Yom Kippur – the Day of Atonement

This is a day to repent and be restored.
On the Jewish calendar, this is the most “special” day of the year, and one that is appointed by God for a very important purpose. Unlike the other appointed times on God’s calendar, the Day of Atonement is not a feast, but a fast. Rather than a day of celebration, it’s a day to humble yourself before God by fasting. Wherever you spend the day, we encourage each of you to set aside time to seek the Lord so you are cleansed and restored to fellowship with Him.  

We are not under the law of the Feasts. God’s people operate in the fulfillment of these Feast times. We are a people that should move in forgiveness and release throughout the entire year ahead.  We should also be a people filled with compassion. Compassion leads us to miracles and healings. So let’s ask the Lord to set us in His perfect order as we enter this year.

We are living in times to examine ourselves, seek repentance, and make restitution. Kippur is linked with the word redemption. Success occurs when we are centered in God’s redemptive plan for our lives. By praying and seeking the Lord and allowing the Spirit of God to cleanse us, our vision becomes refined. We find in Hebrews an interpretation of the ritual of the Day of Atonement as a type of the atoning work of Christ, emphasizing the perfection of the latter by contrast with the inadequacy of the former (Hebrews 9-10). Jesus Himself is termed our ‘great high priest’, and the blood shed on Calvary is seen as typified in the blood of bulls and goats. Unlike the Old Testament priesthood, the sinless Christ did not have to make sacrifice for any sins of his own. As the high priest entered the Holy of Holies with the blood of his sacrificial victim, so Jesus entered Heaven itself to appear before the Father on behalf of His people (Hebrews 9:11-14).  We find that instead of outward purification, the Spirit of the Lord works on us internally, causing our consciences to be cleansed so we “see” clearly.  

Yom Kippur: “The Great Day to Be Covered”

Yom Kippur is also known as The Day of Covering Over.  Yom Kippur is derived from the Hebrew noun ‎kôper‎ meaning "ransom" or "hush money" (Exodus 30:12; 1 Samuel 12:3). This is a day to honor the One who ransomed us and bought us back from the enemy’s grasp. Instructions for Hebrew citizens for this day were described in Leviticus 23:26-32. It is the most solemn day on the Hebrew calendar, when atonement was made for the people. This is a day to be sure forgiveness is given and received. This HUSHES the mouth of the accuser. This is the day that the “work” of the past season comes to an end. On this day, most Jewish Israelis spend time in the Synagogue, going through a ritual of confession of sin.

The Day of Atonement has become more and more prominent in these days because of terror and lawlessness. This day is called "the great fast" (Acts 27:9), or "the great day," or merely "the day." The Gentiles must recognize the power of the Day of Yom Kippur. We must lead the way for all of Israel to see his love, compassion and forgiveness. No man may come unto the Father but by Jesus, the Lamb slain to take away the sin of the world (John 1:29; 14:6). This is a key time to pray that all of Israel know the grace of the One who was sent to redeem them (Luke 24:27.44-45, Isaiah 9). Also, pray for an awakening in the Gentile world to the power of the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ (Amos 9, Acts 15, 28). May this be a day when each of us allow this day to align our hearts with Heaven and open the door to the most joyful celebration of the year, the Feast of Tabernacles.

Blessings,

Chuck D. Pierce
Glory of Zion International Ministries