Friends & Patriots,
Very shortly I am going to change the name of my blog from GrassrootConservative.blogspot.com to Watchman-Report I think this better explains who and what I am. The log-on would remain the same via http://www.grassrootconservative.blogspot.com/.
As you know I consider myself your watchman on the wall trying to warn about current events that are linked to Biblical prophecy.
Biblical writers often juxtaposed the role of the watchman and the work of the prophet. Through long, dark hours of slavery and exile, stubbornness and despair, the prophets kept watch, calling out injustices, calling forth awareness, peace, and repentance.
Jeremiah cried out, "This is what the LORD says: Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, 'We will not walk in it.' I appointed watchmen over you and said, 'Listen to the sound of the trumpet!' But you said, 'We will not listen.'"
Isaiah expanded the imagery of the sentinel's watch even further, suggesting watchful eyes throughout the kingdom of God, servants who hold vigil day and night, watching for light even when presently surrounded by darkness. "Listen! Your sentinels lift up their voices, together they sing for joy; for in plain sight they see the return of the Lord to Zion."(1)
An old man in Jerusalem named Simeon was one such sentinel. All that is known of him is that he was righteous and devout, studied the Bible at the Temple and looked forward to the consolation of his broken land. The Lord promised him he would see his Messiah. Led by the Spirit one day, he went to the temple to offer the customary sacrifice, when he noticed an infant in the arms of a young woman named Mary. Taking the baby in his arms, he began to sing:
"Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace,
according to your word;
for my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles
and for glory to your people Israel."(2)
A watchman who had kept vigil through long years of darkness, Simeon saw the infant Christ in plain sight and used the language of a slave who had been freed. There is a sense of immediacy and relief, as if the light of morning has finally arrived after years of shadow, and he is at last free to leave his post.
Epiphany, the historical Christian feast day celebrates the arrival of the magi to the birthplace of Jesus, and it tells a similar story. Matthew describes a vigilant scene not unlike that of Simeon at the temple or sentinels on the city wall. Jewish Astronomers from the east followed a lone star through a great expanse of darkness and across the desert to come upon a new born king. Their watchful journey took years. An evil man Satan via Herod tried to trick the Magi but God thwarted the evil plan to murder Yeshua even though Herod murdered all infant boys throughout Bethlehem who were two years old or less. It was a solitary journey, disregarded by the masses and wrought with difficulty. But the light was real. " Nations shall come to your light," sang the prophet of this child, "and kings to the brightness of your dawn" (Isaiah 60:3).We are still a world straining in the dark, waiting for light. Like those who first journeyed to set their eyes on the child born to die, we move through long nights, often finding ourselves out of place, in the dark, and straining to see more. The Christian story is a declaration that Christ can transform this watching and waiting, our lives and our deaths, bringing light where death stings, tears discourage, and darkness haunts. "I wait for the Lord," sang the psalmist, "my soul waits, and in his word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord, more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning."
The night is surely long, but the light – Jesus Christ Yeshua HaMaschiach is real!
Alan
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