4:7Genesis 4:7

God spoke the warning to Cain when he was angry and downcast because his offering of fruit was passed by while his brother's offering of firstlings was accepted by fire from heaven.Ms 78, 1901, par. 3–11+2 Doing well meant obeying the express direction to bring the required slain lamb with shed blood, which typified the future atonement and pointed to Christ as the spotless sacrifice for remission of sin.ST Dec 30, 1886+3 Acceptance was still open to Cain on the same terms as Abel with no partiality, but it required humble faith in the promised Redeemer, confession of sin and entire dependence on mercy outside self.PP 73.3–74.2+4 If he did not obey, sin waited ready at the door to master mind and judgment, yet God gave him power to rule over that desire by admitting error, laying aside his own plans and ceasing hatred and blame.Ms 78, 1901, par. 3–11+3 From those two brothers have continued two classes through history, the obedient who keep God's law and the disobedient who follow their own ideas and persecute the faithful.Ms 136, 1899, par. 9–10+2

The warning was spoken to Cain when he was angry and downcast with fallen countenance because his fruit offering received no sign of acceptance while Abel's offering of the firstlings was consumed by fire from heaven in token of acceptance.Ms 78, 1901, par. 3–11+4 The difference lay in obedience, for Abel brought what was required and Cain did not, and Cain refused to see that his own disobedience caused the rejection while arguing about his offering and resenting that his younger brother was accepted.Ms 78, 1901, par. 3–11+2 God did not give up His way and will to conciliate that anger, but asked the reason for it and explained the condition of acceptance, that there was no injustice and no partiality toward Abel.Lt 16, 1897, par. 8–11+2

God condescended to meet Cain on his level, reasoning with him and calling him from anger to obedience, and the warning was conveyed through an angel messenger sent to converse with him.Lt 71, 1896, par. 2–9+2 That meeting left the choice with Cain himself, whether to trust, submit, believe and obey and be accepted and enjoy God's favor, or to persist in unbelief and transgression with no ground for complaint at being rejected.PP 73.3–74.2+2 Abel was determined to worship according to the direction given, while Cain thought his own plans best and that the Lord would come to his terms, unwilling to acknowledge dependence and hating Abel because God showed him favor.Lt 71, 1896, par. 2–9+1

Cain and Abel brought their sacrifices to the cherubim-guarded gate of Paradise where the glory of God was revealed.PP 83.2–84.1 That entrance was the place of the first worship, where altars were reared and offerings were presented, and where God met with Cain and Abel and communicated with them.PP 83.2–84.1 The chapter presents Cain as a tiller of the ground and Abel as a keeper of sheep, showing God's provision for healthful employment of man's physical powers after the fall through tilling the soil.Lt 10, 1909, par. 4–9

The closing words mean Abel's acceptance did not take away Cain's birthright.ST Dec 30, 1886+2 If Cain did well he as the elder would take the lead, and Abel as the younger would listen to him, love him as brother, and remain subject to him.ST Dec 30, 1886+4 God treated Cain fairly, and Cain had no cause to resent God or Abel or to complain of injustice, but needed to submit, believe and obey rather than hold to his own way.SG3 48.2+2

Doing well meant obeying definite, express directions about sacrifice by bringing the required lamb without blemish for a burnt offering, with its shed blood mingled with the offering.ST Dec 30, 1886+4 The direction was specific and special, that every sacrificial offering must be accompanied by a slain lamb as acknowledgment and confession of sin, and leaving out that blood left the offering without requirement and without acceptance.Lt 71, 1896, par. 2–9+2 If that obedience had been rendered, acceptance was promised on the same ground as the younger brother's offering, whose firstlings consumed by fire from heaven showed what correct obedience would also receive.ST Dec 30, 1886+2

The slain lamb with solemn shedding of blood typified a future atonement, signified repentance for sin, and pointed forward to Christ as the spotless Lamb and great Sacrifice whose innocent blood alone gives value for remission of sin and salvation of the fallen race.Ms 136, 1899, par. 3–4+4 It represented the Lamb of God to be slain for the sins of the world, prefigured God's redemption plan in the costly offering of His only begotten Son as hope and salvation, and taught salvation by the blood of Jesus from the beginning of the school of obedience.Ms 136, 1899, par. 3–4+2 That blood showed reverence, faith in and dependence on the promised Redeemer, keeping both sin and the coming Redeemer in mind, and without it an offering had no value.1SP 54.1+1

Acceptance required bringing the offering with humble submission, belief, faith in the promised Redeemer and His merits, confession of sin and entire dependence on a power outside self, and acknowledgment of need of mercy and of being a lost sinner.PP 73.3–74.2+4 The acceptable comer comes as a sinner whose hope is unearned love, recognizing poverty and sin as the first condition of acceptance, submitting to appointed arrangements in belief and obedience, trusting the merits of the promised Saviour, acknowledging the blood of Jesus, dying to self and resting on God.PP 73.3–74.2+4 Without that faith no offering of man can be acceptable before heaven, and an offering lacking submission and obedience is offensive because the heart refuses to acknowledge need of a Redeemer.Ms 26a, 1892, par. 21–23+1

Cain disobeyed by bringing only fruit of the ground, his own produce, according to his own ideas and reasoning; he thought his own works perfect, resented keeping sin ever before the mind, would not be dependent for a lamb, and sought to have God come to his terms.Ms 136, 1899, par. 3–4+4 He reasoned that it made no difference whether he presented firstfruits of the ground or offered a lamb, held his own plans best as eldest and thought the younger should follow his example, found confession of entire dependence upon Christ and upon a power outside himself a torture to his high spirit, and judged expulsion from Eden harsh.SPBC 143.4–144.1+3 That course was dependence upon self and rejection of law, unbelief and rebellion rather than submission.RH Mar 3, 1874+1

Without that faith and blood no offering of man can be acceptable before heaven; even the best offering and mere world morality are worthless, and no system of religion avails when character is not transformed and profession is without works.Ms 26a, 1892, par. 21–23+3 The best that could be presented, strenuous efforts to carry out own designs, talking truth without living truth, complaint, strife and provocation, have no more merit than the rejected offering and give no rest.Ms 26a, 1892, par. 21–23+1 Apart from Christ nothing can be done correctly, and bringing an offering without the sacrificial blood of the atonement does not make it valuable.GW92 13.3–14.1+1

Acceptance was still open on the same terms, with no partiality, injustice, or arbitrary election of one brother to be accepted and the other rejected; God treated the elder fairly and the whole matter rested on choice between faith and obedience or unbelief and rebellion.PP 73.3–74.2+4 Rejection was caused by own sin and disobedience of express command and gave no ground for complaint, while doing what is right in love and reverence brings acceptance and blessing and righteous works are honored.PP 73.3–74.2+3 The warning left the choice with the man himself, to submit, believe and obey and enjoy favor, or to persist in transgression and remain unblessed.PP 73.3–74.2+1

To do not well leaves sin waiting at the door ready to master the disobedient.Ms 78, 1901, par. 3–11+1 When the warning is unheeded the tempter takes possession of the mind, the man's own will followed blends with the will of Satan, and Satan masters and controls the mind and judgment.Lt 71, 1896, par. 2–9 Doing the words spoken gives the devil no place, so that he shall not rule but the man shall rule over him.Lt 71, 1896, par. 2–9 The promise of acceptance remained open on obedience, and refusal to see disobedience as the cause of rejection, with argument, anger and jealousy over a brother's acceptance, opened the way to murder.Ms 78, 1901, par. 3–11+1

Thou shalt rule over him means power was given to master sinful desire.Ms 204, 1903, par. 34–36+1 That mastery comes by admitting error and correcting the wrong course.Ms 204, 1903, par. 34–36 It requires laying aside own plans, ceasing to hate the one whose obedience vindicates truth, ceasing to blame brother and God, and obeying in every particular.Ms 204, 1903, par. 34–36 Reproof is sent to the wrongdoer face to face before the deed, yet the one reproved may rise in anger against the messenger rather than reform and then turn against him.Lt 19a, 1897, par. 25–28

Becoming an instrument of unrighteousness is unforced.Ms 101, 1897, par. 9–11+3 Cain did not have to become unrighteous but could do well and be accepted, and his refusal to hear the voice set before him and his killing of his brother were his own choice and unforced course of action.Ms 101, 1897, par. 9–11+3 So each person by formed character prepares to fill a place for good or evil, for righteousness or unrighteousness, and in crisis at the right moment stands in that prepared place and acts that part in fulfillment of history.Ms 101, 1897, par. 9–11+1 Righteous and unrighteous, believers and unbelievers, thus fall into line as witnesses to confirm truth they do not comprehend and cooperate in accomplishing the great work and purpose, as Annas, Caiaphas, Pilate and Herod did.Ms 101, 1897, par. 9–11+1

Warning and remonstrance against a wicked course of rebellion are given instead of forcing obedience.Ms 77, 1897, par. 18–19 Though as Owner of man and Governor of the universe He could have compelled obedience or slain for perverse spirit and positive transgression of direction in the plan of sacrificial offering, compulsion is not used in religious service.Ms 77, 1897, par. 18–19 The hand is held out all the day long, delighting in mercy, willing to accept and be a God of love, peace and reconciliation, receiving all, welcoming all, rejecting none, making it glory to pardon the chief of sinners, taking the prey from the mighty, delivering the captive, plucking the brand from the burning, lowering the golden chain of mercy to the depths of wretchedness and guilt to lift the debased soul contaminated with sin, with the spotless wedding garment of righteousness prepared to clothe the sinner.ASCOP 27.2 Yet acceptance requires the human agent to come and cooperate by availing himself of given opportunities without delay, for no one is forced, mere conviction will not save, resolutions for some future time are never realized, and if the garment is refused he must perish after exhausting mercy and patience.ASCOP 27.2 Ministers favored with every spiritual advantage of clear, pure truth who turn from messages of mercy and love and protract rebellion while listening to the arch-deceiver illustrate this, with less and less conviction of sin, less inclination to resist temptation, and less power to break the spell.ASCOP 27.2

No reflection can therefore be cast on the holy law as defective and needing improvement, as Satan declares.Ms 43, 1900, par. 6+1 Every provision has been made for sinful man to overcome through faith in the promised Saviour.Ms 43, 1900, par. 6+1 The law is just what was seen to be for the good of the universe and for the good of mankind.Ms 43, 1900, par. 6+1 Indulging one known sin deadens the conscience so the next temptation is more easily yielded to, and sin pursued step by step hardens the heart from stage to stage regardless of consequences until it yields a harvest of crime, as seen in envy, jealousy, hatred and carnage until feelings were calloused with the spirit of Cain.ST Dec 18, 1879

The door where sin lies is the mouth.Ms 86, 1897, par. 36+2 Eating what suits perverted taste is sin lying at the door, weakening the digestive organs and injuring their power to assimilate the food that sustains life.Ms 86, 1897, par. 36+2 Putting many varieties into the stomach at once causes fermentation, bringing acute disease and frequently death.Ms 86, 1897, par. 36+1 Making the stomach do at one meal the work of two or three meals wears out its delicate machinery by suicidal practices of those who ought to know better.Ms 86, 1897, par. 36+1 Appetite must be brought under the control of reason, abstaining from fleshly lusts which war against the soul.20MR 8.3–4

Cain and Abel represent the two orders in humanity and the two principles of right and wrong developed in their history.Ms 57, 1896, par. 21+1 Abel was faithful and loyal to God, rooted and grounded in the truth, steadfastly adhering to the commandments including the Sabbath of creation as the sign between God and His people, and therefore was preferred and accepted.Ms 57, 1896, par. 21+2 Cain was disloyal, wishing his own ideas to prevail and thinking that as the eldest his methods and plans should have the supremacy, refusing obedience, supporting falsehood against truth, ranging on the side of the prince of darkness to do the will of Satan, showing contempt for the Sabbath, laboring to destroy God's work, and striving to oppress God's servants.Ms 57, 1896, par. 21+2 Abel protested against Cain's principles as disloyal and would not concede to his views or follow his example, and Cain became very angry that Abel would not concede and his anger burned so hot that he killed his brother.Ms 57, 1896, par. 21+2 The children chose opposite masters, with Cain placing himself under Satan's influence and choosing to serve Satan and becoming selfish instead of reflecting the moral image of his Creator, while Abel remained under God's influence and chose to serve God.Ms 55, 1902, par. 9–13 There are only two classes in the world and two parties that will exist till the close of this earth's history, the obedient keepers of God's holy law and the disobedient transgressors who do not respect it.Ms 136, 1899, par. 11+1

Doing well means being the obedient keeper of God's holy law, which brings safety and salvation and acceptance with truth asserting itself and opposers defeated, and the well-doer does not war against the transgressor of the law.Ms 136, 1899, par. 11+1 Not doing well means not respecting God's law, and those who do not respect it oppress and persecute their fellow men and follow their leader, who accuses God and those made perfect through obedience.Ms 136, 1899, par. 11 The wicked, inspired by Satan and filled with wrath when he cannot compel the obedient to disobey and sees his own worship refused, resorts to force and persecution while the righteous never forces obedience.Ms 136, 1899, par. 9–10 Cain, provoked because he could not triumph over his brother and filled with envy, jealousy, bitterness, malice and hate toward Abel whose righteous obedience condemned his sinful course and vindicated truth, slew Abel because Abel chose to obey God.Lt 100, 1895, par. 31–32+1 When men whose avarice, hypocrisy and ignorance are reproved by truth they cannot controvert, they become furious like Cain, and confronted by a noble, spotless character far higher than their own, they do not repent but become intent on putting the representative of all righteousness and goodness out of the way.Ms 51, 1897, par. 19–22

The same course of Cain is followed when men exalt their own judgment above God, ignore God's plain law, make it void, and bring an offering according to their own ideas that God never commanded.Lt 100, 1895, par. 31–32+1 This is especially the fourth commandment to keep the Sabbath as the memorial of creative power, which men make void and set aside while instituting a spurious sabbath on the first day, a common working day with no sanctity, in honor of the resurrection which God never required or commanded, calling it Christ's day and putting it as an idol where the Lord's day should be with the sacredness belonging to the Sabbath of the Lord, or while sweeping away the Ten Commandments entirely yet professing to honor Christ.Lt 100, 1895, par. 31–32+2 There are two religions, obedience and human invention, for Abel did well by complying with God's requirements and his offering was accepted, while Cain did not do well by following his own inventions and his offering was rejected.Lt 98, 1900, par. 9–17 The same Cain religion is repeated when churches dishonor God by accepting a spurious rest day in place of the seventh-day Sabbath, and then become angry at God's commandment-keeping people because they will not respect Sunday and because the whole world does not regard their spurious sabbath.Ms 163, 1897, par. 14–15+1 Opposition to God's way and will is the mark of false religion, and under Satan's working since the fall of Adam it bears the marks of oppression even to the taking of human life, as those who obey like Abel receive from the disobedient treatment like Abel received from Cain.Lt 100, 1895, par. 31–32+1

The condition of acceptance for doing well and warning of sin waiting if not doing well that was given to Cain was equally given to Saul.Lt 16, 1897, par. 12–14 Saul had all the promise Cain had, having been blessed, chosen, converted, made head over Israel, and taught by God through Samuel, yet he did not follow God's requirements but chose his own ideas, methods, and hereditary and cultivated tendencies instead of God's way and will.Lt 16, 1897, par. 12–14 Doing right secures acceptance and doing wrong exposes one to sin and further sin, as Cain would not come to God's plans and killed his brother Abel because Abel would not take his side against God, and as Saul proved an unsafe leader who could mislead Israel, justified his disobedience when reproved through Samuel, killed his brother in spirit by opposing Abel's loyalty, and was therefore passed by and replaced by David, whose anointing brought Saul's jealousy.Lt 16, 1897, par. 12–14

The same rebellious heart that rose up in Cain in rebellion against God actuated the builders on the plain of Shinar, who believed a supreme being had destroyed the antediluvian world yet rose up against Him instead of submitting.CE 208.2+2 The spirit that actuated Cain was hatred of purity that reproved his sins and refusal to renounce his evil ways, and that same spirit was kindling in Joseph's brothers when they envied his dreams of rulership, hated his purity that reproved their sins, and would not give up their evil conduct.PP 209.4–210.3 Joseph's brothers followed the course of indulging one known sin until conscience is deadened so the next temptation is more easily yielded to, pursuing sin step by step in envy, jealousy, hatred and carnage until their feelings were calloused and they had to all intents and purposes the spirit of Cain.ST Dec 18, 1879

Becoming an instrument of unrighteousness is unforced, for Cain did not have to become unrighteous but could do well and be accepted, yet he would not hear God's voice and as a result killed his brother.Ms 101, 1897, par. 9–11+2 In the same way each person by the character formed prepares to fill a place for good or evil, for righteousness or unrighteousness, and in a crisis at the right moment will stand in that prepared place and act that part in the fulfillment of history.Ms 101, 1897, par. 9–11+1 Righteous and unrighteous, believers and unbelievers fall into line as witnesses to confirm truth they do not comprehend and cooperate in accomplishing God's purposes, as Annas, Caiaphas, Pilate and Herod did, yet God carries out His great work and purpose through them even when men stand in opposition to righteousness.Ms 101, 1897, par. 9–11+1

God's plan in the school of obedience requiring the shedding of blood in sacrificial offerings taught salvation by the blood of Jesus Christ, with the shedding of blood symbolizing the blood of Christ to be shed for the world.1MR 131.5+1 Doing well meant bringing the sacrificial offerings pointing to Christ and accepting God's prepared ceremony, which Cain refused, refusing the blood that symbolized the blood of Christ, and Abel's death was the consequence of Cain's refusal.1MR 131.5+1 Christ was the foundation of the whole Jewish economy from that beginning, and Cain's test and the ceremony prepared by God began then its work as schoolmaster to bring sinful men and sinful human agents to consider Christ.1MR 131.5+1

Those who disregard the light shining around them and then ask for prayer to be sanctified and healed will not be accepted while they remain disobedient.Ms 86, 1897, par. 33+2 Acceptance depends on doing well by hearing and obeying warnings and instructions given through the Word and through messengers, and without that obedience sanctification of soul and body cannot be understood.Ms 86, 1897, par. 33+1 If they do well by listening to that voice and following directions they will be accepted, sanctified and healed, but if they do not do well sin remains at the door.20MR 7.2–8.2

Christ is continually drawing every person, and anyone who does not come is kept back by his own sin rather than by any failure to draw.Ms 9, 1891, par. 24–26 The remedy is to have Christ present every hour and every minute, to die to self with self crucified, to rest on God, and to be transformed in mind and character.Lt 107, 1903, par. 15–19+1 This requires asking what must be done to be saved and bringing faith in Christ with the offering, receiving sanctification and healing from the One who gave His life for a fallen world.Lt 107, 1903, par. 15–19 Without this, presenting even the best without faith is worthless, and strenuous efforts to carry out one's own designs, talking truth without living it, with complaint, strife and provocation against brethren, give no rest.Lt 107, 1903, par. 15–19

Sin lies at the door of ministers favored with every spiritual advantage of clear, pure truth who turn from messages of mercy and love and protract rebellion while still professing truth.ASCOP 27.2+1 Listening to the arch-deceiver leaves less and less conviction of sin, less inclination to resist temptation, and less power to break the spell.ASCOP 27.2+1 Mercy is held out all day long through Christ, delighting in mercy, receiving all, welcoming all, rejecting none, making it glory to pardon even the chief of sinners, taking prey from the mighty, delivering the captive, plucking the brand from the burning, lowering the golden chain of mercy to depths of wretchedness and guilt to lift the soul contaminated with sin.ASCOP 27.2 The spotless wedding garment of Christ's righteousness is prepared to clothe the sinner, but acceptance requires coming and cooperating without delay, for no one is forced, mere conviction does not save, resolutions for some future time are never realized, to exhaust mercy and patience is terrible, and refusal of the garment means perishing.ASCOP 27.2

The same word is spoken to every young man and young woman who show Cain-like passion when teachers and friends restrain a rebellious, unrighteous, unsanctified will and do not commend acting out promptings in direct opposition to requirements.Ms 77, 1897, par. 14–17 It applies also to those whose low, vile songs and profane, blasphemous language are offerings to Satan.Ms 77, 1897, par. 14–17 Sin lies at the door as present temptation waiting to enter, as with a youth who teaches smoking and recklessness of rules and corrupts companions by example.Lt 165, 1896, par. 6–8 In such case separation from corrupting companions may be necessary, and taxing physical work may close that door of temptation.Lt 165, 1896, par. 6–8 The duty when sin is at the door is not to move wildly or hastily but to go to God, rest the case with Him, and He will help.Lt 165, 1896, par. 6–8

Sin lies at the door of world-loving, selfish parents who have had great light, with fearful accountability resting upon them.Lt 57, 1895, par. 29 Their selfishness and love of the world cause truth to lose its hold upon the soul, the fine gold to become dim, and fanaticism and enthusiasm to take hold.Lt 57, 1895, par. 29 Sin lies at the door of parents when children meet powerful temptations and let go truth they know, placing guilt on the parent for neglecting parental duty.Ms 48, 1894, par. 15 A mother is given the work of educating and training the child from babyhood in nurture and admonition with daily patience and tender love, and if she neglects it and lets the child grow with wicked disposition and warped character the guilt of that neglect rests on her.Ms 91, 1893, par. 1 The same responsibility lies at the door of parents whose unhealthy food and example help make children disobedient and spiritually uninclined.2T 61.2

Sin lies at the door of those given opportunity to know truth who will not turn from own pleasure to obey, though the path is made plain and straight so none need err.Lt 162, 1900, par. 9 Staying impressed yet disobedient, they advance error instead of truth, dishonor the memorial, mislead others by deceptive teaching, and in willful transgression the blood of souls lost through them rests on their heads with its consequence to be felt.Lt 162, 1900, par. 9 Guilt likewise rests on stewards entrusted with responsibility who withhold sympathy and comfort, repulse every advance, believe the worst, and condemn wholesale instead of seeking to save one believed in great danger.Lt 71, 1895, par. 13 Such neglected duty proves unfitness to bear responsibilities of vital interest, endangers other souls left to perish without hope, stands registered in the book of heaven, and hangs as a weight.Lt 71, 1895, par. 13

The word rebukes idolatry and excuses for folly, forbidding joining light with darkness, Christ with Belial, purity with impurity, and good with evil.Lt 43, 1898, par. 16–18 Acceptance depends on doing well, and not doing well brings the sure penalty of transgression, loss of sensitiveness of conscience, and indifference to religious experience.Lt 43, 1898, par. 16–18 Retaining objectionable traits while failing to receive the blessing offered leaves sin close at hand even under profession of piety.STMW9 57.1–2

Because the Word is open to all, those who study it asking for wisdom become wise unto salvation, but those who turn from the Bible and from books making its truth plain take responsibility for their own course with sin confronting them.Lt 29, 1900, par. 17 There is need to know for oneself what voice is heeded, whether the true and living God or the great apostate, for eternal life depends on sound doctrine and refusing sayings that make void the law.Ms 59, 1899, par. 10–11 Cain was expressly commanded to present a slain lamb, listened to the claim that exact obedience was unnecessary, obeyed the deceiver rather than God, was not accepted while Abel's sacrifice was approved, and in anger slew his brother.Ms 59, 1899, par. 10–11

Envy stirred in the rejected against the accepted reproaches evil character, for the One who honors and accepts righteous works cannot bless evil works.PP 651.3 Envy is the offspring of pride, and if entertained leads to hatred and eventually to revenge and murder, displaying the adversary's character.PP 651.3 The Cain-spirit of hatred, especially when ideas and methods called truth are not accepted and appreciated, is next of kin to murder and must not be allowed to enter the heart.Ms 164, 1898, par. 4–5 It appears also as envy, mistrust and selfishness bound up with dependence on approval, shown in standing aloof, taking no part and staying away when approval is withheld, proving the heart not right and bringing ruin unless earnestly worked away from.Lt 37, 1879, par. 10 The remedy is to put trust in God, work free from selfishness with eye single to glory, closely investigate motives and feelings by the Word, cleanse the soul from envy, mistrust and selfishness, and let Christ abide within by faith as welcome guest, seen in pleasant words and actions, sweetness of temper, and freedom from angry passion, obstinacy, evil-surmising and hatred, provided through the gift of the only begotten Son for everlasting life to believers.Ms 164, 1898, par. 4–5+1 The same spirit cherishes bitterness against delegated ministers bearing the message, despises them, justifies self and encourages satanic attributes, and rejecting the message they bear is rejecting Christ the Giver.Lt 51a, 1895, par. 28

Sin lies at the door when one backslides long, grieves the Spirit, lets influence work against the right side, and does not make straight paths for the feet.Lt 53, 1892, par. 4 Yet even then God still wants him and is bent on reclaiming him for an unbroken family in heaven.Lt 53, 1892, par. 4 The hand is not shortened that it cannot save nor the ear heavy that it cannot hear, and calling upon God and seeking Him with the whole heart brings finding Him and impression to discern all things clearly.Lt 53, 1892, par. 4

God's word about offerings must be implicitly obeyed, with acceptance depending on doing well by keeping the way to do justice and judgment and bringing an offering that recognizes the Saviour.Ms 136, 1899, par. 9–10 Abel refused temptation and obeyed and was accepted, while Cain accepted temptation and in selfish, disobedient, unthankful spirit followed his own way without the Saviour and was refused.Ms 136, 1899, par. 9–10 The solemn shedding of the victim's blood typified future atonement, signified repentance, and pointed to a Redeemer to come, which the adversary watched with uneasiness, learned, and used to work upon Cain toward rebellion against the appointed offering.2RED 19.2 Two ways are thus set forth, the Lord's commanded way of the lamb whose blood represents Christ's blood, held by Abel who uplifted Christ as the Way, the Truth and the Life from Adam's day, and Cain's own rejected way, which he wanted his brother to follow.ST Jan 13, 1898 When Abel would not yield God's way for his brother's way, Cain murdered him for faithful adherence, and though dead Abel yet speaks.RH Jun 26, 1900+1 The wicked, inspired by wrath when unable to compel the obedient to disobey and seeing own worship refused, resorts to force and persecution, while the righteous never forces obedience.Ms 136, 1899, par. 9–10

Cain stands as a pattern opposite the divine likeness, formed by an unsanctified heart devoid of mercy, justice and love of God.Ms 2, 1902, par. 7–8 This warns against dealing with souls in a way not approved, failing to serve and glorify, and placing a wrong mold upon charges by acting as directors, judges and lawyers instead of as fathers.Ms 2, 1902, par. 7–8

From Abel's death two classes have continued with the same characteristics, those who keep the commandments and do righteousness though hated, and those who make void the law and hate and persecute the obedient.ST Nov 14, 1895 God tests character and blesses the loyal and obedient, as Abel did well, kept the commandment and was accepted, while Cain did not do well but hated and persecuted his brother unto death.ST Nov 14, 1895 Had all cooperated with expressed will and followed Abel's example there would have been no Cain-worshipers, for obedience brings safety and salvation.ST Oct 6, 1898

The appeal came when Cain was angry and downcast because Abel's offering was honored with no recognition for his own, while Abel reasoned that obedience in every particular brings honor and that God is just.Ms 204, 1903, par. 34–36+1 It promised acceptance on doing well by obeying direction as Abel did, warned of sin at the door if not, and called for admitting error, correcting the wrong course, mastering sinful desire, ceasing hatred of Abel for vindicating truth by obedience, and ceasing blame of Abel and God.Ms 204, 1903, par. 34–36 Cain was wroth because Abel reproved disregard of expressed requirements and Cain felt damaged, complained of partiality, argued about the offering, refused to see own disobedience as cause with no partiality shown, and turned against the messenger instead of reforming.Lt 19a, 1897, par. 25–28+2 Unchecked anger led to rising up and killing his brother in the field, though power to rule over sin had been given.Lt 19a, 1897, par. 25–28+1 If he had done well he as elder would have taken the lead and Abel as younger would have listened.1SP 55.3