Do you see what I see?
A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished. [Proverbs 22:3]
What is a watchman for, unless it be to watch for evil and give the warning? What is a shepherd for, unless it be to watch for every danger lest the sheep be harmed and destroyed by wolves? [Gospel Workers 88.1]
I grew up, looking at and listening to the older watchmen shouting to us that were inside to buckle up, get ready, an army is coming! There were loads of them on the wall when I was a kid.
They taught me to stand on the Bible and the writings of the prophet. They taught me how to makes sense of what I would see when I was in their position. They taught me how to compare spiritual things with spiritual things. They would, from time to time venture on the outside to hold meetings of eight weeks, sometimes even longer, calling those who were on the outside to come inside and be safe from what they couldn’t see at ground level.
When they would come to my city, I saw how they laboured to present the truth of God and His Word to the people in the evening and then minister to those same people in the day.
Sadly, those older watchmen are gone now and I find myself on the wall shouting the same things.
But, things are very VERY different now...
When I look out, I can see what they saw, but it’s so much closer now. With an ear tuned to spiritual
frequencies, I can hear the rumbling of chariot wheels…for myself. With eyes sharpened by the prophetic Word, I can see an allied army, a uniting of nations approaching...for myself. The last time I saw them, they were on the horizon, however they are so much closer now. I see the digital dust cloud of the advancing danger mushrooming higher and higher into the sky...for myself!
Three years ago I saw the whites of their eyes and the sharpness of their teeth. Everything looked favourable for the siege but miraculously, providentially they retreated. That was the sign...
Three years on, by God's amazing grace, I'm still on the wall and they are almost here again!
So I turn to shout what I can see, to rally more troops and ready the people.
But, when I look inside however, I’m confused. I see some have covered their ears, [For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables - 2 Timothy 4:3-4]
Some have covered their eyes and refuse to see what is in front of them [Where there is no vision, the people perish - Proverbs 29:18] [A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished - Proverbs 22:3] some have allowed their mouths to be covered by another’s hands [Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits - Isaiah 30:10].
Still others have become more focussed on positions and positioning, wielding what power they think they have, forgetting, like Belshazzar that God sets up kings and he removes kings. These things won’t matter shortly anyway. What will matter, is do you have enough extra virgin olive oil?! [Matthew 25:1-13]
An ever increasing number are saying “we’ve heard this all before” [Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation - 2 Peter 3:3-4]
And sadly, some are pulling down the very ones they should be standing next to?! [But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken - Matthew 24:48-49]
There is what seems to be the sound of war on the inside, but if you listen carefully, it's not the sound of war, it's the sound of "worship?" [And when Joshua heard the noise of the people as they shouted, he said unto Moses, There is a noise of war in the camp. And he [Moses] said, It is not the voice of them that shout for mastery, neither is it the voice of them that cry for being overcome: but the noise of them that sing do I hear - Exodus 32:17-18] [Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them, after that they be destroyed from before thee; and that thou enquire not after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? even so will I do likewise - Deuteronomy 12:30]
Music has occupied the hours which should have been devoted to prayer. Music is the idol which many professed Sabbath-keeping Christians worship. Satan has no objection to music, if he can make that a channel through which to gain access to the minds of the youth. Anything will suit his purpose that will divert the
mind from God, and engage the time which should be devoted to His service. [Messages To Young People 295.1]
Music can be made a great power for good; yet we do not make the most of this branch of worship. The singing is generally done from impulse or to meet special cases, and at other times those who sing are left to blunder along, and the music loses its proper effect upon the minds of those present. Music should have beauty, pathos, and POWER [emphasis supplied]. Let the voices be lifted in songs of praise and devotion. Call to your aid, if practicable, instrumental music, and let the glorious harmony ascend to God, an acceptable offering.
Strange things are happening on the inside...
The vantage point is not so densely populated now. The strong voices of warning are few and far between. However, the training of the old watchmen was strong. They taught me that though it looks bad now, it won’t be this way for too much longer. In fact, they showed me where to read it in the Word and I’ve read it…for myself. Here, read it for yourselves:
For, lo, I will command, and I will sift the house of Israel among all nations, like as corn is sifted in a sieve, yet shall not the least grain fall upon the earth. All the sinners of my people shall die by the sword, which say, The evil shall not overtake nor prevent us. In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old: That they may possess the remnant of Edom, and of all the heathen, which are called by my name, saith the Lord that doeth this. Amos 9:9-12
Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the Lord of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones. And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the Lord, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein. And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The Lord is my God.
Zechariah 13:7-9
It does get better!
While a great number are leaving and will leave, a great number will join to make up the numbers. I can already see them coming. The vantage point will be replenished to its full strength! By the grace of God, I plan to be stay faithful till the storm passes over and we are safely docked on the side of eternity. How about you?
Watchmen Awake, don’t sleep at the post of duty. Don’t let discouraging circumstances cause you to lose focus, pack up and call time.
Persecution is part of the process! Persecution comes before promotion! Lives are at stake…your own life is at stake.
Maranatha!
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