Christ - Our Atonement

The majority of our peoples have not heard of the Day of Atonement. Most don’t properly understand its great prophetic significance. Yet – this Day reveals to us a glorious truth!

Greetings to you all on this beautiful and glorious holy Day of Atonement! Welcome our dear friends in Brussels, Belgium; Kampala, Uganda; Rwanda. Here in the States, Hendersonville, North Carolina; Michigan, and Orlando, Florida! Welcome to the Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries, here in Spring Hill, Fl, I’m Leonard V. Johnson.

The Day of Atonement is here! From sunset October 4th through sunset October 5th. 

Our beloved Apostle Peter was inspired by God’s Spirit to write –

“And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in FEAR [reverent fear and RESPECT], 18) knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received BY TRADITION FROM YOUR FATHERS.

Verse 19 – “but WITH THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF CHRIST, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. 20) He indeed WAS FOREORDAINED before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you 21) who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God” – 1 Peter 1:17-21.

Sadly, the Jews believe God not! Yet, they SHOULD – (see: “Many Convincing Proofs”).

Turning into the Book of Leviticus chapter 16 we see the goat slain at the Atonement ceremony –

Now, one doesn’t have to fully understand Leviticus 16 to have the love of our Savior Jesus Christ to be poured out upon them, or His grace, His Spirit, His glorious promise of eternal life. Yet, a great many churches that are still deeply trenched in the Old Covenant make you think that this is the ultimate crux of the gospel of Christ. It is not! 

“’ Then he shall kill the goat of the sin offering, which is for the people, bring its blood inside the veil, do with that blood as he did with the blood of the bull, and sprinkle it on the mercy seat, and before the mercy seat. 16) So he shall make at◦one◦ment for the Holy Place, because of the uncleanness of the children of Israel, and because of their transgressions, for all their sins; and so he shall do for the tabernacle of meeting which remains among them in the midst of their uncleanness. 17) There shall be no man in the tabernacles of meeting when he goes in to make at◦one◦ment in the Holy Place, until he comes out, that he may make at◦one◦ment for himself, for his household, and for all the assembly of Israel. 18) And he shall go out to the altar that is before the LORD, and make at◦one◦ment for it, and shall take some of the blood of the bull and some of the blood of the goat, and put it on the horns of the altar all around. 19) Then he shall sprinkle some of the blood on it with his finger seven times, cleanse it, and consecrate it from the uncleanness of the children of Israel” – Leviticus 16:15-19.

Friends, to this very day, there are peoples who had their religious upbringing in churches that are steeped heavily in the Old Covenant – just as the Apostle Peter stated, “BY TRADITION FROM YOUR FATHERS”! – who continues to convey that this slain goat represents Christ Jesus!

Verse 21 – “Aaron shall lay both his hands on the head of the live GOAT, confess over it all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions, concerning all their sins, putting them on the head of THE GOAT, and shall send it away into the wilderness by the hand of a suitable man.”

Here speaking about a live GOAT, the “scapegoat,” the Azazel goat. Now, a great many ministers continue to believe that this goat represents Satan the Devil. But, we don’t really know – to be truthful about it! Maybe it does, maybe it doesn’t. But, in truth, it doesn’t really matter.  

Let’s move on down in chapter 16 to verse 29 – 

“’ This shall be a statute FOREVER for you: In the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, you shall afflict your souls, and do no work at all, whether a native of your own country or a stranger who dwells among you” – vs. 29. 

As we’ve pointed out so many times, this is a very poor translation of this verse. The Hebrew phrase – the root of this phrase which I have underlined above, the meaning of it is “you shall HUMBLE yourself before the LORD your God.” Notice the New American Standard Bible version in the Key Word Hebrew-Greek Study Bible – 

“’ And this shall be a permanent statute for you: in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, you shall HUMBLE your souls, 5315 and not do any work, whether the native, or the alien 1616 who sojourns 1481among you” – Leviticus 16:29, NASB. 

Does this mean that we must fast!? A great many people say, “Yes!”

Did you catch just what our beloved Apostle Peter – under the divine inspiration of God’s Spirit – writes!? Again – 

“ … you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received BY TRADITION FROM YOUR FATHERS.”

He is speaking of Jewish tradition. Because, if you’re going to be JEWISH, then Jewish tradition says that you must fast. If you’re going to be Jewish or a Jewish follower, then on the Day of Atonement you must fast. But you had better also not wear shoes made out of leather, not bathe, don’t wear any cologne or perfume, no lotion, and no sex for you! There is a whole list of things that you cannot do – if you want to be Jewish or a Jewish follower!

It is true that our Lord Jesus Christ would be our Atonement – it was prophesied – we often read this during the Passover – or the Lord’s Supper – because it’s such a description of what Jesus endured.

“Who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? 2) For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, And as a root out of dry ground. He has no form or comeliness; And when we see Him, There is no beauty that we should desire Him. 3) He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him” – Isaiah 53:1-3. 

Verse 10 – “Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise Him; …” 

Now, in the Dead Sea Scrolls, when they discovered the Book of Isaiah – they were marveled that they found this scroll that they thought was a much later date. In those scrolls, this verse is listed. And, a translation by Professor Peter Flint reads, “Yet the LORD was willing to crush him, and he made him …” 1 

Verse 11 – “He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many. For He shall bear their iniquities.”

And down in verse 12 – “ … He was numbered with the transgressors, …”

So, here we see a little of God’s plan being unveiled to us through this prophet – who wrote 735 years before the event ever happened. It came to pass!

Our Lord Jesus Christ was the atonement for our sins –

“In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation [atonement] for our sins” – 1 John 4:10. 

Let us also notice –

“For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7) For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. 8) But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9) Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. 10) For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. 11) And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation” – Romans 5:6-11.

Our Lord Jesus Christ was the ‘atonement’ for us in the reconciliation to Father God. 

Now, if you would turn to 1st Peter, chapter 5 – 

This is a Scripture that had a huge and profound influence on my life. And understanding these concepts has truly helped me to mature in my thinking and to gain much understanding.

Verse 5 – “Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with HUMILITY, for ‘God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.’” – the Apostle Peter is saying, ‘all of you be submissive to one another.’ It’s a cooperative enterprise. Everyone should be able to sit down at a table and – if their hearts and spirits are right – be able to offer information or suggest a change.

That’s the meaning of the Day of Atonement - internally speaking! To “be clothed with humility, for God resists the proud, …”

Verse 6 – “Therefore HUMBLE yourselves under the mighty hand of God, …”– Humility. 

What does that mean!? Does it mean joining a monastery and taking a vow of silence, walking around in a robe, and looking all pious!? Is this what God is talking about!?

No, humility is not what people can see – humility is what God sees.  Truly becoming submissive to God, and His will, and the will of Jesus Christ.

“ … that He may exalt you in due time.” – at the blowing of the SEVENTH TRUMP – at the resurrection of the saints! That’s when you will receive your glory.

Verse 7 – “casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” – this verse is so very important to all of us.

Verse 8 – “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” – Satan the devil is real, his demons are real. And, if you let down your guard, and the Spirit of God within you begins to drain – and you do not have that protective covering – Satan and his demons will find ways to mess up your life. And if they can, they will totally take you off the path of salvation. And, it’s happened to people that I know – tragically. And there’s nothing I can do about it, but ask God to have mercy on them.

Verse 9 – “Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced [or has happened] by your brotherhood [your church members] in the world. 10) But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while …” – after you have gone through this human life with its ups and downs and sufferings –

He will make you “ … perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.” 

Verse 11 – “To Him [Jesus Christ] be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

Indeed, in the Old Covenant on the Day of Atonement the high priest would go into the temple and sprinkle blood for the sins of the people. And, he was the only one who was allowed to go into the Holy of Holies – the inner sanctuary of the temple. Now, if you want to continue living under that system with its symbolism – you the individual – will never have access to God Almighty or Jesus Christ! However, in the New Covenant ANYONE ANYTIME ANYWHERE has access to Jesus Christ if they will only humble themselves before the mighty throne of God Most High! And seek in changing their lives and submit to God!

There are some magnificent prophetic meanings of the Day of Atonement – that many church leaders have never considered. And I’d be willing to say that probably most do not have a clear understanding of what prophetically the Day of Atonement – the DAY TO HUMBLE YOURSELF BEFORE GOD – symbolizes. On a personal level, it truly means getting ever-closer to God, repenting, and humbling yourself before God – but on a prophetic level it is directly linked to the end-time trauma, what our Lord Jesus calls the end-time ‘great tribulation.’ – Matthew 24:21-22.

And certainly, the Day of Atonement is a somber day. 

But the Day of Atonement is a somber day because it looks forward to a time when on this earth hundreds of millions of people are going to die by the hand of the returning Jesus Christ! It looks forward to a time when we’re told that the blood in and around the streets of Jerusalem will be up to a horses’ bridle – allegorically speaking.

It’s also a day that looks forward to a time where all of the individuals throughout history who had been called by God the Father and Jesus Christ, and had come to a level of knowledge and repentance and had their names written in the Book of Life – at some point their life turned sour, turned bitter, they turned their backs on God – and thereby they have had their names removed from the Book of Life. And sometime in the not-so-distant future on the return of Jesus Christ, those people will be brought back to life again, and then executed in the lake of fire. That’s why it’s a somber day.

Let us always HUMBLE OURSELVES before the LORD our God!  □

1) 1 Flint, P., Prof., The Digital Dead Sea Scrolls, The Great Isaiah Scroll, The Israel Museum, Jerusalem © 1995-2020. http://dss.collections.imj.org.il/isaiah#53:10. Retrieved 3 Oct. 2022.

ADDITIONAL ITEMS FOR THE HOLY DAY OF ATONEMENT

Day of Atonement - 2019 - Humble Yourselves In the Sight of the LORD (Sermon) - This is NOT a weekly church service, this is one of the annual holy days – often referred to as the Day of Atonement. The Day of Atonement is the second of what we often call the Fall Holy Days – or the Fall Holy Day Season.

Why FAST On the Day of Atonement? - by Minister Guy LaMar -  Why do so many FAST on the Day of Atonement?

Notes Regarding the Day of Atonement - Prophetically the Day of the LORD (PDF booklet online)  "The seven last plagues are directly linked with the idea of the Day of the Lord. And the Day of the Lord, prophetically, is linked to the concept of the Day of Atonement. ... the Worldwide Church of God and the descendants which have flowed from it, have been woefully ignorant of the meaning of the Day of Atonement. ... the Day of the Lord - an event which is the most often prophesied event in the Bible."

Offertory for the Day of Atonement - 2019 - Should an offering be taken on the Day of Atonement? Just what does your Bible teach about this!?

Day of Atonement - a day to humble yourself before God! - If you would turn in your Bible to the Book of Leviticus, chapter 23 – the only chapter in the whole of the Holy Bible which gives us all the LORD God’s holy days in order, giving us a thumbnail sketch about them.

Day of Atonement 2021 "Humble Yourselves" (Video Sermon) - Delivered by Minister Leonard V Johnson of the Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries - for the Holy Day of Atonement 9/16/2021.

Day of Atonement Offertory - 2019 (Video Sermonette) - should an offering be taken on the Day of Atonement? Just what does your Bible teach about this? If you send an offering, how does that support the work of God? Minister Leonard V Johnson goes over some Scriptures related to this.

Day of Atonement = End-Time Trauma - Now, the so-called leader of the ICGs father, and his grandfather – established and led church organizations that taught and propagated ideas that were far different and diverse from the teachings of most – if not all – of the mainstream nominal Christian churches of the Western world. [...]

Old vs. New (Atonement) - 2017 (Video Sermon) - by Minister Michael C. Garrett.

Atonement - Part A (Video Sermon) - 2016 - by Minister Michael C. Garrett.

Atonement - Part B (Video Sermon) - 2016 - by Minister Michael C. Garrett.

Day of Atonement by Russell Kemp (Video Sermon) - 2020 - special guest speaker Russell Kemp came to speak at The Independent Christian Church of God for the Day of Atonement to feed us with spiritual food.

Why FAST on the Day of Atonement?

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 Message of Only Doom!? - Is the Message that our Lord Jesus brought a Message of only doom!?

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!

Do They Have God's Spirit?

OUR Lord Jesus Christ said –

“’ MOREOVER if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. 16) But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’ 17) And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.’” – Matthew 18:15-17, NKJV.

With a heathen person or a tax collector, you sure don’t want to be around them.

In almost ALL cases – by confronting these people within the church, you will find that they are very nasty in their response when presented with your issues concerning them.

They get all PUFFED-UP and offended!

Vanity shows up.

Do you realize why!?

Well, because you’re NOT confronting a brother or sister in Christ – in the FAITH! Instead, you’re dealing with a very carnal person who is using the church as a social outlet. There are some who use the church as a boardroom to work against each other! Or, they work to get others on board with their own ideologies and philosophies.

BEWARE!

Ask yourself – do they have God’s Spirit!?

Do they display God’s Spirit!?

Do they show godly love!?

Are they a joy to be around!?

Are they a peaceful person!?

Do they exhibit long-suffering towards others!?

Are they kind!?

Do they display goodness towards others!?

Are they committed to the faith!? – which is shown by how they live in accordance with the WORD OF GOD!

Are they meek and humble!? – or, do they display vanity and self-absorption!?

Do they have self-control!?

If they do – then THEY ARE your brother or sister in Christ!

If not – you’re dealing with a regular everyday person who is proclaiming to be a Christian – a carnal-minded person – who does not have CHRIST in them. They are NOT a true Christian. Thus, they are not your brother or sister in the faith.

So, in that case, you do NOT have to apply to the instructions given by our Lord Jesus Christ. You're dealing with just a carnal-minded person, and you know the results will be bad.

Why!?

Because our Lord Jesus Christ said – you (being a TRUE HOLY SPIRIT LED CHRISTIAN) will know them by their fruits.

They will display what they are all about.

YOU (as a TRUE CHRISTIAN) must know who is who by testing the spirits – or rather, identifying the spirits of God’s Spirit, as opposed to the spirits of Satan the devil.

“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2) By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, 3) and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.

4) You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than [Satan] who is in the world.” – 1 John 4:1-4, NKJV.

IF you see a spirit in them that you know is NOT of God’s Holy Spirit, then you must NOT address them as Jesus Christ instructed us to address a fellow servant of Christ’s.

You would only be addressing a servant of Satan the devil.

They are a plant of Satan the devil of whom is their god. And, yet, they will deny this. But that doesn’t change the fact that this is what they truly are.

Personally, I have witnessed this often in “church” settings. Rarely there do you actually find true Christians.

I have gone to people in the past that I believed had gone against God and addressed it with them, only to find them puffing themselves up against me in vigorous rebellion!

Those that follow Satan the devil believe they are smart, but only come off as fools to a true Holy Spirit-led servant of Christ Jesus.

A person with God’s Holy Spirit may appear naïve or unintelligent to the world, but they are far superior when it comes to having God’s living TRUTH abiding within them.

So, before you go to someone within a church setting that you feel is offending in a Christian Way – test the spirit. Because you may be dealing with a disciple of Satan the devil who has crept in unaware into God’s Church. It has happened many times.

My personal manner in dealing with Satan the devil’s disciples is to simply disconnect from them.

To cast them from my life.

To have no more to do with them.

To fully reject them.

Thus comes PEACE!

PRAISE JESUS FOR THIS GUIDANCE! □

Additional things to think about

A Soon-Coming Kingdom - Personally, I firmly believe the following [...]

A New Sodom and Gomorrah - A guy that is involved with the University of North Alabama (UNA) posted something [...]

Debt Forgiveness - When people do good deeds for others and expect something in return for those good deeds, then that person is [...]

Day of Atonement - a day to humble yourself before God!

Greetings Friends around the world! Greetings to Ethiopia, Egypt, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, and, of course, all our friends in the United States of America. Welcome to the Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries on God’s annual holy day – the Day of Atonement. I’m your servant Leonard V. Johnson.

If you would turn in your Bible to the Book of Leviticus, chapter 23 – the only chapter in the whole of the Holy Bible which gives us all the LORD God’s holy days in order, giving us a thumbnail sketch about them. The greater majority of people who attend nominal Christianity type churches has never heard these concepts – because they are not taught. And that’s terrible on the leaders part who haven’t properly been feeding their people the Word of God, the Truth of God, and the Plan of God.

Verse 2 – “’Speak to the children of Israel [including the New Covenant Church of God – cf. Galatians 3:29], and say to them: ‘The feasts of the LORD, …’” – these are not Jewish feasts! “ … ‘ which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations [gatherings], these are My feasts.’” – FEASTS OF THE LORD! They belong to God! And He’s sharing the information with us – those of us who have ears to hear and eyes to see and a willingness to accept the truth of God as being our teacher!

Verse 3 – the Sabbath day. The SEVENTH DAY OF THE WEEK! Not the first day – Sunday.

Verse 4 – “’These are the feasts of the LORD, holy convocations [holy gatherings] which you shall proclaim at their appointed times.’”

Verse 5 – talks about the Passover. Now, if you would like more information on the Passover, please read our articles entitled “Passover Message – 2013” and “Passover Service – 2017.”

Verse 6 – talks about the Feast of Unleavened Bread. And again, if you would like more information on the Feast of Unleavened Bread, be sure to read “Christ In You (Unleavened Bread) – 2017 a seven-part series.” How the true understanding of the Days of Unleavened Bread is so much different than what most churches of God continues to teach.

Verse 9 through to verse 22 – talks about the Day of Pentecost. A phrase which means “count fifty.” So, fifty days after the Sabbath day in the middle of the Days of Unleavened Bread – always landing on a Sunday. So, seven weeks plus one day is the Feast of Pentecost. Again, we have a wonderful article “Pentecost – a seven-part series (Part I)” which has valuable information.

Verses 23 & 24 – the phrase, “ … ‘a memorial of blowing of trumpets, …’” And, just a few days ago was the Feast of Trumpets – 2020 – which truly represents the soon-coming kingdom of God!

Friends, the spring holy days have a specific meaning – the overall arching premise. And, of course, the fall holy days also have a specific meaning. Passover, the Days of Unleavened Bread, and Pentecost – are an outline to how a single individual becomes confirmed and to have his or her name added to the Book of Life. An outline for personal salvation.

Verse 26 – “And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: 27) ‘Also the tenth day of this seventh month shall be the Day of Atonement. It shall be a holy convocation [gathering] for you; you shall afflict your souls [your life], …’” – that word afflict is poorly translated. There are other translations that nail the proper translation perfectly. The Hebrew word is ‘ānâ, meaning “to be concerned about, to be worried; to be humbled.” 1 The New American Standard Bible (NAS) translates this verse – “’On exactly the tenth day of this seventh month is the day of atonement; it shall be a holy convocation for you, and you shall humble your souls …’” – sadly, many ministers today continue to threaten the congregation with a very serious maniacal undertone – “You shall afflict your souls!”

As Mr. Michael C. Garrett has pointed out – get out your concordance, get out your word studies, get out your different translations, and you too will discover that that phrase is supposed to say – “You shall HUMBLE yourself before the LORD.” It is the same thing that our Lord Jesus Christ teaches in the Book of Matthew, chapter 5 –

Verse 3 – “’Blessed are the poor in spirit, …’” – ‘poor in spirit’ means humility. To be humble before God.

Verse 5 – “’Blessed are the meek, …’” – the same idea. Humility before God and Jesus Christ. It’s willing to know and believe in your mind that you are more impressed with what Almighty God and Jesus Christ says than what any human being says – including yourself.

Now, if you would turn to 1st Peter, chapter 5 –

This is a Scripture which had a huge and profound influence on my life. And understanding these concepts has truly helped me to mature in my thinking and to gain much understanding.

Verse 5 – “Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with HUMILITY, for ‘God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.’” – the apostle Peter is saying, ‘all of you be submissive to one another.’ It’s a cooperative enterprise. Everyone should be able to sit down at a table and – if their hearts and spirits are right – be able to offer information or suggest a change.

That’s the meaning of the Day of Atonement - internally speaking! To “be clothed with humility, for God resists the proud, …”

Verse 6 – “Therefore HUMBLE yourselves under the mighty hand of God, …”– Humility.

What does that mean!? Does it mean joining a monastery and taking a vow of silence, walking around in a robe and looking all pious!? Is this what God is talking about!?

No, humility is not what people can see – humility is what God sees. Truly becoming submissive to God, and His will, and the will of Jesus Christ.

“ … that He may exalt you in due time.” – at the blowing of the SEVENTH TRUMP – at the resurrection of the saints! That’s when you will receive your glory.

Verse 7 – “casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” – this verse is so very important to all of us.

Verse 8 – “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” – Satan the devil is real, his demons are real. And, if you let down your guard, and the Spirit of God within you begins to drain – and you do not have that protective covering – Satan and his demons will find ways to mess up your life. And if they can, they will totally take you off the path of salvation. And, it’s happened to people that I know – tragically. And there’s nothing I can do about it, but ask God to have mercy on them.

Verse 9 – “Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced [or has happened] by your brotherhood [your church members] in the world. 10) But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while …” – after you have gone through this human life with its ups and downs and sufferings –

He will make you “ … perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.”

Verse 11 – “To Him [Jesus Christ] be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

Let’s turn to the Book of James, chapter 4. It’s very similar to what we just read.

Verse 6 – “But He gives more grace. …” – we read that phrase over in 1st Peter, chapter 5. Now, as for me, “Dear Father, dear Brother, pour out all the grace You can manage on me! Because I need Your grace, Your forgiveness, Your help, Your love, Your kindness, Your support!” “ … Therefore He says: ‘God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.’” – again, we should humble ourselves before God.

Verse 7 – “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” – recall the apostle John in his first letter writes, “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God.” – 1 John 4:1 NKJV. Also, resist the distorted truth - and God’s living truth will surface in your understanding!

Verse 8 – “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.”

This is the TRUE MEANING of the Day of Atonement – on a personal level!

“ … Cleanse your hands you sinners; …”

Now, in Revelation 2 & 3: Messages to the Churches, Mr. Garrett spoke about how often God uses the phrase repent. And all repent means is to CHANGE – to ‘cleanse your hands you sinners.’ To go a different direction.

“ … and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” – and truly the only way that you can purify your heart is to ‘with all your heart, mind, and soul’ seek the Word of God, the Truth of God, and the Plan of God.

Verse 9 – “Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10) HUMBLE yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.”

Now friends – that’s the meaning of the Day of Atonement! That’s the spiritual personal meaning of the Day of Atonement!

Indeed, in the Old Covenant on the Day of Atonement the high priest would go into the temple and sprinkle blood for the sins of the people. And, he was the only one who was allowed to go into the Holy of Holies – the inner sanctuary of the temple. Now, if you want to continue to live in that system with its symbolism – you the individual – will never have access to God Almighty or Jesus Christ! However, in the New Covenant ANYONE ANYTIME ANYWHERE has access to Jesus Christ if they will only humble themselves before the mighty throne of God Most High! And seek in changing their lives and submit to God!

Also friends, there are some prophetic meanings of the Day of Atonement – that many church leaders have never considered. And I’d be willing to say that probably most do not have a clear understanding of what prophetically the Day of Atonement – the DAY TO HUMBLE YOURSELF BEFORE GOD – symbolizes. On a personal level it truly means getting ever-closer to God, repenting, and humbling yourself before God – but on a prophetic level it is directly linked to the end-time trauma, what our Lord Jesus calls the end-time ‘tribulation.’ – Matthew 24:21-22.

And certainly the Day of Atonement is a somber day.

But the Day of Atonement is a somber day because it looks forward to a time when on this earth hundreds of millions of people are going to die by the hand of the returning Jesus Christ! It looks forward to a time when we’re told that the blood in and around the streets of Jerusalem will be up to a horses’ bridle – allegorically speaking.

It’s also a day that looks forward to a time where all of the individuals throughout history who had been called by God the Father and Jesus Christ, and had come to a level of knowledge and repentance and had their names written in the Book of Life – at some point their life turned sour, turned bitter, they turned their backs on God – and thereby they have had their names removed from the Book of Life. And sometime in the not-so-distant future on the return of Jesus Christ, those people will be brought back to life again, and then executed in the lake of fire. That’s why it’s a somber day.

These people once had the truth of God, the spark of God, and His knowledge, and then they allowed Satan to get into their mind, or little petty differences, or bitterness - and their lives will never attain the potential that could have been theirs. They were potentially eternal sons or daughters to God the Father. They were potentially eternal brothers or sisters to Jesus Christ. They potentially had eternal life in their game plan. And only to have all that fall short, because of their contrariness, their lack of faith, their lack of pursuing the truth of God.

If you would turn in your Bible to the Book of Revelation, chapter 1 –

Verse 1 – “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, [not ‘the revelation of John’], which God gave Him to show His servants – things which must shortly take place. …” – and I pray that’s you. Indeed, if you are reading this – God the Father is certainly calling you through Jesus Christ! “ … And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John.”

Now, the Book of Revelation was not relevant in the first century. It was probably written by the apostle John on Patmos – a small Greek island in the Aegean Sea – around 95 AD. It wasn’t relevant in the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th centuries. It wasn’t even relevant when Stanley Horton, in 1991, wrote his exposé of the Book of Revelation in his book The Ultimate Victory! But now that we’re living in the time our Lord Jesus called ‘this generation’ and are getting ever-closer to the end-time trauma – now much of the revelation of the Book of Revelation can be understood. Now, there are still some dark and fuzzy edges where we don’t quite know what it means – but someday we will. Like what the apostle Paul wrote, “For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.” – 1 Corinthians 13:12 NKJV.

Verse 2 – “who bore witness to the Word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw.”

Just as Jesus Christ – ‘One like the Son of Man’ – says in verse 19 – “’Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this.’” – ‘things which must shortly take place.’ In the last book of the Holy Bible – “’These words are faithful and true.’” – Revelation 22:6 NKJV.

So, the Book of Revelation contains an outline.

Let’s turn now in our Bibles to chapter 6 of the Book of Revelation.

Remember He said, “things which must shortly take place.”

Verse 1 – “Now I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals; and I heard one of the four living creatures [an archangel] saying with a voice like thunder, ‘Come and see.’” – almost like an invitation.

Verse 2 – “And I looked, and behold, a white horse. …” – this is the famed ‘Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.’ The word apocalypse is a Greek word meaning “unveiling.” It doesn’t mean death and destruction. “ … He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer.” - Now, I think this has a DOUBLE MEANING. I think it may be partially referring to Jesus Christ in unleashing the end-time ‘great tribulation’ upon the people of the world. But, it’s also talking about FALSE RELIGION. You could possibly say that this is false religion in the guise of the Mother Church of Europe plunging the world into another world war! And as a side note – last night I was watching Mega Disaster: It Happened Before, It Will Happen Again – Volcanoes and I had never realized that Mt. Stromboli was only 311 miles from Rome - a volcano which has been in almost continuous eruption for the past 2,000–5,000 years! Friends, do not buy a condo in Rome! Bad investment! Or, if you do, know when to sale and get out! That city will become dust! And, it’s just my own personal thought, what if the place of Satan’s Abyss, is under the ocean, under the ruins of Rome! Right down with all the dead bones of all the dead popes down through all the ages! Maybe it’s a perfect place to put them!? And all of his demonic beings!

Verse 3 – “When He opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, ‘Come and see.’” – again, a type of invitation of coming attractions.

Verse 4 - “Another horse, fiery red, went out. …” – and I don’t think there’s any question what this represents. It’s talking about war! The shedding of massive amounts of blood, pain, and suffering! “ … And it was granted to the one who sat on it to take peace from the earth, and that people should kill one another; and there was given to him a great sword.”

It is certainly a scary time in which we live – and I’m willing to accept the possibility that this is Jesus Christ suggesting about the prophecy of Daniel 11. A direct reference to the final holy-war between the end-time ‘king of the South’ and the ‘king of the North’ (cf. Daniel 11:40; Revelation 9:13-16).

Verse 5 – “When He opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, ‘Come and see.’ So I looked, and behold, a black horse, …” – referring to famine. “ … and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand.”

Verse 6 – “And I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, ‘A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius; and do not harm the oil and the wine.’” – of course these are major food items. Items which we need to live.

Verse 7 – “When He opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying, ‘Come and see.’ 8) So I looked, and behold, a pale horse. …” – emblematic of disease, death. “ … And the name of him who sat on it was Death, and Hades [the grave] followed with him. And power was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword, with hunger, with death, and by the beasts of the earth.” – just a massive amount of death!

So, this fourth horsemen’s ride begins just prior to the Day of the LORD – what the prophet Jeremiah called ‘Jacob’s trouble’ - Jeremiah 30:7. The majority of the Anglo-Saxon nations – the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Canada will be effected.

Verse 9 – “When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls [the lives] of those who had been slain for the Word of God and for the testimony which they held.” – throughout history many people were martyred doing God’s true work. In the future there will be more. Yet, there are people out there who have a little of God’s Spirit, but are not doing much with it – it’s just sort of sitting there, spoiling. And they’re probably going to be thrust into some severe tribulations in this end-time. A group of end-time prophets (and this is not a biblical phrase) – the New Testament Church began with twelve apostles, will the end of this age end with twelve end-time prophets!? Individuals hand-picked by Jesus Christ to go into ‘all the world as a witness to all nations and preach this gospel – the kingdom of God’ – cf. Matthew 24:14 NKJV. Taking the gospel message before legislative branches, world leaders, presidents, and even before a European civil leader and a religious leader. So, the fifth seal talks about the martyrdom of God’s true servants.

Verse 10 – and this is allegorical language – “And they cried with a loud voice, saying, ‘How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?’”

And, in verse 11 – the very near future – “Then a white robe [will be] given to each of them; …” – meaning signs of immortality and eternal life. “ … and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, …” – to wait, be quiet, be easy for a little season. “ … until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed.” – and this is talking about the end-time prophets (cf. Revelation 11).

Verse 12 – “I [the apostle John] looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood.” – logically, the moon appears ‘like blood’ or reddish – when it appears in an atmosphere full of dust, smoke, or smog! The atmosphere will be thick with volcanic ash towers from a great number of volcanoes erupting around the globe, possibly caused by the massive ‘great earthquake.’ The prophet Jo-El speaks of this same event – cf. Joel 2:31.

Verse 13 – “And the stars [Satan and his demons] of heaven [the atmosphere] fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind.” – this is talking about the removal of Satan and his demons from the atmosphere. It’s the same thing talked about in Revelation 12, where Michael the archangel is to – as it says, “And war broke out in heaven.” And Satan and his demons were cast out of the atmosphere onto the earth. What’s happening here is the atmosphere of the earth is being prepared for the soon arrival of Jesus Christ and God the Father and the portable throne of God! And this is going to be quite a light show.

Verse 14 – “Then the sky [the atmosphere] receded as a scroll …” – the earth will be covered in a large amount of pollution from the earthquakes, the volcanoes, the fires. One time I had watched a time-lapse film. And it was a camera set up in one of the hills overlooking Los Angeles, and the ocean breeze came in and the smog cloud was being rolled up – and it looked just like you were taking a giant carpet and rolling it up as the wind blew in from the ocean it just pushed the smog out of the area. “ … and every mountain and island was moved out of its place.” – a lot of earthquake activity!

Verse 15 – “And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every [bond man] and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, 16) and said to the mountains and rocks, ‘Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him …” – with all the dust and pollution swept out of the area, human beings will literally be able to look up and see the returning God the Father and Jesus Christ! And the image is so frightening to them, they will initially think it’s some invasion from outer space – they start crying out “fall on us mountains and rocks! Kill us!” “ … hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb!” – Again, that even makes two allusions. One more indication that God the Father and Jesus Christ are indeed returning at the same time.

Verse 17 – “For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?”

Again, the first four seals is often called the “Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.” Then the fifth seal talking about the martyrdom of God’s true servants. The sixth seal talking about earthquakes, volcanoes, massive pollution in the atmosphere, and Satan the devil and his demons being thrown down to earth.

Conclusion

Now, we go over to Revelation 8 – and it picks up this outline again.

Verse 1 – ““When He opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. 2) And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets.” - So the seventh seal is equivalent to the beginning of the SEVEN TRUMPETS.

So, the true meaning of the Day of Atonement isn’t about God wanting you to hurt. It’s about God wanting you to HUMBLE yourself before Him, His will, and His word. But, it’s also talking about end-time events of the most dramatic effect that the earth will ever experience. Remember Jesus said, ‘except these days should be shortened, no flesh would be saved.’ – Matthew 24:21-22 NKJV.

Friends, this is the overarching premise of the Day of Atonement! □