Spiritual authority comes from God, not man. Submission and covering are mistaught and amount to smothering the Holy Spirit and are idolatry. It is better to obey God than man.
The above is in direct conflict with some very powerful passages in the New Testament. I do not want to get into a debate, and post this for the sake of those who may follow after the earlier posts. I simply post them here because I believe differently from you, that spiritual authority (all authority, really) comes from God but He has always delegated it through mankind as it touches on the affairs of men. And therein lies the balance that keeps us safe from the attack of the enemy of our souls that comes upon lone sheep, separated from the flock and proximity to the Shepherd as He tends his flock.
Hebrews 13:17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
1 Corinthians 16:16 That you submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helps with us, and labors.
Ephesians 5:22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
Colossians 3:18 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.
1 Peter 2:13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;
1 Peter 5:5 Likewise, you younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yes, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resists the proud, and gives grace to the humble.
Jesus said, "Follow me," and warned of false prophets, false teachers, and said he hates the doctrine of the Nicolaitans. He also said most would be deceived. The false prophets and Nicolaitans have come and lorded it over the flock and have the flock following them instead of the Lord. That is idolatry.
The true gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ is this simple: repent, seek him until you find him, hear him, do what he says, departing from iniquity, purifying oneself. He said, My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. The false prophets and Nicolaitans said, "No one can hear the Lord. Follow us. We'll tell you what to believe." Most have been deceived and follow false shepherds. No man can serve two masters. Trying to do so makes one doubled minded and unstable.
Joh 10:24 (KJV) Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly.
25 Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me.
26 But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.
27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
Remember what the father said, "This is my beloved son. HEAR HIM!"
Gotta go...catch you later. :)