At the time of Jesus it was necessary that there be a watchman to alert the people of a possible attack or invasion. The night watches were divided into four parts. The Lord Jesus names them in Mark 13:35; evening watch, midnight watch, cock-crowing watch, dawn watch. It is interesting that He names these watches immediately following his answers to the Disciples regarding the Destruction of Jerusalem and the Last Days. This is known as the Olivet Discourse.

Associated with the Olivet Discourse recorded in Matthew 24 and 25, is the Parable of the Ten Virgins. This parable is a picture of the groom coming for his bride, or the Lord Jesus coming for His bride, the Church. And when does He come? At midnight!

While the Apostle Peter told us that with the Lord “a day is as a thousand years” (Second Peter 3:8), Moses gave us more information. He adds that a thousand years are “as a watch in the night.” (Psalm 90:4)

We know that the rabbis and the First Century Church believed that the Lord would strive with mankind for 6,000 years or six millennial days. He would then rest on the seventh millennial day, which corresponds to the Millennial Reign of Jesus. (Revelation 20:4)

Further, the Prophet Hosea stated that “After two days will He revive us: in the third day He will raise us up, and we shall live in His sight.” (Hosea 6:2) This prophecy can be laid over the idea of six millennial days. Beginning at the time of Jesus, two millennial days brings us to about right now, with the third day agreeing with the Millennial Reign.

The Early Church believed the Millennium would begin after 6,000 years, or about right now. The prophecy of Hosea indicates that the Jewish people would be revived after two days, or 2,000 years, or about right now. The Lord Jesus told of the groom coming at midnight, the second watch, or after 2,000 years, or about right now.

For those of you who sense that something is going on and sense that the Day of the Lord is approaching, this is confirmation. This confirmation consists of two witnesses, the Lord Jesus and the Prophet Hosea.

Pray for the many lost of this world! Pray for a Great Awakening! In the words of Brother J. R. Church, “Keep looking up!” And praise the Lord for His mercy and grace!