Robert Rite (3/12/2016): The “Day of Atonement” is the holiest of God’s appointed high holy feast days – the holiest day of the Jewish year. It is so holy that it is called the “Sabbath of Sabbaths” 
(Leviticus 16:29; Leviticus 23:1-2; Leviticus 23:26-32; Numbers 29:7-11). It is a day upon which one must afflict one’s soul for supernatural redemption; a day which determines whether the name of God’s people remains in the “Book of Life” (Leviticus 23:26, 27, 31-32).
In Hebrew, this day is called Yom Kippur and it is usually observed in the September timeframe (the 10th day of the 7th month). Like all of the Jewish feast days, the exact day fluctuates from year to year based on the Hebrew calendar which is coincident to the lunar cycles. So in some years it may be observed in October instead of September. By the way, September is the most significant day of the year to the God of the bible as most of the high holy feast days occur during this month; but that is another lesson for another time.
In the New Testament, the Day of Atonement is referred to as “the Fast” (Acts 27:9). The fact that this day was referred to that way (or even at all) is an indication that it was observed by the early Christian church after Christ’s resurrection. The Bible also clearly shows that other Jewish holy days, such as Pentecost were observed by Christians after Jesus’ resurrection (Acts 2:1).
What is the Scriptural and Prophetic meaning of this Feast Day
Let’s break down the key parts of this most holy ritual so that we may better understand its prophetic significance. The details of this rite are explained in Leviticus 16:3-34.
The ceremony begins with the preparing of kosher animals for sacrifice, by the temple priests. After presenting them to the lord, the high priest was to cast lots upon two goats; the one lot for the LORD, and the other as azazel (a scapegoat). The first goat is sacrificed while the second goat is set free.
This second goat that is released is symbolic of Satan for two key reasons:
1) Azazel is a term that some Jewish people have historically ascribed to satan.
2) What happens with the scapegoat and with satan is quite similar, if one compares Leviticus 16:20-22, 26 to Revelation 20:1-3. A great angel is given the key to the bottomless pit; he takes hold of the dragon (the devil) and he casts him into the bottomless pit. So the devil represents the scapegoat the one who escapes death but is cast out to the wilderness. The wilderness here is a picture of the bottomless pit.
To Christians, the first goat is a picture of Jesus as our atonement, the sacrificial lamb, and Satan is the Scapegoat; or the one who escapes. This is akin to Barabbas the sinner (scapegoat) being set free while Jesus, the blameless lamb, would be led to slaughter.
Let’s review a few points before we continue:
Why a goat and not a lamb? The bible does not differentiate between sheep and goats so that the goat can be ascribed as a “sacrificial lamb”.
In Leviticus 16:21 note that it is a suitable or fit man that releases the goat into the wilderness. What more fit man than the angel referred to in Rev. 20:3? Prophecy scholars believe as I do that this great angel is the archangel Michael; the leader of the angelic host.
Why is blood sprinkled seven times upon the mercy seat (Lev. 16:14)? Seven is the number of completion so the sprinkling seven times indicates that the sins are completely wiped away by the sacrifice. Jesus is the Lamb of God that wipes away the sins of mankind (1 John 2:2)
The Day of Atonement reveals the two roles of Messiah!
Christ is depicted as both a lamb and a high priest during this ceremony, because as most Christians know Christ has two distinct roles during this age.
1) The first lamb that is killed represents Christ, the suffering Messiah – the slain lamb, that allows Himself to be led to slaughter.
2) The high priest who presides over the sacrifice represents the resurrected Christ – the triumphant High Priest of heaven performing His role of atonement.
The high priest performing the ceremony represents the risen Christ going within the veil to the mercy seat – a picture of Christ ascending to the throne of God in heaven. The work he did while in the Holy of Holies symbolizes Christ’s work these 1900 years interceding for our sins, presenting His shed blood before the mercy seat in heaven.
When the high priest returns from the most holy chamber after sprinkling the blood of the sacrifice on the mercy seat, this is when he places the sins of the people upon the head of the scapegoat. This is a picture of the return of Christ who will place the sins He bore on the author of all sins, the devil, and who will send him away alive into a desolate uninhabited wilderness the “bottomless pit” or abyss of Revelation 20:3. Notice how the act of placing the sins on the head of the scapegoat does not take place until after the high priest returns from the Holy of Holies within the veil. This is because the latter will take place after the Second Coming of Messiah.
Herein lies the unveiling of a great mystery.
For all who have asked God “why must mankind pay the price for sins caused by the author of sins, Satan”? Well the above reveals that at the end of this age satan will be held accountable for all sins throughout this age! Does that mean that we are all scot free? No, it means that God and only God can and will judge righteously; and yes there is hope for all us sinners – when we repent and accept His blood sacrifice!
Can you now see how GOD’S great plan of redemption will finally come full circle by placing the original blame and guilt where it belongs? A righteous God will place right back on the head of the devil his blood guiltiness – not ours. The devil will bear all mankind’s sins once and for all and he will no longer be the accuser of the brethren. While we were guilty too, our sins were borne by Christ’s blood 1900 years ago at the cross. So Christ, who has carried our sins throughout this age, will not have to carry it through eternity. Sin must be removed entirely from heaven and from the presence of the almighty – and it will.
The high priest entering the holy of holies symbolized Christ’s return to heaven. The work he did while in the most holy chamber symbolized Christ’s work these 1900 years interceding for our sins, presenting His shed blood before the mercy seat in heaven.
When the high priest returns from the most holy chamber, it is a picture of Christ’s return to earth.
Upon completion of this rite, the sins of the people were borne by the goat, even as Christ bore our sins on the cross. But Christ rose again from the dead, and ascended to the throne of God in heaven. After Christ died, He went to the heavenly mercy seat interceding for us, as our High Priest in heaven (Hebrews 6:19-20)!
At the conclusion of this rite the scapegoat carries away the sins of all the people already forgiven. The power of satan, the accuser of the brethren, was founded on sin. When all these sins, of which he is the author, are laid back on him, after being removed from us by Christ, then Satan shall have lost his claim on us, and his accusatory powers will be quenched.
The Day of Atonement is significant for Jews and Christians alike. Although a Hebrew high holy feast day, it is a clear picture of Christ’s sacrifice for our sins. It demonstrates Christ’s role as the High Priest of heaven, and reveals that after Messiah’s second coming, Satan will be held accountable for all mankind’s sins and bound, chained and cast into the bottomless pit, for a space of time, until he is finally sent to his permanent home – the Lake of Fire (Rev. 20:10)
This high holy feast day, like all feast days and prophecies for that matter, all point to Jesus Christ as Lord and savior. In Revelation 19:10 it is revealed that Jesus is the spirit of all the Prophecies. They all point to Him as the Lord!
