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FOR THE TRUTH
Watchman's Guidelines
A
'CLIP-BOARD' OF GUIDELINES FOR A MODERN WATCHMAN.
See 2
Peter 1:19-21.
In
ancient times, when there were no electronic gadgets, nor even
clocks, the role of the watchmen was crucial to the whole community
he was part of. It was his job to literally watch for incoming
visitors, messengers, enemies, and anything unusual so that the
people would be alerted to these. In the roster of the night watchman
he would be watching for the morning star in order to arouse people
to be ready to start the day's work. Only a few citizens would work
as watchmen, but all the citizens were meant to watch and
respond as was appropriate for them to what the watchman's
message was! This is why Jesus said we should all "watch and
pray". However God does give some people the time, and the high
watchtowers of radio, TV, Internet, letters, etc., to 'man' for Him.
And of course, just as all citizens were expected to report anything
'suspicious' in their areas, so now we are being asked the
same. Some of us feel a responsibility to adopt this role
spiritually, in today's world, especially as we long for the "Coming
of the Day". The element of encouragement is perhaps the most
vital, as we remember the lovely hymn that says, "weary was
our hearts with waiting, and the night watch seems so long, but the
Triumph Day is coming and we hail it with a song!" Oh if
only it could be really soon!
SO
what might be some guidelines for the modern 'watchman'?
ACCEPTING
THE ROLE.
One would seek to be really right with God, loving His
Word and His people. Willing to consider the whole Word of God, by
the Holy Spirit for themselves. It is hard to be different, but
we must listen and answer to the above truthfully, not according to
some 'great' teacher or preacher, unless the Spirit witnesses with 2
or 3 witnesses they are speaking for God. It is almost an advantage
not to have to answer to an organisation, or congregation but speak
even a painful truth. This is why we must pray urgently for all
preachers and teachers. Jesus warned of false prophets, (even some
who are Christians) and some are very plausible! Some are only partly
right. There needs to be a willingness to wait sometimes, to be
lonely and to question with discernment.
UNDERSTANDING
GOD'S PRIORITIES.
The basic truths of the Word of God are unchangeable, and
need to be memorised.
1. God has a plan and a
timetable in His heart, climaxing with the coming
back of Jesus.
2.
The
Gospel being taken
into all
the World is His greatest longing so that some from every
'tribe', and 'ethnic group' (nation), and language will be
represented before the Throne. When this has been completed, "the
end"
will come. A priority to pray for!
3. The
'time of rebellion'
is part of God's clearly stated and foreseen result of giving mankind
a 'free-will'. It must break his heart, as it breaks ours, for all
that is involved in seeing such tragedy! The world is not
going to 'get better'. Some, even believe that it is this that God is
using to bring many people to Himself and will be the means of
purifying His true Church. God loves to turn evil into blessing as
in the death of Jesus! But persecution of Christians is also a
part of the result of increasing wickedness.
4. The
restoration of Israel,
is His covenanted promise, geographically, physically, and
spiritually. He has restored the Land as a country, the State of
people, and will increase the trickle of Messianic Believers to when
"all Israel will be saved" and become the Holy nation, He
always planned, to be a "blessing on the Earth".
5.
God
also desires
for all
His People, true Bible-reading Believers to
be one!
WE
NEED TO BE AWARE OF THE PROPHETIC FACTS.
This includes all of the above, but an understanding of
how it is happening, and what other events are part of His plan, is
important, before
the coming of Jesus.
1. There will be the 'parousia' -
spectacular
revealing
of a false-messiah,
seemingly a 'saviour' at a time of world economic and world-wide
disasters. He will be seen to be the answer to the increasing
problems of the world, a charismatic leader at just the right time!
2. The appointment of a false
prophet
- a religious person, able to enforce the philosophy of the One
World Government
which will be instituted. (Maybe like the Dalai Lama?) This
will be made possible by:
a) A gradual coming together of nations, trade
and economic alliances, standardisation of rules and ideas with
increasingly integrated systems of all kinds, greatly assisted by
developing modern technology. Next time you hear of a proposed
'merger' think of this.
b) A world religion of
'inter-faith' systems, that at present may seem different, but
gradually an underlying false acceptance of mutual 'values' is
coming, all in the name of humanism. These are: false conservation of
the planet, anti-racism and worship of other gods such as mother
earth and the ‘god within’, while tolerating evils such
as drugs, sexual deviation, war and selfish greed- creating many
disasters of poverty, sickness and plagues and famine. The 4
'horsemen' of Revelation are on their way!
It is possible
that a scenario of total economic disaster will allow terrible
anarchy to such a degree that Governments will be desperate to hand
over power to a unifying, seemingly strong Leader. This writer
believes it will be the result for the world of the regional events
as given in Ezekiel 38 & 39. But it will be for the salvation of
Israel and the destruction of the anti-god forces, especially Islam.
This may be only a few years away but not now.
c) However the
attitude that 'the show must go on might give opportunity at some
great event - maybe a world sports event- for the grandiose
entrance of the false-messiah. Have you noticed the repeated
emphasis and almost deification of the 'human spirit' at each of the
Olympic & other world games? There was virtually worship
of a lighted human form supposedly representing every religion at the
last Commonwealth Games.
BUT
IN THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE WHAT IS IMPORTANT?
First,
above all, the honour of the Name of the LORD our God!
This should be our greatest concern! In the eyes of almost
all the world- all of Africa, all of Arabia, all of Asia, it is the
'Christian' Nations* that are at war. Yet they * rightly have a deep
concern for the frightful effects of the cruelty in those nations &
threats to their own.
IRAN
is 1 nation, among others that clearly by all the evidence:
Are
supportive of terrorism against Jews and Christians, in league with
Al Qaeda., Hizbollah, Hamas, and other terrorist groups.
Is
anxious to hold a position of power over millions of its own people
whatever the cost and if they had a chance, (even to use or supply
their weapons), over not only a neighbour like Iraq, but they hate
‘the WEST’ as does the whole Arab-Muslim world!
They
are in the grip of the Evil one called Allah, who hates our Loving
LORD God!
Psalm 75. To the tune 'Do not destroy'. A Psalm of
Asaph. A song.
We
give thanks to You, O God; we give thanks, for Your Name is near;
men tell of Your wonderful deeds.
You say: "I choose
the appointed time; it is I who judge uprightly.
When the
earth and all its people quake, it is I who hold its pillars firm."
Selah.
"To the arrogant I say, 'Boast no more', and to the
wicked, 'Do not lift up your horns.' ['strength']
"Do
not lift up your horns against Heaven; do not speak with
outstretched neck."
NO ONE from the East or the West or from
the desert can exalt a man. (Note this!)
But it is GOD who
judges: HE brings one down, HE exalts another.
In the hands of
the LORD is a cup of foaming wine mixed with spices, [drugs]
HE
pours it out, and all the wicked of the Earth drink it down to its
very dregs.
As for me I will declare this forever;
I will
sing praise to the GOD of JACOB who will cut off the horns of the
wicked,
But the horns of the righteous will be lifted up. (May it
be so soon, to GOD'S GLORY!)
Secondly, urgent prayer
for all GOD'S people involved in the M.E.
1. For the Leaders of the UNO, USA, EU, Britain,
Israel, and Arab Nations
2. For all the true Christian
men and women in the Forces in the Middle East- Israelis, Americans,
British; chaplains, soldiers, sailors, airmen, medical workers, and
all
in authority at any level. Also media personnel. Purity, with a calm
& a clear, godly witness to all around. For separated loved ones
far away.
3. For Christians in 18 churches in Iraq and
in all the Middle East countries. There are many Messianic Believers
in Israel, and brave Arab Christians in Palestine, etc.
4.
For all
M.E.
leaders, political and military. But 'God brings down one and exalts
another.' So
thank you for reading and praying with us.