October 9th, 2024
by Steve Hannett
by Steve Hannett
Throughout the holy Scriptures, God paints a picture of His children moving upward toward the glory of His presence. The picture is that the heavens are above, the throne of God is above, and God Himself is above. Even Jerusalem is situated on a high hill, and Jews would travel to Jerusalem for one of the three annual Jewish festivals to "ascend" the uphill road to the city. During their journey, they would sing the "Songs of Ascent," a special group of fifteen Psalms comprised of Psalms 120-134. Four of these songs are attributed to King David (122, 124, 131, 133), one to Solomon (127), while the other ten are anonymous. The picture is powerful as it conveys the idea of God's chosen people moving up the mountain of the Lord to be in His presence.
This imagery is also seen in Psalm 15 and Psalm 24, which both shed powerful light on the deeper meaning of mankind fellowshipping with God in His holy presence.
Psalm 24:3 asks, "Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His Holy place?" The answer is provided in Psalm 24:4: "He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, Nor sworn deceitfully."
Psalm 15:1 asks, "Lord, who may abide in Your tabernacle? Who may dwell in Your holy hill?” The answer is provided in Psalm 15:2-5: "He who walks uprightly, And works righteousness, And speaks the truth in his heart; He who does not backbite with his tongue, Nor does evil to his neighbor, Nor does he take up a reproach against his friend; In whose eyes a vile person is despised, But he honors those who fear the Lord; He who swears to his own hurt and does not change; He who does not put out his money at usury, Nor does he take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be moved.”
The wonderful implication of these Psalms is that people can encounter God in His dwelling place. It is possible to experience the intimacy of His holiness. However, no one can claim they have "clean hands and a pure heart." No one can say they have not lifted their soul to an idol in some form or fashion. No one can say they have walked perfectly upright. Romans 3:23 declares that "...all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” Thus, no one can "ascend" the hill of the Lord and dwell with God based upon their own righteousness or good works.
Thus, we come to the meaning of Yom Kippur, known as the "Day of Atonement," the holiest day of the Jewish Calendar. It was an annual feast instituted by God to completely cover (pay the penalty) for all the sins of the people of Israel. On this day, the high priest would enter and offer the blood sacrifice to cover the people's sins. Thus, we see that the animal sacrifice suffered the judgment of death rather than the people.
The Bible teaches that this sacrificial system was put in place for only a certain time as a prophetic picture that pointed to the coming of the Messiah, who fully redeemed the whole world. Because the Messiah, revealed to be Jesus Christ of Nazareth, came, suffered, died on the cross, was buried, and rose again so the whole world would be able to receive forgiveness of sins and the righteousness of God. There may have been an ascent up to the holy hill in the days of old, but we can now ascend into the presence of God through Jesus Christ and can be seated with Him in heavenly places.
Another big difference between the Old Testament and New Testament ascent concerns who provides the sacrifice and in what direction they move. In the Old Testament, mankind brought sacrifices and climbed the mountain to God’s presence. In the New Testament, the Father provided His own sacrifice and sent Him (Jesus) down to us in the wilderness.
This is why the Lord's Table, known as communion, is so powerful. We remember our sins are forgiven because Jesus Christ became the scapegoat as the substitutionary sacrifice for our sins. We no longer come into the presence of a holy God with our work or sacrifice but are brought to the Most Holy place of God's Shekinah glory by grace through faith in receiving the body and blood of Jesus Christ.
Let's appreciate the meaning of Yom Kippur and enter the Lord's presence through faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ.
This imagery is also seen in Psalm 15 and Psalm 24, which both shed powerful light on the deeper meaning of mankind fellowshipping with God in His holy presence.
Psalm 24:3 asks, "Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His Holy place?" The answer is provided in Psalm 24:4: "He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, Nor sworn deceitfully."
Psalm 15:1 asks, "Lord, who may abide in Your tabernacle? Who may dwell in Your holy hill?” The answer is provided in Psalm 15:2-5: "He who walks uprightly, And works righteousness, And speaks the truth in his heart; He who does not backbite with his tongue, Nor does evil to his neighbor, Nor does he take up a reproach against his friend; In whose eyes a vile person is despised, But he honors those who fear the Lord; He who swears to his own hurt and does not change; He who does not put out his money at usury, Nor does he take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be moved.”
The wonderful implication of these Psalms is that people can encounter God in His dwelling place. It is possible to experience the intimacy of His holiness. However, no one can claim they have "clean hands and a pure heart." No one can say they have not lifted their soul to an idol in some form or fashion. No one can say they have walked perfectly upright. Romans 3:23 declares that "...all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” Thus, no one can "ascend" the hill of the Lord and dwell with God based upon their own righteousness or good works.
Thus, we come to the meaning of Yom Kippur, known as the "Day of Atonement," the holiest day of the Jewish Calendar. It was an annual feast instituted by God to completely cover (pay the penalty) for all the sins of the people of Israel. On this day, the high priest would enter and offer the blood sacrifice to cover the people's sins. Thus, we see that the animal sacrifice suffered the judgment of death rather than the people.
The Bible teaches that this sacrificial system was put in place for only a certain time as a prophetic picture that pointed to the coming of the Messiah, who fully redeemed the whole world. Because the Messiah, revealed to be Jesus Christ of Nazareth, came, suffered, died on the cross, was buried, and rose again so the whole world would be able to receive forgiveness of sins and the righteousness of God. There may have been an ascent up to the holy hill in the days of old, but we can now ascend into the presence of God through Jesus Christ and can be seated with Him in heavenly places.
Another big difference between the Old Testament and New Testament ascent concerns who provides the sacrifice and in what direction they move. In the Old Testament, mankind brought sacrifices and climbed the mountain to God’s presence. In the New Testament, the Father provided His own sacrifice and sent Him (Jesus) down to us in the wilderness.
This is why the Lord's Table, known as communion, is so powerful. We remember our sins are forgiven because Jesus Christ became the scapegoat as the substitutionary sacrifice for our sins. We no longer come into the presence of a holy God with our work or sacrifice but are brought to the Most Holy place of God's Shekinah glory by grace through faith in receiving the body and blood of Jesus Christ.
Let's appreciate the meaning of Yom Kippur and enter the Lord's presence through faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ.
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