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CAIN AND ABEL

CAIN AND ABEL: The Origin of Lawlessness and the Voice of Innocent Blood 🩸

1. Introduction: The First Act of Rebellion and Murder

The story of Cain and Abel (Genesis 4) is the foundation of biblical history following the Fall. It is the record of the first act of murder, demonstrating the immediate escalation of sin from internal disobedience to external, violent lawlessness.

  • The Sacrifice: Both brothers brought offerings to the LORD. Abel, a keeper of sheep, brought the firstborn of his flock and their fat—a sacrifice of substance and life. Cain, a tiller of the ground, brought an offering of the ground. God “had regard for Abel and for his offering, but for Cain and for his offering He had no regard” (Genesis 4:4-5).
  • The Problem: Cain’s heart was not right, leading to an unacceptable offering. Rather than repenting, he allowed anger and envy to master him.
  • Key Concept: This event establishes the universal, pre-Sinai principle of Sanctity of Life and the consequence of unjust bloodshed, which is a primary reason for the final judgment at the Lord’s Return.

2. The Violation: The Birth of Lawlessness

Cain’s sin was a refusal to govern his emotions and a deliberate choice to commit violence, which God immediately warned him about.

Aspect of the ViolationThe Act of LawlessnessProphetic Principle Established
Rejection of CorrectionGod warned Cain: “Sin is crouching at your door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it” (Genesis 4:7).Free Will and Responsibility: Lawlessness is a personal choice to allow sin to rule, despite God’s warning and provision for mastery.
Murder and DeceitCain lured Abel into the field and murdered him. He then lied to God, asking, “Am I my brother’s keeper?“The Rule Before Sinai: The principle Thou Shalt Not Murder existed before the written Law and applies universally. Murder is a direct attack on the image of God in man.
The Voice of BloodGod told Cain, “The voice of your brother’s blood is crying out to Me from the ground” (Genesis 4:10).Unceasing Justice: The memory and cry for justice for the innocent blood shed on earth is perpetual and demands a final response from God.

3. The Divine Intervention: Curse and Preservation

God’s response was an immediate judgment upon Cain, demonstrating the severity of the crime, yet including a principle of divine preservation and delayed vengeance.

  • The Curse: The ground, from which Abel’s blood cried out, was cursed to no longer yield its full strength to Cain’s labor. Cain became a restless wanderer.
  • The Mark: God placed a mark on Cain to prevent anyone from killing him, declaring that vengeance against Cain belonged to the LORD alone, and the one who killed Cain would face “sevenfold vengeance.”
  • Key Concept: The Mark established the foundational covenant principle that only God has the authority to exact vengeance for bloodshed, not man. This principle was later codified in the Noahic Covenant (Genesis 9:6).

4. Prophetic Echo: The Final Account of Blood

The blood of Abel is referenced in the New Testament as the first in a line of martyrs for whom Christ guarantees a final, comprehensive judgment.

  • The Prophetic Call for Vengeance: The voice of Abel’s blood is echoed in Revelation, where the souls of the martyrs under the altar cry out to God, asking, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, will You refrain from judging and avenging our blood…?” (Revelation 6:10).
  • Christ’s Condemnation: Jesus declared that all the righteous blood shed on earth, “from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah,” would come upon that generation (Matthew 23:35). The account of blood is cumulative and will be settled at the Lord’s Return.
  • The Final Judgment: The fall of prophetic Babylon will be judged because “in her was found the blood of prophets and of saints and of all who have been slain on the earth” (Revelation 18:24).

5. Conclusion: Listening to the Voice of Blood

The story of Cain and Abel is a solemn reminder that human history is defined by the conflict between lawlessness and the pursuit of righteousness.

  • The Call to Readiness: Our Watchfulness and Readiness requires us to stand with the persecuted and the truth, knowing that the Avenger of blood is coming.
  • Your Action: Live the Sanctity of Life principle by loving your neighbor and rejecting all forms of inner lawlessness. Be comforted that every act of injustice will be accounted for when the King returns to establish His perfect Rule Restored.