1.  Yom Kippur is a day of fasting and affliction of the soul (Lev. 23:27,29; Num. 29:7). This day was set aside as a day of national fasting.  The spiritual understanding for us is given in Isa. 58:1-12 (read this).

2.  It is the tenth day of the seventh month (Lev. 23:27; Num. 29:7)  The number 10 is used to represent the government or a nation (Dan. 7:24; Rev. 17:12).  To the Jewish people, the number 10 represents a legal congregation known as a minyan.  The congregation is one body that can represent a group.  So, the number ten represented the nation or the congregation of Israel.  (Lev. 16:2-3,17,19).

THE DAY OF ATONEMENT CEREMONIES

 As we look at the ceremony itself, we will be able to see how it points to the Messiah Jesus Himself.  In addition, we will be able to see how it relates to the believers in the Messiah.

DAY OF ATONEMENT CEREMONIES

1.  The priest used a golden censer (Lev. 16:1-2,12-14; Heb. 9:4).  The censer is mentioned in Leviticus 16:12; Num. 16:18,46; I Kings 7:50-51; 2 Chron. 4:19,22; and Hebrews 9:1,4.

 Spiritual Application.  The incense of the golden censer represents the prayers of Bible believers (Ps. 141:2; Luke 1:5-11; Rev. 5:8; 8:3-4).

 Messianic Fulfillment.  Aaron the high priest typifies the ministry of mediator and intercessor.  Jesus is our High Priest (Heb. 3:1) and Mediator (1 Tim. 2:5; Heb. 12:24). He lives to make intercession for us (Rom. 8:34; Heb. 7:22-27).

2.  He went within the veil once a year (Lev. 16:2; Heb. 9:3,7).

 Spiritual Application.  By the death of Jesus, we are free to enter into the veil everyday (Matt. 27:50-51; 2 Cor. 3:14; Heb. 4:16; 6:13-19; 10:19-22).

3.  He washed himself in water (Lev. 16:4,24).

 Spiritual Application.  For Aaron, this meant he must be absolutely clean in order to make atonement in behalf of the people of Israel.  For the believer in Jesus, it means we are to be washed by the water of the Word of God as we approach God as well as for the removal of sin from our lives (John 3:1-5,15; 1 Cor. 6:11; Eph. 5:26-27; Titus 3:5; Heb. 10:22).  For Jesus, it meant that He was absolutely clean and without sin when He made the atonement of sacrificing His body on the tree.

4.  He put on holy linen garments (Lev. 16:4,23).

Spiritual Application.  The priestly clothing is also mentioned in Ex. 28:1-4.  In verse 3 they are for glory and beauty.  The linen garments speak of the sinless humanity of Messiah and His righteousness.  These linen garments were stained with blood while the priest offered the sacrifices.  After the sacrifices were complete, the garments were taken off and new garments were put on again (Lev. 16:23-24).  Isaiah 1:18 speaks of the blood stained garments and the new garments that were put on afterwards.  The white linen garments are clothes of righteousness (Job 29:14; Ps. 132:9; Isa. 61:10; Rev. 3:5; 15:6; 19:7-8,11,13-15).

5.  At the moment the atonement was made on the Day of Atonement, those being atoned for were sinless and blameless before God.  The congregation of believers in the Messiah is being presented before God without spot or blemish (Eph. 5:27) because of the blood of Jesus (1 Pet. 1:19).

6.  The bodies of the animals were outside the camp (Lev. 16:27).

 Messianic Fulfillment.  The bodies of the sin offering, both the bullock and the goat, were taken outside the camp where they were burned.  Jesus was crucified outside the camp or gates of Jerusalem (John 19:17-20; Heb. 13:10-13).

7.  Many sacrifices were offered (Lev. 16:1-6,25-27).  

 Spiritual Application.  Our bodies are to be a living sacrifice to God (Rom. 12:1; 1 Pet. 2:5).  We are to offer up a sacrifice of praise to God (Lev. 7:12; Ps. 34:1; 50:14,23; 69:30-31; 107:22; 116:17; Heb. 13:15-16).

 Messianic Fulfillment.  Jesus is the sacrifice of God for us who believe on Him (Heb. 9:26-28; 10:1-10).

8.  The Year of Jubilee was the Day of Atonement (Lev. 25:9-11).

 Spiritual Application.  This was a year and day of liberty.  Jesus came to preach this liberty at His first coming (Isa. 61:1-3; Luke 4:17-21).  From Adam, it has been almost 6,000 years and 120 Jubilees.  The number 120 points to the end of the age of the flesh and the reign of the life of the spirit (Gen. 6:3).  The ultimate fulfillment of the year of Jubilee will take place at the second coming of Jesus.  The earth will be redeemed and come into full and complete rest from the curse brought on it by Adam’s sin.  Complete restoration of man’s lost inheritance will take place.  God’s people will be totally set free - set at liberty, from all sin, sickness and disease, death, and the curse.  Satan, the source of all these things, will be bound and true rest will be realized.  The Tabernacle of God will be with men and He will dwell with them (Rev. 21:1-4).  So, the year of Jubilee and Day of Atonement speak of the fullness of the redemptive plan of God for man. (cont'd on next page)