The Watchman Blows the Trumpet on the City WallBible World
33:3Ezekiel 33:3
If when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the people;
When the watchman sees the sword coming upon the land he must blow the trumpet and warn the people so that all who hear may take heed and prepare. Whoever hears the warning and takes it delivers his soul, but whoever hears and refuses it bears his own blood upon his own head, while if the watchman fails to blow the trumpet and the people perish unwarned their blood is required at his hand, yet faithful warning delivers his own soul even if they will not listen. The trumpet must give a certain and clear sound, for hesitation, reassurance that there is no danger, or an uncertain note leaves the people confused and unprepared. For those living in the last days the warning to be sounded is that judgment is coming and the day of the Lord is near, calling the wicked to turn from their way and all to prepare while there is still time. Faithful watchmen stay alert, near to God, and able to discern danger, but unfaithful sentinels grow sleepy and benumbed, see no necessity to warn, cry Peace, peace, and leave their hearers unprepared.
Watchman Duty Described
The verse defines the watchman's duty: when he sees the sword or danger coming upon the land, he must blow the trumpet and warn the people, and that warning gives those who hear it the chance to take heed and prepare. It is a charge to watch for souls and to give warning when danger is coming, so that people are alerted and then held accountable for their response, with responsibility for that response taken up in the verses that follow. That warning work belongs to Christ's commanded service to others, carried out by medical missionary workers as His messengers. Those charged with spiritual oversight must therefore discern wrongdoing, correct it, and warn others, rather than remain at ease or leave necessary work undone.
Like sentinels anciently placed upon the walls of Jerusalem and other cities, ministers of Christ are watchmen upon the walls of Zion, occupying a most responsible position upon whose faithfulness depends the safety of all within. Those ancient sentinels stood upon some eminence overlooking important posts, never keeping silent day nor night when danger was apprehended, calling to one another every few moments to see if all were awake and sounding the cry of warning from one to another till it went the entire rounds of the city. So the stewards of the mysteries of God must stand awake and faithful, and if they see the sword coming in the form of spiritual danger they must sound the note of warning for the salvation of souls. The city watchmen's alertness protected those inside the walls, and in the same way the faithfulness of ministers as watchmen for God's people affects the salvation of souls, requiring them to stay near to God so they can hear His word and warn the wicked to turn from their way. If they are sleepy sentinels whose spiritual senses are so benumbed that they see and realize no danger, and the people perish unwarned, God will require their blood at the watchmen's hands.
The trumpet must give a certain, clear sound that the people can hear, realize their danger, and do the work required at the present time. Hesitation and reassurance that there is no real danger make the warning ineffective and leave people unprepared, and leaders who delay in this way are accountable if people perish through their delay. An unclear or confusing note likewise leaves people unsure what to do. God prepares His people to stand in the great crisis before them by speaking through His word and His ministers, arousing watchmen and sending them forth with messages of warning, of reproof, and of instruction, that the people may be enlightened.
The signal must be heard and then passed along the walls of Zion so the people are warned and can prepare themselves for the conflict. They must not be left to stumble in darkness, not knowing what is before them and unprepared for the great issues that are coming. That preparation is a work to be done for this time to fit a people to stand in the day of trouble, meaning to be clothed with the righteousness of Christ and fortified by the truth so that the delusions of Satan are not accepted as genuine manifestations of the power of God. All must act their part in hearing and spreading the warning.
Accountability for Warning Heard
When the trumpet is blown, the warning gives those who hear it the chance to take heed, to be alerted and to prepare, and leaves them accountable for their response. Whoever hears and takes warning delivers his soul, but whoever hears and refuses warning and takes it not bears his own blood upon his own head and bears responsibility for his own sins and blood-guilt. If the watchman sees the sword come and blows not the trumpet so the people are not warned, those taken away die in their iniquity yet their blood is required at the watchman's hand, and he is accountable for their loss if he fails to warn. Faithful warning delivers the watchman's soul and leaves him clear even if the people refuse to listen. Hesitation and delay that leave people unprepared and allow them to perish bring that same accountability, as when sleepy sentinels whose spiritual senses are benumbed see and realize no danger and the people perish unwarned.
The responsibility of watchmen today is much greater than in the prophet's day because light is clearer and privileges and opportunities are greater. While ministers are not spiritually minded and closely connected with God, Satan gains advantage to break down the strongholds that bar him from souls, and the Lord holds the watchman accountable for his success. The verse shows God's government to be a government of personal responsibility where each one must stand for himself. No one can obey for his neighbor, and no one is excused for neglecting his duty because his neighbor neglects the same duty.
Those who hear are also strictly accountable and will give strict account for their influence. They will not be excused for permitting themselves to be deceived or for committing their souls to an unfaithful minister instead of searching the Word of God for themselves. The minister cannot pay the ransom for their souls, for Christ gave His life to save them and to make it possible to return to loyalty.
Warning Message for Last Days
Ezekiel 33:3 is the truth of God, not a pleasing fable, and must be read and studied with the utmost stretch of understanding to know what it means for those living in these last days. It is to be obeyed by making straight paths for the feet and letting the lame be turned out of the way.
The warning to be sounded is that judgment is coming and the day of the Lord is near, so the wicked must be warned to turn from their way and the people must be told to prepare. Everyone must be reached while there is still time, with wholehearted, unselfish labor, especially before growing dangers make the work harder. Those who falsely promise peace and fail to warn leave their hearers unprepared, and the people later reproach them for it, while making the words of warning ineffective brings grave accountability before God.
The trumpet blast means lifting up the voice as John the Baptist did, proclaiming the message of warning and preparing the way for Christ's second coming. Those who have knowledge of the Scriptures must search out the sheep hungry for truth and bear the message to all, so those not fed with pure provender may hear and understand for themselves and not be left in darkness. Watchmen must rightly understand and explain the Word, search the Scriptures prayerfully, teach a plain Thus saith the Lord, warn every man and teach every man in all meekness and wisdom, and contend for the faith once delivered to the saints without conforming to the practices of the world.
When light is presented in such warning, it is the duty of God's people not only to receive it but to pass it along and add their influence in its favor, that its full force may be felt in the church and the world. This means reading it carefully and sending it to relatives and friends, thus putting to the best use the light given, and hearing the watchman's signal and passing it along so the people are warned and can prepare themselves for the conflict and the great issues coming and are not left to stumble in darkness not knowing what is before them. That preparation is a work to be done for this time to fit a people to stand in the day of trouble by being clothed with the righteousness of Christ and fortified by the truth, so that the delusions of Satan are not accepted as genuine manifestations of the power of God.
Faithful and Unfaithful Watchmen
Faithful watchmen stay alert to dangers threatening the spiritual life, health, and prosperity of God's people, and raise the warning rather than remain silent when God is dishonored. They stay near to God so they can hear His word, receive spiritual sight from Him to discern danger and to distinguish truth from error and righteousness from unrighteousness, and work as Christ worked. Like the alertness of city watchmen that protected those inside the walls, their faithfulness in warning about spiritual danger affects the safety and salvation of souls within. When God's people are united in the unity Christ prayed for, with the divine touch to see as God sees, their spiritual sight is restored and their watchmen discern the danger and sound clearer, louder trumpet notes. That clear warning comes when men have spiritual eyesight to discern spiritual things, instead of framing plans and dictating ways of working while seeing men as trees walking.
Unfaithful sentinels are sleepy, with spiritual senses so benumbed that they see and realize no danger. They give up their watch, recline at ease, remain inactive and asleep, and take danger quietly as if they had no special interest. They apprehend no danger, think everything is going well, see no necessity to warn, and want smooth things, rest, comfort, peace, and happiness. If the people perish unwarned through such sleep, their blood is required at the watchmen's hands.
Unfaithful watchmen are disturbed by faithful reproofs, are not pleased with active labor, toil and unceasing vigilance, and call plain testimonies, reproofs and warnings that show the people their transgressions too severe and harsh. They want the cry of Peace, peace, and those who falsely promise peace and fail to warn leave their hearers unprepared, who later reproach them for it. Entertaining error and preaching false doctrines contrary to God's Word, standing in the way of obedience, and warning people against doing what God told them to do brings ruin. Condemnation is proportionate to the influence of words and example in leading others into transgression, and the blood of souls perishing through such unfaithfulness will be found upon their heads.
Shepherds who refuse to examine the Word and oppose and slander the sent messengers as doing Satan's work repeat the work of the priests and rulers who sought Christ's life because He spoke the truth. Those who have knowledge of the Scriptures must instead search out the sheep hungry for truth and bear the message to all, so those not fed with pure provender may hear and understand for themselves and not be left in darkness under shepherds who war against God's commandments. College workers likewise must give a clear and faithful warning through conduct and teaching, for those who sometimes work for Satan cannot be trusted as watchmen or called faithful servants, since their actions influence the young and can affect many others.
Those Called to Warn
Those who take up preaching are set as watchmen upon the walls of Zion, and when the sword is seen coming upon the land their duty is to blow the trumpet and warn the people with a clear, definite warning. They are not to let side issues distract from the message entrusted to them, but to search the Scriptures prayerfully, teach a plain Thus saith the Lord, and help church members obey the Word. To entertain error and preach false doctrines contrary to the Word, to stand in the way of obedience, and to warn people against doing what has been commanded brings ruin, with condemnation proportionate to the influence of words and example in leading others into transgression, and the blood of souls perishing through such unfaithfulness is found upon their heads. Those who hear are still accountable to give strict account for their influence and are not excused for permitting themselves to be deceived or for committing their souls to an unfaithful minister instead of searching the Word for themselves, for no minister can pay the ransom for their souls, which Christ gave His own life to save and to make return to loyalty possible.
The warning work of the chapter belongs to the commission of Christ and to commanded service, and medical missionary workers carry out that commission as His messengers in seeing danger and warning the people. Canvassers serve as such watchmen by awakening a spiritually sleeping world unaware of its danger and by bringing truth to people in darkness and error who might otherwise never hear it. Their work brings the good news of salvation through Christ and obedience to the law to those who need to be alerted and awakened.
Church leaders facing the Religious Amendment question must not hesitate or reassure that there is no real danger, for hesitation and reassurance make the warning ineffective and leave people unprepared and unready to prepare. They must awaken the complacent and labor urgently for religious liberty, and after doing all that can be done leave the outcome to the Lord. Delay that allows people to perish brings accountability upon those charged to warn.
The church needs faithful, God-fearing people to keep watch, to see danger when Satan comes to deceive the inexperienced and unsuspecting and to tear down what was commanded to be built up, and to discern wrongdoing, correct it, and warn others rather than remain easy or leave necessary work undone. Spiritual danger must be confronted before it takes hold in order to help set things in order, for neglect can leave a demoralized condition that is difficult to repair. Faithful spiritual watchmen must not remain passive while people are exposed to temptation but must alert them and work to save them, protesting and working against harmful movements and praying for God to counter them, with failure to warn when duty calls being neglect of responsibility.
Parents must keep watch and give immediate warning when danger threatens, remaining alert as spiritual watchmen and not letting the unbelief and skepticism of their children turn them from this duty. All who have received the truth are responsible for sharing it, for the day of the Lord is near and everyone must be reached while there is still time, especially before growing dangers make the work harder. God's messengers warn of approaching danger as a final offer of mercy to a perishing world through visible human messengers even when angels are not visible, and to reject or oppose those messengers is like the rejection of Christ by the Jews.
When the watchman sees the sword coming upon the land he must blow the trumpet and warn the people so that all who hear may take heed and prepare. Whoever hears the warning and takes it delivers his soul, but whoever hears and refuses it bears his own blood upon his own head, while if the watchman fails to blow the trumpet and the people perish unwarned their blood is required at his hand, yet faithful warning delivers his own soul even if they will not listen. The trumpet must give a certain and clear sound, for hesitation, reassurance that there is no danger, or an uncertain note leaves the people confused and unprepared. For those living in the last days the warning to be sounded is that judgment is coming and the day of the Lord is near, calling the wicked to turn from their way and all to prepare while there is still time. Faithful watchmen stay alert, near to God, and able to discern danger, but unfaithful sentinels grow sleepy and benumbed, see no necessity to warn, cry Peace, peace, and leave their hearers unprepared.
Watchman Duty Described
The verse defines the watchman's duty: when he sees the sword or danger coming upon the land, he must blow the trumpet and warn the people, and that warning gives those who hear it the chance to take heed and prepare. It is a charge to watch for souls and to give warning when danger is coming, so that people are alerted and then held accountable for their response, with responsibility for that response taken up in the verses that follow. That warning work belongs to Christ's commanded service to others, carried out by medical missionary workers as His messengers. Those charged with spiritual oversight must therefore discern wrongdoing, correct it, and warn others, rather than remain at ease or leave necessary work undone.
Like sentinels anciently placed upon the walls of Jerusalem and other cities, ministers of Christ are watchmen upon the walls of Zion, occupying a most responsible position upon whose faithfulness depends the safety of all within. Those ancient sentinels stood upon some eminence overlooking important posts, never keeping silent day nor night when danger was apprehended, calling to one another every few moments to see if all were awake and sounding the cry of warning from one to another till it went the entire rounds of the city. So the stewards of the mysteries of God must stand awake and faithful, and if they see the sword coming in the form of spiritual danger they must sound the note of warning for the salvation of souls. The city watchmen's alertness protected those inside the walls, and in the same way the faithfulness of ministers as watchmen for God's people affects the salvation of souls, requiring them to stay near to God so they can hear His word and warn the wicked to turn from their way. If they are sleepy sentinels whose spiritual senses are so benumbed that they see and realize no danger, and the people perish unwarned, God will require their blood at the watchmen's hands.
The trumpet must give a certain, clear sound that the people can hear, realize their danger, and do the work required at the present time. Hesitation and reassurance that there is no real danger make the warning ineffective and leave people unprepared, and leaders who delay in this way are accountable if people perish through their delay. An unclear or confusing note likewise leaves people unsure what to do. God prepares His people to stand in the great crisis before them by speaking through His word and His ministers, arousing watchmen and sending them forth with messages of warning, of reproof, and of instruction, that the people may be enlightened.
The signal must be heard and then passed along the walls of Zion so the people are warned and can prepare themselves for the conflict. They must not be left to stumble in darkness, not knowing what is before them and unprepared for the great issues that are coming. That preparation is a work to be done for this time to fit a people to stand in the day of trouble, meaning to be clothed with the righteousness of Christ and fortified by the truth so that the delusions of Satan are not accepted as genuine manifestations of the power of God. All must act their part in hearing and spreading the warning.
Accountability for Warning Heard
When the trumpet is blown, the warning gives those who hear it the chance to take heed, to be alerted and to prepare, and leaves them accountable for their response. Whoever hears and takes warning delivers his soul, but whoever hears and refuses warning and takes it not bears his own blood upon his own head and bears responsibility for his own sins and blood-guilt. If the watchman sees the sword come and blows not the trumpet so the people are not warned, those taken away die in their iniquity yet their blood is required at the watchman's hand, and he is accountable for their loss if he fails to warn. Faithful warning delivers the watchman's soul and leaves him clear even if the people refuse to listen. Hesitation and delay that leave people unprepared and allow them to perish bring that same accountability, as when sleepy sentinels whose spiritual senses are benumbed see and realize no danger and the people perish unwarned.
The responsibility of watchmen today is much greater than in the prophet's day because light is clearer and privileges and opportunities are greater. While ministers are not spiritually minded and closely connected with God, Satan gains advantage to break down the strongholds that bar him from souls, and the Lord holds the watchman accountable for his success. The verse shows God's government to be a government of personal responsibility where each one must stand for himself. No one can obey for his neighbor, and no one is excused for neglecting his duty because his neighbor neglects the same duty.
Those who hear are also strictly accountable and will give strict account for their influence. They will not be excused for permitting themselves to be deceived or for committing their souls to an unfaithful minister instead of searching the Word of God for themselves. The minister cannot pay the ransom for their souls, for Christ gave His life to save them and to make it possible to return to loyalty.
Warning Message for Last Days
Ezekiel 33:3 is the truth of God, not a pleasing fable, and must be read and studied with the utmost stretch of understanding to know what it means for those living in these last days. It is to be obeyed by making straight paths for the feet and letting the lame be turned out of the way.
The warning to be sounded is that judgment is coming and the day of the Lord is near, so the wicked must be warned to turn from their way and the people must be told to prepare. Everyone must be reached while there is still time, with wholehearted, unselfish labor, especially before growing dangers make the work harder. Those who falsely promise peace and fail to warn leave their hearers unprepared, and the people later reproach them for it, while making the words of warning ineffective brings grave accountability before God.
The trumpet blast means lifting up the voice as John the Baptist did, proclaiming the message of warning and preparing the way for Christ's second coming. Those who have knowledge of the Scriptures must search out the sheep hungry for truth and bear the message to all, so those not fed with pure provender may hear and understand for themselves and not be left in darkness. Watchmen must rightly understand and explain the Word, search the Scriptures prayerfully, teach a plain Thus saith the Lord, warn every man and teach every man in all meekness and wisdom, and contend for the faith once delivered to the saints without conforming to the practices of the world.
When light is presented in such warning, it is the duty of God's people not only to receive it but to pass it along and add their influence in its favor, that its full force may be felt in the church and the world. This means reading it carefully and sending it to relatives and friends, thus putting to the best use the light given, and hearing the watchman's signal and passing it along so the people are warned and can prepare themselves for the conflict and the great issues coming and are not left to stumble in darkness not knowing what is before them. That preparation is a work to be done for this time to fit a people to stand in the day of trouble by being clothed with the righteousness of Christ and fortified by the truth, so that the delusions of Satan are not accepted as genuine manifestations of the power of God.
Faithful and Unfaithful Watchmen
Faithful watchmen stay alert to dangers threatening the spiritual life, health, and prosperity of God's people, and raise the warning rather than remain silent when God is dishonored. They stay near to God so they can hear His word, receive spiritual sight from Him to discern danger and to distinguish truth from error and righteousness from unrighteousness, and work as Christ worked. Like the alertness of city watchmen that protected those inside the walls, their faithfulness in warning about spiritual danger affects the safety and salvation of souls within. When God's people are united in the unity Christ prayed for, with the divine touch to see as God sees, their spiritual sight is restored and their watchmen discern the danger and sound clearer, louder trumpet notes. That clear warning comes when men have spiritual eyesight to discern spiritual things, instead of framing plans and dictating ways of working while seeing men as trees walking.
Unfaithful sentinels are sleepy, with spiritual senses so benumbed that they see and realize no danger. They give up their watch, recline at ease, remain inactive and asleep, and take danger quietly as if they had no special interest. They apprehend no danger, think everything is going well, see no necessity to warn, and want smooth things, rest, comfort, peace, and happiness. If the people perish unwarned through such sleep, their blood is required at the watchmen's hands.
Unfaithful watchmen are disturbed by faithful reproofs, are not pleased with active labor, toil and unceasing vigilance, and call plain testimonies, reproofs and warnings that show the people their transgressions too severe and harsh. They want the cry of Peace, peace, and those who falsely promise peace and fail to warn leave their hearers unprepared, who later reproach them for it. Entertaining error and preaching false doctrines contrary to God's Word, standing in the way of obedience, and warning people against doing what God told them to do brings ruin. Condemnation is proportionate to the influence of words and example in leading others into transgression, and the blood of souls perishing through such unfaithfulness will be found upon their heads.
Shepherds who refuse to examine the Word and oppose and slander the sent messengers as doing Satan's work repeat the work of the priests and rulers who sought Christ's life because He spoke the truth. Those who have knowledge of the Scriptures must instead search out the sheep hungry for truth and bear the message to all, so those not fed with pure provender may hear and understand for themselves and not be left in darkness under shepherds who war against God's commandments. College workers likewise must give a clear and faithful warning through conduct and teaching, for those who sometimes work for Satan cannot be trusted as watchmen or called faithful servants, since their actions influence the young and can affect many others.
Those Called to Warn
Those who take up preaching are set as watchmen upon the walls of Zion, and when the sword is seen coming upon the land their duty is to blow the trumpet and warn the people with a clear, definite warning. They are not to let side issues distract from the message entrusted to them, but to search the Scriptures prayerfully, teach a plain Thus saith the Lord, and help church members obey the Word. To entertain error and preach false doctrines contrary to the Word, to stand in the way of obedience, and to warn people against doing what has been commanded brings ruin, with condemnation proportionate to the influence of words and example in leading others into transgression, and the blood of souls perishing through such unfaithfulness is found upon their heads. Those who hear are still accountable to give strict account for their influence and are not excused for permitting themselves to be deceived or for committing their souls to an unfaithful minister instead of searching the Word for themselves, for no minister can pay the ransom for their souls, which Christ gave His own life to save and to make return to loyalty possible.
The warning work of the chapter belongs to the commission of Christ and to commanded service, and medical missionary workers carry out that commission as His messengers in seeing danger and warning the people. Canvassers serve as such watchmen by awakening a spiritually sleeping world unaware of its danger and by bringing truth to people in darkness and error who might otherwise never hear it. Their work brings the good news of salvation through Christ and obedience to the law to those who need to be alerted and awakened.
Church leaders facing the Religious Amendment question must not hesitate or reassure that there is no real danger, for hesitation and reassurance make the warning ineffective and leave people unprepared and unready to prepare. They must awaken the complacent and labor urgently for religious liberty, and after doing all that can be done leave the outcome to the Lord. Delay that allows people to perish brings accountability upon those charged to warn.
The church needs faithful, God-fearing people to keep watch, to see danger when Satan comes to deceive the inexperienced and unsuspecting and to tear down what was commanded to be built up, and to discern wrongdoing, correct it, and warn others rather than remain easy or leave necessary work undone. Spiritual danger must be confronted before it takes hold in order to help set things in order, for neglect can leave a demoralized condition that is difficult to repair. Faithful spiritual watchmen must not remain passive while people are exposed to temptation but must alert them and work to save them, protesting and working against harmful movements and praying for God to counter them, with failure to warn when duty calls being neglect of responsibility.
Parents must keep watch and give immediate warning when danger threatens, remaining alert as spiritual watchmen and not letting the unbelief and skepticism of their children turn them from this duty. All who have received the truth are responsible for sharing it, for the day of the Lord is near and everyone must be reached while there is still time, especially before growing dangers make the work harder. God's messengers warn of approaching danger as a final offer of mercy to a perishing world through visible human messengers even when angels are not visible, and to reject or oppose those messengers is like the rejection of Christ by the Jews.