Yom Kippur falls on the tenth of Tishrei, ten days from the beginning of the two day Feast of Trumpets. This year it begins at local sunset on September 27th. One of the reasons to blow the trumpets was to remind God to have mercy on His people. Now, on the Day of Atonement, that will be put to the test. Will God come down and “sit” on the mercy seat of the Ark of the Covenant in the Holy of Holies or will He instead bring judgment?
God desires to have mercy on everyone. His desire is that the rebellious repent of their sins and turn to Him.
Ezekiel 33:11 MKJV 11 Say to them: As I live, says the Lord Jehovah, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways; for why will you die, O house of Israel?
Peter says that God holds back His time of judgment waiting for people to come to repentance.
2 Peter 3:9 MKJV 9 The Lord is not slow concerning His promise, as some count slowness, but is long-suffering toward us, not willing that any of us should perish, but that all of us should come to repentance.
Right now, God chooses to remain on His mercy seat granting forgiveness to all who seek Him and believe in the atoning sacrifice of Jesus, the Messiah.
Romans 10:9-10 MKJV 9 Because if you confess the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth one confesses unto salvation.
But there will come a time when God will say, “It is time.” As He brought judgment on Israel and Judah, He will bring judgment on the nations.
Joel 3:12-14 MKJV 12 Let the nations be awakened and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat; for there I will sit to judge all the nations all around. 13 Put in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe. Come, come down; for the press is full; the vats overflow, for their wickedness is great. 14 Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision; for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision!
He will establish His name in Jerusalem and it shall be a holy city consecrated to God.
Joel 3:16-17 MKJV 16 The LORD shall also roar out of Zion and utter His voice from Jerusalem. And the heavens and the earth shall shake. But the LORD will be the hope of His people and the strength of the sons of Israel. 17 So you shall know that I am the LORD your God dwelling in Zion, My holy mountain. And Jerusalem shall be a holy thing, and no aliens shall pass through her any more.
Christians can celebrate the Day of Atonement in fasting for friends and loved ones to come to repentance and to accept that Jesus died for their sins and rose triumphant from the grave.
שלום ברוך
Shalom and Be Blessed
Dan and Brenda Cathcart
Come with Brenda and I next June 19th to 29th to Israel, the land promised to Abraham for a special tour where you will see the promised Messiah of Israel like you have never seen Him before! We will visit places off the beaten path and follow in the foot steps of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Join us as we also explore the people, culture, politics and conflict that is today’s Israel and a special Sabbath day in Jerusalem. For details on the tour visit www.theheartofisrael.com .
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