Watchman v. Prophet

[ByTheSpirit]

What is the difference between the two?

I mean Ezekiel was both, or at very least started out as a watchman and became a prophet...

Or is a prophet simply a watchman that has seen/heard and been given the go ahead by the Lord to speak that vision/revelation?

 

[gideons300]

What is the difference between the two?

I mean Ezekiel was both, or at very least started out as a watchman and became a prophet...

Or is a prophet simply a watchman that has seen/heard and been given the go ahead by the Lord to speak that vision/revelation?

Perhaps it is the watchman on the wall who warns of the danger on the horizon and the prophet who shares the solution of what must be done to correct the situation.

Just a thought. Perhaps there is no difference at all.

G.

 

[lismore]

Or is a prophet simply a watchman that has seen/heard and been given the go ahead by the Lord to speak that vision/revelation?

The prophet foretells the danger or event years before it happens. The watchman sounds the alarm when the danger or event has arrived.

For example, Jeremiah prophesied that the exile would last 70 years. Daniel read this in the scriptures and could announce the end of the seventy years.

In this instance Jeremiah foretold the event, Daniel was 'on the wall' so to speak when the event happened.

Another application, look at the people down through the years who foretold the coming of the Lord. We are the watchmen on the walls who will see it happen.

 

[contango]

What is the difference between the two?

I mean Ezekiel was both, or at very least started out as a watchman and became a prophet...

Or is a prophet simply a watchman that has seen/heard and been given the go ahead by the Lord to speak that vision/revelation?

Interesting question.

A watchman doesn't necessarily need a supernatural gifting. If someone were aware that bad teaching was infiltrating a church they could highlight it and give a warning based on merely looking at the teaching and testing it against Scripture. To take an extreme example, one does not need to be a prophet to realise that worshipping Lucifer is not something a church should be doing.

A prophet may function as a watchman, possibly giving warning of things that lie under the surface, things that are not yet known to many. A prophet may also talk to church leaders, having become aware by supernatural means that something was going on. Maybe the church leaders knew of something but weren't sure what to do, maybe they knew of something but hoped to cover it up, maybe they didn't realise just what was going on. Whatever the situation, a prophetic word could unearth the problem in a way that encourages it to be addressed.

 

[ByTheSpirit]

Perhaps it is the watchman on the wall who warns of the danger on the horizon and the prophet who shares the solution of what must be done to correct the situation.

Just a thought. Perhaps there is no difference at all.

G.

Could be, I mean a watchman in historical times would stand on the city walls and keep watch over the city for any sign of danger on the horizon. There is no need to think it means anything other in the spiritual sense outside of the practical application of a Christian watchman need not stand on a wall and look out, but keep watch in prayer.

Now that I ponder this, I think a prophet is simply sharing something given to them by the Lord to share, whether edification, encouragement, or consolation.

So perhaps, there is no difference, either that or a watchman is a bit more of a broad category as you can physically see the danger in a fellow believers life without a need for spiritual discernment or a word from the Lord, although such a thing could be had.

 

[Matjohluk]

A watchman is HIS prophet!

 

[Melshezidek]

This may help clarify a few things Watchman on The Walls | Seated - The Prophetic/Teaching Ministry of Brad Hocutt

 

[Matjohluk]

This may help clarify a few things Watchman on The Walls | Seated - The Prophetic/Teaching Ministry of Brad Hocutt

Interesting man and site.

 

[REPHAIAHPEDAHEL]

YahwehElShaddai, is gideons300 a watchmen or a prophet or both?

 

[ByTheSpirit]

YahwehElShaddai, is gideons300 a watchmen or a prophet or both?

I'm not sure, without the gift of discernment I will remain unsure until some light is shed on his words. I agree with most of what he says and it is no bother to me. Normally I find those who ruffle feathers do so because they've stepped on some toes. I like to keep my toes in the safe zone so that doesn't happen often.

 

[NannaNae]

I think it has some to do with when...

The watchman is a more immediate and must tell NOW.

the prophet can bake the cake / a birthing for a very long time . there is nothing immediate about the issues .
and he doesn't have to tell until he is told too.

if you only have soda, and chocolate , and salt and you can't even tell what it will be and you long ago stopped assuming you did know... there is nothing to present.

 

[REPHAIAHPEDAHEL]

Good answer YahwehElShaddai.

 

[Matjohluk]

I'm not sure, without the gift of discernment I will remain unsure until some light is shed on his words. I agree with most of what he says and it is no bother to me. Normally I find those who ruffle feathers do so because they've stepped on some toes. I like to keep my toes in the safe zone so that doesn't happen often.

A prophet will always tramp on someone's toes, particularly if what they say is true. REPENT you sinners REPENT!

 

[Always in His Presence]

Ever notice there are no watchman noted in the New Testiment. Nor is there any noted in the early church.

Things that make you go hmmmm.....

 

[ByTheSpirit]

Ever notice there are no watchman noted in the New Testiment. Nor is there any noted in the early church.

Things that make you go hmmmm.....

Worship leaders aren't either, so what's your point?

If God told you to stand in a position that isn't specifically named in the New Testament are you going to deny Him?

Things that make you go hmmm...

 

[turned around]

Hi,
Simply put you're correct, were not living under the OC. Jesus mediating a whole different system. It was necessary that the law was changed. He mediates after the order of Melchizedek, not the Aaronic system. Most of the OC was to keep the Adamic nature check. The church is new creations.

 

[Always in His Presence]

Worship leaders aren't either, so what's your point? .

That's true, but you don't ever see Worship leaders

• who, while not being part of any church, Lord it over others as a calling.
  
  Who come onto CF and speak as one with authority and get all bent out of shape if anyone questions them.
  
  Who do not have any other aspect of their ministry beyond cyber pontificating
  
  I've never seen a worship leader start thread after thread running anothers ministry down based on what they think they heard.....
  
  I've never seen a worship leader start thread after thread to find fault with others, either individuals, ministers or churches
  
  I've never seen a worship leader use the "God called me to do this" as a defense for a critical spirit.

thanks

As for prophets - you will note:

Acts 13:1
Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.


1 Corinthians 12:28
And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.

If someone is going to claim the role of a prophet - he/she better be in the church - prophets in the NT are not some loner sent to lord rules and guidance over people. They are part of the five fold ministry that train and equip the saints for the work of the ministry - not sit back and bark commands and warnings into the air.

hmmm..........

 

[lismore]

If someone is going to claim the role of a prophet - he/she better be in the church - prophets in the NT are not some loner sent to lord rules and guidance over people. They are part of the five fold ministry that train and equip the saints for the work of the ministry - not sit back and bark commands and warnings into the air.

hmmm..........

By and large yes but there are exceptions.

I met a guy who was given the boot from his church because he refused to accept their stance on two men getting married.

How can he be corporate or silent in that instance, if the church is marrying two woofters?

 

[ByTheSpirit]

Very passionate about the subject I see, thats good! I agree NT prophets are not to be out of the body of Christ, but according to 1 Corinthians 14:3, edification is one of many things a prophet does in the Church, or speaks that is. Can't edification seem harsh at times? Building someone up isn't always fluffy bunnies and purple unicorns, surely you know this.

I would be careful being critical of any prophet unless you have clear guidance from the Holy Spirit as to their messages validity. If, and I do mean if they speak from God honestly and their message is true then such criticism would be aimed at the Lord Himself. Jesus rebuked the churches in Revelation, well most of them, so why is it hard to think He wouldn't now? Especially since a large part of the Church accepts gay marriage, or the like?

There may well be worship leaders on CF that does that stuff, unless you visit all the other forums daily and actively know the individuals and participate in their threads such a broad statement(s) is clearly off target. I have seen a worship leader say things like that and it made service very uncomfortable to be sure but NO ONE likes to be told they are wrong. Especially if they are wrong. Those who are humble will evaluate the message and if it applies to them, fix it and if not store it away for future use (edification). Having to defend yourself is just a form of self that manifets itself. Its true.

But I dont have to convince you of that. But just because God does not list "watchmen" as an official church office does not mean He doesn't call individuals to such a position. He is God and can do whatever He pleases without my permission, or yours. Praise be to His glorious name!

 

[lismore]

Ever notice there are no watchman noted in the New Testiment. Nor is there any noted in the early church.

Things that make you go hmmmm.....

In a related manner, I see shepherds watching their flocks by night, disciples being told to keep watch and pray and a cry going up at midnight when the bridegroom cometh.

All these were watching, and they were men.

‘Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour'