Intercessor & Watchman

Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel,
therefore hear a word from My mouth, and give them warning from Me.  
Ezekiel 3:17

 
The concept of Intercessor vs. Watchman is a shift many are presently experiencing.  Though the roles are different, describing them can best be relayed as a part of a continuum with overlapping characteristics.  However, there is a distinction that cannot be denied.  Understand that the middle of the continuum is grey with much overlap but on either end there are distinctive qualities.   
 
Prayer:
​Definition: Relationship and communication with God.  Prayer is a foundational function of the Church.  Jesus said, "My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations."    Both individual and corporate prayer are vital to our spiritual well-being as the body of Christ and ruling Ekklesia.
 
Intercessor: 
The intercessory function involves standing in the gap between what is and what should be. Praying for someone’s healing or for someone’s salvation is a good example. It is not necessarily territorial, and it is something that we are all called to do no matter where we are or in what capacity we serve. Intercession is a one-on-one position before the Lord.

• The stance is primarily facing God on behalf of an issue on earth. Biblical examples:
  • Abraham interceding for Sodom:  Genesis 18:23-33
  • Moses interceding for Israel: Nu 14:13-14; Ex. 32:31-32
  • Samuel interceding for Israel: 1 Samuel 7:5-9
  • Nehemiah interceding over the condition of Jerusalem: Nehemiah 1:4-11
• They function as intermediaries for the Kingdom of God to intervene between God and man.
  • Ezekiel 22:30 So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall
  • 1 Tim 2:1  I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people

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Watchmen: 
There are certain distinct characteristics of a Watchman. They have a position established before God, but also face outward to “watch” over their surroundings. They are cognizant of God’s will and covenant purposes. They are not isolated and work together.  

• Community is an integral part of those walking in a “Watchmen” type call.​
  • Isaiah 52:8  Your watchmen shall lift up their voices, with their voices they shall sing together; for they shall see eye to eye when the Lord brings back Zion.
  • Nehemiah 4:19-20 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.
  • Hebrews 10:24-25  And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
• We are all called to Watch.  When God created man He commissioned us to “Tend and keep the garden,” He gave us.   The word tend is the Hebrew word abad and means to serve or to till the ground.  It is the very word Moses used in pleading with Pharaoh, “Let my people go that they may serve Me.”  The word implies not only a diligence to the land but a priestly function and relationship to the Lord.  The word keep is the Hebrew word samar.  Samar means to “Watch or guard” and is associated with God’s covenant throughout the Old Testament. These two words embody the calling of a Watchman
  • Abad:  "Let My people go that they may serve Me."  Ex 7:16, 8:1, 8:20, 9:1, 9:13, 10:3, 7-11
  • Samar:  "As for you, you shall keep My covenant, you and your descendants after you throughout their generations," Gen 17:9-10; Ex12:24; 16:28; 19:5; 34:11-12; Lev 18:26-30; 20:8…
• Having a specific call and concern towards God's purposes and His covenant,  Watchmen have a unique place in aligning us with God's purposes that ultimately leads to the "Healing of the nations."  
  • 2 Kings 20:4-6  And it happened, before Isaiah had gone out into the middle court, that the word of the Lord came to him, saying, "Return and tell Hezekiah the leader of My people, "Thus says the Lord, the God of David your father:  "I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; surely I will heal you.  On the third day you shall go up to the house of the Lord.  And I will ad to your days fifteen years.  I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for y own sake, and for the sake of My servant David." 
• Watchmen have a role that involves, but extends beyond, intercession:
  • Isaiah 21:5  Prepare the table, set a watchman in the tower, eat and drink.  Arise, you princes, anoint the shield!
• Watchmen frequently have a burden or a territory  that they are called to stand watch over. There is a sense of both a calling and a responsibility to watch over what God has assigned to them.
  • Song of Songs 3:3  The Watchmen who go about the city found me.
• Watchmen are constantly interacting with the Lord, to hear clearly from Him.  They also connect with other Watchmen to hear what the Lord is saying to them. From this vantage point, they are to declare His purposes on the earth.  When Watchmen know that they have heard from the Lord in a certain matter, their prayer often is in the form of a declaration.
  • Isaiah 21:6 Go set a watchman, let him declare what he sees.​
• The role of a watchman is relentless, until God’s purposes are established. A watchman does not leave his post and is committed. 
  • Isaiah 62:6-7 I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; they shall never hold their peace day or night. You who make mention of the Lord do not keep silent, and give Him no rest till He establishes and Till He makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth.
• The role of the Watchmen is governmental and can carry specific assignments. God appoints watchmen for specific reasons.
  • Ezek. 3:17, 33:7  I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore hear a word from My mouth, and give them warning from Me.
• Watchmen are present at key governmental shifts throughout scripture.
  • Hab 2:1  I will stand my watch and set myself on the rampart and watch to see what He will say to me and what I will answer when I am corrected. 
  • Uprising of Absalom, 2 Sam 18:24-28: v. 24  And the watchman went up to the roof over the gate, to the wall, lifted his eyes and looked.
  • At the time of the overthrow of Jezebel, God used watchmen to bring victory for His purpose, 2 Kings 9:17-20
  • When Athaliah threatened to kill all children in line to inherit David’s throne, watchmen were used to protect young Joash and saved the line of David that would have otherwise been wiped out, 2 Kings 11:1-21.
  • In Jesus' life:
    • What were the shepherds doing at Jesus’ birth?….watching their fields by night, Luke 2:8.
    • What were the wisemen doing?  following the star, Mt. 2:1-2
    • Jesus’ last exhortation to His disciples, What! Could you not watch with me one hour? Mt 26:40, Mk 14:37
• Watchmen will often function both as intermediaries as in intercession, but also as messengers.
  • 2 Samuel 18:25-26  Then the watchman cried out and told the king. And the king said, “If he is alone, there is news in his mouth.” And he came rapidly and drew near.  Then the watchman saw another man running, and the watchman called to the gatekeeper and said, “There is another man, running alone!” And the king said, “He also brings news.”
• There is a distinct end-time call for Watchmen
  • Isaiah 62:6-7  I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem;  they shall never hold their peace day or night.  You who make mention of the Lord, do not keep silent, and give Him no rest till He establishes and till He makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth.
  • Isaiah 52:8  Your watchmen shall lift up their voices, with their voices, they shall sing together, for they shall see eye to eye when the Lord brings back Zion.​
  • Matthew 25:13  Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.
  • Revelation 16:15 (NKJV)  Behold, I am coming as a thief.  Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments.

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Watchmen are spoken of throughout the Bible from Genesis to Revelation.  It is clear that they have a key role in the kingdom and in the Church. Everyone is called to pray. Jesus said My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations, Isaiah 56:7, Mark 11:17. But watchmen have a special role in prayer and in the Kingdom, particularly in the end times.  As such, we are in the midst of huge governmental shifts in the nations beginning to take place. God is calling forth watchmen now in the nations who will stand with Him in the days of increasing adversity who will contend for His Kingdom and covenant purposes to come and will to be done, on earth as it is in heaven, from Mt. 6:10.

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