Humble Yourself Today: Day of Atonement

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]

A Change of Leadership

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

1. The spring Holy days outline the 1^st harvest. Over a long period of time before Christ's return a preliminary group is called, prepared, and trained to join Him. to work together with Him as He rules the nations of the earth.
2. The fall Holy days outline God’s plan for bringing salvation to all humanity… even those who long ago lived and died in darkness.
3. The 5^th annual Holy Day prophesies the deposing of Satan. The next necessary step after the events of Trumpets [the 4^th Holy day].

Jesus Christ [the new ruler] has demonstrated His worthiness to rule.

• He submitted and obeyed the Father
• He lived perfect humility
• His sacrificial death was the supreme representation of these qualities

Christ's rule will reflect this character. The violence, corruption, and competition we see now… will 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 called, committed, 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.

Everyone Must Learn Humility At Some Point

Our world is filled with pomp, pride, and self importance… because they are 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 and are cut off from God.

Satan the one who blinds the minds of humanity must be (and will be) removed [hurled into the bottomless pit and locked up] before the world can even begin to change. But you are not deceived… instead you are called by Him to develop the mind of Christ Philippians 2:3-8, Colossians 3:12-13

All humanity will be humbled 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]:

1. Babies do not fast… so don’t force them too
2. Nursing mothers may be able to fast but may very likely need to keep up their strength
3. Children are not expected to fast (although they often want to join you and every one 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
4. People who need to take medication
5. 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 what are proud.