Knowing God – From Hell to the Heavens
‘Spiritual knowledge and wisdom is all about knowing God’ – Anonymous
“Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.” (Proverbs 4:7, KJV)
1) Firstly, why is knowing God important?
Only by knowing God we can define sin & avoid it:
“not in lustful passion, like the Gentiles who do not know God;” (1 Thessalonians 4:5, NASB)
2) Morality is subjective when ‘not’ knowing God
Many atheists claim to have a stance of morality.
An atheist would say that adultery is wrong while another atheist wouldn’t mind you sleeping with his wife as such practices of ‘wife-swapping’ (for example) are becoming ‘normal’ in some places in the world.
Similarly, one atheist would disagree to the LGBT lifestyle while another would think that such a lifestyle is ‘normal’. These contradictions prove that man cannot determine morality because each is stained by his “OWN lust” and would justify the things which “he does or approves”.
God is not a respecter of persons (Romans 2:11). God defines the stance of morality & order by His Law in His Commandments (Romans 7:7).
God’s Judgment is Perfectly logical. For example, an atheist will be “accused or defended” according to ‘his OWN thoughts’ —> when it ‘disagrees or agrees’ respectively —-> to apostle Paul’s Gospel (“my Gospel”, based on the ‘Rules, Law & Commandments’ set forth under the New Covenant for the observance of the Gentiles too, example: 1 Corinthians 14, 1 Corinthians 11 as these are ALL the Blessed Lord’s Commandments, 1 Corinthians 14:37).
“For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves, in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them, on the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus.” (Romans 2:14 – 16)
Comment: Some Christians ‘think’ that the LGBT lifestyle is accepted under the New Covenant which is FALSE. Sexual immorality laws of any kind from the ‘Law of Moses’ is still valid under the New Covenant (Acts 15:20, 29) for the Gentiles too.
When it was written in that letter in Acts 15:29 that ‘sexual immorality’(a definition) is to be avoided by Gentiles too, it refers to ‘any commandment’ from the Law or Custom of Moses (Context, Acts 15:1, 5, 21) which refers to ‘sexual immorality’ and thus the LGBT lifestyle (Leviticus 18:22) and even ‘sex with animals’ (Leviticus 20:15, Leviticus 18:23) or ‘pre-marital sex’ (1 Thessalonians 4:3) are ‘all sin’ as the general verses describing ‘any type of sexual sin’ found in the New Testament agrees to this as well (2 Corinthians 12:21, Ephesians 5:3, 1 Corinthians 6:9, Matthew 7:22 – 23, 1 Thessalonians 4:3 – 5).
Christ the Lord even goes further and does not allow adultery in one’s own thoughts as well (Matthew 5:28). Thus sin is defined in thoughts, words and actions.
3) Judgment by Men
Does it mean that we can ‘stone the sinner’ as those laws demand?
No!
Judgment done by ‘one human being to another’ in the ‘Name of God’ (stoning, executing, torturing or even killing in His Name) is ‘disallowed’ under the New Covenant (Christians who have practiced otherwise especially during the ‘dark ages’ are WRONG):
“Do not judge so that you will not be judged.” – Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 7:1, NASB)
“There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and to destroy; but who are you who judge your neighbor?” – apostle James (James 4:12, NASB)
4) All will be Judged by Christ Alone
Only Christ will Judge each one:
“For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son,” – Lord Jesus Christ (John 5:22, NASB)
“For we must all be revealed before the judgment seat of Christ, that each may receive back the things done through the body according to what he did, whether good or evil.” (2 Corinthians 5:10, BSB)
His Great Throne of Judgment is described in other verses too (Matthew 25:31 – 46):
“Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them; and they were judged, every one of them according to their deeds.” (Revelation 20:11 – 13, NASB)
5) Purpose of Judgment
“and He gave Him authority to execute judgment, because He is the Son of Man.
“Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs will hear His voice,
and will come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment.” – Lord Jesus Christ (John 5:27 – 29, NASB)
‘who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life’ (John 5:29) = age during life (Matthew 25:46)
‘who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment’ (John 5:29) = age during punishment (Matthew 25:46)
Is there any other Purpose to Judgment or is it the end?
Punishment & Reward is the Beginning purpose of Judgment to the ‘age’ (time period) where it is basically just a ‘returning of one’s OWN evil’ or good back to them. So, if you find the punishment in Hell for some to be ‘cruel’, please bear in mind that it is ‘exactly’ that level of cruelty which that person has done FIRST in their lives toward others. Verses:
“Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” (Romans 12:19, KJV)
“since [it is] a righteous thing with God to give back to those troubling you — trouble, and to you who are troubled — rest with us in the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven, with messengers of his power, in flaming fire, giving vengeance to those not knowing God, and to those not obeying the good news of our Lord Jesus Christ; who shall suffer justice — destruction age-during — from the face of the Lord, and from the glory of his strength,” (2 Thessalonians 1:6 – 9, YLT)
“Then summoning him, his lord said to him, ‘You wicked slave, I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. ‘Should you not also have had mercy on your fellow slave, in the same way that I had mercy on you?’ “And his lord, moved with anger, handed him over to the torturers until he should repay all that was owed him. “My heavenly Father will also do the same to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart.” – Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 18:32 – 35, NASB).
The End Purpose of Judgment ‘after the punishments are carried our first’ (Zephaniah 1 & 2 & 3: 1 – 6) is the ‘learning of righteousness’ (Isaiah 26:9, Zephaniah 3:7) and which marks the ‘return to Him’ eventually (Zephaniah 3:8 – 9). Israel being a focus of the ‘End of His Judgments’ in (Zephaniah 3:14 – 15, 16 – 20) agreeing perfectly with (Romans 11:25 – 29).
6) Is God Cruel to Judge?
No! How?
“For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you.” – Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 7:2, NASB)
That is, God only allows pain and cruelty in ‘Hell’ (referring to ‘any’ afterlife punishment in my writings be it Gehenna, Prison, Hades, Tartarus or even the Lake of Fire) according to ‘what one did to others EQUALLY FIRST’ as the verse above and other verses quoted here clearly state or imply too! [God is the Genius even in the Way He does His Judgment by returning only one’s OWN evil to them BACK! Psalm 9:16, Isaiah 3:11, Galatians 6:7]
“Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:14 – 15, NASB)
“But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” (Revelation 21:8, NASB)
“Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.” – apostle Paul (1 Corinthians 6:9 – 11, NASB)
For example, I one read a testimony of a person who killed others in the name of religion by beheading them. One day he died and went to Hell. He said that he had to ‘re-live’ each beheading and cruel torture which ‘he had DONE FIRST in his life toward others’.
He couldn’t stand the pain that he suffered in Hell due to this but he also realised that he was only RECEIVING the EVIL which he DID FIRST to others during those moments. Apparently, he came back alive and ‘repented’.
This is how I believe Hell is as the verses clearly describe such an EQUAL punishment in the ‘afterlife’ all ‘as it is written’ (that is ‘why’ God warned us to ‘treat others well, even our enemies’ too in order to avoid the SAME cruel punishment of our OWN deeds FIRST being returned to us, Matthew 5:44, Matthew 7:12 when seen together with those verses).
“Make friends quickly with your opponent at law while you are with him on the way, so that your opponent may not hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. “Truly I say to you, you will not come out of there until you have paid up the last cent.” – Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:25 – 26, NASB)
Judgment is to receive one’s OWN evil which one did FIRST in their lives prior too, example verses:
Hebrews 9:27, “And inasmuch as it is appointed for MEN to DIE ONCE and AFTER this comes JUDGMENT (in the ‘afterlife’),”
2 Corinthians 5:10 (BSB), “each may RECEIVE BACK the things done through the body according to what HE DID, whether good or EVIL”
Isaiah 3:11 (HCSB), “Woe to the wicked–it will go BADLY for them, for what THEY have DONE WILL be DONE to THEM”
Matthew 18:35 (NASB), “My heavenly Father WILL also DO the SAME to you, if each of you does NOT FORGIVE his brother from YOUR HEART.” (not a forgiveness by ‘mouth only’, God sees all hearts & knows perfectly; may He have Mercy!)
Matthew 5:26 (NASB), “Truly I say to you, you will NOT come out of there (‘afterlife in Hell’) UNTIL YOU have PAID up the LAST cent”
Matthew 18:34 (NASB), “And his Lord, moved with ANGER, handed him over to the TORTURERS (‘afterlife in Hell’) UNTIL he should REPAY all that was owed him.”
Psalm 9:16 (NASB), “The LORD has made Himself known; He has executed JUDGEMENT. In the work of his OWN hands the WICKED is SNARED. Higgaion Selah.”
Galatians 6:7 (YLT), “Be not led astray; God is NOT mocked; for what a man MAY SOW — that also he SHALL REAP,”
7) But isn’t Lord Jesus Christ All-Forgiving on His Cross?
His Blood Speaks a better word than the blood of Abel (Hebrews 12:24) because by it He Forgives ‘all sin in the world’ eventually (John 1:29, Luke 23:34) reconciling the world too (Romans 11:15, 2 Corinthians 5:19, Colossians 1:16, 20, 26, Ephesians 1:8 – 10) in the END.
But before all that, the Blood of Martyrs will be avenged (Matthew 23:35, Revelation 6:10) and God will repay even those who caused trouble to believers too (2 Thessalonians 1:5 – 9)
So, is God’s Mercy greater than His Judgment or are they equal?
After the ‘Judgment without Mercy’ is triumphed over by ‘Mercy’ (James 2:13), ‘Judgment returns unto righteousness’ (Psalm 94:15, in principle) where ‘these learn righteousness too instead’ (Isaiah 26:9) in the ‘end’:
“But judgment shall return unto righteousness: and all the upright in heart shall follow it.” (Psalm 94:15, KJV)
8) Not knowing God causes one to be bound by one’s OWN sins
We often hear people saying, ‘No one is perfect’. This is true for only God Alone is Perfect. The fact that we are not perfect is chiefly evidenced by ‘our sins’. We are a slave to the sins which we commit:
“Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin.” (John 8:24)
Consider this verse too:
“And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper,” (Romans 1:28, NASB)
God doesn’t cause them to do evil but lets them remain in sin as their deeds done first causes this and God judges it later (the meaning of ‘hardening’ or ‘giving them over to their own depraved mind’).
9) How is God known?
God is known by two characteristics, namely His Judgments and His Love as it is written in verses below:
(i) God is known by His Judgments
“The LORD is known by the judgment which He executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah.” (Psalm 9:16, KJV)
“I will carry out great vengeance on them and punish them in my wrath. Then they will know that I am the LORD, when I take vengeance on them.'” (Ezekiel 25:17)
“I will first doubly repay their iniquity and their sin, because they have polluted My land; they have filled My inheritance with the carcasses of their detestable idols and with their abominations.
Can man make gods for himself?
Yet they are not gods!
“Therefore behold, I am going to make them know—
This time I will make them know
My power and My might;
And they shall know that My name is the LORD.” (Jeremiah 16:18, 20 – 21)
(ii) God is known by His Love
“The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” (1 John 4:8, NASB)
By His Love, He Will save the whole world at the ‘point of Reconciliation’ (not automatically) when the sin of the whole world is ‘propitiated for’ (‘God’s Wrath against Evil is turned away’ in the END & finally, God becomes ‘all in all’):
“and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.” (1 John 2:2, NASB)
“When all things are subjected to Him, then the Son Himself also will be subjected to the One who subjected all things to Him, so that God may be all in all.” (1 Corinthians 15:28, NASB)
10) Does God know us? How does God know us?
a) Christ’s sheep is NOT offended by His Voice:
“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me;” – Lord Jesus Christ (John 10:27, NASB)
b) How to ‘follow Christ’?
Apostle Paul remarkably answers that to ‘follow Christ’ it means to ‘obey the TRADITIONS’ which apostle Paul wrote about in his letters (1 Corinthians 14:37) agreeing to the verses below too, wow!:
“Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 11:1, KJV)
“Now I praise you because you remember me in EVERYTHING and HOLD FIRMLY to the TRADITIONS, just as I delivered them to you.” (1 Corinthians 11:2, NASB)
c) Here is a Great Truth regarding this as the verses point toward it:
Often we hear that ‘such rules’ (TRADITIONS, 1 Corinthians 11:1 – 2 ) which apostle Paul wrote in his letters (1 Corinthians 14:37) are ‘not’ a big deal such as ‘women are required to wear a covering during verbal prayer & prophecy’ (1 Corinthians 11:5,13 ‘praying in the heart case is not mentioned’), ‘it’s a disgrace for men to have long hair’ (1 Corinthians 11:14), ‘women are not permitted to speak in church gatherings’ (1 Corinthians 14:34), ‘women are not allowed to have any spiritual authority over any man’ (1 Timothy 2:12, a ‘worldly position of leadership is NOT spoken of here and may be allowed such as ‘Deborah the Judge’), ‘wives are not even allowed to correct their unbelieving or believing husbands even when their husbands do not obey the Word but are only allowed to show good behaviour to try win them over’ (1 Peter 3:1) and only such women are ‘respected by God’ since ‘they chose to respect God’s Commands’ which is the ‘real secret’ of ‘inner beauty’ (context) as ‘it is written’ (1 Peter 3:3 – 4) because it refers to ‘ALL these things’ (chosen TRADITIONS) carried forth under the New Covenant for ‘obedience’ even honouring their ‘own husbands’ as lord which is ‘allowed’ and exhorted in Scripture! (1 Peter 3:6).
We need to choose God’s Law of Order (1 Corinthians 14:40) instead of the rebellious worldly chaos against these beautiful verses (1 Corinthians 14:38). Only the spiritually ugly find God’s Rules ugly. God’s Rules and the Traditions which ‘He approved’ (1 Corinthians 14:37, 1 Corinthians 11:2) are the ONLY ways to ‘FOLLOW CHRIST’ (1 Corinthians 11:1) when these verses are read in ‘correct context’ as ‘it is written’. The Flesh teaches contrary to God’s Laws (1 Corinthians 2:14, Galatians 5:17) and hence the world does the opposite.
Please notice that when apostle Paul mentions about ‘following Christ’ (1 Corinthians 11:1), he NEVER mentions the ‘seemingly more important commands’ (as often we hear some Christians today mention) such as ‘tithes or doing charity works or other things’.
It is amazing that apostle Paul spends so much time (in 1 Corinthians 11) and even in other portions of his letters (e.g. 1 Corinthians 14) to write these ‘COMMANDS’ of the LORD (not his opinions, nor his suggestions, 1 Corinthians 14:37) which many Christians may find ‘not important’.
d) Why are these commands important?
The very commands that we find ‘not’ important are what apostle Paul mentions in great detail and even includes ‘serious warnings’ against those who ‘practice contrary to it’ (1 Corinthians 14:38, 1 Corinthians 11:31 – 32, Matthew 7:21 – 23). Why is this so?
“And He said to them, “You are those justifying themselves before men, but God knows your hearts; for that which is exalted among men is an abomination before God.” – Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 16:15, BLB)
The common practice of the world against each of the commands which apostle Paul has delivered is ‘highly spoken of by the world’. God’s Word speaks contrary to it. In fact, anything contrary to God’s Word is an ‘abomination before God’.
Such commands are there due to the test of humility. Acting contrary to these commands only creates pride. If there was a way for ‘practices contrary to these commands’ to be done in a humble way, God would have certainly approved it. He did not and Scripture is clear meaning that by His Foreknowledge, He knows that it is not possible and hence gave such rules.
e) Isn’t this unfair to women?
Fair in the sense of the worldly argument would mean ‘homogeneity’ and hence, we should all be genderless. This is not so as God our Creator has created women as the ‘weaker vessel’ (1 Peter 3:7) and hence does NOT burden her with His Spiritual authority work.
God has allowed women to be leaders in the worldly things (e.g. Deborah as a Judge which is a secular position and not a spiritual one as it is later replaced by kings, Judges 4:4; thus being a prophetess is not a spiritual leadership position but a ‘gift’, Luke 2:36 – 37, 1 Corinthians 12:10). Similarly, women can be leaders in the business world as managers, CEOs, Educators etc. as I see no verse prohibiting such pursuits.
An example of a ‘proper context argument’ regarding this ‘gift of prophecy’ toward ‘woman’ too is seen through 1 Corinthians 14:1 which mentions the gift of prophecy but then, a few verses later in 1 Corinthians 14:34, women are still told to be silent in the church setting.
However, for God’s OWN things, He doesn’t allow women to take lead. That is, spiritual leadership is prohibited for women while worldly leadership is allowed according to the verses quoted (context). Hence, God is Perfectly Fair and He decides how He wants His Kingdom to be led by spiritual leaders on earth itself, that’s ‘His Right Alone’.
Prophetess are not spiritual leaders but speak prophecy only. However, a male prophet can double as a spiritual leader. A spiritual leader is someone who is given ‘spiritual authority’ by ‘God Alone’ to ‘teach & exercise authority’ in spiritual matters over another.
A woman may be a spiritual leader to another woman or children (I see no prohibitions in verses due to this). The infamous example of ‘Junia the female apostle’ (as some claim, Romans 16:7) may be seen thus as a ‘woman apostle over women’. This is ‘no’ way indicates her governing of any “man” spiritually (‘not’ written).
In fact, the verse in Romans 16:7 is more likely to mean that ‘Junia (a good female worker in Christ) is very well known or recognized by the apostles’ by the phrase ‘who (including Junia) are of note among the apostles’ (Romans 16:7, KJV). There is another argument by scholars that the name Junia could actually refer to a ‘man’ and not a woman at all! (Analogy: the name ‘Jesse’ in English is often used for both man & woman).
“Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellow prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.” – apostle Paul (Romans 16:7)
Please also note the direct ‘context’ in Romans 16:7 where Junia is mentioned as a ‘fellow kinsman’ (from the ‘same country or same race’) and as a ‘fellow prisoner’ (having been to prison for Christ) and NOT as a ‘fellow apostle’ NOR of a ‘fellow spiritual leader of any sort’ which is so fallaciously argued at times from this passage which is a ‘greeting’ and ‘not’ a doctrine for spiritual authority! Just because someone is greeted in a letter by apostle Paul, it does NOT make them a spiritual leader though spiritual leaders could be mentioned too!
In fact, apostle Paul mentions many people in the beginning verses of Romans 16:1 – 16.
For example:
“I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea;” (Romans 16:1)
The word translated as ‘servant’ in verse above is diakonon (Greek: Noun – Accusative – Feminine – Singular). Some scholars ‘claim’ that it means that she is a ‘deacon’ , a spiritual leader (the male version of this word is different, Diakonous Greek: Noun – Accusative – Masculine – Plural, e.g. in 1 Timothy 3:8).
As mentioned, even if she is a female-deacon, it doesn’t contradict the other verses which clearly state that woman can have no spiritual authority over a man simply because she could be a deacon among the women. That is, she is a spiritual leader for women.
Some scholars argue further that there are only two occurrences in Scripture for that exact diakonon as found in Romans 16:1 and it is used figuratively for Christ with regards to the circumcision as Christ is NOT a female in verse below:
“For I say that Christ has become a servant (diakonon) to the circumcision on behalf of the truth of God to confirm the promises given to the fathers,” (Romans 15:8)
Usage is the most powerful way to determine a meaning of a word. In Romans 15:8, it is clear that Christ did NOT rule over the Jews (the ‘circumcision’) but rather became a ‘servant’ (diakonon) to them meaning that ‘He served them humbly whilst NOT exercising any spiritual authority over them on earth during His first coming as a Chief Priest or through any Jewish Spiritual leadership position such as the Pharisees or even Sadducees’ (Matthew 10:45).
Hence the use of diakonon clearly implies NO spiritual authority when seen with this ‘usage’ as well because ‘spiritual authority’ is ONLY given to the ‘Aaronic Priesthood’ through the Jewish interpretations which resulted in positions such as the Pharisees and Sadducees at that time of which Christ was NOT part of. Thus the translation of ‘servant’ in Romans 16:1 and Roman 15:8 best describes this and it points to NO spiritual authority on earth.
Also, the verse below is often used to ‘try justify’ female ‘spiritual’ leadership as well:
“The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth;” (2 John 1:1)
In the Greek, the ‘Elder’ (is a ‘Male’, presbyteros, an Adjective-Nominative-Masculine-Singular) and thus does NOT refer to the ‘Elect Lady’ at all (which is female in Greek). Scholars have argued that ‘the Elder’ could mean ‘apostle John himself’ as he addresses his writing being directed to the ‘elect lady’ or that the letter is passed through a ‘male-elder, spiritual leader’ first through which the ‘elect lady’ is to receive the message.
Again, such a greeting to the ‘elect lady’ doesn’t prove her spiritual leadership but rather that she is ‘chosen’ (meaning of ‘elect’) and her ‘children’ (could refer to her ‘actual children’ or ‘spiritual children’ in the figurative sense of having learned about the Gospel through her). Yes, women can preach the Gospel but they cannot ‘teach doctrine nor exercise authority’ over a man. These are different things. Preaching the Gospel means that she can share about the Gospel (1 Corinthians 15) but not exercise a ‘command’ due to that over ‘any man’.
f) What’s the difference between preaching the Gospel vs teaching and exercising authority?
Preaching the Gospel = Speaking about Christ’s Only with regards to Who He is as it is written in Scripture (Contents such as 1 Corinthians 15)
Teaching = Teaching the Rules and Commands as found in Scripture (the Ten Commandments, doctrine & traditions too, 1 Corinthians 14:37, 1 Corinthians 11:2); It is not allowed for a woman to teach a man (1 Timothy 2:12) even in a church setting which includes a man (1 Corinthians 14:34). A woman may teach a woman or children as such prohibitions are not found in Scripture. What is the age when a child is no more considered a child? Decide for yourselves especially when that child ‘claims’ that ‘he is now a Man’ (I believe that it’s going to be a relative measure as each young man knows in himself when he becomes a man; it’s probable that he decides it and hence the subjectivity).
Exercising Authority = Telling a man what to do (Example: Even correcting a husband when he is wrong against the Word is disallowed for wives when it is done ‘using words’ in 1 Peter 3:1, how can God allow it to be done by say, that same wife who is a prophetess to ‘correct’ another man?) Such wives are only allowed to do ‘good behaviour’ in order to try win over their husband with “no” words spoken against their husbands.
It does NOT just apply in the context of husband-wife but also generally between a woman-man as 1 Timothy 2:12 clearly states and being an evangelist (Timothy), apostle Paul clearly means that this is the Command of the Lord to ANY Gentile church as well. So, how many evangelists are actually preaching the contents of apostle Paul’s letters to Timothy (example, 1 Timothy 4:10) too?
What’s the simple logic in this?
If ‘that good behaviour only – technique’ of 1 Peter 3:1 doesn’t work, it changes nothing simply because ‘a man who is not won over to God through the quiet-wordless godly good behaviour of his wife’ will NEVER be ‘won over to God by her mouthful-words of judgments against him even if she is right’ and knowing this FACT, God establishes such a ‘Godly Rule of Quietness’.
g) A direct verse prohibiting any spiritual authority of a woman over any man?
Where is a direct verse stating that no woman can have any ‘spiritual’ authority over any man? Here it is:
“But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet.” (1 Timothy 2:12, NASB)
Women are not given any ‘spiritual’ authority over any man (1 Timothy 2:12) simply because ‘Adam was formed first’ (1 Timothy 2:13) and ‘Eve fell into transgression first’ (1 Timothy 2:14) and so God gave the spiritual hierarchy as a consequence of that on earth.
The ‘same’ level of condemnation is NOT shared between Adam & Eve (Man & Woman) as God is Fair and only punishes and puts the order ‘according to one’s role in the sin’ in an exact manner (nothing more, nothing less).
Women will be ‘saved through child bearing’ (1 Timothy 2:15) literally means that ‘they will give birth safely and be alive’ should they obey (a promise of ‘guaranteed survival’ when such a godly woman gives birth). This doesn’t mean that ungodly women may necessarily die during childbirth either as other factors take into account too (which may be known or unknown).
h) Where is the direct verse which points to the claim that only man may have spiritual authority?
In the Old Testament, there were NO female priests ever and priests are the indication of spiritual leadership. Only males were allowed to be His Priests (‘spiritual leadership’, Exodus 40:12 – 16). God has decided NOT to change this Rule under the New Covenant too as we see from the verses speaking about this context all as ‘it is written’ without any ‘human manipulations’ of any kind.
Among Christ’s 12 apostles or disciples, He chose NO woman indicating that His Will is NOT to change this ‘spiritual’ leadership via ‘man only’ in the New Covenant which was about to be revealed after His Death. This agrees perfectly with apostle Paul’s writings with regards to the rules of the New Covenant even toward the Gentiles too as the Blessed Lord Himself commissioned him (1 Corinthians 14:37, 1 Corinthians 11:1).
Please consider the verses below where only the ‘males’ are meant in the Original Greek words used (please note that the shallow argument of man meaning both male-female is only applicable when referring to ‘man in general’; it does NOT apply here since each ‘title’ such as a prophet-male, Ephesians 4:11, has a prophetess-female equivalent in Greek, Luke 2:36, Revelation 2:20 which is NOT found in the ‘spiritual’ leadership definition verses below in which all are indicated as ‘man only’ in the Original Greek words used in these verses):
“And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers,” (Ephesians 4:11, NASB)
“And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues.” (1 Corinthians 12:28, NASB)
Only males are allowed to be ‘spiritual’ leaders in the role of a ‘deacon’ (1 Timothy 3:12) or as the higher ‘bishop’ position too (1 Timothy 3:2). Please note that (1 Timothy 3:11) the word ‘women’ more accurately means ‘their women’ (or ‘their wives’) as even the other occurrences of this exact Greek word means such as in (Matthew 19:8, 1 Corinthians 7:29, Ephesians 5:25, Ephesians 5:28, Colossians 3:19) as well in ‘context’.
That is, ‘their women’ (or the wives of these deacons) must be in good behaviour too as it is required in 1 Timothy 3:11.
In fact, the ‘next’ verse in 1 Timothy 3:12 clearly mentions the deacon as a ‘husband of one wife’ and thus ‘a man only’. Further, since the word ‘their women’ occurs in 1 Timothy 3:11 in this passage together with phrases such as ‘husband of one wife’ (1 Timothy 3:12), this proves that a clear distinction is given in Holy Scripture which agrees ‘consistently’ with other verses quoted especially those through apostle Paul himself that ‘spiritual’ leadership is for ‘man only’.
i) But isn’t there ‘no more male or female in Christ’ (Galatians 3:28)?
“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28, NASB)
Here are the facts:
(i-1) The ‘same’ apostle Paul is the one ‘who also wrote the gender-based commandments’ & the verse above. He is certainly “not” cancelling out the ‘gender based commandments’ when he wrote the verse above.
(i-2) The Galatians verse above is written with regards to ‘Salvation in Christ’ (the “topic”) & the ‘promises which follow’ when we read the verses around it such as
“For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:26)
“And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise.” (Galatians 3:28)
Thus to quote it to ‘cancel’ out the ‘gender based commandments of the New Testament verses’ is certainly ‘twisting Scripture’ & ‘lawlessness’ (“not” wishing to obey the ‘Lord’s Commandments’, 1 Corinthians 14:37) and unless the Lord has Mercy, the end of this “lawless” road too is clear from Scripture:
“Many will say to Me in that the day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons and in Your name perform many miracles?’
And then I will declare unto them, ‘I never knew you; depart you from Me, those working lawlessness.’” – Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 7:22 – 23)
“as also in all his (Paul’s) letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.” (2 Peter 3:16)
(i-3) The ‘topic’ when the Galatians verse above was written is “not” church leadership, marriage nor man-woman relations & thus it cannot be quoted to be used in these areas to cancel out the commandments which exist in such aspects.
As an analogy, consider the phrase ‘neither Jew nor Greek’ which exists in this verse as well. Wrongly applying the ‘cancelling out’ interpretation as they did to the ‘neither male nor female part’, some in the church created the ‘Replacement Theology error too’.
This error ‘thinks’ that the ‘church’ has ‘replaced Israel’ & is the root of ‘Christian anti-semiticism’ which is again a product of such Western Christianity (Example, Hitler was such a Christian).
‘Christian hatred & jealousy towards the Jews’ is because they are unwilling to accept the fact that Scripture has given certain ‘unconditional Covenant-based blessings to Jews because of the faithfulness of their patriarchs’. Unless we can demonstrate a faith equivalent to these, let’s not get jealous toward the Jews regarding such and thus, God is fair!
I am “not” a Jew but I don’t change my interpretation of Scripture to ‘claim these things’ which are “not” my role/promises. Similarly, gender based commandments exist to separate our roles & we need not covet roles which were not meant for us. Contentment in fulfilling our calling in the Will of God according to what is designated to us is a key of obedience which is always better than lawless sacrifices.
On earth, ‘Jews & Gentiles are different’ with respect to ‘law observance’ (E.g. Jews may be zealous for the Law while Gentiles are “not” to observe beyond the four things mentioned as even this passage confirms it again in Acts 21:24 – 25 marking this distinction between Jew & Gentile believers).
Note that the Galatians verse doesn’t “cancel out” this earthly “believing Jew-Gentile” distinction just like it doesn’t cancel out the earthly male-female distinction either. Thus, ‘male and female are different’ with respect to ‘New Testament Rules’ too as highlighted prior.
The aim of the Galatians 3:28 verse is also to point to a time (‘not’ now on earth) but beyond this life where in the resurrection, all these earthly distinctions will eventually vanish! Yes, there will be “no” more ‘male or female’ (no gender) from that time, henceforth:
“For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.” – Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 22:30)
j) Are the Male-Female Rules a small matter?
Seeing that apostle Paul spent considerable time writing so many commands with regards to this aspect, it is clear that it is no small matter. In fact, three verses after writing 1 Corinthians 14:34 apostle Paul mentions that these are all the ‘Lord’s Commands’ (1 Corinthians 14:37 and hence it applies to ‘any Gentile church’ and are independent or ‘any’ cultural or time-based settings as God having no partiality is NO respecter of human opinions or human culture of any sort) and warns strongly with regards to such rules (including these) that those ‘ignoring such rules’ (such as 1 Corinthians 14:34) will be ‘ignored’ by God too (1 Corinthians 14:38).
Yes, these are all serious stuff. Being born a male is a birth right. Being born as a first child was a birth right too. Remember Esau and how he lost his birth right?
“that there be no immoral or godless person like Esau, who sold his own birth right for a single meal.” (Hebrews 12:16)
Atheists have often remarked that the way Esau lost his birth right is not correct. This is because God allowed his brother Jacob to take away Esau’s birth right in a cunning way of cheating. How can God allow such cheating?
God allowed Esau’s birth right to be taken away from him in a detestable manner simply because it is the Judgment toward Esau for profanely selling his birth right for a single meal. It was not a joke done by Esau and furthermore showed how disrespectful Esau was with regards to the gift of birth right (as the first child) to inherit the blessings promised through their father Jacob.
Therefore, since Esau viewed his birth right in an unworthy manner even willing to sell it disgustingly for a single meal, God allowed the same level of Judgment upon him in which his birth right was taken away with the same-equal measure of profanity using lies via his brother Jacob. It was a matching punishment!
Jacob did NOT remain a liar as God changed His Name to Israel when he had left his past ways. So similarly, being born as a male is a birth right too. It begs me to wonder if we (as men) would be considered profane like Esau if for ‘the sake of applaud of women’, we would let go of our birth right in spiritual leadership? The Devil is the thief which wants to take away our ‘birth right’, right? (John 10:10) and God allows it for Judgment Purposes:
Remember, Esau never got back those blessings ‘though he sought it with repentance’ because such ‘gifts’ are ‘lost’ when we ‘treat God’s Gifts in an unworthy manner’:
“For you know that even afterwards, when he (Esau) desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought for it with tears.” (Hebrews 12:17, NASB)
k) God sees the heart
“I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give to each man according to his ways, According to the results of his deeds.” (Jeremiah 17:10, NASB)
The ‘God sees the heart excuse’ doesn’t work simply because ‘God sees the heart verse’ below clearly praises one who does ‘all His Will’ (meaning that it refers to one obeying God’s Commands instead of sacrifices done whilst being against His Word):
“And having removed him, He raised up David to them as king, to whom also He said, having carried witness: ‘I have found David the son of Jesse a man ACCORDING to My heart, who will DO ALL My will.’” (Acts 13:22, BLB)
“and He who SEARCHES the HEARTS knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints ACCORDING to the WILL of God.” (Romans 8:27, NASB)
“Samuel said, “Has the LORD as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices As in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to OBEY is BETTER than SACRIFICE, And to HEED than the fat of rams.” (1 Samuel 15:22)
l) Can we follow Christ by obeying these traditions and commands found in New Testament Scripture?
If there is ‘no’ spiritual benefit in obeying these traditions and commands as found in the New Testament addressed to ‘ALL’ Gentile ‘churches of God’ (1 Corinthians 11:16, 1 Corinthians 14:33), God would NOT have COMMANDED it through apostle Paul (1 Corinthians 14:37, 1 Corinthians 11:2) even implying that this is the WAY to FOLLOW CHRIST (1 Corinthians 11:1) with regards to ‘these practices’ (or ‘traditions’) as well.
“But if one is inclined to be contentious, we have no other practice, nor have the churches of God.” (1 Corinthians 11:16, NASB)
“for God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.” (1 Corinthians 14:33, NASB)
m) Aren’t we supposed to avoid human rules of any kind?
But isn’t it written that we should avoid the human laws of ‘do not touch, do not handle etc.’ (Colossians 2:21)?
Yes! Those refer to ‘human or man made commandments’ (Colossians 2:22) and do NOT refer to the Blessed Lord’s Commandments through apostle Paul (1 Corinthians 14:37). These are NOT referring to the same thing (context defined by these verses themselves).
“Let no one keep defrauding you of your PRIZE by delighting in self-abasement and the worship of the angels, taking his stand on visions he has seen, inflated without cause by his fleshly mind,
and not holding fast to the head, from whom the entire body, being supplied and held together by the joints and ligaments, grows with a growth which is from God.
If you have died with Christ to the elementary PRINCIPLES of the WORLD, why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to decrees, such as, “Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!”
(which all refer to things destined to perish with use)—in accordance with the COMMANDMENTS and TEACHINGS of MEN?
These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence.” (Colossians 2:18 – 23, NASB)
n) But doesn’t the letter kill and the Spirit give life?
Indeed, true.
“Who also made us adequate as servants of a New Covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” (2 Corinthians 3:6, NASB)
Notice that the ‘letter’ referred to in verse above is the ‘passed away’ things from the Law of Moses, i.e. from the earlier Covenant (Old Covenant, context 2 Corinthians 3:7, 13, 14, 15). However, this in ‘no’ way undermines any of the New Covenant Commands which apostle Paul himself wrote and by obeying them, we become ‘living epistles’:
“You are our letter, written in our hearts, known and read by all men; being manifested that you are a letter of Christ, cared for by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.” (2 Corinthians 3:2 – 3, NASB)
“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.” (2 Corinthians 3:17 – 18, NASB)
After writing the above, please note that apostle Paul immediately warns (in verse below) not to ‘adulterate the Word of God’ = ‘take the Word of God as it is written’ = ‘Obey the Word of God as it is written’ proving the Context that ‘the letter kills but the Spirit gives Life’ has nothing to do with ‘being in the state of not obeying His Commands’:
“Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we received mercy, we do not lose heart, 2but we have renounced the things hidden because of shame, not walking in craftiness or adulterating the word of God, but by the manifestation of truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.” (2 Corinthians 4:1 – 2 , NASB)
11) What might happen if we refuse to obey His Word (His Will)?
God does NOT know those who practice “no Law” (Lawlessness, against His Commands, please correlate with 1 Corinthians 14:37, 1 Thessalonians 4:1 – 2,) despite the ‘ministry’ done in His Name (Ministry signified by the phrases, ‘Prophesied in Your Name, Cast out demons in Your Name, other Great Works/Miracles in Your Name’, Matthew 7:21 – 23). The Judgment against ‘all these Lawlessness’ done even by those calling Him ‘Lord’ is described in Matthew 7:21 – 23, 1 Corinthians 14:38 and 1 Thessalonians 4:6,8 all quoted below for edification:
“If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that the things which I write to you are the Lord’s commandment.” – apostle Paul (1 Corinthians 14:37)
“Finally then, brethren, we request and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you RECEIVED from us INSTRUCTION as to how you ought to WALK and PLEASE God (just as you actually do walk), that you excel still more. For you know what COMMANDMENTS we gave you by the AUTHORITY of the Lord Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 4:1 – 2, NASB)
“and that no man TRANSGRESS and defraud his brother in the matter because the Lord is the avenger in ALL THESE things, just as we also told you before and solemnly WARNED you.” (1 Thessalonians 4:6, NASB)
“So, he who REJECTS THIS is NOT rejecting MAN but the GOD who gives His Holy Spirit to you.” (1 Thessalonians 4:8)
“But if anyone IGNORES this, he himself will be IGNORED.” (1 Corinthians 14:38, BSB)
“Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So then, you will know them by their fruits.
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.
“Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’
“And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’” – Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 7:19 – 23)
Let us remember that we are going to be judged against the Gospel which was given to apostle Paul which certainly includes ‘all’ aspects ‘as it is written’ (indicated by the phrase ‘my Gospel’ in verse below):
“on the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus.” – apostle Paul (Romans 2:16, NASB)
12) So, are we ‘saved’ by ‘obeying these Commands’?
Of course NOT! We are never ‘saved’ by ‘obeying any commands’ (works of the Law, Romans 3:20, Galatians 2:16) but by the ‘Faith of Jesus Christ Alone’ (Galatians 2:16, Romans 3:22) as ‘it is written’:
“because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin.” (Romans 3:20, NASB)
“Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the Faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.” (Galatians 2:16, KJV)
“Even the righteousness of God which is by Faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:” (Romans 3:22, KJV)
“He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,” (Titus 3:5)
13) Then, why should we obey His Commands?
(i) To show our love toward Him
Obeying His Commands is the Only Way to show our Love to Him in Actions (beyond ‘words only’) & ‘reap rewards accordingly for it in the heavens’ (e.g. Matthew 5:19):
“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” – Lord Jesus Christ (John 14:15, NASB)
(ii) To begin a Mystical Experience with Him for those obeying His Word
“Jesus replied, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make Our home with him.” (John 14:23, BSB)
(iii) To remain in His Love and not walk out of it by our own evil stumbling ways
“If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.” – Lord Jesus Christ (John 15:10, NASB)
(iv) To have the ‘Love of God’ in us
“For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome.” (1 John 5:3, NASB)
(v) To be great in His Kingdom of the heavens and to win a prize
“Whoever then shall break one of the least of these commandments and shall teach others the same, he will be called least in the kingdom of the heavens; but whoever shall keep and shall teach them, he will be called great in the kingdom of the heavens.” – Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:19, BSB)
“I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14, NASB)
“Do you not know that those running in a race course, indeed all run, but one receives the prize? Run thus, that you might obtain it.” (1 Corinthians 9:24, NASB)
“Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” (James 1:12, NASB)
Conclusion
1) Gospel to the Gentiles
Apostle Paul delivered the full Gospel to the Gentiles and we ought to obey it as it is written:
“I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel;
which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.
But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!
For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.
For I would have you know, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.” – apostle Paul (Galatians 1:6 – 12, NASB)
2) The Whole Counsel of God
The whole ‘counsel of God’ certainly includes God’s Laws and His Will too:
“For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God.” (Act
s 20:27)
Here’s an interesting thought:
Are we going to be among the ones ‘who shrink’ or among the ones ‘who boldly declare it’ even if no one listens (‘as in the days of Noah’, Noah’s preaching only had about 8 converts)? Remember the ‘cowardly’ (‘fearful’ in Revelation 21:8?)
“The wicked flee when no one is pursuing, But the righteous are bold as a lion.” (Proverbs 28:1, NASB)
“And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death.” (Revelation 12:11, NASB)
3) Obeying God as it is written
So, let us not be in the habit of questioning verses but rather in the habit of obeying them:
“Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” – KING Jesus Christ (Luke 6:46)
“But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5:29)
“Evil men understand not judgment, And those seeking Jehovah understand all.” (Proverbs 28:5, YLT)
“but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.” (Jeremiah 9:24, NASB)
“He causeth the humble to tread in judgment, And teacheth the humble His way.” (Psalm 25:9, YLT)
“He who is of God hears the words of God; for this reason you do not hear them, because you are not of God.” – Lord Jesus Christ (John 8:47, NASB)
“But you do not believe because you are not of My sheep.” – Lord Jesus Christ (John 10:26, NASB)
4) Are we ashamed of Christ’s Words in order to please say, feminism or the LGBT?
Last but not least, are we ‘ashamed’ of the Gospel and Christ’s Blessed Words?
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” (Romans 1:16)
“For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory, and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.” – Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 9:26)
5) God is God and we are just mere Creation
” Arise, O LORD, do not let man prevail; Let the nations be judged before You.
Put them in fear, O LORD; Let the nations know that they are but men. Selah.” (Psalm 9:19 – 20)
END.
