Written by Adewale Joseph Okanlawon
In these times, where spiritual roles are often blended into assumptions, titles, and emotional expressions, God is revisiting foundational truths about callings and assignments. One of the areas He is clarifying is the distinction between Watchmen and Priests—not as mere church titles, but as divine mandates across every sphere of life.
This teaching brings light to these roles and calls every believer—whether in business, career, or ministry—to understand their place, responsibility, and tools.
1. THE WATCHMAN: BEARING LIGHT IN DARKNESS
A Watchman is someone who stands in alertness during the dark hours—not only physically, but spiritually. They do not slumber when others do. They shine the light of revelation, clarity, and direction in seasons where decisions must be made, battles must be discerned, or paths must be guarded.
Just like the heart processes blood 24/7, a watchman must be spiritually sensitive 24/7.
Your spirit must be awake even when your body rests, because decisions are often spiritual before they become physical. This is why many are instructed or warned by God in dreams, impressions, or night watches—the heart and spirit are always processing.
> “I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me...”
— Habakkuk 2:1
Being a watchman is not exclusive to ministers. Every believer called to be a light in a domain must carry the watchman mantle.
2. THE PRIEST: REPRESENTATIVE OF THE INNER CHAMBER
A Priest is a divine intermediary—one who ministers in the presence of God, not merely for others, but on behalf of others. Priests are ranked by intimacy, not activity.
> “Let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep between the porch and the altar...”
— Joel 2:17
Priesthood is not limited to five-fold ministers. Every believer who ministers unto God—be it through intercession, worship, sacrifice, or consecrated living—walks in a priestly assignment. But the depth of your priesthood depends on your rank in the inner chamber—how far you’ve yielded to intimacy, sacrifice, and surrender.
3. THE MIX-UP: PRAYER IS NOT JUST FOR MINISTERS
Modern Christianity has often equated intense prayer and intercession with only pastors, prophets, or apostles. But that is a grave error.
God is restoring the balance:
Watchmen are not only in pulpits—they are in boardrooms, laboratories, courtrooms, campuses, and construction sites.
Priests are not only those with microphones—they are also those who birth destinies in the place of travail, even if no one sees them.
4. FAITH FIGURES IN THEIR DOMAINS
Let us now examine biblical examples that help us understand how watchmen and priests operate in different domains:
ABRAHAM – A WATCHMAN IN BUSINESS
He handled cattle, lands, and wealth, yet he was in constant dialogue with God (Genesis 13–18).
He could discern divine timing (Genesis 18:17) and negotiated destinies through intercession (Sodom and Gomorrah).
His spiritual sensitivity did not diminish because he was a businessman.
Tool: Strategic planning and altar-building
Responsibility: Raise systems and preserve legacy
Watchman’s role: Guard the promise of God over economies
JOSEPH & DANIEL – WATCHMEN IN CAREER
Joseph, as an economist, interpreted Pharaoh’s dreams and developed economic policies (Genesis 41).
Daniel, as a government official, carried a spirit of excellence and uncompromised loyalty to God (Daniel 6:3–10).
Both influenced national decisions through divine insight.
Tool: Financial forecasting, data interpretation, dreams, and wisdom
Responsibility: Guide kings and rulers into divine economy
Watchman’s role: Secure nations through administrative faithfulness
EZEKIEL & ELIJAH – MINISTERIAL WATCHMEN
Ezekiel was told, “I have made you a watchman for Israel” (Ezekiel 33:7).
Elijah stood alone before kings and called down fire.
These were men who warred spiritually on behalf of God's people, and their relevance came from alignment, not popularity.
Tool: Prophecy, fire, visions, and bold declarations
Responsibility: Shift spiritual atmospheres and correct national alignment
Watchman’s role: Herald God’s word and confront error
5. DIFFERENT DOMAINS, DIFFERENT TOOLS
Let us distinguish the spiritual tools that apply across spheres:
Different Domains, Different Tools
Business Domain
Watchman Tool: Forecasting, discernment, sacrificial giving
Priest Tool: Consecrated stewardship
Career Domain
Watchman Tool: Planning, counsel, diligence in excellence
Priest Tool: Prayer for workplace revival
Ministry Domain
Watchman Tool: Prophetic utterance, teaching, spiritual gifts
Priest Tool: Intercession, altar building, presence hosting
6. MASTERY REQUIRES TEMPERANCE
1 Corinthians 9:25 says:
> “And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things.”
Whether you are called to ministry or marketplace, if you are striving for God’s best in your calling—you must practice discipline, consistency, and intimacy.
A watchman who sleeps during spiritual war is a danger.
A priest who is casual about consecration pollutes the altar.
You strive for this in prayer and reflection, not by noise, not by title, but by alignment with God’s heart every day.
7. FINAL CHARGE: DON’T MISS YOUR MANDATE
Let’s not confuse or dilute spiritual roles. Not all spiritual people are pastors, and not all intercessors are prophets. But:
Every believer must find their domain of dominion.
Every believer must become a watchman at their gate.
Every believer must walk as a priest in the inner court.
And whether it’s in government, banking, education, medicine, tech, or ministry—let your prayer life, character, and spiritual sharpness reflect your watchman-post and your priestly access.
CONCLUSION: THIS IS A RESPONSIBILITY, NOT A TITLE
Let us stop labeling only ministers as the watchmen or priests.
Let us train kingdom men and women to hear God in the boardroom, intercede for policy, and minister the heart of God to systems.
This is not for the proud.
This is not for the lazy.
This is not for the distracted.
This is for those who will watch and pray, guard and guide, serve and intercede—not in fame, but in faithfulness.
May the Spirit awaken every watchman.
May the fire fall on every priest.
And may the Church rise to represent God in all spheres.
Written by Adewale Joseph Okanlawon
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