Four women
Nee-Lee presents four women as one woman in four historical stages of God’s eternal purpose:
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Eve (Genesis 2) — God’s original design: woman from Adam’s side (deep sleep = type of the cross); typifies the church in God’s primal purpose.
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Wife in Ephesians 5 — Present: the church as Body of Christ, redeemed and sanctified by His blood and water; presented to Christ as glorious, without spot or wrinkle.
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Woman in Revelation 12 — Tribulation era: persecuted by the great dragon; brings forth man-child (overcomers); represents the corporate remnant standing firm until the end of time.
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Bride in Revelation 21-22 — Eternity: New Jerusalem; God’s purpose consummated; complete glorification in eternity.
Scripture foundation
These four women are actually one woman, but her history can be divided into four stages. When she was conceived in the plan of God, she was called Eve. When she is redeemed and manifesting Christ on earth, she is called the church. When she is persecuted by the great dragon, she is the woman in the vision. When she is completely glorified in eternity, she is the wife of the Lamb. These four women reveal God’s work from eternity to eternity. (Nee-Lee, The Glorious Church, Foreword)
Theme: progressive revelation
Four successive stages display God’s Plan:
- Creation: woman from side of first Adam
- Present: church from side of second Adam (Christ) through cross
- Tribulation: corporate overcomers against the dragon
- Consummation: Bride-City eternal
Ephesians 5 centers the marital bond: Christ dies so the church would be glorious; Genesis 2 prophesies this through Adam’s deep sleep + rib.
Related types
Other four-women strata:
- eve — first woman, type of humanity and church
- bride-of-christ — final stage, New Jerusalem
- overcomers — man-child from Revelation 12; pre-tribulation rapture
- church — Body of Christ, Ephesians 5 present form