Yom Kippur- DAY OF ATONEMENT

At sundown, tonight, begins the holiest day of the year,
Yom Kippur. Here's a good summary, of the Holy Day.

http://qumran.com/Holy_Days/yomkippurstudy.htm

Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement)

The Scapegoat of Israel.

Hebrew YOM HA-KIPPURIM, (In English called Day Of Atonement), the most solemn of Jewish religious holidays, observed on the 10th day of the lunar month of Tishri (in the course of September and October), when Yahudiym seek to expiate their sins and achieve a reconciliation with Elohim.

http://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/Lev/Lev023.html#top
Lev 23:27-32

27 "The tenth day of this seventh month is the Day
of Atonement. Hold a sacred assembly and deny yourselves,
and present an offering made to YHWH by fire.

28 Do no work on that day, because it is the Day of Atonement,
when atonement is made for you before YHWH your Elohim.

29 Anyone who does not deny himself on that day must be cut
off from his people.

30 I will destroy from among his people anyone who does
any work on that day.

31 You shall do no work at all. This is to be a lasting
ordinance for the generations to come, wherever you live.


=========================================================
MY OBSERVATIONS
=========================================================

I've been asked, many times, by Christians, and even
some Jews, why I still revere the ancient Sabbaths,
and Days, as a believer, in Jesus Christ?

I believe, that Yeshua HaMaschiach, is my High Priest,
and as God's Chosen, He can wear that white linen, which
represents, perfection, and He can atone for our sins, as
in the ancient religion, of the Hebrews, on the 10th day
of the lunar month, of Tishri.

On "The Day of Atonement," The High Priest, went into
the "Holy of Holies," the inner sanctum, of the Temple,
where the Arc of the Covenant rested.

The glory, within, filled with God's presence,
The Holy Ghost, accepted, the High Priest's,
blood offering, in payment for our sins.

Before Jesus's time, the High Priest,
sprinkled the blood of sacrifical animals.
This was the only acceptable modality, to
reconcile the nation of Israel, to YHVH,
every new year.

The modern Jews, have no inner sanctum, to offer
a blood sacrifice, so, for Yom Kippur, to be
completed, each year, the ritual, by the priesthood,
is to use, the blood of the Lamb of God, who is
the fulfillment, of all Hebrew prophecies, and
the Aaronic Priesthood.

Yeshua Hamashiach, son of Miriam, and the Holy Ghost.
He offered himself, as a sacrifice, for "The Chosen
People," those, who lived then, as well, as those
who love him, now.

This was, singularly, THE most important event,
in the history of our world.

I didn't grow up in a very religious home, but, we
observed the feasts, fasts, and celebrations, that
most Jews celebrate. It wasn't until I became a
believer, in Yeshua HaMaschiach, that these traditional
Days, had meaning, other than culturally, in my life.



Out of respect for these traditions, I still cherish
these days, for their historical, and religious
significance. However, I can't spend the day in
synagogue, since, they omit the sprinkling of the
blood, of the holy sacrifice, which, is the Ram
of God, Jesus Christ.

Without Christ, these observances, have no meaning
for me. They are like an empty cup, with no
water, and they don't quench my thirst for God's
righteousness, reconciliation, and forgiveness.

I've been rebellious, and kicked against the rider,
weaving, in and out, of the straight path, to wander
off, on my own. I've slept around, justifying it, and
I even chose to be worldly, while calling myself,
a Christian. Maybe, most of us struggle, against
our carnal nature, when, we want most to please
God.

Even though my heart desires to be perfect,
I know, that I am truly saved by grace, and
not by anything, I could ever do, to make it
up, to God.

Only, those who understand, the chains of sin,
and the misery of the pit, can appreciate, how
precious my faith, in Christ, is to me, and
why I would die for my beliefs.



No man can stand before God, and boast, of having it
together, justifying himself, before a Holy Creator.
We can only attain his forgiveness, and acceptance,
by acknowledging His WAY, and accepting His gift of
reconciliation, and atonement.

It's hard to grasp these concepts, in an age,
when even bad people, think they are good, and
when, our culture, mocks sin.

In fact, sin is not a negative, in this world.
Delicious foods, are given the adjective, of "sinfully
good," and today, sin = fun. The dirtier the sin is,
the more wonderfully, it is portrayed.

Many religious, and otherwise pious, Jews, do not
believe in the literal meaning of the Old Testament,
like Moses, parting the Red Sea, or the other miracles,
which established the Hebrews, as a Holy people, under God.

Without the basic faith, in Moses, and Elijah, how can
they believe in the Messiah, who lived 2000 years ago?

The only reason, we no longer require the blood of
animals, poured on the altar, in the Holy of Holies,
as a sign of reconcialiation, is because, it pleased
God, to provide us with the Lamb of God, who fulfilled,
all the Laws of Moses.

I don't mean to be disrespectful to the Jews, who
believe that prayer, alone, can sustain them, before
a Holy and Perfect Creator. But, it is illogical,
theologically, to abandon the very blood, which was
required for this atonement to have meaning.

This year, I pray for my sins, but, also for the
nation of Israel, and my fellow Jew, to embrace our
only hope, in God, and our Savior, the Messiah, Yeshua.

It's a shame, that modern Christianity, is alienated,
from original cultural blessings, with mystical meanings,
in sacred symbols, and holy metaphors, pointing plainly,
to the Cross of Jesus.

It's a shame, that Jews, who do observe the Holy Days,
leave out, the most important thing, in my opinion, the
blood of the Lamb of God, who takes away all sin, and
justifies us, in the Presence, of a Holy God.



I pray that this year, God opens up all our eyes. I know
this will eventually happen, though, in God's perfect time.



Halleluyah Y'hashuwa HaMashiach.
Today, we wear his righteousness,
as pure white, and clean, as white
linen. He was the scapegoat for our
sins, overcoming the world, and the
devil, by His blood.

The feast of Yom Kippur, at sundown,
later today, following our fasting,
is a time of joy, and celebration.
For me, it is a shadow of things,
to come: The wedding feast, of
the marriage of the Lamb of God,
the Lion of Judah, the First, and
Last.

Jesus was stricken, and afflicted,
for our sins, and overcame death,
for us. He now appears, in white
linen, as our High Priest, and King,
of the Order of Melchizadec.

He is our betrothed. Dodi Li V'Ani Lo:
"I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine."

He says, "There is no spot in thee, thou
art all fair."

We are not only forgiven, we are loved.
God has betrothed us, to His Son.
This is my joy on Yom Kippur.