The Sun Clothed Woman

Rev. 12: 1, 2 "And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars: And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered."

The Book of Revelation is one of the most important writings in the Word of God. It has withstood attacks in every age. There is not another book in sacred Scripture more strongly attested, or more fully authenticated. Its title, its historical declaration, the nature of its contents and the prophetic statements are ample evidence of its genuine and divine origin.

Whenever the Spirit of God reveals truth, you will find that the adversary will attack that truth. If you preach a diluted message of salvation (social gospel), the adversary will not trouble you much. He knows that the Tribulation is imminent and those that are ignorant of the truth and not living in the light of truth will go into the Tribulation.

Hosea 4: 6 "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge…"

The devil is not fighting the luke-warm Christian. He ispositioned and stationed wherever the truth is revealed. He is fighting thetruth of the revelation of God for this hour. The Scripture shows exactly where the devil is stationed today.

Rev. 12: 4 "…And the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to bedelivered, (for one purpose) for to devour her child as soon as it was born."

This is the Sun-Clothed Woman John had spoken about, "…beingwith child… travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered."The Woman isready to give birth. The devil is standing before the Woman ready to devour her child as soon as he is brought forth. He devours by destroying the truth.

One must remember, there are definite points of division inthe book of Revelation and here, this twelfth chapter, is one of the dividing points. The eleventh chapter ends with the last of the Tribulation and the beginning of the Millennium Reign of Christ.

Rev. 11: 15 "And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices inheaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord,and of His Christ; and He shall reign for ever and ever."

In the fulfillment of this part of the prophecy, we are going back into the Church Age. In this passage a womanis pictured clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her heada crown of twelve stars. She is agonizing in pain and travailing to bedelivered of a Man - Child .

The Importance of This Revelation

It was a Sign

"Semeion" -- "Wonder" -- sign -- symbol -- miracle -- mystery

Rev. 12: 1 "…There appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman…"

In this passage we have a word that John the Apostle usedfor the first time in the Apocalypse, "Semeion" -- "sign," which carries with ita great prophetic significance. This text reveals a woman being used in a symbolic manner, representing something else that is the true or real subject being considered.

One version of the Bible states that "a great sign was seenin heaven."

The Amplified New Testament says, "And a great sign (wonderwarning of future events of ominous significance) appeared in heaven."

Dr. J. A. Seiss in his Lectures of the Apocalypse says, "I have repeatedly remarked that when the Scripture uses figures orsymbols, or speaks in a way not intended to be taken literally, like allserious writings they always give some intimation of it, in one way oranother. The text is a case in point. What is described is said to be a"sign," a representation or picture of something else -- a symbol. And the factthat we are here told that this is a sign, goes far to prove that the Apocalypsein general is to be taken literally, except where indication to the contrary isgiven."

Here the Apostle says, "And there appeared a great wonder(sign) in heaven;" Something is very mysteriously happening.

It was an Important Sign

"A great sign" -- indicates something of great importance andremarkable significance.

"Megas" -- "Great" -- extraordinary -- important -- miracle

The whole scene is extremely remarkable, marvelous andextraordinary as to demand the idea of something of the greatest importance. It ought to be important enough to attract attention to consider and examine itcarefully.

The Location of This Revelation

"…A great wonder in heaven…"

It was in the Spirit

Rev. 1: 10 "I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day…"

John testified that he was caught away in the Spirit andtransported through time down to the coming of the Lord -- "The Lord's Day."

Rev. 4: 1, 2 "After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened inheaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talkingwith me; which said, Come up hither, and I will show thee things which must behereafter. And immediately I was in the Spirit: and, behold, a throne was setin heaven, and One sat on the throne."

John was not only transported through time, but also throughspace.

It was in Heaven

"And there appeared a great wonder in heaven…"

It appeared, or was revealed to John, in the heavenlyrealm. Paul also declared that he had such an experience himself.

II Cor. 12: 2--4 "I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whetherin the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: Godknoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. And I knew such a man,(whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) Howthat he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it isnot lawful for a man to utter."

It was Spiritual

"…A great wonder in heaven…"

It was totally and completely apart from the natural realm. It was of a heavenly order not only given in the Spirit, but was of a spiritualsignificance. If you miss this, you may miss the true interpretation of thisverse.

Eph. 1: 3 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, whohath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:"

The Exposition of This Revelation

"…A woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet and upon herhead a crown of twelve stars:"

"A Woman" -- A mystery woman

Who is this Woman? Before explaining who this Woman is, itis necessary to explain who she is not.

Who the Woman is Not

She is Not Mary

Mary was a peasant woman of a very lowly condition who hadpassed away long before this prophecy -- yet this Woman continues into theTribulation for three-and-a-half years.

Rev. 12: 6 "And the woman fled into the wilderness, (Tribulation) whereshe hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousandtwo hundred and threescore days (three-and-a-half years)."

Furthermore, Jesus came downfrom heaven at His birth; the "Man-Child" is caught upto God and to His throne shortly after his birth. When Christ " anabaino "--" ascended "up into heaven, this Revelation had not yet been written. It was said at thetime of the writing of this Revelation that this is a book of prophecy and thatit refers to things still in the future.

Rev. 1: 1, 3 "…Things which must shortly come to pass… Blessed is he that readeth, and they thathear the words of this prophecy…"

Rev. 4: 1 "…I will show thee things which must be hereafter."

Rev. 22: 18 "For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecyof this book…"

Moreover, Jesus " ascended " (anabaino) up intoheaven. Whereas it was said of the "Man-Child" that he was " caught up "(harpazo -- to snatch or catch away). It was also said of Philip, that he was " caught away " by the Spirit of the Lord in Acts 8: 39. Again, it was said ofthe Apostle Paul, he was " caught up " to paradise. (II Cor. 12:2--4)

"Harpazo" -- "caught up" -- To seize -- pull -- catch away --take by force -- stemming from a root word, to prefer -- choose -- to take foroneself

This verb "harpazo" conveys the idea of force suddenly exercised , as in Matt. 11: 12 "…take it by force."

Therefore, if John had wanted us to understand that this wasJesus being caught up, I am sure he would have said that the Lord Jesus wascaught up (snatched -- seized) to the throne. What advantage would it have beento John not to have said so? Jesus ascended of His own power, while theMan-Child will be caught up by the power of the Holy Spirit.

She is Not Jerusalem

Some believe that this Woman is the city of Jerusalem. It has been said that there are only two women spoken of in the book ofRevelation. The one is Babylon, "that great city which reigneth over thekings of the earth." (Rev. 17: 18) The other is the city "…whichspiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified."(Rev. 11: 8)

It is strange that John would refer to Jerusalem in theeleventh chapter as "Sodom and Egypt," and then in the twelfthchapter say that she is "clothed with the Sun and the Moon under her feet." It is also contrary to the nature of things for a material city to take wingsof an eagle and fly into the wilderness for three-and-a-half years, and then,after the stay in the wilderness, to be caught away.

She is Not Israel

Another school of thought, and a more prominent teachingtoday, is the belief that she is literal Israel. Dr. James Gray says, "TheWoman represents Israel, it is believed."

Believed by whom? It is believed by most, if not all Pre-Tribulationrapturists, because their teaching about the time of the rapturerequires it. Since their reasoning is that the Church is to be raptured beforethe Tribulation, she cannot represent the Church, so she must represent Israel.

Dr. Schofield is of the same opinion -- "The Woman: Israel."

Many say she must be Israel because of what the prophetIsaiah said:

Isa. 66: 7 "Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came,she was delivered of a man child."

Look very carefully at the two prophecies -- this one inIsaiah is different from the one that is stated in Rev. 12: 2, which states "…travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered." The one says a Woman is in paintravailing to bring forth a Man-Child, and the other says that before she travailed she brought forth. Before her pain came, she was delivered. So then, they arenot the same experience.

Israel as a nation was unaware of it producing the Christ,the "Man-Child" of Isa. 66: 7. The Woman in Revelation cried, travailing inbirth and pained to be delivered of a "Man-Child."

The first thing to understand concerning the nation of Israel is that Israel was an earthly heritage.

An earthly people -- an earthly kingdom -- earthly possessions

The only mention of Israel and the heavens is Abraham's seedbeing as the stars of the sky, and then only of those that are spiritual --believers.

Rom. 9: 6--8 "Not as though the Word of God hath taken none effect. Forthey are not all Israel, which are of Israel: Neither, because they are theseed of Abraham, are they all children: but, in Isaac shall thy seed be called. That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are notthe children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed."

Also, look at the nation of Israel in her spiritualcondition as pictured in the Scripture. Israel as a nation is pictured in thebook of Hosea as an unfaithful wife and a harlot on the streets. As you lookat Israel today, you can see that this is her condition rather than that of aplace of honor.

Here in Revelation a Woman is pictured as "clothed withthe sun," producing a "Man--Child" which was caught up to God and to Histhrone.

She is Not the World Church

There are others that believe this Woman is the worldchurch, or the church universal. A good look at the condition of the churchuniversal will reveal that she is not arrayed in this fashion; but is worldly,unholy, ungodly and devilish. How can an unholy thing produce such a holything that is preferred, chosen, and caught up to God and to His throne?

The only thing that the world church will produce andsupport is the anti-christ.

Who the Woman Is

Let us go back into the first chapter of Revelation and seeif we can find something to help, not only in the interpretation of this verseof Scripture, but for all of the revelation itself. I believe there are somekeys to help us understand who this Woman is.

Rev. 1: 3 "Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words ofthis prophecy…"

This "prophecy" has to do with prophetic utterance;foretelling something that is yet to come to pass.

Rev. 1: 1 "…Things which must shortly come to pass…"

This means these things have not yet come to pass. This isnot a record of history; this is a Book of Prophecy. Again in Rev. 4: 1, "…andI will show thee things which must be hereafter."

I believe that God gave me a key, and I believe that key canhelp us understand the mystery of this "Woman." I have noticed in my studiesof the Book of Revelation, that wherever there is a question in John's mind ofanyone not grasping what is to be understood, he goes on anddeclares to us what should be understood. Take for example the mystery of theseven stars and the seven golden candlesticks.

Rev. 1: 20 "…The seven stars are the angels (messengers) of the sevenchurches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches."

Again, here in the twelfth chapter John speaks of the "GreatRed Dragon" with seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon hisheads. He then tells us who the dragon is in verse 9, "satan."

Rev. 12: 9 "And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, calledthe devil, and satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into theearth, and his angels were cast out with him."

He speaks of the harlot church that is riding upon the Beastin Rev. 17, and then he makes it very plain that this is Mystery Babylon, theharlot religious system that has existed throughout all ages. He speaks of Israel, and every time he speaks concerning these things in a figurative manner, he thengoes on and explains to us the meaning. So now, when we come to Rev. 12, ifyou use the key that I am sure the Holy Spirit put here, it will help you tosee the truth.

Rev. 1: 4 says, "John to the Seven Churches …" Who is John writing to? Does he leave us to interpret who he is writing to? Has not the Holy Spirit been very precise in putting these things in theScripture to help us understand who John is writing to? "John to the SevenChurches…" that is the Seven Church Ages or the whole of the Church Age.

One might ask, what age of the Church are we in today? TheScripture makes it quite plain that we are in the Laodician Age. What is theLaodician Age? It is the last age of the Church. Notice, if John, by the HolySpirit, has in other places made it plain that we are to understand certainthings, then where there is an absence of explanation, we should understandthat he is writing to the Church or about the Church. This " Sun - Clothed Woman " referred to in chapter twelve is the Church. You will find thatin this Book of Revelation, the Church is one of the most prominent subjectsother than Christ, who the Revelation is of.

Now going back into Rev. 12: 1, in the first part of theverse you see this "…great wonder in heaven…" What is thescriptural position of the Church today? In Eph. 2: 6 Paul says, "…Hathraised us up together…" that is, He hath raised us up out of sin, "…andmade us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:" He hath raisedus up together, hath quickened us, hath given us life, brought us out of death,and raised us up into heavenly places, in Christ Jesus. He has made us sittogether in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. This is where John said he sawthis "Woman" in heaven.

This is a Revelation of Christ and the Church. "…Agreat wonder (mystery) in heaven…"

Eph. 5: 32 "This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and theChurch."

The Church is the Body of Christ, of which Christ is theHead.

Eph. 1: 22, 23 "And hath put all things under His feet, and gave Him to bethe head over all things to the Church. Which is His body, the fullness of Himthat filleth all in all."

Eph. 5: 23 "For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is theHead of the Church…"

The Woman's Apparel and Position

"Clothed with the Sun"

Christ is "The Sun of Righteousness." (Mal. 4: 2)

Light is the symbol of Christ's Divine Nature. In Jn. 8: 12Jesus said, "I am the light of the world:" The Church is clothed withthe light and the glory of the Son of God. To be "clothed with the sun"means to be clothed with the imputed righteousness of Christ.

Rom. 13: 12 "The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us thereforecast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light."

Rom. 13: 14 "But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provisionfor the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof."

Gal. 3: 27 "For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have puton Christ."

II Pet. 1: 4 "Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and preciouspromises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature…"

Pay particular attention that the Scripture does not saythat the "woman" embodied the "sun." It says, "The woman wasclothed with the sun." There is a vast difference in having Christ'srighteousness accredited to your account (imputed to you) andhaving it imparted in you, which is Christ's righteousnessrevealed in you by righteous acts -- righteous living. So then, He is nottalking about a perfected Church; He is talking only about the possibility ofperfection.

John does not see the "Woman" (the Church) in a perfectedstate. He sees her in a position where she has the potential of entering aperfected state, which she will enter during the first three-and-a-half years ofthe Tribulation.

"The Moon Under her Feet"

The first thing we liken the moon to is the Law. The sun isthe light that rules the day and the moon is the ruling light of the night. The moon is a reflection of the light of the sun. Likewise, the Law is areflection of things to come.

Gal. 3: 24 "…The law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ…"

"…Clothed with the Sun, and the Moon under her feet…"

The Church has been elevated by grace in Christ where God issatisfied and the Law is satisfied.

Rom. 8: 2--4 "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath mademe free from the law of sin and death. 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: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."

If grace has not elevated you so that the Law issatisfied (i.e. under your feet), then you are still under the Law. Grace does not allow you to live in sin . To believe otherwise is a perversion of grace .

Jude 4 "For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before ofold ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness (without restraint), and denying the only Lord God, and ourLord Jesus Christ."

Grace, as an enablement, works in us through Christ to thesatisfying of the Law. We are elevated by grace to a position where the Law isunder our feet.

The second thing we liken the moon to is "Lucifer." Theguiding light that shines in the day represents Jesus, and there is a light inthe night that represents Lucifer. "Lucifer" means brightness -- light bearer. The night represents darkness, and darkness represents the powers of evil . "Lucifer" fell, perverting the light that he was given. The Scripture saysthat satan comes "…as an angel of light…" He is not an angel of light,he comes "… as an angel of light…" The "moon"has no real light of its own.

John said he saw this "woman clothed with the sun" exaltedin the heavenlies -- into this high spiritual position.

"…Clothed with the Sun and the Moon under her feet…"

Therefore, this is not only a type of the Law, but alsoindicates the powers of darkness. The devil had the power of death, which camethrough the broken Law. The devil still holds this power over the unsaved.

Heb. 2: 14, 15 "…Himself likewise took part of the same; that throughdeath He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject tobondage."

Christ has put the powers of darkness, and the Law (brokenLaw) which gives darkness its power, under the feet of the Church. The devilwould have no power if the Law had not been broken.

Heb. 2: 8 "Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet…"

Wherefore, satan cannot rule over the believer. Remember, "…greateris He that is in you, than he that is in the world." (I Jn. 4: 4) Thebeliever is in a position of authority. The true children of God are the devil's master and are no longer his servants. They can put him in his rightful place under their feet and can stand in their position over the powers of darkness.

Jesus said, "…I will build My Church…"and this iswhat He is doing today -- building His Church. This real, true Church has been militant, successful and spiritually prosperous. We have seen it all the way from Pentecost right on down through to this very hour.

The Church has been attacked, put through the fire, burnedat the stake -- yet lives on. Paul was beheaded -- but the Church went on. Theycrucified Peter, possibly upside down -- but the Church went on.

Christ built His Church on Revelation, "…and the gates ofhell shall not prevail against it." (Matt. 16: 18)

People want the Lord to do great things in them. People want to see the Lord do great things for them. The Word of God gives the answer. The Lord has already done great things.

Eph. 1: 19--23 "And what is the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of His mighty power, Which He wrought in Christ , when He raised Him from the dead , and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places , 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: And hath put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be the Head over all things to the Church, Which is His body, the fulness of Him that filleth all in all."

"Upon Her Head a Crown of Twelve Stars"

Eph. 5: 23 "…Christ is the Head of the Church…"

This portrays a body composed of Christ, the Head, and theChurch, His body. Christ has entered into His reward. He is in the place ofauthority and has entered into His reward -- He has been crowned! The numbertwelve has to do with governmental perfection -- Christ is the Head of thisheavenly government.

Some believe the stars in the crown are the twelveapostles. Scripture, however, refers to them as part of the foundation.

Eph. 2: 19, 20 "Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, butfellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are builtupon the foundation of the apostles andprophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the Chief corner stone;"

You will find that in the New City, Jerusalem, the stones ofthe foundations will have the names of the twelve apostles inscribed on them. Foundation stones are much different from stars on a crown. When you thinkabout a crown, you think about royalty. Somebody was crowned. Therefore,there must be a kingdom. When you have a kingdom, you have rule, authority andgovernment. Furthermore, a crown speaks of reward. Christ, being the head ofthe Church, has both been crowned and has entered into His reward. The "…crownof twelve stars…" then has to do with the office, the function and thereward of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Heb. 5: 8, 9 "Though He were a Son, yet learned He obedience by the thingswhich He suffered; And being made perfect, He became the Author of eternalsalvation unto all them that obey Him;"

This refers to Christ's earthly life. Christ has nowentered into His reward and has been crowned "…King of kings and Lord oflords."

Heb. 2: 9, 10 "…We see Jesus… crowned with glory and honour… For it becameHim, for Whom are all things, and by Whom are all things, in bringing many sonsunto glory, to make the Captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings."

The Woman is With Child

"She Being with Child"

The Woman is producing something.

Rev. 12: 2 "And she being with child…"

"With Child" -- to conceive -- unborn

There is a cry and travail in the Church to bring forth a"Man-Child," a company of Overcomers. They will live according to the truth ofGod and will come out of the Church before the Tribulation.

As God took a rib out of Adam while he slept, God istaking a rib out of the Church. The Church is asleep and notappropriating all that has been provided. The " Man-Child " (theOvercomer; the "rib" company) will appropriate all that has been provided. AnOvercomer is one that appropriates by faith all the redemptive rightsthat Christ has provided. The "Man-Child" will be Overcomers that come out ofthe Church, living in all that Christ has provided.

Rev. 3: 10 "Because thou hast kept the Word of My patience, I also willkeep thee from the hour of temptation (Tribulation), which shall come upon allthe world, to try them that dwell upon the earth."

There is a people that will be counted worthy to come out ofthe Church.

Lk. 21: 36 "Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accountedworthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand beforethe Son of man."

The Church is in a state of being clothed. I believe thatthere are some within the Church that not only are going to be " clothed with ," but are going to be indwelt by the Son.

Rev. 3: 20 "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any manhear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him,and will sup with him, and he with Me."

Rev. 19: 7, 8 "Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to Him: for themarriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife hath made herself ready. And to herwas granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for thefine linen is the righteousness of saints."

"Righteousness" -- "Righteous Acts" -- This is not animputed righteousness only, set down to your account ("clothed with"),but an imparted righteousness -- Jesus Christ living, ruling and reigningwithin. As Paul said:

Gal. 2: 20 "…Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in theflesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself forme."

The whole Church will not listen so He calls to individualswithin the Church.

Rev. 3: 20, 21 "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will supwith him, and he with Me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am setdown with My Father in His throne."

"Cried, Travailing in Birth, and Pained to be Delivered"

The beginning of birth pains are a sign that birth is near. When the pains become sharp and regular, birth is getting nearer. The Lordwants us to know, that after the first sign of birth pains, we should look formore to come. As they begin coming more regularly and severely ,we should know that the time has come. Birth pains are a sign -- the Church isin pain.

"Odino" -- "travailing in birth"

Jesus told us what signs we are to look for.

Matt. 24: 8 "…All theseare the beginning of sorrows."

"Odin" -- "birth-pain" -- "travail" -- "pain"

The Signs of Birth

Deceivers -- Matt. 24: 4 "…Take heed that no man deceive you."

False Christ -- Matt. 24: 5 "…Many shall come in My name, saying, I amChrist; and shall deceive many."

Wars -- Matt. 24: 6 "…Ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars…"

WW I -- WW II -- Korean War -- Vietnam War -- Luosian War -- Desert Storm --Operation Freedom

A Civil War in America and WW III are yet to come.

Famines -- Matt. 24: 7 "…And there shall be famines…"

Pestilences -- Matt. 24: 7 "…And pestilences…"

Flues -- Viruses: HIV -- etc.

Earthquakes -- Matt. 24: 7 "…And earthquakes, in divers places."

All of these aresigns of birth.

Jn. 16: 21 "A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her houris come…"

"And the Woman Fled into the Wilderness"

She fled for three-and-a-half years -- the first part of theTribulation.

Just as there are various levels of anointing, there are different depths of commitment and dedication that saints give to God. Having the baptism of the Holy Ghost and speaking in tongues does not necessarily qualify one to be a part of the "Man-Child" (the Bride). However, it does give them access to become a part. In order to be a part of the "Man-Child"(the Bride) there must be a complete dedication to the Lord and since resubmission to the Holy Spirit to sanctify and to cleanse "…from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." (II Cor. 7: 1)

God has sent the Holy Spirit to get a Bride. He has giventhe Holy Spirit the responsibility of perfecting the Bride. The Holy Spirit isdoing the work of perfection in the hearts of those who will yield to Him. I believe we have this in type in the life of Mary bringing Christ into the worldby the Holy Ghost. So likewise God, by the Holy Ghost, is going to overshadow the Church in the end-time, and He is going to bring forth a Holy Child -- "The Man-Child."