“Now Cain talked with Abel his brother; and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him” (Gen. 4:8).
Any time sin is committed, it takes the applying of the blood for the atonement or remission of sin according to the Word of God. It started in the Garden of Eden. When Adam and Eve sinned, God provided a covering by shedding the blood of an animal.
The word atonement actually means “to cover.” Cain knew his brother’s sacrifice was accepted. Cain simply rejected what God said. He decided the ground was good enough. But God’s way says it takes blood to make atonement for sin.
God had warned Cain that if he did not do well, sin was ready to overtake him. In verse nine, God approaches Cain after Cain had killed his brother.
Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?” And He [God] said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground.”
(Gen. 4:9-10)
Life is in the blood. Look at what Jesus said about Abel in Matthew chapter 23.
Therefore, indeed, I send you prophets, wise men, and scribes: some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues and persecute from city to city, that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah….
(Matt. 23:34-35)
Jesus called Abel righteous. He was made righteous because God recognized the blood as a righteous sacrifice.
This is the same law God gave to the Hebrews through Moses. The way they applied the blood under the old covenant was to physically kill an animal. The way we apply the blood of Jesus under the new covenant is by the words we speak. Our faith in the shed blood of Jesus and the Word of God is what’s required under the new covenant.
The sacrifice of Abel was better than Cain’s. Hebrews 11:4 says, “By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks.”
Abel was alive and remained alive through his blood. Under the new covenant we receive everlasting life and remain alive for all eternity through the blood of Jesus.
In Hebrews 12:24 it says, “To Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel.” The blood of Jesus is much more powerful than the blood of Abel or that of bulls and goats.
Under the new covenant, the blood of Jesus is the only thing that remits sin. Matthew 26:28 says, “For this is My blood of the new covenant which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”
Excerpt permission granted by Larry Ollison Ministries
Dr. Larry Ollison is founder and Senior Pastor of Walk on the Water Faith Church and founder of Larry Ollison Ministries. With over forty years in the ministry, he is a very popular speaker nationally and internationally and ministers the Word of Faith through radio, television, Internet, and daily e-mail devotionals. As the author of twelve books (including The Power of Grace, The Practical Handbook for Christian Living, Breaking the Cycle of Offense, Life is in the Blood, and recently released The Paradise of God), he is in frequent demand for radio/TV interviews, book signings, and magazine publications.
Dr. Ollison was raised a Southern Baptist. While majoring in theology at Southwest Baptist University, he received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. For many years he traveled extensively speaking at Full Gospel Business Men's meetings and conventions. He later earned an M.A. in Theology and a Ph.D. and Th.D. from Life Christian University.
Currently President of International Convention of Faith Ministries (ICFM), Dr. Ollison is also Vice-President of Spirit FM Christian Radio Network, Missouri State Director of Christians United for Israel (CUFI), and a Trustee on the boards of several international ministries. He is also the host of The Cutting Edge Radio Broadcast and authors The Cutting Edge Daily Devotional.
As the owner of a marine dealership, his extensive business background brings a unique flavor to his teaching. He founded and served as chairman of the Missouri State Marine Board, President of the Marine Dealers’ Association, Vice-President of a bank holding company, along with holding several directorships in various corporations.
Dr. Ollison's strongest areas of teaching are the blood of Jesus, faith, relationships, the Hebrew language, the Holy Spirit, the end times, and heaven. During ministry, he operates freely in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. His use of humor and his ability to make a theological concept simple makes it enjoyable and easy for everyone to understand. Countless testimonies have been received from people who say their lives have been changed after experiencing Dr. Ollison's unique ministry.
Dr. Ollison is a pastor, pilot, teacher, and author. His number one goal is to meet the needs of the people through the teaching of faith in God's Word. He and his wife, Loretta, have two children and six grandchildren.