(Prophetess Deborah instructing her servant)
One of the biggest issues to vote upon this coming General Conference session in Texas, will be the issue of women ordination. Much has already been said on it via media such as blogs, YouTube, 3ABN reports, etc. But how about what the Lord’s last messenger said, the “Elijah to come”? Would that not be the best place to look? Of course it would. In fact it really should be our “final” place to look to, for us as God’s last remnant church. Ok , let’s look at this issue as the Lord wants us.
What about Women teaching?
When brought face to face with the truth, some act like men who have lost their reason. As fish jump at bait, they foolishly jump at conclusions. And when they are mercifully freed from the hook and given a chance to live, instead of departing from their greedy, selfish policies, and keeping themselves from being caught again, they rush at another bait, only to find themselves hooked again and again. When they find that they have thus repeatedly brought themselves into disrepute, they even then do not resolve to get right and stay right.
Those who get themselves cornered and cut off from every avenue of escape from the truth, instead of surrendering their erroneous ideas, make a desperate effort to dodge out of their plight, through the shift of isolating the scripture: “Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.” 1 Cor. 14:34.
This resort, however, only gives sharper point to the truism that it is never fair for one to assume a stand on an issue, solely on the weight of opinion derived from one or two verses, without first considering the verses in the light of the whole chapter, yes, even of the entire Bible; for if one’s interpretation of the Scriptures is not supported by every sentence of Holy Writ, it is a fallacious interpretation, a blind conclusion, without Bible foundation.
In 1 Corinthians 14, we find that many of the women had gone “mad” (verse 23) over speaking in unknown tongues. Hence Paul is endeavoring to dispel the confusion, not to silence anyone who has an inspired message to deliver. An attempt to stop women from teaching would not be in harmony with the following scriptures:
“And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time. And she dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in mount Ephraim: and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment.” Judges 4:4, 5.
“And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; and she was a widow of about four-score and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.” Luke 2:36, 37.
Also “Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum” taught Israel (2 Kings 22:14-16). And “Philip the evangelist,…had four daughters, virgins, which did prophecy.” Acts 21:8, 9.
So those who think that Paul forbids a woman to teach, are not in the slightest bit discrediting and impeaching Mrs. White’s office, but rather are unwittingly casting reflection upon Paul’s writings — endeavoring to bring them into apparent conflict with the writings of his fellow-writers of the Scriptures.
Those who carefully study will learn not to jump at baited hooks, but rather humbly to submit themselves to the teachings of the Spirit of Christ if they expect Him to save them from the curse of sin and from the wrath of God. (Tract 6 , p.75-76)
The above says that we should accept women as teachers of the Word. However these statements do not imply that there should be women in authority positions. such as an elder of the church, pastor or conference leader (at least as of right now).
In that night wherever the blood appeared on the door-post, the first born whether male or female, perished not, just so now, those who receive the seal, have applied the blood on the door-post (forehead), and as the first born of both classes, those who died and those who did not, were a type of the present priesthood (ministry), evidently, the type points forward to a ministry in the anti-type made up of both sexes. (2 Shepherd’s Rod, p.168)
Notice the words “points forward”. This implies that in the post church purification, the servants will consist of both male and female proclaiming the Loud Cry. And as a “ministry” consists of “ministers” it stands to reason that both male and female will be ministers, even in the house of God! This all makes perfect sense as after the judgment in the house of God is done, those who survive will be seen as “pure” and therefore blameless, being able to carry out any and all of God instructions, the sex being a non-issue.
The Elijah message continues–
In the beginning God created both the man and the woman equal, as king and queen. “And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.” (Gen. 1:28.) Note that the dominion was given to them both. However, after they sinned a change was made: “Unto the woman He said,… thy desire shall be to thy husband, and He shall rule over thee.” (Gen. 3:16.)
So, after the woman sinned she fell under the government of man. But that which Eve lost by deception, shall be restored by redemption. Thus again the equality of both shall be established as kings and queens. Therefore, “There is neither male nor female in Christ Jesus.” Christ himself confirms the idea in the following expression: “For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels which are in heaven.” (Ibid, p.168-169)
It is interesting to note that of all the women who have ever lived, I would say it’s a good bet that Ellen White was the most deserving of ordination as a Pastor, yet she never was. She also never taught that women should be chosen as Elders or as Pastors. Again, we see that God’s all seeing eye made sure that authority was to be placed in the man’s hands, until the time comes to pour out His Spirit on both male and female.
“And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.” (Joel 2:28-29)
Adding it up
So we see that the Elijah message tells us the women can be teachers now. And they can teach in God’s house (ie. Sabbath school, sermon addresses, etc.) But we do not find any authorization for allowing women to hold authoritative positions over man for now But, soon when the church is purified we shall see a ministry comprising both male and female doing God’s work as “ministers”. This is the prophesied “points forward” type and anti-type fulfillment. This means women as well as men will lead the congregations in God’s end time church. They are purified and have been “tried in the fire” and found worthy of their hire–amen!
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