FAQ - WOMAN
"And in that day seven women shall take
hold of one man." (`Isa. 4:1`.) What is the meaning of this Scripture? (Interested.)
<ANSWER>--In the symbolisms of the Scriptures a "woman"
represents a church. Just as the Church of Christ is said to be the "Bride, the
Lamb's Wife." The false churches or anti-Christian religious systems are symbolized
as wicked women. (`Rev. 17:5`.) The number seven is always representative of fullness, or
completion, in the expressions of the Bible. Therefore, we have the picture before our
minds of a time when the full number, or all of the churches (in this case the false
churches) would be seeking to be called by the name of the "one man"--Christ--in
order that their reproach might be taken away. These churches, which in reality are
worldly organizations, as they are filled with a worldly spirit, and supported by worldly
individuals, are being reproached more and more because of their worldliness; and
recognizing this, they are strenuously claiming to be "Christian Churches." The
"seven Women" are taking hold of the "One Man," but He does not
recognize them, as He has but the one Bride, the true Church.
May I ask your views on the "Woman's Suffrage" question? Should women
have equal rights with men? What is the attitude of the Bible toward this momentous
subject? I use the term "momentous" advisedly because the Suffrage Movement is
extending around the world, and to my mind is one of the most important phases of the
general conditions existing in these hyperbolical times. (F.E.W.)
<ANSWER>--It is very evident to the close observer that men and women, the
world over, are more and more approaching a condition of equality. This is largely due to
the changing state of affairs in the industrial and social realms. Women are entering in
upon every line of accomplishment in the commercial world, and in the realms of art,
science, and literature. They have been driven into the world of business and industry by
the harsh competitive system of the day, and having taken their position side by side with
men in every other walk of life, it is the logical sequence in the trend of events that
they should enter in upon conditions of equality in the political arena. This is well, and
is certainly in agreement with what the Scriptures indicate will be brought to pass in the
"times of restoration" (`Acts 3:19-21`) the thousand years in which the race of
humanity will be restored to the perfect conditions represented in the first man, Adam,
before Eve had been formed from his side. Adam combined in himself the masculine and
feminine qualities, and when Eve was formed for the purposes of propagation, the feminine
qualities were incorporated in her personality. When the race has multiplied sufficiently
to fill the earth (`Gen. 1:28`) propagation will cease and the members of both sexes will
become as Adam was before Eve was formed. See `Mat. 22:30`.