Informed Vigilance, the Price of True Freedom

"The price of freedom is eternal vigilance." This eloquent statement by former U.S. president Thomas Jefferson certainly rings true today, especially with the ever-present dangers of terrorism faced by many nations around the world. The Bible also warns all peoples of the need for vigilance to remain free from the influence and control of the world's master terrorist, Satan the Devil.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security was established to counter the threat of terrorism and safeguard the freedoms enjoyed by America's citizens. Different levels of danger are posted periodically to inform U.S. citizens and urge them to remain vigilant and alert to potential dangers of terrorist attacks.

The Bible also warns all peoples of the need for vigilance to remain free from the influence and control of the world's master terrorist, Satan the devil.

The apostle Peter warns, "Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:8Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
See All..., New Living Translation). The Greek word translated "stay alert" literally means to stay awake. The figurative meaning is to be alert or vigilant.

The Bible from Genesis to Revelation documents the ongoing attempts of this evil being to disrupt the plan of God, and the tragic results that he has wrought on mankind. So Paul warns us to be vigilant to interact with others in a caring way so that "… Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes " (2 Corinthians 2:11Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.
See All..., New International Version).

These schemes include deception, doctrinal error, distraction, and division. Paul refers to Satan's weapons as "fiery darts" or "flaming arrows" (Ephesians 6:16Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
See All...) that inflict painful spiritual injuries including discouragement, despair, and doubt.

The good news is that the most important battle against Satan has already been won—by Jesus Christ, the Captain of our salvation (Hebrews 2:10-18 [10] For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
[11] For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,
[12] Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.
[13] And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me.
[14] Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
[15] And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
[16] For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.
[17] Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
[18] For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.

See All...). But since the devil is still the largely undetected "god of this world" (2 Corinthians 4:4In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
See All...), we should always remain vigilant until he is deposed at the return of Jesus Christ (Revelation 19:11-20 [11] And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
[12] His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.
[13] And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
[14] And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
[15] And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
[16] And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
[17] And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God;
[18] That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great.
[19] And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.
[20] And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

See All...:3).

Christians of every generation have anxiously awaited Christ's triumphant return as the King of kings. Countless speculations have been made regarding the time of that momentous event. However, the Bible clearly admonishes us to remain vigilant and alert , because we cannot know the exact time of His return (Mark 13:33-35 [33] Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.
[34] For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.
[35] Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:

See All...).

Vigilance is a major theme of the biblical Holy Days—particularly the Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah) and Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) observed this month by Jews and Christians around the world. These days were given to remind us to be watchful for the really important events in God's salvation plan.

Jewish worshipers consider the ten day period that is framed by and includes these two Holy Days as a time for self-examination and spiritual reflection.

Christians who observe these days do so as a reminder of two important future events in the plan of God (Colossians 2:16-17 [16] Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:
[17] Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.

See All...) that promise permanent freedom from Satan's deceptions to everyone. They understand that the prophetic focus of these two biblical Holy Days is on specific actions by Jesus Christ that will change the course of all human history.

The Feast of Trumpets is an annual reminder of the return of Jesus Christ and related events to occur at the prophesied seventh or "last" trumpet. It represents the time when "the dead in Christ" will be resurrected "to always be with the Lord" (2 Thessalonians 4:16-17
See All...). This Holy Day also anticipates the occasion when " The kingdoms of this world [will] have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ" (Revelation 11:15And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
See All...).

The Day of Atonement, at the other end of this ten day period of spiritual reflection, symbolizes the putting away of Satan the devil and the ultimate atoning of all mankind. It also is the beginning of making all of the spiritually blinded people of the world fully aware of the forgiveness of sin that is available through Jesus Christ.

In English the word "atonement" is made up of three distinct parts joined together (at-one-ment) to convey the meaning of being reconciled. This day pictures the beginning of Jesus Christ's work, after He returns, to truly reconcile all of the peoples of the world both to God and to each other.

These two Holy Days, along with others mentioned in both the Old and New Testaments, were observed by Jesus Christ, His apostles and the early Church. They truly are Christian Holy Days that richly enlighten God's faithful servants about the many important details in His salvation plan.