Second things In the beginning mankind fell and became sinful. From the beginning God has declared what would, and would not make us acceptable to receive the eternal inheritance. Eve gave birth to 2 children, Cain and Abel. Cain was born first and toiled to produce an offering for God that was rejected. Abel was the second born and he offered God, what was given to him, by God. Abel抯 sacrifice was received by God and this angered the firstborn to slay Abel. Abel ultimately gave himself as an offering to God. Abraham also had 2 children. Ishmael the one born first was born by natural means. Isaac the second born, was born supernaturally from a promise. Ishmael believed the inheritance belonged to Him and persecuted Isaac. This angered Sarah and she told Abraham to cast them out. As you read the story told by the Spirit of Truth the only child God acknowledged, was Isaac. Isaac抯 wife Rebekah also had 2 children. God declared to Rebekah that these 2 children represented 2 nations. Esau the one born first sold his birthright for some food. Jacob the one born second received the inheritance. I believe God is trying to reveal something to us. In all three situations the one born first was rejected and the one born second was accepted by God. Jesus is the answer to these stories John 3:3-5 In reply Jesus declared, I tell you the truth,no one can see the kingdom of Godunless he is born again.How can a man be born when he is old? Nicodemus asked. Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mothers womb to be born! Jesus answered, I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.Flesh gives birth to flesh,but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. John 1:12,13 Yet toall who received Him, to those who believed in His name,He gave the right to become the children of God:children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husbands will, but born of God. We must experience a second birth. The second birth receives the eternal inheritance, the first birth loses their inheritance. 1 Corinthians 15:46,47 However, the spiritualis not first,but the natural, and afterward thespiritual.The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord from heaven. God declares through the Apostle Paul that natural or earthly things are manifested first. What comes second are the spiritual or heavenly things. The second, are the eternal unseen things that we have been promised by God. Cain born first represents physical descendants of Abraham, and Abel born second represents, born again, Spiritual Jews. Romans 2:28,29 A man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly, nor is circumcisionmerely outward and physical.No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision iscircumcision of the heart, by the Spirit,not by the written code.Such a mans praise is not from men, but from God. Genesis 4:2-5 Later she gave birth to his brother Abel. Now Abel kept flocks, andCainworkedthe soil. In the course of time Cain brought some of thefruits of the soilas an offering to the LORD.But Abel brought fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The LORD looked with favor onAbel and his offering,but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast. Cain attempted to please God by his earthly works. Abel抯 offering was his faith in a slain lamb. Jesus declares that the non -believing natural descendants of Abraham even though they were born first, were represented by Cain in the story of the beginning. Jesus proclaims the life of the second or heavenly born children to be righteous. Matthew 23:35 And so upon you will come all the righteous blood that has been shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel, to the blood of Zechariah son of Berekiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar.
Posted on: Sat, 02 Aug 2014 07:25:40 +0000
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015