reunion 2025 - a time to watch, a time to pray
Matthew 26:40-41
“And he (Jesus) came to the disciples and found them
sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with
me one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into
temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
“Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you
have no need to have anything written to you. 2 For you
yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come
like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “There is
peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon
them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they
will not escape. 4 But you are not in darkness, brothers, for
that day to surprise you like a thief. 5 For you are all children
of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the
darkness. 6 So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us
keep awake and be sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at
night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. But since
we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the
breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of
salvation. 9 For God has not destined us for wrath, but to
obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died
for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live
with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build one
another up, just as you are doing.”
Watch
The biblical role of the “watchman” has always been an intriguing one to me. From the ancient sojourning Hebrew traditions of the Old Testament to the occupation and rule of the Roman Empire over the Temple-centrist life in Jerusalem of the New Testament, the role and relevance of “the watchman” has been present and relevant. Although there are many biblical characteristics and spiritual aspects of the “watchman”, it is of course, at its’ core, a call for all Christians to live, love, and serve in this life as informed (to know God), righteous (to live for God), and ready (prepared for God). However, it is important to know that there is more to the watchman’s mission than simply lighting an annual advent candleand raising the spiritual intensity levels to what one sees, hears, and senses.
The watchman is a call and command for each follower of Yeshua to more fully engage oneself in a disciplined and discerning mindset and awareness – a moment to look around – a time to walk in the Spirit. Often, in our present day, it is like we’re looking into the “face” of Romans 1:25 – “trading the truth of God for a lie and focusing on earthly things rather than our Creator.” While we need a greater hunger and thirst for what is right and righteous and born of the Spirit; we are stuck with an an appetite that only wants what is forbidden and forewarned – a taste for only what has been born of our flesh. The good news is that we have been given 2025 to turn this around. We have been given a window of reprieve. More later on 2025 as the year of the “window” and it’s relationship to the 5th letter of the Hebrew aleph-bet; “hei” or “ה ִ “
For now let’s focus on the command of Jesus to watch and pray.If you are like me at all, you have probably at some point wondered what it might be like to return to God’s original plan. A return to where we His creation live life in direct relationship with our Creator. A return to where we simply love God and one another, and walk with Him in the absolute beauty, provision,protection, and prosperity of the garden. Not a utopia – something better – the perfect communion intended between us the creation, and God, our Creator. Hold that thought…
From the time of Isaiah’s ancient prophesy of the Sar Shalom and to the incarnate fulfillment and arrival of Yeshua the Messiah, I want to remind you that we are not forlorn (hopeless) – we have full access to this prophecy and to the greatest living hope ever known to humankind. We need only to fully embrace the reality that the chaotic and consequential times in which we live will not last forever – these moments of difficulty which to us seem like lifetimes (pause) are actually fleeting. To a timeless God, they are momentary and transitory (they will pass). This trouble and chaos, this difficulty and tribulation are quickly passing away. The shadows we now stumble in will soon fade, and a new day of light will dawn. The King of Kings, our Savior, will return – and we which are alive and remain will be caught up to meet Him in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:1-18).
That’s the hope and it is the heart of the Revelation of Christ Jesus to you and I. Each day we live on this earth shapes and prepares us for that which is to come – the end of all things as we can know them -the end of all things as He has determined them. And yet those endings are in reality, the actual beginning of all things as we are known to Him – the author and finisher of our faith. In the midst of our current consequences; hate, hurt, and hostility – it is the rebellion of humankind against the Creator that has brought us to present disorder, confusion, chaos, and destruction. However, in the midst of that difficult and devastating reality we remember once again (or perhaps for some the very first time) the joy of our salvation!
Psalm 51:11-12
“Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your
Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and uphold me with a willing spirit.”
The faithful promises of the everlasting God that reinforce the outcome of our watchman narrative is already safely secured, regardless of the present evil, mayhem, or coming darkness.
Isaiah 26:2-4
“Open the gates, that the righteous nation that keeps faith
may enter in. You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you,
because he trusts in you.
Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock.”
John the Apostle’s Book of Revelation unveils and details where the narrative of the watchman leads for each one of us. The Book of Revelation is profoundly captivating, filled with complex mysteries, detailed symbols, mythic-like creatures, and apocalyptic events that lead us to believe that they are yet to take place. And with all of that intrigue, mystery, message and detail, it is most essential for Christians everywhere to remember…
Revelation 1:1-3
“The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show
to his servants the things that must soon take place. He
made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who
bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of
Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. Blessed is the one
who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are
those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the
time is near.” ESV
As you and I move forward into 2025, this mandate is the ultimate burden and calling of the watchman. One – to declare aloud the biblical truth of that which is to come (prophecy). Two – to faithfullyand righteously keep that which we have read and heard of the of the revealed and written word of the Lord God Almighty.
Searching online using the phrase
Bible teaching churches near me?
We are so glad you found us! At the Reunion Church, we are deeply committed to teaching God’s Word, and to training those who call the Reunion Church their home how to become serious students of Scripture. We believe God’s Word is divinely inspired by the Holy Spirit and is God’s order and authoritative Truth for our lives today. We study God’s Word in historical, cultural, and linguistic context to better understand the original intent of the author’s writing, looking at what was happening in history at the time of the writing, what issues the author was addressing, and digging deep into the Greek and Hebrew key words to gather the full impact of the passage. The Reunion Church in Peoria AZ is also deeply committed to prayer and we have a vibrant prayer ministry. Our Senior Pastor, Dr. Stephen Isaac, holds a doctoral degree in Biblical Theology and is passionate about accurate preaching and teaching of God’s Word. Learn more about what we believe HERE.
In addition to Dr. Isaac digging deeply into God’s Word in our Sunday morning worship gatherings, we offer adult Bible study classes on Sunday mornings at 9 am. Learn more HERE. And, because you are searching online using the phrase Bible teaching churches near me, we know that studying God’s Word is important to you. We also offer small group Bible study in various locations and days/times around the Phoenix metro area. Learn more HERE.
The Reunion Church is a non-denominational Christian church located in Peoria, Arizona, just east of the 101 Freeway on Cactus Rd. If you enjoyed this blog, we invite you to join us on Sundays to hear this content preached live! At the Reunion Church, we love God and are committed to the in context, in depth preaching and teaching of His Word, and then the alignment of our lives to it. Come grow with us!