When Satan is bound for 1000 years

Although most people don't realize it, Satan is the current "god of this age" (2 Corinthians 4:4) and he "deceives the whole world" (Revelation 12:9). Satan is a rebel, a liar and a murderer (John 8:44). But God will not permit him to rule forever.

For thousands of years, the Day of Atonement has foreshadowed Satan being bound. For thousands of years, the Day of Atonement is an annual reminder that Christ's sacrifice and His blood "atones" for our sins and "covers" (kapar) them. For thousands of years, the Day of Atonement is an annual reminder of one of the major steps required in God's plan of salvation for mankind.

The Day of Atonement is one of God's annual Holy Days. On this day, Christians remember the awesome sacrifice of Jesus Christ, whose blood atones for our sins, and Christians humble themselves through extra prayer and fasting as instructed in Scripture (Leviticus 23:27; Psalm 35:13; Matthew 6:16, Acts 27:9). Because of the meaning behind the Day of Atonement, God's saints also eagerly look forward to one day "shining like the brightness of the firmament" in incredible power and righteousness (Daniel 12:1-3). God's saints will then replace Satan as righteous rulers over this world, under Christ as King of kings (Matthew 5:5, Revelation 5:10).

Many years ago, ancient Israel annually foreshadowed Satan's banishment by observing the Day of Atonement. Leviticus chapter 16 describes the observance and reveals two goats. Notice that verses 8 and 10 of Leviticus 16 reference the azazel (scapegoat). As Jewish traditions correctly teach, this goat represents the super archangel known as Satan, the Adversary, and the father of lies. The Israelites sins were placed on the azazel goat and it was led into the wilderness by a "fit" or a "strong" man (Leviticus 16:21). This ancient process foreshadows Satan's coming banishment and removal in the near future (Revelation 20:1-3).

However, there was another goat—a slain goat—and these two goats could not represent more different beings. The azazel goat was banished into the wilderness. The slain goat provided for atonement to God.

The slain goat foreshadowed Christ (Leviticus 16:8, 15); the Son of God, our compassionate High Priest and our coming Messiah, and pictured His righteous sacrifice that atoned for our sins. Hebrews 10:1-10 reveals how Christ's perfect sacrifice replaced the requirement of animal sacrifices for sin. Hebrews 10:11-18 then describe how the law is written into the hearts of faithful Christians today, and will be written in the hearts of the entire world during Christ's millennial rule, in the Kingdom of God.

Satan is not currently bound or removed from ruling this world! Today, violence, hunger, religious confusion and grief plague the earth. However, as Satan well knows, his "time is short" (Revelation 12:12).

At Christ's coming, Satan will be led away to where he cannot harm the world any longer. Just as the azazel goat was bound "by a strong man" and "banished" into the wilderness, so will a mighty angel bind and banish Satan into the "bottomless pit" or "the abyss" (abyssos) for 1,000 years (Revelation 20:1-3)! Then, righteousness, peace and goodness will prevail throughout the earth (Psalm 67:4, Luke 1:32, Revelation 17:14).

For much more about the powerful meaning of all of God's Holy Days, which Jesus Christ observed and all true Christians continue to observe, please read online or request the informative booklet, The Holy Days—God's Master Plan. And for a much better understanding of the Day of Atonement, the sacrifices involved, and the meaning for Christians today, watch the online sermon,"Day of Atonement" by Mr. Gerald Weston.