Yom Kippur - The Day of Atonement 2022 • Messianic Yom Kippur Service | Yom Kippur Livestream

Yom Kippur - The Day of Atonement 2022 • Messianic Yom Kippur Service | Yom Kippur Livestream

Understanding Yom Kippur: A Time of Cleansing and Atonement

This Bible teaching from Founded in Truth Fellowship delves into the profound significance of Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. The speaker explains that Yom Kippur, as described in the Old Testament book of Leviticus, was a sacred day for the ancient Israelites, a time for purification and the symbolic removal of sin. It was a day when God revealed His character through a ritual designed to cleanse the community and the dwelling place of God from the consequences of their wrongdoings.

The teaching highlights the concept of sin as presented in Leviticus, portraying it metaphorically as trash that accumulates and defiles. This trash, born from human pride, arrogance, and lust, doesn't just stay with the individual; it symbolically affects the presence of God, represented by the tabernacle. Even unintentional sins required a sacrifice, demonstrating the weight and seriousness of actions that fall short of God's standard.

The central event of Yom Kippur involved the high priest, who on this one day of the year, would enter the holiest of holies, the most sacred part of the tabernacle where the Ark of the Covenant resided. Before entering, the high priest would humble himself by removing his royal attire and donning a simple white linen tunic. He would then take a bull for his own sins and two similar goats. Through the casting of lots, one goat would be chosen to be sacrificed, and the other would become the scapegoat.

The ritual involved the high priest taking coals and incense into the holiest of holies, creating a smoke screen, and then sprinkling the blood of the bull and the sacrificed goat seven times on the mercy seat, symbolizing the cleansing of God's throne from the accumulated sin. This act was repeated in the holy place and on the brazen altar outside, signifying a thorough cleansing process moving outward. The number seven, the speaker notes, possibly alludes back to the creation story in Genesis, where God desired to dwell with humanity. The eastward facing door of the tabernacle also recalls the exile of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden, suggesting a symbolic reversal where sin is expelled, and God's presence remains.

The ritual culminated with the high priest laying his blood-soaked hands on the head of the living goat, confessing the sins and transgressions of Israel onto it, symbolically transferring their iniquities. This scapegoat was then led away from the presence of God and the people to the "land of the cutoff," signifying the removal of sin. This elaborate ceremony underscored God's willingness to cleanse and forgive.

The Limitations of the Old Covenant and the Promise of a New Way

However, the speaker emphasizes that while the Yom Kippur ceremony provided a symbolic cleansing, it was not a permanent solution to the problem of sin rooted in the human heart. The sacrifices had to be repeated year after year, serving as an annual reminder of sins. The book of Hebrews, particularly chapters 9 and 10, is referenced to illustrate that the law was merely a "shadow of good things that are coming." The blood of bulls and goats could not ultimately take away sins.

The teaching then transitions to the fulfillment of Yom Kippur through Yeshua (Jesus) the Messiah. It is explained that Yeshua's sacrifice offers a new and living way for believers to draw near to God, a way opened through the "curtain that is his body." Yeshua is presented as the ultimate high priest who dealt with the source of sin, not just its effects. His blood provides a once-for-all atonement, cleansing the conscience from guilt and offering full assurance through faith.

Drawing on the prophecy in Ezekiel, the speaker discusses the promise of God replacing hearts of stone with hearts of flesh and placing His Spirit within believers, empowering them to live as the fully human beings they were created to be. Through Yeshua, believers have the power to turn away from sin and embrace the presence of God. The promise in Leviticus 16:30, that individuals will be cleansed from all their sins before the Lord, is seen as fulfilled in Yeshua.

The speaker underscores that Yom Kippur, for believers in Yeshua, is a time to memorialize God's character and His willingness to forgive. It is an opportunity to reflect on personal sins and transgressions and to actively choose to leave behind those things that hinder a close relationship with God. Just as the trash was symbolically removed during the ancient Yom Kippur, believers are called to "get the trash out" of their lives.

To find more Bible Teachings, click the link.

Application for Everyday Life

• Self-Reflection and Repentance: Take time for honest self-examination, identifying areas of sin and shortcomings in your life. Like the seriousness of sin portrayed in Leviticus, acknowledge the impact of your actions on your relationship with God and others. Make a conscious decision to turn away from these things (repentance).
• Recognize the Seriousness of Sin: Understand that sin, even secret sins, are not hidden from God and affect your ability to experience His full presence. Don't become complacent or comfortable with behaviors that you know are wrong.
• Embrace Forgiveness and Grace: Remember God's willingness to forgive and cleanse through the sacrifice of Yeshua. If you are willing to repent and turn from your sins, God's grace and mercy are available to you.
• Lay Down Your Burdens: Utilize times of reflection, like Yom Kippur, as opportunities to symbolically "leave something here tonight" – to release the burdens of sin, guilt, and unhealthy attachments that weigh you down.
• Seek Intimacy with God: Pursue a closer relationship with God with a sincere heart and full assurance of faith, knowing that Yeshua has opened the way back to the intimacy of "Eden."
• Allow the Holy Spirit to Work: Recognize the power of the Holy Spirit within you to bring about change and to help you overcome sin. Open your heart to His work in your life.
• Live as the Temple of God: Understand that as believers, you are now the temple where God's Spirit resides. Strive to keep this "temple" clean from the "trash" of sin.
• Don't Chase the "Goat": Be aware of the tendency to proclaim God's goodness and forgiveness but then return to the very sins you claim to be repenting from. Resist the allure of what you know is harmful and contrary to God's will.

Ultimately, Yom Kippur is a reminder of God's holiness, the seriousness of sin, and His profound love and mercy demonstrated through the atoning sacrifice of Yeshua. It is a call to ongoing repentance, reliance on God's grace, and a commitment to living in a way that honors His presence within us.

References

Bible Verses

• Leviticus 1
• Leviticus 4
• Leviticus 16
• Hebrews 9
• Hebrews 10

Books and Resources Mentioned

• The Bible
• Book of Leviticus

Note: This article contains affiliate links.