Article by John LaBissoniere
The Day of Atonement portrays the beginning of God’s “extreme makeover” when a repentant humanity will be fully reconciled to God and the devil’s destructive, rebellious influence will be terminated.
Several years ago the “Extreme Makeover” reality television series was highly popular with viewers in many countries. Each weekly episode featured participants who volunteered to undergo renovations in various aspects of their lives such as in weight loss, wardrobes, hairstyling, plastic surgery, etc. The most widely-watched series was “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” where less-fortunate families were given the opportunity to have their houses refurbished by local building contractors.
While these programs generated significant viewer interest, did you know that the Eternal Creator will implement an “extreme makeover” for the entirety of human civilization? What will God’s renovation effort be like and when will it occur? To examine it, let’s first explore an example. If you have ever experienced or witnessed a total kitchen-remodeling project, you know that the first step is to completely remove all the old materials and fixtures. This includes the flooring, wall-coverings, plumbing, tile, cabinets, windows and even the appliances. All of these must be taken away before new supplies and equipment can be installed.
Similarly, in God’s future extreme makeover, He will completely eliminate all negative influences and ungodly lifestyles before society can be renewed and human beings reconciled to Him (Romans 5:10; 2 Corinthians 5:20). This step in God’s restoration plan is described in the fifth of His seven annual Holy Days—the Day of Atonement (You can read much more here: God’s Holy Day Plan: The Promise of Hope for All Mankind ).
The end of Satan’s influence is coming
The Day of Atonement pictures the removal of the primary cause of sin, which is Satan the devil. Sin, which is disobedience of God’s law of love, is the foundation of every painful and disastrous effect in your life and the lives of all people (Romans 13:10 ; 1 John 3:4). Jesus Christ stated plainly that Satan introduced lawlessness and rebellion into the world (John 8:44). While human nature plays a big role in sin, Satan bears enormous responsibility for influencing people to ignore and disobey God (Ephesians 2:1-2; Revelation 12:9). Until this malicious instigator of wickedness, immorality and violence is completely removed, human beings will continue sinning and suffering its consequences (Isaiah 59:2; Romans 5:12).
The Day of Atonement therefore portrays the coming time when the devil’s venomous influence on humanity and His corrupt ways will be entirely eliminated (Revelation 20:1-3). This will take place shortly after Jesus Christ’s second coming when He instructs an angel to cast the devil “into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled” (Revelation 20:2). After that singular event, God’s remodeling project moves into what might be called the “installation phase” when Jesus begins His long-awaited reign as Sovereign over the Kingdom of God on earth (Revelation 19:16). This is symbolized by the next of God’s annual Holy Days, the Feast of Tabernacles (Deuteronomy 16:13).
God’s plan for an extreme makeover
Without Satan inciting conflict, distress and misery, what will the world be like when this next stage of God’s extreme makeover is launched? The result will be such awesome peace and genuine contentment that it will fill and enlighten the hearts and minds of all people everywhere (Isaiah 9:7; Psalms 119:165). Warfare and terrorism will be utterly abolished (Psalms 46:9-10; Micah 4:3). “Violence shall no longer be heard in your land, neither wasting nor destruction within your borders” (Isaiah 60:18). Peace and harmony will not only be the way of life for every person but it will also rule throughout the animal world. “The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them” (Isaiah 11:6).
Parents will be freed from any anxiety by knowing that their children are safe wherever they are. “The nursing child shall play by the cobra’s hole, and the weaned child shall put his hand in the viper’s den. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain” (Isaiah 11:9).
Deserts and former wastelands will be green and beautiful as rainfall reaches them regularly and in the exact amount needed (Leviticus 26:4). “The wilderness and the dry land will be glad. The desert will rejoice and blossom like a rose” (Isaiah 35:1, World English Bible). Jesus Christ will give families their very own land to nurture, cultivate and enjoy. “Everyone shall sit under his vine and under his fig tree, and no one shall make them afraid; for the mouth of the Lord of hosts has spoken” (Micah 4:4).
Farms and gardens will thrive unlike anytime in past ages. “‘The time will come,’ says the Lord, ‘when the grain and grapes will grow faster than they can be harvested. Then the terraced vineyards on the hills of Israel will drip with sweet wine’” (Amos 9:13, New Living Translation).
Christ will provide spiritual and moral instruction
Besides caring for people’s physical needs, God will grant each person repentance and the wonderful gift of His Holy Spirit so they can truly know Him, willingly obey His laws and care deeply for others (Acts 11:18; Jeremiah 31:33; Ezekiel 36:27). Also, Jesus Christ will provide everyone the true knowledge of His compassionate, giving way of life (Isaiah 2:3). “For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea” (Isaiah 11:9). Indeed, Christ will provide every person vital spiritual and moral guidance and instruction so they can live joyfully.
Assisting Him in this foremost task will be His resurrected, faithful and wise sons and daughters who have been made immortal (2 Corinthians 6:18; Revelation 5:10). They will carefully guide each individual in God’s serving and caring lifestyle—the foundation of which is the Ten Commandments (Deuteronomy 10:4; Isaiah 30:21).
The world without Satan will be utterly different and completely better than any previous time in human history. The Day of Atonement portrays the beginning of God’s “extreme makeover” when a repentant humanity will be fully reconciled to God and the devil’s destructive, rebellious influence will be terminated (Jude 1:13).
Then as the Feast of Tabernacles pictures, Jesus Christ as King will institute the next phase of the restoration of human society through education in God’s remarkably fulfilling and happy way of life. What a marvelous time that will be! As that awesome period approaches, let us prepare diligently for a new, exciting and wonderful God-designed society—a world without Satan!
Reprinted with permission. Published by United Church of God, an International Association, P.O. Box 541027, Cincinnati, OH 45254-1027. © 2015 United Church of God.
www.ucg.org/good-news-magazine
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