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The Truth About Angels
He [Cain] was unwilling to strictly follow the plan of obedience,
and procure a lamb and offer it with the fruit of the ground. He merely
took of the fruit of the ground and disregarded the requirement of
God.... Abel advised his brother not to come before the Lord without
the blood of a sacrifice. Cain being the eldest, would not listen to his
brother....
Abel brought of the firstlings of his flock, and of the fat as God
had commanded; and in full faith of the Messiah to come, and with
humble reverence, he presented the offering. God had respect unto
his offering. A light flashes from heaven and consumes the offering
of Abel. Cain sees no manifestation that his is accepted. He is angry
with the Lord, and with his brother. God condescends to send an angel
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to Cain to converse with him.
The angel inquires of him the reason of his anger, and informs him
that if he does well, and follows the directions God has given, He will
accept him, and respect his offering. But if he will not humbly submit
to God’s arrangements, and believe and obey Him, He cannot accept
his offering. The angel tells Cain that it was no injustice on the part of
God, or partiality shown to Abel; but that it was on account of his own
sin, and disobedience of God’s express command, why He could not
respect his offering—and if he would do well he would be accepted
of God.... But even after being thus faithfully instructed, Cain did
not repent.... In his jealousy and hatred he contends with Abel, and
reproaches him.... While Abel justifies the plan of God, Cain becomes
enraged, and his anger increases and burns against Abel, until in his
rage he slays him.—
Spiritual Gifts 3:47-49
.
Adam and Angels Instructed Antediluvians
The advantages enjoyed by men of that age [pre-Flood] to gain a
knowledge of God through His works have never been equaled since.
And so far from being an era of religious darkness, that was an age of
great light. All the world had opportunity to receive instruction from
Adam, and those who feared the Lord had also Christ and angels for
their teachers.—
Patriarchs and Prophets, 83
.
Men lived nearly a thousand years in those days [before the
Flood], and angels visited them with instruction directly from Christ.—
Selected Messages 1:230
.
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