Historic Watchmen

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The spotlight of Christian doctrines has changed throughout the history. The reason is that the Christians or the faithful watchmen of God selectively choose their messages in response to the specific doctrinal issues within the context.

§  The Jews in the biblical times pursued prosperity and power. So, the message––the Word of the Lord –– came to them was obedience to blessing (prosperity) and disobedience to curse.
§  The central message during Christ’s ministry was repentance to reveal the doctrine of the “Kingdom of God.”
§  Trinity and Christology were the leading doctrinal issue of the early churches. The church fathers’ writings and teachings focused on the Trinity and the uniqueness of Jesus Christ. As a result, we have the Apostle Creed today.
§  Later, we had the Martin Luther’s doctrine of justification by faith to response the injustice conducts of “Catholicism.”
§  We had the revivalists responding the emerging “human depravities and social immoralities” because of modernity. They preached the message of Conversion. And missionaries were sent out to different parts of the world to convert the lost.
§  Today, the global churches are facing spiritual depravity. Human-rights has replaced God-rights. Some people only seek God for happiness. But, the products of this world only lead to selfishness and individualism.

People progressively seek a comfortable or convenient livelihood. They spent more times on earthly matters. Technology and development are very promising for life’s conveniences, but they are too powerful. For they have replaced God’s centeredness in our lives with self-centeredness.

Technology is good. But overusing it is a highway to destruction.

Today, positive or feel-good messages and name it and claim it messages become the best-selling Christian products around the world. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t against the prosperity Gospel or message. I am aware of its biblical soundness, and yet, as a watchman of God, I weight the motives of the messengers.

Remaining faithful as God’s appointed watchman in this 21st century is the desperate need for the global Christianity today. We are the watchmen of God. We are the soldiers of Christ. We are strong; therefore, we are dangerous to our enemies. But, we are weak when our faith is intoxicated by the world. Wherever you are now and whoever you are, you are the watchman of God. Like “one-man” in each era, such as Joseph, Esther, Jesus, Apostle Paul, Martin Luther, and Jonathan Edwards, etc. you can make a difference in this generation. For God is always on your side. You are His representative. You are the watchman.

Son of man, I have appointed you a watchman to the house of Israel; whenever you hear a word from My mouth, warn them from Me.
––Ezekiel 3:17


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