Update

March 25, 2026.

“Let sinners be consumed from the earth, and let the wicked be no more. Bless (affectionately, gratefully praise) the Lord, O my soul! Praise the Lord! (Hallelujah!)” Psalm 104:35 AMPC.

Topical Encyclopedia

In biblical times, the role of a Watchman was both a practical and spiritual responsibility, deeply embedded in the cultural and religious life of Israel.

The Watchman was tasked with vigilance, protection, and the delivery of messages, often serving as a metaphor for spiritual alertness and moral responsibility.

Historical Context and Duties

In ancient Israel, cities were often fortified with walls, and Watchmen were stationed on these walls or in towers to keep an eye out for approaching enemies or any potential threats.

Their primary duty was to sound the alarm to alert the inhabitants of impending danger.

This role required constant vigilance and a keen sense of awareness, as the safety of the city depended on their ability to detect and announce threats promptly.

Biblical References

The role of the Watchman is prominently featured in the prophetic books of the Old Testament. In Ezekiel 3, God appoints Ezekiel as a Watchman for the house of Israel:

“Son of man, I have made you a Watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from My mouth, give them a warning from Me.” Ezekiel 3:17.

Here, the Watchman’s role extends beyond physical protection to spiritual oversight, emphasizing the responsibility to convey God’s Messages and Warnings to the people.

Similarly, in Isaiah 62, the Watchmen are depicted as intercessors:

“On your walls, O Jerusalem, I have posted Watchmen; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the LORD, give yourselves no rest.” Isaiah 62:6.

This passage highlights the Watchman’s duty to remain vigilant in prayer and to continually remind God of His promises to His people.

Spiritual Significance

The Watchman’s role is often used metaphorically to describe spiritual leaders and prophets who are responsible for guiding and warning the community.

In this capacity, they are expected to be spiritually alert, discerning the times, and communicating God’s truth to His people.

The Watchman’s failure to fulfill this duty is met with severe consequences, as seen in Ezekiel 33,

“But if the Watchman sees the sword coming and fails to blow the trumpet to warn the people, and the sword takes the life of one of them, that man will be taken away in his iniquity, but I will hold the Watchman accountable for his blood.” Ezekiel 33:6.

Moral and Ethical Implications

The role of a Watchman carries significant moral and ethical implications.

It underscores the importance of responsibility, accountability, and the courage to speak the truth, even when it is unpopular or difficult.

The Watchman must possess integrity and a deep commitment to the well-being of those they serve, prioritizing their duty over personal comfort or safety.

Watchmen! What of the Night?

March 15, 2014.

I heard from The LORD, “Watchman, what of the night?” and I sat to pray and I began to wail and scream in terror for the pain I was feeling.

And I asked The LORD what this was about, to show me why I am feeling all this pain and terror.

I then looked up the scriptures that had this phrase.

The burden against the Wilderness of the Sea.
“As whirlwinds in the South pass through, so it comes from the desert, from a terrible land. A distressing vision is declared to me; The treacherous dealer deals treacherously, and the plunderer plunders. Go up, O Elam! Besiege, O Media! All its sighing I have made to cease. Therefore my loins are filled with pain; pangs have taken hold of me, like the pangs of a woman in labor. I was distressed when I heard it; I was dismayed when I saw it. My heart wavered, fearfulness frightened me; the night for which I longed He turned into fear for me. Prepare the table, set a Watchman in the tower, eat and drink. Arise, you princes, anoint the shield!
For thus has The LORD said to me: “Go, set a Watchman, let him declare what he sees.” And he saw a chariot with a pair of horsemen, a chariot of donkeys, and a chariot of camels, and he listened earnestly with great care. Then he cried, “A lion, my Lord! I stand continually on the watchtower in the daytime; I have sat at my post every night. And look, here comes a chariot of men with a pair of horsemen! ” Then he answered and said, “Babylon is fallen, is fallen! And all the carved images of her gods He has broken to the ground.”
Oh, my threshing and the grain of my floor! That which I have heard from The LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, I have declared to you. The burden against Dumah. He calls to me out of Seir, “Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night?” The Watchman said, “The morning comes, and also the night. If you will inquire, inquire; Return ! Come back !”
The burden against Arabia. In the forest in Arabia you will lodge, O you traveling companies of Dedanites. O inhabitants of the land of Tema, bring water to him who is thirsty; with their bread they met him who fled. For they fled from the swords, from the drawn sword, from the bent bow, and from the distress of war.
For thus The LORD has said to me: “Within a year, according to the year of a hired man, all the glory of Kedar will fail; ¹⁷ and the remainder of the number of archers, the mighty men of the people of Kedar, will be diminished; for The LORD God of Israel has spoken it.” Isaiah 21:1-16 NKJV.

Then He spoke: “I have drawn My Sword, and I will carry My Bow and shoot My Arrows at the inhabitants of the earth who refuse to lay down their sword against My People!

I will shoot My Arrows into The Nations who rise against Israel and there will be such distress upon the nations whose thoughts are to devour instead of to build.

Truthfully, I tell you, that if any man wants to choose death instead of life, he will receive what he has asked for by his presumption and pride.

The lame will take the prey in this war of wars, believe Me when I say that I will have My Vengeance upon all who have come against My Own.

Tighten your belts, and cling to Me, for the ride will be bumpy and dangerous for those who have only half-heartedly committed their lives to Me.

He that is not FOR ME, and for those I call My Own, is not going to be able to stand in this day.

This is the year of My Vengeance and I will stir up the whirlwinds and many will be taken in their pride and arrogance.

See that you are hidden in Me!

And do not turn away from your prayer closets. Keep your face to the wind and continue to pursue My Presence diligently for I will not disappoint you.

I will do all I have said I will do for you.

I have not forgotten My promises. You will go forth in Power and Glory if you will stay your eyes on Me.

Watchmen, stay on the wall and open your mouth like a trumpet to all around you.

When I speak to you a warning, or an admonition, or an encouragement do not hold back, for I AM pouring out trumpets of many kinds.

Speak, and do not faint. Do not look at their faces for I have called you to stay your course and to continue to warn and admonish a rebellious and hard-necked people.

Do not shrink back. Speak as I call you to speak, and do not be afraid of their rejection. It will soon mean nothing, for My Judgment begins in The House of The LORD.

Those who say they are Jews (spiritually) but are of the synagogue of Satan, will come and bow down at your feet, and they will know that I have loved you!

So do not be afraid for I AM your Vindicator.

I AM still doing some polishing and I urge you to stay in My Presence that you may only speak what I tell you. No more, and no less.

Speak Life to the dry bones, My People!

Speak Life, that The Church may become One!

The Day of The LORD is at hand and nothing will ever be the same.

Lay down your swords against each other. Do not judge lest you be judged!

Love one another as I have loved you. Let them know that YOU are Mine, by this — that you love one another!

What good does it do a man if he gains the whole world but loses his soul, I said, yet many have not given up their lives, but still cling to them.

Love of the world is enmity with God. That is what My Word says.

Come out of her… keep yourselves unblemished from the world and all she has to offer.

Cling to Me that you may be saved in the day of My wrath that is coming upon the earth.

Pray for your loved ones and watch them come into My Arms.

I AM arising My People.

I AM listening to those who are Mine!

Lift your voices in Praise — rejoice and be glad, for the day is approaching.

Lift your voices in harmony, gather together and worship Me in The Spirit of Holiness.

Keep communion with Me!

Ask Me and I will give you The Nations.

I AM birthing Salvation on the earth.

The knowledge of Me will fill the earth.

I AM trumpeting a time of Glory, such as never has been seen.

Come, come to Me and I will fill you with My Glory!”

 

~ Priscilla Van Sutphin

---

PRISCILLA VAN SUTPHIN is the founder of Upstream Ministries, California, online at www.upstreamca.org and blogtalkradio.com/ Upstream. Email: upstream.ca@me.com For Donations: send to ‘Priscilla Van Sutphin’ on envelope, but to Upstream if chk at 15660 Tustin Village Way #27, Tustin CA 92780 or https://www.paypal.me/UpstreamMinistries or Zelle thru using upstream.ca@me.com

Back to Top