Purpose: To be truly immersed in the work of Jesus Christ one must understand who one is. Identify your calling and take action. It was Christ’s mission to die for the sins of the world and he took on the cross. Your purpose is not a literal cross rather the burden through Christ is there. You must grab onto it and fulfill your purpose.
Ezekiel, at the end of seven days of waiting, was made a watchman and commanded to give warning to the people. God held him accountable to speak God’s Word or message to the people. If he did not, their blood would be on his head.
Two heads set the painted message in motion ─ one face lacks a mouth and the other face possesses one.
The head without a mouth represents the individual or bride of Jesus Christ that sits in a church pew and that is the extent of their action. Beneath her chin, an upside-down cross or Word of God sword identifies her as the Lord’s bride. Surrounding her are groups of figures holding books, hymnals, and Bibles and some with their mouths closed in silence. Moving diagonally upward from the sword or upside-down cross are figures answering God’s call to teach His message. Which group did you focus on? Why?
The counterfeit church or system symbolism head lies just above the bride’s head. She speaks out false biblical information through actual changes in Scripture and the watering down of Scriptural meanings. She symbolizes a division and dispute between individuals within the body of believers. Unity is broken within the body and evil gains a foothold within the group.
We have been warned about false teachings and disputes. Remember Jer. 31:21a “Set up road signs, put up guide posts. Take note of the highway, the road that you take.”
Where then is the bride’s mouth? What would you do if you found yourself in a counterfeit or dispute situation?
Scripture clearly teaches us that Jesus informs us what He expects from us concerning our cross. Matthew 28:19, 20 He said, “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.”
Did not Jesus die on the cross and take our sins and rise up on the third day? Therefore, what does He say about the lack of action?
Luke 14:27 Jesus says “Whoever does not carry his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.,” in verse 33 He adds …whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.” In Matthew 10: 39 He continues “…He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.”
To the right of the bride’s head is the hint of a hammer. Jeremiah 23: 29 “Is not My word like a fire? says the Lord, And like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?” Jeremiah 7: 21-23 warned the Israelites and warns each of us today about going through ritual worship and failing to put the substance in our daily life of service to the Lord. Did the hammer symbolism make you think of anything else?
Below the hammer, the image of a horse and a man stand ready to fulfill God’s command. The figure symbolizes those who say, “Here I am, Lord, ready to serve.” Are you ready to obey and follow Him? Are you aware of the opportunities He places before you? Will you sit silently ignoring the opportunities He places in front of you to inform and tell others about the news of Jesus?
Paul reminds us as he speaks in 1 Corinthians 15: 34 “Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God — I say to your shame.” Instead, let each of us take up our cross, be like Isaiah who in Isaiah 6: 8, “Whom shall I send: And who will go for us?” Then I said “Here I am! Send me” Therefore, each of us must carry our cross for we have a command to go and make disciples.
True, we will mess up at times, fall flat on our faces and fret about it. Indeed, even when we mess up, He changes our mess into something good. Therefore, God takes away our excuse to not go forth to action. Did any symbol stand out for you personally? Did one of these symbols speak in a different way to you? Did you see any other symbol within the work that touched you?
The watchman located in the right corner observes and watches and speaks. Why is a watchman important? In Biblical days, the watchman stayed in a special location to warn the city of invaders. Located in his special entrance, he had to be alert and ready to sound the alarm to warn the people of the approaching enemy. The watchman will stand at the entrance ready to give his very being and sacrifice every part of himself to deliver and warn others.
Everyone is a watchman to some degree for family, friends, and community. The watchman gives a warning(s) about the enemy in different ways. Today, we think more of pastors and their helpers being watchmen who warn us against evil; yet, each of us is called to be a watchman to guard against the enemy’s silent, unnoticed approaches. If we fail to assume the task, someone will suffer from these attacks.
The watchman’s alarm is a warning call about behavior or a wake-up call to action.
Is God speaking to you?
Have you taken up your cross, become the mouth and speak the Truth?
Are you a watchman?
Do you let the fear of rejection and ridicule control you? Have I tried? Yes. Did I fail at times? Yes, because it is painful sometimes and even cruel at times. Will I eventually get back up and try again? Yes. I say be an active watchman with the Lord and take up your cross; serve in reverence; speak the Truth of God’s Word; shout the Good News of Jesus Christ who saves us. Let our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, be glorified.
Accept the challenge to speak out the news about Jesus!
We each will choose a group: the active one in obedience to Matt 28:19-20 or the silent group.
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