Looking at the recent situation in Ukraine, I think many people are hurt.
I pray for the true solution of those who are suffering.
What should we Christians do nowadays when we feel the end of the world more and more, such as the corona, the Ukrainian war, and unprecedented inflation? That is the role given to each person by God, isn't it?
The church is called the body of Christ and is a collection of various functions. The roles differ depending on the person or organization, and I think that I have the role of Watchman in Chapter 33 of Ezekiel. biblewisdomさんのプロフィール - はてな (hatena.ne.jp)
Watchman?
This time, I would like to introduce the role of "watchman", which is a little unfamiliar.
1. What is a watchman?
Ezekiel is a watchman who plays the role of blowing the warning horn whistle given by God.
"Son of man, I have made you a watchman of the house of Israel. If you hear the words from my mouth, you must give them my warning." Ezekiel 33: 7
In other words, the watchman is the work of receiving from God that danger or crisis is coming and warning the Israelites (Christians) of it.
for example,,,,
Let's say a lot of people are on a wide road. If I knew there was a dangerous pit ahead ...
"There are a pitfall and it's dangerous!"
Shouts out. This is the function of the watchman's warning. Many prophets, apostles, and Jesus himself have warned about the end of the world, so you will find it to be an important task.
2. Who is the warning to?
As in the scripture below,
A warning to modern spiritual Israeli Christians, churches, and especially leaders.
"Son of man, I have made you a watchman of the house of Israel." Ezekiel 33: 7
"Son of man, prophesy to the shepherds of Israel and speak to them who are shepherds. The Lord God says: Woe, the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves. Shepherds. Shouldn't we feed the flock? "Ezekiel 34: 2
Of course, we should also tell unbelievers. But the main target is believers and leaders.
3. What kind of warning?
What warning does God warn Israel, its leaders?
"I do not rejoice in the death of the wicked. Rather, I rejoice in the wicked living away from the way. Turn your heart and turn your heart away from the bad way. O house of Israel, you. Why should I die? "Ezekiel 33:11
It warns that if you do not repent, you will die (destroy).
"The Lord God says, Behold, I confront the shepherds. I seek my flock from their hands and stop them from keeping the flock. The shepherds feed themselves. I can't do it anymore, because I'll rescue the flock from their mouths and not let them prey on them. "Ezekiel 34:10
As it says, the leader is suffering and warns him to stop the pastoral and let the sheep escape (from the church).
In other words, if you do not repent as it is, it is a very severe warning that destruction and the collapse of the church are waiting.
4. What kind of crisis is it specifically for?
So what exactly is the warning?
In Matthew chapter 24, where Jesus warns of the end of the world, I would like to list some crises and dangers that should be warned in modern times.
① Crisis of fake prophets, fake teachers, fake teachings
"Be careful not to be fooled by others. Many will appear in my name and will confuse many by saying,'I am the Messiah.'" Matthew 24: 4-5
It is said that many fake things will appear at the end of the world. for example,
New apostle movement, XX revival, prosperity theology, liberation from evil spirits, which are common in charismatic groups. .. .. .. Even if healing and miracles occur, the movements and teachings that depart from the truth are dangerous because they do not bear the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Is this God? Or Satan?Discernment is important！ - 聖書の知恵 (hatenablog.com)
Within the evangelicals, creationism, hell, ultimate judgment, and the fact that LGBTQ is a sin are becoming more denyed. It is a dangerous teaching that denies the Bible by referring to scientific evidence, dissertations, etc.
Many people know that there are problems with Catholic traditions and teachings. Still, it is sad that the deception of Mary worship, infant baptism, organization and power, etc. is still going on.
More problematic is the Protestant tradition! The reformation remains unfinished and is eventually falling. Biased to knowledge, lost substance, and implicitly denied the Holy Spirit. .. .. This is a fake tradition.Prayer of mourning - 聖書の知恵 (hatenablog.com)
There are many other fake leaders and teachings who warn that they will lose salvation as they follow the path.
Moreover, the world is full of news, media, economy, medicine, politics, education, and all sorts of fake and fake things.
② Crisis of war, famine, earthquake, disaster
"You'll hear the turmoil of war and the rumors of war, but be careful not to panic. It's supposed to happen, but it's not the end of the world yet. People are hostile to the people, countries are hostile to the country. Then they stand up and famine and earthquakes occur in the people. "Matthew 24: 6-7
As you can see, what is happening in the world now is that Jesus himself has already warned. It's also important to be prepared so that you don't panic and be practically prepared for famines and earthquakes.
③ Persecution crisis
"Then people will suffer and kill you, and in my name you will be hated by all the people." Matthew 24: 9
Many people are preparing for earthquakes and disasters, but for some reason they are not preparing for persecution. On the contrary, the reality is that when you talk about something like this, you can't even say, "Don't be anxious! Let's talk positively ...".
God warns you to prepare for persecution.
For example, is the idea in the famous "Silence" (written by Shusaku Endo) "If you believe in your heart, you can do a fumi-e (apostasy by mouth)" is correct? I want to think in advance.
Isn't the "house church" method good for the church as it was in the days of the apostles?
④ Apostasy crisis
And, unfortunately, at the end of the world, many people are apostasy.
"Then people will suffer and kill you, and in my name you will be hated by all the people. Then many will stumble (apostate). , Betray each other and hate each other. "Matthew 24: 9-10
(This stumbling is often translated as apostasy in a foreign language.)
And just as Jesus and Paul were most persecuted by their fellow Jews, we Christians will be persecuted by the church.How Antichrist Spirit is Preparing the Great Falling Away - YouTube
"Ezekiel / 34:10
The Lord God says, Behold, I will be the enemy of the shepherds, seek my sheep in my hands, and stop them from pasturing my flock. "
As it says, God warns Christians to stay away from the fallen church!
⑤ Crisis of the Antichrist and the Mark of the Beast
"When you see the the the abomination of desolation, as the Prophet Daniel said, standing in a holy place-readers are enlightened-then the people of Judea should flee to the mountains." Matthew 24:15.
And there is the danger of this antichrist and his Mark of the Beast, "who it is and what the Mark of the Beast is?" must be closely determined. If you receive this, you can't
go to heaven.
5. The work of the watchman is hard!
As mentioned above, I hope you understand the importance of the watchman, but in reality, this work is very difficult and difficult. I wonder why?
① There is no precedent! few!
It's hard to do anything unprecedented. People make a suspicious look, saying, "A watchman? I've never heard of such a job ...". In fact, I know very few of the following sites. Doing anything unprecedented is hard at all.
ハーベスト・ウォッチ - 聖書を通して世界とキリスト教をウォッチ (harvestwatch.tv)
tunobue.chips.jp/en_tunobue/End_time_Trumpet.htm
② If you warn, you will be denied "Don't judge"
In fact, it is often said that people are warned that "... is dangerous!" Is the criticism that "you must not judge people." About this "don't judge" (Matthew 7: 1)
Shouldn't I judge? --inochinomizu ’s diary (hatenablog.com)
If you read, it will be explained in detail, but it is one of the teachings of fake things.
It's natural to signal danger for the other person, but hated or criticized ... it's just a fight against loneliness.
③ If you do not warn, the watchman will be judged by God
"But if the watchman, watching the sword face, does not blow the horn, and the sword faces the people without warning, and even one of them is killed, he is guilty of himself. Therefore, even if he die, I hold the responsibility of blood in the hands of the watchman. "Ezekiel 33: 6
As you can see, if you keep silent without warning, It means asking the watchman for that responsibility. .. .. .. .. .. .. Strict! !! very! !!
6. The work of the watchman is love
Please look be considered! If the people in front of you were unknowingly on a wide and dangerous road, and you knew that if you kept going, you would fall into a dangerous pit. .. ..
What would you do?
Will you be kind to them? Would you give something good as a gift? Would you like to be with them?
It doesn't make sense to do those! Rather than those
"Dangerous! That road is dangerous!"
Should be shouted out, right?
God laments that many people are walking down the wide road toward the destruction.
Therefore, the work of the warning is to protect people from the danger.
It's a very simple love of God.
