http://www.theearlychurch.com/englis...forangels.html
This is an article someone sent me and I'd like to hear your opinions on it. While I don't agree with everything written, I thought it was interesting and well thought out. Please read it and let me know what you think. This will be in three parts, as it's too large for one post.
A Sign For Angels
Note: To properly understand the position of the writer please read the author's message "To The Reader".
1 Cor 11:1-16
1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
2 Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.
3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.
4 Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head.
5 But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.
6 For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered.
7 For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.
8 For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man.
9 Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.
10 For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.
11 Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.
12 For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God.
13 Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered?
14 Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?
15 But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.
16 But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.
[12.1]
All scripture is given by inspiration of God and therefore, though the Apostle Paul is writing this instruction, the Holy Spirit is leading him into truth.
2 Tim 3:16
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
John 16:13
13 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 shew you things to come.
[12.2]
This teaching opens with Paul's admonishment to keep the ordinances as he delivered (taught) them to us. In chapter eleven of First Corinthians, Paul teaches the observance of two ordinances. First, the ordinance of honoring headship and the second, that of observing communion at the Lord's table.
[12.3]
We would do well to note that Paul's first concern is that we obey these ordinances as he, led by the Spirit, delivered them (taught them) to us. Paul expects all church members to follow them as he has outlined without revision, addition or omission. He makes no allowances for changing them in any way. If we therefore, follow any teaching which adds, removes or changes any part of these ordinances, we contradict the authority which has inspired Paul to write these instructions. Such a contradiction to God's leading and His word can only be interpreted as sin; the sin of disobedience. All this can be discerned in the first two verses of this chapter.
1 Cor 11:1-2
1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
2 Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.
[12.4]
Note, it says, "As I delivered them to you" not "as you would like".
[12.5]
Honor Your Authority
Paul then, having established his apostolic authority precedes to explain what he wants both men and women of God to do. We are to physically demonstrate our understanding and acceptance of God's order of authority. This physical demonstration of our submission has been provided for the sake of the angels.
[12.6]
A Matter Of Order
Paul explains that in the order of God's authority, Christ is subject to the power (authority) of His God and Father. Paul continues by instructing man that he must be subject to the authority of Christ and demonstrate this subjection by removing any coverings he may have on his head while praying or prophesying aloud. Paul acknowledges a difference between the way women demonstrate their recognition of authority (headship) and men do. He explains men must remove the covering from their head when praying or prophesying aloud because they're made in God's image and thus are His glory. We worship an unseen God, a God of Spirit and so it would seem that the unseen covering, when removed, best represents man's submission to God's authority (power).
[12.7]
Conversely, women are instructed to wear a covering on their heads while praying or prophesying aloud as a symbol that they recognize the authority (power) of man over them. The power on their head is man's authority, demonstrated visually by the covering they are to wear on their head. This is required because the woman was taken from man and thus is his glory. When angels may be present and able to hear her pray or prophesy aloud she must demonstrate her submission to man's authority (power) over her by wearing a visible covering. Thus by a visible covering the woman demonstrates to the angels her understanding of God's order of authority in the same way as does man by removing his covering. The woman wears a visible sign (the covering) over her head to honor her visible authority; the man. The failure of a man to remove his covering while praying or prophesying dishonors his head (Christ) and any failure of the woman to wear a covering while praying or prophesying dishonors her head, the man. Women are required to obey their husbands as unto the Lord (
Eph 5:22) thus we may conclude that any dishonor to the man also brings dishonor to the Lord.
Eph 5:22
22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
[12.8]
It's No Misunderstanding
Some may claim that the word "man" used in this text applies only to husbands and therefore, doesn't apply to single women. This is false because, not every woman is married but every woman that prays or prophesies aloud with her head uncovered dishonors her head.
1 Cor 11:5
5 But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.
[12.9]
Note: it doesn't say every married woman but every woman, indicating single or married. The need to uncover, in the case of the man, or cover, in the case of the woman, is a gesture designed for the observance of angels.
[12.10]
The Reason For This Display
The need to do this most likely goes back to the great rebellion of heaven when a third of heaven's angels chose to ignore God's authority. These angles turned their back on God's authority (power) and left His divine protection to pursue their own will and satisfy their own appetites. Since this disaster, there has been a need for God's faithful to outwardly demonstrate their submission to His divine plan of authority. Again, this is done for the sake of the angels.
[12.11]
God Alone Sees
If angels were able to read the hearts of all humans, there would be no need for this visible symbol. It appears that angels neither see nor hear what we think or silently pray.
I King 8:39
39 Then hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and do, and give to every man according to his ways, whose heart thou knowest; (for thou, even thou only, knowest the hearts of all the children of men)
2 Chr 6:30
30 Then hear thou from heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and render unto every man according unto all his ways, whose heart thou knowest; (for thou only knowest the hearts of the children of men)
1 Sam 16:7
7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.
Jer 17:9-10
9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
10 I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings
1 Pet 3:4
4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
[12.12]
God alone is privileged to know these things.
Heb 4:12
12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
[12.13]
Because angels are unable to hear our thoughts or see them, they have no understanding of what is said in silent prayer, thought or mediation. They are unable to determine if we are praying, prophesying or simply thinking through a problem unless we speak our words aloud.
[12.14]