Yom Kippur – The Day of Atonement

This is the last installment of these “40 Days of Awakening”. I wish that I could say that it has been fun, but I’d be lying if I did. It has been a challenging, tiring, and it has been heart rendering. I’ve tried to keep the content very basic and very simple. I know that much of what has been presented is foreign to most. I get it. I had not been exposed to much of this material either when Holy Spirit presented it to me. Know that it was presented, on my part, with great love, in all humility, and as humbly as I know how. Forgive me if I have been blunt at times, but sometimes a shock is what is needed to see the truth. Sometimes, as I have found, shock induces outrage. It’s okay, I’m a big boy with thick skin. Yet, I am not deterred.

It’s Yom Kippur! The Day of Atonement! How exciting!

Why is it so exciting? I’m glad you asked.

Let’s look at it.

“On exactly the tenth day of the seventh month is the day of atonement; it shall be a holy convocation for you, and you  shall humble your souls and present an offering by fire to the Lord.”  Leviticus 23:27 (NASB95)

This is how it went down. Every year, on the tenth day of the seventh month, a priest would step into the Holy of Holies and sprinkle blood on the mercy seat as an offering for the sins of a nation. Every year, the nation was reminded of its sin and every year, there was the blood of animals spilled to atone for that sin. The high priest did that.

However, today we have THE High Priest. His name is Jesus, Yeshua. Hebrews chapter 5 confirms that Jesus is indeed the High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. It’s in there, go read it. By the way, while you’re at it, read chapter 7 too. It’s good stuff.

“But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins year by year.  For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to  take away sins.”  Hebrews 10:3-4

You see, Jesus entered into the Holy of Holies, not built by the hands of man, and offered His blood as a sacrifice ONE TIME, just once. There is no reminder of sin from year to year. There is no offering of the blood of animals every year for the atonement of sin. Yom Kippur is fulfilled by the blood of our savior.

Do you recall when I once said that, in many instances, how things that were set up in the Old Testament would be fulfilled in an opposite manner or in opposite order in the New Testament?

No? Well, I did say it. Shame on you for not remembering. Nah, just kidding.

In the ancient days, Yom Kippur was a reminder of the nation’s sin from year to year. Israel had to present the finest offerings from their herds and crops. They did not find joy or pleasure in presenting those offerings. However, today, we have a High Priest who sits at the right hand of the Father interceding on our behalf, having presented His own blood for the atonement, not for a nation, but for His bride!

Yom Kippur is a joyful time when we are not reminded of our sins. That is why we pray, fast, and repent during Elul. It is a time of joy in being reminded that our High Priest has atoned for our sins and it COST US NOTHING!

Jesus said, in John 14:15:

“If you love ME, YOU will keep my commandments.” What does this mean? It means that obeying God’s word is evidence of our love for Christ Jesus.”

“Impossible!” you say.

I say that Holy Spirit of a Living God was poured out on all flesh to give us the strength to do just that. Yes, there is grace. But mercy sustained us until we were found by that grace. Are we perfect? No. But submitting to Holy Spirit empowers us to realize when we do fall short and repent, hopefully immediately upon realizing that we messed up. Repent is to turn away from that which is not Godly. It is a means of continuing sanctification and a process of perfecting.

I have not arrived yet. Neither have you.

I am going to rejoice on this Day of Yom Kippur. I’m tired. I’m going to take a little time off and on the fifteenth day of Tishri which is this seventh month, I’m going to celebrate the Feast of Booths, or the Feast of Tabernacles as some call it. It is a reminder to the Jews that they roamed the desert forty years waiting for the opportunity to go back to a land that they were promised. I celebrate in that I roam this earth looking not for a land as an inheritance, but looking forward to my inheritance in God’s Kingdom.

I am The Old Watchman, Ezekiel. Blessed be those who followed along faithfully for these forty days. Thank you to those who visited here and there for your time. Until we meet again,

The Lord Bless you and keep you,

The Lord cause His face to shine upon you,

And be gracious to you,

The Lord lift his countenance upon you,

And give you Peace!

Shalom!