At Christ’s return the people of the earth will not be humble and willing to learn... they will be be angry and defiant. That needs to change If He is to create a joy filled world ruled in peace. But it won't change while the driving force behind their way of thinking is still functioning.

The governments, societies, religions, economies, sports of earth are still under the authority of Satan until he is removed.

Christ's return begins a transfer of power and authority. Satan is the god or spiritual force over this world… he has this only at the pleasure of God, and only for an allotted time. When it ends God has decreed that all power and authority be given to the son of man… Jesus Christ.

This transfer of power is not the result of a long struggle between competing powers [God vs. Satan]. This transfer of power is a scheduled event. That matter has already been decided by God.

[example of new pres – elected November 2… but president Obama will still be in office until it is officially turned over January 20th]

God Has Given Us His Agenda

The 7 annual holy days reveal how this change of leadership comes to pass.

The biblical festivals of the spring season give teach us about the preparations God is making for that time of change. Over a long period of time before Christ's return a pioneer group is drawn out of humanity. Through God’s Church, Christ prepares, and train this group to join Him. They will work together with Christ as He rules the nations of the earth.

The biblical festivals of the fall season teach us about God’s future plans for establishing righteous rule and government on earth, and bringing salvation to all humanity… even those who long ago lived and died in darkness. Those who never had access to God’s word of truth… and understanding about the purpose and everlasting future of human life.

Today is one of the biblical festivals of the fall season. Its called the day of Atonement. It teaches us about some necessary changes that need to be addressed... after Christ has returned [as celebrated in the previous festival of this season Trumpets]… yet before Christ establishes the rule of God on earth [which will be celebrated in the next festival of the fall season, Tabernacles].

We Need A Change of Leadership

During His first coming to earth, His life in the flesh demonstrated His worthiness to rule.

1. He submitted and obeyed the Father
2. He lived a life of perfect humility
3. He gave His life to pay the debt you owed. His sacrifice for you is the supreme representation of His humility, obedience, and love

Christ's rule will reflect this character and He will take over as the ruler of all things physical and spiritual on earth. The previous administration will be swept away and replaced. Only then will the violence, corruption, and competition we see now… be replaced with the way of peace and cooperation.

Christ will not rule alone

Christ’s government will extend over all the nations and peoples of the earth. He will also have some who rule with Him and assist. Most people would assume this would be angels… but it is not to angels that God has subjected the world to come. Christ will be assisted by the spirit born children of God… those who are drawn out of all nations and people and cultures, who are committed, and who are trained to take up positions of leadership under Him.

That life training mirrors Christ’s life… submit yourself to God, obey Him, and practice humility Mark 10:42-45.

We Train For Leadership By Learning Humility

Humanity is filled with pomp, pride, and self-importance… because humanity is deceived [They don’t know it and won’t admit it but they are anyway]… they are spiritually drunk with false religious teachings…. they will not obey God and He has separated Himself from them.

Satan actively deceives and blinds the minds of humanity. He leads them down a pathway of self-importance, arrogance, and love of themselves. Satan must be removed before the world can even begin to change.

But you are not deceived… instead, you have been drawn out by God to develop the mind of Christ. Mind that is guided by humility. Philippians 2:3-8, Colossians 3:12-13

All humanity will have to learn humility… either willingly or unwillingly. Without that change of thinking they will never be able to have a positive relationship with God. Proverbs 16:5, James 4:4-10

The GOOD NEWS is that you CAN begin to humble yourself before God NOW! Instead of waiting for that future time when He will MAKE it happen – 1 Peter 5:5-7, Luke 14:7-11

Why Fast on The Day of Atonement?

Fasting on the Day of Atonement is a vivid reminder of the state of mind you need to have if you are to rule with Christ at that pivotal time in human history. The mind of one called to serve with Christ must be like His:

• One of humility
• Godly sorrow
• Hunger and thirst for righteousness

Other Atonement Instructions

Lev 23:28-32 The Day of Atonement has an extensive listing of instructions for observance. Some of these we carry forward into the NC and some we do not.

• Sacred assembly [no work] – still practiced
• Fasting – still practiced
• Leviticus 16 provides the functions of the High Priest who make sacrifices and cleanses the tabernacle. These elements of the DOA are obsolete and have been replaced by the sacrifice and high priesthood of Jesus Christ.
• The goat in the wilderness – not practiced, we have no earthly High Priest to perform this

Today the Church of God practices only the two ordinances that were not limited to the priesthood… ALL gathered for the assembly… ALL fasted. These two practices have not been replaced through the work of Christ and the changes to the law that were enacted as a result of the new covenant Acts 27:9. Note: we do extensively discuss the cleansing of the temple and the goat which is cast out because they are prophecies of events yet to come.

Leviticus 23:32 To afflict yourself through fasting means to deny yourself food and water… for a 1 day period from sunset to sunset. This year the fast begins at sunset 10/11/16 at sunset and ends Wednesday 10/12/16 at sunset.

• Exceptions [those who don't fast]:
• Babies do not fast… so don’t force them too
• Nursing mothers may be able to fast but may very likely need to keep up their strength
• Children are not expected to fast (although they often want to join you and everyone else in this way). Parents might want to start teaching children about fasting with a shorter duration like a half day to start and work them up as they get older
• People who need to take medication
• Diabetics (may be able to fast for a shorter duration but should carefully monitor themselves and not do anything to endanger their health)

Fasting is a spiritual exercise for developing humility… the mindset of a Godly leader… the mindset that will replace the proud, vain, greedy, arrogant way of the previous administration [Satan et al]. Your practice of fasting is not limited to the day of Atonement only. It is an important part of our spiritual growth. Most examples of fasting in scripture are not related to the Day of Atonement.

Resisting Satan

1 John 2:16 Satan accomplishes his work in humans through the desires of the flesh… our desires for self-preservation and pleasure. When fasting you deny yourself the basics necessities of food and water… you are denying your flesh what it desires. Fasting is both:

• a symbolic act of removing his influence from our lives
• a real exercise in exerting control over our desires and appetites

Ezra 8:21 fasting helps develop a way of thinking… an attitude of humility which must replace the attitude of pride... just as Christ's rule must replace Satan's.

Matthew 5:5-6 the earth and the future will not given over to the proud, arrogant, or oppressors. The earth, the world of tomorrow will be given to those who are meek and humble...who's hunger and thirst is not for food and drink but for righteousness.

With the backdrop to the fall Holy Days in mind, lets end with Zephaniah 3:6-13 During Christ’s rule all people will be taught the way of humility, cooperation, and peace. I expect the same goal will apply to those who arise in the general resurrection. It makes sense… God is not going to offer eternal life to those that are proud.