Dear Members, Co-Workers and Friends,
Our enemy, Satan the Devil, has been very busy. For nearly 6,000 years, he has been deceiving
mankind on a continuous basis. He tricked the first woman into believing that one can disobey God and get away with it. Satan lied to her, being the father of lies in whom is no truth (John 8:44), and in following him, Adam and Eve died. Satan caused their death, being a murderer from the beginning (same verse), and he has had the power of death over sinning mankind ever since (Hebrews 2:14).
This world is cut off from God. Satan rules this world from his throne here on earth (Revelation 2:13). He has deceived the whole world (Revelation 12:10), which is under his sway (1 John 5:19). His demons are ruling with and under him—evil spirits of darkness in high places (Ephesians 6:12).
Satan persuaded mankind to follow his evil devices by establishing administrative, governmental, legal, economic and religious systems that are all in opposition to the true God. In this present evil age (Galatians 1:4), not one human government is righteous, and no country is subject to God. Rather, all follow the god of this world —Satan the devil (2 Corinthians 4:4)—the prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:2).
Satan knows about God’s plan, but he thinks that he can thwart it. As he tried to knock God off His throne before the creation of man, so he tries again just prior to the return of Jesus Christ. He is being thrown down from heaven once more, as he was defeated during his first rebellion (Luke 10:18). And he is extremely angry because he knows that his time is short (Revelation 12:12).
Out of this evil world—this Babylon of confusion—God has called specially selected chosen people to resist Satan. God expects and requires of them that they love and obey Him more than human beings and governmental officials who may act under Satan’s inspiration. But God also knows that in these end times, many of His people will fall away from Him and from His Truth (Matthew 24:10-12) and believe again the lie (2 Thessalonians 2:3, 11-12)—all under the influence of Satan who disguises himself as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14). Already in Paul’s time, some had turned aside after Satan (1 Timothy 5:15). Paul was afraid that others might have too (1 Thessalonians 3:5). In our time, many will do so.
Satan HATES God, and He hates God’s people. He wants to destroy them. Quite often, he is using human governments in his efforts (1 Corinthians 2:7-8). God’s people must be aware of this, but sadly, some are not. They are willing to follow governmental commands, restrictions and mandates, which violate God’s Law in letter or in spirit. They do so, thinking they can get away with it.
The Feast of Trumpets reminds us that Christ will return soon, and then all will have to appear before His judgment seat to give account for what they have done (2 Corinthians 5:10). Some might be shocked to hear Christ’s words which He also uttered to Adam and Eve, when casting them out of Paradise.
After He has returned, Christ will imprison Satan for about 1,000 years so that he cannot deceive the nations anymore (Revelation 20:1-3). Then, mankind will be given the opportunity to be at one with God, and the Day of Atonement reminds us of that unique event in human history. Satan and his demons will be held captive in the “abyss”—the “bottomless pit,” and the rule of God here on earth will produce peace, prosperity, happiness and joy, which mankind has NEVER experienced before. We are picturing this glorious and unique time in observing the Feast of Tabernacles for seven days.
But when the Millennium draws to a close, Satan will be freed for a short time, and as the wrathful and hateful being that he is, he will go out to deceive the nations, and millions will follow him to wage war against God and His people (Revelation 20:7-9). God will act quickly and decisively. The rebellious armies will be devoured by fire, and Satan and his demons will be cast into the lake of fire, never being able to deceive anyone anymore (verse 10). Then, the opportunity will be given to ALL of mankind who did not have the chance to accept Christ and God’s Way in this life, to embrace the Truth. Their eyes will be opened, and their ears will hear (Revelation 20:11-12). Today, this is not the case for most people. But it will be then, and the Last Great Day pictures this event, in part.
Sadly, these glorious events of Christ’s return, the banishment of Satan, the Millennium and the time thereafter have not happened yet. We still have work to do, both collectively and individually. Satan is still on his throne, and as the most vicious, evil, devious and mean being in existence, he will try everything he can to destroy YOU. He knows that it is your potential to replace him. He hates you for that, and he may even think that if he can successfully tempt and destroy all of God’s people, then his rule might continue a bit longer.
Satan asked the Father to sift God’s people as wheat (Luke 22:31). He asked for permission to tempt and plague Job (Job 1:6-12; 2:1-7). He was even allowed to tempt Jesus in the wilderness. He entered Judas Iscariot to betray Jesus. He accuses the brethren before God day and night (Revelation 12:10). He tries to take away the Word of God when it is sown in the heart of people (Matthew 13:19). Satan is the destroyer, and if Christ was not to return to shorten the coming days of the horrible Great Tribulation, Satan would have succeeded to see to it that no flesh would be saved alive (Matthew 24:22).
But Satan will not succeed. God allows Satan to tempt us and cause problems for us (1 Thessalonians 2:18), to see whether we will obey God more than men, no matter what. Some are willing to give up right away when trials come upon them. But Christ overcame and prevailed against Satan, commanding him: “Away with you, Satan!” (Matthew 4:10), and Satan had to obey (verse 11). God wants to free us from the power of Satan and to turn us to God (Acts 26:18). God has the greatest confidence in YOU that you will prevail (Philippians 1:6). God wants to crush Satan under your feet shortly (Romans 16:20). Don’t disappoint Him. Don’t compromise! Don’t give in! Don’t give up! Don’t fall away! Hold fast what you have! KEEP God’s Holy Days in the way ordained and ordered by God, including the entire time of the Feast of Tabernacles and the Last Great Day. As you have opportunity, listen to the important messages which will be delivered during these days. Don’t even miss out on just one of them.
It will be such a joyous time, even though Satan has been trying hard to convince God’s people that they do not have to keep the Feast in the way as commanded by God. Through governmental restrictions under his influence, he is using the same tactic as he did when deceiving Eve in the Garden of Eden: “Has God indeed said…?” Eve fell for it, and Adam followed his wife, convincing themselves that a “little” disobedience did not really matter. Far too many of God’s people are following today Adam and Eve’s bad example. Don’t you be one of them!
Wishing you a deeply rewarding Holy Day season. We will all be with you—in body and/or in spirit.
With much love, your brother in Christ,
Norbert Link
