WARNING! ATTENTION! DUTY OF A WATCHMAN…
By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com (I do this in 2 or 3 parts.)
**Are we ready for the NEW WORLD ORDER? A CASHLESS SOCIETY? ONE WORLD CURRENCY? ONE WORLD LEADER? ONE WORLD GOVERNMENT? ONE WORLD RELIGION? OPEN BORDERS? THE MARK OF THE BEAST?
MANY REFUSE TO ACCEPT THEIR DUTY AND RESPONSIBILITIES AS A WATCHMAN…
Ezekiel 22:30 And I sought for a man among them that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.
GOD ASSIGNS BELIEVERS TO BE WATCHMEN! PONDER: “AT EASE” and “ATTENTION”
Hebrews 13:17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
DID YOU EVER PLAY HIDE AND SEEK? HERE I COME, READY OR NOT? HERE I COME?
The world seems to be entering what is called THE SEASON OF TIME OF SORROWS. God's word says it is high time to redeem the time. We have nothing to fear. This will develop into a series on the second coming. We must establish Christians have no need to fear, but to BE WATCHFUL. WE WILL GIVE ACCOUNT OF OUR WORDS, DEEDS AND MOTIVES…
Consider two terms: ABUSE --- NEGLECT!
WATCHMEN: Be faithful to fulfil your mission. We will be accountable to warn, to guard and to protect. Watchmen were GATEKEEPERS that controlled entrances, sentinels, to patrol streets, call out the hour (time), watch out for fires, check the doors are locked, deter crime, arrest those that are committing crimes, enforce the law. A person employed to look after.
WHO ARE THE WATCMEN? EVERY NEW TESTAMENT BELIEVER…
Ezekiel 3:17 Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. 18 When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. 19 Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul. 20 Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumbling block before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand. 21 Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul.
God commissions every believer to accept the role of watchman. You are to be a guide to listen and observe what is happening around us. We are to be a MORAL COMPASS to be more than just to TOLERATE or COMPROMISE but to stand true to the high calling of God. WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO BE FAITHFUL TO OUR POST OF DUTY.
WATCHMAN:
Ezekiel 33:1 Again the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 2 Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them, When I bring the sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a man of their coasts, and set him for their watchman: 3 If when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the people; 4 Then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head. 5 He heard the sound of the trumpet, and took not warning; his blood shall be upon him. But he that taketh warning shall deliver his soul.
6 But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand. 7 So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me. 8 When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. 9 Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul. 10 Therefore, O thou son of man, speak unto the house of Israel; Thus ye speak, saying, If our transgressions and our sins be upon us, and we pine away in them, how should we then live? 11 Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel? 12 Therefore, thou son of man, say unto the children of thy people, The righteousness of the righteous shall not deliver him in the day of his transgression: as for the wickedness of the wicked, he shall not fall thereby in the day that he turneth from his wickedness; neither shall the righteous be able to live for his righteousness in the day that he sinneth. 13 When I shall say to the righteous, that he shall surely live; if he trust to his own righteousness, and commit iniquity, all his righteousnesses shall not be remembered; but for his iniquity that he hath committed, he shall die for it.
14 Again, when I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; if he turn from his sin, and do that which is lawful and right; 15 If the wicked restore the pledge, give again that he had robbed, walk in the statutes of life, without committing iniquity; he shall surely live, he shall not die. 16 None of his sins that he hath committed shall be mentioned unto him: he hath done that which is lawful and right; he shall surely live. 17 Yet the children of thy people say, The way of the Lord is not equal: but as for them, their way is not equal. 18 When the righteous turneth from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, he shall even die thereby. 19 But if the wicked turn 20 Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. O ye house of Israel, I will judge you every one after his ways.
21 And it came to pass in the twelfth year of our captivity, in the tenth month, in the fifth day of the month, that one that had escaped out of Jerusalem came unto me, saying, The city is smitten. 22 Now the hand of the LORD was upon me in the evening, afore he that was escaped came; and had opened my mouth, until he came to me in the morning; and my mouth was opened, and I was no more dumb. 23 Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
HOW CAN WE BE PREPARED IF WE DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT? WATCHMAN WHAT OF THE NIGHT? GIVE HOPE IN THE DARK NIGHT!
It would be very helpful if you would read and study: MATTHEW 24, MARK 13, LUKE 21, 2 TIMOTHY 3 before teaching this lesson. We have the tendency to bypass study and Bible reading. If you are weak and ill-prepared in God’s word you will always be anemic in the power of God. You owe me, you owe God and you owe yourself to read the scriptures listed above. Do not take the coward’s way, read what God’s word warns us.
WHILE WE ARE CALLED TO WATCH, WE ARE NOT CALLED TO WORRY AND LIVE IN FEAR. C.H. SPURGEON penned these words many years ago. THE TIME WILL COME WHEN INSTEAD OF SHEPHERDS FEEDING SHEEP, THE CHURCH WILL HAVE CLOWNS ENTERTAINING THE GOATS.
WE ARE ENTERING INTO “A SEASON KNOWN AS THE TIME OF SORROW!” WE WANT TO LAY A FOUNDATION FOR THIS SERIES ON THE END OF TIME: THE HORSES ARE COMING… WE MUST GIVE HOPE, NOT FEAR… FEAR IS NOT OF GOD… NOTHING CATCHES GOD BY SURPRISE.
Luke 21:28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
The time ripens for God to usher in the RAPTURE and the 7 years of TRIBULATION. When all this begins to start to happen WE NEED TO BE A WATCHMAN AND BE ALERT AND READY… Stand up on your feet God knows what He is doing. We must not be caught off guard. Help is on the way. The final chapter is happening before our eyes. We play no guessing the date games, we just see the signs of the time.
TENDER MERCIES WILL BE EXTENDED TO THOSE THAT ARE FAITHFUL AND OBEDIENT TO GOD’S PLAN.
Matthew 24:21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.
Matthew 24:44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.
THERE COMES A TIME WHEN THERE WILL BE NO MORE PHYSICAL OR SPIRITUAL BAIL-OUTS?
COME, LET US REASON TOGETHER AND SEARCH THE TRUTH WITHOUT COMPROMISE. LET US SEEK DEEP WORSHIP AND BE STUDENTS OF THE END TIME. WE MUST MAKE THE MOST OF EVERY OPPORTUNITY BEFORE US.
Ephesians 5:16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
Few remember S&H Green stamps or yellow TOPS stamps. You got stamps at the stores and gas stations. You saved the stamps, licked them and placed them in stamp books. When you collected enough stamps you went to the local redemption store and redeemed your stamps for gifts.
Romans 13:11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
AS IT WAS IN THE DAYS OF NOAH, eating, drinking and marrying… I FEEL THIS GREAT URGENCY TO WARN EVERYONE THE RAIN IS COMING. THE JUDGMENT IS FALLING ON THE USA AND OVER THE WHOLE WORLD.
Matthew 24:37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, 39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
Few are heeding the warning. My heart breaks. Redeem the time, buy it back… it is HIGH TIME. There is a sense of SPIRITUAL URGENCY. Can we not see the hands on the clock? Do we understand and know how late it is? Time as we know it is limited. Time is speedily running out. Be alert! Wake up! Jesus is coming again. Again, can you hear the cry? We are so focused on materialism and physical happiness we can’t see the forest for the trees. We must heed the Biblical and spiritual warnings from the Holy Spirit. Please don’t get so absorbed and tired in taking care of all your day to day obligations that you lose track of the time and fall asleep… Like the 5 foolish virgins and while we doze off we become oblivious to God’s warnings. Make the most of every opportunity you have. Sound the alarm! BE READY! BE PREPARED! DON’T MISS IT! We live and walk in evil and desperate times!
Where are our priorities? Where are we spending our time, our talents, our energy, our efforts and our money?
Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
HEAR ME? WE NEED SPIRITUAL DISCERNMENT… WHAT IS A WATCHMAN IN THE BIBLE? LOOK OUT, SAFE GUARD --- BUT REAL WATCHMEN ARE MUCH MORE THAN EYES AND EARS. THERE IS A SPIRITUAL ASPECT... GOD’S SPIRITUAL WATCHMEN WERE TO WARN OF UNFAITHFULNESS AND BACKSLIDING.
Backsliding is habitual. Watchmen in the Bible were more than just a GUARD. Watchmen were to stand on the walls and in the towers on the wall and they were to WARN the people of impending danger approaching. Watchmen were to be responsible to avoid SURPRISE ENEMY ATTACKS.
We need DISCERNMENT in our nation, in our families and in our churches.
NOT ALL WOLVES ACT LIKE WOLVES.
Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
A good wolf is sneaky and subtle. Wolves learn to act like sheep or they learn to act like a shepherd. Remember the TROJAN HORSE… a hollow horse to conceal the enemy and undermine to the downfall … Rarely does our enemy knock on the door and introduce himself for what he really is… A RATTLESNAKE TO KILL… SATAN DISGUISES AS AN ANGEL OF LIGHT OR MAYBE PLEASURE for a season.
WILL WE WARN OTHERS AS WE ARE IN A SEASON OF DEEP TROUBLE? WE WILL BE RAZED, UTTERLY DESTROYED… GOD’S JUDGMENT IS SURE… BUT GOD HAS A PLAN…
The USA is in the same pickle as Israel in Isaiah’s day. MORAL DECAY? COMPROMISE? SIN? NO SHAME? Open borders? Terrorism? EXTERNAL THREATS? INTERNAL THREATS? BOOMING ECONOMY? PROSPERITY? ENTERTAINMENT? PLEASURE SEEKING? POWERS ARE SHAKING? WARS?
GOD HAS ALWAYS WATCHED OVER HIS PEOPLE. GOD HEARD THE DESPERATE CALL AS HIS PEOPLE CRIED OUT FOR HELP. GOD HAS A SPIRITUAL “SENTINEL,” LOOKING OUT FOR HIS PEOPLE. GOD WILL GUARD HIS REMNANT
Jeremiah 1:11 Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Jeremiah, what seest thou? And I said, I see a rod of an almond tree. 12 Then said the LORD unto me, Thou hast well seen: for I will hasten my word to perform it.
2 Chronicles 16:9 For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.
WATCHMEN MUST TRUST BY FAITH GOD’S PLANS… THE DARK NIGHTS AND GLOOMY HOURS YIELD TO DELIVERANCE AND VICTORY… WE SERVE A GOD THAT HAS A PLAN, HE WILL NEVER LEAVE OR FORSAKE US. WE SERVE A GOD OF HOPE EVEN WHILE WALKING THROUGH DARK NIGHTS. THE DARKEST HOUR IS JUST BEFORE DAWN? SUDDENLY A MORNING STAR APPEARS AND ANNOUNCES GOD HAS HOPE, PEACE AND JOY… WHEN IT SEEMS EVIL WILL WIN.
Revelation 22:16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.
There has been many dark nights of crying all night… no hope.
GOLIATH bred fear 2x’s a day for 40 days. The dark nights distort… In comes a prepared young man --- his paradigm has shifted. But God… The strong giant falls in the morning. Goliath’s own sword removes his head. We have hope.
Many dark days and nights as HAMAN hated God and God’s people. Haman threatened Mordecai! God has ESTHER working from the inside. But God. We have hope.
After Paul’s shipwreck, death seemed to loom--- THE SNAKE LATCHED ONTO PAUL’S HAND… this is a sure death? BUT GOD! We have hope.
CONCLUSION: We NEED WATCHMEN THAT HAVE HOPE. They share the hope they have. We walk in blessed assurance that Jesus died for us. The 7 years coming on this world will be THE GREAT TRIBULATION. Be prayed up and ready, Christians have nothing to fear. God is in control. We have hope. As the world goes into a paradigm or pattern change the dead in Christ shall rise up first and we that are alive and remain will be changed in a moment in the twinkling of an eye to EVER BE WITH THE LORD. We are looking forward to and expecting the rapture of the church. If you have fear and worry you need an honest spiritual evaluation and searching.
Hear this: If a lady is married to a soldier serving in a war zone and he writes home and says: Baby I will be home in a month, 3 days and seven hours. She should be excited? If she writes back, Honey, please don’t come home. Can you volunteer for another year or two? One of two things has happened. 1. She didn’t love him in the first place? Or 2. She has been unfaithful to him while he is gone.
Revelation 22:20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. 21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
The longer Jesus tarries the more people will be in hell? This is a lesson to prepare our hearts to look forward and be prepared and ready for the coming of the Lord. Many parts to this lesson will follow.
Are we ready for the NEW WORLD ORDER? A CASHLESS SOCIETY? ONE WORLD CURRENCY? ONE WORLD LEADER? ONE WORLD GOVERNMENT? ONE WORLD RELIGION? OPEN BORDERS? THE MARK OF THE BEAST?
5 wise? 5 foolish? Are you ready? Are you earnestly trying to get others ready? If fear is crushing you come to the altar and trust God’s plan. Wish we were all ready! Love says Jesus, I love you and I am ready for your coming? Confess! Repent! Be faithful!
This lesson is laying a foundation on the signs of the time preparing us to be aware and ready of the RAPTURE OF THE CHURCH.
His servant, Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com Watch me on YouTube. (Several part lesson)
