Leviticus 23:27
The tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement. Hold a sacred assembly and deny yourselves, and present a food offering to the Lord. (NIV)
Today’s Reading: Leviticus 23:26-32 and Luke 4:16-21
The Day of Atonement, also known as Yom Kippur, is the holiest day on the Jewish calendar. We’ve extensively covered all the aspects of this day as it relates to Jesus. This was the day all of Israel’s sins are cleansed and their relationship with God was restored. Jesus is our High Priest that fulfilled all aspects of this day from his sacrifice on the cross outside the city to becoming our scapegoat.
As we learned yesterday, the days leading up to the Day of Atonement were called the “Days of Awe.” They were a time of repentance for the entire nation of Israel. The Israelites knew that they had to prepare their hearts and be right for the coming Day of Atonement on the tenth day. The priests would hide themselves away so that they didn’t defile themselves and they would appear again on the Day of Atonement to conduct their duties.
A reminder from yesterday, the first ten days of this month are:
- Days 1 and 2 – Feast of Trumpets
- Days 3 through 9 – The Days of Awe
- Day 10 – Day of Atonement
If we are following the predictions of many scholars, the Feast of Trumpets represents the rapture. Then there are seven Days of Awe. Many point to these seven days as the seven years of the Tribulation.
“The people of the ruler who will come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come like a flood: War will continue until the end, and desolations have been decreed. He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven.’ In the middle of the ‘seven’ he will put an end to sacrifice and offering” (Daniel 9:26-27). This would make the Day of Atonement the return of Christ on Judgement Day.
There is also a connection to Moses. Moses ascended Mount Sinai two separate times for 40 days. The first time Moses descended the mountain, he found the nation of Israel in rebellion to God and worshiping a golden calf. This first descent of Moses is synonymous with the condition of the Jews when Jesus came the first time.
At the second descent of Moses, the Israelites were not in rebellion. Moses’ face shone with the glory of God and he brought the instructions for the tabernacle with him. This second descent occurred on the tenth day of Tishrei which would be the Day of Atonement. This would parallel the second coming of Christ to claim the nation of Israel.
Lastly, Jesus fasted 40 days and nights in the desert to face the temptations of Satan. Upon his return from the desert, he went to the Synagogue in Galilee and read Isaiah 61:1-2. But if you look at Luke 4, Jesus stopped reading at “to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor” (Luke 4:19). However Isaiah 61:2 actually says, “to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God”
(Isaiah 61:2).
Jesus first time on earth was to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. The second time he comes, it will be the day of God’s vengeance. Let’s be ready!
Christ in the Old Testament 
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