DAY OF ATONEMENT Section Six of Biblical Holy Days Compiled by Richard C. Nickels Distributed by: Giving & Sharing P.O. Box 100 Neck City, MO 64849 Revised Edition, copyright 1996 by Sharing & Giving, Inc. Introduction Section Six of Biblical Holy Days covers the Day of Atonement, the only commanded annual fast day. Our purpose is to provide resource material and in-depth instruction for those who already observe these sacred times. The Day of Atonement is the tenth day of Seventh Month, and can never fall on first, third and sixth days of the week. We begin fasting by missing the evening meal before sunset of the beginning of the tenth day of the Seventh Month. Prayer, Bible Study, meditation, and spiritual fellowship are our spiritual food during this annual "Sabbath of Sabbaths." Table of Contents Day of Atonement 1 Atonement scriptures in the Old and New Testaments. History and traditions of Atonement observance. Purpose of fasting and how Atonement relates to the Jubilee Year. Day of Atonement: Liberty Through Fasting 13 Atonement pictures the time of liberty when Israel in captivity shall return to the Almighty. Atonement Quiz 15 D A Y O F A T O N E M E N T Day of Atonements Yom Kippurim Divine Appointment Moed Sabbath of Sabbaths Shabbat Shabbat Holy Convocation Mikra Kodesh Most Holy Kodesh Kodeshim Solemn Assembly Atsereth Afflicting the Soul, Fasting = No Food or Drink, Day of Cleansing From Sin, Climax of Ten Days of Repentance, Initiates Jubilee Year, Turning Back, Return, Azazel, Putting Away of Satan, At-one-ment, Man is Made at One with God Psalm 32:1, "Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered." Mark 1:15, "Repent ye, and believe the gospel." Hebrews 9:22, 27-28 and 10:10, " . . . without shedding of blood is no remission [of sins] . . . . And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many . . . . we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." Hebrews 10:16-22, "This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which He hath consecrated for us, through the vail, that is to say, His flesh; And having an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Psalm 35:13, "I humbled [afflicted] my soul with fasting . . . ." James 4:10, "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He shall lift you up." The Day of Atonement Day of Atonement is a Special "Sabbath of Sabbaths" Leviticus 23:27-32, 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. For whatsoever soul it be that shall not be afflicted in that same day, he shall be cut off from among his people. And whatsoever soul it be 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 for ever throughout your generations in all your dwellings. It shall be unto you a sabbath of rest [Hebrew: "sabbath of sabbaths," indicating that Atonement is a Sabbath of paramount importance], and ye shall afflict your souls: in the ninth day of the month at even, from even unto even, shall ye celebrate [rest] your sabbath. Purpose to Make Atonement For Our Sins Once a Year Leviticus 16:29-34, And this shall be a statute for ever unto you: that in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, ye shall afflict your souls, and do no work at all . . . . For on that day shall the priest make an atonement for you, to cleanse you, that ye may be clean from all your sins before the LORD. It shall be a sabbath of rest unto you, and ye shall afflict your souls, by a statute for ever . . . . And this shall be an everlasting statute unto you, to make an atonement for the children of Israel for all their sins once a year. Exodus 30:10, And Aaron shall make an atonement upon the horns of it once in a year with the blood of the sin offering of atonements: once in the year shall he make atonement upon it throughout your generations: it is most holy unto the LORD. Why is atonement for sins needed? Ezekiel 18:4, 20, . . . the soul that sinneth, it shall die [unless that sin is atoned, or covered]. Hebrews 9:22, . . . without shedding of blood [there] is no remission. Significance of Old Testament Atonement Rites Please read Leviticus 16:1-34. Here is a commentary on this important Bible chapter: The Old Testament rites of the Day of Atonement have great significance. Aaron is a type of Christ. The holy place represented, was a type, of the throne room of the Almighty in Heaven. See Exodus 25:17-20 and Jeremiah 17:12. The mercy seat was the cover of the Ark of the Covenant, which contained the Ten Commandments. The high priest was an impure human being, unfit to stand in the presence of the sinless spiritual Creator, so he had to be cleansed and his sins removed. The physical rituals did not really do this, but reminded them of sin and the need for the coming messianic sacrifice. The priest's "holy garments" represented righteousness, Revelation 19:8. The Hebrew word translated "scapegoat" in the KJV is Azazel. Gesenius' Hebrew Lexicon defines azazel as "an evil demon." Azal means "he removed or separated." Azazel thus represents Satan the Devil. The English word scapegoat comes from escape goat, the one let go in the wilderness. Today scapegoat means "one who bears the blame for others, but is not guilty himself." Satan is no scapegoat! He is guilty and will be punished for his own sins. Man naturally is inclined to shift the blame, seeking a scapegoat. Satan's message is "always blame someone else, never clean up yourself." Christians freely admit their own guilt. Christ freely pays the penalty for the sinner, upon true repentance and a desire not to sin in the future. Christ is no scapegoat either! Notice that the high priest cast lots to decide which goat was for the LORD and which was to represent Satan. He could not humanly determine which one was which. A lot is a solemn appeal to God to decide a doubtful matter. A sacred religious ceremony, casting of lots includes a supernatural act of God. Thus, lotteries and gambling are of the devil, profaning a holy ceremony. Proverbs 16:33. Men today are unable to tell who is of Christ, who is of Satan. The devil has done his work of deception so well, that the world does not know who is of God and who is of the Devil. Most Christian professing people who think they are worshipping God are actually worshipping the Devil, II Corinthians 4:4. The incense of the high priest represented prayer, Revelation 5:8, the kind of petitions the Almighty will hear. Sweet incense shows that our attitude in prayer should not be bitter or vindictive. Beaten fine indicates that we are to be specific in prayer requests. Don't use the trite generalization: "God bless everyone." As incense rises from hot coals, so our prayers are to ascend like a cloud. Just as the cloud of incense protected the high priest from the glory of the Almighty, so prayers bring God's protection. The goat of the sin offering represented Christ. Its blood symbolized the shed blood of our Savior. Why did the high priest sprinkle blood on the mercy seat? Because the mercy seat covered the Ark of the Covenant, containing the Ten Commandments written in stone by the finger of God. Breaking these laws made a sin offering necessary. Blood covered the Ark, thus symbolically "covering" broken law. The altar, tabernacle, and mercy seat were defiled by sin. During the year, the sins of Israel were symbolically transferred to the tabernacle and its fixtures. Once a year sin was symbolically removed at Atonement so that God could continue to dwell among His people. Sin separates us from God, Isaiah 59:2. The priest entering within the vail with the blood of the goat represents the risen Messiah entering God's tabernacle on Wavesheaf Sunday in Heaven, beseeching the Almighty to apply His precious blood for our sins. Christ is our high priest today, Hebrews 7:25, 4:14-16, our intercessor with the Father. Laying on of hands on the live goat reminded Israel that their sins needed to be placed on the head of Satan, the father of sin. Laying on of hands symbolizes a setting apart, bestowing some characteristic or attribute to, a being. The second goat cannot represent Christ, for when He died, He fully paid for our sins. Satan has a principal role in our sins. Christ paid for our part in our sins. Satan's part in our sins will be placed right back on his own head, where it belongs. Revelation 20:1-2 is a parallel passage, showing Satan will be bound. The "fit man" of Leviticus 16:21 represents an angel, who takes Satan away. Azazel, Satan, carries his own sins, he is no longer allowed to deceive people, and lives on in the wilderness. After the ceremony is over, the high priest must wash his garments. After coming in contact with the symbolic Devil, he has to purify himself. Changing garments signifies putting away sin. The whole Christian life involves cleaning our garments, Zechariah 3:3-4, Revelation 3:4. We must continually wash ourselves from associations with this sinful world, Ephesians 5:26. Every Christian must have the appropriate wedding garments, signifying righteousness. All spiritual Israelites must keep the Day of Atonement, an everlasting statute and reminder that we need the atoning blood of our Savior. Hebrews 8, 9, 10 Explain Meaning of Leviticus 16 (1) Christ is our High Priest; Physical Things Served as Examples of Spiritual. Hebrews 8:1-2, 5, We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; A minister of the sanctuary [holy things], and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man . . . . [which physical things] serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things . . . . (2) What Was in Holy of Holies; Mercy Is Available to Cover Broken Law. Hebrews 9:3-5, And after [inside] the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all; Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant . . . and the tables of the covenant [two tables of stone having the 10 Commandments]. And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercy seat . . . . (3) Physical Ordinances on Day of Atonement Did Not Make Israel Perfect; Reminded them of Sins and need of Atonement (covering), or Forgiveness. Hebrews 9:7-10, But into the second [tabernacle, or "holy of holies"] went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people . . . the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest [available] . . . was a figure [type] . . . in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect . . . . Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal [physical] ordinances imposed on them until the time of reformation. Hebrews 10:1, 3-5, For the [ceremonial] law having a shadow of good things to come . . . can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect . . . . But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins . . . . Sacrifice and offering Thou wouldest not, but a body hast Thou prepared me [a perfect human sacrifice -- Christ -- is necessary]. Hebrews 10:11, And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices which can never take away sins. (4) The Offering of Christ Once and For All Provided a Means of Atoning for Our Sins: O.T. Sacrifices Done Away. Hebrews 9:11-12, 22, But Christ being come an high priest . . . . by His own blood He entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us . . . . without shedding of blood is no remission [of sins]. Hebrews 9:26-28, . . . but now once . . . hath He appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself . . . . So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many . . . . Hebrews 10:10, By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. Hebrews 10:18, Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. See also Hebrews 7:26-27. (5) By This Atonement, Christ is the Mediator of the New Covenant. Hebrews 9:15, And for this cause He is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of his death . . . they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. Hebrews 10:16-17, This is the covenant that I will make with them . . . I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them. And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. (6) We Have Constant Availability of Mercy (Atonement for our sins). Hebrews 7:25, Wherefore He is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them. (7) We Cannot Disdain the Blood of the Covenant Whereby We Are Forgiven -- Not Use Mercy As Excuse for Breaking the Law. Hebrews 10:26-31, For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. He that despised Moses law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? . . . The Lord shall judge His people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Special Sacrifices Offered on Day of Atonement Numbers 29:7-11, And ye shall have on the tenth day of this seventh month an holy convocation; and ye shall afflict your souls: ye shall not do any work therein: But ye shall offer a burnt offering unto the LORD for a sweet savor; one young bullock, one ram, and seven lambs of the first year; they shall be unto you without blemish: And their meat offering shall be of flour mingled with oil, three tenth deals to a bullock, and two tenth deals to one ram, A several tenth deal for one lamb, throughout the seven lambs: One kid of the goats for a sin offering; beside the sin offering of atonement [see Leviticus 16], and the continual burnt offering, and the meat offering of it, and their drink offerings. What Kind of Sacrifice Does God Want Today? Why? Psalm 51:16-17, For Thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it . . . . The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise. Hosea 6:6, For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings. I Peter 2:5, . . . [we are] to offer up spiritual sacrifices. Leviticus 23:27, . . . and you shall afflict your souls . . . . Psalm 35:13, . . . I humbled [afflicted] my soul with fasting. Psalm 69:10, When I wept, and chastened my soul with fasting . . . . Deuteronomy 8:2-3, . . . to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep His commandments or no. And He humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna [supernatural food] . . . that He might make thee know that man doeth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live. Isaiah 58:6-7, Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke [of sins which burden you]? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh [have compassion on others, but be hard on yourself, get rid of your sins]? Paul Began His Voyage to Rome After Atonement Acts 27:9, Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them. Day of Trumpets Foreshadows Atonement Joel 2:1, 15-17, Blow ye the trumpet in Zion . . . let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand . . . . Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly: Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children . . . let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet [time to refrain from embracing, Ecclesiastes 3:5, and sexual relations, because of fasting and prayer, I Corinthians 7:5]. Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep . . . and let them say, Spare Thy people, O LORD, and give not thine heritage to reproach . . . . Joel 2:12-13, 32, . . . turn ye even to Me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth Him of the evil [is anxious not to punish you]. NOTE: The message of these verses is clear: God's people need to repent, or they will not be spared in the Day of the LORD. But "whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered," Joel 2:32. Jews read Micah 7:18-20 on the Day of Atonement to show that God's mercy is available, IF we repent: "Who is a God like unto Thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? [those few who do repent] He retaineth not His anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy. He will turn again, He will have compassion upon us; He will subdue our iniquities; And Thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea." Matthew 5:7, Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Exodus 20:5-6, . . . visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. Day of Atonement a Special Time of Repentance Numbers 5:6-7, When a man or woman shall commit any sin that men commit, to do a trespass against the LORD . . . . Then they shall confess their sin which they have done: and he shall recompense [offer restitution for] his trespass . . . [Compare with Leviticus 16:2]. Numbers 15:30-31, But that soul that doeth aught presumptuously [refuses to confess his sins and repent] . . . . Because he hath despised the word of the LORD, and hath broken His commandment, that soul shall utterly be cut off; his iniquity shall be upon him. Deuteronomy 4:30-31, When thou art in tribulation . . . in the latter days, if thou turn to the LORD thy God, and shalt be obedient unto His voice; (For the LORD thy God is a merciful God;) He will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant . . . [see Deuteronomy 30:1-6]. I Kings 8:33-34, [Solomon's prayer at the dedication of the Temple] When Thy people Israel be smitten down before the enemy, because they have sinned against Thee, and shall turn again to Thee, and confess Thy name, and pray, and make supplication unto Thee in this house: Then hear Thou in heaven, and forgive the sin of Thy people Israel, and bring them again unto the land which Thou gavest unto their fathers. I Kings 21:25-29, [Ahab humbled himself by fasting] But there was none like unto Ahab, which did sell himself to work wickedness in the sight of the LORD, whom Jezebel his wife stirred up . . . . And it came to pass, when Ahab heard those words, that he rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his flesh, and fasted, and lay in sackcloth, and went softly . . . . Seest thou how Ahab humbleth himself before Me? because he humbleth himself before Me, I will not bring the evil in his days: but in his son's days will I bring evil upon his house. II Chronicles 7:14, If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. II Chronicles 33:11-13, [Manasseh humbly fasted and repented] Wherefore the LORD brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of Assyria, which took Manasseh among the thorns, and bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon. And when he was in affliction, he besought the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, And prayed unto Him: and He was entreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD He was God. Job 11:14, If iniquity be in thine hand, put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in thy tabernacles. Psalm 51:1-19, Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of Thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against Thee, Thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Thy sight: that Thou mightest be justified when Thou speakest, and be clear when Thou judgest. Behold, I was shapen in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, Thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part Thou shalt make me to know wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which Thou hast broken may rejoice. Hide Thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Thy presence; and take not Thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with Thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors Thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto Thee. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, Thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of Thy righteousness. O Lord, open Thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth Thy praise. For Thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: Thou delightest not in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise. Do good in Thy good pleasure unto Zion: build Thou the walls of Jerusalem. Then shalt Thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon Thine altar. Proverbs 16:2, 6, All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes . . . . By mercy and truth iniquity is purged; and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil. Proverbs 28:13, He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. Isaiah 31:6, Turn ye unto Him from whom the children of Israel have deeply revolted. Isaiah 55:6-7, Seek ye the LORD while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon. Jeremiah 3:12-14, Return, thou backsliding Israel, saith the LORD . . . for I am merciful . . . . Only acknowledge thine iniquity . . . . Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD. Jeremiah 13:23, Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil. Jeremiah 31:34, . . . for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more. Lamentations 5:21, Turn Thou us unto Thee [give us repentance], O LORD, and we shall be turned; renew our days as of old. Ezekiel 18:20, 21, 24, The soul that sinneth, it shall die . . . . But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all My statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die. But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity . . . shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned . . . in his sin that he has sinned, in them shall he die. Hosea 14:1-4, O Israel, return unto the LORD thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity. Take with you words, and turn to the Lord: say unto Him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips. Asshur shall not save us; we will not ride upon horses: neither will we say any more to the work of our hands, Ye are our gods: for in Thee the fatherless findeth mercy. I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for Mine anger is turned away from him. Malachi 3:7, Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from Mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto Me, and I will return unto you, saith the Lord of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return? Mark 1:15, . . . The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. Mark 2:17, . . . I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. I John 1:8-9, If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Atonement Emphasizes Savior's Atoning Blood Matthew 26:28, For this is My blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. Luke 24:46-47, . . . it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. Acts 20:28, . . . the Church of God, which He hath purchased with His own blood. Romans 3:24-25, Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus; Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in His blood . . . for the remission [passing over] of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God. Romans 5:9, Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. I Corinthians 15:3, . . . Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures. Ephesians 1:7, In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace. Ephesians 2:13-18, But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For He is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us . . . . For through Him we both [Israel and Gentile] have access by one Spirit unto the Father. I Peter 1:18-20, Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you. I John 1:7, . . . the blood of Jesus Christ . . . cleanseth us from all sin. I John 2:2, And He is the propitiation for our sins . . . also for the sins of the whole world. Revelation 1:5, . . . Jesus Christ . . . that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood. Revelation 5:9, . . . for Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood . . . . Revelation 7:14, . . . These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Revelation 12:11, And they [God's Church] overcame him [Satan] by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. The Fiftieth, Jubilee Year, Began on Atonement Leviticus 25:8-17, And thou shalt number seven sabbaths of years unto thee, seven times seven years . . . forty nine years. Then shalt thou cause the trumpet of the jubilee [Hebrew, "liberty"] to sound on the tenth day of the seventh month, in the day of atonement shall ye make the trumpet sound throughout all your land. And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof: it shall be a jubilee unto you; and ye shall return every man unto his possession, and ye shall return every man unto his family . . . ye shall not sow, neither reap . . . . Ye shall not therefore oppress one another. Where does God get the authority to order a jubilee redemption for the land and the people? Leviticus 25:23-24, The land shall not be sold for ever: for the land is Mine: for ye are strangers and sojourners with Me. And in all the land of your possession ye shall grant a redemption for the land. What are we in bondage to and what does this have to do with the Day of Atonement, and Jubilee? Romans 7:14, For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. Romans 6:16, . . . his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness. Isaiah 58:6, Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free [others we have harmed], and that ye break every yoke? For us to be free, something and someone else must go into bondage: II Corinthians 10:5, . . . bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. Leviticus 16:21-22, And Aaron [after atoning for himself and the people] shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live [Azazel] goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions in all their sins, putting them upon the head of the goat, and shall send him away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness . . . unto a land not inhabited: and he shall let go the goat in the wilderness. Revelation 20:1-3, And 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, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit . . . 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. Comment: The Day of Atonement is a time we are to free ourselves from sin and Satan, asking God to mercifully cover (atone) our sins. It is also a time of great rejoicing, when Satan is put away and our sins are covered: Psalm 32:1-2, Blessed [happy] is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile. Day of Atonement Reference Material Festivals of the Jewish Year by Theodor H. Gaster (New York, 1953). Known among the Jews as Yom Kippur, this day is the holiest day of the Jewish year. Atonement may also be termed the Day of Purgation (Cleansing). Leviticus 16:31 describes it as "a sabbath of sabbaths." It is an opportunity, year by year, to obtain divine forgiveness of sin, and to cleanse oneself before the LORD, Leviticus 16:30, restoring oneself to a state of wholeness and holiness, Leviticus 20:26 that Israel is supposed to be. Atonement involves individual as well as collective purification. The physical rites of purification shown in Leviticus 16, the washings, verses 4, 24, 26, 28; sacrifices, verses 5, 6, 11, 15; fumigations, verses 12-13; sprinkling sacrificial blood, verses 14-15, 18-19; and changes of clothes, verses 4, 23; culminated in the dispatch into the desert of the goat to whom the collective sins of Israel had been previously transferred. During the period of the Temple, only on the Day of Atonement, could the high priest utter the pronunciation of YHVH, instead of substituting "the Lord (Adonai)." The rigorous fast and total abstinence of work may only be broken in the case of serious illness or where life is imperiled. The preceding evening and the whole of the day are devoted to religious services. Scriptures Read By Jews on Atonement Besides Leviticus 16 and Numbers 29:7-11, Isaiah 57:14 through 58:14, and the Book of Jonah are read. The theme of these latter passages is true repentance. One of The Book of Jonah's major points is the contrast between the instant trust and ready repentance of the heathen and the lack of confidence and infidelity of the servant of God. When the storm rages at sea, the idolatrous mariners immediately call upon their gods, but Jonah does not call on the true God. Instead, he goes inside the ship to sleep. When they find out that Jonah is responsible for the tempest, they acknowledge the LORD. The king and the whole city of Nineveh fast in sackcloth and do repent, but Jonah is displeased. The "Atonement Lesson" of the Book of Jonah is that (1) God's people sometimes have a harder time repenting than heathens do, (2) fasting is necessary to really repent, (3) if God accepted the repentance of heathen Nineveh, He will certainly accept the genuine repentance of His people, (4) It is impossible to flee from God's presence. He sees all, and your sin shall find you out, Numbers 32:23. The Hebrew word for Jonah means "dove," the symbol used in Song of Solomon as a representation of Israel. Thus, the story of Jonah is an allegory of Israel's constant disobedience to God's command and of its vain efforts to flee from His presence. The "great fish" symbolizes lawlessness or chaos, or exile and captivity, in which Israel finds itself "engulfed" until released by the mercy of God. Jonah was used by God to encourage King Jeroboam II of Israel to restore the boundary of territory of Israel, because God had mercy on them, II Kings 14:25-27. Further readings on the Day of Atonement include Leviticus 18, which says in verse 4, "Ye shall do My judgments and keep My ordinances . . . ," and continues with the account of forbidden marriages, warning one not to fall into (sexual) temptation. Another passage is Micah 7:18-20, which emphasizes God's mercy. According to Leviticus 25:9, the Jubilee Year began on the Day of Atonement. Regarded as a holy period, the Jubilee could not begin until after the annual purification and re-sanctification had taken place. The fall festivals correspond to the spring festivals: Nisan 1 corresponds to Tishri 1 (Day of Trumpets), Nisan 10 (day Passover lamb selected) corresponds to Tishri 10 (Day of Atonement) and Feast of Unleavened Bread (Nisan 15-21) to the Feast of Tabernacles (Tishri 15-21). The Jewish Festivals by Hayyim Schauss (Cincinnati, 1938). During the time of the Second Temple, Jews referred to the Day of Atonement as "The Great Day," or "The Day." Jews in all lands fasted and spent the day entirely in the synagogue, earnestly praying. Philo notes that even backsliding Jews became "very pious" on that day. After destruction of the Temple, Atonement continued to be the greatest day of the Jewish year. A Guide to Yom Kippur by Rabbi Louis Jacobs (London, 1957) The Day of Atonement is an awesome and joyful day of repentance, a day of peace and harmony and reconciliation, of prayer and reverence and awe when man comes face to face with God. Jewish Rabbis have noted that the numerical value of the letters for the Hebrew word for Satan totals 364, one less than the number of days in the year. And on that one day, the Day of Atonement, the Satan of strife, contention, coarseness and materialism, holds no sway over human affairs. It is hypocritical to devote one day in the year to prayer, fasting and introspection, and forget all about these things during the rest of the year. Unless the Day of Atonement has an effect on those who observe it during the whole year, there is no meaning to the day. He who says, "I will sin and the Day of Atonement will atone for my sin," does not find atonement. During Temple times, the day of Atonement was unique in that the High Priest discarded his garments of splendor, and wearing only the plain linen tunic and garments of the common priest, entered the Holy of Holies to atone for his own sins as well as those of all Israel. In Rabbinical literature, Yom Kippur is the great and holy day Israel meets its God, the Judgment Day, the culmination of the Ten Days of Repentance beginning with the Day of Trumpets, when God is especially near, when Moses brought down the second tablets of the Ten Commandments, showing God had mercy and had pardoned them for the sin of worshipping the golden calf. Jews believe that Atonement is only for sins committed against God. For offenses against one's neighbor, man does not find atonement on Yom Kippur until he has pacified (given restitution to) those he has offended. Though a day of fasting and self-denial, Atonement is also a day of joy because sin is pardoned and man is reconciled to God. Rabbis thought Atonement was a particularly fitting occasion for girls to dress up in finery, and young men to propose to them. Thus a proposal of marriage could be carried out in the right spirit, without the object of lust, because on Atonement we are striving to overcome the lust of the flesh, and because Atonement is the holiest day of the year and marriage is the holiest relationship God has ordained. The Name "Yom Kippur" Yom Kippur (literally, "Day Atonement") is the common Jewish form of the Biblical Yom Ha-Kippurim ("Day of Atonements," plural). We need atonements for the many sins we have committed. Kippurim and Kapparah mean "to scour," "to cleanse thoroughly," "to ease," or "to cover, hide out of sight." Fasting From the earliest times, "afflicting the soul," Leviticus 16:29 was understood to mean fasting. Isaiah 58:3 proves this. The Mishnah (code of Jewish interpretation) forbids eating, drinking, washing, anointing and marital intercourse on the Day of Atonement. Four main reasons for the command to fast on the Day of Atonement: (1) By fasting we show contrition for the wrong we have done and the good we have failed to do. It is not mashochism. Fasting fulfills the need to make a self-sacrifice in order to demonstrate that one has repented and not merely given lip service of sorrow for past sins. Fasting affirms a man's sincerity, and shows he knows he deserves to be punished for his sins. (2) Self-discipline. Repentance must be preceded by an attempt at self-discipline. The ideal person is one who is hard on himself but indulgent towards others. Fasting on the Day of Atonement serves as a reminder for the need of self-discipline which leads to self-improvement. (3) Fasting is a means of focusing the mind on the spiritual. (4) Fasting is a means of awakening compassion for others. See Isaiah 58:6-7. Customs Connected With Atonement Before going to the Synagogue, the father of the house blesses the children. To sons, he says, "God make you as Ephraim and Manasseh," and the daughters, "God make you as Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel and Leah." If possible, food should not even be handled on the Day of Atonement, except to give children their meals. Jews feel that children under nine should not be allowed to fast even for a few hours. But from this age on they should be trained to fast in gradually longer periods. It is believed that a sick person does not have to fast if he feels strongly that to fast may endanger his life. After Yom Kippur, Jews have a minor feast, quoting Ecclesiastes 9:7, "Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, And drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works." The Reality of Sin The Day of Atonement drives home three points, (1) that sin is real, an offense against God, (2) that God, nonetheless pardons sin, and (3) that such pardon does not come unless man does something -- repents with fasting, rends his heart. There are three Bible Hebrew terms for sin: (1) Pesha means rebellion. It is the attitude of mind in which a man sets himself up as the sole judge of his actions, recognizing neither God nor His law. Pesha signifies the refusal of man to consider himself accountable to God for his actions. (2) Avon comes from a root meaning "to be twisted," or "to be crooked" (compare our word, "a crook"). An example is man who starts out right, but throws everything away in an act of folly. (3) Het comes from a root meaning "to miss," used, for instance, when an archer fails to hit the target. Het denotes lack of character or staying power. It can also mean unwitting sin, and the careless driver, slack teacher, overindulgent or neglectful parent, and thoughtless son, are all guilty of het. Repentance Teshubah, the Hebrew word for repentance, means "turning back." It involves, according to Jews, (1) contrition for the sin committed and (2) firm resolve not to repeat it. Day of Atonement in the Talmud After the Ten Commandments were given to Israel on Pentecost, Moses ascended Mt. Sinai and remained there 40 days to receive the Tablets. He descended on the 17th of Tammuz and broke the Tablets because the people worshipped the Golden Calf. For forty days Moses set up his tent beyond the camp of Israel, and the people mourned. On the 1st of Elul (sixth month), Moses ascended the mountain to receive the Second Tablets. During this period the Hebrews fasted daily from sunrise to sunset. On the 40th day they fasted from sunset to sunset. This was Tishri 10. On the morning of the 10th, the Hebrews wept when Moses came down with the tablets, and he wept when he beheld their repentance. Then God said, "Your repentance is accepted, and this day will remain the Day of Atonement throughout all generations." -- Tanna Eliyahu Zuta, 4 Why are there two goats, one a sacrifice on the altar, and one a sacrifice on the rock to Azazel? The goats represent Esau and Jacob, or the wicked and the righteous. Both were born in the same home; both were brought up in goodness. Yet one chose to labor for God, and the other against God. "Az" means "impudent." "Azal" means "departed." If Israel is impudent and disobedient, he shall be forced to take his departure into lands of exile. -- Abrabanel, Ahare Rabbi Simi gave a Yom Kippur sermon based on Hosea 14:2 and Ezekiel 36:26. Satan is compared to a large rock in the middle of a highway where people stumbled over it, or even a rock in people's heart. God says, "Let each of you break off a piece by means of repentance, and resolve not to obey it. When the Evil Impulse is sufficiently crushed, I shall in the days-to-come remove Satan from your midst." -- Pesikta Shubah, Ruhn, page 165a Things between thee and God are forgiven on Yom Kippur . . . . Satan accuses the Jews every day of the year except on the Day of Atonement. -- Sifra to Ahare, Yoma, 20a Satan is locked up on Yom Kippur. -- Midrash Tehillim, 27 Rabbi Jose said: "He who repents is regarded by God as if he went up to Jerusalem and offered sacrifices to Him," Psalm 51:19. -- Pesikta Shubah Buber, 158 Jewish tradition also holds that Atonement was the day Adam both sinned and repented; and also the day on which Abraham was circumcised. "Jesus' Ministry and the Jubilee Year," from The Sabbaths of God by James L. Porter (New York, 1966) Jesus began His ministry in the fall of 27 A.D. He had been baptized a few months before the Passover in 27 A.D., then after the Temptation, calling disciples and the Cana wine miracle, He went to Jerusalem for Passover, then through Samaria, and began his public ministry in the fall, near his 30th birthday, Luke 3:23. In Luke 4:16, when He came to Nazareth, He read "on the sabbath day." This should be translated "Day of Weeks," or Pentecost. This was Pentecost of 28 A.D., during the Jubilee Year of 27-28 A.D. (Day of Atonement to Day of Atonement). The portion He read, "He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, To set at liberty them that are bruised, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord" is cited from Isaiah 61:1-2, and clearly shows a Jubilee setting. Pentecost and Jubilee are both counted. The prophecy in Isaiah is speaking of the time Israel will be resettled in their land forever, Isaiah 60:21, "Your people also shall be all righteous: they shall inherit the land forever . . . ," and Isaiah 49:6, 8, 9, " . . . you should be My servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved [desolations] of Israel . . . . Thus says the LORD, in an acceptable time have I heard you . . . and I will preserve thee and give thee for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages. That thou may say to the prisoners, Go forth, . . . " In the future, Christ will force a Jubilee on all Israel. In 28 A.D., He was proclaiming a Jubilee for those who would accept it voluntarily. The Day of Vengeance [which portion of Isaiah 61:2 Jesus did not quote] is future and yet to be fulfilled. Isaiah 61:4, "And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations." Israel entered the land in the year 1493-1492 B.C. The year of Jubilee when Sennacherib came against Judah (Isaiah 37:30-32 and II Kings 19:29) was 709-708 B.C., and when Christ read the prophecy from Isaiah, 27-28 A.D. Thus, 1987-88 and 2036-37 will be Jubilees. COMMENT: Porter's calculations are incorrect according to the Jewish Encyclopedia, because if 27-28 A.D. was a Jubilee, 77-78 A.D. would be a Jubilee, and so on, so that 1927-28 and 1977-78 were Jubilees. It is interesting to note that Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong was baptized and began preaching in 1927-28, a possible Jubilee year. The Jewish Encyclopedia, article "Sabbatical Year and Jubilee," says that the jubilee law came into force after the Israelites came into possession of Palestine, Leviticus 25. Jubilee was like a Sabbath rest year, with the addition that "ye shall return every man unto his possession," Leviticus 25:10. See Josephus, Antiquities vi., 8, 28. "The majority of rabbis hold that the jubilee year was an intercalation, and followed the seventh Sabbatical year, making two fallow years in succession. After both had passed, the next cycle began. They adduce this theory from the plain words of the Law to `hallow the fiftieth year,' and also from the assurance of God's promise of a yield in the sixth year sufficient for maintenance during the following three years, until the ninth year, until her fruits come in,' Leviticus 25:22, which, they say, refers to the jubilee year." The duration of the Sabbatical year was from Day of Trumpets to Day of Trumpets. Maimonides notes in one of his writings that "the Sabbatical year occurred last year" which has been interpreted as 1507 of the Seleucidan era, 4956 of creation and 1195 C.E. Jews have been lax in observing the 7th and 50th years. As a result, the exact year of the sabbatical year is in dispute. Talmudic sources state the entrance of Israel into Palestine occurred in 2489 after creation, and 850 years, or 17 jubilees passed between that and the destruction of the First Temple. The first cycle began after the conquest of the land and its distribution among the tribes -- which took 14 years -- so that the first 7th year observed was the 21st year of the cycle. Joshua celebrated the first jubilee, and died just before the second. The last jubilee was on the tenth of Tishri, when the city was smitten, Ezekiel 40:1. The Samaritan "Book of Joshua" date the first month of the first Sabbatical cycle and of the first jubilee cycle beginning from the crossing of the Jordan and entrance of Israel into their possession, 2794 after creation. Talmudic writers state both the First and Second Temples were destroyed "on the closing of the Sabbatical year." The sixteenth jubilee was in the 18th year of Josiah (who reigned 31 years) and the remaining 13 years of his reign, plus the 11 years of Jehoiakim and Jehoiachin and the 11 years of Zedekiah, fix the first exilic year as the 36th year of the jubilee cycle, or the 25th year of the captivity of Jehoiachin, or 14 years from the destruction of the holy city. Babylonian captivity lasted 70 years. Ezra sanctified Palestine in the 7th year of the second entrance, when the Temple was dedicated, Ezra 6:15-16, 7:7. The first cycle began with Ezra's sanctification. The Second Temple stood 420 years, and was destroyed, like the First, in the 421st year, at the close of a sabbatical year. Rule of Talmud for finding sabbatical year is to add one year and divide by seven the number of years since the destruction of the Second Temple, or add 2 for every 100 years and divide the sum by seven. Maimonides's calculations have been accepted by most Jewish scholars. He gives a sabbatical year as 1175 C.E., and he begins the cycle by the year following the destruction of the Temple. Another fixed year has been 1552. These show that the destruction of the Second Temple was in a sabbatical year, 68-69 A.D., although it was not a jubilee year. A Comparison of the Seventh and Jubilee Years Seventh Year 1. Begins at Feast of Tabernacles Deuteronomy 31:10. 2. Land rested at the beginning of the Seventh Year for the whole year; all crops including grapes and olives, except fruit trees, not harvested. Purpose: that the poor may eat, give a sabbath to the land, Exodus 23:10-11; Leviticus 19:23. 3. At the beginning of the year, Hebrew bondservants are released, if they so desire. They serve six years, are released "in the seventh year," with plenty of food. If they won't be released, an aul was bored through one of their ears, they became servants for ever, Deuteronomy 15:12-18. 4. At the end of the seventh year, all debts are released to "brothers," but not to "foreigners." Purpose: to help the poor, Deuteronomy 15:1-11. Jubilee, 50th Year 1. Begins on Day of Atonement, with the sound of the trumpet (after the goat ceremony is completed), Leviticus 25:9. 2. Follows the 49th year, and like it, the land is rested, making two consecutive years the land is rested. Purpose: to show that God will bless you, providing enough crops the 48th year to last for three years until the harvest of the crops planted in the 51st year, Leviticus 25:20-22. 3. Every man to be returned to his own possession. Purpose: so we will not oppress one another, Leviticus 25:10-17. 4. At end of 50th year, another 50-year cycle begins; the 51st year is the first year of a new seven year cycle. See Jewish Encyclopedia, Article, "Sabbatical Year and Jubilee."ę Day of Atonement: Liberty Through Fasting After Jesus Christ returns as a conquering king, there are events that must occur before the Kingdom of God can be set up. God must perform some unfinished business. The tenth day of the seventh month is the fifth of God's seven annual Festivals, the Day of Atonement. This festival must be fulfilled before the Millennium can commence. What does this day of fasting have to do with the Fall Harvest? Jubilee Year The Day of Atonement also has a trumpet associated with it. This trumpet is sounded on the tenth day of the seventh month in the year of Jubilee: "Then shalt thou cause the TRUMPET of the JUBILEE to sound on the tenth day of the seventh month, in the Day of Atonement shall ye make the trumpet sound throughout all the land," Leviticus 25:9. Liberty For Israel The epic up-coming Jubilee will probably represent the regathering of modern Israel from the various places on earth where they are imprisoned or in hiding, after being taken into captivity, either just before or during the Great Tribulation. After years of horror, Israel will again be free! What a wonderful occurrence that will be. "Ye shall hallow the fiftieth year, and PROCLAIM LIBERTY throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof: it shall be a jubilee unto you; and ye shall return every man unto his possession, and ye shall return every man unto his family," Leviticus 25:10. First Goat: The Lord Leviticus 16 is the Day of Atonement chapter. Here we find the High Priest going into the Holy of Holies before the Mercy Seat for a once a year special sin offering, Leviticus 16:2-3. Then two goats are chosen and lots cast to determine which one of the goats will be representative of the Lord (type of Christ). This goat is to be offered as a sin offering, slaughtered as was Christ, with the blood brought inside the veil of the most holy place and sprinkled on the mercy seat, Leviticus 16:7-9, 15. Second Goat: Azazel What about the second goat, the one called "Azazel" which is translated "scapegoat" in the King James Version? This goat is not to be killed, but rather is presented alive to the Lord, later to be released into the wilderness. This in turn leads to other possible translations for azazel: "escape goat," "removed," "separated," Leviticus 16:8, 10. But, there is controversy about this goat. There are two widely different views, each of which seems to have support from the Bible. View 1: The "scapegoat" represents Satan the Devil who will have the sins of all mankind placed on him since he is the author and father of sin. He is then sent by an angel into the wilderness forever, Leviticus 16:20-22. View 2: The "azazel" goat represents another aspect of Jesus Christ, the one who had all the sins of mankind placed on Him; He had to die in order to pay the penalty of sin. Christ carries our sins -- not the Devil. A third view says that the first goat represents Christians faithful to their calling even unto death. The second goat is symbolic of Christians who left their calling and had to go through the Great Tribulation. Atonement Jesus Christ died for our sins, and all our sins were borne by Him. This is the likely meaning of the two goats: two aspects of Christ. Although it might be poetic justice to place all sins on Satan's head, the fact is that it is Christ who will bring reconciliation with our heavenly Father. "The goat on which the lot fell to be the scapegoat [azazel], shall be presented alive before the Lord, to make an ATONEMENT . . ." Leviticus 16:10. It is Christ that makes atonement with God. Fasting The Day of Atonement is the only festival of God which requires fasting by those observing it. No work including preparation of food is allowed on this day, Leviticus 23:27-28. Why is there no work? "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 23:28. One of the best ways to get close to God is to "afflict your soul," Leviticus 23:27, which means to fast. David said, "I humbled [margin: afflicted] my soul with fasting" Psalm 35:13. Fasting on a regular basis is an excellent way to tame your human nature and get close to God in prayer and study. It is only once a year that God names the specific day for you to fast (other fast days are on an individual choice basis). And this is so you can be more at one with Him. -- written by Gary Sjordalę Atonement Quiz Answers to the following quiz are at the end of this section. Matching -- Day of Atonement 1. afflict one's soul 2. Day of Atonement 3. depart from right way, to be twisted 4. Elijah 5. fail in duty, negligence, sin of ignorance 6. Jesus 7. "liberty," 50th year 8. Manasseh 9. miss the mark 10. Moses 11. rebellion against God 12. scapegoat __ a.wicked king who repented and fasted, II Chron. 33:11-13 __ b.pesha, Strong's #6586, Isa. 1:2, transgression __ c.jubilee, began on Atonement, Leviticus 25:8-17 __ d. 40 day Sinai fast, Ex. 34:28 __ e. to fast, Psa. 35:13, Isa. 58:3 __ f. het, Strong's #2399, Psa. 51:5 __ g. Azazel __ h.avon, Strong's #5771, iniquity, crime, depraved action, Job 31:11 __ i. Yom Kippur __ j. 40 day fast as he fled to Sinai, I Kings 19:1-8 __ k.asham, Strong's #816, Lev. 4:13 __ l.40 day fast before Satan tempted him, Matthew 4:1-2 Fill in the Blanks 1."Also on the _____ day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be an holy ___________ unto you; and ye shall _______ your _____ . . . ," Leviticus 23:27. 2." . . . I humbled my soul with _______," Psalm 35:13. 3."The sacrifices of God are a broken ______: a broken and a contrite _____, O God, Thou wilt not despise," Psalm 51:17. 4."Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of __________, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every ____?" Isaiah 58:6. 5." . . . God resisteth the _____, but giveth grace unto the ______. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the _____, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your _____, ye sinners; and purify your ______, ye double minded. Be ________, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. ______ yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He shall ____ you up," James 4:6-10. 6."_______ is he whose transgression is ________, whose sin is _______. Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no _____," Psalm 32:1-2. General Questions On a separate sheet of paper, answer these questions: 1. What does the word "atonement," kippurim, mean? 2.Leviticus 16 describes the special Old Testament rites associated with the Day of Atonement. Explain what these events and individuals represent: Aaron, Holy Place, priest's garments, high priest washes himself, incense, casting of lots, sacrificed goat, laying on of hands on the live goat, scapegoat, fit man, wilderness. 3.What two things are absolutely forbidden on the Day of Atonement? Leviticus 23:27-32. ANSWERS Matching -- Day of Atonement: 8a, 11b, 7c, 10d, 1e, 9f, 12g, 3h, 2i 4j, 5k, 6l Fill in the Blanks: 1. tenth, convocation, afflict, souls; 2. fasting; 3. spirit, heart; 4. wickedness, yoke; 5. proud, humble, devil, hands, hearts, afflicted, humble, lift; 6. Blessed, forgiven, covered, guile. General Questions: 1. Atonement means, "to scour, cleanse thoroughly, ease, cover, hide out of sight." In other words, to expiate, to pay the penalty of or for. 2. Aaron=type of Christ; Holy Place=throne room of Almighty in Heaven; priest's garments=righteousness; high priest washes himself=you must cleanse yourself to be in God's presence; incense=prayers; casting of lots=appeal to God to intervene to determine who is His; sacrificed goat=sacrifice of Messiah for our part in our sins; laying on of hands on the live goat=sins placed on Satan's head for his part in our sins; scapegoat=Satan the Devil; fit man=angel who binds Satan; wilderness=bottomless pit. 3. (a) Failing to afflict oneself, (b) doing any kind of work.ę