ElwinRoach
By Elwin Roach
A few years ago many were praying for the complete vindication of Donald Trump so he could be free to rule as the duly elected president, as a Cyrus, while others were praying that he would be impeached and shamefully disposed of. Of course, as we remember, the Steele Dossier was found to be false and he kept his office as the president, but lost the 2020 presidential election. A large number of his supporters believe that the Dominion voting machines showed a change of majority votes from Trump to Bidden, and at the same time of the evening of the election.We will most likely never know the ins and outs of the election; but, please, saints of the everlasting Kingdom, let us not be praying, as it were, for the captain of our favored "football team" to pull off a win. But rather, we should pray for the mind of our Father. Thereby, we will see and know the in-workings of all things that will fulfill His purpose at the proper time. We can then, as anointed shepherds, decree His will and it WILL be done.So now, do we pray for mercy and blessings, or judgment and sorrows? Without His mind in the matter, we have no way of knowing; but as it stands today, it appears to be judgment and sorrows.At this moment we do not see any man or woman as another Cyrus. The present one is certainly not such a king. But let it be understood, this base man was set in place by divine appointment. So who are we to say nay to His choice? To be reminded:"There is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God....For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil." Romans 13:1, 3.With this word, do you suppose the commander and chief, and vice president, of our nation today is for our good, or are they as scripture says? Unless you are deaf and blind to the core, it is clearly seen that the regime of today is the most evil and misrepresented our nation has ever known, even as their child, "woke," leads millions to their gullible insanity.Do we see the end from the beginning? Do we grasp all the interwoven workings of good and evil in God's plan for the end of the age? Not for a second! But let us rest assured that all is well!Frankly, it is the same with us as individuals; that is, the Spirit also works as effectually for us and in us as it does with the president and the so called "justice department." Therewith, today, we do not see a Cyrus who is set to free us from Babylon, but the exact opposite. Although an individual person may play a part of our well being, our King of deliverance is not a flesh and blood man. It is Jesus Christ! He is our driving force. He sees us through all of our difficulties, especially as we grasp the absolute need for Him. It is then that we can hold dear to our hearts His grace and omniscient power that enables us to conquer that which may seem to be unconquerable.Can we see why it is necessary for God's people to have so many gates of brass and bars of iron; that are, obstacles, trials, and tribulations? I am persuaded that religion void of the trials of hardships is but a spoof, a sham, a mockery, a put-on charade at best. Although religiously dressed up and portrayed as righteous ones, they are generally empty shells acting a theatrical part, living a lie on the stage of their church and the world.It has been said that "The naked truth is better than well-dressed lies," and regardless of how well-dressed the act might be, untried religion can never give people the wherewithal to be overcomers. Such acting has never nor will ever afford one of such esteem. It has nothing to equip anyone with what it takes to overcome. And please know, walking according to the Law the best that is humanly possible, is not walking in the Spirit.Religion without life cannot bring heaven’s bliss into a man’s soul. Many are very well satisfied with the world, when their fruit is the part of tree that is good, rather than the evil. But that tree is in the world, and does not pertain to the life flow of the Spirit of the Tree of Life.Remove the tribulation, which true religion knows so well, takes away the effectual working of the Spirit in people’s lives. Without hardships it will leave them with a hull, an appearance, a façade of the treasures of darkness but no substance.Please keep in mind: Let us by all means praise God for all our trials in life. "In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus in regard to you." 1 Thessalonians 5:18.And also as James wrote: "Count it all joy when you fall into diverse trials." James 1:2. Count it a blessing that we were chosen of the Lord to be numbered among those who are burdened and exercised in hardships and tribulations and terrible tempests. For by God's grace our souls will be supported, comforted, and eventually delivered from it all.As the hidden treasures of darkness become a living reality, we will find ourselves upon the blissful shores of our Lord’s peace where all sorrow and tears are wiped away.We may read these encouraging words and rejoice, that is, until we find ourselves in the prisons of darkness where there are no comforts to the soul. We may plead for mercy and for God’s vengeance to be poured out to those who have persecuted us or were responsible for our unbearable adversities that are shaking apart every sound thing in our lives. But let us not be of such demeanor; for remember, Paul and Silas were not in despair while in prison but were praying and singing hymns as the other prisoners listened. But to make matters supposedly worse, a great earthquake hit while in that foreboding place.That, however, is what it took to open the prison doors and break the bonds of not only Paul and Silas, but all the prisoners. And due to this tragedy, the jailer, along with his household, were saved.You see, there were treasures of darkness in that prison. Paul, Silas, the jailer, and his family were brought forth for all to see. So, stand fast, brethren, and see your treasures brought forth that will pass in review before all men everywhere.This is not understood by the majority, not only those of the world but not many in the church either. Until natural minds are renewed, some of our Father’s doings will not be what many would choose or even think could be something He would be a part of. For instance, if the current president happens to be another Cyrus who discovers the treasures of darkness and sets the captives free, some will surely disagree, as do I, with such a choice of God's anointed shepherd. For this unlikely shepherd who serves His purpose has nothing in him we can see that suggests, or even hints, he is a Cyrus; but is more like the clueless Belshazzar of whom judgment was pronounced upon him. "And this is the writing that was written, MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN. This is the interpretation of the thing: MENE; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it. TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting. PERES; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes." Daniel 5:25-28.Such, of course, is not uncommon; but we might ought to get used to these orders from God's High Court; for when they are given to the Watchers, they will demand that they are fulfilled whether politically minded carnal people like it or not.
By Elwin Roach
We will notice the shepherds of God today; but perhaps not the shepherds we might have expected, such as, the Good Shepherd:"I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine." John 10:14.Some of God's shepherds are far from the Good One, but they are still called the anointed shepherds of God. Oh, the mystery of it, as we will see.For instance, Daniel studied the scroll of Jeremiah and realized that Israel’s 70 years of Babylonian Captivity had been completed. During his study, Daniel also found that Isaiah had predicted the name of a pagan King who would deliver them. The prophet then took the scroll to that man, king Cyrus of Persia, and showed him that God had recorded his name in Scripture two hundred years earlier. History says that it shook him to the core, yet giving him the confidence to attack Babylon, and in turn, to free Israel from their captivity. The prophetic deceleration even called the idol worshiping king His "anointed shepherd:""Who saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure....Thus saith the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him..." Isaiah 44:28 & 45:1.This word was not given to one of the holy prophets or any of the kings of Israel; but to Cyrus. Although an idol worshiping pagan, he was an instrument chosen by God to overthrow the Chaldean empire and free Israel from decades of Babylonian bondage that God had chosen to befall Israel.It was almost three thousand years ago that Isaiah gave that message. The prophecy came two centuries before Cyrus, and he was called by name, and this unfolded exactly as Isaiah had duly prophesied.The prophet also spoke concerning this unlikely shepherd:"I will give you the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that you may know that I, the LORD, which call you by your name, am the God of Israel." Isaiah 45:-3.Once the Jews were freed, Cyrus issued an edict for them to rebuild their Temple in Jerusalem. And, on the exact day he issued the decree, his soldiers unearthed vast amounts of silver and gold that the king of Babylon had hidden under the Euphrates River. God’s Word was fulfilled to the letter.The treasures of Babylon were like treasures in a bank vault. They were locked in the darkness of that kingdom until broken into and taken by Cyrus. Some of those treasures taken from the depository and returned to Jerusalem were five thousand four hundred gold and silver vessels of the house of the LORD, which Nebuchadnezzar had brought out of Jerusalem and had put them in the darkness of the house of his gods. Ezra 1:7.It is the same in the spirit that is working according to His will today. There are treasures of the LORD that are hidden away in dark places that are to be brought back to their rightful place in the Kingdom of God. These obscure places can be deep within individuals, hidden in the darkness of religious organizations, as well as in the world. Unless it is by the Spirit, nobody will peer into those obscure places. If He does not open their eyes and send them forth, it will be impossible for anyone to see God's treasures that lay in reserve.One might not suspect that the two Babylons, one of religion and the other of the government, would be holding many treasures of God’s riches, but they do, and these treasures are not only spiritual things, but they are also people. In Exodus 19:5 they are called a peculiar treasure who are called out of darkness while in the New Testament they are called a peculiar people called out of darkness. 1 Peter 2:9 & Titus 2:14.It should be clear that we are the firstfruits of His peculiar treasure who were called out of darkness. But there are others that are still hidden away in the dark vaults of their own souls as well as that of the world. These neither know it nor do they know God; but He knows them and called them by name a long time ago, even like it was with us:"According as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love." Ephesians 1:4.The time, of course, will come when they will indeed know Him. He will call them in the Spirit by name. It is then that they will be awakened and begin to know Him. As with Cyrus, they will be shaken to the core, and for the first time also know who they are.Whether these treasures are individuals in the darkness of Babylon, the treasures of His life that are hidden within the depths of their souls, or the treasures hidden in the darkness of the world, when the anointed ones of the Lord (the anointed watchmen in the heavens, the earth, or are nations' officials), they will invade man's kingdom. The treasures will be found and possessed. "Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine." Isaiah 43:1At the appointed time, these treasures of darkness are to be brought into the light, no longer hidden from us or the world. These treasures are not only to be brought into the light, unveiled, and made known; but as the hour of the unveiling comes, without delay each of us will possess and present them to those in dire need of a long-awaited, refreshing rain. Until that time it can be said:"Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for them that love him." 1 Corinthians 2:9.Ah! Of necessity, the manifestation of the Sons of God! Who can remotely imagine the glory of it? None, to be exact! Moreover, there are none who can prevent it when the time comes.Over the years, even centuries, a number of individuals have promoted themselves as having the keys to the treasures of darkness, claiming they hold the rich mysteries of God’s Kingdom. However, not one of them whose eyes have not been opened by hearing the voice of the Son of God can truthfully lay claim to knowing anything about these treasures. Each of them must first be brought into view of the divine revelation before this is possible, and when this comes, the flood-tide and flow of heaven’s riches will never cease; for the increase of His government shall never end.You see, the plural word, treasures, signifies not only something laid up and hidden from common view and possession, but suggests an infinite, incalculable supply. It is an amount which cannot be exhausted. It suffices the soul and all spiritual needs and pleasures. It suffices and continually suffices, again and again, over and over, all needs and joys of His wonderful life.As truth dawns in the person, and in the Spirit they see or know that their name is written in the book of life, the work of our Lord Jesus begins to be a reality. It is then that the ever-flowing fullness of His grace in, through, and out of us can be known and seen. It super-abounds over sin and fills our souls with holy awe while being as natural as breathing air. When we truly see the virtue and power that we have, it will produce the desired effect of manifesting those inconceivable treasures of darkness.The end purpose of the cross will be experientially known, while carnal man’s appetites are forever consumed by the glory of God’s majesty. The blood of our Lord that judiciously cleanses all from all sin will be a manifested reality. His resurrection that we already know in part will rise in us. His purity, His holiness, His righteousness which is unto all will be joyfully embraced into the age of the ages.
By Elwin Roach
Do we suppose it pleases our Father when we work at gaining people’s admiration? Do we think He is proud of us when we impress people with our talents, and endear their hearts by our personalities? It’s very doubtful. I don’t think we ever hear Him saying, "Well done, My good and faithful son." The fact is, I would be very surprised to find that He is pleased with such human overtures. There is, of course, nothing wrong with possessing God-given talents and attractive personalities. Such qualities in people’s lives are portions of who they are, and not to be despised; but talents and personalities should never be used as tools to manipulate others.
We have no record that Jesus, our prime example, went about trying to win friends and influence people. His security was not in people, but in something higher, much higher. It was in His Father and also in knowing who He was. It mattered not what the world thought of Him, He remained the same. If the sea of religion roared and foamed out its anger, He rested in His Father and slept in the back of life’s ship. When there was a need to move on, and while the storm continued its fury — He was not daunted. If He did not still the waves for the sake of others, He walked over the boisterous billows of condemnation.
Jesus never went to the leaders of religion hoping to gain their favor and calm the storm against Him. It was not His intention to get His foot in the door to their hallowed halls so He could be endorsed and set up with a ministry. Compromise was not in Him, and neither did He use His charisma to draw crowds of thousands to be recognized as "God’s man of the hour." He didn’t have to. He knew He was more than that — He was the very Day, the Daystar, the Sun, the Light coming into the world that would light every man (John 1:9).
Moreover, our Lord did not join clubs in order to get acquainted with the city fathers, the right business men, judges, legislators, and other people of influence, to insure His livelihood and social status. Such carnal tactics had no part with the life and Kingdom wherein He dwelled. His livelihood was rooted and grounded in His Father.
An excerpt from WELL DONE MY GOOD AND FAITHFUL SON