The Reestablishment of God’s Authority on Earth
to replace the ones which were made of fig leaves, He showed man that his attempts to justify himself were considered by Him as filthy rags (Isa. 64:6). God would only be pleased if man covered himself with God’s own righteousness. We may say that Abel’s offering was according to the principle established by God. He offered something that was pleasant to the Lord, for there was the shedding of blood (Heb. 9:22). When Cain saw that Abel was accepted by God while he was rejected by Him, his heart was invaded by anger. The same happens to those who do not walk in the Spirit. When they see someone doing something better than them, they become possessed with envy, dissatisfaction, jealousy, and hatred. God created man to receive Him as life. However, after eating the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, another nature—a nature that is independent of God— began to rule his soul. At first, before the corruption of the soul, it manifested its good side by being willing to serve God. However, after being rebuked it began to change and the death that was in it began to rule, causing Cain to kill his brother. Today, some people try to please God according to the principle of good and evil, remaining in the realm of the soul, comparing their works with the works of others and being jealous and angry against those who receive God’s blessing. Instead of doing the will of God, they try to destroy those who go in the way of Abel, whose person and work are accepted by God. The way of Cain must be a warning to us (Jude 11). Let us not remain in the realm of our reasoning, on what 17