Yom Kippur

Shalom Dear Brothers and Sisters ,
Yom Kippur (Starts: Sundown Wednesday October 8, 2008 Ends: Sundown Thursday Ocotber 9, 2008)
Leviticus 16:29-31 says, "this shall be a statute for you forever: in the seventh month on the 10th day, you shall afflict your souls, and do no work at all, whether a native of your own country, or a stranger who dwells among you. For on that day the priest will make atonement for you, to cleanse you, that you may be clean from all your sins before the LORD. It is a Sabbath of solemn rest for you, and you shall afflict your souls. It is a statute forever." Of all the appointed times that the LORD set this is the only one that is to be at time solemn rest and fasting.
When He says we are to afflict our souls, He means we are to set the time apart and do absolutely nothing not eat or drink (if possible). We are to put aside every care of this world, TV, radio, telephones etc.. This is the time that the very Creator of the Universe the one who even created us wants our undivided and complete attention. Yes at some point we are to assemble ourselves together and read Scriptures but for the most part it is a time of deep intimacy with the Father.
I've heard many explanations that we no longer are required to fast because Yeshua has already made atonement for us. Yet, if this is the case why would Adonai twice in the same versus make a point of saying this is a statute forever! Yes we can come on a regular basis when we have sinned and repented to our High Priest Yeshua because of His work on the cross and be forgiven. However, the Day of Atonement is special, it is the day when the Father wants to go deeper into our hearts and reveal to us sins we don't even know are there. Why? Because He loves us so much that anything that comes between us and our relationship needs to be addressed and removed.
The only one who can remove it is us. Since the feast of trumpets going through the 10 days of Awe we are supposed to be searching our hearts to make sure we harbor no unforgiveness against anyone. Also, if we know we have done something to hurt someone else we need to apologize and make amends. Now is the time to sit down in complete quietness and allow the Holy Spirit to reveal the things within us so that our relationship with our Heavenly Father can go deeper, stronger and closer. It is not a time we need to fear or be afraid of, rather, a time to embrace.
Our Savior made atonement so that we could spend this time with the Father getting rid of things that stand between us. We all have sins we do not know we are committing things that hurt Yeshua and our Heavenly Father. Now is the time of grace and mercy and forgiveness. One day when Yeshua establishes the new Jerusalem on the Earth then we will all be judged according to our deeds, what we've done and what we haven't done. I know for myself this year will be different for me.
Last year I was misinformed and understood yes it was a time for introspection, but it was also a time to intercede on behalf of a natural seed. I can intercede for those I love whenever I choose all year long. While my motives were right and I did discover some things that were hindering my relationship with the Father, I wasted much time focusing on others! This year I will be spending this time far more focused on my relationship and how I can make it deeper and better, and not on anyone else's! One day when we stand face to face before the judge of all the Earth it will be just Him and I there! For I noticed something interesting as they read through Leviticus 16. On the Day of Atonement the high priest was humble (Leviticus 16:4) are great High Priest Yeshua humbled Himself and came to the earth He created and laid down His very life for us.
The high priest was spotless when he entered the Holy of Holies (Leviticus 16:11) Yeshua was our spotless lamb, slain for the world. The high priest entered alone (Leviticus 16:11-14) and he came out victorious, just as our Great High Priest Yeshua. So for 24 hours we now have the opportunity to spend the time with our Father and instead of putting food and water to our lips, let Him take the coal touch our lips and make us whole! We can never be perfect but we can be the best we can be, because we love Him! I'm just sharing what I've discovered this year for myself.
If anyone tells you these feasts or appointed times are not important do not believe them. These feasts and appointed times deep in our walk in such powerful ways I encourage you greatly if you don't already celebrate them to start!
B'Shem Yeshua HaMashiach
In His Love,
Theresa