The Oppressor Will Cease

It is heartbreaking to see the troubles the world brings on itself. Why won't the people repent and believe the gospel? Why do they refuse to "fear God and keep His commandments" (Ecclesiastes 12:13)?

Sadly, the "god of this age has blinded" the minds of those "who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ...should shine on them" (2 Corinthians 4:4). God calls this deceiver the "dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan," (Revelation 20:2). Jesus called him "a liar and the father of lies" (John 8:44 NLT). Right now, he is on the loose, walking about "like a roaring lion" seeking prey to kill and eat (1 Peter 5:8).

Satan is feasting on a deceived world and causing untold havoc. The people are under his cruel bondage, and the "whole creation groans" (Romans 8:22) under the weight of sin which he caused. Imagine the day when his evil influence is gone and the world turns to God. The Day of Atonement with its commanded fast, this year on September 28th, pictures that coming reality.

Indeed, mankind's adversary makes the world serve in the hard bondage of sin; he is a cruel taskmaster. But in the fulfillment of the Day of Atonement, that cruel oppressor will cease. When this day is fulfilled in God's coming kingdom, God will say to the people, "the Lord gives you rest from your sorrow, and from your fear and the hard bondage in which you were made to serve" (Isaiah 14:3).

An angel coming down from heaven will cast bind Satan and "cast him into the bottomless pit and shut him up" for a thousand years (Revelation 20:3). With this oppressor's deceptive and destructive influence gone, Christ will begin calling the world to repentance. A world devastated by the horrific consequences of sin will be humbled, and a repentant humanity will turn to God.

Atonement paves the way for Christ to gather all people, as many who will, into the kingdom of God. He will call them to repentance, and the people will listen. He will say, "Turn to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning" (Joel 2:12). The world will realize the utter folly of its sin. The people will understand that they have believed a Liar, that a Deceiver duped them. Then the "minds the god of this age has blinded" will see the "light of the gospel of the glory of Christ" (2 Corinthians 4:4)!

Finally, brethren, we know that "the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one" (1 John 5:19); that he "deceives the whole world" (Revelation 12:9). Let us pray earnestly for that soon-coming day when the people will say, "How the oppressor has ceased" (Isaiah 14:4)!

Warm regards,

Andy

Pastor