ISAMBULO KUJOHANE

1 Isambulo* esethulwa nguJesu Khristu, asiphiwa nguNkulunkulu ukuze atshengise izinceku zakhe izinto okufanele zenzakale masinyane. Wathuma ingilosi yakhe, wethula ngayo isambulo leso encekwini yakhe uJohane esebenzisa izibonakaliso. 2 Inceku le yafakaza ilizwi likaNkulunkulu kanye lobufakazi bukaJesu Khristu, ifakaza zonke izinto eyazibonayo. 3 Uyathokoza obalela phezulu amazwi alesisiphrofetho lalabo abawezwayo kanye labenza izinto ezibhalwe kuso ngoba isikhathi esibekiweyo sesiseduze.

4 Mina Johane ngibhalela amabandla ayisikhombisa asesabelweni sase-Asiya:

Kawube kini umusa omkhulu lokuthula okuvela “kuLowo okhona lowayekhona lozayo,” kanye lasemimoyeni eyisikhombisa ephambi kwesihlalo sakhe sobukhosi, 5 lakuJesu Khristu, “uFakazi Othembekileyo,” “izibulo ekuvusweni kwabafileyo,” futhi “onguMbusi wamakhosi omhlaba.”

Kulowo osithandayo njalo owasikhulula ezonweni zethu ngegazi lakhe, 6 wasenza saba ngumbuso labaphristi kuNkulunkulu wakhe loYise, kayibe kuye inkazimulo lamandla kuze kube nini lanini. Ameni.

7 Khangelani! Uyeza ngamayezi njalo amehlo wonke azambona, labamgwazayo bazambona, futhi izizwana zonke ezisemhlabeni zizazitshaya ezifubeni zilila ngenxa yakhe. Lokhu kuzakwenzakala sibili. Ameni.

8 “Ngingu-Alfa lo-Omega,”* kutsho uJehova uNkulunkulu, “Lowo okhona lowayekhona lozayo, uSomandla.”

9 Mina Johane, umfowenu ohlanganyela lani ekuhluphekeni lasembusweni lasekuqiniseleni simanyene loJesu, ngangisesihlengeni esithiwa yiPhathimosi ngenxa yokukhuluma ngoNkulunkulu lokufakaza ngoJesu. 10 Ngaphefumulelwa ngaba sosukwini lweNkosi njalo ngezwa ilizwi ngemva kwami elalilamandla njengecilongo, 11 lisithi: “Okubonayo kubhale encwadinimgoqwa ukuthumele emabandleni la ayisikhombisa: i-Efesu, leSimina, lePhegamu, leThiyathira, leSadisi, leFiladelifiya kanye leLawodikheya.”

12 Ngatshibilika ngakhangela ukuthi ngubani owayekhuluma lami. Sengitshibilikile ngabona izinti zezibane zegolide eziyisikhombisa 13 futhi phakathi laphakathi kwezinti lezi kwakulomuntu onjengendodana yomuntu, egqoke isembatho esasiside sitshaya enyaweni, ebophe lebhanti legolide esifubeni sakhe. 14 Phezu kwalokho, ikhanda lakhe lenwele zakhe kwakumhlophe angathi yiwulu emhlophe, kumhlophe njengongqwaqwane futhi amehlo akhe ayengathi lilangabi lomlilo ovuthayo. 15 Inyawo zakhe zazingathi yikhopha* yohlonzi ekhazimulayo phakathi kwesithando somlilo njalo ilizwi lakhe lalingathi yikuduma kwamanzi amanengi. 16 Esandleni sakhe sokudla wayephethe izinkanyezi eziyisikhombisa njalo emlonyeni wakhe kwakuphuma inkemba ende, ebukhali futhi esika inxa zombili. Ubuso bakhe bona babungathi lilanga ekukhazimuleni kwalo konke. 17 Ngathi ngimbona ngawela phansi phambi kwenyawo zakhe, ngaba njengomuntu ofileyo.

Wasebeka isandla sakhe sokudla phezu kwami, wathi: “Ungesabi. NgingowokuQala lowokuCina 18 njalo ngingophilayo. Ngangifile kodwa khangela, khathesi sengiphila kuze kube nini lanini futhi ngilamakhiye okufa laweNgcwaba.* 19 Ngakho bhala phansi izinto ozibonileyo lezinto ezenzakala khathesi lezinto ezizakwenzakala ngemva kwalezi. 20 Nansi imfihlo engcwele yezinkanyezi eziyisikhombisa ozibone esandleni sami sokudla, leyezinti zezibane zegolide eziyisikhombisa: Izinkanyezi eziyisikhombisa zimela izingilosi zamabandla ayisikhombisa, futhi izinti zezibane eziyisikhombisa zimela amabandla ayisikhombisa.

2 “Ingilosi yebandla lase-Efesu yibhalele uthi: Nanzi izinto azitshoyo lowo ophethe izinkanyezi eziyisikhombisa esandleni sakhe sokudla njalo ohamba phakathi kwezinti zezibane zegolide eziyisikhombisa: 2 ‘Ngiyazazi izenzo zakho lemisebenzi yakho, lokuqinisela kwakho kanye lokuthi kawubabekezeleli abantu ababi njalo wabahlola labo abazithi bangabaphostoli bona bengayisibo, wasuthola ukuthi bangosomangase. 3 Utshengisa lokuthi uyaqinisela futhi ubulokhu uphikelela ngenxa yebizo lami njalo kawuzange uphele amandla. 4 Kodwa nanku engikusola ngakho, ukuthi usuludelile uthando owawulalo kuqala.

5 “‘Ngakho khumbula ukuthi uwe usuka ngaphi, ubusuphenduka wenze izinto owawuzenza kuqala. Ungayekela ukwenza njalo, ngizakuza kuwe ngikhiphe uluthi lwakho lwesibane endaweni yalo, ngaphandle ungaphenduka. 6 Kodwa okuhle ngawe yikuthi uyazizonda izenzo zeqembu likaNikholayi elabhazukayo, engizizondayo lami. 7 Olendlebe kezwe ukuthi umoya uthini emabandleni: Onqobayo ngizamvumela ukuthi adle esihlahleni sokuphila esisepharadayisi likaNkulunkulu.’

8 “Ingilosi yebandla laseSimina yona yibhalele uthi: Nanzi izinto azitshoyo, ‘owokuQala lowokuCina,’ lowo owafayo waphinda wavuka: 9 ‘Ngiyakwazi ukuhlupheka kwakho lobuyanga bakho, kodwa unothile. Ngiyakwazi lokuthuka kwalabo abazibiza ngokuthi bangamaJuda bona bengayisiwo, belisinagogi likaSathane. 10 Ungazesabi inhlupho esezizakwehlela. Lalela! UDeveli uzaqhubeka ephosela abanye benu ejele ukuze lihlolwe ngokugcweleyo futhi lizahlupheka okwamalanga alitshumi. Wena tshengisa ukuthi uthembekile kuze kube sekufeni. Ungenza njalo, ngizakupha umqhele wokuphila. 11 Olendlebe kezwe ukuthi umoya uthini emabandleni: Onqobayo kasoze alinyazwe yikufa kwesibili loba sekutheni.’

12 “Ingilosi yebandla lasePhegamu yibhalele uthi: Nanzi izinto azitshoyo lowo olenkemba ende, ebukhali futhi esika inxa zombili: 13 ‘Ngiyakwazi lapho ohlala khona, uhlala lapho okulesihlalo sobukhosi sikaSathane; kodwa uqhubeka ubambelele ebizweni lami njalo kawuzange ukuphike ukuthi ulokholo kimi, ngitsho lasezinsukwini zika-Antiphasi ufakazi wami owayethembekile owabulawa phakathi kwenu, lapho okuhlala khona uSathane.

14 “‘Lanxa kunjalo, kulezinto ezilutshwana engizisolayo kuwe, ukuthi ulabantu abanamathele emfundisweni kaBhalamu owafundisa uBhalaki ukuthi abeke isikhubekiso phambi kwamadodana ako-Israyeli, esokuthi adle izinto ezihlatshelwe izithombe futhi aziphathe kubi kwezemacansini.* 15 Lawe ulabo abanamathele emfundisweni yeqembu likaNikholayi elabhazukayo. 16 Ngakho phenduka. Nxa ungaphenduki, ngizakuza kuwe masinyane njalo ngizakulwa labo ngenkemba yomlomo wami ende.

17 “‘Olendlebe kezwe ukuthi umoya uthini emabandleni: Onqobayo ngizamcuphela imana efihliweyo njalo ngizamupha ilitshe elimhlophe. Ilitshe lelo libhalwe ibizo elitsha elaziwa ngulowo olamukelayo kuphela.’

18 “Ingilosi yebandla laseThiyathira yibhalele uthi: Nanzi izinto iNdodana kaNkulunkulu ezitshoyo, leyo elamehlo anjengelangabi lomlilo ovuthayo kanye lenyawo ezingathi yikhopha* yohlonzi: 19 ‘Ngiyazazi izenzo zakho, lothando lwakho, lokholo lwakho, lenkonzo yakho, lokuqinisela kwakho, kanye lokuthi khathesi izenzo zakho sezisedlula ezokuqala.

20 “‘Kodwa nanku engikusola ngakho, uyambekezelela owesifazana lo okuthiwa nguJezebheli ozibiza ngokuthi ungumphrofethikazi, ofundisa izinceku zami eziyenga ukuthi ziziphathe kubi kwezemacansini* lokuthi zidle izinto ezihlatshelwe izithombe. 21 Ngamnika isikhathi sokuphenduka kodwa yena kafuni ukuphenduka, ulokhu eziphatha kubi kwezemacansini.* 22 Lalela! Sengizamphosela embhedeni wokugula njalo abaphinga laye ngizabaphosela ekuhluphekeni okukhulu, ngaphandle bangatshiya izenzo zakhe baphenduke. 23 Kanti njalo ngizabulala abantwabakhe ngomkhuhlane obulalayo ukuze wonke amabandla akwazi ukuthi yimi engihlola imicabango ejulileyo* kanye lezinhliziyo, futhi ngamunye wenu ngizamupha lokho okuhambelana lezenzo zakhe.

24 “‘Kodwa ngithi kwabanye abaseThiyathira, kini lonke elingayilandeliyo imfundiso le futhi elingazange likwazi lokho okubizwa ngokuthi “yizinto zikaSathane ezijulileyo”: Kangilethesi omunye umthwalo. 25 Loba kunjalo, bambelelani kulokho elilakho ngize ngibuye. 26 Lowo onqobayo alandele izenzo zami kuze kube sekucineni ngizamupha amandla phezu kwezizwe 27 njalo uzakwelusa abantu ngentonga yensimbi, baphahlazwe babe yizicucu njengesitsha sobumba, njengoba nje ngamukela amandla kuBaba. 28 Kanti njalo ngizamupha indonsakusa. 29 Olendlebe kezwe ukuthi umoya uthini emabandleni.’

3 “Ingilosi yebandla laseSadisi yibhalele uthi: Nanzi izinto azitshoyo lowo olemimoya kaNkulunkulu eyisikhombisa kanye lezinkanyezi eziyisikhombisa: ‘Ngiyazazi izenzo zakho, ukuthi waziwa ngokuthi uyaphila, kodwa ufile. 2 Phaphama uqinise izinto eziseleyo ebesezizakufa ngoba imisebenzi yakho kangizange ngiyithole yenziwe ngokupheleleyo* phambi kukaNkulunkulu wami. 3 Ngakho qhubeka ukhumbula owakwamukelayo lowakuzwayo, uqhubeke ukugcinile futhi uphenduke. Ngiqinisile sibili ngithi, nxa ungayekela ukuphaphama, ngizafika njengesela njalo ihola engizafika ngalo kuwe kawusoze ulazi ngitsho.

4 “‘Lanxa kunjalo, ulabo abalutshwana* eSadisi abangazange bangcolise izembatho zabo. Bazahamba lami begqoke ezimhlophe ngoba lokho kubafanele. 5 Yikho onqobayo uzagqokiswa izembatho ezimhlophe futhi ibizo lakhe kangisoze ngilicitshe* egwalweni lokuphila loba sekutheni kodwa ngizalivuma ibizo lakhe phambi kukaBaba laphambi kwezingilosi zakhe. 6 Olendlebe kezwe ukuthi umoya uthini emabandleni.’

7 “Ingilosi yebandla laseFiladelifiya yibhalele uthi: Nanzi izinto azitshoyo ongcwele loleqiniso, olekhiye kaDavida, ovula kungabi lomuntu ongavala, avale kungabi lomuntu ongavula: 8 ‘Ngiyazazi izenzo zakho. Khangela! Sengifake phambi kwakho umnyango ovulekileyo njalo kakho ongawuvala. Ngiyakwazi ukuthi ulamandla amancane lokuthi uligcinile ilizwi lami njalo kawuzange uliphike ibizo lami. 9 Lalela! Abesinagogi likaSathane abazithi bangamaJuda bona bengayisiwo beqamba amanga, ngizabenza babuye bakhothame phambi kwenyawo zakho futhi ngizakwenza ukuthi bazi ukuthi ngikuthandile. 10 Ngenxa yokuthi uligcinile ilizwi elimayelana lokuqinisela kwami,* lami ngizakugcina ngehola lokuhlolwa elizafikela wonke umhlaba ukuze kuhlolwe abahlala emhlabeni. 11 Ngiyeza masinyane. Qhubeka ubambelele kulokho olakho ukuze engabi khona othatha umqhele wakho.

12 “‘Onqobayo ngizamenza abe yinsika ethempelini likaNkulunkulu wami futhi kasoze aphinde aphume kulo loba sekutheni. Ngizabhala phezu kwakhe ibizo likaNkulunkulu wami lebizo ledolobho likaNkulunkulu wami, iJerusalema Elitsha elehla livela ezulwini kuNkulunkulu wami, ngibhale lebizo lami elitsha. 13 Olendlebe kezwe ukuthi umoya uthini emabandleni.’

14 “Ingilosi yebandla laseLawodikheya yibhalele uthi: Nanzi izinto azitshoyo u-Ameni, ufakazi othembekileyo loleqiniso, isiqalo sezinto zonke ezadalwa nguNkulunkulu: 15 ‘Ngiyazazi izenzo zakho, ukuthi kawuqandi njalo kawutshisi. Ngifisa ukuthi ngabe uyaqanda kumbe uyatshisa. 16 Ngakho njengoba uzikhudumalela* nje, ungatshisi futhi ungaqandi, ngizakukhafula uphume emlonyeni wami. 17 Wena uthi, “Nginothile, sengazitholela inotho njalo kangisweli lutho ngitsho,” kodwa kawukwazi ukuthi uyazihawulela futhi uzwisa usizi, ungumyanga, uyisiphofu njalo unqunu, yikho 18 ngikucebisa ukuthi uthenge kimi igolide elicengwe ngomlilo ukuze unothe, lezembatho ezimhlophe ukuze ugqoke, lingavezwa egcekeni ihlazo lobunqunu bakho, njalo uthenge lomuthi wamehlo uwuhlikihlele emehlweni akho ukuze ubone.

19 “‘Bonke engibathandayo ngiyabakhuza ngibalaye. Ngakho tshiseka uphenduke. 20 Khangela! Ngimi emnyango ngiyaqoqoda. Loba ngubani ozwa ilizwi lami abesevula umnyango, ngizangena endlini yakhe ngidle laye ukudla kwantambama, laye adle lami. 21 Onqobayo ngizamvumela ukuthi ahlale lami esihlalweni sami sobukhosi, njengoba lami nganqoba ngasengihlala loBaba esihlalweni sakhe sobukhosi. 22 Olendlebe kezwe ukuthi umoya uthini emabandleni.’”

4 Ngemva kwalokho ngakhangela ngabona umnyango owawuvulekile ezulwini, njalo ilizwi lokuqala engalizwa likhuluma lami lalinjengecilongo, lisithi: “Woza ngapha phezulu, ngizakutshengisa izinto okumele zenzakale.” 2 Ngemva kwalokho ngahle ngaba semandleni omoya, njalo ngabona isihlalo sobukhosi sisendaweni yaso ezulwini futhi kwakulomuntu owayehlezi kulesosihlalo sobukhosi. 3 Lowo owayehlezi kuso wayekhazimula angathi lilitshe lejaspa lelitshe lesadiyasi* futhi isihlalo sobukhosi sasigonjolozelwe ngumchilowamakhosikazi owawufanana le-emeraldi.

4 Isihlalo sobukhosi lesi sasigonjolozelwe yizihlalo zobukhosi ezingu-24 njalo ngabona abadala abangu-24 behlezi kulezozihlalo zobukhosi begqoke izembatho ezimhlophe, belemiqhele yegolide emakhanda abo. 5 Esihlalweni sobukhosi kwakuphuma umbane lamazwi kanye lemidumo yezulu, njalo kwakulezibane eziyisikhombisa zomlilo ezazibhebha phambi kwesihlalo sobukhosi futhi izibane lezi zimela imimoya kaNkulunkulu eyisikhombisa. 6 Phambi kwesihlalo sobukhosi kwakulento enjengolwandle lwengilazi njalo yayinjengelitshe lekristali.

Phakathi kwesihlalo sobukhosi* kanye lasemaceleni aso wonke kwakulezidalwa ezine eziphilayo ezazigcwele amehlo phambili langemuva. 7 Isidalwa esiphilayo sokuqala sasinjengesilwane, isidalwa esiphilayo sesibili sasinjengenkunzi, isidalwa esiphilayo sesithathu sona sasilobuso obunjengobomuntu njalo isidalwa esiphilayo sesine sasinjengokhozi oluphaphayo. 8 Ngasinye sezidalwa ezine eziphilayo sasilempiko eziyisithupha futhi zazigcwele amehlo yonke indawo langaphansi. Ebusuku lemini ziqhubeka zisithi: “Ungcwele, ungcwele, ungcwele uJehova uNkulunkulu, uSomandla, lowo owayekhona lokhona lozayo.”

9 Zikhathi zonke nxa izidalwa eziphilayo zikhazimulisa Lowo ohlezi esihlalweni sobukhosi, zimdumisa futhi zimbonga Lowo ophila kuze kube nini lanini, 10 abadala abangu-24 bayazilahla phansi phambi kwaLowo ohlezi esihlalweni sobukhosi, bamkhonze Lowo ophila kuze kube nini lanini njalo babeka imiqhele yabo phambi kwesihlalo sobukhosi, besithi: 11 “Ufanele Jehova Nkulunkulu wethu ukwamukela inkazimulo lodumo lamandla ngoba wadala zonke izinto njalo ngenxa yentando yakho zaba khona, zadalwa.”

5 Esandleni sokudla saLowo owayehlezi esihlalweni sobukhosi ngabona kulencwadimgoqwa eyayibhalwe emaceleni womabili* njalo ivalwe yananyekwa ngezimpawu eziyisikhombisa. 2 Ngabona lengilosi elamandla imemeza ngelizwi elikhulu isithi: “Ngubani okumfaneleyo ukuvula incwadimgoqwa lokuthukulula izimpawu zayo?” 3 Kodwa ezulwini lasemhlabeni langaphansi komhlaba kakho loyedwa owenelisa ukuvula incwadimgoqwa loba ukukhangela phakathi kwayo. 4 Ngakhala kabuhlungu ngoba kakutholakalanga loyedwa okwakumfanele ukuvula incwadimgoqwa loba ukukhangela phakathi kwayo. 5 Kodwa omunye wabadala wathi kimi: “Yekela ukukhala. Khangela! ISilwane sesizwana sakoJuda, impande kaDavida, sesinqobile; yikho sesingavula incwadimgoqwa kanye lezimpawu zayo eziyisikhombisa.”

6 Ngabona imvana imi phakathi* kwesihlalo sobukhosi laphakathi kwezidalwa ezine eziphilayo, laphakathi kwabadala. Yayikhanya angathi ibulewe futhi yayilempondo eziyisikhombisa lamehlo ayisikhombisa, njalo amehlo la amela imimoya kaNkulunkulu eyisikhombisa ethunywe emhlabeni wonke. 7 Imvana yahle yeza phambili yathatha incwadimgoqwa esandleni sokudla saLowo owayehlezi esihlalweni sobukhosi. 8 Yathi isithethe incwadimgoqwa, izidalwa ezine eziphilayo kanye labadala abangu-24 bazilahla phansi phambi kweMvana, njalo ngamunye wabo wayephethe ihabhu kanye lemiganu yegolide eyayigcwele impepha. (Impepha imela imithandazo yabangcwele.) 9 Bahlabela ingoma entsha besithi: “Kukufanele ukuthatha incwadimgoqwa uvule izimpawu zayo ngoba wahlatshwa futhi ngegazi lakho wathengela uNkulunkulu abantu abavela kuzo zonke izizwana, lezindimi, lemihlobo yabantu kanye lezizwe, 10 njalo wabenza baba ngumbuso labaphristi kuNkulunkulu wethu futhi bazakuba ngamakhosi babuse umhlaba.”

11 Ngaphinda ngabona njalo ngezwa ilizwi lezingilosi ezinengi ezazigombolozele isihlalo sobukhosi, lezidalwa eziphilayo kanye labadala, futhi inani lazo lalingamatshumi ezinkulungwane aphindwe ngamatshumi ezinkulungwane kanye lezinkulungwane zezinkulungwane. 12 Zazisithi ngelizwi eliphezulu: “IMvana eyahlatshwayo ifanele ukwamukela amandla, lenotho, lokuhlakanipha, lokuqina, lodumo, lenkazimulo kanye lesibusiso.”

13 Ngasengisizwa zonke izidalwa ezisezulwini lasemhlabeni langaphansi komhlaba laselwandle kanye lazo zonke izinto eziphakathi kwakho zisithi: “Isibusiso lodumo lenkazimulo lamandla kakube kuLowo ohlezi esihlalweni sobukhosi lakuyo iMvana kuze kube nini lanini.” 14 Izidalwa ezine eziphilayo zazisithi: “Ameni!” Abadala bona basebezilahla phansi bakhonza.

6 Ngasengibona iMvana ivula olunye lwezimpawu eziyisikhombisa, njalo ngezwa esinye sezidalwa ezine eziphilayo sikhuluma ngelizwi elinjengomdumo wezulu sisithi: “Woza!” 2 Ngaphinda ngabona lebhiza elimhlophe! Owayehlezi phezu kwalo wayeledandili futhi waphiwa umqhele, waphuma ehamba enqoba njalo esiyaqedisa ukunqoba kwakhe.

3 Yathi ivula uphawu lwesibili ngezwa isidalwa sesibili esiphilayo sisithi: “Woza!” 4 Kwaphuma elinye ibhiza elalibomvu gebhu, njalo owayehlezi phezu kwalo wavunyelwa ukuthi asuse ukuthula emhlabeni ukuze abantu babulalane ngesihluku. Waphiwa lenkemba enkulu.

5 Yathi ivula uphawu lwesithathu ngezwa isidalwa sesithathu esiphilayo sisithi: “Woza!” Ngasengibona nanto ibhiza elimnyama! Owayehlezi phezu kwalo wayelesikali sokulinganisa esandleni sakhe. 6 Ngezwa okwakuzwakala angathi lilizwi eliphuma phakathi kwezidalwa ezine eziphilayo, lisithi: “Ilitha eyodwa yengqoloyi ngodenariyu,* lamalitha amathathu ebhali ngodenariyu; futhi ungoni amafutha om-oliva kanye lewayini.”

7 Yathi ivula uphawu lwesine ngezwa ilizwi lesidalwa sesine esiphilayo lisithi: “Woza!” 8 Ngasengibona ibhiza eliliganu! Owayehlezi phezu kwalo wayebizwa ngokuthi nguKufa futhi iNgcwaba* lalimlandela eduze. Baphiwa amandla phezu kwengxenye yesine yomhlaba, awokuthi babulale ngenkemba ende, langokuswelakala kokudla, langomkhuhlane obulalayo, langezinyamazana zeganga ezisemhlabeni.

9 Yathi ivula uphawu lwesihlanu ngabona ngaphansi kwe alithare kulemiphefumulo* yalabo ababebulewe ngesihluku ngenxa yelizwi likaNkulunkulu langenxa yokufakaza kwabo. 10 Babememeza ngelizwi elikhulu besithi: “Kuzaze kube nini Nkosi Enkulu, engcwele leleqiniso, uyekela ukwahlulela lokuphindisela igazi lethu kulabo abahlala emhlabeni?” 11 Ngamunye wabo waphiwa ijazi elimhlophe, batshelwa ukuthi baphumule kancane lize lenele inani lalabo abayizinceku njengabo futhi abangabafowabo, abasebezabulawa njengabo.

12 Ngasengibona ivula uphawu lwesithupha. Kwaba lokuzamazama komhlaba okukhulu, ilanga laba mnyama njengesembatho samasaka esenziwe ngoboya,* lenyanga egcweleyo yaba njengegazi. 13 Izinkanyezi zezulu zawela emhlabeni angathi yimikhiwa engakavuthwa isiwa esihlahleni somkhiwa esinyikinywa ngumoya olamandla. 14 Izulu lasuswa angathi kugoqwa incwadimgoqwa njalo zonke izintaba lazo zonke izihlenge zasuswa endaweni yazo. 15 Amakhosi omhlaba, leziphathamandla eziphezulu, lezinduna zamabutho, labanothileyo, labalamandla, lezigqili zonke kanye labantu bonke abakhululekileyo bacatsha ezimbalwini lasemadwaleni ezintaba. 16 Baqhubeka besithi ezintabeni lasemadwaleni: “Welani phezu kwethu lisifihle ebusweni baLowo ohlezi esihlalweni sobukhosi kanye laselakeni lweMvana, 17 ngoba usuku olukhulu lolaka lwabo selufikile. Ngubani ongalumela?”

7 Ngemva kwalokho ngabona izingilosi ezine zimi emagumbini amane omhlaba, ziyibambe zayiqinisa imimoya emine yomhlaba ukuze kungabi lomoya ovunguzayo emhlabeni kumbe elwandle lakuloba yisiphi isihlahla. 2 Ngasengibona enye ingilosi ikhwela ivela empumalanga ilophawu lukaNkulunkulu ophilayo. Yamemeza ngelizwi elikhulu ikhuluma lezingilosi ezine ezazivunyelwe ukuthi zilimaze umhlaba lolwandle, 3 isithi: “Lingawulimazi umhlaba loba ulwandle loba izihlahla size sifake uphawu emabunzini ezinceku zikaNkulunkulu wethu.”

4 Ngasengisizwa inani lalabo ababefakwe uphawu. Babeyi-144 000 njalo babevela kuzo zonke izizwana zamadodana ako-Israyeli:

9 Ngemva kwalokho ngabona ixuku elikhulu njalo kakho owayesenelisa ukulibala! Laliphuma kuzo zonke izizwe, lezizwana, labantu kanye lezindimi, futhi lalimi phambi kwesihlalo sobukhosi laphambi kweMvana, ligqoke izembatho ezimhlophe; liphethe izingatsha zelala ezandleni. 10 Ixuku leli liqhubeka limemeza ngelizwi elikhulu lisithi: “Insindiso ivela kuNkulunkulu wethu ohlezi esihlalweni sobukhosi, lakuyo iMvana.”

11 Zonke izingilosi zazimi zigombolozele isihlalo sobukhosi labadala kanye lezidalwa ezine eziphilayo, njalo zawa zathi mbo phansi ngobuso phambi kwesihlalo sobukhosi zakhonza uNkulunkulu, 12 zisithi: “Ameni! Udumo lenkazimulo lokuhlakanipha lokubonga lenhlonipho lamandla lokuqina kakube kuNkulunkulu wethu kuze kube nini lanini. Ameni.”

13 Omunye wabadala wasesithi kimi: “Kanti laba abagqoke izembatho ezimhlophe ngobani njalo bavela ngaphi?” 14 Mina ngahle ngathi kuye: “Nguwe okwaziyo nkosi yami.” Yena wathi kimi: “Laba yibo abaphuma ekuhluphekeni okukhulu njalo sebegezise izembatho zabo egazini leMvana, bazenza zaba mhlophe. 15 Yikho bephambi kwesihlalo sobukhosi sikaNkulunkulu futhi bemenzela inkonzo engcwele ethempelini lakhe emini lebusuku; njalo Lowo ohlezi esihlalweni sobukhosi uzakwendlala itende lakhe phezu kwabo. 16 Ngeke baphinde balambe njalo ngeke baphinde bome, lelanga kalisoze libahangule futhi ukutshisa okuvuthayo kakusoze kubaxathule 17 ngoba iMvana ephakathi* kwesihlalo sobukhosi izabelusa, ibakhokhele ibasa emithonjeni yamanzi okuphila, njalo uNkulunkulu uzazesula zonke izinyembezi emehlweni abo.”

8 IMvana yathi ivula uphawu lwesikhombisa, kwathula kwathi cwaka ezulwini phose okwengxenye yehola. 2 Ngasengibona izingilosi eziyisikhombisa ezima phambi kukaNkulunkulu, futhi zaphiwa amacilongo ayisikhombisa.

3 Enye ingilosi eyayibambe isitsha segolide sokutshisela impepha yafika yama e-alithareni, yaphiwa impepha enengi ukuze inikele ngayo phezu kwe-alithare legolide elaliphambi kwesihlalo sobukhosi, ngesikhathi kulalelwe imithandazo yabo bonke abangcwele. 4 Intuthu yempepha eyayisesandleni sengilosi kanye lemithandazo yabangcwele kwaphakama kwaya phezulu phambi kukaNkulunkulu. 5 Kodwa ingilosi yahle yathatha isitsha sokutshisela impepha yasigcwalisa ngomlilo ovela e-alithareni, yawuphosela emhlabeni. Kwaba lemidumo yezulu, lamazwi, kwaphazima umbane njalo umhlaba wazamazama. 6 Izingilosi eziyisikhombisa ezazilamacilongo ayisikhombisa zalungiselela ukuwatshaya.

7 Eyokuqala yatshaya icilongo layo. Kwaba lesiqhotho lomlilo okuhlangene legazi futhi kwaphoselwa emhlabeni, ingxenye yesithathu yomhlaba yatsha, lengxenye yesithathu yezihlahla yatsha, kwatsha lezilimo zonke eziluhlaza.

8 Ingilosi yesibili yatshaya icilongo layo. Kwaphoselwa elwandle into engathi yintaba enkulu evutha umlilo. Ingxenye yesithathu yolwandle yaba ligazi, 9 ingxenye yesithathu yezidalwa eziphilayo* ezaziselwandle yafa, njalo ingxenye yesithathu yemikhumbi yabhidlika.

10 Ingilosi yesithathu yatshaya icilongo layo. Inkanyezi enkulu eyayibhebha njengesibane yawa ivela ezulwini, yawela engxenyeni yesithathu yemifula lasemithonjeni yamanzi. 11 Ibizo lenkanyezi leyo kuthiwa nguMhlonyane. Ingxenye yesithathu yamanzi yantshintsha yaba ngumhlonyane, futhi amanzi lawo abulala abantu abanengi ngoba ayesebaba gamu.

12 Ingilosi yesine yatshaya icilongo layo. Ingxenye yesithathu yelanga yatshaywa, kwatshaywa lengxenye yesithathu yenyanga kanye lengxenye yesithathu yezinkanyezi, ukuze ingxenye yesithathu yezinto lezi ibe mnyama futhi ingxenye yesithathu yosuku ingabi lokukhanya, kube njalo langobusuku.

13 Ngabona futhi ngezwa ukhozi olwaluphapha emoyeni lumemeza ngelizwi elikhulu lusithi: “Maye, maye, maye kulabo abahlala emhlabeni, ngenxa yokukhala kwamacilongo ezingilosi ezintathu esezizatshaya amacilongo azo!”

9 Ingilosi yesihlanu yatshaya icilongo layo. Ngasengibona inkanyezi eyayivele ezulwini yawela emhlabeni, njalo yaphiwa ikhiye yentuba yomgodi ongelamkhawulo. 2 Yavula intuba yomgodi ongelamkhawulo, kwaphakama intuthu iphuma kuleyontuba, kungathi yintuthu yesithando somlilo esikhulu. Ilanga kanye lomoya kwaba mnyama ngenxa yentuthu eyayiphuma entubeni. 3 Entuthwini le kwaphuma intethe zehlela emhlabeni futhi zaphiwa amandla. Amandla ezawaphiwayo ayenjengawenkume ezisemhlabeni. 4 Intethe lezi zatshelwa ukuthi zingalimazi izilimo ezisemhlabeni lokuthi zingalimazi loba yibuphi utshani obuluhlaza laloba yisiphi isihlahla, kodwa zilimaze kuphela abantu abangelalo uphawu lukaNkulunkulu emabunzini abo.

5 Intethe zavunyelwa ukuthi zibahlukuluze okwenyanga ezinhlanu, hatshi ukuthi zibabulale. Ukuhlukuluza kwazo kwakungathi yikuhlukuluza kwenkume nxa iluma umuntu. 6 Ngensuku lezo abantu bazadinga ukufa kodwa bangakutholi ngitsho, njalo bazafisa ukufa kodwa ukufa kuzababalekela.

7 Intethe lezo zazikhanya angathi ngamabhiza alungiselelwe ukuya empini, futhi emakhanda azo kwakulezinto ezingathi yimiqhele yegolide. Ubuso bazo babunjengobuso bomuntu 8 kodwa inwele zazo zazinjengenwele zabesifazana. Amazinyo azo ayengathi ngawezilwane, 9 njalo zazilezivikelo zesifuba ezingathi ngezensimbi. Umsindo wamaphiko azo wawunjengomsindo wezinqola ezidonswa ngamabhiza zigijimela empini. 10 Kanti njalo zilemisila elodonsi njengenkume. Emisileni yazo zilamandla okulimaza abantu okwenyanga ezinhlanu. 11 Zikhokhelwa yinkosi eyingilosi yomgodi ongelamkhawulo. NgesiHebheru ibizo layo ngu-Abhadoni,* kodwa ngesiGrikhi ibizwa ngokuthi ngu-Apholiyoni.*

12 Umaye oyedwa usedlulile. Khangela! Kuza abanye omaye ababili ngemva kwezinto lezi.

13 Ingilosi yesithupha yatshaya icilongo layo. Ngasengisizwa ilizwi elilodwa liphuma empondweni ze-alithare legolide eliphambi kukaNkulunkulu, 14 lisithi engilosini yesithupha eyayilecilongo: “Khulula izingilosi ezine ezibotshiweyo emfuleni omkhulu uYufrathe.” 15 Izingilosi ezine ezazilungiselelwe ihola, losuku, lenyanga kanye lomnyaka zakhululwa-ke ukuze zibulale ingxenye yesithathu yabantu.

16 Inani lamabutho ayegade amabhiza laliyizinkulungwane ezingamatshumi amabili eziphindwe ngezinkulungwane ezilitshumi.* Ngalizwa inani lawo. 17 Amabhiza engawabona embonweni kanye lababewagadile kwakunje: Ababewagadile babelezivikelo zesifuba ezilombala obomvu okomlilo loluhlaza okwesibhakabhaka kanye lolithanga njengesalufa. Amakhanda amabhiza la ayenjengamakhanda ezilwane futhi emilonyeni yawo kwakuphuma umlilo ­lentuthu kanye lesalufa. 18 Ingxenye yesithathu yabantu yabulawa zinhlupho lezi ezintathu: umlilo, lentuthu kanye lesalufa okwakuphuma emilonyeni yamabhiza. 19 Phela amandla amabhiza la asemilonyeni yawo lasemisileni yawo ngoba imisila yawo injengenyoka futhi ilamakhanda. Imisila le yiyo alimaza ngayo.

20 Kodwa bonke abanye abangazange babulawe zinhlupho lezi kabazange baphenduke batshiye imisebenzi yezandla zabo. Kabayekelanga ukukhonza amadimoni, lezithombe zegolide, lezesiliva, lezekhopha,* lezamatshe kanye lezezigodo, ezingenelisiyo ukubona lokuzwa kanye lokuhamba, 21 njalo kabazange baphenduke batshiye izenzo zabo zokubulala lokusebenzelana lemimoya, lokuziphatha okubi kwezemacansini* kanye lobusela babo.

10 Ngasengibona enye ingilosi elamandla isehla ivela ezulwini yembethe iyezi* njalo ekhanda layo kwakulomchilowamakhosikazi. Ubuso bayo babunjengelanga lenyawo zayo zazinjengezinsika zomlilo 2 futhi esandleni sayo yayilencwadimgoqwa encane eyayivuliwe. Yabeka unyawo lwayo lwesokudla elwandle kodwa olwenxele yalubeka emhlabathini, 3 yasimemeza ngelizwi elikhulu kwangathi yisilwane esibhongayo. Yathi imemeza, ngezwa amazwi emidumo yezulu eyisikhombisa.

4 Imidumo yezulu eyisikhombisa yasikhuluma, ngasengithi kahle ngibhale kodwa ngezwa ilizwi livela ezulwini lisithi: “Vala ngophawu izinto ezikhulunywe yimidumo yezulu eyisikhombisa njalo ungazibhali.” 5 Ingilosi engayibona imi elwandle lasemhlabathini yaphakamisela ezulwini isandla sayo sokudla, 6 yafunga ngaLowo ophila kuze kube nini lanini owadala izulu lezinto ezikulo, lomhlaba lezinto ezikuwo, kanye lolwandle lezinto ezikulo, yathi: “Kakusoze kube kusaphuza.7 Kodwa ngensuku lapho ingilosi yesikhombisa eyabe isizatshaya khona icilongo layo, imfihlo engcwele yezindaba ezinhle uNkulunkulu ayezitshela izinceku zakhe ezingabaphrofethi izagcwaliseka loba sekutheni.”

8 Ngasengisizwa ilizwi elivela ezulwini likhuluma lami futhi, lisithi: “Hamba uyethatha incwadimgoqwa evuliweyo esesandleni sengilosi emi elwandle lasemhlabathini.” 9 Ngaya engilosini ngayitshela ukuthi ingiphe leyoncwadimgoqwa encane. Yathi kimi: “Yithathe uyidle, izakwenza isisu sakho sibe buhlungu* kodwa emlonyeni wakho izabe imnandi njengoluju.” 10 Ngayithatha incwadimgoqwa encane eyayisesandleni sengilosi, ngayidla. Emlonyeni wami yayimnandi njengoluju kodwa ngathi sengiyidlile, isisu sami saba buhlungu.* 11 Basebesithi kimi: “Kumele uphinde uphrofethe ngabantu, langezizwe, langezindimi, langamakhosi amanengi.”

11 Ngaphiwa umhlanga owawunjengomqwayi,* kwasekuthiwa kimi: “Sukuma ulinganise indawo engcwele yethempeli likaNkulunkulu, le-alithare kanye lalabo abakhonza kuyo. 2 Kodwa tshiya iguma eliphandle kwendawo engcwele yethempeli, ungalilinganisi ngoba seliphiwe abezizweni futhi bazanyathenyathela idolobho elingcwele ngenyawo zabo okwenyanga ezingu-42. 3 Ngizakwenza ukuthi ofakazi bami ababili baphrofethe okwamalanga angu-1 260 begqoke izembatho zamasaka.” 4 Laba bayizihlahla zama-oliva ezimbili njalo bayizinti zezibane ezimbili, futhi bami phambi kweNkosi yomhlaba.

5 Nxa ekhona ofuna ukubalimaza, kuyaphuma umlilo emilonyeni yabo utshabalalise izitha zabo. Nxa ekhona ongafuna ukubalimaza, le yiyo indlela okumele abulawe ngayo. 6 Laba balamandla okuvala isibhakabhaka ukuze kungabi lezulu elinayo ngensuku zokuphrofetha kwabo njalo balamandla phezu kwamanzi, okuwantshintsha abe ligazi, futhi balamandla okutshaya umhlaba ngayo yonke imihlobo yezinhlupho, bekwenza kanengi ngokuthanda kwabo.

7 Bazakuthi sebeqedile ukufakaza, isilo esiphuma emgodini ongelamkhawulo sizakulwa labo, sibanqobe njalo sibabulale. 8 Izidumbu zabo zizakuba semgwaqweni omkhulu wedolobho elikhulu elifanekiselwa yiSodoma leGibhithe, lapho iNkosi yabo eyabulawelwa khona ngokubethelwa esigodweni. 9 Abantu abavela kuyo yonke imihlobo, lezizwana, lezindimi lezizwe bazakhangela izidumbu zabo okwamalanga amathathu lengxenye njalo kabasoze bavume ukuthi izidumbu zabo zibekwe ethuneni. 10 Abahlala emhlabeni bayathokoza ngokufa kwabo, bakholise, njalo bazathumelana izipho ngoba abaphrofethi laba ababili babehlukuluza labo abahlala emhlabeni.

11 Ngemva kwamalanga amathathu lengxenye, umoya wokuphila ovela kuNkulunkulu wangena kubo, basebesukuma bama ngenyawo zabo, futhi abababonayo besaba kakhulu. 12 Basebesizwa ilizwi elikhulu livela ezulwini lisithi kubo: “Wozani ngapha phezulu.” Lakanye baphakama ngeyezi baya ezulwini, njalo izitha zabo zababona.* 13 Ngalelohola kwaba lokuzamazama komhlaba okukhulu futhi ingxenye yetshumi yedolobho yatshabalala. Ukuzamazama komhlaba lokhu kwabulala abantu abangu-7 000 futhi ababesele besaba, bakhazimulisa uNkulunkulu wasezulwini.

14 Umaye wesibili usedlulile. Khangela! Umaye wesithathu uyeza masinyane.

15 Ingilosi yesikhombisa yatshaya icilongo layo, kwasekuzwakala amazwi amakhulu ezulwini esithi: “Umbuso womhlaba usube nguMbuso weNkosi yethu loKhristu wayo, njalo izabusa, ibe yinkosi kuze kube nini lanini.”

16 Abadala abangu-24 ababehlezi phambi kukaNkulunkulu ezihlalweni zabo zobukhosi bawa bathi mbo phansi ngobuso bakhonza uNkulunkulu 17 besithi: “Siyakubonga Jehova Nkulunkulu Somandla, wena okhona lowayekhona, ngoba usuthethe amandla akho amakhulu waqalisa ukubusa uyinkosi. 18 Kodwa izizwe zaba lolaka, lolaka lwakho lwafika futhi safika isikhathi esibekiweyo esokuthi abafileyo bahlulelwe kanye lesokupha izinceku zakho umvuzo, lezo ezingabaphrofethi kanye labangcwele lalabo abesaba ibizo lakho, abancane labakhulu, kanye lesokubhubhisa ababhubhisa* umhlaba.”

19 Indawo engcwele yethempeli likaNkulunkulu elisezulwini yavulwa, futhi ibhokisi lesivumelwano sakhe labonakala endaweni engcwele yethempeli lakhe. Kwaphazima umbane, kwaba lamazwi lomdumo wezulu kanye lokuzamazama komhlaba lesiqhotho esikhulu.

12 Kwasekubonakala isibonakaliso esikhulu ezulwini: Owesifazana wayecece ngelanga,* ngaphansi kwenyawo zakhe kulenyanga futhi ekhanda lakhe kulomqhele wezinkanyezi ezilitshumi lambili. 2 Wayezithwele njalo wayekhala esebuhlungwini, ephakathi kwemihelo yokubeletha.

3 Kwabonakala lesinye isibonakaliso ezulwini, esomgobho obomvu gebhu, olamakhanda ayisikhombisa lempondo ezilitshumi kanye lemiqhele eyisikhombisa emakhanda awo. 4 Umsila wawo wadonsa ingxenye yesithathu yezinkanyezi zasezulwini, waziphosela emhlabeni. Umgobho waqhubeka umi phambi kowesifazana owayesezabeletha ukuze kuthi nxa engabeletha, uginye umntanakhe.

5 Wasebeletha indodana, umntwana wesilisa ozakwelusa zonke izizwe ngentonga yensimbi. Umntanakhe wahluthunwa wayiswa kuNkulunkulu lasesihlalweni sakhe sobukhosi. 6 Owesifazana wabaleka waya enkangala endaweni yakhe ayilungiselwe nguNkulunkulu, lapho abazamnika khona ukudla okwamalanga angu-1 260.

7 Kwavuka impi ezulwini: UMikhayeli* lezingilosi zakhe balwa lomgobho, lomgobho lezingilosi zawo balwa labo 8 kodwa kabazange banqobe,* lendawo yabo kayizange iqhubeke ikhona ezulwini. 9 Ngakho waphoselwa phansi umgobho, inyoka yokuqala ebizwa ngokuthi nguDeveli langokuthi nguSathane, odukisa umhlaba wonke. Waphoselwa phansi emhlabeni, lezingilosi zakhe zaphoselwa phansi kanye laye. 10 Ngezwa ilizwi elikhulu ezulwini lisithi:

“Khathesi isikhona insindiso, lamandla, loMbuso kaNkulunkulu wethu kanye lamandla kaKhristu wakhe, ngoba ummangaleli wabafowethu usephoselwe phansi, lowo obamangalela emini lebusuku phambi kukaNkulunkulu wethu! 11 Bamnqoba ngenxa yegazi leMvana langenxa yelizwi ababelifakaza, futhi kabazange bayithande imiphefumulo yabo,* ngitsho lalapho sebekhangelene lokufa. 12 Ngenxa yalokho, thokozani mazulu lani elihlala kuwo! Maye ngomhlaba langolwandle ngoba uDeveli wehlele kini ethukuthele kakhulu, esazi ukuthi ulesikhathi esifitshane.”

13 Kwathi umgobho ubona ukuthi wawusuphoselwe phansi emhlabeni, wahlukuluza owesifazana owayezele umntwana wesilisa. 14 Kodwa owesifazana waphiwa impiko ezimbili zokhozi olukhulu ukuze aphaphe aye enkangala endaweni yakhe, lapho azaphiwa khona ukudla okwesikhathi, lezikhathi, lengxenye yesikhathi,* ekhatshana lenyoka.

15 Inyoka yakhafula ngomlomo wayo amanzi angathi ngumfula ngemva kowesifazana, ukuze imgalulise kulowomfula. 16 Kodwa umhlaba wamnceda owesifazana. Umhlaba wavula umlomo wawo waginya umfula owawukhafulwe ngumgobho ngomlomo wawo. 17 Ngakho umgobho wamzondela kakhulu owesifazana, wasusiyakulwa labaseleyo benzalo* yakhe, labo abalalela imilayo kaNkulunkulu njalo abalomsebenzi wokufakaza ngoJesu.

13 Wasusima* mpo etshebetshebeni yolwandle.

Ngabona isilo siphuma elwandle, silempondo ezilitshumi lamakhanda ayisikhombisa njalo empondweni zaso kwakulemiqhele elitshumi kodwa emakhanda aso kulamabizo ayinhlamba. 2 Isilo engasibonayo sasinjengengwe kodwa inyawo zaso zazinjengezebhere njalo umlomo waso wawunjengomlomo wesilwane. Umgobho wapha isilo lesi amandla awo lesihlalo sawo sobukhosi kanye lelungelo elikhulu.

3 Ngabona ukuthi elinye lamakhanda aso lalikhanya lilenxeba elibulalayo, kodwa inxeba laso elibulalayo laselisilisiwe futhi umhlaba wonke wasilandela isilo usibuka. 4 Abantu babekhonza umgobho ngoba wawuphe isilo amandla, njalo babekhonza isilo besithi: “Ngubani onjengesilo futhi ngubani ongalwisana laso?” 5 Isilo saphiwa umlomo owawukhuluma izinto ezinkulu kanye lenhlamba, saphiwa lamandla okwenza esikufunayo okwenyanga ezingu-42. 6 Sasesivula umlomo waso sithuka uNkulunkulu, sithuka ibizo lakhe kanye lendawo ahlala kuyo, ngitsho lalabo abahlala ezulwini. 7 Savunyelwa ukuthi silwe labangcwele sibanqobe, njalo saphiwa amandla phezu kwazo zonke izizwana, labantu, lezindimi, lezizwe. 8 Bonke abahlala emhlabeni bazasikhonza isilo. Kusukela ekusungulweni komhlaba, alikho lelilodwa ibizo labo eselibhaliwe encwadinimgoqwa yokuphila yeMvana eyabulawayo.

9 Loba ngubani olendlebe kezwe. 10 Loba ngubani okumele athunjwe uzakuya ekuthunjweni. Loba ngubani ozabulala* ngenkemba kumele abulawe ngenkemba. Lapha yikho okufuneka khona ukuthi abangcwele baqinisele futhi babe lokholo.

11 Ngasengibona esinye isilo siphuma emhlabeni njalo sasilempondo ezimbili ezinjengezemvana, kodwa saqalisa ukukhuluma njengomgobho. 12 Sona sisebenzisa wonke amandla esilo sokuqala futhi lokhu sikwenza phambi kwaso, njalo senza ukuthi umhlaba lalabo abahlala kuwo bakhonze isilo sokuqala esasilenxeba elibulalayo elasiliswayo. 13 Senza lezibonakaliso ezinkulu, size senze lokuthi umlilo wehle uvela ezulwini usiza emhlabeni abantu bekhangele.

14 Sidukisa abahlala emhlabeni, ngenxa yezibonakaliso esavunyelwa ukuthi sizenze phambi kwesilo, ngapha sitshela abahlala emhlabeni ukuthi benze isithombe sesilo esasilinyazwe ngenkemba saphinda sasila. 15 Savunyelwa ukuthi siphe isithombe sesilo umoya wokuphefumula ukuze isithombe sesilo sikhulume njalo sibulalise bonke abala ukukhonza isithombe sesilo.

16 Sibabamba ngenkani bonke abantu, abancane labakhulu, abanothileyo labayanga, abakhululekileyo lezigqili, ukuze babekwe uphawu esandleni sabo sokudla kumbe emabunzini abo, 17 njalo kungabi lomuntu ongathenga kumbe ongathengisa ngaphandle kwalowo olophawu, olulibizo lesilo kumbe inombolo yebizo laso. 18 Lapha yikho okufuneka khona ukuhlakanipha: Olokuqedisisa kabale inombolo yesilo ngoba yinombolo yabantu, futhi inombolo yakhona ngu-666.

14 Ngakhangela ngasengibona iMvana imi phezu kweNtaba iZiyoni ilabangu-144 000, bebhalwe ibizo layo lebizo likaYise emabunzini abo. 2 Ngezwa umdumo uvela ezulwini, ungathi ngumdumo wamanzi amanengi futhi ungathi yikukhwaza komdumo wezulu omkhulu. Umdumo engawuzwayo wawunjengowabahlabeleli abahlabela betshaya amahabhu abo. 3 Bahlabela okuzwakala angathi yingoma entsha bephambi kwesihlalo sobukhosi laphambi kwezidalwa ezine eziphilayo kanye labadala, njalo kakho owayesenelisa ukuyifunda ingoma leyo ngaphandle kwabangu-144 000 abathengwe emhlabeni. 4 Laba yibo abangazange bazingcolise ngabesifazana, bamsulwa.* Laba yibo abaqhubeka belandela iMvana kungelani lokuthi iyangaphi. Bathengwa ebantwini baba yizithelo zokuqala kuNkulunkulu lakuyo iMvana, 5 futhi ubuqili kabutholakalanga emilonyeni yabo; kabalasici.

6 Ngasengibona enye ingilosi iphapha emoyeni, ilezindaba ezinhle zaphakade ukuze izimemezele kulabo abahlala emhlabeni, kuzo zonke izizwe, lezizwana, lezindimi kanye labantu. 7 Yayimemeza isithi: “Mesabeni uNkulunkulu limnike inkazimulo ngoba ihola lokuthi ahlulele selifikile, yikho khonzani Lowo owenza izulu, lomhlaba, lolwandle kanye lemithombo yamanzi.”

8 Enye ingilosi eyayingeyesibili yalandela isithi: “Isiwile! IBhabhiloni Enkulu isiwile, leyo eyayisenza ukuthi izizwe zonke zinathe iwayini lenkanuko* yokuziphatha kwayo okubi kwezemacansini!”*

9 Enye ingilosi eyayingeyesithathu yazilandela imemeza isithi: “Loba ngubani okhonza isilo lesithombe saso futhi abekwe uphawu ebunzini lakhe kumbe esandleni sakhe, 10 uzanatha lewayini lentukuthelo kaNkulunkulu elithululelwa enkomitshini yolaka lwakhe lingahlanganiswanga lalutho,* njalo uzahlukuluzwa ngomlilo langesalufa phambi kwezingilosi ezingcwele laphambi kweMvana. 11 Intuthu yokuhlukuluzwa kwabo iyaphakama kuze kube nini lanini futhi kakukho ukuphumula emini lebusuku kulabo abakhonza isilo lesithombe saso lakuloba ngubani owemukela uphawu lwebizo laso. 12 Lapha yikho okufuneka khona ukuthi abangcwele baqinisele, labo abagcina imilayo kaNkulunkulu lababambelela ekukholweni kukaJesu.”*

13 Ngezwa ilizwi livela ezulwini lisithi, “Bhala uthi: Bayathokoza abafileyo, abafa bemanyene leNkosi kusukela kulesisikhathi kusiya phambili. Umoya uthi ye, bayekele baphumule emisebenzini yabo ngoba izinto ababezenza zihamba labo.”

14 Ngakhangela ngabona nanti iyezi elimhlophe! Phezu kweyezi lelo kwakulomuntu owayenjengendodana yomuntu, elomqhele wegolide ekhanda lakhe lesikela ebukhali esandleni sakhe.

15 Enye ingilosi yaphuma endaweni engcwele yethempeli imemeza ngelizwi elikhulu, isithi kulowo owayehlezi phezu kweyezi: “Sebenzisa isikela yakho uvune ngoba ihola lokuthi kuvunwe selifikile; isivuno somhlaba sesivuthwe ngokugcweleyo.” 16 Owayehlezi phezu kweyezi welulela isikela yakhe emhlabeni, umhlaba wasuvunwa.

17 Kwaphuma lenye ingilosi endaweni engcwele yethempeli elisezulwini njalo layo yayilesikela ebukhali.

18 Kwaphinda kwaphuma enye ingilosi e-alithareni. Yayilamandla phezu komlilo futhi yamemeza ngelizwi elikhulu, ikhuluma laleyo eyayilesikela ebukhali isithi: “Sebenzisa isikela yakho ebukhali, ubuthe izixha zamagilebisi esivini somhlaba ngoba amagilebisi aso asevuthiwe.” 19 Ingilosi yelulela isikela emhlabeni yabutha isivini somhlaba, yasiphosela esikhamelweni sewayini* esikhulu sentukuthelo kaNkulunkulu. 20 Isikhamelo sewayini* sanyathenyathelwa ngaphandle kwedolobho njalo igazi laphuma phandle kwesikhamelo sewayini,* laphakama laze lafika ematomini amabhiza, okomango ongamastadiya angu-1 600.*

15 Ngasengibona esinye isibonakaliso ezulwini, esikhulu njalo esimangalisayo. Kwakulezingilosi eziyisikhombisa, zilenhlupho eziyisikhombisa. Lezi ngezokucina ngoba intukuthelo kaNkulunkulu iyapheleliswa ngazo.

2 Ngabona lokunye okwakunjengolwandle lwengilazi olwaluhlanganiswe lomlilo, njalo labo abanqoba isilo lesithombe saso kanye lenombolo yebizo laso babemi eceleni kwengilazi yolwandle, bethwele amahabhu kaNkulunkulu. 3 Babehlabela ingoma kaMosi inceku kaNkulunkulu lengoma yeMvana, besithi:

“Mikhulu futhi iyamangalisa imisebenzi yakho, Jehova Nkulunkulu Somandla. Zilungile njalo ziliqiniso izindlela zakho, Nkosi yaphakade. 4 Ngubani sibili ongeke akwesabe Jehova futhi akhazimulise ibizo lakho, njengoba kunguwe wedwa oqotho? Phela zonke izizwe zizabuya zizokhonza phambi kwakho ngoba izahlulelo zakho ezilungileyo seziveziwe.”

5 Ngemva kwalokho ngabona indawo engcwele yetende lobufakazi ivulwa ezulwini. 6 Izingilosi eziyisikhombisa ezazilenhlupho eziyisikhombisa zaphuma endaweni engcwele zigqoke ilineni elihlanzekileyo futhi elikhazimulayo, zibophe lamabhanti egolide ezifubeni zazo. 7 Esinye sezidalwa ezine eziphilayo sanika izingilosi eziyisikhombisa imiganu yegolide eyisikhombisa eyayigcwele intukuthelo kaNkulunkulu ophila kuze kube nini lanini. 8 Indawo engcwele yagcwala intuthu ngenxa yenkazimulo kaNkulunkulu langenxa yamandla akhe, njalo kakho owenelisa ukungena endaweni engcwele kwaze kwaphela inhlupho eziyisikhombisa zezingilosi eziyisikhombisa.

16 Ngasengisizwa ilizwi elikhulu liphuma endaweni engcwele lisithi ezingilosini eziyisikhombisa: “Hambani liyethululela emhlabeni imiganu eyisikhombisa yentukuthelo kaNkulunkulu.”

2 Eyokuqala yahamba yayathululela umganu wayo emhlabeni, abantu ababelophawu lwesilo njalo ababekhonza isithombe saso basebehlaselwa yisilonda esiyingozi futhi esesabekayo.

3 Eyesibili yathululela umganu wayo elwandle, lwaselusiba ligazi elinjengelomuntu ofileyo futhi zonke izidalwa eziphilayo zafa,* zonke nje izinto ezaziselwandle.

4 Eyesithathu yathululela umganu wayo emifuleni lasemithonjeni yamanzi, konke kwaba ligazi. 5 Ngasengisizwa ingilosi elamandla phezu kwamanzi isithi: “Wena okhona lowayekhona njalo oqotho, ulungile njengoba usukhiphe izahlulelo lezi, 6 ngoba bathulula igazi labangcwele lelabaphrofethi. Usubaphe igazi ukuze balinathe futhi lokhu kubafanele.”7 Ngasengisizwa i-alithare lisithi: “Jehova Nkulunkulu Somandla, izahlulelo zakho ziliqiniso njalo zilungile sibili.”

8 Eyesine yathululela umganu wayo elangeni, ilanga laselivunyelwa ukuthi lihangule abantu ngomlilo. 9 Lanxa abantu bahangulwa yikutshisa okukhulu, bathuka ibizo likaNkulunkulu olamandla phezu kwenhlupho lezi. Kabazange baphenduke njalo kabamuphanga inkazimulo.

10 Eyesihlanu yathululela umganu wayo esihlalweni sobukhosi sesilo, umbuso waso wasusiba mnyama. Ngamunye wabo waqalisa ukuxhanxatha ulimi lwakhe ngenxa yobuhlungu ababebuzwa. 11 Lanxa kunjalo, bathuka uNkulunkulu wasezulwini ngenxa yobuhlungu ababebuzwa kanye lezilonda zabo futhi kabazange baphenduke ezenzweni zabo.

12 Eyesithupha yathululela umganu wayo emfuleni omkhulu uYufrathe, amanzi awo atsha ukuze kulungiswe indlela yamakhosi avela empumalanga.*

13 Ngasengibona amazwi amathathu aphefumulelweyo ayengahlanzekanga* futhi ayekhanya angathi ngamaxoxo ephuma emlonyeni womgobho lasemlonyeni wesilo kanye lasemlonyeni womphrofethi wamanga. 14 Amazwi la aphefumulelwe ngamadimoni njalo enza izibonakaliso futhi aya emakhosini omhlaba wonke ukuze awaqoqele ndawonye empini yosuku olukhulu lukaNkulunkulu uSomandla.

15 “Khangela! Ngiza njengesela. Uyathokoza lowo ohlala ephapheme futhi oqhubeka egqoke izembatho zakhe zangaphandle ukuze angahambi nqunu njalo abantu bangaliboni ihlazo lakhe.”

16 Basebewaqoqela ndawonye endaweni ebizwa ngokuthi yi-­Amagedoni* ngesiHebheru.

17 Eyesikhombisa yathululela umganu wayo emoyeni. Kwasekuphuma ilizwi elikhulu endaweni engcwele livela esihlalweni sobukhosi lisithi: “Sekwenzakele!” 18 Kwasekuphazima umbane, kwaba lamazwi lemidumo yezulu njalo kwaba lokuzamazama komhlaba okukhulu okwakungakaze kube khona selokhu abantu baba khona emhlabeni. Ukuzamazama lokhu kwakulamandla futhi kukukhulu kakhulu. 19 Idolobho elikhulu lehlukana laba zingxenye ezintathu njalo amadolobho ezizwe adilika. UNkulunkulu wayikhumbula iBhabhiloni Enkulu ukuze ayiphe inkomitsho yewayini yokulavuka kolaka lwakhe. 20 Izihlenge zonke zabaleka, futhi izintaba kazitholakalanga. 21 Amatshe amakhulu esiqhotho asewela abantu evela ezulwini, ngalinye lilesisindo esasingaba lithalenta.* Abantu bathuka uNkulunkulu ngenxa yohlupho lwesiqhotho ngoba uhlupho lolu lwalulukhulu okungajayelekanga.

17 Enye yezingilosi eziyisikhombisa ezazilemiganu eyisikhombisa yafika yathi kimi: “Woza ngikutshengise ukwahlulelwa kwesifebe esikhulu esihlezi phezu kwamanzi amanengi, 2 leso esaziphatha kubi kwezemacansini* lamakhosi omhlaba njalo esasidakisa abahlala emhlabeni ngewayini lokuziphatha kwaso okubi kwezemacansini.”*

3 Yasingithwala ngamandla omoya yangisa enkangala. Ngabona owesifazana ehlezi phezu kwesilo esibomvu gebhu, esasigcwele amabizo enhlamba futhi esasilamakhanda ayisikhombisa lempondo ezilitshumi. 4 Owesifazana lo wayegqoke okulombala oyibubende* lokubomvu gebhu njalo wayecece ngegolide, langamatshe aligugu kanye lamaphareli. Esandleni sakhe wayelenkomitsho yegolide eyayigcwele izinto ezenyanyekayo lezinto ezingcolileyo zokuziphatha kwakhe kubi kwezemacansini.* 5 Ebunzini lakhe kwakubhalwe ibizo eliyimfihlo elithi: “IBhabhiloni Enkulu, unina wezifebe lowezinto ezenyanyekayo zomhlaba.” 6 Ngasengibona ukuthi owesifazana lo wayedakwe ligazi labangcwele kanye legazi labofakazi bakaJesu.

Ngathi ngimbona ngamangala kakhulu. 7 Ngakho ingilosi yathi kimi: “Kungani umangele? Ngizakutshela imfihlo emayelana lowesifazana lesilo esimthweleyo, esilamakhanda ayisikhombisa lempondo ezilitshumi: 8 Isilo osibonileyo sasikhona kodwa kasisekho njalo sesizaphuma emgodini ongelamkhawulo siye ekubhujisweni. Abahlala emhlabeni, abalamabizo angabhalwanga encwadinimgoqwa yokuphila kusukela ekusungulweni komhlaba, bazamangala bebona ukuthi isilo sasikhona njalo kasisekho, kodwa sizaphinda sibe khona.

9 “Lapha yikho okufunakala khona ingqondo elokuhlakanipha: Amakhanda ayisikhombisa atsho izintaba eziyisikhombisa, lapho owesifazana ahlezi khona. 10 Kulamakhosi ayisikhombisa: Amahlanu asewile, eyodwa ikhona njalo enye kayikafiki; kodwa nxa ingafika, kumele iqhubeke ikhona okwesikhatshana. 11 Isilo esasikhona kodwa esingasekho siphinda sibe yinkosi yesitshiyagalombili kodwa evela emakhosini ayisikhombisa, njalo siya ekubhujisweni.

12 “Impondo ezilitshumi ozibonileyo zitsho amakhosi alitshumi angakatholi umbuso, kodwa athola amandla okuba ngamakhosi kanye lesilo okwehola elilodwa. 13 Zilomcabango munye, yikho zinika isilo amandla azo kanye lelungelo lokubusa. 14 Zizakulwa leMvana kodwa iMvana izanqoba ngoba yona iyiNkosi yamakhosi loMbusi wababusi, futhi labo abaleMvana, ababiziweyo labakhethiweyo njalo abathembekileyo, labo ­bazanqoba.”

15 Yathi kimi: “Amanzi owabonileyo, lapho okuhlezi khona isifebe, atsho abantu, lamaxuku, lezizwe kanye lezindimi. 16 Impondo ezilitshumi ozibonileyo kanye lesilo, zizasizonda isifebe, zisiphundle konke esilakho futhi zisinqunule. Zizakudla inyama yaso, zisitshise ngomlilo size siphele du, 17 ngoba uNkulunkulu ukufake ezinhliziyweni zazo ukuthi zenze umcabango wakhe. Zizawenza sibili umcabango munye ezilawo ngokunika isilo umbuso wazo, kuze kube yilapho sekugcwaliseke amazwi kaNkulunkulu. 18 Owesifazana ombonileyo umela idolobho elikhulu elilombuso ophezu kwamakhosi omhlaba.”

18 Ngemva kwalokho ngabona enye ingilosi eyayilamandla amakhulu isehla ivela ezulwini, futhi umhlaba wakhanyiswa yinkazimulo yayo. 2 Yamemeza ngelizwi elikhulu isithi: “Isiwile! IBhabhiloni Enkulu isiwile, njalo isibe yindawo yokuhlala yamadimoni lendawo lapho okucatsha khona yonke imimoya engcolileyo* lazo zonke izinyoni ezingcolileyo lezizondwayo! 3 Phela izizwe zonke sezidakiwe ngenxa yewayini lenkanuko* yokuziphatha kwayo kubi kwezemacansini,* futhi isiziphathe kubi kwezemacansini lamakhosi omhlaba njalo abathengisi* bomhlaba sebenothile ngenxa yamandla enotho yayo eyihuquluza ingelanhloni.”

4 Ngasengisizwa elinye ilizwi livela ezulwini lisithi: “Phumani kuyo bantu bami nxa lingafuni ukuhlanganyela layo ezonweni zayo futhi lingafuni ukwamukela ezinye zezinhlupho zayo, 5 ngoba izono zayo sezibe yinqwaba zaze zafika ezulwini njalo uNkulunkulu usezikhumbulile izenzo zayo ezingalunganga.* 6 Yiphatheni ngendlela ebiphatha ngayo abanye, liyibuyisele seziphindwe kabili izinto ezenzileyo; enkomitshini ebihlanganisela khona okunathwayo, yihlanganiseleni sekuphindwe kabili. 7 Yihlukuluzeni futhi liyenze ilile kuze kufike ebangeni ebizikhazimulisa ngayo ilenotho enengi futhi ingelanhloni ngakho, ngoba iqhubeka isithi enhliziyweni yayo: ‘Ngihlezi sandlovukazi, kangisimfelokazi njalo kangisoze ngilile loba sekutheni.’ 8 Yikho okuzakwenza ukuthi yehlelwe zinhlupho ngelanga elilodwa, ukufa lokulila kanye lendlala, futhi izatshiswa ngomlilo iphele du, ngoba uJehova uNkulunkulu oyahluleleyo ulamandla.

9 “Amakhosi omhlaba ayekade eziphatha kubi kwezemacansini* efeba layo njalo ephila ngenotho yayo eyayiyihuquluza ingelanhloni, azakhala futhi azazitshaya ezifubeni eyililela lapho ebona intuthu yokutsha kwayo. 10 Azamela khatshana ngoba esesaba ukuhlukuluzwa kwayo, athi: ‘Maye, maye, wena dolobho elikhulu, Bhabhiloni, wena dolobho eliqinileyo, ngoba ukwahlulelwa kwakho kufike ngehola elilodwa nje!’

11 “Labathengisi bomhlaba bayakhala, bayayililela ngoba zonke impahla abazithengisayo sezizaswela ongazithenga, 12 lalo lonke igolide, lesiliva, lamatshe aligugu, lamaphareli, lelineni yohlonzi, lelembu elibubende,* lelembu lesilikhi, lelembu elibomvu gebhu kanye lakho konke okwenziwe ngogodo olunukelelayo; lazo zonke izinto ezenziwe ngophondo lwendlovu, langezigodo ezidulayo, langekhopha,* langensimbi, langamatshe amibalabala, 13 lesinamoni, lezilimo ezilephunga elimnandi ezivela e-Indiya, lempepha, lamafutha anukelelayo, lempepha emhlophe, lewayini, lamafutha om-oliva, lefulawa ecolekileyo, lengqoloyi, lenkomo, lezimvu, lamabhiza, lezinqola, lezigqili kanye lempilo zabantu.* 14 Zonke izithelo ezivuthiweyo owawuzifisa* sezikutshiyile njalo zonke izibiliboco lezinto zakho ezinhle kakhulu sezinyamalele futhi ngeke ziphinde zitholakale.

15 “Abathengisi ababethengisa izinto lezi, abanotha ngenxa yayo, bazamela khatshana besesaba ukuhlukuluzwa kwayo futhi bazakhala balile 16 besithi: ‘Maye, maye kulo idolobho elikhulu eligqoke ilineni yohlonzi lokububende* kanye lokubomvu gebhu, elicece ngezinto ezinengi ezidulayo ezegolide langamatshe aligugu lamaphareli, 17 ngoba ngehola elilodwa nje inotho enengi kangaka isitshabalalisiwe!’

“Zonke izinduna zemikhumbi lalabo abahlala behamba elwandle, labagwedli bemikhumbi kanye labo bonke abaphila ngokusebenza elwandle bamela khatshana, 18 bamemeza bekhangele intuthu yokutsha kwalo, bathi: ‘Kambe yiliphi idolobho elinjengedolobho leli elikhulu?’ 19 Bazithela ngothuli emakhanda abo bamemeza bekhala futhi belila besithi: ‘Maye, maye kulo idolobho elikhulu elanothisa bonke ababelemikhumbi elwandle ngenotho yalo, ngoba ngehola elilodwa nje selitshabalalisiwe!’

20 “Thokozani ngalokho okuyehleleyo lina elisezulwini, lani abangcwele, labaphostoli kanye labaphrofethi, ngoba uNkulunkulu uyahlulele ngenxa yenu!”

21 Ingilosi elamandla yaphakamisa ilitshe elinjengelitshe lokuchola elikhulu, yaliphosela elwandle isithi: “Ledolobho elikhulu laseBhabhiloni lizaphoselwa phansi masinyane, njalo kalisoze liphinde litholakale. 22 Kawusoze uphinde uzwakale kuwe futhi umsindo wabahlabeleli abahlabela betshaya amahabhu, lowabanye abahlabeleli, lowabatshaya imiqangala* kanye lamacilongo. Akusoze kutholakale kuwe ingcitshi yomsebenzi eyenza loba yini futhi akusoze kuphinde kuzwakale umsindo welitshe lokuchola. 23 Kasikho isibane esizaphinda sikhanyise kuwe, njalo kalikho ilizwi lomyeni lelomlobokazi elizazwakala kuwe futhi, ngoba abathengisi bakho yibo ababeyizikhulu zomhlaba, njalo zonke izizwe zadukiswa yizenzo zakho zokusebenzelana lemimoya. 24 Kwatholakala kulo igazi labaphrofethi lelabangcwele, lelabo bonke ababuleweyo emhlabeni.”

19 Ngemva kwalokho ngezwa okwakungathi lilizwi elikhulu elalivela exukwini elikhulu elisezulwini. Lathi: “Dumisani uJah!* Insindiso lenkazimulo lamandla ngokukaNkulunkulu wethu 2 ngoba izahlulelo zakhe ziliqiniso njalo zilungile. Usesahlulele isifebe esikhulu esasisonakalisa umhlaba ngokuziphatha kwaso kubi kwezemacansini,* futhi useliphindisele igazi lezinceku zakhe elisezandleni zaso.”* 3 Khonokho nje ixuku lelo lakhuluma okwesibili lathi: “Dumisani uJah!* Intuthu yokutsha kwaso iqhubeka ithunqa isiya phezulu kuze kube nini lanini.”

4 Abadala abangu-24 lezidalwa ezine eziphilayo bazilahla phansi bakhonza uNkulunkulu ohlezi esihlalweni sobukhosi, bathi: “Ameni! Dumisani uJah!”*

5 Kwasekuzwakala lelizwi livela esihlalweni sobukhosi lisithi: “Mdumiseni uNkulunkulu wethu lonke lina zinceku zakhe, lina elimesabayo, abancane labakhulu.”

6 Ngasengisizwa okwakuzwakala angathi lilizwi lexuku elikhulu, kungathi ngumdumo wamanzi amanengi lomdumo omkhulu wezulu. Ixuku lelo lathi: “Dumisani uJah,* ngoba uJehova uNkulunkulu wethu uSomandla useqalisile ukubusa eyinkosi! 7 Kasithabeni futhi sithokoze kakhulu, simuphe inkazimulo ngoba umtshado weMvana usufikile njalo inkosikazi yayo isizilungiselele. 8 Inkosikazi yayo isivunyelwe ukuthi igqoke ilineni yohlonzi ekhazimulayo njalo ehlanzekileyo, ngoba ilineni yohlonzi imela izenzo ezilungileyo zabangcwele.”

9 Ingilosi yathi kimi, “Bhala ukuthi: Bayathokoza abanxuswe edilini lantambama lomtshado weMvana.” Yaphinda yathi kimi: “La ngamazwi kaNkulunkulu aliqiniso.” 10 Ngasengizilahla phansi enyaweni zayo ukuze ngiyikhonze. Kodwa yona yathi kimi: “Nanzelela! Ungakwenzi lokho! Mina nje ngiyinceku kanye lawe labafowenu abalomsebenzi wokufakaza ngoJesu. Khonza uNkulunkulu! Phela ubufakazi obuphathelane loJesu yibo obenza isiphrofetho siphefumulelwe.”

11 Ngabona izulu livulekile, ngasengibona nanto ibhiza elimhlophe! Owayehlezi phezu kwalo ubizwa ngokuthi nguThembekile loQiniso. Wahlulela futhi alwe impi ngokulunga. 12 Amehlo akhe alilangabi lomlilo ovuthayo njalo ekhanda lakhe kulemiqhele eminengi. Ulebizo elibhaliweyo elingaziwa muntu kodwa elaziwa nguye kuphela. 13 Ugqoke isembatho sangaphandle esingcoliswe ligazi* njalo ubizwa ngokuthi nguLizwi kaNkulunkulu. 14 Amabutho asezulwini lawo ayemlandela egade amabhiza amhlophe njalo ayegqoke ilineni yohlonzi emhlophe futhi ehlanzekileyo. 15 Emlonyeni wakhe kuphuma inkemba ende ebukhali, agalela ngayo izizwe njalo uzazelusa ngentonga yensimbi. Phezu kwalokho, unyathenyathela isikhamelo sewayini* sentukuthelo yolaka lukaNkulunkulu uSomandla. 16 Esembathweni sakhe sangaphandle, emlenzeni wakhe, kubhalwe ibizo elithi uMbusi wababusi leNkosi yamakhosi.

17 Ngabona lengilosi imi elangeni, njalo yamemeza ngelizwi elikhulu yathi kuzo zonke izinyoni eziphapha emoyeni: “Wozani lapha, libuthanele idili elikhulu likaNkulunkulu elantambama, 18 ukuze lidle inyama yamakhosi, lenyama yezinduna zamabutho, leyamadoda aqinileyo, leyamabhiza kanye leyalabo abawagadileyo, lenyama yabo bonke, abakhululekileyo labayizigqili, abancane labakhulu.”

19 Ngasengibona isilo lamakhosi omhlaba elamabutho awo, bebuthene ndawonye ukuze balwe lalowo owayegade ibhiza kanye lebutho lakhe. 20 Isilo sabanjwa kanye lomphrofethi wamanga owayesenza izibonakaliso phambi kwaso, lezo ayedukisa ngazo ababemukele uphawu lwesilo lababekhonza isithombe saso. Bobabili baphoselwa besaphila echibini lomlilo ovutha isalufa. 21 Bonke abanye babulawa ngenkemba ende eyayiphuma emlonyeni walowo owayegade ibhiza. Zonke izinyoni zadla inyama yabo zasutha.

20 Ngasengibona ingilosi isehlela phansi ivela ezulwini, ilekhiye yomgodi ongelamkhawulo leketane enkulu esandleni sayo. 2 Yawubamba umgobho, inyoka yokuqala enguDeveli loSathane, yambopha okweminyaka eyinkulungwane. 3 Yamphosela emgodini ongelamkhawulo yawuvala, yanameka uphawu phezu kwawo ukuze angaphindi azidukise izizwe ize iphele iminyaka eyinkulungwane. Ngemva kwalokho kumele akhululwe okwesikhatshana.

4 Ngaphinda ngabona izihlalo zobukhosi, futhi ababehlezi kuzo baphiwa amandla okwahlulela. Ngayibona imiphefumulo* yalabo ababebulewe* ngenxa yokufakaza ngoJesu, langenxa yokukhuluma ngoNkulunkulu. Ngabona lalabo ababengasikhonzanga isilo loba isithombe saso njalo ababengalwamukelanga uphawu emabunzini abo lasezandleni zabo. Baphila, babusa bengamakhosi loKhristu okweminyaka eyinkulungwane. 5 (Bonke abanye abafileyo kabazange baphile yaze yaphela iminyaka eyinkulungwane.) Lokhu yikuvuswa kwabafileyo kokuqala. 6 Bayathokoza futhi bangcwele bonke abazavuka ekuvusweni kwabafileyo kokuqala; ukufa kwesibili akulamandla phezu kwabo, kodwa bazakuba ngabaphristi bakaNkulunkulu labakaKhristu, njalo bazabusa laye bengamakhosi okweminyaka eyinkulungwane.

7 Iminyaka eyinkulungwane izakuthi iphela nje, uSathane uzakhululwa entolongweni yakhe, 8 futhi uzaphuma esiyadukisa izizwe ezisemagumbini amane omhlaba, uGogi loMagogi, ukuze azibuthanisele ndawonye empini. Inani lazo lingangetshebetshebe yolwandle. 9 Bagcwala emhlabeni wonke futhi bagombolozela izihonqo zabangcwele ledolobho elithandekayo. Kodwa umlilo wehla uvela ezulwini wabatshabalalisa. 10 UDeveli owayebadukisa waphoselwa echibini lomlilo lesalufa, lapho okwasekulesilo lomphrofethi wamanga; njalo bazahlukuluzwa* emini lebusuku kuze kube nini lanini.

11 Ngasengibona isihlalo sobukhosi esikhulu njalo esimhlophe kanye laLowo owayehlezi kuso. Izulu lomhlaba kwabaleka phambi kwakhe njalo kakuzange kutholelwe indawo. 12 Ngabona abafileyo, abakhulu labancane bemi phambi kwesihlalo sobukhosi futhi kwavulwa izincwadimgoqwa. Kodwa kwavulwa lenye incwadimgoqwa; incwadimgoqwa yokuphila. Abafileyo bahlulelwa ngezinto ezazibhalwe ezincwadinimgoqwa kusiya ngezenzo zabo. 13 Ulwandle lwakhipha abafileyo ababekulo, ukufa leNgcwaba* lakho kwakhipha abafileyo ababekukho, njalo ngamunye wahlulelwa kusiya ngezenzo zakhe. 14 Ukufa leNgcwaba* kwaphoselwa echibini lomlilo. Ichibi lomlilo litsho ukufa kwesibili. 15 Phezu kwalokho, loba ngubani ongatholakalanga ebhalwe egwalweni lokuphila waphoselwa echibini lomlilo.

21 Ngasengibona izulu elitsha lomhlaba omutsha, ngoba izulu lakuqala lomhlaba wakuqala kwasekudlulile, njalo lolwandle lwalungasekho. 2 Ngabona ledolobho elingcwele, iJerusalema Elitsha, lisehla livela ezulwini kuNkulunkulu, lilungisiwe njengomlobokazi ocecele umkakhe. 3 Ngasengisizwa ilizwi elikhulu livela esihlalweni sobukhosi lisithi: “Khangela! Itende likaNkulunkulu lisebantwini, uzahlala labo njalo bazakuba ngabantu bakhe. UNkulunkulu yena ngokwakhe uzakuba labo. 4 Uzakwesula zonke izinyembezi emehlweni abo, ukufa ngeke kusabakhona, loba ukulila loba ukukhala loba ubuhlungu, ngeke kusabakhona. Izinto zakuqala sezidlulile.”

5 Lowo owayehlezi esihlalweni sobukhosi wathi: “Khangela! Ngenza izinto zonke zibe zintsha.” Waphinda wathi: “Bhala, ngoba amazwi la athembekile njalo aliqiniso.” 6 Wasesithi kimi: “Sekwenzakele! Mina ngingu-Alfa lo-Omega,* isiqalo lesiphetho. Loba ngubani owomileyo ngizamnika mahala* amanzi avela emthonjeni wamanzi okuphila. 7 Loba ngubani onqobayo uzakudla ilifa lakho konke lokhu futhi ngizakuba nguNkulunkulu wakhe, yena abe yindodana yami. 8 Kodwa abantu abangamagwala, labangelakholo, labangcole okwenyanyekayo, lababulali, labaziphatha kubi kwezemacansini,* labasebenzelana lemimoya, labakhonza izithombe, labo bonke abaqamba amanga, isabelo sabo sizakuba sechibini elivutha umlilo lesalufa. Lokhu kutsho ukufa kwesibili.”

9 Enye yezingilosi eziyisikhombisa ezazilemiganu eyisikhombisa eyayigcwele inhlupho zokucina eziyisikhombisa yafika yathi kimi: “Woza, ngizakutshengisa umlobokazi, inkosikazi yeMvana.” 10 Ngakho yangithwala ngamandla omoya yangisa entabeni enkulu futhi ende, yasingitshengisa idolobho elingcwele, iJerusalema, lisehla livela ezulwini kuNkulunkulu, 11 lilenkazimulo kaNkulunkulu. Ukukhazimula kwalo kwakunjengokwelitshe eliligugu ukwedlula wonke, angathi lilitshe lejaspa elicazimula okwekristali ekhanyiselayo. 12 Lalilomduli omkhulu futhi omude kakhulu, lilamagedi alitshumi lambili, njalo kwakulezingilosi ezilitshumi lambili kulawomagedi. Emagedini la kwakubhalwe amabizo ezizwana ezilitshumi lambili zamadodana ako-Israyeli. 13 Empumalanga kwakulamagedi amathathu, enyakatho kulamagedi amathathu, eningizimu lakho kwakulamagedi amathathu, lasentshonalanga kulamagedi amathathu. 14 Umduli wedolobho wawulamatshe ayisisekelo alitshumi lambili, futhi phezu kwawo kwakulamabizo alitshumi lambili abaphostoli beMvana abalitshumi lambili.

15 Ingilosi eyayikhuluma lami yayithwele umhlanga wegolide ukuze ilinganise ngawo idolobho kanye lamagedi alo lomduli walo. 16 Idolobho lelo liyalingana amacele womane, njalo ubude balo bulingana lobubanzi balo. Yalilinganisa idolobho ngomhlanga, laba ngamastadiya angu-12 000;* ubude balo lobubanzi balo kanye lokuphakama kwalo kuyalingana konke. 17 Yalinganisa umduli walo, waba zingalo ezingu-144* ngokulinganisa komuntu, okufanana lokulinganisa kwengilosi. 18 Umduli wawenziwe ngejaspa njalo idolobho laliligolide elicengekileyo, linjengengilazi ekhanyiselayo. 19 Izisekelo zomduli wedolobho zaziceciswe ngayo yonke imihlobo yamatshe aligugu: isisekelo sokuqala sasiyijaspa, esesibili siyisafire, esesithathu siyikhalisedoni, esesine siyi-emeraldi, 20 esesihlanu siyisadonikisi, esesithupha siyisadiyusi, esesikhombisa siyikrisolithe, esesitshiyagalombili siyibherili, esesitshiyagalolunye siyithophazi, esetshumi siyikrisophirase, esetshumi lanye siyihiyasinte, esetshumi lambili siyi-amethisithi. 21 Amagedi alitshumi lambili ayengamaphareli alitshumi lambili futhi igedi ngalinye lalenziwe ngephareli elilodwa. Umgwaqo omkhulu wedolobho wawuligolide elicengekileyo, unjengengilazi ekhanyiselayo.

22 Kangizange ngibone ithempeli kulo ngoba uJehova uNkulunkulu uSomandla ulithempeli lalo, leMvana ilithempeli lalo. 23 Idolobho lelo kalidingi ilanga loba inyanga ukuthi kukhanyise kulo ngoba inkazimulo kaNkulunkulu yayikhanyisa kulo, futhi isibane salo kwakuyiMvana. 24 Kanti njalo izizwe zizahamba ekukhanyeni kwalo, futhi amakhosi omhlaba azaletha inkazimulo yawo kulo. 25 Amagedi alo kawasoze avalwe emini loba sekutheni, ngoba akusoze kube lobusuku edolobheni lelo. 26 Kuzalethwa kulo inkazimulo yezizwe kanye lodumo lwazo. 27 Kodwa loba yini engcolileyo njalo loba ngubani owenza izinto ezenyanyekayo futhi oliqili, kasoze afa angena kulo; kuzangena kuphela ababhalwe encwadinimgoqwa yokuphila yeMvana.

22 Yasingitshengisa umfula wamanzi okuphila ayecengekile njengekristali. Ayegeleza evela esihlalweni sobukhosi sikaNkulunkulu leseMvana, 2 esehlela phakathi laphakathi komgwaqo omkhulu wedolobho. Emaceleni womabili omfula lo kwakulezihlahla zokuphila ezazithela izithelo okwezikhathi ezilitshumi lambili ngomnyaka, zithela izithelo zazo inyanga ngayinye. Amahlamvu ezihlahla lezo ayengawokusilisa izizwe.

3 Akusoze kuphinde kube khona loba yisiphi isiqalekiso. Isihlalo sobukhosi sikaNkulunkulu leseMvana sizakuba sedolobheni lelo njalo izinceku zakhe zizanikela kuye inkonzo engcwele. 4 Zizabubona ubuso bakhe njalo ibizo lakhe lizakuba semabunzini azo. 5 Ngeke kuphinde kube lobusuku futhi kazisoze zikudinge ukukhanya kwesibane loba ukukhanya kwelanga ngoba uJehova uNkulunkulu uzazikhanyisela njalo zizabusa zingamakhosi kuze kube nini lanini.

6 Yathi kimi: “Amazwi la athembekile njalo aliqiniso. UJehova uNkulunkulu owaphefumulela abaphrofethi useyithumile sibili ingilosi yakhe ukuthi itshengise izinceku zakhe izinto okumele zenzakale masinyane. 7 Khangela! Ngiyeza masinyane. Loba ngubani olandela amazwi esiphrofetho esisencwadinimgoqwa le uyathokoza.”

8 Mina Johane, yimi engangizizwa izinto lezi futhi ngizibona. Ngathi sengizizwile njalo sengizibonile, ngawela phansi enyaweni zengilosi ukuze ngiyikhonze leyongilosi eyayingitshengisa izinto lezi. 9 Kodwa yathi kimi: “Nanzelela! Ungakwenzi lokho! Mina nje ngiyinceku kanye lawe labafowenu abangabaphrofethi, kanye lalabo abalandela amazwi akulincwadimgoqwa. Khonza uNkulunkulu.”

10 Yaphinda yathi kimi: “Ungawavali ngophawu amazwi esiphrofetho esisencwadinimgoqwa le ngoba isikhathi esibekiweyo sesiseduze. 11 Ongalunganga kaqhubeke esenza okungalunganga, longcolileyo kaqhubeke esekungcoleni kwakhe; kodwa olungileyo kaqhubeke esenza okulungileyo, longcwele kaqhubeke esebungcweleni.

12 “‘Khangela! Ngiyeza masinyane njalo ngilomvuzo engizawupha abantu, ngizabuyisela umuntu ngamunye kusiya ngomsebenzi wakhe. 13 Mina ngingu-Alfa lo-Omega,* ngingowokuqala lowokucina, isiqalo lesiphetho. 14 Bayathokoza abagezisa izembatho zabo ukuze babe lelungelo lokuya ezihlahleni zokuphila njalo bangene edolobheni ngamagedi alo. 15 Phandle kulezinja,* labasebenzelana lemimoya, labaziphatha kubi kwezemacansini,* lababulali, labakhonza izithombe kanye labo bonke abantu abathanda amanga futhi abalomkhuba wokuqamba amanga.’

16 “‘Mina Jesu ngathuma ingilosi yami ukuthi izofakaza kini izinto lezi eziya emabandleni. Ngiyimpande kaDavida futhi ngiyinzalo yakhe, ngiphinde ngibe yindonsakusa ekhazimulayo.’”

17 Umoya lomlobokazi baqhubeka besithi, “Woza!” njalo loba ngubani ozwayo kathi, “Woza!” Loba ngubani owomileyo keze, njalo loba ngubani ofisayo kathathe amanzi okuphila kungelambadalo.

18 “Ngifakaza emuntwini wonke ozwa amazwi esiphrofetho sencwadimgoqwa le: Loba ngubani ongezelela ezintweni lezi, uNkulunkulu uzakwengezelela kuye inhlupho ezibhalwe encwadinimgoqwa le, 19 futhi nxa umuntu engasusa loba yini emazwini encwadimgoqwa yesiphrofetho lesi, uNkulunkulu uzasusa isabelo sakhe ezihlahleni zokuphila lasedolobheni elingcwele. Izinto lezo zibhaliwe encwadinimgoqwa le.

20 “Ofakaza izinto lezi uthi, ‘Ngiyeza masinyane.’”

“Ameni! Woza Nkosi Jesu.”

21 Umusa omkhulu weNkosi uJesu kawube labangcwele.