Within the account of Cain and Abel is a picture of the difference in character between the end time “brothers” of Jesus Christ, who is referred to in the New Testament as the “last” Adam (1 Cor. 15:41-49, Romans 5:14). Seth was given in answer to Cain’s sin of murdering his brother. Their names reveal much in regards to the intervention of God on behalf of all mankind.
Genesis 4:1-8 – See the note below.
1 Now the man had relations with his wife Eve [2332- “life-giver; life, living”], and she conceived and gave birth to Cain [7014- “possession”], and she said, "I have gotten a manchild with the help of the Lord."
2 Again, she gave birth to his brother Abel [1893- “breath”]. And Abel was a keeper [74623- “shepherd, to associate with, to pasture, to tend, to feed”] of flocks, but Cain was a tiller [5647- “to work, serve, cultivate, enslave”] of the ground.
3 So it came about in the course [7093- “end, at the end of (used of time)”] of time [literally, “at the end of days”] that Cain brought an offering to the Lord of the fruit of the ground.
4 Abel, on his part also brought of the firstlings [1062- “a birthright, a right of the firstborn”] of his flock and of their fat portions [2459- “the richest or choice part, best part”]. And the Lord had regard [8159- “to look at, to regard, to gaze at”] for Abel and for his offering;
5 but for Cain and for his offering He had no regard. So Cain became very angry and his countenance fell.
6 Then the Lord said to Cain, "Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen?
7 "If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master [4910- “to rule, to have dominion, to reign”] it."
8 Cain told Abel his brother. And it came about when they were in the field [7704- this was the same place, same Hebrew word, Esau came from right before he sold his birthright to Jacob], that Cain rose up [6965- “to rise, to arise, stand up”] against Abel his brother and killed him [see Genesis 27:41].
NASU
Cain, whose name means “possession,” represents those in the church who have become the Lord’s, the “last” Adam’s child, His “own possession” (see John 1:6-13 below), but have foolishly squandered their “right to become children of God” (see John 1:6-13 below). Through the Hebrew words defining his work, I believe he represents those with the “Martha complex” (Luke 10:38-42). They work, work, work as a “tiller of the ground,” and then become upset at their sisters and brothers who seem to be doing less in their eyes, but have God’s approval. Envy and jealousy are sure to follow. Because Cain did not “master it,” it mastered him to the point that a murderous spirit towards his brother arose (see Genesis 27:41; Jacob and Esau).
Abel, whose name means “breath,” was a shepherd. It is the “keeper of flocks” that the devil, and those controlled by him, desire to remove. After his death, God raised up a substitute. Seth (“put, i.e. substitute; compensation”), the third child of Adam and Eve, would become the listed firstborn son in the lineage of Adam (Genesis 5:1-3). Compensation is defined as, “something, typically money, awarded to someone as a recompense for loss, injury, or suffering.” Jesus, the One raised from the dead, is our compensation, our substitute for the loss received from the devil in the Garden of Eden. In theology, it is referred to as the “substitutionary atonement”; Jesus Christ dying as a substitute for sinners. His death on mankind’s behalf ensures that the “breath of life” (Genesis 1:30, Revelation 11:11) will continue through Him to all who receive Him as Lord and Savior.
The “End Of Days” Brothers
As already stated, within the account of Cain and Abel is a picture of the difference in character between the end time “brothers” of the Lord, the “last Adam” (1 Corinthians 15:41-49, Romans 5:14). They are also a picture of those whom Jesus refers to as the wise and foolish virgins (Matthew 25:1-13). Those in His family who made themselves ready through obedience to their Master’s summon to prepare their hearts for His return, thereby keeping their lamps filled with His oil (i.e. the Holy Spirit), will be allowed into His wedding feast. Those who did not prepare themselves by “dressing” appropriately, internally, for the occasion (Matthew 22:11-13), will be locked outside having, through negligence, squandered their God-granted right to enter in (see the Bible study Outer Darkness). As pictured by the children of Israel’s journey through the wilderness after being set free from the “house of bondage” (i.e. Egypt), not all who have “received” the Master’s invitation and began their journey will “finish the race” and enter the eternal inheritance in Christ. Perseverance, repenting along the way, when necessary, is the key.
Verse three says, “So it came about in the course of time,” that the brothers brought their offerings to the Lord. Cain brought some of his “fruit of the ground,” while Abel brought “the firstlings of his flock and of their fat portions.” The definition of the Hebrew interpreted “firstlings” is “a birthright, a right of the firstborn.” Because Cain, the firstborn son who possessed “the right of the firstborn” (Deuteronomy 21:15-17), “despised” (“to have a low opinion of, to look down on with disrespect”) his right as revealed through his actions, as did Esau with his (Genesis 25:31-34, Hebrew 12:14-17), he ended up losing his right. As with all whose lawless actions result in a loss of freedom, His unlawful deeds (i.e. works led by the flesh, not the Spirit) resulted in his loss of privilege with God (see the Bible study Freedom In Christ in regards to a Christian losing their rights).
The Hebrew interpreted in English as “fat portions” is defined as “the richest or choice part, best part.” Considering the offerings of Cain and Abel, who would best describe you and I? Are we bringing to the Lord some portion of our sacrifice, or are we bringing the best, or choice part to Him? (See chapter three, Saving The Best For Last in my book Many Are Called But Few Are Chosen.)
The Hebrew for “course” reveals even more. The definition for it is “end, at the end of (used of time).” It is my strong conviction that, at the end of this age, we are all being called to present the offering of our lives before the Lord. He is looking at what we have brought to Him, followed by His verdict of Divine justice. None of us will be able to escape His justice through a “loophole,” or miss this appointed court date. The true condition of our hearts will be exposed for all to see.
Hidden within the original, Hebrew words is a picture also revealed within Jesus’ first public miracle recorded in John, chapter two. Jesus and His disciples, “on the third day” (see the Bible study The Third Day), were “invited” ([2564] – “to call aloud, utter in a loud voice, to invite one to something, to summon”) to a wedding in Cana of Galilee. As it was in the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry, He is now summoning His disciples to come to the wedding feast. He has made everything ready for us. Some that hear will draw near through clean hands and a pure heart (Psalm 24:4). Others among His children will pay no attention, choosing instead to go their way (Matthew 22:1-5). (See the article Iwo Jima and the Flag Raising on Mount Suribachi for insights into the current call to the church to “come up higher,” out of the world, into His glorious presence.)
Cana is defined as “place of reeds” by some, while others said, interestingly enough, that it meant “zeal, jealousy, possession.” It was here, in the place of possession, that Jesus turned water into wine for the attending guests. It wasn’t just any wine, or some, but the best. I believe that those who have brought their best to the Lord when He called, will be numbered among those who will receive of His best.
What I see in this is a picture of the wedding supper of the Lamb at the end of this age (i.e. represented by the third day). To the guests who hear the invitation through what the Spirit is saying to the church, and then do by faith what He said, thereby allowing them to enter in before the doors were shut (Matthew 25:10), will have choice portions from the King poured out into them, manifesting His glory within His disciples that have “believed in Him” (John 2:11). Through their obedience to His call, they have been fully possessed by the King.
All the necessary preparations have been made. Do you hear the Spirit crying out through His messengers that it is time for all who have received Christ’ invitation to come to the wedding feast? Will we prepare our hearts by faith so as to be brought up higher per the summons of the Lord? To those who have been given ears to hear, and are willing and able, “The Spirit and the Bride say, ‘Come.’” (Revelation 22:17) The appointed time of the Lord has come.
The Blood Of Abel vs. The Blood of Jesus
The writer of Hebrews, the book of “better things,” makes a comparison for us between the blood of Jesus, and the blood of Abel;
“For you have not come to a mountain that can be touched and to a blazing fire, and to darkness and gloom and whirlwind, and to the blast of a trumpet and the sound of words which sound was such that those who heard begged that no further word be spoken to them. For they could not bear the command, ‘IF EVEN A BEAST TOUCHES THE MOUNTAIN, IT WILL BE STONED.’ [Exodus 19:12] And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, ‘I AM FULL OF FEAR and trembling.’ [Deuteronomy 9:19] But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem [see the Bible study Jerusalem; The Throne Of The Lord], and to myriads of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled [583- “to write out, to copy, to enroll, to inscribe (as in a register)”] in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect [5048- “to complete, to bring to an end, finish, to accomplish”], and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood [see Hebrew 9:19-20], which speaks better [2909- “stronger (denotes power in activity and effect), better, more useful, more serviceable, more excellent”] than the blood of Abel.”
(Hebrews 12:18-24/NASU)
In this passage, which happens to be right after the verses regarding Esau’s disaster of selling his right of the firstborn to his brother Jacob, the author is making a distinction between Mount Sinai and Mount Zion. Mount Sinai represents the old covenant thru Moses with the blood of animals. Mount Zion refers to the new covenant in Christ’ blood.
“Why is the shed blood of Abel mentioned here and why is it contrasted with the blood of Christ? Abel was the first man to have his blood shed. His brother Cain killed him. And his shed blood cries out for vengeance and justice. But when Jesus shed his blood it spoke a word or delivered a message far better than that which Abel’s blood made known. Whereas the blood of Abel spoke of vengeance and judgment, Christ’s blood speaks of forgiveness and pardon. Christ’s blood speaks of grace and mercy and freedom.”
Hebrews 11:4 says;
“By faith Abel offered to God a better [4119- “more, greater in quantity and quality, superior, more excellent”] sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained the testimony [3140- “to be a witness, to bear witness, testify”] that he was righteous, God testifying [3140] about his gifts, and through faith, though he is dead, he still speaks.” [For more on the testimony of the Lord for each of His children, see the Bible study Good Report Bad Report.]
The thing to note here is not only the “better sacrifice” of Christ’ blood possessed within the new covenant, but also the need for a greater respect. This covenant isn’t with the blood of animals, but with the blood of Jesus Christ (Matthew 26:28, Hebrews 9:12-14, Revelation 1:6). The offense of treating it lightly is to be taken even more seriously than the old covenant. This one is far superior in its weightiness which is why we have a “greater” warning for those of us today who have entered into it;
“For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth [i.e. receiving Christ], there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a terrifying expectation of judgment and THE FURY OF A FIRE WHICH WILL CONSUME THE ADVERSARIES. Anyone who has set aside the Law of Moses dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted [1796- “to treat insultingly, with contumely (“harsh language or treatment arising from haughtiness and a lack of respect or reverence”)”] the Spirit of grace? For we know Him who said, ‘VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY.’ And again, ‘THE LORD WILL JUDGE HIS PEOPLE.’ It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”
(Hebrews 10:26-31/NASU)
(See the Bible study Acceptable Sacrifice.)
Judgment Begins In God’s House
The Bible says that judgment begins within the church, among the last Adam’s brethren (1 Peter 4:17). After our judgment has been declared, per our heart-offering, it then moves into the world. I believe that this very thing is now occurring in the world. The church’s judgment makes room for those who replace them, as shown in type through the third son named, Seth (Genesis 4:25-26). (For more on the verdict of God over His people, and the carrying out of our sentence, whether it be Cain or Abel-like, see the Bible study Elul; The Season Of Preparation And 40 Days Of Favor.)
In Hebrew, Seth means “put, i.e. substituted; compensation.” Compensation is defined as “something, typically money, awarded to someone as a recompense for loss, injury, or suffering.” Cain, as the first son of Adam and Eve, was the rightful son who had the right of the firstborn. Because of his murder of his brother Abel, he would forfeit that right. Abel, the next in line, was obviously dead and unavailable to fulfill the right. Seth, therefore, would be the one would inherit, by default, the right of the firstborn. He would be the substitution for those who would not be able, or refused through rebellion to inherit the blessing. This is proven by his being listed in Genesis 5:3 as the firstborn son in the lineage of Adam. He is a picture of the substitutionary death (i.e. atonement) of Christ for all who would receive His death on their behalf.
John 1:6-13 – See the note below.
6 There came a man sent from God, whose name was John.
7 He came as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all might believe through him.
8 He was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light.
9 There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man.
10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him.
11 He came to His own [2398; “own things, possession, domain”; see more below], and those who were His own [2398] did not receive [3880- “to receive near, to take to, to join to oneself”] Him.
12 But as many as received [2983- “to take with the hand, lay hold of, to make one’s own”] Him, to them He gave the right [1849- “privilege, power of choice, liberty of doing as one pleases, the power of rule or government.”] to become [1096- “to cause to be, to come into existence”] children of God, even to those who believe in His name,
13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
NASU
NT:2398 idios (id'-ee-os)
(Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance)
of uncertain affinity; pertaining to self, i.e. one's own; by implication, private or separate:
KJV - his acquaintance, when they were alone, apart, aside, due, his (own, proper, several), home, (her, our, thine, your) own (business), private (-ly), proper, severally, their (own).
(Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)
1. pertaining to oneself, one's own
a. used universally, of what is one's own as opposed to belonging to another (John 10:3, 12)
b. used of what pertains to one's property, family, dwelling, country, etc. (Acts 4:32)
c. used harmonizing with, or suitable or assigned to, one's nature, character, aims, acts; appropriate (Acts 1:7)
d. By a usage foreign to the earlier Greeks, but found in the church Fathers and the Byzantine writings (Matthew 22:5)
2. private an adverb, severally, separately (1 Corinthians 12:11)
a. apart (Matthew 14:13)
b. in private, privately (Mark 4:34)
NT:1849 exousia (ex-oo-see'-ah)
(Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance)
from NT:1832 (in the sense of ability); privilege, i.e. (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively) mastery (concretely, magistrate, superhuman, potentate, token of control), delegated influence:
KJV - authority, jurisdiction, liberty, power, right, strength.
(Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)
power
1. power of choice, liberty of doing as one pleases; leave or permission (1 Cor. 9:12,18)
2. physical and mental power; the ability or strength with which one is endued, which he either possesses
or exercises (Matthew 9:8)
3. the power of authority (influence) and of right (Matthew 21:23)
4. the power of rule or government
a. universally (Matthew 28:18)
b. specifically, of the power of judicial decision
with an infinitive of the thing decided (John 19:10)
Once again, at His second coming, He is coming to His own, first, like He came to the Jewish people, and they, the church, are not receiving Him. Then, among those who have received Him (i.e. received/accepted Christ), who have been given the “right” (“privilege, power of choice, liberty of doing as one pleases, the power of rule or government”) to become the sons of God, are those who foolishly deny their privilege. They are the foolish virgins that will not be allowed entrance into the wedding feast. (See the Bible study, and article entitled Freedom In Christ for much more on the reason for the loss of God granted rights as well as our citizenship in the kingdom of Heaven.)
In this passage, John’s subject is those who received Christ, those who were literally born of God. By definition (see [2983] above), they have laid hold of Christ, making Him their own. They are the only ones that have been given the right to become children of God. This is interesting because it would be assumed that they are instantly, at the choice of receiving Christ, to be His child. Per John, there is more in regards to bringing this right to completion in Him.
The definition for “right” is, “privilege, power of choice, liberty of doing as one pleases, the power of rule or government.” Freedom in Christ, therefore, is the “authority, power (of choice), privilege, liberty of doing as one pleases” that is only granted to those who turn in repentance to Jesus, receiving Him as their Lord and Savior. The unbelievers do not have this freedom to choose. They are slaves to sin and the devil (2 Tim. 2:26).
The final thought; a bitter brother was overcome with sin, resulting in his loss of the right of the firstborn in the inheritance of his father, Adam. He took the “breath of life” (i.e. murder) from his brother, Abel, whose sacrifice was acceptable before God. But the Lord brought forth Seth, the “substitute,” who would continue the lineage of his father, possessing the right of the firstborn. All this is a picture of Christ, the last Adam, who would retain the right of the firstborn Son, and be filled with the “breath of life” (i.e. the Holy Spirit). These divine characteristics would then be passed on to His lineage, into all His brethren would receive Him as their Lord and Savior. Amen!
--------------------------------------------------------------
The following insights are from the Bible study Queen Vashti’s Rebellion.
Queen Vashti And The Summons To Enter The Presence Of The King
(See the Bible study Entering In.)
This study came to me one day at work years ago while on lunch. Before opening my Bible, I prayed, asking the Lord to show me something new. I “randomly” turned to Esther and began to read. Almost immediately, as I read about Queen Vashti being replaced, the Lord spoke to me and said; “This is My replacement theology!”
Refusing The Command To Draw Near (Esther 1:1-12)
The king commanded the seven eunuchs who served in his presence to deliver his message to Queen Vashti to come before him “in order to display her beauty to the people and the princes, for she was beautiful.” She refused to come at his command to enter his presence. The king became very angry and his wrath burned within him (see the Bible study The Return Of Jesus Christ). It was decreed that her “royal position” before the king be given to another who was “more worthy” than her (v.19).
The Verdict (Esther 1:19-22): God's “Replacement Theology”
Esther 1:19 – The queen losing her position and glory in the kingdom.
The decision was made “that Vashti should come no more into the presence of King Ahasuerus, and let the king give her royal position to another who is more worthy than she” (see Matthew 22:8). Her rejection of the king's rule over her life cost her throne! She was in turn rejected and cast out of the presence of the king (i.e. replaced). So will all those who refuse to draw near to King Jesus when He summons us to come near, as he now is at the end of this age in order to display us as His glorious bride to the world.
The New Queen, Esther, Is Raised Up For Such A Time As This (Esther 2:1-20)
Esther, The Bride Of Christ In Type
Esther represents those in the Body of Christ who are more careful to keep themselves pure than others. They have put on the wedding clothes of fine linen, which represents their righteous acts, in preparation of the wedding feast (see Rev. 19:7-9). They are those who are “dressed in readiness,” have a watchful heart, and are looking for the return of the Heavenly Bridegroom with great anticipation. Those who have been placed in charge by the King to gather them will, after finding them, bring them to the place where they will go through a further cleansing process by the Holy Spirit before they are ushered into the presence of the King!
The Presentation Of The Bride (Esther 2:5-16)
Adam's bride, Eve, was taken from his side in a rough form. She was then shaped by the hands of God into what He wanted her to be. Afterwards, in her new state, she was presented back to him. This is what happens to those called out from the rest of the Body of Christ, the second Adam. They are prepared by a process of purification (i.e. sanctification) to enter the King's presence as His chosen Bride! They have favor above the other virgins in the Body. They will be higher in rank within the coming Kingdom of God. Because of their humble and contrite spirits, the Holy Spirit has been able to conform them more than others in the Body to the image of their Lord. The perfectly fashioned, many-membered helper will then reign and rule with their Heavenly Bridegroom, the King of Kings, in the age to come.
The Days Of Our Beautification MUST Be Completed BEFORE Going In To The King's Presence
Esther 2:12 – See the note below.
12 Now when the turn of each young lady [5291- “used of any young woman”] came to go in to King Ahasuerus, after the end of her twelve months under the regulations [1881- “a decree, a law, an edict, a rule”] for the women-- for the days [3117- “day, time, moment”] of their beautification [4795- “scraping, rubbing; the harems bodily rubbings”] were completed [4390- “to fill, to be full, to accomplish, to complete”] as follows: six months with oil of myrrh and six months with spices and the cosmetics for women--
(NAS)
There is a process of beautification (i.e. sanctification) that must occur within us, by the Holy Spirit, before we are allowed into the presence of King Jesus (see the Bible studies Consecration and Glorified). IT IS A PROCESS. We must submit to the process of God through the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit or we CANNOT ENTER IN! If you wait too long, you won't find Him in a day (see the Bible study Noah; A Sign Of The End).
Notice that it was Queen Vashti’s refusal to enter the king’s presence at his command that launched the search for her replacement. The younger was ushered in because of the older one’s rebellion. This is what’s happening right now in our generation. Many older Christians who have been with King Jesus for a long time have been in rebellion against Him for years and are therefore being replaced with a new generation of young people who will enter in. This also occurred in the wilderness journey of the Israelites. When the older generation rebelled against the leading of the Lord (i.e. lordship), God destroyed them and raised up a new generation to enter into the Promised Land, along with the faithful ones, Joshua and Caleb (see the Bible study The Sons Of Jephunneh).
Esther 4:14-16 – Queen Esther was used to bring about a great deliverance of God’s people. She put her life on the line to save them by entering the king’s presence.
Whenever God calls you into His presence and you resist His call, you run the risk of ending up as Queen Vashti. You also could be cast out of your “high” position before the King, never to be summoned again! There is a sifting taking place today among God’s children. God is calling His servants into His presence. Those who obey and consecrate themselves will be the chosen ones, among the chosen, that will be used to bring about a glorious end time deliverance of God’s people, just like Esther was! (See the article Iwo Jima and the Flag Raising on Mount Suribachi.)
Comments