In our previous studies we have considered five of the annual feasts and their typical significance, namely:

1. The Feast of the Passover;

2. The Feast of Unleavened Bread;

3. The Feast of the First Fruits;

4. The Feast of Weeks, or Pentecost; and

5. The Feast of Trumpets.

The first four of these annual feasts of Israel stand connected with the First Coming of Christ from the typical standpoint. The fifth, sixth and seventh feasts stand connected with the Second Coming of Christ.

In our study of the Feast of Trumpets we noted its relationship to the Regathering and Restoration of Israel at Christ's return. Our present study — The Feast of Atonement — points to Israel's Repentance as they recognize Jesus Christ as their Saviour, High Priest and King.

Let us notice the instructions concerning the Feast of Atonement as recorded in Leviticus 23:26-32: "And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Also on the tenth day of the seventh month there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire unto the Lord. And ye shall do no work in that same day: for it is a day of atonement, to make an atonement for you before the Lord your God. For whatsoever soul it be that shall not be afflicted in that same day, he shall be cut off from among his people. And whatsoever soul it be that doeth any work in that same day, the same soul will I destroy from among his people. Ye shall do no manner of work: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations in all your dwellings. It shall be unto you a sabbath of rest, and ye shall afflict your souls: in the ninth day of the month at even, from even unto even, shall ye celebrate the sabbath."

Further details concerning the observance of this Feast of Atonement are found in chapter sixteen of the Book of Leviticus and we will refer to this chapter almost entirely for our information concerning it.

Without further delay let us consider the comparison between the Feast of Atonement and the Work of our Lord Jesus Christ then we shall proceed to discuss each point briefly.

With this comparative presentation of the Feast of Atonement now clearly before us we will proceed to a brief discussion of each point.

Two Goats Were Taken from Israel for a Sin Offering

The purpose of the taking of these goats is clearly stated in verse five of Leviticus sixteen; it is "for a sin offering." Moreover, they were to be taken from "the congregation of the children of Israel" (Lev. 16:5). Likewise, our Lord Jesus Christ, "as concerning the flesh," was an Israelite (Rom. 9:4-5) and He came to be our sin offering as we read in Hebrews 10:5-7: "Wherefore when He cometh into the world, He saith, Sacrifice and offering Thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared Me: In burnt-offerings and sacrifices for sin Thou hast had no pleasure. Then said I, lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of Me), to do Thy will, O God."

The Goats Were Presented Before the Lord

According to the record in Leviticus, the high priest took the two goats and presented "them before the Lord at the door of the tabernacle" (Lev. 16:7). Christ, therefore, in fulfillment of this aspect of this type was presented "to the Lord," at the temple in Jerusalem by Mary and Joseph Luke 2:21-24).

The Goat of the Sin Offering Died for the Sins of the People

The record in this connection reads thus: "Then shall he kill the goat of the sin-offering, that is for the people" (Lev. 16:15a). Consequently, when Christ came, He not only died "for our sins," but He also became the "propitiation . . . . for the sins of the whole world" (I Cor. 15:3; I John 2:2). This fact should prove to be a mighty incentive to the soul winner. The provision has been made for the salvation of the world; let us tell the "good news" to "every creature."

The Blood . . . . Was Brought into the Most Holy Place . . . to Make an Atonement

Dr. Scofield observes that "In the Old Testament atonement is the English word used to translate the Hebrew words which mean 'cover/ 'coverings,' or 'to cover.' " This fact suggests the temporary nature of these offerings and logically calls for an offering that can put away sin. This we see was done by the sacrifice of Christ, for by "His own blood He entered once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us" (Heb. 9:11-12). The high priest, in contrast, entered the holy place, "year by year," and only succeeded in "covering" the sins of the people, but Christ uncovered our sins and bore them in His "own body on the tree."

The High Priest Alone Entered the Most Holy Place

This suggests the truth that Christ "by Himself purged our sins" (Heb. 1:1-3). As someone has said, "He did it alone, because He alone could do it." Let us not mar this perfect work by the addition of any vestige of human works, but let us rejoice that "Jesus paid it all."

The High Priest Came Out to the People After the Blood Was Applied

The type here sheds light on a New Testament problem, namely, why Jesus commanded Mary not to touch Him after His resurrection, and why He permitted the women mentioned in Matthew 28 to hold Him by the feet on the selfsame day. The expla: nation seems to be this: Christ, as High Priest had not yet ascended into heaven to present His sacred, sincleansing blood when He spoke to Mary (John 20:19), but when He met the women returning from the sepulcher, He had presented His blood in heaven. Had Mary touched Him, He would have been ceremonially unclean and would not have been able to enter the most holy place in fulfillment of the Levitical type.

The Sins of Israel Were Placed upon the Live Goat and Borne Away in Figure

This goat was called "the scapegoat." The Hebrew word is "Azazel" and seems to mean, "the goat to depart," or "the goat of removal." In type it sets forth the wonderful truth that Christ not only had our sins "laid on Him" (Isa. 53:6), but that He also "put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself" (Heb. 9:26). Praise God! Our sins are infinitely removed (Ps. 103:12), measurelessly buried (Micah 7:19), invisibly placed (Isa. 38:17; Jer. 1:20), miraculously banished (Isa. 44:22), and eternally forgotten (Jer. 31:34).

The High Priest Re-enters the Holy Place and Removes His Linen Garments

The linen garments are typical of the covering of our Lord in the days of His flesh — His body of humiliation (Phil. 2:5-8). Now we see Him crowned with glory and honor, highly exalted by God, and appearing in heaven for us as our Great High Priest (Heb. 2:9; Phil. 2:9-11; Heb. 9:24).

The High Priest Dons His Robes of Glory and Comes Out to the People

The robes of glory stand for the glorified covering of our Lord or His glorified body. Isaiah describes our Lord as He shall appear the second time to Israel in the following way: "Who is this that cometh from Edom with dyed garments of Bozrah, this that is glorious in His apparel, traveling in the greatness of His strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save" (Isa. 63:1). The world that saw Him in humility shall also see Him in glory when He appears the "second time without sin (or apart from sin) unto salvation" (Heb. 9:28).

Israel Mourned on This Day for Their Sins

Year by year Israel has thus met on the day of atonement to afflict their soul and indicate their sorrow for their sins. However, of the greatest sin they have not repented. In fact, they are not conscious of this sin of which the Holy Spirit convicts men, to-wit, because they believe not on Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God (John 16:8-9). But at Christ's glorious revelation following the awful days of tribulation Israel's sinblinded eyes shall be opened for the prophet declares, "I (Jehovah) 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 mourn eth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for Him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn" (Zech. 12:10). Then shall be realized the added prediction of Zechariah: "In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and uncleanness" (Zech. 13:1).

But we need not wait until our Lord's return to experience the blessed cleansing power of the precious blood of the Lamb of God. As the hymn writer puts it:

"There is a fountain filled with blood, drawn from Immanuel's veins;
     And sinners plunged beneath that flood, lose all their guilty stains.
"The dying thief rejoiced to see, that fountain in his day;
     And there may I though vile as he, Wash all my sins away."

1) Achie H. Yetter is Director of the Bible Institute of Denver Bible College, and is in demand as a Bible conference speaker.