WAITING FOR THE FIRE by H. A. St. John

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jan 27, 1904

WAITING FOR THE FIRE.

By H. A. St. John

BY H. A. ST. JOHN.

THE first place of divine worship after the fall and expulsion from Eden was at the gate of Paradise, where were stationed the cherubim.

The locality was recognized as the house of God, the distinctive place of His presence. There came a time when two brothers, the sons of the very first family in all the land, came together to this place of the special presence of God to worship. The Lord had ordained both the Spirit and the form of that worship that would please him. Undoubtedly both of these brothers understood this matter equally well. Perfect faith and perfect obedience, the outgrowth of perfect love, would secure to every one who went out from that Presence perfect joy and perfect peace, blessings that always make the worshiper rich.

These brothers were named Cain and Abel. Both came to the right place, each erected an altar, each placed an offering thereon, all of which was in the order and form of obedience. Then both waited for the fire. The coming of fire from above to consume the sacrifice was at once the evidence and expression of divine acceptance of both the offering and the worshiper.

Each had made their offering, and each was waiting for the fire. Suddenly a light rested on the offering of Abel, which grew brighter and brighter, until it burst into a flame of consuming fire, burning up the sacrifice and warming and rejoicing the heart of the one who had made the offering. But Cain waited for the fire in vain. His countenance fell, and he went out from the presence of the Lord in anger.

It is evident that Cain never again returned to the presence of God, but soon after became a homicide, taking the life of his godly brother. And wherefore slew he him?—Because his own works were evil and his brother's righteous. God is no respecter of persons, but in every nation he that worketh righteousness is accepted with Him.

Then, wherein was the difficulty with the service and offering of Cain?—Ah! it was in both the faith and the obedience. In his faith, in that it did not take hold of the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world; and in his obedience, in that it did not symbolize the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world. Nothing but a cherished rebellious spirit occasioned this deficiency in his faith and service, and, hence, for the lameness and imperfection of his offering, he alone was responsible. He knew that if he did well, his offering would be respected and accepted. He also knew that if he did wrong, a sin offering was at his door.

Now the Lord beseeches us to present our bodies to Him as a living sacrifice. It is but our reasonable service to render unto Him such an offering. All that we are, as well as all that we have, is embraced in this offering. When this offering is fully made, there will not be long waiting for the fire. God will look upon it with respect. The light of His countenance, increasing in brightness, will kindle such a fire of divine love in the soul as will purge away all the dross, all the tin. God has promised to purify every such soul with "the spirit of judgment, and with the spirit of burning." Thus purified and transformed by the renewing of the mind, such souls will be able to show what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.