Why do so many FAST on the Day of Atonement?
The feasts and the holy days of the LORD's constantly remind us how - step by step - God is working out His Master Plan at the redemption of all mankind.
The Day of Atonement (or rather, AT-ONE-MENT) - pictures our Lord Jesus Christ deposing Satan the devil from his present position as this world's ruler, and removing him to the farthest reaches of outer-darkness and apart from mankind. He will be bound, no longer able to deceive the nations - for one-thousand years! - cf. Revelation 20:1, 2.
What is the purpose of fasting?
The purpose of fasting is to HUMBLE oneself - to help us see ourselves as we are! Also, to see God as He is!
Fasting on the Day of Atonement means denying yourself food and water for 24 hours - from sunset to sunset - if you are physically or medically able to do so.
Now, fasting is NOT penance - it's NOT a hunger strike to force your own will upon God.
A true Christian fast is to HUMBLE his or her own carnal mind with its own carnal will - to draw ever-closer to God. To acknowledge his or her own nothingness and ask for GOD'S STRENGTH.
The reason for fasting as being humbled is going by the example given by our Lord Jesus Christ. He received strength to resist the devil's strongest temptations by fasting without food 40 days and nights!
Spiritually, He was at His strongest at the end of the 40 days and nights, because He was completely HUMBLE before Father God.
God, of course, DOES NOT ask or expect us to fast for 40 days and nights.
We are, however, commanded to "HUMBLE OURSELVES BEFORE GOD" one day out of the year - and that is on the Day of Atonement.
Fasting is the greatest form of humbling ourselves because we deny ourselves a worldly distraction - eating and drinking.
Much too often churches make this Holy Day a DEMAND OF FASTING - completely missing the true reason behind the Day of Atonement, humility.
Fasting on the Day of Atonement is NOT a command from God or a requirement. It is, however, the biblical example given to best HUMBLE oneself, as shown throughout the examples of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Truly, to have a little hunger on the Day of Atonement serves to show that we, as the prophet Job states, are just as a maggot, or a worm! - Job 25:6. We are but a vapour, that appears but for a little time, and then vanishes away (James 4:14) - compared to the universe at large, tiny little creatures WARRING with one another!
How absolutely dependant we are on the food and water of this EARTH!
Fasting on the Day of Atonement truly shows God how much we completely rely upon Him. And, how difficult it can be to not focus on oneself.
The Day of Atonement is a day of TESTING ourselves to see just what we will put first. Will it be to the cry of our physical body for food or the spiritually sincere desire to obey God!?
When we fast on the Day of Atonement it pictures to us a future time when we will no longer be required to eat or drink. We, God willing, will no longer be earthbound - tied to a physical sphere with its source of physical food and water. It pictures a future time when we shall have the power to transverse multiple dimensions and go where we will - cf. John 3:8 - when we need to, and wherever we need to, to carry out the government of God, while we teach others how to live joyfully, happily, and godly - showing and teaching them how to inherit the same glorious and wonderful spirit bodies we will have.
Brethren, let us not sorrow as we fast and "humble" our souls on the Day of Atonement.
Though we sorrow because of sin, let us rejoice! Though we are subdued physically, in Spirit, we thrive with Life!
The Day of Atonement, like all of God's Holy Days, is a time of great hope and great rejoicing!
Indeed, fasting is NOT commanded, because God looks upon the heart of each of us. NO PERSON should judge another for what is in their spiritual mindset.
Brethren who don't fast (for one reason or another) on this Holy Day may have a humble approach that others can't see. However, the general example is the act of fasting. Truly, it is between YOU and GOD as to how far you are willing to humble yourself. We each are required to work out our own salvation. No other person can do this for us.
Sadly, as for those churches that JUDGE others for NOT fasting, they had better be careful because it's GOD who is our Judge, not them. We will be judged on how we judge others, so be CAREFUL.
Let us LOOK TO JESUS as our guide.
It is a matter of our mindset which brings on humility. And that is the MOST IMPORTANT. □
Other things to think about ...
A "Roman" Mark!? - the Roman government MARKED people by branding them on their hands and on their foreheads – like a tattoo.
A New Sodom and Gomorrah - If the label fits then so be it!
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