(Monday February 20, 2017)

The Yearly Service – the Day of Atonement (Lev. Chap. 16)

“Once a year, on the GreatDay of Atonement, the priest entered the Most Holy Place for the cleansing of the Sanctuary. The work there performed completed the yearly round of ministration.

On the Day of Atonement two kids of the goats were brought to the door of the Tabernacvle, and lots were cast upon them, one lot for the LORD, and the other lot for the scapegoat. The goat upon which the first lot fell was to be slain as a sin Offering for the people, and the priest was to bring his blood within the veil, and sprinkle it upon the Mercy seat...” PP 355, CHS 35

Over the second goat the high priest confessed all the guilt of the children of Israel and afterwards was sent into the wilderness.

“Important truths concerning the Atonement were taught the people by this yearly service. In the sin Offerings presented during the year, a substitute had been accepted in the sinner’s stead; but the blood of the victim had not made full Atonement for the sin. It had only provided a means by which the sin was transferred to the Sanctuary. By the Offering of  blood, the sinner acknowledged the authority of the Law, confessed the guilt of his transgression, and expressed his faith in Him who was to take away the sin of the world; but he was not entirely released from the condemnation of the Law. On the Day of Atonement the high priest, having taken an Offering for the congregation, went into the Most Holy Place with the blood and sprinkled it upon the Mercy seat, above the table of the Law. Thus the claims of the Law, which demanded the life of the sinner, were satisfied. Than in His Character of Mediator the priest took the upon himself, and, leaving the Sanctuary, he bore with him the burden of Israel’s guilt. At the door of the Tabernacle he laid his hands upon the head of the scapegoat and confessed over him, all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions in all their sins, putting them upon the head of the goat. And as the goat bearing these sins was sent away, they were, with him, regarded as Forever separated from the people. Such was the service performed ‘unto the example and shadow of Heavenly things.’ (Hbr 8:5 Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of GOD when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith He, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount).” PP 355-356, CHS 35-36

The Cross and Its Shadow 

                  Outer Court

 Table of Shebread †Golden Candlestick

                        Altar of burnt Offerings

                                          Laver

                              Altar of Incense

                          The Ark Mercy seat