The Superiority of Christ’s Propitiation
HEBREWS 9 SUPPLEMENT
YOM KIPPUR: THE DAY OF ATONEMENT FEAST
Leviticus 23:26-32
A.) The Day of Atonement took place on the 10th day of the seventh month (Tishri) of the
Jewish calendar and is also known as “Yom Kippur”. It was the only day of the year that
the High Priest was allowed to enter the “Holy Of Holies”, (See Leviticus 16:2 and
Hebrews 9:7) This day is the highest holy day on the Jewish religious calendar.
B.) A Sacrifice makes possible Repentance:
(1) In verse 27 we read that the sacrifice is “an offering made by fire to the LORD”.
The details of this offering are given in Numbers 29:7-11:
a) Burnt offering -- 1 young bullock, 1 ram, 7 lambs without blemish.
b) Meal offering -- fine flour mixed with oil.
c) Sin offering -- 1 kid of the goats.
d) Drink offering - oil and wine.
This offering speaks perfectly of Jesus Christ, our High Priest, who entered the “Holy of
Holies” to offer Himself a holy sacrifice with His own blood once for all. That we might
have salvation and eternal life -- Hebrews 9:8-15.
(2) Notice also that this was a day for the people to “afflict their souls” or “deny
themselves”. In other words, repentance & fasting. This is stated again in
verses 28 and 32.
C.) In verses 27,28, and 32 we see that this day is to be a “holy convocation”, a “Sabbath of
rest”. The people are to do no manner of work during; this day. It is a day set-apart or
sanctified.
D.) In verses 29 and 30 we read of the results of divine judgment upon Israel. (under the
Law) for disobedience to the two commands of repentance (affliction of soul) and rest
(Sabbath). Under Grace the 2 terms, “cut-off” and “destroy” could be compared to
successive states in a carnal Christian's life: First being out of fellowship with God so
that He no longer answers prayer and God has to chastise him. Second, continual
rebellion against God's Will to commit the “sin unto death” (physical) as in 1 John
5:16,17. Throughout all this however, the Christian never loses his salvation which is a
free gift accepted by him. See Romans 5:15-21. Compare John 15:1-8 with 1
Corinthians 3:11-17. Verse 31 tells us this feast is to be a statute forever, in all the
Jews generations and dwellings, and looks forward to the Millennium reign of the
Messiah.
E.) The Purpose and Significance of the Day of Atonement.
(1) The Holy of Holies represents God's throne and His Holy Presence, The Holy of
Holies was located in the inner-most room of the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem. A
curtain or “veil” separated this inner sanctuary from the Holy of Holies and
symbolized the separation between God and man because of sin. This veil was
supernaturally torn in half the moment Jesus Christ completed and perfected His
work of salvation on the Cross, See Matthew 27:50.51; Mark 15:37, 38; and
John 19:30.
Copyright © 2002 Klaus Schiessel
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Hebrews Chapter 9 Supplement
The Superiority of Christ’s Propitiation
Christ's sacrifice made clear the way to fellowship with a Holy God. As Christians
we can freely into God's Holy presence through the privilege of prayer and receive
all the joys and blessings resulting from Jesus Christ's sacrifice. Read Hebrews 9:l628 and 10:19-22.
(2) God's presence or “shekinah” Glory was manifested visibly as a cloud in the
Holy of Holies on the mercy seat, between the cherubim which covered the Ark
of the Covenant. See Exodus 40:38-38; Ezekiel 9:3; 10:4,18,19 and 1 Kings
8:9-11. The account of when and how God's Glory eventually left the Temple is
found in Ezekiel chapters 9 and 10.
(3) A repentant heart and spirit was required for entrance into the Holy of Holies.
For the Christian today it is an offering of body, soul and spirit to the Lord made
possible by His sacrifice.
(4) It is very important for the Jews (as it is for Christians today) to know:
a) We have sin and need to repent.
b) We have cleansing and salvation through the shed blood of Jesus Christ.
(see 1 John 1:8 - 2:2).
F.) Leviticus 23 is a summary of all the Jewish feasts and each is more fully described
elsewhere in Scripture. The Day of Atonement is explained sacrificially and
symbolically in Leviticus 16:
v.2> God's Glory upon the mercy seat in the Holy place.
v.5> Two kids of goats far a sin offering for Israel.
v.6> Aaron to take a bullock for his own sins. This is personal identification with
sin.
vv.7,8> The lots cast for the goats speak of separation:
2 Goats
“for the LORD
“for the scapegoat”
Sin Offering
vv. 9,11> The sin offering for the LORD is slain along with Aaron's bullock.
v.10> The sin offering for the scapegoat is presented alive before the LORD and
then
released into the wilderness.
G.) The Significance of These Goats.
(1) Slain Goat -- Lev. 16:14-16 (sin offering for the LORD)
a) the goat is killed -- Judgment of Sin
b) blood is shed and sprinkled on the mercy seat --Cleansing and
Forgiveness of sin through the shedding blood. (See Hebrews 9:19-22).
(2) Live Goat -- Lev. 16:20-22 (sin offering for the scapegoat)
a) sins confessed -- repentance
b) sins carried away by the goat – forgiveness
Hebrews Chapter 9 Supplement
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Copyright © 2002 Klaus Schiessel
The Superiority of Christ’s Propitiation
(3) Holiness is involved -- Leviticus 16:24,26,28.
No one can enter into God's holy presence and fellowship with Him unless he is
also holy. Our sins are washed in the blood of Christ, we put an His
righteousness and are made holy. See Hebrews 10:18-22 and Revelation 1:5,6.
(4) Importance of this Feast:
a) v.29> statute forever, 10th day of seventh month; affliction of one's soul
(repentance & fasting), no work to be done (rest).
v.30> atonement for sin, cleansing from sin.
v.31> holy day of Rest (Sabbath) and Repentance.
vv,32-34> atonement for all of Israel's sins, once a year (it was not
“permanent” forgiveness). This was an everlasting statute looking ahead
to the millennium Kingdom.
b.) Remember, this all occurs in the Holy of Holies and only once during the
year. It is performed only by the High Priest.
Today we are blessed with mercy and grace because Jesus Christ is our High
Priest for He has entered once and for all the Holy of Holies to sanctify us.
(see Hebrews 4:14-16; 9:7,11; and 10:10).
H.) What the Two Goats Foreshadowed:
(1) Slain Goat - Christ died on the Cross to accomplish His work of Atonement
(Salvation). John 19:32-34.
,,,”the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world” – Rev. 13:8.
a) the Judgment for Sin is death -- Romans 6:23a.
b) Christ's death was the judgment for our sin -- Romans 5:6-8.
c) Jesus Christ's shed blood forgives us our sin and gives to us Salvation.
Romans 5:9-11 and 3:23-25.
(2) Scapegoat -- Christ removed our sins ....”as far as the east is from the west....”
Psalms 103:12. He was .....”the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the
world.” -- John 1:29.
a.) the Forgiveness of sin is Eternal Life -- Romans 6:23b.
b.) that God raised Jesus Christ in resurrection shows His sacrifice was perfect.
Acts 17:31; Ephesians 1:19,20; Philipians 2:7-11 and Hebrews 12:2;
2 Corinthians 13:4.
c.) through Christ's resurrection we as Christians are sanctified.
1 Corinthians 6:11: Hebrews 2:10,11 and 10:10.
(3) Applications to Christian Life:
a.) as Christians we are dead with Christ and alive in Christ
Romans 6:3,4 and Galatians 2=20.
b.) we are crucified and “raised through Jesus Christ. -- Romans 6:5-11.
c.) complete identification with Christ in “burial” and “resurrection” leads to
victorious Christian living. The world and sin are “dead” to us and we are
made “alive” to righteousness. Romans 8:9-11; Philipians 3:10-14 and
Colossians 3:1;17.
d.) Jesus Christ's resurrection makes it possible for us to someday be like
Him and be where He is. John 6:39, 40, 44; 1 Cor. 15:20-23; 2 Cor.
4:14; Rom, 10:9,10; Phil. 3:20, 21; Col. 3:4 and 1 John 3:1.2.
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Copyright © 2002 Klaus Schiessel
The Superiority of Christ’s Propitiation
e.) through Jesus Christ's death and resurrection, we are “born again” into a
“new creation” by believing and trusting in Him. 2 Cor. 5:14-17;
Ephesians 4:20-24; Colossians 3:10.
I.) Explanation of the Word “Atonement”.
(1) Old Testament Atonement - not a translation of the Hebrew word used. The
actual Hebrew word means “to cover”. Hebrew “kphr” or “kaphar” – Ex. 29:33.
Thus, the peoples' sin was “covered” but not “paid for” -- Hebrews 10:1-10.
(2) New Testament Atonement - The finished Work of Christ, of which the sacrifice
and offerings foreshadowed. See Hebrews 9:1-10 for the foreshadowing and
Hebrews 9:11-15 for the fulfillment.
(3) The word “atonement” is the English word we use to translate both scriptural
meanings: “to cover for sins” in the O.T. and “to pay in full” in the NT.
J.) What does the Day Of Atonement look Forward To? In Ezekiel chapters 37 and 39 and
in Joel 2 we can read about Israel's future regathering. What happens after this?
Referring back to the same scriptures we can see that “national” repentance follows
“national” regathering, First, the Feast of Trumpets, second the Day Of Atonement.
(1) Ezekiel 39:21-29 - repentance., (vv. 26,28)
(2) Joel 2=12-14,21-27. - repentance.
(3) At Jesus Christ's 2nd Advent a “fountain” of living water will be opened “for
sin and uncleanness” – Zechariah 13:1. This will be during the Millennium
reign of the Lord Jesus Christ -- Revelation 21:6,7; 22:1,2 and 22:16,17. This
will be specifically for the “house of David” and “the inhabitants of Jerusalem”
Historically, when Jesus was crucified and resurrected the “fountain” was opened.
But it was rejected by the Jews and we will see that for Israel it is yet future (Romans 11).
Here we get a glimpse of the position of the Jewish remnant and Gentile survivors, after the
Tribulation period, during the Millennium. Today, Jesus Christ offers the fountain of “living
waters” for the cleansing of Sin, (see John 4:10-14).
K.) We see then that Israel's regathering (redemption) and repentance are preparatory for
the Messiah, Jesus Christ, in coming to earth in glory and power to set up the Millennial
Kingdom. (For a more complete “picture”, read Zechariah 14 and Revelation 19-21.)
The Day of Atonement is the Jewish feast which looks forward to the day of repentance of
the Remnant of Israel after their regathering out of the Nations. This will be preparatory to
the 2nd Advent of the Messiah to establish His Kingdom on the earth!
Hebrews Chapter 9 Supplement
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Copyright © 2002 Klaus Schiessel