Reconciled to God and One Another

Thank you, Mr. Clore. I really appreciate that beautiful, beautiful song with a beautiful meaning.

Well, brethren, today we observe the Day of Atonement.

Projecting forward, Christ has returned. The millennium is being ushered in. The firstfruits are in the process of becoming kings and priests, and they're beginning to rule with Jesus Christ on the earth. We know that Christ is the Lamb of God who is slain for us from the foundation of the world. Jesus Christ is our Savior. He is our Messiah. As was mentioned in the sermon at Leviticus 16 speaks of two goats, one that is slain representing Jesus, who paid the penalty for our sins, and the other is the Azazel goat representing Satan, who is the tempter, the destroyer that is sent into the wilderness and to outer darkness. This day, the Day of Atonement, pictures Satan bound, unable to have any influence over mankind for a millennium, for a thousand years.

All is good. We have been reconciled to God the Father and to Jesus Christ, and what Mr. Chloris Angabel has come true. Christ is the perfect atoning sacrifice for us, for you and for me, reconciling us to God the Father by paying the penalty for our sins, as the Father grants repentance when He sees a repentant heart in each and every one of us.

We are reconciled to the Father by the death of His Son, again, slain from the very foundations of the world because this is God's plan. This is what He had in mind all along.

Today, by faith, we accept Jesus as our Savior, believing He is perfect and has never sinned. Mr. Musgrove went to Hebrews 4 that also talked about how He had never sinned, even though He was tempted as we are, yet He was without sin, and His sacrifice atoned for all of our sin. And when you stop and think about it, not just our sin, but the sin of the entire world eventually, you know, just think of the magnitude of that sin over the last 6,000 years, nearly 6,000 years, the magnitude of the sins that have been committed. Jesus Christ, His sacrifice covers all of those sins if the person's repentant. No matter what the sin is, if a person is truly repentant, God looks on the heart and He forgives those sins.

So that is amazing, isn't it, to think of the magnitude of that sacrifice. Not just a couple hundred people, three hundred people here today, but eventually billions and billions and billions of people having their sins forgiven.

Also, brethren, we're reconciled to one another when we admit our sin, and when we learn to forgive one another. Too often, we don't want to admit our part in a breach, and so there's no real reconciliation. It's very difficult to get past it if someone isn't willing to admit their part in a transgression, in a situation. This day pictures how we shall be reconciled to God the Father and to Jesus Christ through our acceptance of Jesus Christ as the Messiah and the atoning sacrifice for our sins individually and collectively. This day also pictures the importance of doing our part as God's people, as brothers and sisters in Christ, to be reconciled to one another through our Savior and through His love for us and in us. The New Covenant Day of Atonement is all about the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ and does indeed show that the Eternal is for the people. That goat that was selected was for the people, the one that was slain, that died for the people. God is for the people. He is for you and for me. He's for everyone like us. Of course, this day is an integral part of God's plan of salvation for all of mankind. In the Old Testament, under the Old Covenant, we see Scripture that clearly pictures and points to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ and the binding of Satan the Devil and his role regarding sin. And most of it is in Leviticus 16. The Day of Atonement pictures a day of reconciliation when we're reconciled and become at one with God, again because our sins are forgiven and forgotten. We shall be born into the family of God as spirit beings. We shall then be truly like God in Christ without sin. But now, as firstfruits, we are to learn to be repentant and to be reconciled to one another, to God, to Christ, and to one another as brothers and sisters in Christ. And remember that we will be forgiven in the same manner that we learn to forgive others. So it's important to consider that on this day. In Exodus chapter 30 verse 10, it speaks of Aaron the high priest at the time who would make atonement once a year for the people. Exodus chapter 30 verse 10, And Aaron shall make atonement upon its horns, the horns of the altars, once a year with the blood of the sin offering of atonement. Once a year he shall make atonement upon it throughout your generations. It is most holy to the eternal. So Aaron would do this once a year. He would go into the most holy place, the holy of holies, and he would make a sacrifice for all of us, for all those living at that time. It is important to take note of the fact that the eternal that is speaking to Moses here, as I read here in Exodus chapter 30, this eternal that's speaking to Moses is the eternal who became Jesus Christ, a member of the God family who became the Christ. And John 1 makes that very plain and undeniable, along with a variety of other scriptures that we don't have time to delve into today. But it is significant to understand that the one who interacted with Moses, with Abraham, with Isaac, and Jacob was the one who became Jesus Christ. He intimately knew these people that he interacted with, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses. He understands a lot about us. He made us. He created us. He knows how we tick. He knows how we think. And he's here for us.

Now, in Leviticus chapter 16, and we're not going to read a lot from Leviticus 16 this year, because we do that oftentimes, and it takes up quite a bit of time. Leviticus 16 verse 1, Now the Lord spoke to Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron, when they offered profane fire before the eternal and died. Now they died because they violated God's holy law, and the wages of sin is death. And God makes no excuses for that. The wages of sin is death. Of course, He has made a way to have our sins forgiven. So if we go to verse 8, or let's see, we're in verse 8. Let's read 8, 9, and 10. Let's go to verse 8. Then Aaron shall cast lots for the two goats, one lot for the eternal, and the other lot for the scapegoat. Now it seems fairly obvious. Simple logic tells us that the other goat was not the eternal's goat, but the lot that was cast. That was the eternal's goat. It determined who would be the eternal's goat. The other goat was the Azazel goat. If both goats were to be considered the eternal's goat, which some people tend to believe that, if that were the case, then it seems there would be no need to cast lots, but the eternal would choose which goat was to represent Him on the day of atonement. I mean, in other words, there would be no need to cast lots if both goats represented Jesus Christ. One goat represents Jesus Christ, the one that was slain. The other goat represents Satan the devil, who was led into the wilderness, which is symbolic of outer darkness, the abyss, and all the sins were laid upon Him. Verse 9, And the eternal shall bring the goat on which the Lord's lot fell and offer it as a sin offering. Kill it, offer it as a sin offering. But the goat on which the lot fell to be the scapegoat, the other goat, shall be presented alive before the eternal to make atonement upon it, and to let it go as the scapegoat into the wilderness. So this Azazel goat was not the eternal's goat, and it represents Satan the devil. Satan has been instrumental since he first sinned and has been tempting mankind to sin. He is the father of lies. He's really the father of all sin. This also reminds us of Revelation chapter 20 verses 1 through 3, where Satan is bound for a thousand years and cast into a bottomless pit. The wilderness reference here is very likely symbolic of outer darkness and the abyss or bottomless pit into which Satan shall be cast. Now dropping down to verse 29 of Leviticus chapter 16, This shall be a statute forever for you in the seventh month on the tenth day of the month. Today you shall afflict your soul. So we've talked about not eating today and not drinking, but afflicting our souls, humbling ourselves to do no work at all as well. Whether a native of your own country or a stranger who dwells among you, verse 30, For on that day the priest shall make atonement for you to cleanse you, that you may be clean from all of your sins before the eternal. It is a Sabbath of solemn rest for you. And we take it seriously today as we observe this day, and you shall afflict your souls. It is a statute forever. Dropping down to verse 34, This shall be an everlasting statute for you to make atonement for the children of Israel for all their sins once a year. And he did as the eternal commanded Moses.

Now under the new covenant, the Apostle Paul spoke of being reconciled to God. In fact, we sang about this earlier today, Ambassadors for Christ.

We are being reconciled to God through his Son, Jesus Christ, and that his first fruits are given a ministry of reconciliation. We have been given a ministry of reconciliation. 2 Corinthians chapter 5, verse 18 is what the song that we sang was all about. It's where it was taken from. 2 Corinthians chapter 5, verse 18, Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation. That is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself. So it's a ministry of reconciliation that God gives to the ministry, as well as God's people, the brethren, the Church of God. And it is to go out to the world, eventually to the entire world, reconciling the world to himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Now then, we are Ambassadors for Christ. We are all Ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us, we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God. So that's the first thing that we need to make sure we're doing, being reconciled to God on this day. That we've repented of our sins, that we've accepted Jesus Christ as our personal Savior, and that we are dedicating ourselves to serve God and to serve His Son. Verse 21, For He made him who knew no sin to be sin for us. Remember, the wages of sin is death, and it's eternal death for those who will not repent, those who will not accept Jesus Christ as their Savior. That's their future.

That's not a bright future, but it is a very, very bright future for those who repent, who accept Jesus Christ as their Savior. So something to consider. We need to be reconciled to God. Each and every one of us individually needs to be reconciled to God, to repent of our sins and to turn our lives over to God, and to Christ. Christ is our Atonement, reconciling us to the Father through His shed blood for us. Animal sacrifices and sin offerings of lambs, bulls, and goats could not take away sin, but were to primarily serve as a reminder of the seriousness of the people's sins, and that the law of God was to be respected and obeyed. Remember, God's law is holy, just, and good, and has always been so. The Eternal is the lawgiver. He is perfect, and His law is perfect as it was designed. The law regarding physical animal sacrifices was a type of the ultimate sacrifice of the only true righteous human being who ever lived. No one else has ever been righteous that was made of flesh. Now we've all sinned. We've all fallen short of the glory of God. Jesus Christ is the exception. And, of course, His sacrifice is more meaningful because He became flesh. In fact, that's what it took to become flesh, to dwell among us.

He became flesh, and He was also the Eternal who implemented God's laws in the first place. I mentioned that earlier. His righteousness is imputed or transferred upon us when we sin if we have a repentant heart. So all of our sin is forgiven and covered and atoned for by Christ's sacrifice for us. All our sins are completely covered if we have a repentant heart and mind.

And we show that by our fruits, by the way we live our lives, by the decisions that we make on a daily basis. Once a year on the day of atonement, the physical high priest would enter the Most Holy Place, the Holy of Holies, where he, after ritually cleansing himself, putting on holy garments, would offer two goats, one for the people that would be sacrificed and have its blood shed.

It would die or would be sacrificed for the people. The other goat was the Azazel goat. This goat was not sacrificed but was led into the wilderness by a fit man. I think it's fairly obvious the fit man is Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the fit man. He's the one that could open the seals in the book of Revelation. He's the one that will lead Satan to his destiny. So the fit man would lead this goat to the wilderness after the high priest would lay hands upon the Azazel goat and confess the sins of the people upon this goat.

So atonement is all about reconciling the people to a holy God. Satan is a huge obstacle through the process. He must be taken out of the way and dealt with, for he is the destroyer. And even when he's loosed for a short season after the thousand years, we see his incredible deception, his power, and what he can do to human flesh and how he can affect them and how he can lead them astray. So he is the destroyer and he is intent on destroying mankind.

And after a thousand years in the abyss, he's not going to be real happy, is he? He is the God of this world presently, and upon his shoulders must fall all the woes and evils of today. Under the new covenant, we have a high priest who is a holy God himself, who first laid down his life according to the Father's will.

Not my will, but your will be done, Father, he said. The Father resurrected him, and now he is our high priest who continually intercedes on our behalf when we sin. Now, we're human beings, so after baptism we will sin. But thankfully, we have a Savior, and that's what it's all about. Going under the waters of baptism, having our sins washed away, having a Savior that we can count on, and then being repentant going forward and allowing ourselves to be forgiven moving forward.

So under the new covenant, we do have this high priest, and the Father resurrected him. He intercedes on our behalf continually when we sin. God looks on our heart when he sees a genuine, repentant person, and the righteousness of the perfect sacrifice, Jesus Christ, is imputed on our behalf. That's what covers our sins. It's not our goodness.

It's not what we do at all, but it's what Christ has done and is continuing to do for us. Our sins are covered by Christ's sacrifice for the people and by his innocent blood shed for us. We are truly saved by God's grace, his unmerited pardon of our sins, made possible again by that sacrifice. We know John chapter 3 verses 16 and 17, for God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but should have everlasting life. For God set not his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved.

The Apostle Peter instructed those who had killed Christ, and of course, going forward, that would include all of us because we've all sinned, and that's what caused the death of Jesus Christ. He had to pay for our sins. So Peter instructed those who had killed Christ to repent and be baptized. Every one of you, repent and be baptized, have hands laid upon you, and be baptized for the remission of your sins because that's what it takes to have your sins forgiven, to go under the waters of baptism and to have those hands laid upon you, sanctifying you and setting you apart for that forgiveness. The Apostle Paul also spoke of us receiving the atoning sacrifice of Christ in Romans chapter 5.

Romans chapter 5 verse 11. Paul writes, we joy in God the Father through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. We have received the atonement through Christ. And then if we go to verse 5 of Romans 11, it says, even now there is a remnant according to the election of grace. According to the election of grace, there is a remnant.

We are a part of that remnant because God is gracious. It may be a small number. It is a small number, certainly, comparatively, and yet some continue to be faithful after year, year after year, after year. They continue to be faithful throughout the heart aches and hard times that come our way. We must continue to fight the good fight and stay faithful to the end.

Elijah thought that he was about the only one who was faithful, but God said, no, there are 7,000 others who have not bowed their knee to Baal. So we're not alone. It's not just a small Cincinnati congregation. I mean, we're relatively small, the United Church of God. We're a small remnant. There are others who are part of the body of Christ as well who have the Spirit of God dwelling in them, but it is a small number. But it is an important number, an important number that needs to stay faithful until Christ returns. In Romans 11 verse 15, in fact, we're not going to go there, but Romans chapter 11 talks about how Paul considered himself to be the apostle to the Gentiles. And he speaks of reconciling of the world and how the Gentiles would be grafted in and are included in the sacrifice of Christ for all who repent of their sin. So we have Gentiles here today. We have Israelites, those who have come from the line of Israel. We have both that God has called out around the world. We have congregations in Myanmar, and we have congregations in various places throughout the world that God is calling, but it is a relatively small number. Now, we know that Christ also spoke of his sacrifice in Matthew chapter 26 verse 28. Christ says, for this is my blood of the new covenant. Matthew chapter 26 verse 28. This is my blood of the New Testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. We read this on Passover. An atonement has a very strong parallel with Passover, if you haven't noticed that. I'm sure you have. This is my blood of the New Covenant of the New Testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. And then in John chapter 6 verse 53, then Jesus said to them, Most assuredly I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life. Now, many people misunderstood what he was saying, but we must not misunderstand. We must eat his flesh and drink his blood. In other words, we eat the bread, the unleavened bread, every Passover. We drink the wine, the symbolic of his blood. We take in the unleavened bread of Jesus Christ. He is the unleavened bread that came down from heaven that died for us. And so he shed his blood for us. So that's what this is talking about, is the acceptance of Christ as our Savior, of his shed blood for us, and of his body broken for us, his flesh beaten for us. So Christ certainly spoke of his sacrifice for us. Those who allow the unleavened bread of Jesus Christ to live in them, and who accept Christ as their Savior, and accept his shed blood on their behalf, to pay the penalty for their sins, they are the ones that will be given eternal life, eternal life that will last an eternity. And eye is not seen, nor ear heard, neither has entered into the heart of man the things that God has prepared for those who love him. Now, we have no inkling. Recently, I had a conversation with someone asking what it was going to be like. I said, I don't know, but I know that eye is not seen, nor ear heard how wonderful it's going to be.

It's something worth fighting for. It's something worth enduring for. It's something worth paying whatever price it takes, whatever God requires of us. We need to be here when Christ returns, either in the grave, awaiting, coming out of the grave, or being alive, being changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye. Because Jesus Christ the righteous is coming. And we should make no mistake. He is coming. He is returning. Now, let's go to Romans chapter 3. Romans chapter 3, as you know, a lot of people think Paul basically did away with the law, which is ridiculous. And we'll see that as we read some of Romans chapter 3. Romans chapter 3, it shows very clearly that the law is still in effect. God's Ten Commandments, not only in the letter, but more importantly, even in the Spirit. You know, we are to go beyond the letter to observe God's commandments in the Spirit. In Romans chapter 3, verse 21, but now the righteousness of God, apart from the law, is revealed, being witnessed by the law and the prophets. He's showing that it takes more than the law to be a part of God's kingdom forever, to live forever. He says, even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ, it takes faith in Jesus Christ to all and on all who believe, for there is no difference, for all have sinned and all fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation, as a mercy seat by His blood through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. Where is boasting, then? It is excluded. We have nothing to boast about ourselves. By what law? Of works? No. But by the law of faith. Therefore, we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law. In other words, it's not the deeds of the law that will save us. We do need to observe the law, to honor the law, to respect the law, but we also must have faith in a Savior that allows our sins to be forgiven as we all fall short and break God's law. Therefore, we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law. Or is he the God of the Jews only? Is he not also the God of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also, since there is one God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith. So all of us, everyone, Jew and Gentile alike, we all need to be justified through faith, through accepting Christ as our Savior. And then he asks the question, do we then make void the law? Is the law done away? Is it nullified? Does it have no effect? Certainly not. Certainly not. On the contrary, we establish the law. This is very clear and simple to understand. And those are the scriptures that we need to really hone in on, and we need to learn the ones that aren't so easy and put them in the context of those that are very direct, very absolute, very sure. We know that some people twist Paul's writings to their own destruction. We should not be among them. The author of the book of Hebrews, which was likely the Apostle Paul—we can't say for sure, but likely—it also speaks of this atoning sacrifice of Christ. We will spend the rest of this sermon in the book of Hebrews. There's a lot that Hebrews says about atonement. Let's go to Hebrews chapter 2.

Hebrews chapter 2. We'll read verse 9. Hebrews chapter 2 and verse 9. But we see Jesus, who is made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor, that he, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone. Again, it's for everyone, for God so loved the world, for it was fitting for him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, and bringing many sons to glory to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For both he who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one. We're all going to suffer to some degree because we're all of Christ. Christ had to suffer. We will suffer along with him. We are his brothers and sisters.

He is not ashamed to call them brethren, saying, I will declare your name to my brethren. In the midst of the assembly, I will sing praise to you, and again I will put my trust in him. And again, here am I and the children of whom God has given me. So Christ is speaking to the Father here, and they work together to bring salvation to their children. We are their children.

We are all brothers and sisters in Christ, and so we should reflect Christ's love, and his character in our interactions with one another, from top to bottom. Now that should be the case. We should, whoever it is we're dealing with, we need to learn to do it in love, and when we make a mistake or sin, we need to admit that. We need to own that. We need to say, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have treated you in the manner that I treated you. I should not have behaved this way. It was not the best way. Maybe I could have communicated more fully, so that you would understand better. There are ways to reconcile, and those avenues should be taken at all times, so that reconciliation will take place. If anyone has something against us, we are to go to them and to seek reconciliation. Often when we admit our part in a transgression, then forgiveness and reconciliation is realized. If we can admit our part in a situation, then it's often realized because it softens the person's heart, and they respond in kind. When we are unwilling or unable to see our part in the breach, there is no real reconciliation. Even though there may be a degree of forgiveness, it takes two to reconcile. So it takes both parties to admit where they have sinned. Oftentimes, it's both parties. It's not just one that's always the problem. You know, we tend to think that. We tend to think it's just them. You know, they're the ones that cause this problem. They're the ones that are to blame for this, but oftentimes it's also us. We had a part to play in it, but we're unwilling to admit it because we're prideful. Human nature is very prideful. I am very prideful at times. You are very prideful at times. This day is to help us humble ourselves.

We fast today because we need to be humbled. We need to see how desperately we need Jesus Christ living in us so we don't rely so much on the flesh, but we learn to walk in the spirit. That's when our problems can be solved. Otherwise, we just keep over and over doing the same thing over and over, paying the same price because we're unwilling to admit. We're unwilling to reconcile. We cling to our own righteousness. We cling to our own right standing before God. And we just won't communicate. We stop communication. And we just sometimes punish people for whatever. That's human nature. Look at your own life. Think about your own life for a moment. You've probably been guilty. I've been guilty. You've likely been guilty. God's serious about seeking reconciliation. These aren't just words on a page. These things are to be written in our hearts and in our minds. And we need to work on our reconciliation. You know, if we have bad vibes, then there needs to be some communication. At least do your part to try to make some kind of reconciliation so that you can both move forward. Now, some people won't listen. You know, they'll stick to their prideful ways. And you can't change that. And there's not much you can do. You just have to learn to accept it and move on and make the best of it. But maybe try again later and never give up. God doesn't give up on us. So we should not give up on others. We need to keep trying. Do not become weary in well-doing. Keep trying. That's what this day is all about. It's reconciliation to God the Father and to Jesus Christ by admitting our sins, by being reconciled to them, and also by admitting our sins toward others and being reconciled to them as God's people. You know, I believe that is the message, probably the most important message God would like us to understand on this day of atonement.

There are two great commandments. One is love toward God, and the other is love toward your neighbor.

And both of them are very, very important. They're the two greatest commandments. God does not sweep under the rug either one of these commandments. We've got to learn to do both. And how can we love God if we don't love our brother? Isn't that what the Scripture also asks? It does. So it is a time to repent of our sins toward God and toward one another. The shroud is lifted on atonement, no more deceptive influence for a thousand years. But Satan is the one who often stirs up strife between God's people, and we let him do it. We allow it. We become a pawn in his hands, and we do his bidding. Our own human nature doesn't help much either. We're to learn to walk in the Spirit and not so much in the flesh. How we treat one another is vitally important. The ministry is to serve God and his children in love, showing love and respect first and foremost. Then it is much easier for the brethren to respond in love toward one another. So it does trickle down. It should come from the leadership to the brethren to each other. And that's how it's supposed to work in God's church, because Christ is the head of the church, and he is love. And so that needs to trickle down to all of us and to our children, too. You know, those of us who have children, grandchildren, that love needs to trickle down to them as well. We're one big family, and we need to preach this message wholeheartedly and believe it and do better than we do. And we need to do better living it in the days ahead. So the shroud is lifted on atonement, that fulfillment when Christ binds him for a thousand years. There's going to be a thousand years of peace without Satan around. Maybe there will be a lot more reconciliation going on in those days, a lot more forgiveness, a lot more love. In Hebrews chapter 2 verse 17, therefore, in all things he had to be made like his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in thanks pertaining to God to make propitiation or to pay the penalty to be the mercy seat for the sins of the people. For in that he himself has suffered being tempted, he is able to aid those who are tempted. God is there to aid us. Jesus Christ is our merciful high priest. Mr. Musgrove read Hebrews chapter 4. We don't need to read that now, but it shows that Christ was without sin and that we are to come boldly before the throne of grace when we need his help. And that's certainly when we sin. We desperately need his help. Christ, as high priest, is always there to help us in our time of need. And we do need to call upon him in faith, believing. Verse 9 of chapter 5 of the book of Hebrews, Hebrews 5 verse 9, and having been perfected, he became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey him, called by God as high priest according to the order of Melchizedek, by whom we have much to say and hard to explain since you've become doll of hearing. Now, you all are listening well today. I will commend you. You seem to be alert and awake. That's good, especially on this day of atonement.

In dropping down to Hebrews 7 verse 15, carrying on this theme of Melchizedek, verse 15, and it is yet far more evident if in the likeness of Melchizedek there arises another priest and there has arisen another priest who has come not according to the law of a fleshly commandment, but according to the power of an endless life. Speaking of Christ, for he testifies an unchangeable priesthood, you are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

Let's drop down to verse 23. Also, there were many priests because they were prevented by death from continuing. Talking about human priests. Aaron was a priest. There were other priests that carried on after Aaron's death. There were many priests and they were prevented by death from continuing. They didn't live on. But he, speaking again of Melchizedek, of Christ, he, because he continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. Therefore, he is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. For such a high priest was fitting for us who is wholly harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens, who does not need daily as those high priests, those human priests, to offer up sacrifices first for his own sins, and then for the peoples, for this he did once for all when he offered up himself. So, obviously, speaking of Christ's sacrifice for us, for the law appoints as high priests men who have weakness, human weakness, but the word of the oath which came after the law appoints the Son, who has been perfected forever. One sacrifice for all time. Verse 1 of chapter 8. Now, this is the main point of the thing we're saying, so let's get this. It's the main point. We have such a high priest who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the majesty in the heavens, a minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord erected and not man. For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices. Therefore, it is necessary that this one also have something to offer. For if he were on earth, he would not be a priest, since there are priests who offer the gifts according to the law, who serve the copy and shadow. He was not of the line of Aaron, he was the line of Judah, who served the copy and shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses was divinely instructed when he was about to make the tabernacle. For he said, See that you make all things according to the pattern shown you on the mountain. But now he has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as he is also mediator of a better covenant, a new covenant, which was established on better promises. For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second. Because finding fault with them, you know the fault has always been with who? With us! With the people! That's the problem, it's the flesh.

Finding fault with them, he says, Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah, not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers, in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, because they did not continue in my covenant, and I disregarded them, says the Lord. God did not take it lightly when they would not obey Him. I think it was Mr. McNeely that read Ezekiel 20 recently. That is a powerful chapter that shows Sabbath breaking, idolatry. God does not take those things lightly. He doesn't sweep those things under the rug. We have to repent of breaking those commandments, and we need to keep those commandments. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel. Verse 10. This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds, and I will write them in their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. None of them shall teach his neighbor, and none his brother, saying, Know the Lord, for all shall know me, from the least of them to the greatest of them. For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins, and their lawless deeds. I will remember no more. So that is extremely encouraging to know that God is not going to remember our sins. I am most grateful for that. I know you are as well. God is wonderful. He's very forgiving. You can read the rest of chapter 10, which also flows very nicely in this message today. But since we're near four o'clock, and I was told not to go late on the day of atonement.

So the main point of all this, this sermon today, is that Christ is our atonement. He is our sacrifice, and all of us must come to accept him as our Savior, the Messiah. Those who do so in faith shall be saved and will be given the gift of eternal life. That's a promise. That's something you can believe in. We shall be reconciled to God the Father and to Jesus Christ our high priest. And how we treat one another is very important also, as we are to reflect the love of our Savior in our interactions with one another. We are to work toward reconciliation as brothers and sisters in Christ now. Now, during this time of trial and testing, we're being tested now as to whether we will reconcile to one another. From here, we move on to the Feast of Tabernacles and the eighth-day festival, the last great day. The Eternal, again, is for the people. That's why he designed it this way. We're all looking forward to the Feast of Tabernacles, to getting together and fellowshiping together for eight days. Loving it, enjoying it, fellowshiping, being fed spiritually, being fed physically as well. I'm sure that's okay, the command says, whatever your heart rightly desires. So let's have a wonderful, wonderful Feast of Tabernacles. Let's pray for God's blessing on each and every one of us, that things go well travel-wise, that we meet back here together in a couple of weeks. I know some will be here on the Sabbath. I'll be here on the Sabbath. I'll see some of you on the Sabbath, but for the rest of you, let's remember each other in our prayers, and let's come back together in a couple of weeks, spiritually rejuvenated and refreshed. I don't believe I'll be back the first Sabbath after, but back for the blessing of the little children, which is always a highlight as well. So again, have a wonderful Feast and enjoy the rest. Of the Day of Atonement.