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The Antitypical Day of Atonement

Part Three: The Sin Offering of Israel

“And he (the High Priest) shall take of the congregation of the children of Israel two kids of the goats for a sin offering…and Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats; one lot for YHWH’s, and the other lot for the scapegoat. And Aaron shall bring the goat upon which YHWH’s lot fell, and offer him for a sin offering” (Leviticus 16:6 &8-9). Take note of the details in this portion of the Yom Kippur ceremony which are key in understanding the future events they represent. It is notable that the goats are presented to the High Priest as sin offerings. We normally define “sin” as failing to obey commandments that we know to be right. But “sin” as defined by this offering is much different in nature. 
"'When a leader sins ‘unintentionally’ and does what is forbidden in any of the commandments of YHWH his God, he is guilty. “When he is made aware of the sin” he committed, he must bring as his offering a male goat without defect” (Leviticus 4:22-23). The sin offering in this case is specifically reserved to acknowledge “enlightenment” to the community about commandments that had not been previously comprehended by the believer. In other words, the sin offering involves “new light” about unknown commandments required by God. So what are the prophetic implications meant by these two goats?


Both goats represent the genetic seed of Israel who have been scattered into all nations along with the non-Israelites who have embraced the same laws. The directive given to the Sons of Israel by YHWH is to enlighten the world. But “My people have been lost sheep; their shepherds have led them astray and caused them to roam on the mountains. They wandered over mountain and hill and forgot their own resting place.” (Jeremiah 50:6) According to YHWH, the people of Israel have forgotten their ancient ways. Many genetic Israelites have no connection to the knowledge of their ancient heritage because their forefathers neglected to record it. 


The seed of Israel may revere God and love Him in their hearts to a certain extent, but not according to all of the specifications written in the Torah. So to fulfill YHWH’s words, it will be necessary to test the House of Israel to see if they will respond to “New Light” about the ancient ways. The Anti-typical Day of Atonement is a prophecy about Israel’s reaction to all of the commandants which they have forgotten. Both portions of Israel (the obedient and rebellious in heart) will appear religiously conscientious. They will appear to be doing all that they know to be right in the eyes of God. But as the directives of the Torah are made known to them through the coming great enlightenment, rebellion will break out and the genetic seed of Israel will be divided. One will be accepted as YHWH’s goat while the other will be pronounced as “Azazel” (the goat of departure) because they will depart from the faith.


When Israel becomes divided, their influence for good and for evil will be understood by all nations. The picture you see on the right is aptly called “the Judas goat” because of the natural attraction that sheep (which I will liken to the Gentiles) have for their ruminating counterpart. “Judas goats” are used by farmers to lead their sheep to the slaughter. It is prophesied that the seed of Israel who rebel against the new light will lead the nations to hate and persecute the righteous seed of Israel who will respond positively to the new light. Thus the division of the world in preparation of the final judgment will occur through the children of Israel. “The goat chosen by lot as the scapegoat shall be presented alive before YHWH to be used for making atonement by sending it into the desert as a scapegoat.” (Leviticus 16:10) 


I would like to pose the question to you as believers, ‘What is the true test of spirituality?” Is it when we look back and commend ourselves for our past religious progress? Is it equated to our zeal to maintain religious traditions handed down to us by our forefathers? I would submit to you that it is neither of these. True spirituality is measured by our ability to hear the spirit of God informing us of new light about the ancient ways revealed within the instructions of Moses. “I tell you…there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent." (Luke 15:7)

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