Shabbat Shalom brothers and sisters and may Yahuah be blessed on this most set-apart and bittersweet day. Bitter, as this is a day for afflicting one’s self before Yahuah and in our time; we look back to the suffering of our King and what he endured for our sake. Sweet, as he became our propitiation, the atonement for our sins. A day for an assembly or gathering of his people, and for many of you, your fellowship is online, so here we are. Praise Yahuah for giving us the ability to do so! Let us be afflicted and somber together as one body, and study the 6th Moed (Holy Day/Appointment) of Yahuah Tseba’oth, that directly points to our Messiah, Yahusha.
Let’s begin with the commandment given to the children of Israel, to keep this day for perpetual generations:
“And YAHUAH spoke unto Mosheh, saying, Also on the tenth day of this seventh month is Yom Kippuriym: it shall be a holy assembly unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire unto YAHUAH. And ye shall do no work in that same day: for it is Yom Kippuriym, to make an atonement for you before YAHUAH ELOHAYKEM. 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 does 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 forever throughout your generations in all your dwellings. It shall be unto you a Shabbath of rest, and ye shall afflict your souls: in the ninth day of the month at evening, from evening unto evening, shall ye celebrate your Shabbath.”
Leviticus 23:26-32
In short, this is a day to abstain from employment, afflict yourself, gather with other believers and offer a spiritual sacrifice (1 Peter 2:5), we will expound on this a bit later.
If you’d like to know where we are in regards to how the calendar operates with the Day of Atonement, see this video below, starting at the 34:41 timestamp.
WHAT IS AFFLICTING YOURSELF?
There are many interpretations in our generation, as to what exactly ‘afflicting yourself’ looks like. We are not here to say any others are wrong, just to share where we are at this time. What do the scriptures teach about ‘afflicting’ one’s self?
- The Hebrew word is Anah https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/Lexicon/Lexicon.cfm?strongs=H6031&t=KJV
Let’s take a look at some examples in scripture.
“And you shall remember all the way which Yahuah your Elohim led you these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you, and to prove you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments, or no. And he humbled you, and suffered you to hunger, and fed you with manna, which you knew not, neither did your fathers know; that he might make you know that man does not live by bread only, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of Yahuah does man live”
Deuteronomy 8:2-3
“But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom.”
Psalm 35:13
We can already see, fasting is kin to humility and affliction.
“In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks. I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled. And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling. Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that you did set your heart to understand, and to chasten yourself before your Elohim, your words were heard, and I am come for your words.”
Daniel 10:2-3,11-12
Another great example with Daniel. “Chasten” is the word Anah, again, correlating to afflicting one’s self with fasting. This past year, we have found an immense blessing in reading through and testing the Aramaic Targums of the Torah. In this translation, we see our thoughts are confirmed, that this is a day for fasting.
“And Yahuah spoke with Mosheh saying: But on the tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement; a holy convocation shall it be to you, and you shall humble your souls, (abstaining) from food, and from drink, and from the use of the bath, and from anointing, and the use of the bed, and from sandals; and you shall offer an oblation before Yahuah, and do no work on this same day; for it is the Day of Atonement, to make atonement for you before Yahuah your Elohim. For every man who eats in the fast, and will not fast that same day, shall be cut off by death from among his people.”
Leviticus 23 Aramaic Targums
AFFLICTION AND CORRECTION
When we correct our children, we do so, to get them back into operating in good behavior. Correction from above is done so for the very same reason.
“It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn your statutes.”
Psalm 119:71
A good father wants to keep his children in the way, so when they go astray, affliction comes. The Day of Atonement has these implications weaved into it.
“Blessed is the man whom you chasten, O Yahuah, and teach him out of your Torah;”
Psalm 94:12
and
“Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept your word.”
Psalm 119:67
and
“I know, O Yahuah, that your judgments are right, and that you in faithfulness have afflicted me.”
Psalm 119:75
also,
“Why do you cry for your affliction? Your sorrow is incurable for the multitude of your iniquity: because your sins were increased, I have done these things unto you. Therefore all they that devour you shall be devoured; and all your adversaries, every one of them, shall go into captivity; and they that spoil you shall be a spoil, and all that prey upon you will I give for a prey. For I will restore health unto you, and I will heal you of your wounds, says Yahuah; because they called you an Outcast, saying, This is Zion, whom no man seeks after.”
Jeremiah 30:15-17
The affliction is all about restoration. This is why Yahusha had to suffer affliction for us.
“For I will be unto Ephraim as a lion, and as a young lion to the house of Judah: I, even I, will tear and go away; I will take away, and none shall rescue him. I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early. Come, and let us return unto Yahuah: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up.
After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight.
Then shall we know, if we follow on to know Yahuah: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? O Judah, what shall I do unto thee? for your goodness is as a morning cloud, and as the early dew it goeth away. Therefore have I hewed them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of my mouth: and thy judgments are as the light that goeth forth. For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of Elohah more than burnt offerings.”
Hos 5:14-6:6
Yahusha’s affliction for us:
“Surely he has borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of Elohim, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and Yahuah has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he opens not his mouth.
Isaiah 53:4-7
The Day of Atonement is all about affliction and healing. A day of forgiveness through the blood and atonement, so that we may walk uprightly and stay on the narrow path. Praise be to Yahuah for sending his son Yahusha to be our perfect atonement and healing!
Let us never forget what he did for us, and where we would be without him.
“They gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion. I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels. My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaves to my jaws; and you have brought me into the dust of death. For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have enclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet. I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me. They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.”
Psalm 22:13-18
What an amazing king we serve who would endure such things for us.
“Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands, Saying, Prophesy unto us, you Messiah, Who is he that hit you?”
Matthew 26:67-68
“And the glory of the Elohim of Israel was gone up from the cherub, whereupon he was, to the threshold of the house. And he called to the man clothed with linen, which had the writer’s ink horn by his side; And Yahuah said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh (anach) and that cry (anawk) for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof. And to the others he said in mine hearing, Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity: Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at my sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house.”
Ezekiel 9:3-6
Sealed: Noah’s ark use of the word pitch, is closely related to atonement. Kaphar (redeemed)
2 Esdras 2:33-47
ORIGINS OF THE DAY OF ATONEMENT
Let us read Leviticus 16 (Link)
“AND YAHUAH spoke unto Mosheh after the death of the two sons of Aharon, when they offered before YAHUAH, and died; And YAHUAH said unto El-Mosheh, Speak unto El-Aharon your brother, that he come not at all times into the holy place within the veil before the mercy seat, which is upon the Ark; that he die not: for I will appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat. Thus shall Aharon come into the holy place: with a young bullock for a sin offering, and a ram for a burnt offering. He shall put on the holy linen coat, and he shall have the linen breeches upon his flesh, and shall be girded with a linen belt, and with the linen turban shall he be attired: these are holy garments; therefore shall he wash את eth-his flesh in water, and so put them on. And he shall take of the assembly of the children of Yashar’el two kids of the goats for a sin offering, and one ram for a burnt offering. And Aharon shall offer את eth-his bullock of the sin offering, which is for himself, and make an atonement for himself, and for his house. And he shall take את eth-the two goats, and present them before YAHUAH at the door of the Tabernacle of the assembly. And Aharon shall cast lots upon the two goats; one lot for YAHUAH, and the other lot for Aza’zel. And Aharon shall bring את eth-the goat upon which YAHUAH’S lot fell, and offer him for a sin offering. But the goat, on which the lot fell to be for Aza’zel, shall be presented alive before YAHUAH, to make an atonement with him, and to let him go for Aza’zel into the wilderness.”
Leviticus 16:1-10
The true origins of this day had been obscured by the translators of old. The key behind the mystery lies within the identity of Azazel. Here is how the KJV obscured this truth:
“And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats; one lot for Yahuah, and the other lot for the scapegoat.”
Leviticus 16:8
The Hebrew word for scapegoat is Azazel, but who is he? We will let Yahuah’s Word unlock that momentarily, let’s proceed with Leviticus 16 first.
“And Aharon shall bring the bullock of the sin offering, which is for himself, and shall make an atonement for himself, and for his house, and shall kill the bullock of the sin offering which is for himself: And he shall take a censer full of burning coals of fire from off the altar before YAHUAH, and his hands full of sweet incense beaten small, and bring it within the veil: And he shall put the incense upon the fire before YAHUAH, that the cloud of the incense may cover the mercy seat that is upon the testimony, that he die not:
And he shall take of the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it with his finger upon the mercy seat eastward; and before the mercy seat shall he sprinkle of the blood with his finger seven times. Then shall he kill the goat of the sin offering, that is for the people, and bring his blood within the veil, and do with that blood as he did with the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it upon the mercy seat, and before the mercy seat: And he shall make an atonement for the holy place, because of the uncleanness of the children of Yashar’el, and because of their transgressions in all their sins: and so shall he do for the Tabernacle of the assembly, that remains among them in the midst of their uncleanness.
And there shall be no man in the Tabernacle of the assembly when he goes in to make an atonement in the holy place, until he come out, and have made an atonement for himself, and for his household, and for all the assembly of Yashar’el. And he shall go out unto the altar that is before YAHUAH, and make an atonement for it; and shall take of the blood of the bullock, and of the blood of the goat, and put it upon the horns of the altar round about. And he shall sprinkle of the blood upon it with his finger seven times, and cleanse it, and hallow it from the uncleanness of the children of Yashar’el. And when he has made an end of reconciling the holy place, and the Tabernacle of the assembly, and the altar, he shall bring the live goat: And Aharon shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Yashar’el, and all their transgressions in all their sins, putting them upon the head of the goat, and shall send him away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness: And the goat shall bear upon him all their iniquities unto a land not inhabited: and he shall let go the goat in the wilderness (desert).”
Leviticus 16:11-22
All the sins are laid upon this goat and sent into the desert? Now it’s time to see who this Azazel is.
“And again Yahuah said to Raphael: ‘Bind Azâzêl hand and foot, and cast him into the darkness: and make an opening in the desert, which is in Dûdâêl, and cast him therein. And place upon him rough and jagged rocks, and cover him with darkness, and let him abide there for ever, and cover his face that he may not see light. And on the day of the great judgement he shall be cast into the fire. And heal the earth which the angels have corrupted, and proclaim the healing of the earth, that they may heal the plague, and that all the children of men may not perish through all the secret things that the Watchers have disclosed and have taught their sons. And the whole earth has been corrupted through the works that were taught by Azâzêl: to him ascribe all sin.”
Enoch 10:4-8
Yahusha our messiah fulfilled the Atonement offering, while the guilt has been, and will continue to be laid upon the father of lies, the original rebel, Azazel. What we just read in Enoch 10 will be carried out in the Book of Revelation. First, he’s thrown into the pit:
“And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.”
Revelation 20:1-3
Then, he is thrown into the fire:
“And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog, and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from Elohim out of heaven, and devoured them. And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.”
Revelation 20:7-10
There will be a day when Azazel and all those who follow his rebellion will be tossed into the fire. Even though Azazel brought down sin, and Adam hearkened to the serpent and not Elohim, we each are responsible for our own choices, and ultimately, our souls.
“And justly do they perish who have not loved your Torah, and the torment of judgment shall await those who have not submitted themselves to your power. For though A’dam first sinned and brought untimely death upon all, yet of those who were born from him each one of them has prepared for his own soul torment to come, and again each one of them has chosen for himself glories to come. For assuredly he who believes will receive reward. But now, as for you, ye wicked that now are, turn ye to destruction, because ye shall speedily be visited, in that formerly ye rejected the understanding of EL ELYON. For his works have not taught you, nor has the skill of his creation which is at all times persuaded you. A’dam is therefore not the cause; save only of his own soul, but each of us has been the A’dam of his own soul.”
2 Baruch 54:14-19
Sin is a choice, not an inherited nature like many teach. Nevertheless, we have all fallen short, and are in need of forgiveness, atonement.
THE CLEANSING ATONEMENT
“And this shall be a statute forever unto you: that in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, ye shall afflict your souls, and do no work at all, whether it be one of your own country, or a stranger that sojourns among you: For on that day shall the priest make an atonement for you, to cleanse you, that ye may be clean from all your sins before YAHUAH.
It shall be a Shabbath of rest unto you, and ye shall afflict your souls, by a statute forever. And the priest, whom he shall anoint, and whom he shall consecrate to minister in the priest’s office in his father’s stead, shall make the atonement, and shall put on the linen clothes, even the holy garments: And he shall make an atonement for the holy sanctuary, and he shall make an atonement for the Tabernacle of the assembly, and for the altar, and he shall make an atonement for the priests, and for all the people of the assembly. And this shall be an everlasting statute unto you, to make an atonement for the children of Yashar’el for all their sins once a year. And he did as YAHUAH commanded Mosheh.”
Leviticus 16:29-34
Praise be to Yahuah, who is our High Priest and our atonement!
By so much was Yahusha made a surety of a better covenant. And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: But this man, because he continues ever, has an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto Elohiym by him, seeing he ever lives to make intercession for them. For such a High Priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; Who needs not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, when he offered up himself. For the Law makes men high priests which have infirmity; but by the word of the oath, which was since the Torah, the Son, is consecrated forevermore.
HEBREWS 7:22-28 CEPHER
This is a day to mourn and afflict ourselves for what we’ve done. Remembering how we went astray, but have been redeemed by his blood and offering.
“By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Yahusha Ha’Mashiach once for all. And every priest stands daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of Elohim; From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. Whereof the Ruach Ha’Qodesh also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says Yahuah, I will put my Torah into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Yahusha,
By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; And having an high priest over the house of Elohim; 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 with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the Truth, there remains no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. He that despised Moses’ Torah died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose you, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of Elohim, and has counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and has done despite unto the Spirit of grace? For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongs unto me, I will recompense, says Yahuah. And again, Yahuah shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living Elohim.
But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great fight of afflictions; Partly, whilst you were made a gazing stock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, while you became companions of them that were so used. For you had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that you have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. For you have need of patience, that, after you have done the will of Elohim, you might receive the promise.”
Hebrews 10:10-36
OFFERING A SACRIFICE
“Also on the tenth day of this seventh month is Yom Kippuriym: it shall be a holy assembly unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire unto YAHUAH.”
Leviticus 23:27
How do we offer an offering today?
“For you desire not sacrifice; else would I give it: you delight not in burnt offering. The sacrifices of Elohim are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O Elohim, you will not despise.”
Psalm 51:16-17
Another example:
“Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that you may grow thereby: If so be you have tasted that the Master is gracious. To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of Elohim, and precious, You also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to Elohim by Yahusha Ha’Mashiach.”
1 Peter 2:1-5
Finally, I think Paul truly gets the foreshadow of the sacrifices of old. We, are to be living sacrifices, offering ourselves fully to the service of Yahuah our Elohim.
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of Elohim, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto Elohim, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be you transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of Elohim.”
Romans 12:1-2
YAHUSHA OUR ATONEMENT
As we mentioned previously, Messiah Yahusha is the fulfillment of the atoning sacrifice. Let’s go a bit deeper into it.
“Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself similarly shared in the same, so that by means of His death He might destroy him having the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver those who throughout life were held in slavery by fear of death. For, doubtless, He does not take hold of messengers, but He does take hold of the seed of Aḇraham. So in every way He had to be made like His brothers, in order to become a compassionate and trustworthy High Priest in matters related to Elohim, to make atonement for the sins of the people. For in what He had suffered, Himself being tried, He is able to help those who are tried.”
Hebrews 2:14-18
HalleluYah! Praise be to our King and High Priest who prevailed. Through him, we may be cleansed and walk as he walked, according to the commandments of Yahuah.
“My little children, I write this to you, so that you do not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Intercessor with the Father, יהושע Messiah, a righteous One. And He Himself is an atoning offering for our sins, and not for ours only but also for all the world. And by this we know that we know Him, if we guard His commands. The one who says, “I know Him,” and does not guard His commands, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
But whoever guards His Word, truly the love of Elohim has been perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. The one who says he stays in Him ought himself also to walk, even as He walked. Beloved, I write no fresh command to you, but an old command which you have had from the beginning. The old command is the Word which you heard from the beginning.”
1 John 2:1-7
“By this the love of Elohim was manifested in us, that Elohim has sent His only brought-forth Son into the world, in order that we might live through Him.In this is love, not that we loved Elohim, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be an atoning offering for our sins.Beloved ones, if Elohim so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”
1 John 4:9-11
DAY OF ATONEMENT IN PROPHECY
“And you shall number seven sabbaths of years unto you, seven times seven years; and the space of the seven sabbaths of years shall be unto thee forty and nine years. Then shall you cause the trumpet of the jubilee to sound on the tenth day of the seventh month, in the day of atonement shall you make the trumpet sound throughout all your land. And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof: it shall be a jubile unto you; and you shall return every man unto his possession, and ye shall return every man unto his family. In the year of this jubilee you shall return every man unto his possession.”
Leviticus 25:8-10,13
The Day of Atonement begins the Year of Jubilee! A day for mourning, then joy! As we will see in just a moment, Yahusha proclaimed liberty to the captives, as he read from Isaiah 61 and stopped mid-sentence.
“The Spirit of Yahuah Elohim is upon me; because Yahuah has anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of Yahuah, and the day of vengeance of our Elohim; to comfort all that mourn; To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of Yahuah, that he might be glorified.”
Isaiah 61:1-3
Did you catch that? It was a jubilee at his first coming, and likewise it will be with his second. The Day of Atonement begins the year of jubilee, and those that mourn, will be comforted. This is why he said this:
“For whatsoever soul it be that shall not be afflicted in that same day, he shall be cut off from among his people.”
Leviticus 23:29
THE DAY OF YAHUAH (DAY OF VENGEANCE)
“Come near, ye nations, to hear; and hearken, ye people: let the earth hear, and all that is therein; the world, and all things that come forth of it. For the indignation of Yahuah is upon all nations, and his fury upon all their armies: he has utterly destroyed them, he has delivered them to the slaughter. Their slain also shall be cast out, and their stink shall come up out of their carcasses, and the mountains shall be melted with their blood. And all the host of heaven shall be dissolved, and the heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll: and all their host shall fall down, as the leaf falls off from the vine, and as a falling fig from the fig tree.
For my sword shall be bathed in heaven: behold, it shall come down upon Idumea, and upon the people of my curse, to judgment. The sword of Yahuah is filled with blood, it is made fat with fatness, and with the blood of lambs and goats, with the fat of the kidneys of rams: for Yahuah hath a sacrifice in Bozrah, and a great slaughter in the land of Idumea. And the unicorns shall come down with them, and the bullocks with the bulls; and their land shall be soaked with blood, and their dust made fat with fatness. For it is the day of Yahuah‘s vengeance, and the year of recompenses for the controversy of Zion.”
Isaiah 34:1-8
It will be a day of terror to the nations, but peace to the righteous.
“If I whet my glittering sword, and mine hand take hold on judgment; I will render vengeance to mine enemies, and will reward them that hate me. I will make mine arrows drunk with blood, and my sword shall devour flesh; and that with the blood of the slain and of the captives, from the beginning of revenges upon the enemy. Rejoice, O you Heavens, with his people: for he will avenge the blood of his servants, and will render vengeance to his adversaries, and will be merciful unto his land, and to his people.”
Deuteronomy 32:41-43
If we have the atoning sacrifice of Yahusha upon us, and we are walking in the Way, we have nothing to fear.
“Do not be anxious, for when the day of tribulation and anguish comes, others shall weep and be sorrowful, but you shall rejoice and have abundance. The nations shall envy you but they shall not be able to do anything against you, says Yahuah. My hands will cover you, that your sons may not see Gehenna.”
2 Esdras 2:27-29
“Who is this that comes from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, traveling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save. Why are you red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treads in the wine fat? I have trodden the wine press alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment.
For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come. And I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold: therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me; and my fury, it upheld me. And I will tread down the people in mine anger, and make them drunk in my fury, and I will bring down their strength to the earth. I will mention the loving kindnesses of Yahuah, and the praises of Yahuah, according to all that Yahuah has bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which he hath bestowed on them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his loving kindnesses.
For he said, Surely they are my people, children that will not lie: so he was their Savior. In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old.”
Isaiah 63:1-9
Truly, a bittersweet day. Bitter for the world and those who follow it. Sweet to those who cling to Yahuah through his son Yahusha, and keep the Torah with a pure heart.
“The Torah of Yahuah is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of Yahuah is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of Yahuah are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of Yahuah is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of Yahuah is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of Yahuah are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.”
Psalm 19:7-11
I pray that through the Ruach of Yahush inside you, and through this study, you have a fuller understanding of the Day of Atonement. May Yahuah be praised through his son, Yahusha, our perfect atoning sacrifice.
May Yahuah bless you and keep you,
Yahuah make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you,
Yahuah lift up his countenance upon you, and give you shalom (peace).
