Yom Kippur (Yome Ki Poor) is Hebrew, meaning Day of Atonement. It is also known as the Feast of Redemption. Yom means “day,” and Kippur means “atonement” or “covering.” The shofar (Ram’s or Kudu horn) is blown at the end of this holy day. Yom Kippur is a Sabbath day proclaimed by Yahweh. “The life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your souls” (Leviticus 17:11 RSB). Yehoshua, our High Priest, became the final sacrifice through his shed blood and reconciled mankind’s sins forever (Hebrews Chapters 8 thru 10, Romans 3:21-25). During the Old Covenant period, the Jewish High Priest once a year would enter the Holy of Holies, first in the portable Tabernacle, then later in the constructed Temple. He would present the blood of the clean animal sacrifices for both his sin and the sins of the nation of Israel. When the High Priest was finished with the atonement sacrifice, a scapegoat was released into the wilderness. The “scapegoat” carried Israel’s sins away. Their sins were cut off, never to return or remembered (Leviticus 16:8-10, 20-22, 29-34).
This parallels and mirrors Messiah becoming the great sacrifice as his blood graced and covered the mercy seat for our sins forever. When Messiah uttered, “It is finished,” and expired on the tree, the veil in the temple was ripped from top to bottom (Luke 23:44-46). He entered the Holy of Holies and ratified the blood covenant once and for all! No more the blood of goats and calves, but by Messiah’s blood sacrifice (Hebrews 9:11-28).
On this day, all of Israel is called to afflict their souls by fasting and reflecting on their relationships, forgiving all they have offended. This is a time of readjusting our lives with each other and making ourselves ready to stand before our Creator (Leviticus 23:26-32).
When Messiah returns, the nation of Israel will look on him whom they pierced and repent (Zechariah 12:10). Israel will be forgiven and completely restored according to Scripture (Isaiah 66:7-14 and Romans 11:26).
