September 20, 2007

Dear World News and Prophecy Subscriber,

In two days I will be very hungry and very thirsty. I may be a bit lightheaded and physically weakened. But when the sun goes down and the Day of Atonement ends for another year, I will have deepened my appreciation for the spiritually reconciling work of Jesus Christ for all humanity. I will also know we have made another step toward the time when God will end all evil and suffering.

You may have noticed it on your calendars as Yom Kippur. Perhaps newscasts will mention it as well. And you may think it is just a Jewish observance that has nothing to do with you. Much to the contrary, this is a highly significant day in the plan of God for all humankind.

The Day of Atonement shows us there will be a time when evil will no longer walk on the earth, no longer leaving behind its wake of sorrow and unspeakable tragedy. When this time comes, the creation will be unshackled and experience an exhilarating freedom unlike anything we've known. Gone will be fear and anger and greed. Mankind will be able to clearly see the world through a different lens. Emotional and spiritual healing will begin to wash away the accumulation of human nature that has been a part of the human condition for millennia. Truly, the creation will begin to build a structure of peace.

The existence of evil has been a persistent challenge to religion and philosophy. People have always asked, "Why does evil exist?" Every time a mass murder occurs or the horror of terrorism, war or genocide intrudes on our minds, we ask, "Where is God?" and "Why does suffering occur?" No one has come up with a better answer than that revealed in your Bible.

There we see the existence of a powerful spirit being called Satan the devil. Once known as Lucifer, a powerful cherub at the very throne of God, this angel defied the will of God and rebelled, taking a third of the angels with him. Throughout the Scriptures we see his work in constant opposition to God's plan. At the time of Christ's human birth, we see him marshaling the forces of the Roman Empire in a preemptive strike to destroy Jesus as a child. Throughout Christ's ministry He made constant reference to Satan's existence and presence in the affairs of the world. Satan was a very real being to Jesus.

Christ's death set the stage for the final triumph over Satan. We see in Revelation 20 that Christ's second coming will be followed almost immediately by the devil being bound by one of God's angels: "He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished" (verses 2-3).

The Day of Atonement pictures this event in advance. When we observe this annual Holy Day of God, we are focused on Christ's present role as our high priest making intercession for us before the Father's throne. By fasting as God instructs (going without food or drink), we are reminded of our physical limitations to resist Satan's influence without God's Spirit. We understand Satan's real presence in today's world, and we know the day will come when his destructive influence in human affairs will be removed.

The Day of Atonement represents a crucial step in God's plan to restore the peace of His Kingdom to this world. This knowledge makes the hunger and thirst I experience worthwhile. It is a small price for the spiritual understanding given through this observance.

You can read more about the Day of Atonement in this Good News article and in our booklet, God's Holy Day Plan: The Promise of Hope for All Mankind. Read these and determine to observe these days in worship of the true God.

Middle East Trip

My next letter to you will be Oct. 11. In a few days I will begin a two-week trip to Jordan and Israel. I will be with a United Church of God group that is observing the Feast of Tabernacles in Jordan and touring Israel afterward. While there I will be keeping my online blog, Longitude, updated with daily entries. I encourage you to keep up with my trip there along with the commentary and insights of this fascinating region.

Keep watching,