SUBJECT:  Women in the Kingdom of God

QUESTIONS:  What will be the role of women in the Kingdom of God as Spirit beings?  How could any of the 144,000 called at the end time be women as it states that they will be co-ruling Kings and Priests with Christ?  There is no Biblical example of women being kings and priests.  Will women be co-ruling kings and priests in the Kingdom of God?

ANSWER:

To understand this subject, we must realize the fact that there is a huge difference between the human, physical world and the Spirit-being world.  We cannot always apply human situations to heavenly ones.  We have scripture which makes this clear.

Isaiah 55:8-9

8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.

9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Note:  His thoughts and ways are higher are higher (different) from human ways and thinking.  If this is not enough, contemplate the following…

Ecclesiastes 3:11

He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.

Job 9:10

Which doeth great things past finding out; yea, and wonders without number.

Job 11:7-9

7 Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection?

8 It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know?

9 The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.

Job 36:26

Behold, God is great, and we know him not, neither can the number of his years be searched out.

Job 37:5

God thundereth marvellously with his voice; great things doeth he, which we cannot comprehend.

Psalm 77:19

Thy way is in the sea, and thy path in the great waters, and thy footsteps are not known.

Psalm 92:5

O LORD, how great are thy works! and thy thoughts are very deep.

Psalm 139:6

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.

Psalm 145:3

Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable.

Proverbs 30:4

Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son's name, if thou canst tell?

Isaiah 40:28

Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.

Romans 11:33

O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!

Having quoted all this, there is hope in our understanding of what women will be doing as Spirit beings in God’s kingdom.  Notice…

1 Corinthians 2:10-11

10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

1 Corinthians 2:16

For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

Ephesians 3:8

Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;

Note:  So we see that by the Spirit of God we can know certain things.  We certainly know what the role of women will be as Spirit beings.

Clearly God made both men and women and gave them various roles here on earth.  It is not God’s purpose or design that women fill the roles of kings or ministers in this physical existence but in the Spiritual world there is a different design and purpose.  As a God being we experience no marriage, we have no sexual organs and we have nothing to distinguish a specific race.  We are powerful and perfect Spirit beings and we will be with God, the Father and Jesus Christ for all eternity.  There will be no woman/man distinctions and roles as we see them today.  We will all be One with and in the God Family.  Notice some subjects and  scriptures which take us beyond the temporary physical realm:

Image of God

Women were made in the image of God. 

Genesis 1:26-27

26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

In verse 26, the word “man” is “human being” and does not make a distinction between male and female.

120  'adam (aw-dawm');

from 119; ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.):

KJV-- X another, + hypocrite, + common sort, X low, man (mean, of low degree), person.

Note:  Nowhere do you see the use of this word as denoting a male only.

In verse 27, we see distinctly that both males AND females are in the image of the Great, all-powerful and eternal God.  This fact alone shows that God sees both males and females for the greater eternal purpose He has in mind and not just the temporary physical existence now.

Godly Calling – Firstfruits

We know from the scripture that God has called certain people now, prior to the return of Jesus Christ to set up His government and Kingdom, to carry out the Work of God.  This calling comes with the promise of the Holy Spirit now and eternal life at the return of Christ.  The calling and the promises are the same for both male and females.  I am not talking duties or personal missions here but calling, Godly calling.  Notice what Paul said…

Galatians 3:28-29

28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Notice that God, through Paul, makes both male AND female heirs.  Verse 28 says BOTH men and women.  Notice now the commentaries…

Galatians 3:28

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

            There is in [eni  (grk 1762)] this sonship by faith in Christ no class privileged above another, as the Jews under the law were above the Gentiles (<Romans 10:12; 1 Corinthians 12:13; 1> <Colossians 3:11>). –Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown

Romans 10:12
For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.

1 Corinthians 12:13
For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

Colossians 3:11
Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.

 

            [Bond nor free]-- Christ belongs by faith to the "bond" as much as to the "free." Notes, <1 Cor. 7:21-22; Eph. 6:8>

 

            [Neither male nor female]-- Greek, `there is not male AND female. ' Alterable social distinctions are contrasted by "neither ... nor:" the unalterable human one of sex, by "and" <Mark 10:6>. Male and female form a unity, the one supplementing the other. There is no distinction, spiritually, into male and female. Difference of sex makes no difference in Christian privileges. But under the law the male had great privileges. Males alone had in their body circumcision, the sign of the covenant, (whereas baptism applies to male and female alike); they alone were capable of being kings and priests, whereas all of either sex are now "kings and priests unto God" <Rev. 1:6>; they had prior right to inheritances. In the resurrection the relation of the sexes shall cease <Luke 20:35>.

 

            [One], [heis  (grk 1520)]-- `one man; ' masculine, not neuter; "one new man" in Christ <Eph. 2:15>. ~from Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary

You have to study this commentary but the fact is clear.  Notice the statements made:

1)     There is no distinction, spiritually, into male and female.

2)     Difference of sex makes no difference in Christian privileges (speaking of the Kingdom).

3)     Whereas baptism applies to male and female alike.

4)     Whereas all of either sex are now "kings and priests unto God” (in the Kingdom).

5)     In the resurrection the relation of the sexes shall cease.

Conclusion:  In the Kingdom, when we are Spirit-beings, there is no sexual distinction.  We are all One with Jesus Christ and the Father.  In these promises there is no distinction made about sex or race.

Notice this from another commentary:

Galatians 3:28 

            [There is neither male nor female] Neither the male nor the female have any special advantages for salvation. There are no favors shown on account of sex. Both sexes are, in this respect, on a level. This does not mean, of course, that the sexes are to be regarded as in all respects equal; nor can it mean that the two sexes may not have special duties and privileges in other respects. It does not prove that one of the sexes may not perform important offices in the church, which would not be proper for the other. It does not prove that the duties of the ministry are to be performed by the female sex, nor that the various duties of domestic life, nor the various offices of society, should be performed without any reference to the distinction of sex. The interpretation should be confined to the matter under consideration; and the passage proves only that in regard to salvation they are on a level. ~from Barnes' Notes

Note again the key statements regarding male and female.  Once we are Spirit-beings in the Family of God we are all one.  We are all sons of God.  This includes the 144,000 spoken of in Revelation.  Notice now more commentary on verse 29 (Galatians 3:29):

Galatians 3:29

And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

            [And if ye be Christ's] If you belong to the Messiah, and are interested in his work (doing His work).

            [Then are ye Abraham's seed] The promise made to Abraham related to the Messiah. It was a promise that in him all should be blessed. Abraham believed in that Messiah, and was distinguished for his faith in him who was to come. If they believed in Christ, therefore, they showed that they were the spiritual descendants of Abraham. No matter whether they were Jews or Gentiles; whether they had been circumcised or not, they had the same spirit which he evinced, and were interested in the promises made to him.

            [And heirs according to the promise] See <Rom. 8:17>. Are heirs of God. You inherit the blessings promised to Abraham, and partake of the felicity to which he looked forward. You have become truly heirs of God, and this is in accordance with the promise made to Abraham. It is not by the obedience of the Law; it is by faith (doing the law, invoking Godly principles, overcoming sin and becoming like Christ)-- in the same way that Abraham possessed the blessing; an arrangement before the giving of the Law, and therefore one that may include all, whether Jews or Gentiles. All are on a level; and all are alike the children of God, and in the same manner, and on the same terms that Abraham was. ~from Barnes' Notes (clarifications in parentheses are mine)

 

In the last paragraph of commentary, reference is made to Romans 8:17 but I feel the whole chapter speaks very much to this issue of women in the Kingdom and the fact that there is no sexual distinction as we know it here on Earth.  There are not going to be female Spirit-beings acting as helpmates to the male Spirit-beings.  Absurd.  Notice Romans 8 and the fact that it describes God’s people and not males and females.

Romans 8:1-39

1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.

13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

14 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.

16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.

20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,

21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?

25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.

34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Verse 9:  The word “man” denotes both male and female:

5100  tis (tis);

an enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object:

KJV-- a (kind of), any (man, thing, thing at all), certain (thing), divers, he (every) man, one (X thing), ought, + partly, some (man, -body, -thing, -what), (+that no-) thing, what (-soever), X wherewith, whom [-soever], whose ([-soever]).

Verse 14: The word “sons” denotes kinship rather than males to the exclusion of females.  Notice this fact, we are kin to God; in His Family and fit for being in positions of rulership throughout the Kingdom for eternity.

5207  huios (hwee-os');

apparently a primary word; a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship:

KJV-- child, foal, son.

Verse 16:  The word “children” denotes both male and female.

5043  teknon (tek'-non);

from the base of 5098; a child (as produced):

KJV-- child, daughter, son.

THE KEY VERSE….VERSE 17

Romans 8:17

And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

We, both men and women are JOINT-HEIRS WITH CHRIST!!!  No distinction by sex or race….We are all Spirit beings with the thoughts and powers and wisdom as unto Jesus Christ. Both male and female are more than able to be a king, priest or ruler.

Verse 19: The word “sons” is the same as in Verse 14 denoting kinship.

Verse 23: The word “firstfruits” means firstfruits both male and female.  The word “adoption” means “sonship” and that denotes kin and not just a male.

5206  huiothesia (hwee-oth-es-ee'-ah);

from a presumed compound of 5207 and a derivative of 5087; the placing as a son, i.e. adoption (figuratively, Christian sonship in respect to God):

KJV-- adoption (of children, of sons).

Verse 27:  The word saint is not referring to gender.  It means “saint” as in “holy” and as in “become like Christ”.

40  hagios (hag'-ee-os);

from hagos (an awful thing) [compare 53, 2282]; sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated):

KJV-- (most) holy (one, thing), saint.

Verses 29-30:  The firstfruits are referred to as “them” denoting both male and female.

5128  toutous (too'-tooce);

accusative case plural masculine of 3778; these (persons, as objective of verb or preposition):

KJV-- such, them, these, this.

Verse 34:  Jesus makes intercession with the Father for both male and female.

Verse 37:  Nothing here denotes to gender.

These are great promises and descriptions of our kinship to Jesus Christ as children of God.

No more sexual gender; male and female but SPIRIT BEING AND EQUAL KIN TO JESUS CHRIST.

Every Spirit being will be fit to be king and priest.

So, God has been calling to a Godly firstfruit calling both men and women from the beginning and this will not cease prior to the last minute calling of the 144,000 and the great multitude.  There will be both male and female in those numbers and all will be Spirit beings at the return of Jesus Christ.
 

See our other letters on the subject of women:	Listen to our introduction to Letters on Women
	Women ...what will be the role of women in the Kingdom of God as Spirit beings Women: as priests or ministers  ...from the Plain Truth in 1955 Women: in general and in church Women: dress in services  ...does the ICG have a dress code for women? Women in church   ...what does the Bible say about women teaching, preaching and giving opening/closing prayer?