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Watchman Nee

Watchman Nee (1903 - 1972). Chinese evangelist, author, and church planter born Nee Shu-tsu in Fuzhou, Fujian, to Methodist parents. Converted at 17 in 1920 through Dora Yu’s preaching, he adopted the name Watchman, meaning “sound of a gong,” to reflect his call as a spiritual sentinel. Self-taught, he read over 3,000 books, including works by John Darby and Andrew Murray, and studied Scripture intensely, founding the Little Flock movement in 1922, which grew to 700 assemblies with 70,000 members by 1949. Nee authored over 60 books, including The Normal Christian Life (1957), emphasizing a crucified and resurrected life for believers. Married to Charity Chang in 1934, they had no children; she supported him through frequent illnesses. Despite no formal theological training, he trained thousands of Chinese workers, rejecting denominationalism for simple, Spirit-led churches. Arrested in 1952 under Communist rule, he spent 20 years in prison for his faith, enduring harsh conditions yet remaining steadfast. His writings, translated into 50 languages, shaped global evangelicalism, particularly in Asia and the West. Nee’s focus on spiritual depth over institutional religion continues to inspire millions. His words, “Good is not always God’s will, but God’s will is always good,” reflect his trust in divine purpose amid suffering.
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Sermon Summary
Watchman Nee emphasizes the importance of understanding the book of Revelation as we approach the end of the age and the hope of the millennium. He notes that while Revelation was once avoided, it is now seen as a blessed text, encouraging believers to read and heed its prophecies. Nee provides essential aids for interpreting Revelation, discussing various schools of thought, the significance of numerals, and the distinction between salvation and reward. He also compares Revelation's prophecies with those in other biblical texts and outlines the major future events described in the book. His goal is to inspire believers to engage with Revelation and apply its teachings in their lives.
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Aids to "Revelations"
As we are quickly approaching the close of this age with the blessed hope in view of the dawning of a new age - even the millennium, it is no surprise that the hearts of God's children are increasingly drawn to the last book of the Bible, Revelation. Whereas in the past that book was shunned by most as not being understandable, now it is looked upon as a blessed book, just as it is written of it: "Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of the prophecy, and keep the things that are written therein: for the time is at hand" (Rev 1:3). In the study of Revelation, however, there are certain basic things one must know in order to understand this book. The lack of such fundamental knowledge has kept people in the past from reading it and it still presents a problem to those who are now studying it. In order to encourage God's children to study, Watchman Nee in the nineteen-twenties prepared aids to the book of Revelation and published them in serial form in Christian magazine, from Volume 2 to Volume 23. Although these writings belong to his early days, the light released remains nonetheless undiminished through the years since that time. They offer invaluable helps to all who love the word of God. In this present volume, then, the author deals with the attitude the believers should have towards the book of Revelation as well as the ways and means of understanding it. He presents the different schools of interpretation concerning Revelation and offers the key to its right interpretation. He touches upon the distinction between salvation and reward, the four kinds of judgment, and the spiritual significance of numerals in the Bible since these are essential to rightly dividing the word of truth. He compares the prophecies in Revelation with the other prophecies of the Bible - such as Daniel's human image and the seventy sevens, the Olivet prophecy of our Lord, and Paul's prophecy found in 2 Thessalonians. Finally he summarizes the great events of the future as given in Revelation according to their respective times, and suggests a detailed outline of the book. May the Lord use this volume to help many to read, to hearken, and to keep the things written in the book of Revelation.
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Watchman Nee (1903 - 1972). Chinese evangelist, author, and church planter born Nee Shu-tsu in Fuzhou, Fujian, to Methodist parents. Converted at 17 in 1920 through Dora Yu’s preaching, he adopted the name Watchman, meaning “sound of a gong,” to reflect his call as a spiritual sentinel. Self-taught, he read over 3,000 books, including works by John Darby and Andrew Murray, and studied Scripture intensely, founding the Little Flock movement in 1922, which grew to 700 assemblies with 70,000 members by 1949. Nee authored over 60 books, including The Normal Christian Life (1957), emphasizing a crucified and resurrected life for believers. Married to Charity Chang in 1934, they had no children; she supported him through frequent illnesses. Despite no formal theological training, he trained thousands of Chinese workers, rejecting denominationalism for simple, Spirit-led churches. Arrested in 1952 under Communist rule, he spent 20 years in prison for his faith, enduring harsh conditions yet remaining steadfast. His writings, translated into 50 languages, shaped global evangelicalism, particularly in Asia and the West. Nee’s focus on spiritual depth over institutional religion continues to inspire millions. His words, “Good is not always God’s will, but God’s will is always good,” reflect his trust in divine purpose amid suffering.