 The Significance of The Feast of Atonement
Summary
The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) is celebrated as a day of confession to cleanse the soul from sin. “For on that day the priest shall make atonement for you, to cleanse you, that you may be clean from all your sins before the LORD. It is a sabbath of solemn rest for you, and you shall afflict your souls. It is a statute forever.” (Leviticus 16:30-32 NKJV)
It was the one day of the year when the high priest would go into the tabernacle, behind the veil into the Holy of Holies, and sprinkle the blood of the covenant sacrifice over the Mercy Seat. From within the cloud of God’s glory over the ark, God would see the sacrificial blood as evidence of man’s atonement of sin; reversing His judgment, and transforming it to one of mercy.
Messiah came as our High Priest! His blood was poured out as a sacrifice forever reversing God’s judgment of sin for everyone who calls upon His name, believes in the heart, and receives His redemption.
But when the Messiah appeared as cohen gadol (high priest) of the good things that are happening already, then, through the greater and more perfect Tent which is not man-made (that is, it is not of this created world), 12 he entered the Holiest Place once and for all. And he entered not by means of the blood of goats and calves, but by means of his own blood, thus setting people free forever. 13 For if sprinkling ceremonially unclean persons with the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer restores their outward purity; 14 then how much more the blood of the Messiah, who, through the eternal Spirit, offered himself to God as a sacrifice without blemish, will purify our conscience from works that lead to death, so that we can serve the living God! 15 It is because of this death that he is mediator of a new covenant [or will]. Because a death has occurred which sets people free from the transgressions committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promised eternal inheritance.
(Hebrews 9:11-15 JNT)
Life Application Questions
How do you apply God’s Word and prepare your heart to appropriate the victory over sin and death that Messiah has won for you?
Scripture References
Leviticus 23:26-31; Psalm 51; Matthew 4:17; Acts 2:38; 3:19; Romans 5; Hebrews 2:14-3:6
Book References
Faith and Fables: p. 29-30; 85-94; 178-80
Sons and Servants: p. 71-76; 105-109
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