February 20, 2013 – Allen and Diane Lake
The Lord gives the command [word]; the women who proclaim the good tidings are a great host. Psalm 68:11, NASB
The Tabernacle of David
Many believers are aware of the significance of the tabernacle of David and the role that its restoration plays in the revelation of God to mankind. Acts 15:16, 17 say:
After this I will return and will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down; I will rebuild its ruins, and I will set it up; so that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, even all the Gentiles who are called by My name, says the Lord who does all these things. (See also Amos 9:11, 12.)
The most significant difference between the tabernacle of Moses and of David (and later, the temple) was that there was no veil separating the people from the Ark of the Covenant – representing the presence of God. Within this structure, David instituted the continuous spiritual sacrifice of worshiping God through praise. The restoration of the tabernacle of David is associated with continuous praise and worship in the unhindered presence of God.
David was incredibly bold in his departure from what would have been logic, tradition or interpretation of the law for that time. Logic would have had him return the Ark to the tabernacle at Shiloh still in existence at that time. Tradition would have required there to be a Holy of Holies separating access to His presence by a veil.
As a model prophetic priestly king, David even donned an ephod and danced publicly before the Lord! (1 Chron. 15:27-29; Rev. 5:10) Despite the seeming lack of convention and protocol interwoven within this setting, scripture confirms and upholds that David moved within God’s will. (Acts 13:22)
We are left to conclude that David moved by prophetic revelation, confident that he saw a model conceived in the intimacy of relationship and born of that revelation. In essence, he was allowed by God to perceive a future revelation, pursue it, and see it manifest in his time. (Matt. 27:51; Heb. 4:16)
David, who himself lived under the old covenant, understood that the letter kills, but the Spirit brings freedom and life. (2 Cor. 3:6) The tabernacle of David represents more than continuous presence worship; it is an expression of an intimate, prophetic life.
Doctrines of Men
These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me, and in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men. (Matt. 15:8, 9)
As believers, we live under the new covenant of the Spirit. We can never depart from the foundation of scripture, but also rely heavily on the ministry of the Spirit to bring the light of His truth to His word. (See 2 Tim. 3:16, 17; 2 Cor. 3.)
It is possible, I believe, to prove or disprove almost anything using scripture. (I recently listened to a video message establishing biblical “proof” of God’s endorsement of homosexuality.) Depending on heart, determination, and motive, it is possible not only to be deceived, but to even be under a strong spirit of delusion that aids in believing the lie. (2 Thes. 2:11)
We are warned that in the last days, “false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.” (Matt. 24:24) Even great power and miracles will accompany those who falsely claim to have revelation and knowledge of God and scripture in the last days.
The issue with doctrines of men is the heart; it is possible to “know” scripture without knowing God’s heart. David, we are told, was a man of God’s own heart. (Acts. 13:22) Established doctrines of men act like blinders, as something becomes very difficult to discern if it is all one has ever known.
In Colossians 2, Paul exhorts us not to be cheated through the traditions and doctrines of men. These, indeed, have an appearance of wisdom, of religion, and of humility and discipline, but are of no value in obtaining the fullness of the wisdom and knowledge of Christ. (See esp. vs. 2-10; 18-23.) I believe that one of the most entrenched areas within traditions and doctrines of men has to do with the conventional role of women in the church.
People of Vision
The original curse against women in the Garden has had a far more powerful impact on the place of women in the church than most realize. (Gen. 3:16; Rev. 12:17) There are a myriad of factors that have combined and compiled over time to muddle and muddy this issue.
Few realize the extent to which women (and children) were treated and regarded as slaves in biblical times. Also, there are clear instances of inaccurate gender translation in scripture. Due to space constraints, suffice it to say that men who translated the scriptures were heavily influenced by the treatment of women in their day. (For further study, see the Recommended Reading section below.) And, certain words and passages have been overemphasized and unequivocally defined – beyond original intention, I believe.
We have come to associate “head” with superiority in rank or position. (Eph. 5:23) However, another expression of head is “source,” in the sense that something came first or another originates from it; we refer to the head of a river or a stream. Using that expression of meaning, Christ came first, and then after that—or out of Him, came the church. (Matt. 16:18; Eph. 2:20) Similarly, man was created first, and then after and out from him, came the woman. (Gen. 2:21, 22)
Most compelling to this topic is the fact that revelation for cultural transformation is meant to happen by God’s design using an obedient chosen generation in His time. For instance, in the Old Testament it was accepted that a man might have more than one wife. Later, New Testament revelation shows that was not God’s heart in the matter (1 Tim. 3:2, 12), and as well, polygamy has fallen out of societal favor over time.
Slavery is another example. Looking back through the filters of culture and time, we are confident that slavery is not God’s will for our time, but remember, scripture does not directly reveal this. Scripture sets order within traditions and institutions that were entrenched in the culture at that time; the goal being that all men might come to the knowledge of the truth. There are many passages we filter in this way, confident they were for another time. (Eph. 6:5-9; 1 Tim. 6:1, 2; 1 Cor. 10:33, 11:2-16)
The key to true and lasting societal transformation is the understanding that it is meant to come through the hands of God’s church as it obediently arises in His time. If not by that means – chaos, counterfeit or short-lived change will result.
Imagine if Jesus, at His first coming, had overthrown the reigning government, removed the existing religious structure, liberated and elevated women, and abolished slavery all at one time. Complete chaos would have been the result! Jesus did not first come to transform and disciple nations. (Acts 1:6, 7) Instead, He laid the foundation, leaving this for His church to do before His next appearing. (Matt. 28:19; Col. 2:15; Rev. 11:15)
Proverbs 29:18 says: “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” (KJV) The word “vision” is also rendered “revelation,” and speaks of prophetic revelation, or a word from God. “Perish” can be translated to “cast off restraint,” and implies a lack of discipline which results in opportunity missed or ignored.
Prophetically, I see a church in which women are equal to be saved and are equal to serve, one in which they are equal to live and also to lead. In God’s heart I see children and kings, women and men—all held together by the Father in an embrace. In Christ, we will see the brightness of this place. (Gal. 3:26-29)
The Message is Prayer
After David brought the Ark to Jerusalem, he desired to build a more permanent house for the Lord. God told David that he should not build Him a house, then added that He would build David a house – meaning establish his dynasty forever! (See 1 Chron. 17.)
David’s lineage was to be forever blessed, just as the church is eternally blessed. (Rev. 21) God’s covenant with His church means we cannot be stopped. As long as we are following Him, He has prepared the way to a degree that we cannot be stopped. (Matt. 16:18; Rev. 12:11)
Acts 3:21 says that Jesus will not be released to return “until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets.” If we earnestly desire to hasten the Day (2 Pet. 3:12), there will be times when we have to be willing to adjust – God needs our cooperation.
We will accomplish nothing by striving in the flesh, but must enter into His rest. Please pray with me that all women in the church are truly released to be and become all that God intends them to be… a great company of women, joining with faithful men – together embracing the promises that they see. (Heb. 11:13)
To a degree, the church can write her own destiny. What she has the faith to grab hold of, she can receive. The church’s finest hour lies ahead.
In that day the Lord will defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; the one who is feeble among them in that day shall be like David, and the house of David shall be like God, like the Angel of the Lord before them. (Zech. 12:8)
Prayer Points
1. Pray for women in the church to truly be released to become all that God intends them to be. (2 Timothy 1:9)
2. Pray for the division the enemy wants to be bring to the body of Christ over this issue to be exposed and uprooted. (1 Corinthians 12:25)
Action Points
1. Take time to encourage a woman about her destiny and gifts today.
2. Consider studying the following recommended resources to gain further understanding on this matter:
– Ten Lies the Church Tells Women, by J. Lee Grady
– The Deborah Company, by Jane Hamon
– The Signal From God, by Diane Lake
Diane is a writer, speaker and minister ordained with both Christian International and Generals International. Her articles are regularly featured on The Elijah List, as well as platforms like Charisma Magazine, Charisma News, Intercessors For America and others. She and her husband, Allen, co-founded Starfire Ministries with a vision to see the kingdom established beyond the four walls of the traditional church. They host a podcast with Charisma Podcast Network, and serve as Church Mountain, Regional, and Montana Coordinators for the Reformation Prayer Network, and as Media Mountain Leader/Facilitators for C.I.’s Culture Influencers.
