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Happy Yom Kippur!

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What is Yom Kippur? The Bible refers to it as the Day of Atonement or becoming “at-one-in a moment” with God. An article on the website of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews reminds us, in more detail, why Yom Kippur was instituted by God. It states: Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is the holiest day of the Jewish year and is the culmination of the High Holy Days. In 2024, the observance of Yom Kippur starts at sunset on October 11 and concludes on the evening of October 12. In Jewish tradition, Yom Kippur marks the final opportunity to repent before God before the Book of Life is sealed for another year. This day marks the culmination of the High Holy Days or Ten Days of Repentance, which began ten days earlier with Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. Yom Kippur offers Jews the final opportunity of the holy season to repent of their sins. Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the Jewish year or, as the Bible describes it, the “Sabbath of Sabbaths.” The Bible states, “This is to be a lasting ordinance for you: On the tenth day of the seventh month you must deny yourselves and not do any work—whether native-born or an alien living among you—because on this day atonement will be made for you, to cleanse you. Then, before the LORD, you will be clean from all your sins. It is a sabbath of rest, and you must deny yourselves; it is a lasting ordinance” (Leviticus 16:29–32).

The Yom Kippur Goats

“Then he is to take the two goats and present them before the LORD at the entrance to the tent of meeting. He is to cast lots for the two goats — one lot for the LORD and the other for the scapegoat.” — Leviticus 16:7–8 Today, Yom Kippur is marked with a day of fasting and worship in the synagogue. However, when the Temple stood, the people observed an elaborate service, culminating when a red thread representing the sins of Israel would miraculously turn white when they were forgiven. The service that once took place in the Temple was based on the commandments regarding two goats. Today, we only read about that service; however, it is imperative that we understand the meaning behind this ritual. Once we do, we can still benefit from the message. The Bible instructed the High Priest to select two goats and then cast lots to determine each one’s fate. By way of the lots, God would determine which goat would be consecrated to Him and which would become the scapegoat sent into the desert to die. The commandment required that the two goats be identical in appearance, size, and value. These goats would look like twins – the same on the outside – but their destinies would be completely different.

A Reminder of Jacob and Esau

The idea of twins that are opposite in nature is familiar in the Bible. Although twins, Jacob and Esau could not have been more different. Ultimately, as adults, they took very different paths in life, and Jacob became the father of God’s people while Esau became the father of Amalek – the nation designated by the Bible as God’s archenemy. The twin goats on Yom Kippur are meant to remind us of Esau and Jacob. The message of the twin goats is that while their appearance may fool men, there is no fooling God. He only determines their appropriate fate. “People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). On Yom Kippur, we have an incredible opportunity for forgiveness. But in order for that to happen, we must admit our errors and resolve to be better. We can only do that if we are willing to uncover our greatest shortcomings and confront our hidden vices. We can fool others and even ourselves, but there is no deceiving God. Yom Kippur is a time to come clean. We need to take an honest look inside the places that only we can see. We have to determine where we have gone wrong and make amends. Only then can God cleanse us of our sins.

Through Jesus we are no longer under obligation to observe most of the Feasts and Festivals (Sukkot or Tabernacles will be celebrated during the Millennial Reign of Jesus). The Old Testament sacrifices were never enough to rid the people of the stain of sin and guilt from their hearts, nor did they have the power to change hearts. Hebrews 10:1-10 echoes this thought: For since the Law has merely a rude outline (foreshadowing) of the good things to come—instead of fully expressing those things—it can never by offering the same sacrifices continually year after year make perfect those who approach [its altars].2 For if it were otherwise, would [these sacrifices] not have stopped being offered? Since the worshipers had once for all been cleansed, they would no longer have any guilt or consciousness of sin.3 But [as it is] these sacrifices annually bring a fresh remembrance of sins [to be atoned for], 4 Because the blood of bulls and goats is powerless to take sins away.5 Hence, when He [Christ] entered into the world, He said, Sacrifices and offerings You have not desired, but instead You have made ready a body for Me [to offer];6 In burnt offerings and sin offerings You have taken no delight. 7 Then I said, Behold, here I am, coming to do Your will, O God—[to fulfill] what is written of Me in the volume of the Book.8 When He said just before, You have neither desired, nor have You taken delight in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings—all of which are offered according to the Law—9 He then went on to say, Behold, [here] I am, coming to do Your will. Thus He does away with and annuls the first (former) order [as a means of expiating sin] so that He might inaugurate and establish the second (latter) order.10 And in accordance with this will [of God], we have been made holy (consecrated and sanctified) through the offering made once for all of the body of Jesus Christ (the Anointed One). AMPC

What does this mean for you and I? Romans 3:23-25 Since all have sinned and are falling short of the honor and glory which God bestows and receives. 24 [All] are justified and made upright and in right standing with God, freely and gratuitously by His grace (His unmerited favor and mercy), through the redemption which is [provided] in Christ Jesus, 25 Whom God put forward [before the eyes of all] as a mercy seat and propitiation by His blood [the cleansing and life-giving sacrifice of atonement and reconciliation, to be received] through faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in His divine forbearance He had passed over and ignored former sins without punishment. AMPC

Jesus made atonement for our sins – making us one with God in a Moment! Jesus’ perfect sacrifice has reconciled all of us, who were enemies of God, to being rightly related to God. Jesus has made peace between God, the Father and all those who are willing to receive and trust God’s Gift of His Son. Paul reminds us that because of Jesus reconciling us to God you and I have been given a ministry and mandate to seek out others who need Jesus’ Atonement and be reconciled to God: 2 Corinthians 5:18 But all things are from God, Who through Jesus Christ reconciled us to Himself [received us into favor, brought us into harmony with Himself] and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation [that by word and deed we might aim to bring others into harmony with Him]. AMPC

Today we are reminded to give thanks for all the wonderful blessings Jesus’ Atonement has secured for us; to be reconciled to God through repenting of thoughts and actions that are an offense to God; to be reconciled to others, making a fresh commitment to seek to bring others into harmony with God (it’s our ministry). Set aside time today to seek God and draw near to Him, and as a reminder realize this is the day we are to Come Up Here in order to enter His Throne Room to worship, and seek Him for what is to come for the new year.

Confession & Declaration 39

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Romans 8:29 For those whom He foreknew [of whom He was aware and loved beforehand], He also destined from the beginning [foreordaining them] to be molded into the image of His Son [and share inwardly His likeness], that He might become the firstborn among many brethren.

I love mysteries. Everything from UFO’s to Stonehenge, from Pyramids to Big Foot, from the Loch Ness Monster to Easter Island, and the Bermuda Triangle. I just love them. What is it about them that’s so intriguing? I believe, that in part, it’s what’s left of the child within. When I was a child I grew up in areas where there were woods, secret creeks, and holes in the ground. All of these things fascinated, activated, and fueled an all too active imagination. Yet, probably the greatest reason that mysteries capture our attention is that they are imbedded in our soul, or spiritual DNA. An obvious example is found in the story lines of every good movie, book, or play. Think about it, “Why does every good story have a hero, or heroine? Why are movies, and books boring without an enemy to conquer, a challenge to overcome, and a happy ending?” Why do our souls soar from this common story line? The common denominator, is that all of these things call to “His Story” in us. For some reason, when we were younger, we knew that we were made for something more. But as life happened, and we grew older, we slowly released those hopes, and dreams. The sad truth is that many, if not most, have never stopped long enough to ponder why our dreams, and imaginations were designed for much broader possibilities than this life could contain. Combined, these aspects of our nature act as a compass pointing us away from ourselves to the greatest of all mysteries. What is that mystery? Paul begins answering this question in the Book of Ephesians.

Ephesians 3:3-10 [And] that the mystery (secret) was made known to me and I was allowed to comprehend it by direct revelation, as I already briefly wrote you.4 When you read this you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ.5 [This mystery] was never disclosed to human beings in past generations as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles (consecrated messengers) and prophets by the [Holy] Spirit. 6 [It is this:] that the Gentiles are now to be fellow heirs [with the Jews], members of the same body and joint partakers [sharing] in the same divine promise in Christ through [their acceptance of] the glad tidings (the Gospel). 7 Of this [Gospel] I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s free grace (undeserved favor) which was bestowed on me by the exercise (the working in all its effectiveness) of His power. 8 To me, though I am the very least of all the saints (God’s consecrated people), this grace (favor, privilege) was granted and graciously entrusted: to proclaim to the Gentiles the unending (boundless, fathomless, incalculable, and exhaustless) riches of Christ [wealth which no human being could have searched out], 9 Also to enlighten all men and make plain to them what is the plan [regarding the Gentiles and providing for the salvation of all men] of the mystery kept hidden through the ages and concealed until now in [the mind of] God Who created all things by Christ Jesus. 10 [The purpose is] that through the church the complicated, many-sided wisdom of God in all its infinite variety and innumerable aspects might now be made known to the angelic rulers and authorities (principalities and powers) in the heavenly sphere.

Did you pay attention to the final verse? Part of God’s mystery was to unveil His plan of salvation for all mankind through His Son. Talk about “do-overs,” or “mulligans.” This mystery is the ultimate “do-over” of all times, and of all ages. What is that mystery? Think of it from Heaven’s perspective. God creates angels to serve alongside of Him in Heaven, and in the created universe. He designs a “Big Blue Marble” in the cold, empty blackness we call space. Then out of all the other “marbles” He calls forth time, life and creatures to inhabit its space and make it home. From these creatures, He fashions something far more inferior to angels – He makes man and woman. To the angels they must have looked awful puny, but to God they were His crowning achievement. To make matters worse God the Father, doesn’t select a Cherubim, or a Seraphim, one of Heaven’s Arch-angels, to rule this earth – but a mentally deficient, physically weak, spiritually infantile man. You know the rest of the story. One of those angels became so offended that he led a revolt to displace the Father, and dethrone the man-child. And in some respects satan’s plan seemed to have worked. That is until Jesus. Talk about the unveiling of a mystery. Our God is so awesome – the devil, demons and angels didn’t get the whole picture yet. Paul tells us that if the devil had of – he would never have crucified the Lord of Glory. They couldn’t see the ultimate plan – the Father was just getting warmed up. For not only did He send His Son down to earth to be a man – but this man came and took the punishment that we deserved, and defeated death, hell and the grave. But for the Father this was like flexing His pinky finger. He wasn’t done yet. Not only did He raise His Son from the dead – He began raising the slaves of satan, and enemies of God from being spiritually dead. But the story gets better. These slaves begin to serve Jesus bringing other slaves of satan to life. These former slaves begin to build God’s Kingdom on earth to clash with the kingdom of darkness. Going “awol” they enlist in Jesus’ Army to wreak havoc on the darkness with the Light of the Gospel Blood. Risen from their graves their hearts begin to beat again, dreams come to life, and now they live for something more – for some One more. At first the risen ones think their dream’s end is found passing through Heaven’s Gates. But then the story reaches a crescendo of anticipation never before imagined. Their part in the mystery – is to be conformed to Jesus in every way, co-reigning with Jesus, turning back the clock to God’s original design. Jesus has won for the Father a Forever Family, but greater than that – son’s and daughters that are chip’s off the old Rock – Jesus. The greatest part of the story? These sons and daughters are crazy in love with the Father’s son, and His Father. They want to be just like Them. They want to do the things He does. Truth is they can’t get enough of Him – they want to be forever with Him.

We overcome the accuser through the Blood of Jesus by declaring that the Father’s design for us is total metamorphosis. We’re not just a do-over, nor a make over, we are New Creations in Jesus Image. We are sons and daughters of the Most High. We – are God’s New Creation! We are His Kingdom on this earth!

Declaration 39: Thank You Jesus, that I have overcome the accuser of the brothers through Your precious Blood by being transformed into Your image – sons and daughters of the Most High. Thank You Jesus, that I am Your New Creation, Your Kingdom on this earth! Thank You Jesus, that I am part of the Mystery – Your Chosen one. I am not a do-over. I am not a make over. I am a blood, bought, born-again, happy ending! I am Your happy ending and You are mine. You are what I’ve always looked forward too; Who I always wanted to be. You are everything I imagined, dreamed of, and hoped for – going far beyond the limitations of all my expectations. Hallelu-Jah! WE – all the angels, all creation, all the planets, suns, and stars burst in applause and praise to You! WE – join the songs. WE – join the shouts. Lift up your voices and your hearts – you fishes and creatures of the seas. Raise your hands all you trees of the fields swaying, and dancing to His Glory. Burst forth in praise all you creatures of the air, the land, and the sea – and give Him the Glory! Hallelu-Jah! Hallelu-Jah! Amen!!!