patriarchs and prophets-第15章
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faith in the promised Redeemer。 They were intended to impress upon the
fallen race the solemn truth that it was sin that caused death。 To Adam； the
offering of the first sacrifice was a most painful ceremony。 His hand must
be raised to take life； which only God could give。 It was the first time he
had ever witnessed death； and he knew that had he been obedient to God；
there would have been no death of man or beast。 As he slew the innocent
victim； he trembled at the thought that his sin must shed the blood of the
spotless Lamb of God。 This scene gave him a deeper and more vivid sense of
the greatness of his transgression； which nothing but the death of God's
dear Son could expiate。 And he marveled at the infinite goodness that would
give such a ransom to save the guilty。 A star of hope illumined the dark and
terrible future and relieved it of its utter desolation。
But the plan of redemption had a yet broader and deeper purpose than the
salvation of man。 It was not for this alone that Christ came to the earth；
it was not merely that the inhabitants of this little world might regard the
law of God as it should be regarded； but it was to vindicate the character
of God before the universe。 To this result of His great sacrificeits
influence upon the intelligences of other worlds； as well as upon manthe
Saviour looked forward when just before His crucifixion He said： 〃Now is the
judgment of this world： now shall the prince of this world be cast out。 And
I； if I be lifted up from the earth； will draw all unto
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Me。〃 John 12：31； 32。 The act of Christ in dying for the salvation of man
would not only make heaven accessible to men； but before all the universe it
would justify God and His Son in their dealing with the rebellion of Satan。
It would establish the perpetuity of the law of God and would reveal the
nature and the results of sin。
From the first the great controversy had been upon the law of God。 Satan had
sought to prove that God was unjust； that His law was faulty； and that the
good of the universe required it to be changed。 In attacking the law he
aimed to overthrow the authority of its Author。 In the controversy it was to
be shown whether the divine statutes were defective and subject to change；
or perfect and immutable。
When Satan was thrust out of heaven； he determined to make the earth his
kingdom。 When he tempted and overcame Adam and Eve； he thought that he had
gained possession of this world； 〃because；〃 said he； 〃they have chosen me as
their ruler。〃 He claimed that it was impossible that forgiveness should be
granted to the sinner； and therefore the fallen race were his rightful
subjects； and the world was his。 But God gave His own dear Son one equal
with Himselfto bear the penalty of transgression； and thus He provided a
way by which they might be restored to His favor； and brought back to their
Eden home。 Christ undertook to redeem man and to rescue the world from the
grasp of Satan。 The great controversy begun in heaven was to be decided in
the very world； on the very same field； that Satan claimed as his。
It was the marvel of all the universe that Christ should humble Himself to
save fallen man。 That He who had passed from star to star； from world to
world； superintending all； by His providence supplying the needs of every
order of being in His vast creationthat He should consent to leave His
glory and take upon Himself human nature； was a mystery which the sinless
intelligences of other worlds desired to understand。 When Christ came to our
world in the form of humanity； all were intensely interested in following
Him as He traversed； step by step； the bloodstained path from the manger to
Calvary。 Heaven marked the insult and mockery that He received； and knew
that it was at Satan's instigation。 They marked the work of counteragencies
going forward； Satan constantly pressing darkness； sorrow； and suffering
upon the race； and Christ counteracting it。 They watched the battle between
light and darkness as it waxed stronger。 And as Christ
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in His expiring agony upon the cross cried out； 〃It is finished〃 （John
19：30）； a shout of triumph rang through every world and through heaven
itself。 The great contest that had been so long in progress in this world
was now decided； and Christ was conqueror。 His death had answered the
question whether the Father and the Son had sufficient love for man to
exercise self…denial and a spirit of sacrifice。 Satan had revealed his true
character as a liar and a murderer。 It was seen that the very same spirit
with which he had ruled the children of men who were under his power； he
would have manifested if permitted to control the intelligences of heaven。
With one voice the loyal universe united in extolling the divine
administration。
If the law could be changed； man might have been saved without the sacrifice
of Christ； but the fact that it was necessary for Christ to give His life
for the fallen race； proves that the law of God will not release the sinner
from its claims upon him。 It is demonstrated that the wages of sin is death。
When Christ died； the destruction of Satan was made certain。 But if the law
was abolished at the cross； as many claim； then the agony and death of God's
dear Son were endured only to give to Satan just what he asked； then the
prince of evil triumphed； his charges against the divine government were
sustained。 The very fact that Christ bore the penalty of man's transgression
is a mighty argument to all created intelligences that the law is
changeless； that God is righteous； merciful； and self…denying； and that
infinite justice and mercy unite in the administration of His government。
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Chapter 5
Cain and Abel Tested
Cain and Abel； the sons of Adam； differed widely in character。 Abel had a
spirit of loyalty to God； he saw justice and mercy in the Creator's dealings
with the fallen race； and gratefully accepted the hope of redemption。 But
Cain cherished feelings of rebellion； and murmured against God because of
the curse pronounced upon the earth and upon the human race for Adam's sin。
He permitted his mind to run in the same channel that led to Satan's
fallindulging the desire for self…exaltation and questioning the divine
justice and authority。
These brothers were tested； as Adam had been tested before them； to prove
whether they would believe and obey the word of God。 They were acquainted
with the provision made for the salvation of man； and understood the system
of offerings which God had ordained。 They knew that in these offerings they
were to express faith in the Saviour whom the offerings typified； and at the
same time to acknowledge their total dependence on Him for pardon； and they
knew that by thus conforming to the divine plan for their redemption； they
were giving proof of their obedience to the will of God。 Without the
shedding of blood there could be no remission of sin； and they were to show
their faith in the blood of Christ as the promised atonement by offering the
firstlings of the flock in sacrifice。 Besides this； the first fruits of the
earth were to be presented before the Lord as a thank offering。
The two brothers erected their altars alike； and each brought an offering。
Abel presented a sacrifice from the flock； in accordance with the Lord's
directions。 〃And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering。〃 Fire
flashed from heaven and consumed the sacrifice。 But Cain； disregarding the
Lord's direct and explicit command； presented only an offering of fruit。
There was no token from heaven to show that it was accepted。 Abel pleaded
with his
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brother to approach God in the divinely prescribed way； but his entreaties
only made Cain the more determined to follow his own will。 As the eldest； he
felt above being admonished by his brother； and despised his counsel。
Cain came before God with murmuring and infidelity in his heart in regard to
the promised sacrifice and the necessity of the sacrificial o
