It is believed there is one day on the calendar where God and man are at their closest point. In the Hebrew Scriptures we are told that there was a day that occurred once a year where the High Priest could go into the Holy of Holies and represent the people of God in asking for forgiveness for their sins and present a blood sacrifice on the mercy seat of the Ark of the Covenant. That day is today, know as The Day of Atonement or Yom Kippur. But what does that mean for you? Let me get a running start as I try to explain how powerful this day is for you and me and the whole world!
For the past ten days Jewish people have marked a season known as “Yamim Noraim” or “Days of Awe” which are full of introspection and repentance. It is thought that in this period a decision is being made on if your name is to be inscribed in the Book of Life. The hope and prayer of these sacred days is reflected in the phrase “G’mar chatima tova” which means, “May you be sealed in the Book of Life!” That season culminates on this day of Yom Kippur where the book of life is closed for the year. Is your name in the book of life?
Understanding the Rhythms
This season and these days of awe began 10 days ago on Rosh Hashanah which means the ‘head of the year’. In traditional Judaism Rosh Hashanah is also seen as the start of the days of creation… the actual days that God created the Heavens and the Earth as referenced in the book of Genesis. Additionally, Yom Kippur is believed to be the day of judgment when on that day three books are opened in heaven. According to Jewish teaching, one book is for the ‘absolutely wicked’, another for the ‘perfectly righteous’ and a third for the ordinary person who is neither overly good or wicked. Based on this understanding, prayerfully, you have repented and made your heart right with God and others during these 10 days of awe so that your name is written in the Book of Life on this sacred day of atonement because the book will be closed today. As beautiful and powerful as all of this is, there is still a major problem. The Bible says there must be a sacrifice of atonement for the people. Without blood being applied on the altar there is nothing to atone for the sins of the people. What about the blood?! (Read my post on Rosh Hashanah)
When the Temple was destroyed in 70 CE by the Romans, the Biblical sacrificial system was ended and therefore Biblical Judaism essentially ceased to fully operate. The sacrificial system is primary to the Biblical expression of Judaism. The rabbis started making the best of the situation by teaching different avenues of expressing their faith in many beautiful and powerful ways. However, the Bible makes clear that there has to be a blood sacrifice to atone for the sins of the people. Much has been written and taught by people much smarter than me and with a deeper understanding of the Scriptures than I will likely ever possess on these issues on how Yom Kippur can be honored without the blood through fasting and other personal afflictions. But the Bible is clear and the ancients abided by it’s explicit commands that the blood atonement is the central issue of Yom Kippur. Therefore there must be a solution. Thank God, there is!
A Better Way
When Jesus came He fulfilled all of the Spring Feasts of the Hebrew Calendar. He was crucified as the Passover Lamb ON the day of Passover. He was raised to life as the first fruits of the grave ON the feast of First Fruits, and then 50 days later He poured out the Holy Spirit ON the feast of Pentecost. Therefore it is more than reasonable to believe He will fulfill all the requirements for the Fall Feasts, as well. The writer of Hebrews shows us how He has already initiated the fulfillment of Yom Kippur by presenting HIS OWN blood on the Mercy Seat in heaven, within the actual Heavenly Temple thus making atonement for EVERYONE who looks to Him for salvation. (Read my post on Passover)
Fascinating enough and controversial in many circles (as you can imagine), the ancient writings of the Rabbis in the Talmud seem to confirm that Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross once and for all fulfilled the Yom Kippur sacrifice. You see, a ceremony was performed each year at Yom Kippur to determine if God actually accepted the blood sacrifice they made for the sins of the people. The intricacies of that ceremony I won’t take the time to explain here but my friend Ron Cantor does an awesome job of illustrating in the video clip below. Bottom line, the Talmud records that for the last 40 years that the Temple in Jerusalem was still standing, the ceremony reflected that God REJECTED the blood sacrifice offered for the sins of the people. The year that rejection because was the exact year Jesus died on the cross and ascended to heaven where He presented His blood on the heavenly alter (Her 9). Amazing!
Is your name in the book of life? You can know for sure if you put your trust in the One who shed His perfect blood to cover you and cleanse you of sin for all time. His Name is Jesus (Yeshua in Hebrew) and it means Salvation. Let us pray today for all who are longing to know if their names are in the book of life. Ask that the Holy Spirit would reveal Jesus to them so they can know that the blood HAS been offered on the alter for all who believe. (Read my post What’s The Big Deal About Israel?)
From The Bible
Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. – Revelation 20:11-12 NIV
“And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son. – Zechariah 12:10 NIV
But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say, is not a part of this creation. 12 He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. 13 The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. 14 How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God! – Hebrews 9:11-14 NIV