Yom Kippur: There Is No Sacrifice, However There Is Representation, A Rest, And A Fast.

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The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) is a day of repentance and also a high sabbath (a rest day).

In addition to this, it used to involve an animal sacrifice at the second temple in Jerusalem.

Today some believers might struggle to see the need for observing this holy day, with a thought process along the lines of;

‘If I believe in the risen Messiah (Christ) who is vital for a person’s complete reconciliation with the Holy G-d (ref. Isaiah 53:12); why should I observe the Day of Atonement annually also?’

Here, the holy Day is explained a little further, and this questioned is answered.

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A Believer Observes A Fast And Rest Day (no work):

Amongst other statutes, the Day of Atonement is a fast and a rest day (high sabbath);

“This is to be a lasting ordinance for you: On the tenth day of the seventh month you must deny yourselves and not do any work—whether native-born or a foreigner residing among you—
Leviticus 16:29 NIV

Just like the commandment of circumcision, a believer is to observe the commandment of the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur);

All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal.
Psalms 119:160 NIV

for we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and take pride in Christ Jesus, and put no confidence in the flesh,
Philippians 3:3 NASB2020

Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:19 NIV

Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.
Romans 3:31 ESV.

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A Believer Does Not Have A Valid Animal Sacrifice:

No temple (Deuteronomy 12:13-14), no registered Levitical son of Aaron lawfully accounted for to act as Levitical Priest (Nehemiah 7:64); no valid priestly temple service or sacrifice for the Day of Atonement;

‘…offer not thy burnt offerings in every place that thou seest: but in the place which the LORD shall choose… there thou shalt offer thy burnt offerings, and there thou shalt do all that I command thee.’
(Deuteronomy 12:13‭-‬14 KJV)

These searched among their ancestral registration, but it could not be located; therefore they were considered unclean and disqualified from the priesthood.
Nehemiah 7:64 NASB2020

This applies to all people on this old earth.

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A Believer Has Representation Before The Holy G-d:

A believer is to note that despite having no valid animal sacrifice, that they do have the representation of the risen King Messiah (Christ) whom makes intercession for people;

The LORD has sworn and will not change his mind, “You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.”
Psalm 110:4 ESV

Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.
Hebrews 4:14 ESV

‘…he… makes intercession for the transgressors.’
(Isaiah 53:12 ESV)

The representation (Messiah; Christ) for a believer is often poetically referred to as being the sacrifice for a believer (ref. Isaiah 53:5, 53:10).

One will note however that this is a poetic and metaphoric play on words – as human sacrifice is forbidden in the Holy Scriptures (Deuteronomy 24:16, Jeremiah 31:30, Ezekiel 18:4. Ezekiel 18:20;

Parents are not to be put to death for their children, nor children put to death for their parents; each will die for their own sin.
Deuteronomy 24:16 NIV

Hoping that these items are fruitful with you, and that this year’s faithful observance will be your best yet.

May the Holy G-d bless you beyond maximum; believing in His created, risen Son the Lord Jesus Christ (Adonai Yehoshua HaMashiach). Amen.

http://www.OrthodoxMessianicJudaism.com
http://www.Christianity-in-Context.com
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