DAY OF
ATONEMENT
Part
twelve of fourteen in Commanded Holy Days
Importance Today series
Leviticus 23:27: “The tenth day of this seventh month [or
September, 30, 2017] is the Day of Atonement.
Hold a sacred assembly and deny yourselves, and present an offering made
to the Lord by fire.”
The week Feast of Unleavened Bread drove home how each person is drenched in
sin. Praise God for sending His Son into
the world! Jesus’ shed blood became our
LAST Passover Lamb executed for forgiveness of human sin. Christ’s sacrifice makes possible Believers
approaching Almighty God’s throne room.
As forgiven kids, we’re allowed to climb up on His lap like kids adoring
Dad.
Why is a Day acknowledging Atonement
critical to peace on earth? Answer:
Because sin has a cause. Satan leads an
army of demons that tempt people to disobey God. (See the lesson linked below).
The Day of Atonement focuses on
removing Satan. Many people are tricked
that this threat even exists. Christ and
Apostle Paul warn people how deadly our battle is. “For our battle not against flesh and blood,
but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this
darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness” (Ephesians 6:12).
Jesus offers victory in this
spiritual battle by putting on the whole armor of God in Ephesians 6:13-18. James 4:7 urges Believers’ active role:
submitting to God wearing His armor while resisting the devil, so that “he will
flee from you.”
The Old Testament in the Bible uses
a symbol of Atonement. Leviticus 16:5, 7
commands the priest to select two goats.
Cast lots which one is “for the Lord” and kill him (verses 8-9). He represents Jesus Christ—who paid the
penalty for our sins. On the other is
placed atonement (the priest lays both hands on its head, confessing the sins
of the people). Then he’s released into
the wilderness.
Azazel is the Hebrew name of the
goat freed into the wild. He represents
Satan, who’s the cause for human sin (verses 21-22).
Take Home Nugget
Some
Bibles name the Atonement goat “Scapegoat.”
But calling him that is unfairly blaming him for people’s sin. Green’s Literal Translation more
accurately calls him “goat of departure.”
Jesus will hold Satan accountable for his historic deliberate actions tempting
humans to sin.
Come,
Lord Jesus! We praise You as our high
priest. Reign on earth, fulfilling Your
promise in Revelation 20:2-3 of locking the devil away! Amen.
Adapted from God’s Holy Day
Plan, The Promise of Hope for All Mankind. ©1966, 1998, 2001, 2010, 2013 by the United
Church of Christ. Ohio. Pgs. 35-39.
J.D. Griffith
The latest Christmas eBook by J.D. Griffith:
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