THE EVENING OF THE DAY OF ATONEMENT

9 Tishri (20 September 2026)

The DAY of ATONEMENT begins today at sundown and ends tomorrow on 10 Tishri (21 September) at sundown. YHVH our God instructed that it shall be kept as a DAY of SOLEMN REST (like a Sabbath) and you shall AFFLICT (humble) your SOULS (Read Leviticus 23:32). It is therefore a DAY TOTALLY SET-APART for YHVH.

The word afflict, “anah” in Hebrew also means “poor” and this poor means to know how spiritually poor we are without YHVH our God. It also means to chasten (therefore to subdue/ humble and discipline) ourselves. Messiah Yeshua explained in Matthew 18:4 we need to HUMBLE ourselves and become like little children to enter the KINGDOM of GOD the FATHER. And He said in Matthew 5:3 “How blessed are the poor in spirit! For the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.” It was not the PROUD, SELF-RIGHTOEUS Pharisee who found favor with God, but the REPENTANT tax collector (read Luke 18:9-14). On this the DAY of ATONEMENT we are to HUMBLE ourselves through FASTING and MOURNING (being sad, having sorrow) over our sins that saddens the HEART of Abba Father and separate us from Him.

The DAY of ATONEMENT is the day when we reflect on the POWER of the BLOOD sacrifice of MESSIAH YESHUA to atone for the sins of ISRAEL and ALL who graft in to the olive tree of ISRAEL according to Romans 11:17.

The word ATONEMENT means expiation, forgiveness and covering and comes from the root word meaning “pitch.” Noah used pitch to make the wood of the Ark watertight as we read in Genesis 6:14. The pitch (atonement) therefore kept out the waters of judgement to preserve alive those contained in it.

In the Holy of Holies a COVERING was needed. Aaron could not enter the HOLY of HOLIES of the TABERNACKLE whenever he wanted because the CLOUD of YHVH’s PRESENCE RESTED over THE ARK of THE COVENANT containing the TWO STONE TABLETS of the LAW (the TEN COMMANDMENTS of YHVH, the summary of HIS TORAH, Genesis to Deuteronomy) which has the power, if contravened, to condemn sinners to death. Read Leviticus 16:2.

The ARK of the COVENANT therefore required a COVERING as PROTECTION against sentencing people to DEATH and this PERMANENT COVERING was THE MERCY SEAT with the wings of two cherubim (angels) covering it. But this covering was not sufficient for sinful men to enter into the presence of YHVH, our HOLY GOD. Therefore, once per year on the DAY of ATONEMENT, blood was sprinkled on the MERCY SEAT covering the LAW. Only the BLOOD of a SACRIFICE could ATONE for, or COVER the sins of ISRAEL, averting (preventing, avoiding) the DEATH PENALTY with the SHEDDING of BLOOD. When Messiah Yeshua died on the cross on our behalf, was buried for three days and resurrected on the third day (fulfilling the FIRST THREE FEASTS of YHVH), He entered the HEAVENLY TABERNACKLE as THE ETERNAL HIGH PRIEST with HIS own blood, once and for all, and sprinkled it on the MERCY SEAT to COVER and ATONE for our sins so that we may enter into the HOLY of HOLIES in the presence of our HOLY GOD, YHVH (read Hebrews 12:24 and Romans chapter 5).

John explains in John 1:17 “For the TORAH was given through MOSES (representing the Ark of the Covenant containing the Stone Tablets with the Ten Commandments), GRACE and TRUTH came through YESHUA the MESSIAH (representing the MERCY SEAT sprinkled with the blood of the Lamb covering the Ark of the Covenant). This therefore forms ONE UNIT, not to be separated, ONE PERFECT ARK of THE COVENANT of YHVH. If the one was to be separated from the other it would be incomplete.

Aaron the High Priest could not enter the Holy of Holies without the blood of a sacrifice (Leviticus 16:3). Likewise we cannot enter into God the Father’s presence, without the BLOOD of the LAMB, MESSIAH YESHUA. The blood of the sacrifice represents the LAYING DOWN of LIFE because the life of all flesh is in the blood according to Leviticus 17:11. The BLOOD of the sacrifice was sprinkled on the ARK of the COVENANT as evidence that the life was lied down and the price for sin paid (read Hebrews 9:6-28).

Paul explains it in Romans 8:1-4 “Therefore, there is no longer condemnation awaiting those who are IN UNION with the MESSIAH YESHUA. Why? Because the TORAH (the Word in Genesis to Deuteronomy, summed up in the Ten Commandments) of the SPIRIT, which produces this LIFE in UNION with MESSIAH YESHUA, has set me free from the TORAH of sin and death (meaning the description of what sin is in Genesis to Deuteronomy and summed up in the Ten Commandments, that are punishable by death). For what the TORAH could not do by itself, because it lacked the power to make the old nature cooperate, God (the Father) did by sending HIS OWN SON as a human being with a nature like our own sinful one (but without sin). God did this in order to deal with sin, and in so doing He executed the punishment against sin in human nature, so that the JUST REQUIREMENT of the TORAH might be fulfilled in us who do not run our lives according to what the old nature wants but according to what the (Holy) Spirit wants.”

We read in 1 Peter 1:1-5 Peter greeting believers with these noteworthy words: “To: God’s chosen people, living as aliens (foreigners, strangers) in the Diaspora – in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, the province of Asia, and Bithynia (referring to the Northern Kingdom, the Ten Tribes under Ephraim called ISRAEL who were scattered but the remnant is slowly returning to YHVH our God) – chosen according to the foreknowledge of GOD the FATHER and set apart by the (Holy) SPIRIT for OBEYING YEHSUA the MESSIAH and for sprinkling with blood: GRACE and SHALOM (peace) be yours in full measure. Praised be God, Father of our Master Yeshua the Messiah, who, in keeping with HIS GREAT MERCY, has caused us, through the RESSURECTION of YESHUA the MESSIAH from the dead, to BE BORN AGAIN to a LIVING HOPE, to an INHERITANCE that cannot decay, spoil or fade, kept safe for you in HEAVEN. Meanwhile through TRUSTING (faith), you are being PROTECTED by God (the Father’s) POWER for a DELIVERANCE ready to be revealed at the LAST TIME (the end of days).”

The SHED BLOOD of MESSIAH YESHUA on the CROSS brings FORGIVENESS (signified by the FEAST of PASSOVER, UNLEAVENED BREAD and FIRSTFRUITS) and HIS SPRINKLED BLOOD on the MERCY SEAT PURIFIES and PROTECTS (signified by the DAY of ATONEMENT).

Aaron was instructed by YHVH to put on the HOLY LINEN TUNIC and TROUSERS on his body, girded with a LINEN SASH, and with a LINEN TURBAN (a head covering). These are described as HOLY GARMENTS and he had to WASH his body in WATER prior to putting them on (Read Leviticus 16:4).

Similarly we see believers as PRIESTS, loved by Messiah Yeshua, freed by the cost of His blood, causing us to be a Kingdom of priests for God, His Father according to Revelation 1:5-6, will be dressed in WHITE LINEN, bright and clean (depicting our righteous deeds) at the WEDDING of the LAMB as we read in Revelation 19:7-8. And in Revelation 2:4-5 we read the OVERCOMERS will be DRESSED in WHITE CLOTHES and they will WALK with MESSIAH YEHSUA and their NAMES WILL BE IN THE BOOK OF LIFE. We also read in Revelation 19:14 and 17:14 during the WAR of ARMAGEDON these faithful believers will be part of the FIRST RESURECTION and included in HEAVEN’s ARMIES, CLOTHED in FINE LINEN, PURE and WHITE, following MESSIAH YESHUA the KING of kings and MASTER of masters on white horses. It therefore seems that these believers DRESSED in WHITE is THE BIDE of the MESSIAH and KING YEHSUA.

We are WASHED through REPENTING of our sins and RECEIVING FORGIVENESS through Messiah Yeshua, sprinkled by HIS BLOOD as our HIGH PRIEST in the ETERNAL ORDER of MELCHIZEDEC. The death penalty required by the LAW (the TORAH) has been PAID in FULL. HIS LIFE was given in exchange for ours so we can LIVE. We are ATONED for, COVERED, SAVED and PROTECTED (Read Hebrews 10:16-25). John also explains in 1 John 1:7-10.

Aaron had to cast lots for TWO GOATS: one lot for YHVH (foreshadowing Messiah Yeshua who were willing to bear the full price of sin on our behalf on the cross) and the other for Azazel (representing the scapegoat, the one who is responsible for the fall of humanity and therefore are accused as the scapegoat for humanity’s sin and will ultimately pay the price of eternal damnation being hurled into the Lake of Fire). Read Leviticus 16:8 and Revelation 20.

We are FORIVEN of our sins when we accepts the sacrifice of Messiah Yeshua on our behalf and we are CLEANSED by HIS WORD and are CLOTHED in HIS RIGHTEOUNESS, enabling us to WALK in OBEDIENCE to the FATHER in HIS FOOTSTEPS with the help, guidance and support of the HOLY SPIRIT.

We further see in Leviticus 16:13 that Aaron had to put INCENSE on the FIRE before YHVH, that the CLOUD of INCENSE may COVER the MERCY SEAT that is on the TESTIMONY (the TWO STONE TABLETS of the LAW, the TEN COMMANMDENTS telling us how to LOVE YHVH our GOD above all else and other people as ourselves as summary of the Torah), lest he die.

SWEET INCENSE burned continually on instruction of YHVH in the TABERNACKLE on the GOLDEN ALTAR of INCENCE placed in front of the HOLY of HOLIES. In the Word incense represents the acknowledgement of God’s HOLY PRESENCE (read Malachi 1:11) and the INTERCESSION (PRAYERS) of the SET-APART BELIEVERS (read Revelation 8:1-5).

On the DAY of ATONEMENT, the HIGH PRIEST entered the HOLY of HOLIES, behind the thick curtain, the VEIL of the TABERNACKLE, separating us from God the Father, with hands full of SWEET INCENSE, and with BURNING COALS, gathered from the GOLDEN ALTAR. He approached the ARK of the COVENANT and sprinkled the INCENSE on the HOT COALS to make it give off its SWEET FRAGRANCE SMOKE and PLACED it before the ARK so that the SWEET INCENSE CLOUD COVERED the MERCY SEAT.

We know MESSIAH YESHUA paid the full price and was accepted by God the Father as a SWEET SMELLING SACRIFICE as we read in Ephesians 5:2 and the VEIL (the thick curtain) was TORN in TWO (read Matthew 27:51, Mark 15:38 & Luke 23:45) and we as believers now have access through Messiah Yeshua to the Father (read Hebrews 10:19-20).

MESSIAH YESHUA are now making INTERSESSION for BELIEVERS to the FATHER, standing in the GAP, between us and our accidental transgressions of the LAW when we REPENT and TURN from our sins, so that we may remain RECONCILED to GOD the FATHER and may enter His presence and our PRAYERS ascend to HIS THRONE (read Hebrews 7:25 and Revelation 8).

Likewise we should be a SWEET SMELLING SACRIFICE unto God our Father, LIVING and SET-APART for God the Father (read Romans 12:1-2). Paul also tells believers in 2 Corinthians 2:14-15 “…thanks to God (the Father), who in Messiah constantly leads us in a triumphal procession (a victorious parade, being overcomers) and through us spreads everywhere the FRAGRANCE of what it means to KNOW HIM! For to God we are the AROMA of the MESSIAH, both among those being SAVED and among those being LOST; to the latter (those being lost), we are the SMELL of DEATH leading only to MORE DEATH; but to the former (those being saved) we are the SWEET SMELL of LIVE leading to MORE LIFE.”

We read in Revelation chapter 8 when the LAMB broke  the SEVENTH SEAL the SEVEN ANGELS standing before God the Father were given SEVEN SHOFARS. And another angel came and stood at the altar of incense with a gold incense bowl and he was given a LARGE QUANTITY of INCENSE to add to the PRAYERS of ALL God the Father’s people, on the golden altar in front of HIS THRONE. The SMOKE of the INCENSE went up with the PRAYERS of God’s people. Then the angel took the INCENCE-BOWL, FILLED it with FIRE form the ALTAR and threw it down onto the earth; and there followed pearls of thunder, voices, flashes of lightning and an earthquake. And the SEVEN ANGELS with the SEVEN SHOFARS prepared to sound them. This then triggers the SHOFAR-JUDGEMENT BLASTS to start, with the first four affecting nature and the last three affecting people directly.

We also read in Leviticus 25:9 the SHOFAR (ram’s horn, trumpet) had to sound in the JUBILEE on the tenth day of the seventh month (10 Tishri), on the DAY of ATONEMENT. Every 50 years on the DAY of ATONEMENT a trumpet sounded as the YEAR of JUBILEE commenced. The 50^th year marked the end of SEVEN SEVENS of YEARS. Every 7^th year was a SABBATICAL YEAR of SABBATH REST for the LAND when no sowing, reaping or harvesting could take place. And after SEVEN of these cycles were completed ONE YEAR of COMPLETE REST began called the JUBILEE YEAR. This is what is referred to in Isaiah 61:2 saying: “to proclaim the year of the favor of YHVH.”

In the JUBILEE YEAR properties were RESTORED to their original owners, and slaves were FREED from their masters. ALL ISRAELITES who had become poor, impoverished (disadvantaged), or had suffered loss were RESTORED. Oppression was broken and JUSTICE RESTORED on the DAY of ATONEMENT. The ISRAELITES who had been cast off the Land were able to RETURN and REPOSESS it. The JUBILE defies the world system of accumulation of wealth for selfish means. The JUBILEE PRINCIPLE tells us that the LAND of ISRAEL permanently belongs to YHVH and is allotted to HIS PEOPLE for their INHERITANCE (read Exodus 15:17-18).

And this is exactly what KING YEHSUA is coming to do when He is reigning on earth for a THOUSAND YEARS of PEACE! We read in Isaiah 61, Daniel 7 and Revelation 20:1-6.

We see in the Prophets, the Psalms and the Book of Revelation YHVH our GOD is bringing HIS PEOPLE back to the LAND of ISRAEL to HIS HOLY MOUNTAIN in fulfilment of the JUBILEE when MESSIAH YESHUA RETURNS as KING. Read Psalm 2 & 48, Isaiah 1, 2:1-5 & 11, Ezekiel 39:21-29, Zechariah 14:16-21 and Daniel 2:44.

In Biblical times on the DAY of ATONEMENT people greeted each other with: MAY YOUR NAME BE WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF LIFE. So let’s explore the reason why.

The Word tells us about the BOOK of LIFE, also called the LAMB’s BOOK of LIFE in various Scriptures like: Exodus 32:32-33, Psalm 69:28-29, Isaiah 4:3, Daniel 7:10, 12:1-2, Malachi 3:16, Luke 10:20, Hebrew 12:23, Philippians 4:3, Rev 3:5, 13:8, 17:8, 20:12 &15, 21:27 and 22:19.

The WORD of YHVH our God consists of 49 scrolls with the 70 books. And it is said that the 50th scroll (49+1=50) is the BOOK of LIFE symbolizing ETERNAL LIFE and thus the direct contact and perfect communion with God the Father. It is the 71st book and serves to evaluate how we lived according to the 70 books of the WORD of YHVH and where we will thus spend our eternal future. This is in line with the 50^th JUBILEE year concept, those whose names are written in the BOOK of LIFE will be SET FREE and RESTORED eternally.

THE BOOK of LIFE therefore consists of a list of names of people who will receive ETERNAL LIFE as a GIFT for accepting MESSIAH YESHUA as their SAVIOR and a REWARD for LOVING YHVH their GOD with their whole HEART and SOUL and ALL their STRENGTH (therefore obeying and applying COMMANDMENT 1-4 of the TEN COMMANDMENTS) and LOVING their neighbor (other people) as themselves (therefore obeying and applying COMMANDMENT 5-10 of the TEN COMMANDMENTS).  As we know, the TEN COMMANDMENTS are called in the WORD the TESTIMONY. We therefore read in Revelation 12:11 & 17 the faithful believers who are persecuted by the dragon (Satan and his evil forces) are those who OBEY God the Father’s COMMANDMENTS and bear WITNESS to YESHUA.

Therefore, only those who accepted the free gift of SALVATION through MESSIAH YESHUA, and DID GOD the FATHER’s WILL, will be accepted into the KINGDOM of YHVH. Yeshua our Messiah explained this in Matthew 7:21, saying: “Not everyone who says to me, Master, Master,’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”

We read confirmation of this by Messiah Yeshua in Revelation 2:4-5 saying to the Congregation of Sardis: “You have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their CLOTHES; and they will WALK with ME, CLOTHED in WHITE, because they are worthy. He (the person) who wins the victory (who overcomes) will, like them, be DRESSED in WHITE CLOTHING; and I WILL NOT BLOT HIS NAME FROM THE BOOK OF LIFE; in fact, I will acknowledge him individually before My Father and before His angels.”   ”

We also know from Revelation 20:11-15 that during the FINAL WHITE THRONE JUDGEMENT only those whose names are written in the LAMB’s BOOK of LIFE will live ETERNALLY with the FATHER and the LAMB on the NEW HEAVEN and EARTH in the NEW JERUSALEM.

And this is the reason why we tell each other on the DAY of ATONEMENT each year, in preparation for this DAY in FURTURE when this will be FULFILLED: “May your name be written in the BOOK of LIFE.”