Who are these three that I am talking about? What have they done? Are you one of them? I know these questions may not make much sense yet but as you read, you will understand who they are.
No one wants to die, to perish, to cease living. And also no one wants to be barred from the Kingdom of Heaven. If I ask you the question, “Do you want to inherit eternal life?” I hope you all will answer, “YES”. Muslims, Christians, and others, believe in a new life after this wicked world is destroyed. But unfortunately, there are three types of people who will perish and lose eternal life even if they struggled to escape punishment. But why? Who are they? What must we do so that we are not among them? These are important questions to consider.
The prophet Ezekiel wrote clearly about this. He wrote about three categories of people that would perish despite having many privileges. Read the following verses and try to determine who they are.
“Again the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 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: If when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the people; 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.” Ezekiel 33:1–9
God entrusted His people with a solemn work. “In a special sense Seventh-day Adventists have been set in the world as watchmen and light bearers. To them has been entrusted the last warning for a perishing world. On them is shining wonderful light from the word of God. They have been given a work of the most solemn import–the proclamation of the first, second, and third angels’ messages. There is no other work of so great importance. They are to allow nothing else to absorb their attention.” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 9, p. 19
“So far as his opportunities extend, everyone who has received the light of truth is under the same responsibility as was the prophet of Israel to whom came the word. . . . Let us read and understand before it is too late.” –Ibid., vol. 9, p. 19–20
It is important to know yourself. When you consider the verses we read in Ezekiel, ask yourself if you are an inhabitant or a watchman.
We are called to be watchmen for the people. “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.”
Since we are watchmen we have a duty to warn the people about the sword that is coming. Do you sound the trumpet loud and clear? On the other hand, the people are to heed the warning, so they know how to escape the sword.
I will now address the three people that Ezekiel wrote about. The three types of people are people who will perish.
1) What if one hears the sound of the trumpet, and does not heed the warning? If the sword comes, and takes him away, who will be accountable? The watchman? No! The person’s blood shall be upon his own head since he heard the sound of the trumpet, and ignored it.
2) What if the watchman sees the sword come, and does not blow the trumpet? Clearly, the people will not be warned; and if the sword comes, and takes any person away in his iniquity; his blood will be required at the watchman’s hand. The inhabitants are surprised by the sword because the watchmen did not warn them. They will not escape.
3) The second scenario above brings us to the third category of people who will perish. The watchmen who do not give warning. The blood of the people will be upon his head. This watchman will be judged for his neglect.
Are you one of these three? We have been given the task of warning the people in behalf of the Lord. This warning is called a “trumpet” and it must be a clear and certain sound. If you do not care to bring light to others, you are in danger. When the Lord comes very soon, you will not escape if you did not sound the warning because all those people who will perish, their blood will be upon your head and be required at your hand.
On the other hand, the people need to heed the warnings to find safety. Do you heed all the warnings you are given? Do you practice all good works and walk in the light that is pointed out to you on your way? Or do you neglect spiritual counsel? Inevitable eternal ruin is waiting for the three: The one who ignored the warning, or the one who never heard any warning, or the one who did not warn while it was his sacred duty to give the trumpet a certain sound.
The Watchman’s duty and the two types of people who will die
“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.”
“These words of the prophet declare the solemn responsibility resting upon those who are appointed as guardians of the church, stewards of the mysteries of God. They are to stand as watchmen on the walls of Zion, to sound the note of alarm at the approach of the enemy. If for any reason their spiritual senses become so benumbed that they are unable to discern danger, and through their failure to give warning the people perish, God will require at their hands the blood of those who are lost.” –Gospel Workers, p. 15
“If the leading men in our conferences do not now accept the message sent them by God, and fall into line for action, the churches will suffer great loss. When the watchman, seeing the sword coming, gives the trumpet a certain sound, the people along the line will echo the warning, and all will have opportunity to make ready for the conflict. But too often the leader has stood hesitating, seeming to say: ‘Let us not be in too great haste’… The trumpet of the watchman gives no certain sound, and the people do not prepare for the battle. Let the watchman beware lest, through his hesitancy and delay, souls shall be left to perish, and their blood shall be required at his hand.” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 715
“From the beginning, faithful souls have constituted the church on earth. In every age the Lord has had His watchmen, who have borne a faithful testimony to the generation in which they lived. These sentinels gave the message of warning…. His angels to minister to His church, and the gates of hell have not been able to prevail against His people.” –The Acts of the Apostles, p. 11
Before the first Christians were scattered throughout the world in the first century as a result of persecution, it is estimated there were between 25,000–60,000 Christians living in Jerusalem. This dispersion resulted in the spread of the gospel message, which would not have been the case had they all stayed in Jerusalem. Do you bring light to others? And do you make an effort to discover more light to walk in?
Jesus said, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” Matthew 28:19–20
This is a holy commission that we will be held accountable for. This is a direct command from Jesus to His followers. He bade them “go” and take the good news of salvation. He was not only speaking to His people back then, but to all His followers to the end of time, and today, that includes you and me. Have you already been baptized? If not, what is hindering you? Is it your age? Is it the doctrine of the church? Are you waiting for what
you think are better opportunities? Is it doubt or family members? Whatever you have received as light you are accountable for. Therefore walk in the light that you have received. Do not make an excuse or do not delay.
Are you one of these three? “Many who have been placed upon the walls of Zion, to watch with eagle eye for the approach of danger and lift the voice of warning, are themselves asleep. The very ones who should be most active and vigilant in this hour of peril are neglecting their duty and bringing upon themselves the blood of souls.” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 23
Simply to be a member of God’s church, is not enough. Let your mind be always vigilant, and alert as a watchman. You need to witness and give a warning to your neighbours, friends, workmates, and relatives so that the gospel may be given to every nation and “ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you; and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” Acts 1:8. To attempt to witness for Jesus without the power of the Holy Spirit will lead to failure. A converted Christian can call upon this power and God is more than willing to supply it. The obedient Christian is given the gift and power of the Holy Spirit.
Who will preach the gospel? And to whom? Will all accept and join the truth? “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.” Matthew 24:14
Dear reader, do you realize that the end is near, and at hand? The gospel message will be preached to the whole world. When all mankind has been reached and given the opportunity to accept Jesus as their Saviour, and made their decision for, or against Him, Jesus will come and put an end to all things on this earth. All will have work to do in telling others about our loving Savior whether it be a large or small duty.
Jesus said that “Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of Me and of My words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also the Son of man be ashamed, when He cometh in the glory of His father with the holy angels.” Mark 8:38. When He returns the second time, there will be no reward for those who have been ashamed to uphold their Redeemer.
Let us say as Paul, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” Romans 1:16
Are you ashamed of your faith? Do you fear to tell others about your conviction that Jesus is your personal Saviour? Do you hide the fact that alcohol is not among your drinks? Or, that you adhere to a vegetarian diet? Are you ashamed of your little church that you attend (few in number, but strong in the faith)? Do you feel ashamed of Sabbath-keeping? Dress reform?
Jesus said to one demoniac whom He healed, “Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.” Mark 5:19. Jesus asked him to be a witness for Him. He knew little of Jesus, but he shared what he knew. He was able to tell of his miserable life before knowing Jesus and that he had needed help that he could not provide for himself. He was able to tell how he became a Christian, and the joy of this experience. He rejoiced in an understanding of the word of God and the way of salvation. He could also tell of his life since becoming a Christian. He found peace of mind and satisfaction undreamed of before.
Because of the witness of the demoniac, the people were ready to listen to Christ when He visited this area at a later time. The seed was sown and Christ reaped the harvest. God wants us to sow the Truth For These Times.
Every Christian today can testify through his own experience of the power of Christ that he has seen, felt or heard. He can testify how he needed help and found it in Jesus. He can testify how Jesus is his personal Saviour, and the Bible is indeed the word of God.
“As witnesses for Christ, we are to tell what we know, what we ourselves have seen and heard and felt. If we have been following Jesus, step by step, we shall have something right to the point to tell concerning the way in which He has led us.” –The Desire of Ages, p. 318
Are you willing to be a witness for Christ? Jesus wants you to be a well of living water. He wants you to share these waters of salvation with others. The greatest joy and fulfillment in life will come when you share with others what you have found in Jesus. In fact, not only will others benefit from your witness, but also you yourself will find your Christian experience growing stronger. By helping others, you help yourself. Will you ask Jesus to help you be a willing witness?
Great consequences for the unfaithful sentinels
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.”
“As faithful watchmen you should see the sword coming and give the warning, that men and women may not pursue a course through ignorance that they would avoid if they knew the truth.” –The Review and Herald Extra, December 24, 1889
“Jesus is soon coming in power and great glory, and we are not to sit down in idle expectation of this event. We are to show our faith by our works. He has committed to every man his work. A great truth has been given to us, and the world must be warned of the fast approaching judgments. Now we have the precious privileges of probation. We have the opportunity of laboring in the greatest cause that ever engaged the attention of the servants of God. Let us not spend these valuable moments in discontent at our lot. Let us praise God, and speak often one to another and to all that we meet, of His marvelous truth. The Lord will count such among His jewels, and will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.” –The Signs of the Times, February 3, 1888
Are you among this last category?
“He heard the sound of the trumpet, and took not warning; his blood shall be upon him.”
“‘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.’ Ambassadors of Christ should take heed that they do not, through their unfaithfulness, lose their own souls and the souls of those who hear them.” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, p. 403
Are you a hearer of the word, or only a doer of the word? Do you wait for good opportunities to abandon your wicked and evil ways? “The judgments will be according to the wickedness of the people and the light of truth that they have had.” –Manuscript Releases, vol. 1, p. 248
“Those who make no decided effort, but simply wait for the Holy Spirit to compel them to action, will perish in darkness. You are not to sit still and do nothing in the work of God.” –Christian Service, p. 228
“If every soldier of Christ had done his duty, if every watchman on the walls of Zion had given the trumpet a certain sound, the world might ere this have heard the message of warning. But the work is years behind. While men have slept, Satan has stolen a march upon us.” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 9, p. 29
“Had the purpose of God been carried out by His people in giving to the world the message of mercy, Christ would, ere this, have come to the earth, and the saints would have received their welcome into the city of God.” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6, p. 449
It is very important to understand the urgent need for personal effort, of making direct appeals to our relatives, friends, and neighbors. “There are those who for a lifetime have professed to be acquainted with Christ, yet who have never made a personal effort to bring even one soul to the Saviour. They leave all the work for the minister. He may be well qualified for his calling, but he cannot do that which God has left for the members of the church.” –The Desire of Ages, p. 141
All who are consecrated to God will be channels of light. Philip said to Nathanael, “Come and see.” Many have gone down to ruin who might have been saved if their neighbours, common men and women, had put forth personal effort for them. Many are waiting to be personally addressed. In the very family, the neighborhood, the town, where you live; there is work for you. If it is not done you will be among the three groups Ezekiel wrote about. Let us always, pray and work accordingly, giving the trumpet a certain sound. Amen
Victor Shumbusho, DR Congo