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Post by Gr8tful on May 3, 2015 18:50:31 GMT
Okay some of you may be surprised by this question, but I want to know. I do not want to debate this issue, just want to know/understand the meaning of it. Many a times i have heard or read about people who are watchers, as in a calling. What do you mean by that? I don't know if that's what I am, tho I believe His return is soon!! If not imminent! I've always paid attention, watched, etc...but the important thing to me is staying true to His Word, not chase after every sign, but to be aware He may come back any time and we need to be found ready!
He may not come back for another 100 yrs! I don't even think so, but only He knows. So i live as if He's coming today but i continue on as there's a tomorrow. I'm sure Noah was the same way! Can you imagine if someone just to tease him, hid and squirted water on him! He'd look up at the sky asap, believing for a second it was time!!  That's how i am. Waiting yet living at the same time. Noah kept building the ark, we keep moving forward until it's time.
So I guess my question is, what is a 'watcher' as in a calling mean? And what is a watcher suppose to do or be doing?
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Post by shiloh on May 3, 2015 19:25:25 GMT
That's funny about Noah and the squirt bottle. Some see everything as a sign, which I don't. I mean, you name it.
I believe you are a definite watcher. Yes, we are to occupy until He comes but the Rapture can happen at any time, when the full number of gentiles comes in.
Jesus chastised the Pharisees for knowing certain things and then asked them, "How do you not know the signs of the times?"
We are commanded to watch. The way I watch is by seeing prophecy being fulfilled and lined up for fulfillment. Look at the nations alone, who are aligned against Israel. Russia is aligned with Iran, all nations are turning their backs on Israel, people are lovers of selves, earthquakes, pestilence are at an all time high, violence is everywhere and the hearts of many have grown cold, the Jews and many Christians are being persecuted. The list goes on.
All we have to do is watch what's going on in the world. Who can deny that we are living in the last days? The birth pangs are already increasing greatly for the Tribulation to begin. If we are seeing signs for the Tribulation, just think how close the church is to going home.
I believe a watcher is supposed to stand firm on the Word, to sound the warning (even though many ignore us) and be able to answer as to our faith. To fellowship and love one another. The mundane things.....well, those just have to be done. |
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Post by Gr8tful on May 3, 2015 19:37:45 GMT
Thanks Shiloh! That makes sense! Yeah i thought it was funny when i was typing that about Noah, cuz that's something my family would've done to him back then! Just silly fun stuff like that!
That's true about Jesus chastising the Pharisee's for knowing the signs and ignoring them. To me the absolute biggest give away as for the time we are in is that Israel became a nation again. That was NO coincidence! There is no disputing that as far as I am concerned! As far as i can tell the birth pangs have not only begun but i believe one can see the 'head' is crowning at this moment!
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Post by Leeza on May 3, 2015 20:54:06 GMT
Good answer, Shiloh. I also see the Watchman on the Wall as someone who is sounding the alarm. It is a warning that our time here is almost up, and for those who are not saved to accept Jesus before the worst time in history unfolds, also known as the 7 year tribulation. It's a time to witness to our friends and loved ones of danger that lies ahead and the importance of giving their hearts to the Lord while there is still time. The age of grace is about to end, and we, as watchmen, are to warn others of this.
Thanks for the question, Gr8tful!
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Post by Gr8tful on May 4, 2015 2:15:52 GMT
Thanks Leeza for your input. Do you guys believe it's a calling or is it an interest or something else?
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Post by Leeza on May 4, 2015 16:36:07 GMT
I believe that it is a calling and that is why there is a crown given because there is a lot of ridicule and opposition with those of us who are watchers by unbelievers and and even believers alike. It is not an easy crown to obtain.
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Post by shiloh on May 4, 2015 17:10:23 GMT
I agree with Leeza, that it's a calling. But, maybe that's part of it. Part of the calling is having an extreme interest in it. Sort of like a part and parcel thing. They go hand in hand.
What's sad is that many who were watchers have lost that passion. I just don't understand that because it gets more and more intense for me as we inch toward our going home and the deeper and more revealing it gets.
When you talk to many people, they have absolute zero interest in bible prophecy or even in the Word itself. They say they are Christian and do proclaim Jesus as their Savior, but many are so preoccupied throughout their everyday lives that there is this sense that one foot is still in the world. But, for all of us who do follow prophecy, it's a passion. I am in no way judging their salvation, but I understand what Leeza is saying, it's a calling. What exciting times we live in, even through having to see the sadness of it all.
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Post by Gr8tful on May 4, 2015 18:02:22 GMT
I get why some have lost passion for it, with it still not happening yet, holding out hope yr after yr, hearing all these 'rumors', all the supposed signs such as the red heifer birth. I quit listening to that one a long time ago I had heard it soo often. Plus the whole mark thing, the latest technology is always suppose to be IT, etc. I get that it gets discouraging!
As a Californian, I have heard my whole entire life, since I was a little kid, that the next big one (earthquake) was coming within the next 30 yrs. Why they always say 30 yrs, I don't know, but it has always been 'in the next 30 yrs'. To the point that NO ONE listens to it anymore! I at least always had preps put away should that happen but most people just got sick of hearing it. A lot of people won't be ready should one hit just for that reason, they've said it for soooo long that you don't want to hear about it anymore.
But times are certainly heading towards the end quickly! Hopefully people start waking up to it again, before it's too late! If ever there was a time to watch, it's now!
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Post by shiloh on May 4, 2015 19:12:09 GMT
I know exactly what you're saying, g8tful. Sort of like the boy who cried wolf but in a sense like little chicken running around saying the sky is falling at the same time.
A lot of that Iagnore and yes, it is all in the Lord's Hands. If something DID happen, what could we do about it anyway?
I get sick of reading those articles about the "mark of the beast" being incorporated with technology too. The red heifer could be born after the church is gone. They woould only need 3 years for it to mature, seeing that the AC will let them rebuild the 3rd Temple anyway.
You read so many articles, that after awhile, you don't know who knows what or even if it's truth in those regards.
It's sort of becomes like, "and that comes from a guy who knows another guy, whose wife said her cousin's best friend talked to his boss and his boss's sister-inlaw knows someone who was talking to her co-worker and her uncle said, he talked to his Veterinarian and the Vet's wife said it's true after she talked to a neighbor...... and those are all trustworthy sources.
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Post by Leeza on May 4, 2015 19:59:53 GMT
Agreed, Gr8tful and Shiloh. And I do understand why people get discouraged from watching. Those of us who are eagerly watching, seeing the signs coming closer and closer and expecting to be taken out of here every day and discouraged that we are still here. Wondering how much longer we can stand being here with the filth all around us that are shoved in our faces. The sins that used to be shameful are now accepted and even lauded, and when we stand up for Biblical principles we are considered intolerant bigots. Seeing Christians being killed and persecuted all around the world and seeing our Christian rights being eroded away. Being mocked and criticized for being a watcher from friends and family, whether they are believers or not. Seeing the signs escalate more and more...seeing the evil in the world get worse and worse and discouraged why we are still here. Wondering how much more we have to go through before Jesus takes us out of here.
Yes, it's not easy being a watcher and a hard crown to obtain. But I wouldn't trade it for anything, and I don't think any of us who are watchers would either.
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Post by guest on May 4, 2015 20:44:42 GMT
Why do you think it a hard crown to obtain? You mentioned that a couple of times now and I don't understand why you think this crown is a hard one.
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Post by Gr8tful on May 4, 2015 21:22:57 GMT
Guest I think Leeza means it's hard to obtain becuz of all the scoffing, mocking, eye rolling that comes with it. It's not an easy 'cross to bear' type of thing. Being a watcher means people will look at you almost like the jokes re: the guy w/the 'IT'S THE END OF THE WORLD' torn cardboard sign, standing on the corner looking like a maniac. It is hard, can be lonely at times, plus can get discouraging and therefore some/many will walk away from it over time. SO it is a hard crown to obtain since it's hard to continue to stand. Does that make sense?
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Post by guest on May 4, 2015 21:44:04 GMT
G8tful, thank-you for your reply to my question,in searching why it is a hard crown to obtain I found this verse interesting:
"But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, so that the people are not warned, and the sword comes and takes any one of them, that person is taken away in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at the watchman's hand." Ezekiel 33:6
I have always thought the Martyrs Crown would be the scariest road to a crown.
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Post by Gr8tful on May 4, 2015 22:07:45 GMT
Yes Guest that scripture is a heavy one, isn't it?! I believe the Martyrs Crown is still the scariest as far as that goes! And most definitely not one easy to obtain either! I really feel the Lord's Spirit is very much upon a person being martyred. With all the testimonies of many of them praising Him as they are being martyred, or telling the abusers they forgive them and the many other gracious things, it's got to be God giving them that peace and boldness!
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Post by guest on May 4, 2015 22:30:23 GMT
I like that G8tful, mercy from the Father in the midst of fear.
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Post by Benjamin on May 4, 2015 23:03:02 GMT
I get sick of reading those articles about the "mark of the beast" being incorporated with technology too. The red heifer could be born after the church is gone. They woould only need 3 years for it to mature, seeing that the AC will let them rebuild the 3rd Temple anyway. I think this is one of the real problems with the internet age. There's a lot of information, but not a lot of discernment - even amongst journalists and those who should have some discretion about what they turn into 'news'. I Think many of these 'signs', like the Mark of the Beast, won't actually surface until the time comes. Fears about RFID chips and implants are just that - fears. None of these things are the Mark. We know that the Mark of the beast is "the number of his [the Beast's] name", and is not the mark of the human's name, nor a unique identifier (which RFID chips are), so much of the hype surrounding these things is distinctly unhelpful in actually discerning the times. Is it the same technology that is used in the Mark? Yeah, maybe - but even so, given the monumental consequences of taking the Mark, I do not believe it's something that will happen accidentally. In fact, it's such a big deal that the Lord sends an angel around the entire world to warn people not to take it. Seems like a big deal. The same can be said of the heifers. When the time is right, yes, that will be a relevant development. What's unfortunate is that there will always be candidates - so it doesn't actually help in pinning down a time frame. Ultimately I think we're given enough in Scripture to discern a general 'season' of His coming, but we're not given the detail that would allow us to discern more closely when that time might be. I don't think that's accidental - and I think that a lot of people go above and beyond, seeking extrabiblical revelation in order to discern that which was specifically left undisclosed. It's a dangerous thing, and something that we all, as believers and watchers, need to be careful of. |
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Post by shiloh on May 4, 2015 23:55:07 GMT
I couldn't agree more. Maybe that is the reason so many feel let down and disappointed when an "appointed" date by someone has come and gone. They sink into a deep depression.
Guest, I agree that the Martyrs crown must be terrifying, but I can see what gr8tful is saying too.
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Post by Leeza on May 5, 2015 1:22:54 GMT
Good posts, everyone. You all have made good points.
Guest, I agree with you....the martyrs crown would be the scariest one to obtain. But as Gr8tful said, I too believe that the Lord gives extra grace and strength during that time in order to endure it. Like He said to the apostle Paul, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness" as it is written in 2 Corinthians 12:9.
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Post by Gr8tful on May 5, 2015 4:27:50 GMT
In total agreement with you Benjamin. And as Shiloh said, so many do get discouraged as they yet again see a date go by that was suppose to be it! That's the difference I guess between those who watch and those who 'predict' or follow predictions. It would get discouraging. The Lord said we will not know the day or the hour. Plain and simple...not real hard to understand what He meant by that.
The trouble is when people think they can hone in on THE day anyway. Me personally, believe He is coming back soon. I really don't need to know exactly when, what day, what hour. It is enough for me to know it is soon. I hope everyday is the day! I can safely say, we are one day closer, that's all I know! Oh yes, I watch, I listen, I see, and I feel we're almost there! But what matters to me is that He died for me. He loved me sooo much that He said to our Father, "I will take all that she has done, I'll take it all so that she can be with You and with Me. He took all my wrongs and made them all right. He died for me. Whether I ever accepted it or not, He did it becuz of His great, unconditional love....for me and for you. We don't deserve it. But He felt we did for some reason! Can you imagine?! Like a man on death row, guilty as sin itself, and He said, I will die in his place so he can be with You and I.
Do I need to know when He will be here, what day or what hour. NO, tho it would be nice, I don't need to know. He gave us enough 'clues' to know when it was getting close...and we are there, as far as I am concerned. But until He comes, I will wait for Him eagerly. What He did for me, that's all I need to know. I will always keep looking up, and if I have to wait for many yrs., how can I not wait - after all He has done for me....
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That's how i am. Waiting yet living at the same time. Noah kept building the ark, we keep moving forward until it's time. 
