At the time of the giving of the prophecy Isaiah represented the watchman appointed at God’s command to give the correct answer to the inquiry. Isaiah and his children had the divine approbation. Very appropriately, then, Isaiah pictured the “watchman” class of today, the remnant of spiritual Israelites who have the heavenly inheritance. These are the ones who have been enlightened with regard to the darksome world situation today.

12. (a) In 1879 C.E., who offered themselves to serve as a watchman group for the larger “watchman” class? (b) From where did their answer to the then arising inquiry have to come, and, in effect, what was it?

¹² In 1879 C.E., the editor of the Watch Tower magazine and his associates were fully dedicated, baptized Christians. They offered themselves to serve as a watchman group in behalf of their spirit-anointed Christian brothers. All of these together made up a larger “watchman” class. They could not dodge the then arising question, “Watchman, what of the night?” The only trustworthy answer that they could give was that which God’s inspired Word put into the mouth of the watchman of old. This was, in effect, “The morning cometh, and also the night.” (Isa. 21:12, AV)

15. In view of welcoming further inquiry, how has the Watch Tower magazine maintained itself, and what message concerning “the night” has it kept on proclaiming uninterruptedly?

¹⁵ To that end the Watch Tower magazine has continued to be published until now. Just as a literal watchman has to keep awake all the time at his guard post, so the Watch Tower magazine has kept awake and has not missed an issue since its first issue in July of 1879. This has been true despite the worldwide persecution upon the “watchman” class during World Wars I and II. It has reported on the progress of “the night,” not being afraid to announce that it will reach its darkest point in “the war of the great day of God the Almighty” at what Bible prophecy calls Har–Magedon. Thus the anointed “watchman” class keeps on fulfilling its commission to “proclaim . . . the day of vengeance on the part of our God.”​—Rev. 16:14-16; Isa. 61:1, 2.

THE PRONOUNCEMENT AFTER THE WATCHMAN IS POSTED

16. Why did it take courage for the “watchman” to broadcast the “pronouncement” put into his mouth, and why is the pronouncement of more than passing interest to us today?

¹⁶ God’s “watchman” has to have courage and be faithful in order to pronounce what is put into his mouth to broadcast to all within earshot. The pronouncement was, not a favorable one, but one unfavorable to what would prove to be the mightiest world power up to that time. But it indicated good for the people to whom the watchman belonged, the nation of Israel, during the world-shaking events of those ancient times. This matter would be of passing interest to us moderns, were it not for the fact that the things set out in the adverse “pronouncement” have their major and final fulfillment upon the whole world during our war-racked century. So we are bound to be affected just as Isaiah was so long ago.

21. In our century, by whom has the warning signal been hoisted, and who particularly have been made responsible by being put on the alert?

²¹ Correspondingly, the warning signal has been hoisted by the “watchman” class, especially since the end of World War I in 1918. The Watch Tower magazine survived threatening extinction during that crucial period when the “watchman” class suffered violent persecution world wide. The “watchman” and his instrument, the Watchtower magazine, have lived on to sound a further warning that has been heard in all parts of the earth. The people, particularly their leaders, have been put on the alert. They are responsible!

22. What kind of announcement is soon to be shouted out, and for what reason will a “great crowd” be happy then?

²² A shocking announcement is soon to be shouted out by the “watchman” class. When, surprisingly, it is shouted out, happy will that special “great crowd” be that promptly heeded the warning signal.​—Rev. 7:9-15.