THE PATHFINDER
PUBLICATION #41
(Jan/Feb 1990)
TRUMPETS OF FIRE
(Part I)
DYING EMBERS
DESPAIR UNTO VICTORY
POWER LOST
DYING EMBERS
There was a day when the Word of God was like a burning fire shut up in our bones (Jer. 20:9). We were stirred with Life, we were warmed by the Flame of Love, and we moved with unwavering confidence, for that Holy Fire was a guiding Light to our path and a Lamp unto our feet (Ps. 119:105). But what has happened? Where have they gone? The fires of yesteryear have flickered to almost nothing, and if anything, DYING EMBERS is just about all that is left in the camps of the saints. The warm fires of the Lord have all but gone out, and a cold winter's night has set in with an icy grip of death. There are certainly exceptions to this, but as a whole, this is what we are seeing in the body today. Of course, there are also those who are oblivious to what is happening, for there are plenty self-styled revelations (devilations) that keep the carnal-minded appeased, including endless babblings of religious Babylon. However, we are not concerned so much today with the these things, but want to notice what is happening to those of our own spiritual family and same calling.
It was not long ago when one could see the word coming alive in homes and fellowships everywhere, and all over the world they had a major impact on people's lives. No doubt, most of the readers of these articles were warmed by those Holy fires of God. -- Again, we ask, what has happened to them? Where have they gone? Where are they? Although they gave light in the dark nights and warmth from the cold for a season, there are not many seen today. In reality, there are many more ash heaps scattering the countryside than roaring camp fires. Evidence dictates this fact. However, there is hope in our immediate presence: DESPAIR UNTO VICTORY
J. Preston Eby wrote in his Kingdom Bible Studies (Looking for His Appearing, Part 41, Pg. 11) of a vision the late Thomas Wyatt had which pertains very much to us in this hour:
"Just before we went to Africa, God came to me in a vision. In it I stood where I could view the whole world, and it was wrapped in darkness. At times I could see great fires springing up on the surface of the earth and the people would gather around the fires to warm themselves. Then, as I continued to watch, fires would break out in other places. But without exception, after a large group would gather around the fire, little evil-looking figures came out of the shadows. Those who were gathered around the fire were so occupied with rejoicing that they seemed wholly unconscious of these little figures. But, from where I stood, I could see these shadowy figures as they came silently out of the surrounding darkness. I noticed that each one was carrying a little, engraved shovel. These they placed in the hands of each one who stood around the fire. In the immediate vicinity, I could see where great fires had burned in by-gone days, but had long since burned themselves out, leaving only great heaps of ashes.
"As I watched, each of those around the fire would go over to the ash heap, fill his little shovel with cold ashes; then, with much dignity -- as though faithfully performing a solemn duty -- they would scatter the cold ashes very carefully over the fire. This they continued to do until the fire was completely smothered and dead. They then knelt in the ashes and prayed for light and warmth. This procedure was repeated over, and over, and over. The world began to grow darker and colder, and the men continued in their efforts to extinguish every fire, here, there, and everywhere...
"All the fires had long since died out, and the people were weeping and wailing as they prayed for light and warmth. My heart was deeply stirred and I began to pray with a fervency that can only be born in the darkness of the world's Gethsemanes. Then I became a part of the scene, kneeling in the ashes. No longer an interceding observer, I prayed even more fervently. I stood to my feet and lifted my hands and my face toward heaven. I began to cry with great agony of soul. Louder and louder I lifted my voice, in frantic desperation, until all the other crying around about me was merged into my own desperate cry.
"As I stood there, calling unto the Lord with all the anguish of my soul, I saw a light, `way, `way high in the heavens, just a speck of light. It began to come closer and closer, and then, suddenly, it stood by my side -- a celestial Being of fire. He was formed like a man and yet he was a Being of fire. In his hand was a trumpet of fire which he handed to me saying, `Blow!' I stood transfixed, overcome with awe! He placed the trumpet to my lips; I breathed into it, and lo! the sound was amplified until it reverberated over the countryside. As I continued to blow, the creature of fire leaped into the ashes and stirred the smoldering embers until the flames leaped high into the sky. I was now blowing the trumpet louder and louder, and people began coming out of the darkness from every direction. The light from the fire seemed now to light the whole earth, and, as the people gathered, they began to march past the fiery messenger. He stood in the flaming fire, and, when they went by, he would give to each of them a trumpet of fire. They, in turn, would put it to their lips and start out across the earth, blowing with all their strength. As they went, fires were lighted everywhere. It seemed as though the very tones of the trumpets were lighting fires, sending a great wall of flame rolling across the earth. It was consuming everything in its path -- burning everything as it went. As I looked, I thought, `What desolation! What desolation! Everything that we have known is gone,' Then it began to rain, a slow, gentle rain.
"As I watched, vegetation began to spring up -- grass, green herbs and trees, and every tree was loaded with fruit. Everything was fruitful, there wasn't one thing twisted, warped or barren. I turned to speak to the messenger, but he was gone. Yet the whole world remained beautiful and serene. The warfare was accomplished, the Kingdom of God had been established in the earth, and peace reigned. The long night was over, and morning had come.
"I believe that, in this vision, God was showing me the course of these end-time days... --Thomas Wyatt, in THUNDER BEFORE DAWN." -- End quote.
In reflecting upon our past, I believe we can all identify with much of the above vision. Can we not remember a time when there was a living Word to be had that set our souls aflame? It might have been in a gathering of only two or three, or perhaps it was with a hundred or more. Regardless, those meetings were places of warmth and light, and we were not unique in this, for other meeting places across the country would spring up, seemingly spontaneous with no one laboring to get things started. When we ponder on it a little more, we should also be able to see that almost without fail, the Life of those meetings eventually waned and died. Unbeknown to the ones gathered, they were very instrumental themselves in causing this; for as the vision depicted, there were those little evil things of darkness that placed shovels in their hands with which to smother the flames. These engraved shovels (working tools with instructions inscribed upon them) come from a lower realm that produces thoughts which are so quiet and subtle they usually go unnoticed as to their origin.
The religious man's illogical mind will believe almost anything, from the ridiculous to the insidious to the insane. Therefore, when these little shovels with beautifully engraved instructions were placed in their hands, they performed as the words directed and went about their dutiful works with much dignity. In other words, they went back to the revivals and revelations of yesteryear and scooped from those ash heaps of fires long dead, expecting to keep their present fires burning. However, as the epitaph of those glories read, they have died, their flame is dead and gone, seemingly to never live again. No wonder the cold and unenlightened people of the world are reluctant in drawing close to the saints and their meeting places today, for most have died out and have no warmth or light of direction to give. What was once a lighted world, with the fires of the Lord everywhere, has suddenly grown very dark and cold. This has caused more than a few to fall asleep in Gethsemane and to be scattered by the imaginations of their own dreams. Many have even fallen into greater errors than just extinguishing their fires -- they have joined the ranks of deadly deception.
However, there are still those who are sincere in the Lord, and regardless of the circumstances, they press on, never giving themselves to the delusions of the traducer. They cry out as one voice, "My heart is fixed, O God; my heart is steadfast...Awake, my glory, awake...I will awake right early [I will awake the dawn]! Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let Your glory be over all the earth." (Ps. 57:7,8,11; Amplified). Although they may have shoveled ashes of by-gone days upon their fires of Life, they are not running off on tangents; but rather, like the vision, in unison and with lifted hands (surrendered), they are entering into great travail and agony of the soul (brokenness), and praying with such fervency (desperation) that it stirs the very heavens of God.
Individuals may have been in travail for quite sometime now, and with no apparent results. Nevertheless, I believe others are beginning to realize the seriousness of the hour and are hearing those distressing cries. They are getting louder and louder, and our own voices are starting to lift with them in this great time of despair. This will surely continue on and on until all the other cries about us are merged into one desperate cry.
This is when we too, with uplifted hands, eyes and voices, will see a tiny speck of light high in the heavens of God descending until it stands beside us as a glorious celestial Being of fire. In this darkness that has shrouded the earth like the shadow of death, we will certainly not despise those seemingly insignificant, distant specks of light coming from above. No, we will not ignore our Lord's presence within, nor will we dismiss the anointed word of lowly people in obscurity, nor scoff at small revelations -- for these things are Christ Himself descending as a refining fire. Yes, it is He who will be placing in our hands His FLAMING TRUMPETS to sound over the face of the cold and dark earth.
If we think we have had a word before, just wait until the fiery trumpet of the Lord is placed to the lips of those in travail. Transfixed and overcome with awe at the glory of their Lord, they shall sound, and His word will be heard reverberating from their once travailing lips. It will not be as it was before, where little evil beings came out of the darkness with instruments of slow death in their hands. But this time, it will be the forgotten-about saints gone into seclusion, and they will come from every direction to the fires stirred by the heavenly Anointing. The smoldering embers will once again grow to a blaze of light. There will be something different this time, however; for the people will not be standing idle around the fires, keeping the light and warmth to themselves; but they will cast the ash laden shovels aside and in their place take up the flaming trumpets of Christ. Proceeding then into the night, they shall triumphantly sound judgment over the face of the earth like a rolling tidal wave of death -- yet unto Life -- bringing to nought the works and pomp of every man, and establishing the glorious Kingdom of God throughout the land.
Yes indeed, the sound of the message born in travail and great despair, and the stirring of Fire from heaven, will not only draw the elect of God from seclusion of this present dark night, but much more. They will not stop and consume the heat to themselves but will take the message to the world that all may hear, be judged, and come to the fruitful knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. As this mighty army of God marches forward, sounding their trumpets louder and louder, the blazing flames shall advance upward and onward, even beyond the horizons of our own expectations, until the purging fires of God cover the earth as the waters cover the seas. Praise God -- Glory to His Name! What a tremendous wave of Holy justice!
Dear anointed firstfruits, let me admonish you to look earnestly to the heavens of Christ for that small glimmer of light, and then keep your eyes on it until Jesus stands before you with His fiery trumpet in hand that you may sound the message to change the world. Else, listen for the pealing resonance of the trumpets in concert, sounding as one, a voice born out of great sorrow and anguish of the soul. For when it is heard, you will be able to come out of darkness and into the Light of deliverance. You will march past our flaming Messenger standing in the midst of the fire, and as you pass by, He will hand you His burning message. You, in turn, will echo that message out across the face of the earth. You will never again be content to merely stand near the warm firesides (the messages of God) and keep them to yourselves. But praise God, brethren, with this word we will proceed forth (walking it out), and declaring it with all our strength, bringing death and Life to the uttermost parts of the earth! This is not a stand-still word -- but a moving one! The very tones, the characteristics of these trumpets will be sending a great wall of flame, traversing the earth and consuming everything in its path -- burning everything that is akin to the family of wood, hay and stubble. To the natural eye, one would lament and say, "What desolation. What desolation! Everything that we have known is gone! Nothing is left!" as it was related in the vision. But fret not, dear ones, that is not the end, for remember? it then began to rain -- a slow, gentle rain unto Life, as the vision also mentioned.
His word will first come as fire to consume and destroy, but then as the cool rain -- the gentle, soothing, healing word and Spirit of God. From this will come forth an abundance of living things springing up in resurrection Life and bearing all manner of fruit. Everything will be fruitful. There won't be one thing twisted, warped or barren. The whole world will be beautiful, fruitful and serene. The warfare will be over and victory won. The Kingdom of God will be established in the earth and peace will forever reign. The long, cold, dark night will be over, for the morning will then have come, and we can join in symphony with the Psalmist, "...Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning." (Ps. 30:5). As the word of God raining from the heavens, we will then have accomplished what pleases God, not returning to Him void, but prospering in the thing which He sent us to do. Isaiah 55:10-13 will then have run its full course to the Glory of God.
Doesn't all this sound tremendous, and isn't there something deep within our souls that rejoice at thoughts of such awesome wonder, great glory and total victory? Well, there should be a rejoicing, but as good as all this is, what about the mean time? What about today? And what in the world can we do about it? Something has definitely been lost and is in dire need of being found.
POWER LOST
POWER, i.e. ENERGY is that which produces fire. Yet while the fires were going out, people were doing everything that was contrary to keeping them burning, i.e. dumping, as it were, yesterday's burnt manna on them. In their efforts, they LOST THE POWER, the very ENERGY they were trying to preserve. The dilemma has been that most people do not know what the energy is or where it comes from. Therefore, until they know what they are looking for, it is very doubtful that they will ever find it. Even if they should stumble across it, they probably wouldn't know to use it to start a fire; so in ignorance they continue stumbling around in the dark and implementing all types of ideas and imaginations that might work, but never do.
There are various things that will start a fire, but regardless of what its characteristics are, it must come in the form of energy or else there will be no fire. For you see, anything that burns is the result of transferring ENERGY in the form of heat from one object to another. The same principles work with spiritual matters as well. For example, we will quote again from one of Brother Eby's informative studies (LOOKING FOR HIS APPEARING, Part 42):
"We read in Rom. 14:17, `For the Kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.' Do you believe peace is real? What does peace look like? Is it round? Is it square? Can you measure it? Can you buy a bottle full of peace, or a truckload? No! Peace is invisible, isn't it? And peace is powerful, isn't it? Peace is SPIRIT! And spirit is ENERGY! You can know when peace is present. You can sense peace, experience peace, speak peace, manifest peace and minister peace. How about joy? You cannot put joy in your pocket or roll it up like a wad of bills. Joy is SPIRIT! Righteousness is SPIRIT! Righteousness is ENERGY! Righteousness is attainable on this earth now because of the RIGHT SPIRIT, the Holy Spirit, God's Spirit. I have good news for you -- you can receive a new spirit, a new ENERGY FORCE, Holy Spirit, Holy Energy, and as a result attain a walk in righteousness. HOLY ENERGY -- this is what God IS!
"Never forget, dear reader, that all of the attributes and characteristics of the Holy Spirit and the unholy spirit ARE SPIRIT, and therefore ENERGY -- POWER! In the area of will, attitude, nature, emotion, mind, disposition, actions, etc., there is ALWAYS A TRANSMISSION OF ENERGY. Haven't you noticed that one person's attitude will `rub off' on to another person? One can begin complaining and soon everyone is complaining. One begins to be argumentative and soon everyone in the room is in a heated argument. Someone vents their anger on you and within seconds you are angry and screaming back at them. Or, a whole group of people may feel frustrated and hopeless in a situation, and just one person can enter the room with a smile on his face, radiating the attitude of confidence and assurance, speak a positive word of encouragement and victory, and soon the whole atmosphere changes, becoming charged with this new expectation, the spirit of the entire group being raised up into hope and anticipation. What is this? It is the work of SPIRIT: invisible, intangible ENERGY -- POWER! Invisible, but very real. And very powerful! There is constantly in this world a definite transference of spirit energy from person to person, from group to group, from nation to nation, positive or negative, as the case may be. The rise and success of false religions, communism, rock music, immorality, etc. are the direct result of negative satanic spirit influence transmitted to the masses through faithful ministers of unrighteousness who have become filled with the UN-HOLY SPIRIT, and consequently transmitters of the same, producing a SURCHARGED ATMOSPHERE. THIS, my beloved, IS the `power of the air!' Satan has a large elemental power. He is named the prince of the power of the air, meaning that he is the INVISIBLE RULER, which activity and authority he exercises IN and THROUGH men!
"Another example of the power of breathed-out spiritual energy was recorded by J.F. Goodavage: `Dr. Franklin Loehr, a minister of the Religious Research Foundation, discovered that plants, when PRAYED OVER by his congregation, grew 75 times faster than equally tended and nourished plants that were NOT prayed over.'" -- End quote.
Are we beginning to get a glimpse of the LOST POWER, that LOST ENERGY which has been lacking to keep the fires of God burning in people's lives? Are we beginning to see why there is no word coming forth today that is setting the world on fire? I am sure there are many factors, but primarily, we have replaced the vibrant, living ENERGY of the Spirit of God with the ashes of dead revivals past. The HOLY SPIRIT/ENERGY of LOVE, the HOLY SPIRIT/ENERGY of JOY, the HOLY SPIRIT/ENERGY of RIGHTEOUSNESS and PEACE have largely been lacking. And let us not forget the first fire igniting energy that most of us hand-warmers had forsaken, the genuine SPIRIT/ENERGY of PRAYER. Truthfully, saints, most all the energies of God have been substituted for those "good" old doctrines, revelations and methods of the past, but from experience and observation, I believe prayer was the first to go.
As true as this is, I can hear the scoffings of a few who have kindled their own fires and are surrounding themselves with crackling sparks, and who are walking in their own light (Is. 50:11). In derision they are saying, "Come on, now, Brother! You don't expect us to go back to that old religious stuff of the Pharisees, do you? And don't you think that such an outdated thing as prayer might be one of the very things you are preaching about? -- namely, cold ashes of the past!"
We won't let that bother us, for such short lived protests are of little concern to us, lest we be distracted from the pressing matter at hand. However, for their sake I will say this much: If you continue sitting by your self-made fires and glorying in your sparkling "devilations" -- you will miss the bounty of God and can count on Isaiah 50:11 being measured out to you: "...This shall ye have of Mine hand; ye shall lie down in sorrow." Please, dear ones, whatever it takes, don't let that happen. Life, His Life, is much too precious to substitute for the carnal fires of temporal glory and their subsequent works of death.
Therefore, let us press toward the mark, for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus; for indeed, the earth is dark, it is awesomely cold and is virtually void of Light. It is time to travail and to cry out to our gracious God. Nevertheless, in the gravity of this hour, we can praise our wonderful and mighty Lord of hosts, Jesus Christ, the firstborn from among the dead, and quick returning one. For He is the One who is descending out of the heavens in a war cry, He is the One who is coming in the voice of the Chief messenger, and He is also the One who is appearing in the resounding, fiery trumpet of our living God (I Thes. 4:16); and He is the One who rules in the kingdoms of men (Dan. 4:17). Jesus is the mighty One who is placing like trumpets to the lips of those in travail and then to the ones called out of darkness to bring deliverance in the earth. No longer shall we bring forth wind (Is. 26:17-18), as in days gone by, but the very substance of God who is a consuming fire. So rejoice and sing aloud, ye saints of the most High, for your redemption draweth nigh, and the deliverance of the world is at hand. Even though it may be dark, and weeping endures for a night...joy cometh in the morning. (Ps. 30:50). You say this is hard to believe, then lift up your eyes and see the dawn for yourself, for it is beginning, even as the prophet Joel declared and the song of victory is so aptly sung: "There's a light shining forth, I can see it on the horizon. It's the army of God preparing for war. Going forth into battle, against the army of Satan, and nothing can stand before the army of God."
Elwin R. Roach
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