We are in the age of the new covenant. The old covenant was terminated when Messiah Yahshua died on the tree. How did this happen? The prophet Jeremiah gives us some insight as to how to answer this question in Jeremiah 3:14: “Turn, O backsliding children, saith Yahweh; for I am married to you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion.”
Yes, Yahweh was married to the children of Israel at Mount Sinai. That covenant was a marriage covenant. However, Messiah’s wife betrayed him and killed him. When he died on the tree, both he and his wife were released from the obligation of their marriage covenant. The apostle Paul confirms this in 1 Corinthians 7:39: “The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in Adonai.”
The new covenant began on Pentecost when the Spirit of Yahweh was given to the disciples and thousands of others. Pentecost is the Greek word for the Hebrew feast of Shavuoth. This feast began with the marriage ceremony on Mount Sinai. It is of note that the new covenant began at the same time of the year that the old covenant was initiated at Mount Sinai. The Sinai covenant was new at that time, but it became old with the death of Messiah.
This new covenant was not a surprise. Yahweh, the Son, foretold this in Jeremiah 31:31-32:
“Behold, the days come, saith Yahweh, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah. Not according to the covenant I made with their fathers in the day that I took him by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was a husband unto them saith Yahweh.”
The apostle Paul quoted this scripture in Hebrews 8:8-9, but he tells us even more in verses 6-7:
“But now he hath obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is a mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. For if the first covenant[the old] had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.” [the new]
Now, let’s compare the listing of Yahweh’s feast days presented in Leviticus 23 to those listed under the new covenant in Hebrews 6:1-2. We will begin with Leviticus 23:
Passover - verse five
Unleavened bread - verse six
Shavuoth - verses 15-16
Day of Shouting (Trumpets) - verse 24
Day of Coverings or Yom Kippurim (atonement) - verse 27
Feast of Tabernacles - verse 34
The Last Great Day or Yom Gadol - verse 39
You will note that the King James Bible translation says these events are instituted, “for ever”. However, when you look at the Hebrew word from which for ever is translated, olam, you will discover the best meaning is a period of time. These feasts are not eternal or perpetual, but is age abiding or temporary. Changes can be and will be made.
Now, let’s consider the listing that Paul provides us in Hebrews 6:1-2:
Repentance from dead works - Passover
Faith toward Yahweh - Unleavened Bread First Sabbath
Doctrine of baptisms - Unleavened Bread 2nd Sabbath, water baptism
Laying on of hands - Pentecost/Shavuoth baptism of the Spirit
The resurrection of the dead - Day of Shouting the resurrection of the firstfruits
Eternal judgment - The Last Great Day judgment by the firstfruits
The spring (in the northern hemisphere) feasts remain the same as listed in Leviticus 23 except for Passover. Passover is replaced by the Last Supper in the New Covenant. However, significant changes do occur for the fall feasts. According to the doctrine of Messiah, Yom Kippurim as well as the Feast of Tabernacles are no longer required under the new covenant. These two feast days are only relevant to physical Israel. They are not required of spiritual Israel, the firstfruits.
The King James translation does not use the words, Yom Kippurim, when referring to the tenth of the seventh month. A man-made word, atonement, is used in its place. This word does not adequately reflect the meaning of this day. This is a day that Yahweh designated for the temporary covering of sin by animal blood. Yom Kippurim, or Day of Coverings, is a better description of what Yahweh intended for that day. What Messiah accomplished on the tree was more comprehensive than Yom Kippurim. Messiah did not just cover our sins; he cleansed us from ALL sin. (1 John 1:7, 9; Hebrews 1:3)
The Levitical High Priest offered animal sacrifices annually because they could not cover sin permanently. The original requirement for a sin offering was to be the blood of man. Animal blood was just a temporary substitute until Messiah was born. The Levitical law did not provide for using a man’s blood. You will not find any reference in Levitical law for the sacrifice that Messiah was required to make. This original human blood requirement is found in Genesis 9:5-6:
“And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man’s brother will I require the life of a man. Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of Elohim made he man.”
What Messiah accomplished was to cleanse or reconcile mankind from ALL sin. This was a permanent solution! Messiah shed his perfect, undefiled blood ONCE. (Hebrews 9:26) There was no further need for an annual repetition. With the death of Messiah, Yom Kippurim was canceled.
Paul tells us in Romans 5:10 that Messiah RECONCILED us by his death. The word reconciled is in the past tense. He completed the removal of our sin by his death. There is no longer a necessity for the annual repetition of Yom Kippurim. To continue the observance of Yom Kippurim is to ignore the apostle John’s admonition to follow the doctrine of Messiah and repudiates Messiah’s sacrifice. Messiah's sacrifice occurred on the day of Passover NOT the Day of Coverings (Yom Kippurim).
How important is the doctrine of Messiah? Let’s review what the apostle John tells us about the doctrine of Messiah in 2 John 7-9:
“For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that YahwehShua Messiah is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an anti-messiah. Look to yourselves, that we love not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. Whosoever transgresseth and abideth not in the doctrine of Messiah hath not Yahweh. He that abideth in the doctrine of Messiah, he hath both the Father and Son.”
Remember, this comes from the disciple who Messiah loved, who was allowed to die from old age, and not martyrdom. He gives us very strong counsel. We must have the name of both the Father and the Son to become firstfruits to join Messiah when he returns.
We must have the name of both the Father and Son, YahwehShua. Messiah’s human name was blotted out. Therefore, we must have his inherited name. By having his inherited name we are obedient to the Scriptures. Please consider carefully what John tells us in 1 John 3: 22-24:
“And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. And this is his commandment, that we should believe on the name of his Son YahwehShua Messiah, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.”
Yes, we must have his inherited name, but we also must keep his commandments. The doctrine of Messiah is included in his commandments. If we are baptized in the name of YahwehShua, but do not continue in obedience to his commandments, we can lose His Spirit.
Please consider Revelation 14:1 where we are introduced to the firstfruits who had the name of both the Father and Son on their foreheads. These resurrected saints overcame by being obedient to the doctrine of Messiah. To be in the better resurrection, you must be baptized in the name of the Father and Son, YahwehShua AND be obedient to all commandments including the doctrine of Messiah.
The doctrine of Messiah is of the new covenant. It introduces the change in the feast days listed in Leviticus 23. You must leave the old covenant behind and embrace the new covenant.
The apostle John really makes the point as to the importance of the doctrine of Messiah. Yom Kippurim could be a real stumbling block for the elect. Let me address this further by reviewing another key reference to Yom Kippurim found in Leviticus 16. Here, you find the description of the ritual conducted that day by the High Priest. He selects two goats and presents them to Yahweh. By casting lots, one is selected to die and the other to live. The Azazel goat, the one who lives, is sent out to the wilderness.
There is much speculation about whom these two goats represent. Most believe that the goat that dies is Messiah, while others believe that the one who lives is Satan. It is upon the Azazel goat that the High Priest lays the iniquities of the children of Israel.
Another perspective is that the two goats both represent Messiah. They represent a single sin offering, therefore a single entity. The first goat provides the blood, foreshadowing the blood of Messiah. The second goat bears the sin. It was Messiah who bore the sin of the world. (Isaiah 53:11) The bearing of iniquity is a function of the High Priest as we learn in Exodus 28:38. The Light of YahwehShua supports this belief that the two goats represent Messiah.
However, let’s look at the other belief that the second goat represents Satan. There are those who believe that Yom Kippurim occurs on the same day that Satan is imprisoned after Messiah returns. This belief also allows that since this date for imprisonment is Yom Kippurim, then Satan is released one thousand years later on that same date. But, there is no scriptural support for this belief. There is a reference in a non-canonical source, the Book of Enoch, as well as in the traditions of the Jews. This scripturally unsupported belief may allow many to hold onto their continued observance of Yom Kippurim, despite the apostle John’s strong testimony.
Hebrews 6:1-2, the doctrine of Messiah, clearly omits Yom Kippurim. The apostle John also clearly urged the keeping of the doctrine of Messiah. The myth of Satan being the second goat and the myth of Satan being imprisoned/released on Yom Kippurim are dangerous beliefs that could keep the elect out of the kingdom.
The first step to the kingdom is baptism (including having hands laid on you by an elder in the faith) the name of YahwehShua. Once baptized properly, you must then begin the process of overcoming. Overcoming requires obedience. If you dismiss the clear direction of the doctrine of Messiah, you jeopardize your being in the kingdom. Remember, what Paul tells us in Hebrews 10:26: “If we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins.”
Those who are called and chosen to be firstfruits must always seek to grow in knowledge. We must always be Bereans and continue our studies into the truth of the Scriptures. If we find something we are doing that is wrong, then we must repent and change. We have a High Priest who knows every person that he has chosen. He will listen and help us. (Hebrews 4:15-16) If we stop growing, then the Spirit of Messiah may stop being formed and even become quenched.
I am reminded of Revelation 18:4 where a voice from heaven says this“Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins and that ye receive not of her plagues.” Part of Babylon’s problem is that it is enmeshed in the old covenant. It has other problems as well.
I believe this verse could be addressed to the elect. We are the only ones being judged at this time. (1 Peter 4:17) We must acknowledge that the old covenant is no longer applicable to us. It is to the new covenant that we owe our allegiance, which includes the doctrine of Messiah.
I have not yet mentioned the Feast of Tabernacles. It too is no longer required, according to the doctrine of Messiah. This feast is reinstated along with the Levitical priesthood and animal sacrifices, as told to us in the book of Ezekiel, which occurs during the 1000-year reign of Messiah. When you review this Scriptural reference, you will note that while the Feast of Tabernacles is referred to, there is no reference to Yom Kippurim or even a High Priest.
Messiah’s one time sacrifice has given all mankind the gift of life. Life is free. The kingdom is not. The kingdom is the inheritance of all those who received the Spirit and overcame. Those who do not overcome go into the age abiding lake of fire and then into the new heavens and earth. They will not be in the kingdom, but outside. (Revelation 21:8; 22:15) Even though they will not be in the kingdom, they will be alive on the spiritual level.
This article is not for the world. I am speaking to those whom the Father is calling. (John 6:44) These are the ones who may become first fruits. If you are not baptized in YahwehShua, please consider doing so. As you study, you can learn more about the doctrine of Messiah and the omission of Yom Kippurim (atonement) and Tabernacles. It is a worthwhile study.
If you are baptized in YahwehShua’s name, but still adhere to some of the practices of the old covenant, in opposition to the doctrine of Messiah, please pray for truth and repent. Some of our brethren have reverted to the human name, Yahshua, contrary to what we learn in Deuteronomy 29:20! Other brethren, while still keeping the name YahwehShua, follow Leviticus 23 of the old covenant, which is contrary to what is revealed in the doctrine of Messiah. The keeping of the old covenant is a deception that many do not see. It is this deception that could blindside the elect and keep them out of the kingdom. (Mark 13:22)
Come out of her MY PEOPLE!
ADDENDUM: The Original High Priest
The first High Priest we are introduced to is Aaron, the brother of Moses. It is through this Levitical or Aaronic system of priesthood that we learn about the duties of the High Priest. Where did this information come from? It was revealed to Moses when he was on Mount Sinai. Paul tells us this about the instructions given to Moses in Hebrews 8:5:
(Who perform divine service for a Symbol and Shadow of the HEAVENLIES; even as Moses, when about to construct the Tabernacle was divinely admonished; for “See” says he, “that thou make all things according to THAT PATTERN shown to thee on the MOUNT;)” (Diaglott)
While Aaron is the first High Priest we are introduced to, he is not the original High Priest. The heavenly pattern for the original High Priest is revealed in Zechariah 3:1: “And he showed me Yahshua [Messiah’s human name] the High Priest standing before the angel of Yahweh, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him.” More information about this original pattern for the High Priest is found in the book of Hebrews. We learn in Hebrews 8 about another name of this High Priest, Melchisedek.
Yahweh’s High Priest was in place before Aaron was appointed to his position. We learn about Yahweh’s original High Priest through what we are told about Aaron. For example, Aaron had two important duties as revealed in Exodus 28:38:
“And it shall be upon Aaron’s forehead, that Aaron may bear the iniquity of the holy things, which the children of Israel shall hallow in all their holy gifts; and it shall be always upon his forehead, that they may be accepted before Yahweh.”
The duties of bearing the iniquity and making the people accepted were given to Aaron by Moses.
Aaron was only allowed to sacrifice animals, which only provided a temporary covering for the sins of Israel. The only acceptable sacrifice, but not available in their Levitical law, is found in Genesis 9:5-6:
“And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require, it and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man’s brother will I require the life of a man. Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of Elohim made he man.”
We have learned that everything is patterned after the heavenly original. However, the sacrifices were not. Aaron was only able to offer animal blood. The original requirement was man’s blood. To meet the requirement to redeem all mankind, Melchisedec, the true High Priest, had to become human.
Melchisedec, the Son of Yahweh or the Messiah, who eventually inherited the name of YahwehShua, had to exchange his glorious heavenly form for a human body. Hebrews 10:5 describes it as follows: “Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body thou hast prepared me.”
Before he took on a human form, he was in a glorious state with his Father (John 17:5) He gave this up for a human body which allowed him to become the perfect sacrifice to reconcile all mankind from the bondage of sin.
Isaiah, chapter 53, is an excellent description of the Messiah and his role as redeemer. In verse six we are told, “Yahweh hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.”This statement reiterates one of the two duties of the High Priest. This confirms who is our High Priest. Our High Priest, our redeemer is Messiah, not Satan. (Hebrews 9:11)
Now is a good time to refer back to Leviticus 16 where we learned about Yom Kippurim and the two-goat sin offering. In verse 21 we are told that, “Aaron, shall lay both of his hands upon the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel.”
We learned in Isaiah 53 that Yahweh laid all the iniquities of mankind on Messiah. It was Messiah that shed his blood as represented by the first goat who is sacrificed. The second, Azazel goat, had the iniquity laid on him and then released alive.
Nowhere in Scripture are we told that Satan had the iniquity of mankind laid on him. The two goats of Yom Kippurim both represent Messiah. Satan is not involved in Yom Kippurim. There is no scriptural support for Satan being imprisoned or released on the 10thday of the seventh month. Yom Kippurim was an age abiding, temporary requirement and now a holdover from the old covenant that is no longer necessary.
The original High Priest, Melchizedek, the Messiah, was the only one capable of having all sin laid on him. He was without sin and willing to become the lamb of Yahweh. We, who are being called to become firstfruits, have the opportunity to become priests of the order of Melchizedek. We can become close to this remarkable High Priest, THE ORIGINAL HIGH PRIEST.
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