Reconciliation Universal

Good afternoon, everyone. It's nice to have a combined congregation service here this afternoon on the Day of Atonement. Coming into church, I noticed that leaves are changing now, just the last couple of days. The colours starting to come out, which is really nice. So fall is in the air, and it's the fall holiday season.

Well, here on this Day of Atonement, think for a moment about the religious confusion that exists all around us. So many religions, so many different beliefs, even in Christianity. There are hundreds of different denominations and sects and ideas of what the truth is. Of the more than 6.9 billion people on earth – that's right, it's 6.96, I think, now a billion people – just short of 7 billion people now, many spend their lives struggling to exist. There's a lot of poverty in the world. But such has been the condition of humanity since the dawn of history.

Most people long to know if their lives have any purpose and meaning, and whether they have any real hope in their future. And unfortunately, it seems that most people have become confused about their real hope in a purpose-driven future. Someone or something has confused the people of our planet. Human surveys reveal the questions that most puzzle and perplex us. And one of the biggies is, why am I here? Why was I born? A search for meaning. Is there any reason for my existence? In this present life, with its hardships and suffering, is this all there is? That's what a lot of people think about.

People have long tried to answer these questions through their own reasoning, seldom realizing that God has already revealed the answers through His Word and through His annual festivals. Man's attempt to answer these questions has, however, produced some mystifying speculations about why we're here, and that has only added more to the confusion. In ancient times, man's hopeful conjectures about the afterlife focused on the existence of a peaceful, materialistic paradise, abounding with pleasures. An ancient man gave these hopes names such as Elysium, the Elysian Fields, Valhalla, Aldorado, to name a few. But today, such hopes commonly fall under the description of some kind of heaven, for those who anticipate some kind of paradise in the future when they die.

We must understand why so many erroneous views of our future, which were originally introduced through idolatrous paganism thousands of years ago, are still so deeply entrenched in our culture today. If you've ever watched the History Channel on cable television or the National Geographic Channel on TV, you'll quickly see that historians are impressed and amazed by how alike and enduring these traditions are, especially the similarity in the solutions they propose to people's fears and disappointments. As historians study ancient cultures, they see that everybody's had the same questions for 6,000 years about why am I here, and they've tried to come up with reasons why.

Studies over the years, especially in comparative religion, have identified some remarkably similar themes in ancient traditions. And these themes transcend nearly all eras, religions, regions and cultures. In fact, my wife and I are watching a program just this past week about some ancient cultures and civilizations and religions, and so many of them have, for example, the story of the flood. Elements of the truth are interwoven through these different traditions. They show that people have always had similar concerns, regardless of their physical and social conditions or the time in which they lived.

These are age-old questions, like, why was I born? And through the centuries, most cultures have sought answers to the same questions. Their common objectives have been to determine why we exist and which is the best and right way to live. And people have pondered these questions since the beginning of time. We find records of ancient peoples in areas as diverse as Europe, South America, Asia, Africa and the Middle East struggling with all the same issues.

And as they watched rivers such as the Nile and the Euphrates rise and fall over time, as they watched the paths of the stars across the night sky, they attempted to deal with the big questions. They searched for meaning, but they based their conclusions on wrong assumptions and wrong traditions. Societies have long looked at the night skies to find their place in the universe.

There they imagined giant immortals acting out scenes on a celestial stage that related to our destiny. They invented warrior gods of the heavens and terrible beasts that came and went in regular cycles each year as the stars went by. And in this way they attributed their problems and weaknesses to the gods they themselves created. But the purpose for our life is ultimately addressed by the true God through his annual festivals. Themes such as the need for redemption through sacrifice, which you'll find in many religions and cultures.

The desire for our life to be spiritually transformed through contact with a god you'll find in many religions. Hope for universal peace and belief that a deity or many gods will pass judgment on the world are found in most of these cultures.

Tragically, man has long sought to explain his place in the world by devising mythical answers to questions relating to these themes. And as a result, most people of ancient cultures looked upward to the skies to physical objects in the sky for their answers. They worshipped the sun, moon, planets and stars. In stark contrast, though, the God of our Bible offers a refreshingly different future for us all.

Turn with me to Deuteronomy 4. God tells his people not to follow superstitious practices, like looking to created objects in the sky as sources of revelation, but to look directly to him for answers that are true and real. And so, as a reminder, in Deuteronomy 4.19, "'And take heed lest ye lift your eyes up to heaven. And when you see the sun, the moon and the stars, all a host of heaven, you feel given to worship them and serve them, which the Lord your God has given to all the peoples unto the whole heaven as a heritage.' But instead of following this verse, we see much of the human race worshipping false gods, distorting the message of the true God, or else living an atheistic life.

What is influencing our fellow human beings to do this? Why such confusion, religious confusion even in the world? And why has the truth of the Holy Days been lost? True knowledge and divine revelation come only from worshipping our Creator, not from worshipping His creation. Such worship of the true God is organized around His commanded assemblies on His holy Sabbath and His annual feast days.

And we are blessed to know why we were born. We know what our future holds. And it's because we study God's word, we obey Him, and we observe His weekly and annual Sabbaths. And that's why we're here on this day of atonement, observing one of God's annual Sabbaths, a holy day. As God's people, we understand what the future holds.

We are blessed with an amazing perspective of history, current world events, and prophecy. We are able to put it all into the perspective of God's plan of salvation and His kingdom. We have the roadmap that helps us navigate and see where to walk, and God's Holy Days are a key in that roadmap. So what about this day of atonement?

This holy day, this day of fasting? We know through the symbolism of the Passover that it's Christ's shed blood that atones for our sins. In fact, atonement means reconciliation. Turn to Leviticus chapter 23, if you would, please. Leviticus 23. If we are reconciled to God through Christ's sacrifice, as pictured by the Passover, why do we need another holy day then to teach us about reconciliation?

If we're already reconciled to God through the Passover, why do we need the day of atonement? Look at Leviticus 23 verse 27. Here we see the actual command for this day. Also, the tenth day of this seventh month shall be the day of atonement. Of course, according to the Hebrew calendar, that's this day, the tenth day of the seventh month. It shall be a holy convocation for you. You shall afflict your souls, that is, to fast, and offer an offering made by fire to the Lord. And in the context of the day of atonement, this fast days for 24 full hours of no food or drink. Verse 28. You shall do no work on that same day, for it is the day of atonement to make atonement for you before the Lord your God.

And so now, as we know from numerous verses, the day of atonement has been kept ever since by God's people, both in the early church, like in the Apostle Paul's day and by us here today. If you want to make note of one particular verse in the New Testament about the day of atonement, just to put in your margin or in your notes, it's Acts 27 verse 9.

In Acts 27 verse 9, we read, now, when much time had been spent and sinning was now dangerous because the fast was already over, Paul advised them. Of course, Acts 27.9 is referring to the fast day, the day of atonement. So since that command was given back in Leviticus, throughout time God's people have been keeping this day of atonement like we are today.

What is this day's specific significance in God's master plan for the salvation of mankind?

Well, there are a number of significant items to note on this day of atonement.

But today I'm just going to concentrate on one perspective, or one truth about this day.

And we won't look to the stars for the answers, we'll look to God's Word.

That's where we'll find it. The day of atonement and Passover both teach us about the forgiveness of sin and our reconciliation with God through Christ's sacrifice. They're very similar.

However, Passover concerns the redemption of the firstborn and applies directly to Christians whom God has called in this age. Those who have lived and died knowing Jesus Christ and being forgiven of their sins. Whereas the day of atonement carries a much more universal application.

The day of atonement doesn't just picture reconciliation for the firstborn, the firstfruits of God's plan, but it has a much more universal application. The day of atonement pictures an essential, additional step in God's salvation plan not found in the symbolism of the Passover.

This step must take place before humanity can experience true peace on earth.

All people suffer the tragic consequences of sin, but sin doesn't happen without a cause. God makes this cause very clear in the symbolism associated with the day of atonement.

Here's what we're going to discuss today. What does the day of atonement teach us about Christ's role after his resurrection? What does the day of atonement teach us about Christ's role after his resurrection? We're going to talk about the reconciliation that all people can have with God on a universal basis when Satan is removed. And so I've titled this message, Reconciliation Universal. I purposefully did not title this sermon Universal Reconciliation.

That's because of a false religious belief that everyone, and no matter what they believe, Buddhists, whatever, will be saved in their own way even if they don't know Jesus Christ. That's a doctrine of universal reconciliation. But the term universal reconciliation does have a correct meaning, so I've titled the sermon today Reconciliation Universal. We're not talking about the commonly held belief in the world. As we understand, the day of atonement involves not only the forgiveness of sin, it pictures the removal of the primary cause of sin, Satan and his demons. Until God removes the original instigator of sin, mankind will simply fall back into disobedience and suffering on a regular basis.

And although our own human nature does have a part to play in sin, Satan the devil bears great responsibility for influencing mankind to disobey God. He's responsible for the religious confusion and spiritual darkness in our society. He must be removed.

Even though many people doubt the existence of the devil, the Bible reveals Satan as a powerful, invisible being who can sway all of mankind. All seven billion people he can influence.

Revelation 12.9, if you want to make a note of it, tells us that his influence is so great that he deceives the whole world. Not just a few people. His influence is so great that he influences everyone. Even respected religious leaders of traditional Christianity have been influenced. Listen to this quote from Martin Luther. He said that there are times when evil and sin are good. From his work number 20, page 58, Martin Luther writes, seek out the society of your boon companions. Drink, play, talk body, and amuse yourself.

One must sometimes commit a sin out of hate and content for the devil.

So as not to give him the chance to make one scrupulous over mere nothings. That's the teachings of the Lutherans. The devil blinds people to the understanding of God's truth, and everybody has been influenced. Notice 2 Corinthians 4, verses 3 and 4. The apostle Paul explained this to the Corinthians. 2 Corinthians 4, verse 3. Paul said to the Corinthians, But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the God of this age has blinded. And we know who the God of this age is, who the God of this world is at the moment. Whose minds the God of this age is blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, to his image of God, should shine on them. So lest we become complacent, we need to remember that the God of this age is very pervasive.

While we are converted and led by God's Holy Spirit, we too can become influenced, and we need to be on guard. His influence runs very deep. Even as God's people, even as sons and daughters preparing for eternal life in his family, we can be influenced and must be continually on guard. The power of God's Holy Spirit must be in the forefront of our lives at all times.

It's a difficult battle to fight because it's invisible in so many ways.

It requires that we actually bring every thought under control so that the glory of Christ is not extinguished in us.

Second Corinthians 9. Let's turn to 2 Corinthians 9 for a moment. Notice verses 3 through 6.

2 Corinthians 9 verse 3.

Here's what applies to us today. For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.

And then 2 Corinthians 9 verse 4. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal. They're not physical, but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds. Verse 5. Casting down arguments in every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.

And so we must learn to control every thought, anything that exalts itself above God.

So how does Jesus Christ specifically make all this possible?

What is his role in making it possible? Not just for us as the firstfruits, but for all of mankind. Because eventually, every person will have to bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. Let's go back to Leviticus and look at Leviticus 16. This part of God's plan was depicted on the Day of Atonement in ancient Israel by two specific sacrificial animals that were ceremonially set apart to represent reconciling the people to God, for figuratively cleansing them of their sins. Leviticus 16, verses 6 through 10 is what we'll read for a moment. So this is on the Day of Atonement. Aaron shall offer the bull as a sin offering, which is for himself, and make atonement for himself and for his house. And then notice verse 7. He shall take the two goats and present them before the Lord at the door of the tabernacle of meeting. Then Aaron shall cast lots for the two goats, one lot for the Lord and the other lot for the scapegoat. And Aaron shall bring the goat on which the Lord's lot fell and offer it as a sin offering. But the goat on which the lot fell to be the scapegoat shall be presented alive before the Lord to make atonement upon it, to let it go as a scapegoat into the wilderness. On the Day of Atonement, we often focus on verse 10, about the scapegoat, the Azazel goat, the one that represents the devil. But we mustn't forget about verse 9, which is the Lord's goat, the lot on which the Lord's lot fell, and that is offered as a sin offering. This goat dies. In this drama, the banished live goat represents Satan's part in the people's sins. The slain goat, pictured in Christ, represented him taking on himself the penalty for the people's sins. And the Lord's goat is more of the focus of the sermon here today.

It's important to remember, though, that no animal sacrifice is adequate to cleanse us from our sins. There had to be a change from what happened on the Day of Atonement in ancient times to what we do now. Notice Hebrews 10, verse 3. Verses 3 and 4. Because there was a limitation to what those two animals could do for our sins. And in Hebrews 10, verse 3, we read, but in those sacrifices, there is a reminder of sins every year.

Verse 4, You see, it actually required a lot more than just the death of an animal, which was symbolic. Two goats were figurative bearers of guilt.

Both had all the sins of the people symbolically placed on them.

One goat was left alive but banished to wilderness. The other, the Lord's goat, representing Jesus, was killed as a sacrifice for sins. And it represented the sacrifice in our place of Jesus Christ, who took on himself the death penalty we have earned by sinning.

So you can see how it's very similar to Passover. But here's the key. Jesus Christ did not stay dead when he was sacrificed for our sins. He came back to life.

So what does the Day of Atonement teach us about Christ's role after his resurrection?

Let's go back to Leviticus 16 again. And those verses 15 through 19. Leviticus 16 verse 15.

Here we see described a solemn assembly that was carried out only once each year on the David Atonement. The high priest was to take the blood of the slain goat, the Lord's goat, into the most holy place, which of course represented the throne of God. The holiest part of the tabernacle, and to the mercy seat. The mercy seat in the tabernacle was symbolic of the very throne of Almighty God. Leviticus 16 verse 15. That he shall kill the goat of the sin offering, which is for the people, this is the Lord's goat, bring its blood inside the veil, do with that blood as he did with the blood of the bull, and sprinkle it on the mercy seat and before the mercy seat.

So he shall make atonement for the holy place, because of the uncleanness of the children of Israel, and because of their transgressions for all their sins. And so he shall do the tabernacle of meeting which remains among them in the midst of their uncleanness. There shall be no man in the tabernacle of meeting when he goes in to make atonement in the holy place, until he comes out that he may make atonement for himself, for his household, and for all the assembly of Israel.

And verse 18, he shall go out to the altar that is before the Lord, and make atonement for it. He shall take some of the blood of the bull and some of the blood of the goat, and put it on the horns of the altar all around. Then he shall sprinkle some of the blood on it with his finger seven times, cleanse it, and consecrate it from the uncleanness of the children of Israel.

What we see happening here under the Old Covenant was the high priest acting out the function that Christ now performs for repentant Christians. Having ascended to the very throne of God to present the blood of his own sacrifice, Christ now intercedes for us, as he has since his resurrection, as our high priest. So there is no longer a need for a Levitical priesthood, that high priest, to do this every year, because now Christ has gone behind the veil. Christ has gone to the mercy seat, to the very throne of God, and done this for us. And he's done it for all of mankind.

Turn to Hebrews 9, if you would. Let's go back to the New Testament. The book of Hebrews makes this symbolism very clear. I'd like to have us read verses 11 through 15.

In Hebrews 9. Hebrews 9, 11.

But Christ came as high priest of the good things to come, with a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is, not of this creation, not with the blood of goats and calves, but with his own blood he entered the most holy place, once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. For with the blood of bulls and goats, and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this reason, verse 15, he is the mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.

So now we have the opportunity, through Christ's shed blood, for eternal life, for an eternal inheritance that is offered to those who are called. Because of Christ's sacrifice, we enjoy direct access to the true mercy seat of the tabernacle, the very throne of our merciful, loving God. And we are then called to receive the promise of eternal life.

So much more than what could ever be accomplished through goats and bulls and calves.

What we are offered is accomplished through the blood of Jesus Christ.

And we are reconciled, we are atoned, through His blood.

This was dramatically and miraculously demonstrated at the moment of Christ's death, when the veil of the temple, covering the entrance to the Most Holy Place, where only the high priest could go, was torn in two from top to bottom.

I'm just going to read that to you, if you want to turn with me you can, to Matthew 27.

Just two verses in Matthew 27. Matthew 27 verses 50 and 51.

Matthew 27 verse 50. Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up His Spirit.

So that was the moment that He died. Verse 51.

Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom, and the earth quaked and the rocks were split.

Now, if you were going to go into the Holy of Holies yourself and tear that curtain in half, you'd stand there in front of it and rip it, right? From bottom to top.

You'd have to get on a scaffold to rip it from top to bottom.

This was miraculous. This was a sign from God that things had now changed. There was no longer a need for the blood of goats to be sprinkled in the Holy Place. Jesus Christ had now done that.

This massive curtain was torn in a dramatic testimony to the access we now have to God's throne if we are called. And those who are not called, quite honestly. Many verses in Hebrews mentions Christ's role as our high priest and intercessor.

And because of His sacrifice for us, we can come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. It's in Hebrews 4, verse 16. But after Jesus returns, when He comes back to this earth, as pictured by our previous holy day, the day of trumpets, this grace will be extended to all of humanity, to everyone, not just to those called now. The God of this world will be removed.

False religion will be destroyed. True religion will prevail.

Satan will no longer deceive the whole world, and his influence will end for a thousand years.

I think it is appropriate to read Revelation 20 on this day, this day of atonement. Revelation 20, verses 1 through 3. Let's read that here on this day of atonement. Revelation 20, verse 1. Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.

He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old who is the devil, and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. He cast him into the bottomless pit and shut him up and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more. And why is he doing it now? Because he's the God of this world, and he's deceiving everyone.

He will deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished. But after those things, he must be released for a little while. Jesus Christ will then rule the earth. Everyone will have access to our high priest. The evil spiritual influences will be stopped.

As pictured by the sacrificed Lord's goat on the day of atonement of old, our Savior will intervene in modern world affairs. Governments will be replaced.

Laws will be righteous and upheld. The saints of God will assist their high priest in teaching and leading the hungry, torn, injured inhabitants of this planet. Those lives have been ruined by the devil until everyone comes to see the glory of God and receives salvation.

The slain goat, our slain but resurrected Savior, will make reconciliation with God the Father a universal possibility.

The Day of Atonement pictures the loving reconciliation or atonement that all people can have with God through Christ's sacrifice.

It also shows the remarkable truth that Satan, the author of sin, will eventually be removed so that humanity can at last attain reconciliation with God on a universal basis.

May we humbly reflect on all the evil we see in the world which Satan is primarily responsible.

It's not a pretty sight. All the suffering that the world has experienced over the millennia will ultimately be brought to an end after God's kingdom has been established here.

Everyone will finally have real hope and understand why they were born.

This understanding will not come from ancient traditions or studying the stars.

It will come from the creator God himself.

This holiday has great significance for the entire world, and God's people are keeping it.

We understand it, and we are waiting the time when Satan will deceive the nations no more.

The Day of Atonement serves as a vital pre-step in anticipation of the next milestone in God's glorious holiday plan, beautifully depicted by, of course, the Feast of Tabernacles.

But this step today must take place first. Let's appreciate this fast day and the symbolism of the Lord's goat and our risen Savior that will soon make reconciliation universal.