I WILL NOT KEEP SILENT

(Part 1)

"For Zion's sake I will not keep silent, for Jerusalem's sake I will not remain quiet, till her righteousness shines out like the dawn, her salvation like a blazing torch" (Isa 62:1 NIV).

It has been so long since the world has seen a true manifestation of God’s power that many wonder if it will ever come again. Long days and nights have grown into years, and years into decades. And they ask, "Will the Kingdom of God ever be made visible and shine in the dark world of today?" Take hope, brethren, it will come and it will shine.

The last days of Tabernacles are unwinding. Dwelling alone in booths is swiftly approaching its long awaited end, and the time of refreshing draws nigh. Let us, therefore, prepare to be clothed upon with the dawn of the new day.

Many are the afflictions of the righteous, as Psalm 34:19 relates. Sorrow has truly been the meat of more than a few; yet in its midst, the assurance is that they shall be delivered from it all. And in the mean time, the elect of God’s kingdom are secure in the shadow of His wings. Their refuge was made in Him until the calamities pass over and are no more (Psa 57:1). Although storms may rage and billows sweep through their lives — they dwell in the secret place of the most High. they abide under the shadow of the Almighty (Psa 91:1), and their breath remains.

The booths wherein they have dwelled for so long, although temporary, have seemed like permanent homes. Prayers can be heard piercing the darkness, as watchmen walk the walls of the city. Ever ascending into the heavens are the cries of hurting souls: "Thou hast put away mine acquaintance far from me; Thou hast made me an abomination unto them: I am shut up, and I cannot come forth. Mine eye mourneth by reason of affliction: LORD, I have called daily upon Thee, I have stretched out my hands unto Thee." (Psa 88:8-9).

A few have been reluctant to cry out in the time of need, for they were taught never to ‘confess’ such things. To do so would suggest a lack of faith in God’s sovereignty, and victory over the hardships they ‘don’t have’ would never come. They, therefore, remain bogged down in their ‘confessions’ that nothing is wrong, and become complacent in their afflictions. It is very difficult for them to see or embrace the reality of victory that awaits.

Nevertheless, those with open eyes and yearning hearts, know where they are and look eagerly to the end of their dark days. And had it not been for the indwelling Spirit of Christ, and God’s high calling deeply stamped into their being, they would have buckled under long ago.

Nevertheless, the hard days are wearing on a few, and their hope is waning. But again I say, take hope, brethren — "For Zion's sake I will not keep silent, for Jerusalem's sake I will not remain quiet, till her righteousness shines out like the dawn, her salvation like a blazing torch."

Painful as it may be, don’t we know that wonderful things are born in the furnace of affliction? How else can we become a blazing torch, unless we are touched by fire? Thus, the furnace of God’s pavilion.

We may feel alone at times; but be sure to know, our God has never left us. He knows where we are, and He will not keep silent. He will continue to call upon the smith to fan the flames, while He renews us day by day. ("See, it is I who created the blacksmith who fans the coals into flame and forges a weapon fit for its work. And it is I who have created the destroyer to work havoc" Isa 54:16 NIV). "For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory" (2 Cor 4:16-17).

Isaiah wrote: "Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction (affliction, Heb. depression, i.e. misery). For Mine own sake, even for Mine own sake, will I do it: for how should My name be polluted? and I will not give My glory unto another" ( Isa 48:10-11).

We are a people who carry the name of the Lord. It is the name above all names, and He is very protective of it. Before He sends us into the earth as a royal diadem in His hand, we can count on tabernacling seven refining days in the furnace of affliction. The name of the Lord may be polluted by the half brothers of Joseph, as we see it being dragged through the mud of today’s religion; but with the Josephs of this day, there will be no such thing. When they are unveiled to the world, His name will be pure and full of majesty.

BREAD OF ADVERSITY AND WATER OF AFFLICTION

"...Though the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your Teacher will not hide Himself anymore, but your eyes shall constantly behold your Teacher." (Isa 30:20 Amplified). (Hebrew for adversity, tsar, means narrow, a tight place (usually fig., i.e. trouble); an opponent (as crowding). For affliction, lachats, is to press, i.e. (fig.) to distress (Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance.)

A certain teaching has been a binding cord throughout the church. A number of the people’s advance to higher ground has been slowed considerably because of its influence. The cord of which we speak is the refusal to recognize the bread of adversity and the water of affliction that the Lord gives to His elect.

Personally, I don’t like it either; but I cannot ignore the reality of this diet. Most Christians will attempt to place their orders for what they want served at the Lord’s table. I must tell, though, when we dwell in His pavilion, and sit at His table, we do not have that luxury. He is the one who orders, prepares, and serves the days of refinement in our lives — the bread of adversity and the water of affliction.

While in this pavilion we can truthfully say, however, all is well. We continue to praise God for our deliverance from Egypt, as the Feast of Tabernacles speaks. Some have asked, "How can we praise God when things are so dark?" The mere fact that we have been delivered from Egypt (the world and all its vices) should be enough to cause our hearts to well up in continual praise to Him. Furthermore, wherever we might be, in darkness or in light, in health or sickness, as long as we are with Him — all is well! When we deny this holy place and ‘confess’ otherwise, the obvious is ignored, and the word of God and the work of His furnace is made of non effect.

When this is the norm in ones life, it can easily become a very important part of their religion. It is as sacred to them as Christ Himself. Without realizing it, they are overtaken by contentment, and their walk can very easily turn to apathy.

If we talk about dwelling in God’s pavilion of darkness, it is not uncommon for them to become disturbed for bringing up the negative when they are trying to be positive. And I can see why they do, for we should be positive rather than negative. We are creatures of the Day and not the night. We are of the Light and not darkness. We have been delivered from the kingdom of darkness and delivered into the Kingdom of the Son of His love. But when we understand what is happening in our lives, there is no negative thought to it at all. We are only seeing things for what they are and progressing onward.

The point is, to God, darkness and light are the same to Him. David, who was well acquainted with darkness, wrote: "If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from Thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to Thee" (Psa 139:11-12).

Therefore, since we are joined to the Lord, and we are One Spirit, these dark pavilions should be as light to us. But let us not trouble ourselves about it. It is just another of God’s paradoxes. Although He serves the bread of adversity of being narrowed down into a tight place, and opposition looms heavy over us — we are free! When He is for us, who can be against us? Who can lay a charge against His elect? The wine glass set before us may be filled with pressing measures, distressful maladies; but our Lord is ever present and ready to reveal Himself as the balm of Gilead and rise in our lives as the morning Sun.

THINE EYES SHALL SEE THY TEACHERS

"...Your Teacher will not hide Himself anymore, but your eyes shall constantly behold your Teacher." (Isa 30:20 Amplified).

We have come to a place of seeing our Teacher. Although in dark pavilions, we continually behold our Teacher; or at least, this should be the case. No doubt, it is still common for people to look to men as their teachers, which puts them in danger of falling in the same ditch with them. If they are not hearing for themselves, like it was with Israel and Moses, they must rely on what other’s tell them. Anyone who can’t, or won’t, hear by the Spirit are void of revelation, and are reduced to the letter that kills.

It may be news to some; but men are not our teachers. God certainly calls and sends teachers to declare His word, this we know; but it is the One who abides within, the Spirit of Christ, that teaches us all things, as John wrote: "But the Anointing which ye have received of Him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same Anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in Him" (1 John 2:27).

Now, hold on, pardner! Pull in the reins. Don’t get ahead of yourself. We don’t want to have a run away with this. Let us pause and hear the Spirit of this word. First, it is not saying we should never listen to, or read from, another person; for God chooses the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe (1 Cor 1:21). And how can one believe if they don’t hear, and how can they hear except a preacher is sent? as we note in Romans 10:14-15.

You see, God uses His preachers and teachers, and others, to convey His word. But for any life changing substance to be involved, it must be heard by His Spirit. It is more than mere words, doctrinal issues, or statements of fact. When a man or woman speaks a word of truth, and it comes as a living firebrand — it is not the man or woman who speaks. It is the Spirit of Christ that abides in you. It is impossible for anyone to teach us any spiritual matter that pertains to Christ outside the Spirit of Christ. Mental reasoning is not the same as being taught spiritual truths by the Spirit of Christ. They are as far apart as the east is from the west. If you learn any spiritual truth from reading The Pathfinder, I can guarantee you this — it will be by the Spirit of Christ that abides in you, and not by the wit of Elwin’s pen. Neither this man, nor any other, can teach anybody one wit without the anointing of Christ. It matters not whether I speak by the anointing or not, if you are not hearing by the anointing — you will not be taught. You might get your head filled with a lot of knowledge; but for revelation, it won’t be there. I believe Jesus was referring to this when He said, "Take heed therefore HOW ye hear..." (Luke 8:18). Hearing by the Spirit makes all the difference in the world.

AND THINE EARS SHALL HEAR A WORD BEHIND THEE

"And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left" (Isa 30:21).

From the testimonies we receive, it is apparent that every day, more and more are hearing the clear word of the Lord for this present hour. It is a word that will usher them from booths they have known for so long. As with Isaiah, they are hearing a word behind them.

Hearing the word of the Lord behind them indicates strongly that they are not walking with a clear vision. Even John while on the Isle of Patmos could not see the majesty of Christ’s many membered body until he turned to see the voice behind him.

While a vast number are eating their own bread and wearing their own apparel (Isa 4:1), the reserved 7,000 of the Lord are in waiting. They anxiously await the day of union in the body, not only a union of the Spirit and Word, but the union of manifestation. They look to the day of becoming His fine oil, wherein they are no longer individual olives of the tree, as with Tabernacles, but are blended together as a single unit in one vessel. It is good to be single olives and having the common life of Christ flowing into each. This makes them one Body in the sense of all being members of the one tree. However, remaining single accomplishes little. It is when the tree is shaken, the olives gathered, and then crushed that the fine oil comes and brings life.

The elect of God shall dwell together in unity, and will flow with God's blessing, as the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard, that went down to the skirts of his garments. This shall be their flowing, and also, they shall be as the dew of Mount Hermon, descending in life upon all the kingdoms of the world. It is from there — Mount Hermon, the Mount of Transfiguration — the Lord COMMANDS the blessing of LIFE FOR EVERMORE! (rf. Psa 133:1-3). Furthermore, when the Lord COMMANDS LIFE, where is the man that can deny it or stop it? Some unforgiving hearts might deny it; but they will never stop it! Any man or woman who think they can hinder God from bringing every soul into the life of His Son must have forgotten many important facts, one being: "That in the dispensation of the fulness of times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in Him. In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of Him who worketh all things after the counsel of His own will" (Eph 1:10-11). It is good to know His purpose, and He will work it according to His counsel, not man’s. It is also good that our ears are open, and we no longer rely upon religious suppositions about God.

WALK YE IN IT

What a tremendous awakening it is, when we hear the voice of the Lord behind us. It gives us insight to His great glory! Along with the revelation comes the command: "This is the Way, walk ye in it." We are not to merely believe it, and revel in what we believe — but we are to walk in it! This is the walk, or manifestation, the groaning creation is waiting for. It matters not what we believe, if we never walk it, in the end, there is little worth. Believing is what strengthens us, holds us, and keeps us until the time of walking it. Although we cannot walk in a day that has not arrived, once it dawns and its bright rays shine upon us, then we walk.

YE SHALL DEFILE THE COVERING

"Ye shall defile also the covering of thy graven images of silver, and the ornament of thy molten images of gold: thou shalt cast them away as a menstruous cloth; thou shalt say unto it, Get thee hence." (Isa 30:22).

Upon hearing the voice behind us, and our vision becomes clear, we defile that which had defiled us. We may not have carved images of silver and gold in our homes and churches that we bow to, or to which we show reverence; but without hesitation, I can truthfully say that most embrace such images, yet they are not so apparent. The images referred to, of course, are those of the religious minds of men.

You see, it matters not whether a man forms an image with his hands or his mind, they are virtually the same. The one formed from the mind is more subtle and less apparent than the one made by his hands, that is about all. And I can share a secret with you about this. It is when the Spirit of Revelation is lacking, and/or when reality is not present in one’s life, he will fabricate an image from what his carnal mind perceives. When the letter of the word is heard, it is void of the anointing. The mind, therefore, has no option but to form an image of what is heard. If the word happens to be about Jesus, whether it is true or not, the only thing the carnal mind can do is to make an image of Jesus. After it is made, he will worship the image he formed in his mind.

One the other hand, when the word concerning Jesus is delivered with the anointing of His Spirit — His life sown in the heart and springs forth in reality. This does not produce an imagination to worship, but the real thing. It is little wonder why Paul wrote: "Casting down IMAGINATIONS, and every HIGH THING that EXALTETH ITSELF against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity EVERY THOUGHT to the obedience of Christ" (2 Cor 10:5).

Prior to hearing the voice behind us, and seeing our Teacher, we will have images in our mind. We will give ourselves to them in service or worship. Such images and service to them are as natural as the March winds and sandstorms in the southwest, and they do just about the same. They scatter weed seeds across the desert floor. Nevertheless, when we see our Teacher — We shall defile the covering of our graven images of silver, and also the ornament of our molten images of gold. Upon hearing His voice, the veil of flesh is removed. With an open vision, we will see them for what they are, and easily cast them down.

After the rich sound comes to our inner ear, it is impossible to remain in the crowds that live not by every Word that proceeds from the mouth of God, but by every imagination conceived in the carnal mind. Some may try to stay for the sake of fellowship. Unless they are of the same denominational spirit, they will soon find, there is no fellowship. Another reason staying behind is their conscience. Being Christians, they feel they have an obligation to go to church on Saturday or Sunday mornings, or else God will be mad at them. Even if they happen to be condemned by their own hearts, John had some insight to this imprisoning mind-set: "For if our hearts condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things" (1 John 3:20).

When they have truly heard and seen their Teacher, and understanding dispel their condemnation, they become free. It would then be pointless to remain.

After they leave, the Lord sets them aside in His pavilion. It is here where they learn His ways. They come to hear His voice with more clarity as each day passes. Within these chambers, they are taught of Him. And that which once shined with such luster begins to dim. Hearing the word of Sonship, not just its teaching, will create a world in them they never knew could exist.

David wrote in the 119^th Psalm of the creative word that transforms lives: when one heeds the word, it cleanses his way (vrs. 9), and God’s dealings in our lives enable us to keep and do His word (vrs. 17). In the midst of affliction, the word quickens (vrs. 67). The word of the Lord is forever settled in heaven, (in our heaven) (vrs. 89). To those who love God’s precepts, His words are sweeter than honey! (vrs. 103). His word is a lamp unto our feet, and a light unto our path (vrs. 105). The unfolding of His word gives light; it gives understanding (vrs. 130). God’s word is pure (vrs. 140). It brings forth understanding that we may live (vrs. 144). And in the midst of persecution, our hearts stand in awe at His word (vrs. 161).

Ah, with such a grand procession passing before us, and burning deep in our bones, we must proclaim with David: My tongue shall speak Thy word (vrs. 172)!

The work of God’s word while in Tabernacles is tremendous. It is akin to being formed in our mother’s womb, and in a sense I suppose we are being formed in a womb — in the womb of our heavenly mother, New Jerusalem, the mother of us all. This is the place wherein we are fearfully and wonderfully made: "For Thou hast possessed my reins: Thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise Thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are Thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from Thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth" (Psa 139:13-15).

What a mystery! Molding, forming, shaping, creating the wonderful and marvelous Sons of God, and He is doing it in the dark, in the pavilion of our mother’s womb. And as it is in any womb, silence is the norm. Although Margit and I speak a word here or there, and publications are sent out across the globe, as far as the world knows, we have not been born. The living word of the Kingdom of God is molding, forming, shaping and creating; but it is in the secret place.

Concerning the Kingdom of God, His word today speaks to those in the womb of darkness, and not to those in the church system or the world. To everyone except those in Tabernacles, we are silent, they hear us not. There will, however, be a birthing, a coming forth — the manifestation of the Sons of God! It will not delay. When the hour arrives they will speak, and they will then be heard. The whole world will hear and see that which is being fearfully and wonderfully made. The silent mystery will be silent no more.

With the thundering word of God’s command, His messengers will sound and the heavens will drop, bringing rain to the thirsty: "He will send you rain for the seed you sow...and the food that comes from the land will be rich and plentiful. In that day your cattle will graze in broad meadows." (Isa 30:23).

We have often wondered why bountiful harvests have not been seen, for we have sown good seed, and sown again and again; but still, we haven’t seen the fields ripe for harvest. The answer is simple, it matters not how much seed is sown, without rain there will be very little to harvest. Although Margit and I see wonderful things happening in people’s lives across the land, it is happening in the confines of God’s pavilion, and is yet to be manifested.

Some voices proclaim that the day God’s glory has arrived, and all we have to do is to believe and embrace it. The fact is, the only things available along those lines are phantoms, imaginations, clouds without water, vapors, and such. If the day was already here, there would be distinct changes in the world.

Everything in my spirit tells me that the advent of this great day is near at hand; but for it to be present, some of Isaiah’s prophetic utterances would have to be with us: "And there shall be upon every high mountain, and upon every high hill, rivers and streams of waters in the day of the great slaughter, when the towers fall." (Isa 30:25).

We cannot deny it, at best, there are only trickles of life flowing upon the high mountains of religion and the world, much less rivers and streams. Moreover, although their mighty towers are shaking upon unsure foundations, they remain standing. They have not fallen, and we have not seen any evidence of a great slaughter of the carnal mind. It stands supreme in man’s system of things. (Towers represent that which men construct by their own ideas and hands. They are built to reach heaven by any means other than the Way has God prescribed Babylon built such a tower. Towers to heaven in the church system are: works, believing selected doctrines, belonging to a certain church, repeating various prayers, holding to creeds, attending church, baptisms, etc. Towers also speak of that which protects a city from the enemy. It is the safest, but most warlike, area of the city. It is the city’s strong hold, which all the above give a church its protection when carnal minded men amass and counter every anointed truth and living word that comes near.)

The Son’s of God have not made their assault against those bastions of hell, but they will. You can count on it. For our Lord will not keep silent, nor will He remain quiet, till our righteousness shines forth like the dawn, and our salvation like a blazing torch.

Although sequestered in booths for the moment, this great army of Sons draws no boundaries. They don’t dwell in the land of finite suppositions, nor set limits upon God’s grace and power toward His creation. No tenets of faith outline the territory of God’s work; but rather, ‘to the utmost’ describes the scope of their faith in Him. His intention, and ability to bring it to pass is seared in their hearts. He has a purpose for humanity, and His arm is not shortened to perform it. This is the God we serve.

The elect of God do not belong to the groups fenced in by creeds, dogmas, church-house walls, or personalities. They belong to those of the ‘open range’. They give new meaning to the song, "Don’t Fence Me In," although a worldly song, it expresses more faith than some of our religious hymns.

The called of God will not rest or keep silent until their salvation burns like a blazing torch throughout the earth. One person of this caliber will accomplish more in one day than the sum of glossed religion could do in a thousand years.

The fiery word of God in their hearts changes soft, sleek Christians into hot, lively stones for Christ, who will advance, fight, and die — but never, never mark time. Christ is not raising up a people who timidly nibble at what might be possible, but grasp firmly to that which appears impossible. It is with these that all heaven swings in and joins the quest of victory over death, hell, and the grave in all men everywhere.

This, dear friends and sojourners of faith, is the light we see rising before us, as we continue our march in heated passion. We rest not, nor keep silent, until we fill the destiny of our calling!

To be continued...  

Elwin R. Roach

Part 2

Directory

Home | Elwin's Directory | Margit's Directory | Others

To receive these monthly studies in booklet form
write to:

The Pathfinder
Elwin & Margit Roach
PO Box 4004
Alamogordo, NM 88311-4004