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WHAT IS IT?
Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) is also known as the "Day of Judgement" and the "Sabbath of Sabbaths". Although many Believers lump it into the "Biblical Feasts" of the Creator, it is not actually a feast. However, it IS one of the 8 Appointed Times given to us in Scripture!
Leviticus 23: 27-32
"On the tenth day of this seventh new moon is Yom Kippur. It shall be a set apart gathering for you. And you shall afflict your beings, and shall bring an offering made by fire to Adonai.
And you do no work on that same day, for it is Yom Kippur, to make atonement for you before Adonai your Elohim (GOD). For any being who is not afflicted on that same day, he shall be cut off from his people.
You do no work-a law forever throughout your generations in all your dwellings. It is a Sabbath of rest to you, and you shall afflict your beings..."
IF WE BELEIVE IN MESSIAH, DO WE STILL OBSERVE?
The Day of Atonement is to be observed by the Set-Apart People of Israel FOREVER.
Leviticus 16:29-34
And this shall be a law for you forever...And this shall be a law forever, to make atonement for the children of Israel, for all their sins, once a year."
This most holy day is to be observed by Israel AND for the "STRANGER WHO SOJOURNS AROUND YOU." This applies to Believers who are adopted sons and daughters and have been grafted into the branch of Israel. The Creator is clear-His expectation is that we observe the day FOREVER.
HISTORICAL APPLICATION
Historically, this day was the one day a year that atoning blood was taken into the Holy of Holies by the high priest. The priest represented the people and offered on their behalf. His preparations were done carefully, thoughtfully, and began the week before.
The priest often remained in the high priest chamber in the temple court to study the laws of the Day of Atonement, as it was crucial he did not make a mistake. A single error could result in his death and cost the nation of Israel their atonement for their intentional and unintentional sins for the next year.
This day was also the one day each year that the people heard the name of Adonai spoken out loud. The high priest spoke the Creator's name ten times and when the people heard the Name, they fell on the ground in reverence.
CHRISTIAN APPLICATION
The focus of Yom Kippur is atonement for sin. As Believers in Messiah, we know that our high priest, Yeshua (Jesus) died for our sins and rose three days later. We stand firm in the knowledge that his blood atones for both our intentional and unintentional sins. While His blood is living, and washes us clean as snow, if we claim to be grafted into Israel then we as sojourners are still under the command to observe this holy day FOREVER.
Afterall, Scripture is clear that our Creator DOES NOT CHANGE. His ways are good and we can rest in the knowledge that He does not shift and change as shadows.
James 1:17
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no change, nor shadow of turning.
Malachi 3:6
For I am Adonai, I shall not change, and you, O sons of Jacob, shall not come to an end.
In fact, the book of Hebrews explains the Day of Atonement ceremonies as a model and pattern of the atoning work of the Messiah. The blood of Messiah is seen as symbolized in the blood of bulls and goats. Praise the Father for His Son!
Malachi 3:6
For I am Adonai, I shall not change, and you, O sons of Jacob, shall not come to an end.
In fact, the book of Hebrews explains the Day of Atonement ceremonies as a model and pattern of the atoning work of the Messiah. The blood of Messiah is seen as symbolized in the blood of bulls and goats. Praise the Father for His Son!
HOW TO OBSERVE
Although fasting is not explicitly commanded in Scripture, many scholars believe it is implied, and fasting is an integral component of the Day of Atonement. The point of fasting is to focus the mind (heart) on one's spiritual needs, rather than the usual daily physical needs.
Traditionally, a meal is prepared and eaten before sundown with the understanding that both feasting and fasting unto Adonai have their place in the life of a Believer. The shofar can be blown to assemble people for worship, some people choose to wear white to symbolize purity and call to mind the promise that our sins shall be made as white as snow.
Isaiah 1:18
"Come now, and let us reason together," says Adonai. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool."
Believers may choose to study the Psalms, Proverbs, Hebrews, the story of Daniel fasting, or the construction of the tabernacle and temple.
At sunset the following day, a single blast of the shofar ends the Day of Atonement and Believers then break their fast by eating.
Regardless of how you are lead by the Spirit to observe this holy day, what we do know is that we MUST observe this Appointed Time as it is a statute that remains FOREVER for the Set-Apart people of the Creator, including those sojourners who are grafted in.
Obedience is better than sacrifice!
(1 Samuel 15: 22)