Page 56 - The Gate and the Way

Ephesians 4:13
Until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God,
to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fulness of
Christ.

From the time of the fall of man in the Garden of Eden, Yahweh revealed that
suffering would play a key role in bringing forth sons in the image and likeness of God. In
Yahweh’s words to the woman we find a profound parable revealing suffering’s role in
producing sons that are pleasing to God.

Genesis 3:16
To the woman He said, "I will greatly multiply your pain in childbirth. In pain you
shall bring forth children; Yet your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall
rule over you."

Much has been written and taught about this passage, but few have understood the
spiritual parable contained in it. Adam is a type and shadow of the Last Adam, who is
Christ.

I Corinthians 15:45-47
So also it is written, "The first man, Adam, became a living soul." The last Adam
became a life-giving spirit. However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural; then
the spiritual.

Eve is also given as a type and shadow of Christ’s bride, the church.

Ephesians 5:31-32
For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife;
and the two shall become one flesh. This mystery is great; but I am speaking with
reference to Christ and the church.

When God spoke to Eve in the Garden, He was revealing spiritual truth relating to the
church. It is Yahweh’s desire that He have many sons in His image. Through the natural
experience of the woman He has revealed that these sons can only be produced through
experiences of pain. Yahweh, in His infinite wisdom and love, has determined this. Notice
that He declared to Eve, “I will greatly multiply your pain in childbirth.” It is Yahweh who
is the initiator of this pain.
Despite the suffering and pain associated with natural childbirth, billions of women
have survived it and have brought forth offspring. Similarly, the church can only bring forth
mature sons through experiences of pain and suffering. The church must accept this
suffering as the will of Christ. This is what is indicated in the words:

“Yet your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you.”

Christ is the husband to the church. He is Lord, and rightfully must rule over the
individual members of the church. In His role as Lord, Yahshua has revealed to all who