The Feast of The Day of Atonement

The Bible outlines seven major feasts given to Israel by God in Leviticus 23. These feasts were more than just religious observances—they were divine appointments that pointed to God's plan of redemption. Each feast carries deep spiritual significance, with many fulfilled in Jesus Christ, while others still point toward His second coming.

The seven feasts, outlined in Leviticus 23, are divided into two seasons—Spring and Fall. The Spring feasts (1-4) were fulfilled in Jesus' first coming. They were prophetic shadows of His death, burial, resurrection, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

Let's take a deep dive into the Feast of The Day of Atonement and see how this biblical feast points to God's redemptive plan. ​

​The Feast of The Day of Atonement, or Yom Kippur--a time of fasting, cleansing, and judgment for the Nation of Israel—happens in 2025 from sunset October 1 to sunset October 2. This 24-hour period stands as the most solemn and sacred day in Israel’s calendar—a day of repentance, fasting, and atonement for sin. But this holy day does more than commemorate an ancient ritual—it prophetically points to the final judgment, repentance of Israel, and the complete atonement found in Jesus Christ.

​"And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 'Now on the tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement. It shall be for you a time of holy convocation, and you shall afflict yourselves and present a food offering to the Lord. And you shall not do any work on that very day, for it is a Day of Atonement, to make atonement for you before the Lord your God. For whoever is not afflicted [fasting] on that very day shall be cut off from his people. And whoever does any work on that very day, that person I will destroy from among his people. You shall not do any work. It is a statute forever throughout your generations in all your dwelling places. It shall be to you a Sabbath of solemn rest, and you shall afflict yourselves. On the ninth day of the month beginning at evening, from evening to evening shall you keep your Sabbath.” Leviticus 23:26-32

Let's look at the biblical foundations of the Feast of the Day of Atonement—the holiest day of the year for Israel. In Leviticus 23:26–32, God instructed Israel to observe the Day of Atonement as a “Sabbath of solemn rest” and a time to “afflict your souls.” It was a day unlike any other—a day to cleanse the people of their sins and restore fellowship with God.

Leviticus 16 provides deeper insight into the sacred rituals:

• The High Priest would enter the Holy of Holies once a year.
• A blood sacrifice was offered for the sins of the nation.
• A scapegoat was sent into the wilderness, symbolically carrying away the sins of the people.

“It shall be to you a Sabbath of solemn rest, and you shall afflict your souls…” (Leviticus 23:32). 

There is great symbolism in the scapegoat. Two goats were presented before the Lord. One was sacrificed for the people’s sins. The other—the scapegoat—was released into the wilderness (Leviticus 16:10), a vivid picture of sins being removed far away. This symbolism of the scapegoat was a foreshadowing of Jesus Christ who not only became the sacrifice for our sins but also the One who takes them away.

This is fulfilled in the New Testament when Jesus, the ultimate Atonement became our atonement. Everything the Day of Atonement symbolizes finds its fulfillment in Jesus Christ.

• Hebrews 9:11–12 reveals that Jesus, our Great High Priest, entered the Heavenly Holy of Holies—not with the blood of animals but with His own blood, securing our eternal redemption.
• Hebrews 10:1–18 declares that Jesus’ once-for-all sacrifice perfected those being sanctified.
• John 1:29 calls Him “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”

“Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all…” (Hebrews 9:12).

The symbolism continues as a prophetic fulfillment of Christ’s return (Second Coming). Yom Kippur prophetically points to Christ’s return and Israel’s national repentance:

• Matthew 24:30 reveals that just as the High Priest reappeared from the Holy of Holies, Jesus will return visibly from Heaven.
• Zechariah 12:10 declares that Israel will recognize and mourn for Jesus, “the One they have pierced.”
• Romans 11:26 tells of a future promise: “All Israel will be saved.”

So what is the spiritual significance for us as believers today? It's a call to repentance. The Feast of the Day of Atonement was a time to seek forgiveness. Today, believers are called to continual repentance and confession (1 John 1:9), trusting in Jesus’ finished work on the cross. Jesus, our perfect High Priest is unlike the earthly High Priest, in that He gives us direct access to God at all times (Heb. 4:14–16).

Atonement is through Christ alone. The Old Covenant required repeated sacrifices. But Jesus' once-for-all offering completely removes sin forever (Hebrews 9:26).

The Feast of the Day of Atonement is not just an ancient observance—it is a divine foreshadowing of Jesus’ redemptive work on the cross of Calvary and His promised return in glory. 

• Through His sacrifice, we are cleansed.
• Through His intercession, we are sustained.
• Through His return, justice and restoration will be complete.

Great is His faithfulness! As we dwell on the Feast of the Day of Atonement, may we turn our hearts toward repentance, gratitude, and joyful expectation of our soon-coming King.

How does understanding the Feast of the Day of Atonement deepen your appreciation for Jesus’ sacrifice and shape the way you live in anticipation of His return?

Read more about the 7 Biblical Feasts That Point to God's Redemptive Plan:

• ​The Feast of Passover
• The Feast of Unleavened Bread
• The Feast of Firstfruits
• The Feast of Pentecost
• The Feast of Trumpets
• ​The Feast of Tabernacles 

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