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Watchman, What of the Night? Print E-mail
Written by Victoria Radin   

“Watchman, What of the Night? Watchman, What of the Night?” (Isaiah 21:11). The Watchman replies, “Morning comes, but also the night” (vs. 12). Isaiah is saying to us that the darkness in Israel (and the world), in fact, will continue to get deeper, but as it does, "morning will dawn" on the righteous, ie. the glory of the L-rd will shine upon His people. However, before the glory of the L-rd can shine on His people, the People of G-d must be judged.

“For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of G-d; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of G-d?” (1 Peter 4:17)

As darkness covers the earth and deep darkness the people (Isaiah 60:2), the L-rd is calling on His Watchmen (the leadership of the Church) to prepare the Church for His Appearing. The Watchmen are to expose the deeds of darkness and teach the truth.

“Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret.” (Ephesians 5:11-13)

“What harmony can exist between the Anointed and Satan? Do the faithful and the faithless have anything in common? Can the temple of G-d find common ground with idols? Don’t you see that we house the temple of the living G-d within us? … ‘Stay away from anything unclean, anything impure, and I will welcome you,’ says the L-rd.’” (2 Corinthians 6:15-17 –The Voice)

The duty of a Watchmen, those who know the truth and understand the prophetic ‘hour’ in which we live, is to warn the People of G-d to turn from their wicked ways. Those Watchmen who know the truth and keep silent will be held accountable.

“So you, son of man, I have made a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me. If I say to the wicked, O wicked one, you shall surely die, and you do not speak to warn the wicked to turn from his way, that wicked person shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand. But if you warn the wicked to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way, that person shall die in his iniquity, but you will have delivered your soul. (Ezekiel 33: 7-9)

Today, the situation in the world and the Church is the same (if not worse) than it was in Micah’s day.

"The faithful man has perished from the earth, and there is no one upright among men. They all lie in wait for blood; Every man hunts his brother with a net. That they may successfully do evil with both hands—The prince asks for gifts; the judge seeks a bribe, and the great man utters his evil desire; So they scheme together. The best of them is like a brier; The most upright is sharper than a thorn hedge; The day of your watchman and your punishment comes; Now shall be their perplexity. (Micah 7:2-4)

The Church is in shambles and true Watchmen are few. The Watchmen (leaders), who are called on to awaken the Church need, instead, to be awakened themselves. On Rosh Hashanah (New Year) each year, the rabbi starts the service with 'the wake-up call': “Awake from slumber ye who have fallen asleep in life and reflect on your deeds.” 

“For the leaders of my people—the L-rd’s Watchmen, his shepherds—are blind and ignorant. They are like silent watchdogs that give no warning when danger comes. They love to lie around, sleeping and dreaming.” (Isaiah 56:10 - NLT)

 

 

The leaders of G-d’s people are not only participating in the evils of this world, but are teaching their ‘flocks’ to do the same. They misinterpret the Word of G-d in order to ‘excuse’ their own sins.

  • Divorce in the Church (even among leaders) is rampant. Yet G-d says, “I hate divorce” (Malachi 2:6) and the one who marries a divorced person is committing adultery.

“Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced from her husband commits adultery. (Luke 6:18) & (Matthew19:5-8)

  • Addiction to pornography is rampant in the Church (even among leaders) although G-d says to look at a woman (or man) lustfully is adultery (Matthew 5:28).

“But among you there must not be either sexual immorality, impurity of any kind, or greed, as these are not fitting for the saints. Neither should there be vulgar speech, foolish talk, or coarse jesting—all of which are out of character—but rather thanksgiving. For you can be confident of this one thing: that no person who is immoral, impure, or greedy (such a person is an idolater) has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and G-d.” (Ephesians 5:3-5 NET Bible)

  • Many churches are endorsing homosexuality although G-d calls it an abomination

“You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination.” (Leviticus 18:22) & (Romans 1:24-27).

  • Many leaders use tithes to enrich themselves and live lavish lifestyles rather than using it to help the poor and build up the Church. A mega-church was recently exposed for allowing the pastor a clothing allowance of $60,000 per year! (Jeremiah 9:23, Matthew 19: 23-24, Mark 10:25). And many live in mansions. What about imitating Jesus who had “nowhere to lay His head” (Matthew 8:20)?

“Therefore, be imitators of G-d as dearly loved children and live in love, just as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to G-d.” (Ephesians 1, 2)

  • Many churches are taking a stand against Israel, the apple of G-d’s eye and are standing instead with the L-rd’s and Israel’s enemies.

“For thus says the L-rd of hosts: “He sent Me after glory, to the nations which plunder you; for he who touches you touches the apple of His eye.” (Zechariah 2:8) & (Deuteronomy 32:10)

  • A renowned preacher recently said that he has never read the WHOLE Bible. How can he be a teacher of the Word if he hasn’t even read the Word?

“These words I am commanding you today must be kept in mind, and you must teach them to your children and speak of them as you sit in your house, as you walk along the road, as you lie down, and as you get up. You should tie them as a reminder on your forearm and fasten them as symbols on your forehead. Inscribe them on the doorframes of your houses and gates.” (Deuteronomy 6:6-9)

Where are the Watchmen condemning these deeds as a watchman ought to do? G-d’s warning to Ezekiel (33:7-9 above) and to the Judges in 2 Chronicles is for all Watchmen in every age.

“Whatever case comes to you from your brethren who dwell in their cities, whether of bloodshed or offenses against law or commandment, against statutes or ordinances, you shall warn them, lest they trespass against the L-rd and wrath come upon you and your brethren. Do this, and you will not be guilty.” (2 Chronicles 19:10)

Watchmen may often be met with disdain, but are called to warn the people nevertheless.

“Also, I set Watchmen over you, saying, ‘Listen to the sound of the trumpet!’ But they said, ‘We will not listen.’” (Jeremiah 6:17)

True Watchmen are few. But G-d brought the gospel to the world through only a few faithful men, men filled with the Spirit of G-d. For those Watchmen who take a stand against all the evil in the Body of Christ (and the world), the L-rd has promised exoneration and a tremendous reward.

“Listen! Your Watchmen lift up their voices. They call out together for joy, for they will see with their own eyes the return of the L-rd to Zion.” (Isaiah 52:8 – NLV)

True Watchmen devote all their energies towards the purposes of G-d.

“For thus the L-rd said to me: ‘Go, set a watchman; let him announce what he sees’…Then he who saw cried out: ‘Upon a watchtower I stand, O L-rd, continually by day, and at my post I am stationed whole nights.’” (Isaiah 21:6, 8)

Watchman, what of the night? When will the darkness end? The L-rd Himself answers.

“If I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among My people, and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:13-14)

Then, as the darkness envelops the earth, the glory of the L-rd will shine upon you. The Message Bible says it plainly.

“Don’t waste your time on useless work, mere busywork, the barren pursuits of darkness. Expose these things for the sham they are. It’s a scandal when people waste their lives on things they must do in the darkness where no one will see. Rip the cover off those frauds and see how attractive they look in the light of Christ. Wake up from your sleep, Climb out of your coffins; Christ will show you the light! So watch your step. Use your head. Make the most of every chance you get. These are desperate times!” (Ephesians 5:13-16 MSG)

Kee Va Mo'ed!
(The Appointed Time Has Come)

 

 
 
 
 
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