{"id":7175,"date":"2015-09-24T19:40:29","date_gmt":"2015-09-25T02:40:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/hoshanarabbah.org\/blog\/?p=7175"},"modified":"2015-09-24T19:40:57","modified_gmt":"2015-09-25T02:40:57","slug":"yom-kippur-past-present-and-future","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hoshanarabbah.org\/blog\/2015\/09\/24\/yom-kippur-past-present-and-future\/","title":{"rendered":"Yom Kippur: Past, Present and Future"},"content":{"rendered":"

Introduction<\/b><\/p>\n

Yom Kippur is a day of contradictions and contrasts: Joy and sorrow. Rewards for the righteous and judgments for the wicked rebels. Joy for the righteous when Satan and his demons, death and Babylon are destroyed by the King of kings.<\/p>\n

\"Yom<\/a><\/p>\n

On this day the high priest of ancient Israel went into the holy of holies of the Tabernacle of Moses (and later the temple in Jerusalem). There he sprinkled blood on the mercy seat (Heb. kapporet<\/i>) and the ground seven times. Atonement was made for the high priest himself, his family as well as for all Israel. On this day the sanctuary, tabernacle, the priesthood and the all Israelites were cleansed. It represented corporate or community cleansing and entering into a deeper and more intimate relationship with YHVH.<\/p>\n

The Passover and Day of Atonement are related though different:<\/p>\n

Pesach<\/i> (Passover) is the time of the sacrifice or atonement for personal sin\u2014initial repentance from sins committed before being born again.<\/p>\n

Yom Kippur <\/i>(Day of Atonement) is the time of the atonement or covering of the individual\u2019s as well as the corporate sins of Israel committed in ignorance (Heb 9:27) during the past year. On-going repentance is needed by the individual believer as well as the community of believers in order to stay in right-standing (called righteousness<\/i>) before YHVH (1 John 1:9).<\/p>\n

It is important to note that the shedding of innocent blood for the remission of sins is a central theme to both the Passover and the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippu<\/i>r) events. The question may rightly be asked, if one is saved by the blood of the Lamb (Yeshua) when he was sacrificed on Passover what need is there of further shedding of blood for the remission of our sins on atonement? After all, Yeshua died once and for all (as the writer of Hebrews notes in 10:10) and why does the redeemed believer need to revisit the idea of atonement and blood sacrifice all over again at Yom Kippur<\/i>?<\/p>\n

When speaking of Yeshua sanctifying or making the unsaved sinner righteous through the offering of his body once and for all at the time of one\u2019s conversion (Heb 10:10), the writer of Hebrews is speaking of Passover, which is symbolized by the red heifer altar that was outside the door of the tabernacle (Heb 13:10\u201313). This altar pointed to the cross upon which Yeshua shed his blood. As one had to be cleansed at the altar of the red heifer from the defilement of death before entering into the tabernacle, so we now we can\u2019t come into the divine presence of Elohim except first coming by way of the cross. The Tabernacle of Moses was a spiritual picture of coming into such a spiritual relationship.<\/p>\n

The priests of old came into the tabernacle\u2019s outer courtyard by way of the red heifer altar, but they didn\u2019t stop there. After following the correct protocols, they could continue into the tabernacle itself \u2014 a spiritual picture of coming into an intimate relationship with YHVH. Similarly, the newly redeemed believer upon first visiting the cross of Yeshua in his spiritual journey upward shouldn\u2019t stops at this point growing in intimacy with his Creator. From the outer court of the tabernacle one is invited to enter into the holy place and eventually into the inner most part of the tabernacle, the holy of holies where the very Presence of YHVH abides. This represents the throne room of YHVH in heaven, to which the redeemed now have access by way of the blood of Yeshua.<\/p>\n

The writer of Hebrews encourages believers not just to stay in the outer courtyard where they have entered by the blood of the Lamb, but to boldly enter into the holiest place by the blood of Yeshua (Heb 10:19).<\/p>\n

Let us note what the author of Hebrews writes in this regard:<\/p>\n

19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Yeshua,<\/p>\n

20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;<\/p>\n

21 And having an high priest over the house of Elohim;<\/p>\n

22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.<\/p>\n

23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)<\/p>\n

24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:<\/p>\n

25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

What we learn from this is that not only do we enter the tabernacle (a spiritual picture of our redemption or salvation) by the blood of the Lamb by having our past sins atoned for, but we continue onward into the deepest place of intimacy and relationship with our Heavenly Father by the same blood of the Lamb as well. Staying in fellowship with fellow believers and pursuing good works is essential to this process. What the writer is inferring here is that the local congregation of believers should be giving us a little taste of heaven on earth. Each time believers gather together, it should be a \u201choly of holies experience!\u201d The weekly Sabbath, the biblical feasts, and specifically Yom Kippur are prophetic pictures of this.<\/p>\n

The Meaning of the Word Kippur<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

The word kippur <\/i>RPPF <\/i>(Strong\u2019s <\/i>G3725) is a form of the Hebrew root word kapar <\/i>RPF <\/i>(Strong\u2019s <\/i>G3722), which according to the Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament <\/i>(TWOT 1023<\/i>) <\/i>means \u201cto make an atonement, make reconciliation, purge\u201d). The mercy seat\u2014the golden \u201clid\u201d covering the Ark of the Covenant located in the d\u2019veer<\/i> (i.e., the inner shrine of the Tabernacle of Moses)\u2014is the Hebrew word kapporet <\/i><RPPF <\/i>(Strong\u2019s <\/i>G3727, TWOT <\/i>1023c) and was \u201cthe place of atonement or the place where atonement was made.\u201d The TWOT <\/i>defines what happened at the kapporet <\/i>as follows:<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was from the \u2026 Mercy Seat that [YHVH] promised to meet with the men [of Israel] (Num 7:89). The word, however, is not related to mercy and of course was not a seat. The word is derived from the root \u2018to atone.\u2019 The Greek equivalent in the LXX is usually hilasterion<\/i>, \u201cplace or object of propitiation,\u201d a word which is applied to [Messiah] in Rom. 3:25. The translation \u2018mercy seat\u2019 does not sufficiently express the fact that the lid of the ark was the place where the blood was sprinkled on the day of atonement. \u2018Place of atonement\u2019 would perhaps be more expressive.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The Work of the Levitical High Priest and Yeshua Our High Priest Compared<\/b><\/p>\n

Some interesting spiritual parallels exist between the Levitical high priest of ancient Israel, and Yeshua the Messiah, who became our great Heavenly High Priest. Clearly, the former was a predictive forerunner of the latter. For example:<\/p>\n

Yeshua is our high priest to whom the work of the high priest in ancient Israel pointed (Heb 2:17; 3:1; 4:14; 9:11).<\/p>\n

The high priest was covered in blood when performing the sin offering sacrifices (Lev 6:27). Yeshua was covered in blood when he sacrificed himself as a sin offering upon the cross (Isa 52:13\u201314).<\/p>\n

The high priest sprinkled the Mercy Seat with blood from the sin offering (Lev 16:14). Yeshua sprinkled many nations with his blood (Isa 52:15).<\/p>\n

After performing the sacrifice, the high priest would wash himself and put on white linen garments (Lev\u202f16:23). Though Yeshua\u2019s garments were stained with blood, afterwards, in his glorified state in a vision of his second coming, he was seen wearing pure white robes of righteousness (Matt 17:2; Mark 9:3; Luke 9:29).<\/p>\n

The Importance of Blood in the Tabernacle Ceremonies<\/b><\/p>\n

The writer of Hebrews (Heb 9:11ff) describes the importance of blood in the tabernacle and temple ceremonies of ancient Israel, how it relates to the remission of sins and how it pointed to Yeshua\u2019s shedding of his blood on the cross for the atoning of man\u2019s sins:<\/p>\n

11 But Messiah being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;<\/p>\n

12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.<\/p>\n

13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:<\/p>\n

14 How much more shall the blood of Messiah, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to Elohim, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living Elohim?<\/p>\n

15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the Renewed Covenant, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.<\/p>\n

18 Whereupon neither the first covenant was dedicated without blood.<\/p>\n

19 For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the Torah-law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people,<\/p>\n

20 Saying, This is the blood of the covenant which YHVH hath enjoined unto you.<\/p>\n

21 Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry.<\/p>\n

22 And almost all things are by the Torah-law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.<\/p>\n

23 It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.<\/p>\n

24 For Messiah is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of Elohim for us:<\/p>\n

25 Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year [on Yom Kippur] with blood of others;<\/p>\n

26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.<\/p>\n

27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:<\/p>\n

28 So Messiah was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

What Is Fasting?<\/b><\/p>\n

It [the Day of Atonement or Yom Kippur<\/i>] is a day to afflict your souls<\/i> (Lev 16:29 and 23:27) or literally \u201cto humble ourselves.\u201d <\/i>The word afflict<\/i> is the Hebrew word anah <\/i>(Strong\u2019s<\/i> H6031) meaning \u201cto oppress with the idea of humility or meekness in mind coupled with the idea of a suffering life rather than with one of worldly happiness and abundance\u201d (The Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament<\/i>, vol. 2, p. 682). The JPS Jewish Study Bible <\/i>translates the phrase afflict yourselves <\/i>as \u201cyou shall practice self denial.\u201d <\/i>Although this verse does not specifically mention fasting as a component of Yom Kippur<\/i>, Jewish understanding on the term afflict your souls<\/i> is firm that this refers to fasting (The ArtScroll Tanach Series Vayikra\/Leviticus Commentary<\/i>, p. 404). With this view in mind, the pre-eminent nineteenth-century Orthodox Jewish sage, Samson Raphael Hirch in his commentary translates afflict your souls<\/i> as \u201cstarve your vital spirits\u201d (The Penteteuch-Leviticus,<\/i> p. 678). However, there is a scriptural link to be found between afflicting one\u2019s soul and fasting (i.e., abstaining from food). That link is to be found in Isaiah 58, which some Bible commentators believe is a reference to Yom Kippur<\/i>. In verses three and eight, the terms afflict [one\u2019s] soul<\/i> and fast <\/i>are used synonymously. The word for fast<\/i> is the Hebrew word tsuwm<\/i> (Strong\u2019s <\/i>H6684) meaning \u201cto abstain from food.\u201d <\/i>We also see the connection between fasting<\/i> and afflicting the soul <\/i>in Psalm 35:13 where David states, \u201cI humbled\/afflicted my soul with fasting.\u201d<\/p>\n

Additionally, rabbinical thought teaches that Leviticus 23:27 suggests five afflictions that one must endure on Yom Kippur<\/i>: no eating and drinking, no washing oneself, no anointing oneself, no wearing leather shoes, and no cohabitation. It is suggested that these five afflictions correspond to the five times the term soul\/nephesh <\/i>are found in this passage (i.e., verses once each in 27 and 29, twice in 30, and once in 32; see Baal HaTurim\u2019s commentary on Lev 23:27).<\/p>\n

Christian commentators, Keil and Delitzsch begin to connect the dots for us as to why fasting is tied to atonement. We read,<\/p>\n

If the general atonement made on this day was not to pass into a dead formal service, the people must necessarily enter in spirit into the signification of the act of expiation [atonement], prepare their souls for it with penitential feelings, and manifest this penitential state by abstinence from the ordinary enjoyments of life. To afflict (bow, humble) the soul<\/i>, by restraining the earthly appetites, which have their seat in the soul, is the early Mosaic expression for fasting <\/i>(oum\/tsuwm<\/i>) \u2026 \u2018By bowing his soul, the Israelite was to place himself in an inward relation to the sacrifice, whose soul was given for his soul; and by this state of mind, answering to the outward proceedings of the day, he was to appropriate the fruit of it to himself, namely, the reconciliation of his soul, which passed through the animal\u2019s death\u2019 (Baumgarten<\/i>) (vol. 1, p. 591).<\/p>\n

The Purpose of Fasting<\/b><\/p>\n

The purpose of fasting is not to torture or punish oneself for the sins that one has committed during the past year. Rather, it is a time to deeply reflect on one\u2019s need for atonement, and to appropriate to oneself through deep heart reflection the sacrifice for one\u2019s sins that YHVH has made for us through Yeshua the Messiah, to whom all the animal sacrifices of the ancient Levitical sacrificial system pointed. This is best accomplished by sublimating or \u201cafflicting the soul\u201d through fasting. The soul is the mind, will and emotions of man.<\/p>\n

Furthermore, in sublimating the soul (man\u2019s carnal mind) within each of us by afflicting it causes the spirit of man within to rise up. To have a deep and vital relationship with YHVH Elohim, the degradation of the soul with its earthly and carnal passions is necessary, since it is the spirit in man that most suffers as a result of the sin-bent tendencies of the soul. In fact, the spirit can even become defiled by the carnal mind or soul of man and need to be cleansed (Heb 9:14; 10:22; 12:23 cp. 1 Tim 4:2). When the soul is \u201cpushed down,\u201d the spirit can rise up and connect to or commune more efficaciously with YHVH. It is the spirit in man, as activated by the Spirit of Elohim, which is man\u2019s spiritual connecting link to his Creator (Rom 8:16; Job 32:8; 1 Cor 2:10\u201314; 1 John 2:20, 27; 4:2\u20133; Prov 20:27). In brief, fasting helps us to transcend our physical natures and to focus without distraction upon YHVH.<\/p>\n

In conclusion, Christian commentator, Matthew Henry says of the Day of Atonement,<\/p>\n

He that would do the work of [the] Day of Atonement in its day, as it should be done, had need lay aside the thoughts of everything else.\u2026 [T]hey must lay aside all their worldly business, that they might the more clearly and the more reverently hear that voice of joy and gladness.\u2026 They must mortify the body, and deny the appetites of it, in token of their sorrow for the sins they had committed, and mortifying of their indwelling corruptions. (A Commentary on the Whole Bible<\/i>, by Matthew Henry, p. 539, World Bible Publishers)<\/p>\n

More on Afflicting the Soul<\/b><\/p>\n

The biblical holy day of the Day of Trumpets (or Shofar Blowing, Shouting; Heb. Yom Teruah<\/i>), which occurs just ten days prior to Yom Kippur<\/i>, is the day of the awakening blast signifying the time for the righteous to awake from spiritual lethargy and lukewarmness and to be ready for the coming of Yeshua, our Bridegroom.<\/p>\n

How do we awaken spiritually?<\/p>\n

We must seek the light of YHVH\u2019s word to shine in our hearts and to illuminate the dark and sinful areas of our lives.<\/p>\n

We must pray for the Set-Apart Spirit to reveal YHVH\u2019s truth to us and to convict us in the areas where we fall short of his high spiritual standards.<\/p>\n

We must enter into a time of serious reflection and self examination.<\/p>\n

We must humble ourselves through repentance.<\/p>\n

We must pursue consistent and persistent prayer and fasting by which we can become attuned spiritually to the heart and will of our Father in heaven.<\/p>\n

Man is comprised of three parts: body, soul and spirit (1 Thess 5:23).We must be soberly aware of the struggle between the soul and the spirit for domination over what we do, say and think (Rom 7:14ff).<\/p>\n

It is the soul that sins (Ezek 18:4), for out of it come all the carnal passions and impulses to go contrary to the Word and will of YHVH (Matt 15:19). Because the soul is in opposition to the Spirit of Elohim (and thus, to our own spirit, which is connected to the Holy Spirit), it must be afflicted or repressed!<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

Characteristics of the Soul\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

The soul of man is squirrelly (restless, nervous, unpredictable). It likes comfortable circumstances and resists being stretched or inconvenienced. This reflects the soul\u2019s lack of character, lack of commitment, unfaithfulness, lack of reliability, and inconsistency.<\/p>\n

The soul of man is rebellious to authority, for the Bible tells us that the carnal mind is at enmity with the will, the law or Torah of YHVH (Rom 8:7).<\/p>\n

The soul man wants to cover its sinful tracks, to hide its sin. It hates the light of truth. When Adam and Eve sinned, their first act was to cover and to hide themselves from Elohim. Sinners hate the light of truth (John 3:19). The soul man resorts to blame, accusation, deception, lies, self-preservation, self-defense, and self-justification to cover its sins. Notice the prominence of self? The self is number one to the soulish man.<\/p>\n

The soul man is narcissistic; it loves, adores, idolizes, and worships itself. It creates gods in its own image to serve. This is path is the downward spiral of humanism, which Paul discusses in Romans chapter one, and which leads to the sins of idolatry and to the sexual perversions of homosexuality.<\/p>\n

The soul man acts like a spoiled, angry, rebellious, self-willed child. If it doesn\u2019t get what it wants, it becomes fretful, irritable, angry and throws a temper tantrum, sulks and pouts. By contrast, those who have experienced the working of YHVH\u2019s Spirit in their lives are meek, easily entreated, sensitive, not talkative, arrogant, boastful, and opinionated. They are slow to speak, respectful, and transparent.<\/p>\n

How Are We to Treat the Soul Man?<\/b><\/p>\n

The soul man must be suppressed so that the spirit man can rise up. Yeshua said, \u201cWhoever seeks to save his [soul; Gr. psuche<\/i>] life will lose it, but whoever will lose his [soul] life for my sake will find it [spiritual life]\u201d (Matt 16:25; Luke 17:33). The soul wants to preserve itself so the flesh can dominate and have its own way \u2014 be its own god. On the contrary, the spirit man wants to submit to the Spirit of Elohim and wants the soul man to be subservient to YHVH, for it knows that this is the high way that leads to everlasting joy, peace and happiness and to an eternity in the presence of YHVH Elohim as a member of his spiritual family.<\/p>\n

Why Do We Fast on Yom Kippur<\/i>?<\/b><\/p>\n

Fasting (abstaining from food) on the high holy day of the Day of Atonement (Heb. Yom Kippur<\/i>) is a biblical command (Lev 23:27). The Scriptures teach us that it is the soul that sins (Ezek 18:4), therefore it must be sublimated to and dominated by our spirit, which is connected to the Spirit of Elohim. When the mind of Elohim is in charge through his Spirit dominating our spirit, which in turn will dominate our soul, we can then walk in sinless righteousness. This in turn puts us in perfect accord with YHVH and in oneness with him.<\/p>\n

The soul must be afflicted (meaning \u201cto bow down or be humbled,\u201d Lev 23:27). It was the sins of our soul that caused an innocent person (Yeshua) to have to die as a sacrifice in our place and to pay the price for our sins. At the cross, Yeshua poured out his soul as a sin offering for our sinful souls (Isa 53:10, 12).<\/p>\n

YHVH requires us to deal with our unruly and rebellious soul, and fasting or afflicting the soul is a way to do this. David teaches us that the soul must be afflicted or humbled with fasting (Ps 35:13). By fasting, we loose the bands of wickedness (Isa 58:6\u20137). The soul must be saved (Heb 10:39; Jas 1:21); be preserved blameless (1 Thess 5:23), be changed or have its thinking transformed (Rom 12:2); be weaned (Ps 131:2); be controlled (Luke 21:19); purified through obeying the Word of YHVH (1 Peter 1:22); be shepherded by spiritual leadership (1 Peter 2:25); and be anchored so that we won\u2019t grow weary and faint during difficulties (Gal 6:9).<\/p>\n

Yeshua Is the Rock That Crushes Our Soul<\/b><\/p>\n

Matthew 21:42\u201344 speaks of being broken on Yeshua who is the spiritual Rock. He wants to grind our stoney heart or sinful soul man into powder. This occurs as we \u201creceive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save our souls\u201d (Jas 1:21) Our souls needs saving. When we are spiritually regenerated by YHVH\u2019s Holy Spirit, our spirit man is reborn, and we become a new creation (2 Cor 5:17; Gal 2:20). If we resist YHVH\u2019s will as revealed in his word, YHVH will resist us because of our pride. Therefore, we are to humble ourselves under YHVH\u2019s mighty hand so that he can exalt us in due time (1 Pet 5:5\u20136). When we fall on the Yeshua, the Rock, and our stoney hearts are broken, the outer core of the soul is broken so that the inner beauty of the spirit man can come forth. With that comes the release of YHVH\u2019s dunamis<\/i> power or virtue.<\/i> The power and glory of YHVH were present in the holy of holies of the Tabernacle of Moses (a picture the spirit man). But once we\u2019re born again, and as we grow spiritually, we must take the spiritual light of our spirit man which abides in the holy of holies, and pass through the holy place (a picture of the soul man) and out into the outer court (a picture of the body and this physical world). There, our spirit man is to shine forth through our Holy Spirit-led soul man as a spiritual light to the world.<\/p>\n

The Soul Man Must Be Broken and Retrained to Accomplish YHVH\u2019s Purposes\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

Jacob had to deal with his soul \u2014 to overcome it and learn to rule over it (Gen 32:32). Jacob\u2019s sinew, representing the strength of the flesh, only shrank. It was not removed. What does this signify spiritually with regard to the old flesh nature? When one is born again of the Spirit does he lose his soul (mind, will and emotions) nature? No. Rather, the soul must be transformed and renewed by the Spirit of Elohim to be conformed to YHVH\u2019s perfect will (Rom 12:2). The soul-man will still try to assert dominance over the spirit-man, but our spirit man must rule over it. Paul discusses this struggle between the two for dominance in Romans 7:14\u201325.<\/p>\n

In his book, The Merismos<\/i>, Randy Shankle has some powerful insights about the struggle between the soul man and the spirit man. For example, Matthew 26:36\u201346 details Yeshua\u2019s final hours in the Garden of Gethsemane just before his arrest, trial and crucifixion. The word Gethsemane<\/i> means \u201cwine press.\u201d A gath <\/i>was a vat used in treading down the grapes to make juice. Shemen<\/i> refers to any form of liquid and is also the word for oil or anointing. The English word semen<\/i>, or the substance of reproduction or life derives from this word. Grapes are put into a vat and pressed until the unhindered flow of the pure juice flows forth (p. 116). In Gethsemane, Yeshua\u2019s self-willed soul man was broken and he submitted unconditionally to the will of his Father.<\/p>\n

It is in our own Gethsemane, the place of pressure, that the vessel of our soul man must be broken resulting in the pouring forth the true anointing of YHVH in our lives. The more the vessel is broken, the more the presence of YHVH comes forth, and the quicker the Spirit of Elohim can flow through us (Shankle, p. 72).<\/p>\n

When Gideon\u2019s army\u2019s clay lamps were broken, the light within shone forth, Israel\u2019s enemies were defeated. Metaphorically, the clay lamps represent the body and soul of man, while the candle within is the spirit of man as activated by the Spirit of Elohim (Prov 20:27). When the soul man is broken, the Spirit of Elohim within us can shine and we will have victory in our lives.<\/p>\n

What does it mean to deny the self as spoken of in Matthew 16:24? <\/b>It is speaking about denying the soul its lustful appetites. Those who would follow Yeshua must deny the soul the right to live, to move, or to chose independently of YHVH. This is what Paul meant when he said, \u201cI die daily \u2026 (1 Cor 15:31). When we do this we lose our lives (psuche<\/i>) and we will find the life (zoe<\/i>) of the Spirit. We must lose our soul-life (Matt 16:25) in order to gain the abundant spiritual life Yeshua promised (John 10:10, Shankle, p. 137).<\/p>\n

This is what afflicting the soul on Yom Kippur<\/i> (and any other time we fast as well) is all about.<\/b> As the soul is pushed down or afflicted, the spirit man can rise up, and then it can connect with the Spirit \u2014 the word and will \u2014 of Elohim. When all Israel afflicts their souls on Yom Kippur<\/i>, it is possible for all Israelites to come into alignment with each other through the sacrifice of Yeshua resulting in being reconciled to YHVH and coming into at-one-ment with Elohim through the blood, the spirit and the water of Yeshua, which are one (1 John 4:6, 8).<\/p>\n

The altar of incense before the veil is the picture of this.<\/b> The 12 tribes of the Israel come together at the table of show bread (on Yom Teruah<\/i>) in the Tabernacle of Moses as pictured by the 12 loaves of unleavened bread. When united in fellowship, they can become united in prayer and worship before Elohim, which is pictured by the altar of incense, which is located before the ark of YHVH\u2019s Presence or before his throne. There, on Yom Kippur,<\/i> they present themselves as the chaste, virgin righteous-robed bride of Yeshua ready to enter into the wedding chuppa<\/i> of the holy of holies on Chag Sukkot<\/i> or the Feast of Tabernacles.<\/p>\n

Coming into the Presence of YHVH is a process that traditionally starts 40 days before Yom Kippur<\/i>. Joel chapter two talks about this. It starts with the blowing of the shofar, sounding the alarm and warning about the coming of the day of YHVH\u2019s judgment and calling the bride of Yeshua to prepare herself for the coming of the bridegroom. Verse 12 and onward begins speaking about the fall feasts how we are to prepare for that day.<\/p>\n

When the Soul Is Broken, the Zoe<\/i> Life of Spirit Comes Forth\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

Yeshua said that he was the Good Shepherd who would give his life (psuche<\/i>) for his sheep (John 10:10, 11, 17, 18). He laid down his life, and the soul (his self will) was squeezed out of him at Gethsemane and the cross. From him flowed the anointed, life-giving substance or seed, which would have the power of reproduction (Shankle, p. 124\u2013125). This will happen again and again in our lives. If we don\u2019t understand it when it takes place we may end up resisting the purposes of YHVH, and we will fail to pass our spiritual test necessary to move us to the next level in our spiritual growth.<\/p>\n

Live as Yeshua lived, not to be ministered to, but to minister, to be poured out. Communion is a picture of this \u2014 the broken bread and the poured out wine (Matt 26:26\u201328). When taking communion, we are drinking the life that Yeshua poured out. We are identifying with the revelation that as we drink, our lives have ceased. We are no longer our own. We have become broken bread and poured-out-wine, broken and distributed to others to take to them the zoe<\/i> life of YHVH (Shankle, p. 126).<\/p>\n

YHVH cannot distribute us until there is brokenness. We are to become broken bread and poured out wine. You will never become broken until you fall on the rock and say, \u201cYHVH, in Yeshua\u2019s name, take your mighty hand and work brokenness within me. I want to be broken by the hand of the Master. Take out of me resistance, anger and hostility. Take out of me arrogance, haughtiness, and pride. Take out of me those things that are my opinions, views, and ideas. Make me something in the hands of the Master so that you can take me, break me, and distribute me to people in need\u201d (Shankle, p. 236)<\/p>\n

Gethsemane is a place of pressure. The pressure that came on Yeshua was to seek and save his life, but he knew that his willful soul had to be sublimated to the Spirit and will of his Father. He therefore brought his soul under control of YHVH\u2019s will and he poured out his soul-life and become spiritual life (zoe<\/i>) to many through his brokenness. The soul of Yeshua, like a grape, dropped into Gethsemane, the wine vat, and the pressure of the Father came upon his soul. The Spirit of Elohim would not let him go until the true anointing came forth. It squeezed upon Yeshua until he became sorrowful and very heavy, even unto death. When he did, the new wine, the juice of the grape (a biblical metaphor for blood; see Deut. 32:14; Gen 49:11) came forth to intoxicate the world with his aroma and taste, and the fragrance filled the earth. It still draws men to the Messiah. They will drink of him until the can\u2019t live without his influence (Shankle, p. 132).<\/p>\n

Now that you know what the Bible means when it commands us to afflict our souls<\/i>, will you submit to YHVH\u2019s process of spiritual refinement so that life of his Spirit can flow through you?\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

The Jubilee Year Starts and Ends on Yom Kippur<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

The Jubilee Year started on Yom Kippur<\/i>. All slaves were set free, debts were forgiven, and the land was returned to its original owners (Lev 25:8\u20139). Yom Kippur<\/i> was the day for new beginnings in ancient Israel.<\/p>\n

The Two Goats of Leviticus 16<\/b><\/p>\n

YHVH\u2019s goat (offered by the high priest as a sin offering) represents Yeshua\u2019s sacrificial atonement for our sins.<\/p>\n

The azazel<\/i> goat is the scape goat<\/i> or goat of departure. <\/i>Spiritually this represents the entire removal of sin\u2019s defilement from the tabernacle and camp of Israel out into the wilderness. (Ps 103:12 \u2014 YHVH removes our sins from us as far as the east is from the west.) The azazel goat is not Satan. Leviticus 16:10 says that this goat \u201cmakes atonement for our sin.\u201d It is blasphemy to say that Satan makes atonement for our sin. Only Yeshua did this, not Satan!<\/p>\n

The Soncino Pentateuch<\/i> says of the azazel goat of Leviticus 16:10 that the word scapegoat<\/i>, <\/i>as used in the KJV, is a poor translation and should be rendered as dismissal. <\/i>In the Septuagint, it is translated as the one to be sent away, <\/i>which agrees with the term used in the Mishnah<\/i>. Azazel <\/i>is not a proper name, but a rare Hebrew noun (KZKZG ayin, zayin, lamed, zayin, lamed<\/i> contracted to KZTZG ayin, zayin, aleph, zayin, lamed<\/i>) meaning \u201cdismissal,\u201d or \u201centire removal.\u201d It is the technical term for the entire removal of sin and guilt of the community, that was symbolized by the sending away of the goat into the wilderness.<\/p>\n

There is some difference of opinion as to the symbolic meaning of the azazel goat. Some say it is a picture of Satan who initially tempted man to sin or rebel against Elohim, and has been doing so ever since. Since he was the first sinner and rebel against Elohim and has constantly incited man in this sin and rebellion ever since, he must consequently bear the responsibility for his actions, which he will do when he is bound and thrown into the bottomless pit at the beginning of the millennium. The azazel goat being dismissed into the wilderness is a picture of this. On the other side, there are those who teach that the azazel goat is a picture of Yeshua who bore our sins upon himself and died alone in our place. Which view is correct? Well, both. Sort of…<\/p>\n

The most important key to determining who this goat represents is found in Leviticus 16:10: But the goat, on which the lot fell for azazel, shall be set alive before YHVH, to make atonement over him<\/i><\/b>, to send him away for azazel into the wilderness. <\/b>Note the italicized portion. Who made atonement for our sins? Satan or Yeshua? Scripture does not reveal the devil as the redeemer of mankind. Only Yeshua was our atonement as Scripture reveals:<\/p>\n

And not only so, but we also joy in Elohim through our Master Yeshua the Messiah, by whom we have now received the atonement. (Rom 5:11)<\/p>\n

Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high. (Heb 1:3)<\/p>\n

Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people\u2019s: for this he did once, when he offered up himself. (Heb 7:27)<\/p>\n

For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. (Heb 9:26)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Furthermore, the act of laying on of hands (Lev 16:21) onto the azazel goat symbolizes the transference of sins from the guilty party (the children of Israel) to the innocent azazel goat. The innocent becomes the sin-bearer. Of course, who can deny that this is a perfect picture of Yeshua and not Satan!<\/p>\n

Spiritually, the azazel goat represents the entire removal of sin\u2019s defilement from the camp of Israel into the wilderness. In Psalms 103:12 Elohim removes our sins from us as far as the east is from the west. YHVH does this, not Satan!<\/p>\n

In Leviticus 16:22 we read, \u201cAnd the goat shall bear upon him all their iniquities unto a land not inhabited: and he shall let go the goat in the wilderness.\u201d <\/b>Throughout Scripture there are numerous references to Yeshua bearing our sins.<\/p>\n

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and YHVH hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isa 53:6)<\/p>\n

Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. (Isa 53:12)<\/p>\n

So Messiah was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. (Heb 9:28)<\/p>\n

Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. (1 Pet 2:24)<\/p>\n

I believe that the azazel goat has a secondary meaning, as well. Though it doesn\u2019t outrightly represent Satan, but Yeshua, we will see that our Savior, blessed be he, while hanging on the cross represented sin in its totality and in its extreme, and so for a brief moment took on the image of the serpent himself. Yeshua said of himself in John\u202f3:14: \u201cAnd as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up.\u201d <\/b>In Scripture, the serpent is a picture of Satan, the adversary (Gen 3:1, 2, 4, 13, 14, 15; Rev 12:9; 20:2).<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

In Leviticus 16:8 we see that as the two goats stood before the high priest, one on his right hand and one on his left, the lots would be cast and one would become the azazel goat and one would be the goat that would be sacrificed in the tabernacle sanctuary itself. An interesting note that may have a bearing here: Hebraically, the right hand is the hand of strength, power and judgment, while the left land is the hand of mercy and grace.<\/p>\n

Both Adam Clarke and Matthew Henry in their commentaries say that both goats refer to a different aspect of Yeshua\u2019s atonement. Henry says, \u201cThus [Yeshua] was prefigured by the two goats, which both made one offering: the slain goat was a type of [Messiah] dying for our sins, the scapegoat a type of [Messiah] rising again for our justification… [after which] the entrance into heaven which [Messiah] made for us is here typified by the high priest\u2019s entrance into the most holy place (Heb 9:7)\u201d (Matthew Henry\u2019s Commentary On the Whole Bible, <\/i>Vol.\u202f1, p.\u202f509). Henry doesn\u2019t explain just how<\/i> the goat going into the wilderness typifies Yeshua\u2019s redeeming us, but I should like to offer an alternative idea in this regard. Perhaps, the azazel goat represented Yeshua\u2019s soul descending into hell and there taking the keys of death (1 Pet 3:18\u201320; Rev 1:18).<\/p>\n

Yom Kippur and the Great and Terrible Day of YHVH<\/b><\/p>\n

Yom Kippur is the day when:<\/p>\n