"Also, I set watchmen over you, saying, hearken to the sound of the trumpet. But they said, we will not hearken." (Jeremiah 6:17)
"I have set watchmen upon the walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the Lord, keep not silence." (Isaiah 62:6)
There are several definitions of a watchman: preachers of the Gospel; Old Testament prophets; those who are to watch in all things over the souls of men; to guard them against that which is evil guarding the walls of cities, whose business is to keep their place and stand, and not move from it; to be diligent; to alert others of an approaching enemy or danger; to defend the city and the people within the walls to repel the enemy; all which requires Courage, Vigilance, Sobriety, and Constantcy.
"When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand." (Ezekiel 33:8)
As a Christian, it is our duty and our responsibility to warn the lost of the wrath to come should they not repent, and change. To watch over our friends and family and help keep them on the narrow path that leads to life. To hold each other accountable and reprove one another when we are in rebellion against God's will. To speak the truth regardless of the consequence. And to rebuke the sinner; not with malice or self-righteousness, but to restore them and bring them back into the fold.
If we do not, if we choose to remain silent out of fear or indifference, and the sinner perishes in his or her sin, God will hold us accountable.
Watchmen never hold their peace, seizing all opportunities to warn sinners and speak truth; in season and out of season; and "never betray the cause of Christ by a treacherous or cowardly silence." Matthew Henry
Incepto ne desistam!
