Women in the Ministry? What does the Bible Say?
Continued. Part 2of 2. By Dr. Russell K. Tardo.
A Modern Phenomenon.

No Contradictions
Obviously, Galatians 3:28 neither changes nor contradicts the qualifications for ministry God established in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9, nor does it eliminate the prohibition of women serving in five-fold ministry office in 1 Timothy 2:11-12. God simply does not contradict Himself!
Are those who would justify women serving in ministry office on the basis of Galatians 3:28 trying to lead us to believe that God is confused, or, that He changes His mind from book to book or year to year? I ask you, would God allow women in ministry in Galatians 3:28 and then forbid it in 1 Corinthians 14:34-35; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Timothy 2:11-12 and 3:1-7?
No, the teaching and instruction of God is consistent throughout the entire New Testament. The Bible does not contradict itself. The truth of the matter is, the Galatians passage has absolutely nothing to do with the question of women serving in the ministry. It deals, not with function, but with acceptance. The context of the passage declares the unconditional acceptance into the Abrahamic Covenant (Gal. 3:29) of anyone, all physical distinctions (Jew/Gentile, bond/free, male/female) having been removed. Those who remove this verse from its context in order to justify their unscriptural views exercise more than poor hermeneutics, they are guilty of grossly manipulating God’s Word (2 Cor. 2:17; 2 Pet. 3:16).

Equal but Different
Though all believers are equal in God’s sight and He is no respecter of persons, yet the roles and functions of male and female remain forever separate and distinct.
Obviously, male and female differences did not cease at the cross, and though equal, God ordained that the woman take a submissive and subordinate role in her relationship to the man (Eph. 5:22; Col. 3:18). She is to be a godly wife and mother (1 Pet. 3:1-5); chaste, virtuous, and a “keeper at home” (Prov. 31:10-31; Titus 2:4-5).
Her responsibility to the church is the same as that of the godly examples of other women in the New Testament; to pray, fast, intercede, seek first the kingdom, learn, mature in Christ, grow in faith, set a good example, support the ministry, exercise her spiritual gifts, serve the body in love, witness, visit the sick, trust God completely and love Him supremely. Women play a vital part in the church assembly, and Paul identifies several of them as his “fellow laborers” (Rom. 16:3-5; Phil. 4:2-3). Their shining quality in God’s sight is their devotion, modesty, purity, and the manifestation of a meek and quiet spirit (I Pet. 3:1-5).

The man’s functions, while similar, do differ in certain aspects. He is to fast, pray, intercede, seek first the kingdom, and set a godly example for his wife and children. He is the “breadwinner” and the spiritual head of his house. He is to “love his wife as Christ loved the church” (Eph. 5:25; Col. 3:19), and raise his children “in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4). According to the New Testament, in the church assembly only men are permitted to function in five-fold ministry if they qualify and are ordained by God (I Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9; cf. Ja. 3:1).

QUESTION 2: WHAT ABOUT ACTS 10:34, WHICH STATES THAT “GOD IS NO RESPECTER OF PERSONS.” IF HE DOES NOT RESPECT PERSONS, WHY DOES HE FORBID WOMEN TO SERVE IN MINISTRY OFFICES?

ANSWER:
What desperate attempts a drowning man will make to cling to any straw that might support him. This is yet another example of lifting a verse out of its context in order to try to justify an untenable position. As someone once said, “A proof text out of its context is nothing but a pretext.” The Acts 10 passage stating that God is no respecter of persons is quite clear when taken in its context. God had shown Peter a vision of animals previously considered unclean by Jews, and instructed him to “kill and eat” them (cf. Acts 10:9-16). When Peter refused to eat what was unclean, God responded, “What God has cleansed, that call not thou common” (vs. 14-15). Actually, through this vision God was preparing Peter to accept Gentiles into their fellowship. Previously, Gentiles had been considered unclean by the Jews, and no fellowship with them was allowed:
“And he said unto them, ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation: but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean” (Acts 10:28).
God had prepared the heart of Cornelius, a devout Gentile, with his family and friends to receive the message of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. When God sent Peter to the house of Cornelius the full realization of God’s grace being extended to the Gentiles dawned upon him.
“Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: he is lord of all” (Acts 10:34-36).
The apostle had then realized the full significance of the vision. He understood that the distinction between clean and unclean foods had an application to human beings, and that, contrary to Jewish belief, no people were to be thought of as common or unclean in the sight of God. When Peter said, “God is no respecter of persons,” he was stating that God shows no partiality to any one people or nation. Any person who trusts Christ and does what is right, whether he be Jew or Gentile, is accepted by God! God had extended saving grace to the Gentiles! This is the meaning of Peter’s statement in its context, as any honest interpreter would acknowledge. The Acts 10:34 passage has no reference whatsoever to women serving in ministry, and those who would seek to support their unscriptural views through this verse must look elsewhere.
Is God a “respecter of persons” because He forbids the woman to function in roles He intended for man? Of course not! Rather, He is a respecter of order! The divine
order He established must be followed in order for Him to bless. He is not the author of confusion (I Cor. 14:33), but when women try to function in male roles, confusion is inevitable.

There is confusion in the home when a wife rejects her God mandated subordinate role to her husband and “wears the pants” in the family (cf. Eph. 5:22-24; Col. 3:18; 1 Cor. 11:3, 8-9). Even “secular” statistics have revealed that homes dominated by women make for unhappier marriages, more insecure children, and higher divorce rates. How can God bless a home, a marriage or a family, when either the husband or the wife refuse to submit to the roles in which God intended for them to function?
And there is confusion in the church when divine order is not followed. Paul wrote his epistles to the Corinthian church at least in part, to correct their lack of order in their exercise of spiritual gifts (cf. 1 Cor. 12:1; 1 Cor. 14:40). They had a zeal and enthusiasm for God, and undoubtedly the supernatural gifts flowed freely in their services (1 Cor. 12:7-10). However, Paul knew that unless divine order was followed the inevitable confusion would result in the spiritual decline of the whole church.
God does not respect persons (Eph. 6:9), but He does respect and require ORDER in the church assembly! Why else would He go through so much trouble to make it perfectly clear –
That women were not allowed to teach men (1 Tim. 2:11-12);
That women were to be silent and take a subordinate role to the men in the church (1 Cor. 14:34-35);
And that only a man could qualify and meet the conditions God laid out for service in ministry offices (1Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9).
The whole church is out of order when these prohibitions are violated. How can God really bless those who continually refuse to obey His word on this matter? (Lk. 6:46; Jn. 14:15; 1 Jn. 5:3).

QUESTION 3: WHAT ABOUT DEBORAH, MIRIAM, AND ANNA, WHO IN THE OLD TESTAMENT DISPENSATION SEEMED TO SERVE IN MINISTRY OFFICES?

ANSWER:
Indeed, these women and several others were greatly used of the Lord in the Old Testament dispensation, but not in a sense comparable to five-fold ministry in the New Testament.

Miriam
Miriam is once called a “prophetess” in Exodus 15:20. That verse and verse 21 following it describe the nature of her ministry as primarily that of leading the Israelite women.
Moses was God’s leader of the nation as a whole, but other men ministered and “judged” under his authority (Ex. 18:21-26). Miriam’s task was fundamentally a ministry to the women.
A ministry to women by women is not inconsistent with New Testament teaching.
Titus 2:3-5 instructs the older women in the Lord to teach the newer ones:

“The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;
That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,
To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.”
Clearly then, women are not only allowed but encouraged to teach other women (and undoubtedly children as well). Certainly the matters referred to in these verses could only be adequately taught by the wise counsel and example of a godly woman.
Miriam sinned when she became insubordinate to God’s will and incited Aaron against Moses. Objecting to Moses’ prominence and respected position, she obviously became a leader in the rebellion against his authority (since she was the one God punished, not Aaron). As a result of her involvement in instigating the rebellion, God smote her with leprosy. She was healed when she and Aaron repented and Moses prayed for her healing (Num. 12:1-15). While this might seem to be an extreme example, it does reveal that God will not deal lightly with anyone, male or female, who dares to disregard the order He personally established.

Deborah
Deborah served as a judge and was also called a prophetess. Her function was mainly advisor, offering counsel, and making judicial determinations in matters of disagreement among parties (Judges 4 and 5). However, leadership seemed to play a minor role in her ministry, and we might note that she called on a man, Barak, when need arose for military leadership to encounter the Canaanites in battle. Unquestionably she was a devout woman who was spiritually mature and blessed by God.

Anna
Anna, the aged prophetess, is mentioned only briefly in Luke 2:36-38. Her ministry was that of serving God in the temple “…with fastings and prayers night and day.” She was undoubtedly one of the godly remnant in Israel looking expectantly for the coming Messiah. Though a prophetess and a devout servant of God, nowhere do we find anything to suggest that she functioned in any role of leadership or authority.

No “Prophetess” in the New Testament
Nowhere in the entire New Testament dispensation do we find a woman functioning in the office of prophetess (since Anna lived before the cross and thus in the Old Testament dispensation). The only other time the word is used in the New Testament is in Revelation 2:20-ff, where Jesus rebukes the church at Thyatira:
“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.”
Thus the only prophetess mentioned in the New Testament was this false one who ministered deception to the church at Thyatira. The four daughters of Phillip the Evangelist who prophesied (Acts 21:8-9) were not prophetesses, but exercised the simple gift of prophecy (1 Cor. 12:10: 14:1,26,31) as many other Spirit filled women do (Acts 2:17-18). Acts 21:8-9 in no way suggests that Phillip’s daughters functioned in any five-fold ministry position.

Obviously, one cannot scripturally appeal to women in the Old Testament as a justification of the modern practice of women in five-fold ministry.

Question 4: Can women scripturally serve in the ministry office of a “deaconess”?

Answer:
Some have suggested that Romans 16:1 justifies women serving in such an office.
The word translated “servant” in the King James Version (KJV) is in the Greek “kiakonos,” which is used as a servant, helper, or official in the church. It simply means that Phebe served the church, perhaps through prayers, visiting those of her own sex, and helping in whatever capacity she could be useful. This verse in no way implies that there was an official office of “deaconess.”
In fact, 1 Timothy 3:8-13 sets forth the qualifications of a deacon as an officer of the church:
“Likewise must the deacons be grave, not double tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;
Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.
Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.
Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.
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.”
As in the ministry office of a pastor, the deacon must have a grave and sober wife (vs.11). Obviously only men have wives and thus only men could scripturally qualify for the office of a deacon. Also, deacons can have been married to only one wife, and must rule their children and own houses well (verse 12). To rule the house is to be the head and authority of it – a role that can be scripturally fulfilled only by a man (Eph. 5:22-24; Col. 3:18).
Thus, Scripture plainly demonstrates that there is no biblical position of “deaconess”.

QUESTION 5: HOW FAR DO WE TAKE THE PROHIBITION IN 1 CORINTHIANS 14:34-35?
“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 if they will learn anything, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.”
How far do we take this? Can women not speak at all in church? Are they forbidden to share testimonies, or make prayer requests, or to prophesy?

ANSWER:
This question can best be answered by seeing the subject as a whole, and noting what else the Bible has to say that bears upon this question.
We can quality the prohibition in 1 Corinthians 14:34:35 with 1 Corinthians 11:5. Here, the context deals with the church assembly and ordinances (vs.2; 17-ff), and reveals that a woman is allowed to pray and prophesy in the church if she covers her head as a symbol of her willing submission to the headship and authority of the man (vs.3-16), and as long as she does not try to teach or in any way usurp that authority (1 Tim. 2:11-12).
Although the Bible doesn’t specifically state that women are allowed to share testimonies (of God’s provision, healing, blessings, etc.) in the assembly, neither does there appear to be any apparent wrongdoing in it, especially when a special time for sharing testimonies is designated, and as long as all things are done “decently and in order” (1 Cor. 14:40).
In our local assembly, the sisters in the Lord are encouraged to “stir up the gifts” within them (1Cor. 12:31; 14:1,39), to prophesy, give an utterance in tongues, interpret, or manifest any other gift with which God anoints them (Acts 2:17-18; 21:9; 1 Cor. 11:5; 14:1-ff), keeping in mind that the purpose of the vocal gifts (tongues, interpretation, gift of prophecy) is to edify, exhort, and to comfort the assembly (1Cor. 14:3), not to rebuke or teach it.
We also encourage the sisters to share their testimonies of God’s faithfulness and blessings in their lives, under the command of Psalm 107:2, to “Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,” and Isaiah 12:4, to “…declare His doings among the people.”

QUESTION 6: WHAT ABOUT WOMEN MINISTRIES THAT HAVE TRULY BLESSED MULTITUDES OF PEOPLE?
Many people have been saved, filled with the Holy Spirit, inspired, and healed under the ministries of sincere and devoted women, both in the United States and on the mission field. Doesn’t the fact that many people are being blessed by women ministries prove God’s approval of them?

ANSWER:
Our purpose in writing this publication is not to call into question the motives or intents of women who serve in five-fold ministry. Our interest is to set forth what is scriptural. It seems that the Word of God has been set aside as our guide for faith and practice, and the church at large now condones “whatever works” and is done in the name of Christ (whether it’s biblical or not doesn’t seem to matter). Just because some people are blessed by women preachers is in no way an indication of God’s approval of them!
Remember:
a. God anoints the preaching of the Word! The Word of God is what blesses, inspires, and changes lives (Rom. 10:17; 1 Cor. 1:21). It’s the Word that “will not return void” (Isa. 55:11). Jesus said in Mark 16:15-20 that “signs” (miracles) will follow the preaching of the Word. (No human vessel, man or woman, can take credit for what only God’s Word will do if it’s proclaimed!) If the Word of God is preached, people will be blessed by it!
b. People were probably “blessed” by Judas Iscariot’s ministry! “Signs and wonders” probably followed his preaching, and people could have been drawn to Christ through it! When Jesus told the twelve that one of them was not genuine, no one suspected Judas.

Certainly if his ministry had not borne fruit similar to that of the other eleven they would have suspected him immediately!

I know personally of cases where people were saved, healed, and drawn closer to Christ under the ministries of men who were later revealed to be impostors, adulterers, and in one case, a closet homosexual! How can this be? Did the fact that people were blessed under their teaching really demonstrate God’s approval upon the ministry? NO! It simply proves the point…that it’s the Word of God that produces faith in Christ, and has the power to transform lives (Rom. 10:17; Ps. 107:20).
c. It’s out of order. Women simply do not qualify scripturally for five-fold ministry. Christ is calling His church to return to the New Testament pattern. He established its order. If people are blessed when things are out of order, how much more will they be blessed when all is in divine order?

Those who are serious about discipleship will want their own lives, their homes, and their churches to be in divine order. What shall be our guide in this order? Will we follow people’s arguments, modern reasoning, or excuses without scriptural warrant?
Shall we permit men’s logic or popular opinion to guide us, rather than the Word of God? Will we jump on the modernists/feminists bandwagon and allow in our churches what God forbids? Instead of wrestling with what the Bible says on this subject, and instead of trying to justify a conflicting opinion, should we not instead willingly submit to the all wise counsel of God’s eternal Word?
After all, doesn’t God in His infinite wisdom know best?

Lord willing, more will be posted soon. All glory to Jesus alone.

Women in the Ministry? What does the Bible Say?
Part 1 of 2. By Dr. Russell K. Tardo.
A Modern Phenomenon.

In the past century America has witnessed the emergence of women to various positions of prominence and authority. It is no longer unusual to find women serving in the fire department, carrying a gun as a police officer, or sitting behind a desk as a judge in a courtroom. Women serve in every branch of the military and even in local and national political office. This emergence of women to various positions of authority has not been confined to the secular realm, but has penetrated into the religious world as well.

Many churches now have women serving in a broad diversity of ministry offices, from deacon to pastor, and several denominations commonly ordain women as pastors, priests, or ministers. Even those churches which function with the traditional male pastor, now frequently designate their wives as “co-pastor.” Additionally, some women have become traveling evangelists, dragging their husbands and children along with them as they hold conferences and seminars, teach from behind church pulpits, and over their own regular radio and television programs.
While these practices are now commonplace and widely accepted in our society, the big question is, are they scriptural?

Is It Scriptural for Women to Serve in Ministry Offices?
Our answer must come from the Holy Scriptures. The Christian holds the Bible to be the authoritative Word of God, so our beliefs and practices must not contradict its clear instruction. The Word of God alone must be the basis for our faith and practice. For us to answer this question by mere logic, humanistic reasoning, philosophy or popular opinion would be to depart from the Christian standard.

What Does the Bible Say?
After careful study and sincere examination of the scriptures dealing with this subject we make the following observations and come to this conclusion.

1. WOMEN DO NOT SCRIPTURALLY QUALIFY FOR MINISTRY OFFICES.
The Scriptures reveal that five ministry gifts and offices were given by Christ to the church.
“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers” (Eph. 4:11).
These offices are often referred to as the “five-fold ministry” since they are five in number. They are the ministry offices of the Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor and Teacher. They were given by Christ to the church…

“For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ” (Eph. 4:12).
Though a woman might attend Bible school or seminary, earn a degree and be licensed, appointed, certified or ordained to the ministry, still she does not qualify for these ministry offices scripturally.

The Original Language Speaks More Clearly
Absolutely fundamental to Koine Greek (the original language of the New Testament) is its system of agreement between nouns and their modifiers. Nouns in Greek can only be masculine, feminine, or neuter, and the articles which precede and modify them must agree in gender. In fact, at times the article will actually help determine the gender of the noun it modifies. It is, therefore, very significant that in each of the five-fold ministry offices listed in Ephesians 4:11, the Greek nouns and the articles that modify them are all in the masculine gender. This fact alone furnishes us with enough authority to state unequivocally, that these offices were intended by God to be occupied by men only.

Scriptural Qualifications
In 1 Timothy 3:1-7, Paul sets forth the qualifications God gave for the ministry office of a bishop or pastor (certainly these qualifications would apply to every five-fold ministry office). Notice the words in all capital letters in this passage emphasizing who God qualifies for ministry office.
“This is a true saying, if a MAN desire the office of a bishop, HE desireth a good
work.
A bishop then must be blameless, the HUSBAND of one wife, vigilant, sober, of
good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
One that ruleth well HIS own house, having HIS children in subjection with all gravity;
For if a MAN know not how to rule HIS own house, how shall HE take care of the church of God?
Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride HE fall into the condemnation of the
devil.
Moreover HE must have a good report of them which are without; lest HE fall into
reproach and the snare of the devil.”
In no uncertain terms, God declares in the Bible that ministry office can be held only by a man! Also, note the masculine pronouns used over and over…”HE” and “HIS.” Honesty demands that we not inject “or she/her” into the sacred text.
Women simply do not qualify.
Furthermore, HE must be THE HUSBAND of one wife. (The Bible does not imply or inject, “or the wife of one husband.”) Obviously, only a man can be a husband, and what should thus be equally obvious is that only a man can meet God’s qualifications for ministry offices.

God Does Not Discriminate
God does not, here or elsewhere, treat women unfairly, or as though they were not equals to men. Men are not superior to women; women are not inferior to men. But while God does not discriminate against women, He did make them different, plainly revealing that He intended them to function in different roles and with different responsibilities. God created two separate and distinct sexes (equal, but separate and distinct).
“Male and female created He them” (Gen. 1:27).
Obviously, He intended that they function in two separate and distinct roles.

More Scriptural Qualifications
Titus 1:5-9 also sets forth God’s qualifications for ministry office:
“For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldst set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:
If any be blameless, the HUSBAND of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.
For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;
But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;
Holding fast the faithful word as HE hath been taught, that HE may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.”
Again, we note the emphasis on the MASCULINE. Just as in 1 Timothy, the one holding ministry office is to be a man, “the husband of one wife” (not the wife of one husband). This is not to suggest that a minister has to be married, but rather the emphasis is on the fact that he was married only once (i.e., not one who has been divorced). Also, we see the same usage of the masculine pronouns.
These Scriptures can only bring us to one conclusion: women simply do not qualify to hold a five-fold ministry office. Honest hermeneutics will allow no other interpretation!

2. WOMEN IN FIVE-FOLD MINISTRY IS A MODERN PHENOMENON, WITHOUT BIBLICAL PRECEDENT OR HISTORIC WARRANT.

No New Testament Basis
a. There are no examples of women serving in five-fold ministry offices in the entire New Testament. Multitudes of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers are mentioned and named in the New Testament. None were women.
b. Jesus ordained twelve apostles to function in ministry. None were women! Certainly if Jesus intended for us to ordain women to ministry offices He would have set the example by ordaining at least one woman apostle! In fact, the Bible mentions more than twelve apostles! God also ordained as apostles James (the Lord’s brother) (Gal. 1:19), Paul (Rom. 1:1), probably Barnabas (1 Cor. 9:1-6; Gal. 2:9; cf. Acts 14:4,14), and several others (Rom. 16:7). None were women.
Furthermore, there is no evidence that women were among the 70 that Jesus sent out in ministry (Lu. 10:1,17). Thus in the entire New Testament there is not one single example of a woman serving in five-fold ministry! If we sincerely were to follow the
example of Christ, the pattern and practices of the early church, and the instructions of the New Testament, we would not ordain women into ministry office!

No Examples in Church History
Early church history lends no support to the modern views of qualifying women for ministry office. Actually, in the almost 2,000 year history of the church women never served in ministry office until the last century. Again, we must conclude that ordaining women to five-fold ministry offices is a recent phenomenon, (actually arising only in this century out of Feminism), and is without scriptural precedent or historic basis.

3. WOMEN SERVING IN ANY FIVE-FOLD MINISTRY OFFICE IS EXPRESSLY FORBIDDEN IN 1 TIMOTHY 2:11-12:
“Let the women learn in silence with all subjection.
But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.”

Here women are instructed to learn quietly in submission, and they are not permitted to teach men or to exercise authority over them. Other Bible translations make the sense of this prohibition even clearer:
“Let a woman quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness.
But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet.” (N.A.S.V.)
The Amplified version reads:
“Let a woman learn in quietness and entire submissiveness.
I allow no woman to teach or to have authority over men; she is to remain in quietness and keep silence (in religious assemblies).”
And the Living Bible says:
“Women should listen and learn quietly and humbly.
I never let women teach men or lord it over them. Let them be silent in your church meetings.”
Since any exercise of a five-fold ministry office is an exercise of spiritual authority (I Tim. 3:5; Heb. 13:7, 17), women simply are not permitted to exercise this authority over men. God designed in the order of His universe that woman was to be “an help meet” for the man, not an authoritative figure over the man (Gen. 2:18,20), and she is not the head of the man but he is to be her head (Eph. 5:22-24; I Cor. 11:3, 8-9).
Violating these clear injunctions from Scripture invariably leads to spiritual deterioration, chaos, and confusion within the church (or the home). Nothing functions properly when it is out of Biblical order.

Godly Women in the New Testament
There are many examples in the New Testament of godly women who evangelized unbelievers and encouraged believers, including men. Priscilla and her husband, Aquila, even explained proper doctrine to the preacher, Apollos (Acts 18:26), and the woman at the well in Samaria was largely responsible for the evangelization of her community due to her own personal testimony of Christ (John4:28-29, 39). However, these women did not function in any authoritative five-fold ministry office in the church, for such would have contradicted the scriptural principles of proper role relationships, and violated God’s prohibitions.
Amazingly, in spite the clarity of Paul’s instructions, some have argued that these verses do not constitute a prohibition of women ministries, but instead are a “cultural limitation”. They contend that this prohibition applied only to the unlearned women in a particular city and time, who were unqualified to teach due to their lack of education and the prevalent cultural sense of propriety that existed at that time.
However, the context of the verses clearly reveals that such was not the case.
Paul’s prohibition is linked not to custom or culture, but to the very order of creation!
Continuing from Paul’s prohibition in 1 Timothy 2:11-12, verse 13 explains why
the woman is forbidden to teach or hold an authoritative position over men: “For (because) Adam was first formed, then Eve.”
The prohibition is because God did not design for woman to be the head over man, but vice versa! God, in His divine scheme, never intended for women to function in roles He delegated to men. Though created equal, each sex was to function in the role God intended. It violated divine order for the women to usurp male authority in churches or homes. Is God unfair to women? Does this prohibition declare male superiority? Absolutely not! No one sex is more important than the other.

IS A KNIFE MORE IMPORTANT THAN A FORK?
No! Both are equally necessary, and we would be foolish to argue over which was more important or superior. Both are important and were fashioned to perform equally essential functions! However, neither can do as good a job as the other was made to perform. Did you ever try to eat spaghetti with a knife–or cut steak with a fork?
They don’t function well in those capacities because that is not the purpose for which they were designed! But when functioning in the roles for which they were intended both perform excellently!

The Same is True with Male and Female Roles
As it is with the order of man’s creation (knives and forks), so it is with God’s (men and women). Though this may not be a perfect analogy, yet it helps to make the point.
The Bible declares that women simply were not “formed” for the role of church leadership; they are, after all, the “weaker vessel” (I Peter 3:7). God created the male and female equal but different. Each was to function in the role and capacity for which God intended! For the woman to hold authority over the man, or for the man to submit to the woman, is to depart from divine order.

Paul’s Prohibition in I Timothy 2 Linked to the Fall
As we continue in the context, Paul links the prohibition (I Timothy 2:11-12) not to “culture” but to the nature of the fall!
“And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression” (I Tim. 2:14).
Paul is not trying to lay the blame for the fall all on Eve (In fact, in Romans 5:12-ff he attributes the entrance of sin into the world directly to Adam and doesn’t even mention Eve.) But Paul could be suggesting here that woman, being the weaker vessel and more emotional, was more susceptible to deception than was the man. Paul states plainly that Adam wasn’t deceived in the garden. He knew what he was doing! He sinned with his eyes open! He was persuaded by the woman, but not deceived by her or the serpent (cf. Gen. 3:17).
Thus, to discard the Bible’s prohibition of women serving in five-fold ministry on the basis of “ancient culture” is to clearly disregard the entire meaning and context of the verse. This prohibition is valid in any age and in any culture! No other meaning could possibly be intended.

Yet Another Prohibition!
“In the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established” (Matt.18:16).
God repeats Himself in order to get the point across!
“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 (literally, to take a submissive, subordinate place) as also saith the law.
And if they will learn anything, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church” (I Cor. 14:34-35).
One may argue the point from logic, reason, philosophy or popular opinion, but the Bible is clear! Women are out of place in any ministry position that gives them authority over men. No woman can scripturally serve in a ministry that puts them behind a pulpit preaching to or teaching men.
Any church that allows a woman pastor, co-pastor, associate pastor, evangelist, preacher, or teacher of men, clearly violates these biblical injunctions, and does so to their own peril. It is no light thing to so wantonly disregard God’s own clear commands.

ANSWERING THE OBJECTIONS.
There are several passages of Scripture that objectors use in an attempt to justify their views allowing the ordination of women. We will mention the major objections here and refute them scripturally.

QUESTION 1: WHAT ABOUT GALATIANS 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.”
Doesn’t this passage declare the equality of women, and therefore justify their ordination into the ministry (as well as man’s)?

ANSWER:
Many people do quote this verse in an attempt to justify women serving in five-fold ministry offices. In an effort to justify their unscriptural practices and beliefs, they resort to lifting this verse entirely out of its context, twisting its intended meaning to fit their own purposes, and actually using it to contradict everything God says in the New Testament on the subject.

Take It in Its Context
The context declares the intended meaning of the verse which is justification by faith in Christ, irrespective of social status, sex, or nationality. Male and female, rich and poor, Jew and Gentile, all have equal access to God and are heirs together of God’s gift of grace (cf. Eph. 3:6).
This verse teaches that all are equal in the sight of God. No one race, social status, or sex is superior. Gentiles are not inferior to Jews; the poor are not inferior to the rich, and; women are not inferior to men. Every believer has access by faith into the very same presence of God through the blood of Christ (Heb. 10:19), and all believers can equally receive the promise of the Holy Spirit and manifest spiritual gifts (Acts 1:13-14 with 2:1-4, 17; 1 Cor. 12:7; 14:26,31; cf. 1 Cor. 11:5). So all believers are equally children of God regardless of sex, race, or social status.
To be Continued.

Lord willing, more will be posted soon. All glory to Jesus alone.

A Little Light Reading.
Three Unclean Spirit's

Joe Crews.

The book of Revelation is different
from any other part of the Bible. As a
prophetic history of the church of all the
ages, it is quite largely a book of quotes.
Someone has calculated that out of 404
verses, 276 are either directly quoted or
paraphrased from the Old Testament
Scriptures. It seems clearly evident that
no one can properly understand this last
book of the inspired canon unless he also
has a close familiarity with the writings
of Moses and the prophets.
This may account for the vast confu-
sion that exists today over the meaning
of John’s apocalyptic beasts and sym-
bolic horsemen. The so-called “New
By Joe Crews
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Testament” church bodies that view the
Old Testament as only fulfillments of
an antiquated past would certainly find
no relevance in the writings of John
the Revelator.
Paul wrote, “… all scripture is giv-
en by inspiration of God, and is profit-
able for doctrine, for reproof, for cor-
rection, for instruction in righteous-
ness” (2 Timothy 3:16). Since the New
Testament had not yet been written, we
can be certain that he was referring to the
Old Testament Scriptures. “For whatso-
ever things were written aforetime were
written for our learning,” Paul declared
in Romans 15:4.
These texts establish that the com-
posite prophecies of Revelation are espe-
cially applicable to our own day and were
inspired for our “doctrine,” “learning,”
and “instruction in righteousness.”
Just as the book of Genesis delineates
the beginning of the great controversy
between good and evil, the last book
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of the Bible describes the close of the
conflict. This makes it one of the most
important books in the sacred Scriptures.
It describes the kind of people God will
take to heaven and how they become
overcomers by the blood of the Lamb. It
warns, also, against the final assaults that
Satan will throw against the saints as the
battle rages to its climax. What a docu-
ment! And how the devil hates this book
that exposes his origin, devices, and
final destiny!
Can we logically expect Satan to at-
tack these prophecies which lay open his
deceptive plans and purposes? How has
he done it? By introducing futurism, the
adversary has struck a blow at the foun-
dation of prophetic understanding. The
biblical principle of historicism that es-
tablishes a “day for a year” has been re-
jected, and an unwarranted literalism has
been applied to the great lines of proph-
ecy laid out in Daniel and Revelation.
Specifically, this type of confused
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hermeneutics has been utilized in the
study of Armageddon and the king of the
north. The symbolic portrayal of those
events from the pen of the Revelator pro-
vides a key for correcting the error.
“And the sixth angel poured out his
vial upon the great river Euphrates; and
the water thereof was dried up, that the
way of the kings of the east might be
prepared. And I saw three unclean spir-
its like frogs come out of the mouth of
the dragon, and out of the mouth of the
beast, and out of the mouth of the false
prophet. For they are the spirits of dev-
ils, working miracles, which go forth
unto the kings of the earth and of the
whole world, to gather them to the bat-
tle of that great day of God Almighty.
Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he
that watcheth, and keepeth his garments,
lest he walk naked, and they see his
shame. And he gathered them together
into a place called in the Hebrew tongue
Armageddon” (Revelation 16:12–16).
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Armageddon—A Spiritual Battle
This is probably the key text in the
Bible relating to the great world-end-
ing struggle between Christ and Satan.
Immediately, we can see that many sym-
bols are brought to light in these verses.
The beast, and dragon, and false prophet
are not literal at all. And what can we say
about the clothes described in verse 15?
Why would this peculiar interruption
take place in the midst of a description of
Armageddon? These clothes are the gar-
ments of salvation and refer directly to
the “fine linen” of that robe of righteous-
ness described in Revelation 19:8.
From these verses also we notice that
the coming of Jesus “as a thief ’ is related
to the drying up of the river Euphrates
and the appearing of the “kings of the
east.” And even the Battle of Armageddon
is tied to these events. Do these phrases
sound familiar? They should, because
the same language is used in Isaiah 44:27
to describe the fall of ancient Babylon.
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Cyrus actually “dried up” the Euphrates
River and thus delivered the literal Jews
from Babylonian captivity. After refer-
ring to Cyrus as “the righteous man from
the east” in Isaiah 41:2, Isaiah speaks of
him as one who would “dry up thy riv-
ers” and “open … the two leaved gates”
(Isaiah 44:27, 28; 45:1).
Historians recognize these as refer-
ences to the clever battle plan of King
Cyrus to enter the city via the water gates
through the wall, after the water had been
diverted from its channel. Since the river
flowed through the midst of Babylon,
this ruse was a perfect means of access
into the city while the drunken king par-
tied with his military leaders.
Why is Revelation predicting a future
drying up of Euphrates and an end-time
deliverance of God’s people? Hasn’t this
all been fulfilled in the days of Daniel
the prophet? It has in its primary literal
fulfillment, but John reveals that there
is a secondary, symbolic application of
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those events. In the historical account,
the literal Jews were freed from the literal
Babylonians, but the book of Revelation
pictures a spiritual Israel being saved
from spiritual Babylon. Both rescues are
made possible through the drying up of
the Euphrates River, and both are accom-
plished by kings of the east.
Here we encounter an important
principle of prophetic interpretation. The
immediate fulfillment is always literal and
local, while the future prophetic fulfill-
ment is always spiritual and worldwide.
Thus, God’s people in one instance are
the nation of Israel, and in the later case
are His faithful people of all nations and
races; in other words, two Israels—one
physical in the book of Daniel, and the
other spiritual in the book of Revelation.
Two drying ups—one literally in the past,
and one symbolically in the future.
This leads us to the conclusion that
the battle of Armageddon, as portrayed
in Revelation, is not a literal battle
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between East and West, but the spiritual
climax of the 6,000-year conflict between
Christ and Satan. Here the great adver-
sary is symbolized as making a final at-
tack against the people of God to destroy
them. Using a combination of earthly
powers he will influence world govern-
ments to unite in a program to wipe out
those who refuse to receive his mark of
authority. Those who stand loyal to God’s
law in the face of overwhelming opposi-
tion will finally be condemned to death.
This is what Armageddon is all about.
John tells us that water represents
people. “The waters which thou sawest
… are peoples, and multitudes, and na-
tions, and tongues” (Revelation 17:15).
The harlot woman who sits on the “many
waters” is identified as the apostate reli-
gious system. Drying up of the water rep-
resents the drying up of support by those
multitudes that had been deluded by the
woman and her spiritual daughters. The
Bible declares that they “shall hate the
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whore, and shall make her desolate …
and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with
fire” (Revelation 17:16). Unfortunately,
that awakening will come too late to re-
verse the fate of those who will have al-
ready been sealed in apostasy and error.
But who are the “kings of the east” in
Revelation whose coming is preceded by
these dramatic events? Whatever is sym-
bolized here must follow on the heels of
the three unclean spirits gathering the
whole world to the Battle of Armageddon.
Cyrus, king of the east, brought deliver-
ance to Israel in the Old Testament, but
who are the kings of the east in the book
of Revelation who will save spiritual Israel
from the wrath of spiritual Babylon?
The Scriptures describe only one
rescue operation from the east after that
final gathering of the nations. “For as
the lightening cometh out of the east,
and shineth even unto the west; so shall
also the coming of the Son of man be”
(Matthew 24:27). It is from that same
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direction that the sealing angel ascends
to mark the saints for their deliverance.
“And I saw another angel ascending from
the east, having the seal of the living
God” (Revelation 7:2).
The prophet Ezekiel identifies the
east as God’s special place of abode and
operation. “And, behold, the glory of the
God of Israel came from the way of the
east” (Ezekiel 43:2). These verses leave
no doubt that the kings of the east sym-
bolize the glorious intervention of Jesus
and the armies of heaven in dealing with
the warring factions of this earth. We
note once more the inspired account of
the opposing forces that will clash in this
last encounter between good and evil.
Revelation 16:12 speaks of the “kings
of the east” and verse 14 describes the
other side as “the kings of the earth.”
What a contest! The great controversy
reaches its final stages in this cosmic
involvement of every soul who lives on
planet earth.
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What circumstances lead up to the
gathering of all nations to this apocalyp-
tic Armageddon? John gives a graphic
account of it: “And I saw three unclean
spirits like frogs come out of the mouth
of the dragon, and out of the mouth of
the beast, and out of the mouth of the
false prophet. For they are the spirits
of devils, working miracles, which go
forth unto the kings of the earth and of
the whole world, to gather them to the
battle of that great day of God Almighty.
… And he gathered them together into
a place called in the Hebrew tongue
Armageddon” (Revelation 16:13–16).
Three Spirits Like Frogs
Now we are prepared to identify the
three major actors who will set the
stage for this end-time holocaust. Time
does not allow us to give the prophetic
and historical background on each of the
miracle-working trio who influence the
earthly rulers to war against God. Suffice
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it to say that all three—the beast, drag-
on, and false prophet—are portrayed as
being used by demonic power in their
gathering of nations to the battle of
Armageddon.
From the days of Martin Luther to
the present, Bible commentators have
recognized the papacy as the fulfillment
of the score of biblical tests relating to the
beast power. It was to rise among the na-
tions of Western Europe, uprooting three
tribes, speaking blasphemy, persecuting
all opponents, ruling for 1,260 years, and
finally receiving a deadly wound.
Only the papal system fulfills all of
those characteristics so clearly delin-
eated in both Daniel and Revelation.
The deadly wound was given in 1798,
at the end of an exact political reign
of 1,260 years, and the pope was taken
prisoner by French Revolutionary forc-
es dispatched by Napoleon Bonaparte.
This makes it clear that the modern pa-
pacy will indeed be one of the powerful
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catalysts that will bring on the ultimate
threat against the remnant of the seed of
the woman (Revelation 12:17).
The second force in the preparation
for Armageddon will be the dragon.
This is the symbol of satanic power in its
most virulent and confrontational form.
Certainly this would include every as-
pect of pagan worship, but specifically, it
would also relate to the more respected
elements of occultism, Spiritualism, and
New Age, which have been adopted by
many Christians today.
None can deny that churches of
various persuasions have embraced the
doctrine of the natural immortality of
the soul, the very root and foundation
of all attempts to communicate with
the dead. Such a belief opens the door
for almost every form of modern New
Age deception, including Spiritualism
and the mind sciences. Thus, a strong
sympathetic chain has been forged be-
tween Christianity and paganism. Such
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a federation will be one of the major
influences in stirring up the kings of
the earth to battle against the remnant
of the woman, and finally, against the
armies of heaven. “And the dragon was
wroth with the woman, and went to
make war with the remnant of her seed,
which keep the commandments of God,
and have the testimony of Jesus Christ”
(Revelation 12:17).
The third symbolic power that will
prepare the world for the battle of that
great day is described as the false prophet.
He, like the others, causes miracles to be
performed in order to effect a gathering
of the nations to that last battle between
Christ and Satan. Who is this false proph-
et? We find a clue in Revelation 19 that
describes the disastrous outcome of the
battle for the enemies of Christ. “And the
beast was taken, and with him the false
prophet that wrought miracles before him,
with which he deceived them that had re-
ceived the mark of the beast” (v. 20).
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This text describes how the false
prophet works miracles in relation to
those who receive the mark of the beast.
Does the Bible identify the one who car-
ries out these counterfeit miracles? In
Revelation 13 we read, “And I beheld an-
other beast coming up out of the earth;
and he had two horns like a lamb, and
he spake as a dragon. … And he doeth
great wonders, so that he maketh fire
come down from heaven on the earth
in the sight of men, And deceiveth them
that dwell on the earth by means of those
miracles which he had power to do in
the sight of the beast. … And he causeth
all, both small and great, … to receive a
mark in their right hand, or in their fore-
heads” (vs. 11–16).
By putting these verses together
we discover that the second beast of
Revelation 13 is the false prophet who
also works miracles and causes all to re-
ceive the mark. Even the nature of the
miracles is detailed by John: “he maketh
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fire come down from heaven on the earth
in the sight of men” (v. 13). The descrip-
tion of this second beast establishes be-
yond question that the prophet is talk-
ing about Protestant America in its rise
to world dominance. Note the signifi-
cant reference to “coming up” as the first
beast received its deadly wound. Was the
United States rising to power in the very
year the papacy went down? Indeed, in
1798 America was first recognized as
a world power—the very year of the
papal wound.
Contrary to the first beast rising out
of the water, representing many peo-
ple, the two-horned second beast came
up out of the earth, signifying a place
of no former civilization and peoples
(Revelation 13:11).
The absence of crowns on its two
horns also indicates a peaceful democ-
racy in contrast to the crowns on the
horns of the first beast that symbolized
monarchies or dictatorships. It is also
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interesting to note, in passing, that the
miracles had to do with bringing fire
from heaven. John added that the work
of the false prophet was like frogs, going
forth to deceive.
Frogs capture their prey with their
tongues, and the false prophet bring-
ing fire down from heaven sounds
very much like a counterfeit Pentecost.
These symbols may well indicate how
pseudo-Christian concepts will form
a link between paganism and apostate
Protestantism. The false prophet, instead
of representing the United States as a po-
litical entity only, would extend to the
“image of the beast” and portray fallen,
compromised Protestantism doing the
work of the first beast, or Catholicism.
Church and State Unite
There is no question but that Satan
has woven an age-long network pat-
tern of pagan infiltration in both govern-
ment and religion. It has been done so
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cleverly, over the ages, that few recognize
how much common ground now exists
in these powerful institutions. Sunday,
the ancient day of licentious sun wor-
ship for every heathen culture, has been
so artfully sanitized that it is now the ac-
cepted substitute for the biblical seventh-
day Sabbath in both secular and reli-
gious settings. Incredibly, this has been
accomplished while both church and
state still give recognition to the moral
nature of the Ten Commandments that
declare unequivocally that “the seventh
day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God”
(Exodus 20:10).
Consider the ease with which gov-
ernment can now lend support to a rest
day which they themselves recognize by
closing up all official functions of their
own operation on Sunday. Repeatedly,
laws have been instituted and enforced to
make it a crime to violate the supposed
sanctity of a day dedicated originally to
satanic sun worship. Amazing? Indeed, it
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is the most incredible religious fraud of
the ages and one that only the prince of
evil could have perpetrated.
Then, we must marvel again at the
respectable status accorded to the New
Age movement whose tentacles have ex-
tended equally through both religious
and non-religious communities. Finally,
the devil has been able to effect a revival
of his most primitive approach to the
human race. Through a variety of mod-
ern titles and high-sounding techniques,
Satan is channeling his evil principles
directly into the minds of millions today
who cannot recognize that they are actu-
ally learning to worship Satan. All who
subscribe to the pagan concept of a natu-
rally immortal soul are vulnerable to the
New Age appeal to communicate with
these supposed “Spirit Masters.”
Charismatic worshippers who have
been conditioned by emotional and sen-
sory manifestations stand in the great-
est danger of being deceived by the New
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Age and Spiritualism appeal. Those who
trust feeling as a valid test of true reli-
gion do not easily discern counterfeit
gifts. Prophecy indicates that a counter-
feit “tongues” could be one aspect of the
three-fold preparation for the final de-
ception.
Coming back to the words of the
prophet, we now see the tri-lateral ap-
proach that Satan will make to the kings
of the earth to prepare them for their
part in Armageddon. Every effort will
be made by our great enemy to unite
secular and religious powers to de-
stroy the little remnant people which
“keep the commandments of God and
have the testimony of Jesus Christ”
(Revelation 12:17).
Satan’s wrath is especially aimed
against the law of God. He hates it be-
cause it constitutes the foundation of
God’s government. He despises the saints
who are repeatedly described in the book
of Revelation as those who “keep the
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commandments of God” (Revelation
14:12; 12:17; 22:14).
Thus far we have discovered that the
common ground of Spiritualism (im-
mortal soul), counterfeit tongues, and
New Age errors will cement an end-time
alliance between apostate Protestantism,
Catholicism, and secular governments—
an alliance which will unite them against
the unpopular minority who refuse
the mark of the beast. Under the influ-
ence of this confederation the nations of
the earth, following the example of the
United States, will be led to issue a death
decree against all who will not receive
that mark.
Counterfeit Miracles and
the Kings of the Earth
I
t is interesting, at this point, to ob-
serve how this grand objective of
unified action will be accomplished by
these diverse political and religious en-
tities. Some have held that they will be
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drawn together by economic necessity,
as related world finances experience si-
multaneous collapse. Without discount-
ing this and other possible factors, we
must recognize that the prophecy itself
plainly bears witness to the primary role
of demonic miracles as the basic bond-
ing force pulling the nations together for
the final action against God’s people and
His government. In other words, it seems
less political than it does spiritual from
the biblical viewpoint.
Right now we can only speculate
about the nature of those signs and
wonders that Satan will use to impress
the kings of the earth. With the rising
influence of Spiritualism in many reli-
gious bodies and the growing emphasis
on miracles and emotional feeling as
the criteria of truth, we can expect some
grandiose display of demonic power that
will capture the attention and interest of
every country in the world. We know
that the great deceiver will impersonate
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the coming of Jesus in some spectacular
manner, and no one should doubt that
such miraculous displays could make
intellectual believers and cooperators
out of Moslems, Hindus, Buddhists,
Communists, or any other strain of na-
tional or religious identity.
And don’t discount the providen-
tial influences that will be operating on
the other side—God’s side—to prepare
for the final events of the great contro-
versy. Even though Satan is the tempo-
rary prince of this world, God still has
oversight of the rise and fall of nations.
A divine destiny is even now influenc-
ing the political processes and pressures
in which certain relationships are being
established between countries.
The most atheistic observers have
counted the rapid fall of international
communism as an incredible develop-
ment very close to a miracle. And almost
everyone describes the lightning victory of
the allied forces over Saddam Hussein as
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an unbelievable, impossible accomplish-
ment. How could such a war be fought
with so few casualties on one side? Yet in
each of these recent cataclysmic actions—
the fall of communism and the United
States victory over Iraq—the results have
been to place America in a center-stage
position of influence over all the other na-
tions. This is exactly what is demanded by
the prophecy of Revelation 13. This coun-
try will “deceive them that dwell on the
earth … And he causeth all, both small
and great, rich and poor, free and bond,
to receive a mark in their right hand, or
in their foreheads” (Revelation 13:14–16).
Another shocking activity of the sec-
ond beast of Revelation 13 apparently is
produced after it loses its lamblike qual-
ity and begins to speak as a dragon. John
wrote, “And he exerciseth all the power
of the first beast before him, and causeth
the earth and them which dwell therein
to worship the first beast, whose deadly
wound was healed” (Revelation 13:12).
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As we have already discovered, the
deadly wound was given to the papacy in
1798, and it has been in the process of
healing since 1929 when the Vatican was
established as a political state once again.
According to this prophecy, the United
States will begin to exercise a similar reli-
gious intolerance as the Catholic Church
and will use her influence to cause peo-
ple allover the world to give spiritual al-
legiance to that church.
If this scenario seemed far-fetched
and unlikely at some time in the past, it
certainly is not that way today. The grow-
ing political influence of Pope John Paul II
in world affairs is a phenomenon of the
very recent past. The United States has
appointed an official representative to
the head of that church state, and some
amazing concessions have been made to
accommodate the pope in his pilgrimage
visits to this and other countries.
A very significant statement ap-
peared in the August 13, 1990, issue of
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U.S. News and World Report magazine.
“Pope John Paul II discusses world af-
fairs on the telephone with George Bush
and Mikhail Gorbachev at least once a
week, according to Professor Malachi
Martin, a Roman Catholic theologian
and Vatican insider. … Martin says
the Pope offers the President informed
analyses prepared by the Vatican’s intel-
ligence network about developments in
Eastern Europe and his personal assess-
ments of the new leaders there as well as
in the Soviet Union.”
Such an unseemly alliance between
papal churchmen and the heads of na-
tions is certainly a violation of the tra-
ditional American concept of separa-
tion of church and state. But it fits in
perfectly with the prophetic scenario of
final events. Many students of proph-
ecy found it difficult to believe that
Catholicism could ever regain her pow-
erful political clout after the “deadly
wound” experience of the eighteenth
ThreeUncleanSpiritsUnmaskedText.indd 26 5/13/10 5:36 PM Three Unclean Spirits 27
century. It was felt that Communist
totalitarianism would always be around
to limit the expansionistic aims of the pa-
pacy. The two giant opposing forces were
perceived as a necessary balance against
each other so that neither could gain
authoritarian superiority.
Now all that has changed. It is gen-
erally recognized that the Pope played a
significant role in the collapse of interna-
tional communism. The recent book The
Keys of This Blood, written just before the
iron curtain began its rapid dissolution,
describes the obsessive determination
of the present Pope to bring the entire
world order under the spiritual domina-
tion of the so-called Holy See of Rome.
The author describes the concentrated
focus of the papal attack on the com-
munistic system, long recognized as the
greatest obstacle to the Church’s goal.
If time allowed, we could study the
prophecy of Daniel 11 where the pre-
cise victory of the king of the North
ThreeUncleanSpiritsUnmaskedText.indd 27 5/13/10 5:36 PM 28 Three Unclean Spirits
(Catholicism) over the king of the South
(Atheistic communism) is clearly pre-
dicted. For three tense, dramatic days in
August 1991, the world held its breath as
the Russian coup appeared to reverse the
prophetic agenda for the little time re-
maining. Now, the road seems to be wide
open for the Catholic power to fulfill its
particular role, along with the dragon
and the false prophet.
Beginning with verse 40, we read
the account of a mighty struggle tak-
ing place at the time of the end between
these two contending forces. The iden-
tity of these symbolic kings can be es-
tablished by comparing a few texts. In
Isaiah 30:6, 7 the land of Egypt is identified
as “of the south.” John the Revelator re-
fers to France’s period of atheism around
1798 as that “which spiritually is called
Sodom and Egypt” (Revelation 11:8).
Thus, we find the land of the Pharaohs
connected to atheism. Indeed, it was the
king of Egypt who made the proud boast,
ThreeUncleanSpiritsUnmaskedText.indd 28 5/13/10 5:36 PM Three Unclean Spirits 29
“Who is the Lord, that I should obey his
voice?” (Exodus 5:2).
As Daniel describes the continuing
conflict between the king of the north
and king of the south, we are made aware
that his symbol of Egypt has come to rep-
resent not just the arrogant spirit of that
large country south of Israel but last-day
atheism in whatever form it is manifest.
Communism is the virulent form that
atheism has assumed for the past many
years, and much of Daniel 11 is describing
the life and death clash of communism
with its great foe, the king of the north.
But who is this antagonist from the
north who finally gains the ascendancy
over the powers of atheism? Here are some
texts that show beyond question that the
primary application of this symbol was to
Babylon. “Toward the north by the river
Euphrates,” “in the north country by the
river Euphrates,” “all the families of the
north … and Nebuchadnezzar the king
of Babylon” (Jeremiah 46:6; 46:10; 25:9).
ThreeUncleanSpiritsUnmaskedText.indd 29 5/13/10 5:36 PM 30 Three Unclean Spirits
The literal city of Babylon was built
right over the Euphrates River, but there
is another future, spiritual applica-
tion of Babylon revealed in the book of
Revelation. The very last part of Daniel
11 also deals with the symbolic king of
the north, or spiritual Babylon. Many
phrases in this chapter give positive evi-
dence that this power is the papacy. For
instance: it shall “pollute the sanctuary,”
“take away the daily sacrifice,” “magnify
himself above all,” and “corrupt with flat-
teries” (Daniel 11:31, 32).
Now consider the high drama of this
prediction in Daniel 11:40. “And at the
time of the end shall the king of the south
push at him: and the king of the north
shall come against him like a whirlwind,
… and he shall enter into the countries,
and shall overflow and pass over.”
How significant it is that Newsweek
magazine on December 25, 1989, trum-
peted the news of the fall of communism
in these words, “Days of the Whirlwind.”
ThreeUncleanSpiritsUnmaskedText.indd 30 5/13/10 5:36 PM Three Unclean Spirits 31
Commentary after commentary gave
credit to the Pope for bringing down
Gorbachev and the iron grip of atheism
on Eastern Europe. The prophecy said it
would be “like a whirlwind” and that is
exactly how the media reported it.
Bible students have long debated how
the whole world could be influenced to
wonder after the beast, and also how the
kings of the earth could be drawn into
that final encounter between good and
evil. Now we can see how the greatest
barrier has been removed, and the three
unclean spirits are working through the
beast, dragon, and false prophet to in-
volve every soul in that “battle of the
great day of God.”
What an age to be alive! Excitement
mounts as we ride the crest of towering
events that sweep us toward the grand cli-
max of history—the coming of Jesus. We
need to be constantly aware of the fast-
breaking signs that point to His return,
but our preparation for that moment
ThreeUncleanSpiritsUnmaskedText.indd 31 5/13/10 5:36 PM 32 Three Unclean Spirits
in time involves more than knowledge.
Only the pure in heart will see God and
live in His presence. A total commitment
of heart, mind, and body is the greatest
need of every living soul.
While the angels of Revelation hold
the four winds of strife from blowing on
the earth, and the glory of God gathers
in the eastern skies, a final invitation is
beginning to confront every man, wom-
an, and child on this crumbling planet.
“Come out of her, my people” is the call
of the hour. God is gathering His faith-
ful ones, who love Him supremely, to
Mount Zion, the place of safety and
salvation. The three unclean spirits are
gathering the forces of apostate religion
and compromising governments to the
great day of battle. Today we stand in the valley of decision.

Chapter 75 Time Periods of Daniel 12




Daniel chapter 12 has three time periods: 1260 days (time, times and half a time), 1290 days and 1335 days. Adventists do not really have an explanation for the latter two time periods. Using the year-day principle some Adventist scholars begin the 1290 year period 30 years before 538 AD, ie 508 AD. Beginning the 1335-day period at the same time, 508 AD, it brings us to 1843, the year Miller first thought the Second Advent would be. When they corrected the 2300-day prophecy for year 0 for the transition from BC to AD, and came to 1844, it caused a problem for this explanation of the 1335-year prophecy.

Having rejected the year-day principle in general (except for Dan 9) (chapter 5), another explanation must be found for all of these prophecies. The meaning of the 1260-day prophecy is well established with 7 references to it in Daniel and Revelation (chapter 6). The text that indicates its beginning and end the best is Rev 11:1, 2 (chapter 12):

1 And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.
2 But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.

The beginning is the sealing of the 144 000 – the measuring of the people in the temple. The end is when the gentiles are measured. The gentiles represent, amongst others, the great multitude of the second harvest of the righteous (chapter 56) and their Probation Closes 42 months (same as 1260 days, or 3.5 years) later.

Let us look and see what Dan 12 says about these three time periods, beginning with the 1260-day period. To place the time period in the context of Dan 12 we need to look at the context. Dan 12 begins with Michael standing up to protect His people:

1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.
2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.

The time of trouble referred to here is the 3.5-year period. Michael standing up coincides with the sealing of the 144 000. This is indicated by the deliverance of God’s people whose names are written in the book. The book referred to here is the little book of Rev 10 which contains the names of the 144 000 (chapter 60). During the 3.5 years God will protect the 144 000 from the onslaughts of Satan and evil men.

It would seem that some of the 144 000 will be saints of old that are resurrected to be a part of the 144 000. Daniel himself is likely to be one of the resurrected saints:

Dan 12:13 But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.

This is the special resurrection where some saints and some of the most ardent enemies of God are resurrected to see the triumph of Christ (chapter 67).

The wise referred to in verse 3 are the 144 000 who will be proclaiming the Three Angels’ Messages, bringing many people to accept Christ. So in the context of the 144 000, their sealing and their work, the 1260-day time period is mentioned:

5 Then I Daniel looked, and, behold, there stood other two, the one on this side of the bank of the river, and the other on that side of the bank of the river.
6 And one said to the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, How long shall it be to the end of these wonders?
7 And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.

In Daniel’s vision one of the men on the banks of the river asks the angel standing on the water of the river, how long these things will be. In the context of the first part of Dan 12, the sealing of the 144 000 and their work, it will be a time (1 year), times (two years) and a half (half a year). From their sealing until all things are finished – Probation is Closed - 3.5 years. Mention is made of the scattering of the power of the 144 000. We saw in Rev 11 that when their work is done, God will remove His protection over them, and many of them will be killed (chapter 53). Daniel affirms this with the scattering of the power of the holy people. We see the first half of Dan 12 agrees very strongly with Rev 10 and 11 – 3.5 years, swearing that time will be no more, little book, activities of the 144 000, their death, and the Close of Probation.

Let us look at the 1290-day period:

10 Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.
11 And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.

The removal of the daily sacrifice is when global legislation is incorporated preventing people from worshipping the One True God, enforcing the worship of the Trinity. Legislation for Sunday worship will also be set up. We have seen in chapter 22 that these laws will be enforced when the false Christ appears on Earth (beast with lamb-like horns). This will occur 1150 days before the Close of Probation, but 1290 days before the Close of Probation the legislation will be set up, yet not enforced. This then will occur 30 days before the sealing of the 144 000 – the Outpouring of the Latter Rain (chapter 17). The 144 000 will be humbling themselves before God in earnest prayer for these 30 days – saints purified and made white. A similar process occurred before Pentecost – the Former Rain. Christ told His followers to go to Jerusalem and prepare for Pentecost:

Acts 1:4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.
5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
12 Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey.
13 And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James.
14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

The 1290 days begin 30 days before the 1260 days, and end at the same time, the Close of Probation.

What does Daniel 12 say about the 1335 days?

12 Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days.

It would seem the 1335 days begin at the same time as the 1290 days since verse 12 follows directly after verse 11 which explains the 1290 days. It says blessed is he that waits beyond the end of the 1290 days for another 45 days. What blessing will he receive? The blessing of Christ’s return, the Second Advent. That means there will be 45 days between the Close of Probation to the Second Advent. The Seven Last Plagues, therefore, will be poured out in 45 days.

These time periods are not hard and fast doctrines, but this is my suggestion as to their meaning. Any other thoughts on these periods will be appreciated.

This brings us to the conclusion of this book on an alternative understanding of Revelation. I have laid it out, giving my hermeneutics. It is not a final word, but to me this has made Revelation make much more sense. I am open to any discussion on Revelation, and any other thoughts, since I do not have a final say on prophecy. My email is: martinbredekamp65@gmail.com

May God bless you as you contemplate prophecy, and indeed, see how it unfolds, because the time is at hand. Jesus said all these things will occur in one generation. I believe the end time events are already in motion and the time clock of the one generation is already ticking.

Matt 24:34 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.

Maranatha.

Chapter 62 Temple Furniture




An important part of prophecy hermeneutics is finding the antitype of all the types in the Hebrew sanctuary. Revelation has strong ties with the furniture in the temple. There are four main pieces of furniture inside the temple. In the Holy Place we have the seven golden candlesticks in the south, the table of shewbread in the north, and the altar of incense in the west, before the curtain to the Most Holy Place. In the Most Holy Place we have the ark of the covenant.

The introductions to the first four major portions of Revelation relate to one of the respective pieces of furniture. Let us go through them one-by-one as they appear in order in Revelation:

The Seven Churches is introduced with Christ standing amongst the seven candlesticks, each candlestick belonging to each of the respective Seven Churches:

Rev 1: 12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;
13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.
20 The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.

Verse 20 explains what the candlesticks represent: Each candlestick represents one of the Seven Churches of Asia Minor. In the next chapter we will see that the flame of each candlestick is the presence of God. God is omnipresent where He is present in each church simultaneously. He is everywhere simultaneously.

Christ is introduced to the church of Ephesus as walking amongst the candlesticks:

Rev 2:1 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;

He also warns Ephesus that if they do not repent, He will remove their candlestick:

Rev 2:5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

The seven seals is introduced with a vision of the throne room of God. He is sitting on His throne surrounded by the four living creatures, the 24 elders and the angelic host. In the Hebrew sanctuary, the table of shewbread represented God on His throne. On the table are twelve flat loaves of shewbread in two stacks of six. God is the provider of Christ, our Bread of Life. God provides in all our needs. In Revelation 4 we see God on His throne – the table of shewbread, without the bread. John weeps, because we need the provisions for our salvation from God. Chapter 5 brings to us the slain Lamb Who is the Bread of Life on the table of shewbread. All nature erupts in joy and praise when the worthy Lamb appears on the throne with the Father:

6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.
7 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.

The Lamb is worthy to open the seals on the book. He gives us the life from the Father, and He did it by being slain in our stead. He died our death so that we can live His life.

The seventh Seal is the Seven Trumpets. When the seventh Seal is opened we see in the introduction to the Seven Trumpets Christ the High Priest officiating before the altar of incense (chapter 18).

Rev 8:3 And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.
4 And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand.
5 And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake.

We see the altar of incense featuring here in a process of atonement. The Angel – Christ – is at the altar with a censer. Much incense is given to Him and the censer is filled with hot coals and incense and a thick cloud of sweet-smelling smoke blocks out the glory of God as Christ enters the Most Holy Place – the throne of God in the setting of judgement – while the saints (144 000) are earnestly praying for their atonement. The Father accepts Christs sacrifice on their behalf and Christ then comes out from the presence of the Father with His censer, filling the censer with more fire. He then throws down the censer to the Earth where the 144 000 are agonising in prayer. They have been sealed and the Outpouring of the Latter Rain takes place. When Jesus throws down the censer we are likely to see tongues of fire descending from heaven and resting on the 144 000 as was seen at Pentecost, the Former Rain. Christ has passed on the baton of priesthood to the 144 000, and they will officiate as priests during the 3.5 years of the Seven Trumpets (chapter 17).

The fourth piece of furniture is in the Most Holy Place, the ark of the covenant. In the typical services in the temple on Earth, the ark of the covenant only featured on one day in their year – The Day of Atonement. The high priest would enter there twice on the 10th day of Tishri, first with the blood of a bullock for the priesthood, and then again with the blood of a goat for the people. The ark of the covenant represents the throne of God in judgement. We already saw the throne of God when the 144 000 are sealed. 3.5 years later, when the World at large is sealed, atonement is complete. Rev 11:19 shows the completion of atonement and judgement when the door of the temple is open, and the ark of the covenant is seen:

19 And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.

This is the last of the Trumpets, the 7th, which is elaborated on in the 4th major section of Revelation, I have entitled: Beasts and Angels (chapter 55). This section of Revelation, chapters 12 – 14, deals with issues during the 3.5 years that culminate in the Close of Probation, the seventh Trumpet.

It is a good exercise to study the liturgy of the Hebrew sanctuary in Leviticus. When understood, the antitype in Revelation will become much clearer.

God bless you all.

The Basics of Biblical Hermeneutics https://a.co/d/apvu9SZ

Theological Thinking
A Christian must be proficient in reading the Holy Scripture in both the Old and New Testaments, and must not be a fundamentalist, i.e., content with a literal reading of the Gospel. Nor should one collect chapters from the Bible, memorizing what pleases him and neglecting what disturbs him. Theological thinking must start from all the biblical texts, even the most complex ones.

#Theology #BibleStudy #Scripture #ChristianThought #Hermeneutics #FaithAndReason

The Basics of Biblical Hermeneutics https://a.co/d/cDXb7kK

There are certain secrets about humanity, the spiritual realm, and this earth that cannot be openly shared when you are summoned to see them - not because you were told not to, but because you simply know they are unlawful to reveal.

2 Corinthians 12:2-4
[2] I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.

[3] And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)

[4] How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

We live in a world ruled by unseen forces, yet God remains the Supreme Force.

One night, I was summoned into the courtroom of heaven and shown how people are accused before God by the devil, and how Jesus Christ advocates for those who belong to Him. I saw that Satan does not bring false accusations in that court. He never lies there, for undeniable evidence is always presented.

This is why he works day and night to make people stumble - so he can gather evidence against them.

In that courtroom, the only way a man can win is if Jesus Christ is his Advocate. Because when the evidence is presented, even you will see that it is true. The only constitution that holds in that court is the Word of God, and Christ always defends His own and always wins.

Jesus once said: “The prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me” (John 14:30). This was no casual statement. The devil came to see if he had any evidence against Jesus to present before God—but found nothing. He could not lie, and he found no fault. Hallelujah!

This is why:
Some terminal ailments refuse to yield to prayers and treatments.

Some poverty remains despite endless giving and praying.

Some problems persist no matter how many steps are taken against them.

No such thing as coincidence in this world. What we refer to as coincidence is a pattern in creation that we are yet to understand.

The night my dear mother was buried, I lay down in what used to be her room. As I wondered why her sickness never responded to prayers - despite intercessions from great men of God anointed in healing - my soul suddenly left my body. I traveled through space to a place filled with brilliant light. There, I saw her standing among a company of saints, worshipping God.

As I turned toward the direction they all faced, I beheld the “unapproachable light” that Paul described in 1 Timothy 6:16. My mother saw me, smiled, and joyfully returned to worship.

When I came back into my body, I asked the Lord why our prayers had never worked. He told me the answer was beyond my understanding at that time. He said, “I’ll tell you later, but not now.”

Years later, He revealed it to me - and it shook me. He said her healing was in my mouth, but my knowledge of the dimension of what was happening behind the scenes was too limited. Just one sentence from me could have restored her instantly, no matter how deteriorated her body was.

I asked why He didn’t simply tell me. He replied, “Even if I told you, you wouldn’t have understood. Your understanding of that realm was too small, so the information was withheld from you.”

He then reminded me of three incidents that confirmed this truth:

In the hospital one night, she was close to giving up. Nurses were already waiting to pronounce her gone. I was with my brother; we prayed over her while everyone watched. Suddenly, her breathing stabilized and returned to normal.

On the very day she died, I lay in my room in Ibadan and said in my heart, “Father, I release her to You; take her, so she may be free from this pain.” That was the first time my will truly gave up. That same night, she passed away.

These experiences revealed that her healing was tied to me, but I lacked the understanding to activate it.

After the Lord showed me these things, I wept again - but this time with deeper knowledge. I realized my understanding had been expanded, and I kept those secret words in my heart, waiting for the day the Lord will instruct me to use them for someone He will show mercy to.

When you walk closely with God, He takes you beyond lifeless doctrines and denominational traditions. He opens your eyes to mysteries about Himself and this world that transcend even the pages of Scripture - yet remain consistent with His Word. He who has wisdom should understand.

Jesus Himself said: “The poor you will always have with you.”

The true reason the rich get richer and the poor remain poor is deeper than what many churches teach. This world is far more complex than hermeneutics, homiletics, or exegesis alone.

Therefore:

Know God and serve Him.

Know man and honor him.

Know Satan and resist him.

I am Prophet Samuel Obanijesu, and I am the move of God.

May the Lord give you understanding. Amen.