End Times Church Countdown: ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’

The watchman read Matt.25 with fear and trembling. The five poor maidens were also watching for the Lord’s return but they forgot to prepare adequate oil in their lamps. Yet they knew that they needed oil to light up their lamps when the Lord returns to meet them. They knew that the Lord’s requirement is to have each individual’s lamp light up when He comes. If your lamp is dark He cannot recognize you! You are secured of identification by the Lord through the oil you have in your lamp! However, they went to sleep instead. When the Lord returned they rushed out to buy oil. But when they came back the Lord has shut the door. His remark was, “‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’


Last night during worship he saw a vision of metal things dull in color. So he asked the Lord what they were. He was told that they were lamps. So he asked why they were there in the sanctuary and why they were not lit. The answer, “These are some here who worship but do not receive the anointing of the Holy Spirit. They have no oil. They cannot light up. Speak to them, watchman!”



O watchman, make sure your own lamp is burning day and night! Speak, so that others too may not be excluded from entering the narrow gate!

———————————–Matt.25

The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins

1 “Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3 Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, 4 but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5 But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.

6 “And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming;[a] go out to meet him!’ 7 Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9 But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ 10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.

11 “Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ 12 But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’

13 “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour[b] in which the Son of Man is coming.


The Parable of the Talents

14 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. 15 And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. 16 Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. 17 And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. 18 But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. 19 After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them.

20 “So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ 21 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ 22 He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ 23 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’

24 “Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’

26 “But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. 27 So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents.

29 ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’


The Son of Man Will Judge the Nations

31 “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy[c] angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. 32 All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. 33 And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; 36 I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’

37 “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? 38 When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 39 Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ 40 And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’

41 “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: 42 for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; 43 I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’

44 “Then they also will answer Him,[d] saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ 45 Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ 46 And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

End Times Church countdown: White horses come to shore

Recently an intercessor watchman saw a vision of white horses moving speedily on shallow ankle deep waters, coming toward the shore. They then formed a circular formation with their faces toward the centre, where a cross descended from heaven. It was an awesome sight. The watchman sensed the sense of urgency and the speed of time moving, like counting down of end times.


O watchmen in all churches, rise up, slumber not! Watch and pray now!

Revelation 19 (Amplified Bible)


1AFTER THIS I heard what sounded like a mighty shout of a great crowd in heaven, exclaiming, Hallelujah (praise the Lord)! Salvation and glory (splendor and majesty) and power (dominion and authority) [belong] to our God!

2Because His judgments (His condemnation and punishment, His sentences of doom) are true and sound and just and upright. He has judged (convicted, pronounced sentence, and doomed) the great and notorious harlot (idolatress) who corrupted and demoralized and poisoned the earth with her lewdness and adultery (idolatry). And He has avenged (visited on her the penalty for) the blood of His servants at her hand.

3And again they shouted, Hallelujah (praise the Lord)! The smoke of her [burning] shall continue to ascend forever and ever (through the eternities of the eternities).(B)

4Then the twenty-four elders [of [a]the heavenly Sanhedrin] and the four living creatures fell prostrate and worshiped [paying divine honors to] God, Who sits on the throne, saying, Amen! Hallelujah (praise the Lord)!

5Then from the throne there came a voice, saying, Praise our God, all you servants of His, you who reverence Him, both small and great!(C)

6After that I heard what sounded like the shout of a vast throng, like the boom of many pounding waves, and like the roar of terrific and mighty peals of thunder, exclaiming, Hallelujah (praise the Lord)! For now the Lord our God the Omnipotent (the All-Ruler) reigns!

7Let us rejoice and shout for joy [exulting and triumphant]! Let us celebrate and ascribe to Him glory and honor, for the marriage of the Lamb [at last] has come, and His bride has prepared herself.(D)

8She has been permitted to dress in fine (radiant) linen, dazzling and white--for the fine linen is (signifies, represents) the righteousness (the upright, just, and godly living, deeds, and conduct, and right standing with God) of the saints (God's holy people).

9Then [the angel] said to me, Write this down: Blessed (happy, [b]to be envied) are those who are summoned (invited, called) to the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he said to me [further], These are the true words (the genuine and exact declarations) of God.

10Then I fell prostrate at his feet to worship (to pay divine honors) to him, but he [restrained me] and said, Refrain! [You must not do that!] I am [only] another servant with you and your brethren who have [accepted and hold] the testimony borne by Jesus. Worship God! For the substance (essence) of the truth revealed by Jesus is the spirit of all prophecy [the vital breath, the inspiration of all inspired preaching and interpretation of the divine will and purpose, including both mine and yours].

11After that I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse [appeared]! The One Who was riding it is called Faithful (Trustworthy, Loyal, Incorruptible, Steady) and True, and He passes judgment and wages war in righteousness (holiness, justice, and uprightness).(E)


12His eyes [blaze] like a flame of fire, and on His head are many kingly crowns (diadems); and He has a title (name) inscribed which He alone knows or can understand.(F)


13He is dressed in a robe dyed by [c]dipping in blood, and the title by which He is called is The Word of God.


14And the troops of heaven, clothed in fine linen, dazzling and clean, followed Him on white horses.

15From His mouth goes forth a sharp sword with which He can smite (afflict, strike) the nations; and He will shepherd and control them with a staff (scepter, rod) of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fierceness of the wrath and indignation of God the All-Ruler (the Almighty, the Omnipotent).(G)


16And on His garment (robe) and on His thigh He has a name (title) inscribed, KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.(H)

17Then I saw a single angel stationed in the sun's [d]light, and with a mighty voice he shouted to all the birds that fly across the sky, Come, gather yourselves together for the great supper of God,(I)

18That you may feast on the flesh of rulers, the flesh of generals and captains, the flesh of powerful and mighty men, the flesh of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all humanity, both free and slave, both small and great!

19Then I saw the beast and the rulers and leaders of the earth with their troops mustered to go into battle and make war against Him Who is mounted on the horse and against His troops.

20And the beast was seized and overpowered, and with him the false prophet who in his presence had worked wonders and performed miracles by which he led astray those who had accepted or permitted to be placed upon them the stamp (mark) of the beast and those who paid homage and gave divine honors to his statue. Both of them were hurled alive into the fiery lake that burns and blazes with brimstone.

21And the rest were killed with the sword that issues from the mouth of Him Who is mounted on the horse, and all the birds fed ravenously and glutted themselves with their flesh.

End Times Witnessing: The watchman’s Comfort

The watchman heard, “I AM your Good Shepherd!” He was instantly re-assured and comforted. What can be more secure than having his head anointed by the Lord Himself for the glory of the Lord’s name? Yes, for the honor of the Lord’s name, march on, O watchman!
Psalm 23

A Psalm of David.

1 The LORD is my shepherd;

I shall not want.

2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures;

He leads me beside the still waters.

3 He restores my soul;

He leads me in the paths of righteousness

For His name’s sake.



4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil;

For You are with me;

Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.



5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;

You anoint my head with oil;

My cup runs over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

All the days of my life;

And I will dwell[a] in the house of the LORD

Forever.



詩 篇 23

1 （ 大 卫 的 诗 。 ） 耶 和 华 是 我 的 牧 者 ， 我 必 不 致 缺 乏 。



2 他 使 我 躺 卧 在 青 草 地 上 ， 领 我 在 可 安 歇 的 水 边 。



3 他 使 我 的 灵 魂 苏 醒 ， 为 自 己 的 名 引 导 我 走 义 路 。



4 我 虽 然 行 过 死 荫 的 幽 谷 ， 也 不 怕 遭 害 ， 因 为 你 与 我 同 在 ； 你 的 杖 ， 你 的 竿 ， 都 安 慰 我 。



5 在 我 敌 人 面 前 ， 你 为 我 摆 设 筵 席 ； 你 用 油 膏 了 我 的 头 ， 使 我 的 福 杯 满 溢 。



6 我 一 生 一 世 必 有 恩 惠 慈 爱 随 着 我 ； 我 且 要 住 在 耶 和 华 的 殿 中 ， 直 到 永 远 。

End Times Church Countdown: the qualifications of a watchman/intercessor

Today the watchman discovered the most amazing set of requirements for a watchman/intercessor! He was asked to read 1 Cor.1:18-31 and 2:1-16. Prior to this, he has recently been praying for more fellow ‘workers’ (watchmen). He has occasionally the alarming thought that there would not be enough time to train up watchmen and the urgency of a non-reversible countdown has been ticking…

The qualifications for a suitable watchman reads like this list: 1. not wise; 2. not wealthy; 3. not powerful; 4. ‘counted as nothing at all’.

It however dawned on him that this list is meant for the world to behold. This is exactly like the list that the Lord Jesus Himself has carried. He was not a prestigious Pharisee or Sadducee or one of the highly qualified, well educated, rich and powerful counselors in the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem (social, political and religious power center). In the eyes of the world He was just an unknown faceless man from outside Jerusalem, from an unknown village occupied by considerable Gentiles.

What other better qualifications can a watchman/intercessor have? Indeed this is a wonderful list. He suddenly sees light blazing through the dark tunnel of unregenerate, backslider or stagnated churches. There is adequate supply of qualified watchmen/intercessors for every church! He thus speaks to those churches (which have woken up from their slumber) as follows:

There is no time to train new ones if you have not already done so over the past decades. Too late now as the bodies and minds of modern people had been captured by the fast paced digital ruler of this world. In any case your ‘strange children’ would not become suitable watchman material instantly.

Where do your badly needed watchmen/intercessors come from? Your backyard, church.

Yes, there is a small group of remnants in every church who have long passed retirement age, forgotten by the younger generation leaders and members. They are the old faithful, having decades of their lives cleansed and soaked daily in the blood of the Lamb, their spirits steeply submerged in the Word of God, their minds conditioned and tuned only to ancient hymns powerfully inspired by the Holy Spirit, their lifestyle consisting of consistent and persistent prayers day in day out practically all their lives.

O, church, bring the ancient watchmen back to your main sheepfold! These are your end times warriors! They are the true overcomer recorded in the Book of Revelations: 12:11 “And they overcame him (the devil) by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.”

For those churches which have been faithfully praying and interceding, you will be doubly blessed with more! The lord Jesus has personally promised, “To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. ” (Matt.25:29)

For churches who have never had such treasures in their vault, you just have to fast and pray and repent (as in the case of Esther) before the Lord (Matt.25:29b-30 “But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away. ³⁰ Now throw this useless servant into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’”). Pray that the merciful Lord parachute one or two out of pure grace (undeserved favor) into your midst before the time runs out..

________________________

1 Cor.1:30 God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin. 31 Therefore, as the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord.”

26 Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. 27 Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. 28 God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. 29 As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God.

I Cor.2:1 When I first came to you, dear brothers and sisters, I didn’t use lofty words and impressive wisdom to tell you God’s secret plan. 4 And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. 13 When we tell you these things,.., we speak words given to us by the Spirit, using the Spirit’s words to explain spiritual truths.14.., for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means. 15 Those who are spiritual can evaluate all things, but they themselves cannot be evaluated by others. 16 For “Who can know the Lord’s thoughts? Who knows enough to teach him?” But we understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ.

End Times Church Countdown: Calling Retired Watchmen!

Again, the watchman is led to the same Old Way, “Enter through the narrow gate!” There had been many visions and dreams and words of confirmation lately. Just as Daniel had prophesied, a time, times and half a time seem rushing in…He recalled the first vision of Jesus who came to him in a hurry, handing out a scroll to him.

He could not believe when he heard himself praying recently. Yes, he was praying for faraway nations and people whom he had never met. One morning during his intercession in the prayer house, he was close to tears when he suddenly recalled a vision he saw a year ago of blood and fire sweeping through that vast ancient land like avalanche.

Lord, Lord, there are so few of us and so vast a sea to salvage…he felt completely helpless when he realized that the recent two dreams of three dysfunctional churches he heard from someone aptly described churches in that ancient land he saw a year ago in his dream.

Indeed he has known this for quite sometime. People of God had been crying day and night for the Word of God. But he has wished that many others would hear and go instead of him alone.

When Prophet Elijah had practically worn out himself trying to flee from his tormentor, the Lord told him that He had in fact preserved 7000 like Elijah in a small nation like Israel. In short, the Lord has multiple backup plan.

Thus, one morning the watchman cried out as hope surged in his heart, O Lord, raise the Elijah and Ezra currently hiding (resting) in their respective hamlets (peaceful retirement), wake them from their hibernation now please!

He has taken to blowing his ram horn towards the four corners of the earth. O, retired watchmen, wake up, arise, shine! Surely some (the Caleb of watchmen) will hear the call and respond. Surely he would not be blowing in vain. Ezra had called and a group of Levites, led by Sherebiah responded with his sons and brothers (18 of them), and others too.

The Lord’s gracious hand was upon Ezra when he obeyed his calling. Yes, the Lord’s gracious hand is still working mightily today!


Ezekiel 3

1 And he said to me, “Son of man, eat what is before you, eat this scroll; then go and speak to the house of Israel.” 2 So I opened my mouth, and he gave me the scroll to eat.
3 Then he said to me, “Son of man, eat this scroll I am giving you and fill your stomach with it.” So I ate it, and it tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth.
4 He then said to me: “Son of man, go now to the house of Israel and speak my words to them. 5 You are not being sent to a people of obscure speech and difficult language, but to the house of Israel- 6 not to many peoples of obscure speech and difficult language, whose words you cannot understand. Surely if I had sent you to them, they would have listened to you. 7 But the house of Israel is not willing to listen to you because they are not willing to listen to me, for the whole house of Israel is hardened and obstinate. 8 But I will make you as unyielding and hardened as they are. 9 I will make your forehead like the hardest stone, harder than flint. Do not be afraid of them or terrified by them, though they are a rebellious house.”
10 And he said to me, “Son of man, listen carefully and take to heart all the words I speak to you. 11 Go now to your countrymen in exile and speak to them. Say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says,’ whether they listen or fail to listen.”

Ezekiel 22:30
30 “I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none.
Ezra 8

Ezra’s Journey to Jerusalem

15 I assembled the exiles at the Ahava Canal, and we camped there for three days while I went over the lists of the people and the priests who had arrived. I found that not one Levite had volunteered to come along.18 Since the gracious hand of our God was on us, they sent us a man named Sherebiah, along with eighteen of his sons and brothers. He was a very astute man and a descendant of Mahli, who was a descendant of Levi son of Israel.

End Times Narrow Gate: Church, Never Presume that God will Hear Your Prayers!

The watchman heard this urgent message, “Wake up! Do you know whose prayers are being heard by God? What make you presume that God hearsyour prayers because you are a Christian or a Jew?”

He was led to read about the Roman Officer, Cornelius, who was not a Jew, so he was not under God’s Covenant with Abraham. He was also not a Christian when he was living a righteous life, so he was not covered under the New Testament Covenant (i.e. having the right to use the name of Jesus to pray to God). But the Bible recorded that God heard his regular prayers and took note of his righteous deeds (looking after the poor, livimng a life well respected even by the Jews).

What happened to Cornelius revealed God’s heart. He looks into man’s heart and man’s deed. True worshiper worships in truth and in spirit. Cornelius took the bother to learn all about God’s laws and practice them diligently. He truly fears God. He respects and honors God by maintaining a close relationship with God through his  regular daily prayers, and a righteous relationship with men, giving honor to God. For example, he knows the time of public prayers at the temple of Jerusalem is three o clock in the afternoon and he also prays at that hour. He knows that God’s laws require charity and kindness in action to the poor and he obeys and carries out regularly. His belief and faith in action influence not only his own family and relatives, also his friends and even his subordinates/soldiers!

Wake up, church, God is looking for such men to honor His name! Stop your mere lip service or fantastic worship, singing lies, offering your unrepentant, un-regenerated selves which are totally unacceptable and unholy offerings (lame, blind, defective) to God. (Read Malachi and tremble)

__________________________Below are excerpts from Acts of the Apostles chapter 10, on what happened to Cornelius.

4 “And the angel replied, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have been received by God as an offering!”

²² They said, “We were sent by Cornelius, a Roman officer. He is a devout and God-fearing man, well respected by all the Jews. A holy angel instructed him to summon you to his house so that he can hear your message.”

²⁴ They arrived in Caesarea the following day. Cornelius was waiting for them and had called together his relatives and close friends. ²⁵ As Peter entered his home, Cornelius fell at his feet and worshiped him. ²⁶ But Peter pulled him up and said, “Stand up! I’m a human being just like you!” ²⁷ So they talked together and went inside, where many others were assembled.

²⁸ Peter told them, “You know it is against our laws for a Jewish man to enter a Gentile home like this or to associate with you. But God has shown me that I should no longer think of anyone as impure or unclean. ²⁹ So I came without objection as soon as I was sent for. Now tell me why you sent for me.”

³⁰ Cornelius replied, “Four days ago I was praying in my house about this same time, three o’clock in the afternoon. Suddenly, a man in dazzling clothes was standing in front of me. ³¹He told me, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your gifts to the poor have been noticed by God! ³² Now send messengers to Joppa, and summon a man named Simon Peter. He is staying in the home of Simon, a tanner who lives near the seashore.’ ³³ So I sent for you at once, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here, waiting before God to hear the message the Lord has given you.”

³⁴ Then Peter replied, “I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism. ³⁵ In every nation he accepts those who fear him and do what is right. ³⁶ This is the message of Good News for the people of Israel—that there is peace with God through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.

⁹ “And we apostles are witnesses of all he did throughout Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a cross,^[c] 40 but God raised him to life on the third day.

⁴² And he ordered us to preach everywhere and to testify that Jesus is the one appointed by God to be the judge of all—the living and the dead. ⁴³ He is the one all the prophets testified about, saying that everyone who believes in him will have their sins forgiven through his name.”

The Gentiles Receive the Holy Spirit

⁴⁴ Even as Peter was saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who were listening to the message.

Then Peter asked, ⁴⁷ “Can anyone object to their being baptized, now that they have received the Holy Spirit just as we did?” ⁴⁸ So he gave orders for them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.

__________________________

The end times countdown clock is ticking fast…Don’t presume anymore, church! Do you know that some poor men out there are crying out to God against your injustice, your unrighteousness? Why do you think Jesus reminds us of the narrow gate?

End Times Church Countdown: the busy busy church hits back

Soon after the sleeping church has left the busy busy church comes knocking on the watchman’s door. “You idling fellow, come out and confront us! When have we missed the mark?”

It is indeed quite a sight. The busy busy senior pastor has a container load of stuff, proving he has done so so much during the last ten years. Programs, rallies, camps, seminars, training, TV, radio, internet, motivation, retreat, revival, you name them and he has them! It is very impressive. His chairman also displays photos showing how impressive their church building is, really ultra modern comfort and convenience, and expensive high tech stuff. Their attendance number is impressive too.

The pastor and church board chairman demand that the watchman proves where they have erred. Oh, yes, they have met the sleeping church on their way and have a glance of the list of non-sleeping church characteristics. They say, “It is too general. We want the specifics!”

So the watchman brings out another list, named, “the Non-busy-busy-missing-mark-church” Bible-based characteristics.

1. Worship God and not worship man.

2. Minister to God and not to man.

4. Hear and Fear God and not hear and fear man.

5. Focus on Jesus Christ and His redemptive work on the cross.

6. Believe in the Bible and practice accordingly.

7. All aspects of the church activities are centered on the above.

8. All aspects of the lives of the believers are centered on the above.

9. Very end times focussed, just as Jesus has commanded and the Apostles have duly obeyed. So did the early Christians.

10. There is an increasing intensity of the moving and manifestation of the Holy Spirit in all aspects of above.

11. There is deep conviction by the Holy Spirit when the Word of God is read, and all will repent!

“BUT THIS IS THE SAME LIST AS THAT OF THE OTHER CHURCH!” The chairman and senior pastor exclaim.

The watchman tells them that he has no other list but this one. He also cannot change the list as he is just a messenger and not the author of the list. Yes, he is not original. He is not creative. He is not resourceful. He is not politically correct… (He admits to the accusations hurled at him by the other two) However, he reminds them that there is one additional item on this list, ‘Repentance’.

The two men turn red in their face and shout, “But there are no specifics, so how can they be implemented effectively?”

“Oh, that is easy”, the watchman explains, “you just need the Holy Spirit and the Word of God- the plumb line of God to guide you.”

So the busy-busy-missing-the-mark church leaves with their list and container load of stuff.

Once again, the watchman cries, “Oh, church, watch and pray!”