The Covering

A Message by Robert Burgess

"The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe. {26} Many seek the ruler's favour; but every man's judgment cometh from the LORD (Prov 29:25-26)."

For some time now, the Lord has been dealing with us to address certain issues which deal with leadership in the Lord's Body; we pray that the Holy Spirit will anoint these words to bring correction and balanced direction to the blood bought Church of Jesus Christ. In recent years many leaders have bought into the idea that they are the ones set in the Church to exercise dominion and control over the activities of God's people. The subjects of order and Spiritual "Coverings" as they are presently taught in the majority of cases, are full of snares and pitfalls which are calculated to bring the true-hearted but unsuspecting believer into deep bondage either to the Ministry, an Organization, or even to private individuals. So much so, that once fully indoctrinated into it, most believers never fully recover. It is not our intention to do harm to any that are walking uprightly in God's Spirit; or to undermine true Spiritual authority, but we do wish to address certain obstacles which have become fixed in the minds of people concerning their personal obligations first to God, then their leaders, and to their individual church bodies.

The Covering of God's Spirit

(Isa 30:1) "Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin:"

(Isa 4:1) "And in that day seven women (or, Churches: i.e. Christianity, in general) shall take hold of one man (Jesus Christ), saying, We will eat our own bread (or, Doctrine), and wear our own apparel(Religious Covering): only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach."

(Isa 28:20) "For the bed (or, Man-Made Place of rest) is shorter than that a man (or, Mature Christian) can stretch (or, fully MEASURE) himself on it: and the (Man-Made) covering narrower than that he can wrap (or, lit. HIDE) himself in it."

The above Scripture speaks loudly to us of the fact that the overcomer, or fully matured Christian, can find no place of REST within the Systems of Men. Prolonged exposure to this kind of spiritual "Baby Crib Environment" will cause a person (like a root-bound plant) to develop spiritual deformities which could mark them for life. Neither can they find a protective covering of the Holy Spirit while abiding under the narrow confines of man-made rules and regulations which deny the intimate Lordship (Headship) of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer. Adam's man-made "Apron of Fig leaves" is in view here; the fact that the covering is too narrow for a man to WRAP HIMSELF in it shows how that the apron, or religious "FRONT" is not able to completely cover the stark nakedness of man's Sins. This can only be accomplished as we "Walk in the Light" of God's Holy Word where the Blood of Jesus Christ is our one and only Covering for sin.. We will address the issue of "Fig Leaves" more extensively later on.

One Head: Christ Jesus

We were grieved in our spirits recently, when we heard the testimony of a Lady Pastor who truly believes that she is the "Spiritual Head" of her house. Her husband is an Elder in her church and works hard during the week to help support the work; but before we proceed any further along this line, let it be understood that Scripturally speaking, neither the husband or the wife are the true "Spiritual Heads" over anything.. This confusion over Headship has brought countless multitudes to the brink of destruction. We have witnessed the devastation of many promising ministries because of confusion over Headship authority. Because of a false balance in this area, we have seen countless marriages go down the drain as a result of being prevented from experiencing the boundless joy of A TRUE UNION (or, ONNESS) in the loving Marriage Relationship ordained of God between husband and wife, wherein Christ Himself is the TRUE HEAD!! There is room for but ONE HEAD in every department of the Body of Christ.. HIS NAME is JESUS!! Notice the testimony of the following Scriptures concerning WHO it is that bears HEADSHIP ALONE in the Lord's Body:

(Col 2:8-10) "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. {9} For in him (Alone) dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. {10} And ye (The Body) are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

(Eph 1:22-23) "And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the HEAD over all things to the church, {23} Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all."

(1 Cor 8:5-6) "For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords (or, Heads) many,) {6} But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord (or, Head) Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him."

(Eph 4:5) "One Lord (or, HEAD), one faith, one baptism,"

Is it Leadership, or Headship?

(1 Pet 5:2-4) "Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; {3} Neither as being lords (Or, SPIRITUAL HEADS) over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. {4} And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away."

"Oversight"

episkopeo, ep-ee-skop-eh'-o; from G1909 and

G4648; to oversee; by impl. to beware:--look diligently, take the oversight. (Editors Note: Epi means HIGHER and Skopeo means "To Search out," or, quite literally this is one who "SCOPES OUT")

"Lord's Over"

katakurieuo, kat-ak-oo-ree-yoo'-o; from G2596 and G2961;

to lord against, i.e. control, subjugate:--exercise dominion over (lordship), be lord over, overcome.
(1 Cor 7:23) "Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men."

There is a vast difference between "Leadership" and "Lordship." Paul said; "Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ (1 Cor 11:1)." First of all, Leadership requires that there be followers; this is not an unreasonable requirement, especially if the leader is supposed to be following Christ. But "Headship" and "Lordship" (two expressions of the same thing) requires that there be "Servants," not mere followers. Again; "Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men (1 Cor 7:23)." Secondly, true leaders continually move forward in the things of God, as one who patrols ahead of a military unit and "Scopes out" the terrain ahead (See above), clearing it of the enemy, so the troops bringing up the rear can safely pass. But this requires forward movement; now for the most part, the church has moved ahead very little from the positions originally taken by the Apostles, Prophets, etc.. of the Early church. In fact, some of the strongest and most strategic points of Doctrine and Practice have been entirely lost to the enemy in the interim. It should be the desire of every valid Minister of God to attempt to regain these vital areas by moving ahead deeper into what is now "Enemy territory" (through a more perfect understanding of the Word) and to bring the troops into the same areas of experience that they themselves have taken. The "Lords" over the people however, have found that it is "Safer" in terms of job security, to somehow keep the people "Bivouacked" in the same area year after year rather than to allow them the realization that they themselves are to continue to advance under the "Headship" of CHRIST into the things of God until they personally "Take the land" which God has promised them. In old time Pentecost there used to be a saying which went "Either LEAD, FOLLOW, or GET OUT OF THE WAY." I think that is most applicable here.

"Decently, and in Order"

Many years ago, during what is now called the "Azusa Street Revival" (in Los Angeles, California) an incident occurred which stands out in our thinking. The Pastor of the Azusa Street "Apostolic Faith Mission" was a one-eyed black Brother by the name of Seymour. History records that Bro. Seymour would pray with his head covered by a Cardboard shoe box until the Spirit of God either moved upon him or someone in the congregation to bring forth the Word. One night a denominational minister came demanding to know just "Who" it was that was in charge of the service. The first answer he got was, that "The LORD was in charge" of the meeting. He replied somewhat angrily, "Oh I know all that, but who is the Head of this Church?" Again the same answer came, "Why, the LORD is the Head of this Church." "Well who is running it then?" And again the answer was "Why, the LORD HIMSELF runs these services!!" The truth is, that the early participants in the Lord's recovery at Azusa Street had searched out the genuine order of God and found that, just as 1Cor 14:etc. held the key to deliverance for a disorderly "Free-for-all spirit" at the Church in Corinth, it proved to be (and still is) the Key to deliverance from the man-dominated conditions of the modern Nominal Churches as well. Searching the Scriptures we find that no other place in the entire Bible instructs us how a Spirit-Led, New Testament Church service should be held!! Notice the following passages and realize that these were "Commandments of God" given by the Holy Ghost as a remedy for the problems of an early-day Disorderly Pentecostal Church:

(1 Cor 14:26-31) "How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. {27} If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. {28} But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God. {29} Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. {30} If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace. {31} For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.... If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write (in the Preceding verses) unto you are the commandments of the Lord. {38} But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant. {39} Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. {40} Let all things be done decently and in (This) order (1 Cor 14:37-40)."

How do the vast majorities within the modern Pentecostal and Charismatic Church world submit to the above described "Order," of which Paul referred to here as the very "Commandments of the Lord?" We venture to say that if the true Holy Spirit ever got hold of them as He desires to, everything about them would change!! They would so welcome the fresh Life-giving Breeze of the Holy Ghost to breathe upon their old dry bones that they, like Bro. Seymour, would gladly lay for hours before the Lord just to have it so!! Only on rare occasions has the Modern Church ever witnessed anything even close to what Paul describes, yet this is the God-given pattern and the expectation of the Spirit in the New Testament Church.

The Leading of the Spirit

(Rom 8:14-15) "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. {15} For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father."

"Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, HE will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you (or, REVEAL to you) things to come. {14} He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you (John 16:13-14)."

"We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error (1 John 4:6)."

(1 Cor 2:16) "For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

Just as the HEAD does the thinking for the Body, so also does Christ: It should take no incredible stretch of our spiritual discernment to recognize here that it was never God's will to give the fullness of the Holy Spirit to his people, then require that some Lesser human entity to be vital in doing their thinking (or, God's thinking) for them.

Countless times we have seen ministers and saints attacked for their lack of Submission to this one or that one; even being chastised as rebels for not belonging to any particular denomination.. May we again reiterate; we do not desire to undermine any who walk uprightly in God's Spirit, or who function in true Spiritual Authority.. But we must strongly question the Scriptural strength of the "Authority-Submission Principle" of the Modern Churches. Since, after all, Jesus Christ is the Church's Universal "Pattern" of good works and of sinless conduct, and in the light of modern teaching of "Authority-Submission," is it not a little strange that Jesus never sat among any of the religious "Orders" of His day (Saducees, Pharisees, Herodians, etc..)?? But in fact, commanded all men to take up their cross and follow HIM!!. We are particularly concerned for the heavy handed control tactics exercised by certain Ministries who seem to think they have the say-so over the operation of the Spirit of God; in other words since they are in a position of leadership, the Holy Spirit does not make a move without their express permission/approval. This is in error, God never subjects himself to man's whims or dictates, in fact He will go out of his way to contend with man for the right to rule over his people..

Enviest thou for my sake?

There has always been a tendency within mankind to be envious of that which another has, or can do well. The first chapters of the Bible records the murderous jealousy which developed in Cain against his brother Abel, which eventually led to the death of the one called "The Seed of the Woman." Four thousand years later, at the birthing of Jesus Christ, there again went out a sentence of death against not only the "Woman's Seed," but all the Men-Children that were, in like manner, born during that period of time. In this hour, envy is again rising to a critical mass against a "Chosen Generation" who are a part of what the Bible refers to as "The Manchild.." In most cases however, physical murder is unnecessary, when a simple "Character Assassination" is more than sufficient to neutralize any good fruit that might be produced for God in His people. We have the testimony of Moses, the servant of God, a type of Christ, the Good Shepherd. The following account describes what happened when God poured out His Spirit upon the Seventy chosen Elders of Israel.

(Num 11:26-29) "But there remained two of the men in the camp, the name of the one was Eldad, and the name of the other Medad: and the spirit rested upon them; and they were of them that were written, but went not out unto the tabernacle: and they prophesied in the camp. {27} And there ran a young man, and told Moses, and said, Eldad and Medad do prophesy in the camp. {28} And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of Moses, one of his young men, answered and said, My lord Moses, forbid them!! {29} And Moses said unto him, Enviest thou for my sake? would God that all the LORD'S people were prophets, and that the LORD would put his spirit upon them!"

Please notice the similarity of Moses' sentiments concerning Prophets and Prophecy to Joshua, and the Word given to Corinth by Paul concerning the Ministry of Prophets and the Gift of Prophesy.

(1 Cor 14:5) "I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying."

Divine Checks and Balances

For the benefit of those who do not understand how some of the foregoing Scriptures could lead to anything but spiritual chaos in the church, and for the sake of lending proper balance to this article, we will now explore the setting into which they were intended to be applied. The early Church was an Apostolic one with living Apostles and Prophets originally set apart and anointed by the Lord Himself for their particular Ministries. These worked together (along with the Evangelists, Pastors, and Teachers) in such a powerful way that strict divine order and discipline was kept in spite of the human need (of even Christians) to be seen and heard. There was the Presence of God, freedom of worship, and as we have seen, it was strongly encouraged that people enter in and share, both in the Word and Testimonies; if one prophesied, the others were there to "Judge" and give answer as to whether their words were truly of God or not (that all may learn, and be edified). Shortly after the death of the last Apostle of the Lamb (John) and just before the conclusion of the first "Church Age (Ephesus)" at a time when huge numbers of Apostles and Prophets had been slaughtered, there appeared a group of people known as the "Nicolaitanes (See Rev 2:6)." This word Nicolaitanes means to "Conquer, or to defeat the Laity, or People." What began as the "Deeds of the Nicolaitanes" in the First Church Age, became the "Doctrine of the Nicolaitanes" in the Second Church age (Smyrna), as the church in the absence of anointed leaders, slowly drifted away from the Word of God and Tradition became more acceptable (drawing less fiery attacks from the Religious and Political sector); See Rev 2:15. These Nicolaitanes claimed to be the successors to the Apostles and Prophets, and as such, they contended that they alone held the "Keys of the Kingdom" as it were, and that none other but them were duly authorized to bear rule or to speak in the Church. The first thing to disappear was the open pulpit, and testimonies and/or Ministry from the floor; the church service became a ritual instead of a celebration, as spiritual DEADNESS quickly set in. Notice that Jesus "Hated" both their Deeds and their Doctrine (See Rev 2:6 & 15), He still does. This doctrine eventually led to the setting up of the Roman Catholic Church in the Third Church Age (Pergamos, or, "High Marriage"). Now at the Conclusion of the Church Ages at the Seventh Church Age (Laodicean Church) we find another opposite condition, one in which the "Laity Rules;" the word "Laodicea" means "Laity, or, People's Rule." These two conditions (Like the Roman Catholic, and Baptist Churches) are still very much alive within the ranks of Christianity in general; they are two opposite extremes, and each is equally destructive to the plan and government of God in the Church. One says "The Ministry Rules" while the other claims "The People Rule," the truth is that "God Rules" in His Church. Now let us examine carefully how the early Church was organized:

(Eph 4:11-13) "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; {12} For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: {13} Till (or, UNTIL) we all come in (or, INTO) the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:"

Has anything even remotely resembling this ever happened?? Have we indeed all come into the UNITY of the FAITH?? Certainly NOT!! In fact, since the death of the first Apostles the church has become more and more SEPARATED while divisive doctrine has FLOURISHED. Then, did God fail?? Certainly NOT!! So then, there must still be Apostles and Prophets among us today. But why have we been taught otherwise by the Nominal Churches? Because, if there were to actually be true Apostles and Prophets alive today the Nominal Churches know that they would be obliged to submit themselves to the proper Scriptural Order of Leadership. Their "General Superintendent so-and-so" would be out of a job, as would be all their other "Duly Elected Leaders." Did anyone in the Bible ever "Vote in" a Pastor, or Elder, or Deacon?? Certainly NOT!! Then how is it that the Church is allowed this privilege today?? In the first place, there will always be, in any church, more who DON'T know the mind of the Lord than those that DO. In the environment that dominates the Nominal Churches God will be continually voted down by the masses. If a Minister tries to introduce something new, he runs the risk of being instantly replaced by another on the grounds of "Departure from the Faith." Is it any wonder then, that the "Mark of the Beast," or the "Mark of Human Government" is the "Almighty 66.6%, or 2/3rds Majority Rules?"

Two Wings

(Rev 12:14) "And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent."

In a recent article entitled "Two Wings," we dealt with the restoration of the Ministry of Apostles and Prophets to the End-Time Church. Briefly, the Great Eagle here is our Lord Jesus Christ; and the two wings given to the "Woman (or, the Church)" represent the restored Ministry of the Apostles and Prophets at the time of the end. Three main principles for flight are in view:

LIFT

The Prophet has the ability to "Lift" the Church into Heavenly
places in Christ.
THRUST
The Apostle (or, Sent One) has the ability to move the Church
forward quickly into the things of the Kingdom of God.
BALANCE
These both are designed to ONLY work together in a perfect harmony ordained and orchestrated by God. If one wing were clipped even a little, it would cause that the Church (even if it did leave the ground a little) could only go in CIRCLES!

Give us a King

(Judg 9:8-15) "The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said unto the olive tree, Reign thou over us. {9} But the olive tree said unto them, Should I leave my fatness, wherewith by me they honour God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees? {10} And the trees said to the fig tree, Come thou, and reign over us. {11} But the fig tree said unto them, Should I forsake my sweetness, and my good fruit, and go to be promoted over the trees? {12} Then said the trees unto the vine, Come thou, and reign over us. {13} And the vine said unto them, Should I leave my wine, which cheereth God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees? {14} Then said all the trees unto the bramble, Come thou, and reign over us. {15} And the bramble said unto the trees, If in truth ye anoint me king over you, then come and put your trust in my shadow: and if not, let fire come out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of Lebanon."
The foregoing Scripture is more than a historical record of what someone said one day. It provides a wealth of information concerning the language of Bible symbolism, and of how Israel fell away from Gods divine plan for the establishment of His reign over the nation. This parable also provides a prophetic picture of how the Church would eventually follow in the footsteps of their predecessors in their fall from grace. First, the Olive Tree represented Moses (the most abundantly anointed of all trees), whom Israel tried to make a King over them. Secondly, the Fig Tree represented Joshua (the next most anointed of the trees), whom Israel again attempted to make King as well. Thirdly, the Vine represented Samuel (the third most anointed of the trees), who, like Moses and Joshua flatly refused to be made a ruler over men. Lastly, the bramble (the POLITICIAN, or most UNANOINTED of all trees) was approached by the trees to rule over them, and of course he accepted their offer, on these terms; that they put their trust in his SHADOW (or, COVERING), and if they did not, then FIRE (Tribulation and Persecution) would come forth from the bramble Ministry and destroy the CEDARS of LEBANON (or, Sons of GOD)!! In the New Testament, the three anointed ones represent the Apostle, Prophet, and Teacher, respectively; (1 Cor 12:28) "And God hath set some in the church, first Apostles, secondarily Prophets, thirdly Teachers." The bramble illustrates the low character and nature of those who have always attempted to "Climb up another way," "Taking the Kingdom by Force and Violence." Jesus said of these; "Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein (Mark 10:15)." Beloved, that last thing that a little child has to do is worry about "Taking" something by "Force;" all that he IS, and OWNS, is HIS by INHERITANCE, it is his BIRTHRIGHT. No one has to "Take" that which already belongs to him; therefore, he that climbs up another way, is a THIEF and ROBBER (See Jn 10:1-10).

Fig Leaves

At this point we will resume the theme of the "Fig-Leaf Apron" (or, Religious Front) versus a Covering of God's Spirit. Using what Bible Scholars refer to as the "Law of First Mention" we find that the first place in the Bible where a covering appears is where God placed Adam in the Garden for a twofold purpose; "To DRESS and to KEEP IT (See Gen 2:15)." In view is the fact that Adam was a type of Christ even as Eden was a type of the "Paradise of God." He was set in this paradise realm first of all, to "DRESS," or literally to "COVER" everything that went on under his dominion; then secondly, as a Type of Christ it was also his job to "KEEP IT (See Jn 17:12)." Even as the "Head of every man is Christ, and the Head of Christ is God," Adam's personal covering was Jesus. In fact, so long as he remained within the covering and conditions of the Edenic Covenant, he had no consciousness of sin or personal nakedness (Because he was, in fact, Covered).. Beloved, Adam sinned against God, and as a result, everyone and everything under his dominion lost their life, but praise the Lord, we have a wonderful alternative to the death, destruction, and spiritual nakedness brought upon us in Adam, it is found in our wonderful Savior (our only true covering), The Lord Jesus Christ!!
(Gen 3:7-10) "And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons (or, a Religious FRONT). {8} And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden. {9} And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? {10} And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was (STILL) naked (In SPITE of his Fig Leaves); and I hid myself."
(Gen 3:21) "Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them."

The "Coat of Skins" here, first points to the fact that animal blood (i.e. a Life) was sacrificed in their behalf, and secondly, that his skin, or covering, was placed upon them. In Christ we are covered first by His shed blood, and secondly, by His Holy Spirit.

A Great Rock in a Weary Land

"Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in judgment. {2} And a man (Christ Jesus) shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert (or, a COVERING) from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land (Isa 32:1-2)."

Laodicean Nakedness

We find at the conclusion of the Church age, a condition which Jesus called "Nakedness" in the Laodicean Church. Please consider carefully the following Scripture:

(Rev 3:17-18) "Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see."

The obvious conclusion here is that the Laodiceans were most certainly not Physically naked; they were Spiritually naked, without a valid covering of the Spirit of God. This is a picture of the established Church at the end-time. Jesus was not writing this letter to the Jehovah's Witnesses, or the Mormons, or to the Catholics, he was writing to His own Blood-Bought Church.. Let me point out as well, that Jesus was on the OUTSIDE of this Church, gently knocking on the Door trying to get the attention of the people within. The present system and established order of the church in general, has the Word of God (Jesus) locked out; they are not willing to let him in, for if they did He would quickly tear to pieces the various doctrines and practices that have been established which bond the people to the Ministry, and to the local church Body, but not to the Lord Himself!

David's Armour

(1 Sam 17:38-39) "And Saul armed David with his (Man-Made) armour, and he put an helmet of brass upon his head; also he armed him with a coat of mail. {39} And David girded his sword upon his armour, and he assayed (i.e. Refused) to go; for he had not proved it. And David said unto Saul, I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them. And David put them off him."

The above Scriptures tell us that David, the beloved of God, refused to take the armor of men, which he had not (and which could not be) proven. There are multitudes of things being taught, written, and practiced within the Church, which simply cannot be proven Scripturally, this leaves the Church in a condition of Nakedness. Notice what Paul wrote to the Ephesians:

(Eph 6:14-17) "Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; {15} And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; {16} Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. {17} And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:"

In these passages the Word of God is actually mentioned three times, first of all the loins, or private parts, are to be "Girt about with TRUTH" Jesus said "Thy WORD is TRUTH (See Jn 17:17);" secondly, the Sword of the Spirit is the Word of God. Thirdly, the Word of God is expressed as the "Helmet of Salvation (i.e. the MIND of CHRIST);" beloved, if the Word is NOT the MIND of Christ, then what pray tell IS? It is evident that the enemy has robbed the church of the Truth of God's Word otherwise Jesus would never have made the statement concerning the Nakedness of the Laodicean Church. In fact, when you take away the Word of God from the church it becomes BAREFOOTED, BARECHESTED (Righteousness is derived from Faith, and Faith comes from Hearing the Word of God), SHIELDLESS (Faithless), SWORDLESS, has NO HEADGEAR, and NO PROTECTION from the LOW BLOWS of Satan. Now David could have taken Saul's sword, or His Helmet, or his coat of mail, but he didn't; Why not? "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God (the Word was God; See Jn 1:1) to the pulling down of strong holds; (See 2 Cor 10:4)." David knew that if God was to be with him in his battle with Goliath, David would first need to be armed only with that which God had given him to be proficient and effective in. Our proficiency should be in the things of God, not of men (See 2 Cor 3:5).. Beloved, at present there are just too many things being taught and practiced by the church that cannot in any way be "Proven" by the Word of God, so much so, that God's power and authority refuses to be expressed any longer in it. Focusing again on the idea of "Covering" let us consider the testimony of the book of Leviticus concerning the qualifications of the Levitical Priesthood:

(Lev 21:18-23) "For whatsoever man he be that hath a blemish, he shall not approach: a blind man, or a lame, or he that hath a flat nose, or any thing superfluous, {19} Or a man that is brokenfooted, or brokenhanded, {20} Or crookbacked, or a dwarf, or that hath a blemish in his eye, or be scurvy, or scabbed, or hath his stones broken; {21} No man that hath a blemish of the seed of Aaron the priest shall come nigh to offer the offerings of the LORD made by fire: he hath a blemish; he shall not come nigh to offer the bread of his God. {22} He shall eat the bread of his God, both of the most holy, and of the holy. {23} Only he shall not go in unto the veil, nor come nigh unto the altar, because he hath a blemish; that he profane not my sanctuaries: for I the LORD do sanctify them."

Time and space will not permit us to elaborate on each point of disqualification, but for the purpose of tying this study together properly we must focus on the man who has his "Stones Broken." First of all, how could the stones of a man become broken?? In combat if the loins are not girded (or clothed properly) it would be easy for a man (or, anyone who has Spiritual Authority) to be severely wounded. We have covered Ephesians six etc.. so we know already that the loins are to be girt about with TRUTH; this is the solution for Spiritual Nakedness, as well as our protection from the wounds which will most certainly occur as we war with the ill-mannered and wicked spirits of darkness. The resultant condition is that the individual becomes spiritually impotent, devoid of the masculine power to either reproduce Christ, or to have an effective and authoritative Ministry. This is closely parallel to the condition known as the "Crookbacked" who in short, has no "Spiritual Backbone." Now this is not to say that such a one cannot be "Nervy" or Bold, only that his nerve and outspokenness is not derived from the Spirit of God, but from his (or her) own spirit, or natural inclinations. This one may be "tough as nails" so far as natural toughness is concerned, but let's see them cast out a few real devils, or effectively and consistently curse the roots of cancer or other sicknesses off an individual for good. This kind of Ministry demands genuine Spiritual Authority that is far above and beyond anything that has to do with the natural realm. Beloved, if your loins are indeed girt about with truth, you will not be ashamed or afraid to speak the truth when it is necessary, on the contrary, you will speak the Truth in Love even when all the devils in hell threaten you and war against you; because you are truly "Covered."

Summary

What are some things the Word really says that the New Testament believer should be clothed (or covered) with? Ephesians six etc.. says THE WORD!! Revelation 7:14 tells us of those saints who were clothed in robes made white in the BLOOD of JESUS.. Jesus said "And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued (or Lit. CLOTHED) with power from on high (Luke 24:49)." Paul said; "But put ye on (or, be literally be CLOTHED UPON with) the Lord Jesus Christ (The WORD made FLESH), and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof (Rom 13:14)." But where do the Scriptures teach that a MAN (other than Jesus Christ) should be our "Head," or "Covering"?? Nowhere!! What is it then? Jesus is the Alpha and Omega in this thing, He is The Chief Apostle, Chief Prophet, Chief Evangelist, Chief Shepherd (Pastor), Chief Teacher, He is the Chief Cornerstone. Jesus Christ is a most jealous God, the HEAD of ALL THINGS to the Church, which is his Bride, His Body.. In conclusion, let us again reiterate (for the third time) that we are in no way in opposition to any true Spiritual Authority, nor are we suggesting any kind of rebellion against the leadership which God Himself has set in the Church to teach, to admonish and sometimes even to rebuke us in the gentle firmness of the Holy Spirit; but we are strongly opposed (because the Word is strongly opposed) to the current False Doctrine which is being fed to the Church concerning Spiritual "Coverings" and "Headship." As Paul wrote, let us shun every kind of unscriptural "Profane and vain babblings: for they will (only) increase unto more ungodliness (2 Tim 2:16)."

Robert Burgess 8/8/99

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