When the King Claims His Throne: Yeshua and Yom Kippur
Ever wonder what the Book of Hebrews is on about? Anyone who takes the Bible seriously has to agree Messiah will come again. Yom Kippur gives us a striking depiction of that.
Everyone may not agree on whether and when there will be a Rapture, but anyone who takes the Bible seriously has to agree Messiah will come again. Yom Kippur gives a gloriously clear image of what will soon confront a dying world.
The day to post this really would have been yesterday, when the bulk of the Jewish world observed Yom Kippur. But I didn’t quite have it “spit-shined” in time…. 🙄
I so love these beautiful “appointed times” on the Hebrew calendar. They tell such a moving story about our blessed hope—all we’ve received, and all we have to look forward to in our Savior, Lord Jesus / Yeshua. And this solemn day of Yom Kippur marks the pinnacle of that annual Feast cycle.
The first Feast in the spring, Passover, depicts two great redemption events that began two sagas:
God’s dealings with a nation of Israel, redeemed from bondage to Egypt, and
His dealings with followers of Yeshua, redeemed from bondage to sin.
Capping off the ten Days of Awe, this climactic sixth feast depicts the glorious wrap-up of both sagas.
In modern Judaism, with no Temple sacrifices, Yom Kippur is a solemn feast marked by fasting, focusing on personal repentance, and attending synagogue. I hope you’ll join me in fervent prayer that Israelis will come to a deeper reflection on the state of their souls. With no Temple in place, all the religious activity in the world will not cover their sins. “For it is the blood by reason of the life that makes atonement” (Lev 17:11). “Without blood there is no remission of sin.” (Heb 9:22)
Those who study the Torah understand the need for blood sacrifice–the life-for-life principal implied in the Torah’s sacrificial system.
– John J. Parsons, Hebrew4Christians.com
How desperately God’s Jewish people need their true Messiah! And to enter into the new covenant and meet their eternal High Priest and King!
YOM KIPPUR: WHY ALL THE DRAMA??
Because this is the day the verdict is rendered.
Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, depicts redemption (“at-one-ment”) for the faithful. It also depicts judgment for the wicked. The most important things Christians need to know about this pivotal Feast of the Lord are captured for us in the Book of Hebrews.
YOM KIPPUR: SETTING—THE HOLY OF HOLIES
Behind the second [inner] veil there was a tabernacle which is called the Holy of Holies, having a golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was a golden jar holding the manna, and Aaron’s rod which budded, and the tables of the covenant; and above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat; but of these things we cannot now speak in detail…. (Heb 9:2-5)
YOM KIPPUR: CAST—THE PRIESTS
The priests are continually entering the outer tabernacle performing the divine worship, but into the second, only the high priest enters once a year, not without taking blood, which he offers for himself and for the sins of the people committed in ignorance… (Heb 9:6-7)
So while priests would minister daily in the Temple, the Holy of Holies behind the inner veil (curtain) could not be entered except by the High Priest. And only once a year, on Yom Kippur.
The only object in the Holy of Holies was the Ark of the Covenant. The Ark was a rectangular “three in one” nested box—an outer box and an inner box, both made of gold. An acacia-wood box nestled between them. The Ark measured about 52” by 32”.
According to Hebrews, the three-in-one box contained three objects.
The stone tablets, which obviously spoke of the Law.
Aaron’s rod, which spoke of God’s authority to judge. During the rebellion of Korah, God caused the rod to bud to prove that Aaron and Moses were indeed His representatives. The rebels who thought they knew better than God suffered a dramatic divine judgment. (Num 16:33)
A jar of manna, which spoke of God’s tender provision for His people in the wilderness–even after He judged them.
So the Law, righteous judgment and grace are represented. And hmm… notice all the symbolic threes!
God said His Mercy Seat in the Holy of Holies was where He would meet with His people (Ex 25:22). But note that Yom Kippur is the only time during the year any person would see the mercy seat. The High Priest could approach it on that one day, but only when it was veiled with an incense cloud and sprinkled with sacrificial blood.
Here’s something I love to think about. The priests of Israel got such limited access to the mercy seat—only the High Priest, only once per year. But we have a “better covenant… established on better promises” (Heb 8:6).
We have a sweeter deal!
Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Heb 4:14-16)
The “throne of grace” here is the heavenly version of the mercy seat! Yeshua, at His death, tore the veil which separates us from the Holy of Holies from top to bottom (Matt 27:51). Since that time, we have access to the real, heavenly version that no earthly priest of the Mosaic Law ever enjoyed.
Brothers and sisters, what an awesome privilege is that? Gosh, we should use that!!
Check out how the “throne of grace” will appear in the New Jerusalem:
There will no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His bond-servants will serve Him; they will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads. And there will no longer be any night; and they will not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illumine them; and they will reign forever and ever. (Rev 22:3-5)
The “copy” in the temple got a sprinkling of blood once a year. The real deal in Heaven will let us get face to face with the Lamb Who Was Slain (Rev 5:6) on a continual basis.
YOM KIPPUR: MAIN ACTION—THE ATONEMENT RITUAL
When the High Priest entered the Holy of Holies, he went alone. He set his ornate high priestly garments aside and wore only consecrated white linen garments (Lev 16:4), signifying both humility and purity.
On this day, he would purge defilement from the Temple and atone for (cover) his own and the people’s sins from the past year. The elaborate ritual takes all of Leviticus 16 to describe. It involved:
Creating a cloud of incense to cover the mercy seat.
Dipping his finger in the blood of a bull and sprinkling this over the mercy seat, because “without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness” (Heb 9:22 referencing Lev 17:11)—and no meeting with God.
Selecting a “scapegoat” by lot, which would symbolically carry all the people’s “iniquities to a solitary land” (Lev 16:22). (The scapegoat ritual is a topic unto itself—see this for more info.)
Sacrificing a second goat and sprinkling its blood over the mercy seat.
(For a number of images of these rituals see this web-based library from the Temple Institute.)
Hebrews also explains how the Yom Kippur rituals are a picture of Yeshua’s atoning sacrifice.
But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things to come, He entered through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation; and not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, 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 for the cleansing of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? (Heb 9:11-14)
“How much more will the blood of Christ… cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” I love that phrase, don’t you? What an amazing promise!
So in this picture or “shadow of the good things to come,” both the high priest and the perfect sacrifice are depictions of Yeshua. At His first coming, he played the role of the sacrifice. At His second coming, He will reveal Himself in His starring role as Great High Priest.
For it was fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens; who does not need daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people, because this He did once for all when He offered up Himself. For the Law appoints men as high priests who are weak, but the word of the oath, which came after the Law, appoints a Son, made perfect forever. (Heb 7:26-28)
YOM KIPPUR: THE AUDIENCE
Maybe you were wondering what the people do to observe Yom Kippur? Well, that’s simple.
This shall be a permanent statute for you: in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, you shall humble [or, “afflict”] your souls and not do any work, whether the native, or the alien who sojourns among you; for it is on this day that atonement shall be made for you to cleanse you; you will be clean from all your sins before the Lord. It is to be a sabbath of solemn rest for you, that you may humble your souls; it is a permanent statute. (Lev 16:29-31)
The people are to:
“Humble their souls”—while this has been interpreted as a command to fast, as Amir Tsarfati observes, since when does afflicting your belly equate to afflicting your soul?
“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit,
A broken and a contrite heart—
These, O God, You will not despise.” (Psalm 51:17)
The people are to seek that broken and contrite heart before the Lord. (See also Is 58:5-7.)Set aside all everyday work and focus on the Lord
And wait!
They’ve spent the past Forty Days of Repentance preparing their souls. Now it’s up to the High Priest to accomplish their atonement (“At-one-ment”). Nothing further for them to do.
While the High Priest performed these functions, the people would fast in eager anticipation of the outcome of the rituals. After completing his tasks, the garments of the High Priest were covered with blood (Lev 6:27). Only after [he changed to clean white garments]… did the Lord accept the sacrifice (according to one midrash, as the High Priest hung out his garments, a miracle took place and his garments turned from bloodstained crimson to white; see Isaiah 1:18)
– John J. Parsons, Hebrew4Christians.com
YOM KIPPUR: THE CLIMAX
So picture yourself praying in the Temple courtyard. The High Priest emerges from the Temple with the blood sacrifice completed, atonement made, and his garments a shimmering white to prove it!
Jewish sages teach that Tishri 10, the date of Yom Kippur, was also the date Moses descended from Mount Sinai the last time. He came down with a glowing face and new tablets, confirming that God had granted atonement for Israel’s horrific sin with the Golden Calf. (2 Cor 3:13, Ex 34:28-30)
What a picture of the Second Coming! Our Great High Priest will descend to earth from the true Holy of Holies (Heb 4:14), with blood atonement for sin accomplished once and for all. His garments will be bloodstained for a time, but they will not stay that way (Is 63:1-4, Rev 19:13)! He’ll be both High Priest and King, since He’s a priest after the order of Melchizedek, who was King of Peace and King of Righteousness (Heb 6:20-7:2). His bride will come with Him, clothed in fine linen and mounted on white horses (Rev 19:8, 14), to join Him in their new thousand-year home.
How exciting is that!
THE MORAL OF THE STORY
Based on Messianic prophecies, Jewish sages have long taught there would be two Messiahs:
The suffering servant, Messiah Ben [Son of] Joseph, and
The conquering king, Messiah Ben David.
We know this is close to the truth! There is only one Messiah but He appears twice.
First as the Lamb of God, Messiah Ben Joseph, the suffering servant
Second as the Lion of Judah, Messiah Ben David, the warrior King
YOM KIPPUR: MESSIAH IN A DUAL ROLE
Our Savior has two roles in the Yom Kippur drama:
First Coming: Like Yom Kippur’s blood sacrifices, whose remains had to be “burned outside the camp… Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people through His own blood, suffered outside the gate.” (Heb 12:11-12 referencing Lev 16:27)
Second Coming: He’ll appear as the Great High Priest and the Warrior King. Ah, but who can endure the day of His coming? (Mal 3:2)
At His first coming many Jewish individuals accepted Yeshua of Nazareth as their Messiah, but the nation as a whole rejected Him.
Why?? There was tremendous Messianic expectation (Luke 1:65-66).
This is a critical truth to take in. In Jesus’ day, they were looking for the Lion of Judah, who would defeat the Romans and give them their kingdom back. Instead, they got the Suffering Servant—and they rejected the perfect Lamb of God.
Today, people are looking for the Lamb. We’ve worked hard to spread the Good News that God is love—and He is! But many people picture Jesus only as Messiah Ben Joseph, the gentle and meek Lamb who preached “judge not.”
I shudder to imagine their dismay when they get the Lion—jealous for His righteousness (1 Cor 11:2)—instead.
“And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple; and the messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight, behold, He is coming,” says the Lord of hosts. “But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner’s fire…” (Mal 3:1-2)
There’s a Jewish tradition that the “book of life” and “book of death” are opened on the Feast of Trumpets and closed on Yom Kippur, thus sealing the “decree” for each person for the New Year. The Talmud teaches that “three books are opened in heaven on Rosh Ha-Shanah [NOTE: a.k.a. the Feast of Trumpets, ten days ago], one for the thoroughly wicked, one for the thoroughly righteous, and one for the intermediate. The thoroughly righteous are forthwith inscribed in the Book of Life, the thoroughly wicked in the Book of Death, while the fate of the intermediate is suspended until the Day of Atonement.” (RH 16b) And since in Jewish practice, pretty much everyone is “intermediate,” it all comes down to Yom Kippur.
(Note: Scripture does mention books: Ex 32:32,33, Ps 69:28, Mal 3:16, Rev 3:5, Rev 13:8, Rev 20:12, 21:27. But this central rabbinic teaching isn’t given in the Bible in anything like this kind of detail.)
Of course, as believers in Yeshua we know that righteousness before God is attained only through faith in Yeshua’s atoning sacrifice, resulting in our names being recorded in the Lamb’s Book of Life. Praise the Lord, this one trumps the others! (Rev 13:8, 20:12, 21:27)
He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. (2 Cor 5:21)
And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment, so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him. (Heb 9:27-28)
But can you see this teaching on the books as a picture of the Rapture? Those who’ve been made “thoroughly righteous” by the Blood of the Lamb receive their decree “in the twinkling of an eye” at the Rapture (symbolized by the Feast of Trumpets, I believe), and are caught up.
Those who remain after the Rapture must go through the Tribulation period. They’ll get deferred judgment when our Lord returns as the “refiner’s fire,” the Great High Priest, the Warrior King, and the Righteous Judge at the end of the Great Tribulation (Yom Kippur).
Which book holds your name?
Brothers and sisters, I urge you to ensure your name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life now. BEFORE the final verdict is rendered.
Would you rather meet the Lamb or the Lion as your Judge?
Photo by Tingey Injury Law Firm on Unsplash
If you’ve never opened God’s free gift of salvation through Jesus (Rom 3:23, 6:23), please please please be persuaded to do it now! It’s simple. Just tell God from your heart that you admit you’re a sinner that needs a Savior (“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Rom 3:23) that you’re done running your own life, and that you’re ready to make Jesus Lord of your life.
If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved. For with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed.” (Rom 10:9-11)
The decision that saves you is that simple!
Simple… But no one said living it out will be easy. Especially now.