Sometimes people ask this question when shepherds of God’s flock or gospel preachers sound out warnings against immorality or false teaching. The inquirers seem to strongly dislike the concept of somebody being a "watchman." What about it? Should a child of God be a watchman in the 21^st century?

(1) In Old Testament terminology, a watchman was "one who guards a city or the headquarters of an army (1 Sam. 14:16; 2 Sam. 18:24-27). Such watchmen were set on city walls or on hilltops (Jer. 31:6)" [The Zondervan Pictorial Bible Dictionary (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1963), p. 886]. The Lord charged His prophet Ezekiel, "I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me" (Ezekiel 33:7). Thus, the role of God's watchmen in the O.T. era was a noble and much-needed one.

(2) Each follower of Jesus is commanded to watch. "Watch ye, stand fast in the faith . . ." (1 Corinthians 16:13). One that watches is a "watcher" or a "watchman," as it were. "Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober" (1 Thess. 5:6). The Spirit instructed Timothy, "But watch thou in all things . . ." (2 Timothy 4:5).

(3) There is a blessing to one that watches – the Bible says so. "Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth and keepeth his garments . . ." (Revelation 16:15). What about the one that does not watch?

(4) Our Lord wants each of us to be "a good soldier" (2 Timothy 2:3). Therefore, we must always be alert and watching out, not only for our own spiritual welfare and potential dangers, but also for the good and safety of our fellow-soldiers in Jesus’ army.

(5) If first century preachers like Jesus (Mark 13:33-37) and Paul (Acts 20:31) charged the early followers of the Christ to watch, then wouldn't it be a good thing for overseers, preachers, and saints of the 21^st century to also be concerned about watching and exhorting the church to watch and be on guard? Think about it.