A Watchman's Job Description (Part One)

We are speaking again this week to the Watchman (both male and female). I found the definitions of the two synonyms for watchman: sentinel and guard very interesting. The definitions are in themselves sobering and fascinating. Studying about watchmen, as the time draws near, is eye opening, at least for me. It is causing me to step even further into my calling. In so doing, my heart must be open and vulnerable. Each step takes me a little further from innocence where prudence and caution are practiced (foreseeing and avoiding evil) to a more mature depth of wisdom (devising and executing that which is good). I am girting myself in Truth (Ephesians 6:14a), facing my 'fears' and armoring up. I hope it will impact your walk in a positive way too.

Writing here is an opportunity/obedience by which Father is refining, humbling, encouraging, equipping and training me. I have learned to be okay with me, my purpose, and my limitations. Now I can 'love my neighbor as myself' and be okay with that (Luke 10:27). We no longer have time to be distracted. Distractions are not necessarily inherently evil, they can be good things, which take us away from our relationship with God. In Luke 21's account of the fig tree parable, Jesus admonishes, 'And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting (gluttony), and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.' I have spent some time over the last year away from distractions via a Nazirite vow. I am working on a post about my time of nazir (separated from/sequestered) in a 'stream of consciousness' piece I will publish soon.

SENT'INEL, noun [from Latin sentio, to perceive.] In military affairs (and I would say Spiritual affairs are military affairs and so much more), a soldier sent to watch or guard an army, camp or other place (or group) from surprise, to observe the approach of danger and give notice of it. In popular sense, the word is contracted into sentry.

Being a Watchman/Sentinel we must be sure those we can influence or reach have their lamps trimmed and burning; with extra wicks and oil on hand (Matthew 25:1-13). Our Bridegroom will be coming for His Bride; is she ready? Revelation 19:7 states: 'Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.' Will those who 'follow', 'emulate', 'are influenced' by you ready or will they surprised? Have you sounded the trumpet; have you alerted them or will you answer for their blood?

'To observe the approach of danger'! Jesus stated in Matthew 24:35-37 & Mark 13:31-33 'But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.' But we are given many 'clues' to be aware of the season. In Matthew 24 just prior to the statement above, Jesus talks of the parable of the fig tree and after speaks about 'as in the time of Noah'. Maybe the parable of the fig tree and the times of Noah are topics a Watchman would be wise to study out? I heard an very thought provoking teaching by *Amanda Grace on the fig tree, how it was first used in the Garden by Adam and Eve to cover their shame after 'realizing' they were naked. She then looks at the fig tree throughout the scriptures and how it relates to the Mark of the Beast.

One cannot but see, we are either in or fast approaching the end of days. We can see prophecy being fulfilled weekly. The technology to go cashless, the Giant Statute Tour ( https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/watch/get-a-first-look-at-the-giant-statue-coming-to-21-cities-across-the-globe/vp-BB1gBJL3 ), computers the size of rice which can be injected under out skin capable of holding all kinds of information and follow our every movement. Plans for the Third Temple to be built, not only embraced by the Hebrews but by Arab neighbors. What should we do? Matthew 13:33a states, 'Take ye heed, watch and pray.' Is this not 'observing'? We will address the part pray takes in being a watchman in my next post.

So lastly, a sentinel/watchman is to give notice of what is seen and observed. Seeing and observing are different in observing takes what is seen and keeps it in mind, notices how, what is seen is in context with what is around it, what happens next or in the future. It is not just a momentary thing. I believe this is why after heeding, we are to continue to watch adding in prayer, reflection and listening to the Holy Spirit. Giving notice of, means we are to let others know, give them the benefit of our seeing, observing, praying, seeking. The way one 'gives notice of' can vary. It may be via preaching, one on one conversations, writings, chats, blogs, teachings, etcetera. Whatever way Father calls you to give notice of do it obediently and in His time.

Later this week, we will look at how a Watchman is like a Guard. Brothers and Sisters now is the time for us to come together as a whole. No talent, gift, or calling is hallowed more than another. Was Father calling us to remember this verse when Jesus was teaching his disciples to pray in Matthew 9:6? (CLV) Lv 22:32 'You shall not profane My holy Name, so that I be hallowed in the midst of the sons of Israel. I am Yahweh Who is hallowing you.' We need to accept, if Father created us for a purpose, we need to fulfill our purpose in Unity for Him? If God is the desire of your heart, then fulfilling His purpose, you will have the desires of your heart (Psalm 37:4).

We need to be ready for 'When the plowman will draw close to the reaper, and the treader of grapes to the one drawing forth the seed from the sack. And the mountains will drip with new wine, And all the hills shall ripple with grain.' So, according to Matthew Henry's Commentary, the expression was used when the previous year's harvest lasted on the heals of the reaper bringing in the next. And in like manner, the treader of grapes is just finishing up with the abundant yield from the previous harvest; therefore the mountains drip with wine and hills ripple with grain. We will be so busy with fulfilling the desire/purpose of our heart, we will be in unity of Spirit. If we love God, we will keep/obey His directions/commandments (John 14:15). As Pastor Sam Coberley says, 'The best is yet to come!' Let us be ready.

*Amanda Grace's can be found here: youtube.com/watch?v=f05KfC0opi8 ... Her teaching begins at the approximately the 28 minute 20 second mark.

All definitions come from Noah Webster's 1828 Dictionary unless otherwise noted.

All scriptures are from the King James Bible unless otherwise noted. CVL is the Concordance Literal Version.