiwani ngeNyoka nenzalo yayo? Cishe ngo-56 C.E. umphostoli uPawulu wabhala incwadi ende eya kumaKristu eRoma. Lapho eyiphetha, wawakhuthaza ngokuthi: “UNkulunkulu onika ukuthula, yena uzomchoboza ngokushesha uSathane ngaphansi kwezinyawo zenu.” (Roma 16:20) Lokhu kungaphezu kokulimaza ngaphezulu. USathane uzochotshozwa! UPawulu lapha wasebenzisa igama lesiGreki elithi, syn·triʹbo, elisho ukucubuza kube ithikithiki, ukunyathelela phansi, ukubhubhisa ngokuphelele ngokuchoboza. Ngokuqondene nenzalo yeNyoka engabantu, lena iyohlushwa ngokoqobo ngosuku lweNkosi, olufinyelela umvuthwandaba osizini olukhulu ngokuchotshozwa okuphelele kweBhabhiloni Elikhulu nezimiso zezwe zezombangazwe, kanye nezinceku zalo zezomnotho nezempi. (IsAmbulo, izahluko 18 no-19) Kanjalo uJehova uletha emvuthwandaba ubutha obuphakathi kwezinzalo ezimbili. INzalo yowesifazane kaNkulunkulu inqoba inzalo yeNyoka yasemhlabeni, futhi leyo nzalo ayisekho!

USathane Ufakwa Kwalasha

 3. Yini uJohane asitshela ukuthi izokwenzeka kuSathane?

³ Khona-ke, yini elindele uSathane ngokwakhe namademoni akhe? UJohane uyasitshela: “Ngabona futhi ingelosi yehla ivela ezulwini inesihluthulelo sakwalasha neketanga elikhulu esandleni sayo. Yambamba udrako, inyoka yokuqala, onguDeveli noSathane, yambopha iminyaka eyinkulungwane. Yamjikijela kwalasha, yavala, yabeka uphawu phezu kwakhe, ukuze angabe esazidukisa izizwe ize iphele iminyaka eyinkulungwane. Ngemva kwalezi zinto kumelwe athukululwe isikhashana.”—IsAmbulo 20:1-3.

 4. Ingubani ingelosi enezihluthulelo zakwalasha, futhi sazi kanjani?

⁴ Ingubani le ngelosi? Kumelwe ibe namandla amakhulu ukuze ikwazi ukunqoba isitha sikaJehova esikhulu. “Inesihluthulelo sakwalasha neketanga elikhulu esandleni sayo.” Lokhu akusikhumbuzi yini ngombono wangaphambili? Phela, yebo, inkosi yesikhonyane ibizwa ngokuthi “ingelosi yakwalasha”! (IsAmbulo 9:11) Ngakho lapha sibona futhi uMlweli kaJehova oyiNhloko, uJesu Kristu okhazinyulisiwe, ethatha isinyathelo. Le ngelosi enkulu eyakhipha uSathane ezulwini, yahlulela iBhabhiloni Elikhulu, futhi yachitha “amakhosi omhlaba namabutho awo” e-Armagedoni ngokuqinisekile ngeke igudlukele eceleni futhi ivumele ingelosi engaphansi ukuba igadle ngegalelo elikhulu ngokufaka uSathane kwalasha!—IsAmbulo 12:7-9; 18:1, 2; 19:11-21.

 5. Yisiphi isinyathelo ingelosi yakwalasha esithathayo ngoSathane uDeveli, futhi ngani?

⁵ Lapho udrako omkhulu obomvu ephonswa phansi esuswa ezulwini, wabizwa ngokuthi “inyoka yokuqala, lowo obizwa ngokuthi uDeveli noSathane, odukisa umhlaba wonke owakhiwe.” (IsAmbulo 12:3, 9) Manje, lapho ebanjwa futhi efakwa kwalasha, uyachazwa futhi ngokugcwele ngokuthi “udrako, inyoka yokuqala, onguDeveli noSathane.” Lo mshwabadeli onedumela elibi, umkhohlisi, umnyundeli, nomphikisi uboshwa ngeketanga futhi uphonswa “kwalasha,” ovalwa uqiniswe, “ukuze angabe esazidukisa izizwe.” Lokhu kufakwa kukaSathane kwalasha kungokweminyaka eyinkulungwane, isikhathi lapho ithonya lakhe esintwini lingeke lihluke kwelesiboshwa esisemgodini ojulile. Ingelosi yakwalasha imsusa ngokuphelele uSathane kunoma ikuphi ukuthintana noMbuso wokulunga. Yeka ukukhululeka ngesintu!

 6. (a) Kunabuphi ubufakazi bokuthi amademoni nawo aya kwalasha? (b) Yini manje esingaqala, futhi ngani?

⁶ Kwenzekani emademonini? Nawo futhi ‘abegcinelwe ukwahlulelwa.’ (2 Petru 2:4) USathane ubizwa ngokuthi ‘uBhelizebhubhe umbusi wamademoni.’ (Luka 11:15, 18; Mathewu 10:25) Ngenxa yokubambisana kwawo kwesikhathi eside noSathane, akufanele yini isahlulelo esifanayo sikhishwe kuwo? Indawo yakwalasha kade yaba indawo eyesabekayo kulawo mademoni; ngesinye isikhathi lapho uJesu ebhekene nawo, ‘amncenga ukuba angawayali ukuba aye kwalasha.’ (Luka 8:31) Kodwa lapho uSathane efakwa kwalasha, ngokuqinisekile izingelosi zakhe ziyophonswa kwalasha kanye naye. (Qhathanisa no-Isaya 24:21, 22.) Ngemva kokufakwa kukaSathane namademoni akhe kwalasha, ukubusa kukaJesu Kristu Kweminyaka Eyinkulungwane sekungaqala.

 7. (a) USathane namademoni akhe bayoba kusiphi isimo lapho bekwalasha, futhi sazi kanjani? (b) Ingabe iHayidesi nendawo yakwalasha kuyafana? (Bheka umbhalo waphansi.)

⁷ Ingabe uSathane namademoni akhe bayobe besebenza ngesikhathi bekwalasha? Khumbula isilo sasendle esibomvu, esinamakhanda ayisikhombisa ‘esasikhona, kodwa esingasekho, kodwa nokho esisazonyuka siphume kwalasha.’ (IsAmbulo 17:8) Lapho sikwalasha, ‘sasingekho.’ Sasingasebenzi, singanyakazi, sifile ngokuphathelene nazo zonke izinhloso nezinjongo. Ngokufanayo, ekhuluma ngoJesu, umphostoli uPawulu wathi: “‘Ngubani oyokwehlela kwalasha?’ okungukuthi, ukuze anyuse uKristu kwabafileyo.” (Roma 10:7) Lapho ekulowo lasha, uJesu wayefile.a Khona-ke, kunengqondo ukuphetha ngokuthi uSathane namademoni akhe bayoba sesimweni sokungenzi lutho okufana nokufa iminyaka eyinkulungwane yokuba kwabo kwalasha. Yeka izindaba ezinhle kubathandi bokulunga!

Abahluleli Beminyaka Eyinkulungwane

 8, 9. UJohane usitshelani manje ngalabo abahlezi ezihlalweni zobukhosi, futhi bangobani labo?

⁸ Ngemva kweminyaka eyinkulungwane, uSathane uyakhululwa kwalasha isikhashana. Ngani? Ngaphambi kokuba anikeze impendulo, uJohane ubuyisela ukunakekela kwethu emuva ekuqaleni kwaleyo nkathi yesikhathi. Siyafunda: “Ngabona nezihlalo zobukhosi, kwaba khona abahlala kuzo, banikwa amandla okwahlulela.” (IsAmbulo 20:4a) Bangobani laba abahlezi ezihlalweni zobukhosi futhi ababusa emazulwini kanye noJesu okhazinyulisiwe?

⁹ ‘Bangabangcwele’ uDaniyeli abachaza njengababusa eMbusweni ‘nonjengendodana yomuntu.’ (Daniyeli 7:13, 14, 18) Bayefana nabadala abangu-24 abahlezi ezihlalweni zobukhosi zasezulwini phambi kukaJehova uqobo. (IsAmbulo 4:4) Bahlanganisa nabaphostoli abangu-12, uJesu abathembisa: “Ekudalweni kabusha, lapho iNdodana yomuntu ihlala phansi esihlalweni sayo sobukhosi esikhazimulayo, nina eniye nangilandela nani ngokwenu niyohlala ezihlalweni zobukhosi eziyishumi nambili, nahlulele izizwe eziyishumi nambili zakwa-Israyeli.” (Mathewu 19:28) Bahlanganisa futhi noPawulu, kanye namaKristu aseKorinte ahlala ethembekile. (1 Korinte 4:8; 6:2, 3) Bahlanganisa, futhi, namalungu ebandla laseLawodikeya anqoba.—IsAmbulo 3:21.

10. (a) UJohane manje uwachaza kanjani amakhosi angu-144 000? (b) Ngokwalokho uJohane asitshele khona ngaphambili, amakhosi angu-144 000 ahlanganisa nobani?

¹⁰ Izihlalo zobukhosi—ezingu-144 000—zilungiselelwe laba banqobi abagcotshiwe ‘abathengwa kubantu njengolibo kuNkulunkulu neWundlu.’ (IsAmbulo 14:1, 4) UJohane uyaqhubeka: “Yebo, ngabona imiphefumulo yalabo ababulawa ngembazo ngenxa yokufakaza ngoJesu nangenxa yokukhuluma ngoNkulunkulu, nalabo ababengazange basikhulekele isilo sasendle noma umfanekiso waso futhi ababengalwamukelanga uphawu ebunzini labo nasesandleni sabo.” (IsAmbulo 20:4b) Khona-ke, phakathi kwalawo makhosi kukhona amaKristu agcotshiwe angabafel’ ukholo lawo ngaphambili, ekuvulweni kophawu lwesihlanu, abuza uJehova ukuthi uyolinda kuze kube nini engaliphindiseleli igazi lawo. Ngaleso sikhathi, anikwa ingubo emhlophe futhi atshelwa ukuba alinde isikhashana. Kodwa manje aphindiselelwe ngokubhujiswa kweBhabhiloni Elikhulu, ngokubhujiswa kwezizwe yiNkosi yamakhosi noMbusi wababusi, nangokufakwa kukaSathane kwalasha.—IsAmbulo 6:9-11; 17:16; 19:15, 16.

11. (a) Kumelwe siyiqonde kanjani inkulumo ethi “babulawa ngembazo”? (b) Kungani kungase kushiwo ukuthi bonke abangu-144 000 bafa ukufa okuwumhlatshelo?

¹¹ Ingabe bonke laba bahluleli basebukhosini abangu-144 000 “babulawa ngembazo” ngokoqobo? Ngokunokwenzeka, ngokuqhathaniswa bambalwa kubo okwaba ngomqondo ongokoqobo. Nokho, le nkulumo ngokungangabazeki kuqondwe ukuba ihlanganise wonke lawo maKristu agcotshiwe ancamela ukufel’ ukholo ngandlela-thile.b (Mathewu 10:22, 28) Ngokuqinisekile, uSathane angathanda ukuba bonke babulawe ngembazo, kodwa, eqinisweni, akusibo bonke abafowabo bakaJesu abagcotshiwe abafa njengabafel’ ukholo. Abaningi babo babulawa izifo noma ukuguga. Nokho, nalabo bangabeqembu uJohane alibonayo manje. Ngomqondo othile, ukufa kwabo bonke kungokomhlatshelo. (Roma 6:3-5) Ngaphezu kwalokho, akekho kubo owayeyingxenye yezwe. Ngakho, bonke baye bazondwa izwe, futhi eqinisweni, baye bafa emehlweni alo. (Johane 15:19; 1 Korinte 4:13) Akekho kubo oye wakhulekela isilo sasendle noma umfanekiso waso, futhi lapho befa, akekho kubo owayenophawu lwesilo. Bonke bafa njengabanqobi.—1 Johane 5:4; IsAmbulo 2:7; 3:12; 12:11.

12. Yini uJohane ayibikayo ngamakhosi angu-144-000, futhi ukuphila kwawo kwenzeka nini?

¹² Manje laba banqobi bayaphila futhi! UJohane uyabika: “Baphila futhi babusa njengamakhosi kanye noKristu iminyaka eyinkulungwane.” (IsAmbulo 20:4c) Ingabe lokhu kusho ukuthi laba bahluleli abavuswa kuze kube ngemva kokubhujiswa kwezizwe nokufakwa kukaSathane namademoni akhe kwalasha? Cha. Abaningi babo sebeyaphila kakade, njengoba bagibela amahhashi noJesu ngokumelene nezizwe e-Armagedoni. (IsAmbulo 2:26, 27; 19:14) Ngempela, uPawulu wabonisa ukuthi ukuvuka kwabo kuqala ngokushesha ngemva kokuqala kokuba khona kukaJesu ngo-1914 nokuthi abanye bavuswa kuqala kunabanye. (1 Korinte 15:51-54; 1 Thesalonika 4:15-17) Ngakho, ukuphila kwabo kwenzeka phakathi nenkathi ethile njengoba ngamunye amukela isipho sokuphila okungenakufa emazulwini.—2 Thesalonika 1:7; 2 Petru 3:11-14.

13. (a) Kufanele siyibheke kanjani iminyaka eyinkulungwane abangu-144 000 ababusa ngayo, futhi ngani? (b) UPapias waseHierapolis wayeyibheka kanjani iminyaka eyinkulungwane? (Bheka umbhalo waphansi.)

¹³ Ukubusa kwabo nokwahlulela kwabo kuyoba ngokweminyaka eyinkulungwane. Ingabe lena iminyaka eyinkulungwane engokoqobo, noma kufanele siyibheke ngokomfanekiso njengeyinkathi yesikhathi ende, enganqunyiwe? “Izinkulungwane” zingasho isibalo esikhulu, esinganqunyiwe, njengakweyoku-1 Samuweli 21:11. Kodwa lapha elithi “inkulungwane” lingokoqobo, njengoba livela izikhathi ezintathu kusAmbulo 20:5-7 ‘njengeminyaka eyinkulungwane,’ landulelwa umunci ocacile ngesiGreki (ngesiNgisi, the). UPawulu wabiza lesi sikhathi sokwahlulela ngokuthi “usuku” lapho ethi: “[UNkulunkulu] umise usuku ajonge ukwahlulela ngalo umhlaba owakhiwe ngokulunga.” (IzEnzo 17:31) Njengoba uPetru esitshela ukuthi kuJehova usuku olulodwa lunjengeminyaka eyinkulungwane, kufanelekile ukuthi lolu Suku Lokwahlulela lube iminyaka eyinkulungwane engokoqobo.c—2 Petru 3:8.

Bonke Abanye Abafileyo

14. (a) Iyiphi inkulumo uJohane ayinezelayo ngabo “bonke abanye abafileyo”? (b) Amazwi ashiwo umphostoli uPawulu alicacisa kanjani igama elithi “baphile”?

¹⁴ Nokho, la makhosi ayokwahlulela bani uma, njengoba umphostoli uJohane enezela lapha, “(bonke abanye abafileyo abazange baphile yaze yaphela iminyaka eyinkulungwane)”? (IsAmbulo 20:5a) Nalapha, inkulumo ethi “baphile,” kumelwe iqondwe ngokomongo wendaba. Le nkulumo ingaba nezincazelo ezihlukahlukene ezimweni ezihlukahlukene. Ngokwesibonelo, uPawulu wathi ngamaKristu agcotshiwe akanye nawo: “Yinina uNkulunkulu aniphilisile nakuba nanifile eziphambekweni nasezonweni zenu.” (Efesu 2:1) Yebo, amaKristu agcotshwe ngomoya ‘aphiliswa,’ ngisho nasekhulwini lokuqala leminyaka, ebizwa ngokuthi alungile ngesisekelo sokholo lwawo emhlatshelweni kaJesu.—Roma 3:23, 24.

15. (a) Ofakazi bakaJehova bangaphambi kwenkathi yobuKristu bajabulela kuphi ukuma noNkulunkulu? (b) Ezinye izimvu ‘ziphila’ kanjani, futhi ziyolidla nini ifa lomhlaba ngomqondo ogcwele?

¹⁵ Ngokufanayo, ofakazi bakaJehova bangaphambi kobuKristu babizwa ngokuthi balungile ngokuqondene nobungane noNkulunkulu; futhi u-Abrahama, u-Isaka, noJakobe bakhulunyelwa ‘njengabaphilayo’ ngisho nakuba babefile ngokwenyama. (Mathewu 22:31, 32; Jakobe 2:21, 23) Nokho, bona kanye nabo bonke abanye abavuswayo, kanye nesixuku esikhulu sezinye izimvu ezithembekile esisinda e-Armagedoni nanoma ibaphi abantwana esingase sibazale ezweni elisha, kusamelwe balethwe ekupheleleni kobuntu. Lokhu kuyofezwa uKristu kanye namakhosi nabapristi abakanye naye phakathi noSuku Lokwahlulela oluyiminyaka eyinkulungwane, ngesisekelo somhlatshelo kaJesu wesihlengo. Ekupheleni kwalolo Suku, “bonke abanye abafileyo” babeyobe ‘bephilile’ ngomqondo wokuthi bayoba abantu abaphelele. Njengoba sizobona, kuyodingeka ukuba baphumelele ovivinyweni lokugcina, kodwa bayobhekana nalolo vivinyo bengabantu abaphelele. Lapho bephumelela kulolo vivinyo, uNkulunkulu uyobabiza ngokuthi bafanelwe ukuphila phakade, balungile ngomqondo ophelele. Bayobona ukugcwaliseka okuphelele kwesithembiso esithi: “Abalungile bayokudla ifa lomhlaba, futhi bayohlala kuwo kuze kube phakade.” (IHubo 37:29) Yeka ikusasa elijabulisayo elilindele isintu esithobekile!

Uvuko Lokuqala

16. UJohane uluchaza kanjani uvuko lwalabo ababusa njengamakhosi noKristu, futhi ngani?

¹⁶ Manje ebuyela kulabo ‘abaphila futhi babusa njengamakhosi kanye noKristu,’ uJohane uyabhala: “Lokhu kuwuvuko lokuqala.” (IsAmbulo 20:5b) Lungolokuqala kanjani? ‘Luwuvuko lokuqala’ ngokwesikhathi, ngoba labo abavuswayo ‘balulibo kuNkulunkulu neWundlu.’ (IsAmbulo 14:4) Futhi lungolokuqala ngokubaluleka, njengoba labo abahlanganyela kulo beba ababusi kanye noJesu eMbusweni wakhe wasezulwini futhi bahlulele sonke isintu. Okokugcina, lungolokuqala ngesimo salo esihle. Ngaphandle kukaJesu Kristu ngokwakhe, labo abavuswa ovukweni lokuqala bawukuphela kwezidalwa okukhulunywa ngazo eBhayibhelini njengezamukela ukungafi.—1 Korinte 15:53; 1 Thimothewu 6:16.

17. (a) UJohane ulichaza kanjani ithemba elibusisekile lamaKristu agcotshiwe? (b) Kuyini “ukufa kwesibili,” futhi kungani ‘kungenalo igunya’ kubanqobi abangu-144 000?

¹⁷ Yeka ithemba elibusisekile ngalaba abagcotshiwe! Njengoba uJohane ememezela: “Uyajabula futhi ungcwele noma ubani onesabelo ovukweni lokuqala; ukufa kwesibili akunalo igunya phezu kwabo.” (IsAmbulo 20:6a) Njengoba uJesu athembisa amaKristu aseSmirna, laba banqobi abahlanganyela “ovukweni lokuqala” ngeke babe sengozini yokulinyazwa “ukufa kwesibili,” okusho ukubhujiswa ngaphandle kwethemba lovuko. (IsAmbulo 2:11; 20:14) Ukufa kwesibili “akunalo igunya” kubanqobi abanjalo, ngoba bayobe bembethe ukungonakali nokungafi.—1 Korinte 15:53.

18. Yini uJohane ayishoyo manje ngababusi abasha bomhlaba, futhi yini abazoyifeza?

¹⁸ Yeka ukuthi lokhu kuhluke kanjani emakhosini omhlaba phakathi nesikhathi sikaSathane sokubusa! Uma ebuse kakhulu la makhosi aye abusa iminyaka nje engu-50 noma engu-60, futhi amaningi awo aye abusa iminyaka embalwa nje. Amaningi awo aye acindezela isintu. Noma ngabe ikuphi, izizwe zingazuza kanjani phakade ngaphansi kwababusi abashintsha njalo abanemithetho eshintsha njalo? Ngokuphambene, uJohane uthi ngababusi abasha bomhlaba: “Kodwa bayoba ngabapristi bakaNkulunkulu nabakaKristu, babuse njengamakhosi kanye naye iminyaka eyinkulungwane.” (IsAmbulo 20:6b) Bekanye noJesu, bayokwakha okuwukuphela kukahulumeni oyobusa iminyaka eyinkulungwane. Inkonzo yabo yobupristi, lapho isebenzisa inzuzo yomhlatshelo kaJesu ophelele wobuntu, iyobuyisela isintu esithobekile ekupheleleni okungokomoya, kokuziphatha, nokungokwenyama. Umphumela wenkonzo yabo yobukhosi uyoba ukwakhiwa komkhaya wesintu womhlaba wonke obonisa ukulunga nobungcwele bukaJehova. Njengabahluleli beminyaka eyinkulungwane, bona, kanye noJesu, ngothando bayoholela isintu esisabelayo emgomweni wokuphila okuphakade.—Johane 3:16.

Uvivinyo Lokugcina

19. Siyoba yini isimo somhlaba nesimo nesintu ekupheleni kokuBusa Kweminyaka Eyinkulungwane, futhi yini manje uJesu ayenzayo?

¹⁹ Ekupheleni kokuBusa Kweminyaka Eyinkulungwane, wonke umhlaba uyobe usufuze i-Edene lasekuqaleni. Kuyoba ipharadesi loqobo. Isintu esiphelele ngeke sisamdinga umpristi omkhulu ukuba asimelele phambi kukaNkulunkulu, njengoba yonke imikhondo yesono sika-Adamu iyobe isusiwe nesitha sokugcina, ukufa, siyobe siqediwe. UMbuso kaKristu uyobe uyifezile injongo kaNkulunkulu yokwakha izwe elilodwa elinohulumeni owodwa. Kuleli qophelo, uJesu ‘unikela umbuso kuNkulunkulu wakhe noYise.’—1 Korinte 15:22-26; Roma 15:12.

20. Yini uJohane asitshela ukuthi iyokwenzeka lapho sekuyisikhathi sovivinyo lokugcina?

²⁰ Manje yisikhathi sovivinyo lokugcina. Ingabe lelo zwe lesintu esiphelele, ngokungafani nabantu bokuqala e-Edene, liyoma liqinile ebuqothweni balo? UJohane uyasitshela lokho okwenzekayo: “Ngokushesha nje lapho isiphelile le minyaka eyinkulungwane, uSathane uyothukululwa aphume etilongweni lakhe, aphumele ukudukisa izizwe ezisemagumbini womane omhlaba, uGogi noMagogi, ukuze azibuthele ndawonye empini. Isibalo sazo singangesihlabathi solwandle. Zanyukela ebubanzini bomhlaba zahaqa ikamu labangcwele nomuzi othandekayo.”—IsAmbulo 20:7-9a.

21. Njengomzamo wakhe wokugcina, uSathane uqhubeka kanjani, futhi kungani kungafanele simangale ngokuthi abanye bayolandela uSathane ngisho nangemva kokuBusa Kweminyaka Eyinkulungwane?

²¹ Uyoqhubeka kanjani umzamo kaSathane wokugcina? Udukisa “izizwe ezisemagumbini womane omhlaba, uGogi noMagogi,” futhi uziholela “empini.” Ubani ongathatha uhlangothi lukaSathane ngemva kweminyaka eyinkulungwane yokubusa okungokwasezulwini okujabulisayo, okwakhayo? Nokho, ungakhohlwa ukuthi uSathane wakwazi ukudukisa u-Adamu no-Eva abaphelele lapho bejabulela ukuphila ePharadesi lase-Edene. Futhi wakwazi ukudukisa izingelosi zasezulwini ezaziyibonile imiphumela emibi yokuhlubuka kwasekuqaleni. (2 Petru 2:4; Jude 6) Ngakho akufanele simangale ukuthi abanye abantu abaphelele bayoyengeka ukuba balandele uSathane ngisho nangemva kweminyaka eyinkulungwane ejabulisayo yokubusa koMbuso kaNkulunkulu.

22. (a) Yini eboniswa inkulumo ethi “izizwe ezisemagumbini womane omhlaba”? (b) Kungani izihlubuki zibizwa ngokuthi “uGogi noMagogi”?

²² IBhayibheli libiza lezi zihlubuki ngokuthi “izizwe ezisemagumbini womane omhlaba.” Lokhu akusho ukuthi isintu siyobe sihlukanisiwe saba izindikimba ezihlukahlukene zezizwe. Kumane nje kubonisa ukuthi laba bayozahlukanisa nabalungile, abathembekile bakaJehova futhi babonise wona lowo moya omubi izizwe eziwubonisayo namuhla. ‘Bayosongoza icebo elibi,’ njengoba kwenza uGogi wakwaMagogi esiprofethweni sikaHezekeli, benomgomo wokubhubhisa uhulumeni ongokwasezulwini emhlabeni. (Hezekeli 38:3, 10-12) Ngakho, babizwa ngokuthi “uGogi noMagogi.”

23. Yini eboniswa iqiniso lokuthi inani lezihlubuki ‘lingangesihlabathi solwandle’?

²³ Umumo walabo abahlanganyela noSathane ekuhlubukeni kwakhe uyoba “ngangesihlabathi solwandle.” Inani elingakanani lelo? Akukho sibalo esimiswe kusengaphambili. (Qhathanisa noJoshuwa 11:4; AbaHluleli 7:12.) Inani lokugcina eliyingqikithi lezihlubuki liyoya ngokuthi umuntu ngamunye usabela kanjani emaqhingeni kaSathane okukhohlisa. Nokho, ngokungangabazeki kuyoba nenani elikhulu, njengoba beyozizwa benamandla ngokwanele ukuba banganqoba “ikamu labangcwele nomuzi othandekayo.”

24. (a) Uyini “umuzi othandekayo,” futhi ungahaqwa kanjani? (b) Yini emelelwe “ikamu labangcwele”?

²⁴ ‘Umuzi othandekayo’ kumelwe kube umuzi uJesu Kristu okhazinyulisiwe akhuluma ngawo kubalandeli bakhe kusAmbulo 3:12 nalowo awubiza ngokuthi ‘umuzi kaNkulunkulu wami, iJerusalema elisha elehla livela ezulwini kuNkulunkulu wami.’ Njengoba lena kuyinhlangano yasezulwini, lawo mabutho asemhlabeni ‘angawuhaqa’ kanjani? Ngokuthi ahaqa “ikamu labangcwele.” Ikamu lingaphandle komuzi; ngakho, kumelwe ukuba “ikamu labangcwele” limelele labo abasemhlabeni ngaphandle kwendawo yasezulwini yeJerusalema Elisha abalisekela ngokwethembeka ilungiselelo likaJehova likahulumeni. Lapho izihlubuki ngaphansi kukaSathane zihlasela laba abathembekile, iNkosi uJesu ikubheka njengokuhlaselwa kwayo. (Mathewu 25:40, 45) Lezo “zizwe” ziyozama ukususa konke lokho iJerusalema Elisha lasezulwini eliye lakufeza ekwenzeni umhlaba ube ipharadesi. Ngakho ngokuhlasela “ikamu labangcwele,” zihlasela futhi “nomuzi othandekayo.”

Ichibi Lomlilo Nesibabule

25. UJohane uwuchaza kanjani umphumela wokuhlasela kwezihlubuki “ikamu labangcwele,” futhi lokhu kuyosho ukuthini ngoSathane?

²⁵ Ingabe lo mzamo wokugcina kaSathane uyophumelela? Ngokuqinisekile ngeke—njengoba nje nokuhlasela uGogi wakwaMagogi azokwenza ku-Israyeli ongokomoya osukwini lwethu kungeke kuphumelele! (Hezekeli 38:18-23) UJohane uwuchaza ngokucacile umphumela: “Kodwa kwehla umlilo uvela ezulwini wazishwabadela. UDeveli owayezidukisa waphonswa echibini lomlilo nesibabule lapho kakade kwase kukhona khona isilo sasendle nomprofethi wamanga.” (IsAmbulo 20:9b-10a) Kunokuba amane afakwe kwalasha, kulokhu uSathane, inyoka yokuqala, uyochotshozwa ngokoqobo angabi bikho, acoboshiswe, abhujiswe ngokuphelele ngokungathi ngomlilo.

26. Kungani ‘ichibi lomlilo nesibabule’ lingenakuba indawo engokoqobo yokuhlushwa?

²⁶ Sesiphawulile kakade ukuthi ‘ichibi lomlilo nesibabule’ akunakuba indawo yokuhlushwa engokoqobo. (IsAmbulo 19:20) Uma uSathane ubengezwa ukuhlushwa okubuhlungu lapho kuze kube phakade, bekuyodingeka ukuba uJehova amgcine ephila. Nokho, ukuphila kuyisipho, akusona isijeziso. Ukufa kuyisijeziso sokona, futhi ngokweBhayibheli, izidalwa ezifile azizwa buhlungu. (Roma 6:23; UmShumayeli 9:5, 10) Ngaphezu kwalokho, kamuva sifunda ukuthi ukufa ngokwakho, kanye neHayidesi, kuphonswa kuleli chibi elifanayo lomlilo nesibabule. Ngokuqinisekile, ukufa neHayidesi akunakubuzwa ubuhlungu!—IsAmbulo 20:14.

27. Okwenzeka eSodoma naseGomora kusisiza kanjani ukuba siqonde inkulumo ethi ichibi lomlilo nesibabule?

²⁷ Konke lokhu kuqinisa umbono wokuthi ichibi lomlilo nesibabule kungokomfanekiso. Ngaphezu kwalokho, ukuphawulwa komlilo nesibabule kusikhumbuza ngalokho okwenzeka eSodoma naseGomora lasendulo, imizi eyabhujiswa uNkulunkulu ngenxa yokonakala kwayo okukhulu. Lapho isikhathi sayo sifika, “uJehova wenza ukuba line isibabule nomlilo kuvela kuJehova, kuvela ezulwini, phezu kweSodoma naphezu kweGomora.” (Genesise 19:24) Lokho okwehlela leyo mizi emibili kubizwa ngokuthi “isijeziso sokwahlulela somlilo waphakade.” (Jude 7) Nokho, leyo mizi emibili ayizange ihlushwe phakade. Kunalokho, yasuswa phakade, kanye nezakhamuzi zayo ezonakele. Leyo mizi ayisekho namuhla, futhi akekho ongasho ngokuqinisekile ukuthi yayikuphi.

28. Liyini ichibi lomlilo nesibabule, futhi kukanjani lingafani nokufa, iHayidesi, nendawo yakwalasha?

²⁸ Ngokuvumelana nalokhu, iBhayibheli ngokwalo lichaza incazelo yechibi lomlilo nesibabule: “Lokhu kusho ukufa kwesibili, ichibi lomlilo.” (IsAmbulo 20:14) Ngokucacile liyefana neGehena uJesu akhuluma ngalo, indawo lapho ababi behlala bebhujisiwe, hhayi behlushwa phakade. (Mathewu 10:28) Kuwukubhujiswa okuphelele okungenathemba lovuko. Kanjalo, nakuba kukhona izihluthulelo zokufa, iHayidesi, nezakwalasha, akukhulunywa ngesihluthulelo sokuvula ichibi lomlilo nesibabule. (IsAmbulo 1:18; 20:1) Alisoze labakhulula abathunjwa balo.—Qhathanisa noMarku 9:43-47.

Bahlushwa Imini Nobusuku Kuze Kube Phakade

29, 30. UJohane uthini ngoDeveli nesilo sasendle kanye nomprofethi wamanga, futhi lokhu kumelwe kuqondwe kanjani?

²⁹ Ebhekisela kuDeveli nasesilweni sasendle nakumprofethi wamanga, manje uJohane uyasitshela: “Bayohlushwa imini nobusuku kuze kube phakade naphakade.” (IsAmbulo 20:10b) Lokhu kungase kusho ukuthini? Njengoba sekuphawuliwe kakade, akunangqondo ukuthi izimpawu, ezinjengesilo sasendle nomprofethi wamanga, kanye nokufa neHayidesi, kungahlupheka ngendlela engokoqobo. Ngakho, asinasizathu sokukholelwa ukuthi uSathane uyohlupheka kuze kube phakade. Uzobhujiswa.

³⁰ Igama lesiGreki elisetshenziswe lapha elisho “ukuhlupha,” ba·sa·niʹzo, lisho ngokuyinhloko “ukuvivinya (okusansimbi) ngetshe lokuhlola.” “Ukuphenya ngokuhlupha” yincazelo yesibili. (The New Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament) Kulo mongo wendaba, ukusetshenziswa kwaleli gama lesiGreki kubonisa ukuthi lokho okwenzeka kuSathane kuzosebenza, kuze kube phakade, njengetshe lokuhlola impikiswano yokufaneleka nokulunga kobubusi bukaJehova. Leyo mpikiswano yokubusa kobukhosi iyobe ixazululwe phakade. Inselele ebukhosini bukaJehova ngeke kuphinde kudingeke ukuba ivivinywe isikhathi eside ukuze ibonakaliswe ingamanga.—Qhathanisa neHubo 92:1, 15.

31. Amagama amabili esiGreki ahlobene nelisho “ukuhlushwa” asisiza kanjani ukuba siqonde isijeziso uSathane uDeveli ayosithola?

³¹ Ngaphezu kwalokho, igama elihlobene naleli elithi ba·sa·ni·stesʹ, “umhluphi,” lisetshenziswe eBhayibhelini ukusho “umphathi wejele.” (Mathewu 18:34, Kingdom Interlinear) Ngokuvumelana nalokhu, uSathane uyoboshwa echibini lomlilo kuze kube phakade; akasoze akhululwa. Okokugcina, kuyi-Septuagint yesiGreki, uJohane ayeyazi kahle kakhulu, igama elihlobene naleli elithi baʹsa·nos lisetshenziswa ukuze libhekisele ekuthotshisweni okuholela ekufeni. (Hezekeli 32:24, 30) Lokhu kusisiza ukuba sibone ukuthi isijeziso uSathane asitholayo siwukufa okuthobisayo, kwaphakade echibini lomlilo nesibabule. Imisebenzi yakhe ifa kanye naye.—1 Johane 3:8.

32. Isiphi isijeziso amademoni ayosithola, futhi sazi kanjani?

³² Nakuleli vesi futhi akukhulunywa lutho ngamademoni. Ingabe ayokhululwa kanye noSathane ekupheleni kweminyaka eyinkulungwane abese ejeziswa ngokufa kwaphakade kanye naye? Ubufakazi buphendula ngokuthi yebo. Emfanekisweni wezimvu nezimbuzi, uJesu wathi izimbuzi zaziyoya “emlilweni waphakade olungiselelwe uDeveli nezingelosi zakhe.” (Mathewu 25:41) Kumelwe ukuba amazwi athi “emlilweni waphakade” abhekisele echibini lomlilo nesibabule lapho uSathane eyophonswa khona. Izingelosi zikaDeveli zaxoshwa ezulwini kanye naye. Ngokusobala, zaya kwalasha kanye naye ekuqaleni kokuBusa Kweminyaka Eyinkulungwane. Khona-ke, ngokufanayo ziyobhujiswa kanye naye echibini lomlilo nesibabule.—Mathewu 8:29.

33. Yimuphi umniningwane wokugcina kaGenesise 3:15 oyobe usugcwaliseka, futhi manje umoya kaJehova uphendulela ukunakekela kukaJohane kuyiphi indaba?

³³ Ngale ndlela, umniningwane wokugcina wesiprofetho esilotshwe kuGenesise 3:15 uyagcwaliseka. Lapho uSathane ephonswa echibini lomlilo, uyofa njengenyoka ekhanda layo ligaywe isithende sensimbi. Yena namademoni akhe bayonyamalala phakade. Akuphinde kukhulunywe ngabo encwadini yesAmbulo. Manje, esebabhubhisile ngokwesiprofetho, umoya kaJehova udonsela ukunakekela endabeni ethakazelisa ngokukhethekile kulabo abanethemba lasemhlabeni: Uyoba yini umphumela wokubusa kwasezulwini ‘kweNkosi yamakhosi’ ‘nababiziweyo, abakhethiweyo, nabathembekileyo abakanye nayo’? (IsAmbulo 17:14) Ukuze aphendule, uJohane uphinda asibuyisele emuva ekuqaleni kokuBusa Kweminyaka Eyinkulungwane.

[Imibhalo yaphansi]

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ULwandle Olufile. Indawo okungenzeka kwakukhona kuyo iSodoma neGomora

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“Ngizobeka ubutha phakathi kwakho nowesifazane naphakathi kwenzalo yakho nenzalo yakhe. Yona iyokulimaza ekhanda wena uyoyilimaza esithendeni”