September 25 is the Day of Atonement in COGland this year. For many members, this day is as sacred as the Passover as it is the second time in the year past sins can be forgiven, though for many this is more a day signaling the coming Feast of Tabernacles than anything else. They eagerly watch the clock dial for the hands to hit sunset so they can pig out and for some, it is the time to start Feast travel (if they have not already started traveling as soon as services are over).
United Church of God has this to say about Atonement:
We have already seen—through the symbolism involved in the Passover—that Christ's shed blood atones for our past sins. In fact, atonement means reconciliation. The Day of Atonement symbolizes the reconciliation of God and all humanity.
If we are reconciled to God through Christ's sacrifice, why do we need another Holy Day to teach us about reconciliation? If we are already reconciled, why do we need to fast, as commanded on the Day of Atonement? (Leviticus 23:27; Acts 27:9). What is this day's specific significance in God's master plan for the salvation of mankind?
The Day of Atonement and Passover both teach us about the forgiveness of sin and our reconciliation with God through Christ's sacrifice. However, Passover concerns the redemption of the firstborn and thus applies most directly to Christians whom God has called in this age, while Atonement carries universalimplications.
Moreover, the Day of Atonement pictures an essential additional step in God's salvation plan not found in the symbolism of the Passover. This step must take place before humanity can experience true peace on earth. Atonement: Removal of Sin's Cause and Reconciliation to God
Basic Christian understanding of the Day of Atonement and its meaning know that it is eclipsed by the New Covenat's understanding of Christ and what his sacrifice accomplished. Hebrew Scriptures foreshadow an anticipated future cleansing of God's people. Sacrifices were offered to atone for past sins committed in the year. It was an ongoing yearly sacrifice that had to be repeatedly done to appease the angry god ticked off at their degenerate sinful behavior and unworthiness. Sadly, most in COGland fail to understand that the New Covenant is far better than any old observance that has to be repeatedly kept.
The New Covenant, discussed in Hebrews stresses the superiority of the death of Christ over all of the old sacrifices done at the temple or tabernacle. The book of Hebrews is the New Covenant counterpart to Leviticus which lists all the things people could not do and have never been able to do.
Under the Old Covenant, God was angry with Israel about sins. Under the New, Covenant you have been saved from the wrath of God (Romans 5:9).
Under the Old Covenant, animal sacrifices were yearly reminders of sins. Under the New Covenant, God remembers your sins no more. (Hebrews 8:12)
Under the Old Covenant, the Holy Spirit could come upon people temporarily for divine acts of service. Under the New Covenant, the Holy Spirit is sealed in you forever (Ephisans 1:13-14).
Under the Old Covenant, David pleaded, "Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me" (Psalm 51:11). Under the New Covenant, you rae one in spirit with the Lord (I Corinthians 6:17), He'll never leave you (Hebrews 13:5). The Grace Message, Andrew Farley
Most COG groups never stop and think that the law is merely a shadow of things to come. They think because HWA said to keep it they still must keep it, year after year, always trying to appease their angry god. The New Covenant is not based upon the "blood of goats and calves" but on Christ's blood that brings eternal redemption. Animal sacrifices had to be done year in and year out. For many in COGland, if animal sacrifices were still in effect they would be slaughtering as many animals as they could in a few days. Fortunately, it is not. Basic Christianity has always understood that Christ's sacrifice was "once for all" Hebrews 7:26-27). Because of this, when that veil in the temple was ripped in half, Christians understood that "we have the confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus" and by "a new and living way opened for us through the veil, that's his flesh" (Hebrews 10:19-21). Christians understand that they can now boldly enter into God's presence, that "inner sanctuary behind the veil, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf." (Hebrews 6:19-20).
Jesus is the mediator of that New Covenant, and his new way of grace supersedes the old ways of the law.
“The time is coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. It will not be like the covenant I made with their forefathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them, declares the Lord. This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord. For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” (Jeremiah 31:31-34; Hebrews 8:7-12)
Christians no longer need a high priest in some temple or tabernacle, or some evangelist, pastor general, or chief overseer presiding above us inhibiting us from entering the holy of holies. Now, every believer has direct access to God through Christ, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year (not just on Passover or Atonement).
Armstrongist ministers always fail to realize that those high priests entered with fear and trepidation when entering into the holy of holies AFTER they had slaughtered animals, with blood on their hands. When have you ever seen ANY of our church leaders trembling in fear and trepidation on Atonement or any other time of the year? Basic Christianity understands that we may enter God's presence boldly and with confidence not because of anything we can ever do, but by what has already been done FOR us.
The presence of God remained shielded from humanity behind a thick veil during much of Israel’s history. However, Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross changed that. The New Testament tells us that the moment he died, the veil in the Temple was torn in half from top to bottom (Matthew 27:50-51). Only God could have carried out such an incredible feat because the veil was too high for human hands to have reached it, and too thick to have torn it.
“the veils before the Most Holy Place were 40 cubits (60 feet) long, and 20 (30 feet) wide, and of the thickness of the palm of the hand”.
Alfred Edersheim, The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah
Christ is the new high priest. No longer would there be a need for an annual offering for sin on our behalf. Instead, he has made restitution for us “once and for all” (Heb 10:10). Christ’s fulfillment of the Day of Atonement is why we are forgiven and cleansed from our sins. Sines blotted out never to be remembered again, including the ones from a year ago, ten years ago, or ten years in the future.
Wiped out. Gone. Never to be remembered./
“gave himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed and to purify for himself a people for his own possession.” (Titus 2:14)
“having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await him.” (Hebrews 9:28)
He did not enter the holy place with the blood of goats and bulls but with his own blood, we have obtained an eternal redemption once and for all (Hebrews 9:12).
You cannot out sin Jesus. The blood of Jesus never runs out!
There are no more religious hoops to jump through. Instead, you're invited to rest in the one-time sacrifice of Jesus that brought you to God:
For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. (I Peter 3:18)
