2A12
© Jeff Stacey | Last updated: 22 September 2016
2A12. God’s warning to all people:
IF they did NOT obey God’s two basic requirements, THEN:-
(a) They would NOT receive God’s acceptance
(b) God’s Enemy would cause them to sin and bring them under his control
(c) God would continue to make Himself known TO them, but THROUGH them negatively by judgments
2A12(title) God’s warning to all people
In grace, God had made an amazing offer to Cain. IF he did “what is right” he would receive God’s acceptance Gen 4:7a. God also gave him a warning that there was a very grave risk involved IF he did NOT obey this basic requirement Gen 4:7b. This was fearfully pictured as sin personified: “sin is crouching at your door, it desires to have you”. That was clearly a reference to the sinister ongoing activities of God’s Enemy. He was stalking Cain like a prowling predator, to attack and overcome him spiritually.
In contrast to the innocence of his parents before the FALL, Cain was now being warned by God about the corrupt tactics and ruthless aims of His Enemy. God sternly commanded Cain that he must “rule over” sin.
It has already been shown that God’s CONDITIONAL offer of acceptance to Cain was made to all people [2A11(sub-title)]. So His warning and command also applied to all people.
2A12(sub-title) IF they did NOT obey God’s two basic requirements
God knew that there was no “half-way” commitment possible. He plainly told Cain that his battle with sin had to be won! IF NOT, then Cain or anyone would be knowingly rebelling against God.
2A12(a) THEN they would NOT receive God’s acceptance
This was the awful consequence of the FALL. All people were no longer acceptable to God. That could not be escaped except by God’s CONDITIONAL way, offered in grace.
2A12(b) THEN God’s Enemy would cause them to sin and bring them under his control
IF Cain or anyone did NOT obey God’s two basic requirements, God’s Enemy would cause them to sin. He would THEN “have” them! They would be under his control, as the evil architect of sin. Only God could then limit the extent of evil that they might commit!
2A12(c) THEN God would continue to make Himself known TO them, but THROUGH them negatively by judgments
Even IF people chose to live sinfully under the control of God’s Enemy, they would still not be beyond God’s interactions with them [2A4(sub-title)]. He would continue to express His own nature TO them. But IF they continued to ignore Him THEN He would bring His judgment upon them in various ways.
God would be experienced negatively by them. Yet His nature would still be expressed THROUGH them, but negatively. Their way of living and its consequences would demonstrate a direct opposite of God’s nature.
Arrow 2A11 -> 2A12
This arrow indicates the accountability and consequences for all people for how they used God’s generous gifts [2A9] and responded to His two basic requirements [2A10].