Pardon me if I sound like a broken record but some things bear repeating. Deception is the big thing in these last days, a truth that points out the value of discernment. The way to get it is addressed thoroughly in Keys to Developing a Hearing Ear - Part I: The Key Parable and expanded upon in parts 2 and 3. As I testify in that work it can be considered as my point of entry into everything the Lord has opened to me about the last days, which have arrived.
16) No one lights a lamp and hides it in a jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, he puts it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light.
17) For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open.
18) Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken from him.
I want to focus on the hinge upon which this matter swings, the being given and the taking away from, because it pertains to the light by which we must discern. The hinge is obedience. The dynamic here is thus: When you see the light or hear the truth, respond with obedience. The Lord will grant more truth. If you respond with more obedience, you'll get more light. This light is required to discern truth from error. What seems fine under a 40 watt bulb might be revealed as a counterfeit when inspected under a 100 watt bulb. When you hear and fail to respond with obedience, even what Light you think you have is taken away. In this, you are not only degraded in your ability to discern but you fail to perceive it! The hinge is obedience. It's a very simple dynamic. It is one that should perhaps be highlighted in bold red all-caps, but I'll spare you that. Am I making the point? At no point in your hearing and doing should you be lukewarm. In doing your duty to obey, you will be blessed, but note well that it is in going beyond mere duty where the really good stuff starts!
So, in the context of Jezebel vs Sarah, the commands that pertain to gender roles are so very critical yet so difficult for most to perceive as being of much consequence. One reason is because we are influenced by those in whom we have placed trust, family and friends. Through these hooks to the soul Jezebel easily captures men and women. These hooks need to be identified for what they are to be free and to become freed. A friend, Dad, Mom or other who influences and ultimately causes you to forfeit your reward is no friend at all. With friends like that, who needs enemies? Such false friends who cause you to forfeit reward are your worst enemies! Betrayal by such as Judas to Y'shua who are even in your trusted inner circle are those you must discern. This is why it's now become so important to prove your relationships, when judgment has come to the church.
On what basis shall we judge?
23) Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.
24) He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me."
John 14:23-2424) He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me."
What is His teaching and what are His Father's words? This has been the core material of this series, from the subject of the braiding of hair to the adorning with gold and the matter of subjection and headship within marriage. After presenting His teaching through Paul to Timothy and the churches and to the Corinthians for our benefit I declared that we had attained to something of a high water mark. Women teaching men and women speaking in church are activities that should not be permitted. Most find such a declaration very offensive. The wicked are only ever offended at the Truth.
If you're still with me, you should grab hold of this and not let go: "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching." The Lord added to that by explicitly declaring the converse. "He who does not love me will not obey my teaching." For what is this testimony given if not our benefit, who are willing to judge with His judgment, who genuinely want Him to come to us and make His home with us? Obviously, this can and should first be taken personally, availing ourselves of this window of honest insight that considers our own deeds and judges by them whether we love the Lord or not. Then, there is another step that must be taken, inferring what it means in a social context.
Let's put these things together, doing the hard math. Women who speak in church do not obey His teaching and therefore do not love Him. Is there any other way to call it? Honestly, no. Men who permit women to speak in the church, likewise. Women who teach men and the men who permit it do not love Him. A woman who speaks in church to declare her love for the Lord, is she not therein made a liar? Is she not taken in deception? Think about it. Who is lying? Y'shua? Paul? Or is such a woman as that the liar and deceiver? There is no provision made for excuses, dear reader. We have not the authority. You don't need to have the IQ of Newton or Einstein to figure this out. You do have to be willing to accept the truth and walk in it.
There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.
Proverbs 14:12What I want you to get hold of now is this, that if someone you trust is not walking in obedience you have misplaced your trust.
Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?
2 Corinthians 6:14There is danger in binding yourself to such as them who disobey, the lawless. If you are so bound let me encourage you to disengage as it is revealed to you. If you truly minister to others you'll sometimes keep company with sinners but not as a sinner among them. Watch yourself, guarding your trust carefully.
The righteous is a guide to his neighbor, But the way of the wicked leads them astray.
Proverbs 12:26Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.
2 Thessalonians 3:6If you are willing to compromise you are yet foolish and a companion of fools.
Whoso is walking with wise men is wise, And a companion of fools suffereth evil.
Proverbs 13:20 (YLT)7) Leave the presence of a fool, Or you will not discern words of knowledge.
8) The wisdom of the sensible is to understand his way, But the foolishness of fools is deceit.
9) Fools mock at sin, But among the upright there is good will.
Proverbs 14:7-98) The wisdom of the sensible is to understand his way, But the foolishness of fools is deceit.
9) Fools mock at sin, But among the upright there is good will.
Many will hear scoffing derision when they begin to withdraw their permission of a woman teaching men or speaking in church. Abuse will follow. There is a cost, and you will feel it.
The evident difference between Jezebel and Sarah is analogous to a cliff. When looking down at a cliff from high above, the difference from one side to the other may be a very fine and even barely discernible line. Yet, from another perspective, the difference from one to the other is vast. Most of us still see the difference between the two as minute, as just not that big a deal. When someone is identified as operating as Jezebel, there really should be no companionship. Bring correction as appropriate, but cut it off! There must be no fellowship of light with this darkness. Concerning Jezebel, Revelation 2's policy is one of zero tolerance.
If you're looking for loopholes or to test the limits of what you might be able to get away with, this is not for you. If you're seeking to be found attractive and worthy of being selected as the Bride of the Bridegroom Y'shua, you're willing even to die. If there ever was a time to be casual about obedience in these matters, it has most certainly passed.
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