Abel – He Being Dead Yet Speaketh – Part 3 – The Great Stone of Abel –

Abel
He Being Dead Yet Speaketh

(Hebrews 11:4)
Part 3

By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. (Hebrews 11:4)

And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother’s blood crieth unto me from the ground. (Genesis 4:10)
~
And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. (Luke 10:18)

—–The Eternal Testimony Written in the Blood of Abel —–

   The title of this article is all about testimony. Abel, being the first man of faith, speaks as loudly today as when he walked upon this earth. Abel, as the first man of faith HAS an eternal testimony to that very gift of faith from the Lord Jesus Christ. This phrase, he being dead yet speaketh, is only said of Abel. This phrase is never used again for any person in the Scriptures.
   His testimony was and is so loud that thousands of years later God inserted this phrase in the word of God to show ALL true believers, all those of faith, that their testimony is part of the enduring substance of faith, and that their testimony is not only beheld by the SEEN but it has a testimony to the UNSEEN as well. Abel’s FAITH was a complete fulfillment of Hebrews 11:1. Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Abel understood that his faith came from God and God alone. He understood that there was a tangible world in the SEEN and an intangible world in the UNSEEN. It is amazing that the Holy Spirit describes Abel as dead; yet his voice is still heard.
   The book of Genesis NEVER records or even mentions one word spoken by Abel. But it does record many words spoken by Cain, as well as words spoken by God. Genesis Chapter 4 it is ALL about testimony: the testimony of the man of faith (Abel) bringing his offering to God, and worshiping God as the flames devoured the sacrifice. In this first man of faith, we see the first altar in the land of sin. Through the voice of the Holy Spirit and the ordinance of sacrifice that God gave to BOTH Cain and Abel we see the wood on the altar and the lamb slain and his blood poured out around the altar. We see the fire, the judgment of God consuming the offering of the spotless lamb both without and within. Abel obeyed God seeing the promises of God afar off. These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. (Hebrews 11:13) This is a very important verse in Scripture because it discloses that faith does not end at death, but faith carries us through death because faith is ETERNAL as its Author and its Finisher, the Lord Jesus Christ. Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2)
   Abel understood the need of the soul that the soul needed to be redeemed. Abel understood that the sacrifices that he offered were evidence of his own resurrection through faith. He received the promises of God having SEEN the fullness of time afar off. He embraced the divine counsels of God in his own salvation as he was a stranger and a pilgrim on the earth. His testimony was that although he was dead his voice would be heard through the word of God and through the presence of the Holy Spirit.
   Abel’s powerful testimony speaks volumes to us today. The testimony of eternal life and that he (Abel) ever liveth is a profound proclamation that Christ was just as strong in the heart and mind of Abel as He is with every true Christian today. We are blessed today that God (not man) has preserved the word of God for us so that we, looking back, see the promises of God in our Savior Jesus Christ.
   As we believe in Him, we diligently SEEK to know of Him, and as Abel, obey Him in the more excellent sacrifice. That very first lamb out of the flock of Abel was a witness of the lamb of God, the Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ as the enduring sacrifice of ALL time: yesterday, today and forever. The word of God gives a glorious testimony of the Man from heaven, the Lord of glory, Jesus Christ. In Hebrews 1:2, the Lord Jesus Christ has been appointed HEIR of all things. Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds. This takes in ALL that has ever been created by the Word of God, and the breath of His mouth for His Heirship comes first before the work of His creation. You see that HE is the beginning of the creation of God. And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God. (Revelation 3:14) How does this verse in Revelation compare with Abel? Abel was a witness and he testified to the true and faithful witness, who is the Lord Jesus Christ. In all the witnesses throughout Scripture, to the Person of the Creator, the manifestation of the invisible God, mostly to the glory of God and the express image of His Person there is ONLY ONE who was and is begotten of God, and this is the Lord Jesus Christ. Although Adam was created and taken from the dust of the earth, he was not BORN of God, he was created in the IMAGE of God which tragically disappeared at the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. It was at THAT tree that Adam became subject to the Law of Sin and Death, a law that was explained to him by his Creator. But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. (Genesis 2:17) Adam blatantly disobeyed God. Eve listened to the deceptive words of the devil, but it was by Adam’s own will that he disobeyed God and brought SIN and DEATH into the world.
   The WAR that began in the heavens by Lucifer NOW continued on the earth where this angel of light (who had become darkness) deceived man and man willfully became a subject of sin and death. The rebellion that began in the heavens with Lucifer and the angels, who followed Lucifer in sin, had now deceived the heart of God’s new creation in both the man and the woman. By the way, they (Adam and Eve) are BOTH known as ADAM, and God separated them by the word ‘man’ and the word ‘woman.’ It was God and NOT man who determined the sexual order of His creation. How do I know this? At the fall of man, when man took the fruit of the tree and partook of THAT fruit, the glory that had shrouded him departed. They BOTH KNEW that they were naked when they looked upon each other, and that sight disturbed them so much that they attempted to veil and cover themselves with fig leaves, and THEN KNOWING that their glory had departed, they hid themselves among the trees. Everyone who is NOT born of the Spirit of God in our day should ask themselves this one question as God looks down from heaven, Where art thou? So, we understand that for Adam and Eve the journey of sin began at the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, however, how that sin was transmitted is not within our power to understand. Their image was forever changed. These beings (both man and woman) became the image of sin and death, ALL . . . ALL . . . ALL was lost until the Lord Jesus came in the image of the invisible God to provide a way that man could be changed by the new birth into the image of Christ . . . for we shall be like Him. Through the actions of man, in the history of Adamkind, we see the path of sin committed throughout man’s history because of the inward sin that we received from Adam, we have ALL sinned and come short of the glory of God.

—–The Faithful Testimony Written in the Blood of Abel —–

   In Revelation 3:14 we have the last message to the Church. In the six prior messages, both the Lord Jesus and the Spirit of God have been calling the Church to come unto Him, however, the Church, as Cain, would rather have the sin at the door then to open the door which is salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ.
   In the book of Romans, Paul used the expression, For they [are] not all Israel, which are of Israel. NOT all they of Israel are OF Israel. Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they [are] not all Israel, which are of Israel. (Romans 9:6)

For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: (Romans 2:28) But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God. (Romans 2:29)

   There is a true Israel of God and there is a false Israel made up of deceivers. This also applies as well to the Church. Not all the visible Church is of the Church. Only those who have the Spirit of Christ within and THEY know who they are. They KNOW as Abel KNEW that he was a pilgrim and a stranger in this world.
   When you approach the seven letters to the seven churches, it is addressed to what is call Christendom today. Just as the word of God was given to those of the true Israel of God, as well as those deceivers in the age of Judaism. At the time of the Lord Jesus Christ, the deceivers in the Pharisees, the Sadducees, AND the Herodians were in the majority and ruled over Judaism. So, in the seventh letter to the Churches we approach the same circumstances of evil men ruling over the Church with the evil lusts of the world. This is why the Lord Jesus used the word AMEN first. And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God. (Revelation 3:14) This was His final message that has been delivered by His angel unto the Church of Laodiceans.
   He was and is speaking to the entire populace of Church profession and He is telling them that they are NEITHER faithful, nor true witnesses. That only He has preserved the true witness of God through His Spirit and the word of God and His authority in this, He is the beginning of the creation of God. As He created Adam and Adam fell to sin, so, Christ, being the Author and Finisher of faith bestowed faith upon Abel.  Abel BELIEVED God and as Abraham, it was counted to Abel as righteousness. Abel being FAITHFUL to the Lord Jesus Christ was moved by the Spirit of God to be a true witness of his Redeemer. So, the Spirit of God can say, he being dead yet speaketh.
    Let us consider the faithful testimony of the faithful throughout Scripture. In Hebrews Chapter 3, verses 4 – 6, there is one house, and this is the house which is the Body of Christ. For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God. (Hebrews 3:4) And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after; (Hebrews 3:5) But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end. (Hebrews 3:6) There is NO building in the temporal, there is only a building in the spiritual. The house belongs to the Lord Jesus Christ and He maintains it and builds it by His holy calling which He addresses those who have been called as holy brethren. Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; (Hebrews 3:1) In this same Chapter the third Chapter of Hebrews, God uses the journeys of Israel through the wilderness as our example as we travel through this world. There are many who say, ‘Lord, Lord,’ who have NOT received the heavenly calling. Their sin still lies at the door for they have not entered into the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the ONLY door of salvation.

Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. (John 10:7) All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. (John 10:8) I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. (John 10:9) The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. (John 10:10) I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. (John 10:11) 

   In Abel’s relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, as the Creator of all things, Abel understood his own need in that he was a sinner and he had received that sin propensity or sin nature from his father, Adam. There are many today who mourn and weep over their sin, but will NOT admit that within them, the sin that rules them exists, and that they are both subject to sin and death; or you can say slavery to sin. Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; (Hebrews 2:14) And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. (Hebrews 2:15) The bondage in 2:15 is slavery to sin and death and the works of the devil. Mankind argues over total depravity as if it was a choice and not a fact. Man cannot conceive the power of sin. It was the power of sin IN Lucifer that shook the heavens. There was a WAR in heaven. And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels. (Revelation 12:7) This was a war IN heaven with the will of Lucifer, who is also called the dragon, and he warred AGAINST God and AGAINST God’s holy angels who did not choose to follow Lucifer. God gave even the angels the choice of obedience, and to follow after righteousness and holiness. Lucifer in his sin and the sinful angels who followed him were overcome by God and His angels and Michael the captain of God’s military realm. However, it was the Lord Jesus Himself who cast the evil serpent from heaven into the earth, as lightning. The very lightning that we see today is an example and a type of THAT day, THAT hour, and THAT moment when Lucifer was cast down to the ground. How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! (Isaiah 14:12) And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. (Luke 10:18)

   In Luke 10:18 we have a divine witness witnessing to a divine action of the Lord beholding Satan and casting him down to the ground. I am sure that this action shook the entire planet, and the tremors were heard and felt in heaven above. The Lord is witnessing as the faithful and divine witness of His own deity in that HE IS GOD. Although Lucifer attempted to overthrow God’s divine kingdom, it was the power of the manifest image of God that cast him down to the ground.
   Man does not understand his own sin, neither does he understand the deity that rules over him. It is CHRIST who laid the foundations of the world BEFORE the world was. He BUILT the world and the worlds around us both SEEN and UNSEEN by the Word of His power. Through faith we understand that God, the Lord Jesus Christ, spoke the worlds into existence so that the things that are SEEN are not made of things which do appear. You cannot make deity into a man in the Adamic race. The entire race of Adamkind was completely condemned at the tree of the knowledge of good and evil when Adam brought sin into the world. Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned. (Romans 5:12)
   Abel’s testimony was not only seen and heard through the blood soaked ground, but his testimony can also be heard through silence. Both Cain and Abel talked in the way, however, there was no agreement between them. Can two walk together, except they be agreed? (Amos 3:3) The sin and enmity of the wicked one ruled Cain, and by the way, he also ruled and rules the descendants of Cain. For we find that when we get to Lamech we still see the heart of a murderer. As Abel tried to convince Cain of sin and obedience to the word of God, so also Paul tried to convince king Agrippa. However, both Cain and king Agrippa rebelled against the mercy and grace of God.
   Cain would NOT accept his sin for being an inherent part of his being. He refused to go through the door of grace because there was no faith within him. And as today, when the enemies of God have no other choice and ALL their weapons and warfare has not worked against the truth, then they gather together in their dark rooms and lay plans to assassinate the truth. Those who are saved, who know the Lord Jesus Christ and the Spirit of Christ is within, hear His voice within them, they KNOW that there is no measurement upon God’s love and His mercy and grace. They also KNOW that they live in a present and evil world, and evil has abounded since the days of Cain. Through the Scriptures, the faithful KNOW that evil will abound in the last days and will multiply more than can be imagined.
    We (the faithful) belong to a house that is not made with hands. This house remains invisible, but every Christian, the redeemed, is united and tied together by the Spirit of Christ within them. They have been embraced in a circle of the blood of Christ that cannot be broken. In John 14, the Lord Jesus Christ declared that HE, ONLY HE, was the way of salvation. Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6) There are two main topics in John 14: one topic is the WAY of salvation and WHO will get us there, and the other topic is the message of Christ’s own deity WITH the Father. His declaration of I AND THE FATHER ARE ONE, is a declaration of divine deity in the fullness of the Godhead bodily in the manifest image of the invisible God.

If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. (John 14:7)
Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. (John 14:8)
Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? (John 14:9)
Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. (John 14:10)
Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake. (John 14:11)

   Notice that the Spirit of God brings in the UNITY, the DIVINE UNITY, between the Father and the Son in both WILL and PURPOSE. The Lord Jesus Christ speaks of a unity that we cannot fully understand. The only understanding that we have is the revelation of that UNITY between the Father and the Son preserved in the word of God. Now Christ, with this authority, in His manifestation of both Father and Son, goes on to tell His disciple, I WILL NOT LEAVE YOU COMFORTLESS. I WILL COME TO YOU. Here is His revelation of His Spirit as the Spirit of God, the unity of the Spirit of God with both Father and Son.
   In John Chapter 4, the Lord Jesus describes to the woman at the well that God is Spirit, and they who worship Him MUST worship in SPIRIT and in TRUTH. People who do not have the Spirit of Christ within read over this and do not see the point that as the Father is in the Son, and the Son is IN the Father, and the Spirit is IN the Son, so the Spirit of Christ is IN the true worshipers of God, and they worship God in Spirit and Truth. When Christ states that He will send a Comforter, it is His own Spirit who will come and lead them into all truth. Do you see how TRUTH comes WITH the Spirit? They who have the Spirit of God, walk in the truth, just as Abel, though being dead yet speaketh. (As Amos 3:3 shows the path of faith, so the Lord defined His walk in agreement with the Father, and we walk in complete agreement with the Son of God.) These words embrace ALL the names in Hebrews Chapter 11, and those who are not named, but were faithful unto the Spirit of God, they also speak loudly if we will just unstop our ears, and listen to the message they bring we would hear the message of a great God and Savior, who can save us to the uttermost, that can bestow on us eternal life that no man can remove.
   When the Father, in Galatians 4:6, sends the Spirit of His Son into the heart of the believer, that soul is not only redeemed, but the body, soul and spirit in God’s eyes are a new creation in God’s creatorial power. This Spirit of Christ is a discerner of both the thoughts and intents of the heart. The eyes are not only watching the outward, but the eyes of God in the Spirit of Christ is watching the thoughts and intents of the heart within. One may fool the world or fool the Church, for they have been fooled many times, but the Spirit of Christ within the heart cannot be fooled whether a new born Christian or an aged saint. The presence of Christ is known by His Spirit. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. (Galatians 4:6)
   This ties John 14 all together: it is God the Father who sent the Spirit of Christ into our hearts; it is the Spirit of Christ who makes His presence known; so, we see that we have a witness of the Father, the presence of His Son, and the direction of His Spirit, and this comes from the Father of lights and perfection. As Christ is the first born, the Son of the Father’s love, so, we are embraced by God the Father THROUGH His Son so that we can cry out, Abba, Father, as both children and heirs of righteousness. It is Christ, the Son of God, who has put a tangible face to the complete Godhead. He is ONE with the father, and He is the image of the invisible God, and yet, He is also the divine Man in heaven for us which is the UNSEEN God of John Chapter 14.
   The invisible God manifested HIMSELF in the substance of faith to be revealed in due time. The fullness of time had come in the determinate counsels of God. The foreknowledge of the Lamb slain BEFORE the foundations of the world now would be fulfilled in the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary in the Body that was prepared for Him in the determinate counsels of God BEFORE the creation of the world. Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me. (Hebrews 10:5) This Body was PREPARED to take away the sin of the whole world. This BODY was PREPARED to enter into the conflict between man and God, and Satan and God. This was not your sin or my sin, it was the very element of sin or the ROOT of sin. Only a Divine Man from heaven could enter into this conflict with the assurance of victory even at the great price that He paid. The King of glory would unsheathe His sword of righteousness to battle against sin and death and the works of the devil. Who is this King of glory? The Lord Jesus Christ is His name. In His battle and in His victory, He purchased a bride with His own blood. The Man from heaven, the Lord of glory, became the visible image of the invisible God in the Body that was prepared for Him. In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: (Colossians 1:14) Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature. (Colossians 1:15) Christ is also the first born of the Father. For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son? (Hebrews 1:5) When God proclaimed that the Lord Jesus is the only begotten Son, it is Christ ALONE who bears this title. Adam was NOT begotten of God. He was CREATED out of dust. This makes the Lord Jesus unique in His Sonship for He is the ONLY begotten and the FIRST begotten of God. He is also the FIRST born from the dead in His resurrection. All these things have been denied by the world because the world looks at the Scriptures with dead and dark eyes. They see NOT the light of Christ and the eternal life that He offers freely to them if they would but believe in the Son of God with their heart, soul and spirit.

— God’s Testimony of the Sinless State of Abel’s Lamb of Sacrifice —

   When Abel looked forward into time, the excellent sacrifice had to be sinless. So, therefore, let’s begin with God’s testimony of the sinless state of His beloved Son, the firstborn of life, for IN Him was life and the life was the light of man. Christ was the first born from the dead to sit at the right hand of God to make intercession for us: the sinless One. And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. (1st John 3:5) Again . . . we should understand the sin and death that Adam brought into the world. In the physical aspect the outside raiment or glory that Adam and Eve possessed vanished at the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Adam succumbed to the will of the devil and therefore, sin was brought into the world, and death by sin. Then we have the inward upheaval. God had breathed life into Adam at Adam’s creation. In that life that God breathed into Adam was the Spirit of God. When Adam brought sin into the world that Spirit of God departed from Adam, and Adam then had the spirit of man, or the spirit of Adamkind which would become subject to the will of sin and death and the works of the devil.

   Adam fell so far into the darkness of Satan that man could NOT redeem himself. Man’s redemption HAD to come from outside of man by a heavenly Man, the true vine of God, and the root of David. IN Christ was NO sin, and so, Christ, that holy thing, that holy child, that Holy One, came into the world SINLESS unlike any man or Adamkind. Christ was conceived of the Holy Spirit, a miracle from on high. When God came upon His chosen vessel to bear His Son, she was to protect His holiness from defilement by man until after the birth of that holy thing. That holy thing was to become the holy child, the Holy One to relinquish the rights of Adam. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. (Genesis 1:28) Christ was SEPARATE from sinners. For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens. (Hebrews 7:26) Christ came to take AWAY the RIGHTS of Adam and to remove the power and dominion of Adam.
    When He met His disciples, after His resurrection, Christ informed them that ALL power in heaven and earth had been given unto Him. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. (Matthew 28:18) The dominion of Adam, the dominion of the nations, the dominion of devil and his principalities were NO longer in charge of the souls of man. He, as the Man at the right hand of God, would call out HIS bride from the world. His Bride is a NEW CREATION with the Spirit of God within to be manifested with Him when He shows Himself to the world as King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. She (the bride) will be revealed in white raiment that has been woven IN heaven and NOT on or of the earth. You should remember, don’t be fooled by the will of man, or by the will of the world, or by the will of Satan, ALL man, ALL of Adamkind are conceived IN sin and iniquity. Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. (Psalm 51:5) Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one. (Job 14:4)
   Christ as that holy thing brought light into a spiritual dark world and within the BODY that was prepared for Him was the Spirit of God. The divine BODY prepared FOR HIM was the ONLY body to contain the entire Godhead bodily: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. (Colossians 2:9) Now to see the wonder of sinlessness: remember, there is NO person on earth, there is NO person in the history of the earth who is or was sinless, ONLY Christ, the Man from heaven was SINLESS. Here is the wonder of sinlessness. Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me. (John 14:30) Just a brief overview of John 14:30. The conclusion of what Christ shared with His disciples was that He was the ONLY WAY that He was the ONLY TRUTH, and He was the ONLY LIFE, and NO MAN could come to the Father EXCEPT by Him. He also revealed to them the uniqueness of His Person that He was IN the Father, and the Father was IN Him. He explained the fullness of the Godhead that was IN Him and revealed that the Spirit of the Almighty WITHIN Him would return and COME unto them as a Comforter to lead them into ALL truth, and to reveal to them the wonders of the fullness of the Godhead bodily IN the Son of God. So, in conclusion, the Lord Jesus reassured them that the enemy, the prince of this world, would come against Christ AGAIN as he did in Matthew Chapter 4 in the wilderness to tempt the Lord Jesus and there was and IS NOTHING in the Lord to respond to the devil’s temptation; thus, separating HIM from Adamkind and the spirit of man, and the works of the devil, for Christ was NOT under the Law of Sin and Death. He CAME to break its cords and to cast away sin and death from man by the Spirit of life that WAS and IS within Him. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:2) The words in John 14:30 are very defining. The Lord Jesus gave the devil a title as ‘the prince of this world.’ This is the unholy prince. This is the prince of darkness. This is the prince of sin and death. However, the Man from heaven, the Lord Jesus Christ, had already unsheathed His sword of righteousness, and the devil would attempt to stop the righteous work of Calvary, and there would be nothing IN Christ to respond to the wishes and will of the devil.
   We can only imagine that it would be the repetition of Matthew Chapter 4 at both the beginning of the Lord’s ministry and the at the end of His ministry as He would submit Himself to the darkness of death to defeat it and to take it away. NOTHING of Adam, we could say, that Christ was Adam-free for He came out of heaven’s glory to offer freedom from sin to all of Adamkind. Now, do you really understand sin? Sin is NOT something that you do. Sin is something YOU ARE. It is not an act that one commits, but it is sin WITHIN that causes you act in the works of sin and iniquity. Do you understand how sin is passed on to all of Adam’s race? In every study of an object the study begins with its root, or its origin. Sin DID not start or begin with Adam. Sin began with Lucifer, ‘son of the morning.’ It was Lucifer who rebelled against God in heaven in both sin and iniquity and this caused a WAR in heaven where Lucifer and his angels rebelled against God and God’s angels.

And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, (Revelation 12:7) And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. (Revelation 12:8) And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. (Revelation 12:9)

   Lucifer was the anointed cherub over ALL the angels of God. However, Lucifer had an intense desire to overthrow the most high God as we see in Isaiah 14 and Ezekiel 28. We connect sin with Lucifer in Ezekiel 28:16, By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire. Underline the word SINNED, then go back to verse 15, Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee. Now underline the word iniquity. In the realm of mankind, or Adamkind, we have Psalm 51:5, where both the words sinned and iniquity are used in the conception of all man, Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. So, all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. And to add to Lucifer’s resume of sin and iniquity, we see that he persuaded one-third (1/3) of the angels to rebel against the Almighty, and they also (by their rebellion) sinned against God. For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; (2nd Peter 2:4) Now underline the word SINNED, now can we agree that SIN began in heaven? At the defeat of Lucifer and his angels, Lucifer was cast down to the ground, or the earth. And his angels were CHAINED (permanently) and CAST into hell. Lucifer’s rebellion FAILED. How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! (Isaiah 14:12) God discloses that the destination of Lucifer (the cherub who had sinned) was the earth, and not only do we have the fact of Lucifer being cast down, but God informs us through a prophecy that this rogue angel of sin would weaken the nations in the history of Adamkind.
   Today, we see the works of Lucifer being fulfilled by the nations of the world in wars, and rumors of wars, the characteristics of Lucifer, the fallen angel can be seen in ALL of Adamkind. Even though the world that Lucifer came into was shrouded with his darkness, it was God revealing Himself that gave the world Light and Life for in GOD there is no darkness at all. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. (Genesis 1:3) As the characteristics of Lucifer can be seen in all of Adamkind, as we investigated SIN in heaven, we also have to investigate how sin came into the world. Our examination of sin begins at the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The tempter, the devil, came and he tempted Eve, and she transgressed AGAINST God by taking the forbidden fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. God had previously informed both Adam and Eve that they should NOT partake of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil for in that DAY they would surely die. But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. (Genesis 2:17) God explained to both Adam and Eve, the divine Law of Sin and Death. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:2)
   It is quite possible that God put TWO roots into the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. It was NOT the tree that brought sin into the world. It was the disobedience of Adam, the MALE FEDERAL HEAD of the world, and Adam took on sin and death by his participation in the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Mankind surrendered to sinkind in Lucifer’s sin and darkness of death. As the glory of God departed from Lucifer when he sinned, so also the glory of God departed from Adam and Eve when they sinned. Going back to Isaiah 14, read what Lucifer said in his heart, For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: (Isaiah 14:13) I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. (Isaiah 14:14)
   These facts of Lucifer’s will should not surprise you, for you see that same willful spirit in ALL the children of mankind. Ask yourself, Why the western satanic nations, who once embraced the truth of God, have ALL cast off God through their sin and iniquity? Do you understand Adamhood brings sinhood to ALL of mankind? Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: (Romans 5:12)
   Lucifer came to Adam and IN Adam was Adam’s will, and when tempted, the woman, the weaker vessel who was taken from man, trespassed. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. (1st Timothy 2:14) The woman was deceived by the same tempter, Lucifer, who tried to tempt the Lord Jesus as documented in Matthew Chapter 4. Eve transgressed when she decided to believe the lies of Satan (Lucifer) instead of believing the words of her Creator God. Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. (John 8:44) We see, through the Holy Spirit, that Lucifer was a liar and the father of lies from the beginning. He is also noted as a murderer, and this is seen through Cain being a child of the Wicked One. Not as Cain, [who] was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous. (1st John 3:12)
   Also, it might interest those who appreciate spiritual numbers. The phrase wicked one is used by the Holy Spirit six (6) times in Scripture. The number six (6) is the number of man and when he is seen, as a beast, having NO MORAL compass in the book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ. The number of his name is 6 – 6 – 6. Also, compare Genesis Chapter 6 with Revelation Chapter 6. The first and the last book in the canon of Scripture both describe mankind in the fullness of the wickedness of his heart with the number 6.

1 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth [it] not, then cometh the wicked [one], and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. (Matthew 13:19)
2 The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked [one]; (Matthew 13:38)
3 I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him [that is] from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father. (1st John 2:13)

4 I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him [that is] from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one. (1st John 2:14)
5 Not as Cain, [who] was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous. (1st John 3:12)
6 We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not. (1st John 5:18)

   Note in your mind that the Holy Spirit in Acts declared that the Jews, the people of Israel, had murdered the Prince of Life. They did the will and work of Lucifer who was a murderer from the beginning. And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses. (Acts 3:15) Now back to the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
   Eve, being in transgression, was in a fallen state and she passed the fruit onto Adam, and he did eat, thus, he brought sin into the world and death by sin and FOREVER the world and has been CURSED in sin and with death. What God had bestowed to Adam in Genesis Chapter 1, was then in the power of Lucifer, although Adam was still The Federal Head, however, Adam had put himself in a position of a pawn of Satan, and a slave to sin and death.
   Adamkind then began to build an army AGAINST the most high God as an ally with Satan. Although Satan’s war in heaven failed, there was another WAR created by Satan in the world of Adamkind AGAINST the most high God. The sinner would be prone to sin not because he SINNED, but because SIN was WITHIN.
   Thus, in the fullness of time, God sent forth His Son without sin to redeem the sinner. There was nothing in the Body that was prepared for Him (the Lord Jesus Christ) that could respond to sin. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. (2nd Corinthians 5:21) The Spirit of God informs us that Christ KNEW NO SIN. His very thoughts were PURE under the complete control of divine righteousness. He could NOT KNOW SIN because there was NO SIN IN HIM. In Hebrews 4 we are told by the Spirit of God that Christ was tempted in ALL parts as we are. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. (Hebrews 4:15) The reason and purpose of this verse are to show that in His divine Body there was NOTHING to respond to the propensities or nature of Adamkind. This is NOT a position of weakness, but a demonstration of the power of God IN Christ that NOTHING could penetrate His shield of righteousness. He was completely apart from sin. Therefore, the second part of 2nd Corinthians 5:21, he becomes a qualifier to qualify us for redemption, for He (who KNEW NO SIN) was MADE to be sin for us. No matter what the theological arguments is, God has proven in the word of God that God IN the likeness of sinful flesh COULD NOT sin; yet, the fullness of the Godhead bodily was nailed to the cross and MADE to suffer the reproaches of man and have the sin of the whole world placed upon His thorn crowned brow that the world, Adamkind, had placed upon his bloodied head. Thus, showing that not only the sin of the world would be lifted but the CURSE that was upon the ground in the thorns and thistles would also be taken away by Him. Although a lot of things are yet to be fulfilled in the future in His millennial kingdom and later in the new heavens and the new earth. God sent forth, His Son, as the second man, the divine man from heaven, the divine Seed of God. He was NOT of this world as Adam. AGAIN, we need to remind ourselves that He was that holy thing, that holy child and that Holy One in the BODY that was specifically prepared for Him. Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. (Galatians 3:16)
   The first man, Adam, has NEVER seen himself in the full depravity of sin. This is why we have a multitude of religions because Adam is desperately attempting to find an excuse for his sin, and a way to approach God in disobedience to the word of God. Religion not only excuses man, but directs man to many different paths which leads to destruction. It is the righteousness of God that stings man’s heart because man loves darkness and he hates the light, consequently, man refuses to believe in God’s righteousness in Jesus Christ. It was God who had to satisfy His own righteousness by His judgment upon the Son of God. Without Christ it would be ALL have sinned, and ALL will go into the lake of fire, Your heart should scream, WAIT, WAIT, what about the more excellent sacrifice, the sweet-smelling savor, the love of the Father, and the love of the Son, and what about the transgressions of the world being heaped upon Him?
   Out of all the sufferings of Christ at the hands of man, the worse suffering that He bore was being SINLESS in every way and THEN MADE SIN for us. It is totally AGAINST GOD’s divine position of judgment that ALL mankind should be judged for their sin, yet His love is also divine. Man cannot comprehend this divine love. It takes FAITH and BELIEF in the Son of God to put man in the divine position of redemption, for God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself. Without the love of God there would be no faith, there would be no grace, there would be no excellent sacrifice, there would be no sweetsmelling savor, there would be no forgiveness, there would be no new birth and there would be no new restored souls. When the Lord Christ uttered, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? . . . . My God, my God why hast thou forsaken me? there is no one (born of a woman of Adamkind) who can answer that question. For as it was a divine question from the Son of God it can only be answered by the Almighty Himself.
   In the Levitical offerings, the trespasser, the sinner had to lay his hand on the head of the lamb which was his trespass offering. Through this action, the trespasser transferred his sin to the lamb; thus, the lamb took on the trespasses and sin.
   God had to bring us out of darkness, the darkness of sin, so to uphold His righteousness He HAD to present a PERFECT sacrifice that could take-away SIN and bear SIN within Himself. This was at the moment that the soul of Christ was offered for sin. Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. (Isaiah 53:10) Now because His soul was offered as a sacrifice for sin, He shall SEE His seed and shall be satisfied. His seed is made up of those who have been made rich in His offering for sin.
   The second part of 2nd Corinthians 5:21, who knew no sin is multiplied in 1st Peter 2:22, Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth. Because Christ KNEW NO SIN, Peter informs us that, He DID NO SIN. In the Lord’s 33 ½ years walking among man, in the world of the prince of darkness, He, the Lord of glory, DID NO SIN. He was mentally abused by Satan, and his host of liars, and yet, He remained apart from the world of sinners. The Pharisees, the Jews, the Gentiles in the Roman dominion gathered together AGAINST Him, AGAINST the anointed of the Lord. They threw off the cords and broke the bands of God and responded to the works of the devil. Several times previously to Calvary, they picked up stones to stone Him, but His time had not yet come. The Gentile realm in the Roman Empire was also brought into the crucifixion of the Son of God so that both Jew and Gentile were gathered AGAINST the Lord and AGAINST His anointed. The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, (Psalm 2:2) In all this the Lord Jesus did NO SIN. How easy it would have been for Him to curse them all from the cross, but Peter tells us neither was guile found in his mouth. So the eternal words out of the mouth of the Lord was Father forgive them for they know not what they do. Here is another proof of the divinity of the Son of God. What is the proof? He fulfilled the will and purpose of God. He completed the determinate counsels of God. He showed that BEFORE the foundations of the world that there was a time and place called Calvary where He would lay down His life in the foreknowledge of God for the sin of the whole world.

   This specimen of righteousness cannot be compared to anyone in the earthly realm or in the celestial realm, for Christ, as our great High Priest, has been made higher than the heavens. To further our quest to prove Him who is Holy, He who is righteous, and He who was without sin, let us go to Hebrews 4:14 and 15. Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. (Hebrews 4:14) For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. (Hebrews 4:15)
   Let us now consider, He who is holy, He who is true. Should not the Son of God get special treatment? Well, He did not. He was tempted in all parts like as we are, yet without sin. In this we have a very special Savior in our Lord Jesus Christ. For God IN HIS SON sent down from heaven to be the Son of man, a sinless man to redeem sinners who would believe IN Him, not only in His manifestation, but in the long history after His resurrection and His ascension to God’s right hand.

—– The Testimony and Witness of Abel’s Blood—–

   He being dead yet speaketh. Do we really hear the words of Abel? Hebrews 11:4 tells us that Abel still speaks today. It is neither his voice thundering through a canyon, nor his voice from the heavens above, it is his voice controlled by the Spirit of God to show all the beauties of Christ in that most excellent sacrifice. We lose a lot in Bible study when we use an outline. We want everything in its proper order, verse by verse, that is NOT the Spirit’s voice. When we first begin to study the Bible, the word of God, we must realize that we have the breath and voice of God in our hands. The mind has to be given over to the Spirit of Christ within. He, the Son of God, will lead you into all truth. He will direct you throughout the Scriptures and show you the frailties of man. He will guide your journey to see HIM in the beauty of His love. He will lead you to the glories of that most excellent sacrifice, the sweetsmelling savor, the Son of God’s love. On the Emmaus Road and in the house the Lord Jesus began to teach beginning with Moses and the Psalms, and the prophets. And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. (Luke 24:27) And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. (Luke 24:44)
   Moses wrote all the glorious things about Christ as he was given all the instructions of the Tabernacle. Everything within that curtain wall around the courtyard that surrounded the brazen altar, the laver, and the Tabernacle and ALL THAT which was WITHIN symbolized and represented The Christ. All had a direct connection with Abel’s most excellent sacrifice.
  Then we have the Psalms. There is more in the Psalms about the Lord Jesus Christ then we can ever grasp, for instance, Psalm 2, the number 2 is the number of witness, and in Psalm 2 we have the only begotten Son on God’s holy hill of Zion, and He is the KING over all the earth. In Psalm 22 that would be a double witness, we have the terrible sufferings of Christ, as His soul was offered for sin, that was the most excellent sacrifice.
   The Lord Jesus told His disciples to learn of me. Learn what I was BEFORE the foundations of the earth, LEARN who I AM, as the Creator of all things. LEARN who I AM as Judge over the whole earth. LEARN who I AM as the Son of God. LEARN who I AM as the most excellent sacrifice. LEARN who I AM as the Man in heaven at the right hand of the majesty on high. And LEARN who I AM as the King of glory, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. LEARN who I AM at the final judgment of the ungodly at the great white throne. LEARN who I AM as the Creator of the new heavens and of the new earth. “I gave my life for you, what hast thou given for me.” Let’s go again to 1st Peter 2:19 – 25.

For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. (1st Peter 2:19)
For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. (1st Peter 2:20)
For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: (1st Peter 2:21)
Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: (1st Peter 2:22)
Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: (1st Peter 2:23)
Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. (1st Peter 2:24)
For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls. (1st Peter 2:25)

   Every child of God who has been called by faith and has believed with their heart, soul and spirit IN the Lord Jesus Christ, are CALLED as holy brethren partakers of the heavenly calling to follow in the Lord’s footsteps. The Lord is our great example, NOT other men, nor other saints. It is our INDIVIDUAL responsibility to LEARN of Christ and to identify with His path and actions in our obedience to the divine path of faith. I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. (Romans 12:1) In the present condition of the professing world Church, this verse should be preached every Sunday.
   There are probably many churches that this verse has never entered into the ears of the congregants. Many preachers think of it as only a philosophical exercise in a spiritual setting and not as the reality of a life IN the Spirit of Christ. This verse is not preached enough. It is not read enough. And we, as the children of God, do NOT apply it enough to our own hearts. This is the Spirit’s voice speaking to us, telling us . . . to give our lives, to let Christ embrace us with His wisdom, with His knowledge, with His holiness, and with His grace and with His truth. How can anyone expect to be embraced by the wisdom, knowledge, and holiness of God’s grace in the next world when they refuse to be totally embraced by Him in this world?
   In Romans 12:1 the Spirit of God is SPEAKING to the brethren of Hebrews 3:1, Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus. When you are a partaker of the heavenly calling, you are CALLED to lay down your body as a heavenly sacrifice to the will and purpose of God. Remember in order to purchase YOU, God spared NOT His own Son who was begotten of God to redeem you so that YOU, by the Spirit of Christ, could overcome the world. This voice of the Spirit in Romans 12:1 is to ALL the children of God, no exceptions, and God does not lay down a red carpet for our walk in life. It is the blessings of SUFFERINGS that draws us closer to the Lord Jesus Christ. When the Spirit of Christ leads us into all truth, the world is now our battlefield. The world sees us now as enemies. They hate us because of the truth, and our relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ IN the truth. If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. (John 15:18) Now wipe the dust of the world from your eyes so that you can clearly see the UNSEEN, and see He who is invisible in your heart, soul and spirit. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. (Hebrews 11:27) Paul informs us that we live in a present evil world. The apostle John also informs us that the whole world lies in wickedness. We cannot deny this especially in our present day and age. ALL mediums, and all media, whether written or electronic reveals the wickedness of Cain who was a child of the wicked one. When you search the early Scriptures in the book of Genesis, you will discover that Cain was the seed of The Beast to come in the book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ in Chapter 13. It was Cain’s descendants who corrupted the entire earth in Genesis Chapter 6 because IN THEM was no-good thing. Genesis Chapter 6 is a witness that the good of man cannot overcome the wickedness of The Wicked One. Genesis Chapter 6 proves man’s total depravity as is revealed in our contemporary world today. Did you know that the Lord in the very beginning divides the world or the earth in Psalm 24:1? The earth is the LORD’S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein . . . (The earth is the LORD’S) . . . this is His possession of His creation. It is separate from the world and they that dwell therein. The world of Adamkind has corrupted itself AGAIN to the point of Genesis Chapter 6. It is the EVIL and IMAGINATION of their EVIL HEARTS that compels them to blasphemy the Lord of glory and the word of God and the majesty on high. They have departed from their own creation and KNOW NOT what they are. They are more putrid then the beasts of the field. Whether it is their snake pits of sin, their governments or the world that they live in, they have corrupted ALL.
   In Genesis Chapter 6, God looked down. Later, after the flood, in the history of Ham, and Japheth, and Shem, we find that man AGAIN corrupted himself, and God looked down. Later, when Sodom, the defiled city, with the city of Gomorrah, in fact, all five cities of the plain, God looked down, and saw the corruption and then God CAME down and destroyed the five cities of the plains. So do not think that the eyes of the Lord, which are the seven Spirits of the Lord, they go to and fro throughout the entire earth. His eyes SEE the abominations in Paris, they SEE the abominations in London, they SEE the abominations in Berlin, the eyes of the Lord sees the abominations in Washington, D.C. Yes, ALL nations, ALL cities, ALL towns and hamlets are under the eyes of the Lord, and He is getting ready to COME DOWN.
   The battle of brother against brother began with Cain and Abel. It was the beginning of the physical war between good and evil, between belief and unbelief, between faith and faithlessness. This war has raged ever since Cain and Abel. Even this cause goes back to Adam’s disobedience, and with Cain and Abel God drew a red line in blood, the blood of sacrifice. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering. (Genesis 4:4)
   Let us now consider in detail Abel’s sacrifice, and while we are doing this, let us see the birth of Christ, the life of Christ, the sacrifice and death of Christ, the resurrection of Christ, and the glorification of Christ at God’s right hand. Abel brought the FIRST BORN of his flock. Christ IS the FIRST BORN of God. Adam was created from dust by God. God’s SON was BORN of God Himself. And this Son contained the holy thing, the holy child and the Holy One. It was Abel who brought of his flock. It was God the Father who SENT His Son. It was Abel who brought a MALE of his flock. The Lord Jesus Christ is the SON, and the MALE image of the invisible God. The lamb that Abel brought was beyond reproach. It had NO blemish without nor within. It was a spotless lamb that Abel set aside at its birth to grow and to develop until it was sacrificed on the great stone of Abel, the altar, with the wood and the fire. Now, we see the Lord on the cross of Calvary on one of the mountains of Moriah, where Abraham was called to offer up his son Isaac, as a sacrifice to God. God took Abraham to the point of death, Abraham had the knife in his hand, and Isaac was bound to the wood, and as Abraham raised the knife, God reprieved him with a ram caught in the thicket by his horns for God will provide HIMSELF a sacrifice. And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together. (Genesis 22:8) The most excellent sacrifice wore the crown of thorns on the cross of Calvary, without blemish within or without. The mysterious ram caught in the thicket for the purpose of God symbolized the most excellent sacrifice. Where did he come from? Christ was the lamb SLAIN from the foundation of the world . . . . . of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. (Revelation 13:8b) God is taking us to the UNSEEN.
   We realize that faith is the substance of things hoped for, the very evidence of the things that are UNSEEN. Peter, through the Spirit of God, takes us to the lamb BEFORE the foundation of the world, when God in His determinate counsels and foreknowledge set apart His Son to be the more excellent sacrifice. But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: (1st Peter 1:19) Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you. (1st Peter 1:20) There are many mysteries IN and OF the Son of God. Where was the ram BEFORE he was caught in the thicket? God supplied a MALE, which undoubtedly was a first born, with neither blemish within nor without. It was the world and the thorns of the world that beat and disfigured the Lord Jesus Christ. Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high. (Isaiah 52:13) As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men: (Isaiah 52:14)
   The Spirit of God placed these verses IN Isaiah Chapter 52 so that Isaiah 53 would become a greater revelation to us, for He was led as a lamb to the slaughter and as a lamb is dumb before his shearers, so He opened not His mouth. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. (Isaiah 53:7) We should always remember that God’s word IS also God’s progressive revelation to us. Too many close the door of the Old Testament without realizing the tremendous spiritual treasure that is IN the books of Moses, the Psalms and the prophets.
   I want to share this thought: in the Old Testament, God examines man, proves man and looks on the heart of man; also, we, as children of God, look upon God, examine God, and prove the God of the Old Testament IN our faith of the Lord Jesus Christ. For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. (Romans 15:4) This is why Abel, being dead yet speaketh, that God had RESPECT unto Abel’s GIFTS (plural) thus, showing the consistency of Abel’s faith, and his obedience, and his belief in God. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)

    In Isaiah 53:10, God offers the SOUL of His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. (Isaiah 53:10) This is the FAT thereof in Genesis 4:4, And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering. The FAT is the sweet savor which in Ephesians Chapter 5:2 is the SWEETSMELLING savor. And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. In the offering of the SOUL of the Lord Jesus Christ there are many things that we will never understand. What took place in those hours of darkness as Christ while on the cross we will never know? What brought out the cry, of Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?

<<To the chief Musician upon Aijeleth Shahar, A Psalm of David.>> My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring? (Psalm 22:1)
And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? (Matthew 27:46)

—– The Supernatural Testimony and Witness of Abel’s Sacrifice—–
The Altar – The Great Stone

   In this life upon the earth, our knowledge and understanding is extremely limited; however, God gives us marvelous light by His Spirit in giving us understanding and light in the word of God. When we ascend into glory and see Him as He is we will be LIKE Him in the surroundings of His glory, but until then, we have to trust the word of God and the Spirit of God that the eyes of our understanding will be open to the truth of EVERY word that God has given to us.
   Again, I repeat that the Old Testament was given for our LEARNING as well as the New Testament today. When you study the Levitical offerings that were given to Israel, a lot of the principles apply back to Abel.

   This is why God mentioned the FAT thereof. This not only completes the offering, but it is the element that ascends up to God as a sweet savor AND it is proving that the COMPLETE offering was consumed by fire. With Noah, after the flood, it is recorded that Noah built an altar. With Abraham, Isaac and Jacob we have the continuation of the altar, however, with Abel it WAS the lamb and the LAMB alone that had the preeminence and NOT the altar. It was not until later in the Scriptures in 1st Samuel that the Spirit’s voice reveals the great stone of Abel, or the great altar of Abel. And the golden mice, according to the number of all the cities of the Philistines belonging to the five lords, both of fenced cities, and of country villages, even unto the great stone of Abel, whereon they set down the ark of the LORD: which stone remaineth unto this day in the field of Joshua, the Bethshemite. (1st Samuel 6:18)   
   You should understand spiritual numbers in Scripture. This 6th Chapter of 1st Samuel begins with JUDGMENT upon the Philistines, for they had captured the Ark of the Covenant, and were defiling the Ark by placing it in their house, in their temple, the temple of Dagon, who was half fish and half man. You can further see the depravity of the Philistines with their golden emrods and their golden mice. When man casts off God, first, man creates imaginary gods from the things around him, and lastly, himself. Now, I bring out that this is the 6th Chapter, AGAIN, go back to the 6th Chapter of Genesis, and then forward into the future to the 6th Chapter of the book of the Revelation.
   God reveals in 1st Samuel, in verse 18 a wonderful truth in spiritual numbers. Six (6) is the number of man, three (3) times six (6) is eighteen (18), three (3) sixes (6) is the number of the name of The Beast (6 – 6 – 6). In 6:18 we have four (4) sixes (6) and four sixes show us the number of man as the whole world (4) and they that dwell therein. Remember, before you bring up all the impossibilities, before you want to discredit the Spirit of God, if you think that you know more than the Spirit of God, then you are in big trouble for nothing is impossible with God. This is why we have the progressive revelation of God. This was a Chapter of judgment, and the great stone of Abel was the PLACE of the offering. The Spirit of God desires to show us that Abel used a great stone for his altar, A STONE, a tried stone that had not been cut by human hands.

As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: (1st Peter 2:2)
If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. (1st Peter 2:3)
To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, (1st Peter 2:4)
Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. (1st Peter 2:5)
Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. (1st Peter 2:6)
Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, (1st Peter 2:7)
And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. (1st Peter 2:8)
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: (1st Peter 2:9)

   In 1st and 2nd Peter, there are only four mentions of the word stone, and all of these mentions are in 1st Peter in the 2nd Chapter. The first mention of stone is found in 1st Peter, verse 4, Christ is A LIVING STONE, for in Him is life. To whom coming, [as unto] a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, [and] precious. And this life is the life of man, but man loves darkness and HATES the light, so the Spirit of God informs us that this precious stone is disallowed by man. But He is chosen by God as the glory of God and as the express image of His Person, most precious.
   The second mention of the word stone in the epistle of Peter is also found in Chapter 2, in verse 6. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. This verse has both a present and future application. It is also a possessor of prophecy from Psalm 2:6, Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. In 1st Peter, 2:6, we have the chief corner stone, that the building cannot be built without a corner stone. We cannot be spiritual houses of lively stones unless we are attached to the chief corner stone, the Lord Jesus Christ, who IS the ELECT of God. We can prove the election of the Lord Jesus Christ. Where? In the determinate counsels and foreknowledge of God. Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain. (Acts 2:23) This is the result of His election BEFORE the foundation of the world. Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, (1st Peter 1:20) I would also like to bring out in verse 6, that it is the second witness of the word precious referring to the Lord Jesus Christ. This verse closes with the voice of Abel, and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.

  In the third mention of the word stone in 1st Peter 2:7, we read, Unto you therefore which believe [he is] precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner. We not only have the third mention of stone, but we also have the third mention of the word precious. Will you allow me to throw in not only the presence of the Spirit of God but the fullness of the Godhead bodily? HE IS PRECIOUS THREE TIMES. He is the undeniable STONE of redemption THREE TIMES. He is the way, the truth and the life as the HEAD corner stone that man has rejected and disallowed.
   In 1st Peter 2:8, we have the fourth mention of the word stone. And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, [even to them] which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. To the world: the Lord Jesus Christ is a stone of stumbling in their unbelief. They become offended at the name of Jesus. They stumble because they do not know the word of God. Those with a deceptive heart stumble at the word, being disobedient, as Cain was disobedient to God and the envy and iniquity of his heart caused him to rise up against his brother and murder him. Now this verse closes with five words . . . whereunto also they were appointed. Whether you like it or not, it doesn’t matter to me . . . because the Spirit of God knows the word of God for in the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God the disobedient world was APPOINTED to their end.
   Their end is at the great white throne judgment. It is there that we see the END of the spirit of man in Adam. All their wickedness, all their evil and all their unbelief and faithlessness will be read out AGAINST them as the Supreme Judge of heaven and earth sits upon His throne and issues the deserved and righteous JUDGMENT with the scepter of righteousness in His right hand. There is NO hope, there is NO reprieve, there is NO lenient justice because the ungodly have determined their own fate by their ungodly works. We have yet not arrived at this time and point. Although we live in the world of the ungodly, the message of mercy, the message of peace, the message of reconciliation, the message of redemption is traveling throughout the entire world to offer salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ. There is a door of escape from that great white throne judgment, a door that is opened by Jesus Christ to the wonders of eternal life and the beauties and wonder of heaven above.

—– God Unveils More about His More Excellent Sacrifice —-

   In the book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ we have four (4) distinct unveilings of God’s Christ. These four visions allow us to see the wonder, the majesty, the glory and the eternality of the Son of God.
   In Chapters 1 thru 3 we see the first vision of the Son of God. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. John beholds this one who is brighter than the sun, who has ALL power in heaven and earth, and has the keys over death and hell. In the seven letters to the seven churches, each letter has a specific introduction of the Son of God. Each introduction shows the image of the invisible God. Take paper and pen and write only the introductions to these seven churches and see the majesty of the One who speaks to each church.

1 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; (Revelation 2:1) In Ephesus, we see the Lord’s complete Sovereignty over the things in heaven and the Church on earth.
2 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; (Revelation 2:8) To the church in Smyrna, He reminds them that He is the first and the last, the Alpha and the Omega, and He assures them of His own resurrection.
3 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; (Revelation 2:12) To the church in Pergamos He reveals His present sword of judgment over the church. It also takes us to Hebrews 4: 12 and 13.

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12) Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. (Hebrews 4:13)

   In Hebrews Chapter 4 it is the power of the Word of God over life and death for in the Word of God we find life eternal in Jesus Christ, and according to the word of God final judgment in the books that will be opened at the great white throne.
4 And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass; (Revelation 2:18) To Thyatira, He reveals Himself as the Son of God, ALL majesty, ALL glory, for He is made higher than the heavens. (Hebrews 7:26) He has eyes as a flame of fire, ever searching the world and the church, and His feet are as fine brass in the fires of judgment.
5 And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. (Revelation 3:1) In this fifth church, Sardis, we have His inner voice, the voice of the seven Spirits of God, and again we see His Sovereignty over the seven stars. He approaches this church that their profession of faith is NOT worthy of life. He states that although they have a name, they are DEAD. They have sacrificed the world for their life, and now they have only the deadness of the spirit of man, and they are of all men most miserable.
6 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth. (Revelation 3:7) To the church in Philadelphia we have a wonderful introduction. It is the Lord who is Holy, it is the Lord who is true, and He has the key of David. And the key of David is that the Lord is both the root and offspring of David, the beloved of God. The Lord Jesus Christ is the eternal Seed of life and what He opens to the church in Philadelphia NO MAN can shut, and NO MAN can open, for it is within His Sovereignty to use the word of God as He desires to fulfill His will and His purpose.
7 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; (Revelation 3:14) Then lastly, we have the Laodiceans, with this church it is not a location, but the church OF the Laodiceans. He finalizes the message before He gives it, as His introduction as the AMEN. He is the FINALTY of the will and purpose of God. It is His ministration that is over heaven and earth. And when all the witnesses of man fails, there is still ONE who is the faithful and true witness of God, the Lord Jesus Christ. Then He takes us back to BEFORE the creation of all things, for He ALONE is the beginning of the creation of God. And He ALONE is the Sustainer of the creation of God through the Word of His power. He will be the FINALITY of the creation of God as the old is consumed in fire, and He who is the beginning of the creation of God will create a new heaven and a new earth wherein righteousness will dwell.

   In the second vision or unveiling, (Chapters 4 thru 7) we see the Redeemer, we see the Lamb of God, we see the worthiness of the work of His redemption, and He holds the book in His hand, and He is the ONLY ONE worthy to open the books. We, now begin, our heavenly journey with the apostle John. Although this is a vision, it has the reality of heavenly life in the Person of Christ. He is the brightness of God’s glory sitting upon the emerald throne. He is the Sovereign majesty over heaven and earth as the rainbow around His throne speaks of the circle of His majesty and power in the governments in heaven and the governments of the earth.
   When the door is opened in heaven in Chapter 4, we enter into a new sphere of revelation to man. We see the characters and characteristics of heaven in both Chapters 4 and 5. We see the saints revealed in heaven along with the angels and the beasts. We see the ONE who contains and possesses the seven Spirits of God, and these seven Spirits are the seven revealing eyes of God as they reveal to us ALL the truths that are woven into the Person of Jesus Christ. There is much more in the JUDGMENT of Chapter 6, and the calling of the hundred and forty-four thousand as witnesses of God into all the earth.
   The third vision is Chapters 8 thru 13. This third vision begins with the opening of the seventh seal in the book in the hands of the Lamb, and there was silence in heaven for now the JUDGMENT of this earth begins. In verse 13 of Chapter 8, we have the three WOES (WOE – WOE – WOE) to the inhabitants of the earth.

   In this Chapter 8, the seven angels are given the seven trumpets. These trumpets announce JUDGMENT to assemble the host of heaven AGAINST the inhabitants of the earth. We have the war in heaven in Chapter 12 as a reminder of what took place when Lucifer rebelled against God and was cast down to the ground. It is the great dragon, the old serpent, called the devil and Satan who has deceived the whole world, and it is he who has weakened the nations so that they have NO power over his evil. In Chapter 13 we have the call of Satan’s son, The Beast. The Spirit of God refuses to call him a man, or to give him a name. He becomes a number (6 – 6 – 6). It is this Beast whom Satan places on his own throne, and demands that every person, man, woman and children take the mark of iniquity, the mark of The Beast in their right hand or forehead.
   The last vision, the fourth vision, begins with Chapter 14 thru Chapter 22. Here we have both JUDGMENT and REJUVENATION. Judgment at the great white throne and rejuvenation with the new heavens and the new earth. In Chapter 22, the Lord of all glory makes His FINAL proclamation to the world.

● And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. (Revelation 22:12)
● I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. (Revelation 22:13)
● I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. (Revelation 22:16)
● And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. (Revelation 22:17)

   These are only brief statements concerning the four visions or unveilings. I will leave you to delve further into these four visions with the Spirit of God and receive the continuation of the unveiling of the Son of God.
   Sometimes it may seem that we stray from the main topic, however, when dealing with the faith of Abel we are dealing solely with the UNSEEN. I have NOT seen Abel, and you have NOT seen Abel, but through faith, we trust the word of God and the ministry of the Spirit of God to confirm in our hearts what God wants us to receive. Although Abel is a testimony to us, the true witness of righteousness IS the Lord Jesus Christ. His voice and Spirit is within us. Remember that He has RENEWED our conscience for a reason. He has RENEWED our mind for a reason. He has RENEWED our heart for a reason, and He has RESTORED our soul for a reason.
   We KNOW that the Lord Jesus is the most excellent sacrifice. Whenever we study the Levitical offerings that came later in time to Israel, that many of the principles apply back to Abel. For instance, Why did the Lord mention the FAT THEREOF? It was the complete offering that the Lord brought forth by fire. As we read the book of Numbers, Chapter 18, verse 17, But the firstling of a cow, or the firstling of a sheep, or the firstling of a goat, thou shalt not redeem; they are holy: thou shalt sprinkle their blood upon the altar, and shalt burn their fat for an offering made by fire, for a sweet savour unto the LORD. In Genesis 4:4, it is the FAT THEREOF, this also was consumed as a sweet savor unto the Lord. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering. There is NO mention of an altar, however, in 1st Samuel, the Spirit of God introduces us to the great stone of Abel. What is so marvelous in1st Samuel is that this is the record of the Spirit of God and not the thoughts and intents of the heart of man. Here is another evidence where we still hear the voice of Abel. The significance of this great stone, it had not been touched by human hands. It had neither been shaped with a hammer, nor by the stone cutter’s chisel, just as the Body that had been prepared for the Lord Jesus was to be the tried stone that was completely separate from Adamkind. It is also unique that this great stone of Abel was introduced to us in the NEW world after the universal flood.
   When the entire world was under water, the tremendous force of water changed the face of the whole world. Valleys became oceans with great canyons, water cut through soil and rock, and the fountains of the deep created great oceans, and skyward great mountains became covered with ice and snow. The flowing of mud and silt formed vast plains, and the seas formed the borders of the continents. The havoc of wind and rain, the fountains of the deep erupted as volcanos spewed out lava and ash from the furnace of the earth. Huge fountains burst through stone and earth, waters thrust into the air as a tornado vortex forcefully carried rock, stone, soil and sand mixed in rivers of mud.
   After the flood, man had a different earth etched and shaped by the force of water, a mighty force indeed. So we ask this question, Who could preserve this great stone of Abel? Is there a force or a Being who could preserve this great stone? When we look on our Creator, we also have to realize that He is our Sustainer, the POWER of His creation, as the Creator goes far deeper than we can even imagine in the Word of His power. Remember when John the Baptist pointed to the twelve stones, those twelve stones represented each son from Jacob. John the Baptist told the Levites that God was able to raise up children to Abraham from THOSE stones.

    Those stones had been placed there by the Israelites centuries previously when they crossed over Jordan in the days of Joshua. God’s hands not only creates but His hands also preserve. This INVISIBLE God, who is manifest in the flesh in the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ, is ABLE to preserve US and to KEEP us as the children of God for our final resting place in the new heavens and the new earth.

By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. (Hebrews 11:4)

   We listen to the voices of the past so that we might acquire a view into the future. We listen to them for their knowledge and for their understanding to give us foresight into our own lives and into our own history. The greatest voice of all is the voice of the Son of God who is NOT dead, but ever liveth and is sat down at the right hand of God. This is my beloved Son: hear Him.

While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. (Matthew 17:5)

And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him. (Mark 9:7)

And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him. (Luke 9:35)

Amen and Selah

© Copyright – Michael Haigh
Published on August 9th, 2024 @ 2:00 PM (EST)
Article may be used, but not for gain. Freely ye have received, freely give.
All Scripture references are from the King James Bible. (KJB)