March 13,1997
Dear Br. Akers:
Ever since Cain and Abel, there have been two distinct systems of worship in the world. They may be called by different names, take different forms, present difference faces from age to age, but they remain the same.
When Adam and Eve sinned, Christ revealed to them a way of salvation
through his death and atonement on the cross. His sacrifice was
represented by the killing of an innocent lamb. When an individual
committed a sin, he or she was required to manifest belief in
the coming Savior through a blood sacrifice, the blood representing
Christ’s blood that he shed for us on the cross, for the
scriptures says, “Without the shedding of blood, there is
no remission of sins.
The systems of animal sacrifices was established by Christ himself
in the garden of Eden after Adam and Eve sinned and was abolished
at the cross when Christ gave his own life, the innocent victim
for the sins of the entire world. We no longer sacrifice animals
because Christ made for us the perfect sacrifice.
Cain and Abel understood the plan of salvation, having been instructed
by their parents. They knew that there was no salvation from sin
through any other means then that of a future Redeemer and that
He could be approached only through an animal sacrifice, thus
signifying their faith in God’s system of salvation. Abel
was, as were his parents, as much of a Christian, a believer in
Christ, as many are today, but Cain remained unconverted.
In the process of time, both boys grew into young adulthood. Abel
followed the trade of a shepherd while Cain became a farmer and
grew fruit trees. When it came time for the brothers to offer
their sacrifices, Abel, in obedience to the Lord, brought a lamb
as a sacrifice while Cain, in total disregard of the plan of salvation,
brought fruits from his orchard.
Abel remonstrated with Cain concerning the inappropriateness of
his offering, but Cain refused to comply with the conditions of
acceptable worship set fourth by Christ himself. In the old Testament
times, Christ often manifested his approval of acceptable worship
by flashing fire from heaven which burned up the offering, thus
signifying, in a visible manner, his acceptance of the faith of
the believer.
When the two boys made their sacrifices, God sent fire from heaven
and burned up or consumed Abel’s sacrifice but left Cain’s
sacrifice undisturbed. Here was a divine rebuke that could not
be overlooked or argued away. Cain’s sacrifice was unacceptable
with the Lord as it did not conform to his revealed plan of salvation,
manifesting faith in a coming Savior. Cain revealed a singular
lack of faith in Christ as his personal Savior, preferring instead,
to rely on hi own good works, the fruits of his own hands.
Cain was angry with God and his brother. He stoutly maintained,
in the face of incontrovertible evidence, that his system of worship
was acceptable with the Lord, that there was merit in his sacrifice.
When he realized that God favored righteous Abel and refused to
accept his unrighteous sacrifice, his temper exploded and he killed
his brother in rage and anger. Such has always been the reaction
of the unrighteous as they see God’s favor for the righteous.
Here is the secret of all persecution, from the time of righteous
Abel until the time of the second advent. The unrighteous hate
the righteous because they are better then they are. While God
loves all persons equally, he often manifests his preference for
the righteous and favors them with evidences of his love and care.
This enrages the wicked, and they turn their revenge and anger
on God’s children, desiring to kill them in order to silence
the continual reproof of their righteous lives. It has ever been
so and it shall always be this way until Christ intervenes and
silences the rebuke of the unrighteousness in the fires of the
last days.
Abel and Cain symbolize the two great contending systems of worship,
trust in the divine provision and trust in self. The vast majority
of earth’s inhabitants, from creation to the second advent,
worship at the alter of self, preferring their own way of salvation
to belief in Christ’s atonement. It is more palatable to
the sinful mind to save one’s self through good works then
to admit our need for a Savior. Near the close of human probation,
just prior to Christ’s second advent, God will evidence a
decided preference for the righteous, showering them with blessings
as tokens and manifestations of his love. The unrighteous look
upon these blessings, discern their meaning, and hate the righteous
for their steadfast faithfulness, under all circumstances to the
plan of salvation devised by the Lord before the foundation of
the world.
If we harbor hatred or anger in our heart for our Christian brethren
because of their piety or blessings, then this is the best evidence
that we are a worshiper with Cain. If we are offended when a brother
or sister obtains a victory over sin, experiences some special
manifestation or token of God’s love or has some other singular
experience that we do not have, then we are not of God but of
Cain. Similarly, if we believe that we can attain unto eternity
through our own efforts, our own righteousness, by working for
the Lord, by witnessing, attending church faithfully, by giving
a regular tithe and offering, then we worship at the alter of
Cain. While all these things are good and required by God, they
do not purchase salvation. Only faith in a crucified and risen
Savor avails unto salvation. Only trust in the divine prescription
will bring God’s favor. He is the same today as in the days
of Cain and Abel. While He may not bless our sacrifice with fire,
the time for that passed at the Cross, nevertheless, His favor
is extended to all those who trust Him through faith and comply
with the conditions of salvation, faith in Christ as our personal
Savior while manifesting that faith through works of righteousness
and obedience. Every sincere Christian recognizes that good works
do not save us, only faith in Christ, but faith is made perfect
or manifested through good works. May the Lord bless you. Your
brother in Christ.
Allen A. Benson