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Day of Atonement
September 30, 2017

Today through sunset is the Day of Atonement, a Holy Day that is a day of fasting rather than feasting. From an elaborate ceremony where the sins of the congregation were placed on a goat that was led to the wilderness, this day portrays a future banishment and exile of Satan and all that is evil. On the Holy Day time line, the return of Jesus Christ would have recently occurred as commemorated by the the Feast of Trumpets. Let's take a look at the history of this day, the meaning for Christians today, and what it tells about the future.

It was on the Day of Atonement that the High Priest was presented with two goats. With the responsibility to cast lots, one goat was to be sacrificed as a sin offering and the other goat was to be burdened with the sins of the congregation and led away into the wilderness.

Leviticus 16:5–10
And he shall take of the congregation of the children of Israel two kids of the goats for a sin offering, and one ram for a burnt offering. And Aaron shall offer his bullock of the sin offering, which is for himself, and make an atonement for himself, and for his house. 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 an atonement with him, and to let him go for a scapegoat into the wilderness.

The fast of the Day of Atonement was referenced by Paul and understood to be a turning point in the calmness of the Mediterranean Sea as summer turned to autumn. Thousands of years later, it is hard to tell why Paul used these words to reference this time in the year. I believe that Paul used these words because the early church observed the fast and the Day of Atonement just like many first-century apostolic Christians do today.

Acts 27:6–11
And there the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing into Italy; and he put us therein. And when we had sailed slowly many days, and scarce were come over against Cnidus, the wind not suffering us, we sailed under Crete, over against Salmone; And, hardly passing it, came unto a place which is called The fair havens; nigh whereunto was the city of Lasea. Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them, And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives. Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul.

The Day of Atonement pictures a future event after the return of Jesus Christ. The Book of Revelation shows that the Devil is placed in a bottomless pit for one thousand years.

Revelation 20:1–3
And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.

When Jesus returns as King of Kings and Lord of Lords, one of his jobs will be to exile Satan for one thousand years as pictured by the Day of Atonement.

All verses are from the King James Version.
This site provided by Tom Laign. To all who may believe differently, I also extend peace and love.
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