Watchman - watchmen

Hebrew definition

1. keep, i.e. cause a state or condition to remain, be kept, set aside, keep oneself, 2. guard, watch, i.e. limit access and movement of persons or objects in and out of an area, implying protection to or from the object being guarded, be secured 3. observe, keep, i.e. obey a command with diligence and in detail, observe for oneself. 4. be careful, beware, pay attention, make sure, watch oneself, i.e. learn or remember information and take care to watch for dangers 5. care for, tend, keep, attend to, take care of an object, implying concern for the objects cared for. 6. revere, cling to, i.e. have a worshipful trust and reliance on an object of deity, as an extension of carefully guarding or caring for an object, cling to, revere, care for

The Hebrew word translated “watchman” means “one who looks out,” “one who spies,” or “one who watches.” Sometimes watchmen were scouts who looked out for approaching friends as well as enemies.

“Watchmen are ordinarily placed on the walls of a city to give notice to the rulers of coming danger. God appoints watchmen not only to warn men - often they will not hear - but also to summon Him to come to their aid whenever need or the enemy may be threatening.”

Gatekeepers - were in charge of the gates - and we talked how we are to be gatekeepers of our hearts and also gatekeepers of our families and gatekeepers at church

Watchmen - they kept watch from a high place - with regards to a fortified city - a city with walls - the watchmen would stand on the wall or they would keep watch in a tower. Then they could see far off because of their position as to what is coming.

Perspective is everything - we are to be both watchmen - waiting in anticipation but also gatekeepers

What should our perspective be: Ready for the Lord’s return - in anticipation

Perception vs. Reality

We may think that we can read the signs and what is to come - but in reality - it may not be what we think at all

We can see all the signs - but reality says that no one knows the day or the hour of His return (Matthew 24:36-44)

Matthew 24:36–44 (NIV)

36 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. 42 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 43 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

Matthew 25:1–13 (NIV)

1 “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4 The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5 The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. 6 “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ 7 “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’ 9 “ ‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ 10 “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. 11 “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’ 12 “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’ 13 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.

1. Be alert - be watchful

2. Be wise not a fool

3. Be a light - be prepared with the oil (Holy Spirit)

4. Be ready and know that you are not to be taken advantage of.

5. Be alert - to resist the devil who goes around like a roaring lion seeking who he can devour. 1 Peter 5:8

1 Peter 5:8 (NIV)

8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

Ephesians 6:10–20 (NIV)

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. 19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

Ephesians 6:18 NLT

18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

Ephesians 6:18–20 (NKJV)

18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

1. Watch for His Return

2. Watch as the 5 virgins did

They were prepared with oil

That even though time had passed - they knew what they had to do.

3. Watch for the tactics of the enemy - the watchmen always watched for their enemy a present form of danger - that others around them may not expect - they also watched so they knew if they needed to summon the King (or if we need to summon the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

4. Watch so that we don’t miss the plans that God has for us.

5. Watch to know how to pray for each other - pray at all times for God’s people that we will be able to overcome - to remember our oil.

6. Watch to know how to speak His Word.