Watchmen of the Walls of Zion

“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. When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Yet if thou warn the wicked and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.” Ezekiel 3:17-19.

What is a Watchman? He is a military sentinel on the lookout tower whose work it is to warn the people within the city of approaching dangers. When he sees danger he is to blow the trumpet and give warning so that those inside the city can prepare to meet the enemy.

These words have a wider application in these verses in Ezekiel. When God spoke to Ezekiel, He was referring not only to physical danger, but also to spiritual danger that would result in the eternal death of a person if the warning is not heeded. Ezekiel, as a watchman, was told to warn the people of the dangers of eternal death if they do not repent. Here was the nation of Israel, captives in Babylon, their beloved city in ruins, and they were tempted to blame God for His neglect to protect them. Ezekiel, as the watchman, was told to inform the people of their spiritual danger. They were in captivity due to their own sin. This was not only physical captivity, but also spiritual captivity. Ezekiel was to show them the way to spiritual freedom. The failure on the part of this kind of watchman may result in the loss of souls, which is more serious than the loss of a physical body. The body can be raised to eternal life if the person is not spiritually dead, however, when a person’s soul is dead there will not be much hope for them on the resurrection day.

Often we compare these verses to the unfaithful watchmen in the false religious organizations who are misleading their flock. Could it be possible to have an unfaithful watchman in God’s church today – a watchman who is not doing his duty in warning the members who are straying of their danger? Yes, it is very possible. It is a fearful position to be in – to be called as a spiritual watchman in God’s church. It is a duty that bears weighty responsibilities.

Who are God’s watchmen today? They are not only the ministers and leaders in the church, they are also every member who sees his brother overtaken in a fault. “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” Galatians 6:1. “Moreover, if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone:” Matthew 18:15. Neither of these two references say that when you see a brother with a fault, or commit a trespass, that you are to go and call the church leader/minister and relate to him what you saw and send him to deal with the offender. Both of them say that you are to go. However there is a time when the minister is to step in as the watchman and that is in the case of open sin.

OPEN SIN

“Secret sins are to be confessed in secret to God; but, for open sin, open confession is required.” DA, page 811. “Every open sin is to be as openly confessed.” MR, p. 229.

What is open sin? It is sin that is open for all to see. Sin that is a direct violation of the Ten Commandments, and is consistently practiced with little remorse on the part of the offender, and is of a public nature where many people (within and without the church) become aware of the situation, such as adultery, stealing, attending the theatre, drinking, dancing, etc. Perhaps the person does feel remorse but refuses to change their ways. They are giving Christianity a bad name. It is when a sin is committed in a very public setting giving a false representation of true Christianity.

Many people may witness this open sin and wonder about the standards and morals in God’s church. Unless this type of sin is dealt with in as public a manner as it was committed, it will not be forgiven. Souls can be discouraged from the faith if they witness someone in open sin who is not repentant and who is consequently not disciplined by the church. Open repentance does not involve a quiet “sorry” to the church committee. It is more than this – it is a public confession in front of the church. If a soul is truly repentant they will grieve over the fact that they have disappointed the church and disappointed Christ and will have no trouble making this kind of confession. Those who do not want to make this kind of confession are not truly sorry for their sin. They would do the same sin again, but next time make sure they don’t get caught. This type of sin is when the minister needs to step in and counsel, (showing the love of Christ to them), the members with the choices they have: .either they make an open confession or they will be put on church discipline until they are ready to do so. The open confession is what will bring healing and restoration between the member and the rest of the body of Christ. This does not mean that the person is an outcast until such time as they repent. Jesus is calling to them as the prodigal son who wandered from the safety of his father’s house and is waiting with as much love to restore them. The other members are all working together to encourage such a one to make the right decision for Jesus.

“To hate and reprove sin, and at the same time to show pity and tenderness for the sinner, is a difficult attainment. The more earnest our own efforts to attain to holiness of heart and life, the more acute will be our perception of sin and the more decided our disapproval of any deviation from the right. We must guard against undue severity toward the wrongdoer, but we must also be careful not to lose sight of the exceeding sinfulness of sin. There is need of showing Christ like patience and love for the erring one, but there is also danger of showing so great toleration for his error that he will look upon himself as undeserving of reproof, and will reject it as uncalled for and unjust.

“Ministers of the gospel sometimes do great harm by allowing their forbearance toward the erring to degenerate into toleration of sins and even participation in them. Thus they are led to excuse and palliate that which God condemns, and after a time they become so blinded as to commend the very ones whom God commands them to reprove. He who has blunted his spiritual perceptions by sinful leniency toward those whom God condemns, will erelong commit a greater sin by severity and harshness toward tJ1ose whom God approves.” AA, p. 503/504.

“God holds His people, as a body, responsible for the sins existing in individuals among them. If the leaders of the church neglect to diligently search out the sins which bring the displeasure of God upon the body, they become responsible for these sins.” 3T, p.269.

“The church as a whole is in a degree responsible for the wrongs of its individual members because they countenance the evil in not lifting up their voice against it.” 4T, p. 491.

May God help the church to do their duty, but to do it in the spirit and love of Christ.

SLEEPY WATCHMEN

It is possible for watchmen to fall asleep at the post of duty as they did in Ancient Israel.

“His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber.” Isaiah 56:10.

The watchmen in Israel lacked the intelligence of a dog as they slept on, failing to give a warning when danger approached. “The ancient men, those to whom God had given great light and who had stood as guardians of the spiritual interests of the people, had betrayed their trust. . .. “Peace and

safety” is the cry from men who will never again lift up their voice like a trumpet to show God’s people their transgressions and the house of Jacob their sins. These dumb dogs that would not bark are the ones who feel the just vengeance of an offended God.” T5, p. 211.

“Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.” Matthew 15:14.

Is God being fair to allow the salvation of souls to be dependent on another person as to whether they are faithful in caring out their responsibilities? In reality God is fair.

“We have been inclined to think that where there are no faithful ministers there can be no true Christians, but this is not the case. God has promised that where the shepherds are not true He will take charge of the flock Himself. God has never made the flock wholly dependent upon human instrumentalities.” ST, p. 80. Thank God that He is in ultimate control of His church, and may God help us to keep Him there.

“Those who have too little courage to reprove wrong, or who through indolence or lack of interest make no earnest effort to purify the family or the church of God, are held accountable for the evil that may result from their neglect of duty. We are just as responsible for evil that we might have checked in others by exercise of parental or pastoral authority as if the acts had been our own.” PP, p. 578.

“To exalt a minister as perfection because he has not displeased anyone by reproving errors, not only brings a snare upon the minister, but brings disaster upon the people.” RH 07-25- 93.

ANCIENT ISRAEL

Adventism has been repeating the steps of Ancient Israel, and at some point in time they were also guilty of not being true Shepherds to their flocks, therefore there was a need for God to call for a Reformation amongst His faithful people.

“Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks? Y e eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed: but ye feed not the flock. The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them. And they were scattered, because there is no shepherd: and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered.” Ezekiel 34:2-5.

“Woe unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! Saith the LORD. Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the LORD. And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase. And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them: and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, saith the LORD…” Jeremiah 23:1-4.

.It was a sad time in Ancient Israel and this has been repeated numerous times in the religious world, with some of the worst offences committed by the Pharisees in the days of Jesus and the Papal priests in the Dark Ages. There is more to the duties of ministers/leaders than to simply wait around as watchmen, watching for danger. In the mean time they are to actively work as shepherds to the flock. They are to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, heal the broken hearts, seek for those that are lost etc.

May God help the Reform church to not repeat the same mistakes that the fallen churches in past history have.

It is not easy being a shepherd – leader/minister for the Lord. Satan’s attacks come against them with greater fury than the regular members. He knows that if he can cause them to fall, there will be some that follow. “Smite the shepherd and the sheep will be scattered.” We need to pray for our leaders that they will remain true to their calling and be faithful watchmen – warning us when we are in spiritual danger – helping the needy and at the same time that they would remain pure themselves.

ELLEN WHITE’S EXPERIENCE:

Ellen G. White faced difficulties early in her ministry when she was told to reprove the sins that were revealed to her in vision. She didn’t want to. More than likely these people were much older than she was.

“It was a great cross for me to relate to the erring what had been shown me concerning them. It caused me great distress to see others troubled or grieved. And when obliged to declare the messages, I would often soften them down, and make them appear as favorable for the individual as I could, and then would go by myself and be in agony of spirit. I looked upon those who had only their own souls to care for, and thought if I were in their condition I would not murmur. It was hard to relate the plain, cutting testimonies given me of God. I anxiously watched the result, and if the persons reproved rose up against the reproof, and afterward opposed the truth, these queries would arise in my mind: Did I deliver the message just as I should? Could there not have been some way to save them? And then such distress pressed upon my soul that I often felt that death would be a welcome messenger, and the grave a sweet resting place.

“I did not realize the danger and sin of such a course, until in vision I was taken into the presence of Jesus. He looked upon me with a frown; and turned His face from me. It is not possible to describe the terror and agony I then felt. I fell upon my face before Him, but had no power to utter a word. Oh, how I longed to be covered and hid from that dreadful frown! Then could I realize, in some degree, what the feelings of the lost will be when they cry! “Mountains and rocks, fall on us, and hide us from the face of Him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb.

“Presently an angel bade me rise, and the sight that met my eyes can hardly be described. Before me was a company whose hair and garments were torn, and whose countenances were the very picture of despair and horror. They came close to me, and rubbed their garments upon mine. As I looked at my garments, r saw that they were stained with blood. Again I fell like one dead at the feet of my accompanying angel. I could not plead one excuse, and longed to be away from that holy place. The angel raised me to my feet, and said: “This is not your case now, but this scene has passed before you to let you know what your situation must be if you neglect to declare to others what the Lord has revealed to you. But if you are faithful to the end, you shall eat of the tree of life, and ~hall drink of the river of water of life. You will have to suffer much, but the grace of God is sufficient.” I then felt willing to do all that the Lord might require me to do, and I might have His approbation, and not feel His dreadful frown.” IT, p. 73,74.

REJECTING REPROOF

Often those people, who are in danger, don’t realize it until the watchman blows the trumpet. Until such a time, they feel there is no danger and they live their lives according to that knowledge. It is possible that people don’t see their danger spiritually also arid God has sent watchmen to warn them of the danger they are in. Unfortunately, there are times when the people ignore the warnings of the watchman and reject them. It is not an easy job to be a spiritual watchman because human nature is such that it does not like to have its sins pointed out. Often the offender will verbally attack and berate the watchman and start to make excuses. Rarely do we see the offender say, “Thank you for pointing out my sin, I will try to improve on that point.” Yet, the watchman must be true to his post. “Also I set watchmen over you, saying, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet. But they said we will not hearken.” Jeremiah 6: 17.

Then God has to leave them alone to fall prey to the enemy since they refuse to listen. Spiritually, the watchman may have to take steps to separate such a person from the church of God, but it must be done in love for the errant soul.

“He that receiveth the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with. joy receiveth it; yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth. for a while; for when tribulation or persecution ariseth. because of the word, by and by he is offended.” Matthew 13:20,21.

This type of person is not only offended at persecutions, but they become offended easily in general. When sins are pointed out, they become offended and threaten to leave. This makes the minister’s duty more difficult, however he must still bring the truth to these people. As long as he has done it in the spirit of love, he will be guiltless before God. “Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.” Psalm 119:165.

“They rejoice for a season, for they think that religion will free them from difficulty and trial. While life moves smoothly with them, they may appear to be consistent Christians. But they faint beneath the fiery test of temptation. They cannot bear reproach for Christ’s sake. When the word of God points out some cherished sin, or requires self-denial or sacrifices, they are offended. It would cost them too much to make a radical change in their life..” COL, p. 47, 48.

“There will ever be a spirit to rise up against the reproof of sins and wrongs. But the voice of reproof should not be hushed because of this.” ST 09-16-80

AFTER PROBATION CLOSES

“The people see that they have been deluded. They accuse one another of having led them to destruction; but all unite in heaping their bitterest condemnation upon the ministers. Unfaithful pastors have prophesied smooth things; . . . Now in their despair, these teachers confess before the world their work of deception. The multitudes are filled with fury. “We are lost!” they cry, “and you are the cause of our ruin;” and they turn upon the false shepherds. The very ones that once admired them most will pronounce the most dreadful curses upon them.” GC, p. 655,656.

A question for you to ask yourself is: “Will anyone come to me after probation closes and cry to me because I never gave them warning; never told them the truth of the time in which we live; never warned them of their spiritual danger?” I pray that no member or minister/leader in God’s church will find themselves in this situation. It will be a great time of anguish for God’s people without having this extra burden.

SEEKING THE LOST

The watchmen in God’s church today are not only to stand by and watch for the enemy of souls giving warning when they see danger, and shepherd the flock within the church. They are to be as the True Shepherd and search for those who are outside the church; who have backslidden and departed. When Jesus saw He had one sheep missing, He left the 99 and went in search of that one. “God will work mightily with His ministers when their hearts are filled with love for poor lost sheep of the house of Israel. Hunt up the backsliders, those who once knew what religion was, and give them the message of mercy.” CH, p. 533. “If

there is a backslider, the shepherd knows how to present the truth in such a manner that the soul will be convicted. He will leave the ninety and nine, and seek the lost sheep.” PM, p. 220.
“Some ministers who profess to be called of God have the blood of souls on their garments. They are surrounded with backsliders and sinners, and yet feel no burden for their;;so1ils;’ t1ley’ manifest an indifference in regard to their salvation. Some are so nearly asleep that they seem to have no sense of the work of a gospel minister, They do not consider that as spiritual physicians they are required to have skill in administering to souls diseased with sin. The work of warning sinners, of weeping over them and pleading with them, has been neglected until many souls are past all cure. Some have died in their sins, and will in the judgment confront with the reproaches of their guilt those who might have saved them, but who did not. Unfaithful ministers, what a retribution awaits you!” 2T, p. 506.

We are all called to be watchmen on the walls of Zion, to a greater or lesser degree, according to the influence we have outside of church as well as our position in church. If God allows a private sin in a brother to be revealed to you, then it is your duty to go and warn the brother. You are not to tell anyone else, unless the brother refuses to repent. If an open sin has occurred, the minister of the church has a serious responsibility to bring the person to an understanding of the fact that they have placed themselves in a position away from Christ. It is also the duty of every church member to show the love of Christ to this erring brother or sister so that they may be won back into the fold of Christ.

“Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when the LORD shall bring again Zion.” Isaiah 52:8. The spiritual watchmen on the walls of Zion rejoice together at the approach of the messenger bearing tidings of deliverance. The good news is that some will listen. Some will be rescued from the grasp of Satan, and this will be a great cause of rejoicing for the watchmen and the others within the city. They will all rejoice together with the angels of heaven who are rejoicing when one sinner repents and returns to the Lord.

We are living in a very serious time in this earth’s history and may God help us as we help one another to reach the gates of the heavenly city.
AMEN.