Watch and Wait

Anita Clark – Pastor Carbondale, Kansas

“Again the Word of the LORD came unto me, saying, ...take a man and set him for a watchman: If when he sees the sword upon the land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the people; Then whosoever hears the sound of the trumpet, and takes not warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head. But he that takes warning shall deliver his soul. But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned;  if the sword comes, and take any person away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman’s hand. 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” Ezekiel 33:1-7.

Ezekiel was a watchman unto the house of Israel in the day when Babylon destroyed the nation and led many into captivity. The word “watchman” means “to peer, into the distance, to observe, and behold.” Israel used watchmen not only to watch for advancing enemies in time of war, but also when their grapes were about ready to harvest, or their crops were maturing and just about ready. They watched on towers in their fields to be aware of animals that might spoil the crops. It warns in Song of Solomon 2:15, “Take us the foxes, the little foxes that spoil the vines, for our vines have tender grapes.” Ezekiel was a faithful witness to the people for God. Many of us today have been set by God as Watchman in this end time, when in the very near future the tribulation of seven years will be on the scene. We need to be faithful by the Holy Spirit’s power to peer into the future as He directs, and send forth warning for all to be aware of Satanic attacks and that Christ is coming very soon.

We are admonished through these words given to Ezekiel to be faithful witnesses, so that the wayward are without excuse. If we do not obey God’s voice to fulfill our calling as His watchmen, then God will hold us accountable. We are living in the last days. Oh, weary watchman, keep the charge of the Lord to faithfully proclaim the TRUTH and the WARNINGS. The end time is upon us. Very soon He will come for His bride, His faithful believers. The world, as a whole will be watching the Antichrist, the man of the hour on the earth, who will have the answer to the world’s need for peace. The Antichrist will sign a treaty with Israel (Daniel 9:27) guaranteeing their security for seven years. Then will begin the prophesied time of tribulation.

Genesis 12:1-3 proclaims the blessing on Abraham and his seed. “I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee and make thy name great: and thou shalt be a blessing. And I will bless them that bless the, and curse him that curseth thee; and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.” This is the warning that God has given. God has allowed much judgment upon Israel because of their rejection of Messiah Jesus, but He is a jealous God. He will not allow anyone or any nation to persecute Israel for long, before He will judge those who try to harm Israel.  Zechariah 2:8 says, “...for He that toucheth you toucheth the apple (pupil) of His eye.”

Apostle Paul was a watchman, and even though he is no longer here preaching and teaching, his words are still resonating through the world in many languages. The prophetic scriptures in Paul’s writings are being fulfilled today. Note II Timothy 3:1-7, “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.” He is as a Spiritual Watchman crying out in the dark night - “Know this, it is time to watch.” Perilous times are here on the earth right now. Read the list he brings out in verses 2-7; these verses describe what we are living with today. Note in verse 4, “Lovers of pleasure more that lovers of God.” When I was a child no businesses were open on Sunday, and the majority of people in the U.S.A. went to church.  Contrast that with what is happening now. It is hard to get even the believer’s to be regular to the services.  Look at the statistics and see for yourself. The interest for the things of God is drying up. As watchman we stand in the fight and declare the warning of the soon coming judgment, the tribulation of seven prophesied years is almost here. Just look at how different the world has become from what God declares in the Word of God.

We cry, “Come Lord Jesus. Take us away out from all the evil of this world.”  We long to see His beautiful face.