If you ever wonder why the world is so evil, you might think about where that evil comes from. Who is the author of evil?

The truth is, Satan is “the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience” (Ephesians 2:2). He “deceiveth the whole world” (Revelation 12:9)—and people are blind to his deception (2 Corinthians 4:4).

If you know that and believe it, you can understand why this world is the way it is.

In John 8:44, Jesus Christ got to the heart of why there is violence, terrorism and deception in this world. He pointed out that Satan “was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.”

Thankfully, Satan’s days are numbered. There will be an end to his incessant harassment of mankind. There is hope beyond this present evil world—great hope for humanity! To understand, we need to learn about God’s holy day of Atonement.

Satan broadcasts his moods and impulses. The carnal mind is automatically tuned into his broadcasting (Romans 8:7). Unless a person understands this biblical truth and goes to God for the help to fight those broadcasts, he or she will be heavily influenced by Satan’s selfish way of thinking and not even realize it!

In extreme cases, Satan influences people to commit murder, such as deadly mass shootings and terrible acts of terrorism. This is why, after countless acts of terrorism—and the deaths of many terrorists—terrorism continues. Satan is the author of terrorism. Until Satan is put away, mankind cannot have lasting peace.

This is why the Day of Atonement is so vital. Atonement shows us that Satan will be put away! Notice this spectacular prophecy in Revelation 20:1-3: “And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more .…”

The fact that Satan will no longer deceive the nations shows clearly that he still deceives the nations today. Satan’s deception is why nations fight against nations! Satan’s broadcasting is also why individuals struggle to find peace in their families and individual lives. Mankind can never have peace until Satan the devil is put away and his evil broadcast is stopped!

But individually, you can conquer Satan’s broadcast today.

Satan broadcasts vanity (Isaiah 14:13-14). God says He resists the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6). To conquer Satan, we must draw close to God in humility.

Fasting is one of the commands associated with the Day of Atonement. To fast on Atonement means to go without food and drink for 24 hours (Leviticus 16:29-31). Christ fasted for 40 days and nights to draw close to His Father before battling and conquering Satan (Matthew 4).

“Fasting should help us get closer to God, to spend more time studying His Word, more time in prayer and meditation, striving to learn God’s will, desiring to obey. Fasting should humble us to help us be willing to yield to God’s will—whether it be according to our own desires or not” (Herbert W. Armstrong College Bible Correspondence Course, Lesson 33).

In John 8, Christ said most people do the will of Satan. But fasting draws us closer to God so we can do His will. And those who do God’s will today are qualifying to help Christ rule this Earth once Satan is removed!

There is great hope in the Day of Atonement! God shows us the cause of world evils and how they will be solved forever! Satan’s broadcasting will cease, removing the source of so much deceit, oppression and misery. God will set His hand to convert all men and eliminate human nature. With God’s government ruling all nations, a wonderful millennium of peace will burst forth on this Earth (Isaiah 11:9).

To understand the deep meaning of Atonement and all of God’s holy days, request a free copy of our booklet Pagan Holidays—or God’s Holy Days—Which?, by Herbert W. Armstrong.