"He reveals mysteries from the darkness, And brings the deep darkness into light." Job 12:22 NASB. "He made DARKNESS His secret place; HIS PAVILION round about him were DARK WATERS and THICK CLOUDS of the skies." Psalm 18:11.

It is the quest of man to know mysteries, especially those pertaining to God; but who would think to look for them in the midst of darkness. Not many; yet those who are called to Sonship are destined at times to abide in and search those hallowed chambers.

Many today have already become acquainted with this darkness. And be sure to know, it is not the darkness of sin, it is the darkness akin to Jobs sufferings. We do not sit upon the ash-heaps of rebellion that work darkness and death, but rather, upon the ash-heaps akin to those of Job's that work life and resurrection.

Oh, to see the end of this thick darkness! To arrive in full glory — that is our desire — but it is not yet the hour for most. If it were the hour, we would see ourselves rising out of the shadows of death and into the bright Light of Day. For the most part, these mysteries are still at work in the secret place of the Most High. They are grinding out perfection from where we abide alone in Him.

Like Job’s friends, a number of us peer long and hard at our condition and suppose we must have done something wrong; for why else would God bring so much sorrow and painful humiliation upon us. Those, however, who are not initiated into the same cannot begin to understand such mysteries. It is impossible for them to know what is going on. For you see — they are mysteries. They are secrets. You have to be initiated into it. They are not laid open for all to see. They are not for every ear to hear. They are hidden from the world and those blinded by man's religion.

Isaiah wrote: "Verily thou art a God that hidest thyself, O God of Israel, the Saviour." Isaiah 45:15. And to borrow again from David: "He made darkness his secret place; his pavilion round about him were dark waters and thick clouds of the skies." Psalm 18:11.

We flee the darkness of the world from which we were delivered, and we should, for it works nothing but death. However, at times we also find ourselves fleeing from God. For who would venture willingly into such a secret place. It is not common for one to swim in a pavilion of dark waters, or to clothe himself in thick clouds. Nevertheless, we are driven to such dreadful places.

What a paradox — God is Light, yet the scriptures tell us that He makes darkness His secret place. Oh, the wonders of it all! Who can know His mind? Let men pry, but His ways are past finding out, and one of those things men cannot find out is the mystery of light that comes out of darkness. Again, I must insert, this is not the darkness of sin, rebellion, and self-willed lifestyles. This darkness is of sickness, of pain, of sorrow, of rejections, of calamities, of sufferings, of wars, of pandemics, and of many afflictions.

These are the mysteries of God that take us on a journey through dark waters, deep valleys, and thick clouds — for therein is where the Master of Mysteries hides Himself. Anyone searching for the Prince of Peace would not think of finding Him in the darkness of the lions den; but that is where He was found by Daniel. His pavilion is often the inner recesses of the dark valleys of rejection, loneliness, and debilitating infirmities. These are things we do not seek, and we don’t have to, for they come looking for us if our testimony is that of Jesus Christ.

Once we find ourselves in these dark places, we will also find Him in a way we have never known. It is then that the mysteries are secured as we are baptized deeply into them. When the baptism has worked its purpose, our Lord of glory will be seen coming with power from those dark waters and be seen in the clouds of heaven. He will be seen shining brightly into a dark world.

This pavilion is different from the one wherein we walk with Him in the wonderful Light of His Spirit that we may enjoy day by day. It is not that part of God that bears us on eagles’ wings, and brings us into the safe haven of His arms while sheltering us from the storm. The mysteries of which we speak today abide in the habitation of adversities. They are the proving grounds for the sons of God.

We should know, however, that in the midst of the storm, when the waves roll fiercely over the bows our ships, we are in no grave danger. Regardless of the trouble that blows upon our lives, He is with us. He never fails, He will not leave, He will never forsake us. This is made clear in scripture, and we know it in part by experience (Deuteronomy 31:6 & Hebrews 13:5).

He may at times be found sleeping in the back of our frail vessels as we are tossed about (Mark 4:37-38); but fear not fellow sojourners, for we are on a mission with Him. We have been sent to the other side of life’s Galilee, and come rain or shine, wind or calm, hell or high water — we will arrive safely. We will disembark upon the coastline of death and finish what we were sent to do in the tombs of the Gadarenes.

Until the sons of God make their way across the troubled sea and into the portals of hell and death, not many will be made free. Those doors will remain bolted about with strong bars; but once ashore, the gates of hell shall not prevail. The keys of death and hell are in our hands to free those appointed to death.

We may be prone to cry a little, or to groan, and question why must we suffer the ravages of these storms when the tranquil beaches of home are much more safe and pleasant. The answer is simple — we are being prepared to set the captives free. Before they can be made free, we must be free, otherwise we cannot help them. And how can we know what freedom is if we have never known captivity? We are of little use to those in the prison of corruption until we have put on incorruption. Until then, the best we can do is to empathize with them. Immortality can only be known after we have been subjected to mortality and have risen out of it. It is then that it shall be brought to pass: "...Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?" 1 Corinthians 15:54-55.

Those in death and darkness have long awaited our arrival; but before we slay the dragon in the sea, we must first slay it in ourselves. Before we can bring forth those held in death, we ourselves must first live. No soldier ever won a war unless he first suffered the hardships of battle. "Therefore, gird your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ" 1 Peter 1:13 NASB).

We at times wonder why we are set apart from the rest of the Body. Although we are joined to the Body of Christ by His Spirit, we can’t help from asking why we must be physically separated from those of like mind and spirit. Sure, we may have one or two to fellowship with, or a handful in our assemblies as we come together; but where is the the Body as a whole, or at least members of sizable numbers?

Several years ago there were attempts to bring people together and motivate the people into action, but their efforts failed. There were times when it looked as if the body was being assembled for action; but they are short-lived excursions. We saw what looked like moves of God that some said what was going on were flames of inspiration shooting into the heavens; but, truthfully, most were more like perspiration than inspiration, and after a time they were gone. Those "moves of God," as they were sometimes called, remind us of what one of the prophets wrote:

"Behold, all ye that kindle a fire, that compass yourselves about with sparks: walk in the light of your fire, and in the sparks that ye have kindled. This shall ye have of mine hand; ye shall lie down in sorrow." The Amplified renders it — "Behold, all you [enemies of your own selves] who attempt to kindle your own fire [and work out your own plan of salvation], who surround and gird yourselves with momentary sparks, darts and firebrands that you set aflame! Walk by the light of your self-made fire, and in the sparks that you have kindled [for yourself, if your will]! But this shall you have from My hand: you shall lie down in grief and in torment." Isaiah 50:11.

It may be hard to imagine; but one can rejoice in the midst of difficult times. Jesus said: "Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad: for great is your reward in heaven..." Matthew 5:11-12. And Paul spoke of this also: "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!" Philipians 4:4.

Although Tabernacles is a time of rejoicing, it is also a time to be solemn: "Seven days ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD: on the eighth day shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD: it is a solemn assembly; and ye shall do no servile work ('abodah, work of any kind) therein" Leviticus 23:36.

During the seven days of Tabernacles, burnt offerings are being made. When viewing things in the light of types and shadows, we can see that the burnt offerings signified the ones who made them. And I can tell you, when our lives are going up in smoke as unblemished burnt offerings, we have good cause to be solemn.

Truly, this is one of God’s many paradoxes. On one hand, He commanded the people to rejoice before Him, and on the other He said it was to be a solemn assembly. The two words, rejoice and solemn, do not have a lot in common with one another. For instance, rejoice "Denotes being glad or joyful with the whole disposition as indicated by its association with the heart. Many occasions and objects cheer a man: wine (Psalm 104:15); meeting a loved one (Exodus 4:14); God’s feasts (Nehemiah 12:43); but the Lord and His salvation are cited most frequently as the reason for joy (II Chronicles 20:27, Psalm 5:11...)". And solemn assembly is from one word written twice, asara asara. It means "to restrain, retain, to seize, hold back, prevent, to keep from, shut up." (Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament) .

Only in Christ can we do both at the same time. Due to the deep working of His grace in us, we easily maintain the spirit of praise and worship before our Lord as we dwell alone in the flames that sweep through our lives.

We are familiar with the fire, and with dark days that often shroud the shining of the Sun. What we are experiencing speaks expressly that we are already in Tabernacles. To make my point, let me ask:

Are we dwelling today in the large congregation of Christ? Is there an abundance of fellowship in our lives? Are the doors of the house of the Lord standing wide open? Has an easy access been made to God’s wonder-working power? Are the lost and weary drawn to us as a welcomed light set upon a hill? Hmmm... Or is it to the contrary? More often we are alone and void of fellowship. We may seek congregations of people who are of like mind and spirit, but they are seldom found. Although we enjoy Spirit-filled meetings, we find that we abide alone afterwards. And sometimes, in the midst of the meetings, we are still alone. God’s power isn’t working in great measures throughout the Body. And we certainly don’t see the world beating a path to our doors.

Brethren, try as we may, we have not been able to inject power into the body of Christ, nor have we had much success in assembling it to any degree at all. There are small, scattered gatherings across the land, praise God; but in a word, my friends — we are dwelling alone in booths, in our own little huts if you please. God said that He "... made the children of Israel to dwell in booths, when I brought them out of the land of Egypt..." Leviticus 23:43, and during the season of tabernacles, every male (Exodus 23:17) is commanded to dwell in booths (Leviticus 23:42). Are you a male in Israel, or rather — are you one of God’s sons? If you are, I can safely tell you — your calling is to dwell for awhile in a hut, but not forever!

While in Tabernacles, we don’t want to lose sight that it is a time of rejoicing; howbeit, we must also know why we are often alone in fellowship, and why the flames are sweeping through almost every family. The Feast of Tabernacles/Booths/Huts is fulfilled in the days following the Blowing of Trumpets, which we have been hearing and sounding for many years. The trumpets, or shofars (rams horns), call us together unto one holy convocation to begin a common activity — to offer burnt offerings as we abide alone in our tiny domiciles. Although alone, we rejoice, for the long-toiling days are over. The time of harvest has come. The promise of victory is upon the horizon. And with understanding, the unveiling mysteries we have sought are at hand.

And where did we have to go to find them — or better, to find Him — "He made DARKNESS His secret place; His PAVILION round about Him were dark waters and thick clouds of the skies." Psalm 18:11. It is IN HIM where such mysteries are found — in the PAVILION (tabernacle, booth, hut) of each son of God.

Adversity is not a pleasant thing, and I know of no one who seeks it out. They who understand, however, know that the clouds of adversity unlock untold mysteries to the ones who endure. While dwelling in our temporary booths, they bring to light those hidden things of God. There may be fear at first, as we are swept over by darkness; but ultimately it causes our ears to be opened in ways we had never heard: "While He thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud. And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is My beloved Son: hear Him." Luke 9:34-35.

This, my fellow hut-dwellers, is the voice we hear in darkness. It is the voice of our Father which directs us back to the voice of our Lord. You see, there is no reason to fear. This overshadowing cloud has hidden us from the world. At times it is peaceful as we abide alone with our Father; but at other times it is not. The latter times are the ones we are addressing today.

We have never seen so much pain, deaths, sorrow, suffering, anguish, turmoil, afflictions, and sundry pressures in the lives of God’s elect. It is unequaled to anything we have known, and it can get worse. The dark cloud of God’s Pavilion is engulfing so many in one degree or another. For some it is overwhelming! What a baptism to be baptized with! Yet this is the secret place of the Most High. We could not have imagined what awaited us. Who could have told us what had never entered the mind of man. Oh, we prophesied it here and there; but until we entered His Pavilion of darkness, we could not comprehend it.

As we press into Him, into His Pavilion of darkness, the intricate finish will be made, and from experience most of us know that the hardships of darkness go through in our bodies are not only the burnt offerings that we are. There are other types of fire and pain that are just as painful and sometimes as devastating. We all know those who live with the awful pain of rejection; divorce; constant stress; depression; nervous breakdowns; anxieties; loss of jobs; financial straits; bankruptcies; imprisoned or children in prison; unjust lawsuits; losing homes, friends and loved ones. The list goes on.

What we are suffering is no different from what the whole world is suffering, except, however, for what the fire is doing. The fire of Tabernacles is working a transformation in our lives. We, the burnt offerings, are consumed and transformed into a sweet-smelling savor to the LORD. Those outside the Tabernacle are not a solemn work of holiness. While we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, they walk through the valley of death. Some may even be in the valley of Hinnom and are suffering just retribution for their sin and rebellion. Fire does a work in everyone it touches; but it is not the same as what it does to those in Tabernacles. Our focus at the moment, however, is not on the world, but is on those who are entering the Kingdom of God through much tribulation.

The above list of fiery afflictions is a small fraction of what those who are in Tabernacles are enduring. However, even in the midst of these dark waters and thick clouds, we have never known such a people who are rejoicing as they are. Even so, this does not stop us from looking forward to its end. We are eager to leave these temporary booths. For it is then that we will emerge from darkness clothed and wrapped about in God’s unsearchable riches. Indeed, it will be Him revealing mysteries from darkness, as Job as a type of the Sons of God declared: I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee." Job 42:5.

It will then be said of us: "The people that walked in darkness have seen a Great Light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the Light shined" Isaiah 9:2. I don’t know about you, brethren, but this gives me cause to shout! Upon hearing the voice of our Lord — regardless of the cloud that may shroud our lives — I rejoice and praise God with all my heart!

Although Tabernacles is a time of loneliness, it is also a time of rejoicing, and only those initiated into true Tabernacles can rejoice in the face of such adversity. Furthermore, if we had it to do all over again, what would we change? Nothing! For if one tittle of darkness were taken out of our lives before the work was done — something of God would be missing. We would fall short of His mysteries as we leave the shadow of death and rise from the ashes of sorrow.

Take hope, all you who suffer today, and sing with me this song of promise:

"For Thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness" Psalm 18:28. And also, "Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: He is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous." Psalm 112:4. And remember that although "...weeping may endure for a night...joy cometh in the morning" Psalm 30:5.

Doesn't the sound of this promise fill your hearts with joy? It does ours...

To be continued...