Good Afternoon,
Ever wondered why you sometimes wake up at 3 in the morning. Let me explain:
After research I discover that there was a biblical precedent related to a 3 am experience. I discovered that in the time of the Romans, which was the time of Christ, the Jews divided the day into two halves – twelve hours each. The Jewish day begin at 6 in the morning and concluded at 6 in the evening. This is why Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in a day? John 11:9.
The division is based upon the Creation story, where we read how God divided each of the six creative days by saying, “So the evening and the morning were the first day” Genesis 1:5.
But the Romans divided the night into four watches:
1. From six in the evening to nine at night was the first watch.
2. From nine to midnight was the second watch.
3. From midnight to three in the morning was the third watch.
4. From three in the morning to six in the morning was the fourth watch.
We also read in scripture that Jesus Christ said that His second coming could be during any of these watches, and we should remain alert to His sudden and unexpected arrival:
37Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.
38And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.
39And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through.
40Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not. Luke 12:37-40 KJV
37 Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching. Assuredly, I say to you that he will gird himself and have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them. 38 And if he should come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. 39 But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and[a] not allowed his house to be broken into. 40 Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” Luke 12:37:40 NKJV
Third watch
From midnight to just before 3 am there are demonic spirits called ‘rulers of the darkness of this age” Ephesians 6:12.
Most evil acts, including robberies, murders, prostitution and other dark vices, occurs during the night. The darkness serves as a covering to hide the particulate veil being performed. Most parties, inner-city prostitution, drinking and drug abuse peak just prior to three in the morning.
The midnight hour is very significant both physically and spiritually, because it is the hour that divides the day and the night.
Many people are not aware of the purpose of times and seasons, that is why it is important for people to understand that the midnight hour dictates what happens during the day. In the book of Luke 22:53, the bible says “when I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me, but this is your hour and the power of darkness”. Jesus was asking them why they had to arrest him at midnight.
I want to explain to you some things that happen at the midnight hour. It is the hour when the kingdom of darkness work desperately to fulfill their evil assignment, it is also the time most people’s spirits are not alert; it is the hour of serious warfare. Again, it is the hour of intense spiritual activities. The book of Job 27:20 says “terrors take hold on him as water, a tempest stealeth him away in the midnight".
Fourth watch
After understanding the various watches during the Romans’ time, I noticed a phrase in a passage I had read hundreds of times. It now gave new meaning to me.
23 And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. 24 But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.
25 Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. 26 And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear. Matt 14:23-26
The Bible teaches that Christ often arose a great while before day to pray and, on one occasion, led Peter, James and John to a high mountain Matt 17:1
Christ understood late night and early morning intercession and prayer. We read in Matt 14:23-26 that He had been praying during the “Fourth watch” when He walked on water to the disciples. A strong Jewish tradition stating that several hours before the sun rises, God restrains the presence of evil and visits the earth with His divine presence. The timeframe begins about three in the morning and continues until just before sunrise. In the days of the temple, the time of the morning Tamid offering ranged from 3:45am to about 5 am, which was before sunrise and during the fourth watch of the night.
The angels instructed Lot to get out early in the morning prior to sunrise
23 The sun had risen upon the earth when Lot entered Zoar. 24 Then the LORD rained brimstone and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah, from the LORD out of the heavens. Gen 19:23-24
Lot departed before the sun rose and entered the safe haven of Zoar as the sun was rising on the earth. Therefore he departed the city during the fourth watch.
Many believers only pray over a meal, or when lying in bed before snoozing off, or at Sunday service. Many Orthodox Jews pray at the Western Wall daily, and Muslims are required to pray five times a day. Muslims will stop their daily activity to pray regardless of where they are.
It is so sad that Christians are not as dedicated to prayer as those in other religions. A Christian parent should teach their children from a young age to pray more, then those children will grow up teach their children and maybe just maybe we can get all Christians to pray more. Imagine what Christians will accomplish if we pray more, especially if we pray at midnight and during the fourth watch.
While it may be dark in one part of the world, it is light in another. The fact is that while others sleep and you are praying, you have the full attention of the spiritual powers assigned to bring answers to your prayers!
Prayer Points:
· Holy Spirit, incubate my life in Jesus’ name.
· I speak destruction unto every evil growth in my body in the name of Jesus.
· I release my spirit from every satanic chain and padlock by the power of the Holy Spirit in Jesus’ name.
· Holy Ghost, illuminate my life with the light of heaven in Jesus’ name.
· Let the fire of the Holy Ghost expose and burn to ashes every stranger hiding in any area of my life in Jesus’ name.
· Holy Ghost fire and thunder, answer every power calling out my spirit in the night in Jesus’ name.
Be blessed and be a blessing to others.
In Jesus Christ we put our trust,
Apostle Helene Fulton BSc. B Div.
Registered with the Council for Counsellors in South Africa
Mobile: +27 72 937 9974
Blackberry Pin: 27471F7E (Only for short messages please)
Blackberry Pin: 27471F7E (Only for short messages please)
For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them ~ Matthew 18:20
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.
Hosea 4:6
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