End Times Witnessing: How to reign successfully as kings

 The watchman woke these two days and had the urgency to search the Scripture for the conduct of kings. he was led to read about two kings: Uzziah and Solomon who both became kings at a young age and reigned for a long period. (Uzziah reigned for 52 years and Solomon reigned for 40 years).

Time is nearer to the end. All believers must take heed of what the Spirit of the Lord says in Revelation as follows. Are you ready for the new post? (as kings and priests to the Lord?)

_________the watchmen’s comments are in brackets

Revelation 1:4-6 (NKJV)

Greeting the Seven Churches

4 John, to the seven churches which are in Asia:

Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth.

To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, 6 and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

(The kingdom is forever and ever. Are you ready?)

1 Kings 3:3-15 (NIV)

3Solomon showed his love for the LORD by walking according to the instructions given him by his father David, except that he offered sacrifices and burned incense on the high places.

(the king loved the Lord, as evidenced by his obedience in word and action to the Lord’s instructions)

4 The king went to Gibeon to offer sacrifices, for that was the most important high place, and Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. 5At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”

(the king could hear God speak to him)

6Solomon answered, “You have shown great kindness to your servant, my father David, because he was faithful to you and righteous and upright in heart. You have continued this great kindness to him and have given him a son to sit on his throne this very day.

(the king knows, remembers and pays attention to what God has done for his own father and he is thankful to God for all that God has done as promised for his father’s family)

7 “Now, LORD my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. 8 Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. 9So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”

(the king is humble and has insight of his own limitations. He also knows the key to success is a discerning spirit with word of knowledge and wisdom! In short, being filled by the Holy Spirit and armed with the word of God, manifesting the gifts of the Spirit, is the key to success today)

10 The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. 11 So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, 12 I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. 13 Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both wealth and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. 14 And if you walk in obedience to me and keep my decrees and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life.” 15Then Solomon awoke—and he realized it had been a dream.

(God speaks and the king continues to hear God. The king continues to believe and has received the promises of God by faith)

He returned to Jerusalem, stood before the ark of the Lord’s covenant and sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. Then he gave a feast for all his court.

(the king worships and offers prayers to God and draws close to God’s word and God’s presence, wherever he is.)

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2 Chronicles 26:3-15 (NIV)

3 Uzziah was sixteen years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-two years. His mother’s name was Jekoliah; she was from Jerusalem. 4 He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, just as his father Amaziah had done. 5 He sought God during the days of Zechariah, who instructed him in the fear of God. As long as he sought the LORD, God gave him success.

(Success comes from God. The king has followed his father’s role model, doing what was right in the eyes of God. He sought God. He listened to the instructions of his godly teacher. This is the key of a king’s success)

6 He went to war against the Philistines and broke down the walls of Gath, Jabneh and Ashdod. He then rebuilt towns near Ashdod and elsewhere among the Philistines. 7 God helped him against the Philistines and against the Arabs who lived in Gur Baal and against the Meunites. 8The Ammonites brought tribute to Uzziah, and his fame spread as far as the border of Egypt, because he had become very powerful.

(Kings go to war against the enemies of God. God helps those who war according to God’s will and purpose. Kings who do not go to war in this way get into big trouble, as in the case of David during the time when he stayed in the palace when his armies went to war without him. He ended up being attacked in his body and soul by the spiritual enemy and committed the big sin in his life, adultery, murder and deception, causing wide open door to the enemies which later came in to attack his sons and daughter! Jesus warns: the enemy came to steal, kill and destroy!)

9 Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem at the Corner Gate, at the Valley Gate and at the angle of the wall, and he fortified them. 10He also built towers in the wilderness and dug many cisterns, because he had much livestock in the foothills and in the plain. He had people working his fields and vineyards in the hills and in the fertile lands, for he loved the soil.

(King builds defenses for his people in cities and in wilderness, digs into water sources, cultivates and produces food. This is exactly what Jesus does as the good Shepherd. He provides shelter, living water, and green pasture for His sheep.)

11 Uzziah had a well-trained army, ready to go out by divisions according to their numbers as mustered by Jeiel the secretary and Maaseiah the officer under the direction of Hananiah, one of the royal officials. 12 The total number of family leaders over the fighting men was 2,600. 13 Under their command was an army of 307,500 men trained for war, a powerful force to support the king against his enemies. 14 Uzziah provided shields, spears, helmets, coats of armor, bows and slingstones for the entire army. 15 In Jerusalem he made devices invented for use on the towers and on the corner defenses so that soldiers could shoot arrows and hurl large stones from the walls. His fame spread far and wide, for he was greatly helped until he became powerful.

(King raises, organizes, trains and equips his armies. He knows and supplies what they need. He makes sure he has powerful and ready support for all wars against the enemies. As long as he is helped by God he becomes very powerful.)

Watchman’s Adventure: One night journey from Lamentations to Revelation!

After midnight, while in a hotel room, the watchman could not sleep so he got up and read the Bible. He was led to read the following passages. It was like he was led through the whole salvation plan. He started from Lamentations wherein the poet prophet mourned the sad state of his nation and cried to God for help as he still had hope in the Lord’s mercy and grace (undeserved favor). Then he was led to read Mark on the full passage towards the end of Jesus’ ministry on earth: the humiliation He went through in the hands of human, His crucifixion, death and burial, and then His resurrection and the power and authority He gave to all believers to follow His footsteps.


After that he was led to read a warning message to a church urging repentance, as in Revelations 3:14-22. By the time he finished praying and proclaiming the word, he thought it was over and he could get to bed. But the Spirit said, carry on and read Chapter four. so he continued, ignoring his body and soul being drawn to sleep by then.

However, it was a wonderful surprise as he read on. Chapter Four brought him to the heavenly realm: “Come up here, and I will show you what must happen after this.” It was all about worship in heaven! So the watchman was elated. He has always wanted to go up there like John did and see! He prayed and was told he could ask about things for himself. So he did. At the end of his prayer he thought he saw a vision of the Lion of Judah in his room.

He was told by the Spirit to continue to read Chapter Five, and to his amazement and great joy, he found verse 5 says, “Stop weeping! Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the heir to David’s throne,has won the victory. He is worthy to open the scroll and its seven seals.”

Then he was led to read descriptions of his ‘job specifications’: ‘prayers of the saints’, ‘redeemed to God by His son’s blood’, ‘kings and priests to our ‘God’.

One final bonus for his night journey: he started to hear unusual sound. It sounded like rushing waters or winds or rustling leaves in the most pleasant ways. He thought it was rain as it originated from above and outside his window. He went to the window and looked out but there was no rain. The night was quiet and still. He listened for a long time and wondered what it was. When he decided to sleep, it stopped. The next morning he read the passage again and realized that it could be the sound of a mighty heavenly choir (made up of hundreds of thousands of angels, living creatures, elders in heaven, creatures on the earth, under the earth and in the sea)! (Rev.5:11-13)

Indeed, it was a very awesome night journey for the watchman in the Holy Spirit!

Lamentations 3 Hope in the Lord’s Faithfulness
1 I am the one who has seen the afflictions that come from the rod of the Lord’s anger.
8 And though I cry and shout, he has shut out my prayers.
58 Lord, you are my lawyer! Plead my case! For you have redeemed my life.
59 You have seen the wrong they have done to me, Lord. Be my judge, and prove me right.
60 You have seen the vengeful plots my enemies have laid against me.

(The watchman says: Indeed the Lord has taken up this petition. He has heard and adjudicated. He has even paid the penalty for all who believe in Jesus! Jesus alone has borne the rod thirty nine strokes of whipping on His back.)

Mark 15:16-47 Jesus was mocked, crucified, buried
16 The soldiers took Jesus into the courtyard of the governor’s headquarters 18 Then they saluted him and taunted, “Hail! King of the Jews!” 24 Then the soldiers nailed him to the cross. 31 The leading priests and teachers of religious law also mocked Jesus. 46 Joseph bought a long sheet of linen cloth. Then he took Jesus’ body down from the cross, wrapped it in the cloth, and laid it in a tomb.

Mark 16 The Resurrection
but the angel said, “Don’t be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! 15 And then He (Jesus) told them (the disciples), “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. 20 And the disciples went everywhere and preached, and the Lord worked through them, confirming what they said by many miraculous signs.

(The watchman says: The risen Lord has given His believers power and authority to do the work He has done on earth, even greater ones. This is the Kingdom on God on earth.)

Revelation 3 The Message to the Church in Laodicea
14“Write this letter to the angel of the church in Laodicea. 15 “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! 16 But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! 19 I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference.

20 “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. 21 Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne. 22 “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.”

(The watchman says: This church is in deep trouble, being held bondage by a spirit of deception and a host of other evil spirits! Jesus (and the Holy Spirit) is outside and not inside. Can they hear His voice? Will they open the door? Are they willing to be corrected and disciplined? All these are the conditions set in this passage… O resist the devil and submit to God! Stop fooling yourself that you are already victorious if there is no Jesus (God) with you!)

Revelation 4 Worship in Heaven

1 Then as I looked, I saw a door standing open in heaven, and the same voice I had heard before spoke to me like a trumpet blast. The voice said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must happen after this.” 2 And instantly I was in the Spirit, and I saw a throne in heaven and someone sitting on it. 3 The one sitting on the throne was as brilliant as gemstones—like jasper and carnelian. And the glow of an emerald circled his throne like a rainbow. 9 Whenever the living beings give glory and honor and thanks to the one sitting on the throne (the one who lives forever and ever), 10 the twenty-four elders fall down and worship the one sitting on the throne (the one who lives forever and ever).

(The watchman says: He always wants to go up there!!!)

Revelation 5 The Lamb Opens the Scroll

5 But one of the twenty-four elders said to me, “Stop weeping! Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the heir to David’s throne,has won the victory. He is worthy to open the scroll and its seven seals.” 6 Then I saw a Lamb that looked as if it had been slaughtered, but it was now standing between the throne…He had seven horns and seven eyes, which represent the sevenfold Spirit of God 8 And when he took the scroll, the four living beings and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp, and they held gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. 9 And they sang a new song with these words:

“You are worthy to take the scroll and break its seals and open it.

For you were slaughtered, and your blood has ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.

10 And you have caused them to become a Kingdom of priests for our God. And they will reign on the earth.”

11 Then I looked again, and I heard the voices of thousands and millions of angels around the throne and of the living beings and the elders. 12 And they sang in a mighty chorus: …13 And then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea. They sang: …14 And the four living beings said, “Amen!” And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped the Lamb.

End Times Witnessing: Today it is all about Life

TODAY’S food for thought for watchman: Why ponder over LIFE?

What makes the watchman ponder about life today?
In the past four weeks four persons with whom the watchman had acquainted passed away, all of whom (three men and one woman) died a sudden death, in their 30s, 40s and 50s. All were married with family. The three men came from one church.

The news had been saddening and even shattering for the unprepared.

The oldest man had had remissions from his previous stroke and his family was not prepared as he had recovered his functioning well for a number of years. He left behind his wife, adult children and young grand children.

The youngest man had good report from his yearly medical check-up until the sudden discovery of end stage liver cancer. He decided to join his wife and became a Christian after receiving his medical diagnosis. He left behind his young wife and two young boys.
The middle-aged man had rarely complained of medical illness until he suddenly developed liver ailments. He became a Christian earlier than the other two men did. He and his wife became estranged after years of unresolved family strife. At his death, the wife and daughter had already left him for over a year. His only son came home from another town to handle the funeral on his own.

The woman had heard the Gospel a number of times but had not pursued further. She befriended a devout Buddhist and lately opted to listen to the chanting of Buddhist monk daily until her sudden death (aneurysm in her brain). She left behind husband and two daughters.

Yes, the spirit of death came stealthily in the darkest hour of the night and took their lives unexpectedly.

Seeing death coming in like a flood, taking one life per week within a tiny community of familiar people, makes one notice how fragile the physical part of life can be. Even though he had not seen them for many years, he attended two men’s wake night services. Listening to the usual wake night sermons made him think of the words of Jesus about the meaning of life according to God. Where does life come from? Who can give life? Where does one’s spirit go when life on earth is extinguished?

It is time to read the word of Jesus again, this time, with belief in our hearts. Take heed what we hear today!

Watchman’s advice: You need to believe in the supernatural and spiritual reality to understand this. There is one crucial condition for entry to heaven, as stated below by Jesus, the Son of God Himself:

John 3:3, 5 New King James Version (NKJV)
3 “Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

Matthew 7:14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. Matthew 10:39 He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it. Matthew 16:25 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.

Luke 10:25 [ The Parable of the Good Samaritan ] And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” Luke 12:15 And He said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.”

Luke 12:22 [ Do Not Worry ] Then He said to His disciples, “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on. Luke 12:23 Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing. Luke 21:34 [ The Importance of Watching ] “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly.

John 1:4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. John 3:15 that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:36 He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”

John 5:21 For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will.John 5:24 [ Life and Judgment Are Through the Son ] “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. John 5:40 But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.

John 6:27 Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.”

John 6:63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.

John 10:10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. John 10:11

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. John 10:28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. John 11:25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Jesus prayed this to the Father (God): John 17:2 as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him. John 17:3 And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.

John 20:31 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.

_____________________________Word of warning:
Romans 8:5-8 New Living Translation (NLT)

5 Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. 6 So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. 7 For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. 8 That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God.
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Watchman’s comment: Often people do not know what they are worshiping. Letting one’s mind controlled by something (giving inroad to other spirits) that is not God leads to death. Very sad indeed. If you do not know God, seek to know Him. Meanwhile stay away from all forms of spirits (including spiritual philosophy).

Spiritual realm is real. God is real. Do not ignore this truth. Your family needs you. God loves you and wants you to have eternal life through His Son, who gave His life for you. Seek the true God who gives life now!

Watchman’s Adventure: Breakthrough from mental health into spiritual health perspectives

Having spent the previous night with brethren in Christ interceding, the watchman could still feel the heaviness in his spirit on the next morning. The more he hears of others’ familial problems, the more he realizes how much inroad the enemy has made into the lives of human beings. Practically every family (Christians no exception) has been infiltrated! The frightening part is that the Christians are not even aware of this spiritual infiltration and carry on their daily lives just like any other ‘dysfunctional’ pre-believer’s family, constantly in strife, division, anger, even mutual hatred and torment!

In mental health, such families are described as dysfunctional or malfunctioning. The members involved are described as having mental and emotional issues which require treatment (medicine and psycho-therapy). Such individuals are termed certain psychological terms (e.g. having depression, anxiety, mood disorders, personality disorders etc.). However, like studying and knowing medicine does not make one an effective doctor, having read and completed his postgraduate study including psychology and therapy has not made the watchman a more effective counselor. For years he has seen hopeless cases of human being forsaken by their families because they cannot be effectively treated to full recovery to fit into the society (to live the life their family expect them to live).

This significant group of human beings have their needs to be accepted by the society and their families and be loved too. They are often rejected, overlooked, and neglected by their families and the society at large. The reason why they are not easily accepted is because they cannot ‘function’ the way of the ‘norm’.

The family and society expect every one to fit into a pattern termed ‘functioning’. Deviations are termed ‘dysfunctioning’. Compliance to the ‘norm’ means ‘functioning’. The ‘norm’ is set by a group of people living together (e.g. a family, community, organization, society, nation).

What are the contents of the ‘norm’ of a family? Basic agreements and rules on hygiene, meals, housework, discipline, work and play, education and manners, relationship, communication, use of common resources and facilities, contributions, interactions, attitudes, values, beliefs, morals, behaviors, attitudes of living together and sharing, maintenance of the common living environment and shelter etc.

The watchman has found that in nearly every family there is a number (at least one-fourth) of people who cannot fit into the ‘norm’ required. Social, medical and psychological solutions cannot help those that he knows of. He has even once been given the task of rehabilitating an ADHD (attention deficit and hyperactive disorder) boy with LD (learning disorder) and OD (opposition disorder). For three years he battled with the symptoms with social, educational, and behavioral modification tools. He saw some positive physical results. But when the boy entered pre-teen, he rebelled in an uncontrollable way. He threw out everything he had learned. He obstructed violently against every effort to help him to ‘function’! He was hooked on to digital games like an addict to drugs (during which his heart rate went way beyond the ‘norm’ to dangerous high!)

The watchman was led to find a spiritual solution. The principal (a Christian pastor) of the boy’s school introduced him to a prayer house where the boy can receive prayers for supernatural healing and deliverance. The healing treatment consists of three parts: the presence of God (worship service), word of God (reading the Bible), and prayers. Nothing is out of the ordinary but people do get healed this way.

The only difference between such a place and the traditional church is the presence of God (in the Holy Spirit). The Holy Spirit does the work of healing, deliverance and sanctification. The word of God does the daily washing and cleansing. The redemptive work of Jesus on the cross is daily remembered through the Holy Communion as taught by the Lord too.

Although the boy soon decided to re-join his own parents, the watchman has stayed on in his journey in the Holy Spirit. He has experienced personal breakthrough.

Indeed, knowing the reality of the spiritual realm and how a Christian believer can effectively overcome his physical realm difficulties with spiritual authority and supernatural power according to the word of God, is a great relief. Breaking through from mental health into spiritual (divine) health perspectives is an absolute essential for any Christian counselor.

The battlefield is in the minds. How do we reach the minds to do battle? Only in the Spirit. God’s word is the sword of the Spirit. Praying in the Spirit is another essential weapon!

_________________________________Bible verses
Ephesians 6:12
New Living Translation (NLT)

12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

Ephesians 6:13-18
New Living Translation (NLT)

13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. 17Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5
New Living Translation (NLT)

3 We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. 4 We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. 5 We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.

End Times Witnessing: “Do not scoff at spiritual matters!”

Today’s verse is on Jude 1. The passage is the entire Book of Jude. The watchman urges you to read and take heed today the importance to know and understand the spiritual realm is real.

Ponder and meditate on this truth: God is real, angels are real (good ones who minister to God and to believers; and bad ones-devil), heaven and hell are real, rewards and judgments are real. Prayers are real. Spiritual wars are real. The attacks by spiritual beings (devils) causing sickness on your bodies, minds and emotions are real. Eternal life and eternal death (by being forever separated from God) are real!


_______________________The watchman’s comment is at the end of the passage.

New Living Translation (NLT)
Jude 1
Greetings from Jude
1This letter is from Jude, a slave of Jesus Christ and a brother of James.
I am writing to all who have been called by God the Father, who loves you and keeps you safe in the care of Jesus Christ.
2May God give you more and more mercy, peace, and love.

The Danger of False Teachers
3 Dear friends, I had been eagerly planning to write to you about the salvation we all share. But now I find that I must write about something else, urging you to defend the faith that God has entrusted once for all time to his holy people. 4I say this because some ungodly people have wormed their way into your churches, saying that God’s marvelous grace allows us to live immoral lives. The condemnation of such people was recorded long ago, for they have denied our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.

5 So I want to remind you, though you already know these things, that Jesus first rescued the nation of Israel from Egypt, but later he destroyed those who did not remain faithful. 6 And I remind you of the angels who did not stay within the limits of authority God gave them but left the place where they belonged. God has kept them securely chained in prisons of darkness, waiting for the great day of judgment. 7And don’t forget Sodom and Gomorrah and their neighboring towns, which were filled with immorality and every kind of sexual perversion. Those cities were destroyed by fire and serve as a warning of the eternal fire of God’s judgment.

8 In the same way, these people—who claim authority from their dreams—live immoral lives, defy authority, and scoff at supernatural beings. 9 But even Michael, one of the mightiest of the angels, did not dare accuse the devil of blasphemy, but simply said, “The Lord rebuke you!” (This took place when Michael was arguing with the devil about Moses’ body.) 10 But these people scoff at things they do not understand. Like unthinking animals, they do whatever their instincts tell them, and so they bring about their own destruction. 11What sorrow awaits them! For they follow in the footsteps of Cain, who killed his brother. Like Balaam, they deceive people for money. And like Korah, they perish in their rebellion.

12 When these people eat with you in your fellowship meals commemorating the Lord’s love, they are like dangerous reefs that can shipwreck you. They are like shameless shepherds who care only for themselves. They are like clouds blowing over the land without giving any rain. They are like trees in autumn that are doubly dead, for they bear no fruit and have been pulled up by the roots. 13They are like wild waves of the sea, churning up the foam of their shameful deeds. They are like wandering stars, doomed forever to blackest darkness.

14 Enoch, who lived in the seventh generation after Adam, prophesied about these people. He said, “Listen! The Lord is coming with countless thousands of his holy ones 15to execute judgment on the people of the world. He will convict every person of all the ungodly things they have done and for all the insults that ungodly sinners have spoken against him.”

16These people are grumblers and complainers, living only to satisfy their desires. They brag loudly about themselves, and they flatter others to get what they want.

A Call to Remain Faithful
17 But you, my dear friends, must remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ said. 18 They told you that in the last times there would be scoffers whose purpose in life is to satisfy their ungodly desires. 19These people are the ones who are creating divisions among you. They follow their natural instincts because they do not have God’s Spirit in them.

20 But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit, 21and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life. In this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God’s love.

22 And you must show mercy to those whose faith is wavering. 23 Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others,but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives.

A Prayer of Praise

24 Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault. 25 All glory to him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen.
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Watchman’s comments: “They follow their natural instincts because they do not have God’s Spirit in them.”

The reason why a group of ‘church members’ who even take part in Holy Communion with the believers of Jesus Christ, and yet live the life of the un-believers, is because they do not have the Holy Spirit in them.

They are not born again by the Spirit of God. It is natrural for them to be guided by their natural instincts and desires. It is natural for them to scoff at spiritual and supernatural things.

But these people will perish if they do not repent and turn back to worship the true God in Spirit and in Truth.

O, church goers, laugh no more of the spiritual matters. The Lord hears and sees you… (Even the devil and his demons see and hear you too, scoffers).

End Times Witnessing: God’s demand of a kingly man

 The watchman found the key of what the Lord wants in a kingly man. He was led to read the passage in David’s last words to his son, Solomon. In the last days, believers of Jesus Christ are required to reign as kings and royal priests. Indeed, we have become sons of God through being in Christ Jesus. This is the most honorable position and powerful status. We are princes by being members of the body od Christ!

But are we living the way of princes and princesses? Reading what David has charged his son how to be a kingly man in the eyes of the Lord, we can see how far we are short of this standard (the plumbline of God)…

Brethren, when next we sing or proclaim our royal positions, look deep into our lives and ask, am I living the life as described and demanded by the Lord in the following passage?

1 Kings 2 Amplified Bible (AMP)

1WHEN DAVID’S time to die was near, he charged Solomon his son, saying,
2I go the way of all the earth. Be strong and show yourself a man;
3Keep the charge of the Lord your God, walk in His ways, keep His statutes, His commandments, His precepts, and His testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may do wisely and prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn,
4That the Lord may fulfill His promise to me, saying, If your sons take heed to their way, to walk before Me in truth with all their heart and mind and with all their soul, there shall not fail you [to have] a man on the throne of Israel.
1 Kings 2 New International Version (NIV)
David’s Charge to Solomon
1When the time drew near for David to die, he gave a charge to Solomon his son.
2 “I am about to go the way of all the earth,” he said. “So be strong, act like a man, 3 and observe what the LORD your God requires: Walk in obedience to him, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and regulations, as written in the Law of Moses. Do this so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go 4 and that the LORD may keep his promise to me: ‘If your descendants watch how they live, and if they walk faithfully before me with all their heart and soul, you will never fail to have a successor on the throne of Israel.’

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Watchman’s comment:
The name of Solomon means “peace”. Take heed how powerful our Kingly Ruler -the God of peace is! Watch how you live, live in obedience to Him!

2.Romans 16:20
And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
3.Philippians 4:9
The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

4.1 Thessalonians 5:23
[ Blessing and Admonition ] Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

5.Hebrews 13:20
[ Benediction, Final Exhortation, Farewell ] Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,

End Times Witnessing: how a young man described his diseased dad

On the previous night the watchman attended a wake night service for a solitary man who passed away for three days in his bathroom without being known. The estranged wife who took away their daughter could not be found for over a year. The only son came home after receiving the news was on his own to bear the whole burden of the funeral. He is a young man in his early twenties, newly graduated and found a job in a distant town. He was asked to say something about his dad and he spoke about three lines, “A traditional man who did not know how to express his love for his family. But he did help out (monetarily) whenever I needed. We never knew how precious he was until we have lost him. That was my dad.” (The service leader later consoled that because the man who passed away was a believer of Christ, and we are brethren in Christ, we will see him in heaven one day.)

Indeed, the silent demise of a lonely man makes the watchman ponder again on how to ensure one will be with Jesus when one leaves this lonely world, desolate and forsaken.
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Today’s verse for the watchman relates to an earlier discourse with the class on Sunday. The class read verses on the kingdom of light as against the kingdom of darkness. Then they went on to read about the need to be born again by Spirit and water to see and enter the kingdom of God. The questions of who will see and enter and how to see and enter are of utmost importance at this end time.

When the watchman rose to intercede this morning he was led to read and pray on the following passages. He read the whole chapter five. However, he included only the verses on how to be born again and have eternal life.

1 John 5 (NKJV)

1 Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. 4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 5Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

6 This is He who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not only by water, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth. 7 For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one. 8 And there are three that bear witness on earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree as one.

9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; for this is the witness of God which He has testified of His Son. 10 He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son. 11 And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 12 He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. 13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.

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Summary on how to be born again and who they become:

1.Believe that Jesus is the Christ.

2.Believe in the name of the Son of God.

3.Overcome the world, by faith.

4.Keep God’s commandments: love God and love His children.

5.Receive the Son of God (Jesus Christ) Who is Eternal Life.

6.Believe in the testimony given by: three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit

7.Believe in the testimony given by: three that bear witness on earth: the Spirit, the water (see comment below), and the blood.

8.Knowing the above testimonies is essential for a believer in Christ: the trinity God (Father-Son/Word-Holy Spirit), the Holy Spirit in believer, the daily washing of the water/word of God, and the blood of the Lamb of God (Jesus’ redemption/full salvation of us on the cross).

The watchman’s comment: the word ‘water’ signifies the word of God. He is reminded of the verse in Eph.5:25, wherein the Holy Spirit reminded husbands to love their wives,

“just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word,”

He is also reminded of the deep cleansing by the word of God during the Water Gate Revival that happened in Jerusalem as excerpted below.

In Nehemiah 8, “all the people gathered together as one man in the open square that was in front of the Water Gate; and they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses; And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was standing above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people stood up. 6 And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. Then all the people answered, “Amen, Amen!” while lifting up their hands. And they bowed their heads and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the Law.”
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The watchman comments: Have you ever wept when you hear the word of God? He remembered when he was a very young man he wept for weeks when he read the Gospel of John, as led by the Holy Spirit. Why did he weep? He was deeply touched by the Father's love!
The words became life and Spirit to him for the first time in his life. He then began a journey to seek God and encounter Him in many ways. His life was transformed when God met with him…