Day of Attonement

Yom Kippur is the final day of judgment when God judges the people. The shofar (ram’s horn) is blown at the end of the evening prayer service for the first time since Rosh HaShanah.

In Bible times, the high priest sacrificed an animal to pay for his sins and the sins of the people. It was a time of fasting and prayer.

When the high priest was finished with the atonement sacrifice, a goat was released into the wilderness. This “scapegoat” carried Israel’s sins away, never to return (Lev. 16:8- 10, 20- 22, 29- 34)

Fascinating Facts:

After the temple was destroyed in ad 70, Jewish people could no longer offer the prescribed sacrifices for atonement of sins.

They have substituted prayer, good works, and charitable donations hoping to take away the penalty for their sins.

Yom Kippur is a day of fasting. No work is done on this day, including at home. Many Jewish people spend the day at synagogue, praying for forgiveness of their sins.

Immediately after the evening service, they have a “break fast” meal.

The book of Jonah is read during the afternoon service to remind people of God’s forgiveness and mercy.

The Jesus connection:

The Holy of Holies, in the temple, was separated from the congregation by a veil from floor to ceiling.

The Holy of Holies was the innermost room of the temple. It was 15’x15’, and contained the Ark of the covenant.

It was protected by a veil that was 4” thick. It was meant to keep people out

It was entered once a year on Yom Kippur, when the high priest offered the blood sacrifice of atonement on behalf of the people.

When Jesus died on the cross, the thick veil was ripped from top to bottom.

The final and perfect atonement had been made by the blood of Jesus, and all believers would now have access to the throne of God.

Luke 23:44-46

Luke 23:44–46 NKJV

Now it was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. Then the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two. And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit.’ ” Having said this, He breathed His last.

Christ came as high priest and entered the Holy of Holies (heaven itself) once for all, not by the blood of goats and calves but by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption.

Hebrews 9:11-14

Hebrews 9:11–14 NKJV

But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

Believers in Jesus accept his sacrifice on the cross as the final atonement for sin, “being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus”.

Romans 3:21-25

Romans 3:21–25 NKJV

But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed,

Israel will be saved

When the Messiah returns, Israel will look on him, whom they pierced, and repent.

Zechariah 12:10

Zechariah 12:10 NKJV

“And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn.

On this day of repentance, Israel will be forgiven and permanently restored.

Isaiah 66:7-14

Isaiah 66:7–14 NKJV

“Before she was in labor, she gave birth; Before her pain came, She delivered a male child. Who has heard such a thing? Who has seen such things? Shall the earth be made to give birth in one day? Or shall a nation be born at once? For as soon as Zion was in labor, She gave birth to her children. Shall I bring to the time of birth, and not cause delivery?” says the Lord. “Shall I who cause delivery shut up the womb?” says your God. “Rejoice with Jerusalem, And be glad with her, all you who love her; Rejoice for joy with her, all you who mourn for her; That you may feed and be satisfied With the consolation of her bosom, That you may drink deeply and be delighted With the abundance of her glory.” For thus says the Lord: “Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, And the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream. Then you shall feed; On her sides shall you be carried, And be dandled on her knees. As one whom his mother comforts, So I will comfort you; And you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.” When you see this, your heart shall rejoice, And your bones shall flourish like grass; The hand of the Lord shall be known to His servants, And His indignation to His enemies.

Romans 11:26

Romans 11:26 NKJV

And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: “The Deliverer will come out of Zion, And He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob;

Atonement is only through Christ

Atonement can come only through Christ, there is no exception.

John 14:6

John 14:6 NKJV

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Acts 4:12

Acts 4:12 NKJV

Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Romans 10:9-13

Romans 10:9–13 NKJV

that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Day of Atonement in the Hebrew Scriptures: Lev. 25: 9; Num. 29: 7- 11; Ezek. 45: 20; Zech. 12: 10- 13: 9