DAY OF ATONEMENT (Yom Kippur), Why should Christians care?

Dear friends and readers,

I am typing this on September 22, 2017, the last day of TRUMPETS.  Frankly I am somewhat shocked but extremely gratified that so many people from several countries have read last weeks article titled "TRUMPETS, (Rosh HaShanah) Perhaps the most significant portent of things to come?"

Shocked because I have been teaching this stuff (as have others) for very many years and across the board few within the church have been interested.  I am gratified because recently it seems that many more Christians are opening their eyes to the extreme relevance of Old Testament holy days given to mankind over 3500 years ago in the book of Leviticus chapter 23.  And yes, before you raise an eyebrow, we are New Testament creations, saved by the atoning blood of the Lamb of God and our salvation cannot be earned by any works of the law.  It is a free gift of God.  Unfortunately that message in some Christian circles has translated into, "don't waste your time with the Old Testament".  An extreme fallacy because very many Biblically prophetic events named in the Old Testament are still future events for all of us in this world.

To my extreme gratification more and more Christians are understanding the importance of Israel in the mind and heart of God.  Yes, indeed things seem to be changing and I for one believe it is because we are in fact farther into the "end times" than ever before.  While we cannot know specific dates of future fulfillment of Biblical prophecy, it is nearly impossible not to see and begin to understand the "signs of the times" (Matthew 16:2-3).

Last weeks article pointed out that we (the world actually) are in the midst of the "HIGH HOLY DAYS" and the next event after Trumpets is the DAY OF ATONEMENT (Yom Kippur).   As a reminder, of the 7 holy days prescribed by God, Jesus Christ the Messiah of Israel perfectly fulfilled the first 4 which are in the Spring of the year.  He chose to give His life (die) on PASSOVER, was buried on UNLEAVENED BREAD and was resurrected from the grave on FIRSTFRUITS.  Then 50 days later the Holy Spirit was given by God to the original Apostles and disciples and the church was born.

So, how may we ask is DAY OF ATONEMENT relevant to us as Christians?  Last weeks article speculated as to whether or not in some future year, TRUMPETS could relate to the rapture of the church.  Only time will tell however 7 days after the end of Trumpets begins the eve of DAY OF ATONEMENT.  We will get back to that in a moment but first, the "speculation" is that if Jesus chose to perfectly fulfill the first 4 holy days during His first coming in the spring of the year, is there a possibility that He will also fulfill the last 3 holy days which are in the fall of the year, at His second coming?  Isn't hind sight a great thing?  There is no denying what happened in the past but we must be very careful to respect the future and not try and force our own theological opinions into some sort of eternal mold that may or may not play out according to our desires in the future.

Also please always remember that the event called "the rapture" is IMMINENT in nature.  That means that absolutely nothing prophetically speaking needs to happen before that blessed event occurs.  Even if TRUMPETS turns out to be a portent of the future rapture that does not mean we should all sit around and wait each year for TRUMPETS to role around on the calendar.   The word tells us to preach the word in season and out (2 Timothy 4:2) and also we are to occupy until I (Jesus) comes (Luke 19:13).  No cruising here folks, honor your church commitment but the world will not become saved while we sit around on pews or behind desks and wait for them to show up.  Or hang out together inside the church house walls.  The Great Commission is everyones responsibility!

Having said that, as I pointed out last week, God does have an extensive track record of doing things in specific ways and it is not out of line to examine compelling, thought provoking possibilities that make sense.   Along that line, we speculated that of the 3 fall High Holy days, is there a distinct possibility that TRUMPETS could in some future year be an indicator of the rapture of the church?  That the DAY OF ATONEMENT may be aligned with Jesus second coming?   And lastly that Tabernacles could signal the beginning of the millennial reign of Christ?

Have you noticed that God is big on numbers?  I recently wrote an article that we will not get into today but it pointed out that several numbers are repeated frequently in Biblical events.  3, 7, 40, 70 etc and far more.  As we all know, the prophet Daniel identified some very specific timing for all the events to play out in the final book of the Bible, Revelation.  There are two distinct periods of 3 1/2 years for a total of 7.  Many believe (as do I) that the rapture of the church precedes the 7 years of Revelation.  Accordingly, I personally find it incredibly interesting that the holy days of TRUMPETS are followed exactly 7 days later by the beginning of DAY OF ATONEMENT.  In other words if (BIG IF), TRUMPETS signals the rapture of the church someday then 7 years later (the exact full time it takes to accomplish Revelation) comes the second coming of Christ at DAY OF ATONEMENT???  So, you say but those are days not years---no connection.

Maybe.  On the other hand time is calculated by God in vastly other ways than by the Gregorian calendar or a 24 four hour clock.  An example of that is found in Psalm 90:4 "LORD---For a thousand years in your sight are like yesterday when it is past, and like a watch in the night".  That theme is then repeated in 2 Peter 3:8  " ---With the Lord, one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day".  To drive that point home, the prophet Daniel prophecies about a future time of SEVENTY WEEKS in which the first 69 weeks of years equals an actual period of 483 years of 360 days each which culminates in the "cutting off of Messiah" (accomplished at His death and resurrection from the grave).  That leaves one future week which Daniel identifies as an actual period of 7 years which we know are the 7 years of the book of Revelation or the great tribulation period.

Other articles will examine the roughly 2000 years that have transpired between the "cutting off of Messiah" and the beginning of tribulation which is still a future event.   Basically however that is the time in which gentiles are added to Christ's church which is made up of both Jew and gentile who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ as their Messiah.  A casual review of Romans chapter 11 should illuminate that issue for you.

I fully realize this subject is complex and that is why I explain (in brief) some of the details so you as a reader can obtain an overall glimpse of Gods plan.  One last point before we get back to the DAY OF ATONEMENT.  The book of the prophet Jeremiah speaks of a future time that is described as "the time of Jacob's trouble".  As you recall, Abraham had a son named Isaac who in turn had a son named Jacob who God Himself renamed ISRAEL.  Jeremiah 30:7 is speaking of the time of the great tribulation (book of Revelation) and says  "Alas!  For that day is great, so that none is like it;  And it is the time of Jacob's trouble, but he shall be saved out of it."  That is one (and only one) of the reasons why people believe in a pre-tribulation rapture because that final 7 years is all about God finally bringing Israel (Jacob) into full and complete fellowship with Himself.  The years of tribulation simply have nothing to do with the church, who's sins have already been atoned for at the cross of Christ.

This next week on September 29 is the eve of DAY OF ATONEMENT which lasts through the 30th at 7:05 p.m. Jerusalem time.  Historically, this is the very center of the high holy days because it was the one day each year in which the Jewish High Priest could enter the Holy Of Holies of the Temple and offer a sacrifice for His sins and those of the Jewish people.  Because this is intended to be a solemn time of heart wrenching repentance, it is not a feast day.  Rather it is a time of soul searching and asking God for forgiveness.

I will devote the remainder of this article to the relevance of DAY OF ATONEMENT to Christian believers today.  But there is one very important thing for us to remember;  The prophet Isaiah 1:18 is a snapshot of God telling His people to come  and reason with Him.  What a statement that is.  "Come now and let us reason together, says the Lord".   "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow---".  Forgiveness always comes after sincere repentance.

Interestingly, it was and still is a custom for people observing this solemn holy day to wear WHITE which symbolizes purity and the promise that our sins shall be made as white as snow.  We have seen a similar reflection of purity in the age old custom of a virginal bride wearing white to symbolize her purity coming into marriage.  However for believers in Christ, an even greater symbolization is stated in Revelation chapter 19: 7-9 in speaking about the BRIDE OF CHRIST".  "Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.  And to her it is granted to be arrayed in fine (white---my emphasis added) linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints".

And who is the Bride of Christ?  Jew and gentile believers from all ages who have repented for their sins (and been forgiven) and placed their faith in Christ.

All Christians know that Jesus has provided our atonement, Romans 3:23-24  "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God;  Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus".   So for Christians, DAY OF ATONEMENT serves one specific purpose today and one even greater possible future purpose.  First in the here and now,  this holy day should always remind us that redemption---salvation cannot  and never could come through works of the law or the blood sacrifice of animals.  However the Lord tells us that the life is in the blood (Leviticus 17:11) and  "I (God) have given it to you upon the  altar to make atonement for your souls".  But the blood atonement of the Old Testament was temporary and had to be renewed each and every year.

The Apostle Paul clarifies this matter for followers of Christ in Hebrews chapter 9:13-14   "For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, how much MORE shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleans your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?"

What a great gift is salvation by grace.  The entire world has that gift waiting under their very noses---gift wrapped and ready to open.  And yet for most, they will stare from afar at the beautiful gift without ever opening it.

The second reason that DAY OF ATONEMENT may be of importance to us as Christians is if at some point in the future, God does appoint this day as the moment for the second coming of Christ, then you and I and all believers who have come before us, will ride on white horses clothed in clean and bright linen following Christ who Himself will lead the way from heaven back to earth.  His description will be (Revelation 19:12-16)  "His eyes we're like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns.  He had a name written that no one knew except Himself.  He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word Of God.  And the armies of heaven clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses.  Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword that with it He should strike the nations.  And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron.  He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.  And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written:  KING OF KINGS and LORD OF LORDS.

And so my friends, when we begin to become discouraged as all around us in this world things are getting worse by the day, What you have just read above is what we have to look forward to.  Don't be discouraged, don't give up, never quit living life to it's fullest, Get married, "birth them babies", work hard, find a good Bible teaching church, share your faith with all around you and one day without warning you will hear a trumpet blast from heaven and in the twinkling of an eye--------!!!

Luke 21:28  "Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near"!

One last word folks, If you are riding the spiritual fence, not having really made a full and complete commitment to the Lord?  Why?  The obvious is looking you in the face.  Repent sincerely to God, pray for Him to grant you the gift of Salvation and join His army once and for all.

God bless you all,
Pastor Rance.

TRUMPETS, (Rosh HaShana) Perhaps the most significant portent of things to come?

Dear friends and readers,

This coming Wednesday evening is the eve of TRUMPETS, a day in the future that could (emphasis on COULD) relate to the rapture of the church.

Before going further allow me to remind everyone that the scriptures tells us that no man knows the day or hour of our Lords return (Matthew 24:13).   And it is folly to try and determine any dates for that event.  However it should be noted;  That particular scripture applies to the rapture of the church (1 & 2 Thessalonians) but it does not apply to the second coming of Christ.  For an explanation of that statement please refer to an article I wrote on lastdaysreview.blogspot.com dated November 2, 2016 entitled "CAN WE PREDICT THE DATE OF THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST?"

The rapture is an IMMINENT event.  No spelling error there as in "eminent--distinguished, prominent etc".  No the word is IMMINENT which means that the rapture is an impending event, likely to happen without delay!  No other prophecies need be fulfilled before the rapture can happen and that is important to understand particularly in relationship to the Biblically prescribed feast of TRUMPETS, also called Rosh HaShanah.

In my many years as a pastor, I have come to realize that for many Christians, their Biblical education merely skims the surface of the Old Testament while majoring on the New Testament.  And one might ask, are we not New Testament creations?  The answer to that would be yes of course we are because we have been saved by grace, paid for as a free gift of God by the death and resurrection from the grave of the true Lamb of God Jesus Christ.  However---

And then there is the "however".  Always remember that the term "OLD TESTAMENT does not mean old as in done away with.  In fact the Old Testament is extremely relevant for Christians today.  Even though we are saved by grace and not by the letter of the law, God still placed within His Holy Word very many pearls of wisdom that form the basis for the New Testament and that Christians today can draw from constantly.  Like what?  well, I will bet that somewhere in your house you have a copy of the Psalms and probably Proverbs.  But those are just examples because the Lord Jesus Christ can be found throughout the entire Old Testament if one opens ones eyes and knows where to look.  An example is Isaiah 53 which is all about Jesus as are Isaiah 7:14,  and 9:6.  Of course in Hebrew His name was (and still is) Yeshua Ha Mashiac---Jesus the Messiah.

My point is that the Old Testament is very relevant for todays church.  In fact in the book of Leviticus, chapter 23, God is speaking to Moses and begins by telling him that "The feasts the Lord , which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, these are MY feasts".  They begin with a sabbath days rest which can also be seen in the 4th of the 10 Commandments.  But from there, God Himself (not the Jewish people as some may presuppose) sets out 7 extremely holy and relevant days that were to be observed each and every year.

Ah, but is there any reason to suspect that these days mean anything to modern day followers of Christ?  The answer to that is a solid YES.  Keep reading, it will make sense before the end of this article.   The 7 holy days are as follows;  The first 4 are in the Spring of the year.  They are  1). PASSOVER  2).  UNLEAVENED BREAD  3).  FIRST FRUITS and finally PENTECOST.  I will not belabor the original purposes for these holy days because that would take an entire book to accomplish.

But, the question remains;  Why are these important to us as Christians?  As you know, Christ chose to give His life as a sacrifice for the sins of all mankind.  What many do not realize is that He did so exactly on the holy days prescribed in chapter 23 of the Old Testament book of Leviticus.

Jesus chose to give His life (die) precisely on PASSOVER.  He was buried precisely on UNLEAVENED BREAD and He rose from the grave precisely on FIRSTFRUITS!  50 days later as the disciples of the Lord gathered together "all with one accord in one place (Acts chapter 2) it was precisely on the day of PENTECOST.   On that day the Holy Spirit filled all those who were present and the church was born.

NOTE:  Some folks mistakenly believe that PENTECOST was strictly a New Testament occurrence.  In reality that day was set by God as a Biblical holy day roughly 1450 years before Christ walked the earth in His human form and ministry.  In fact it is believed that PENTECOST was the exact day Moses received the 10 Commandments (representing the Law) on Mount Sinai which makes perfect sense because after the resurrection of Christ from the grave, God used that same day of PENTECOST to create the New Testament concept of salvation through grace rather than through any physical acts of work or accomplishments of the law.

STOP!  So what we have here is the God of creation setting the standard for all New Testament happenings by using the original Old Testament holy days.  That folks is why the Bible is the most perfect document ever to be created.  Talk about advance planning 101.

There are no holy days prescribed during the summer months.  Also originally there were also no winter holy days but in two cases absolutely miraculous events did happen in the winter months and so are memorialized even to this day.  The first is Hanukkah  which is also called the feast of dedication or festival of lights.  Jesus went to the Temple during this feast day (John 8:12 and 10:22) in which He said  "I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD.  HE WHO FOLOWS ME SHALL NOT WALK IN DARKNESS, BUT HAVE THE LIGHT OF LIFE".  He also said (among other things) "My sheep hear My voice and they follow me.  And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish;  Neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand---".

The second winter time miracle happened in the book of Queen Esther and involved the saving of the Jewish people from annihilation while living within the ancient Persian Empire.

But for today, the real subject matter are the three remaining holy days prescribed by God in the book of Leviticus chapter 23.  Remember the first 4  were PASSOVER (Jesus gave His life on this day).  UNLEAVENED BREAD (Jesus was buried on this day).  FIRSTFRUITS (Jesus rose from the grave on this day), and PENTECOST (the coming of the Holy Spirit to the church in Acts chapter 2).

The remaining three holy days are  1).  TRUMPETS (Rosh Hashanah)  2).  DAY OF ATONEMENT (Yom Kippur)  3).  TABERNACLES (Sukkot). All of which take place in the fall of the year.

We have now established that God used all of the first 4 holy days (in the spring of the year---spring as in beginning) to prophetically fulfill all of the seminal (crucial-critical) events of Christ's first coming.  So, the real question is ?  Will in some future year, God also choose the remaining 3 fall holy days (fall as in end or ending), to prophetically fulfill Christ's second coming?

We have to use some caution here because even though we do know precisely what happened in the past, the future will remain a mystery until actually accomplished.  But, based upon an extensive past in which God has displayed a propensity to accomplish important things on important holy days, we can at least comfortably speculate on fascinating future possibilities.  So, here are some sensational , electrifying and dramatic possibilities.

1 Thessalonians chapter 4 while speaking of the future rapture of the church says  "For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the TRUMPET of God.   And the dead in Christ will rise first.  Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught upon together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.  And thus we shall always be with the Lord.  Therefore, comfort on another with these words."

Is there a possibility that the prescribed holy day of TRUMPETS could relate someday to the rapture of the church?  A special note here;  Many people today think that the feast  of TRUMPETS is a day to gather together and devote time to repentance and introspection.  While that is true, the larger picture of this particular holy day has unfortunately become lost to history.  Originally TRUMPETS was also used to signal directions to the army in times of warfare.  But even more importantly to proclaim the coronation of a king.  The calling to repentance was actually to signal VICTORY over sin or anything that called for repentance and that is why it requires a joyous feast.  Is there a possibility that the TRUMPET sound at the time of rapture could be signaling both victory over sin and also a coming together with our coronated King Jesus?

The second of the last 3 holy days is called THE DAY OF ATONEMENT.  This day really is a day of solemn atonement and judgement.  As such is a holy day but not set aside for feasting.  Is there a possibility that the DAY OF ATONEMENT could be in some way related to Jesus second coming to earth (Revelation chapter 19:15-16)  "Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations.  And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron.  He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.  And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written  "KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS"!

The third and last day of the fall (end or ending) holy days is TABERNACLES.  The original TABERNACLE of Moses in the wilderness was a place set aside for God's presence to Tabernacle or dwell with his people.  Could the holy day of TABERNACLES somehow correspond with Jesus Christ, the Jewish Messiah beginning His 1000 years physical reign upon this earth with His people?

SPECULATION FOR THE FUTURE ONLY!  But it makes sense don't you think?

1).  TRUMPETS perhaps corresponding to the rapture of the church which is made up of all people, both dead and alive, Jew and gentile alike who have placed their faith in Christ as Messiah?

2).  DAY OF ATONEMENT perhaps corresponding to Jesus return at His second coming to judge the nations?

3).  TABERNACLES perhaps corresponding to the beginning of the 1000 year physical reign of Christ upon this earth?

Maybe, but always remember that although this makes sense, the rapture is an imminent event that could occur before I turn off my computer today.

One way or another TRUMPETS 2017 begins this week in the evening of September 20, 2017. On the Hebrew religious calendar that is  Elul 29, in the year 5777 since the creation of man.  Another purpose for TRUMPETS is to announce the Hebrew New Year which begins the very next day on Tishrei 1 in the year 5778 (September 21, 2017).

And for those who may be wondering, no I do not think that the rapture will happen this year but who knows? Someone much greater than me is in charge!  No matter what "makes sense" to our finite little minds, our Great God, the Creator of the Universe does not do things according to the will of His created beings.

My purpose for writing this article is to draw attention to as many Christians as possible that there are a great many things still to come that were written by God's holy prophets in the Old Testament.  And as followers of Christ (who Himself quotes the Old Testament), we are wise to pay attention to the feast and holy days that God prescribed.  Most particularly the fall holy days coming up which are called the HIGH HOLY DAYS!

I sincerely dislike ending an article with a warning.  But in this case I feel compelled to do so.  Jesus warned us in Matthew 24:11 "Then many false prophets will raise up and deceive many".  That my friends is exactly what is happening today.

Blogs and articles are being cranked out in record numbers making an absolutely incorrect assumption accompanied by a deceptive prediction.  What would that be?  That THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST will be this week and probably fall on Trumpets September, 21, 2017.

Do not fall for that bunk.  The people who write that stuff either do not believe in the concept of a rapture or are post tribulation believers.  Or even worse, "AMILLENNIALISTS"!  In other words, everything happens at once and things like the 1000 year physical reign of Christ on earth is not physical at all but a spiritual event.  Or, the rapture and second coming are combined into one event.

To believe that eliminates several things written in scriptural stone.  To believe that does away with  1).  Pre tribulation rapture.  2).  Destruction of Damascus, Isaiah 17.  3).  War of Gog from the land of Magog Ezekiel 38-39.  4).  The entirety of the book of Revelation through chapter 19: 11.  5).  To believe that leaves absolutely no time for the marriage supper of the lamb Revelation chapter 19:7-9.   6).  VERY MANY other Biblical prophecies that must take place before the second coming of Christ.

And finally number 7).  The rapture is identified in 1 Thessalonians chapter 4 which begins with a warning from the Apostle Paul  "BUT I DO NOT WANT YOU TO BE IGNORANT BRETHREN" and goes on to outline what will to happen one day when the Lord does return for His church.

Read the Bible for yourselves folks and insure that what you are being told lines up with the Bible.

Enjoy the HIGH HOLY DAYS which can be done as followers of Christ without sacrificing in the slightest way your salvation by grace.

God bless you all,
Pastor Rance.