“Watchman, What of the Night?”

“Let those who gain such an experience in working for the Lord write an account of it for our papers, that others may be encouraged. Let the canvasser tell of the joy and blessing he has received in his ministry as an evangelist. These reports should find a place in our papers, for they are far-reaching in their influence. They will be as sweet fragrance in the church, a savor of life unto life. Thus it is seen that God works with those who co-operate with Him.” Testimonies he Church, vol. 6, 336. 
I was privileged to spend the end of the year 2009 with a dear brother that I treasure very much. During that time I had the opportunity to share with him some of the experiences I had in my canvassing work that year, never realizing that he would later ask me to write this experience for the quarterly mission magazine. I am happy to share my experiences so that the readers can become aware of final events in Germany, and I pray that all will be blessed by my story and give God the glory.

I have done the canvassing work for several years from my village to all the neighboring villages and towns, and the Lord has blessed my efforts. But as time went by, I ceased from doing this work and was occupied with other things. The Lord in His mercy allowed circumstances to come upon my way which led me to take up this work again after much prayer and soul searching.

I ordered many books from the publishing house and prepared myself to go from house to house to share His truth. The day finally came when I left the house with two bags full literature. I asked the Lord that morning to bless me with wonderful experiences that would encourage me to do this work for Him. As I was walking, I had two impressions. One was to go to the nearest village, while the other was to go to another village which was a bit farther. I prayed in my heart and asked the Lord to give me a stronger impression so that I would know to which of the two villages He wanted me to go. And this He did.

After a few kilometers, I came near the village to which the Lord had impressed me to go to. It was not the first time to work in it; and normally when I went there, I used the main road to enter it. But that morning, I was impressed to take a shortcut through the woods which would also lead me to the village. So I decided to do this, only to realize later that it was the Holy Spirit that had put this thought in my mind. I walked the narrow path through the woods to the village. Now just a few meters before entering the village I saw a very big dog standing a few steps from me. I stood still and waited to see what the dog would do, and it was not long before he started to run toward me. I was afraid and just like a flash, the Holy Spirit put the thought in my mind of Jesus raising His hand to stop the demoniac who were coming toward Him. Without even thinking, I cried aloud and said, “Jesus help me!” while at the same time raising my hand to the dog and saying, ”You stop where you are!” The dog stopped right there and did not come any closer but just stood watching me. So I kept on walking toward the village; and, surprisingly enough, I entered the compound of the man who owned that dog! The man was working around his property. I shared with him a bit of the experience which I had with his dog and then shared with him the love of God as explained in one of the books. I offered him the book for free, but to my surprise he gave 10 Euros for it. During my conversation with the man, the dog arrived there and barked very loud with foam around his mouth. That was the first blessing and experience of the morning. That day I was able to sell books worth 103 Euros. I worked for four days in that village, and I was able to sell forty-eight Spirit of Prophecy books for cash.

After that experience I walked home with lighter suitcases but a heart filled with many blessings and rejoicing for what the Lord had done for me. As I was walking along the road, I came near a house which was surrounded by a wall on which there was a big statue of Mary. I kept on walking toward my home village, but I felt a heavy burden in my heart, and the thought came to me to go back to that house and sell some books. The burden got heavier and the impression stronger that those people were deceived and should be enlightened through the books that I had. Friends, even though I tried to go home, something really hindered me until I finally decided to turn around and go back. So I walked the few meters down the road to return to that house. I opened a small gate and went inside the compound. The door was open and I saw three people standing and talking to one another. I approached them without fear and with boldness offered them the books. I told them that I had been on my way back home, but the Holy Spirit urged me to come to them and sell them the books. At first they made excuses for not buying the books and said the same things that many people say when I offer them the books. But the Holy Spirit gave me more boldness and persuasion; and, before long, they looked at one another, and then they all agreed to buy the books. I prayed with them and assured them that the Lord would bless them.

The Lord had kept His Word, that those who will take up this work will experience rich blessings from Him. I felt that I was growing closer to Jesus and my joy during this time was great. I rejoiced because I was blessed with these wonderful experiences. The doors were opened, and I was able to sell a large quantity of books. I ministered in that village for four days.

During this time when I was intensively doing the canvassing work, I had an amazing experience. One evening before I went to bed, I decided to dedicate my life to God again for this work. I asked Him to help me to stay faithful in doing this and that there would be nothing to divert me from it. After making that commitment to God, I went to bed. Later that night, I woke up shortly before midnight and heard a clear voice ringing in my mind. The voice said, “Watchman what of the night? Watchman what of the night?”  (Isaiah 21:11). I knew this Bible verse but had not thought of it for many years. I went to the bathroom, and this voice kept ringing in my mind. I knew it was from the Lord. I went back to my bed and decided to answer the voice which said, ”The watchman said, the morning cometh but also the night…” (Isaiah 21:12). I asked Him: “Lord what do you want to tell me?” I then spoke to myself and said,”I will be silent that I may hear what the Lord has to say.” A voice came into my mind and told me to take the book The Great Controversy and read Chapter 38,“The Final Warning.” So I got out of my bed and pulled this book from the table, put the light on and started to read this chapter. My roommate was alarmed and wanted to know why I was up at that time of night. I told him that I had a message from God which I must read. As I was reading this chapter, the Holy Spirit made such a strong impression on my mind that I saw there my duty outlined. This chapter tells us how we have to earnestly bring the truth to the world to warn them of what is coming before it is too late. I kept on reading that chapter, and the last paragraph impressed my mind even more. This is what it says:

“The seed has been sown, and now it will spring up and bear fruit. The publications distributed by missionary workers have exerted their influence, yet many whose minds were impressed have been prevented from fully comprehending the truth or from yielding obedience. Now the rays of light penetrate everywhere, the truth is seen in its clearness, and the honest children of God sever the bands which have held them. Family connections, church relations, are powerless to stay them now. Truth is more precious than all besides. Notwithstanding the agencies combined against the truth, a large number take their stand upon the Lord’s side.”  The Great Controversy, 612.
“In a special sense Seventh-day Adventists have been set in the world as watchmen and light bearers. To them has been entrusted the last warning for a perishing world. On them is shining wonderful light from the word of God. They have been given a work of the most solemn import—the proclamation of the first, second, and third angels’ messages. There is no other work of so great importance. They are to allow nothing else to absorb their attention.
“The most solemn truths ever entrusted to mortals have been given us to proclaim to the world. The proclamation of these truths is to be our work. The world is to be warned, and God’s people are to be true to the trust committed to them. They are not to engage in speculation, neither are they to enter into business enterprises with unbelievers; for this would hinder them in their God-given work….
“So far as his opportunities extend, everyone who has received the light of truth is under the same responsibility as was the prophet of Israel to whom came the word: ‘Son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at My mouth, and warn them from Me. 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. Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.’ Ezekiel 33:7-9
“Are we to wait until the fulfillment of the prophecies of the end before we say anything concerning them? Of what value will our words be then? Shall we wait until God’s judgments fall upon the transgressor before we tell him how to avoid them? Where is our faith in the word of God? Must we see things foretold come to pass before we will believe what He has said? In clear, distinct rays light has come to us, showing us that the great day of the Lord is near at hand, ‘even at the doors.’ Let us read and understand before it is too late.” Testimonies for the Church, vol. 9, 19, 20.
“Watchman, what of the night?”

Emmanuel Kaingu
Lerchen Weg 8
97785
Mittelsinn
Germany