How to Celebrate the DAY of ATONEMENT

Then "the Eternal spoke 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 ("rehearsal" -- #4744) unto you; and ye shall AFFLICT YOUR SOULS (or "FAST" -- Isa.58:3; Ezra 8:21; also Ps.35:13 (RSV)), and offer an offering ... 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 Eternal your God. For whatsoever soul it is that shall not be AFFLICTED (avoid food) in that same day, he shall be cut off from among his people. And whatsoever soul it is that DOETH ANY WORK in that same day, the same soul will I destroy from among his people. Ye shall do NO MANNER OF WORK: it shall be a statute FOREVER throughout your generations in all your dwellings. It shall be unto you a SABBATH of REST (Heb. "sabbath of sabbaths"), and ye shall AFFLICT YOUR SOULS (which includes not bathing, not playing music and not having sex) In the ninth day of the month at evening, from evening unto evening, shall ye celebrate your sabbath" (Lev.23:26-32; cp. Num.29:7). It shall be a "statute FOREVER" (Lev.16:29). "Whatsoever soul" (v.29) implies the person doesn't need to be a Jew or an Israelite to keep the DAY of ATONEMENT (v.29).

Atonement is a "sabbath of sabbaths" because on it no work of any kind may be done (Lev.16:29; 23:30; Num.29:7). On the other holy days, "no SERVILE work" other than "that which every man MUST EAT" (Ex.12:16) may be done. Philo called the tenth of Tishri "the FAST" (The Ninth Festival)..

How To Fast

To fast in the biblical sense means to go without FOOD and WATER both. Moses "did neither EAT BREAD, nor DRINK WATER" for FORTY DAYS (Ex.34:28; Deut.9:9,18). Elijah also "did EAT and DRINK, and went in the strength of that meat (food) FORTY DAYS and FORTY NIGHTS" (1 Ki.19:8). Christ also "fasted FORTY DAYS and FORTY NIGHTS" (Matt.4:2). The "king of Nineveh ... caused it to be proclaimed and published ... saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything; let them not FEED, nor DRINK water" (Jonah 3:5-7).

Daniel said, "I ATE no pleasant BREAD, neither came FLESH nor WINE in my mouth ... till THREE whole WEEKS were fulfilled" (Dan.10:3). David fasted for SEVEN DAYS (2 Sam.12:16-20). Esther told the Jews to "fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink THREE DAYS, NIGHT or DAY" (Esther 4:16). Paul also DIDN'T "EAT nor DRINK" THREE DAYS (Acts 9:9). Ezra "did EAT NO BREAD, nor DRINK WATER" (Ezra 10:6). We also read about the Pharisee who fasted "TWICE in the WEEK" (two days a week) (Luke 18:12).

Jewish Christians are required to fast only ONE DAY a YEAR -- on the DAY OF ATONEMENT for 24 hours (Don't eat after the noon meal on the ninth.) If a Jewish Christian decides to fast at other times of the year and for longer periods of time, that is his right. But everybody should realize that a normal healthy man can only survive SIX DAYS without WATER or SIX WEEKS without FOOD. Then he dies. Going without FOOD and WATER for FORTY DAYS is impossible unless God performs a miracle. A person should start TAKING LIQUIDS after TWO or THREE DAYS of fasting to prevent DEHYDRATION. Water makes up about 70% of your body. As WATER is ELIMINATED, it must be REPLACED. "JUICE-FASTING" can be sustained for WEEKS. LEMONADE is ideal for this purpose. Taking LIQUIDS also helps to "FLUSH OUT THE POISONS" which cause the characteristic HEADACHES and BAD BREATH associated with fasting for more than a day or two. A person who is ill should consult with a doctor before even fasting on the Day of Atonement, let alone at other times.

When ANIMALS become SICK, they AUTOMATICALLY AVOID FOOD. Their built-in INSTINCT tells them not to eat. By "living off themselves" (autolysis), they start BURNING UP the JUNK they have accumulated -- DEAD CELLS, excess FAT, and accumulated TOXINS. They "UNDO THE HEAVY BURDENS" within their own bodies and become trim and fit again (Isa.58:6). Starvation occurs only after the stored food supply has been burned up -- about 40 days later (p.56, Dr. Allan Cott's Fasting: The Ultimate Diet). The physical benefits that come from mere "juice-fasting" include BURNING UP excess body TISSUES and FAT, giving the heart, stomach and other VITAL ORGANS a much needed REST, RELEASING stored POISONS which accumulate in the body so they can be ELIMINATED, and CURING or RELIEVING many physical DISEASES and AILMENTS. You "LOOSE the BANDS of WICKEDNESS" in your own body (Isa.58:6). After such "painless surgery," the body feels younger and the food tastes better. God promises that your "HEALTH shall SPRING FORTH speedily" (Isa.58:8).

The spiritual purposes of a total fast are to HUMBLE ourselves since "God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble" (1 Pet.5:5; James 4:7-10; Luke 14:11) and/or to UNDERSTAND God's will better (Dan.9:3,22-23; Isa.58:9-11; Dan.10:12-14; Acts 13:1-3; 14:23) and/or to be DELIVERED FROM EVIL people and trials (2 Chr.20; 2 Sam.12:16-20; Jonah 3) and/or to be able to CAST OUT DEMONS that wouldn't otherwise come out (Matt.17:21). See also Ezra 10:6 and Psalm 119:67 and 71. "When I am weak, then am I strong" (2 Cor. 12:10).

Fasting is not done TO BE SEEN by men (Matt.6:16-18) or as an EMPTY RITUAL (Isa.58:3-5; Zech.7:5-6; Luke 18:12). It's not a way to FORCE GOD to do what we want (Isa.58:3-4) or a form of PENANCE where we bear the penalty of our sins or punish ourselves for our sins (Isa.58:5). God ISN'T PLEASED to see us suffer (v.5). "Blow the TRUMPET (shofar ha gadol) in Zion, sanctify a FAST (afflict yourselves) call a SOLEMN ASSEMBLY ... Let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep between the porch and the altar (which was done at Yom Kippur) (Joel 2:15-16). On Atonement the Jews PRAY and CONFESS their sins of the entire year and ask to be SEALED in the Book of Life one more year. We "are SEALED" by the Holy Spirit till "the day of redemption (Yom Kippur) (Eph. 4:30). Wear WHITE CLOTHING because "Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as WHITE as snow" (Isa. 1:18).

Restitution and Kindness Bring Forgiveness

1.) RESTITUTION -- either forced or voluntary. Jails and prisons are unbiblical (cp.Num.15:34). If property is STOLEN and RECOVERED intact, the thief RESTORES DOUBLE (Ex.22:4). If the property is NOT RECOVERED intact, the thief pays FOUR or FIVE TIMES its value (22:1) or even SEVEN TIMES (Pr.6:30-31). If a thief is killed while breaking and entering, there shall be no blood shed for him (Ex.22:2). PUNISHMENT is made to FIT THE CRIME: "Eye for eye; tooth for tooth, hand for hand ... stripe for stripe" (Ex. 21:24-25) and whipping up to 40 LASHES for MISDEMEANORS (Deut.25:3) while FELONIES receive the DEATH penalty (Ex.21). "Every tribulation which comes to man adds up to pay his account to God" (Pesikta Buber p. 165a; Yoma 86).

2.) KINDNESS. Kindness is a SHIELD to CALAMITY. Acts of CHARITY and KINDNESS CANCEL OUT acts of RUDENESS and HARM (Ex.21:30;Ex.30:15-16; Hos.6:6). "Charity delivers from death" (Baba Batra 10a). Receiving UNDESERVED SUFFERING CANCELS OUT any SUFFERING you have GIVEN to INNOCENT people (Num.35:31; Ps.89:33; Isa.22:4). It may even cause you to reap a blessing (2 Sam.16:12; Joel 214). Do you ask for God's compassion upon you? Be compassionate then upon your fellow-men. When Job argued stubbornly and unfairly with his friends, he received no pity; but the Lord restored the prosperity of Job when he prayed on behalf of his friends

(Job 42:10). When did Abraham have a son from Sarah? When he prayed on behalf of Abimelech" (Pesikta Rabbati 39). "Blessed are the MERCIFUL, for they shall obtain MERCY" (Matt.5:7). "Break off ... thine iniquities by showing MERCY to the poor, if there may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity" (Dan.4:27). Along these same lines, we have all given UNDESERVED SUFFERING to Christ to one extent or another. Yet "He answered nothing" (Mark 15:3). A king is forbidden to testify (Seder Nezikin: Sanhedrin 2 Gemara 19A). "Like a lamb dumb (SILENT) before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth (He didn't REBUKE). In his humiliation his judgment (JUSTICE) was taken away" (Acts 8:32-33) by us to whatever extent we've sinned against him.

As 1 Peter 2:18-24 says, "Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle but also to the froward (or PERVERSE). For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God ENDURE GRIEF, SUFFERING WRONGFULLY. For what glory is it if, when ye are buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? But if, when ye do well and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, THAT YE SHOULD FOLLOW HIS STEPS; Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth; Who, when he was reviled, REVILED NOT AGAIN (didn't answer back); when he suffered, HE THREATENED NOT, but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously; who his own self bore our sins in his own body on the tree."

We read that "the kingdom of heaven (is) likened unto a certain king, who would take account of his servants.... one was brought unto him, who owed him ten thousand talents. But forasmuch as he had not with which to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold ... and payment to be made. The servant, therefore, fell down, and worshipped him, saying have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. Then the lord of that servant was moved with COMPASSION, and LOOSED HIM, and FOR- GAVE HIM THE DEBT. But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellow servants, who owed him an hundred pence (a small debt by comparison, but perhaps the same percentage of the whole as the larger debt was) ... and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me what thou owest. And his fellow servant fell down at his feet ... saying, Have patience with me and I will pay thee all. And HE WOULD NOT, but ... cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.... Then his lord, after he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt because thou desiredst me. Shouldest not thou also have had COMPASSION on thy fellow servant, even as I had PITY on thee? And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye, from your hearts, forgive not every one his brother his trespasses" (Matt.18:23-35).

"A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought FRUIT on it, and found NONE. Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none. Cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? And he, answering, said unto him, Lord, LET IT ALONE this year also, till I shall dig about it, and DUNG it; And if it bear fruit, well; and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down" (Luke 13:6-9).

The Confession

Just as the High Priest confessed the sins of Israel over the head of the live goat on Yom Kippur (Lev. 16:21), so "You shall confess your sins" (Numbers 5:7) and Proverbs 28:13 says, "But whoso confesseth and forsaketh them (the sins) shall obtain mercy." Specify the sin as Moses did who said, "This people has indeed committed a great sin and has made a golden idol" (Ex. 32:31). But confession is only meaningful if one decides to abandon the sin (Pesikta Rabbati 44). We speak the confession in the plural because each sinner is responsible for other people he affects and bears part of the blame for their sins as well as his own. They "fall one upon another" (Lev. 26:37). But don't pray for people who don't deserve it (Y. Taanit 6). Many Jews beat their left breast, as each sin is mentioned, when reciting the confession (Luke 18:13).

"Sins between God and man are atoned by Yom Kippur. Sins between man and man are not forgiven on Yom Kippur until the offender has appeased him who is offended" (Mishnah Yoma 5,9). That is why Jesus said, "first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift" (Matt. 5:24; Bava Kamma 110a). The "Days of Awe" are intended for restitution of anybody we may have wrongly hurt during the year. Kneel. Then repeat this prayer on Yom Kippur:

"Our God and the God of our forefathers, listen to our prayer and don't turn away. We confess that we have sinned because "all have sinned and come short" of your glory (Rom. 3:23). "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves" (1 John 1:8). "We have dealt very corruptly against thee, and have not kept the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the judgments, which thou commandedst thy servant, Moses" (Neh. 1:7). We have become guilty either deliberately or accidentally since last Yom Kippur, of false gods, of idolatry, of blasphemy, of Sabbath-breaking, of dishonoring parents, of murder, of adultery, of stealing, of slander and of coveting. Forgive our iniquities, pardon us for our willful sins and atone for our errors. If we have sinned under duress or willingly, in any of these ways or others, pardon us through Yeshua's atonement. For ignoring a positive or negative commandment, whether it can be remedied through restitution or not; For those errors that are revealed to us and those that are not revealed to us, forgive us and don't punish us with suffering or illness. Help us to not anger you. Help us to not sin again. As for those who oppose us and plan evil against us, speedily disrupt their design. May the expressions of our mouths and the thoughts of our hearts find favor before you, Yahweh our Redeemer. In Yeshua's name we pray."

The Great Trumpet

In Judaism the FIRST TRUMP, the LAST TRUMP and the GREAT TRUMPET are distinct from eachother. The FIRST TRUMP is associated with the BETROTHAL (Jer.2:2-3) of Israel and Messiah on PENTECOST (Ex.19:13). The LAST TRUMP is associated with the WEDDING of Israel and Messiah on FEAST OF TRUMPETS and announces the coming of Messiah where the dead are resurrected and the believers are changed to immortality (1 Cor.15:52). But the GREAT TRUMPET is blown at the conclusion of YOM KIPPUR when time to repent has run out (Joel 2:15; Matt.24:31; Isa.27:13). "Israel ... will be made aware of the Redeemer's advent through the Great Shofar" (Eliyahu Zuta 22).

The GATES of HEAVEN are OPENED on Rosh HaShanah (Rev.4:1-2; Isa.26:2; Ps.118:19-20). Ten days later comes the closing ceremony of the Jewish Yom Kippur service, Neilah, meaning "CLOSING of the GATE." It refers to the gates of the Temple and of the Kingdom of Heaven being shut when it is TOO LATE to REPENT and ACCEPT the Messiah . Yes, "the bridegroom came, and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage; and the DOOR WAS SHUT" (Matt.25:10). During this service a shofar called the GREAT SHOFAR (Shofar Ha Gadol) is blown -- one long blast just BEFORE the gate is finally CLOSED.

Moses, who was a type of Christ (Deut. 18:15), came down from Mt. Sinai (heaven) a second time on the Day of Atonement (Tanna Eliyahu Zuta, 4) to let Israelites know that they had been forgiven and to reveal the plans for building the Tabernacle so God could dwell among them. Yeshua will also return the second time from heaven on the Day of Atonement to let Israelites know they've been forgiven and to reveal the plans for the Millenial Temple. Just as Moses veiled his face because it radiated light (Ex. 34:30), so also our Lord will shine when he returns. When he was transfigured on the Mount of Olives, his face shone. But just as Moses' face was veiled from the Israelites, so also there is a veil between Jews and their Yeshua (2 Cor. 3:15-16). Just as Israel worshipped the golden claf while Moses was away, so Israel will worship the beast while Christ is away.

Between Trumpets and Atonement are SEVEN "AWESOME DAYS" during which Jews fast, repent, pray, do good deeds and confess sins knowing that God is about to pronounce judgment on them for the previous year's sins. DEBTS were CANCELLED on ATONEMENT every Jubilee Year, so the parallel is there. The sabbath that falls within this TEN-DAY inclusive period is called "Shabbat Shuvah" (the Sabbath of Return). The average person will have until the end of the SEVEN-YEAR tribulation to repent till his fate is SEALED forever. Yet we read that many "repented not" (Rev. 9:20-21;16:9-11). Remember that Daniel and his three companions were tested for TEN DAYS (Dan.1:12) as types of Laodiceans who won't worship the image of the beast. The church of Smyrna was tested for TEN DAYS (Rev. 2:10) and Nabal died TEN DAYS after learning Abigail had disobeyed him (2 Sam. 25:38). The word of the Lord came to Jeremiah after TEN days (Jer. 42:7). By the Holy Spirit we "are SEALED unto the day of redemption" (Eph.4:30) on YOM KIPPUR. Noah and his family entered the ark SEALED with pitch "SEVEN DAYS" before it began to rain (Gen. 7:4) just like the pretribulation saints will enter the kingdom of heaven on Trumpets before the seven-year Tribulation. Then the world will be given seven years to repent and enter the ark (Tribulation saints). God "SHUT him in" (Gen. 7:16) or SHUT the door just as the gate CLOSES on Atonement (Luke 13:25; Matt. 25:10). During the SEVEN "DAYS of AWE," Christ and his bride will take their honeymoon (Gen.29:27; Ju.14:12) (Tishri 1,2, and 10 are not included -- Neh.8:13). They return from their SEVEN-YEAR HONEYMOON on the eve of the DAY OF ATONEMENT (Joel 2:15-17; Luke 12:35-36) just as a false Messiah confirms a COVENANT with MANY for ONE WEEK" (Dan.9:27). "I will go (get my bride?) and return to my place (chuppah?), till they acknowledge their offense, and seek my face: in their AFFLICTION (tribulation) they will seek me early" (Hos.5:15). After 1260 days of Great Tribulation, the Jews will mourn for Jesus for 30 days (Deut. 34:8) beginning on Yom Kippur (Zech. 12:10) plus 45 more days (Dan. 12:11) bringing us to Kislev 25 -- the Feast of Dedication. Yom Kippur pictures God punishing the world with trumpet plagues and the world repenting. These seven years are known as the time of JACOB'S TROUBLE or the "BIRTHPANGS" (Gen.3:16;35:16-20; 38:27-28; Matt.24:8 "sorrows"; Isa.13:6-8; 26:16-21; 54:1; 66:7-9; Jer.4:31; 6:24; 13:21; 22:23; 30:4-7; Dan.12:1; Micah 4:9-10; John 16:21-22; 1 Th.5:1-3). The Great Tribulation (Jer.30-31) will be the latter half of this WEEK. First comes the resurrection, then the Day of the Lord (1 Th.4:13 to 5:2; Isa.57:1-2; 26:20; Dan.12:1-2; Rev.3:10) We are HIDDEN on the Feast of Trumpets from the Eternal's imminent anger (Zeph.2:3; Ps.27:5). Luke 12:36 says, "And ye yourselves like men that wait for their lord, when he will RETURN FROM THE WEDDING." He comes on the Feast of Trumpets to take his bride away to the marriage and honeymoon. But he RETURNS FROM THE WEDDING and sets foot on the Mount of Olives (Zech.14:4) on Atonement to gather his elect. Jews will look on Jesus whom they pierced, and repent (Zech. 12:10). Judah will then be born in ONE DAY as they realize Christ is their Messiah -- YOM KIPPUR (Isa. 66:8; Hos. 5:15; 6:1-3; Rom. 11:26).

Isaiah 66:7 speaks of BIRTH PANGS AFTER BIRTH for the Messiah. Philadelphians also are kept "from the hour of temptation" (pre-tribulation saints) (Rev. 3:10; Matt. 25:10). Some (such as Laodiceans) were not ready on Trumpets (Rev.3:18). As Isaiah 66:8 says, "as soon as Zion TRAVAILED, she brought forth her children." In this verse BIRTH PANGS come BEFORE BIRTH for Laodiceans (tribulation saints).

But Matthew 24:30-31 says, "Immediately AFTER the TRIBULATION of those days the sun will be DARKENED, and the moon will not give its light ... they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he shall send his angels with a GREAT SOUND of a TRUMPET (Shofar Ha Gadol), and they shall GATHER TOGETHER his elect from the four winds." "In that day ... the GREAT TRUMPET shall be BLOWN (Shofar Ha Gadol), and they (Israelites) shall come who were ready to perish in the land of ASSYRIA (Germany), and the outcasts (Israelites) in the land of EGYPT, and shall worship the Eternal in the holy mount at Jerusalem"(Isa.27:13). These events occur on the DAY of ATONEMENT, not the Feast of Trumpets. Prisoners were set free on the DAY of ATONEMENT every Jubilee Year so there is a parallel here. As Zephaniah 1:14-16 says, "The great DAY OF THE LORD is near ... a day of DARKNESS and gloominess... A day of the TRUMPET (Shofar HaGadol?) and ALARM" when God punishes the wicked. Joel 2:31 says "The sun shall be turned into DARKNESS, and the moon into blood, BEFORE the great and terrible DAY OF THE LORD come." (see also Joel 1:14-15). We know this DAY is one YEAR in length because Ezekiel 4:6 and Numbers 14:34 give a day for a year in prophecy. Also, Isaiah 34:8 says, "For it is the DAY OF THE LORD'S vengeance and the YEAR of recompenses for the controversy of Zion." Also, Isaiah 63:4 reads, "For the DAY OF VENGEANCE is in mine heart and the YEAR of my redeemed is come."

The time sequence is RESURRECTION of PRE-TRIBULATION SAINTS typified by the Feast of Trumpets, TRIBULATION typified by the seven Days of Awe, then DARKNESS, then GREAT TRUMPET and RESURRECTION of TRIBULATION SAINTS and DAY OF THE LORD. The DAY OF THE LORD must be the DAY of ATONEMENT therefore. We know that the GREAT TRIBULATION lasts three and a half years because this "time of trouble" is for "a time, times, and an half" (Dan.12:1,7). Apparently in the midst of a seven-year treaty a prince causes the sacrifices to stop (Dan.9:27). "All these are the beginning ("first half") of sorrows" (Matt.24:8). Let's exhort one another as we "see THE DAY approaching" (Heb.10:25). Yom Kippur is sometimes called merely "YOMA" as in the Mishnah. Messiah comes back to fight for Jerusalem (Zech.14:1-7). According to the Jews, "Great is the Day of the Lord" applies to Rosh ha-Shanah; and "very terrible" applies to Yom Kippur" (Joel 2:11; Otzar Midrashim p. 496).

Satan Is Taken Away

On the DAY of ATONEMENT "Aaron (the HIGH PRIEST) shall cast lots upon the TWO GOATS: one lot for the ETERNAL, and the other lot for the scapegoat" ("goat of departure" -- Strong's #5799; "EVIL DEMON" -- Gesenius' Hebrew Lexicon) (Lev.16:7). One was KILLED. The other was TAKEN AWAY-- out of Jerusalem and thrown over a cliff so that it wouldn't wander back. In this regard, it is fascinating to learn that, at the time that John was preaching repentance (Matt. 3:1-2 during the Month of Repentance -- Elul), Jesus fasted for 40 days beginning on the first day of Elul and ending on the 10th day of Tishri when he stood up for the Torah-reading. He selected Isaiah 61:1-2 describing the Jubilee Year when "liberty" was proclaimed on the Day of Atonement. Notice. They wanted to cast him over the cliff like the the scapegoat (Luke 4:29) on this Yom Kippur.

In the same way, a custom developed at Passover to release one criminal and execute the other because God had selected at Passover the Egyptian firstborn to DIE and the Israelite firstborn to be LET GO (Hos. 11:1). Pilate said unto them, Which of the twain (TWO) will ye that I release unto you? They said, BARABBAS. Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with JESUS, who is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be CRUCIFIED" (Matt.27:17-22; cp. Mishnah, Pesahim 9:6) . JESUS was the SON of the FATHER (John 8:54) and "BARABBAS" means "SON of the FATHER" in Hebrew. The people were unable to distinguish between Jesus, the true SON of the FATHER, and the "ROBBER" (John 18:40) who was guilty of "SEDITION" and "MURDER" (Luke 23:19). PILATE acted the role of HIGH PRIEST. Jesus was KILLED and Barabbas was TAKEN AWAY and LET GO like the SCAPEGOAT or SATAN.

The Messiah was crucified in 31 A.D. From that time on, the Jewish nation began experiencing "bad omens." It was considered a good omen if the Lord's lot was drawn in the right hand, but for 40 years prior to the temple destruction in 70 A.D., the priest drew it in his left hand. Also a sash stopped turning from red to white during this same 40-year period (Isa. 1:18). Also the firewood for the altar didn't burn strongly all day as before; the menorah's westernmost light, from which all the others were lighted, did not shine all the time (Talmud, Yoma 39a); the San Hedrin was banished to ten different places (Rosh Hashanah 31ab); and the great doors of the temple would open by themselves. Zechariah 11:1 predicted this phenomenon where Lebanon (white) refers to the white temple.

"AARON shall LAY both his HANDS upon the head of the LIVE GOAT, and confess over it all the iniquities of the children of Israel ... putting them upon the head of the GOAT, and shall send it away by the hand of a FIT MAN into the WILDERNESS ... unto a land NOT INHABITED" (Lev. 16:20-22; cp. Ex. 30:10; Lev. 16:34). The goat was taken away and pushed OVER A CLIFF. In the same way MESSIAH cleansed us and was made "sin for us" (2 Cor.5:21) on Passover but on Atonement Christ transfers these sins back onto SATAN and cleanses himself. The Messiah will LAY HANDS ON SATAN symbolizing the GIVING of some special spiritual RESPONSIBILITY, good or bad (Num.27:18-19; Lev.3:13; 24:14; Mark 5:23; 16:18; 1 Tim.4:14; 5:22; Acts 8:18). Then "I saw an ANGEL come down from heaven, having the key of the BOTTOMLESS PIT and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, who is the Devil and SATAN, and bound him a thousand years, 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" (Rev.20:1-3). Therefore the "FIT MAN" is an ANGEL. The GOAT of DEPARTURE is SATAN and the uninhabited "WILDERNESS" is the "BOTTOMLESS PIT" (Rev.18:2). AARON is the MESSIAH.

When Messiah returns on the DAY of ATONEMENT, the ultimate fulfillment will take place. SATAN will be pushed OVER THE CLIFF. Also, people will once again have a hard time choosing between the FALSE MESSIAH and the TRUE. Most men who think they're worshipping GOD are actually worshipping SATAN -- "the god of this world" (2 Cor.4:4). The "father of lies" (John 8:44), like Barabbas, tried to take a position that wasn't rightfully his and rebelled against lawful authority (Isa.14:13-14). Since it is actually SATAN who is primarily RESPONSIBLE for all the SINS that have ever been committed, it is only right for the RESPONSIBILITY of those sins to be put back on his head. Messiah paid for our part in every sin that we repent of. But he did not pay for Satan's part in these sins, or the sins of the demons. THEY WON'T REPENT.

Satan and his demons are not offered salvation. They are spirit beings and live forever. Satan will still be alive after the Millenium (Rev.20:7). Satan may be imprisoned TEN YEARS after the Millenium starts and be released TEN YEARS after the Millenium ends (Rev.20:2) typified by TEN DAYS OF AWE. "Each DAY for a YEAR" (Num.14:34; Ez.4:6).

To discover WHERE the "BOTTOMLESS PIT" is located, let us read Revelation 18:2 which says, "BABYLON the great is fallen (539 B.C.), is fallen (end-time), and is become the HABITATION of DEVILS, and the hold of every foul spirit (DEMON), and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird." The description of an UNINHABITED "WILDERNESS" fits BABYLON well because we read that "It shall NEVER BE INHABITED, neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation ... But wild beasts of the desert shall lie there; and their houses shall be full of doleful creatures, and owls shall dwell there, and satyrs (lit. translated "DEMONS" in Lev.17:7) shall dance there. And the wild beasts of the islands (coastlands) shall cry in their desolate houses, and DRAGONS (jackals) in their pleasant palaces; and her time is near to come, and her days shall not be prolonged" (Isa.13:20-22). The "angels who kept not their first estate ... he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness ... to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever" (Jude 6,13).

If the "GREAT TRUMPET" of the DAY of ATONEMENT (Isa.27:13; Matt.24:31; Joel 2:15) is the same as the "SEVENTH TRUMPET" of the DAY of the LORD (Rev.11:15), then the culmination of both is at ARMAGEDDON when Messiah TAKES the BEAST and false prophet and CASTS them both in the burning trash dump on the south side of Jerusalem known as the Hinnom Valley (gehennah). This is a fulfillment of the AZAZEL GOAT being TAKEN AWAY and CAST over a cliff.

Messiah will annihilate the armies gathered together to fight him (Rev.19:17-21; Zeph.3:8; Joel 3:9-17; Isa.63:1-6; Jer.25:30-33 ).

By this time the advanced columns of the armies will have swept down from Megiddo to Jerusalem in the Valley of Jehoshaphat (Kidron Valley) just east of Jerusalem where they get BLOODIED (Joel 3:1-21).

"And their BLOOD shall be SPRINKLED upon my garments" (Isa.63:3). This will fulfill the SPRINKLING OF BLOOD by the HIGH PRIEST. Then the inhabitants of Jerusalem "shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall MOURN for him ... and shall be in BITTERNESS" on a national scale just as Jews MOURN for their sins every DAY of ATONEMENT individually.

The sprinkling of blood over the mercy seat COVERED the BROKEN LAW inside the ark (Heb.9:4) just as Christ's sacrifice covered the broken law and "remission of sins that are past" (Rom.3:25; Rev.5:9). "So shall he sprinkle many nations" (Isa.52:15). The Hebrew name "Yom Kippur" means "DAY of COVERING." A BROKEN LAW is what is COVERED. The CLOUD OF INCENSE also COVERS the mercy seat. "Pitch" (Kaphar) covers the ark in Genesis 6:14. Another possibility is that "KAPPER" comes from "KOFER" meaning "a RANSOM" as in Exodus 21:30 ("thirty shekels of silver" -- Matt.26:15) and 2 Samuel 21:3 where an individual otherwise deserves death. "PROPITIATION" (Gr. "hilasmos") means the same thing in the New Testament (Rom.3:23-25; 1 John 2:2; 4:9-10).

As a MICROCOSM of the future, SATAN may be BOUND ONE DAY EACH YEAR. The numerical value of the Hebrew letters spelling the word SATAN add up to only 364, because Satan is chained on the Day of Atonement each year (cp. Lev.16:10 & Rev.20:1-2). Notice: HaSaTaN is Heh = 5, Shin = 300, Tet = 9 and Nun = 50. "Satan accuses the Jews every day of the year except on the Day of Atonement" (Yoma 20a; see also Midrash Tehillim 27). If we keep this day holy from year to year, possibly we will be PROTECTED from SATAN'S WRATH during the GREAT TRIBULATION and even BEFORE.

No man can see God's FACE and live (Ex.33:20). But the high priest went into the holy of holies once a year (Lev.16:2; Heb.9:7) "FACE TO FACE" with God. First Corinthains 13:12 says, "For now we see through a glass darkly; but then, FACE TO FACE; now I know in part, but then shall I know even as also I am known." Both verse 11 and 12 come from the Jewish Midrash. FACE TO FACE is an idiom for YOM KIPPUR. See Ezekiel 20:33-35 and Romans 11:25-29.

Jesus the High Priest

Just as Israel looked for the RETURN of the HIGH PRIEST from the holy of holies and the tabernacle, we look for CHRIST'S RETURN (Heb.9:28). The people waited for Aaron as he completed the atoning sacrifices. If he didn't return, they knew their sins were not forgiven and atoned for. When he came out, all Israel knew they would have life for another year.

On Yom Kippur, Jews will realize that Jesus is their Messiah because when Judah repented, Joseph (a type of Messiah) revealed his identity (Gen. 44:16,33-34). There "stood no man with him" (Gen. 45:1) just as the High Priest was alone on the Day of Atonement. Joseph also said, "Ye shall not see my face, except your brother be with you" (Gen. 43:3) -- no face to face Atonement without Benjamin. "He will destroy" "the veil that is spread over all nations" (Isa. 25:7) -- the veil covering the Holy of Holies. "They shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him" (Zech. 12:10). "I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offense (Yom Kippur confessing), and seek my face; in their affliction (fasting) they will seek me early" (Hos. 5:15). "Come,and let us return unto the Eternal (repent); for he hath torn, and he will heal us" (Hos. 6:1). All these scriptures imply Yom Kippur as the time element. ""After two days will he revive us (1948); in the third day he will raise us up (resurrection -- 2026). "Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord" (Matt. 23:39)

In Luke 24:50 Jesus "lifted up his hands and blessed them." On the Day of Atonement the High Priest pronounced the name of God. He formed the Hebrew letter Shin, the first letter of the Hebrew name "Shaddai" meaning Almighty, with his hands. Then, lifting his hands, he would pronounce the Aaronic Benediction, also known as the Priestly Blessing, over the people: "The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; The Lord lift up his face upon you (smile), and give you peace. So they will put my name upon the Israelites, and I will bless them" (Num. 6:24-27). Jewish people automatically know that when a priest or spiritual leader lifts his hands for a blessing, he is pronouncing the Aaronic Benediction and invoking God's name.







To calculate a modern Sabbatical year or Jubilee year, simply add sets of 490 year intervals to 27-28 A.D. For instance, 27 + 490 years = 517 A.D. as another Jubilee Year. For a modern Jubilee Year, 27 + 490 + 490 + 490+ 490 = 1987-88. Or if we want merely to know when a modern Sabbatical Year must be observed, 1986 +7 +7 +7 +7 = 2014-2015.