“Watchman” refers to a person appointed to keep guard, provide warning, or oversee a city, people, or spiritual matters.
Watchmen were stationed on city walls or towers to protect against external threats, such as enemy attacks. They observed from HIGH vantage points, like towers or gates, to spot dangers early. Watchman, you must be stationed from above this world not in this world. You must be stationed in the high places.
Ezekiel 33:6 'But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, and the people are not warned, and the sword comes and takes any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at the watchman’s hand.’'
In the Bible they remained vigilant, especially at night, to warn of approaching enemies, fires, or other dangers. Their alerts, often by sounding a trumpet or shouting, prompted the city to prepare or defend.
The watchman’s role is accountability! A watchman stands firm on the tower, eyes fixed on the horizon, heart tuned to God’s voice, ready to warn and guide with unwavering courage. A watchman holds vigil through the watch, bearing the weight of warning and the hope of salvation for God’s people.
A faithful watchman delivers God’s message, whether the people listen or not, to avoid bearing the guilt of their destruction.
In Mark 13, Jesus urges disciples to “watch and pray.”
In ancient Israel, the role of a watchman was tied to specific time periods called “watches,” during which they stood guard over cities or camps. These watches were segments of the day or night when watchmen were responsible for staying vigilant.
Old Testament: Jewish System of Watches
The Israelites originally divided the night into three watches, roughly corresponding to the hours of darkness (sunset to sunrise).
- First Watch (evening): Approximately 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM.
- Middle Watch (midnight): Approximately 10:00 PM to 2:00 AM
- Morning Watch (dawn): Approximately 2:00 AM to 6:00 AM
New Testament: Roman Influence
By the time of the New Testament, under Roman influence, the night was divided into four watches, aligning with Roman military practice:
- First Watch: 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
- Second Watch: 9:00 PM to 12:00 AM.
- Third Watch: 12:00 AM to 3:00 AM
- Fourth Watch: 3:00 AM to 6:00 AM
The four-watch system allowed for shorter shifts, ensuring watchmen remained alert. This system was used in military and other settings, such as Jerusalem’s walls or Roman garrisons.
Modern teachings split the 24hr day into eight 3hr segments
•First Watch: 6pm-9pm
Contemplation and laying foundation in prayer.
•Second Watch: 9pm-12am
Intercessory prayer, to pray for the protection of ourselves and those around us.
•Third Watch: 12am-3am
Spiritual Warfare
•Fourth Watch: 3am-6am
Prophetic prayer: you are commanding your morning with prophetic decrees and declaring God’s word.
•Fifth Watch: 6am-9am
Petitions. Ask for Strength and surrender. Ask for Holy Spirit to help you before you start your day.
•Sixth Watch: 9am-12pm
Thanksgiving Prayer
•Seventh Watch: 12pm-3pm
Watch of Rest. This is a time to seek God in the secret place.
•Eight Watch: 3pm-6pm
The hour of dying to self and rejoicing in the power of Jesus Christ.
Biblical examples of watches
•Old Testament•
Judges 7:19-22 'So Gideon and the hundred men who were with him came to the outpost of the camp at the beginning of the middle watch, just as they had posted the watch; and they blew the trumpets and broke the pitchers that were in their hands. Then the three companies blew the trumpets and broke the pitchers—they held the torches in their left hands and the trumpets in their right hands for blowing—and they cried, “The sword of the Lord and of Gideon!” And every man stood in his place all around the camp; and the whole army ran and cried out and fled. When the three hundred blew the trumpets, the Lord set every man’s sword against his companion throughout the whole camp; and the army fled to Beth Acacia, toward Zererah, as far as the border of Abel Meholah, by Tabbath.'
Approx. 10:00 PM–2:00 AM: Gideon and his 300 men attacked the Midianite camp at the beginning of the middle watch, when the new sentries had just been posted. They blew trumpets, broke jars, and caused confusion, leading to victory.
Exodus 14:24-27 'Now it came to pass, in the morning watch, that the Lord looked down upon the army of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and cloud, and He troubled the army of the Egyptians. And He took off their chariot wheels, so that they drove them with difficulty; and the Egyptians said, “Let us flee from the face of Israel, for the Lord fights for them against the Egyptians.” Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea, that the waters may come back upon the Egyptians, on their chariots, and on their horsemen.” And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and when the morning appeared, the sea returned to its full depth, while the Egyptians were fleeing into it. So the Lord overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea. '
Approx. 2:00 AM–6:00 AM: During the morning watch, God looked down on the Egyptian army pursuing the Israelites, caused chaos among them, and parted the Red Sea to allow Israel’s escape, then drowned the Egyptians.
2 Samuel 18:24-27 'Now David was sitting between the two gates. And the watchman went up to the roof over the gate, to the wall, lifted his eyes and looked, and there was a man, running alone. Then the watchman cried out and told the king. And the king said, “If he is alone, there is news in his mouth.” And he came rapidly and drew near. Then the watchman saw another man running, and the watchman called to the gatekeeper and said, “There is another man, running alone!” And the king said, “He also brings news.” So the watchman said, “I think the running of the first is like the running of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok.” And the king said, “He is a good man, and comes with good news.”'
Approx. daytime, watches could extend to day in times of war, but not explicitly tied to a night watch: A watchman in Jerusalem spotted a messenger running to report news to King David during Absalom’s rebellion. The watchman’s role was to observe and report during his watch.
2 Kings 9:17-20 'Now a watchman stood on the tower in Jezreel, and he saw the company of Jehu as he came, and said, “I see a company of men.” And Joram said, “Get a horseman and send him to meet them, and let him say, ‘ Is it peace?’ ” So the horseman went to meet him, and said, “Thus says the king: ‘ Is it peace?’ ” And Jehu said, “What have you to do with peace? Turn around and follow me.” So the watchman reported, saying, “The messenger went to them, but is not coming back.” Then he sent out a second horseman who came to them, and said, “Thus says the king: ‘ Is it peace?’ ” And Jehu answered, “What have you to do with peace? Turn around and follow me.” So the watchman reported, saying, “He went up to them and is not coming back; and the driving is like the driving of Jehu the son of Nimshi, for he drives furiously!”'
Approx. daytime, as the context suggests visibility, but the watchman was on duty during a set watch: A watchman in Jezreel observed Jehu’s chariot approaching furiously during his watch, signaling his arrival to confront King Joram. The watchman’s report led to Joram’s death.
•New Testament•
Matthew 14:25 'Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. '
Approx. 3:00 AM–6:00 AM: Jesus walked on the Sea of Galilee to reach His disciples, who were struggling against a storm, during the fourth watch. This miracle demonstrated His divine power.
Luke 12:38'And if he should come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. '
Approx. 9:00 PM–12:00 AM or 12:00 AM–3:00 AM: .Jesus taught a parable about servants staying vigilant for their master’s return, exampling spiritual readiness for His return.
A Prophet’s Readiness
Habakkuk 2:1 'I will stand my watch And set myself on the rampart, And watch to see what He will say to me, And what I will answer when I am corrected.'
Biblical Watchman Verse Examples
2 Samuel 18:24-27
2 Kings 9:17-20
Isaiah 21:6-8
Isaiah 52:8
Isaiah 62:6-7
Jeremiah 6:17
Jeremiah 31:6
Jeremiah 51:12
Ezekiel 3:17-21
Ezekiel 33:2-7
Hosea 9:8
Micah 7:4
Habakkuk 2:1
Mark 13:33-37
Luke 12:37-38
Acts 20:28-31
