WEBVTT 00:00:01.120 --> 00:00:04.240 Welcome to the program Study in the Chapel. 00:00:04.559 --> 00:00:07.599 God's Word is supreme at Chapel Ministries. 00:00:07.839 --> 00:00:12.400 We consider it absolutely essential to a proper relationship with God. 00:00:12.800 --> 00:00:17.760 We study it, we love it, we rely on it every minute of every day. 00:00:18.000 --> 00:00:22.800 The following program is an edited recording of the regular Bible studies we hold. 00:00:23.120 --> 00:00:33.920 And we decided to share these with you in the hope that you too will be able to find inspiration, encouragement, and ultimately salvation through discovering Christ in Scripture. 00:00:34.399 --> 00:00:37.600 Our intention is to travel all the way through the Bible. 00:00:37.759 --> 00:00:42.719 It will be a challenging journey, but one that will undoubtedly bring you to a decision. 00:00:43.039 --> 00:00:48.240 Through this study, you will be faced with either believing or rejecting what God has said to us. 00:00:48.479 --> 00:00:54.399 It is our intention to provide you with enough knowledge to make an informed decision about God and his word. 00:00:54.960 --> 00:01:04.879 We strongly encourage you to listen intently and diligently, because though at the moment you may not realize it, these things are truly a matter of life and death. 00:01:05.120 --> 00:01:09.359 In fact, these are matters of eternal life and eternal death. 00:01:09.680 --> 00:01:11.599 Never treat what God has said lightly. 00:01:11.760 --> 00:01:14.400 There's truly nothing more important to you. 00:01:14.640 --> 00:01:19.040 Now join us as we seek God's will through his inspired word. 00:01:19.599 --> 00:01:27.680 Last time we were together, we just got started talking about the sacrifices Cain and Abel brought before the Lord. 00:01:27.840 --> 00:01:32.079 We spent most of that time discussing what Cain offered. 00:01:32.319 --> 00:01:39.200 So this week let's expand our discussion by talking about Abel, Genesis 4:3. 00:01:39.760 --> 00:01:47.760 And in the process of time, it came to pass that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord. 00:01:47.920 --> 00:01:49.439 We might come back to that. 00:01:49.760 --> 00:01:50.879 Verse 4. 00:01:51.200 --> 00:01:58.239 And Abel he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. 00:01:58.480 --> 00:02:02.560 And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering. 00:02:02.719 --> 00:02:06.640 I want to start by talking about this word firstling. 00:02:07.200 --> 00:02:11.919 A firstling is the firstborn of a female animal. 00:02:12.080 --> 00:02:13.280 It sounds like that. 00:02:13.360 --> 00:02:14.719 It's exactly what it is. 00:02:14.879 --> 00:02:16.479 The word is firstling. 00:02:16.639 --> 00:02:21.759 It is the firstborn of any female animal. 00:02:21.919 --> 00:02:29.599 The word firstling, listen to me, applies to every mammal species, including man. 00:02:29.919 --> 00:02:37.520 Now I'm saying that to prepare you for the enormity and broad nature of this topic. 00:02:37.680 --> 00:02:48.800 Now, let me tell you, if you study the Old Testament long enough, you're going to come to the conclusion that birth order means a lot to God. 00:02:49.199 --> 00:02:54.080 And you know, it's just that sort of thing that turns people off. 00:02:54.479 --> 00:02:59.280 They think it's downright unfair for God to be particular. 00:03:00.159 --> 00:03:06.319 It's funny, don't you think, how often people discuss fairness when it comes to God. 00:03:06.479 --> 00:03:13.840 They think God is unjust because he actually chooses and categorizes. 00:03:14.319 --> 00:03:20.159 Well, if you're one of those that feel that way, I'm about to make it a little worse for you. 00:03:20.400 --> 00:03:21.840 Listen closely. 00:03:22.319 --> 00:03:29.280 God in his word actually lays claim to the firstborn of everything. 00:03:29.599 --> 00:03:35.199 In other words, the firstborn always belongs to God. 00:03:35.439 --> 00:03:40.080 The firstlings are his, all of them, without exception. 00:03:40.560 --> 00:03:49.919 Yes, of course, everything belongs to God from the start, but he allows us to use most of it, but not the firstborn. 00:03:50.000 --> 00:03:57.840 And let me be clear, and this is why I made sure to fully explain what a firstling was. 00:03:58.479 --> 00:04:05.360 This requirement of the firstborn includes humans, not just livestock. 00:04:05.599 --> 00:04:07.360 So let me say it again. 00:04:07.680 --> 00:04:14.400 God's word clearly lays out his claim to the firstborn of everything. 00:04:14.560 --> 00:04:22.160 And I mean everything, including the firstborn in every human family among his people. 00:04:22.639 --> 00:04:24.720 Wait a minute, no way, that cannot be. 00:04:24.879 --> 00:04:27.040 There's no way that's true. 00:04:27.439 --> 00:04:29.920 Exodus 13, 1 and 2. 00:04:30.240 --> 00:04:38.720 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Sanctify unto me all the sanctify means dedicate. 00:04:38.959 --> 00:04:42.079 Dedicate unto me all the firstborn. 00:04:42.560 --> 00:04:52.000 Whatsoever openeth the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and of beast, it is mine. 00:04:52.240 --> 00:04:54.319 There's no way around that. 00:04:54.720 --> 00:04:59.759 Now we're not going to go too deeply, but I have a couple of comments. 00:05:00.000 --> 00:05:06.160 First of all, if you get only one thing from this section, let it be this. 00:05:07.120 --> 00:05:12.240 God will never accept anything less than the best. 00:05:12.800 --> 00:05:17.360 Let me put a very important modification on this statement. 00:05:17.680 --> 00:05:22.079 God will never accept anything less than your best. 00:05:23.279 --> 00:05:33.680 Never ever try to give God a portion that is in some way, in any way inferior to what you keep for yourself. 00:05:34.160 --> 00:05:36.399 Now, here's the ironic thing. 00:05:36.639 --> 00:05:40.079 This ironic thing makes this sting a little more. 00:05:40.639 --> 00:05:42.879 You see, God doesn't need anything. 00:05:43.040 --> 00:05:44.560 That's the ironic thing. 00:05:44.800 --> 00:05:49.199 He demands from you the best, but he doesn't need it. 00:05:49.600 --> 00:06:01.360 No matter what you give him, it will add nothing to what he already has, which is, let me repeat, a truth-filled irony. 00:06:02.160 --> 00:06:07.360 An irony so intense it must mean something. 00:06:08.000 --> 00:06:10.240 And this is an important point. 00:06:11.279 --> 00:06:20.800 God is not demanding your best because it will somehow improve his position or increase his happiness. 00:06:21.360 --> 00:06:25.839 As someone once said, God to be God has no needs. 00:06:32.560 --> 00:06:33.600 Listen to me. 00:06:34.240 --> 00:06:44.800 God wants your best because it puts you into a position that will demonstrate your character and attitude. 00:06:44.959 --> 00:06:46.399 Let me say that again. 00:06:47.360 --> 00:06:56.959 God demands your best because it will force you into showing him who you actually are. 00:06:58.160 --> 00:07:03.439 You see, giving up your best will always cost you. 00:07:03.920 --> 00:07:09.199 In other words, God only demands what's valuable to you. 00:07:10.160 --> 00:07:17.600 When the collection plate goes by, don't give the three dollars that you got as change for your coffee. 00:07:18.399 --> 00:07:21.920 God wants you to give till it hurts. 00:07:22.560 --> 00:07:27.680 Because giving is a reflection of who you are. 00:07:28.240 --> 00:07:32.800 The value of, listen, this is not me petitioning you to give to me. 00:07:32.879 --> 00:07:34.879 I don't care where you give your money to. 00:07:35.040 --> 00:07:35.839 I really don't. 00:07:36.000 --> 00:07:37.279 We don't need it. 00:07:37.600 --> 00:07:39.360 But you should be giving. 00:07:39.680 --> 00:07:42.000 You should always be giving. 00:07:42.959 --> 00:07:53.279 The value of your sacrifices is directly proportional to your understanding of your place in God's hierarchy. 00:07:53.519 --> 00:08:02.319 It reflects how you feel about God, it reflects how you feel about you in reflection of God. 00:08:02.560 --> 00:08:06.399 Where do you find yourself in God's kingdom? 00:08:07.120 --> 00:08:11.199 So, what does this have to do with Abel's offering? 00:08:11.759 --> 00:08:18.000 Well, first of all, I want you to see that God is unchanging. 00:08:18.560 --> 00:08:26.720 Some think that the first time God ever required the firstling was way over in Exodus, the one I read to you. 00:08:26.959 --> 00:08:27.759 Not so. 00:08:28.079 --> 00:08:30.639 That's just when it got written down. 00:08:31.120 --> 00:08:39.519 The firstling, the firstborn, we can tell from Genesis chapter 4, was always God's requirement. 00:08:39.679 --> 00:08:48.159 As far as we know, this was the very first offering brought before the Lord, and it included a firstling. 00:08:48.559 --> 00:08:57.120 The one sacrifice that God respected was the firstling, which tells us that's what he wanted. 00:08:57.440 --> 00:09:04.320 God has always expected the firstling in his offerings, the ones that come to him. 00:09:04.720 --> 00:09:11.600 We know that because in this, the very first of all offerings, a firstling was respected. 00:09:11.759 --> 00:09:14.080 That's God's requirement. 00:09:14.399 --> 00:09:21.679 Way before it was codified in the law, we know it existed because chapter 4 tells us that. 00:09:22.000 --> 00:09:25.600 And with this, I'm going to make my first point. 00:09:26.080 --> 00:09:32.879 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. 00:09:33.039 --> 00:09:35.279 That means the best parts. 00:09:35.840 --> 00:09:39.679 Abel brought the best parts of the sacrifices. 00:09:39.840 --> 00:09:48.159 Whenever you hear the word fat spoken of in the Bible, it's the richness, it's the finest part of that animal. 00:09:48.399 --> 00:09:52.960 We may be avoiding fat, not all of us are, but we avoid fat. 00:09:53.120 --> 00:09:54.080 We think it's bad. 00:09:54.159 --> 00:10:00.720 But in the Bible, fat is good because it's the best part of the animal. 00:10:01.919 --> 00:10:09.919 Abel brought of the firstling and of the fat thereof, and the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offerings. 00:10:10.720 --> 00:10:16.320 Do you want to know why God had respect unto Abel and to his offerings? 00:10:16.399 --> 00:10:17.519 It's right here. 00:10:17.759 --> 00:10:21.440 I'm not sure why there's any controversy on this. 00:10:21.840 --> 00:10:26.000 Abel brought the firstling and the fat thereof. 00:10:26.480 --> 00:10:29.600 This offering was valuable to Abel. 00:10:29.759 --> 00:10:32.960 This was a costly sacrifice. 00:10:33.360 --> 00:10:36.639 The giving of this firstling hurt. 00:10:37.120 --> 00:10:38.720 It stung Abel. 00:10:39.200 --> 00:10:43.039 It no doubt set him back a bit. 00:10:43.360 --> 00:10:49.679 But such was Abel's view of God, and God knew it because he saw what Abel did. 00:10:50.000 --> 00:10:54.960 Abel saw God as worthy of nothing less than his best. 00:10:55.600 --> 00:11:06.559 Abel wasn't just going to take off some box and God some trinket like we like to do, go through the motions and then get right back to work. 00:11:06.639 --> 00:11:08.960 That wasn't what Abel was going to do. 00:11:09.279 --> 00:11:13.039 Abel's offering was worship. 00:11:13.600 --> 00:11:15.120 You know what the word worship? 00:11:15.200 --> 00:11:17.600 It's a contraction, worship. 00:11:17.759 --> 00:11:24.000 When you're bringing worship, when you're worshiping God, you're showing that he's worth your actions. 00:11:24.240 --> 00:11:25.679 It's the worship. 00:11:25.919 --> 00:11:31.039 When Abel brought that offering, he said, God, you're worth my best. 00:11:31.600 --> 00:11:33.919 If I could bring more, I would. 00:11:35.919 --> 00:11:41.360 His offering spoke of the heart of Abel toward God. 00:11:41.759 --> 00:11:48.799 It showed that this second son of Adam was keenly aware of who God was. 00:11:49.360 --> 00:11:51.200 But that's not all, by the way. 00:11:51.360 --> 00:11:54.559 That's not the only reason why God had respect. 00:11:54.720 --> 00:11:56.159 There's much more to this. 00:11:56.399 --> 00:11:59.600 In fact, this part may be even more important. 00:12:00.240 --> 00:12:03.519 Let me read out of Hebrews chapter 11, verse 4. 00:12:03.600 --> 00:12:05.279 It talks about Abel here. 00:12:05.600 --> 00:12:07.039 Hebrews 11 and 4. 00:12:07.279 --> 00:12:26.879 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which, listen to this, you want this spoken of you, by which he obtained witness, by which Abel obtained witness that he was righteous. 00:12:27.200 --> 00:12:30.720 God testifying of his gifts. 00:12:31.519 --> 00:12:47.679 Not only did this offering demonstrate Abel's high regard, respect, esteem, favor of God, but we're told in Hebrews chapter 11, verse 4, it also showed Abel's faith. 00:12:48.000 --> 00:12:52.480 You cannot get away from that word in God's book. 00:12:52.960 --> 00:12:55.600 That word faith is all over the place. 00:12:55.759 --> 00:12:57.759 It is so important to God. 00:12:58.159 --> 00:12:59.600 God put it in his word. 00:12:59.840 --> 00:13:04.879 Not only was that a great sacrifice, but it was a sacrifice brought of faith. 00:13:05.039 --> 00:13:06.720 Don't miss this. 00:13:07.360 --> 00:13:17.120 When Abel offered that firstling, he was putting on display for God and for everyone else that he had faith. 00:13:19.039 --> 00:13:26.320 How you may ask, how does this offering of the firstling show forth Abel's faith? 00:13:27.279 --> 00:13:31.440 Well, in part, it goes back to the firstling business. 00:13:31.679 --> 00:13:40.720 First of all, let me remind you that I said that the firstborn is required because it is a thing of value. 00:13:40.879 --> 00:13:44.559 Now, I'm a city guy, but even I can figure this one out. 00:13:45.759 --> 00:13:54.080 When someone buys cattle, you know, cows, sheep, I guess horses are cattle, I don't know. 00:13:54.240 --> 00:14:01.840 Whatever you do, whatever cattle you buy, you do so not just because they are pretty to look at. 00:14:02.000 --> 00:14:05.519 You're not picking up a few pets for the kids. 00:14:05.919 --> 00:14:10.000 You're investing in livestock, livestock. 00:14:10.240 --> 00:14:14.480 You're investing in livestock so you can make money. 00:14:14.639 --> 00:14:18.320 It's your business, it's your livelihood. 00:14:19.039 --> 00:14:29.519 Well, you'll never make a profit as a shepherd or a rancher until and unless your initial investment grows. 00:14:29.759 --> 00:14:32.720 That's pretty much how all business works. 00:14:32.879 --> 00:14:35.360 I mean, it's finance 101. 00:14:35.759 --> 00:14:44.240 In any sort of commerce, you dump money into something hoping that money will make you more money. 00:14:44.399 --> 00:14:48.159 In livestock, that's why you don't buy just one. 00:14:48.399 --> 00:14:50.960 You have to buy two at least. 00:14:51.279 --> 00:14:53.200 And not just any two. 00:14:53.360 --> 00:15:02.879 One has to be male and one has to be female, because that's the only way you're going to be able to survive being a herdsman. 00:15:03.440 --> 00:15:17.840 Well, as time goes on, anyone who's in that business will sweat bullets and strain crossed finger ligaments until that first cow baby or sheep baby arrives. 00:15:18.080 --> 00:15:23.919 Until that happens, you have no idea if your investment is going to pay off. 00:15:24.480 --> 00:15:32.240 That's why that firstling is so important, not only practically, but psychologically. 00:15:32.720 --> 00:15:43.360 The first member of that flock or herd or whatever that's born to you is a sign that this just might work out. 00:15:43.840 --> 00:15:52.799 You're happy to see that first baby cow, probably not enjoying watching it be born, but you're glad it's being born. 00:15:53.759 --> 00:15:57.279 That first cow means something to you. 00:15:58.480 --> 00:16:00.000 And it's that one. 00:16:00.559 --> 00:16:04.799 That very one that God demands from you. 00:16:05.600 --> 00:16:10.399 And the only way you're listen to me, this is very important. 00:16:12.080 --> 00:16:23.679 The only way you're going to be obedient in the giving of that firstling is if you trust that God is going to take care of you. 00:16:23.840 --> 00:16:30.799 Because once you give up that first one, you have no idea what's going to happen next. 00:16:31.759 --> 00:16:41.120 But when you do so, anyways, with that possibility hanging over your head, that's a sign of faith. 00:16:43.600 --> 00:16:47.360 You know, people talk all the time about leaning on God. 00:16:47.519 --> 00:16:48.639 I lean on God. 00:16:48.799 --> 00:16:50.960 I I my hope is in the Lord. 00:16:51.120 --> 00:16:53.039 Jesus, you are my rock. 00:16:53.279 --> 00:16:53.919 Is he? 00:16:56.480 --> 00:17:01.840 What have you done to demonstrate that you really do trust him? 00:17:02.240 --> 00:17:10.799 Now I'm not I'm not suggesting you go out and buy two sheep or two goats and show God that you love him when the first one comes along. 00:17:10.880 --> 00:17:13.039 We don't do it that way anymore, by the way. 00:17:13.279 --> 00:17:15.279 That's not what we do things. 00:17:15.440 --> 00:17:18.559 But that that doesn't mean God doesn't expect your best. 00:17:18.880 --> 00:17:25.920 That doesn't mean that God doesn't expect that you trust him and that your offerings will show that you trust him. 00:17:28.319 --> 00:17:33.599 When you give when it hurts, that means you trust God. 00:17:33.920 --> 00:17:37.680 Yes, that has been abused in the church for thousands of years. 00:17:37.920 --> 00:17:40.960 I will agree, but that doesn't mean we throw it out. 00:17:42.240 --> 00:17:48.880 You go to God in prayer and say, God, I don't know how to do this, but I trust that you'll show me. 00:17:50.480 --> 00:17:54.400 What you do for God must show that you trust him. 00:17:55.200 --> 00:17:57.519 That's really what he wants. 00:17:59.759 --> 00:18:08.640 But even all of that doesn't really fully explain God's reaction to Cain, does it? 00:18:08.960 --> 00:18:17.359 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect, and Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. 00:18:17.519 --> 00:18:24.000 And the Lord said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth, and why is thy countenance fallen? 00:18:24.640 --> 00:18:25.599 Verse 7. 00:18:25.759 --> 00:18:28.160 We're going to talk about verse 7 next week. 00:18:28.319 --> 00:18:42.160 If thou doest well shalt thou not be accepted, and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door, and unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule, have thou shalt rule over him. 00:18:42.319 --> 00:18:46.160 The details we'll cover next week, but you understand what's going on. 00:18:46.799 --> 00:18:49.839 God is upset with Cain for some reason. 00:18:50.000 --> 00:18:56.240 And I'm going to say it for the one millionth time here in our study of the book of Genesis. 00:18:56.559 --> 00:19:00.480 It just seems like something's missing, doesn't it? 00:19:01.279 --> 00:19:07.920 All we can really say at this point is that Cain did something wrong. 00:19:08.240 --> 00:19:12.960 God in essence said, Cain, there's no reason for the attitude. 00:19:13.200 --> 00:19:14.640 You know the rules. 00:19:14.880 --> 00:19:18.960 Do what's expected of you, and you won't have any problems. 00:19:19.119 --> 00:19:30.079 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted, and after thest not well, sin lieth at the door, and unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him. 00:19:30.400 --> 00:19:37.599 The frustration is that we don't know what precisely was not done well. 00:19:37.839 --> 00:19:47.119 And unlike Abel's story, the rest of Scripture isn't very explicit as to what Cain did wrong. 00:19:47.359 --> 00:20:00.480 There are passages about what Abel did right, but the passages about Cain can only just reiterate that God was unhappy with him. 00:20:00.640 --> 00:20:02.960 No details, no specifics. 00:20:03.119 --> 00:20:10.319 In fact, he's only mentioned a couple of more times throughout the rest of the Bible. 00:20:10.480 --> 00:20:13.839 And as I said, it's never in a very good light. 00:20:15.200 --> 00:20:18.799 No one seems to have anything good to say about him. 00:20:19.039 --> 00:20:19.920 And you know what? 00:20:20.079 --> 00:20:32.960 We can really tell if that is because of, we can't really tell if that's because of his failure in the offering or because of the fact that he was the world's first murderer. 00:20:33.119 --> 00:20:37.839 Both of those are pretty bad, but we're never really told which one it is. 00:20:38.480 --> 00:20:41.359 Well, let's just read the references we do have. 00:20:41.440 --> 00:20:44.799 We'll start with 1 John 3:12. 00:20:45.200 --> 00:20:55.359 Not as Cain, he's mentioned there, not as Cain, who was of that wicked one and slew his brother, and wherefore slew he him? 00:20:55.759 --> 00:21:00.000 Because his own works were evil and his brothers righteous. 00:21:00.160 --> 00:21:01.920 Not terribly specific. 00:21:02.400 --> 00:21:05.039 The word wicked is used. 00:21:05.519 --> 00:21:09.519 John tells us that Cain's works were evil. 00:21:09.759 --> 00:21:13.359 Again, is that a reference to the offering? 00:21:13.599 --> 00:21:17.680 Or is it simply a general statement about the guy? 00:21:17.839 --> 00:21:19.759 We can't say for sure. 00:21:20.160 --> 00:21:26.480 How about this passage in Jude's letter, verse 11 of the only chapter in the book? 00:21:26.559 --> 00:21:29.440 There's only one chapter, verse 11, Jude. 00:21:29.759 --> 00:21:41.920 Woe unto them, for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the heir of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gain saying of Kor. 00:21:42.240 --> 00:21:48.799 Almost nothing to go on here, but Jude does, Jude does talk about greed. 00:21:49.039 --> 00:21:54.240 It's just that we don't know if Cain was greedy or the them. 00:21:54.559 --> 00:21:59.359 That is the topic of the verse, sufficiently vague for us to say. 00:22:00.079 --> 00:22:01.519 We can't be sure. 00:22:01.759 --> 00:22:09.200 As I said, scripture is not very specific as to why Cain is not well regarded. 00:22:09.359 --> 00:22:15.119 There isn't much here with respect to Cain's failure in the offering. 00:22:15.440 --> 00:22:35.279 But in the light of what God is saying throughout the entirety of the rest of the Bible, I think we can safely determine, despite a lack of detailed evidence, why God rejected Cain's offering and had respect unto Abel's. 00:22:35.440 --> 00:22:37.920 Well, why didn't God just come out and tell us? 00:22:38.799 --> 00:22:48.799 I don't really know, except that so much of Scripture is put to us in a way that you can call mysterious. 00:22:48.960 --> 00:22:56.480 Remember when we were in the letter to the Ephesians, Paul brought up this idea of mystery several times. 00:22:56.640 --> 00:23:00.880 Well, I think we have something that's mysterious here as well for a reason. 00:23:01.200 --> 00:23:04.400 God wants to know if this is important to you. 00:23:04.640 --> 00:23:13.200 If this is important to you, he's laid it out through the rest of his book, and you demonstrate that it's important to you by finding these things out. 00:23:13.359 --> 00:23:14.240 That's what I think. 00:23:14.400 --> 00:23:23.119 We can't use direct evidence, but there are plenty of facts from which we can make a determination if we try. 00:23:23.359 --> 00:23:25.759 It all points to the same thing. 00:23:26.079 --> 00:23:32.559 Abel's sacrifice was so honored of God because it spoke of God's son. 00:23:33.039 --> 00:23:37.359 This brings us all the way back to the beginning of this section. 00:23:37.680 --> 00:23:51.839 Remember, last time, a few weeks ago, I opened this particular discussion, this so far two-part discussion, with what might have seemed like an out-of-place statement. 00:23:52.400 --> 00:24:08.079 I said in that previous statement that every prophecy in Scripture actually has two applications: the immediate, sometimes referred to as the local, and the far-off. 00:24:08.319 --> 00:24:23.839 And what's important for you to understand and listen to me, is that every far-off application of every prophecy in Scripture relates ultimately to only one thing: redemption. 00:24:24.559 --> 00:24:36.079 Every far-off application of every prophecy in the Bible relates either directly or indirectly to our Lord Jesus. 00:24:36.240 --> 00:24:37.759 That is a fact. 00:24:38.720 --> 00:24:40.319 Let me quickly explain. 00:24:40.480 --> 00:24:54.960 The immediate or local application refers to the actual situation the prophet is addressing, the current event that God is speaking about to the people through the prophet. 00:24:55.359 --> 00:25:05.440 By way of a very quick example, Balaam, while in the employ of the Moabite, Moabites were the enemies of Israel at the time. 00:25:05.680 --> 00:25:11.519 Balaam was a prophet while in the employ of the Moabite King Balak. 00:25:12.079 --> 00:25:23.200 Balaam prophesied of the eventual arrival of a powerful king who would destroy all of Israel's enemies, including the Moabites. 00:25:23.440 --> 00:25:36.319 Now, the local situation, the immediate situation was Balaam's inability to place a curse on Israel for Balak the king's purposes. 00:25:36.559 --> 00:25:37.759 He couldn't do that. 00:25:37.920 --> 00:25:39.839 That's the local situation. 00:25:40.160 --> 00:25:44.400 The king of Moab was angry that we'll eventually talk about this. 00:25:44.480 --> 00:25:46.000 I think it's in numbers. 00:25:46.240 --> 00:25:53.519 The king of Moab was angry that Balaam would not eliminate Israel as he was paid to do. 00:25:53.759 --> 00:25:56.319 Balak paid Balaam to do this. 00:25:56.480 --> 00:26:13.359 But Balaam told Balak, the prophet Balaam told the king Balak, even if he wanted to, he couldn't destroy the people because God had laid out many blessings for them, including a mighty, soon-to-come king. 00:26:13.519 --> 00:26:18.720 That's what Balaam the prophet told Balak in his prophecy. 00:26:18.960 --> 00:26:25.680 So that is an example of a prophecy with a local or immediate application. 00:26:25.839 --> 00:26:30.000 Now, hang with me because we're getting somewhere with this. 00:26:30.960 --> 00:26:40.160 So in addition to the immediate application of the prophecies of the Bible, there's also the far-off application. 00:26:40.319 --> 00:26:42.480 Let me say the, let me say it again. 00:26:42.640 --> 00:26:48.400 The far-off application is always the true purpose of the prophecy. 00:26:48.640 --> 00:27:02.880 Any prophecy that's in the Bible is there to tell us about Jesus, and Jesus is always the far-off application in one way or another, directly or indirectly, of all prophecy. 00:27:03.119 --> 00:27:11.759 So the true meaning of all prophecies in the Bible have something to do with that redemption the Lord will bring. 00:27:12.079 --> 00:27:22.240 The local situation only ever serves as a type or a shadow or a setting or a background of only one thing. 00:27:22.480 --> 00:27:27.759 The prophecies always relate in one way or another, directly or indirectly. 00:27:27.920 --> 00:27:32.960 I know I'm repeating myself of the redemption of fallen mankind. 00:27:33.119 --> 00:27:39.119 If you can understand that, then you understand the entire Bible. 00:27:39.680 --> 00:27:41.200 There's only one story. 00:27:41.359 --> 00:27:44.720 There is only one story in Scripture, and his name is Jesus. 00:27:44.960 --> 00:27:46.799 It is his story. 00:27:49.680 --> 00:27:53.519 We've been saying this throughout our studies of Scripture. 00:27:53.599 --> 00:28:01.680 And if you're studying Scripture with somebody else and they're not telling you that, they're trying to tell you that the prophecies mean anything other than that. 00:28:01.839 --> 00:28:06.240 Even if they tell you, well, these are the prophecies that will tell you about Israel. 00:28:06.400 --> 00:28:06.960 Wrong. 00:28:07.200 --> 00:28:08.559 That is one step. 00:28:08.720 --> 00:28:10.720 The next step is Christ. 00:28:11.279 --> 00:28:14.400 Israel has a place in God's plan. 00:28:14.640 --> 00:28:22.400 Israel has a place in the future in God's plan, but that place relates to Christ one way or another. 00:28:22.559 --> 00:28:27.519 If you're not being told that in scripture, in your scriptural studies, you should leave. 00:28:27.680 --> 00:28:28.799 Seriously. 00:28:29.839 --> 00:28:30.559 I'm lost. 00:28:30.720 --> 00:28:37.279 Okay, the whole of the Bible has but one message, one theme: the reconciliation of God and man. 00:28:37.440 --> 00:28:42.240 So all prophecies also have a far-off meaning. 00:28:42.400 --> 00:28:48.000 And in the future, sometime past the local situation application. 00:28:48.160 --> 00:28:50.559 Let's stick with our current example. 00:28:50.880 --> 00:29:00.160 Of course, when Balaam was prophesying about the coming king, the true application was the one off in the future. 00:29:00.400 --> 00:29:04.480 And it refers to none other than King Jesus himself. 00:29:04.640 --> 00:29:11.279 I really do wish we could talk more about this, but we're still trying to get through the story of Cain and Abel. 00:29:12.079 --> 00:29:21.279 Okay, John, now that now that you mention it, what in the world does any of this have to do with the respected offering of Abel? 00:29:21.839 --> 00:29:24.559 I think most of you know by now. 00:29:25.039 --> 00:29:32.799 Abel's bloody firstling offering was the perfect type and shadow of Christ, our sacrifice. 00:29:33.119 --> 00:29:41.599 When Christ was sacrificed, when Christ was our offering, if anything could hurt God, that did. 00:29:42.400 --> 00:29:45.200 That was God's only beloved. 00:29:45.759 --> 00:29:51.119 That was a sacrifice of immeasurable value to God. 00:29:51.759 --> 00:30:02.319 Now, those of you that are parents, just imagine what it would be like if you had to give up the one thing you love more in the world and your children. 00:30:03.359 --> 00:30:05.920 That's what God did for you. 00:30:08.319 --> 00:30:13.519 The one and truly only sufficient sacrifice for us all. 00:30:14.400 --> 00:30:24.319 God's instructions to those boys, Cain and Abel, and frankly, everyone who was to bring a sacrifice was explicit. 00:30:24.559 --> 00:30:46.000 They were to bring a perfect animal, not a really nice cabbage or a delicious, like no other bunch of carrots, a bushel of plump tomatoes, a prize-winning pumpkin, nor a heap of peaches off the tree will ever get God's respect as an adequate offering. 00:30:46.160 --> 00:30:48.240 In fact, he'll never even notice. 00:30:49.279 --> 00:30:51.440 It doesn't mean anything to him. 00:30:51.920 --> 00:31:01.440 Listen, friend, you may be impressed with what you lay at God's feet, but if it isn't what he called for, you may as well do nothing. 00:31:01.920 --> 00:31:04.799 Disobedience is disobedience. 00:31:04.960 --> 00:31:08.240 He's not impressed with what impresses us. 00:31:08.559 --> 00:31:10.160 So don't be disappointed. 00:31:10.319 --> 00:31:14.240 Don't let your countenance fall when God rebukes you. 00:31:14.400 --> 00:31:20.880 As he said to Cain, it applies as much to you and me as it did to Adam's firstborn. 00:31:21.119 --> 00:31:26.240 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? 00:31:26.640 --> 00:31:31.039 Listen, God doesn't have time to dilly-dally with our feelings. 00:31:31.359 --> 00:31:35.119 Do as you're told, and you'll get God's favor. 00:31:35.200 --> 00:31:39.519 And you're going to get God's favor because you'll fall in line with his plan. 00:31:39.680 --> 00:31:41.279 That's really all that matters. 00:31:41.519 --> 00:31:42.720 You don't matter. 00:31:43.039 --> 00:31:46.960 You are in God's favor when you are in his plan. 00:31:47.119 --> 00:31:53.839 In this case, the sacrifice, the offering God required was to be in blood. 00:31:55.119 --> 00:32:04.000 Because that would sufficiently tell the story of our Lord's off in the future work on Calvary. 00:32:04.240 --> 00:32:07.920 Sin is the theme of the Bible, whether you like it or not. 00:32:08.079 --> 00:32:12.319 It's not your happiness, it's not about getting all your prayers answered. 00:32:12.400 --> 00:32:18.480 Listen, if you're an evangelist and you're approaching people, and I've seen these on billboards. 00:32:18.720 --> 00:32:21.920 If you want to be happy, call Jesus. 00:32:22.640 --> 00:32:25.759 You know, the answer to all your problems is Jesus. 00:32:25.839 --> 00:32:28.960 And why do you think we have so much failure in the church? 00:32:29.200 --> 00:32:32.400 Because people are going for selfish reasons. 00:32:32.720 --> 00:32:35.839 That's not what this is what got Cain in trouble. 00:32:36.000 --> 00:32:37.680 This is the way of Cain. 00:32:37.920 --> 00:32:43.279 He wanted some kind of recognition from God that he was a great guy. 00:32:43.519 --> 00:32:45.680 He went to God for the wrong reason. 00:32:45.920 --> 00:32:47.920 Abel went to God for God. 00:32:48.240 --> 00:32:50.559 Cain went to God for Cain. 00:32:52.160 --> 00:33:01.920 If you're going to get saved or you want to approach the altar and give your life to Christ so you can be happier, don't even try. 00:33:02.319 --> 00:33:07.279 In that day, they will say, Lord, Lord, and I will say, I'll have nothing to do with you. 00:33:07.440 --> 00:33:08.640 I never knew you. 00:33:09.039 --> 00:33:20.000 If you think that it's your happiness that you're giving your life for, if you think that's what it's all about, then you don't know God at all. 00:33:22.960 --> 00:33:27.920 It's not about getting your prayers answered, it's about erasing your sin. 00:33:28.559 --> 00:33:32.480 And so everything that's shared in the Bible centers on that. 00:33:32.640 --> 00:33:37.200 Romans 6.23 lays it out in cold, stark terms. 00:33:37.519 --> 00:33:40.400 For the wages of sin is death. 00:33:40.720 --> 00:33:45.680 Again, clearly, God doesn't have time to make nice nice with you. 00:33:45.920 --> 00:33:50.559 He has a people to redeem, and he's going to be direct. 00:33:51.839 --> 00:33:53.599 Death is the penalty. 00:33:53.839 --> 00:33:55.759 Death is the cost of sin. 00:33:56.000 --> 00:33:59.440 And only a bloody sacrifice will make that obvious. 00:33:59.599 --> 00:34:09.760 The person that helped to bring you to the Lord, the person that picked you out of the crowd when you raised your hand and you said you wanted to be saved, did he tell you about death? 00:34:10.960 --> 00:34:13.280 Did he tell you about the bloody sacrifice? 00:34:13.440 --> 00:34:15.199 Because that's what it's all about. 00:34:16.320 --> 00:34:16.960 Why? 00:34:17.920 --> 00:34:23.679 Leviticus 17, 11, for the life of the flesh is in the blood. 00:34:24.320 --> 00:34:26.639 And this is God speaking. 00:34:26.960 --> 00:34:37.360 And I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls, for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul. 00:34:37.519 --> 00:34:39.039 You know what an atonement is? 00:34:39.360 --> 00:34:41.760 An atonement is a covering. 00:34:42.320 --> 00:34:46.000 The blood of Christ covers our sins. 00:34:48.559 --> 00:35:00.239 Though a thousand theories are offered, the reason why Cain's sacrifice wasn't accepted was due to this one simple reason there was no blood. 00:35:01.519 --> 00:35:08.000 Without the blood, the story of the forgiveness of sin doesn't get told. 00:35:08.400 --> 00:35:13.119 Cain missed the mark, and God had to set him straight. 00:35:17.440 --> 00:35:21.360 As good a place as any to stop, I suppose. 00:35:21.679 --> 00:35:25.599 Listen, we're not quite done here, so we'll come back to this next time. 00:35:25.760 --> 00:35:26.639 See you then. 00:35:29.599 --> 00:35:31.840 We hope this study has blessed you. 00:35:32.079 --> 00:35:42.000 God's word is a great treasure, and it's our belief that a thorough, purposeful study of it will bring all of God's children to an understanding of his eternal plan of redemption. 00:35:42.559 --> 00:35:45.760 It is our prayer that this will be so for all of our listeners. 00:35:46.000 --> 00:35:47.840 Please join us again soon. 00:35:48.159 --> 00:35:52.559 New content is being added all the time, so make sure you check back often. 00:35:53.039 --> 00:36:03.760 For more information on Chapel Ministries, including our YouTube channel and podcasts, please visit www.chapelonthew.com. 00:36:04.320 --> 00:36:11.519 And if God has laid it upon your heart to share materially with us, we encourage you to follow the links to our secure giving page. 00:36:11.760 --> 00:36:20.400 Please note, Chapel Ministries is not an IRS-registered nonprofit organization, and your donations to this program are not 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