Solomon's Song is one of the most beautiful pictures of Christ one can ever read. The bride, a type of the Church, in the narrative describes Jesus by using the imagery of the temple, combining it with the imagery of the human body. The Holy Spirit through this is depicting the majesty of Jesus Christ, the SUM OF ALL beauty and truth. He IS the New Covenant and the baptizer in the Holy Spirit, who inhabits those who have been washed in the blood of the Lamb. Christ's majesty is described in language and terms such as gold, precious stones, ivory and the cedars of Lebanon. The purpose is to show the Church that ALL things must find their sum in CHRIST who is above all other beloved. In these last days we must embrace Christ and love Him as the bride loved the bridegroom in this narrative. It is only that type of love that will keep us from falling during the coming days of vengeance and testing.

By Chris McDonald

TEXT: Song 5:11  - His head is as the most fine gold, his locks are bushy, and black as a raven.
 

        Throughout this entire description of Jesus, penned by the Holy Spirit through the pen of Solomon, the imagery used has ties to the Temple. Of course, Solomon, who wrote this love song, is the one who built the great Jewish temple, which was one of the greatest buildings on earth at that time in history. We as New Covenant believers have covenant relationship with a God who no longer dwells in a ministry made by hands but by a temple of flesh - the heart of man - filled by the Holy Ghost.

2 Cor. 3:6
Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

1 Cor. 6:19 - What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
 

        The first attribute is in Song of Solomon 5:11. His head is like the finest gold. This is the Holy Spirit's effort to describe the majesty and divine excellence of Jesus. The head, the most prominent part of the body, sets the direction for the rest of the body. The head speaks of Jesus' LORDSHIP and LEADERSHIP over the church.

        In 1 Corinthians 11:3, the word of God says the head of Christ is God, so the head may also speak of the Trinity - the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit - the triune God existing in perfect affection and unity. The head can speak of the Father's leadership over all. Christ's head speaks of Jesus sovereignty. In other words, the head of Jesus symbolizes Christ's sovereignty and His relationship of the Trinity, too.

    I want to deal with this for a moment because it is one of the arena's where the true faith spoken of in the gospel is being attacked the most.  The head of the church is not a deacon board, it's not a denomination, it's not a doctrine, it is the Son of God. When we become disjointed at the HEAD, then the church falls from grace and into delusion. We must become joined again to the Head of the Church who alone can set us free from our bondage.

Eph. 2:19-22  - Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; [20] And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; [21] In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: [22] In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

        The church has become disjointed from her HEAD. We have so much activity today in the American church; church buildings are coming up on every corner. Every church growth formula and movement is hailed as the latest craze. We so caught up in the 'the Purpose Driven' life fad right now that we have forgotten that the Holy Spirit never drives us to our purpose, HE LEADS US - to the HEAD - the Lordship of Jesus Christ, the SON OF THE LIVING GOD.

John 1:1-4
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [2] The same was in the beginning with God. [3] All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. [4] In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

John 1:5-9  And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
[6] There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. [7] The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. [8] He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. [9] That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

John 1:10-13 - He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. [11] He came unto his own, and his own received him not. [12] But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: [13] Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

John 1:14-15
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.  [15] John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spoke, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.
 

        The greatest move of the Holy Spirit on Planet Earth is YET ahead of us. Joel prophesied that in the last days, the Lord would "pour out" His Spirit upon ALL flesh. I believe that to be for TODAY. Most of that outpouring referred to the coming harvest of the Jewish nation and millions coming to know their Messiah, but I believe the firstfruits of that will be seen by us prior to the rapture. At the same time, one of the greatest falling away the church has ever known is taking place right now as we write this. For this to happen, the church of the 21rst Century must return to Her head, the Lord Jesus Christ. At no other time in human history have we lost contact with the very source of life and light that keeps us on the path of life and out of the ditch of delusion. 

    Jesus is our purpose plain and simple.  His death and resurrection is the cornerstone of ALL doctrine, it's not just a "part" of other doctrines and fads we chase after. Christ and Him crucified is the ONLY source of salvation and deliverance for mankind - PERIOD. PERIOD. PERIOD. PERIOD. Church, hear me. Because the pulpits have stopped preaching the cross, you have been wooed away into a false gospel, driven by a false sprit pointing you to another Jesus. Jesus didn't come to die for buildings, purposes, movements or creeds. He shed his blood for the souls of fallen humanity which cannot be bought with human means. Jesus once said that if a man gave everything in the world for his soul he couldn't do it. Why then do we invest in things that are temporal and give little creed to what's most important- the spreading of the gospel to the lost and edifying of believers against the power and work of Satan?

    Jesus is the HEAD of the Church. We are the BODY. We are His Body. He is our Head. The Holy Spirit breathes life into HIS BODY. The Holy Spirit also points us back to HIM, the Head of the Church. Without the Holy Spirit directing us we will wind up in a ditch of delusion and despair. And any movement or fad or doctrine that points you to anything or anyone other than the cross of Christ - neighbor it is of SATAN and a lie. It is false and will lead you to hell. It will destroy your eternal soul.

1 Cor. 1:16-17
And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other. [17] For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

Acts 4:12
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
 

        Peter says it all! Jesus and Jesus ALONE holds the key to Salvation, and in fact IS salvation. Oh, the modern gospel message being heard in most pulpits sounds good. Many false preachers today even use the name of Christ and even mention the cross as a by-word, but very very very precious few are preaching the power of the cross and the resurrection. I know this sounds archaic to many, especially the younger crowd. God help us. We have been sold a bill of goods by the enemy that we have to rock our young people into the church and provide strobe lights, entertainment and all the trappings of Hollywood, just with a Christian slant. It's FALSE friend, and it's pointing you to another CHRIST, not the HEAD, who is like finest gold.

John 3:3
Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

John 3:8
The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

Romans 8:12 - 16 - 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.
 

        The Holy Spirit says through Paul that for as many are LED by the Spirit of God, not purpose driven, are the sons of God. Hear me reader. Get mad at me, click the "x" on the right part of your screen if you like, but salvation is not based upon purpose, it's based on the blood of CHRIST. It's based on the crucified Lamb. It's based solely on the finished work of CHRIST and what He accomplished for us at the cross where the powers of darkness were destroyed and defeated. There is no other source of victory for you. There is no other source of salvation for you. There is no other source of truth for you. There is no other source of LIGHT for you. There is no other source of power for you. If the doctrine you are holding on to doesn't point you to this - it is a false doctrine. I don't care WHO is parading it or preaching it to you. I don't care if the man has a million people listening to him over television or they are building 6 buildings to hold everybody. It is FALSE. Most of the modern church growth movement today is laced with nothing more than religious New Age humanism that is of Satan and destroying MILLIONS of lives in the process.

        If you read anything on this website that is not pointing you to Christ and Him Crucified you need to email me immediately. If we ever cease to preach CHRIST and CHRIST alone, let this website be cursed forever and taken down. It is horrible to see the error that millions have embraced because we have become disjointed at the HEAD.

The Church-The BODY of Christ

Eph. 2:18-22  - For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. [19] Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; [20] And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; [21] In whom all the building fitly framed together grows unto an holy temple in the Lord: [22] In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. 

Eph. 1:20-23  - Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, [21] Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: [22] 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 fullness of him that filleth all in all. 

        Jesus is the HEAD. By being the Head, ALL principalities and powers arrayed against His church are under HIS FEET. This is not a simple statement. The Church, being His Body, is only empowered against those same powers as She is in UNION with Her Head, the Lord Jesus! Let me add to that - the CRUCIFIED CHRIST. There are so many versions of Jesus being pushed today as the source of man's deliverance that is a false Christ. The resurrected CHRIST has all power in heaven and earth. Paul wrote in Ephesians that all these powers over the principalities of the air have been put under His feet and TO THE CHURCH. We are His Body. We are to be the FULLNESS of HIM who FILLS all in all. 

        The Body cannot function without the Head. It is a type of our natural human body functions. Our hands, feet, eyes, ears and noses ALL get their instructions from the brain which is the center of human operation in our makeup. Without our head, it wouldn't matter we had those other body parts. ALL the activity is controlled and regulated by the HEAD. The same goes with the BODY OF CHRIST. We cannot function without the Head. We cannot see souls saved without the HEAD. We cannot see people baptized in the Holy Ghost without the Head. We cannot see people truly healed without the HEAD. We cannot see people delivered without the HEAD. We cannot see true biblical growth in our churches with out the HEAD. The question is then, why do so many of our churches seek to function without the HEAD.  Why do we hurriedly run about the business of "church" without first seeking our power from the only source which will regulate and empower us for the 21rst Century. To understand this let's take a closer look at the church itself.

What is the True Church of Jesus Christ?

1 Cor. 12:12-14 - For as the body is ONE, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are ONE BODY, so also is CHRIST. 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 made to drink into one Spirit. for the body is not one member, but  many

    The church is the working of the power of God though the ministry and function of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit functions in this capacity SOLELY because of what CHRIST did for us at the cross and purchased by His blood. We are called the BODY OF CHRIST. The church is not a denomination or movement. It is not comprised of a chosen few. It is not comprised of just whites. It is not comprised of just Gentiles. It is not comprised of just Jews. It is comprised of many members!

    This is what makes racism and sectarianism so hard to swallow. Sadly, it's the one thing that is tearing up the work of God more in these last days than probably any other thing on the planet. Satan has had to do very little to hinder God's work. All he's had to do is plant seeds of division and separation between the children of God through walls of fear, intimidation and politics. The Roman Catholic Church boasts that it is THE UNIVERSAL CHURCH and everyone who is not a member of it is not part of the "the church." While Protestants smirk when they hear such a statement we are no better. The Baptists basically say unless you believe in unconditional eternal security you don't have an accurate belief about salvation. The Pentecostals draw lines over whether tongues are a sign you are filled with the Spirit. The Methodists argue with other movements over sprinkling and immersing. Other churches split hairs on the type of worship they engage in each week be it contemporary or traditional. Racial barriers destroy unions which could provide lethal blows to the enemies' kingdom in certain areas of our country but we are afraid to even sit beside someone of another race in our churches. 

    When God looks at a city He sees the CHURCH in that city. He does not see just one movement. He sees everyone who is BORN OF THE SPIRIT of His Son and washed in the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. We are a blood-bought church. We ARE ONE. We have drunk of the SAME SPIRIT. We have partaken of the same BREAD. Glory to God! WHY then do matters of the Holy Spirit divide us?  The Catholic Church is NOT THE UNIVERSAL CHURCH! The true church of the Lord Jesus Christ is not made with windows stained with colors of the rainbow. It's not buildings that reach to the sky. It's not in the doctrinal statements of leaderships who sometime can be very biased in their view of Christianity. The true church is not found in ROME. The true church is not found in Cleveland, Tn. The true church is not found in Springfield, Mo. The true church is not found in Dallas, Tx.

        The True Church of the Lord Jesus Christ is in the hearts of every born-again, blood washed, spirit-filled child of God who has been born of the Spirit of God and has believed on the LORD JESUS CHRIST. We just don't "go to church," WE ARE THE CHURCH. Glory to God. We have been getting steady hits daily to our online study on the Tabernacle, the dwelling place of God in the Old Testament. The Tabernacle of Moses and the Temple of Solomon were but types of the coming Temple, which we as believers are today. God no longer dwells in buildings made with hands. He has come in the person of Jesus Christ and through the POWER OF The HOLY GHOST to live in the hearts of His children. WE ARE THE DWELLING PLACE OF GOD. We are the Church and JESUS is our HEAD.

        One Body, Many Members

    Even though Israel was a single nation, it was composed of different tribes, each with different callings and functions in the overall plan of God. One important lesson Israel learned in the wilderness was how the different tribes were to march together and function in unity. The same is true of the body of Christ. The true church is meant to be made up of different "streams" or "spiritual tribes." However, we will never have true unity and enter into our Promised Land until we learn to march and function TOGETHER as a single spiritual nation. Our differences are supposed to compliment one another, NOT DIVIDE US.

Eph. 4:4 - There is ONE BODY and ONE SPIRIT, just as also you were called in ONE HOPE of your calling.

    Again, in the Lord's eyes there is only ONE CHURCH or body of believers. Don't think I'm preaching a weak-laced unity where we all just "get along" and go with whatever false hog wash comes down the pike. I'm talking about a unity that finds CHRIST as the HEAD of the CHURCH, finer than purest GOLD, and we are summed up in HIM totally and completely.

        When we begin to truly operate and function in the SPIRIT, we will see only ONE CHURCH. We are a member of the same eternal family with the same Father. The Lord never recognizes divisions or movements created by men. He recognizes HIS SON in the hearts of every born-again child of God, washed in the blood of the Lamb, filled with the Holy Ghost.

    In the Bible, the only identity given to the biblical church was a geographical location. Each church was named after the city in which it was located. There was the church at Corinth, the church at Rome, the church at Jerusalem, the church at Ephesus, the church at Smyrna, and so on. NEVER did the Lord recognize a church according to any characteristic other than location. If we are going to be part of the HEAD, we must do the same. The head of the church is head over a BODY, not a sect, division or denomination.

            A Unity of Diversity, Not Conformity

    We can have differences without division. I recently heard of a group of full-gospel people in a western state who had been notified by Rev. Billy Graham's crusade team he was coming to their town and needed their help. They refused to be part of the crusade because they believed their "gifts" were deeper than just going to the crusade and helping with the altar service. Of course Rev. Graham got the help he needed to put on a tremendous crusade. The Lord Jesus was glorified and souls were saved. The problem here was more than just gifts. These people didn't respect the differences in Rev. Graham's ministry and that of other ministries who probably function more in the way this full-gospel group was used to. Each one has our own calling. Rev. Graham's calling all his life has been to the unsaved.

    If the church is to function properly, WE MUST HAVE THIS DIVERSITY. We must have different types of congregations. The Lord and apostles often used metaphors to describe spiritual realities. The greatest metaphor used was the correlation between the CHURCH and our human bodies. In a physical body, the most healthy heart will still die without healthy lungs, kidneys, and other vital organs. The same is true of the church.

    The different organs do not compete with one another unless there is cancer in the body. Cancer is basically made up of cells that determine that they are going to grow without regard to the rest of the body. Self-centered congregations that promote their own growth without regard to the rest of the church their region could very well also be called cancers on the body of Christ.  We are all members of one another, and we need each other if the body is to be healthy. Just as a liver that begins to grow without regard to the heart, lungs and other organs is allowing is selfishness to ultimately put its own existence in jeopardy, congregations that esteem their growth above the need of the whole body are ultimately condemning themselves.

              Division Promotes and Produces Delusion Among Us

    In some places, there are three congregations located on the same block who have little or no interchange. They duplicate the same ministries and functions and, more than likely, are each trying to sustain buildings that are usually only one-third full. TRUE CHURCHES SUSTAIN PEOPLE. Sadly, most ministries try to sustain buildings. How much more of our resources could be released and devoted to the true work and gospel commission if only the obvious duplications were eliminated? With our present lack of intercommunication and relationship, a false prophet or teacher can enter a congregation, wreck it, and after being discovered, just walk across the street and do the same thing all over again. Paul told the Ephesians that this would not happen WHEN THE BODY WAS PROPERLY JOINED TOGETHER and TO THE HEAD!

Eph. 4:14-16  - That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; [15] But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: [16] From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. 

           What Paul is saying is simple. When we are joined we are constantly increasing the body through love. Each part supplies other parts of the body with the strength needed to carry on the ministry. We are tossed too and fro with false doctrines because every one is tooting their own doctrine and creed. Everybody believing the same about every doctrine would not result in a true joining. The Lord is more concerned with us LOVING each other than having us in perfect doctrinal agreement. Similar doctrines are not a basis for unity, they are a basis for division. Many denominations who supposedly are joined with similar doctrines exhibit some of the worse territorial  spirits WITHIN their own ranks than even those of different denominations. 

           True spiritual unity is based on unity of FUNCTION, PURPOSE and LOVE for one another, not just on agreement with every doctrine. The tribes of Israel were commanded to be in unity in only two basic areas: worship and warfare. They were to worship Jehovah only in the place where He chose to dwell, and if one of the tribes were attacked, they were all to respond as a single nation. In all other areas there could be diversity. Much of the disunity in the church is the result of our trying to unify areas that the Lord has not given us to unify. Being in unity does not require us to drop ALL denominational or movement affiliations. We are not required to come under one giant organization or to drop all organizational affiliation. The time may come when these organizations are no longer needed but presently are serving the purpose if nothing else of keeping congregations focused on the vision they need to have without them feeling compelled to be just like the other parts of the body in their area.

        To have focus on the body we just have diversity. But until we cast off our insecurities that require outright conformity, the different denominations and movements are probably necessary. There are a variety of ministries and gifts as well as administrations of those gifts. The feet cannot say to the hand I don't need you. And vice versa. The Baptists cannot tell the Pentecostals we don't need you because we don't see eye to eye with you on the Holy Spirit. Catholics cannot tell the Protestants we don't need you because you don't recognize the authority of the Pope. Remember the two areas Israel was required to agree on - worship and warfare. We are to be in agreement that our worship centers around the HEAD, JESUS CHRIST and our warfare is not against each other, it's against SATAN and the powers of darkness.

Jesus Christ, The Head

        Jesus Christ is the head of the Church. Everything we do needs to be done to glorify HIM. One of the main  battlegrounds right now in the Body of Christ is over authority. We don't have true spiritual authority except that which the Lord Jesus give us IN HIM! During the end of this great age we live many in the church are doing good works, even great works. Very few however are doing what the Lord Jesus has called them to do.

    The reason for so much confusion is the fact we have lost focus on the need to return to the central message of the Bible - CHRIST and HIM CRUCIFIED. CHRIST and Him Crucified is THE MESSAGE of the church. HE IS THE HEAD and the BODY should be pointing the lost to HIM. Jesus never said if "our doctrines" were lifted up, all men would be drawn to the truth. He said if I be lifted up HE WOULD DRAW ALL MEN UNTO HIM! If our message centers around anything else except the life, teachings of Jesus, and His finished work, we have missed our purpose as Christians and as HIS BODY. The proclamation of who Jesus is and what He has accomplished is the eternal message of the church. It is the only message the Father promises to confirm with power.  

        The church that loves Him will display Him. The church who displays Him will be a church who has recognized that the HEAD of the CHURCH is not a man-made organization or doctrine but THE SON OF GOD. A pure, holy love of Jesus is what the 21rst Century church must return to if we are to see this generation set free. Paul warned the Corinthians that Satan's subtle effort to move them away from this would be their greatest threat and downfall from victory:

2 Cor. 11:3-4  - But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. [4] For if he that  preaches another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him. 

    

Another Jesus, Another Spirit, Another Gospel

        Paul said that in the days following the apostles men would come preaching another Jesus, operating under another spirit other than the Holy Spirit and preaching another gospel than the one entrusted to Paul and the apostles by the Lord Jesus Himself. Those days are here.  The Jesus the church gives the world is polarized to fit each denomination. The spirit the modern church operates in is at times almost demonic and worldly, carnal, fleshly while rejecting the true move of the spirit of God. The gospel we preach is one of either free license to sin or legalism that demands conformity to a set of rules or excommunication. That is not the message nor the power the early church preached or walked in. The message and the ministry must be recovered.

The Council of Nicea, 312 A.D. - A Huge Turning Point in Church History

    In 312 A.D. one of the most destructive decrees from a king was issued by Constantine in the Edict of Nicea. In this creed the HEADSHIP of Jesus was basically replaced with the headship of the state over the church. In addition to this the hierarchy of the state-run church became the final authority of scripture instead of the inspiration and light of the Holy Ghost. In summary, this is what Constantine issued in the Edict of Nicea:

• The rejection of the literal meaning of Scripture in its content

•   The subjugation of Scripture to the authority of a Church hierarchy

• The determination that Church doctrine and practice would be in opposition to the Jews

• The establishment of compulsory conformity in practice

•   The acceptance of the State and the sword as the means of maintaining purity in the Church. (The cross was transformed from a means of victory over sin for the individual to a means of victory over sinners for society)

•   The acceptance of the sword of the State - instead of the Sword of the Spirit, the blood of the Lamb and the blood of the believers - as the means of triumph in the world

• The acceptance of State support of the Church in exchange for the Church support of the State. (The church surrendered its own prophetic message toward the State)

        We wont get deep into the replacement theology this edict produced and the extreme catechism it created between Gentiles and Jews. That is discussed in detail in another area of this web site even though we will define it briefly here. This decree did not contain insignificant alterations. There are major adulterations. The Church became the Church of Constantine. The theological shift that took place was basically this: The Church became identified as the "new Israel," replacing the Jews. Today, we call it Replacement Theology. As the "new Israel," the Church itself was equated with the kingdom of God, since it was the kingdom of Israel that God promised to restore. Because God had entrusted the sword to the kingdom/nation of Israel, the "new Israel" also picked up the sword. Early church documents are rare to support all of this BUT there is ample evidence in the documents that are to give a basic understanding of the issues which resulted in these changes. The Bible does not condemn tradition, nor does it teach us to reject the wisdom of the past ages. It does, however, make it clear that God is not pleased with the teachings and traditions of men that place others in contrary to His Word. The natural condition of man, even religious man, has not changed since the days of the Pharisees and Sadducees. 

        One of the main themes of this edict was the subjugation of scripture to the authority of a Church hierarchy and establishment of compulsory conformity in practice. That has not changed today.

        Most people who belong to churches today, especially in the west have very little knowledge of the scriptures. The knowledge they do have has come from what they have been told by the established hierarchies over them. I know of a church if not several churches where the Pastor of that church becomes the final authority on what the Bible says. This Pastor has often attacked the Pentecostal movement because he sees the view that a person can be baptized in the Holy Spirit today with the evidence of speaking with other tongues "of Satan," and "not for today." Most people in his church usually applaud what he says and fear disagreeing with him. Sadly, many innocent people have been robbed of a deeper walk with the Lord because they have taken his word for the Holy Spirit instead of looking to what the Bible says itself.

      Those who have taken him to task have been asked to leave his church. This church is one of the largest in the city it resides. This is not isolated. How many other church governments have set themselves up as the final say-so on matters of the Bible. The seeds of this were planted in 312 AD through Constantine when he made the state the authority and basically subjugated the HEADSHIP of Jesus.

    The reason we have so much confusion over scripture is that pastors and elders have sought to become the Holy Spirit to their people instead of allowing the Holy Spirit to lead them "into all truth." The Holy Spirit does not originate truth but He comes to illuminate the Word of God. He comes to bring guidance and enlighten us since we now look through a "glass darkly." The Holy Spirit does not come to bring honor to Himself, He comes to point us to THE TRUTH, Jesus Christ, the HEADSHIP of the Church.

    Why do you think much of what is said in the Word of God is somewhat ambiguity sometime? Why didn't God just spell out  some of the most divisive issues in the Body of Christ today in black and white? It would have made it so much easier if the Holy Spirit would have had Paul write, "Baptize in water, immerse, don't sprinkle." It would have been so much easier had the Lord just placed a verse in scripture, "speaking in tongues will never go out of season. This gift is given to believers in this age and in the ages that will follow." Or regarding dress and food, "Wear this or wear that, eat this or eat that." NO! The Lord didn't do that. WHY? Because He never wanted His word to become the END of our pursuit of HIM which happens to many in His church. We search the scriptures for eternal life but we never pursue the HEAD OF THE CHURCH who is the embodiment of eternal life. That's what Jesus told the most religious of all people the Pharisees when they were using their own scriptures to condemn Him as accuse Him being a false Messiah.

John 5:39-40 - Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. [40] And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. 

There Is No Salvation In the Church

    Our salvation grants us more than just church membership and a conservative perspective or doctrine. We have, in truth, become one with Christ, our HEAD. The Lord Jesus is our head, we are His body. He is our husband, we are His bride; He is the vine from which we, His branches, draw our life and virtue. These images, and many more, speak openly and passionately of our eternal union with the Son of God.

    Every Christian and Bible scholar living today believes we are in the last days and the closing hours of this age. As a result of this we know that the enemy's efforts to destroy the church will manifest themselves greater and greater till Jesus comes. Pornography, drugs, Satanism, immorality and corruption suck the very life out of this country. There is only one answer to these problems - JESUS. The church is NOT THE ANSWER. 

    As I travel throughout this country I go to a variety of towns and see a church on every corner.  I see a variety of signs and curt phrases to get people to come. No sign in the world will set a person free from the powers of darkness. All our efforts to bring salvation to humanity will fail unless we are doing one thing - HONORING THE HEAD OF THE CHURCH and PREACHING THE HEAD OF THE CHURCH!

The Pastor is Not the Head

    What I am about to say is not meant to disrespect the God-called ministry gifts of the Pastor, Evangelist, Teacher, Prophet and Apostle in the Body of Christ. These are ministries the Lord has given to us  to keep us on the path of life. However, whenever a MAN starts thinking his calling has granted him some superior standing in the Kingdom to the point he becomes the final authority on doctrine and the things of God - that man is deluded and the people under him are headed for deception. 

    A pastor is a shepherd, but he is an UNDER SHEPHERD to the GREAT Shepherd - the Lord Jesus Christ. A pastor is sent to lead a flock, not be a tyrant over the flock. Many pastors get very defensive when someone in their congregation threatens their view on certain doctrines. Territorial spirits start gaining ground and before too long the people are afraid to even move without the pastor's permission.

    I know of a lady who went to her pastor once and told the pastor she doubted if she had ever been born again. She told the pastor the Lord had been dealing with her heart and was convicting her of her sin. She told him she had knelt down the night before and asked the Lord Jesus into her heart. This pastor, who believes in unconditional eternal security, scolded the lady and told her she has always been saved because he had remembered her coming forward one Sunday and signing a commitment card. He told her she had been saved all along she had just "rededicated her life" to the Lord the night before. 

    This pastor, as sincere as he may have been, was SUPERCEDING the headship of the Lord Jesus in telling this lady this. Where have we gotten off into being GOD? Who are we as pastors to tell people if they're born again or not? Are we so insecure in our calling that if the Lord Jesus, who is the HEAD of the CHURCH, wants to speak to someone we are threatened by that. 

    This is why so much of the moving of the Holy Spirit is opposed in many modern churches. Whenever the Holy Spirit starts taking control and bringing glory and honor to the HEAD of THE CHURCH, the LORD JESUS, we get scared!

    Pastor, you are NOT THE HEAD! You are a mere servant called by God to lead the flock of God into pastures of living water. Once you cease serving the flock you have become a dictator and have become disjointed at the head and your people will die. WHY? Because the source of life does not flow FROM YOU - it flows from CHRIST.

    Another instance that illustrates this is another member in this same church had spoken to this pastor about seeking the baptism in the Holy Spirit. Short of excommunicating the lady, the pastor basically said, "we don't believe in that type thing over here. If you start speaking in other tongues we will have to ask you to leave." Let me tell you something. You may kick them out of your building sir, but THE HEAD of the church will never kick them out of HIS BUILDING - THE BODY! GLORY! Jesus is the Head, Jesus is the Head, Jesus is the Head, Jesus is the Head!

A Doctrine or Creed is Not The Head

    Sound doctrine is important but sound doctrine in itself doesn't produce life - only the HEAD does. Many people seek to make sure their theology is always right about God and miss the very God they are trying to impress. God does not need to be impressed. He is not a respecter of persons. He abides with the lowly and humble, the meek and the hurting. He shuns the proud and arrogant. He hates pride and that's what knowledge produces in us - PRIDE.

1 Cor. 8:1-3  - Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. [2] And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. [3] But if any man love God, the same is known of him. 

    Knowledge PUFFS UP! Paul said if we think we know something, we KNOW NOTHING as we ought to know. But if we love GOD, the same is known of God. If we love JESUS, we will abide in His love and that love will permeate those who we either lead or we interact with everyday. When you get a call at midnight from a friend whose daughter has been found overdosed on heroin, that friend doesn't care about your 13 articles of faith sir. That friend don't need doctrine and that friend don't need you're theological analysis of the situation. That friend needs you to operate in the love of Jesus, THE HEAD OF THE CHURCH!

    How have we become so smart and yet so unloving? How have we become so enlightened and yet seem so in the dark? How come we are so busy doing the "work" of God, we miss the heart of God when it comes to His fallen creation? The doctrine you think is your security is not your security. You can make an idol out of an experience or doctrine. When you honor the head of the church, you're doctrines will more than likely change. You won't have to "fit" things into your doctrine because His Spirit will GUIDE YOU into all truth.

A Denomination or Movement  is Not the Head

    Not too long ago I received a brochure from a well-known national ministry. I love the evangelist and he has had a tremendous impact of this young man's life early on. His brochure he sent me had on the front "THE WORLD AND THE CHURCH NEED THIS MINISTRY." I'm not judging motives here. But I do want to address the spirit that this statement seemed to purvey. The world and the church don't need a denomination or a ministry or a preacher or a group - the church and the world NEED THE HEAD OF THE CHURCH- THE LORD JESUS!

    Our message and ministry methods today center on every else but Jesus. We extol our activity, OUR accomplishments, OUR membership numbers, OUR financial condition, OUR spirituality. Very little is every said about CHRIST and his accomplished work on Calvary. Mister, without Calvary you'd be in hell right now and not in an air-conditioned room in denominational headquarters. Our denominational politics make what the world does in the corporate world pale in comparison. We're quick to point the finger at the Catholic Church and label it the "whore" church because of all its liturgical and structure but we as Protestants have sinned much worse. 

    We have displaced the HEADSHIP OF JESUS with the headship of man. We listen to men instead of listening to God. We no longer hear "what the Spirit says to the church, " and we take what man says about something and believe it hook, line and sinker without "seeking the Lord Jesus." We search the scriptures to vindicate our position, but we do not abide in the love of God that can set the captives free.   Doctrines tend to make us smarter in our minds. Love sets men free from their sin.

Being Disjointed From the Head

Col. 2:7-12  Rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. [8] 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 dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.   And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: [11] In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: [12] Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. 

Col. 2:19  - And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increases with the increase of God

    Paul says that from the HEAD, three things happen:

• We are ministered nourishment - The Holy Spirit

• We are knitted together - The unity of the Body

• We increase with the increase of God - The power of the Word (Acts 6:5)

    The opposite of this is what Paul refers to as "not holding, or being disjointed, to the Head." This is a condition today in the modern church that sadly. Not "holding the Head" means we don't acknowledge the Head of the church, the Lord Jesus Christ, on whom EVERY MEMBER depends for nourishment and life. Whatever is accomplished in this last hour is not being accomplished by us. We are mere recipients of greater grace than at any other time in history. The church's arrogance proclaims that somehow WE are the ones doing the saving. WE are the ones doing the healing. WE are the ones seeing the spread of the Holy Spirit around the globe. WE are the ones bringing in a financial harvest. While that is partly true, the bottom line, and it is a big bottom line, everything that is being done is CHRIST working THROUGH US, not US WORKING THROUGH CHRIST!!!!! There is a big difference between the two. The first scenario makes it imperative we give CHRIST the glory. The second tends to make us feel like WE have accomplished it. WITHOUT OUR HEAD, we can do NOTHING!

    Paul warned the Colossians: "don't let any man SPOIL you through philosophy or VAIN DECEIT after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and NOT AFTER CHRIST! It is in CHRIST where all the fullness of the Godhead dwells and it is in HIM where our strength will come to overcome Satan. Spiritual warfare is not cowboys and Indians. It's resting in the accomplished work at Calvary where Satan's defeat was already sealed 2,000 years ago. We don't need to add nothing to that and we don't need to take anything away from that.

Like The Finest Gold

Song 5:11
His head is as the most fine gold, his locks are bushy, and black as a raven.

        Gold typically speaks of deity. The bride goes even further and says "most FINE" gold. Christ is the FINEST of finest gold. He is the most pure and most precious possible. In human beings, authority corrupts. Total authority NEVER corrupts Jesus Christ. His head is finest gold and cannot be improved upon. There is nothing that can be added to the leadership of Jesus Christ over His church.

        Jesus never suspends one attribute to exercise another. When He is kind, He never violates His holiness, When He is HOLY, He never undermines kindness. His leadership, is the FINEST GOLD and can never be improved upon. This truth comforts us during trials and helps us look toward Him instead of believing the lies of the devil, which seek to confuse us and make us think that God is like the devil and the devil is like God. When times are tough, come to God and say, "Your head is like the finest gold." Speaking that one sentence is like honey to our spirits as the Spirit of the Lord touches our heart. You will need that friend in these last days.

His Hair

Song 5:11
His head is as the most fine gold, his locks are bushy, and black as a raven

        His locks are wavy and black as a raven. His locks are His hair, which refers to His commitment and dedication to God and to people. Samson and the prophet Samuel both made vows that they would not cut their hair. In the book of Judges, when Samson broke that vow and cut his hair, it indicated that he had violated the commitment he made to God. Thus it is common to see the long hair of the Nazrite vow to speak of dedication.

        This reference to hair can have other meanings as well. Christ is perfectly dedicated to God. However, His dedication is more than just to God; He is dedicated to US as well. Praise God. Praise God. When we go through the trials of life, He is there. When we feel like we're sinking to the bottom of the sea, HE is dedicated to us. Our head of the church is finer than finest gold and His locks are wavy and bushy. Jesus hair is thick and wavy. It is the hair of a young man in the prime of life as contrasted to an old man whose hair has lost its fullness and vitality. Baldness is the opposite of wavy hair. The false Christ that the apostate church preaches today is a Christ with no hair. He is a Christ that offers temporal things, not eternal ones. The Christ of the Bible is one that is never at the end of His resources to love and His affection possesses full strength and vigor.

        The message here is that Christ's consecration to God and to His people is eternally vigorous. Some say they are "worn out" serving God. What they are saying is that their dedication is becoming as hair that is gray and balding. Jesus' dedication on the other hand never grows old, tired and weary. His bride is wonderfully secure because she has no reason to fear that His dedication to her is growing old. She has no fear that the Bridegroom's love will get sick or die for her. He is forever in His prime and at the highest peak of His dedication, love and passion for her - EVEN IN HER WEAKNESS.

Hebrews 4:14-16
Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. [15] For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. [16] Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

1 John 4:13-18 -  Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. [14] And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. [15] Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. [16] And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. [17] Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. [18] There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. [19] We love him, because he first loved us.

        Listen neighbor as I close this journal. God has no moods. His hair is always wavy and black. Therefore, we never have to be concerned as to whether it is a good time or not to approach Him. You say, "I have sin in my life," and I don't think He will be pleased with me coming to Him. Listen, He yearns for you now MORE in that state, than when you feel in your heart you're in perfect condition. Our goodness many times keeps Him away far more than our bad. He is not intimated by our weakness. He is not intimidated by our sin. He loves His church and wants to see it in the FULL STATURE of CHRIST.

Eph. 4:4-11
There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; [5] One Lord, one faith, one baptism, [6] One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. [7] But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. [8] Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. [9] (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? [10] He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) [11] And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

Eph. 4:14-16  - That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; [15] But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: [16] From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplies, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, makes increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
 

        I believe I'm writing to somebody today who is stumbling in their Christian faith.  The Holy Spirit through Solomon is giving you a nugget to hold on to today. HE is like the finest of fine gold and His locks are wavy and bushy. He yearns for you today to return to Him.  Sin must be dealt with at the foot of the cross of the Bridegroom. His blood can cover every stain - whether you're a believer or sinner - it matters not. When we come to Him, He will never cast us aside. His truth sets us free through the power of His great love, truth and Spirit. Don't allow the enemy to make you feel so condemned you never make that step back to Christ today. It's getting late neighbor. It's getting so late that the earth is literally shaking on its foundations signifying the hour we're in. It's time to cast aside the things that are not of God and remove the idols of our heart. You say "I can't do that." I say, "You're absolutely right, you can't!!" BUT HE CAN! And He wants to help you today find that place in HIM you once knew. This is a message to the backslider that the head of the church who is like finest gold extends His hands out in mercy once again to you today. Come home before it's too late neighbor. It's getting late friend and it's harvest time. God bless.

The Priceless Page -Because It's Getting Late And It's Harvest Time