The Day of Atonement: Honoring God’s Everlasting Covenant

“Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly…” (Joel 2:15)

We all face times of trial and difficulty – and during troubled times in the world, we may find ourselves worried for our future. But God has an answer for the sins and iniquities of the world – an everlasting and profound covenant that will give you the power to overcome!

We are coming into the fall season of the Jewish observance of Yom Kippur, The Day of Atonement – God’s holiest day of the year.  In Hebrew “Yom” means day, (from sunset to sunset), and “Kippur” means to pardon, or cover. The word “atonement” means to make amends or to reconcile - to become “at one.”

This everlasting covenant was first commanded by God to be performed by Aaron in Exodus 30. The Day of Atonement was a mandatory and solemn annual convocation of the Israelites.

And Aaron shall make atonement upon its horns once a year with the blood of the sin offering of atonement; once a year he shall make atonement upon it throughout your generations.  It is most holy to the Lord.  (Exodus 30:10 NKJV)

Once a year, on the Day of Atonement, the high priest entered the “Most Holy Place” of the Tabernacle, where the Ark of the Covenant (the consecrated chest which held the “law,” or commandments God had given Moses) was kept, to approach the “mercy seat” —the golden covering of the Ark—considered the resting place, or throne, of God.

The high priest would sprinkle blood from a sacrificial bull or goat on the mercy seat and around the tabernacle as a “sin offering” for the people.  He would then lay hands on the head of a live goat – which would become the “scapegoat” – and confess the sins and iniquities of the children of Israel…symbolically putting them on the “scapegoat.”  The goat was then sent away into the wilderness, along with the sins and iniquities of the people.

Today, as Christians, we are encouraged to observe the Day of Atonement also in remembrance of Christ – our own High Priest, who became the ultimate “sin offering” for us – guaranteeing our eternal “atonement” and salvation. Jesus was the offering that God used to cleanse us of our sins!

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 (Hebrews 9:12 NKJV).

Observance of the Day of Atonement includes prayer and fasting, sacrificial offerings, and studying God’s Word. It’s the only God-commanded Biblical Holy Day during which fasting from both food and water was required!

During God’s specially decreed “feasts” (holy days) and observances, Israelites were commanded to honor Him with their offerings, as is written in Deuteronomy 16:16-17:

…and they shall not appear before the LORD empty-handed.  Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD your God which He has given you (NKJV).

Individuals seeking reconciliation and blessing brought their best sacrificial offerings unto God, an opportunity to honor Him by giving sacrificially from the heart.

This year the Day of Atonement falls on September 18th.  Please join us as we remember this sacred covenant on His most Holy Day of the year. Don’t miss this opportunity to honor God with your best sacrificial offering and release the eight promises of the Atonement for you:

1. INCREASE (Joel 2:23).
2. REVELATION (Joel 2:24).
3. FRESH ANOINTING (Joel 2:24).
4. GOD’S POWER (Joel 2:24).
5. RESTORATION (Joel 2:25).
6. FINANCIAL ABUNDANCE (Joel 2:26)
7. NO SHAME BUT DELIVERANCE (Joel 2:27, 28)
8. GOD’S PRESENCE (Joel 2:28).

Let’s honor God together on His Holiest Day of the Year, The Day of Atonement!

Testimony

“Thank you for the opportunity to sow in rich soil! This is my very first time to take such a great leap of faith…