“For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to atone for your souls, for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life. (Lev. 17:11)
OBSERVING THE MOST SACRED DAY OF THE YEAR
At sunset, on Sunday, September 20, 2026 through sunset on Monday, September 21, 2026 (Tishrei 10 – 11 on the Hebraic Calendar,) we will come to the holiest day of the sacred year, Yom Kippur, or The Day of Atonement.
This is a Holy Observance for all of God’s children, whether Jew or Gentile. It isn’t a day designed by mankind. This is the most sacred day of the year which was designed by our Creator. From the time of the foundation of the world, God set this date on His calendar. Then, on the fourth day, He gave us the gift of time. Part of that gift was the commandment to observe this day through all generations.
The moment the Father and Son created the world, after which they created mankind on the sixth day, they knew there was a huge possibility for sin to enter and spoil everything. So, in His great love for us, God designed a plan for Atonement. Our Messiah stepped up to be the only true hero that ever lived. This is a day to recognize His great love and sacrifice for our souls. Now is the time to honor The Godhead and humbly bow in The Presence of The Eternal One.
This is a not a feast day. It is a fast day.
It is a High Sabbath. God’s people are not to work on this day.
THE DAY OF ATONEMENT/YOM KIPPUR FULFILLED
One of the scriptures for observing this day is found in Leviticus 23:27-32:“ “ Also, on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be a 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 forever 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 your Sabbath.“
A FEW HIGHLIGHTS WORTH NOTING
As you read the above scripture, please notice certain words. 1) “Afflicting your soul,” means fasting before God. 2) “No work is to be done,” means this is a holy day. It is a set-aside time to concentrate only upon God’s will for your life and His plans. 3)”An offering made by fire,” asks a question. Have you brought your offerings before God this year? What has he asked you to bring this season? Have you prayed to find out? 4)”Throughout your generations,” means forever and/or as long as Abraham has descendants on this earth.
ATONEMENT SHOWS THE HOLY LOVE OF GOD
We serve a God who was willing to give up His kingly status and become like us. He loved us so much, He was willing to die for us. What other god in all of the religions of this world has ever done such a thing? This is evidence The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is The One True God.
Well, how do these facts tie in with a Christian’s observance of Yom Kippur traditions? Isn’t the Passover more symbolic of Atonement? In some ways, for the Christian, the answer is yes. Passover is more about Atonement for sins. However, Yom Kippur is more about realizing time is drawing short for everyone to receive atonement.
The Day of Atonement is an annual and corporate cleansing of our souls. It is the time when Our High Priest, Yeshua Messiah atones for our sins over the past year. As we seek Him to do so, He brings atonement before God for us. Because we do this annually, in the season of Elul and during the Ten Days of Awe, He blots out our sins for the past year. They will be removed forever from the records of God.
How wonderful is that?
WHAT IS DIFFERENT ABOUT THIS DAY?
Of course, a Christian’s past sins are already considered forgiven. They left as you prayed for forgiveness and became a Christian. However, this day is the formal day to recognize our constant need for atonement. Unfortunately, most of us have sinned since salvation took place. Therefore, if we repent before Yom Kippur,/The Day of Atonement, these other sins are forgiven.
THE NUMBER TEN
Is this not an awesome thing? This very holy day happens on the tenth day of Awe. The number ten in God’s language means divine completion. Therefore, this is the day to complete the atonement for our sins of the year which just closed.
Notice how many times the number 10 is used to complete things in the scriptures. For instance, ten was used to complete God’s best ways to live. It happened when he gave us the 10 commandments. Also, ten was used to complete the letting go of God’s people from slavery by Pharaoh by the sending of 10 plagues. Even prophecy used the number ten to complete the working of an end-times beast with ten horns and ten toes.
During The Day of Atonement, God is “completing” the records of the last year. This happens at the end of the Ten Days of Awe on The Day of Atonement.
Consequently, if we have been faithful to pray and fast through this sacred Day of Atonement, He is completing the Atonement for our sins of the past year. Also, He is preparing us for a clean, prosperous and successful new year. We saw the changing of the Hebraic year on Tishrei 1 with The Feast of Trumpets on the first day of Awe. The Day of Atonement brings the days of Awe to completion.
THE DIVINE GIFT
This “completion” happens with a divine gift of Atonement. We live in a nation that needs such Atonement. Passover is more about being saved from our individual sins. On the other hand, Yom Kippur/The Day of Atonement is more about the sins of our nation/world as a whole.
Will God completely wipe out the past year’s sins of America and prepare us for a new and fruitful year to come? It depends. Did Americans humble themselves and pray? Additionally, was America busy examining her sins over the last 40 days with prayer, meditation, and turning? Did America fast for the sake of restoring the nation?
Looking around at America today, I would say this is critical. Has there ever been a more urgent time for this? Again, Passover is about the mercy and forgiveness of God provided by the sacrifice of Yeshua Messiah. In contrast, Yom Kippur/Day of Atonement is a statement noting how Judgment Day is coming. It comes with a warning sound to help us know to get ready. Did we hear the shofar blasts during this season?
TIME TO HEED THE SOUND OF THE WARNING
Did we hear the shofar on The Feast of Trumpets? In thinking of the nations, I can’t help but recognize our President is named “Trump.” It is an appropriate name for one who will sound out the words that will show us end-time events. His words have often been warning words. We’ve heard his words that something very, very wrong is happening. It all seems to tie into the patterns we see for The Days of Awe. Everything happening in our national world seems to relate to how we repent and turn BEFORE the end of The Day of Atonement.
Could this be coincidence? I don’t know. God will use whatever God wants to use to accomplish whatever He wants to accomplish.
TURNING OF THE PEOPLE – RETURNING OF MESSIAH
One day Messiah will return. There are many who do not know Him. They do not have atonement for their sins, though atonement is available. It is freely offered to them. These unbelievers do not believe in Yeshua Messiah. Many have not repented of their sins.
This sad situation is true in America. As usual, Satan is busy deceiving people. Apparently, He has a clue his time is short. He is dwelling on his favorite subject; himself. That old Devil is worried he will be put away forever. He enjoys being loose. Satan loves wrecking havoc on our world. Many of our governing officials have joined his cause. A day of reckoning is coming.
Satan has deceived the world with materialism and many false doctrines. He has been busy. His followers are helping churches to entertain in place of worship. In achieving his goals, the devil has helped some religious groups to “buy” their congregations. We have seen how he continues to promote luke-warm, false worship, evil, death, and lust. This isn’t even covered up any more.
Church leaders disobey God with smiles on their faces. This happens in the highest offices all across our nation. It is very shameful. These things must come to an end.
A TIME OF TESTING
God’s timing isn’t always like ours. This is a time of testing for God’s true and loyal people. Expect testing and trials. Lean into the Messiah for strength and guidance. Don’t cave into the manipulating ways of evil men. Stand strong. God will provide for us.
Looking back over history, none of this should come as a surprise. Satan’s tools are always the same. He rarely changes his techniques. Yet, the world falls for his tricks constantly. Almost always the biggest tools available to him are powerful men in charge of political and governmental offices. Pray that these men learn how to overcome. Whenever the evil of our leaders elevates, we must realize all evil originates from Satan. They are simply puppets.
This MUST stop. We must turn and return to God and God’s ways. The message of the shofar has been sounded. It is clear and loud.
IT IS TIME TO COME CLOSER TO GOD
In the traditions of the Fall Holy Days, it is said on Rosh Hashanah the doors of heaven are opened. This is God communicating with mankind saying, “Come closer to me.” Year after year; He patiently waits for our response.
The door has been opened for the new year from the calculated Hebraic calendar for 5787. Numbers for this year are significant. The number seven (Zayin) is the symbol which stands for completion. A 7 at the beginning and ending of this year indicates it is a year of double completions.
In the same vein, the following link is interesting. It concerns the prophetic meanings of this year. You might enjoy reading it. https://www.elijahlist.com/words/display_word.html?ID=34547. Consequently, are we all ready to leave the last year behind? Will we walk boldly into this new era?
The first Fall Holy Day of The Feast of Trumpets brings a progression of events leading up to the next Holy Day called Yom Kippur and/or The Day of Atonement.
ARE YOU READY?
God is holy. As a result, we must be clean to move closer to God. Therefore, with The Holy Spirit working in us, we humbly come before God to confess our sins. Now we have repented and turned,. We are trying to imitate Yeshua Messiah more and more. Most of us have the good sense to realize we are not perfect. We know Jesus must keep us covered with His righteousness.
Also, we realize we must turn. Afterwards, we can walk towards God. Yeshua Messiah will help us to overcome. He will help us to achieve what we cannot come close to achieving in our flesh. We are living in the time of God’s Grace. It is a fact we should never take for granted.
There are STILL those who have not repented. I am continuously shocked to find those who have never been taught the basics of repentance. Even those among us who attend church regularly seem to be ignorant of the necessity of repentance. It disturbs me to know this subject is no longer taught in some congregations. As a result, this creates yet another obstacle for the present generation. It isn’t too late to start over with those teachings. God can help us to accomplish the impossible.
GOD IS LISTENING
Our Father is listening for His people. He is patiently waiting on them to begin a conversation. God is waiting on them to say “I repent of my sins, please blot them out of your book.”
As Christians, we know our sins have ALREADY been blotted out.We totally understand Yeshua Messiah died on the cross once for all. However, being humans, we continue to sin. This aspect of human nature causes us to need to go back and wash our feet at the cross of Christ.
One cannot lose salvation through lack of attention to their eternal soul. However, one CAN lose the state of holiness before God. Just walking through the world can cause one to become unclean. We must continue confessing sins. It is important to keep asking Jesus to wash us and keep us in holiness.
AN OPPORTUNITY TO INTERCEDE FOR THE SINS OF OTHERS
This season is also an important time to pray for the souls of others. As Christians, we are automatically put into the office of ordinary priests who have been called out by Jesus Christ. He ordains us after the Order of Melchizedek. Whenever we come before Messiah, as a holy nation and divine priesthood, we have an opportunity to intercede for the sins of our people and our nation.
The faithful always give these prayers to Jesus to carry to the Father. In the days of Moses and the Wilderness Tabernacle, the ordinary priests in service took the daily sacrifices of the people. They offered them to God. Once a year, the High Priest went into the Holy of Holies. He offered sacrifices for the sins of the whole nation. So, when is the last time we have entered The Holy of Holies on behalf of others?
The veil has been ripped open. All of God’s Presence is available to each of us. We MUST go boldly before His throne. Because of Yeshua Messiah we will be safe. Yeshua Messiah goes with us. He alone is worthy. Yeshua Messiah is able to go before the throne and intercede for us. We know that He is faithful and true.
A PRIEST WHO IS PERFECT IN EVERY WAY TAKES OUR PRAYERS TO GOD
On The Day of Atonement/Yom Kippur, our High Priest, Yeshua Messiah, carries these intercessions into The Holy of Holies on our behalf. God hears. He receives our prayers. This is possible because of the One who brings them. Unlike the high priests of Levitical descent, our High Priest, Jesus Christ, is perfect. So, we realize Yom Kippur is a strong time for intercession.
JUDGMENT WILL NOT WAIT FOREVER
Judgment Day is coming. This world will not last forever. Yeshua Messiah will return. One day the period of grace we live under will be over. God will judge the living and the dead. It is said, after Yom Kippur the doors of heaven are closed. Also, the books of God for the past year are closed. On Yom Kippur whatever God has written for the year is sealed. Please do not overlook anything which God has put on your heart during this season.
On The Day of Atonement at sunset it is finished. It is done. You will either be a sheep, or a goat. The world will enter into judgment after that final seal is sealed on that last page of God’s book for this sacred year. Will this be the year of His return? Only the Father knows. We must be in a constant state of readiness and anticipation.
PREPARE TO BE SEALED FOR A GOOD YEAR
In conclusion, if you know Yeshua Messiah, you are covered by the blood of the atonement. You are separated into the fold of the sheep. When the Great Last Day arrives, you will be allowed to go into the Marriage Supper of The Lamb.
If you do not heed God’s call, repent, believe on the name of Jesus, you will be separated into another group of people called the “goats.” You will not be allowed to go into the marriage feast, because you are not “covered” by the blood atonement of Jesus. Therefore, you will be sentenced to eternity in hell. This means you will be forever separated from God.
At this time the DOOR to God’s Kingdom WILL BE SHUT. Anyone without a wedding garment will not be allowed back inside. The wedding garment is the covering of Christ. When we repent, He covers our sins. Yeshua Messiah blots our sins out of the books with his blood. Do not let the doors of heaven close on you. Repent and be saved by the blood of Jesus.
THE DESTINY OF MANKIND
In the traditions of Yom Kippur, the “books” of God are often discussed. It is the tradition that the destiny of the righteous is written down into The Book of Life. The destiny of the eternally wicked is written down in The Book of Death, sometimes called The Book of The incorrigibly wicked. The longer your name stays in this book, the harder it becomes to change.
Choose life! Change now!
THE BOOK OF LIFE
If you have come to Jesus Christ, and accepted His blood atonement to cover your sins, you are written in The Book of Life. Every sin you have ever committed will be blotted out of the heavenly records. It is the precious blood of Jesus that covers and blots out the sins. ONLY all that Jesus did allows for anyone to stand clean before God on The Last Day.
It is nothing that you or I can do, or ever have done.
THE 10 DAYS OF AWE
There is a period of 10 days called The Days of Awe. From the date beginning on Rosh Hashanah until the end of Yom Kippur (sunset) you can be reassured (by talking to God) that your sins have been covered. You can pray for those that you love who do not yet have this blessing.
This takes coming to God Who sits on The Mercy Seat. You can ask that their minds and their hearts and their eyes be opened. In this time you can pray that they will decide to become a believer and a follower of Yeshua Messiah.
The tradition says that many people are not yet written into either of the books of heaven. This is because God gives us free-will. Many have not yet made a final decision. God is waiting. You can plead with God for them, to do whatever it is that will change their hearts, open their eyes, help them to see the truth.
WE MUST CONTINUE TO INTERCEDE
Our Jewish brothers and sisters fall into this category of those who need their eyes opened in order to see Messiah. It is comforting to know that God has promised many of them will one day wake up and believe. We know that all things of God are working together for good to bring this process about. The fingerprint of God can be seen all through history. He is drawing His people toward Messiah.
There will come a day when their eyes will be opened. The scriptures tell us they will mourn for the One they have pierced. This tells me they will repent and turn to Yeshua as The Messiah. Our prayers and intercession could only bring this time closer and closer.
A TIME OF FASTING AND INTERCESSION
During The Ten Days of Awe, our prayers of intercession are important for everyone who has not yet made a decision to follow Christ. The 10 Days of Awe are comparable to the period of grace that the church is living in today. Now is the time of salvation.
There will come an end to these times. Judgment Day will arrive, whether the world is ready or not.
Until sunset on Yom Kippur and the nine other days before it arrives are all about getting ready for Judgment Day. At the end of Yom Kippur, God has made His judgments for the coming year.
Leading up to this day, and until the day is over, is a time to be purchasing oil for your lamp. Ask to be filled with God’s Holy Spirit and strengthened for the days that are coming. It is a time to be preparing to stand clean before God, with all sins confessed and the mercy and forgiveness of God granted.
This is a time to hold up holy hands in praise. Most of all, this is a time to be in intercessory prayer through fasting.
IT IS A TIME TO BE BATTLE READY
Our High Priest, Yeshua Messiah, is at some point going to return to this earth. When He does, there will be a great battle. It is our place, as Christians to be ready to join in with Him. Do you have your armor on? Will you be willing to fight for God’s Kingdom to come?
All Christians will be right there with Him for this battle, riding on white horses. The Bride of Christ will be riding by the side of her Groom. It is the presence of the Groom that assures our salvation and our victory in this battle. We must be ready and prepared. Yom Kippur is a reminder of this fact.
At some point in time, there is a final day. When the last person who is going to repent has done so, the doors of heaven will be closed forever. Only God knows when that time will be. The writing in the books will be finished.
THE FINAL BATTLE
Christ will return for the final battle. That battle will destroy all evil and usher in His 1000 year reign on the earth. Are you ready? So many of my Christian friends are saying we MUST heed II Chronicles 7:14: If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
Isn’t it ironic that we speak these words continuously in our congregations and we often hear them in sermons from the pulpits? We clearly know the answers. Yet, many Christian churches still turn away from acknowledging or observing Yom Kippur. They ignore the very holy day that God, Himself set aside for all nations to do the very things we are always so loudly proclaiming should be done.
GOD NEVER CHANGES
God doesn’t change. He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. If He said it to the nation of Israel, He meant it for everyone in the church too. The church evolved from the nation of Israel. He isn’t just the God of the Israelites. YHVH is God of ALL.
OBSERVING YOM KIPPUR IS PART OF FULFILLING THE COMMANDMENTS
What if every Christian church in America decided to put aside the politics of the world for the period of time called The Day of Atonement? We could devote all of our time to prayer, fasting, and intercession for our fellow-man (as is the tradition for Yom Kippur.)
If we could be in unity and praying for our nation as well as the deliverance of our brothers and sisters who are still living in sin, imagine what a difference this would make. Finally, we would fulfill the commandments of God for this day. God would hear us. For this is the time He proclaimed He would be listening with attention and deciding. If we would only do our part, He would save us from ourselves and heal our land, just as He promised.
Eternity is at stake. God says what He means. He means what He says. God always keeps His promises.
BE COVERED IN A RED COVERING
As fall brings a beautiful red to the trees across our land, it is my earnest prayer for the people of our nation to turn to Jesus and receive His precious atonement covering. May God heal our land and bring peace to the earth.
G’mar Chatimah Tovah!
May you be inscribed in The Book of Life for good!
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