| by Richard Frates (Easley, South Carolina) |
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| God’s Atonement is Universal: From the Beginning – Revelation 13:8 “The Lamb Slain from the Creation of the world.” Exodus 30:12-16 – Speaks of Atonement Money – being a Half Shekel when Israel was counted. “The rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less. “It will be a memorial for the Israelites before the Lord, making atonement for your lives. How God will remember his children today? 1 John 2:1-2 “My dear children, I write this to you so that you will Not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense – Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the Atoning Sacrifice for our sin, and Not only ours but for the sins of the whole world.” The Day of Atonement Commanded by God is full of meaning. Leviticus 23:26-32 “The Lord said to Moses – The tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement. Hold a sacred assembly – Deny Yourselves and present an offering made to the Lord by fire.” Verse 29-30 “Anyone who does Not Deny Himself – on that day must be cut off from his people. I will destroy from among his people anyone who does any work on that day.” Verse 32 “It is a Sabbath of rest – you Must – Deny Yourselves. From the evening of the ninth day until the following evening.” The Day of Atonement is an invitation and command, calling believers to: identify with and Mourn – the Death and Great Sufferings of Christ by fasting on this day. If not fasting, then how else would you “deny yourselves” for a day, from sunset to sunset?” It is also a prophecy that Christ would suffer and has been fulfilled in the sacrifice of the Son of God. Jesus Christ – When speaking of his death and suffering Said: Luke 9:23 “If anyone would come after me, he must – “Deny Himself”- take up his cross – daily and follow me”. In other words, be willing to suffer. The same words “Deny Himself” was also said in Leviticus 23:29. This teaches that we identify, with Christ, in his suffering and death by – respectfully denying ourselves – on the Day of Atonement. The apostles felt privileged to suffer persecution for Christ. Acts 5:41 “rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering” for Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 “the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives.” Philippians 1:29 “It has been granted to you on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him”. Philippians 3:10-11, I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow to attain to the resurrection of the dead.” 1 Peter 4:1 “Since Christ suffered, arm yourselves with the same attitude”. All those who are called by God are commanded to – Fast – No food or drink – on the Day of Atonement. Christians: Take to heart the price paid for our salvation and identify with the same attitude of Messiah. What other reason would there be for God to say, “anyone who does not deny himself must be Cut off from his people?” Some disagree, that fasting was the way to Deny oneself – and say sacrifices were commanded on that day and priests ate the sin offerings. Not True: The Atonement service recorded in Leviticus 16:1-34 – verse 14 and 15 reveal the blood of the sacrifice was brought into the – holy place. Sin offerings whose blood was brought into the holy place was Not to be eaten Leviticus 6:30. The Day of Atonement offerings described in Numbers 29:7-11 Were Burnt offerings that were not eaten, again verse 7 “You must Deny Yourselves.” And grain offerings of the priest were completely burned on the Altar Leviticus 6:23. The high priest entered the most holy place once a year on the Day of Atonement. Hebrews 9:1-12, Verse 8 “The Holy Spirit was showing by this that – the way – into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed.” Hebrews 9:9 “Indicates that the gifts and sacrifices offered were Not able to clear the Conscience of the worshipers.” Hebrews 9:14 Reveals – to a Believer Christ’s sacrifice clears our Conscience from “acts that lead to death. How? We Believe and Repent. Repentance finally extending to Israel fulfills the Day of Atonement. John 17:3 “Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent” Jesus Christ will be revealed to Israel. The concept of Christians willingly “denying” themselves extends to repentance; that is a lifelong battle. Repentance is, turning away, and – denying yourself – the sins of this world – Setting yourself apart from this world and asking forgiveness when we fail. The word “daily” that Christ used in Luke 9:23 is referring to “daily” turning away from sin and carry our burdens without complaining. Jesus Christ commands all to “deny” themselves in Luke 13:1-5 – by saying: “unless you repent you too will all perish.” That is the same as saying: Leviticus 23:29 “Anyone who does not – Deny Himself – on that day must be cut off from his people.” Jesus Christ called on all, to “deny” themselves, at the beginning of the gospel, Matthew 4:17 “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is near.” Israel Rejects the Gospel: Romans 11:25 Israel has experienced a hardness in part until the full number of Gentiles has come in.” Verse -15 “If their rejection is the Reconciliation of the World, what will their acceptance be but Life from the dead? 1 Corinthians 15:50-52 “Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God” “In a flash, in the twinkling of an eye at the Last Trumpet. For the Trumpet will sound, and the dead shall be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.” When is the fulfillment of the Day of Atonement? After the “Feast of Trumpets” that marks the “Last Trumpet” and the “First Resurrection.” Revelation 11:15 “The Seventh Angel sounded his Trumpet – The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ. He will reign forever and ever.” The fulfillment of the Day of Atonement is: When God gives the nation of Israel and all Jews his Holy Spirit and reveals-Their Atonement – the sacrifice of his Son Christ Jesus to them. Ezekiel 36:24-33 is speaking of when Christ Returns and God’s Holy Spirit being poured on the nation of Israel. Verse 24 “I will gather you from all the countries and bring you back to your own land.” Verse 25-26, “I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. I will give you a – new heart – and – Put a new Spirit in you.” Verse 27 “I will put My Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my Law. Hebrews 8:10 “I will put my Law in their minds and write them on their hearts.” The Day of Atonement will be a time of National Repentance: Ezekiel 36:31, “Then you will remember your evil ways and wicked deeds, and you will loath yourselves for your sins and detestable practices.” V32, “Be ashamed and disgraced for your conduct, O house of Israel!” This attitude of repentance will spread to all the remaining nations. Zechariah 12:10 – 13:1 – 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”. They will “grieve bitterly for him.” “On that day, the weeping in Jerusalem will be great.” John 19:34 “One of the soldiers pierced Jesus side with a spear. Many professing Christians will Not Accept this message: They have been filled with traditions of men and believe in an – Escapist-Salvation – of going to heaven or being Raptured. Do they really believe in the Gospel of the – Promised Kingdom of God? Do church leaders teach: Christians will be given “Authority over the nations” Revelations 2:26. How many observe the Day of Atonement? Luke 9:23 again “If anyone would come after me, he must – “Deny Himself”- take up his cross – daily and follow me”. Brothers and Sisters: The Day of Atonement: Is a Day of Repentance – identifying with and Grieving over the great Suffering and death of the Son of God. Isaiah 53:3-12, describes the great suffering of our Savior, Christ Jesus. Praise the God and Father of our Savior. Christ Jesus – Crucified – is Light that Shines Beyond the Grave. Your brother in the Son of God. |
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