INTRO.  A divided world which clearly is motivated to divide more every day. This is much more than emotional, it is spiritual, and humanity is in danger from actual annihilation, and really does not understand the implications of rejecting the lives of others in favor of personal agenda.

If self-vindication and protection from loss is our priority, we will not learn and experience HOW Life is designed. You are more valuable than you can imagine. Give yourself to selflessness and Life will blossom. Personal agenda will defeat the human race.

BENEFIT STATEMENT:  WE are, in Biblical fact, also responsible to not only learn and practice Godly Unity right now, but we are PART of the development of the perfect unified Society under God which will continue to blossom through eternity.

SPS – Let’s examine OUR Part in Godly Unity

BODY:

1. We are BECOMING Unified right now by learning the Priorities of God which are SELFLESS rather than self-interested and self-willed.

FIRST – Let’s see how this Day of Atonement actually shows us Godly Unity …starting from the beginning.

LEV 23: 26-32) instructions & meaning
LEV 16:  30, 34) purpose of whole ceremony, main meaning of day = make atonement

• meaning of "atonement"

• The word atonement is not used in any other context in life.

• synonyms & related terms - "expiation", "propitiation", "reconciliation"

• 2 of the 3 are not much help
• "expiation", "propitiation" are also words that have no meaning outside of the Bible.

• The Hebrew word in OT for "atonement" is kaphar - literally, "to cover"

 5-6, 11) for HIMSELF & family (awareness of sins of those closest to him including self)

                        16-19)  (1) HOLY PLACE (defiled by sins of Israel)

                                    (2) HIMSELF & household

                                    (3) CONGREGATION OF ISRAEL (awareness of sins of others and atonement need for them)

 7-10) intro. of 2 goats

• "scapegoat" ("azazel" goat) - major emphasis

• This is part, but not all of OT ceremony

 

                         20-22) Live ("azazel") goat - meaning?

• "azazel" = combination of "ez" (goat) & "azal" (to go away")

• "azazel" = "the goat that departs" or "the goat of removal"

 

((((((HEB 10: 1-4) OT ceremony only symbolic

            (((((((11-13) spiritual meaning

(((((((14-18) 2-fold promise re. sin - FORGIVE & FORGET

((((((ISA 103:12 - removal of sins "as far as east is from west"

(((((((HEB 2:17 - perhaps the main NT scripture on "atonement"

• "propitiate" = to gain or regain favor or goodwill, appease, pacify

((((((ROM 5:1 – “We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

((((((ROM 6:23 – “The wages of sin is death.”

• The most important prerequisite for eternal life is to remove the penalty of sin.

• This is pictured by the Passover & Days of Unleavened Bread
• Why again picture this on the Day of Atonement?

2. Atonement deals with Universal Unity

Difference between Atonement & meaning of Passover & Days of UB?

• Passover = individual atonement, Atonement = universal

I JOHN 2:2 - He is the "propitiation" (atonement) not only for OUR sins, but for those of the whole world.

JER 31: (context = "latter days" - JER 30:24)  1-9) major end time event - repentance of many of end time generation.

• PASSOVER & DAYS OF UB = atonement for sins of firstfruits called now
• "individual" atonement

• I COR 5:8 – “Christ our Passover was sacrificed for us”

• Passover involved saving of the firstborn from death.
• PENTECOST = firstfruits of God’s spiritual harvest (church, Holy Spirit)
• TRUMPETS = return of Christ (at 7th & final trumpet)
• beginning of God setting His hand to save the world

Why have 2 Holy Days (Passover & Atonement) that have virtually the same meaning?

Why only individual now?

((((((((Acts 4:12 – The only way to be saved is by the name of Jesus Christ.

Romans 10: 13-17) There is a step-by-step process that leads to salvation

(((((((2 Corinthians 4: 3-4) Satan has blinded the minds of “those who are perishing” so that they cannot ((((((understand, believe and accept the gospel message in order to experience atonement and salvation.

(((((((((Rev 12:9 – Satan has deceived the whole world and has to be and will be “cast down” (deposed).

REV 19:11ff

• DAY OF ATONEMENT  = beginning of process of atonement for sins of all mankind

• universal atonement (vs individual atonement) – Passover extended to the whole world

REV 20: 1-3) removal of Satan the originator & perpetuator of sin

• We believe this is pictured by the live goat of the ceremony in Leviticus 16.

• "Removal of Satan" - Fits into order of major end time events
• The 2 goats in OT ceremony symbolize atonement through Christ’s sacrifice and the removal of Satan to enable all Israel and ultimately all mankind to experience atonement, salvation and eternal life.

REV 20:4-6

• FT = millennium & white throne judgment (Pentecost extended to the whole world)

• "The primary fulfillment of Atonement is in the future for the world, but the reconciliation Atonement pictures is already effective for the people of God." (bklt)

Christ's removal of Satan's power over mankind is spiritual, not just geographical

3. WE bring Unity BY God FOR humanity into God’s Plan.

((((((((Leviticus 16:11-13 (NKJV) 11  "And Aaron shall bring the bull of the sin offering, which is for himself, and make atonement for himself and for his house, and shall kill the bull as the sin offering which is for himself. 12  Then he shall take a censer full of burning coals of fire from the altar before the LORD, with his hands full of sweet incense beaten fine, and bring it inside the veil. 13  And he shall put the incense on the fire before the LORD, that the cloud of incense may cover the mercy seat that is on the Testimony, lest he die.

((((((((Revelation 8:1-6 (NKJV) 1  When He opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. 2  And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets. 3  Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. 4  And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel's hand. 5  Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and threw it to the earth. And there were noises, thunderings, lightnings, and an earthquake. 6  So the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.

            HOW do the expressed Godly selfless attitudes of the Saints concerning God’s Plan actually WORK?

1 Peter 2:5 (New King James Version) 5  you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood [talk for the People to God], to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

Spiritual Sacrifices:

            First we must stop doing what humans do when they do not have God as primary authority:

2 Corinthians 10:12 (NKJV)  For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.

WHY would we stop observing other’s faults as more important than service to God? First that is NOT atonement, and second:           

Matthew 6:33 (NKJV)  But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

            BUT isn’t that how God sees humans. Sinners, rebels, in need of correction / removal from the Kingdom?

1 Timothy 2:1-6 (NKJV) 1  Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2  for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. 3  For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4  who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5  For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, 6  who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time,

                        (((((Rom 12.1,2 Living Sacrifices

(((((Hebrews 13:15 (New King James Version) 15  Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.

(((((((Revelation 5:8 (New King James Version) 8  Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.

Ephesians 5:2 (New King James Version) 2  And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.

Philippians 4:8 (New King James Version) 8  Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things.    …18  Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God.

HOW does this righteous judging of what is good - happen. How are THEY are allowed and EMPOWERED to Spiritually DO more than humans can even imagine …

Matthew 7:1-3 (NKJV) 1  "Judge not, that you be not judged. 2  For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. 3  And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? [Therefore FIRST having learned to judge ourselves] …

What happens to Nations when Godly Unity arises out of selfless Godly Priorities?

(((((((Malachi 3:15-18 (NKJV)  So now we call the proud blessed, For those who do wickedness are raised up; They even tempt God and go free.' "

Malachi 3:16-18 (NKJV) 16  Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another, And the LORD listened and heard them; So a book of remembrance was written before Him For those who fear the LORD And who meditate on His name. 17  "They shall be Mine," says the LORD of hosts, "On the day that I make them My jewels. And I will spare them As a man spares his own son who serves him." 18  Then you shall again discern Between the righteous and the wicked, Between one who serves God And one who does not serve Him.

1 Corinthians 6:2-3 (NKJV) 2  Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? 3  Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life?

            SO there is group of humans who match this description now. They developed THIS during human LIFE.

CONCLUSION:

The END of disunity, division, selfish human made righteousness agendas, disrespect of the potential of human life, disrespect of God and His Plan, SIN …comes to a screeching halt as The prime motivator is removed from the midst of humanity. (This does NOT remove sinning potential, just the prime selfishness motivator).

                        (((((Rev 20:1-3,7-10  Satan is bound…released…and bound never to be released again

            Jude 5-7,12-13  the fate of Satan and the demons

                        Satan and the demons will be cast out of the presence of God and his creation forever.

1. We are BECOMING Unified right now by learning the Priorities of God which are SELFLESS rather than self-interested and self-willed.
2. Atonement deals with Universal Unity
3. WE bring Unity BY God FOR humanity into God’s Plan.

CLOSE:  The Kingdom of God is the kingdom of a perfect God (it is a perfect kingdom)

             (and from it) Satan simply must be taken away

By keeping our focus on God (and off of our priorities [no matter how self right we feel they are] as primary) Satan’s power is broken …

We are then able to serve God more fully …And fulfill our calling more completely. We start to see humanity and God’s creation as GOD and the rest of Creation sees it all.

Romans 8:18-30 (NKJV) 18  For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19  For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. 20  For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; 21  because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22  For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. 23  Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. 24  For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? 25  But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance. 26  Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27  Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. 28  And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 29  For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30  Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

Satan must be bound so that we (and all the rest of the creation) can truly be free – including us, but humanity too.

Both we (and the whole Creation) yearn deeply for that incredible day of Godly Unity coming to BE in place …

When there will BE no more desire to grasp at self-vindication, self-defense, self-aggrandizement, self-elevation, and comparing SELF with other humans …RATHER THAN …GOD.

Our responsibility to participate in bringing Atonement to all humanity begins …

2 Corinthians 13:14 (NKJV) The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.