God desires that we become wise, wisdom that is far removed from that which the world imparts (1 Corinthians 2:6-7). This divine wisdom can only be obtained if we are able to number our days right (Psalms 90:12,NIV). Only Elohim can teach us to do so (same verse). This means that we must abide by his calendar (the Bible calendar) which spells out the various appointments that God has ordained. These appointments are the holy convocations as listed in Leviticus 23.
Among these festivals is the Day of Atonement or Yom Kippur. This is the most sacred of all the festivals in the Bible Calendar. It is considered the 'Shabbat of Shabbats'. In Israel today, during Yom Kippur' there is complete cessation from all work (Leviticus 23:27-32). There is no eating or drinking. There is no bathing or anointing with oil or lotions. There are no marital relations. There is neither TV nor radio broadcasts. Also, neither businesses nor public transport services are open on this day. It is a most solemn festival.
During the Levitical Priesthood, the Day of Atonement was the only day on which the Cohen Gadol (High Priest) entered the Holy of Holies to make atonement for the sins of the people (Leviticus 26:29-34, Numbers 29:7-11, Exodus 30:10). The solemnity and seriousness of the occasion was such that a chain had to be attached to the High Priest's leg so that if for any reason he collapsed and died in the sanctuary, members of the assembly of Israel would be able to pullout his body (since no one else was qualified to enter the sacred inner sanctum of the sanctuary). The vessel carrying the atonement blood was also pointed at the base thus ensuring that the Cohen Gadol would not set it down during the entire ceremony. In other words, he had to remain on high alert and could not afford to blunder or be distracted in any way. If he were, that would mean Israel's atonement would be forfeited for that year' a situation that could not be countenanced. So his fellow priests and indeed all Israel prayed for him that all would go well, before and during the actual ceremony. It was also the only day in the Jewish year that the Cohen Gadol pronounced the Tetragrammaton, the sacred Name of the God of Israel.
The Cohen Gadol first bathed, then donned on the sacred vestments of his Office (Exodus 28:1-30). Among other things, these holy garments symbolized his role as an intercessor between God and his people Israel (the breastplate with twelve precious gemstones each representing one of the Twelve Tribes etc). He then sacrificed a bull for his and his family's sin. Other attendant sacrifices followed. Lots were then cast over two male goats to select the one for the LORD and the other as Azazel. The first goat was presented as a sin offering and then the High Priest confessed the people's sin with his hands over the second goat's (Azazel) head. The goat was then escorted far out into the desert and abandoned there. This symbolized the taking away of the people's sin and any attendant misfortunes. The Cohen Gadol afterwards entered the Holy of Holies with the blood of the first goat to make atonement for the people (Leviticus 16:1-34, Hebrews9:7).
Now we know that the Levitical Priest hood ended with Yahshua's ultimate sacrifice on Calvary. He, Yahshua, is the "Lamb of God" that takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29, 36; Hebrews 10:12-14). Both the Paschal lamb (eaten every Passover) and the Daily Sacrifice symbolic of Israel's redemption from the bondage of sin, typified this perfect "Lamb of God". That is why the Temple Curtain separating the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies was rent in twain when Yahshua died on the cross (Matthew 27:51, Luke 23:45 and Mark 15:38). We, the believers now have direct access to God through Yahshua (John 14:6).
So why do we still need to observe Yom Kippur? First, our Faith is built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets (Ephesians 2:19-20). The prophets observed Yom Kippur (Zechariah 7:5, 8:19) and so did the apostles: "Much time had been lost and sailing had already become dangerous because by now it was after the Fast (footnote- That is the Day of Atonement/Yom Kippur. Acts 27:9, NIV)". In fact, Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles (Romans 11:13) tells us to "follow him (2Corinthians 11:1)". It is therefore clear that we too should keep this Fast. Swerving onto any other position is, in his view, tantamount to "preaching another gospel" and therefore running the risk of incurring a double curse (Galatians 1:8-9). The Bible also exhorts us to "contend for the faith that was ONCE for all entrusted to the saints (Jude 3, NIV, full caps added)". This means that there would be people espousing a contradictory doctrinal position against whom the believer ought to remain constantly on guard.
Secondly, Yahshuah is now our High Priest in the Order of Melchizedek and is now in heaven interceding for us (Hebrews 3:1, 4:15, 5:1). Remember that all Israel assembled before God on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 23:27-28). Likewise we, in the present dispensation also ought to gather before God. The name "Melchizedek" means "King of Righteousness" (Hebrews 7:2). It therefore alludes to the fact that Yahshua as High Priest of Righteousness is the one that brings us to perfection before God. We are therefore encouraged to: "fix our eyes on Yahshua, the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2)". He, Yahshua, offered a perfect sacrifice (Hebrews 7:27-28). In 1John 1:7, we learn that "the blood of Yahshua, his Son, purifies us from all sin". In fact, the Scriptures are plain that we are all sinners before God (Isaiah 1:9, Romans 3:23) and that if we claim to be without sin we make him out to be a liar (1John1:8-10) and his word has no place in our lives. It is therefore clear from the foregoing that we still need a High Priest and that Yom Kippur is still relevant as this Cohen Gadol continues to make atonement for us in heaven. In the olden days, the Day of Atonement brought the congregation of Israel "at oneness" with their God. We too, therefore need to gather in unity before God as we also seek reconciliation with Him.
Thirdly, the prophet Zechariah mentions two important fasts in Zechariah 7:5 and in Zechariah 8:18. These two fasts were observed in the fifth month (on Tisha B'Av) and in the seventh month (on Yom Kippur). Now, whereas we are fairly familiar with the "fast of the seventh month", i.e. the Day of Atonement, the fast of the fifth month (Tisha B'Av) is not so widely known except in Jewish circles. Tisha B'Av is commemorated every ninth Ab (the fifth month in the Bible Calendar) marking the destruction of the Temple on 9th Ab 606BC (by the Babylonians under King Nebuchadnezzar) and again on 9th Ab 70AD (by the Romans under General Titus). During this fast, Jews pray for the peace, prosperity and restoration of Jerusalem. The entire book of Lamentations is also read. The question is, are we also commanded to pray and seek the peace of Jerusalem? Paul says we (the Gentile believers) were formerly wild olives who are now benefiting from the spiritual nourishing sap of the tame olive's (Israel) root, having been grafted into them via Yahshua's reconciliatory blood (Romans11:17-18, Ephesians 2:11-13). Since we were grafted CONTRARY to Nature (Romans11:24), God expects that the manner of our worship (spiritual fruit) shall in no wise deviate from that of the stock of Israel (please compare with Exodus 20:10, Isaiah 56:6-7, Leviticus 18:26). The Gentile believer is to carefully learn the ways of God's people (Isaiah 2:2-4, Micah 4:1-4, Jeremiah 12:16), if he is to be fully established into son-ship with God. We must therefore keep the festivals as Israel does. We must also pray for Jerusalem's peace, the same way the Jews do (Psalms 122:6, Isaiah 62:6 and Isaiah 66:10-11). This is because our spiritual destiny as believers is closely bound together with that of this most holy of cities: "Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad for her, all you who love her, rejoice greatly with her, all you who mourn over her. For you will nurse and be satisfied at her comforting breasts; you will drink deeply and delight in her overflowing abundance (Isaiah 66:10-11, NIV)". The two Fasts are therefore evidently important for the New Testament believer.
Lastly, we need to keep Yom Kippur because it is one of the seven holy feasts divinely ordained for God's chosen people (Leviticus 23). In Ezekiel 20:12 and verse 19-20, we learn that these Sabbaths (please note the word is used in plural i.e. "Sabbaths") are a sign between God and his people. They are the only indication that a person is worshipping the ONE true God - the Creator (verse 20) and they give this holy Creator an opportunity to sanctify us (verse 12). A time is soon coming when the sheep shall be separated from the goats (Matthew 25:32-33), the wheat from the tares (Matthew 13:30) and the good fish from the bad ones (Matthew 13:48). God is currently putting his divine sign/seal on his select people (Revelation 7:3). It is my earnest prayer, dear reader that you and I shall be numbered among this blessed throng.
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