Tag Archives: Israel

Messiah in Yom Kippur

Purpose of the Sacrifices

Believers know that Yeshua has provided our atonement.

…for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God; being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Messiah Yeshua. (Rom. 2:23-24)

 

God presented Him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in His blood. Yeshua’s death fills full our understanding of the atonement ritual of the Temple in Jerusalem. The book of Messianic Jews/Hebrews explains the ceremonies of the Day of Atonement as a pattern of the atoning work of Messiah. Yeshua is our high priest, and His blood on Mount Moriah is seen as symbolized in the blood of bulls and goats. As the high priest of the First Covenant entered the Holy of Holies with the blood of his sacrificial system, so Yeshua entered heaven itself to appear before Hashem on behalf of His people (Messianic Jews/Hebrews 9:11-12).

The Mishkan was designed, in part, to teach us that sin hindered access to the presence of God. Only the high priest, and he only once a year, could enter the Holy of Holies, and then not without taking blood offered to cover sins (Messianic Jews/Hebrews 9:7). Messianic Jews/Hebrews notes that the Levitical offerings could effect only the purification of the flesh. They ceremonially cleansed the sinner, but they could not bring about inward cleansing, the prerequisite for fellowship with God. Just as the high priest had to be sinless to enter the Holy of Holies and live, so Yeshua had to be sinless to live after He entered the grave.

A New High Priest

But Messiah having come as a high priest of the coming good things, through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation, nor yet through the blood of goats and calves, but through his own blood, entered in once for all into the Holy Place, having obtained eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled, sanctify to the cleanness of the flesh: how much more will the blood of Messiah, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? (Messianic Jews/Hebrews 9:11-14)

 

The high priest had to offer sin offerings each year for his own sins and the sins of the people. This annual repetition of the sacrifices served as a reminder that perfect atonement had not yet been provided. Yeshua, however, through His own blood effected eternal redemption for His people.

The First Covenant offerings served as a pattern and a prophecy of Yeshua, who, through His better sacrifice, cleanses the conscience from dead works (Messianic Jews/Hebrews 9:13-14). God always determined what was an acceptable offering and what was not. He finally provided His Son, the Lamb of God, as the sacrifice for the sins of the world (John 1:19; 3:16).

The moment Yeshua died, the veil of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom (Matthew 27:50-51). The earth quaked beneath men’s feet. This event is important because it established Yeshua as being the new High Priest and Lamb of God. Yeshua, through a new and living way has entered heaven itself, the true Holy of Holies, where He ever lives to make intercession for His people. The believer need not stand afar off, as did the Israelite of old, but may now through Messiah approach the very Throne of God. Yes, it is now possible for each of us to have direct access to God through the blood of Yeshua HaMashiach.

The Two Goats

After purifying the holy place and the altar of burnt offering with the mingled blood of the bullock, the High Priest went to the eastern side of the court in front of the Temple. Facing him were two identical goats. Nearby was a lottery box especially designed for this ceremony. In the box were two tablets (lots). One bore the name “For God,” the other “For azazel” (the scapegoat). The high priest shook the box and withdrew the tablets, putting one tablet in front of each goat. The goat labeled “for God” was sacrificed. The priest laid his hands upon the goat’s head labeled “for azazel” and confessed over it the sins of the people. The scapegoat symbolically bore the sins of the nation of Israel away from the people. This goat, commonly called the scapegoat, was then driven into the desert.

In the same way Yeshua was brought before Pilate and stood before the people just as He was about to be led forth, bearing the iniquities of the people. These two goats were required for one sacrifice (Leviticus 16:17, 21-22). Both sacrifices were fulfilled in the death and resurrection of Messiah Yeshua. How can resurrection be portrayed in a sacrifice? By using two animals, one killed, the other set free, representing Yeshua’s death and resurrection.

And he shall take the two goats, and present them before the LORD at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats; one lot for the LORD, and the other lot for the scapegoat. And Aaron shall bring the goat upon which the LORD’S lot fell, and offer him for a sin offering. But the goat, on which the lot fell to be the scapegoat, shall be presented alive before the LORD, to make atonement with him, and to let him go for a scapegoat into the wilderness. (Leviticus 16:7-10)

 

And he shall go out unto the altar that is before the LORD, and make atonement for it; and shall take of the blood of the bullock, and of the blood of the goat, and put it upon the horns of the altar round about. And the goat shall bear upon him all their iniquities unto a land not inhabited: and he shall let go the goat in the wilderness. (Leviticus 16:18, 22)

 

Tradition based on Isaiah 1:18 states that a cord of red wool was tied on the horn of the scapegoat, before it was let go in the wilderness. When the red wool turned white, it was a sign that God forgave the people’s sin.

Come now, and let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. (Isa. 1:18)

 

The Priests used to bind a shining crimson strip of cloth on the outside door of the Temple. If the strip of cloth turned into the white color, they would rejoice; if it did not turn white they were full of sorrow and shame. (B.Tulmid Tractate Yoma 67a)

 

The great sages teach that the Shechinah glory of God left the Temple forty years prior to its destruction. Three signs occurred to show evidence of this:

1. The western candle of the menorah refused to burn continually.
2. The doors of the Temple would open of themselves.
3. The red wool no longer turned white supernaturally. This is especially significant because it indicated that God was no longer forgiving the sins of His people. The people were sorrowful because they began to realize more and more that the sacrifice of Yom Kippur did not have the power to cleanse their sinful hearts. That very year Yeshua started His ministry, the very year that the blood of bulls and goats was no longer accepted as a sacrifice for the atonement of sin.

Prophetic Significance

These days are most likely a picture of the Rapture (Yom Teruah/Rosh Hashanah, Feast of Trumpets), the Judgment of National Israel (the Tribulation, Yom Kippur), and the second coming and Kingdom (Sukkot). The Messiah made two promises before He returned to our Father. He would send the Comforter (Shavuot, Pentecost) and He would come again.

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there you may be also. (John 14:3)

 

The Bible clearly states Yeshua will return immediately after the Great Tribulation.

But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers that are in the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. (Mark 13:24-26)

 

The apostle Kefa (Peter) wrote about this awesome Day of Judgment. He declared:

But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are in it shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in all holy conversation and godliness, looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwells righteousness. (2 Peter 3:10-13)

 

When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, you blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. (Matthew 25:31-34)

 

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Messiah; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. (2 Corinthians 5:10)

 

In the coming judgment, there is forgiveness and mercy and grace to those who have already received Yeshua the Messiah our Lord and Savior, Who gave His life as a ransom for us! Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Yeshua the Messiah: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (Romans 5:1-2)

 

Messiah in Rosh Hashanah (Yom Teruah)

 

Feast of Trumpets

The blowing of trumpets is a sign of the return of Messiah and memorial of God’s grace to Abraham when He substituted a ram to be sacrificed instead of Isaac (Gen. 22). Isaac is a type of foreshadowing of Messiah Yeshua. Just as Abraham offered his son on the altar, God offered His son on Moriah’s altar. Messianic Jews (Hebrews) 11:17-19 says:

“By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.”

Both Isaac’s and Messiah’s births were miracles. Both were obedient to the point of sacrifice.
Trumpets were used in giving signals of war. Yeshua is the commander of the army of God. The Hebrew people were looking for a deliverer who would defeat the Roman army. Yeshua came, the first time, to defeat the work of Satan and the sin in men’s hearts. And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it (Col. 2:15).

In the same way this Holy Day speaks to the Believer about spiritual warfare.

Put on the whole amour of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Because of this take unto you the whole amour of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Yeshua is our armor because He defeated Satan. When we put on Messiah we will triumph over evil forces. (Eph. 6:11-13)

The Feast of Trumpets can be a very special time for believers in Messiah. Our sins are not forgiven just when we “believe.” James 2:19 says:

“You believe that there is one God; you do well: the devil also believes, and trembles.”

To be forgiven, we must have a repentant heart. We must come in submission to our Heavenly father, asking for forgiveness, knowing that He will forgive us, as a father forgives his child. That forgiveness which we seek has been guaranteed–bought and paid for by Yeshua’s atoning sacrifice on the tree.

Prophetic Significance

The Feast of Trumpets is a major festival. The three major festivals are Passover, Pentecost and Feast of Trumpets. We know Passover represents the sacrifice of Messiah, and Pentecost represents the coming of the Holy Spirit, so it stands to reason that the Feast of Trumpets represents a very special time.
The trumpet was the signal for the field workers to come into the Temple. The high priest actually stood on the southwestern parapet of the Temple and blew the trumpet so it could be heard in the surrounding fields. At that instant the faithful would stop harvesting, even if there were more crops to bring in, and leave immediately for worship service. On Rosh Hashanah, a series of one hundred trumpet blasts is sounded to announce the setting up of the eternal court, with the trumpets heralding God as the all-seeing, all-knowing Judge of the Universe. Jewish tradition says that this court date is to find out who are righteous and have their names in the Book of Life through the Messiah. All other people are a mixture of good and bad, and God in His mercy will delay their court date for a period of time to allow them to try and prepare a proper defense. The second court date is on Yom Kippur.

The Wedding

For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Messiah shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. (1 Thess. 4:16-17)

It is possible that Rosh Hashanah will be fulfilled when the Messiah comes on the clouds, the dead in Messiah rise to meet the Lord in the air, and those who are alive are changed in an instant in the blinking of an eye to an eternal, immortal body. All of those whose names are in the Lamb’s Book of Life have open and shut cases and are righteous, not by their own deeds, but by the blood of the Lamb.

Rabbis have taught that after being resurrected on the Feast of Trumpets, the righteous would enter the chupah (wedding canopy) to spend seven years while the “day of trouble” (tribulation), the seven years of judgment occurs on earth. By examining an ancient Jewish wedding, we can more clearly see the picture of the union of the Messianic Community (the bride) with the Messiah.

When a man in ancient Israel married, he went to the bride’s house with a “bride price” and made a contract (covenant) with the girl’s father. If the father accepted the man and his bride price, the man would pour a glass of wine. If the girl drank it, it would indicate that she accepted the man’s proposal and they were betrothed. The man would go away and prepare a wedding chamber for his bride. When the man’s father deemed that the wedding chamber was ready, usually one to two years later, the man would return to the bride’s house and “steal” her away “like a thief in the night” at an hour when no one would suspect. He would take her to the wedding chamber for seven days. During this time, the groom’s father would hold a party to announce the marriage. At the end of the seventh day, the married couple would emerge from the chamber and partake of the marriage supper.

The ancient Jewish wedding is a picture of Yeshua the Bridegroom and His bride, the body of Messiah. The contract (covenant) was sealed at the Last Passover when Yeshua shared the covenant cup with His disciples.

And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many. (Mark 14:24)

Yeshua, in speaking to the Disciples after the last Passover said the same words that any Jewish man would tell his betrothed.

In my father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. (John 14:2-3)

And, of course, Yeshua paid the “bride price” with His life. The marriage of the Believers to Yeshua is described in several Bible texts.

Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. (Rev. 19:7-8)

The Jewish wedding ceremony is another beautiful shadow of Messiah’s return.

Teshuvah and Days of Awe

The forty-day season called Teshuvah (return or repentance) starts thirty days before the Feast of Trumpets, and is a shadow of God’s prophetic plan. The entire ten days from the first day of the Feast of Trumpets through the Day of Atonement are known as the Days of Repentance or Days of Awe. The days between may be a picture of the tribulation. The days between the Feast of the Trumpets and Day of Atonement reflect the seven-year period of Jacob’s Trouble. Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble; but he shall be saved out of it (Jer. 30:7). One theory divides the days as follows:

  • The thirty days of the month of Elul —the body of Messiah
  • The Day of the Feast of Trumpets—the Rapture
  • The days between the Feast of Trumpets and Day of Atonement—Tribulation
  • The Day of Atonement—the Second Coming

For thirty days the shofar is blown every morning in the Synagogue to remind the people that the holy days are approaching, in order that they may prepare themselves. Their preparation consists of confessing their sins and seeking forgiveness along with a change in life, if needed. The Jews’ earnest prayer is that their names may be written in the Book of Life. This might represent the period before the rapture—calling people to repentance. One’s name is written in the Book of Life only when he or she has a repentant heart and comes in submission to our Heavenly Father, asking for forgiveness through Yeshua’s death and resurrection.

Coronation of Yeshua, Our King

Jewish eschatology teaches that on the Day of Atonement after six thousand years are complete, the Day of the Lord will come. On that day the shofar will sound, the righteous will be resurrected and will attend the coronation of the King. According to Jewish eschatology, the gates of heaven are opened on Rosh Hashanah and closed on Yom Kippur. This brings us to the book of Revelation, chapter 3:7-11. Note the two words here that relate to Rosh Hashanah: open door (as the gates of heaven are opened on Rosh Hashanah) and crown (as in a coronation).

And to the angel of the Congregation’s in Philadelphia write; These things say he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that opens, and no man shuts; and shuts, and no man opens; I know your works: behold, I have set before you an open door, and no man can shut it: for you have a little strength, and have kept my word, and have not denied my name. Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. Because you have kept the word of my patience, I also will keep you from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which you have, that no man take thy crown. (Rev. 3:7-11)

Daniel 7:9-14 also speaks of the Messiah returning to reign as king.

I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit… thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened [The Day of Judgment]. I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame. As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time. I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man [Jesus] came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.

In Revelation, chapters 8 through 10, the seven trumpets and the “Mystery of God” are revealed at the final blast:

And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven, And swear by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer: But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets. (Rev.10:5-7)

Remember, whatever theory you believe, you should have joyful expectations (Titus 2:13) and be patiently waiting in obedience (1 Cor. 1:7, 1 Tim. 6:14). Celebrate Rosh Hashanah by teaching about repentance, renewing your heart toward God, and looking forward to the Second Coming of our Lord!