The Watchman's Diary

If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned (John 15:6).

There is a message that makes us feel good; a message that speaks to our inmost desires and points to a future of prosperity, joy, peace, and love. There is another message that causes many to tremble; to feel judged, to feel as if they are being attacked. Ironically, the latter message is the one that, if heeded, leads to true prosperity, joy, peace, and love. One message appeals to self and treats God as though he is Santa Clause and the other appeals to God by acknowledging His awe.

This is nothing new! The prophets of God who brought messages of judgement on apostate nations were often maligned, abused, and killed. Yet, the message continues to flow and it remains consistent. God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow and He calls us to deny ourselves and follow Him. He tells us of the things that will happen if we walk away from Him and turn to idols, of any kind. But most importantly, He tells us that He will forgive us if we repent, and gives us much warning before judgement is poured out.

The prosperity message paints a singular picture; it is a one size fits all message. There is just one problem, it doesn’t fit all, in fact, very few are beneficiaries of such a message and the messenger is often the main beneficiary.
The message of love – so called messages of doom – offers reality in the midst of tragedy. From my perspective, we don’t often like reality; I’m guilty of that. It is a message with choices depending on where we are spiritually. Yes, it is often a hard message to hear but if we do just what Christ call us to do and step aside from ourselves we will see it from a different perspective. It is a message that says that life or death truly begins at the end of our present reality; spent either in heaven or hell.

Time is late; time is running out; the clock is counting down quickly and we need to prepare for what is coming. Yes, I keep saying the same thing over and over but I only say what I keep hearing. If you are reading this and you are not in the will of God, get there! It is the only sure place of safety in these last days. Preparation begins in our hearts and on our knees; taking our sins and laying them at the foot of the cross.

Many have heard the message but continue to ask for signs; they continue to have a desire to believe but will only do so when they can see it. The “seeing is believing” notion has us in a death grip all the while laughing that the sight of it may be our demise. How then can we repent? Why do we wait for the shaking to begin before we prepare a place to take cover? How can one build a shelter in the middle of a raging battle?

The only guaranteed time left on the clock is “now”! Don’t wait for it to strike midnight, for at midnight the groom will appear and only those whose lamps remained trimmed and lit will enter into the banquet. If you are hungry, feast on the Bread of life; if you are thirsty, drink from the Cup of salvation. Abide in Christ and prosper unto eternal life. The world is dying and so are we but both we and the world are promised an eternal make-over. Take hold of Jesus; open the door while He knocks and walk in His ways always.

There is a judgment coming; so too is prosperity for those who abide in Him. Where will you and I stand on that day; to His right or to His left?