Sabbath of Sabbaths

Dear Brethren,

We are in the midst of the Fall Holy Days.

Today is the Feast of Atonement.  "This shall be a statute forever unto you: that in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, ye shall afflict your souls [fast from food and water], and do no work at all, whether it be one of your own country, or a stranger that sojourns among you:  For on that day shall the priest make an atonement for you, to cleanse you, that ye may be clean from all your sins before the Lord.  It shall be a Sabbath of Sabbaths [Sabbath of rest] unto you, and ye shall afflict your souls, by a statute for ever. "  (Leviticus 16:29-31)

The Feast of Tabernacles begins on Thursday, October 13th, and runs seven days through October 19th We will have opening night services at 7:30 pm on Wednesday, October 12th This year, the Last Great Day falls on Thursday, October 20th.

Click here for Feast of Tabernacles event schedule

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Sabbath of Sabbaths

Brethren, today is the Feast of Atonement.  What is the meaning of Atonement?  The Feast of Atonement tells the story of how mankind has been separated from God since the foundation of the world, and how all mankind will be set free from captivity to sin and be reconciled to God.  The day of Atonement will have its fulfillment take place after Jesus returns and prior to the millennial rule of Jesus Christ – making it possible for all mankind living during that time and throughout the millennium to have a direct relationship with God their Father. The Father will be revealed to the entire world for a thousand years – they will enjoy His justice, His Law, His love – and eternal redemption.  The entire Plan of God for mankind – as revealed in the Holy Days, exposes the intricate workings of God in the affairs of man, and especially the Church of God.

Jesus Christ proclaimed the Good News of the coming Kingdom of God to be established over the entire earth – but that cannot take place yet because this world is still locked in sin.  We need to realize that everyone is in bondage to Satan.  No one wants to believe that.  The people of Jesus' day protested when He explained to them that they were not free and that they were cut off from God, "We are Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how can you say, Ye shall be made free?"  (John 8:33)  Atonement has to do with the liberation of humanity from the subjugation and suppression of Satan.  We must realize that everyone is hopelessly bound in Satan's clutches – unless and until Christ frees them.

Thankfully, we who have received a token of God's Holy Spirit have been reconciled to God the Father.  We are no longer cut off from God.  Once, our sins stood between us and the Father, preventing a right relationship with Him, but Jesus Christ has resolved that breach through His blood. "Now in Christ Jesus you who sometimes were far off [from God the Father] are made near [to Him] by the blood of Christ."  (Ephesians 2:12-13)  That is the story of Passover and the reconciliation of the Church brethren.  How will the world be set free?

We find the answer, first of all in the Old Testament.   The slain goat of Leviticus 16 represents the sacrifice of Jesus Christ in our stead.  Jesus took upon Himself the death penalty that we have earned by our sins.  The Azazel goat of Leviticus 16 represents Satan, who bears the responsibility for the sins of humanity.  This live goat of Leviticus 16:22 shows that Satan the devil will ultimately bear the iniquity of man’s sins.  The [Azazel] goat shall bear upon himself all their [mankind's] iniquities unto a land not inhabited."

The Feast of Atonement pictures that time in the near future when Satan the devil will be bound for a thousand years, and the entire world will be free from the bondage of sin, and reconciled to God.  "I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.  And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season." (Revelation 20:1-3)

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Sermon:

"Sabbath of Sabbaths"