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 ATONEMENT
Probably the most serious and somber feast of the Lord, this holiday is commonly known by its Hebrew name, “Yom Kippur.” Chapter 16 of Leviticus details the ritual of this solemn day. It was the only time the High Priest was allowed into the Holy of Holies. The entire letter to the Hebrews is based on this holiday and celebrates Jesus as the ultimate fulfillment of the feast.
God set apart this day for the entire nation to repent of their corporate sin and the High Priest was to make atonement for them.
Today however, the observance is more focused on the individual.
Tradition teaches that God opens the Books of Life ten days earlier, on Rosh Hashanah (Blowing of Trumpets). For those He judges very wicked, they are immediately sentenced to death and their name is written in the Book of Death. For those judged to be very righteous, their name is written in the Book of Life and are given another year to live. For all the others, their names are written in the Book of Suspension and have ten days to get right before man and God. On Yom Kippur, God then makes final judgment and moves names from the Book of Suspension into either the Book of Life or the Book of Death.
Atonement then as it is now, can only be made by the shedding of innocent blood.
For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul. (Leviticus 17:11)
Atonement Excerpt from the book "Celebrate Jesus"
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