From a New Testament Perspective
Day of Atonement
Read Leviticus 23:26-32.
This was the most solemn, and yet the greatest day in the life of the nation of Israel. It was the day of the cleansing of all sin for the priesthood, the sanctuary, and the whole nation. On this day alone, once a year, the high priest entered, through the veil, into the Holy of Holies in the temple where God presenced Himself in all His glory.
It is prophetic of the cleansing of the Church, the Body of Christ, and its coming to the fullness of the glorious expression God has planned for it on earth prior to the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus.
The Perfect Day
"But the path of the uncompromisingly just and righteousness is like the light of dawn, that shines more and more - brighter and clearer - until [it reaches its full strength and glory in] the perfect (to-be-prepared) day" Proverbs 4:18 (Amp.V.).
"And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit" 2 Corinthians 3:18 (1 Peter 2:2; Heb. 5:13 - 6:2).
On the Day of Atonement the full manifestation of the finished work of the Cross and the Resurrection will be seen on earth in the Church, His Body.
"It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ" Ephesians 4:11-13 (read through to verse 16; Romans 8:18-30; John 17; Ephesians 5:25-32).
The Ceremony
Read Leviticus 16.
Deny Yourselves (v. 29-31)
The Day of Atonement took place on the 10th day of the 7th month. The distinctive message of the Feast of Trumpets, blown on the 1st day of the month, was the call to all Israel to prepare for the day of national cleansing... 10 days of preparation.
The number ten in Scripture signifies trial and testing (Daniel 1:11-15; Rev 2:10; the 10 commandments; 10 trials in the wilderness the disciples wait 10 days for the Holy Spirit).
The 10 days of preparation (repentance) climaxed in the Day itself, a day set aside as a day of national fasting (Numbers 29:7) and so became known as "the Fast" (Acts 27:9).
The interval of time between Trumpets and the Day of Atonement speaks of great trial and sifting for God's people (Isaiah 58; Joel 2; 1 Peter 1:3-7; 4:12-19).
Day of Rest (v.31)
No manner of work was to be done. The High Priest did all the work. Our great High Priest, the Lord Jesus, has done all the work. We rest in faith in His finished work (Hebrews 4:14-5:10; 6:19-10:25).
"Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus" Phil. 1:6.
The Two Goats (v.5-10, 15)
Blood Sprinkled 7 Times (v.14)
Throughout scripture the number 7 speaks of perfection. Here it speaks of the perfect atonement through the Blood of Christ.
All the Feasts of the Lord are founded on blood sacrifices. Christ's once-for-all sacrifice is the foundation for all the Feasts in the Church. The Day of Atonement is the fullest power of that blood manifest in the Church to cleanse all sin, all iniquity and all sins of ignorance (v.30).
Cleansing of the Sanctuary
The Tabernacle and the Temple were once God's Sanctuary and the great Day of Atonement was its cleansing.The Church is now God's Temple and Sanctuary (Acts 7:48; 1 Cor. 3:16-17; 6:19; 2 Cor 6:16) and the great Day of its cleansing is coming.
The Golden Censer (v.12-13)
Although considered part of the Holiest of all, the altar of incense was situated just before the veil (Hebrews 9:2-4). On the Day of Atonement the High Priest would take the Golden Censer off the altar of incense and take it through with him into the presence of God. As the prophetic fulfilment of the Day of Atonement approaches God is going to pour upon the Church prayer and intercession.
"... another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all the saints, on the golden altar before the throne. The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of the saints, went up before God from the angel's hand. Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it on the earth... " Revelation 8:1-6.
It will be the answer to the prayer of Jesus....
" ... I pray ... that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me" John 17:20-23 (Hebrews 7:25; Rom 8:26-27).
Face to Face (v.2)
The Day of Atonement was the only day in the year that the Holiest of All, containing the shekinah glory of God, was entered (Heb. 9:7-9; 6:19-20). The High Priest, representing the whole nation, came "face to face" with God.
The veil (curtain) that hung before the Holiest of All represented everything that separated sinful mankind from a holy, righteous God. On the Cross, Jesus hung between Heaven and earth as the veil (Hebrews 10:19-20). At the exact moment of His death, the veil in the temple was torn from top to bottom (Matt. 27:50-51). The way was open! Through the Cross we now have free access into the Presence of God in the fullness of His glory. The Day of Atonement pre-pictures the Church entering into the full outworking of all that Christ has accomplished.
"For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears... Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known" 1 Corinthians 13:9-12.
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