Purpose
Prophecy was given so that a people would remain watchful. When the words of the prophets and the teachings of Yahushua are understood together, the times begin to come into focus.
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The Noise of Competing Voices
The modern world is filled with endless voices competing for attention. Headlines, predictions, outrage, fear, conspiracies, and constant information overload make it difficult for people to hear truth clearly. Yet Scripture repeatedly calls believers to remain watchful, not fearful.
The challenge today is not simply remaining watchful. It is determining what we are watching and why. What happens when people with good intentions, those raised within doctrine, continue passing those doctrines forward? The result is often that people begin watching for signs based on doctrine rather than the truth written in Scripture.
When we look at doctrines, they range from several hundred years old to less than a hundred years old, with some established within our own lifetimes. Newer doctrines can feel ancient, as though they came directly from the lips of Yahushua Himself.
It is difficult not to fear when hearing teachings about terrible events surrounding tribulation, questions of being raptured or left behind, and constant warnings about approaching catastrophe. But what happens if the things being watched for never come to pass? Does another explanation emerge, creating yet another doctrine?
Who Is a True Watchman?
When we look at who a watchman is, many would define them by credentials. Some look to pastors, prominent teachers, experts in Jewish culture, Messianic voices with strong Jewish roots, or those trained in eschatology.
By modern standards these would be watchmen.
The problem is that some become like the little boy who cried wolf at every rustle in the leaves. This type of watchman spreads panic rather than discernment.
A true watchman remains alert, discerns danger, and warns others with clarity and wisdom. True spiritual watchfulness requires peace, discipline, and grounding in Scripture.
Why Mythology Matters in Watchfulness
Why mention mythology?
Some argue Scripture itself is mythology, especially regarding books removed during canonization debates. Yet when we examine the days of Noah, the Watchers, and traditions of the ancient world, we find that many stories preserved in cultures are now simply labeled “myths.”
When examining Scripture, parallels with ancient mythology appear repeatedly.
This does not mean mythology replaces Scripture. Rather, understanding mythology can help identify the language, concepts, and worldviews that existed around biblical events.
Ancient religions contained accounts of virgin births, dying and the resurrection deities, just as the accounts of Yahushua, There are terms used in mythology that are added scriptural language because they were familiar to to the Greeks. Because of these similarities, a watchman must be diligent and informed.
Knowledge alone is not enough, but understanding context helps expose deception.
The Watchman of Ezekiel
In our Torah for Believers blog we discussed the watchman described in Ezekiel 33:1–9.
Imagine the watchman standing upon the wall blowing the shofar when danger approaches. Those who hear the warning and ignore it bear responsibility themselves, not the watchman.
However, if the watchman refuses to warn, responsibility falls upon him.
Here we see two scenarios: who is truly accountable?
Previously we discussed belief perseverance the tendency to reject truth because accepting it would shake deeply held beliefs.
Another question then emerges:
Would a watchman be held accountable if they themselves suffer from belief perseverance?
When someone becomes aware of discrepancies between Scripture and doctrine and continues seeking truth while guiding others toward what they are discovering, they step into the role of the watchman.
When that watchman continues seeking truth and sounding the alarm, accountability rests upon those who refuse to listen.
Isaiah, Oracles, and Ancient Context
In Isaiah 21:11–12 we encounter the prophecy concerning Dumah.
This cryptic oracle speaks of judgment and a cycle of temporary relief followed by continued darkness. Many interpret it as a wordplay connected to Edom because the text references Seir within Edomite territory and asks the watchman how much longer the “night” will last.
Notice the phrase cryptic oracle.
A cryptic oracle refers to prophecy, visions, or counsel intentionally presented in mysterious language, obscurity, or double meaning.
Again we encounter parallels with the ancient world.
In Greek and Roman religious traditions, oracles were commonplace. Priestesses often delivered messages believed to come from deities through riddles requiring careful interpretation.
When studying Isaiah, questions naturally arise concerning historical context and surrounding cultures.
The Old Testament contains repeated references to concepts many now classify as mythology, subjects a watchman should understand.
Language, Culture, and Scripture
The New Testament presents something similar, though slightly different.
Words and phrases familiar to surrounding cultures were often used to communicate truth in ways listeners could understand. Greek readers would recognize many concepts and references immediately.
This allowed teaching to connect with the audience.
Mark 13:33–37 reminds us:
“Stay alert! Be on your guard! For you do not know when the time will come…”
The repeated instruction is simple:
Stay alert.
How alert are we today?
Is the problem belief perseverance, or is it ignorance concerning Scripture itself, canonization history, and the relationship between biblical texts and surrounding cultures?
These are difficult questions worth asking.
The Call to Remain Awake
I often question Paul and aspects of his writings.
Yahushua in the Gospels never describes the end as peaceful. Revelation also portrays transition and judgment rather than calm stability.
Yet in 1 Thessalonians 5:1–6 we read:
“When people are saying, ‘Everything is so peaceful and secure,’ then destruction will suddenly come upon them…”
The central takeaway remains clear:
Be people of light.
Even the phrase people of light appears throughout ancient traditions and literature. A watchman examines everything because deception increases in the last days.
The enemy works through distraction and emotional overload, keeping people reactive rather than spiritually prepared.
Noise Versus Relationship
Being spiritually prepared becomes difficult because of the noise,including doctrinal noise and even misunderstanding prayer itself.
Many churches teach prayer primarily as asking for things.
Prayer meetings become lists of requests.
Yet in Torah we often observe something deeper: relationship, dialogue, and ongoing communion with Yahweh as seen with Moses and others.
When relationship develops, discernment grows.
Quiet Discernment in an Age of Noise
When we establish this kind of relationship, we begin developing quiet discernment rather than addiction to constant information.
Eventually even blogs such as this become secondary.
At that point a person becomes spiritually awake, morally alert, and rooted in truth even when the world grows unstable.
That is when we stand upon the hill looking outward with understanding.
Yahweh did not call His people to live in panic.
He called them to readiness.
He called them to wisdom.
He called them to faithful endurance.
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Next Week — The Tower of Babel Returns: Unity Without Truth
In today’s world, humanity continually seeks unity apart from Yahweh, building systems based on pride, control, technology, and centralized power rather than truth and obedience.
Next time we will compare Babel, Babylon, and modern global systems while exploring how unity without truth eventually leads to confusion and spiritual rebellion.
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