Some weeks ago, when explaining the year that the prophecy is fulfilled, I listed perhaps two dozen reasons for 2013. There are perhaps twice that many more reasons that have been listed by those of us inside the process of learning what God is doing. There is no point in enumerating them all because they would merely be lampooned by scoffers and mockers who in many cases might not even respond to the prophecy when they SEE it! For those who wish to be objective, but who take as a starting point that they do not believe the year of the prophecy’s fulfillment is 2013, ask why you disagree with the internal elements of the prophecy itself. I have put in a great many hours preparing what you read because there is value in getting people to think about what will happen BEFORE it happens. If you are among those who agree with the prophecy but have decided that some later year carries a better chance for fulfillment, then you are probably already at least a little bit “considering your ways” as God instructs twice in Haggai 1. This much is good. The job was never mine to convince you of the prophecy, but rather to inform you in the spirit of God’s promise in Amos 3:7, explained last Friday. It is God’s job to convince you of EVERYTHING He is going to do. His servants merely inform you, knowing they are powerless to convince. Grasp this difference.

Consider. God would first have to notify—inform!—His Church in advance of His plans, and for many reasons. Again, Amos 3:7. The biggest reason is that His Church could not be ready for what would absolutely blindside it with sudden enormous growth, and growth coming without explanation. Our questions would be what is God doing and why—and when will it end. How will this change and expand our ministry?—and size of Headquarters staff?—and the same with our college? How big will the Work now suddenly grow? In short, what does all this sudden growth mean? Wherever you think God’s Church is, you surely would agree with this much. God would have to inform His Church of what He intended to do. The only question remaining for His Church—and this IS the biggest one we had among many others that were big—was WHEN—what was the YEAR He would gather His people to one House. Consider again. We would also have to know the year of fulfillment EARLY ON or we would waste a tremendous amount of time researching, analyzing and preparing for a prophecy that lay far in the distance. There would have to be enough time to prepare. I can report on behalf of God’s Church that the amount of time given us has been perfect. The Church of God is READY for events now on the horizon.

New International Version
"But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
New Living Translation
"However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows.
English Standard Version
“But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.
New American Standard Bible
"But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.
King James Bible
But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
Holman Christian Standard Bible
"Now concerning that day and hour no one knows--neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son--except the Father only.
International Standard Version
"No one knows when that day or hour will come —not the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father,
NET Bible
"But as for that day and hour no one knows it--not even the angels in heaven--except the Father alone.
Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But about that day and about that hour no one knows, not even the Angels of Heaven, but The Father alone.
GOD'S WORD® Translation
"No one knows when that day or hour will come. Even the angels in heaven and the Son don't know. Only the Father knows.
King James 2000 Bible
But of that day and hour knows no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
American King James Version
But of that day and hour knows no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
 

It has been fascinating to see which ministers in the splinters will not even wait to see if they could be wrong in disagreeing with the explanation in these announcements. Rather they are speaking out against the meaning of the prophecy, thus choosing to end their ministry—choosing to give themselves no chance to continue serving God’s people. This is because they have gone on public recordagainst how Christ is regathering His flock (recall Matthew 12:30-32)—and because they do not want to give up their positions of power. Such men should have read and believed the “Attention Ministers” section at the end of each of these announcements. A little patience and humility would have served them well. But, we are all the “captains of our own ship.” This prophecy will soon prove this at a profound level.

Complete Destruction!

We learned that God is bringing “desolation” on the splinters. I promised last week to present six biblical proofs that after the prophecy is fulfilled the splinter “houses” will be gone or well on their way out. All competition to God’s true Work will be eliminated. Here are GOD’S proofs, not mine:

(1) Haggai 1:11 reveals that God calls for a “drought,” more correctly translated “desolation.” It involves a list of very distinct categories within the splinters. The categories that God lists are comprehensive—complete. One of my previous announcements explained them. Verse 11 also describes God’s desolation including “all the labor of the hands.” Labor includes “toil, work, property and produce.” This describes destruction of competing works—labors. (Point 4 will amplify labor.) “Desolation” means desolation, not something short of desolation. God’s plain meaning is that He plans to destroy these organizations. On what basis would you disagree with the meaning of desolation?

(2) Zechariah 11:3 describes “shepherds” (ministers) “howling” because their “glory is spoiled.” Reviewing last week: Glory means “something ample (as a large vine, a wide dress)…garment, glory, goodly, mantle, robe.” These are “respected” men in positions of authority. Spoiled includes the meaning “ravage: dead, destroy (-er), spoil (-er), (lay) waste.” We might ask: Does this imply anything less than complete destruction? Make yourself answer.

(3) Zechariah 11:9 describes three categories of people remaining after God removes the “poor of the flock” from their midst—a group now merely described as “you.” These are those who will not return to God’s Church when given the final opportunity, and who are permanently severed from God. Read the passage and see the three categories, as we did last week. What do they say to you? Verse 9 is God interpreting verse 3. Possibly small pieces of organizations may remain, and probably only temporarily. But it is obvious they can accomplish nothing. With God’s Spirit gone, the collapse and loss of corporate assets and income, and loss of many ministers and staff, a less than pretty picture remains.

(4) Haggai 2:17 speaks of symbolic “blasting, mildew [Heb: paleness from fright] and hail” poured out by God on the splinters. This supports and reinforces #1 above—a scene of desolation. Add to this Haggai 1:9, where God says of the splinter “houses’” efforts, “I blew it away” (margin). Note that the “blasting, mildew and hail” also comes upon “all the labors of your hands,” encompassing all the competing works of men. Labors here is a different Hebrew word, and it means, “actions, transactions, activity, products, business, labor, thing made, occupation, operation, work (manship).” These are all GOD’S choice of words and terms. Let’s ask: Why would we believe He meant something other than what He said?

(5) Notice the instruction to “this people”—many of whom soon after form the remnant—in Haggai 1:8 to “bring wood” from their “mountain(s)” to “build God’s House.” Wood is used for offerings all through the Old Testament. Beginning Christians learn that mountains is a symbol for governments or nations—in this case, governments of the splinters. It is pretty obvious the kind of assets that become available to God’s Work. Related to this, God says in Haggai 2:8 that “the silver is Mine and the gold is Mine.” Ponder this a little in the context of a book (Haggai) covering the subjects you have seen. Why would God include such a blunt statement, and seemingly so out of context? It appears God is saying these things were always His, not anyone else’s. The massive thievery by false leaders is now over. In effect, at least in part, God is saying what was Mine is now Mine again, as it always should have been. If you disagree with the meaning of #5 here, why?

 (6) Supporting all of this is an extensive New Testament passage written by the apostle James. In a context easily seen to be a parallel of the prophecy—for many reasons!—James 5:1-6 describes the riches of false leaders being “corrupted” and destroyed. It is interesting that James 5 starts out with “rich men” who are told to “howl,” only one indicator (a strong one) that this is a New Testament parallel of the Haggai/Zechariah prophecy.

After reading the above points, the objective person concludes that God foretells complete desolation of the splinters and slivers. We will see if this takes a while for some groups—or happens QUICKLY to all. Reread Zechariah 11:9.

If I were trying to palm myself off as a prophet, I would just spout a personal opinion at this point without worrying about whether I was right or wrong, or what God says. But the above question is an example of something we must wait to see. The “size”—the MAGNITUDE—of the three shepherds’ removal on the world scene will speak volumes to God’s Church and the Government within it about how rapidly God is planning a Work of great impact. We can emphatically rule out the Work emerging as “small.” But we might ask: will events of August catapult God’s Work to something immediately the size of “medium,” “large” or “colossal”? While I have ideas, I do not have the answer. We will wait and see together.

Of course, many are eager to learn “Who are the three shepherds?” We will know soon enough. But we might also ask: Which three leaders are the greatest obstructionists to God’s stated purpose in Haggai—returning HIS people to doing HIS Work? Yet again, we will watch and see.

Many Old Testament passages foretell a remnant of physical Israel returning from captivity. In the Zechariah 11 prophecy, God is going to break His staff called “Grace.” How interesting that the apostle Paul was inspired to describe the New Testament “remnant” (of Romans 11:1-5) as a “remnant according to the election of GRACE.” In addition, verse 4 points to the Old Testament account in I Kings 19, involving Elijah the prophet. The serious reader may wish to read all of I Kings 19 for parallels in search of why God inspired Paul to use THIS ACCOUNT as a reference regarding how we do or do not listen to God, among other purposes. Recall and reread I Corinthians 10:11 and Romans 15:4 from last week. Is Paul also telling us that 7,000 baptized members will be faithful, and added to His Church? If so, what about children in the count? Are these just the number who are “holdovers, the surviving portion” (the meaning of “remnant” in Haggai), from the Worldwide Church of God, with others converted later in the splinters on top of this? How do the thousands already in The Restored Church of God fit into this number—if it is to be taken as a literal number at all? I do not know the answers. Again, I have ideas, but we will all wait to see the answers.

I decided to make this final announcement shorter. This is because instruction and warning has been given. Enough has been written. The serious reader will read and consider the following passages, chapters and whole books over the coming days in light of the prophecy as you have learned it. Considering that the apostles all believed they lived at the time of the end, and that God inspired them to write and record events as though they did, we should look at what God is saying through them TO US. Consider reading the list below in the order given. Some points are explicit, others more subtle. The reader should ask God to guide him through what is recorded. Look for specific themes, descriptions, parallels and warnings. (Of course I realize these are passages that can be taken in more than one way, that can have multiple applications). But how many specific themes, descriptions, parallels and warnings can you find while studying these scriptures—perhaps on your knees?:

(1) II Peter 1:19-2:22—Many points apply here—there are many parallels—but who are those “made [Grk: born] to be taken and destroyed” in the context of the “swift destruction” of chapter 2, verse 1 after having “made merchandise of the brethren”? Who are these men described as “among you,” meaning among the brethren?
(2) Acts 20:28-32—“Grievous” wolves means “weighty” or “authoritative” wolves—TOP wolves—and Paul also describes these wolves as “among you.” What was it that Paul knew—“For I know this”—that caused him to warn as he did—day and night for three years with tears? Ponder this.
(3) James 5:1-9—This entire book is addressed to “brethren,” a word found over 20 times in James—by far more than any other book of the Bible. Chapter 5 focuses on “rich men” who “howl.” James speaks directly to these men who are among, and who are afflicting, the brethren. Strangely, James has no power to deal with them—to DO anything about them. For the moment, imagine Mr. Armstrong describing such people and then not disfellowshipping them. This is an end of the age prophecy about men who only God could address because they were “beyond the reach” of the apostle James. Verses 7, 8 and 9 all talk as though Christ’s coming would be soon.
(4) Jude—Note that Jude references three men in verse 11—Cain, Balaam and Korah—who are seen to be a type of evil. In reference to “ungodly men,” God says “Woe to them” who “crept in unawares” and copied the path of these three men. These are yet again described as leaders who are foretold to live in the “last time” (vs. 18) and who are among God’s people (vs. 12). Yet, like James, Jude writes as though the Government of God’s Church cannot “reach” these men—to do anything about them.
(5) Psalm 11—All
(6) Psalm 37—All, but read very carefully for a long series of powerful terms, messages and signals.
(7) Psalm 44—All, but particularly the latter two-thirds where it is obvious that the flock of slaughter—seen to be “cast off,” and in “the place of dragons”—is asking God to intervene and save them.
(8) Psalm 50—All
(9) Psalm 80—All
(10) I Kings 19—All
(11) Ezra—All
(12) Nehemiah—All

Four days remain until Elul 1 (Tuesday evening), when the Great Shepherd, Christ, begins actively shepherding the remnant!

Hi. James. I noticed you highlighted the word dance thrice in your post today. Could you be in favor of dancing in church?

Not in services; however I am in favor of a dance for joy to God, and not the usual COG big band carnal dance at the Feasts. Dancing before the Lord as David involved songs of praise and dancing for joy in the Eternal. Here is an example.

The COG Feast are far too carnal and focused on ourselves and not really on God. Everything is about us having a good time, or about how we will dominate others. James

In the church of God it was Loma Armstrong a strong feminist who brought in unclean furs and forced Herbert to abandon hair coverings.  These things then became HWA tradition contrary to scripture.

 

I Corinthians 11:1-16
Because the instructions of Paul are based on the culture of Israel and today most are ignorant of that culture, it is necessary to provide that cultural background before directly addressing Paul’s instructions.

The law that God gave to Moses acknowledged the wearing of head coverings by married women and expressly commanded  that a woman accused of adultery is to have her veil removed.

Numbers 5:18    And the priest shall set the woman before the LORD, and uncover the woman’s head,   and put the offering of memorial in her hands, which is the jealousy offering: and the priest shall have in his hand the bitter water that causeth the curse:
5:19 And the priest shall charge her by an oath, and say unto the woman, If no man have lain with thee, and if thou hast not gone aside to uncleanness with another instead of thy husband, be thou free from this bitter water that causeth the curse: 5:20 But if thou hast gone aside to another instead of thy husband, and if thou be defiled, and some man have lain with thee beside thine husband:
5:21 Then the priest shall charge the woman with an oath of cursing, and the priest shall say unto the woman, The LORD make thee a curse and an oath among thy people, when the LORD doth make thy thigh to rot, and thy belly to swell; 5:22 And this water that causeth the curse shall go into thy bowels, to make thy belly to swell, and thy thigh to rot: And the woman shall say, Amen, amen.
5:23 And the priest shall write these curses in a book, and he shall blot them out with the bitter water: 5:24 And he shall cause the woman to drink the bitter water that causeth the curse: and the water that causeth the curse shall enter into her, and become bitter.
5:25 Then the priest shall take the jealousy offering out of the woman’s hand, and shall wave the offering before the LORD, and offer it upon the altar: 5:26 And the priest shall take an handful of the offering, even the memorial thereof, and burn it upon the altar, and afterward shall cause the woman to drink the water.
5:27 And when he hath made her to drink the water, then it shall come to pass, that, if she be defiled, and have done trespass against her husband, that the water that causeth the curse shall enter into her, and become bitter, and her belly shall swell, and her thigh shall rot: and the woman shall be a curse among her people. 5:28 And if the woman be not defiled, but be clean; then she shall be free, and shall conceive seed.

This is an allegory for us today, that when we depart from dedicated loyalty to Jesus Christ and the whole word of God; we are spiritually adulterers against Jesus Christ for being zealous for others instead of being zealous for Jesus Christ and his word.

God uses the physical to teach us spiritual lessons.  I will go into these things in depth when I do the Numbers Study.  For the moment I only want to demonstrate how Paul’s instructions in 1 Cor 11 are based on the law of God and that Paul was revealing a spiritual principle, by applying that law to religious practices as opposed to applying it to all public life. 

Paul did not say that all married women were to cover their heads at all times in public ,as was the custom in Israel!   Rather he said that the women should cover their heads when praying or prophesying [discussing] the scriptures; clearly taking this physical reality and revealing it’s spiritual lessons.

That law clearly implies that if a lewd woman is to have her veil removed; that she is forfeiting the sign of a faithful woman because of her lewdness.  Therefore the veil is a sign of a woman’s fidelity to her husband and according to Paul, spiritually head coverings are a sign of fidelity to the religion and commandments of God.  Again this is the law of God and of Holy Scripture.

That law clearly implies that if a lewd woman is to have her veil removed; that she is forfeiting the sign of a faithful woman because of her lewdness.  Therefore the veil is a sign of a woman’s fidelity to her husband and according to Paul, spiritually head coverings are a sign of fidelity to the religion and commandments of God.  Again this is the law of God and of Holy Scripture.

Some would say:  What do the customs of 2,000 years ago matter?

They matter to Jesus Christ, who inspired the law and the words of Paul and had them preserved for thousands of years FOR OUR INSTRUCTION! 

This identification as being married [married women wore head coverings] protected the women from unwanted attention by wife seekers; however it was more than that.  Under God’s law the woman came under the authority of her husband when she married.  The wicked wife removed her veil to play the whore in complete DISRESPECT for the lordship of her husband when he was away. 

We now see that wearing the covering veil, represented a respectable married woman, and also represented RESPECT for the authority of her husband.    While removing or refusing to wear a covering veil represented an unfaithful wife, a fallen woman an adulteress.

The scriptures make it clear that to Jesus Christ; the cloth covering of head neil is a symbol of modesty and innocence.

Genesis 24:654   And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she lighted off the camel. 24:65 For she had said unto the servant, What man is this that walketh in the field to meet us? And the servant had said, It is my master: therefore she took a vail, and covered herself.

Isaiah 47:1     Come down, and sit in the dust, O virgin daughter of Babylon, sit on the ground: there is no throne, O daughter of the Chaldeans: for thou shalt no more be called tender and delicate. 47:2 Take the millstones, and grind meal: uncover thy locks [remove your symbol of modesty and innocence, your head covering] , make bare the leg, uncover the thigh, pass over the rivers.  47:3 Thy nakedness [hidden sins] shall be uncovered, yea, thy shame shall be seen: I will take vengeance, and I will not meet thee as a man.

In the church of God it was Loma Armstrong a strong feminist who brought in unclean furs and forced Herbert to abandon hair coverings.  These things then became HWA tradition contrary to scripture.

The feminist revolution is what changed things in America. So those who argue that we have a different culture have obviously adopted the feminist culture as their own; because America’s founders (the wives) were covered as are the faithful today.  

If God’s faithful have always held to the practice of Head Covering as an Apostolic Ordinance, and the Devil’s crowd have always faught against it (which is historical fact); then what side do you want to support? Many theories have been put forth to avoid the obvious teaching of the passage, and deliver women from being a “gazing stock” in this feminist society; but truth is truth and cannot he supplanted by those who wrest the Scripture for their own purposes.   

The Greek word for “cover” in all verses except where speaking of the hair (11:15) is a form of Katakalupto – a hanging veil, from kata – down or downward, and Kalupto – to cover or veil. To take off this veil in public in the first century would equate you with a “feminist” or a woman of loose morals, so it was even all one as if she were shaven (taking the man’s position of short cut hair).She was not shaven or shorn, but removing the material veil, like the man, was saying the same thing as removing her natural long hair, like the man.  It was usurping the masculine role and violating the headship order.  

1 Cor 11

Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. ²Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.
³But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.

The head of Christ is the Father and it would not be right for Christ to do anything to dishonour his Father. The head of every man is Christ and it is not right to show disrespect or to dishonour our head who is Jesus Christ.  And if we do dishonour Christ do we not also dishonour the Father?  For Christ and the Father are one. 
Now the head of the woman is her husband, and it is not right that she should do any thing to dishonour her husband; for if she brings dishonour to her husband she also brings dishonour to his head even Jesus Christ and the Father.

⁴Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head. He dishonours Christ.
⁵But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.

 
If a woman has her head uncovered, she was considered promiscuous by the custom of Israel and the law of God.  For having her head uncovered is a dishonour to her husband and is the same as broadcasting that she refuses the authority of her own husband; which means that she also refuses the authority of his head, even Christ and the Father.

⁶For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered.

 
If a woman refuses to cover her head, then let her head be shaved or her hair cropped close.  This cannot mean that the hair is the covering; since if she had hair and it were the covering spoken of; why would Paul command that the hair be shaved off, if it is the covering that he commands?

⁷For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God:

 
The husband is a type of Christ who will become the husband of the New Covenant. but the woman is the glory of the man. The woman is to cover her head as a symbol that she is under the power or authority of her husband and of his head, Christ and the Father.  For the man symbolizes Christ as the husband of spiritual Israel.

⁸For the man is not of the woman: but the woman of the man. ⁹Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.

 
As the woman was made for the man; even so the bride was made for Christ.

¹⁰For this cause ought the woman to have [a symbol of modesty, being under authority] power on her head because of the angels.

The word angelos means messenger and here refers to those heavenly spirit messengers as well as to visitors from outside the congregation who might give an evil report of the congregation for the promiscuous behaviour of the brethren there.  The point being made is that an example of humility and modesty is being set for the spirits and for others.

¹¹Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.

¹²For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God.

 
The man and the wife are one flesh before the Lord and this wearing of a covering does not divide the woman from the man; indeed if is a symbol of respect and unity between husband and wife.

¹³Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered?

 
People of Israel; whose custom and law is that an uncovered woman is a promiscuous person and an unfaithful wife; is it right that a woman come before God with the attire of a rebellious and rejected  wife?

¹⁴Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?

 
How long is long?  This is a reference to Deu 22:5   The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman’s garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God. Paul’s statement refers to a woman taking on a  masculine appearance, or a man appearing as feminine.  A woman’s hair is inappropriate when it tends to make her look masculine regardless of actual length.  A man’s hair is inappropriate when it makes him look feminine.  Paul is not referring to a little hair over the collar or some such artificial nonsense.

¹⁵But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.

 
Feminine hair is a glorious crown or covering upon the head of the ladies.  This glory should be covered in a gesture of modesty and respect for her husband, when she prays or discusses the word of God.

While “abundant” hair is a glory, this does not mean women cannot cut or curl their hair to make it look its best.  Not everyone has the good fortune to be born with thick and/or luxurious hair, and there is nothing wrong with cutting it into a nice style that suits our faces and figures.  We are simply not to cut our hair into anything resembling a “masculine” style.  Our bodies are, after all, Christ’s vessels and we are commanded to take care of them, from top to bottom and the inside-out (1 Cor. 6:19):

The Creator has always been adamant about the roles and conduct of each gender.  He made it very clear that women are to “act feminine” and dress modestly:

Deuteronomy 22: 5“A woman is not to wear men’s clothing, and a man is not to put on women’s clothing, for whoever does these things is detestable to the Lord your God.

1 Timothy 2:9. So also, that women (appear) in a chaste fashion of dress; and that their adorning be with modesty and chastity; not with curls or with gold, or with pearls, or with splendid robes;  10. but with good works as is becoming to women who profess reverence for Elohim.

1 Peter 3: 3.And don’t adorn yourselves with the external ornaments of curls of the hair, or of golden trinkets or of costly garments.  4. But adorn yourselves in the hidden person of the heart with a mild and pure spirit, an ornament that is precious before Elohim.  5. For so also the Set Apart women of old who trusted in Elohim, adorned themselves and were subject to their husbands….

The above obviously shows that the wearing of today’s micro-miniskirts and revealing cleavage, etc., is not allowed or acceptable!

14. Does not nature teach you that in a man, if his hair grows long, it is a reproach to him?   

It’s a shame for a man to grow long hair, if his goal is to look like a woman.  Torah requires that there be a clear distinction between male and female (Deuteronomy 22:5).  Each person must be clearly recognizable according to their natural birth gender.  Long hair on a man is NOT the sole issue; those taking Nazarite vows wore long hair some for life (Samson) and others for a season.  Paul himself took a Nazarite vow.  Rav Shaul  [Paul] is teaching against pagan sexuality practices, of those who do things to make themselves appear as the opposite gender.

¹⁶But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.

 
The subject here  is the Jewish custom of men wearing prayer shawls when they pray and of women praying with their glorious hair uncovered;  which is the precise opposite of the scriptures. Paul has explained the scriptural law and the customs of Israel and reveals to the Corinthians that men covering their heads is not scriptural and dishonours Christ; while women covering their heads is both scriptural and appropriate.

The covering of a woman’s veil of glory, her hair; was a matter of proper modesty and a token that she was married [under the power of a husband].  

For a woman to go uncovered was to be seen as a rebellious or adulterous wife; and was a great shame in Israel.  Since such behavior brought shame on her and her head [husband] and his head [Christ] it was to be avoided for the sake of modesty and acceptable behavior.

Look at the state of the church today!  Why are we in such a state?  Because we lack God’s spirit, and we lack God’s spirit because we do not obey him with zeal and a whole heart; instead every group leader is doing what is right in his own eyes.   

I had thought that this head covering was a small thing and after more study I find that is goes to the very basics of the problem in the COGs; Personal P R I D E and a lack of respect for God!

We have lost sight of the fact that what we do is a direct reflection of our attitude of heart!  A woman can be covered fully and still be immodest in attitude, it is not the clothes that makes one modest, but the attitude.  The clothes are only the outward sign which can be deceitful.

If one is modest in heart; one will dress modestly. One may be wanton and still dress modestly.  True modesty cannot be legislated by dress codes since it is of the heart!  Yet our God KNOWS the hearts of humanity, therefore if a woman cries out in prayer during some sudden situation: The Eternal will hear!  His hearing is not dulled by what we wear!

To those who do love their God I say:

Ladies, there is no law against wearing a head covering on your hair and it opens up a whole new world of understanding when it is done!  By showing that extra degree of RESPECT for our God when in prayer or in study; it will promote a personal degree of modesty and humility before God, which is sadly lacking today!

It will promote spiritual growth and development by setting a proper foundation of true humility before God as we pray.

Okay, I’m not to proud to admit that this entire topic, as presented, is confusing to me.
You seem to be saying that anyone of feminine gender who goes to church or who engages in Bible Study or prayer should have some sort of head covering.

You also seem to be saying that a head covering denotes a married woman just as a wedding band might.

Finally, you seem to be saying that all hair on a woman’s head should be covered (like the habit of a nun or Muslim headscarf minus the veil).

With this in mind:

How exactly should a husband instruct his wife, daughter, or granddaughter in such matters? Don't you already have sympathy for this mans wife, daughter and granddaughter!  Oy!

When should a head covering be worn and how extensive should its covering be for a woman to show herself a godly woman?

I said that head covering started out as a physical covering over the hair, denoting a married woman, just as a wedding band might [but the wedding band is pagan and the hair covering is scriptural]; and that Christ approved of that and used it as an allegory of the marriage of the Lamb, and the chaste modesty and faithfulness of the bride of Christ. And further we should do this to acknowledge the authority of the Head, the Father in heaven and our espoused Husband Jesus Christ as our HEAD.

If women do not do this; then they are not respecting the authority of the Father or Christ as our Head.

It is very simple, women should cover their glory as a sign of humility when in the presence of God; at services, n prayer or while discussing the word of God. They will be greatly blessed for doing so. 

Any cloth or hat that covers the top of the head and is modest; not gaudy like an ostrich plume or fruit salad hat would do nicely! James

Does the head covering need to be worn while praying at home? Also should wearing pants be considered men’s clothing and what about kilts worn by both men and women?

Paul does not say that the head covering is exclusively for public use, but when ever praying of prophesying; therefore the covering should be worn while praying and discussing the word of God [prophesying]. Wherever that takes place.

There is nothing wrong with wearing pants designed for women; the issue is trying to appear masculine.

Kilts do not disguise or confuse the gender of the wearer; which is the issue. God wants women to be women and not to try and be men; God also wants men to be men and not to try and be women; That is the issue. As long as the gender is not co0nfused the clothing item matters little. James

Here is this sick little anecdote he relates. Strangely enough, he and the audience, seems to think this is quite amusing. He is describing what one little boy did with his father. Just take a look.

One of the cutest things I've ever seen....And I've seen, and it's fantastic. I've never seen anything like this before. I've seen that boy ... take off his belt, hold it up to him, and say, Daddy, I was supposed to get a spanking this evening. (Audience laughs.) I'm not lying either. That's a fact. I've seen it happen. I've seen him remind his father that he had a spanking coming. I never did that. (Laughter.)

From: Richard David Armstrong's Sermon on Child Rearing