“Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brothers the priests, and they built the Sheep Gate. They consecrated it and set its doors. They consecrated it as far as the Tower of the Hundred, as far as the Tower of Hananel. And next to him the men of Jericho built. And next to them Zaccur the son of Imri built.”
Nehemiah 3:1-2
The end of the age will not feature the same care free life that we have been privileged to for so long. It is the final exam. Remember those? The preparation time was necessary, and the exam itself was riveting.
Taking our place on the wall is necessary. The end of the age is the body of Christ finally in tune with him and each other. It is a people quiet in soul, able to heed the head and bend with the body. So, where is your place?
Suppose we said it was prayer. Everyone should probably claim that to some extent. So let’s ask some stirring questions. How long can you sit in the temple with God? How long do you? If we are talking seconds to minutes long, your place on the wall is not yet prayer. Those holding the wall for prayer are mean, gritty, dangerous people who won’t let go of the enemy until God deals the death blow. They are able to hear and offer sharp short declarations at the will of God. They can see and sense with Christ the will of the head for individuals and bless life to the warriors, children and workers they are assigned to. Is that your call? Then take it seriously. Serious is the new fad.
Satan seriously wants the kids. He wants the schools. The science. The laws. The local officials. The religious feelings. Is that your place on the wall? Are you up for it? Can you square off against Satan over ground he wants? Can you be the tip of the spear for the work of God when Satan wants it with his horde?
Final question.
Do you believe you are “ready” for Jesus’ return? Then you should have answered yes to at least most of the previous questions above. If not, it is time for a serious look at what ready means, what maturity really means. What body of Christ really means. And so forth. The display of the manifold wisdom of God through the church will be as Paul says, “glorious”, not imaginary. And the era of our glory will not be light but heavy. And the consequences will be real, not simulated. May we take our place on the wall with the same prayer as the disciples: Lord, teach us to pray.
