Yom Kippur – Day of Atonement:

By C & L Brooks | October 24, 2014

Yom Kippur is Yahweh’s fifth feast and High Sabbath number five. It is celebrated, based on Yahweh’s calendar, on the tenth day (sunset to sunset) of the seventh month (Tishri). It is a day set-apart in which no work is done. It is also a day to have a holy convocation with the brethren.

While we do not observe the Day of Atonement today with temple rituals and sacrifices, we nevertheless focus on the great meaning behind this feast while we draw near to Yahweh.

For believers today, Yom Kippur is a day of afflicting our souls in recognition of Messiah’s perfect sacrifice for sin. His sacrifice was the propitiation or substitution for ours and the world’s sins. Messiah bore all sin at His crucifixion on the stake. And by His stripes, we are healed.

It is also a day to recognize that Messiah is our High Priest according to the order of Melchizedek (read Hebrews chapters 3-9). And because of our relationship with Messiah as our High Priest and perfect sacrifice for sin, saints have direct access to the throne of Yahweh, that is the Holy of Holies (see Matthew 27:51, Mark 15:38, Luke 23:45, and Hebrews 10:19-20). It is a day to come before Yahweh directly to confess our sins and be cleansed from all unrighteousness by His blood (1 John 1:6-10 and James 5:16).

Yom Kippur is also a day of afflicting our souls in recognition of the covering of sins for the world and blood-line Israel during Messiah’s 1,000-year reign. This covering of sins or atonement enables those left after Messiah’s Second Coming the ability to come before the righteousness of YahwehShua ha Mashiyah. Otherwise, without covering of sins or atonement, they would be destroyed.

Lastly, this feast also represents the removal of Heylel, the angel of light, also known as Satan and the Devil, from his position of prince over the earth. This binding of Satan happens at the beginning of Messiah’s 1,000-year reign. The world will not know true peace until Satan, the ultimate deceiver, is put away and YahwehShua rules as King of kings and Sovereign of sovereigns.

Let us begin looking at the Day of Atonement.

(NKJ) Leviticus 23:26 And Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying: 27 “Also the tenth day of this seventh month shall be the Day of Atonement (3725-kippur). It shall be a holy convocation for you; you shall afflict (6031-anah) your souls, and offer an offering made by fire to Yahweh. 28 “And you shall do no work on that same day, for it is the Day of Atonement (3725-kippur), to make atonement (3722-kaphar) for you before Yahweh your Elohim. 29 “For any person who is not afflicted (6031–anah) in soul on that same day shall be cut off from his people. 30 “And any person who does any work on that same day, that person I will destroy from among his people. 31 “You shall do no manner of work; it shall be a statute forever throughout your generations in all your dwellings. 32 “It shall be to you a sabbath of solemn rest, and you shall afflict (6031–anah) your souls; on the ninth day of the month at evening, from evening to evening, you shall celebrate your sabbath.”

Numbers 29:7 On the tenth day of this seventh month you shall have a holy convocation. You shall afflict (6031-anah) your souls; you shall not do any work.

Leviticus 16:29 ” This shall be a statute forever for you: In the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, you shall afflict (6031-anah) your souls, and do no work at all, whether a native of your own country or a stranger who dwells among you. 30 “For on that day the priest shall make atonement for you, to cleanse you, that you may be clean from all your sins before Yahweh. 31 “It is a sabbath of solemn rest for you, and you shall afflict (6031-anah) your souls. It is a statute forever.

3725 kippur {kip-poor’} • from 03722; TWOT – 1023b; n m pl • AV – atonement 8; 8 • 1) atonement

3722 kaphar {kaw-far’} • a primitive root; TWOT – 1023,1024,1025,1026; v • AV – atonement 71, purge 7, reconciliation 4, reconcile 3, forgive 3, purge away 2, pacify 2, atonement…made 2, merciful 2, cleansed 1, disannulled 1, appease 1, put off 1, pardon 1, pitch 1; 102 • 1) to cover, purge, make an atonement, make reconciliation, cover over with pitch 1a) (Qal) to coat or cover with pitch 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to cover over, pacify, propitiate 1b2) to cover over, atone for sin, make atonement for 1b3) to cover over, atone for sin and persons by legal rites 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to be covered over 1c2) to make atonement for 1d) (Hithpael) to be covered

Atonement (American Heritage Dictionary) – amends or reparation made for an injury or wrong; expiation; reconciliation or instance of reconciliation between Yahweh and human beings.

During this High Day of Atonement, believers must afflict their souls. But what does “afflict your souls” mean? Let us review the definition of the Hebrew word “anah” translated “afflict”.

6031 anah {aw-naw’} • a primitive root [possibly rather ident. with 06030 through the idea of looking down or browbeating]; TWOT – 1651,1652; v • AV – afflict 50, humble 11, force 5, exercised 2, sing 2, Leannoth 1, troubled 1, weakened 1, misc 11; 84 • 1) (Qal) to be occupied, be busied with 2) to afflict, oppress, humble, be afflicted, be bowed down 2a) (Qal) 2a1) to be put down, become low 2a2) to be depressed, be downcast 2a3) to be afflicted 2a4) to stoop 2b) (Niphal) 2b1) to humble oneself, bow down 2b2) to be afflicted, be humbled 2c) (Piel) 2c1) to humble, mishandle, afflict 2c2) to humble, be humiliated 2c3) to afflict 2d4) to humble, weaken oneself 2d) (Pual) 2d1) to be afflicted 2d2) to be humbled 2e) (Hiphil) to afflict 2f) (Hithpael) 2f1) to humble oneself 2f2) to be afflicted

We see the definition of the Hebrew word “anah” means to “afflict, “humble”, “bow down”, “become low”, and “weaken oneself”. To afflict means to humble through weakness. And we see in the following Scriptures “afflict your soul” can be tied to fasting. Therefore, by fasting, believers are able to humble themselves in weakness. But let’s be clear. Although there are many Scriptures tying afflicting your soul with fasting, there are also others which do not specifically mention fasting (ex. Genesis 15:13 &16:6 and Psalm 119:70-75)

Isaiah 58:3 ‘Why have we fasted,’ they say, ‘and You have not seen? Why have we afflicted (6031-anah) our souls, and You take no notice?’ “In fact, in the day of your fast you find pleasure, And exploit all your laborers. 4 Indeed you fast for strife and debate, And to strike with the fist of wickedness. You will not fast as you do this day, To make your voice heard on high. 5 Is it a fast that I have chosen, A day for a man to afflict (6031-anah) his soul? Is it to bow down his head like a bulrush, And to spread out sackcloth and ashes? Would you call this a fast, And an acceptable day to Yahweh? 6 ” Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, To undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free, And that you break every yoke?

Psalm 35:13 But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom.

Psalm 69:10 When I wept, and chastened my soul with fasting, that was to my reproach.

Ezra 8:21 Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our Elohim, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance.

So if a saint decides to fast on Yom Kippur, what does fasting mean Scripturally? There are partial fasts (Daniel 10:2) and many fasts in Scriptures which are complete abstinence from water and food.

Esther 4:16 “Go, gather all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me; neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day.

Exodus 34:27 Then Yahweh said to Moses, “Write these words, for according to the tenor of these words I have made a covenant with you and with Israel.” 28 So he was there with Yahweh forty days and forty nights; he neither ate bread nor drank water. And He wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments.

Deuteronomy 9:9 “When I went up into the mountain to receive the tablets of stone, the tablets of the covenant which Yahweh made with you, then I stayed on the mountain forty days and forty nights. I neither ate bread nor drank water.

18 “And I fell down before Yahweh, as at the first, forty days and forty nights; I neither ate bread nor drank water, because of all your sin which you committed in doing wickedly in the sight of Yahweh, to provoke Him to anger.

Jonah 3:6 Then word came to the king of Nineveh; and he arose from his throne and laid side his robe, covered himself with sackcloth and sat in ashes. 7 And he caused it to be proclaimed and published throughout Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything; do not let them eat, or drink water.

Ezra 10:6 Then Ezra rose up from before the house of Elohim, and went into the chamber of Jehohanan the son of Eliashib; and when he came there, he ate no bread and drank no water, for he mourned because of the guilt of those from the captivity.

Acts 9:7 And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one. 8 Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

So if a saint decides to afflict his soul with fasting it is interesting to note that Messiah told believers to fast. The following Scriptures do not say “if you fast”, but “when you fast”, therefore making fasting a part of a believer’s reasonable service and can be tied to the Day of Atonement. Messiah also told his followers that they must fast when He is taken away at His resurrection.

Matthew 6:16 ” Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 17 “But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 “so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

Matthew 9:14 Then the disciples of John came to Him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but Your disciples do not fast?” 15 And Yah’shua said to them, “Can the friends of the bridegroom mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.

Not only did Messiah tell believers to fast, but we see that Paul kept the fast and measured his travels by the Day of Atonement. This is the same Paul who wrote 1/3 of the books in the New Testament and received revelations from YahwehShua (Galatians 1:11-12 and 2 Corinthians 12:1-7). And we are told in Scriptures that our faith is built on the foundations of the apostles and prophets, including the apostle Paul. Therefore we see additional connection between afflicting our souls and fasting on the Day of Atonement.

But again, let’s be clear. If Yahweh commanded an absolute fast, He would have used the Hebrew word “tsuwn” for fasting not the Hebrew word “anah” for afflicting one’s soul when giving instruction about Yom Kippur. Although fasting can be a way to afflict one’s soul on Yom Kippur, it is not the only way. The focus of a saint on Yom Kippur should be to humble oneself while submitting to Yahweh from his heart.

Acts 27:9 Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them,

Ephesians 2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of Yahweh; 20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, YahwehShua Messiah himself being the chief corner stone;

Did you know that atonement for sin in the Scriptures is always tied to blood sacrifice? The importance of blood sacrifice cannot be overstated.

Leviticus 17:11 For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.

Hebrews 9:22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

Genesis 3:6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. 7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.

But fig leaves were not enough. Blood had to be shed.

Genesis 3:21 Unto Adam also and to his wife did Yahweh Elohim make coats of skins, and clothed them.

A blood sacrifice is required by Yahweh for sin and Yah’shua offered His own blood as the perfect sacrifice for sin. By His shed blood, saints are given complete atonement or removal of sin and can be reconciled before Yahweh.

2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of Yahweh in him.

Indeed, Yah’shua’s blood sacrifice is the “propitiation or “substitution” for our sins. It should have been you and I crucified on the stake, which was hung on a living tree.

Romans 3:25 Whom Yahweh hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of Yahweh;

1 John 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, YahwehShua Messiah the righteous: 2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

1 John 4:10 Herein is love, not that we loved Yahweh, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

All sin that has been or will ever be was put on Messiah.

Isaiah 53:1 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of Yahweh revealed? 2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. 3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of Elohim, and afflicted. 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and Yahweh hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

1 Peter 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

Zechariah 3:3 Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel. 4 And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment. 5 And I said, Let them set a fair mitre upon his head. So they set a fair mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments. And the angel of Yahweh stood by.

The Levitical system of animal sacrifices, including the elaborate Yom Kippur ritual was meant to foreshadow the true and abiding sacrifice of Yah’shua. If the old covenant had been sufficient to provide a permanent solution to the problem of sin, there never would have been need for a new covenant to supersede it.

Hebrews 8:7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second. 8 For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith Yahweh, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: 9 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith Yahweh. 10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith Yahweh; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them an Elohim, and they shall be to me a people: 11 And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know Yahweh: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest. 12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. 13 In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.

Under the old covenant, sacrifices merely “covered” sins, but under the new covenant, these sins are remitted or taken entirely away. Remember all sin was placed on our Savior when He was nailed to a stake and hung on a living tree. Messiah has entered into the holy place by His own blood, sanctifying and obtaining eternal redemption for believers.

Hebrews 7:27 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, when he (i.e. Messiah) offered up himself.

Hebrews 9:11 But Messiah being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; 12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. 13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: 14 How much more shall the blood of Messiah, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to Yahweh, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living Elohim?

Hebrews 10:1 For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. 2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. 3 But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. 4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. 5 Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: 6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. 7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O Yahweh. 8 Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; 9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O Yahweh. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. 10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Yah’shua Messiah once for all. 11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: 12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of Yahweh; 13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. 14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

By the blood of Yah’shua, believers of this age have the right to enter into the presence of Yahweh without the need for priestly sacrifices. This privilege and right to enter into the presence of Yahweh was previously only held by the High Priest and then only once a year.

Hebrews 10:19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Yah’shua, 20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 21 And having an high priest over the house of Yahweh; 22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

Yom Kippur is a day to come before Yahweh to confess our sins and to be cleansed from all unrighteousness by His blood. Again, believers have the right to directly enter into the presence of Yahweh.

1 John 1:6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Yah’shua Messiah his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Let us ask a question about Yom Kippur, Day of Atonement. Why don’t we who will be the Firstfruits of the resurrection at Messiah’s Second Coming no longer need covering or atonement on the Day of Atonement at our resurrection and glorification? Because those who are born again to be like YahwehShua at Messiah’s Second Coming will not be able to sin! And for saints today who sin, Messiah’s blood is available to remove our sins (1 John 1:9).

1 John 3:9 Whosoever is born of Yahweh doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of Yahweh.

John 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. 8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

1 Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of Yahweh, which liveth and abideth for ever.

1 Corinthians 15:53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

Since we will are no longer be mortal flesh and blood beings after our resurrection and glorification, having become like YahwehShua and priests and kings with Him during His earthly kingdom reign (Revelation 1:5, 3:21, and 20:6, 1 Peter 2:9, and Exodus 19:5), we again will not need “atonement”.

But flesh and blood humans left after Messiahs Second Coming will! When YahwehShua returns as King of kings, the world, including the remnant of bloodline Israel, will be required to worship Him.

Did you know that Yahweh’s feasts are tied to the plan of salvation and Yahweh’s plan for the ages? The Feast of Shouting represents Messiah’s return to this earth as King of kings and the resurrection of believers from the dead. The Feast of Sukkoth (Tabernacles) represents Messiah’s 1,000-year reign on earth as King of kings and Sovereign of sovereigns. Then logically, the Day of Atonement points to a time between Messiah’s return and Messiah’s 1,000-year reign. And we see during Messiah’s 1,000-year reign, Yahweh’s feasts (including Yom Kippur), Sabbaths, and New Moons are all observed.

Zechariah 14:16 And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, YAHWEH of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles.

Isaiah 66:23 And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith Yahweh.

Ezekiel 46:1 Thus saith the Sovereign Yahweh; The gate of the inner court that looketh toward the east shall be shut the six working days; but on the sabbath it shall be opened, and in the day of the new moon it shall be opened.

3 Likewise the people of the land shall worship at the door of this gate before Yahweh in the sabbaths and in the new moons.

9 But when the people of the land shall come before Yahweh in the solemn feasts, he that entereth in by the way of the north gate to worship shall go out by the way of the south gate…

Before physical flesh-and-blood humans can come before YahwehShua, they must be “cleansed”, that is, their sins must be covered or atoned for to allow them to be reconciled to YahwehShua. Although the atonement reconciles them to YahwehShua, their sins are not forgiven but only covered (Hebrews 10:4). No one can approach YahwehShua during the Feast of Tabernacles nor any other Feasts or Sabbaths unless they are cleansed.

And the way flesh-and-blood humans are “cleansed” is through animal sacrifices. Old Testament Scriptures that show that the sacrificial system will be reactivated during the 1,000-year include Ezekiel chapters 43-46, Isaiah 56:7, 66:20-23, Jeremiah 33:18, Zechariah 14:16-21 and Malachi 3:3-4. These passages from the prophets indicate a return to the sacrificial system during Messiah’s 1,000-year reign.

So, it appears that the flesh-and-blood world is not under Messiah’s blood covenant during His 1,000-year reign. It appears the world and blood-line Israel are back under the old schoolmaster, the Levitical priesthood and the sacrificial system. Remember, the Spirit is not poured out until the Last Great Day (Joel 2:28-32) and Satan is restrained during Messiah’s 1,000-year reign (Revelation 20:2). Therefore, the plan of salvation maybe suspended during Messiah’s 1,000-year reign until the Last Great Day. So, during this time there remains a reinstitution of the sacrificial system.

And since the Israelites did not continue in Yahweh’s covenant and He was displeased with them (see Hebrews 8:9), it may be for righteousness’s sake that the sacrificial system needs to be repeated successfully this time during the 1,000-year reign. Also, this time it will apply to the whole world, not just Israel.

Ezekiel 43:1 Afterward he brought me to the gate, even the gate that looketh toward the east: 2 And, behold, the glory of the Elohim of Israel came from the way of the east: and his voice was like a noise of many waters: and the earth shined with his glory. 3 And it was according to the appearance of the vision which I saw, even according to the vision that I saw when I came to destroy the city: and the visions were like the vision that I saw by the river Chebar; and I fell upon my face. 4 And the glory of Yahweh came into the house by the way of the gate whose prospect is toward the east. 5 So the spirit took me up, and brought me into the inner court; and, behold, the glory of Yahweh filled the house. 6 And I heard him speaking unto me out of the house; and the man stood by me. 7 And he said unto me, Son of man, the place of my throne, and the place of the soles of my feet, where I will dwell in the midst of the children of Israel for ever, and my holy name, shall the house of Israel no more defile, neither they, nor their kings, by their whoredom, nor by the carcases of their kings in their high places. 8 In their setting of their threshold by my thresholds, and their post by my posts, and the wall between me and them, they have even defiled my holy name by their abominations that they have committed: wherefore I have consumed them in mine anger. 9 Now let them put away their whoredom, and the carcases of their kings, far from me, and I will dwell in the midst of them for ever.

18 And he said unto me, Son of man, thus saith the Sovereign Yahweh; These are the ordinances of the altar in the day when they shall make it, to offer burnt offerings thereon, and to sprinkle blood thereon. 19 And thou shalt give to the priests the Levites that be of the seed of Zadok, which approach unto me, to minister unto me, saith the Sovereign Yahweh, a young bullock for a sin offering. 20 And thou shalt take of the blood thereof, and put it on the four horns of it, and on the four corners of the settle, and upon the border round about: thus shalt thou cleanse and purge it.

Ezekiel 44:15 But the priests the Levites, the sons of Zadok, that kept the charge of my sanctuary when the children of Israel went astray from me, they shall come near to me to minister unto me, and they shall stand before me to offer unto me the fat and the blood, saith the Sovereign Yahweh: 16 They shall enter into my sanctuary, and they shall come near to my table, to minister unto me, and they shall keep my charge.

(Also read Ezekiel 45 and 46)

Isaiah 66:20 And they shall bring all your brethren for an offering unto Yahweh out of all nations upon horses, and in chariots, and in litters, and upon mules, and upon swift beasts, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, saith Yahweh, as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of Yahweh. 21 And I will also take of them for priests and for Levites, saith Yahweh. 22 For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith Yahweh, so shall your seed and your name remain. 23 And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith Yahweh.

Malachi 3:1 Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Sovereign, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith Yahweh of hosts. 2 But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap: 3 And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto Yahweh an offering in righteousness. 4 Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto Yahweh, as in the days of old, and as in former years.

Zechariah 14:16 And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, Yahweh of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles. 17 And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, Yahweh of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain. 18 And if the family of Egypt go not up, and come not, that have no rain; there shall be the plague, wherewith Yahweh will smite the heathen that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles. 19 This shall be the punishment of Egypt, and the punishment of all nations that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles. 20 In that day shall there be upon the bells of the horses, HOLINESS UNTO YAHWEH; and the pots in Yahweh’s house shall be like the bowls before the altar. 21 Yea, every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah shall be holiness unto Yahweh of hosts: and all they that sacrifice shall come and take of them, and seethe therein:

If the writer of Hebrews indicates that Messiah’s one-time sacrifice has made a new and living way to approach Yahweh (Hebrews 10:20), then what possible purpose would future sacrifices serve, especially after the return of Messiah and during His righteous rule from Jerusalem?

The writer of Hebrews understands that although animal sacrifices were ineffectual as a means of salvation by removing sin, they were effectual for covering sin. Animal sacrifices in the Old Testament were not purely forward-looking memorials to Messiah’s perfect sacrifice but also had effectual function in their time. Again, their function was not of providing redemption, but of providing ceremonial cleansing.

Although the world during the 1,000-year reign is not under Messiah’s blood covenant, Messiah is still the perfect sacrifice for them and Messiah’s blood covenant will be reinstituted after the 1,000-year reign during the Last Great Day when the Spirit is poured out. Therefore, today during the Day of Atonement we still fast and pray for the world and blood line Israel that they will submit to YahwehShua.

Let us look at the Old Testament to see how the Levitical priesthood and sacrificial system covered or atoned for sin.

Exodus 30:10 And Aaron shall make an atonement (3722) upon the horns of it once in a year with the blood of the sin offering of atonements (3725): once in the year shall he make atonement (3722) upon it throughout your generations: it is most holy unto YAHWEH.

Leviticus 16:2 And YAHWEH said unto Moses, Speak unto Aaron thy brother, that he come not at all times into the holy place within the vail before the mercy seat, which is upon the ark; that he die not: for I will appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat. 3 Thus shall Aaron come into the holy place: with a young bullock for a sin offering, and a ram for a burnt offering. 4 He shall put on the holy linen coat, and he shall have the linen breeches upon his flesh, and shall be girded with a linen girdle, and with the linen mitre shall he be attired: these are holy garments; therefore shall he wash his flesh in water, and so put them on. 5 And he shall take of the congregation of the children of Israel two kids of the goats for a sin offering, and one ram for a burnt offering. 6 And Aaron shall offer his bullock of the sin offering, which is for himself, and make an atonement for himself, and for his house.

The first offering, the bullock, is a sin offering to atone or cover the High Priest. The second offering, as we will read, is two goats for the children of Israel. Bear in mind that this is a single offering of two goats! Yahweh’s lot (i.e. by chance) determined the one goat to be sacrificed (i.e. the sin offering) and the one goat to be the scapegoat.

7 And he shall take the two goats, and present them before YAHWEH at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. 8 And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats; one lot for YAHWEH, and the other lot for the scapegoat. 9 And Aaron shall bring the goat upon which YAHWEH’S lot fell, and offer him for a sin offering. 10 But the goat, on which the lot fell to be the scapegoat, shall be presented alive before YAHWEH, to make an atonement (3722) with him, and to let him go for a scapegoat into the wilderness.

Note that the goat for the sin offering is for the people of Israel.

15 Then shall he kill the goat of the sin offering, that is for the people, and bring his blood within the vail, and do with that blood as he did with the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it upon the mercy seat, and before the mercy seat: 16 And he shall make an atonement (3722) for the holy place, because of the uncleanness of the children of Israel, and because of their transgressions in all their sins: and so shall he do for the tabernacle of the congregation, that remaineth among them in the midst of their uncleanness. 17 And there shall be no man in the tabernacle of the congregation when he goeth in to make an atonement (3722) in the holy place, until he come out, and have made an atonement (3722) for himself, and for his household, 18 And he shall go out unto the altar that is before YAHWEH, and make an atonement (3722) for it; and shall take of the blood of the bullock, and of the blood of the goat, and put it upon the horns of the altar round about. 19 And he shall sprinkle of the blood upon it with his finger seven times, and cleanse it, and hallow it from the uncleanness of the children of Israel.

Again, not only is there a goat sacrifice for the children of Israel as the sin offering, there is a live goat upon which that the sins of the people are confessed and that live goat is led out into the wilderness. The sacrifice and release of the goats on this day does not remit sin, but covers it, rendering the worshippers “reconciled” but not forgiven, so that the people can come before YahwehShua without dying (Exodus 19:21-22 and 33:20-23).

20 And when he hath made an end of reconciling the holy place, and the tabernacle of the congregation, and the altar, he shall bring the live goat: 21 And Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions in all their sins, putting them upon the head of the goat, and shall send him away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness: 22 And the goat shall bear upon him all their iniquities unto a land not inhabited: and he shall let go the goat in the wilderness.

Some have said that the scapegoat represents Satan. However, the scapegoat is free to roam and not imprisoned. This contradicts Scriptures that show Satan being bound for 1,000-years (Revelation 20:2). Also, Scriptures clearly shows that all sin was put on Messiah (Isaiah 53:6, 1 Peter 2:24, 2 Corinthians 5:21, and Zechariah 3:3-5,), not Satan.

Since all sin is put on Messiah, and sin is put on the scapegoat, then the scapegoat must represent some aspect of the Messianic sacrifice.

Remember, the two goats were equal, and the choice of which was to die and which was to live was by chance, so there is no inherent difference between the goats. Together they constituted a single offering.

This day of sacrifice for atonement of sins is not only for blood-line Israelites, but for Gentiles. The question becomes who is an Israelite? It is clear from Scriptures; an Israelite is one who obeys Yahweh. Thus, this sacrifice for atonement is not only for blood-line Israelites but also for Gentiles as we continue to read in Leviticus 16:29. Gentiles will be required to obey Yahweh Messiah during His 1,000-year reign as we have already read in Zechariah 14.

29 And this shall be a statute for ever unto you: that in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, ye shall afflict your souls, and do no work at all, whether it be one of your own country, or a stranger that sojourneth among you:

Exodus 12:47 All the congregation of Israel shall keep it. 48 And when a stranger shall sojourn with thee, and will keep the passover to Yahweh, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as one that is born in the land: for no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof. 49 One law shall be to him that is homeborn, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among you.

Isaiah 56:3 Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to Yahweh, speak, saying, Yahweh hath utterly separated me from his people: neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree. 4 For thus saith Yahweh unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant; 5 Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off. 6 Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to Yahweh, to serve him, and to love the name of Yahweh, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant; 7 Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.

Not only does Yom Kippur foreshadow a day to atone or cover the sins of the world during Messiah’s 1,000-year reign, it is also a time of release.

Leviticus 25:8 And thou shalt number seven sabbaths of years unto thee, seven times seven years; and the space of the seven sabbaths of years shall be unto thee forty and nine years. 9 Then shalt thou cause the trumpet [7782-shofar] of the jubile [8643-teruah i.e. joyful noise] to sound on the tenth day of the seventh month, in the day of atonement (3725) shall ye make the trumpet [7782-shofar] sound throughout all your land. 10 And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof: it shall be a jubile unto you; and ye shall return every man unto his possession, and ye shall return every man unto his family. 11 A jubile shall that fiftieth year be unto you: ye shall not sow, neither reap that which groweth of itself in it, nor gather the grapes in it of thy vine undressed. 12 For it is the jubile; it shall be holy unto you: ye shall eat the increase thereof out of the field. 13 In the year of this jubile ye shall return every man unto his possession.

Isaiah 58:6 Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?

Isaiah 61:1 The Spirit of the Sovereign Yahweh is upon me; because Yahweh hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; 2 To proclaim the acceptable year of Yahweh, and the day of vengeance of our Elohim; to comfort all that mourn; 3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of Yahweh, that he might be glorified.

It is interesting to note that Messiah began His ministry most likely during a Jubilee year and proclaimed “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing”.

Luke 4:18 The Spirit of Yahweh is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the evangel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 19 To preach the acceptable year of Yahweh. 20 And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21 And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.

The Jubilee year is counted just like Pentecost: 7 x 7 = 49 + 1 = 50. And this jubilee year represents release from bondage and is tied to the Day of Atonement (verse 9). The world and blood-line Israel will not be released from Satan’s bondage until Messiah officially has him removed from his station as prince of this world. And as we read in Revelation 20, this binding of Satan, the removal of Satan as prince of this world, occurs during the beginning of Messiah’s 1,000-year reign on this earth. The Sovereign’s prayer found in Matthew 6:13 will finally be answered: “and deliver us from the Evil One”.

Revelation 20:1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. 2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, 3 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, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.

Isaiah 14:12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! 13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of El: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. 15 Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell (Hebrew word sheol better translated grave), to the sides of the pit. 16 They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms;

This world will not know true peace until Satan, the ultimate deceiver, is put away. With this done, the eyes of mankind will be opened. The light of Yahweh’s truth will spread over humanity and spiritual understanding will come upon all peoples from all walks of life. For 1,000 years mankind will not have to be influenced by Satan and will be influenced by the righteousness and glory of YahwehShua.

Isaiah 11:9 They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of Yahweh, as the waters cover the sea.

Satan is in charge of this world, deceives the whole world, and is the father of lies. Satan and his dominion since the beginning have been leading mankind astray from the truth. What a glorious time it will be when Satan no longer rules the earth!

John 12:31 Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. (also see John 14:30, and 16:11)

2 Corinthians 4:3 But if our evangel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious evangel of Messiah, who is the image of Elohim, should shine unto them.

Revelation12:9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world:

1 John 5:19 We know that we are of Yahweh, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one (NKJ).

Ephesians 6:11 Put on the whole armor of Yahweh, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Did you know that Satan reigns with lies and deceptions, encouraging mankind to fulfill its lusts? Imagine a world not led by lies. Imagine a world where instead of mankind trying to fulfill its lust, mankind will try to fulfill the righteousness of YahwehShua.

John 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He 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 (Satan) is a liar, and the father of it.

Ephesians 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind;

We conclude that Yom Kippur is Yahweh’s fifth feast and High Sabbath number five. It is celebrated, based on Yahweh’s calendar, on the tenth day (sunset to sunset) of the seventh month (Tishri). It is a day set-apart where no work is done. It is also a day to have a holy convocation with the brethren.

For believers today, Yom Kippur is also a day of afflicting our souls in recognition of the covering of sins for the world and blood-line Israel during Messiah’s 1,000-year reign. This covering of sins or atonement enables those left after Messiah’s Second Coming the ability to come before the righteousness of YahwehShua ha Mashiyah. Otherwise, without covering of sins or atonement, they would be destroyed (Exodus 19:21-22 and 33:20-23).

Lastly, this feast represents the removal of Heylel, the angel of light, also known as Satan and the Devil, from his position of prince over the earth. This binding of Satan happens at the beginning of Messiah’s 1,000-year reign. This world will not know true peace until Satan, the ultimate deceiver, is put away and YahwehShua rules as King of kings and Sovereign of sovereigns.

HalelluYah

(10-14f)

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