Stewarding the Clarion Call of the Watchmen
in Times of Increasing Deception
But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times
some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, 1 Tim 4:1
some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, 1 Tim 4:1
INTRODUCTION:
We are writing this in response to the times and the issues we see rising around COVID-19. There has not been anything since 09/11/2001 as globally disrupting as this pandemic. Along with it has been an onslaught of fear and deception shaking economies and governments across the nations. Our purpose for this brief overview is to help center our hearts and minds on His Word so that our sight as Watchmen can be clear. Paul states, “For if the trumpet makes an uncertain sound, who will prepare for battle,” 1 Cor 14:8. This exhortation is written not to condemn, but rather to guide us as Watchmen to stay fully awakened in days when the enemy seeks to deceive even the elect, Mt 24:24; Mark 13:22. We hope that this will help establish a balance in our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Scriptures warn us, “The Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons,” 1 Tim 4:1. Paul goes on to say, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and turn away their ears from truth and will turn aside myths,” 2 Timothy 4:3-4.
As Watchmen, we are challenged to relay warnings with accuracy when we see a “sword” coming upon the land, Ezek 33:1-7. Navy SEAL’s train to shoot accurately, but even more importantly, they learn when not to shoot. That is a process we must all go through. It will require discipline and an open, keen mind to the full counsel of God. There are theories emerging that are highly sided to one side. Such a stance is a dangerous place. Daniel 12:4 warns us of times when knowledge will increase. We are in those times. Please be aware that we can read much on the internet and feel like we “know it all,” and be badly deceived as there is an ocean of other data not yet processed. As we are coming out of ‘Lockdown’ and much is stirring to find “Truth” in the midst of the storm, we urge your review of this guideline.
We are issuing this after thoroughly searching the scriptures and meditating on how to balance the flurry of news and opinions that continually are before us. These are biblical concepts we hope will help balance us and help us to be accurate as “Watchmen” with eyes that are not blinded to doctrines and deceptions emerging in this world. Please review the following:
COMMON THEMES IN DECEPTION and/or CONSPIRACY THEORIES:
THE WATCHMEN STANCE
Our Response
PRACTICAL STEPS: For Watchmen, communication is key. Here are practical steps in communicating that can help us all. Stay true to our Core Values, please take these to consideration when posting alerts:
EQUIPPED IN SOLID BIBLICAL END-TIME STUDY: We encourage all to get educated in the end-times. This is an hour where we must be “Strong and of good courage,” Josh 1:9 for more than one reason. There are a number of end-time eschatological views. For the purposes of the Watch, we hold to the “Historic Pre-millenial” view though we encourage you to explore for yourself. The historic pre-millenial view is the end-time view held by IHOPKC in their End-time Study Group. This eschatological view came through examination of the 150 chapters relaying end-time issues in the scriptures. A key tenet of this view is that Jesus’ return is after the tribulation and before His millennial rule. Key scripture Mt. 24:29-30 (amongst many…).
Susan Rowe
The Global Watch
We are writing this in response to the times and the issues we see rising around COVID-19. There has not been anything since 09/11/2001 as globally disrupting as this pandemic. Along with it has been an onslaught of fear and deception shaking economies and governments across the nations. Our purpose for this brief overview is to help center our hearts and minds on His Word so that our sight as Watchmen can be clear. Paul states, “For if the trumpet makes an uncertain sound, who will prepare for battle,” 1 Cor 14:8. This exhortation is written not to condemn, but rather to guide us as Watchmen to stay fully awakened in days when the enemy seeks to deceive even the elect, Mt 24:24; Mark 13:22. We hope that this will help establish a balance in our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Scriptures warn us, “The Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons,” 1 Tim 4:1. Paul goes on to say, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and turn away their ears from truth and will turn aside myths,” 2 Timothy 4:3-4.
As Watchmen, we are challenged to relay warnings with accuracy when we see a “sword” coming upon the land, Ezek 33:1-7. Navy SEAL’s train to shoot accurately, but even more importantly, they learn when not to shoot. That is a process we must all go through. It will require discipline and an open, keen mind to the full counsel of God. There are theories emerging that are highly sided to one side. Such a stance is a dangerous place. Daniel 12:4 warns us of times when knowledge will increase. We are in those times. Please be aware that we can read much on the internet and feel like we “know it all,” and be badly deceived as there is an ocean of other data not yet processed. As we are coming out of ‘Lockdown’ and much is stirring to find “Truth” in the midst of the storm, we urge your review of this guideline.
We are issuing this after thoroughly searching the scriptures and meditating on how to balance the flurry of news and opinions that continually are before us. These are biblical concepts we hope will help balance us and help us to be accurate as “Watchmen” with eyes that are not blinded to doctrines and deceptions emerging in this world. Please review the following:
COMMON THEMES IN DECEPTION and/or CONSPIRACY THEORIES:
- They contain partial truths, often out of context, and blind us to the full counsel of God
- This was the way the serpent drew Eve into his schemes in the garden, “You won’t surely die, for God knows that in the day you eat it, your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil,” Gen 3:4-5
- They evoke a spirit of judgment
- James 4:11 “Don’t speak against one another, brothers, He who speaks against a brother and judges his brother, speaks against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law you are not a doer of the law, but a judge.”
- They promote fear and distrust by promoting partial truths
- Pro 29:25 Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trust in the Lord is kept safe.
- They will emphasize knowledge above love
- 1 Cor 8:1 “Now concerning things offered to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies.”
- They are divisive
- Mt. 12:25 “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand.”
- They turn hearts away from the Truth of God and His Word:
- Jer 11:9-10 “And the Lord said to me, “A conspiracy has been found among the men of Judah and among the inhabitants of Jerusalem. They have turned back to the iniquities of their forefathers who refused to hear My words, and they have gone after other gods to serve them; the house of Israel and the house of Judah have broken My covenant which I made with their fathers.”
- They can promote rebellion through suspicion and can ultimately threaten the life and health of a nation.
- 2 Sam 15:12 “And the conspiracy grew strong, for the people with Absalom continually increased in number.” See also, 2 Kings 12:20; 14:19; 15:15; Neh 6:1; Esther 3:1; Jer 11:9; Titus 1:10-13
THE WATCHMEN STANCE
- Hold to biblical truths and pray for any hidden things come to light:
- Isaiah 8:11-13 “For the Lord spoke thus to me with a strong hand, and instructed me that I should not walk in the way of this people, saying: Do not call ‘A conspiracy’ concerning all that this people call a conspiracy, nor be afraid of their threats nor be troubled. The Lord of hosts, Him you shall hallow; let Him be your fear, and let Him be your dread.”
- 2 Cor 10:3-6 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.
- Ask the Lord for discernment to know what is of Him and what is not. Not everything that appears as truth is all truth. We need the full counsel of God, not just a portion. Lord’s wisdom will then sift and give clarity.
- Prov 2:3-6 "For if you cry for discernment, Lift your voice for understanding; If you seek her as silver And search for her as for hidden treasures; Then you will discern the fear of the Lord And discover the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; From His mouth [PEH] come knowledge and understanding."
- Pray from the heart of the Lord (not from the soul):
- As watchmen, when the Spirit of the Lord does reveal an injustice or unrighteous behavior, we need to pray from His heart, not our own understanding. Declare that injustice to come into alignment with God’s justice and ways. Likewise, separate the person from the sin and do not forget that the Lord has an original, good purpose for every life. Our job is not to condemn that person but in love to pray for them and call them back to God’s original plan for their life. Avoid “witchcraft” prayers in calling grief and misery to come back on that person. Avoid name-calling and other slander.
- Prov 3:5 “Trust in the Lord completely, and do not rely on your own opinions. With all your heart rely on him to guide you, and he will lead you in every decision you make.”
- 1Jn 4:7-8 “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.”
- Psa 139:13-14 “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.”
- Mat 5:22 “But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.”
Our Response
- We are to reach and influence people for Christ
- Is 55:1 “Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend money and without price. Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in abundance. Incline your ear and come to Me.”
- Mt 28:18-20 “And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
- We are to have a solid foundation of His Word active in our lives, to be salt and light to the world.
- Heb 4:12 “For the word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and quick to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
- We are to be strong and courageous fully confident in Him as the Ekklesia of God.
- 1 John 4:17 “Love has been perfected among us in this that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.”
- Acts 4:13 “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled and they realized that they had been with Jesus.”
- Mt. 16:18-29 “On this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
- Our focus is to build up the ramparts, communities of prayer, of the Watchmen across the nations to empower the Church to reach the harvest and its end-time glory.
- "The work is great and extensive, and we are separated far from one another on the wall. Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us." Nehemiah 4:19-20
- "For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved." Romans 11:25-26
- Stay aligned with the greater body of Christ and submitted to one another.
- Eph 4:14-16 “That we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.”
- Exalt God in His manifest majesty and Lordship over all…good and evil
- Is 46:9-10 Remember the former things of old, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, saying, “My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure.”
- Pro 21:23 “There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the Lord.”
- John 4:23-24 “But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
- Rev 4:11 “You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created.”
PRACTICAL STEPS: For Watchmen, communication is key. Here are practical steps in communicating that can help us all. Stay true to our Core Values, please take these to consideration when posting alerts:
- The language used in communication is not vindictive or and can be backed up by scripture. "Be angry but do not sin," Ps 4:4; Ecc 5:6, Eph 4:26
- Issues must be vetted and verifiable through news-worthy sources.
- Any alerts to disasters etc. are welcome, but send a news source and scriptures to pray into the situation
- Avoid propagating sensationalistic news that is unvetted or language particularly if it is based on fear or vindictive.
EQUIPPED IN SOLID BIBLICAL END-TIME STUDY: We encourage all to get educated in the end-times. This is an hour where we must be “Strong and of good courage,” Josh 1:9 for more than one reason. There are a number of end-time eschatological views. For the purposes of the Watch, we hold to the “Historic Pre-millenial” view though we encourage you to explore for yourself. The historic pre-millenial view is the end-time view held by IHOPKC in their End-time Study Group. This eschatological view came through examination of the 150 chapters relaying end-time issues in the scriptures. A key tenet of this view is that Jesus’ return is after the tribulation and before His millennial rule. Key scripture Mt. 24:29-30 (amongst many…).
Susan Rowe
The Global Watch
