A Watchman’s Hand Guide
Introduction
It could be said that prophesy is a hard subject to understand. It might also be said that it may be one
subject that Christians should take seriously and take the time to learn some basics about. Out of all of
the topics the Word of God addresses apparently prophesy is one of the most important if you go by
percentage of the scriptures labeled as “prophetic” by biblical scholars. John Hagee among others states
that about one-fourth of the bible is prophetic at the time it was written.
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Our first session’s study
explores what the bible says about prophesy itself.
Session 1 Why Study Prophesy?
There are several scriptures that give solid reasons to learn about prophesy. Read Revelations 22:7 and
let’s take a look at what it suggests. The Amplified Bible translation was chosen because it was very
descriptive in the reasons for studying scripture.
1. What are the aspects of prophesy?
2. What are actions that a person should take
concerning prophesy?
3. What are the benefits to the person?
Rev 22:7 Amplified Bible
7 “And behold, I am coming quickly. [a]Blessed
(happy, prosperous, to be admired) is the one who
heeds and takes to heart and remembers the words
of the prophecy [that is, the predictions,
consolations, and warnings] contained in this book
(scroll).”
Read the Parable of the Ten Virgins in Matthew 25:1-13 This is commonly viewed as a representation
of how people are either prepared or not for a major prophetic event.
4. What do you think is the prophetic event mentioned
here?
5. How were the unprepared virgins described?
6. How were the prepared virgins described?
7. Do you think the 50% division in virgins represents
something important?
8. What was the one thing the unprepared group lacked
in this parable? It seems like they were close. Is close
good enough?
Luke chapter 21 contains a section of prophesy from
Lord Jesus. Towards the end of it he describes an
important reason to be educated concerning prophesy.
Read Luke 21:28.
9. What are “these things” referring to? (Hint - Review
earlier portions of the chapter starting in verse 5).
Matthew 25:1-13 NIV Bible
1 “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like
ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to
meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish
and five were wise. 3 The foolish ones took their
lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4 The
wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their
lamps. 5 The bridegroom was a long time in
coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
6 “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the
bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’
7 “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their
lamps. 8 The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us
some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’
9 “‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for
both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil
and buy some for yourselves.’
10 “But while they were on their way to buy the oil,
the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready
went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the
door was shut.
11 “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they
said, ‘open the door for us!’
12 “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know
you.’
13 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not
know the day or the hour.
Luke 21:28 NIV
When these things begin to take place, stand up and
lift up your heads, because your redemption is
drawing near.”
10. What is the benefit of lifting up our heads (being aware of prophesy being fulfilled)?
This study guide is entitled A Watchman’s Hand Guide for a reason. I am convinced that some people
are called to be watchmen. A watchman is an extra step beyond being knowledgeable about prophesy
and being aware when they seem close to fulfillment. Let’s look at what a watchmen’s responsibilities
are. Read Ezekiel 33:1-7
11. What is the main responsibility of a watchman?
12. What is a watchman accountable for if he fails?
13. Can you name some watchmen that you are aware
of?
14. In light of this scripture, if we are nearing the end of
the Age of Grace (The Church Age). What should our
responsibility be?
So why does God give us prophesy? Let’s read John
14:28-29.
15. Here we see a small section of prophesy that Jesus
gave directly and privately to his disciples. What was
the prophesy he gave to them?
16. Why did he give his disciples this prophetic knowledge?
Ezekiel 33:1-7 NIV Bible
1 The word of the Lord came to me: 2 “Son of man,
speak to your people and say to them: ‘When I bring
the sword against a land, and the people of the land
choose one of their men and make him their
watchman, 3 and he sees the sword coming against
the land and blows the trumpet to warn the people, 4
then if anyone hears the trumpet but does not heed
the warning and the sword comes and takes their life,
their blood will be on their own head. 5 Since they
heard the sound of the trumpet but did not heed the
warning, their blood will be on their own head. If
they had heeded the warning, they would have saved
themselves. 6 But if the watchman sees the sword
coming and does not blow the trumpet to warn the
people and the sword comes and takes someone’s
life, that person’s life will be taken because of their
sin, but I will hold the watchman accountable for
their blood.’
7 “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the
people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give
them warning from me.
John 14:28-29 NIV Bible
28 “You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am
coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be
glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is
greater than I. 29 I have told you now before it
happens, so that when it does happen you will
believe.
So, in light of all we are seeing concerning prophetic
scriptures let’s explore how we should live our lives.
Please read 1 Thessalonians 5:5-9.
17. Paul tells us to not do one thing that others do.
What was that?
18. What was the two things he tells us to do?
19. Looking at verse 8 what three things can help us to fight the fight of being sober?
20. Review verse 9. What should we always remember
when we see prophesy that describes terrifying and
unimaginable suffering that the world has never seen
(the wrath of God)?
Wrap up
So, when we review the reasons for studying the prophetic parts of scripture, we can see just how
important this is to God. We see that we receive blessings such has happiness, prosperity and
admiration. We see that we should become prepared for what is coming, which demonstrates wisdom.
Being prepared means that we will have a better relationship with our Savior (He will know us). We
can also see that there is a priority to bringing prophetic knowledge to others so that they may become
closer followers of God with a greater appreciation of God’s glorious future plans. We also can see that
it should be a priority of ours to spread the Gospel, while we have time to do it. We should be good
watchmen preparing others for what is to come. We also see that God gives us prophetic knowledge so
that we will believe and grow in faith. He wants us to approach knowledge of the future fully awake,
calmly and collected and without fear. These are the reasons we should study prophesy.
1 Thessalonians 5:5-9 NIV Bible
5 You are all children of the light and children of the
day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.
6 So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep,
but let us be awake and sober. 7 For those who sleep,
sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at
night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be
sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and
the hope of salvation as a helmet. 9 For God did not
appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation
through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Definition of the Biblical Word Sober
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“Sober” is translated from the Greek word that
means to be sober, calm and collected, to have
good sense, good judgement, wisdom, and level-
headed in times of stress.
