WATCHMEN on the WALLS
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.” 1 Peter 5:8–9
Like food and water is a requirement for our bodies, so is safety and security for our well-being. The Watchmen had important
roles in ancient Biblical time, just as they have today, to warn, alert, and keep secure. The Watchmen in the Bible is described
as a prophet among the people.
Often the church today considers the Watchmen as the prayers within the church, but they are more than intercessors, they are prophetic, standing in the gap, `seeing` and `hearing` from God and responding in line with Him. to what they see and experience in the community.
The watchman plays a central role in the Word of God. Many times in the Bible, we are told to be watchful. Jesus asked the disciples to "Stay here and keep watch with me." on the night he was betrayed, and later said:
Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matthew 26:41)
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The Hebrew prophets saw themselves as watchmen for the nation “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the people of Israel;
so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me (Ezekiel 3:17).
Paul counsels the church at Ephesus to be watchful of “savage wolves” preying on the flock (Acts 20:28-32). Watchmen are required inside the fellowship as well as outside.
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Today around the world we have police responsible for our safety, but also other security perhaps in our banks, or outside government buildings or embassies to protect. Security is found even in supermarkets or at large events.
On 7th October 2023, Hamas terrorists broke through the security fence between Gaza and Israel and slaughtered Israeli`s taking some hostages back into Gaza. This precipitated war between the two. Prior to that dreadful event the watchmen - the soldiers on security, viewing CCTV etc had raised concerns of suspicious activities and passed the information up the chain of command,
but the threat was not acted upon or taken seriously.
When the Watchmen gives a false warning, or is ignored, it is worthless. The prophet Ezekiel warned: “… they have seduced
My people, saying, ‘Peace!’ when there is no peace…” (Ezekiel 13:10).
Or Paul said: “For when they say, ‘Peace and safety!’ then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labour pains upon a pregnant
woman. And they shall not escape.” (1 Thessalonians 5:3)
When we sence something from God, what do we do with it? Keep quiet and wait, tell friends, pass it on to our leaders?
These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come. So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! 1 Corinthians 10:11-12
Are we aware of the warnings, the signs of the times , in our society that needs acting upon?
Our Role as Watchmen and women
We are all called to be watchful. In John 10:10 we are told that a thief comes to steal, kill and destroy, so believers need to be on their guard. Many things can distract us, making us lose sight of what is important. "The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41. We need to maintain our righteousness to be fit for the army of God. Soldiers need to continually train to be prepared and so must we by exercising our minds with God`s word, and our spirit in prayer, bringing our queries and intelligence gathering to Jesus our commander-in-chief.
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.” 1 Peter 5:8–9
Our Role as Watchmen in Church
In 1 Chronicles 23:5 David appointed 4000 Levites as gatekeepers, this was not to keep people out, but to make sure proceedings were in order to welcome God`s Presence in His House. In Jesus` time he overturned tables of the money changers that made the Temple a den of thieves allowing the wrong influence in God`s house.
Paul warns that "savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard! Acts 20:29-30
Where have you seen influences from outside entering your fellowship? How has / is it being dealt with How might you and others pray to be aware and strengthen those who have the responsibility?
Whilst we are in the world but not of it, we will find many influences from our society coming into our churches. Sometimes they can be difficult to recognise, and at times
our desire to be welcoming can cause us to compromise our Biblical calling. Our leaders have a tremendous responsibility
but as Watchmen we too can sound the alarm.
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Who are the Watchmen in your fellowship that have great discernment and are able to speak prophetically into the church?
Are our churches God friendly, welcoming His Glory that would be a magnate for all to come and worship.
The Prophetic Watchman to the Community and Nation
The Hebrew prophets were called to be watchmen for Israel “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me." Ezekiel 3:17
The prophets were often God’s spokesperson to the nation, identifying what needed to change, warning of threats, and clarifying the purposes of God.
An important task of this office is to recognise the times and seasons in which we are living. The Bible applauds the tribe of Issachar as men “… who had understanding of the times,
to know what Israel ought to do...” (1 Chronicles 12:32)
Often these prophets are misunderstood by the authorities, who fail to recognise that it is more than politics but distinguishing right from wrong, God`s ways and the world`s ways and the spiritual impact in the heavenly realms.
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:12
The prophet Habakkuk lived in a time of tremendous shakings. He discerned how bad it was and made a strategic decision to climb a watchtower to hear what the Lord would say to him: “I will stand my watch and set myself on the rampart, and watch to see what He will say to me, and what I will answer when I am corrected.” (Habakkuk 2:1)
What he heard was not good news - there was to be a judgement and invasion. He nevertheless responded to what God had asked of him and delivered the warning.
Sometimes the truth hurts, but is there to help us.
God as Watchman
Whereever we place our effort - in building or guarding, our first line of trust must be in God who knows all things, sees all things, and will continue to work out His purposes. The watchman has his role and should stay awake, but God’s work and blessing are needed to truly guard the city
Psalm 127:1 A Song of Ascents, of Solomon.
Unless the Lord builds the house,
They labour in vain who build it;
Unless the Lord guards the city,
The watchman keeps awake in vain.
Isaiah 52:8
Listen! Your watchmen lift up their voices,
They shout joyfully together;
For they will see with their own eyes
When the Lord restores Zion.
I have posted watchmen on your walls, Jerusalem; they will never be
silent day or night. You who call on the Lord, give yourselves no rest, Isaiah 62:6