| (Copyright 2015) by Richard Frates (Easley, South Carolina) |
|---|
| The high priest entered the most holy place once a year on the Day of Atonement. Hebrews 9:1-8, Verse 8 “The Holy Spirit was showing by this that – the way – into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed.” John 14:5-6 “Thomas said to him, Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know “the way?”Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. Leviticus 23:26-27 “The Lord said to Moses – The tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement. Hold a sacred assembly and deny yourselves.” V28 “Do not work on that day, because it is the Day of Atonement.” The Day of Atonement is an invitation and command, calling believers to identify with the death and sufferings of Christ by fasting on this day. It is also a prophecy that Christ would suffer. The – Holy Place in God’s Temple – was symbolic of the Father’s Presence. Christians who believe God are God’s temple: Romans 8:10-11 “If Christ is in you your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of believing God. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.” Eternal life or Salvation is: John 17:3 “Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” Leviticus 23:29 “Anyone who does not – deny himself – on that day must be cut off from his people.” When speaking of his death and suffering, Jesus Christ said: Luke 9:23 “If anyone would come after me, he must – “deny himself” – and take up his cross daily – accept life’s trials without complaining – and follow me.” We identify, with Christ, in his suffering and death by – denying ourselves – on the Day of Atonement. The concept of Christians willingly “denying” yourself extends to repentance. Jesus Christ commands all to “deny” themselves warning of Judgment Day: by saying “unless you repent you too will all perish Luke 13:3-5.” 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.” The gospel in advance: All those who are called to believe in the God of Israel, are commanded to fast on the Day of Atonement so that we may identify with the suffering of Messiah Crucified. Understanding the Son of God paid our debt of sin. What other reason would there be for God to say, “anyone who does not deny himself or “repent” must be cut off from his people?” God teaches believers to accept, persecution, hardships, and trials in our lives as discipline from God; Hebrews 12:7 “Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons.” Christians seeking acceptance of the world is a snare. If the world accepts you – you do not belong to Christ. Children of God: Should expect to be rejected and persecuted by the world, as Jesus Christ was, and wear that persecution like a crown. 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. The fulfillment of the Day of Atonement: Is when God gives the nation of Israel his Holy Spirit and reveals the sacrifice of his Son Christ Jesus to them. Jeremiah 31:31-33 and Ezekiel 36:24-36 is speaking of God’s Holy Spirit being poured on the Jews and the nation of Israel. Ezekiel 36:25 “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; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. This will be – reversing what the Apostle Paul said in Romans 11:25 NIV “Israel has experienced a hardening in part.” Ezekiel 36:24 “I will gather you from all the countries and bring you back to your own land.” V27, “I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. National Repentance: V31, “Then you will remember your evil ways and wicked deeds, and you will loath yourselves for your sins and detestable practices.” This attitude of repentance will spread to all the “survivors from all the nations” Zechariah 14:16 after Christ’s return. Zechariah 12:10 – 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.” Christians and Jews, observe the Day of Atonement, by fasting and remember, we are identifying, with the great suffering and death of the Son of God. On the Day of Atonement read: Isaiah 53:3-12, John 19:33-34 and Matthew 27:27-31 – that describes the great suffering of our Savior. Our Father in Heaven paid our debt of sin: Christ Jesus Crucified is Light that shines beyond the Grave! Praise God. ——————————————————————————————————– See Richard Frate’s other articles at: Frates, Richard – Church of God, Bismarck (church-of-god-bismarck.org) ——————————————————————————————————– |
Views: 1
Sign up to Receive [The "New" Church of God Messenger] weekly newsletter: