MEMORY VERSE: ‘For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ; that everyone may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.’ 2 Corinthians 5:10.
STUDY HELP: Great Controversy, pages 419-422.
LESSON SCRIPTURE: Leviticus 23:26-32.
LESSON AIM: To study the significance of the ministry in the Most Holy Place on the Day of Atonement.
Compiler’s note: Christians in general do not understand the Day of Atonement. Most churches associate the Day of Atonement with the Crucifixion, saying The atonement was completed at the cross. Their thinking does not go beyond the altar of sacrifice. The Jews retain something of the original significance of the Day of Atonement. The name “Yom Kippur” means “Day of Atonement,” The Jews teach that it is a day set aside to “afflict the soul” for the sins of the past year. God has inscribed all the names of His professed people in His books. On Yom Kippur, the judgement entered in these books is sealed. This day is, essentially, their last appeal, their last chance, to change God’s judgement, by demonstrating their repentance and by making amends.
‘In the typical service only those who had come before God with confession and repentance, and whose sins, through the blood of the sin offering, were transferred to the sanctuary, had a part in the service of the Day of Atonement. So in the great day of final atonement and investigative judgement the only cases considered are those of the professed people of God. The judgement of the wicked is a distinct and separate work, and takes place at a later period. “Judgement must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel?” 1 Peter 4:17.’ Great Controversy, page 480.
1. In ancient Israel when a sinner was convicted of his sin, what was he to do? Leviticus 4:27-29.
NOTE: ‘The most important part of the daily ministration was the service performed in behalf of individuals. The repentant sinner brought his offering to the door of the tabernacle, and, placing his hand upon the victim’s head, confessed his sins, thus in figure transferring them from himself to the innocent sacrifice. By his own hand the animal was then slain,’ Patriarchs & Prophets, page 354.
2. What did the laying of the sinner’s hands on the sacrifice’s head symbolise? Isaiah 53:6 Consider 2 Corinthians 5:21.
NOTE: ‘Day by day the repentant sinner brought his offering to the door of the tabernacle and, placing his hand upon the victim’s head, confessed his sins, thus in figure transferring them from himself to the innocent sacrifice. The animal was then slain. “Without shedding of blood,” says the apostle, there is no remission of sin. [Hebrews 9:22.] “The life of the flesh is in the blood.” Leviticus 17:11. The broken law of God demanded the life of the transgressor.’ Great Controversy, page 418.