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The ministry of the watchman is a ministry of prayer that
deals with the confrontation of evil on several levels of spiritual
authority:
Principality:
(Strong, Gk. 746) "arche." A
commencement, chief, beginning, corner, the first estate,
principality." The highest level of demonic rule (under satan).
Includes evil princes who rule countries or geographical regions.
Usually political, but sometimes religious leaders (Dan. 10:13).
Power:
(Strong Gk. 1849) "exousia" privilege, force, capacity,
competency, magistrate, superhuman, potentate, token of control,
delegated influence, authority, jurisdiction, liberty, power. This
is probably the second level of authority. The magistrate or sheriff
rules and enforces satan's dark laws in a smaller geographical
area.
Ruler of darkness:
(Strong Gk. 2888, "kosmoskrator," world ruler (satan); and
4655, "skotos," darkness, obscurity, shadiness. The term here
describes one who rules in the shadows, behind the scenes, or in a
deceptive way. Demons who whisper evil thoughts and bombard the mind
with wicked ideas are included here. These work on the person's mind
to tempt one in one's personal decisions.
Spiritual wickedness in heavenly
places:
(Strong Gk. 4152 "pneumatikos," non-human. non-carnal,
religious, spiritual, supernatural; and 4189. "Poneria," depravity,
malice, plots, sins. iniquity, wickedness. There is human
wickedness. Violence, cursing, excesses in the flesh, controlling,
demanding behaviors are all works of the flesh exclusively used to
satisfy the flesh. That is not what is being spoken of here.
Spiritual wickedness has a supernatural and superhuman origin, but
it may affect the human flesh or mind. Examples include epidemics of
colds or flu, which are caused by unusually large concentrations of
germs, or irritants in the atmosphere (demonic plot to destroy
health); demonic visitations designed to frighten people are another
example (demonic plot to steal peace).
This ministry is a function of the office of the prophet.
Prophets were in old times called "seers" (1 Samuel
9:9) so the watchman had to "see" into the spirit what God
wants him to see and take authority over forces of spiritual
darkness that hold people in bondage to sin and darkness.
Because the watchman in called to see, he peers into the
distance and can foretell danger from a distance, or can sense
imminent danger. (2 Samuel 18:24-27 / 2 Kings
9:17-21). The anointing for the watchman originates from the
office of the prophet, and includes the operation of the revelation
gifts of the spirit as well as the gifts of prophecy. From this
grace, the watchman is able to speak to principalities, powers,
thrones, and dominions and cause them to hear the manifold wisdom of
God. When devils are put into their place, spiritual atmospheres
change, people change, laws change. There is an actual shifting in
government as a result of the activities of the watchman.
The person who is a watchman is called by God to fulfill this
role. All Christians are called to a life of prayer, and are allowed
to intercede for anyone, but the function, role, training and
behavior of the watchman are different from simple intercessory
prayer in the following ways.
Origin of
authority: The watchman derives his
authority, training, and anointing from the office of the prophet.
This is consistent with the Bible. All the watchmen mentioned in the
Bible were prophets. (Ezekiel 3:17/Jeremiah
51:11).
Functions and Duties:
The watchman was given
his assignment by God, and was held accountable to God for the
completion of it. He went from assignment to assignment. He did not
pray for a "season" and then does something else. The watchman was
called for life. (Habakkuk 2:1-3). The watchman was
given the vision from God, and told to report what he saw. If he
answered correctly, God told him what to do about what he saw.
Elijah prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain
for three years. He came close to perishing in the drought. King
Ahab sought his life because of the drought, but the drought was
ordered by God. The true watchman never questions God's
instructions; he just carries them out. (1 Kings 17:1-7, 18:1-2/
James 5:17)
The watchman, as prophet, may be called upon to preach to the
people and declare what God has said. (Isaiah 21:6 / Ezekiel
33:7) HE DOES THIS BY UNCTION, AND NOT OF HIS OWN ACCORD.
The watchman must have the discipline over his mouth that a soldier
has over his finest weapon. The mouth of the watchman is his
greatest weapon. It can be used for much good or much
evil.
Training: This is the most difficult part for most
people to accept. The watchman must be trained by a prophet. While
many people can pray, and are told by God to pray, we are not
talking about one who prays a lot and calls himself an intercessor,
but one who accepts this as a calling from God, and seeks to be
fully equipped to do the job. Since the ministry of the watchman is
a function of the office of the prophet, one can only receive that
anointing from a prophet who functions as a watchman. Anointings
originate with the Lord Jesus Christ. Whether you get your anointing
directly from the Chief prophet or from a human who stands in the
office of prophet and functions as a watchman, there must be
spiritual training put into every human spirit before one can
understand and perform the duties of this
office.
For more in-depth teaching on
the Ministry
of the Watchman, Order
Barbara Williams newest book: The
Ministry of THE
WATCHMAN: Beacon
to the Body of Christ, Keeper of the Lord's Lighthouse (Click
for Details)
Teaching
CDs on the
ministry of the Watchman also available
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