The fall feasts of Yahweh are listed in Leviticus 23. They are part of the sacrificial law added in the second year following the covenant that was made on Mount Sinai. The fall feasts listed in this chapter are as follows: Yom Teruah (trumpets), Yom Kippurim (day of coverings), Sukkot (tabernacles) and Yom Gadol (the last great day).
These days are observed in the seventh month of the Hebrew year. (Tishri) Yom Teruah is a new moon and must be observed from Jerusalem.
These feasts are under the old covenant sacrificial law. This law ended with the death of Messiah on the tree. The new covenant was instituted with the arrival of the Spirit of the Father on Pentecost. (Shavuoth)
These feasts are listed differently in the doctrine of Messiah, which is found in Hebrews 6:1-2. Here you find the feasts that are for the saints only. The saints are those called and chosen during this age. The new covenant includes only two fall feasts, Yom Teruah and Yom Gadol.
The apostle Paul reveals the doctrine of Messiah. But it is the apostle John in his second letter, verses nine and ten, who enlightens us further as to their importance. He also provides a warning about the necessity of this doctrine and the requirement of obedience.
The saints of the new covenant must be very familiar with the doctrine of Messiah. We are no longer under the old covenant and must focus our allegiance to the new covenant.
Remember, how circumcision was changed. Under the old covenant, circumcision was required to be able to participate in Passover. Then in Acts 15, the apostles revealed a change. Circumcision became of the heart and no longer in the flesh.
Paul just as suddenly and quietly introduced a change in the fall feasts. The apostle John added his support to this significant change. We must pay attention to this new commandment.
With the death of Messiah on the tree, Yom Kippurim ended. The Levitical high priests were no longer necessary. The Father installed a new high priest after Messiah’s death and acceptance. Paul provides this insight in Hebrews 9:23-28:
It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Messiah is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of Yahweh for us: Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world; but now once in the end of the world [age] hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Messiah was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin onto salvation.”
Further information regarding this change was also provided by John in Revelation 11:19: “And the Temple of Yahweh was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament [in Greek: covenant]; and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and earthquakes, and great hail.”
The physical Ark of the Covenant is not in existence today and has not been seen since the siege of Jerusalem by the Babylonians. However, the spiritual reality of the Ark is available in heaven. This is the pattern given to Moses when he had the Ark constructed. Because there is a heavenly reality and a physical shadow, there is room for modification of the physical to more closely approximate the heavenly.
The Levitical high priest was required to enter the holy of holies once each year. With the termination of the old covenant and the installation of Messiah as the high priest of the order of Melchizidek, this ritual was no longer necessary. The annual entry into the holy of holies was displaced by this one act.
When Messiah returns on Yom Teruah at the start of his 1000-year reign on earth, we are told that Sukkot will be reinstituted, as will the Levitical priesthood. However, no scripture indicates that Yom Kippurim is reinstituted.
The Christian and Sacred Name groups’ understanding of Yom Kippurim is heavily influenced by the Talmudic Jews. It is the Talmud that provides the mythology behind the false understanding of Yom Kippurim. Many believe that Satan is actively involved during Yom Kippurim and we must continue to observe this feast day to counteract his activity. Messiah warned us about the traditions of men and influence of the Pharisees on Yahweh’s truth. For more background on this influence please refer to this article by Rabbi Dr. Raphael Zarum found at:
There is no need to fast. Messiah provides this insight in Matthew 9:14-15:
Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not?
And Yahshua said unto them, can the children of the bride-chamber mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.
This was during the time when the disciples were physically with Messiah and therefore there was no need to fast. Today, Messiah is with his saints. Ever since Pentecost, Messiah has been formed within each of his saints. He is always with us. Therefore the ritual of fasting during Yom Kippurim is not necessary. This is further confirmed in Matthew 1:23 where Messiah is given the name Emmanuel which means, “El is with us.”
Messiah entered the holy of holies in heaven ONCE. (Hebrews 9:12) He did not use the blood of bulls and goats, but his own blood. This one act provided age-abiding redemption for all mankind. But in this age the only ones under judgment are the saints. (1Peter 4:17) The saints will judge the rest of mankind during the last great day, or Yom Gadol.
The saints of this age are striving to overcome in order to qualify for the better resurrection when Messiah returns. Obedience to Messiah’s Commandments is necessary to be successful in this effort. If we love Messiah we must keep his Commandments. (John 14:15)
Messiah said this to the Pharisees in Matthew 15:8-9:
The people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
Those who wish to overcome to the better resurrection need to heed this admonition. We do not want to be promoting the doctrines of men. There is only one way, the doctrine of Messiah.
The previous article I referred to will provide insight into the Talmudic influence regarding the observance of Yom Kippur. I wish to refer you to a second article that will provide insight into the Christian perspective of observing Yom Kippurim:
http://www.cogwriter.com/news/doctrine/the-day-of-atonement-does-picture-satan-being-bound/
As you read this resource, you will note that Leviticus 16 is used to support the continued keeping of Yom Kippurim.
On page two the author says this, “Christians note the parallels between the first of the two goats with Jesus and the second of the two goats with Satan [the Azazel goat.]” This is a very dangerous misunderstanding of Yahweh’s truth. A scriptural understanding does not support this interpretation.
In Leviticus 16:21, we are told Aaron laid both of his hands on the live Azazel goat imparting the sins of the children of Israel on that goat. How can this goat represent Satan? Scripture tells us very clearly that only Messiah took the sin of all mankind on himself. Only Messiah became sin. (2 Corinthians 5:21)
The correct understanding of Leviticus 16 is that both goats represented Messiah. The first goat was slain, as was Messiah. The second goat received all of the iniquity of Israel. Only Messiah could take upon himself the sin of the world. Satan has no part in this. Only Messiah cleanseth us from all sin. (1 John 1:7)
It is this kind of lie that John warned us against in 2 John 10: “If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him g-d speed.” [Greek: health or success]
Brethren, we must examine our beliefs carefully. We do not want to lead astray any of the little ones. (Matthew 18:6)
The saints of the Light of YahwehShua do not observe Yom Kippur. We will have nothing to do with it. It is an old covenant belief and it is no longer in effect. The mythology of the current beliefs regarding Yom Kippurim are being utilized by the Pharisees, Christians and members of the Sacred Name groups to persist in this false doctrine. Do not be deceived. Study the doctrine of the Messiah carefully and pray to Yahweh for truth.
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