Before the Seventh Seal*

The events in the news this past week show our nation divided, as well as facing military threats from China and Russia. Israel, as well, is suffering rocket attacks from Gaza. Even some organizations claiming to be Christian have begun publishing Anti-Semitic, and other racist hate. A look at scripture will reveal that all of these things fulfill last days prophecies concerning the time before Christ's return. The Book of Revelation describes the unsealing of prophetic events: "And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?" (Rev. 5:1-2). John wept because no one was found worthy to open the seals of this book, or to even look upon it. However, there was One Who was worthy: "And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof." (v. 5). That Lion of Judah, the root of David Who was worthy to loose the seals of the book is described as "a Lamb as it had been slain...Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation. And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth." (v. 6-10). Only the slain Lamb Who redeemed many by His blood was worthy to open the seals of the book. Those who were redeemed came from every race and nation, and they were made priests and kings to reign. We will see again that the kingdom of God is made up of all nations of people. Do not be deceived by racist and Anti-Semitic lies, even if they come from those who claim to be believers in Christ. As the Lamb Who was slain opened the first four seals of the book, horses were released upon the earth. The horses brought warfare, murder, famine and economic turmoil, and death and hell over a fourth of the earth (Rev. 6:1-8). The fifth seal revealed those who had been martyred for their faith in Christ, who were crying out to the LORD for vengeance. They were given white robes, and told to wait for a "little season" until their fellow martyrs joined them (v. 9-11). We have seen this death, turmoil, and martyrdom already being loosed in the earth. The opening of the sixth seal is described as being great earthquakes, the sun becoming black, and the moon becoming as blood. Stars of heaven fall to the earth, the heavens depart, and the mountains and islands of earth are moved from their places. When the events of this opened seal begin to happen: "...the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman,, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; And said to the mountains, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?" (v. 12-17). We have not yet seen the events of the opening of the sixth seal occur on earth. The prophet Malachi, and also Jesus, both asked the same question: "Who shall stand when he/the Son of man appeareth?" (Mal. 3:2, Lk. 21:36). We also see in the Book of Revelation that a great harvest of believers, 144,000, called "servants of God". will come out of the twelve tribes of Israel. These servants from the tribes of Israel must be sealed before the angels of God can hurt anything on the earth. (Rev. 7:1-8). Then again we are told, "...a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands..." (v. 9). This multitude from every race and nation worshipped the Lamb. An elder in heaven described them as those "...which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." (v. 14). Again, scripture states here specifically that racism is not of God, and contrary to what is often taught in churches, the tribulation will not just be for the Jews. As we saw in Revelation, the Lord has a harvest in these end times from among the Jewish people. The prophet Zechariah also wrote of the Lord's plans for Israel and the nations: "Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the LORD. And many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto thee." (Zech. 2:10-11. In this same prophetic word, Zechariah wrote that the LORD would inherit Judah his portion, and shall choose Jerusalem again. The LORD has not turned His back on Israel, Judah, which means "the people of praise", or Jerusalem. We have seen the restoration of Israel and Jerusalem in our lifetime. The LORD calls Jerusalem "a city of truth; and the mountain of the LORD of hosts the holy mountain. Because of this, He is jealous for Judah and Jerusalem with great jealousy, and great fury towards any nations that come against them. (Zech. 8:1-3, 9:13-14, 12:4-9). As He said: "And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem." (Zech. 12:9). Not only will the LORD fight for Judah and Jerusalem, but the LORD will bring a spiritual awakening to His people, and they will know their Messiah and see that He is one who is pierced: "And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace, and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn." (Zech. 12:10). Salvation comes to Jerusalem as Zechariah wrote: "In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness." (Zech. 13:1). This fountain is the fountain of blood shed by Jesus for sin. There will be no doubt as to who that fountain will be: "And one shall say unto him, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends." (v. 6). They, like Doubting Thomas, will see their Messiah, Jesus, face to face, and they shall mourn for what they see. One way in which the Savior may be revealed to Israel is through the Shroud of Turin, with its deeply impacting image of Christ, bearing witness to His sufferings, death, and even His resurrection. In these times filled with the signs of the Lord's soon return, we see much hatred against those of faith, along with Anti-Semitism, and other forms of racism. Scripture tells us that there is a deceiver who accuses the brethren of faith, and even causes the brethren to accuse each other, as even the elect will be deceived if possible. However, he is defeated and cast down: "And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world...'Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death." (Rev. 12:9-11). We saw earlier that martyrdom of the saints occurs when the seals of the book are opened. There may well be martyrdom to face in this era of hatred against faith, not only in the so-called third world nations, but it could also occur here at anytime. Time is progressing quickly, and these things are coming about with a vengeance. We need to know the Word, the facts, and the truth. *Based on Dr. Kenneth E. Stevenson's 8/7/2022 message to the church. To contact us, submit a prayer request, give a praise report, or to support this ministry: P.O. Box 154221, Waco, TX, 76705 OR Everlastingcovenant@ymail.com. You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter, theshroudofturin.org, and endtimeschool, also on Facebook.

Rejoice in the LORD*

This week, the Feast of Tabernacles ends after a seven day observance. The next day, the Eighth Day, is Shemini Atzeret. The eighth day is also called Simchat Torah, or "Rejoice in the Torah": "Seven days ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD: on the eighth day shall be a holy convocation unto you; and ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD: it is a solemn assembly; and ye shall do no servile work therein." (Lev. 23:36). It is interesting to know that acording to Jewish custom, a marriage supper doesn't occur until after the newly married couple enters their chamber for seven days at the time of the wedding. On the eighth day following the marriage, the bridegroom brings the bride out of the chamber for the marriage supper celebration. The Eighth Day is a time for rejoicing. Eight is also the number of "new beginnings". The phrase "Rejoice in the LORD" occurs thirty-six times in scripture. From the New Testament: "Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord...Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God, and the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Phil 3:1, 4:4-7). A type of shutting in, like that which occurs for seven days within the wedding chamber mentioned above, appears in prophetic scripture, and again, it leads to rejoicing: "...Thy dead men shall live together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing ye that dwell in the dust...and the earth shall cast out the dead. Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. For behold, the LORD cometh out of His place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain." (Isa. 26:17-21, excerpt). These verses speak of the raising of the dead, and the punishment of the wicked, while the LORD's people are enclosed safely in their chambers with the doors shut. We see this also with Noah being shut up in the ark, with God Himself shutting the door. In this way, Noah was kept in safety while the earth was flooded in judgment of the wicked. The parable told by Jesus of the five foolish virgins who were unprepared for the arrival of the bridegroom (Mt. 25), found that they were left outside the shut door as a result. Isaiah prophesies of a strong city in Judah, whose walls and defenses are salvation. Its gates are open to the entrance of the righteous nation that keeps the truth. For those who trust in the LORD, there is perfect peace and everlasting strength (Isa. 26:1-4). In this, Isaiah wrote that he will exalt and praise God: "And in this mountain shall the LORD of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wine...well refined. He will destroy in this mountain...the vail that is spread over all nations. He will swallow up death in victory; and the LORD God will wipe away tears from off all faces...And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us...we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation." (Isa. 25:1-9 excerpt). There is also great rejoicing regarding the coming marriage of the Lamb: "Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints....Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb...These are the true sayings of God." (Rev. 19:7-9). In these verses, first we have the marriage of the Lamb, and then the marriage supper of the Lamb. This fits into the seven days of the Feast of Tabernacles, and the rejoicing on the Eighth Day, following it. Rejoicing also accompanies the anticipation of the coming of the LORD: "Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the LORD. And many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee...And the LORD shall inherit Judah his portion in the holy land, and shall choose Jerusalem again." (Zech. 2:10-13, excerpt). As the LORD promise here to "dwell in the midst" of His people, this is the essence of the Feast of Tabernacles. The LORD will not forget His promises to Israel, Judah and Jerusalem, of which we see one example here in these verses. The Church does not replace Israel in the plan and promises of God, although this false "Replacement Theology" doctrine is believed today by some. The LORD will fulfill His Word regarding Israel and Jerusalem, and all of the nations of the earth will also be benefitted as a result. The LORD is jealous for His land, and its people: "Thus saith the LORD, I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth; and the mountain of the LORD of hosts the holy mountain." (Zech. 8:1-3). Through this fall feast season, we have come through a time of fasting, self-examination and repentance, as found in Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. From that cleansing, we enter into the rejoicing of Tabernacles and Shemini Atzeret, the Eighth Day. The prophet Joel wrote of the same thing. The people were to call a solemn assembly to seek the LORD with their whole hearts, fasting with weeping and mourning (Joel 2:12-17). Even the bridegroom and the bride were to come out of their marriage chamber to join the assembly in repentance. As a result of this repentance of His people, the LORD would turn again and have jealousy for His land, and pity upon His people. He will bless with abundance, and restore what was destroyed (v. 18-25). Joel wrote: "Fear not, O land, be glad and rejoice: for the LORD will do great things...Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God..." (v. 21, 23). After this, the LORD gave His great prophecy where He promises: "I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh...I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth...before the great and terrible day of the LORD come. And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call." (v. 28-32). The LORD also promises that in that day, He will bring back the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem (Joel 3:1). We do not react and judge based upon current outward appearances, but we bring all thoughts and imaginations into the obedience of Christ, who is the Word of God (see 2 Cor. 10:1-7). It is time to rejoice in the LORD: "Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation." (Hab. 3:18). Are we going to believe the report of the WORD, or the report of the world? *Based upon Dr. Kenneth E. Stevenson's 9/26/21 message to the church. To contact us, to make a prayer request, to give a praise report, or to support this ministry: P.O. Box 154221, Waco, TX 76705, or by email at Everlastingcovenant@ymail.com. You can also find us, including the complete video of this message, on Facebook and Twitter. You can find information about Dr. Stevenson's newest book, "NAZAH: White Linen and the Blood of Sprinkling" at endtimeschool.com.

For Such A Time As This*

 

The title of this message comes from the Book of Esther. In this Book, the saving of the Jews from destruction falls into Esther's hands, as the queen. She, as a hidden Jew, has been asked to approach the king as an intercessor on behalf of the Jews. She is reluctant for fear that it will cost her life. Her kinsman pointed out to her that this is a divine purpose, and probably the reason why she miraculously became queen in the first place: "For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"   Est. 4:14

The Book of Esther is also a prophetic picture of Christ and the Church, His Bride. As with Esther, the Church, the Bride of the King, Jesus, miraculously came into our position. If we hold our peace at this precipitous point in God's timetable, God will still save the Jews as He has promised, but we will have not played the role that we have been specifically placed in this position to play. As this prophetic verse from Esther suggests, could our refusal to act on behalf of the Jew and Israel even lead to our own destruction? Let's look at God's prophetic promises to Israel and to the Jews in this regard, and see what the Word requires of us in this time.
The prophet Ezekiel wrote about a time when, after the children of Israel have come back to the land to dwell in peace (fulfilled in 1947, 1967), a group of nations would form evil plans from their thoughts regarding Israel (Ezek. 38:9-12). This group of nations and princes about which Ezekiel prophesies, comes right out of today's headlines regarding the turmoil and threat in the Middle East against Israel: Gog, Magog, Meshech, Tubal (all referring to the Russia of today), Persia (Iran), Ethiopia, Libya, Gomer (Germany), Togarmah (Turkey area). Russia has become more involved in the Middle East. Some of the other nations mentioned are actively involved in supplying and supporting terrorist attacks against Israel and elsewhere. Germany has recently released a statement supporting the Palestinian claim to the West Bank, and said that the two-state solution is the only solution possible in the conflict. Palestine has invited Germany and Europe to play a larger role in negotiations, citing the "bias" of the United States for the reason. As you can see, Ezekiel's prophesies are coming to pass in our time. God has promised that His fury, jealousy, and wrath will come against these nations for the prophesied attack against Israel (Ezek 38:17-23).
Jesus prophesied to Israel and to us this same time of trouble for Israel, when Jerusalem would be trodden down by the Gentiles (Lk. 21:24). This, as well as catastrophic natural occurrences, would be a sign of His return:
"And then they shall see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh."  Lk. 21:27-28
Jesus promised that God would send His redemption help to Israel and Jerusalem, and all who look for Him.
God promised to Israel, by His prophet Zechariah, that He would come to Israel's rescue at this time, and show them His Savior:
"The burden of the word of the LORD for Israel...Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem. And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people; all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered against it...In that day shall the LORD defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem...And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem....And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one who is in bitterness for his firstborn...In that day, there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness."  Zech. 12:1-14, Zech. 13:1
One of the great lies that many in the Church believe is called "replacement theology", which is the idea that the Church has replaced Israel in scripture, and in God's promises. As you can see here, God has very specifically prophesied regarding the nation and people of Jerusalem and Israel.
Our response at such a time as this is to warn, to pray, and to witness. The Apostle Paul wrote regarding Israel and the Jew that the callings and giftings of God are without repentance. All who call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. However that opening up of the heart to salvation for either the Jew or the Greek, requires that the word, the preaching, be sent so they can hear and believe (Rom. 10:11-15).
In Chapters 52-53, Isaiah calls both Zion and Jerusalem to awake and put on their beautiful garments. Isaiah gives us the reason for this as he goes on to write a heart-wrenching, detailed prophetic description of the One who will suffer and carry grave wounds given to Him, not because He deserved it, but because He was stricken for our sins, iniquities and transgressions. He asks the question, "Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm (shoulder of the offering of sacrifice to God) of the LORD revealed?"  Isa. 53:1
This wounded servant "shall...sprinkle ("nazah"- to startle, to sprinkle: connected to the sprinkling of the blood of expiation) many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them they shall see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider."  Isa. 52:15
We read earlier that Paul instructs us to go and preach the word, so others can hear and believe. The verse above talks about another witness that causes people to be sprinkled and startled. This witness is not a voice heard, but something seen. It is something that specifically testifies of the wounded servant that Isaiah is writing about in these chapters.
The Shroud of Turin is such a witness to the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. The title of my book, "NAZAH- White Linen and the Blood of Sprinkling" comes from this verse from Isaiah. It is a detailed witness to the Jew first, and then to the Greek or Gentile, of the portrait given by Isaiah and other prophets, and fulfilled exactly by Jesus of Nazareth in His suffering, death, and resurrection as reported in the Gospels. The time for this book is now, at such a time as this, especially when we see the end time signs as prophesied coming to pass. How will they hear, except someone be sent with the word of salvation? This book sends that word, to the Jew, and also to the Greek. This is the calling of the Church at this time, in these last days before the coming of Christ.

*The above is based upon the 12/15/19 message to the Church from Dr. Kenneth Stevenson. 

To Contact/Submit prayer requests/Support the ministry/Order the book, "NAZAH-White Linen and the Blood of Sprinkling", and to help us get out the message:

Dr. Kenneth Stevenson
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Waco, TX  76705

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To watch/hear Dr. Stevenson's complete message:

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https://everlastingcovenant.sermon.net/main/main/21320220
 

Prayer of Salvation for all who desire to receive Jesus as their Savior: Lord Jesus, I desire to know You, and to know Your salvation. I believe that You died for me, and that You were resurrected for me. Forgive me of my sins. Come into my heart, change me, fill me with Your righteousness. Inscribe my name in the Lamb's book of life. Baptize me in Your Holy Spirit, so that I can learn the truth of Your Word and ways, and be strengthened in my walk all the days of my life. You are the hope of my life, and You are my eternal life. I place my trust in You, Lord, for myself, and my whole household. Use me to do the will of the heavenly Father, Who sent You, in Whose name You came. In Your name, and in thanks and praise I pray, Amen.

 

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Sukkot: Tabernacles

 

The Feast of Tabernacles, or Sukkot, is the third fall feast of the LORD. It is observed for seven days, with an additional holy convocation on the eighth day. No servile work (meaning work of any kind, but especially work associated with bondage, captivity, or slavery) is to be done on the first and eighth days of the feast (Lev. 23:33-36). During the seven days of this feast, the Israelites were commanded to dwell in booths, or sukkot (tents or tabernacles). They were to observe this feast with booths for ever (v. 42-43). The booths are a reminder that after delivering the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, the LORD set His tabernacle in the midst of them, and His presence continually dwelt with them defending and providing for them. Tabernacles is a joyous feast, celebrating God's bountiful deliverance, provision and protection.

The haftorah readings from the books of the prophets during the LORD's Feast of Tabernacles show the connection between deliverance from the enemy, and Tabernacles. The portion from Zechariah 14 read for this feast includes:

"Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations (who come against Jerusalem), as when He fought in the day of battle."  v. 3

In this prophesied battle, there is a great event that will split the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem. That moment is when the Lord, Himself, the Messiah, will set His feet on the Mount. He then establishes His kingdom:

"...and the LORD My God shall come, and all the saints with Thee...And the LORD shall be King over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and His name one."  v. 5b,9

At that time, living waters are released (v.8), and a plague destroys the enemies of God's people (v. 12).

In the Messianic kingdom established at that time, all the nations of the earth will be required to come yearly to Jerusalem to keep the Feast of Tabernacles:

"And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations that came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles...whoso will not come up...even upon them shall be no rain."  v. 16-17

We can see that the Feast of Tabernacles is directly associated with this great victory over the enemy, and prophetically, with the reign of Messiah on earth. Not only that, but Zechariah clearly identifies Jesus as that Messiah:

"And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one who is in bitterness for his firstborn...In that day, there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness." 

                                                                                            Zech. 12:10, 13:1

The defeat of the enemies of Israel in the battle that the LORD fights in the passages from Zechariah above, is the battle of Armageddon. It is also referred to as the war against Gog and Magog in Ezekiel 38:18-23. Rabbis teach that this war will occur during the fall feast season, and often refer to it as "the Tishri war". We can imagine the great joy of God's people as they celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles, as the LORD, Himself, descends and intervenes against the enemies of Israel during this horrific battle. We currently see in the events of today, the very same nations of which the prophets spoke, lining up against the nation of Israel.

In describing the deliverance of His people from the enemies around them, the LORD says that He does it by His "mighty hand, and a stretched out arm" (Deut. 4:34, 26:8, Jer. 32:21)

He associates that mighty hand and outstretched arm of deliverance with His name of "LORD" (Ex. 6:6). His name is written with the Hebrew letters yod, hey, vaw, hey. The pictographic meaning of these Hebrew letters is "Behold the hand, Behold the nail". The LORD's great hand that delivers is a pierced hand, according to His name. The bared arm of the LORD in deliverance is associated in scripture with salvation, or "yeshuah", Jesus (Isa. 33:2, 52:10, 63:5).
Finally, in scripture, David brings together the tabernacle of the LORD with deliverance from his enemies:
"One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in His temple (sanctuary, prevail, victor, overcome, strength). For in the time of trouble, He shall hide me in His pavilion (booth, protection, hedge, fence about, defend): in the secret of His tabernacle (dwelling, to shine) shall He hide me; He shall set me upon a rock. And now mine head shall be lifted above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in His tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD."  Ps. 27:4-6

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Feast of Atonement-Yeshua IS Our Atonement

 

The Feast of Atonement, Yom Kippur, is the second fall feast of the LORD. One day a year, the high priest entered into the Holy of Holies of the Tabernacle or Temple, and sprinkled the blood of the sacrifice upon the Mercy Seat, which was atop the Ark of the Covenant. This blood offering cleansed the sins of the people for one year. It was not a permanent atonement for sin, and had to be renewed yearly. The days leading up to this feast were marked by self-examination, and deep repentance. This feast was a prophetic type and shadow that would be perfectly, and eternally, fulfilled by the Messiah.

Under the New Covenant, Jesus Christ became both our High Priest who enters, and the  blood of sprinkling. He brought  into the heavenly Holy of Holies the sacrifice of blood that He provided from His own body, to sprinkle upon the Mercy Seat of God:
"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. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this cause, He is the mediator of the new testament, 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."   Heb. 9:12-15
                                                                     And:
"Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ...To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you..."  1 Pet. 1:2, 4
No longer for just a year, but now, as Christ has fulfilled the Feast of Atonement with the sprinkling of His blood, the redemption and the inheritance are eternal.
The Jewish blessing and prayer for the Feast of Atonement is "May you be inscribed in the Book of Life". Now, through Christ, the Messiah, that prayer is fulfilled.
We should also know that not only did Jesus enter the Holy of Holies with His blood, but in so doing, He made the way possible for us to enter this holiest place as well:
"Having therefore, brethren , boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which He hath consecrated for us, through the vail, that is to say, His flesh; and having a High Priest over the house of God; 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 in pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our hope without wavering (for He is faithful that promised)."   Heb. 10:19-23
Following into the Holy of Holies, after the way that Jesus established with His blood, we follow Him in priesthood, and we have priestly responsibilities, and obligations. We cannot hold our priesthood in just any manner. It requires consecration, setting ourselves apart from the ways and spirit of the world. Through the Prophet Malachi, God exhorted the priesthood:
"For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same, My name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto My name, and a pure offering: for My name shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts."
                                                                                            Mal. 1:11
Incense offered to God is the form of our prayers before Him (Rev. 8:3-4), and also in the verse above, God says He requires a pure offering. We are that pure offering ("I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service."  Rom. 12:1). As we perform these priestly duties, God's name becomes great in all the nations, and among the heathen who do not know Him. We see this principle again in Malachi:
"My covenant was with him (that is Levi, the tribe of priests) of life and peace,,,he feared (reverenced, awed by) Me, and was afraid (amazed, broken, prostrate) before My name. The law of truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found in his lips: he walked with Me in peace and equity, and did turn many away from iniquity. For the priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts."  Mal. 2:5-7
The LORD teaches through Malachi above, that the priest who fulfills his responsibilities as he should, brings the covenant of life and peace with him. His reverent ministry before God has the effect of turning many others from iniquity. People will seek the knowledge and truth found in the priest's mouth, and the priest becomes the messenger of the LORD. All of this is accomplished as a result of the total reverence and deference to God in the priest's own heart. His own heart must be sprinkled with that atoning blood.
All of this great work of the Messiah's atoning blood and the Spirit is a fulfillment of the prophetic promise of God:
"And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon Me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for Him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for Him, as one who is in bitterness for his first born...In that day, there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhbitnts of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness. And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD of hosts, that I will cut off the names of idols out of the land, and they shall no more be remembered: and also I will cause the (false) prophets and the unclean spirit to pass out of the land....And one shall say unto Him, "What are these wounds in Thine hands? Then He shall answer, "Those with which I was wounded in the house of My friends."  Zech. 12:10, 13:1-2, 6
The eternal promise and inheritance have been accomplished in us and through us in the fulfillment by Jesus of the Feast of Atonement. Others, even whole nations, are to be impacted by that atonement work in us. However, as we have seen, our resulting priesthood in Christ also requires something of us.

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