The Head Of Christ Is God

The Head Of Christ Is God The Function Of 'The Woman' In The Body Of Christ A proper understanding of who is the Head of all things is so important to our Creator that He has made us all male and female for the purpose of telling us that there is an order both in the physical and in the spiritual realms: 1 Cor 11:3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God. Rom 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: "Invisible things... clearly seen" appears to be a contradiction, but it is not. God very much wants us to be aware of who is the head of whom in the invisible spiritual realm. Why "would he have us to know" this? Just how important is order to God the Father and to Christ? Here is just how important it is to our heavenly Father and to Christ that we know and understand God's order in His service: 1 Cor 10:11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. 1 Cor 10:12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. "All these things happened... and are written?" What were "all these things?" They are a history of Israel's rebellions against God's order, His government, His hierarchy, in ancient Israel. Here is just a brief summary of what Paul is alluding to when he says "all these things:" 1 Cor 10:5 But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. 1 Cor 10:6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. 1 Cor 10:7 Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. 1 Cor 10:8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. 1 Cor 10:9 Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. 1 Cor 10:10 Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. Israel's entire history "happened to them and was written for our admonition. "What was Israel's history? It is a history of one act of insubordination after the other. It is a history of a blessed people, given a close relationship with God, and yet it is a history of being totally unsatisfied with all those blessings. It is a history which reveals Israel's rebellion against God's orders. It is a history which reflects the "pride of life" which was behind those acts of insubordination. Israel's history is nothing less than the fulfillment of the curse which God placed on 'the woman' when she neglected to let her 'head' take the lead and do the speaking as Christ lets His Father do all of His speaking:

John 8:28 Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things. Because Eve did not do "as she had been taught," she was given this curse: Gen 3:16 Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee. "Thy desire shall be to thy husband..." almost sounds like this verse is saying that Eve's desire will be to please her husband. That was what I thought that verse meant when I first read it many years ago. But is that what we are being told? Absolutely not! What we are really being told is the exact opposite. But God has seen fit to keep this hidden from this world. This phrase "thy desire shall be to..." is repeated in the very next chapter under very similar circumstances. God is talking to Cain about why Cain's offering was not respected by God (Be sure to read Why Cain's Offering Was Not Accepted). Look at how similar are God's words to both Cain and Eve: Gen 4:5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. Gen 4:6 And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? Gen 4:7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his [sin's] desire, and thou shalt rule over him. Isn't this exactly what God had told Eve? Here are both curses side by side: Genesis 3:16 Thy desire shall be to thy husband and he shall rule over thee" Genesis 4:7 Unto you shall be his [sin's] desire and you shall rule over him [sin]. Both end with the positive conclusion of promising both Eve and Cain that they will overcome sin and rebellion. This is nothing short of revealing the promise of ultimate salvation for all, right here at the beginning of the book of Genesis. Eve, and all in her, will eventually be ruled by "her husband," who typifies Christ. For Eve the conclusion is, "He [Adam-the man-the Spirit] shall rule over you... [The woman, the flesh, the soul]." And for Cain the conclusion is, "You [Cain"the man"- the spirit] shall rule over him [sin-the soul- "the woman"]." What is so very revealing about both of these verses is that the word 'to' in Genesis 3:16, where God is talking to Eve, and the word 'unto' in Genesis 4:7, where God is talking to Cain, are the exact same Hebrew word. That Hebrew word is 'el el' Strong's number 413. This same word is used in the very next verse in Genesis 4:8. But just look at how it is translated in this verse: Gen 4:7 If thou [Cain] doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him. Gen 4:8 And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him. In verse eight this Hebrew word 'el el' is translated 'against.' "Cain rose up against [el el] Abel." It is translated 'against' 151 times. Here is one more example: Ex 14:5 And it was told the king of Egypt that the people fled: and the heart of Pharaoh and of his servants was turned against [Hebrew-el el] the people, and they said, Why have we done this, that we have let Israel go from serving us? When we change 'to' in Genesis 3:16 to 'against' here is what Eve's curse becomes:

Gen 3:16 Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be [against] thy husband, and he shall rule over thee. Eve, "the woman", is cursed with a natural desire to be 'against' her husband. She is naturally going to oppose him and must fight that natural tendency all of her life. Eve is just naturally opposed to her husband's headship just as Adam and Cain, 'the man', is naturally opposed to the headship of Christ in his life: Rom 8:7 Because the carnal mind is [naturally] enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. Rom 8:8 So then they that are in the flesh [naturally] cannot please God. So then, is this curse peculiar just to women? Of course, it is not. It is the exact same curse which was placed upon Cain, the rejected firstborn. Cain's curse was just a rewording of what Adam was told when he received this curse for following His wife: Gen 3:17 And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground [Your own dying, carnal body of dust] for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; Gen 3:18 Thorns also and thistles [the scriptural types of spiritual lies and false doctrines-see below] shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; Gen 3:19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return. The "altar" is where we "eat" with and commune with our God. Our 'food' we 'eat' on that table is our doctrines: Heb 13:10 We have an altar, whereof they [who offer physical sacrifices] have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle. Now look at what is on the "altars... of Israel:" Hos 10:8 The high places also of Aven, the sin of Israel, shall be destroyed: the thorn and the thistle shall come up on their altars; and they shall say to the mountains, Cover us; and to the hills, Fall on us. 'Thorns and thistles' are lies and false doctrines. Adam was never allowed to get past eating the "herbs" of God's word. But look now at how Genesis 4:7 reads when properly translated: Gen 4:7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto [against - el el] thee shall be his [sin's] desire, and thou shalt rule over him. The 'Cain' in us all just naturally sins against what we know to be the Truth of God's Word. That is what is naturally [first] in the heart of all who are "in Adam." Paul comes right out and tells us that this natural rebellion against God is in every one of us: Rom 7:15 For that which I do [while walking after the flesh- verse 5] I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. Rom 7:16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Rom 7:17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me ["lieth at the door"]. Rom 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not ["against you shall be sin's desire"]. Rom 7:19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.

Jer 17:9 The heart [in every man who has ever lived] is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? Cain is not 'that man over there.' Cain is the man in the mirror in all of mankind. It is only with "Christ in us" that we can overcome sin and stop "walking according to the flesh." Some few are actually "walking according to the Spirit" and those few are "subject to the law of God." Here is a small part of that law which even now is true for those who "walk according to the Spirit:" Gen 2:18 And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. Gen 2:20 And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him. Gen 2:21 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; Gen 2:22 And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. Gen 2:23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. What are we to learn from the facts of the creation of woman? This is much more than a treatise only on married couples. This is a revelation of what is the very meaning of being made male and female: Gen 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. What we need to learn is that we come out from Christ just as Christ came "out from God." Being made male and female tells us that God made Christ submissive to His will. John 16:27 For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God. Was 'the woman' taken from her 'husband' or was she taken from 'the man?' The answer is that since there was no woman to begin with, Adam could not be called a 'husband' until after 'the woman was created. Consequently the point being made in telling us the details of how Christ brought mankind into existence, is to reveal to us Christ's relationship to His Head. It reveals to us that Christ is "one" with His Father: Matt 19:4 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, Matt 19:5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Matt 19:6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. The story of the 'rib' teaches us union not dis-union. 1 Cor 11:3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man [married or single] is Christ; and the head of the woman [married or single] is the man [Christ]; and the head of Christ is God. The use of a 'rib' to create 'the woman' teaches us of unity and oneness, which is supposed to be the case with all who have "Christ in them." It is not a lesson of disunity and being separated. "Come out of Her my people" has nothing at all to do with the message of using a rib to make 'the woman.' God's Word teaches us that the relationship of a man to a woman in marriage is

actually the revelation of the relationship of Christ both in His relationship to His Father and to the church. As Christ is submissive to His Father so should the church be to Christ. Eph 5:22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. Eph 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Eph 5:24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Eph 5:32 This [a proper marriage relationship] is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. There is an example and shadow of Babylon the Great in the creation story, but it is not the rib of Adam. Babylon the Great is figured by "the seed of the serpent" which is right there beside "the seed of the woman" within "the mother of all living." That "seed of the serpent" is shadowed by Cain who was cursed with "against thee shall his [sin's] desire be..." Cain was first born then Abel. Cain killed Abel, but Abel was replaced by Seth whose name means 'instead of.' All of these things witness to the spiritual principle that we all experience the natural rebellious nature first, and then the spiritual nature last. 1 Cor 15:46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural [Cain]; and afterward that which is spiritual [Abel-crucified by Cain yet replaced by those in Christ who also have Christ in them]. 1 Cor 15:47 The first man [Adam or Cain in us all] is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. 1 John 4:17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he [Christ] is, so are we in this world. So Babylon the Great comes first in us all. Then Abel comes to be crucified in us all. Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. And what did Paul, under the inspiration of God's Holy Spirit, instruct the church at Ephesus? Let's go back to this 5th chapter of Ephesus and try to see what marriage is supposed to teach us about who and what is Christ. This chapter is known as 'the marriage chapter.' But it should be called 'the function of Christ' chapter. Look at how this chapter begins: Eph 5:5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Eph 5:6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. "Whoremonger... unclean person, and a covetous man who is an idolater" all have both inward and outward applications. So Paul is speaking to the entire church at this point. And speaking to the entire church, Paul continues: Eph 5:17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. Eph 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Eph 5:19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Eph 5:20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord

Jesus Christ; Eph 5:21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. "Understand what the will of the Lord is...be filled with the spirit...Give thanks always for all things unto God in the name of Christ...Submitting yourselves [you Ephesians] one to another in the fear of God." The 'yourselves' in verse 21 is the same 'yourselves' mentioned in verse 19. 'Yourselves' is the entire church at Ephesus unless otherwise qualified, as in verse 22. It is not, as some affirm, Paul telling the Ephesian men to submit to their wives. If it were telling men to submit to their wives, then it would neuter and neutralize his admonition in the very next verse: Eph 5:22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord ...Which would inevitably lead to neutralizing our need to look to Christ and His Word as our head. God alone knows our hearts. But if we believe that 'submit yourselves one to another' means that husbands are to submit to their wives then it will be no time at all before Christ's Word becomes a limiting factor to our spiritual growth, and we will completely forget this spiritual Truth: John 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. Words we once considered to be words which will "never pass away" suddenly become words which are only for a certain time and under certain circumstances. We can fool others and even deceive ourselves, but God is not mocked or deceived. What we sow is what we will reap. The sad thing is that all who come to God's word with idols of the heart are "deceived by God:" Eze 14:9 And if the prophet be deceived when he hath spoken a thing, I the LORD have deceived that prophet, and I will stretch out my hand upon him, and will destroy him from the midst of my people Israel. Eze 14:10 And they shall bear the punishment of their iniquity: the punishment of the prophet shall be even as the punishment of him that seeketh unto him; We cannot undo deceptions in ourselves when God has done the deceiving. Let us all beg God that our hearts be open to His reproofs and be seeking only to know His mind in all things; but now especially in this matter of what is the function of "the woman" in "the body of Christ." 1 Cor 14:37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. God will not relinquish the "power of the throne." All who believe that "All in all" in any way takes away the Father's "power of the throne," will be sadly disillusioned: John 14:28 Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I. 1 Co r15:28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him [the consummation of the aions], then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all. It has been suggested that just as the LORD God had taken from man a rib and made a woman, so today God is taking a very small part of Christ's body out of that body in order to make for Christ a bride to help Him with the work He has been given to do. The suggestion is that as long as you are part of 'the body' you are still carnal and unfit for the work which the bride of Christ is to perform. "Come out of her my people" is construed to mean 'come out of and do not be a part of the body of Christ.' What is wrong with this "fable" is that it completely removes from our minds what is the significance and purpose of God using a rib from Adam to create 'the woman'

in the first place. What this "fable" accomplishes is to make of no significance whatever this verse of scripture: 1 Cor 11:7 For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man. 1 Cor 11:8 For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man. 1 Cor 11:9 Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man. "The body" of Adam, from which 'the rib' was taken, contained within Adam, within that rib, "the mother of all living." So where did "the mother of all living" originate? She had her origins "in Adam." And who are the "all living" who come from their mother Eve? Who comes from the bone and the flesh of Adam? Gen 3:20 And Adam called his wife's name Eve; because she was the mother of all living. Gen 2:23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. So all theories to the contrary, the "mother of all living" is "in Adam" just as surely as "in Him [Christ] we live and move and have our being." Acts 17:28 For in him we [even Pagan Athenians] live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. Gen 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. Gen 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. So Christ is the "God [who] created man" and all who live and die in this flesh are "in Adam." 1 Cor 15:21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 1 Cor 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. Who was the channel for this creation of Adam? The answer to this question is the purpose for "making them male and female." John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:2 The same was in the beginning with God. John 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. John 1:4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. Who is "the Word?" Who is "life?" John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. John 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: It is all Christ. Christ is the source and channel "by whom all things were created; that are in heaven and that are in earth visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him." We may try to separate the beginning, the first Adam, from Christ, but He does no such thing. He rather proclaims the first Adam as essential to His plan and purpose: John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Before one can be "born again" he must first be born.

John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born [first] of water [flesh-the first Adam] and [then] of the Spirit [the "last Adam"], he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. John 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 1 Cor 15:45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. So Adam was taken out of Christ. What then does this teach us about Christ Himself? Was Christ created? Is Christ the supreme power in the universe? The answer is that Christ came "out from the Father" just as Adam came out of Christ. God created Christ. Christ is the very first thing created by God. Christ came out from God just as Adam came out from Christ and Eve came out from Adam. Here are the scriptures: Rev 3:14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; Here is Christ Himself calling Himself - "the beginning of the creation of God." And just as Eve was created as the channel through which all further human life would come, so also we learn, was Christ the Father's channel through which all life would come" Col 1:3 We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, If Christ is "coequal" with God, as all "historical orthodox Christianity" and the 'fulness now-no hierarchy in the spirit realm' doctrine wants us all to believe, why is God called Christ's 'Father' here in Colossians, many years after Christ's ascension? Col 1:15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: Col 1:16 For by him [Christ] were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: Col 1:17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. Col 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. And what are we told about that 'beginning?' Matt 19:4 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, The Words of Colossians 1:15-18 are some of the most powerful statements in all of God's Word. "Christ... the image of the invisible God... is the firstborn of every creature... All things were created by him, and for him... He is before all things... by Him all things consist... He is the head of the body... He is the beginning... He is the firstborn from the dead; that in all things He might have the preeminence." God is very concerned that we know who is and who is not preeminent. It is for our good that He wants this. But who is it who has so decreed all of this? Here now is the very purpose for "creating them male and female." It is the very reason God's word is a chronicle of man's rebellion. It is the reason why Israel's history is a chronicle of Israel's inability to accept this fact: Col 1:19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; Male and female are a witness to the order and hierarchy within the very godhead:

Rom 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: The story of Joseph being made the king of Egypt gives us this same male and female witness: Gen 41:40 Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou. The 'Bride,' "The Church," Is Christ's Channel For The Salvation Of All So when we read that "Eve... is the mother of "all living" we must realize that just as all things were created "by and for Christ," so too, are those who are in Christ to be the channel for bringing life to all of mankind: Eph 1:4 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: Eph 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, Eph 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. Eph 1:9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: Eph 1:10 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: Eph 1:11 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 1:12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. And what is that "inheritance which we have obtained in Him?" Eph 1:17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: Eph 1:18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, Eph 1:19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, It is given to but very few to appreciate the magnitude of what is revealed in these three verses. "The eye of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints. And what is the exceeding greatness of His power to usward who believe, according to the working of His mighty power." "The riches of the glory of Christ's inheritance" is revealed to be "in the saints." This should bring another verse of God's Word to mind. But it will do so for very few because very few appreciate that verse: 1 Cor 11:7 For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man. 1 Cor 11:8 For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man. 1 Cor 11:9 Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.

"But the woman is the glory of the man" is only true when she is of a meek and quiet spirit, "submitting to her husband in all things as unto Christ." How wonderful and peaceful and loving is such a relationship! "The woman is the glory of the man." And what then is Christ's glory? We are not left to guess what is Christ's Glory: Eph 1:18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, "The exceeding greatness of his power [is] to us-ward who believe! But what is it that we are to believe? Are we to believe that we are now in a realm which puts us on a par with our head? Are we to believe that since there is neither male nor female, that we are at this very moment in a spiritual realm which needs no hierarchy? Are wives no longer in need of husbands who are to be their heads? Are women now permitted to teach and to preach and to be bishops and leaders even of men? Is that what we are to learn and believe? Or is the Truth of God's New Testament with mankind in direct opposition to those fables and suppositions of men? Is it not the Truth that if we do not rigorously "acknowledge that the words that [Paul] writes are the commandments of the Lord," then we are not acknowledging that it is through Christ, God's glory is revealed? And if we cannot acknowledge these truths, then we will not be the channel through which Christ's glory will be revealed? Eph 1:20 Which he [the Father] wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly [places], Eph 1:21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: Eph 1:22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Eph 1:23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. Christ, through His submission to His father, is His Father's fulness and glory and is "given to be the head over all things to the church, which is His body." And "the church which is His body [is] the fulness of Him that fills all in all." It is through the submission of Christ to His Father, through the submission of the church to Christ, through the submission of wives to their husbands as unto Christ, that the All in all is accomplished. Col 2:9 For in him [Christ] dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. The 'Fulness Now' Heresy In an effort to justify their rejection of Paul's declaration that the things he writes are the commandments of the Lord, some assert that 'since Christ is "the fulness of the Godhead bodily," and since we are "in Christ," that therefore we, too, are "the fulness of the Godhead bodily" and as such must now get beyond the written Words of God and into 'the deeper things of the spirit.' The 'deeper things of the spirit' of course means that Paul's Words about women are now nothing but dead letters which were applicable only at that particular time and under those particular circumstances. This is the very doctrine which leads to denying that Paul's word's are "the commandments of the Lord." It is the very spirit which denies that "The words that I speak unto you are spirit." This spirit denies that "my words will never pass away." This spirit denies that

Christ is His Word and as such Is, Was, And Will Be True. This is the very spirit which leads to the ordination just recently of a woman to be the head of the Episcopal church at the National Cathedral. It is the very same spirit which leads this very woman and many other 'sons of the bondwoman' Christians, to approve same sex marriages. It is all the fruit of believing the words of Christ's apostles are not as good or as loving as were His Words. It is the same spirit and the exact same doctrine which teaches that we are now enjoying the fulness of the Spirit and consequently can now receive revelations through the Holy Spirit which are in direct opposition to the scriptures. Here is a verse used to buttress this false doctrine of 'the fulness now.' Eph 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: It is as if God has simply blinded their eyes to the word "till" at the very beginning of this verse. It is as if God has blinded them to the verses before this which precipitated the use of this word 'till.' Here are the verses that precede the word 'till:' Eph 4:10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) Eph 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; Eph 4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Eph 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: "For the perfecting of the saints... for the edifying of the body of Christ..." Is the body of Christ being edified by the offices and callings listed above? Of course it is. And it will continue to be so edified "till (until) we come in the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ." That is, until we shed this vessel of clay and are resurrected in a spiritual body at the first resurrection or at the later resurrection. But "the resurrection is [not] past" and we are not yet "unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ." Here are a few verses Which demonstrate the fallacy of this 'fulness now' heresy: Eph 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Eph 1:14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. We are "sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest [down payment] of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession." When is our "redemption?" If we can determine when we receive our redemption then we will know whether we are capable of being redeemed beyond a 'down payment' form while yet in this corruptible flesh. So when is our redemption? Are we redeemed already or are we being redeemed? Are we saved already or are we being saved? What say the scriptures? What is "the sum of thy word?" Rom 8:21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. Rom 8:22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. Rom 8:23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit ["sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise" (Eph. 1:14)], even we ourselves groan within

ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. Rom 8:24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? Rom 8:25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. "Shall be delivered... groans and travails... until now... ourselves also which have the firstfruits of the ["Holy"] Spirit ["of promise"]... groan within ourselves WAITING for the uihothesia... the redemption of our bodies?" Does this sound like Paul thought that he was even then enjoying the fulness of Christ? No, Paul knew better than to listen to the heresies of Hymenaeus and Philetus." 2Ti 2:16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. 2Ti 2:17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; 2Ti 2:18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. False doctrines always "increase to more ungodliness," because no lie can stand on it's own. It must be buttressed by more and more lies. Are we even now in possession of "the redemption of our body?" What say the scriptures? Rom 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons [Greek- uihos- mature sons] of God. Rom 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption [uihothesia], whereby we cry, Abba, Father. Rom 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children [teknonchildren- off spring] of God: Rom 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. Are we 'uihos?' Are we now "sons of God?" In the sense that we "Have received the [seal of] the Holy Spirit of adoption [uihothesia], yes, we are even now "sons of God." But it is "in earnest" and not "the possession" of our inheritance: Eph 1:14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. Verses 16 and 17 of Romans 8, are clarifying verses 22 and 23. They absolutely do not contradict verses 22 and 23. We have not yet received "the promised possession." That is why we yet "hope for it." That is why we yet "suffer with him." That is why we are yet "heirs and joint heirs with Christ." We are being saved. We are being redeemed.Here are those two verses side by side: Rom 8:23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. Eph 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Eph 1:14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. "The holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest, [the down payment] of our inheritance UNTIL the redemption...?" "We ourselves groan within ourselves waiting for the uihothesia... the redemption of our body?" Are we redeemed? In the sense that we are the uihos of God, yes we are redeemed. Do we now

possess the uihothesia? Absolutely not! We are both 'uihos' and 'redeemed' in "earnest" in 'down payment' But wait a minute. What do we do with the scriptures in 1 John which say we do not sin if we are born of God? Do not these scriptures show that we can be in possession of the fulness of Christ even now while we are yet in this sinful flesh? Do these scriptures not prove that we do indeed enjoy the fulness of Christ even now? Here are those verses: 1Jo 3:6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. 1Jo 3:7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. 1Jo 3:8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. 1Jo 3:9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. That sure sounds like John is saying "Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin;" And then there is also this verse: 1Jo 5:18 We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not. A gain I ask, what is the sum of God's Word on this subject? What do the scriptures here mean when they say "doth not commit sin [and] sinneth not?" Here is what Peter tells us this phrase means: 1Pe 4:1 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; 1Pe 4:2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. "He that hath suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he should no longer live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God." That is what Peter says "ceased from sin... doth not commit sin [and] sinneth not" means. What does Paul say these phrases "doth not commit sin [and] sinneth not [and] free from sin" mean? Rom 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? Rom 6:2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Rom 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. Rom 6:7 For he that is dead is freed from sin. Rom 6:17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Rom 6:18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. Rom 6:21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things [is] death. Rom 6:22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.

Here is the apostle Paul saying essentially the exact same thing that the apostle John says. Four times in one chapter we are told that we are "dead to sin... freed from sin... free from sin... free from sin." Peter explains that "ceased from sin" means: "that he should no longer live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God." And Paul also explains what he means when he says "freed from sin." Here is what Paul tells us he means by that phrase: Rom 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. Rom 6:15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Rom 6:16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? Paul is talking about "whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey." Paul, like Peter and John, is simply saying that now that Christ is living His life in our bodies of sinful flesh that "sin shall not have dominion over you." Not one of God's apostles ever once claimed to be perfected while in this sinful flesh. Here instead is what they all taught: 1Co 10:11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. 1Co 10:12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. Here is what all of God's Word says about what should be our attitude toward sin in our lives while yet in these "marred... vessels of clay:" Phi 3:12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Phi 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, Phi 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Phi 3:15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect [Greek, 'being perfected'- verse 12], be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. That is my prayer for us all. "If in anything we be otherwise minded" and think that we can be perfected in the flesh and can go beyond "the commandments of the Lord," I pray that "God shall reveal even this unto you," and that you will be "thus minded and will realize that we are not "already perfect," but that we are all in a life long process of being saved, being perfected, and being completed. When we buy into that 'fulness now' heresy, we are turning "thy Word is Truth," into 'My word is truth.' We are adrift in a raging sea of false doctrines with no rudder to guide us and no written Word against which to "try the spirits to see whether they be of God." "The things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord." Some man is telling us that God has called him to be our spiritual leader and that the written Words of the Bible are no longer sufficient to guide us. This is where the Adversary wants us all. We are then right where mother Eve was when she decided to go 'extra-scriptural' and believe

that "Thou shalt surely die" was no longer true. What are our written instructions when we are faced with such men?: Rom 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. Rom 16:18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. "Their own belly" does not mean that these men are gluttonous. What it does mean is that they "will eat their own bread and wear their own clothes," and still call themselves 'Christians,' and claim to be sent of God. Isa 4:1 And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach. I have actually witnessed, back in my youth, this false spirit parading as God's Holy Spirit. It had spoken through one minister telling him that another minister was to pastor a particular church. But somehow this same evil spirit had communicated to the other minister an entirely different message. Now who are we to believe? Both claim to be speaking under inspiration of God's Holy Spirit. How are we to "try the spirits" when both men believe that revelation now comes to us above and beyond the written word. The Truth, of course, is that both men were "historical orthodox Christians" who knew nothing of the Truth of God's Word to begin with. Both had long ago been unable to "receive My Words." Neither had a clue of the spiritual connection between Christ and His written, spiritual words. And neither of these ministers or their followers knew of the preeminence of Christ and His Words in all things. Neither of these men, nor any of their followers were willing to "acknowledge that things that [are written] are the commandments of the Lord" (1 Cor. 14: 37). John 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. Christ and His recorded Word is preeminent over all of our experiences and over all of our revelations and over all of our idols of our hearts. If our experiences conflict with His recorded word, try that spirit, find it wanting and cast it out of your spiritual house. Do not find God's Word obsolete or "dead letters of ink on paper." Christ's Words "are spirit and life." They and He are preeminent: John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:2 The same was in the beginning with God. John 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. Col 1:16 For by him [Christ-the Word] were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: Eph 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: Eph 2:7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. How will God display His grace in the coming ages? "In His kindness toward us." And how will we display that grace? We will display that grace as God's channel to "shew the exceeding riches of his grace." As Christ's elect the "blessed and holy" participants in the first resurrection

will minister mercy and grace to all those in Adam who have been resurrected from the dead at the great white throne judgment:: Rom 11:30 For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief: Rom 11:31 Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy. Rom 11:32 For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all. And "mercy upon all" means both this world and the world of angels: 1 Cor 6:2 Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? 1 Cor 6:3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life? It is those who "despise" authority, who cannot see a hierarchy in the spirit realm. The hierarchy in the spirit realm is the message of "He made them male and female" in the physical realm. Christ commends those who are aware of the hierarchy in the spiritual realm: Matt 8:5 And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him, Matt 8:6 And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented. Matt 8:7 And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him. Matt 8:8 The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. Matt 8:9 For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. Matt 8:10 When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. 2 Pet 2:9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: 2 Pet 2:10 But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. 2 Pet 2:11 Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord. 2 Pet 2:12 But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; Jude 1:8 Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities. The word 'government' in 2 Peter 2:10 is the same Greek word 'kuriotes' translated 'dominion' in Jude 1:8. The 'Eve' and the 'Cain' in us all "despises government... dominion" and authority. And yet as Christ's submissive channel for life to all, His elect, those who "are counted worthy" to attain to that "blessed and holy first resurrection, because they have "humbled themselves under the mighty hand of God," will not only judge this world, but they are also the channel through which "in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace... by the

church" to the spirit realm, the world of angels. Yes, of course, it is all "Christ in you, the hope of glory," doing and working it all. Eph 3:10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, 1 Pet 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: As Christ is the submissive right arm of the Father, the same is true for those who are at Christ's right hand. And as God does all of His work through Christ, so too Christ accomplishes all of His work "by the church." Consequently mother Eve, "the mother of all living," includes "the seed of the woman." But since she is "the mother of all living," she also includes "the seed of the serpent." Both are within "the woman... the Church which is His body." Just as God is doing all His work in and through Christ, so too, is Christ doing all of His work in and through the church which is "His body." Col 1:24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church. Talking to pagan Athenians, Paul make this amazing statement: Act 17:28 For in him [God, through Christ] we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. And Christ Himself acknowledges that it is "in Him" that there are many unfruitful branches on the Vine. John 15:2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. It is the house of God being spoken of when Paul makes this observation: 2 Tim 2:20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. Anyone who suggests that the bride must "come out of His body" is woefully misinformed as to what is "the body of Christ." It is Babylon The Great of which we are warned: "Come out of her my people." But is not Babylon the Great within the body of Christ? Are not Babylon the Great and "Jerusalem above" both 'in Christ?' Yes, they are indeed. "In Him we [all] live and move and have our being." Gal 4:26 But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. Rev 18:4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. So, if Babylon the Great" is the woman who brings forth the manchild of Revelation 12, how can we possibly "come out of her my people" and still be part of "His body which is the church?" Both Christ and Paul make it abundantly clear how this is possible. It has nothing at all to do with the rib taken out of Adam, except that the rib shows the oneness of both Adam and 'the woman.' As always it involves 'rightly dividing the word. And as always 'the natural man cannot understand the things of the spirit,' because the things of the spirit seem to contradict the natural and are therefore "foolishness unto him. In reality they do not contradict. But Christ's parables

and God's Word in general are written in such a way as to be easily misunderstood by those who seek to establish the idols of their hearts. 1 Cor 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. So the answer to our dilemma is that both the seed of the woman and the seed of the serpent are within the church. We come out of the seed of the serpent in the church to become the seed of the woman in the church. Both the fruitful and the unfruitful branches are "in Me." We have our unfruitful branches taken away so that we can continue being purged so as to bring forth more fruit. Both are "in Me." We come out of Israel according to the flesh before we can become "as Isaac... the children of promise." We come out of the son of the bondwoman before we can become the son of the freewoman. And we must come out of Babylon the Great, before we can become "Jerusalem... above which is the mother of us all." Rev 18:4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. It really is all a matter of progression. But we never 'progress' beyond written revelation. We never progress to the point that there is no need for the foundation of the written word of God against which to "try the spirits to see whether they be of God." 1 John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit [doctrine], but try the spirits [doctrines-teachings] whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. And how are we to know "whether they are of God?" There is but one way: Act 17:11 These [Bereans] were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. The Bereans "believed not every spirit, but tried the spirits to see whether they were of God." How did they do this? They "searched the scriptures daily." What they did not do was to say, 'You, Paul, are stuck in the letter and will never advance to the deeper things of the spirit.' These Bereans knew that the very definition of 'spirit' is "the words that I speak... are spirit...:" John 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. Anyone who has "progressed in the spirit" beyond the "words that I have spoken" has progressed right out of God's guiding light and into the darkness of heresy, just as we were warned would happen: 1 Tim 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 1 Tim 4:2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Teaching that Paul's words are not Christ's words, refusing to acknowledge that "the words that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord:" 1 Cor 14:34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but [they are commanded] to be under obedience, as also saith the law. 1 Cor 14:35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church. 1 Cor 14:36 What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only? 1 Cor 14:37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. Saying that you are so spiritual that God's written word is an obstacle to your spiritual growth is "giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;" All such people are unable to "try the spirits whether they be

of God," because as the book of Acts shows us, they have dispensed with the only thing with which to "try the spirits to see whether they be of God:" Act s17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Jeremiah prophesied of such heretics: Jer 14:14 Then the LORD said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart. In reality it is and always has been those who are called of God who withstand those who are chosen of God. For example: Cain vs. his own brother Abel; Ishmael vs. his own brother Isaac; Jacob vs. his own brother Esau; Leah vs. her own sister Rachel; Joseph vs. his own brothers; Moses vs. his own sister and brother, Miriam and Aaron; Moses and Aaron vs. their own fellow Levite, Korah; David vs. his own king, King Saul; David vs. his own son Absalom; David vs. his own trusted counsel Ahithophel, etc. till we come to Christ Himself vs. His own disciples who want to kill Him. This is the history of Babylon the Great against whom we are charged to "come out of her My people." This is the seed of the serpent of whom Christ said "Ye are of your Father the devil." In the eighth chapter of John we find Christ telling "those Jews which believed on Him" that it is none other than they themselves, who comprise what is known as "the church in the wilderness," and "the son of the bondwoman," and who Christ identifies as the "seed of the serpent," or as He puts it "of your father the devil." This is the "Babylon the Great" of Revelation 17-18. It is and always has been the religious establishment of the day. It is and always has been those who believe on Christ but "cannot receive His words;" it's "historical orthodox Christianity" with its thousands of denominational daughters. Here are the scriptures: John 8:23 And he said unto them, Ye [All those who believe on Christ but "cannot receive my word"] are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world. John 8:30 As he spake these words, many believed on him. John 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; Those who "continue in My Word" are "the seed of the woman... the four living creatures... the four wheels within a wheel... my disciples indeed... the son of the freewoman... the manchild who will rule the nations with a rod of iron... the very elect... the overcomers... the four beasts and the four and twenty elders... the New Jerusalem and the bride" of Christ. John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth [Christ and His Words], and the truth shall make you free. John 8:33 They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? John 8:34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. John 8:35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. John 8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. To what 'house' is Christ referring when He states "the servant abides not in the house forever? Consider both what is the 'house' and who is 'the servant?'

Gal 4:1 Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; Gal 4:2 But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father. Gal 4:3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: Gal 4:4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, Gal 4:5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. There it is. There is the answer to this whole dilemma of how we can be in Babylon the Great, the church, come out of Babylon The Great and still be in "His body which is the church." Remember, Christ is addressing these Jews which believed on Him, and He is referring to the same "Great house" Paul speaks of is this verse: 2 Tim 2:20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. What Fills All In All? The Meaning And Purpose For Using A Rib From Adam Paul is telling us the same thing Christ told "those Jews which believed on Him:" "I know you are Abraham's seed." But with the very same breath He also tells these very same "Jews which believed on Him ... IF you were Abraham's seed..." How can Christ say "I know you are Abraham's seed" and also say "if you were Abraham's seed?" Not understanding how this is possible is what so often leads to completely unfounded doctrines which say things like 'the rib demonstrates separation from the body, before we can become Christ's bride, we must separate ourselves from His body.' What a total contradiction of the very purpose for using a rib to make the woman. The very purpose for forming Adam's bride from a rib of Adam is to demonstrate that Adam's bride is "bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh... and they two shall be one flesh." If this were all done to show us that Adam was complete before the rib was removed, why then was the rib removed? But Adam's completeness is accomplished by the removing of the rib. Adam's condition before Eve's arrival on the scene is not the point being made in God forming the woman of Adam's rib. The point being made is that just as Eve completed Adam, so too is God completing His plan through Christ. And Christ is completing God's plan through his sons, "the church which is His body." That is the lesson in "making them male and female: Eph 1:22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Eph 1:23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. In Scriptural terms "His body" and His "Bride" are one and the same. And it is through the church, through this male, female relationship, that "the fulness of Him that filleth all in all" is accomplished. It is not accomplished through its abolition. The fact that "they neither marry nor are given in marriage" has nothing at all to do with whether there is yet a hierarchy in the spirit realm. As I have pointed out already, when the aions have served their purpose and God is all in all, Christ will at that point "be subject unto" the Father. But isn't Babylon the Great the mother of harlots and of the abominations of the world" also the church? And when we are told "come out of her my people" are we not being told to come out of the church? And is not this also "His body?" And if Colossians 1:25, "the church which is His body" is true, then how can we come out of the church without coming out of His body? This

dilemma has plagued many great theologians for many long years The apostles themselves had been called out of this 'great house,' this 'Babylon the Great.' They were all, at the time when they were chosen by Christ to become His apostles, a part of what the scriptures refer to as "the church in the wilderness." So Christ, speaking to "the church in the wilderness," speaking to "those Jews which believed on Him", continues: John 8:37 I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you. John 8:38 I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father. Christ conceded that these Jews were indeed Abraham's seed. And yet he says "Ye do that which ye have seen with your father" and "your father" is not a reference to Abraham. One thing Christ had "seen with His Father" was that "his father was greater than He." John 14:28 Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I. But Christ continues to demonstrate that "the church in the wilderness" was not the church which He had come to establish. It was rather the church He had come to destroy: John 8:39 They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham. John 8:40 But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham. John 8:41 Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God. John 8:42 Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. At this point Christ tells us why the "church in the wilderness" is not "the church which is His body." It is "because you cannot hear my word." John 8:43 Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. John 8:44 Ye ["Jews which believe on Me;" you physical decendants of Abraham; you Christians who "cannot receive my words"] are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. There are some who, completely devoid of one single spiritual thought, speculate that Eve had physical sex with Satan to bring forth "the seed of the serpent." But Christ tells us that the devil was the father of those "Jews which believed on Him," of which same Jews He says, "Ye seek to kill me... You do the deeds of your father... Ye are of your father the devil." So Eve did not have physical sex with Satan because Satan cannot have physical sex. Mat 22:30 For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven. What Eve did was to commit spiritual fornication by eating of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and giving of that fruit to her husband who, with her, also committed spiritual fornication. How was Eve "of her father the Devil?" It was by "doing the deeds of her father." Eve saw no need to go to Adam before she ate of the tree. After all had not she, too, heard from God. And had not God spoken through her as she repeated God's words to

the serpent? To Eve being a "help meet" did not necessitate having her husband actively involved in her decision making process. Why, how very humiliating, having to involve her husband! And so it is today. To "acknowledge that [Paul's] writings are the commandments of the Lord" just doesn't seem necessary to many Christians, male and female. Was Adam any different. No, not in the least. Adam, too, was more than willing to follow Eve's lead without actively involving his head, Christ and His words in his decision-making process. It was all a matter of the soul leading the spirit. It is never so to be. We are in all our ways to acknowledge the supremacy of the Words of God: Pro 3:6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. With what does He "direct our paths?" Psa 119:104 Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way. Psa 119:105 ... Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. When our understanding comes from anything other than "Thy Word," It is really coming from nothing less that "the serpent" himself. It is the serpent who empowers the beast in us all. And that beast, with his ten horns, his own spiritual understanding and power, despises the dominion of God's Word over our lives. It can receive some parts the words of Christ. But there are some of "the commandments of the Lord" which the beast in us cannot receive. Being the "seed of the serpent" is nothing more or less than following the pulls and passions of our flesh which gets "its seat and great authority from the great red dragon." Rev 13:2 And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. When our "power and seat and great authority " comes from the great red dragon, we are nothing more or less than "of our father the devil," and "doing the works of...our father the devil." This is not an experience reserved for the especially wicked of this earth. It is rather the experience which is common to all men. That is why Eve was unwilling to talk to Adam before partaking of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. It was because she was "taken from the man," and "the man" himself was "made of the dust of the ground... and they were both naked and were not ashamed." Adam was not deceived, but Adam was still "corruptible flesh." In other words, Adam, and all who come forth of him, are the corruptible and sinful "seed of the serpent...marred in the hand of the Potter": Jer 18:4 And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it. Pro 16:4 The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil. All of this is simply telling us that both Adam and Eve were created as sinful flesh, clay vessels which were "marred in the hand of the Potter." The "day of evil" did not begin when Adam and Eve were finally given "the knowledge of good and evil." The "day of evil was "in the beginning" while yet "in the Potter's hand." The "wicked man" was created in a "marred... corruptible... of the ground... naked..." and sinful form "in the Potter's hand." We read about how wicked Cain killed righteous Abel and we think that this is a story about a

wicked man versus a righteous man. Indeed it is. But our eyes are blinded to the fact that both of them are "in Adam" just as both are "In Him [Christ]. It is "all of God." Rom 5:14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. As blasphemous at it appears to some with the inability to receive "the things of the spirit," Adam prefigures Christ. 1 Cor 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 1 Cor 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 1 Cor 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. What we are being told here in Jeremiah and in every word of God's Word is that it first "pleased the Potter" to make a "marred vessel," the "seed of the serpent," out of which He would then bring forth "another vessel as seemed good to the Potter to make it." Here is this story in the spiritual words of the New Testament: Rom 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 2 Cor 4:6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 1 Pet 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Who, When, And What Is "The Beginning?" Christ told "the Jews which believed on Him" that they were "of your father the devil and the deeds of your father ye will do." He told them that they were walking in darkness: John 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. But this is true for us all? Were we all in darkness? Eph 5:8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: This is the revelation of Jesus Christ. The revelation of Jesus Christ includes "the beginning" where there was nothing but darkness: Rev 1:8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. It is the "Spirit of God...moving upon...the darkness...upon the face of the deep," which brings "light out of darkness." This is the "beginning" to which Christ refers when He informs us that He is "the beginning and the end." Christ is the creator of both the light and the darkness:" Isa 45:7 I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things. But which came first? In what order were these things accomplished? Contrary to the false 'gap theory' doctrine, God started out with darkness, and out of that darkness he called the light:

Gen 1:1 In the beginning [Hebrew- reysheith- firstfruit- Christ] God created the heaven and the earth. Gen 1:2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. "The beginning" scripturally, was not some fabled 'age before Adam. "The beginning" was the week of creation: Matt 19:4 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, 2 Cor 4:6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. Is 'The Woman" Inferior To 'The Man?' Why is it so important to understand that God created darkness first? Because when we fail to recognize this truth, we are so easily led into the lies that Satan rebelled against God and became the Devil; the lie that we pre-existed as pure undefiled spirits which were somehow led astray; the lie that teaches that before Eve, Adam was pure and complete within himself; the lie which teaches that 'before the fall, Adam and Eve were one and were equal.' Such a statement belies the fact that the proponent of that doctrine feels that Eve was inferior to Adam. But ask your self, if Eve were taken out of and was made out of a part of Adam, how can she possibly be inferior to Adam? Another scriptural way of making this vitally important point is to ask 1 Cor 12:15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 1 Cor 12:16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 1 Cor 12:17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? Is the foot inferior to the hand? Is the ear inferior to the eye or the nose? Does the fact that the head directs the body somehow make the body inferior to the head? It would be a very diseased body indeed which was that dysfunctional. And yet that is exactly what all who are too proud to accept their placement by God's Spirit in Christ's body are doing. All who argue against the scriptures are arguing against God's Spirit. They are not satisfied with where they have been placed in the body of Christ. This dissatisfaction is so deep with many that they have taken "come out of her my people" to be a call to come out of the church completely and have nothing to do with the rest of the "body of Christ." As we have shown above, come out of her my people" is instead a call to God's elect "children of light... seed of the woman... vessels of honor... son of the freewoman..." people, to progress into the next step toward their inevitable goal of being "made a new vessel." This is done by going on from being a servant to becoming a son. This is done by coming out of His " vessel of clay, marred in the Potters hand; children of darkness... seed of the serpent... vessels of dishonor... son of the bondwoman..." people and growing into His new vessel , His children of light, His seed of the woman, His vessel of honor, and His son of the free woman . Both are God's people. It was God's own people who killed Christ. It was not strangers:

Act 3:13 The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye [God's own people then and today] delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he [Pilate] was determined to let him go. Let's go back back now to Ephesians 5. Let's notice what Paul means when he instructs the entire church "submit yourselves one to another in the fear of God." Paul goes on to elaborate on that statement: Eph 5:22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. Eph 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Eph 5:24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Words of the Holy Spirit. Not my words. This is how Paul elaborates on what he meant by telling the whole Ephesian church to "submit to one another in the fear of God." Why would he do this? He did this because the church at Ephesus was not doing so, and so the admonition was given to the whole church. Paul did not first say 'Husbands and wives submit to each other,' and then turn around and contradict himself by telling the wives to submit to their husbands. But it will be but a few of the whole church which will receive this admonition. The rest will feel no need for a head in the outward. After all, has not Adam already shown Himself unworthy as a leader? The Truth of God's Word is that neither Adam nor Eve bothered to consult with Christ before making their decision to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. God had indeed spoken by them. Were they not His anointed? Could they not therefore speak for him? Gen 3:2 And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: Gen 3:3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye [Adam and Eve] shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. How humiliating it would have been to Eve to have told the serpent that she preferred that her husband do the speaking. Eve was prophesying what she had been told. Eve was a good teacher. But Eve had no business teaching. Eve lusted after that beautiful tree and its fruit, even as she repeated God's words. Just like the prophet Balaam many years later, Eve thought she could ignore God's words, ignore her head, listen to the serpent, receive promotion from the serpent and still be God's prophet.: 1Jo 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. For all who come to God's Word with open minds, free from "idols of the heart" it is clear that Eve had "the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life" before she ever touched, much less ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Eve was not satisfied with her station in life. This same spirit is found throughout the stories and history of God's people. Notice how true this was for the prophet Balaam: Num 22:37 And Balak said unto Balaam, Did I not earnestly send unto thee to call thee? wherefore camest thou not unto me? am I not able indeed to promote thee to honour? Just like Eve with the serpent, Balaam was being offered a 'promotion.' But what does a man gain if he wins the world but loses his soul? Just like Eve, Balaam's lust of the eyes, lust of the heart and his pride of life, had him in a very unenviable spot. What would he now do? Num 22:38 And Balaam said unto Balak, Lo, I am come unto thee: have I now any power at all to say anything? the word that God putteth in my mouth, that shall I speak.

We all think we can associate with the enemy and yet not be taken in by the Adversary. This is what Eve thought. Like Eve, Balaam's heart was not in his words. And in the end Balaam's advice to Balak was to cause Israel to commit fornication with the daughters of Midian. Num 31:8 And they slew the kings of Midian, beside the rest of them that were slain; [namely], Evi, and Rekem, and Zur, and Hur, and Reba, five kings of Midian: Balaam also the son of Beor they slew with the sword. Num 31:16 Behold, these [the Midianite women] caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against the LORD in the matter of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the LORD. How was this all done to Israel? It was accomplished through a prophet of God who, like Eve, was not satisfied with the station God had given him. He lusted after the promotion promised by King Balak. He was not content with where he had been placed in service to his God. How Eve failed to defer to Adam reflected how she failed to defer to the word of God when the lie was offered to replace the Truth. How wives "submit to their husband in everything" is a direct reflection of how the church is "subject unto Christ." Does the church submit to Christ? Of course it does not. The church utterly despises Christ's headship and will have no part of it. All the church wants is His name so as to "take away their reproach." But the church wants to wear its own self-righteous clothing and furnish it's own false doctrine bread. They love to say 'Lord, Lord" but they will not do what He says: Luke 6:46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? Isa 4:1 And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach. "Seven women" is a prophecy of the completeness and thoroughness of the church's apostasy from the doctrines of and the righteousness of Christ. The "our own bread and our own apparel" are our own doctrines and our own righteousnesses: John 6:35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. Rev 19:8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. So, when we come to God's Word, we are never to lean to our own understanding ("eat our own bread") or rely on our own righteousnesses, ("wear our own apparel:") Pro 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. Isa 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. Whence Christ? His Preeminence God's Word teaches us that the relationship between 'the man and the woman' and a man and a woman in a proper marriage relationship is a reflection of the relationship between Christ and His head: 1 Cor 11:3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God. So a proper marriage relationship reveals Christ's relationship with His Head. It reveals how in all things, Christ is subject to Him [Christ's Father] that did put all things under Him [Christ]."

Rom 1:19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. Rom 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: "That which may be known of God is manifest to them... even his eternal [Greek-aidios-age abiding- see Jude 6- read letter entitled, "Who Are The Sinners And Hypocrites In Zion" http://iswasandwillbe.com/2006010802.php]" And what is it that has been made manifest to us about Christ's divinity? What is made manifest is that just as Eve came out of Adam, so too, did Christ proceed "out from" the Father: John 16:27 For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God. John 17:8 For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me. Christ even tells us that He is the beginning of God's creation: Rev 3:14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; "The beginning of the creation of God" not 'the beginner of the creation of God.' And why did God create Christ first? John 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. John 1:10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. Col 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: Col 1:17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. Everything God does is done "by and for Him [Christ]." What Does "As Also Saith The Law" Mean? Does God intend for us to maintain an outward display of this spiritual Truth concerning Christ's function in God's order? Indeed God does intend that his people maintain this truth both inwardly and outwardly: 1 Cor 11:13 Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered? 1 Cor 11:14 Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? 1 Cor 11:15 But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering. It is not that uncommon to see long hair on men today even in the church. What are these men saying about their view of these verses of God's Word? No doubt they will say that these verses are mere letters. No doubt they reason in themselves that this was relevant for Paul's day but is not relevant for today. But God's Word is Truth, and Truth is not something that is relevant to the times. Truth is always Truth because Christ never changes.

It might help to point out that physical murder, adultery, and stealing are all condemned in the Old Testament. Exo 20:13 Thou shalt not kill. Exo 20:14 Thou shalt not commit adultery. Exo 20:15 Thou shalt not steal. Are these mere outward signs which can now be abandoned because we are now under the spirit of God's Word? Of course they cannot be abandoned. When Paul uses the phrase "as also saith the law" he is referring to just such obvious Truths. Whenever there is a "change also of the law" which goes so far as to nullify earlier commandments of the law of Moses, there must be a witness to that. Here are a couple of examples: God told Abraham that every male in his house must be circumcised on the eighth day as an everlasting (eonian) covenant. Gen 17:10 This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised. Gen 17:11 And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you. Gen 17:12 And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed. Gen 17:13 He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting [olawm-eonian] covenant. When did the aion of "my covenant... in your flesh" come to it's consummation? It ended with Christ. How do we know this is true? We know this is true because the scriptures tell us so: Rom 2:28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: Rom 2:29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God. The law of Moses required that the whole congregation of Israel and all the implements of the temple be baptized so as to cleanse them before they could be used in the service of God. John the Baptist practiced this ritual and even baptized Christ in water: Matt 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: Matt 3:13 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. Matt 3:14 But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? Matt 3:15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. Matt 3:16 (a) And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water... Why do we no longer participate in this ritual? Because the scriptures tell of it's inefficacy: Matt 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

1 Cor 1:17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. Eph 5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, So we are told that we are now baptized with the Holy Spirit and with fire. We are told that we are not sent to water baptize, but that the washing of water is now "by the word." And so it is with all of the "changes also of the law" which Christ introduced in His New Covenant which He first taught in all of the gospels. The law of Moses required Israel to swear in the name of God: Deu 6:13 Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name. Deu 10:20 Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God; him shalt thou serve, and to him shalt thou cleave, and swear by his name. Christ made a change here and so He told us so: Matt 5:33 Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: Matt 5:34 But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: Matt 5:35 Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. Matt 5:36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. Matt 5:37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil. The law of Moses taught an eye for an eye: Ex 21:24 Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, Ex 21:25 Burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe. Again Christ changed this law, and again He tells us so: Matt 5:38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: Matt 5:39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. Matt 5:40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. Matt 5:41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Matt 5:42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. The law of Moses taught that we were to hate our enemies and destroy anything that had breath of our enemies: Deut 20:16 But of the cities of these people, which the LORD thy God doth give thee for an inheritance, thou shalt save alive nothing that breatheth: Christ made a big change here again, and again He tells us so: Matt 5:43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. Matt 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

"Resist not evil... Love thine enemies?" Neither of those commandments makes any sense to the natural man. And Paul knew that the same would be true for women who knew more that their husbands and were indeed more capable than their husbands. Nevertheless there was no "change also of the law" given to that one institution which is to be an outward display of our acceptance of the spiritual order of the very throne of God. Men are not to dress in drag "as also saith the law;" Deut 22:5 The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God. 1 Cor 11:14 Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? 1 Cor 11:15 But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering. 1 Cor 11:16 But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God. Why is it an abomination for a man to wear a woman's garments? Is that not simply an outward matter which has nothing to do with what is inside of us? Absolutely not! What is inside of us should be reflected by how we comport ourselves outwardly. Gal 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the [outward] lust of the flesh. Gal 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also [outwardly] walk in the Spirit. The word 'walk' in scripture, refers to how we live outwardly in this society. And how we live outwardly should reflect what is within us. So if a man dresses in drag, he is proclaiming to the world that he is not happy with his station in life. And as Paul points out in 1 Cor. 11, if a woman wears her hair short like a man, she too, is proclaiming to the world that she is simply not pleased with where Christ has placed her in His body. And Paul says she might as well have her head shaved as both are a shame to her. "The woman" was taken out of "the man" to be his helper. We come forth of Christ for that same purpose. "The head of the man is Christ. So for "a man [to] put on a woman's garment [is an] abomination unto the LORD thy God." So what of those who simply refuse to see this God ordained difference in the functions of the parts of the body of Christ? Here are Paul's words for such people: 1 Cor 11:16 But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God. Now, just how important is it that we keep this spiritual order in mind? Is it of any great significance that just as Christ came out from the Father, so also Eve came out from Adam? Is there any real need for wives to "submit to their husbands as unto Christ?" Just how important is this subject of spiritual order to God and to Christ? Why does 1 Corinthians make such a fuss over who is the head of whom? The scriptures are full of stories about how furious God is over our lack of appreciation of His explicit instructions concerning the maintenance of His order in all things.Let's look at just a couple of examples of how God handles those who are not satisfied with their roles which He has given to them:

Num 12:1 And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married: for he had married an Ethiopian woman. Num 12:2 And they said, Hath the LORD indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken also by us? And the LORD heard it. Num 12:3 (Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.) Num 12:4 And the LORD spake suddenly unto Moses, and unto Aaron, and unto Miriam, Come out ye three unto the tabernacle of the congregation. And they three came out. Num 12:5 And the LORD came down in the pillar of the cloud, and stood in the door of the tabernacle, and called Aaron and Miriam: and they both came forth. Num 12:6 And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream. Num 12:7 My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house. Num 12:8 With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses? Num 12:9 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against them; and he departed. Num 12:10 And the cloud departed from off the tabernacle; and, behold, Miriam became leprous, white as snow: and Aaron looked upon Miriam, and, behold, she was leprous. Num 12:11 And Aaron said unto Moses, Alas, my lord, I beseech thee, lay not the sin upon us, wherein we have done foolishly, and wherein we have sinned. Num 12:12 Let her not be as one dead, of whom the flesh is half consumed when he cometh out of his mother's womb. Num 12:13 And Moses cried unto the LORD, saying, Heal her now, O God, I beseech thee. Num 12:14 And the LORD said unto Moses, If her father had but spit in her face, should she not be ashamed seven days? let her be shut out from the camp seven days, and after that let her be received in again. Num 12:15 And Miriam was shut out from the camp seven days: and the people journeyed not till Miriam was brought in again. Or as Paul would put it: "Put that wicked one out of your midst and turn him over to Satan for the destruction of her flesh..." Look at what Miriam and Aaron said to justify their open expression of being very upset and ungrateful for the function they had been given in the camp of Israel: Num 12:2 And they said, Hath the LORD indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken also by us? And the LORD heard it. "Hath the Lord indeed spoken only by Moses?" Moses was and is a name which is associated with and means 'the law.' In New Testament terms this is the equivalent of saying 'Has God spoken only by His apostles? Are not we also capable of receiving revelation which takes us beyond the revelation given to Peter and Paul? It is obvious to all that Peter and Paul were not aware that Israel would be destroyed as a nation only to be reestablished in 1948. In that sense, yes, we can know things which Peter and Paul did not know. But nothing we know that is Truth will contradict what was written by Peter and Paul. All Truth will confirm what God's apostles have written.It must be so because "holy men of old spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit" (2 Pet.1:21-22). And the Holy Spirit is not schizophrenic.

So concerning the function of women in the body of Christ, what Paul and Peter wrote is "the commandments of the Lord." Paul and Peter are not, as some affirm, but mere stepping stones to the deep things of the spirit concerning women. We are now able to see deep spiritual things concerning the function of women in the church which Peter and Paul were yet unable to see. When we start teaching that what Peter and Paul gave us were mere types and shadows of what women were really intended to do in the body of Christ, we have, at that point, denied the fact that "the Words that I have spoken will never pass away;" Mat 24:35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. Had the Lord spoken by Miriam and Aaron? Yes, He had. Miriam had actually prophesied in Israel: Exo 15:19 For the horse of Pharaoh went in with his chariots and with his horsemen into the sea, and the LORD brought again the waters of the sea upon them; but the children of Israel went on dry land in the midst of the sea. Exo 15:20 And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances. Exo 15:21 And Miriam answered them, Sing ye to the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea. How very happy was Miriam when she was leading the women of Israel in singing and dancing in celebration of the blessing received at the hand of their God. How harmonious was the camp of Israel when 'the woman' was content with her position in the camp of Israel. That is but one of many examples of how women can 'prophesy.' God had indeed spoken by Miriam. But Miriam was not satisfied with being a leader of "all the women." Miriam wanted to be where Moses was. Miriam wanted to function as a Moses. She wanted to lead 'the man.' Whenever we are not content with our station in life, our place in the body of Christ, we are struggling with a spirit of pride. This spirit of pride expresses itself in women by its resentment against the New Testament doctrine prohibiting women to teach. But this the same spirit which afflicts 'the man.' How did it affect Aaron? Had not God spoken by Aaron? Exo 4:14 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses [because Moses did not want to be the Lord's spokesman], and he said, Is not Aaron the Levite thy brother? I know that he can speak well. And also, behold, he cometh forth to meet thee: and when he seeth thee, he will be glad in his heart. Exo 4:15 And thou shalt speak unto him, and put words in his mouth: and I will be with thy mouth, and with his mouth, and will teach you what ye shall do. Exo 4:16 And he shall be thy spokesman unto the people: and he shall be, even he shall be to thee instead of a mouth, and thou shalt be to him instead of God. "Thou shalt be unto him instead of God." What a belittling position for Aaron to be placed into by the Lord Himself. Another verse comes to mind as being similar in it's content: 1 Cor 11:7 For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man. 1 Cor 11:8 For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man. "He is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man?" How humiliating, to many women, is that verse of God's Word! Is not the woman also the image and glory of God?

Only as she accepts her placement in the body of Christ. It is the same for Cain, and Aaron, and Korah, and Absalom, and Judas, etc., etc. Just as many men to whom it is not given to be ministers, preachers or teachers, must accept whatever gift they have been given, so must 'the woman' accept her placement in the body of Christ. But Aaron was not happy with His place within the camp of Israel. Were there not many thousands of others who were not the high priest of God? Of course there were many thousands. But Aaron wanted even more than the blessing he had been given. Aaron, too, wanted to function as a Moses. Aaron was not satisfied with the function in the body he had been given. Like Miriam, Aaron thought that he, too, could be both the hand and the head. He certainly did not need his younger brother telling him 'Thus saith the Lord.' So why then is Miriam struck with leprosy instead of Aaron? The answer is that this entire story is nothing more than a repeat of what happened in the garden of Eden. "The man" who was supposed to be speaking the words of the Lord, was instead following 'the woman,' allowing the flesh to lead the spirit. Aaron was therefore willing to follow the lead of his sister. Notice how this story is introduced to us: Num 12:1 And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married: for he had married an Ethiopian woman. In introducing this to us Miriam is mentioned first. It is speculated that Moses had married an Ethiopian woman during a military campaign while still in Egypt. It matters not when Moses had married this woman. God had placed Moses in the position and function of leading His people. It was God's decision, and it was against Moses' desire. But Miriam and Aaron were typically not satisfied with where God had placed them so they make the statement: Num 12:2 And they said, Hath the LORD indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken also by us? And the LORD heard it. "Hath He not spoken also by us?" This is the exact same "evil spirit from the Lord" which inspired Korah and Dathan and Abiram, just a few weeks after Miriam and Aaron withstood Moses, to say: Num 16:3 And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the LORD? Being "holy and having the Lord among you" and the Lord having "spoken by you" does not qualify you to become your husband's head or the bishop of the congregation or a teacher in the church. 1 Cor 11:3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God. 1 Tim 3:2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 1 Tim 2:11 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. 1 Tim 2:12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be

in silence. 1 Ti m2:13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve. It is significant that Miriam is named first, and it is significant that it was Miriam who was stricken with leprosy as punishment for the rebellion of both herself and her jealous brother. God does not take lightly to our lack of appreciation of the blessings He has bestowed upon us. And the fact that He has indeed spoken through us, does not mean that we are meant to be any higher in the body than where he has placed us. What is so revealing in all of the different stories in God's word about this subject of God's order in His body is the fact that the disgruntled are always those who had been chosen and placed so very close to the Head Himself. The story of the nine ungrateful lepers comes to mind as we look at another example of those who are so very blessed not being satisfied with the function which Christ Himself has assigned them within His body: Here is another example of that same spirit which was still in the hearts of God's people just a few weeks after the insubordination of Miriam and Aaron. Korah, Dathan and Abiram were not satisfied with the position of leadership they had been given. These were men who were "famous in the congregation, men of renown." Num 16:1 Now Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men: Num 16:2 And they rose up before Moses, with certain of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty princes of the assembly, famous in the congregation, men of renown: Num 16:3 And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the LORD? Num 16:4 And when Moses heard it, he fell upon his face: This all sounds very much like "Hath the Lord spoken only by Moses?" Aaron is now getting a taste of what he and his sister had put Moses through just a few weeks earlier. These are not the downtrodden of God's people. These are the blessed among the people of God. God has blessed these people with knowledge to speak for Him to His people in a certain capacity given to but very few people. God has indeed spoken by these people and God Himself has placed them into positions of leadership: Num 16:2 And they [Korah, Dathan and Abiram] rose up before Moses, with certain of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty princes of the assembly, famous in the congregation, men of renown: These are "princes of the assembly, famous in the congregation, men of renown." And still they are disgruntled with their station in life. Just like Miriam and Aaron only weeks before they impugn the motives and the integrity of those who didn't even ask for or want the position into which God has placed them as a leader of His people. Moses made excuses to try to get out of his calling. But here is what separated Moses from those who withstood him: Num 12:7 My servant Moses ... who is faithful in all mine house. "Faithful in all Mine house" means that Moses did not compromise God's Words in dealing with God's people. God's house is His people and His Words and His doctrines. Moses was uncompromising with God's Words. Not so for those who wanted to be in Moses position: Num 16:3 And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them,

and the LORD is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the LORD? Aaron is now on the receiving end of being accused of thinking that he is the only one through whom God is speaking. Of course Moses, in the insubordination of Miriam and Aaron, had never made any such claim. And again in this instance, neither Moses nor Aaron had made such a claim. It is of great significance that just a short time prior to these two disastrous events of insubordination, where Miriam is smitten with leprosy and where the earth opens up and swallows Korah and his associates, we are given this little story: Num 11:16 And the LORD said unto Moses, Gather unto me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom thou knowest to be the elders of the people, and officers over them; and bring them unto the tabernacle of the congregation, that they may stand there with thee. Num 11:17 And I will come down and talk with thee there: and I will take of the spirit which is upon thee, and will put it upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with thee, that thou bear it not thyself alone. Num 11:24 And Moses went out, and told the people the words of the LORD, and gathered the seventy men of the elders of the people, and set them round about the tabernacle. Num 11:25 And the LORD came down in a cloud, and spake unto him, and took of the spirit that was upon him, and gave it unto the seventy elders: and it came to pass, that, when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, and did not cease. No doubt many of these 'seventy men' were "famous in the congregation, men of renown" and were swallowed up by the earth along with the rest of the 250 who withstood Moses under the leadership of Korah and company. Paul tells us "the head of every man is Christ." How can that be when many men are withstanding and opposing God at every turn? Is Christ the head of Osama Bin Laden? Or for that matter, is Christ the head of the Pope? For those who can receive it the answer is, yes, "the head of every man is Christ." These men, and millions of other men, are not aware of it, but Christ is still "the head of every man." Read our paper entitled After The Counsel Of His Own Will to see that even the rebellions of mankind and even wicked men and all evil are the workings of God who is "working all things after the counsel of His own will" Eph 1:11 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: Is "the head of every woman the man?" The answer again is yes. Even though Christ may not appear to the eyes of the natural man to be the head of every man and the man may not appear to the natural man to be the head of every woman, That very appearance of insubordination is actually Christ "working all things after the counsel of His own will." What Exactly Is The Difference Between Prophesy And Teaching? 1Co 14:3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. Paul plainly forbids that women should be teachers "in the church." So what are women to do in God's church? It seems to many women that all they are told is what they cannot do: 1 Tim 2:12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.

1Co 14:34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. 1Co 14:35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church. Twice Paul mentions that he is referring to "in the churches... it is a shame for women to speak in the church." And yet we are told by Paul himself that women, in New Testament times did prophesy: 1 Cor 11:5 But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven. Is anyone going to deny a woman the right to pray? I don't think that anyone thinks that God does not want either married or unmarried women to pray to Him. So why then does anyone think that women should not prophesy? Consider this verse of scripture: Act 21:8 And the next day we that were of Paul's company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him. Act 21:9 And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy. If all we want is to know the mind of God, then it would appear that what we need to be asking is exactly what is meant by the word 'prophesy?' And why does a woman need to "have her head covered" before she can pray or prophesy? That women can both pray and prophesy is beyond question. We have the scriptures before us. What we now need is demonstrable scripture showing us how women prayed and prophesied. Maybe then we will understand why women can prophesy, and why they cannot teach. In the very same chapter where Paul tells us: 1 Cor 14:34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. 1 Cor 14:35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church. 1 Cor 14:36 What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only? 1 Cor 14:37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. ...he also tells us this earlier in this same chapter: 1 Cor 14:3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. 1 Cor 14:29 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. 1 Cor 14:30 If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace. 1 Cor 14:31 For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. It is clear from verse 37 that "ye may all prophesy" refers to all men and not to women. 1Co 14:34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. So "edification, exhortation and comfort" are the same as learning; "the prophets speak... that all may learn and be comforted." The question now becomes if the church "learns" when the "prophets speak," and if women can prophesy with their head covered," why then cannot women

teach? Paul seems to be contradicting himself when he tells us that women can prophesy with their heads covered and in the same breath tells us that he suffers not a woman to teach: 1 Cor 11:5 But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven. This part is not rocket science. Paul is telling us that when a man wears his hair like a woman he is dishonoring his Head, Christ. And when a woman wears her hair like a man, she is dishonoring her head, her husband. But the same principle applies for the unmarried men and women. Whenever any of us, married or single, ignore the words of Christ we are refusing to "acknowledge that the things that [are written] are the commandments of the Lord." But even if we are willing to "acknowledge that the things that [Paul] writes are the commandments of the Lord," it still seems to be a contradiction to say that a woman can prophesy with her head covered and also say: 1 Tim 2:12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. How can a woman prophesy with her head covered without men learning from what she is prophesying? How can a woman prophesy without teaching? The statement "Philip... had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy" doesn't tell us any thing about the conditions under which these daughters of Philip prophesied. In fact the very next verse tells us that a male prophet named Agabus, prophesied that Paul would be taken prisoner in Jerusalem and turned over to the Gentiles: Act 21:10 And as we tarried there [at Philip's house] many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus. Act 21:11 And when he was come unto us, he took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles. Why didn't Philip's daughters tell Paul of his impending capture by the Jews? Here we have "four daughters... which did prophesy" and yet Paul and his company "tarried many days" with Philip and his four daughters, until "there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus," who we are then told warned Paul of what awaited him in Jerusalem. This would be the perfect place to demonstrate how women were to prophesy in the church, if indeed we were being told that this is what the scriptures want us to believe. But the very apostle who is the subject of Agabus' prophecy, the guest of Philip and his "four daughters which did prophesy," later tells us "let your women keep silence in the church." The reason Philip's daughters were not used to tell Paul of his fate is one of spiritual order. That spiritual order is, as with all spiritual matters, demonstrated for us in "the things that are made:" Rom 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: The "eternal power and Godhead" are "understood by the things that are made." Which "things that are made" tell us how we are to understand the godhead? Is it the three parts of an egg; the shell, the white and the yolk? Is it the three forms of water; the solid form of ice, the liquid form of water and the gaseous form of steam? Are these the "things that are made," by which "His eternal power and godhead" are to be understood? Absolutely not! God is not a trinity. But

neither is He a 'binity.' God's eternal power and godhead are the very point which Paul is making in 1 Corinthians 11. The whole point of this chapter is that the relationship between God and Christ is demonstrated by a proper relationship between a man and his wife. But Paul is not limiting this relationship between God and Christ simply to married couples. It is not married couples so much in view as it is "the man" and "the woman." It is "every man" and "every woman:" What Is The Meaning Of "Her Head Uncovered?" 1 Cor 11:3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God. 1 Cor 11:4 Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head. 1 Cor 11:5 But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven. 1 Cor 11:6 For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered. 1 Cor 11:7 For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man. 1 Cor 11:8 For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man. "The head of every man is Christ, but the head of the woman is the man." This statement is not speaking of marriage only. It has to do with the order which God has instituted in "the things that are made." The reason given for why women are supposed to be "covered when they pray or prophesy is "a man indeed ought not cover his head forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man." And why is the woman "the glory of the man?" "Because the man is not of the woman; but the woman is of the man," meaning that what we are demonstrating in our acknowledgment of these facts is that we understand and see that the Father is not of Christ but Christ is of the Father. It is by demonstrating physical order that we learn of spiritual order. Now why is God spending so much of this chapter explaining to us what is the relationship Christ has with His father? Why does he tell us that the relationship between the man and the woman demonstrates Christ's relationship to His father. One of the reasons given is so that we will know how to conduct ourselves "when you come together into one place:" 1 Cor 11:18 For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. 1 Cor 11:20 When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper. 1 Cor 11:33 Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another. 1 Cor 11:34 And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come. Part of this chapter is about how we are to conduct ourselves "when we come together in one place." In giving these behavioral instructions we are told that a woman is not to pray or prophesy with her head uncovered. A 'covered head' is explained as Christ being the head of the man and the man being the head of a woman.

1Co 11:3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God. 1Co 11:4 Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head. 1Co 11:5 But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven. We are not talking about a physical vail as is the custom for women to wear in Middle eastern countries to this very day. The covering is Christ being the head of the man and the man being the head of the woman; not because they are a married couple, but for this reason: 1 Cor 11:8 For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man. And this is all to remind us that "The head of Christ is God." The false, unscriptural doctrine of the trinity, a doctrine of three "co-equal members of one Godhead" promotes a lack of order. It promotes a homosexual attitude which says there is no need for a single head of a household. It promotes confusion in the family, and it promotes confusion in the church. God, on the other hand, wants us to be an example of His order. Not just in spirit but also in "walk," in our physical bodies: 1 Cor 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 1 Cor 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. We are not our own. We are "bought with a price." That is why we need to "tremble" at every word of God and seek only to know His mind on this and every subject. And God's mind on this subject is that we recognize that how we conduct ourselves in our physical bodies is a reflection of how we conduct ourselves in spirit. Christ never spoke a word unless He was told to do so by His Head, His covering, His Father. If I speak a word which has not been spoken in scripture, if any man cannot demonstrate that he is speaking in accord with God's Word, that man or that woman is prophesying with his or her head "uncovered." What then, are the differences between the functions of men and women "in the church." The very apostle who, under inspiration of God's holy spirit wrote: 1 Cor 11:3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God. also wrote: Gal 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. Now if "there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus," why then does Paul say "the head of the man is Christ and the head of the woman is the man?" If there is "neither bond nor free... in Christ" why then did Paul send Onesimus back to his owner Philemon? The writings of Paul and Peter and the words of Christ Himself answer this dilemma. We are all "one in Christ" "in spirit" as a "many membered body" (1 Cor. 12). And "in spirit" means that we are "one in Christ" only in down payment form which will not be realized in the fulness of the inheritance until we are resurrected.

Eph 1:12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. Eph 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Eph 1:14 Which is the earnest [Greek-down payment] of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. Christ clarified this very point for the unbelieving Sadducees who asked Him this question: Matt 22:23 The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him, Matt 22:24 Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. Matt 22:25 Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother: Matt 22:26 Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh. Matt 22:27 And last of all the woman died also. Matt 22:28 Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her. Matt 22:29 Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. Matt 22:30 For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven. Christ puts the resurrection as yet future. John, too, points out that the resurrection and "our inheritance... the redemption of the purchased possession," is yet future: 1 John 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. I will be the first to tell you that every word of God must be experienced inwardly before we will be in a position to rule and reign over others outwardly. Nevertheless we must never forget that there is a Will Be component to those words and "it does not yet appear what we shall be..." and in the mean time we are to "glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." Paul also warns us against those who do not see the need to wait for the resurrection when there will be "neither marrying nor giving in marriage:" 2 Tim 2:18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. Yet those who point to Galatians 3:28 to justify their desire to nullify "the commandments of the Lord" concerning women are effectively saying that the resurrection is past. They are taking the "down payment of the Spirit" as having already received the "fulness of Christ... the inheritance of the purchased possession." The next logical conclusion is that since we are neither male nor female, but we are all one in Christ, therefore there is no need for husbands to be the heads of their families and "the head of the wife." Since they no longer need to be quiet in church, they no longer need to "submit unto your husband as unto Christ." Of course not every one who believes in 'fulness now' would go that far, but that is the logical progression of such heresy. Paul had no such heretical thought in his mind and just two chapters later tells us exactly what he meant by being "sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise:" Eph 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

We are sealed with "the Holy Spirit of promise "unto the day of redemption." Are we to be living as if resurrected? Yes, we are: Rom 6:13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. But what does "yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead" mean? Does it mean that we, even now, should "neither marry nor give in marriage" since that is how it will be in the resurrection? No, that is not what we are to make of living "as those that are alive from the dead." Here is the point of making the statement that we are to "yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead." It is the very next verse: Rom 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. Rom 6:18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. We are not to deduce from Paul's statement that since we are all "one in Christ " that therefore there are no differences in our physical lives and bodies. Men are still men, masters are still masters, slaves are still slaves and women are still women; "until the redemption of the purchased possession," which means until the actual resurrection from the dead. Until that time the order which God has placed in His physical creation is still intact. And it is the unwillingness of men to accept their responsibilities as leaders in God's service that has produced the incredible power of the feminist and homosexual lobbies in our modern societies. It is neither the women nor the homosexuals who are responsible for our broken and dying social system. Here is what Paul says about those who claim that they are God's people who are to be the light of the world: Rom 2:24 For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written. It is an unwillingness to stand up for God's unpopular Word which has led us to where we are. What then does God's Word say is the part which women are to play in a church which "blasphemes the name of God among the heathen?" Are women who seek to know the mind of God, now to aspire to become a Deborah and become the judges of God's people? Are they now to become ministers and teachers in the churches because men, who profess to be Christians, have abrogated their God-given place in His service? The admonitions given as to what is the order to be maintained in God's church are not addressed to women. They are addressed to "the man": 1 Cor 14:34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. 1 Tim 2:9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; 1 Tim 2:10 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. 1 Tim 2:11 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. 1 Tim 2:12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. 1 Tim 2:13 For [because] Adam was first formed, then Eve. 1 Tim 2:14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. 1 Tim 2:15 Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.

These words are all addressed to those men who ought to be the elders and leaders in the churches. "Adam was not deceived" does not mean that Adam did not also transgress. He certainly did. He just did so willingly and knowingly, rather that be separated from his wife: Rom 5:14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. It is in this way that Adam is a figure of Christ. While Adam was the willing channel of death to all, Christ, through partaking of that death, is also the willing channel of life to all. There is plenty of 'transgression' to go around for both men and women. What we need now to understand is what is the difference between prophecy and teaching. Only then can we understand how Paul can say that a woman can prophesy with her head covered but she cannot teach. So we will begin now to make clear what is the difference between prophesying and teaching? To begin our search for the Biblical answer to this question we are going to list all of the verses in the New Testament which deal with prophetesses and women prophesying. We want only to know what these women were doing. The word 'prophetess' appears but twice in the New Testament. The first is in a positive sense and the second is in a negative light. Here is the first positive appearance of this word: Luk 2:36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; Luk 2:37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. Luk 2:38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem. Anna was a prophetess. What did she do in this capacity? She "served God with fastings and prayers night and day." She also "came in that instant and gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of Him to all them that looked for redemption in Israel." To understand what "that instant" means we have to read about what happened just before "that instant:" Luke 2:21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb. Luke 2:22 And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present [him] to the Lord; Luke 2:23 (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;) Luke 2:24 And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons. Luke 2:25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. Luke 2:26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. Luke 2:27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child

Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, Luke 2:28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Luke 2:29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: Luke 2:30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Luke 2:31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; Luke 2:32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. Luke 2:33 And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him. Luke 2:34 And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; Luke 2:35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. So Anna heard Simeon state that this child was the Christ. "She also "came in that instant and gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of Him to all them that looked for redemption in Israel." So Anna bore witness "to all them that looked for redemption in Israel" to what she had heard Simeon say. Here is the second mention of a prophetess in the New Testament: Rev 2:20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. A few other New Testament verses come immediately to mind when reading Revelation 2:20" 1Ti 2:12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. The church at Thyatira allowed a prophetess to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things [false doctrines] sacrificed unto idols. The 'food' Jezebel was serving up was all of her false doctrines. Jezebel certainly did not bother to "cover her head." That is one thing we know characterizes Jezebel. Jezebel had a man murdered for her husbands sake and didn't even bother to tell her husband what she was doing. And yet we are told that a woman can prophesy if her head is 'covered:' 1 Cor 11:5 But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven. And again we are told: Act 21:9 And the same man [Philip] had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy. So we have two scriptural witnesses which tell us that women can 'prophecy.' But in the same breath in which Paul tells us that a woman can prophesy with her head covered, he also informs us that women are to "keep silent in the church." 1 Cor 14:31 For ye [ye men] may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. 1 Cor 14:34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. 1 Cor 14:35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church. 1 Cor 14:36 What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?

1 Cor 14:37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. "Came the word of God... unto you only?" Do you "think yourself to be spiritual?" Well, if you do, maybe you need to reread verse 37 a few times and allow those inspired words to sink into your 'spiritual' mind. These admonitions are spiritual admonitions carrying with them spiritual truths. When we become so bold as to say that these words which Paul, under inspiration of God's Spirit, admonishes us to consider a "spiritual... commandments of the Lord," are in reality nothing more that physical admonitions concerning physical order in a physical congregation, then we are defying the apostle and telling him that he needs to realize that his words are physical, and that he needs to acknowledge that the things we are writing are what is truly spiritual. All who do this, and it has come to the point that this includes most of the Protestant and many Catholics also, are at the same time both "adding to" and "taking from" the plain, straightforward words of God. "If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord." Here is what James says about the scriptures: Jam 4:5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? Jam 4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Jam 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. To submit to God, is to submit to His Word. When one part of the body of Christ lusts and envies the function of another part of the body, there is pride and "every evil work." Jam 3:13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. Jam 3:14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. Jam 3:15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. Jam 3:16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. Pilate asked the question,'What is Truth?' Christ Himself gives us the answer: John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. The fact that the Pharisees could quote the Old Testament and still not understand it testifies only to their blinded condition. It does not testify to the inefficacy of the scriptures themselves. So I will also pose this question to those who feel that they have "progressed" beyond the plain words of scripture; "do you think that the scripture says in vain" Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. "What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only? If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord." Nevertheless we still have to confront the verses which say a woman can 'prophesy.' We still have to answer the question which always comes up 'What is the difference between 'prophecy' and 'teaching?' How can Paul say "let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not

permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law," and in the same breath say that a woman can prophesy with her head covered? 1 Cor 11:5 But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven. The only way we will come to understand this is to come to see that Paul understood clearly, that the word 'prophesy' had a very broad definition which included much more than men "speaking to the edification, exhortation and comfort" of the entire congregation: 1 Cor 14:3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. Is "edification, exhortation and comfort" all that 'prophesy' entails. If "edification, exhortation and comfort" are the full and complete definition of the word 'prophesy', then it would appear that Paul is contradicting himself when he tells us that women can prophesy but they cannot teach. After all, what is 'teaching if it does not edify and exhort and comfort the person being taught? But if, on the other hand, the definition of this word 'prophesy' is much broader than simply teaching to edify, exhort and comfort, then Paul would not be contradicting himself at all when he says that a woman can prophesy with her head covered, yet not teach. Philip's daughters also could be prophetesses and still not be teachers.So the next step we must take in our quest for Truth should be to ask our heavenly Father to show us what His Spirit had in mind whenever it inspired the "holy men of old" to write down this word 'prophesy.' Matt 13:52 Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old. 2 Tim 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Does that sound like we are ever intended to get to the the point that we can leave the scriptures behind under the guise of 'progressing in the spirit?' It absolutely does not, and all who are attaching themselves to this 'fulness now' doctrine are attaching themselves to a deadly doctrine which is nothing less than the old 'the resurrection is past" doctrine which Paul warned us all against. 2 Tim 2:17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; 2 Tim 2:18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. Let's go now to the Old Testament which Paul told Timothy to "study to show thyself approved unto God," and see if we can find out what all is included under the definition of this word 'prophesy:' 'Prophesy' Includes 1) Singing 2) Playing Musical Instruments 3) Prayer 4) relating dreams And 5) Edification Exhortation And Comfort So it is possible to prophesy without teaching, but you cannot teach without prophesying. Prophesying is a very broad brush while teaching is a very focused part of prophesying. That is right! When we look into how this word is used in the Old Testament, we find that ' prophesy' is a word which is used to include much more than simply speaking as a teacher or a

preacher. Let us read what the Holy Spirit inspired to be called 'prophesy.' 1) Prophesying Includes Singing The seventy elders who were to help Moses judge the people were all prophets: Num 11:25 And the LORD came down in a cloud, and spake unto him [Moses], and took of the spirit that was upon him, and gave it unto the seventy elders: and it came to pass, that, when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, and did not cease. Where were these leaders and elders when they were prophesying? Were they in the camp teaching the people? They could have been, but no, they were not: Num 11:16 And the LORD said unto Moses, Gather unto me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom thou knowest to be the elders of the people, and officers over them; and bring them unto the tabernacle of the congregation, that they may stand there with thee. Num 11:17 And I will come down and talk with thee there: and I will take of the spirit which is upon thee, and will put it upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with thee, that thou bear it not thyself alone. Num 11:25 And the LORD came down in a cloud, and spake unto him, and took of the spirit that was upon him, and gave it unto the seventy elders: and it came to pass, that, when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, and did not cease. These seventy men were all standing with Moses at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. The only person in the group who was made aware of what was about to happen and who prophesied of the imminent arrival of flocks of quail which would fall upon the camp of Israel three feet deep a days journey on either side of the camp, was Moses. So what were these 70 men doing while "they prophesied, and did not cease?" Let's read on and see what others did when they too 'prophesied,' and maybe then we can get a feel for what was happening with these men at the tabernacle of the congregation: 2) Prophecy Includes Playing Musical Instruments 1Sa 10:5 After that thou [King Saul] shalt come to the hill of God, where is the garrison of the Philistines: and it shall come to pass, when thou art come thither to the city, that thou shalt meet a company of prophets coming down from the high place with a psaltery, and a tabret, and a pipe, and a harp, before them; and they shall prophesy: 1Sa 10:6 And the Spirit of the LORD will come upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy with them, and shalt be turned into another man. 1Sa 10:9 And it was so, that when he had turned his back to go from Samuel, God gave him another heart: and all those signs came to pass that day. 1Sa 10:10 And when they came thither to the hill, behold, a company of prophets met him; and the Spirit of God came upon him, and he prophesied among them. 1Sa 10:11 And it came to pass, when all that knew him beforetime saw that, behold, he prophesied among the prophets,[with a psaltery, and a tabret, and a pipe, and a harp, before them;] then the people said one to another, What is this that is come unto the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?

1Sa 10:12 And one of the same place answered and said, But who is their father? Therefore it became a proverb, Is Saul also among the prophets? How is it that King Saul prophesied with these prophets? Answer: "With a psaltery, and a tabret, and a pipe, and a harp, before them... they shall prophesy." King David appointed men to "prophesy with " musical instruments: 1 Chron 25:1 Moreover David and the captains of the host separated to the service of the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who should prophesy with harps, with psalteries, and with cymbals: and the number of the workmen according to their service was: 1 Chron 25:2 Of the sons of Asaph; Zaccur, and Joseph, and Nethaniah, and Asarelah, the sons of Asaph under the hands of Asaph, which prophesied [with harps, with psalteries, and with cymbals] according to the order of the king. 1 Chron 25:3 Of Jeduthun: the sons of Jeduthun; Gedaliah, and Zeri, and Jeshaiah, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah, six, under the hands of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied with a harp, to give thanks and to praise the LORD. 1 Chron 25:6 All these were under the hands of their father for song in the house of the LORD, with cymbals, psalteries, and harps, for the service of the house of God, according to the king's order to Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman. "For song in the house of the LORD, with cymbals, psalteries, and harps, for the service of the house of God. Of all of these men it is said: "Who prophesied with a harp, to give thanks and to praise the LORD." Even an evil spirit prophesied through King Saul as David played upon his instrument: 1 Sam 18:10 And it came to pass on the morrow, that the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied in the midst of the house: and David played with his hand, as at other times: and there was a javelin in Saul's hand. 1 Sam 18:11 And Saul cast the javelin; for he said, I will smite David even to the wall with it. And David avoided out of his presence twice. Is it not obvious that when King Saul "prophesied in the midst of the house" he was singing to David's music just as He did at the very beginning of his reign when he 'prophesied' with the "company of prophets" with musical instruments: 1 Sam 10:5 After that thou [King Saul] shalt come to the hill of God, where is the garrison of the Philistines: and it shall come to pass, when thou art come thither to the city, that thou shalt meet a company of prophets coming down from the high place with a psaltery, and a tabret, and a pipe, and a harp, before them; and they shall prophesy. 1 Sam 10:10 And when they came thither to the hill, behold, a company of prophets met him; and the Spirit of God came upon him, and he prophesied among them. Is this not the same thing that took place among the seventy elders at the tabernacle of the congregation?

Num 11:16 And the LORD said unto Moses, Gather unto me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom thou knowest to be the elders of the people, and officers over them; and bring them unto the tabernacle of the congregation, that they may stand there with thee. Num 11:17 And I will come down and talk with thee there: and I will take of the spirit which is upon thee, and will put it upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with thee, that thou bear it not thyself alone. Num 11:25 And the LORD came down in a cloud, and spake unto him, and took of the spirit that was upon him, and gave it unto the seventy elders: and it came to pass, that, when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, and did not cease. Is this not why Miriam, Moses sister is called a prophetess? Did not God speak through Miriam as she lead the women in song in celebrating the destruction of the Egyptian army in the depths of the Red Sea? Ex 15:20 And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances. 3) Prophecy Includes Prayers: 1 Ki 18:27 And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them [the prophets of Baal], and said, Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked. 1 Ki 18:28 And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them. 1 Ki 18:29 And it came to pass, when midday was past, and they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that there was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded. The prophets of Baal were praying and begging their God to come down and burn up their offering. And we are told "they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice..." It should be very clear that prophesying has a much broader application than simply teaching in a congregation. It should by now be clear that Paul was referring to this much broader application when he made the statement that women could indeed prophesy with their heads covered and yet they are not permitted to teach "as also saith the law." What Is Love? Of course there always have been and there always will be false prophets. The last thing in the world these false prophets want you to do is to expose them and their false doctrines. Consequently, such prophets will aways, of necessity, be accusing God's true prophets of being less than loving when they "try the spirits" and find them to be false spirits. It is called 'unloving' to actually apply God's Words. We then end up right back in the same position of those who teach the false, cancerous doctrine of "agreement in the essentials and tolerance in the non-essentials." It is the very same doctrine which has produced the 30,000 plus Christian denominations, all claiming to be serving the same God while teaching conflicting and opposing doctrines and "saying peace, peace, when there is no peace." Here are a few of the scriptures

which are considered 'unloving' by the heretics of "historical orthodox Christianity." "A man that is an heretick, after the first and second admonition reject," becomes words of hatred proffered, apparently by that same hateful apostle who hates women: Tit 3:10 A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; 2 John1:10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: 2 John1:11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds. Rom 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. Rom 16:18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. Are these the doctrines of Christ or are these false doctrines from false apostles? Are these spiritual Truths or are these words merely ink on paper? Are those who take these words seriously just modern day Pharisees who know their Bibles but don't know and recognize Christ? The difference is the difference between life and death. Here again, is Paul's answer to that question: 1Co 14:37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. And here too, is the verse just before John's admonition to keep any other doctrine out of your spiritual house: 2 John 1:9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. Are you "abiding in the doctrine of Christ, or have you "progressed" beyond that doctrine? Has it now become unloving to apply these strict warnings against allowing heretics and heresy into your spiritual house? Has it now become a loving thing to just allow a spiritual fornicator to remain in your spiritual house and "leaven the whole lump?" Here is a verse for the consideration of all those who believe that the written word holds us back from 'progressing in the things of the spirit:' 1Co 4:6 And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and [to] Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think [of men] above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another. 1Co 4:7 For who maketh thee to differ [from another]? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive [it], why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received [it]? All you who are teaching that you are receiving revelation completely independent of God's written words, look closely at verse 6. Now leave out the words which have been added to the text. They are bracketed to let us know that these words were added by the translators. Here is how verse six reads without the added words: 1Co 4:6 And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.

Not one of God's apostles ever "thought above that which was written. And none of them was "puffed up one against the other." Those who "think above that which is written," are the very ones who are "puffed up for one against another." All who go beyond "what is written" have gone 'beyond' any possible hope of "trying the spirits to see whether they be of God." They have not "learned... not to think above that which is written." They are adrift in a sea of heresy without the rudder of "that which is written" against which to try those "idols of the heart" which have them in their grip. Paul poses this question to all such "prophets who think themselves spiritual:" 1Co 4:7 For who maketh thee to differ [from another]? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive [it], why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received [it]? After receiving so much from "that which is written," these "prophets who think themselves spiritual" refuse to "acknowledge that the things which Paul writes are the commandments of the Lord." 1Co 14:37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. And what are we again told to do with such heretics? Here is the very next verse. It accords with all the other verses which deal with heresy and heretics: 1Co 14:38 But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant. When we go back to a mindset of fear that others will perceive us as dictators who are just looking for an excuse to cast others out of our synagogues, then the sad truth is that we were never really in the synagogue of Christ. Those who "abide in the doctrine of Christ" are uncompromising when it comes to "abiding in Him." 1 John 2:26 These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you. 1 John 2:27 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 2:28 And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. Eze 13:22 Because with lies ye [false prophets] have made the heart of the righteous [who try the spirits] sad, whom I have not made sad; and strengthened the hands of the wicked [with all their heresies], that he should not return from his wicked way, by promising him life ['let's all just love each other']: Again, what is Truth? John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. When we 'progress' beyond God's Word, we are not sanctified but rather defiled in the very same way the false prophets of old were defiled: 1 Ki 22:10 And the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah sat each on his throne, having put on their robes, in a void place in the entrance of the gate of Samaria; and all the prophets prophesied before them. 1 Ki 22:11 And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made him horns of iron: and he said, Thus saith the LORD, With these shalt thou push the Syrians, until thou have consumed them. 1 Ki 22:12 And all the prophets prophesied so, saying, Go up to Ramothgilead, and prosper: for the LORD shall deliver it into the king's hand.

When God decides to deceive us, we are deceived by our own prophecies.Prophesying in a manner faithful to the word of God will cause all the prophets who are not faithful to God's Word to hate you and want you dead: Jer 2:8 The priests said not, Where is the LORD? and they that handle the law knew me not: the pastors also transgressed against me, and the prophets prophesied by Baal, and walked after things that do not profit. Jer 5:31 The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love [to have it] so: and what will ye do in the end thereof? Jer 11:21 Therefore thus saith the LORD of the men of Anathoth, that seek thy life, saying, Prophesy not in the name of the LORD, that thou die not by our hand: Jer 14:14 Then the LORD said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart. [Independent of God's Word] Jer 26:11 Then spake the priests and the prophets unto the princes and to all the people, saying, This man is worthy to die; for he hath prophesied against this city ["Spiritual Sodom, Where our lord was crucified"], as ye have heard with your ears. Eze 13:2 Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel that prophesy, and say thou unto them that prophesy out of their own hearts, Hear ye the word of the LORD; Eze 13:3 Thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe unto the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing! Eze 13:4 O Israel, thy prophets are like the foxes in the deserts. Eze 13:5 Ye have not gone up into the gaps, neither made up the hedge for the house of Israel to stand in the battle in the day of the LORD. Eze 13:6 They have seen vanity and lying divination, saying, The LORD saith: and the LORD hath not sent them: and they have made others to hope that they would confirm the word. So true prophecy must be in accord with God's word and not "our own spirit." "The LORD hath not sent them: and they have made others to hope that they would confirm the word." Jer 19:14 Then came Jeremiah from Tophet, whither the LORD had sent him to prophesy; and he stood in the court of the LORD'S house; and said to all the people, Jer 19:15 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring upon this city and upon all her towns all the evil that I have pronounced against it, because they have hardened their necks, that they might not hear my words. 4) Prophecy includes relating dreams. Jer 23:25 I have heard what the prophets said, that prophesy lies in my name, saying, I have dreamed, I have dreamed. Jer 23:26 How long shall this be in the heart of the prophets that prophesy lies? yea, they are prophets of the deceit of their own heart; Even our dreams must be tried "to see whether they be of God." Any prophet who has progressed beyond God's Word is a false prophet indeed. And there are many thousands of such prophets.

5) Prophesy Includes "Edification, Exhortation, And Comfort" 1Co 14:3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. While there is no argument at all that many women are very capable public speakers and teachers, the Word of God is still our standard: 1Co 14:35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak [as a teacher] in the church. 1Ti 2:12 But I suffer not a woman to teach [in the church], nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. Women can and should be teaching their children and younger women. There are so very many ways to help in the church which are crying out to be be filled by women who, like Miriam, want to be a Moses instead of a Miriam. Both Joel and Peter tell us "Your sons and daughters shall prophesy." Joe 2:28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: Joe 2:29 And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit. We have seen how had Miriam prophesied? Ex 15:20 And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances. Ex 15:21 And Miriam answered them, Sing ye to the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea. Deborah was both a prophetess and a judge. Here is how she is introduced to us: Jdg 4:4 And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time. Jdg 4:5 And she dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in mount Ephraim: and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment. Now look at the very next verse in this story of Deborah: Jdg 4:6 And she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedeshnaphtali, and said unto him, Hath not the LORD God of Israel commanded, saying, Go and draw toward mount Tabor, and take with thee ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun? Jdg 4:7 And I will draw unto thee to the river Kishon Sisera, the captain of Jabin's army, with his chariots and his multitude; and I will deliver him into thine hand. And what is the response from this great male leader of the armies of Israel, the people of God? Jdg 4:8 And Barak said unto her, If thou wilt go with me, then I will go: but if thou wilt not go with me, then I will not go. And how does God react to such a spineless man who has to have a woman with him before he will go to war? Who cannot follow the spirit of God's Word but must be able to see the flesh taking the lead, the soul leading the spirit? Jdg 4:9 And she said, I will surely go with thee: notwithstanding the journey that thou takest shall not be for thine honour; for the LORD shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman. And Deborah arose, and went with Barak to Kedesh.

So the whole story of Deborah's judging of Israel is not one which is meant to inspire young girls to political leadership. It is rather a story which emphasizes the shameful condition which has always been the case in Israel: God already had decided to have a woman to tale Barak's honor because God is relating this whole story of Deborah's time of judging Israel to show us just how far from Him are the spineless men of Israel' Here is how God summarizes the state of affairs in His church: Isa 3:12 As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee [women rulers, "that woman Jezebel"] cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths [false doctrines "destroy" any Truth they encounter]. This is not a positive statement and the story of Deborah is not one of the highlights of Israel's sad and rebellious history. It too "happened to them and is written for our admonition..." Barak is a perfect spiritual example of the men in the churches who call themselves by God's name today. They would never in a thousand years quote Paul's words to the Corinthians, to Timothy, or to Titus in their churches. They are afraid of what might happen if a woman is not leading them in their service to God. As Maud Amy Humbard told one of the TV news magazines many years ago, "Rex (her husband Rex Humbard, whose TV program was the largest religious program on TV at that time) Rex might be the head of the house, but I am the neck, and the neck turns the head." Rex Humbard, 'Mr' Joyce Myers, Kenneth Copeland and all of the other ministers of our day, demonstrate by their actions that they despise the words of God as respecting the function of men and the function of women in the body of Christ. 1 Tim3:1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. 1 Tim 3:2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 1 Tim 3:3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; 1 Tim 3:4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; 1 Tim 3:5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) 1 Tim 3:6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. 1 Tim 3:7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. Those are the Biblical qualifications of a 'bishop.' What are the qualifications of a deacon? 1 Tim 3:8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; 1 Tim 3:9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. 1 Tim 3:10 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. 1 Tim 3:11 Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. 1 Tim 3:12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. 1 Tim 3:13 For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

Now if God's Word said that a bishop must be the 'wife of one husband,' then that is what I would also say. But instead we are told that both a bishop and a deacon "must be the husband of one wife ruling their children and their own houses well" or else they are not qualified to be bishops or deacons. Can a woman somehow fulfill those qualifications? No, a woman cannot be "the husband of one wife." If Joyce Myers rules her house and has her children in subjection is she thereby qualified to rule the house of God? No, if Joyce Myers rules her husband she is not even qualified to be a proper mother because she is not setting a proper Biblical example for her children, much less being a proper ruler over the house of God. And what are women to do in God's church? Are we given any specific instructions for women? Mar 15:40 There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome; Mar 15:41 (Who also, when he was in Galilee, followed him, and ministered unto him;) and many other women which came up with him unto Jerusalem. "Many... women... came up with Christ unto Jerusalem... followed Him and ministered unto Him." How did these women "minister to Christ? They "ministered to Him" then just as they should be ministering to Him to this day. They helped in every way they could. Martha prepared meals, Peter's mother in law "ministered" to Christ immediately after he healed her of her fever. Mary ministered to Christ by sitting quietly at His feet as He taught and by washing His feet with her tears and wiping them with her long hair. Mary was content with whatever she was given to do for Christ. Mat 26:13 Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her. Mary's humility and obedience is the example which Christ holds forth to us showing what 'the woman' is to do in His service. Such an attitude will be richly rewarded while all of todays women preachers and teachers "in the churches" will be having this "idol of the heart" burned out of them. Other women "ministered" to Christ financially: Luke 8:1 And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him, Luke 8:2 And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils, Luke 8:3 And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance. And what are the specific instructions given in the New Testament as regards women? 1 Tim 2:7 Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity. 1 Tim 2:8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. 1 Tim 2:9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; 1 Tim 2:10 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. 1 Tim 2:11 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.

1 Tim 2:12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. And why should "not a woman... teach nor usurp authority over the man?" 1 Tim 2:13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve. 1 Tim 2:14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. 1 Tim 2:15 Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety. Tit 2:3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; Tit 2:4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, Tit 2:5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. There it is. That is what women should be doing "in the churches." What a witness are such women! These women do not "despise governments and dominions" ordained by God for the good of his own 'body.' "Be teachers of good things... teach the young women to be sober, love their husbands instead of naturally being against them, love and teach their children, be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed." There is a good article for MS. Magazine. There is what God would have women to do in His "church which is His body." Is all of this still true today? If it ever was true, then it is still true for today because Truth is not something which changes with time. Jesus Christ is the Truth. Truth Is, Was, And Will Be, Truth. Truth never changes" Mal 3:6 For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. Mat 24:35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. Mat 24:36 But of that day and hour knoweth no [man], no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. Mat 24:37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. Heb 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. All who are willing to twist and distort God's Word to make "of note among the apostles" into 'are notable apostles' are accomplishing nothing less than demonstrating their unwillingness to relinquish this idol of their heart. Rom 16:7 Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellowprisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me. Andronicus and Junia were "kinsmen, fellowprisoners, of note among the apostles and in Christ before Paul." Is there one word in that verse that intimates that these two women were somehow

qualified to be apostles and were somehow exempt from the "commandments of the Lord" concerning the function of women "in the church?"

Conclusion It should now be obvious that: 1) That Christ is "the beginning of the creation of God," and when all is said and done and the aion's have run their course, that the power of the throne will still reside in the Father and Christ will still "be subject unto Him." This is the lesson we are to learn from the fact that "He made them male and female." 2) When Paul spoke of a woman "prophesying with her head covered" he was not contradicting his own multiple admonitions against allowing women to be bishops and teachers. It should be obvious that the prophesying he was referring to was either 1) singing 2) playing a musical instrument, or 3)praying. It would never have entered Paul's mind to allow a woman to be a bishop or a teacher. So it is doubtful that she would be either leading a prayer or relating her dreams "in the church." 3) As long as we are male and female we are not yet in possession of "the promised possession." It should also be clear that just because there is neither marrying nor giving in marriage in the resurrection, this does not exclude a hierarchy in the spirit realm. 4) Adam's condition before Eve's creation from Adam's rib was a condition of not being complete, and it was through Eve and not separated from Eve, that Adam would become complete. Just as "the church [is] the fulness of Him [Christ] that fills All in all:" Eph 1:22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him [to be] the head over all things to the church, Eph 1:23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. 5) That "come out of her my people" is a call to come out of the bondwoman with her bond servant son into the freewoman and her "son of the freewoman." It should be clear that both are "In Me... In Christ," and both are the "seed of Abraham" even though one is carnal and rejected. It should now be clear that going from the first Adam to the last Adam is an inevitable progression that all mankind will experience "each in his own order." 6) That any one who thinks himself a prophet or spiritual needs to acknowledge that the things written are the commandments of the Lord, and that anyone who supposedly has "progressed" beyond those "commandments of the Lord" has 'progressed,' right along with Judas, from apostleship into apostasy. 7) That we are "sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise" and will be fighting a spiritual war with the "powers and principalities and rulers of darkness of this world," so long as we are in this "sinful flesh," Eph 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Eph 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the

devil. Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Mike