The Gospel According to Abel

It should be of no surprise to the reader if one should say that the preaching/teaching of the gospel is being sadly neglected in the realm of Christendom. Seemingly forgotten are the words penned from the apostle Paul to young Timothy: ". . .the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus" II Tim. 3:15. Unbeknown to some, the Gospel did not first come into being in the New Testament. Revelation chapter 13 and verse 8 proclaim Christ to be "the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world." Here we attempt to present one of the many faceted pictures, our brother Abel being our springboard. The reader be forewarned - this is not to be found in the category of "easy reading." Nevertheless, may it be of some benefit to both writer and reader.

"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" Heb. 11:4. He obtained witness - God testifying - that he was righteous - a more excellent sacrifice - offered unto God - by faith. O.K. Follow carefully. We know that faith, in order to be faith, must have an object - and we know that object to be Christ Himself. Faith has not gone through a process of evolution. For us, and for Abel: "Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." What were the things that Abel could not see, yet he hoped for? What gave him the evidence, the substance he needed? Faith. Abel saw by faith the object of his faith. In light of this, I say without apology that Christ Himself is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen! In the same chapter we read: "By faith Moses. . .choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God . . .Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt . . .he endured, as seeing him who is invisible." Further, "Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood. . ."

As we look into the Hebrews chapter 11 Hall of Faith, Abel is first on the list. The quote we have used, "He being dead yet speaketh" could well be said of all who are mentioned in the chapter.

But before hearing the voice, the witness of Abel, let us attempt to lay something of a foundation hereto. We shall begin just after the account of Adam's sin, and the sentence passed down from God unto the serpent and to man.

"Unto Adam also and to his wife did the Lord make coats of skins, and clothed them. And the Lord God said, behold, he is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever:"

“Therefore the Lord God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. So He drove out the man; (garash, to drive out from a possession, to banish one from his native country.)

“So He drove out the man; and He placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life” Notice, the Cherubims were just as responsible as the flaming sword to “keep the way.” Shamar, Heb., to hedge about, to guard, protect, attend.

At first glance it might appear that God had thrust man forth from the garden forever; that He would see to it that man might never again be given any means through which he could approach the Righteous Sovereign; that man was now and eternally the enemy of God. If this were true then why are wepreviously told that “the Lord God make coats of skins, and clothed them?” Gen. 3:21.

Even in those early days might man “come. . .to the throne of grace” that he might “obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” Heb. 4:16. But he must approach the throne with blood, for “without shedding of blood is no remission” [of sin].

Understand, it is not that the “Way” was closed against man; rather that a Way was opened in hisstead; a Way that would provide redemption and reconciliation! Is it any wonder then that in this one verse we find “the Way,” the flaming sword “Truth,” and the tree of “Life!” Herein do we find Old Testament design, a portrayal of what God would do because He “so loved the world.”

There’s more. The “Way” was to be protected from that day forward. Satan would seek to “bruise the head,” to destroy the seed, the bloodline from which Christ should come: but the Lord Jehovah be praised: for the serpent’s head has and yet shall receive a final and fatal blow!

Again, to “keep the way of the tree of life.” Christ is the only WAY, He is the only LIFE. There is no other way to enter the Presence of God. Jesus makes it quite clear in His discourse of the Good Shepherd. He alone is the Door [Way]. “He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other “way,” the same is a thief and a robber” John 10:1. The “Way” is protected that Satan may not prevent “whosoever will” from coming. The “Way” is protected that man may come, but only God’s Way, and that “Way” is by the shedding of blood, and that once and for all to be consummated in the offering of the blood of His Lamb.

If God made coats of skins to clothe Adam and Eve, then He must needs have shed the first blood that man’s sin might be atoned for. He again shed the last blood to redeem man, and that being the precious blood of His own Son. If there is a sacrifice to be offered, there must needs be an altar upon which it is made. At the east of the Garden we are shown the two Cherubims; the Sword of Truth; the Way of the Tree of Life. In the Tabernacle in the wilderness, within the veil, was the Most Holy Place. There we findtwo Cherubims “protecting,” “overshadowing” the altar or Mercy Seat. "And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat. . ." Heb. 9:5. Above was the Presence of The Most Holy God. Shall any deny the parallel of this picture with that to be found east of the Garden? That there was an altarestablished at that place there can be no doubt: a Place where Adam might offer sacrifices unto the Lord; where his sons might come to make offerings unto Him. And they did. We know the story: Cain, in unbelief and disobedience, dared to offer God the works of his hands: the fruit of the ground which had a curse upon it. But what did Cain not believe; and what was he disobedient to? Was it not the Truth, the Gospel?

As the "Voice"of God spoke directly to Cain, then how much the more to Abel. Could it be that the Son Himself (perhaps revealing Himself as a Theophany as he did to Abraham) preached the gospel to Abel? Did he not know, "Wherefore, as by one man [his own Dad] sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned?" Or, "For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous?" Certainly Abel knew this: "For the shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. . .For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats [nor lambs] should take away sins" "We are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all" Heb. 9:1,4,10. "Pure speculation on my part, but is it feasible that Abel perceived that the Very God is whose presence he stood, would one day take upon Himself the form of man? And though he now in faith and obedience offer the blood of his lamb; that one day the Lamb of God would offer Himself, His own blood for Abel, for all who will trust Him? Even as Abraham, Abel believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. To Abel was imputed the righteousness of Christ; and it was by faith. Tell me now, how this could be, unless God allowed him to see that which is not seen - gave it substance; presented the evidence. Faith unto righteousness must have an object; and that object must be Christ Jesus.

“And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof.” (A study of the fat as offered unto God is shown in the scriptures to be as a “sweet-smelling savor,” a “Peace offering.”) It appears that he was far more knowledgeable in the things of God than we have ever given him credit. His offering was made in faith, followed by the “works” of obedience. “And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering.”

Abel shed the blood of the sacrifice; he presented the offering before the Lord God, upon the altar, which was overshadowed, protected by the two Cherubim: the same picture found in the Most Holy Place.

Want additional evidence? Meditate upon this:

“And the Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed.” “And the Lord God took the man, and put him in the garden of Eden to dress it and keep it” Gen. 2:8.15.

“And out of the ground made the Lord God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil. And a river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from thence it was parted, and it became four heads” Gen. 2:9,10.

There is yet another “home” that bears a striking resemblance; another “Eden,” being in the realm of Eternity.

“And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bear twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations” Rev. 22:1,2.

Did you notice their similarities? Let’s compare a few.

“a river went out of Eden”. . .“a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.” (Out of the throne of God and of the Lamb? Yes. "The Lord reigneth; . . .he sitteth between the cherubims" Ps. 99:1. "Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, . . .thou that dwellest between the cherubims, shine forth" Ps. 80:1. We have here a trio of witnesses: pictured at Eden, at the Tabernacle, in Heaven: all are in agreement - the Throne of God and the Lamb, sitting between the cherubims; the Mercy Seat being before the Throne.)

“the tree of life also in the midst of the garden”. . .“In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life.”

“every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also”. . .“the tree of life, which bear twelve manner of fruits”

“For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made untosalvation” Rom. 10:10. Abel, yes even in those very early days, took his lamb; to render his sins to be upon its head; the shedding of its blood to be in his stead; in faith, believing and confessing that his sins were covered by the atoning blood of Another. He was, by faith, gazing into eternity, “Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.” Abel, what then, are you really preaching? "Why, the gospel of Christ!"

One other thought concerning Abel. Did you realize that he was the very first Believer to enter the portals of Glory? Do you think the Lord stood to welcome him as He did Stephen? Or, rather than sending angels, did He personally come for Abel Himself? Remember the shepherd in the parable of the lost sheep? "And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth . . ." Abel was that first lamb who was brought home! Can you imagine the joy that rang through the rafters of heaven!?! Was there the song of the redeemed, even at the beginning? If so, then Abel sang solo for a while!

But we have a greater witness than Abel.

"God . . .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;" Heb. 1:1a,2. And how great, the witness! Abel, "he being dead, yet speaketh." But our Lord Jesus Christ, being dead, yet liveth! Forevermore! And He speaks, not from the grave, but His Eternal Throne in Heaven!

"And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven" Heb. 12:24-25.

The gospel according to Cain

Having heard the witness of righteous Abel, what are we to hear concerning the lineage of Cain [or should we say, Satan?]

"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! . . .Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets . . .Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city: That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar" Matt. 23:29a,31,35-35. "Then answered all the people, and said, His [Christ's] blood be on us, and on our children" Matt. 27:25. Well spoken, descendants of Cain - for so it shall be.