by Jon R. Welker

Beloved Students, friends and strangers,
Greetings in the Name of Jesus.

Recently various news articles, commentators and pundits have been discussing the book MOTHER TERESA: COME BE MY LIGHT, which consists primarily of correspondence between Teresa and her confessors and superiors over a period of 66 years. These letters, preserved against her wishes (she had requested that they be destroyed but the church overruled her), reveal that for the last nearly 50 years of her life she felt no presence of God. In more than 40 communications she bemoaned the "dryness," "darkness," "loneliness," and "torture" she was undergoing. This has led to speculations by scholars and other believers, and some outrageous proclamations by self-proclaimed atheists, regarding the authenticity of Teresa's faith. We can but expect this to continue until, as the expression goes, "the cows come home." I, for one, however, would not overlook the fact that during this long period of the "hidden presence of God," she continued to faithfully serve Him, arising at 4:30 a.m. for devotionals and prayer, and her proclaiming "if this brings You glory - if souls are brought to You - with joy I accept all to the end of my life."

This commenced me thinking that it might be well to share some thoughts presented in our writings over the years regarding the absence of God during periods of darkness, AND especially as it relates to the pattern of the time of darkness in the last hours of Jesus upon the Cross of Calvary.

The patterns of God are manifested in the individual life, the life of His church/body, and the world as a whole. Therefore, a pattern of darkness in which the Presence of God is not sensed or felt is a concept that we all should better understand. As human beings we are all too frequently held captive by our feelings. And in the realm of our spiritual life and faith, this can be extremely dangerous. If our feelings dictate our spiritual beliefs, we will sooner or later find ourselves destitute and, yes, feeling abandoned. But we are encouraged to walk not by sight (a sense, as in feelings) but by faith (see II Cor. 5:7).

So, here let me now put before you some of the thoughts we have presented over the years regarding this subject about a time of "spiritual darkness."

THE LORD IS THERE!
First, in considering the absence of the Lord's presence, we could be served by taking note of its opposite - the Presence of the Lord, or, the Lord is here as in His revealed Name, Jehovah-shammah:
"...And the name of the city from that day shall be, The LORD is there [Jehovah-shammah]." Ezekiel 48:35
...We are ready to take a journey into the Name of Jehovah-shammah - to "walk up and down" in this Name (Zech. 10:12). In Ezekiel's prophecy, the Temple lay in ruins. Scholars seem to agree that when Ezekiel received the vision regarding Jehovah-shammah, it was 14 years after the Temple had been destroyed. Israel was discouraged; they were despondent. God had removed His Presence. I believe this prophecy of Ezekiel is to remind us that in our darkest hour, "God is there." When we feel abandoned, and we feel hopeless, He wants us to address Him in that way. "Lord, You are here!" We don't necessarily have to say: "Jehovah-shammah." It could be we remember the New Testament promise in which the Lord said He would always be here: "Lo, I am with you always..." (Matt. 28:20). We need to acknowledge His Presence and rejoice in His Presence.
O LORD, Thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, Thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, Thou knowest it altogether. Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid Thine hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.
Whither shall I go from Thy Spirit? or whither shall I flee from Thy Presence? If I ascend up into heaven, Thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, Thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; even there shall Thy hand lead me, and Thy right hand shall hold me.
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." Psalm 139:1-12
Isn't that wonderful to see that Scripture in this context? Hell, Heaven, dark, light; "Lord, You're there"! That's a good altar to return to, isn't it?! I can't always see You, Lord, but I know You're there! Jehovah-shammah! By faith step out! God is there!
(THE WONDERFUL NAMES OF GOD by Jon R. Welker, pages 344-346)

SPIRITUAL DARKNESS

Now, with regard to a time of spiritual darkness, let me quote from the July 1997 edition of the SHEPHERDSFIELD CHAT:

The true Christian who has walked with his Lord a few years or more has seen many an instance of deliverance while blessings descend upon him. These are calculated to give him that individual faith which shall bear him through "darkness's" hour.
There had to be a period of testing for the children of Israel before they entered the land promised unto their fathers. There were about three hours of blood-drenched agony before the Son of God could cross over from His prison into the land of glorious light. There must be a final and short period of testing for each individual Christian before the consummation of the promises.
That short and final period of the withdrawn light, I see as now engulfing the world. I hesitate to define its limits, I am reluctant to place its beginning and ending. It is likely to manifest after the manner of a total solar eclipse: the shadow gradually enlarges, the darkness deepens into is maximum, then recedes until the glory of the Sun again shines forth in splendor.

Then, in the February 1996 edition of the PROPHETIC DIGEST, No. 108:

Dearly beloved in the Lord, are you not aware that there has been and still is a stygian spiritual darkness enshrouding the entire world? It is this which was foreshadowed by those 3 hours of darkness while the Son of God was upon the cruel Cross. The Messiah's suffering for you and for me commenced hours previous to the darkness, but here we are looking at those specific 3 hours at the close of which approximated the termination of the Savior's earth-life. And, by [Matthew 27] verse 46, we see His anguished cry: "My God, My God: WHY have You forsaken Me?"
It is that which I have in mind to now mention. The Jews were awaiting their Passover, but for the Messiah it was Hell intensified, plus the added darkness in order that you and I might have Life eternal in His presence! Apparently, it was but moments after His anguished cry that He again called out: "Father, into Thy hands I commit My Spirit."
Think not for a moment that the All Highest commanded that darkness to take over: NO, far from that. But when the glorious Father WITHDREW the brightness of His Presence, then DARKness took over throughout three heart-rending hours. Then the Son was all alone! WHAT might He do? WHAT would He think and feel? WHAT would He say?
It is at the New Moon we sometimes have a solar eclipse; but the Passover is ever at, or only hours off, the full moon. Here, it is not for me to speculate as to WHAT did account for the Sun's hidden face. But the High Father had withdrawn Himself throughout 3 hours.... (Some church people say it was because "God could not bear to look upon SIN!" I take no stock in absurd theories.)....
...But again, WHY? It was that which constituted the SUPREME TEST unto the Son of His Glory. Similarly unto us. WHAT will we do, say, think, feel? It is a simple matter to pat ourselves on the back when very God is leading the way. But the selfsame God wants to see what we will do, say and think when He has withdrawn. Speaking for myself, I have repeatedly cried unto the Lord - even in tears - WHY? But there was no answer! WHY am I left alone to blunder along in my own ignorance?
I have even reasoned with Him, saying: "Parents here on earth ANSWER and explain to their sobbing children, but unto me, Heaven is silent"! "WHY?" But now I KNOW, now I understand, because HE is All Beautiful. . . .
...But even then His LOVE was not withdrawn. I am telling you with every fibre of my being: HE IS BEAUTIFUL! Ella Wheeler Wilcox touched on that wave length when she wrote:
"It is easy enough to be pleasant
when life flows along like a song.
But the one worthwhile
is the one who can smile,
when EVERYTHING
GOES DEAD WRONG"!

WHO CAN ESCAPE THE FORCES OF DARKNESS?

And then again in our THE LORD'S DAY book in the section dealing with the 4^th trumpet:

...None will escape the forces of darkness, neither Catholic nor Protestant bodies, as these forces rise up to put out the light of the sun and also to strike at the moon and the stars. It is not only the "sun" which will be affected, but the moon and the stars will be darkened also. The moon gives the reflected light of the sun and so is here a type of the state, which reflects or gives support to the state churches. The stars are the leaders in both church and state who will feel the impact of these forces of darkness rising up against them. The church-state combination, entrenched in Europe for centuries, will be completely disrupted and the sun, moon and stars will be darkened to the extent that the church-state relationships, both Catholic and Protestant, will no longer be tolerated. Even the Vatican organization may be forced to flee. Violent forces will rise up within the nations of Europe to completely overthrow the existing system of things; and the "stars," those in high political or religious offices benefitting from the church-state relationships, who have long had favored positions in the existing systems, will be cast out of their privileged places, even more completely than is now happening.
The one third of the day being withdrawn and also one third of the night should have more than one application, as does most of Scripture. The Lord spoke of the period of working in His Father's business, beyond age 12, as His "day of 12 hours" - 21 years ending with His crucifixion (Jn. 9:4). The one third of this day would be seven years, at the end of which the light would merge into darkness and darkness into blackness. Since most of Europe is no longer known for its strong stand on the plan of God, the darkness would apply to intensifying deterioration in the political, business and social environments. But also, the Lord uses a day for a year (Ezek. 4:6). The one third of this day is four months. From other passages of Scripture, we can understand that World War III will go very badly for the Christian nations - until Jesus Christ steps in to reverse the trend (Matt. 24:22). The one third of the day and one third of the night, in this reference frame, would indicate four to eight months of serious setbacks, intensifying into almost utter defeat by the Beastial-led bloc. Loss of hope among all not familiar with the Lord's plan would intensify the blackness. And of course, there would be the literal blackouts now typical of war conditions.

And then later in THE LORD'S DAY book dealing with the 9^th plague of Exodus…:

#9 Plague:
Darkness (Ex. 10:21-29)
As Pharaoh's heart was hardened again, Moses was commanded to stretch out his hand toward heaven in order to bring a darkness over the land of Egypt such as might be felt (Ex. 10:21-22). Thick darkness would cover the whole land for three days.
...The three days of darkness symbolize the approximate three years of Great Tribulation, since in this the Lord appoints one day for a year (Ezek. 4:6). The Tribulation period will actually take place within a period of 3 1/2 years, but in typical drama of Scripture the round number usage prevails when portraying time patterns.
The Egyptians could not see one another, nor did they rise out of their places during the three days. But the Israelites had light in their dwellings (Ex. 10:22-23). During the three days, there was also darkness throughout Goshen, for darkness covered all Egypt, of which Goshen was a part. Those who were Israelites had light in their houses. After the separation of the Firstfruits, darkness will cover the earth. Many believers will be tormented. Many will lose their lives. This will be the darkness for them. During three full calendar years, a substantial part of the world will be subject to Lucifer's power. Therefore in each today, every believer should be doing his utmost to become prepared to stand on his own two feet in righteousness, even in an environment of utter spiritual darkness. The light within the personal "dwelling place" is to be perpetual and increasing in its intensity.
The light in Goshen was a supernatural light provided for the Israelites only, it being a manifestation of the "Shekinah Glory" of God. Likewise in the days of Great Tribulation, the Light will be the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit for those who are indwelt by His power and glory; also it will be the supernatural appearance of the glorified saints to give instruction and help. The Lord will not leave His own to grope in the darkness of fear and uncertainty, as people in the ways of the world will do (I Thess. 5:1-9). He will guide and protect, even during the days of extreme crises when the world will be plunged into almost complete chaos. The world (Egypt) will be filled with terror, its people not knowing what to do or where to go (Isa. 13:4-8, Lk. 21:25-26). And for those not awake, it will be a time of gross and intense darkness such as the world has never seen. All news media will be controlled, contributing to the dense darkness upon all not familiar with the Word of God. Many shall perish for lack of direction....
...The ninth Plague brought darkness, but the darkness at the end of this 1,000 year day is not sudden. It is, however, rapidly progressive into the dense darkness of Great Tribulation.
Now is the time to let the Holy Spirit do a perfecting work within so you may be adorned with His gold and His silver and be fully ready to be received into the glory awaiting. The "Day of the Lord" is at hand, and He is coming to His people as the rising morning sun. Only those who are awake - when the dawn begins to break are able to see the early light, for though the light is dawning, others yet asleep are still in darkness. He is calling, Wake up (Eph. 5:14-17, II Pet. 1:19). As the Lord called the Israelites to prepare for the darkness, He now calls for preparation in this hour. This is the day of preparation, but soon it will close.

And finally, I wrote in the September, 2004 SHEPHERDSFIELD CHAT:

There's a purpose for "Babylon" in God's plan for His people. If you are honest with yourself, you know that like running or exercising or dieting, there are certain things you hate, but you like the result. Similarly is it with times when we're in confusion, some call it "the dark night of the soul." Yet something happens in those times: you're either going to make a decision to go deeper into such Babylonish things - confusion - as did some of the children of Israel who actually stayed in Babylon; or be as the others who knew who they were and longed for their own land. They recognized their identity.

There are other patterns that could be cited in dealing with the dryness in our spiritual life, such as Moses' 40 years spent in the back side of the desert in Midian, tending the sheep of Jethro while God humbled and tested the prince brought up in Pharaoh's house. Midian, meaning strife, is a good picture of the strife or struggle of the soul to apprehend the things of God and release or surrender the "old man." Struggle or strife, contrary to popular thought, is not always bad. Jesus said,

"Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able." Luke 13:24

The agony of our soul in pursuit of God can yield untold blessing and fruit. After all, Jesus told us to embrace the cross ("...Take up the cross..." - Mk. 10:21) and deny yourself, otherwise you could not be His disciple (Lk. 9:23). No matter what the commentators, scholars and pundits write concerning Mother Teresa, "saint of the gutters," the Scriptures and the history of the church and its "saints" indicate that God still takes His people into the desert wilderness to there try them and prove them and suffer them to hunger, yes even to hunger for Him.

"And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep His commandments, or no.
And He humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that He might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word [not feeling] that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live." Deuteronomy 8:2-3

May God help you, too, to walk by faith and not by transient feelings subject to the prince of this world.