666I.

THE DEBATE AT THE PERSIAN COURT OF WHAT THEY
JUDGED THE STRONGEST.
 (1 Esdras 3:1 to 4:42 NEB).

To understand the Apocrypha ("hidden things"), one needs insight by the power of God to discern and reveal what has been hidden (including the dispositions of those advocating wickedness) from the standpoint and Judgement of God. In this particular case, to denounce the unrighteousness of men who give glory and authority to women, making them strong in wickedness.

JUDGING WHAT IS THE STRONGEST.
Three young men of the king's bodyguard said: "'Let each one of us name the thing which he judges the strongest; and to the one whose opinion seems wisest King Darius will give rich gifts and prizes'" (3:5 NEB). "'The king and the three chief men of Persia shall judge whose statement is wisest, and the award will be made on the merits of the written statement.'"  (3:9 NEB).

ABOUT THEIR STATEMENTS.
"One wrote 'Wine is the strongest', the second wrote 'The king is strongest', and the third wrote 'Women are strongest, but truth conquers all.'" (3:10-12 NEB).
The first spoke of the force of wine over men, the second said: "'Sirs, is not man the strongest, man who masters the earth and the sea and all that is in them?'" (4:2 NEB). The third said: "'There is injustice in wine, in kings, in women, in all men, and in all their works and so forth. There is no truth in them; they shall perish in their injustice. But truth abides and is strong forever… Hers [truth] are strength and royalty, the authority and majesty of all ages. Praise be to the God of truth!'"  (From 4:37-40 NEB).

THE WISDOM OF THE CHRIST.
The wisdom of The Christ is the way to everlasting life. And with reference to this he said: "Truly I say to you, There is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the Kingdom of God who will not in any way get many times more in this period of time, and in the coming system of things everlasting life." (Luke 18:29,30). A woman's strength over a man is empowered by demons, is demonstrated in her domineering manner, and is an abhorrence before God. Man's position and responsibilities are clearly set out in the written Word of God, and are clearly conveyed through His servants on earth. God is The Authority. Next, the authority of The Christ as head of the congregation of God. Next, God's glory, man. And lastly, woman, who is the glory of man only when she recognizes his authority. Married women are to complement their husbands in the things they lack.  (Gen 2:18.  1 Cor 11:3).

If she is allowed within the congregation of God with it, a woman's glory is her hair. But in refusing to obey anointed male servants of God when given scriptural reasons for having it or her removed, she is in disgrace. A woman who is told by an anointed man that her conduct is deserving of shorning, but who refuses this corrective measure and is allowed to frequent Christ's congregation, is in greater disgrace before God than one shorn or shaved. There is hope of repentance for one shorn or shaved through its penalty of disgrace. Those instructed to carry out the shorning of a woman but refuse to do so, share in her disgrace. The holy requirements for a woman are described in the following scriptures:  (1 Cor 11:3-10. 14:33-37.  Eph 5:22-24.  1 Tim 2:11,12)  (Prov 31:10-31.  1 Peter 3:1-6).

After reading and meditating on these scriptural reminders from God's Word, one cannot fail to realize that a wife may only please God and earn her place in His everlasting arrangement by being an obedient and a helpful complement of man as to the Lord. (Gen 2:20-23). But if a woman exercises authority over God's glory the man, especially by falsely claiming to have been given authority by God's Word to teach men, she has rejected the authority of God and His glory the man. (1 Cor 14:34-38.  1 Cor 7:16). What other way could women teach and exercise authority over men other than by what the sect falsely calling themselves Jehovah's Witnesses practice?  (Zech 5:5-8).

12/8/80.
 

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