THE WATCHMEN
The Watchtower of Petra
2Samuel 18:24 And David sat between the two gates: and the watchman went up to the roof over the gate unto the wall, and lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold a man running alone.
Isaiah 21:6 For thus hath the Lord said unto me, Go, set a watchman, and let him declare what he seeth.
Ezekiel 3:17 Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.
Ezekiel 33:6 But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand.
Ezekiel 33:7 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.
ISAIAH THE LORD'S WATCHMAN
Against this backdrop of war and a certain attack upon the nation of Israel, God commands the prophet Isaiah to assume the role of a watchman. Isaiah is to look to the prophetic future and tell the people what he sees approaching. This is just what Isaiah does.
This message might have been given nearly 2,700 years ago, but it is as timely as today’s headlines. War rages in our world today. People are losing their lives by the thousands to terrorist attacks, freak natural disasters and the horrors of war.
Old convictions and standards are being swept away right before our very eyes. The winds of change are blowing all around us and fearful things are just over the horizon.
Today, just as there was in Isaiahs day, there is a need for the people of God to assume the role of watchman. There is a need for us to take our stand, look at that which is approaching and open our mouths and sound the warning.
Let us explore the position of the Watchman, what were his duties.
THE WATCHMAN AND HIS MISSION
ISAIAH 21 6:10
In ancient times, those who lived in walled cities were considered blessed individuals. By being inside a city with walls, they had 2 forms of protection. One was the wall itself. It stood as a barrier between the citizens and their enemies. It stood as a barrier between that which was acceptable and that which was not. The wall was a formidable barrier to trouble. The city of Jericho was an ancient city that placed great value in the defensive nature of its vast, thick walls, Josh. 6:1.
Now Jericho was straightly shut up because of the children of Israel: none went out, and none came in.
A second form of protection those in walled cities possessed was the watchman. He is mentioned in our text and he was essential to the proper function of the wall. 
He stood upon that wall and kept watch over the surrounding countryside. When invading armies or other dangers came into his view, he sounded the warning and those inside the wall knew to prepare. Both the watchman and the wall were essential to the survival of the city itself. Without the watchman, those inside the wall were blind and without the wall, the watchman would have been unnecessary. The two-fold duty of the ancient watchman was to search out the enemy from his post and to call out their approach.
A. He Was To Watch– The most important duty of the watchman was for him to watch! He was to stand in the towers or upon the wall and his eyes were to scan the countryside for any signs of trouble. From his high and lofty perch, he could see the glistening of armor, sword and spear; he could see the banners of war as they waved; and he could see the clouds of dust raised by the drumming of thousands of feet upon the desert sands. He was to be in his place, with his eyes open. He was to watch!
B. He Was To Warn – Whether he saw anything approaching or not, he was to give his report to the people within the walls when they asked him of conditions outside.
When trouble arose in the distance, he was to lift up his voice and sound the warning so that the people within the walls could prepare themselves and so that those who lived outside the city could run in and find refuge. This same thought is seen in Isaiah. 58:1, where the prophet Isaiah is told to “Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression and the house of Jacob their sins.” and Hosea. 8:1, where Hosea is told to “Set the trumpet to thy mouth.” The ancient watchman had a duty to watch and to warn.
If there was ever a time when watchmen were needed around the church, the home, the family, the schoolhouse and the community, the day is now! We need people of discernment who know the Word of God. We desperately need people who know the enemy and keeping an eye on him and what he is doing, 1 Pet. 5:8.Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeing whom he may devour.
We need people who will watch and warn others of what they see coming. Whether the news is good or bad, we need men and women who will look at the world around them and raise the warning.
Whether we see it or not, every area of life I mentioned earlier is under attack! The enemy is doing everything he can to invade the church and lead us down the wrong path. He wants to change our worship, the Bible, our hymnbook and our message. We need watchman who will see that and sound the message! (Note: the hymnbook, Satan the author of music, has profaned and destroyed many of our youth with bad music. He seeks to destroy the Bible by changing the words of God, to tell us that the Bible is a lie, he has gotten into the churches and made them apostate by condemning the 4th commandment and going against God's Seventh day Sabbath.)
The home and family are also under severe attack this evening. Children have forgotten the meaning of submission and obedience. Husbands and wives have no concept of faithfulness, fidelity and “unto death do us part.” Parents have forgotten how to apply the board of education to the seat of learning, and we are raising a generation of rebels who know nothing about submission to authority.
Things are no better in the community! People outside the walls do not want to be bothered with thoughts of God, His will and His Word.
The cry from the lost world is rising ever louder as they demand freedom from God’s laws and even from God Himself. They say, “Away with the Ten Commandments! Away with right and wrong! Away with morality! Away with Jesus, the Bible, and God, Yes, we need watchmen in our day. But, sadly, I see very few who are responding to the need.)
THE WATCHMAN AND HIS METHODS
He Was Vigilant In His Watching – Verse 7 tells us that “he saw.” Isaiah 21:7 And he saw a chariot with a couple of horsemen, a chariot of asses, and a chariot of camels; and he hearkened diligently with much heed: It also says that he harkened diligently with much heed” to what he saw. He took great care in watching and great care in noting everything he saw. In verses 8, he compares himself to a “lion.” Isaiah 21:8 And he cried, A lion: My lord, I stand continually upon the watchtower in the daytime, and I am set in my ward whole nights: Lions, as you may know, have very short eyelids. Even when they are asleep, they have the appearance that their eyes are open and watching. He tells us that he was in his place both day and night. He did not leave his post, but remained there to make sure that nothing occurred on his watch that he did not see.
This watchman sets a great example for those who would be watchmen in our day. In 1 Pet. 5:8, we are told to “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, and seeking whom he may devour:” The word “sober” means “to be calm and collected in spirit.” The word “vigilant” means “to be watchful.”
The idea here is that the Lord’s watchmen are not to get caught up in the excitement of the times. We are not to be disturbed by the events around us, but we are to be ever watching. We know how things appear when there is calm. When we see trouble on the horizon, we are to sound the warning!
The world is changing all around us tonight. And, it is changing fast! We are not to be disturbed by the things we see happening around us, but we are watch always and warn when necessary. Without giving the devil any glory, he is a slick adversary, 2 Corinthians. 11:14.And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. He will deceive you, trick you and trap you, if he is able. Therefore, keep your eyes on him and refuse to give him so much as a foothold in your church, your family, your home or your life, Eph. 4:27. Neither give place to the devil.
He Was Vigorous In His Warnings – When this watchman saw trouble approaching, he did not keep the message to himself. was coming. Instead, he opened his mouth and shouted out the warning for all to hear. He told everyone within earshot that trouble was coming.
Again, there is a lesson for the watchmen in our day as well. As we watch the enemy approaching ever nearer the walls of our churches, our homes, our families and our communities, we have a responsibility to sound the warning. Some would say, “What’s the use? No one is listening to us!” I would answer that by reminding you that one of these days we are going to face our Savior at The Judgment Seat of Christ. On that day, we will give an account of how well we raised the alarm in our day. I think this truth is illustrated well by our Lord’s words to the prophet Ezekiel,
Ezekiel. 33:1-9.
1 Again the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
2 Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them, When I bring the sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a man of their coasts, and set him for their watchman:
3 If when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the people;
4 Then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head.
5 He heard the sound of the trumpet, and took not warning; his blood shall be upon him. But he that taketh warning shall deliver his soul.
6 But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand.
7 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.
8 When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.
9 Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.
Therefore, let us take heed to the certain signs of the enemy’s approach and let us warn them to flee the judgment to come!
THE WATCHMAN AND HIS MESSAGE
ISAIAH 21: 11,12
He Speaks Of Dawn – The watchman say “the morning cometh!” He sounds out the glad note that the night is nearly spent and that dawn is about to break. You see, the night was the most frightening time of all. The watchman could not see as well and the enemy had a better chance of sneaking in for the attack. In the day time, the enemy would be far more easily exposed. The news that dawn was coming brought comfort to the hearts of the people in the city.
He Speaks Of Doom – He tells the people that after the morning passes, night is coming back again! For the people of God, there is a bright, happy morning on the horizon; but for the lost sinner, there is nothing but the dark night of eternal separation and eternal (DEATH).Things are looking up for the people of God; but the lost man has nothing to look forward to but the undiluted wrath of Almighty God, John 3:36; Eph. 2:3; Heb. 10:31; Heb. 12:29.
He Speaks Of Decisions – The watchman tells those who hear him to enquire, return and come. He is calling the wayward ones back to God. He is saying to them, “There is great danger on the horizon, but there is still time to make a change. Come to God! Return to Him!” That was the message they needed to hear in that day and that is the message that still needs to be trumpeted by the watchmen of our day!
Danger, great danger, looms on the near horizon, but it is not too late. God is still saving souls. He is still changing lives. He is still receiving all who will come to Him by faith. That is the message we need to share with this lost world tonight. They need to hear the news that there is still hope. All is not lost! They can be saved is they will come; if they will return to God.
We need to be vigilant, to get the word out, that Jesus is coming again, and that time is short. The signs are there, in the weather, in the news, all around us.
Matthew 24:3-15
3 And as he sat upon the Mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, tell us, when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers’ places.
8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.
Mat 24:9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.
10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand :)
So please join me and become a member of the Watchmen. Inform us of any news stories that you think we should know about. Spread the Word of God; send out the message of the Three angels to COME OUT OF HER MY PEOPLE.
Here is a passage taken from the writings of Ellen G White: Manuscript 4, January 9, 1898:
Those who hide their light will soon lose all power to shine. They are represented by the foolish virgins, and when the crisis comes and the last call is made, "Behold the Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet Him", they will find that while they have been mingling with the world, their light has gone out. they did not continue to provide themselves with the oil of grace. The peace and safety cry hushed them to slumber and made them careless in regard to their light...
Those who are watching and waiting for the appearing of Christ in the clouds of heaven will not be mingling with the world in pleasure societies and gathering merely for their own amusement. As faithful watchmen they will be found proclaiming, "The morning cometh, and also the night."...The time is coming when it will be too late to use the light we may have. Then the decree will go forth: " He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. And, behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to give to every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Blessed are they that do His commandments that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city". (Revelation 22:11-14)
I want to be able to say before Jesus, your faithful servant did her best, and hear Him say, come true and loyal servant and enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Amen