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Post by witness1 on Jan 29, 2018 20:32:22 GMT -6
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Post by witness1 on Jan 30, 2018 10:11:12 GMT -6
I had a little insight into how "watchmen" operated in the bible. They were stationed in towers on the walls of the city, usually its Jerusalem. It was only one watchman per tower and in a shift rota so they wouldn't fall asleep. They were needed more at night because in the day the people were passing through the gates and at night its hard to see any enemies approaching. The watchman had a trumpet which he would blow if he saw any enemies approaching. So the following were good rules that applied to watchmen that should still apply to us today; 1. Keep watch for the enemy who is hiding in the dark.
2. Remain undistracted for as long as you can. 3. Carry a loud trumpet to warn the people of impending doom. 4. Don't give up just because it looks like no one is taking any notice. 5. Blow that trumpet as loud as you can. Some of you have read my ideas in the Provocative Thread post regarding Daniel 9:27, that God is the one who confirms/strengthens His covenant with Israel and removes the "daily" FOR half of the week, and that the abomination will not occur in a physical rebuilt temple but rather in some other way. I realize these ideas are quite unconventional, and it is for that reason that I ask you to pray and consider them. I submit that there is a chance that the enemy will not attack from the direction we have been expecting but is rather lurking in the shadows where we do not expect. I fully accept that I may be missing the boat entirely, but I feel like a watchman should consider all possibilities. The implication of my ideas, if they are correct, is that the abomination could occur first... perhaps tomorrow... and we would then need to warn our brothers and sisters in Judea to flee. |
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Post by mike on Jan 30, 2018 11:37:51 GMT -6
witness1 couldn't agree more! Here we parade the story around as if the enemy has no idea what version of the story we believe is going to happen. What enemy would do that? What enemy would march right into the ambush? For this reason I believe God has hidden much of what the end times are truly about. Yes we have a many fairly obvious signs occurring around day-by-day, but then again are they as obvious as they may seem? We have to acknowledge what we think we know, but also be able to consider other possibilities in fulfillment. I continue to be reminded of this scripture: John 7:31 And many of the people believed on him, and said, When Christ cometh, will he do more miracles than these which this [man] hath done?compare this to Mark 8: 27 Whom do men say that I am? 28 And they answered, John the Baptist: but some [say], Elias; and others, One of the prophets. 29 And he saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Peter answereth and saith unto him, Thou art the Christ. 30 And he charged them that they should tell no man of him.So no one gets upset with me I'm not saying we dont know who Christ is or dont recognize Him. However reading the dialogue in John 7:25-31 we see the debate and the uncertainty of who He is/was. If those who witnessed His actual miracles werent 100% sure, shouldnt we exercise caution when trying to decipher the signs of the times? 
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Post by barbiosheepgirl on Jan 30, 2018 14:44:44 GMT -6
witness1 I will reply to your comment on Daniel 9:27 in that other thread, as otherwise it would take us off this thread topic. But I do encourage those to do a study on the words Abomination, desolation, jealousy and idols.. Getting back to a type of watching I mentioned and that is: "with vigilance": alertly watchful especially to avoid danger (definition) I am not one that believes that a believer will suffer the Wrath as we suggest befalls on unbelievers by the Lord God Himself. But I have found that thru out scripture there is a sense of responsibility to how much one "knows." And, is what I or you know, properly discerned as truth? I know I am not alone on this, but "the more you know, the more you dont know" seems to be the motto of a Christ follower...And, like mike stated, we ought to be aware that the enemy (deception, for one) may not manifest itself the way we have it scripted in our minds. I only wish to point out that in watching for His Return and sharing things we see as signs of the times and seasons, we should remember what James wrote in Ch 3: "1Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment. 2For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well. 3Now if we put the bits into the horses’ mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well. 4Look at the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot desires. 5So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things."
I dont know if all of us posting at Unsealed could be considered teachers. Even so, we share, we deduce, we interpret, we pray. And is it not intimidating that God's teachers will incur a stricter judgement...wait, I thought my teacher was saved? Judgment is not about salvation as I am coming to believe... It is just coming to me that my struglings, my blindness, my unblinding, my peace, then back to my sadness, and my impatience...these are the things that are God's judgement upon me! To refine my faith! Keep me guided like a little rudder... Paul says: "through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for His name’s sake,"
Keep watch over your faith is what has been impressed upon me lately...the danger we should avoid is falling out of such Faith. Faith is going to be challenged every time a a date goes by. Not that lack of Faith is a disbelief in Jesus. Lack of Faith meaning your fleshly mind and fleshly interpretations take over. We get so focused on a set of verses we can not look beyond what God is really trying to tell us. God is about to enter us in to another age and He could do with the snap of His fingers if He wanted. I think we need to prepare our Faith that He is who He says He is and does everything by His Plan. Paul instructs us to: 12But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you (our pastors and missionaries), and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, 13and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work(even if they avoid end time prophesy). Live in peace with one another.(even if they post something I disagree with) 14We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people. 16Rejoice always; 17pray without ceasing; 18in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 19Do not quench the Spirit; 20do not despise prophetic utterances. 21But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; 22abstain from every form of evil.and then Paul says this: 23Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.
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Post by davewatchman on Feb 2, 2018 20:20:44 GMT -6
davewatchman , I have been of the same mind as you. I have been poring over the internet news and whatnot, keeping an eye on events, waiting feverishly for our Savior's return. I ache for that day. My wife, on the other hand, still plans for things, she redid our son's old room into a spare bedroom for when we have company, she has plans for me to build a greenhouse near her garden, etc, etc,. And she is a baptized believing Christian as I am!!! She prays and hopes for the day as well, but it seems she just leaves the watching up to me. Is that wrong? I don't know, and I'm not going to judge her on it. I don't make plans any farther than next week! If that!! There is a super blood blue moon on Wednesday and I was thinking there might be a special meeting at the UN on the two state solution on Friday, I might be wrong on that though. What does that mean? I don't know. Will it spark a war? Peace? Will Jesus pull us out of here? I hope so! Some days my mind gets so frazzled it's hard to stay focused. edit...it is a meeting of the EU not the UN. I don't know. It could be that you are just a ways ahead of her, like in the advanced class in school. But she'll catch up right on time when the watchmen see eye to eye. It seems like a lonely deal though at times. I don't think she's wrong. I don't think we can say that. Even with what i think i know, i will still be glad to get this winter over with and hope to go into another spring and summer without having an end of the world incident. But does that mean that I don't want the Lord to come? No way. But at the same time i do not long for the Day of the Lord. "Woe to you who long for the day of the LORD! Why do you long for the day of the LORD? That day will be darkness, not light. But i'm doubtful for the summer. And i'm even doubtful for the spring. I think that i see the AofD standing where it ought not to be. So i can't go back into the house and replace that kitchen sink, or spring for that all steel roof.. Remember Lots wife. Remember the day that Lot left out from Sodom. So shall it be on the day that the Son of Man is revealed. I have to do more thinking. My mind gets frazzled too. Through the storm. Through the night. Lead me on to thy light. Take my hand precious Lord, Lead me Home. Peaceful Sabbath. |
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Post by witness1 on Feb 2, 2018 21:27:33 GMT -6
I’ve been thinking about this a lot. Last fall, I refused to plan anything. I didn’t buy groceries for more than a few days at a time. I didn’t know what to do with myself without anything to work toward or look forward to because nothing brought joy and everything seemed meaningless. I realized how much joy the gift of work brings... if there is nothing to work towards or plan for, a lot of life’s joy is sucked away. So in a lot of ways we have gone back to dreaming about the future again because that brings joy. We talk about the next church we will help plant, whether my husband should get a PhD, etc. And in the same conversation we talk about the sign of the dragon and Ezekiel 38. I feel like planning gives us joy as humans who were designed to work, but we hold those plans loosely and know that many of them will never happen. But we also can’t live the way we were living last fall... these are definitely odd times to be living in!
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Post by sawdy on Feb 2, 2018 22:48:49 GMT -6
I’ve been thinking about this a lot. Last fall, I refused to plan anything. I didn’t buy groceries for more than a few days at a time. I didn’t know what to do with myself without anything to work toward or look forward to because nothing brought joy and everything seemed meaningless. I realized how much joy the gift of work brings... if there is nothing to work towards or plan for, a lot of life’s joy is sucked away. So in a lot of ways we have gone back to dreaming about the future again because that brings joy. We talk about the next church we will help plant, whether my husband should get a PhD, etc. And in the same conversation we talk about the sign of the dragon and Ezekiel 38. I feel like planning gives us joy as humans who were designed to work, but we hold those plans loosely and know that many of them will never happen. But we also can’t live the way we were living last fall... these are definitely odd times to be living in! I've been busy this week watching and my husband was away twice this month so I basically forgot about his birthday tomorrow. Didn't make any plans until this afternoon and they were just thrown together. We are actually going to a friends house who is having a get together for her husband. That is okay because I still have lunch with his Mom. But I am not prepared with a gift or a card. I am generally poorly prepared for his birthday but overly so this year. Balancing watching and life is definitely not the easiest thing to do. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 3, 2018 3:06:48 GMT -6
I’ve been thinking about this a lot. Last fall, I refused to plan anything. I didn’t buy groceries for more than a few days at a time. I didn’t know what to do with myself without anything to work toward or look forward to because nothing brought joy and everything seemed meaningless. I realized how much joy the gift of work brings... if there is nothing to work towards or plan for, a lot of life’s joy is sucked away. So in a lot of ways we have gone back to dreaming about the future again because that brings joy. We talk about the next church we will help plant, whether my husband should get a PhD, etc. And in the same conversation we talk about the sign of the dragon and Ezekiel 38. I feel like planning gives us joy as humans who were designed to work, but we hold those plans loosely and know that many of them will never happen. But we also can’t live the way we were living last fall... these are definitely odd times to be living in! I've been busy this week watching and my husband was away twice this month so I basically forgot about his birthday tomorrow. Didn't make any plans until this afternoon and they were just thrown together. We are actually going to a friends house who is having a get together for her husband. That is okay because I still have lunch with his Mom. But I am not prepared with a gift or a card. I am generally poorly prepared for his birthday but overly so this year.
Balancing watching and life is definitely not the easiest thing to do.So true! Martin Luther said his famous words: May God give us wisdom to not waste our time and/or money but doing His work. |
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Post by stormyknight on Feb 3, 2018 8:20:17 GMT -6
I've always tried, or at least thought I was trying, to live by the phrase 'plan your life like you're going to live a thousand years, but live like Jesus is coming back tomorrow'. Now that it's down to the wire, that has become very hard to do. I still want to "plant my apple trees", there are a lot of things I want to do. After we quit farming, my wife and I had dreams of making this farm an oasis for believers to have a safe place to come to in the tribulation(we live 30 miles in the country). We were going to have everything ready for a self-sustaining farm (electricity/water/etc), but when the news came out about the Rev. 12 sign and the 'count down' seemed to commence, we knew we didn't have the money and resources to bring it all together in a short time. So it's here for God to do with as He will and I will do what I can as He leads me. Other than that, we just go to work and watch and pray.
I have an "Inspiring Scriptures" app on my phone that gives you a new scripture every day. Today was 2 Kings 20:5 "Go back and tell Hezekiah, the leader of my people, 'This is what the Lord, the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will heal you. On the third day from now you will go up to the temple of the Lord." Many times when I have prayed and prayed about something, a scripture has come up on this app that has given me comfort or has answered my prayer question. When I saw this this morning, especially after the news of the last few days, I was reminded of something I posted somewhere once before. I am of the belief that the rapture for the church won't be on one of our Heavenly Father's feast days, that would be for the Jews, but, instead, our rapture would be on some obscure Tuesday in February...
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Post by grandpaskitzo on Feb 5, 2018 9:42:59 GMT -6
Tomorrow is some obscure Tuesday in February! Maybe, just maybe, if we all focus really hard on every other day of the year and collectively forget about tomorrow, it would turn into the least expected day for Christ to come! Totally makes sense...right?
(Please don’t take me seriously)
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Post by mike on Feb 5, 2018 9:44:55 GMT -6
Tomorrow is some obscure Tuesday in February! Maybe, just maybe, if we all focus really hard on every other day of the year and collectively forget about tomorrow, it would turn into the least expected day for Christ to come! Totally makes sense...right? (Please don’t take me seriously)EVER!  Only on the 14th Wednesday following the third Thursday of the fourth Friday after a Super Blue Blood moon |
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Post by Natalie on Feb 5, 2018 12:11:33 GMT -6
I hadn't really thought about the why of watching until lately, I just knew that I HAD to be watching because God woke me up to where we are in history. So, even when another day goes by or another terrible news story comes out, and I really want to go Home, I still watch. I teach my kids and buy the groceries and run my son to baseball practice, and look up at the sky frequently. I can't go back to how it was before. The Bible is coming to life right in front of us! Jesus is coming soon. And so even if our warnings get scoffed at, and we are tired and misunderstood, we still watch.
I do think Christians are to be aware that He is returning, but I don't think all are called to watch. God has different jobs for different people. My husband knows our time is short, but he doesn't have the interest in watching the details -- He struggles with anxiety and so often times the news keeps him awake at night. So, I think part of my job as a watcher is to speak to my husband about these things when appropriate.
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Post by sog on Feb 5, 2018 14:46:31 GMT -6
I hadn't really thought about the why of watching until lately, I just knew that I HAD to be watching because God woke me up to where we are in history. So, even when another day goes by or another terrible news story comes out, and I really want to go Home, I still watch. I teach my kids and buy the groceries and run my son to baseball practice, and look up at the sky frequently. I can't go back to how it was before. The Bible is coming to life right in front of us! Jesus is coming soon. And so even if our warnings get scoffed at, and we are tired and misunderstood, we still watch. I do think Christians are to be aware that He is returning, but I don't think all are called to watch. God has different jobs for different people. My husband knows our time is short, but he doesn't have the interest in watching the details -- He struggles with anxiety and so often times the news keeps him awake at night. So, I think part of my job as a watcher is to speak to my husband about these things when appropriate. “and look up at the sky frequently”. It’s funny you say that. I find myself looking at the sky all the time now. I don’t even know what I’m looking for, but it comforts me. I’m also looking at the landscape around me more often. It just seems calming. I can’t even say how I got to this website. I was just surfing around and ended up here. I too believe I’m somehow called to be watching by God. It seems at times both a blessing and a burden, but one I will happily take. My wife doesn’t want to dig into these things, but will listen to me. Friends and family ask me what I think and I share with them. I get the feeling that people (Christian and non-Christian) do not want to think about this stuff. It scares them. I struggle with how to tell them about this and not sound too alarmist or crazy. I pray daily for guidance. I feel we should be praying for each other daily as well. |
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Post by fitz on Feb 5, 2018 15:52:16 GMT -6
While I had been studying all things escatalogical my entire life....watching and waiting, constantly reading articles regarding the rapture and frequenting sites like Rapture Ready...it wasn't until I got a serious wake up call at the beginning of August 2017 that I really started to actively watch on a daily basis. And I can't explain it, but just knew in my spirit that God was telling me that the time is now. I found Unsealed after discovering the Revelation 12 Sign. Now, it consumes my life. I've thought many times in the past month that maybe I should chill out and pull back a bit...but I can't! I know too much.  |
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Post by davewatchman on Feb 9, 2018 19:13:22 GMT -6
We know that Jesus commanded us to watch, but why? If we are already walking with the Lord and simply disappear in the blink of an eye or even in our sleep, why do we need to be awake to the times? Who are we watching for? Are we watching for each other? For unbelievers? For the sleeping church? The command to watch in Revelation 3 carries this note in my commentary (ESV Study Bible): "The command to 'wake up' is a reminder that twice in its history Sardis had been sacked when the watchmen on the walls failed to detect an enemy army sneaking up its supposedly impregnable cliffs and walls." Luke 21:34-36 "But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man." Is watching simply God's gift to give us time to examine our hearts and repent of any sin found therein, that we may stand before the Son of Man and escape the things of earth? Or is there more to it? Watch for the sake of your life. The Didache Chapter 16
Watchfulness; the Coming of the Lord.Watch for your life's sake. Let not your lamps be quenched, nor your loins unloosed; but be ready, for you know not the hour in which our Lord will come. But come together often, seeking the things which are befitting to your souls: for the whole time of your faith will not profit you, if you are not made perfect in the last time. For in the last days false prophets and corrupters shall be multiplied, and the sheep shall be turned into wolves, and love shall be turned into hate; for when lawlessness increases, they shall hate and persecute and betray one another, and then shall appear the world-deceiver as Son of God, and shall do signs and wonders, and the earth shall be delivered into his hands, and he shall do iniquitous things which have never yet come to pass since the beginning. Then shall the creation of men come into the fire of trial, and many shall be made to stumble and shall perish; but those who endure in their faith shall be saved from under the curse itself. And then shall appear the signs of the truth: first, the sign of an outspreading in heaven, then the sign of the sound of the trumpet. And third, the resurrection of the dead----yet not of all, but as it is said: "The Lord shall come and all His saints with Him." Then shall the world see the Lord coming upon the clouds of heaven. digihum.mcgill.ca/~matthew.milner/teaching/resources/docs/didache.html |
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