When we keep watch for our nation, when we want to bring about transformation to our nation, each of us, the churches and individuals, must be prepared and ready. We need to live a holy life and be ready to make sacrifices.
Who are the “Watchmen”?
Rev Iman Santoso pointed out that each country needs watchmen. Some of the Old Testaments prophets such as Habakkuk, Ezekiel and others were also watchmen. According to 1Chronicles 12:32, the tribe of Issachar kept up-to-date in their understanding of the times and knew what Israel should do.
Therefore, watchmen should: 1) listen to what God said; 2) bring God’s warning to the people; 3) be wellversed about national affairs, be concerned about the current events and development of the nation.
Rev Iman reiterated that we cannot just expect the nation to change if the churches do not first make changes.
In other words, the churches must first be purified. The churches must also be unified. When the churches are united, we are strong and the government will be willing to listen.
In the case of our neighbour, Indonesia, Christian leaders are invited to be members of the national think tank because of the glorious witness of the churches.
Rev Iman said that not only countries need to have watchmen; there should be watchmen in the churches and in families. At home, parents are the watchmen for the children. Keeping watch over what the children read in the internet, in case of any behavioural changes, to instantly help to bring correction. In this sense, Eli did not watch over his children at the appropriate time, he neglected them and failed.
As for the churches, pastors and preachers are the primary watchmen. They have to check that the teachings are right, not allowing false teachers that are like wolves in sheep’s skins to sneak into the church to mislead the believers. The early revivals in England and America were also started by the preachers. The Methodist movement that brought about revival in the English society and churches was brought about by John Wesley’s renewal. Thus preachers can influence not only the spiritual dimension but also the moral dimension of a nation.
Characteristics of watchmen
1) Love God and men.
2) Desire God, open up oneself to God’s word, be attentive to the voice of the Holy Spirit and to be led, willing to sacrifice oneself for God’s will and use.
3) To be faithful, loyal and persistent in the long process of transforming the country.
4) To have a wide view and be willing to work closely with other believers and other churches for the expansion of God’s kingdom in our country.
Who are the intercessors?
Intercessors bring requests before God for other people’s sake. Are there true intercessors in this age? There are examples of intercessors in the Bible such as Abraham, Isaac, and Moses. Genesis 18: 23-33 describes how Abraham boldly but humbly, patiently and continually interceded to God for Lot, Sodom and Gomorrah. Isaac prayed to God for his wife’s barrenness. Moses interceded for the Israelites that he led out of Egypt.
Yet the best model for intercessor is: “Therefore He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them.” (Hebrews 7:25)
However, the Bible also mentions a watchman who was supposed to issue a warning regarding judgment to the people of Nineveh after receiving the word from God. But he did so unwillingly and did not intercede on their behalf. It seemed that he did not expect the people of Nineveh whom he disliked and treated as enemies would listen to his warnings and repent. He seemed to hope for serious judgment upon them. Unexpectedly the people of Nineveh believed him, Jonah, and repented.
Thus, Rev Iman hoped that we can be like Peter, love our enemies and be a willing watchman and intercessor. When Peter received a vision in his prayer, he immediately responded and the following day he went to Cornelius house to proclaim Jesus’ salvation.
Rev Iman said that our country needs watchmen, intercessors and men of action like Peter. He called on us not to hate those extremists for they are people over-zealous and overcommitted for their faith. Our country needs watchmen, intercessors and men of action that can “stand in the gap to stop the leak”.
Responsibilities of watchmen and intercessors
Rev Iman pointed out that the main responsibility of a Christian in his own country is to bring his country to the Lord in prayer so that his country is able to meet God. The watchmen’s duty is to give timely warning when the country faces crisis. A prayer intercessor has to bring before God his country, asking God to crush plot of the evil one and asking God to establish the integrated image of the country and that God would instil noble character for national leaders and church leaders.
Taking the example of revival evangelist Dr. John Sung, Rev Iman encouraged all watchmen and intercessors to follow the spirit of Dr. John Sung to be willing to shed blood for God. Dr. Sung’s victory and powers came from his intimate relationship with God.
Rev Iman quoted from Habakkuk 2: 1 (I will stand at my guard post and station myself on a tower. I will wait and see what the LORD will say about me and what I will answer when he reprimands me) to clarify the primary responsibility for a watchman.
1. See: Our hearts must be clear as a mirror and able to see what God sees so that the word of God will be reflected in our lives. Secondly, we must have a clear mind so that we can distinguish between right and wrong, especially those evil plots that the deceivers are using to prevent us from seeing the truth. Therefore, a prayer intercessor asks God to open the eyes of the lost and also open our own eyes so that we can see God. The current situation in this country is that we are afraid of preaching to the M tribe. Rev Iman said that the best prescription for fear is to see the power of God and His everlasting love for us.
2. Rise up: Rev Iman called on Malaysian christians to rise up in prayer for the prodigal sons in our country. Our social and family values are eroding and even churches are not spared. Therefore, we must be humble, turn away from evil and watch and pray for the rising of the country, church, community and family. Rev Iman said that if we know we should pray but do not pray, God’s judgment will come. Now is the imperative moment!
3. Action: Rev Iman pointed out that the word “see” appears in the Bible 566 times, “rise up” 47 times and “action” only 7 times. Why is that so? This is because most people “see” but fewer people do the work! Doing the work is daunting, even praying is an action that has a price to pay.
Rev Iman again used Dr. John Sung as an example, pointing out that he was a faithful intercessor. He would ask for a photo of persons he was asked to intercede for so that he could pray for the person better. Secondly, he had the habit of getting up at 5 o’clock every morning to pray for two to three hours. And when he prayed, he would not allow interference at this sacred moment. This is the most important action for Christians.
So, Rev. Iman challenged Methodist pastors and believers that if we want to watch and pray for our country, society, church, family and even ourselves, we need to be like Muslims, waking up early to pray heartily.
Finally, he quoted Haggai 2: 4 as a conclusion: “But now be strong, Zerubbabel,’ declares the LORD. ‘Be strong, Joshua son of Jozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land,’ declares the LORD, ‘and work. For I am with you,’ declares the LORD Almighty.” [NIV revision]
Reported by Saffron Ling
Translated by KT Chew