The Day of Atonement Part I: What is the Day of Atonement?

The day of atonement this year falls on Wednesday, September 23, 2015. That means that Tuesday night at sundown until Wednesday night sundown is the holiest day of the year!

Many of us have been taught that the Old Testament talks about the feasts of the Jews, but it is my purpose over the next three posts to prove that the day of atonement represents Jesus 100%. 

Today we will briefly look through the historical context of the day of atonement and whether or not Christians should participate. 

All of God's holy days can be found outlined in the 23rd chapter of Leviticus. Notice I say God's Holy days (...the feasts of the Lord, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are MY feasts. Leviticus 23:2

And Again,

These are the feasts of the Lord, even holy convocations, which ye shall proclaim in their seasons. v.4).

These should not be confused with man's holidays...

This is the 'season,' for the Atonement. 

"And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Also on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire unto the Lord. And ye shall do no work in that same day: for it is a day of atonement, to make an atonement for you before the Lord your God." Leviticus‬ ‭23‬:‭26-28‬

Afflict your soul means to fast. The book of Isaiah reinforces our understanding of the term 'afflict your soul.' (See Isaiah 58:1-8) 

We no longer make the offering made by fire because Jesus was/is our sacrifice. 

Next verse:

"For whatsoever soul it be that shall not be afflicted in that same day, he shall be cut off from among his people." Leviticus‬ 23:39 ‭23‬:‭29‬

The first time that I read this scripture, it scared me to death. 

Whether you are descendant from the children of Israel or not is irrelevant.  

•1st because there were more than Israelites that left Egypt. The Bible says that there was a mixed multitude went up with them. (Exodus 12:37-38)

•2nd because here it says whatever soul that is not afflicted, will be cut off from among HIS people! Meaning, what ever ancestry you belong to, if you don't fast on the Day of Atonement, you will be cut-off from them!

The warning was repeated in verse 30, the soul that does any work, will be "Destroyed from among HIS people!"

Finally, in verse 31, just in case you thought that Jesus nailed this day to the cross, it says, "Ye shall do no manner of work: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations in all your dwellings!" ‬ ‭23‬:‭31‬  

Tomorrow Tomorrow, we will explore the Jesus connection to the Day of Atonement...

May the Lord add a blessing to reading of His Word...

Knowledge is The Key - Locksmif