Amabhuku Asetshenziswe Ku-Gwalo Lwempilo Lenkonzo YamaKhristu
DECEMBER 4-10
AMAGUGU ASELIZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU UZEFANIYA 1–UHAGAYI 2
“Dingani UJehova Usuku Lolaka Lwakhe Lungakafiki”
(UZefaniya 2:2, 3) isikhathi esimisiweyo singakafiki losuku ludlule njengamakhoba, ukuthukuthela okwesabekayo kukaJehova kungakafiki kuwe, usuku lolaka lukaJehova lungakafiki kuwe. 3 Dingani uJehova, lonke lina abathobekileyo belizwe, lina elenza lokho akulayayo. Dingani ukulunga, dingani ukuthobeka; mhlawumbe lingavikelwa ngosuku lwentukuthelo kaJehova.
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Funa UJehova Ngaphambi Kosuku Lolaka Lwakhe
5 Ungase uthi: ‘Ngiyinceku kaNkulunkulu ezinikezele, yabhapathizwa, ngingomunye woFakazi BakaJehova. Angikahlangabezani yini kakade nalezo zimfuneko?’ Empeleni, kuningi okuhilelekile kunokuba sizinikezele kuJehova. U-Israyeli wayeyisizwe esizinikezele, kodwa osukwini lukaZefaniya abantu bakwaJuda babengaphili ngokuvumelana nalokho kuzinikezela. Ngenxa yalokho, isizwe sagcina silahliwe. Namuhla ‘ukufuna uJehova’ kuhilela ukwakha nokulondoloza ubuhlobo obufudumele naye, ngokuzihlanganisa nenhlangano yakhe yasemhlabeni. Kusho ukwazi indlela uNkulunkulu azibheka ngayo izinto futhi uqaphele indlela azizwa ngayo. Sifuna uJehova lapho silitadisha ngokucophelela iZwi lakhe, sizindle ngalo bese sisebenzisa iseluleko salo ekuphileni. Njengoba sifuna isiqondiso sikaJehova nangomthandazo ojulile futhi silandela ukuhola komoya wakhe ongcwele, ubuhlobo bethu naye buyajula, futhi sishukumiseleka ukuba simkhonze ‘ngayo yonke inhliziyo yethu nomphefumulo namandla.’—Duteronomi 6:5; Galathiya 5:22-25; Filipi 4:6, 7; IsAmbulo 4:11.
6 Imfuneko yesibili eshiwo kuZefaniya 2:3 ‘iwukufuna ukulunga.’ Abaningi kithi benza izinguquko ezibalulekile ukuze bafanelekele ubhapathizo lobuKristu, kodwa kumelwe siqhubeke sinamathele ezindinganisweni zikaJehova ezilungile zokuziphatha kukho konke ukuphila kwethu. Abanye abáqala kahle kulokhu baye bavumela izwe ukuba libangcolise. Akulula ukufuna ukulunga, ngoba sizungezwe abantu ababheka ukuziphatha okubi ngokobulili, ukuqamba amanga nezinye izono njengezinto ezivamile. Kodwa isifiso esinamandla sokujabulisa uJehova singanqoba noma yikuphi ukuthambekela kokufuna ukwamukelwa yizwe ngokuzama ukuzifanisa nalo. UJuda walahlekelwa umusa kaJehova ngenxa yokuzama ukulingisa izizwe ezingomakhelwane bakhe ezazingamhloniphi uNkulunkulu. Khona-ke, kunokuba silingise izwe, masibe “ngabalingisi bakaNkulunkulu,” sihlakulele “ubuntu obusha obadalwa ngokwentando kaNkulunkulu ngokulunga kweqiniso nokwethembeka.”—Efesu 4:24; 5:1.
7 Iphuzu lesithathu elivezwa uZefaniya 2:3 elokuthi uma sifuna ukusitshekelwa ngosuku lolaka lukaJehova, kumelwe ‘sifune ukuthobeka.’ Usuku ngalunye, sihlangana namadoda, abesifazane nentsha engathobekile neze. Kubo, ukuba nomoya omnene kuwubuthakathaka. Ukuzithoba kubhekwa njengobuthakathaka obukhulu. Bafuna izinto ngenkani, banobugovu futhi banamathela emibonweni yabo, bekholelwa ukuthi “amalungelo” abo nalokho abakuthandayo kumelwe kwamukelwe noma kanjani. Yeka ukuthi kungadabukisa kanjani uma singamukela ezinye zalezo zimo zengqondo! Lesi yisikhathi ‘sokufuna ukuthobeka.’ Kanjani? Ngokuzithoba kuNkulunkulu, samukele isiyalo sakhe ngokuthobeka futhi sizivumelanise nentando yakhe.
Ukuchwayisisa IMibhalo
(UZefaniya 1:8) Ngosuku lomhlatshelo kaJehova ngizajezisa izikhulu lamadodana amakhosi labo bonke labo abagqoke izigqoko zezizweni.
w07-ZU 11/15 11 ¶3
Amaphuzu Avelele Encwadi KaNahume, KaHabakuki NekaZefaniya
1:8. Kusobala ukuthi abathile ngosuku lukaZefaniya babefuna ukwamukelwa izizwe ezazibazungezile ‘ngokugqoka izembatho zezinye izizwe.’ Yeka ukuthi kungaba ubuwula kanjani ngabakhulekeli bakaJehova namuhla ukuzama ukuzivumelanisa nezwe ngezindlela ezifanayo!
(UHagayi 2:9) ‘Inkazimulo yale indlu yakhathesi izakuba nkulu kuleyendlu yakuqala,’ kutsho uJehova uSomandla. ‘Njalo indawo le ngizayipha ukuthula,’ kutsho uJehova uSomandla.”
w07-ZU 12/1 9 ¶3
Amaphuzu Avelele Encwadi KaHagayi NekaZakariya
2:9—‘Inkazimulo yendlu yakamuva yayizoba nkulu kuneyangaphambili’ ngaziphi izindlela? Lokhu kwakuzokwenzeka okungenani ngezindlela ezintathu: inani leminyaka ithempeli elaba khona ngayo, abantu abafundisa kulo, nokuthi obani abathuthelekela kulo ukuze bakhulekele uJehova. Nakuba ithempeli likaSolomoni elikhazimulayo laba khona iminyaka engu-420, kusukela ngo-1027 B.C.E. kuya ku-607 B.C.E., ‘indlu yakamuva’ yasetshenziswa iminyaka engaphezu kuka-580, kusukela lapho iqedwa ngo-515 B.C.E. kuze kube sekubhujisweni kwayo ngo-70 C.E. Ngaphezu kwalokho, uMesiya—uJesu Kristu—wafundisa kule “ndlu yakamuva,” futhi kweza abantu abaningi ngokwengeziwe kuyo kunakuleyo “yangaphambili” ukuze bakhulekele uNkulunkulu.—IzEnzo 2:1-11.
Ukubalwa KweBhayibhili
(UHagayi 2:1-14) Ngosuku lwamatshumi amabili lanye lwenyanga yesikhombisa ilizwi lafika ngoHagayi umphrofethi lisithi: 2 “Khuluma loZerubhabheli indodana kaSheyalithiyeli, umbusi wakoJuda, loJoshuwa indodana kaJehozadaki, umphristi omkhulu kanye lensalela yabantu. Babuze uthi, 3 ‘Ngubani kini owasalayo owabona indlu le enkazimulweni yayo yakuqala na? Khathesi ikhangeleka injani kini na? Kayikhangeleki njengeze na? 4 Kodwa khathesi qina wena Zerubhabheli,’ kutsho uJehova. ‘Qina wena Joshuwa ndodana kaJehozadaki, umphristi omkhulu. Qinani, lonke lina bantu belizwe,’ kutsho uJehova. ‘Lisebenze, ngoba ngilani,’ kutsho uJehova uSomandla. 5 ‘Lokhu yikho engakuvumelana lani ekuphumeni kwenu eGibhithe. UMoya wami uhlala phakathi kwenu. Lingesabi.’ 6 “Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova uSomandla: ‘Ngesikhatshana nje ngizaphinda nginyikinye amazulu lomhlaba, ulwandle lelizwe elomileyo. 7 Ngizanyikinya izizwe zonke, abathandwayo kuzo zonke izizwe bazakuza, njalo indlu le ngizayigcwalisa ngenkazimulo,’ kutsho uJehova uSomandla, 8 ‘Isiliva ngesami legolide ngelami,’ kutsho uJehova uSomandla. 9 ‘Inkazimulo yale indlu yakhathesi izakuba nkulu kuleyendlu yakuqala,’ kutsho uJehova uSomandla. ‘Njalo indawo le ngizayipha ukuthula,’ kutsho uJehova uSomandla.” 10 Ngosuku lwamatshumi amabili lane lwenyanga yesificamunwe munye, ngomnyaka wesibili kaDariyu, ilizwi likaJehova lafika kuHagayi umphrofethi lisithi: 11 “Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova uSomandla uthi: ‘Buza abaphristi ukuthi umthetho uthini: 12 Uma umuntu ethwele inyama engcwele ngomphetho wesigqoko sakhe, umphetho lowo uthinte isinkwa loba inyama ephekiweyo, iwayini, amafutha loba okunye ukudla, kuba ngcwele na?’” Abaphristi baphendula bathi, “Hatshi.” 13 UHagayi wasesithi, “Uma umuntu ongcoliswe yikuthinta isidumbu ethinta okunye kwalezizinto, kuyangcola na?” “Ye,” kwaphendula abaphristi, “kuyangcola.” 14 UHagayi wasesithi, “‘Kunjalo-ke emehlweni ami ngabantu laba langesizwe lesi,’ kutsho uJehova. ‘Lokho abakwenzayo loba abakunikelayo lapho kungcolile.
DECEMBER 11-17
AMAGUGU ASELIZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU UZEKHARIYA 1-8
“Gagadlela Umphetho Wengubo YomJuda”
(UZekhariya 8:20-22) Nanku akutshoyo uJehova uSomandla: “Abantu abanengi lezakhamizi zamadolobho amanengi basezakuza, 21 njalo izakhamizi zedolobho leli zizakuya kwezakuleliyana zifike zithi, ‘Kasihambe khathesi lokhu siyoncenga uJehova, simfune uJehova uSomandla. Mina sengihamba.’ 22 Kuzakuthi abantu abanengi lezizwe ezilamandla zizakuza eJerusalema ukuzafuna uJehova uSomandla bezocela kuye.
“Selingabantu bakaNkulunkulu”
14 Abanye abaphrofethi ababili basendulo bakutsho ukuthi esikhathini sokuphela abantu babezabuya ngobunengi babo bezokhonza uJehova bendawonye labantu bakhe. U-Isaya waphrofetha wathi: “Abantu abanengi bazakuza bathi, ‘Wozani siye phezu kwentaba kaJehova, endlini kaNkulunkulu kaJakhobe. Uzasifundisa izindlela zakhe ukuze sihambe ezindleleni zakhe.’ Umthetho uzavela eZiyoni, ilizwi likaJehova livele eJerusalema.” (Isaya. 2:2, 3) UZekhariya laye waphrofetha wathi “abantu abanengi lezizwe ezilamandla zizakuza eJerusalema ukuzafuna uJehova.” Abantu laba wabafananisa ‘lamadoda alitshumi aphuma kuzo zonke izindimi lezizwe’ ayezagagadlela umphetho wengubo ka-Israyeli kaNkulunkulu esithi: “Wothi sihambe lawe ngoba sesizwile ukuthi uNkulunkulu ulani.”—Zek. 8:20-23.
(UZekhariya 8:23) Nanku akutshoyo uJehova uSomandla, uthi: “Ngalezonsuku amadoda alitshumi aphuma kuzo zonke izindimi lezizwe azagagadlela umphetho wengubo yomJuda oyedwa athi, ‘Wothi sihambe lawe ngoba sesizwile ukuthi uNkulunkulu ulani.’”
“Wothi Sihambe Lawe”
4 Pho ezinye izimvu ‘zingahamba’ njani labagcotshiweyo abakhona lamuhla njengoba zingawazi amabizo abo? Khumbula ukuthi uZekhariya wathini mayelana lamadoda alitshumi. Wathi “azagagadlela umphetho wengubo yomJuda oyedwa athi, ‘Wothi sihambe lawe ngoba sesizwile ukuthi uNkulunkulu ulani.’” Lanxa evesini le kukhulunywa ngomJuda oyedwa, isabizwana esithi “lawe” esisetshenziswe lapha asitsho umuntu oyedwa. Yikho umJuda lo liqembu hatshi umuntu oyedwa! Ngakho-ke kasikho isizatho sokwazi ogcotshiweyo ngamunye besesihamba laye. Kodwa okumele sikwenze yikusekela abagcotshiweyo beliqembu. IMibhalo isitshela ukuthi silandele uJesu ngoba nguye uMkhokheli wethu, hatshi omunye umuntu.—Mat. 23:10.
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“Baqhubeka Belandela IWundlu”
14 UJesu Kristu ubheka ukusekelwa okuqotho kwabafowabo njengokungathi kusekelwa yena. (Funda uMathewu 25:40.) Ngakho, labo abanethemba lasemhlabeni bangabasekela ngayiphi indlela abafowabo bakaKristu abagcotshwe ngomoya? Ngokuyinhloko, ngokubasiza emsebenzini wokushumayela ngoMbuso. (Math. 24:14; Joh. 14:12) Nakuba inani labagcotshiweyo emhlabeni liye lancipha emashumini eminyaka adlule, inani lezinye izimvu liye landa. Lapho labo abanethemba lasemhlabeni behlanganyela emsebenzini wokufakaza, bekhonza njengezikhonzi zesikhathi esigcwele uma bekwazi, basuke besekela abagcotshwe ngomoya ekufezeni isabelo sabo sokwenza abafundi. (Math. 28:19, 20) Akufanele siwayeke amathuba okusekela lo msebenzi ngokwezimali ngezindlela ezihlukahlukene.
Ukuchwayisisa IMibhalo
(UZekhariya 5:6-11) Ngabuza ngathi, “Kuyini?” Yaphendula yathi, “Yisilulu sokulinganisa.” Yengeza yathi, “Lobu yibubi babantu elizweni lonke leli.” 7 Kwasekusibukulwa isiciko sesilulu leso, kwabonakala phakathi kuhlezi owesifazana! 8 Yathi, “Lobu yibubi,” yasimfuqela phakathi esilulwini yafuqela njalo isiciko emlonyeni wesilulu. 9 Ngasengikhangela—khonapho phambi kwami kwakulabesifazana ababili belezimpiko ezigcwele umoya! Babelezimpiko ezifana lezengabuzane, baphakamisa isilulu saba phakathi kwezulu lomhlaba. 10 Ngabuza ingilosi eyayikhuluma lami ngathi, “Basisa ngaphi isilulu lesi na?” 11 Yaphendula yathi, “Basisa elizweni laseBhabhiloni ukuyasakhela indlu khonale. Nxa isiphelile isilulu sizahlaliswa kuhle khonale endaweni yaso.”
Sifundani Emibonweni KaZekhariya?
18 Wabakhumbuza lokuthi kwakumele basebenze gadalala ukuze bahlale bemsulwa ekukhonzeni. Lalamuhla uJehova kasoze avumele ukuthi ububi bungene futhi buhlale phakathi kwabantu bakhe. Ngakho njengoba uJehova esidonsele enhlanganisweni yakhe ehlanzekileyo, sonke silomsebenzi omkhulu wokuyigcina ihlanzekile. Akumelanga kutholakale ububi phakathi kwabantu bakaJehova.
(UZekhariya 6:1) Ngaphinde ngaphakamisa amehlo njalo—khona phambi kwami kwakulezinqola zempi ezine ziqhamuka okhalweni lwezintaba ezimbili—izintaba zethusi!
Izinqola Zempi Kanye Lomqhele Kuzakuvikela
7 Izikhathi ezinengi nxa iBhayibhili likhuluma ngezintaba liyabe lisitsho imibuso loba ohulumende. Izintaba okukhulunywa ngazo embonweni kaZekhariya zifana lezintaba ezimbili eziqanjwa ebhukwini likaDanyeli. Intaba yokuqala imela ubukhosi bukaJehova obungapheliyo, ikanti eyesibili imela uMbuso ka-Mesiya osezandleni zikaJesu. (Dan. 2:35, 45) Selokhu uJesu waqalisa ukubusa ngo-1914, izintaba lezi ezimbili bezilokhu zikhona njalo zisenza umsebenzi oqakatheke kakhulu ukuze injongo kaNkulunkulu igcwaliseke emhlabeni.
8 Kungani izintaba lezi zenziwe ngethusi? Ithusi luhlobo lwensimbi enhle ecazimulayo futhi edulayo njengegolide. Ngokwesibonelo endulo uJehova watshela abantu bakhe ukuthi basebenzise insimbi le ngesikhathi besakha ithabanikeli langesikhathi kusakhiwa ithempeli. (Eks. 27:1-3; 1 AmaKho. 7:13-16) Ngakho kuqondile ukuthi izintaba lezi ezimbili zibe ngezethusi ngoba zitshengisa ubuhle bobukhosi bukaJehova kanye loMbuso kaMesiya ozaletha ukuthula lezibusiso ezinengi ebantwini.
Ukubalwa KweBhayibhili
(UZekhariya 8:14-23) Nanku akutshoyo uJehova uSomandla, uthi: “Kanjengalokhu ngasengimisile ukwehlisela umonakalo phezu kwenu angaze ngatshengisa uzwelo lapho okhokho benu bangizondisa,” kutsho uJehova uSomandla, 15 “yikho manje sengimisile ukwenza ubuhle njalo eJerusalema lakoJuda. Lingesabi. 16 Nanzi izinto okumele lizenze: Khulumani iqiniso omunye komunye, njalo lehlulelane ngeqiniso langokuqonda emithethwandaba yenu; 17 lingakheli umakhelwana wenu amacebo amabi, njalo lingaze lathanda ukufunga ngokungamanga. Konke lokhu ngiyakuzonda,” kutsho uJehova. 18 Laphinda leza kimi njalo ilizwi likaJehova. 19 Nanku akutshoyo uJehova uSomandla, uthi, “Amazilo awenyanga yesine, leyesihlanu, leyesikhombisa kanye leyetshumi azakuba yizikhathi zokuthokoza lokujabula, abe yimikhosi yokuthaba koJuda. Ngakho-ke thandani iqiniso lokuthula.” 20 Nanku akutshoyo uJehova uSomandla: “Abantu abanengi lezakhamizi zamadolobho amanengi basezakuza, 21 njalo izakhamizi zedolobho leli zizakuya kwezakuleliyana zifike zithi, ‘Kasihambe khathesi lokhu siyoncenga uJehova, simfune uJehova uSomandla. Mina sengihamba.’ 22 Kuzakuthi abantu abanengi lezizwe ezilamandla zizakuza eJerusalema ukuzafuna uJehova uSomandla bezocela kuye. 23 Nanku akutshoyo uJehova uSomandla, uthi: “Ngalezonsuku amadoda alitshumi aphuma kuzo zonke izindimi lezizwe azagagadlela umphetho wengubo yomJuda oyedwa athi, ‘Wothi sihambe lawe ngoba sesizwile ukuthi uNkulunkulu ulani.’”
DECEMBER 18-24
AMAGUGU ASELIZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU UZEKHARIYA 9-14
“Hlala ‘Esigodini Sezintaba’”
(UZekhariya 14:3, 4) Kuzakuthi kunjalo uJehova uzaphuma alwe lalezozizwe, njengokulwa kwakhe nxa kulilanga lempi. 4 Ngalelolanga izinyawo zakhe zizakuma phezu kweNtaba yama-Oliva, empumalanga kusiya entshonalanga, kudaleke isigodi esikhulu, ingxenye yentaba isudukele enyakatho, kuthi enye ingxenye isudukele eningizimu.
w13-ZU 2/15 19 ¶10
Hlala Esigodini SikaJehova Sesivikelo
10 Lapho le ntaba engokomfanekiso iqhekeka, enye ingxenye iba ngasenyakatho nenye iba ngaseningizimu, izinyawo zikaJehova ziyaqhubeka zikuzo zombili. Kuba khona “isigodi esikhulu kakhulu” ngaphansi kwezinyawo zikaJehova. Lesi sigodi esingokomfanekiso simelela isivikelo esivela kuNkulunkulu, izinceku zikaJehova ezithola kuso ukuphepha ngaphansi kobukhosi bakhe bendawo yonke noMbuso kaMesiya iNdodana yakhe. UJehova uyoqinisekisa ukuthi ukukhulekela okumsulwa akushatshalaliswa. Kwenzeka nini lokhu kuqhekeka kwentaba yeminqumo? Kwenzeka ngesikhathi uMbuso kaMesiya umiswa ekupheleni kweZikhathi Zabezizwe ngo-1914. Abakhulekeli beqiniso baqala nini ukubalekela esigodini esingokomfanekiso?
(UZekhariya 14:5) Lizabaleka ngesigodi sami sentaba ngoba sihamba size siyofika e-Azeli. Lizabaleka njengalokho elakwenza libalekela ukuzamazama komhlaba ngezinsuku zika-Uziya inkosi yakoJuda. Laphoke uJehova uNkulunkulu wami uzakuza elabo bonke abangcwele bakhe.
w13-ZU 2/15 20 ¶13
Hlala Esigodini SikaJehova Sesivikelo
13 Uma sinamathela kuJehova futhi sima siqine eqinisweni, yena neNdodana yakhe, uJesu Kristu, bayofeza ingxenye yabo, futhi uNkulunkulu ngeke avumele noma ubani nanoma yini ukuba ‘isihlwithe esandleni saKhe.’ (Joh. 10:28, 29) UJehova ukulungele ukusinika noma iluphi usizo esiludingayo ukuze sikwazi ukumlalela njengoMbusi Wendawo Yonke futhi sihlale siyizikhonzi ezithembekile zoMbuso kaMesiya. Kubalulekile ukuba sihlale esigodini sesivikelo, ngoba lesi sigodi siyobaluleka nakakhulu kubakhulekeli beqiniso phakathi nosizi olukhulu olusondela ngokushesha.
(UZekhariya 14:6, 7) Mhlalokho akuyikuba lokukhanya, kumbe ukuqanda loba ungqwaqwane. 7 Kuzakuba lusuku olungajayelekanga, olungelamini njalo olungelabusuku—usuku olwaziwa nguJehova. Ukuhlwa kungafika kuzavela ukukhanya.
(UZekhariya 14:12) Lesi yiso isifo uJehova azatshaya ngaso zonke izizwe ezalwa leJerusalema. Inyama yabo izabola bona belokhu besazihambela ngezinyawo zabo, amehlo abo azabolela ezingoxweni zawo, lezindimi zabo zizabolela emilonyeni yabo.
(UZekhariya 14:15) Isifo esifana lalesi sizakwehlela amabhiza, izimbongolo, amakamela labobabhemi lazo zonke izinyamazana ezizabe zikulezozihonqo.
w13-ZU 2/15 20 ¶15
Hlala Esigodini SikaJehova Sesivikelo
15 Ngosuku lwempi kaNkulunkulu, siyoba yini isimo salabo abangaphandle ‘kwesigodi esikhulu’ sesivikelo? Ngeke babe ‘nokukhanya okuyigugu’ kokwamukelwa nguNkulunkulu. Ngalolo suku lwempi oluzayo, “ihhashi, umnyuzi, ikamela, nembongolo yeduna nazo zonke izinhlobo zezilwane ezifuywayo”—izinto ezifanekisela izikhali zempi zezizwe—ziyokhinyabezeka. Izikhali zempi ezinjalo “ziyojiya,” zingasebenzi njengokungathi zomiswe amakhaza. UJehova uyophinde asebenzise isifo esiwumshayabhuqe ‘nenhlupho noma isishayo.’ Kungakhathaliseki ukuthi ngokoqobo noma cha, leyo nhlupho iyoqeda izinsongo ezesabekayo. Ngalolo suku, ‘amehlo omuntu nolimi lwakhe kuyobola’ ngomqondo wokuthi abahlaseli bayogalela ezeni futhi inkulumo yabo yokwedelela iyothuliswa. (Zak. 14:6, 7, 12, 15) Ayikho ingxenye yomhlaba eyophunyuka ekubhubhisweni. Amabutho angasohlangothini lukaSathane kuleyo mpi ayobe emaningi kakhulu. (IsAm. 19:19-21) “Ababulewe nguJehova ngalolo suku ngokuqinisekile bayosukela komunye umkhawulo womhlaba kuze kube komunye umkhawulo womhlaba.”—Jer. 25:32, 33.
Ukuchwayisisa IMibhalo
(UZekhariya 12:3) Ngalelolanga, lapho izizwe zonke zomhlaba sezihlangene ukulwa laye, ngizakwenza iJerusalema ibe lidwala elingagudlukiyo elezizwe zonke. Bonke abazama ukulitshedisa bazazilimaza.
w07-ZU 12/15 23 ¶9-10
Asikho Isikhali Esakhiwe Ngokumelene Nawe Esiyophumelela
9 Isiprofetho sikaZakariya sisikhanyisela isizathu esenza izizwe zimelane namaKristu eqiniso. Phawula okushiwo uZakariya 12:3: “Kuyothi ngalolo suku ngenze iJerusalema libe yitshe eliwumthwalo kuzo zonke izizwe.” Sibhekisela kuliphi iJerusalema lesi siprofetho? Isiprofetho sikaZakariya ngeJerusalema sisebenza ‘eJerusalema lasezulwini,’ uMbuso wasezulwini amaKristu agcotshiwe abizelwe kuwo. (Hebheru 12:22) Insali encane yalezi zindlalifa zoMbuso KaMesiya isasele lapha emhlabeni. Kanye nabangane bayo, “ezinye izimvu,” inxusa abantu ukuba baphendukele eMbusweni kaNkulunkulu kusenesikhathi. (Johane 10:16; IsAmbulo 11:15) Izizwe zisabele kanjani kulesi simemo? Futhi uJehova ubasekela ngayiphi indlela abakhulekeli beqiniso namuhla? Asithole impendulo njengoba siqhubeka sihlola incazelo kaZakariya isahluko 12. Njengoba senza kanjalo, sizothola isiqinisekiso sokuthi ‘asikho isikhali esiyophumelela’ ukumelana nabagcotshiweyo bakaNkulunkulu nabangane babo abazinikezele.
10 UZakariya 12:3 ubonisa ukuthi izizwe zithola “imihuzuko emibi.” Kwenzeka kanjani lokhu? UNkulunkulu uye wanquma ukuthi izindaba ezinhle zoMbuso kumelwe zishunyayelwe. OFakazi BakaJehova basithatha ngokungathí sina isibopho sokushumayela. Nokho, ukumenyezelwa koMbuso njengowukuphela kwethemba lesintu kuye kwafana ‘netshe eliwumthwalo’ ezizweni. Zizama ukuliqukula zilisuse endleleni ngokuhlupha abashumayeli boMbuso. Ngokwenza kanjalo, lezi zizwe ezigxambukelayo zithole “imihuzuko eminingi,” zaklwebheka yonke indawo. Ngisho nedumela lazo liye lonakala njengoba ziye zahluleka ngendlela ezihlazayo. Azikwazi ukuthulisa abakhulekeli beqiniso, abalazisayo ilungelo lokumemezela ‘izindaba ezinhle zaphakade’ zoMbuso kaNkulunkulu osezandleni zikaMesiya ngaphambi kokuphela kwalesi simiso sezinto. (IsAmbulo 14:6) Lapho ebona ubudlova obenziwa ezincekwini zikaJehova, unogada wejele kwelinye izwe lase-Afrika wathi: ‘Nidlala ngamandla enu ngokushushisa laba bantu. Abasoze balulahla ukholo lwabo. Balokhu banda nje.’
(UZekhariya 12:7) “UJehova uzasindisa imizi yakoJuda kuqala ukuze udumo lwendlu kaDavida lolwezakhamizi zaseJerusalema lungabi lukhulu kulolukaJuda.
w07-ZU 12/15 25 ¶13
Asikho Isikhali Esakhiwe Ngokumelene Nawe Esiyophumelela
13 Funda uZakariya 12:7, 8. Kwa-Israyeli wasendulo, amatende ayevamile, ngezinye izikhathi esetshenziswa abelusi nezisebenzi zasemasimini. Laba bantu yibo ababeyothinteka kuqala futhi badinge ukuvikelwa uma isizwe esiyisitha sihlasela umuzi waseJerusalema. Inkulumo ethi “amatende kaJuda” ibonisa ukuthi insali egcotshiwe osukwini lwethu, ngokomfanekiso, isesigangeni ayikho emizini ebiyelwe. Lapho, izivikela ngesibindi izithakazelo zoMbuso KaMesiya. UJehova wamabutho “uyoqale asindise amatende kaJuda” ngoba yiwona ayizisulu zokuhlasela kukaSathane.
Ukubalwa KweBhayibhili
(UZekhariya 12:1-14) Nanti ilizwi likaJehova mayelana lo-Israyeli. UJehova owachayayo amazulu, obeka isisekelo somhlaba, njalo owenza umphefumulo womuntu phakathi kwakhe, uthi: 2 “Ngizakwenza iJerusalema ibe njengenkezo ezadakisa bonke abantu abakhelene layo. UJuda uzavinjezelwa laye njengeJerusalema. 3 Ngalelolanga, lapho izizwe zonke zomhlaba sezihlangene ukulwa laye, ngizakwenza iJerusalema ibe lidwala elingagudlukiyo elezizwe zonke. Bonke abazama ukulitshedisa bazazilimaza. 4 Ngalelolanga ngizakwenza wonke amabhiza ethuke labagadi bawo bahlanye,” kutsho uJehova. “Indlu kaJuda ngizahlala ngiyiqaphele, kodwa ngizaphumputhekisa wonke amabhiza ezizwe. 5 Lapho abakhokheli bakoJuda bazakuthi ezinhliziyweni zabo, ‘Abantu baseJerusalema baqinile, ngokuba uJehova uSomandla unguNkulunkulu wabo.’ 6 “Ngalelolanga ngizakwenza abakhokheli bakoJuda babe njengebhodo phezu kwezikhuni, njengobhaqa oluvuthayo phakathi kwezithungo. Bazathungela ngapha langapha kutshe bonke abantu abakhelene labo, kodwa iJerusalema izasala imi injalo endaweni yayo. 7 “UJehova uzasindisa imizi yakoJuda kuqala ukuze udumo lwendlu kaDavida lolwezakhamizi zaseJerusalema lungabi lukhulu kulolukaJuda. 8 Ngalelolanga uJehova uzabavikela labo abahlala eJerusalema, kuze kuthi lobuthakathaka kakhulu phakathi kwabo uzakuba njengoDavida, lendlu kaDavida izakuba njengoNkulunkulu, njengeNgilosi kaJehova ihamba phambi kwabo. 9 Ngalelolanga ngizaphuma ngiyebhubhisa zonke izizwe ezihlasela iJerusalema. 10 “Ngizathululela phezu kwendlu kaDavida laphezu kwabakhileyo eJerusalema umoya womusa lobubele. Bazakhangela kimi, mina abamgwazayo, bangililele njengomuntu elilela umntanakhe ozelwe yedwa, bamkhalele kabuhlungu njengomuntu ekhalela indodana yakhe elizibulo. 11 Ngalelolanga isililo eJerusalema sizakuba sikhulu njengesililo sikaHadadi Rimoni emagcekeni aseMegido. 12 Ilizwe lizalila, yilesosizwana sisodwa, labafazi babo bebodwa; isizwana sendlu kaDavida labafazi babo, isizwana sendlu kaNathani labafazi babo, 13 isizwana sendlu kaLevi labafazi babo, isizwana sikaShimeyi labafazi babo, 14 lazo zonke izizwana labafazi bazo.
DECEMBER 25-31
AMAGUGU ASELIZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU UMALAKI 1-4
“Umtshado Wakho Uyamthokozisa Yini UJehova?”
(UMalaki 2:13, 14) Enye into eliyenzayo nansi: Ligcwalisa i-alithare likaJehova ngezinyembezi. Liyakhala libubula ngokuba kasayinanzi iminikelo yenu, njalo kasayamukeli ngokuthokoza ezandleni zenu. 14 Liyabuza lithi, “Kungani na?” Kungenxa yokuthi uJehova umi njengofakazi phakathi kwakho lomfazi wobutsha bakho, ngokuba umkhohlisile yena eyingxenye yakho, umfazi wesivumelwano sakho somtshado.
jd-ZU 125-126 ¶4-5
Yiba Neqhaza Ekuphileni Komkhaya Okuthokozisa UNkulunkulu
4 Osukwini lukaMalaki ekhulwini lesihlanu B.C.E., isehlukaniso sasiyinsakavukela kumaJuda. UMalaki wawatshela: “UJehova ngokwakhe ufakazile phakathi kwakho nomfazi wobusha bakho, wena omkhohlisile.” Ngenxa yokuthi amadoda ayekhohlisa, i-altare likaJehova lalimbozwe yizinyembezi zabafazi abashiyiwe, limbozwe ‘ukukhala nokububula.’ Abapristi abonakele babelushalazela lolu lunya!—Malaki 2:13, 14.
5 UJehova wayesibheka kanjani isimo sengqondo esibi ngomshado esasikhona ngesikhathi sikaMalaki? UMalaki wabhala: “‘Uyakuzonda ukuhlukanisa umshado,’ kusho uJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli.” Waqinisekisa nokuthi uJehova ‘akakashintshi.’ (Malaki 2:16; 3:6) Uyalithola iphuzu? UNkulunkulu wayeshilo ngaphambili ukuthi akasifuni isehlukaniso. (Genesise 2:18, 24) Wayengasifuni nangosuku lukaMalaki. Akasifuni nanamuhla. Abanye abantu bangase bakhethe ukuwushiya umshado ngenxa nje yokuthi benganelisekile ngomngane wabo womshado. Ngisho noma inhliziyo yabo ingase ikhohlise kanjani, uJehova uyayiphenya. (Jeremiya 17:9, 10) Uyakubona ukukhohlisa noma ubuqili obubangela isehlukaniso, kungakhathaliseki ukuthi umuntu uzama ukubeka zaba zini. Yebo, “zonke izinto zíze futhi zenekwe obala emehlweni alowo esiyolandisa kuye.”—Hebheru 4:13.
(UMalaki 2:15, 16) UJehova kabenzanga baba munye na? Enyameni lemphefumulweni bangabakhe. Kungani bemunye? Ngokuba wayedinga inzalo ekholwayo kuNkulunkulu. Ngakho ziqaphele emphefumulweni wakho, ungaze wamkhohlisa umfazi wobutsha bakho. 16 “Ngiyakuzonda ukuchitha umtshado,” kutsho uJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli, “njalo ngiyayizonda indoda evala ngokuhlukuluza umkayo njengalokhu izivala ngesivunulo,” kutsho uJehova uSomandla. Ngakho ziqaphele wena emphefumulweni wakho, ungaze wakhohlisa.
w02-ZU 5/1 18 ¶19
UJehova Uyayizonda Inkambo Yokukhohlisa
19 Okujabulisayo ukuthi uMalaki uveza ukuthi amanye amadoda ayengabakhohlisi omkawo. ‘Kwakusele kuwo umoya ongcwele kaNkulunkulu.’ (Ivesi 15) Kuyajabulisa ukuthi inhlangano kaNkulunkulu namuhla inenqwaba yamadoda anjalo ‘anika omkawo udumo.’ (1 Petru 3:7) Awabaxhaphazi omkawo ngokomzimba noma ngamazwi, awabacindezeli ngemikhuba yobulili elulazayo, futhi awabalulazi omkawo ngokuzama ukukhanga abanye besifazane noma ngokubuka izithombe zobulili ezingcolile. Inhlangano kaJehova ibusisiwe nangokuba nenqwaba yamakhosikazi angamaKristu athembekile aqotho kuNkulunkulu nasemithethweni yakhe. Wonke amadoda nabafazi abanjalo bayakwazi lokho uNkulunkulu akuzondayo, futhi ukucabanga nezenzo zabo kuyavumelana nalokho abakwaziyo. Qhubeka unjengabo, ‘ulalela uNkulunkulu njengombusi’ futhi ubusiswe ngomoya wakhe ongcwele.—IzEnzo 5:29.
Ukuchwayisisa IMibhalo
(UMalaki 1:10) “Hawu, sekuze kungathi omunye wenu angavala iminyango yethempeli ukuze lingabi lilokhu libasa imililo engelamsebenzi e-alithareni lami! Kangithokozi ngani lina,” kutsho uJehova uSomandla, “njalo kangiyikwamukela umnikelo wezandla zenu.
w07-ZU 12/15 27 ¶1
Amaphuzu Avelele Encwadi KaMalaki
1:10. UJehova wayengayijabuleli imihlatshelo yabapristi abahahayo, ababekhokhisa abantu ngisho nangezinkonzo ezivamile ezinjengokuvala iminyango noma ukubasa umlilo e-altare. Yeka indlela okubaluleke ngayo ukuba izenzo zethu zokukhulekela, ezihlanganisa lokho esikwenzayo enkonzweni yobuKristu, zishukunyiswe uthando olungenabugovu ngoNkulunkulu nomakhelwane, zingashukunyiswa yinzuzo yemali!—Mathewu 22:37-39; 2 Korinte 11:7.
(UMalaki 3:1) “Khangelani, ngizathuma isigijimi sami esizangilungisela indlela. Kuzakuthi masinyane uJehova elimdingayo uzakuza ethempelini lakhe; isigijimi sesivumelwano, elisilangazelelayo sizakuza,” kutsho uJehova uSomandla.
“Khangelani, Mina Ngilani Insuku Zonke”
5 Kusasele amakhulu eminyaka ukuthi uJesu atsho umzekeliso wengqoloyi lokhula, uJehova waphefumulela umphrofethi wakhe uMalaki ukuthi abikezele izehlakalo ezitholakala emzekelisweni kaJesu. (Bala uMalaki 3:1-4.) UJohane uMbhaphathizi kwakunguye ‘isigijimi kumbe isithunywa esasizalungisa indlela.’ (Mat. 11:10, 11) Ngesikhathi efika ngo-29 C.E., isikhathi sokwahlulela isizwe sako-Israyeli sasesiseduze. UJesu wayeyisithunywa sesibili. Wahlambulula ithempeli eJerusalema kabili, waqala walihlambulula esanda kuqalisa inkonzo yakhe wasephinda futhi esezayiphetha. (Mat. 21:12, 13; Joha. 2:14-17) Yikho-ke, ukuhlambulula kukaJesu kwathatha isikhathi esithile.
6 Yikuphi ukugcwaliseka okukhulu kwesiphrofetho sikaMalaki? Sekusele amatshumi eminyaka ukuthi u-1914 afike, u-C. T. Russell labanye bakhe benza umsebenzi ofanana lokaJohane uMbhaphathizi. Umsebenzi lo oqakathekileyo wawugoqela ukwenza ukuthi iqiniso eliseBhayibhilini litholakale futhi. Abafundi beBhayibhili babefundisa ukuthi yayisitshoni inhlawulo yomhlatshelo kaKhristu, beveza ukuba ngamanga komlilo wesihogo, njalo babememezela ukuthi sekuseduze ukucina kweZikhathi zabeZizwe. Lanxa kunjalo kwakuseselamaqembu ezinkolo amanengi ayezithi angabalandeli bakaKhristu. Yikho-ke kulombuzo oqakathekileyo okwakumele uphendulwe othi: Ngobani ababeyingqoloyi phakathi kwawo wonke amaqembu la? Ukuze aphendule umbuzo lo uJesu waqalisa ukuhlola ithempeli elingokomoya ngo-1914. Umsebenzi wokuhlola lokuhlambulula wawuzakwenziwa okwesikhathi esithile, kusukela ngo-1914 kuze kufike ekuqaliseni komnyaka ka-1919.
Ukubalwa KweBhayibhili
(UMalaki 1:1-10) Isiqalekiso: Ilizwi likaJehova ku-Israyeli ngoMalaki. 2 “Ngilithandile,” kutsho uJehova. “Kodwa liyabuza lithi, ‘Usithande njani?’ “U-Esawu wayengesumfowabo kaJakhobe na?” uJehova uyabuza. “Ikanti ngimthandile uJakhobe, 3 kodwa u-Esawu ngimzondile, futhi ngenze izintaba zakhe zaba lugwadule ilifa lakhe ladliwa ngamakhanka asenkangala.” 4 U-Edomi angathi, “Kungaze kube sinyathezelwe phansi kodwa sizawavuselela amanxiwa.” Kodwa nanku okutshiwo nguJehova uSomandla, uthi: Bangakha, kodwa ngizadiliza. Bazakuthiwa Yilizwe Elibi, abantu abazahlala bethukuthelelwe nguJehova. 5 Lizakubona ngawenu amehlo lithi, ‘Umkhulu uJehova—langale kwemingcele yako-Israyeli!’ 6 “Indodana iyamesaba uyise, lenceku iyayesaba inkosi yayo. Aluba nginguyihlo kungaphi pho ukwesatshwa kwami? Aluba ngiyinkosi kungaphi ukuhlonitshwa kwami na?” kutsho uJehova uSomandla. “Yini, hawu baphristi, eleyisa ibizo lami. “Kodwa lingabuza lithi, ‘Sileyise ngani ibizo lakho?’ 7 “Libeka ukudla okungcolileyo e-alithareni lami. “Kodwa lingabuza lithi, ‘Sikungcolisile kanjani wena na?’ “Ngokuthi itafula likaJehova liyeyiseka. 8 Nxa liletha izifuyo eziyiziphofu ukuba ngumhlatshelo, kambe kakukubi lokho na? Nxa lisenza umhlatshelo ngezifuyo eziyizilima loba ezilezifo, kakukubi lokho na? Ake lizame ukukunika umbusi wenu! Angalithabela lina na? Angalithanda kambe lina yini?” kutsho uJehova uSomandla. 9 “Manje-ke ncengani uNkulunkulu ukuthi abe lobubele kithi. Ngeminikelo enjalo ephuma ezandleni zenu, kambe angalamukela?”—kutsho uJehova uSomandla. 10 “Hawu, sekuze kungathi omunye wenu angavala iminyango yethempeli ukuze lingabi lilokhu libasa imililo engelamsebenzi ealithareni lami! Kangithokozi ngani lina,” kutsho uJehova uSomandla, “njalo kangiyikwamukela umnikelo wezandla zenu.