In this week’s lesson, we are learning about when Moses was called to lead God’s people out of Egypt. He was very reluctant to take this calling. After several miraculous signs confirmed his calling, Moses still asked to be relieved of his responsibilities.
But he said, “O my Lord, please send by the hand of whomever else You may send.” Exodus 4:13 NKJV
Of course, we know Moses goes on to take this calling and leads God’s people out of Egypt. I’m sharing here what I would like to know. How did Moses go all the way from saying, “Send anyone but me,” to telling God right after one of Israel’s lowest points,
Yet now, if You will forgive their sin—but if not, I pray, blot me out of Your book which You have written.” Exodus 32:32 NKJV
What I want to know is, what made Moses go from “I don’t want anything to do with this mission” to “I am willing to be blotted out of the book of life if that’s what it takes to make this mission a success.”
While contemplating this, I think I found a clue. Moses spent a lot of time with God before the golden calf incident. God was instructing Moses concerning the sanctuary and the plan of salvation. In the sanctuary, did Moses get a glimpse of the cross? Of course, Moses had already received glimpses of the cross, like the first Passover, for example. Did the shadow of the cross change Moses’ whole disposition and attitude? Moses went from trying to avoid leading the people to immediately interceding for them when they were causing trouble. When Mirriam has leprosy, Moses immediately intercedes for her. Then in Numbers 16, when Korah leads a rebellion, Moses again intercedes for others in the camp.
I believe Moses saw something in the sanctuary service. I believe he saw something in the shadow of the cross that radically changed his ministry.
I shared this story before, so I will be brief here. However, I recall that when I was a literature evangelist, I was very bitter that I did not receive the award I had expected to receive. Later I found myself walking through an old cemetery, pondering the meaning of life, when I realized I was not alive to receive awards. I was alive to share the hope of Jesus. Once I took my eyes off my pain and set them back on the cross, everything in my life made sense and became balanced again. That was 35 years ago. Ever since then, I have found that when I become hurt, bitter, and discouraged, it is because I have taken my eyes off the cross and centered them on self. At the time, I justified it by calling it self-care and taking care of my own mental health. Every time I shift my focus away from myself and back to the cross, I find healing. It’s no wonder Isaiah 53:5 states, “by His stripes we are healed.”
Regardless of what our calling is, it can be anything from parenting to leading a large organization to hosting a small group Bible study, we all have had moments when we want to throw in the towel and call it quits. Life is hard for everyone. 1 Corinthians 10:13 tells us no temptation comes to us but what is common to all humanity. Moses had his moments, and Elijah had his too. And so do we when we just want to throw in the towel and be done with it all. When these moments come, take some time for self-care. Take a mental health day or at least a mental health hour. But instead of a self-pity party, try this instead.
It would be well for us to spend a thoughtful hour each day in contemplation of the life of Christ. We should take it point by point, and let the imagination grasp each scene, especially the closing ones. As we thus dwell upon His great sacrifice for us, our confidence in Him will be more constant, our love will be quickened, and we shall be more deeply imbued with His spirit.-Ellen White, Desire of Ages, p. 83.
May I add that our mental health will be restored and balanced again, so we will be encouraged to complete the mission God has called us to. It is when I take my eyes off the cross that discouragement sets in, and I am tempted to throw in the towel and find a nice island on Google Maps where I can go live by myself. You can’t believe I just shared that on an open forum? Well, 1 Corinthians 10:13 tells me I am not alone. It happened to Moses. It happened to Elijah. I bet it’s crossed your mind too. That’s why I am sharing with you that when I place my eyes back on the cross, I find healing for my mental health. I find peace, courage, and even the happiness I need to continue my calling.
I think Moses went from running away from his God-given ministry to fiercely interceding for those he was called to minister to when he saw the glory of God’s love and His amazing sacrifice. Nothing ruins a perfectly good self-pity, woe-is-me party like the cross. Nothing brings healing, mental health, and mental stability like the cross to take on the toughest missions. It is when I look at the cross that everything in my heart and mind becomes reconciled and I am at peace. By His stripes I am healed. Isaiah 53:5.
I invite you to join me this quarter as we witness God’s grace transform Moses and the way he conducts ministry.
While we are studying prophecy, with an emphasis this week on the book of Genesis, I thought it might be a good idea to elaborate on the day-for-a-year principle in prophecy and use the story of Noah, in the book of Genesis to illustrate why there are only 360 days in a prophetic year instead of 365.
Occasionally, when I am studying Daniel and Revelation with someone, they will question how we get 360 days to a prophetic year instead of 365. First, the Cambridge University Press confirms that ancient Israel had a 360-day year with each month having 30 days.
The story of Noah also confirms that in Bible times, each month had exactly 30 days, thus giving us 360 years in a Biblical year. 1 First, where do we get a day-for-a-year in Bible prophecy?
The first time we find a day for a specific year in prophecy is in the book of Numbers.
According to the number of the days in which you spied out the land, forty days, for each day you shall bear your guilt one year, namely forty years, and you shall know My rejection. Numbers 14:34
Later, in Ezekiel repeats this idea of a day for a year.
For I have laid on you the years of their iniquity, according to the number of the days, three hundred and ninety days; so you shall bear the iniquity of the house of Israel. And when you have completed them, lie again on your right side; then you shall bear the iniquity of the house of Judah forty days. I have laid on you a day for each year. Ezekiel 4:5-6
So now, how does the story of Noah and the flood help us establish one year equaling 360 days to a year in Bible prophecy?
In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, on that day all the fountains of the great deep were broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened. Genesis 7:11NKJV
And the waters prevailed on the earth one hundred and fifty days. Genesis 7:24 NKJV
And the waters receded continually from the earth. At the end of the hundred and fifty days the waters decreased. Then the ark rested in the seventh month, the seventeenth day of the month, on the mountains of Ararat. Genesis 8:3-4 NKJV
Here we clearly see that from the 17th day of the second month to the 17th day of the seventh month is exactly 150 days. Every month had 30 days equaling 360 days for a year. The 42 months of Revelation 13:5 would be 1260 prophetic days or 1260 years. 2 and “Appendix Two: The day-for-a-year principle,” .] ________________________________________
Occasionally when I am studying Daniel and Revelation with someone, they will question how we get 360 days to a prophetic year instead of 365.First of all, the Cambridge University Press confirms for us that ancient Israel had a 360-day year with each month having 30 days.
The story of Noah also confirms that in Bible times each month had exactly 30 days, thus giving us 360 years in a Biblical year. 1
First, where do we get a-day -for-a-year in Bible prophecy?
The first time we find a day for a specific year in prophecy is in the book of Numbers.
According to the number of the days in which you spied out the land, forty days, for each day you shall bear your guilt one year, namely forty years, and you shall know My rejection. Numbers 14:34
Later, in Ezekiel repeats this idea of a day for a year.
For I have laid on you the years of their iniquity, according to the number of the days, three hundred and ninety days; so you shall bear the iniquity of the house of Israel. And when you have completed them, lie again on your right side; then you shall bear the iniquity of the house of Judah forty days. I have laid on you a day for each year. Ezekiel 4:5-6
So now, how does the story of Noah and the flood help us establish one year equaling 360 days to a year in Bible prophecy?
In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, on that day all the fountains of the great deep were broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened. Genesis 7:11NKJV And the waters prevailed on the earth one hundred and fifty days. Genesis 7:24 NKJV And the waters receded continually from the earth. At the end of the hundred and fifty days the waters decreased. Then the ark rested in the seventh month, the seventeenth day of the month, on the mountains of Ararat. Genesis 8:3-4 NKJV
Here we clearly see that from the 17th day of the second month to the 17th day of the seventh month is exactly 150 days. Every month had 30 days equaling 360 days for a year. The 42 months of Revelation 13:5 would be 1260 prophetic days or 1260 years. 2 and “Appendix Two: The day-for-a-year principle,” accessed May 5, 2024.]
The Jewish 360-day luni-solar calendar was adjusted by adding a leap month of 30-days every six years to coordinate with the solar year. See “Bible Prophecy Year of 360 Days,” accessed May 6, 2024 ↩
”For in death there is no remembrance of You; In the grave who will give You thanks?“ Psalms 6:5 NKJV
I have seen Christian music videos illustrating someone dying and immediately going to heaven and singing in the heavenly choir. But David in the Psalms is quite clear along with the rest of Scripture that the dead know nothing and rest in their graves until Jesus comes.
”You hide Your face, they are troubled; You take away their breath, they die and return to their dust.“ Psalms 104:29 NKJV
”The dead do not praise the Lord, Nor any who go down into silence.“
Psalms 115:17 NKJV
Furthermore New Testament Scripture resonates David’s theology about resting in the grave instead of going straight to heaven when we die.
”Men and brethren, let me speak freely to you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. “For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he says himself: ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand,“ Acts 2:29, 34 NKJV
Scripture is very consistent from beginning to end that the dead know nothing and rest in their graves until Christ returns. David, Jesus, Peter and Paul never once say anyone dies and goes straight to heaven. But you know who does? The lying serpent in Genesis 3:4, who claims we don’t really die.
Let’s believe the Word of God instead of the lying serpent. Some lies may be fun to believe, but they are never safe to believe. The serpent never tells a harmless lie. Every lie from the serpent is intended for deception and destruction. Yet no one who believes in the Word of God will be deceived. God‘s Word which is truth will keep us safe.
You may study this week’s Sabbath School lesson here.
Main Theme: If we humbly seek them, we can find people in the cities interested in the Gospel.
Read in Class: Matthew 9:35-38. Define the main idea of this passage.
Study: What does this teach us about mission to the multitudes, wherever we find them?
Apply: How can we help people see just how futile, in and of themselves, “their magnificent palaces and marts of trade” are, and why they need Jesus?
Share: Your friend asks, “What are the needs of those in your community and how is your church meeting those needs? What are your challenges in reaching the unreached in your community?” What do you tell your friend?
Study: In these passages, whom does Jesus describe as having faith?
Challenge: Open your heart in prayer for a greater portion of faith with which to share your love for those near and far.
Challenge up: How did you come to know Jesus and the precious three angels’ messages? List three spiritual blessings that you have experienced from Jesus in your personal life.
I actually thought I was the only one concerned about how little Bible study is actually done in Sabbath School. It seems we study the quarterly more than the Bible. Then I found this quote from 1991, and found out I am not alone, and have not been for years.
“Too often I find that what passes for Bible study in many Sabbath School classes is little more than a rehash of familiar sayings, personal opinion, and Ellen White quotations. It isn’t Bible study, but simply comments about the Bible…..Our “lesson study” has the guise of Bible study but isn’t. It is more a study of the Sabbath School lesson quarterly than the Bible.” –Myron Widmer, Adventist Review, September 12, 1991.
During the quarantine I would ask people what they have been finding in their personal Bible study time, only to get answers about what they heard a television preacher say. I never got any direct answers to my question about personal Bible study time. This greatly concerned me. In Acts 17:11 they were not only listening to Paul preach, but they were searching (not just casually reading) the Scriptures (Not a quarterly or periodical) daily, not just every now and then.
This is why I enjoy Michael Fracker’s teaching plans. These plans make Sabbath school a Bible study that may casually reference the quarterly, instead of a study of the quarterly that may casually reference the Bible. Quarterlies are great as they direct us to the Bible, but we need to follow those directions and go to the Bible. By the way, after using Michael Fracker’s lesson plans for twenty years, I have also helped write his lesson plans on occasion and even edit them. In the process I have also developed a somewhat similar set of lesson plans following Michael Fracker’s vision of making Sabbath school time Bible study time. While some use my plans and many more use Michael Fracker’s teaching plans, I talk to several Sabbath School teachers who feel more comfortable making their own teaching plans. That is really best. The suggested plans are just to get you started. What is most important is making sure Sabbath School time is Bible study time.
You may study this week’s Sabbath School lesson here.
Do you picture God as just one Being who is a dictator, or do you picture God being a heavenly Trio made up of three persons creating a community of love? If we view God as a single dictator then it is highly likely our families and churches will fall under a dictatorship mentality. If we view God as three persons, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, each one creating a community of love, then it is more likely our families and churches will follow the same model.
1 John 4:8 tells us God is love. Love is being others centered. Even before another creature was ever created God was love, because God was three Persons, each one centered on the needs of the other. 1 Corinthians 13 describes love so it must also be describing God.
Love does not demand its own way. If God is love does He demand His own way? No. In Matthew 26:39 you have the Son submitting to the Father, saying, “not my will but your will be done.” Did the Son submit to the Father because the Father had to have His own way? No. when being arrested Jesus said in Matthew 26:53 He could have asked the Father to send him 12 legions of angels to rescue Him and the Father would have complied. What you have in Matthew 26 is a heavenly family submitting to each other, the way Paul says families should all submit to one another in Ephesians 5:21 as well as the rest of Ephesians 5. God is all powerful but God is not all controlling. God is not a tyrant calling all the shots. God is a community of love creating other communities of love.
Lucifer, on the other hand wanted to destroy God’s community of love and set up His own dictatorship. In Genesis 1:26 God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness.” Notice how God did not speak as a lone dictator. God spoke as a community of love, using words like “us” and “ours.” Now notice how Lucifer spoke as he sought to destroy a community orientated government by attempting to set up his own dictatorship.
For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation On the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.’ Isaiah 14:13-14 NKJV
Notice instead of using words like “us” and “ours” Lucifer is using words like “I” and “my.” Instead of a government being operated by a community of love Lucifer is introducing himself as a lone dictator. Lucifer is also creating something God never intended- a hierarchy. Remember God is all powerful but not all controlling. Lucifer now wants to be the lone dictator with total control. This is something God never intended-ever. God created Adam and Eve as equal partners. Not the same of course but equal. When they sinned in Genesis 3 they were blaming everyone but themselves. By saying others should have been more responsible they were saying others have more responsibility which creates a hierarchy. So when the Lord tells Eve in Genesis 3:16 that your husband will rule over you, He was not creating a hierarchy as much as He was telling Eve by passing blame and responsibility they had just created a hierarchy.
In Ephesians 5:21 Paul tells us to submit to one another. In Ephesians 5 Paul is trying to destroy a hierarchy and tyrant model family, and replace it with a family like the heavenly Trio, which is a community of love model family. If we see God as just one person who is all controlling, then it is very likely our churches will fall under a hierarchy with one very controlling tyrannical “leader” calling all the shots. It is also very likely that our families will fall under a hierarchy with one person dominating the rest of the family.
This obviously is not God’s plan. God never created a hierarchy. He never created a dictatorship. He created a community of love. Years ago my church was having evangelistic meetings. One night I was clearing several baptismal candidates for baptism while the baptistry sprang a leak. Deacons were working all night to fix the leak so we could have the baptism the next day, while I cleared the candidates for baptism. We were working together. That night both our jobs were extremely important. The deacons and I were not the same. We had different functions, but we were equal. As the pastor on the church board, I have a multitude of counselors as Proverbs 15:22 suggests. God’s government is not a dictatorship and neither is my church family. I have worked with a church that changed its lead elder every year, but all the elders worked so well together they often forgot which one was the current lead elder. A community of love is like that. When teaching 1st graders I liked to play a game where one student stepped out of the room while a leader was chosen. When the student stepped back in, the class would be following the leader as the leader would pat her head or rub her stomach and then clap and so on. The others followed the leader mimicking the same motions so closely so that the student who was watching could not tell who the leader was. I believe our churches and families should be governed by a community of love, working so well and closely together that you can’t even tell who the leader is.
We destroy Lucifer’s tyrannical dictatorship and hierarchy system when we revert back to God’s plan of a government which is a community of love, just as the Father, Son and Holy Spirit create a community of love.
If you view God as being one single dictator, then chances are when you read Ephesians 5 you only see the part about the husband being the head and the wife is supposed to submit to the husband. But if you understand the heavenly trio, and understand the Godhead is one family where each one submits to and serves the other, then chances are when you read Ephesians 5 you see more than just the husband being the head and the wife submitting to him. You will also see Ephesians 5:21 where we are to submit to each other. You will also see the part where the husband loves the wife so much he would die for her the same way Christ died for the church. You will see the wife respecting the husband, not because of his power and authority but because of his self-sacrificing love for her.
Lucifer presents to our churches and families a government ruled by a lone tyrannical dictator. The heavenly Trio offers our churches and families a government ruled by community and self sacrificing love.
You may study this week’s Sabbath School lesson here.
Main Theme: God’s people will be loyal to Jesus because they love Him because He first loved them.
Read in Class: Revelation 14:12. Define the main idea of this passage.
Study: What two characteristics do we discover in this passage about God’s last-day people? Why are both important?
Apply: How faithful are you in the little things? What might that tell you about how you will be when the real trial comes? (See Luke 16:10).
Share: Your friend tells you the church focuses too much on commandment keeping instead of faith. How would Revelation 14:12 help you answer your friend?
Study: Where does the beast come from, and who gives the beast his authority? What contrast do you see in these verses?
Apply: “And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved“ (Matt. 10:22, NKJV). How ready are you to endure to the end?
Share: Your friend asks you what the Biblical meaning of “blasphemy” is? What do you tell your friend?
Study: What identifying marks of the beast power do we discover in these verses? What will God’s end-time people face in the final crisis?
Apply: Read Galatians 6:7-9. Though this is not written in the context of last-day events, why is the principle there so relevant to issues over the mark of the beast, and how we can stand faithful?
Share: Your friend asks if the mark on the hand or forehead is literal or symbolic? What do you tell your friend?
Read in Class: Matthew 27:45-50. Define the main idea of this passage.
Study: What does this teach us about what Christ had experienced on the cross? What did Jesus mean by asking God why He had forsaken Him, and how does this scene help us understand what it means to have “the faith of Jesus”?
Apply and share: Your friend asks how you have shown the faith of Jesus in your own life? How has the faith of Jesus helped you get by even in the worst of times? What do you tell your friend? See When the Faithfulness of Jesus carried me Through.
Study:What clear instruction did God give His people about life after death, and where do we find our hope?
Apply: What examples of modern spiritualism exist in your culture today? Why is firm adherence to the Word of God our only protection?
Share: Your friend tells you he believes when you die you go straight to heaven, because years ago when he was on the operating table he temporarily died and saw a bright light which he believes was heaven. It was very real and he personally experienced it. What do you tell your friend?
Study: What did the prophets write about the influence of sun worship in Israel and Judah? (See also Rom. 1:25).
Apply: Look around at how prevalent Sunday worship is in Christian churches. What should this fact teach us about how pervasive Satan’s deceptions are? Again, as with the state of the dead, what is our only safeguard?
Share: Your friend says his pastor says we don’t have to worry about keeping the Sabbath because in the New Testament we have grace. What do you tell your friend?
Read in Class: Ezekiel 20:1-20. Define the main idea of this passage.
Study: What is the gist of Ezekiel’s message here, and how does the Sabbath fit in with this call to faithfulness?
Share: Your friend says that Sunday worship and the immortality of the soul could not possibly be wrong since so many Christians around the world adhere to these doctrines. What do you tell your friend?
Read in Class: Revelation 18:4-5. Define the main idea of this passage.
Study: What is God’s appeal to multitudes still in fallen religious organizations?
Apply: See Matthew 15:3, 8-9. How do we keep ourselves safe from false theology and practices?
Share: Can you think of someone who would be encouraged by something in this week’s study? How can you plan to share it with them this week?
When people ask me why Adventists do not keep the feast days, I tell them we do – literally! At the cross we had the literal Passover. Ever since 1844 we have been living in the literal Day of Atonement. When Jesus returns it will literally be the Feast of Trumpets. As Colossians 2:14-17 points out, we do not need to keep the feast sabbaths which were a shadow of things to come, because now we had the literal Passover when Jesus died on the cross. Now we are living in the literal Day of Atonement.
I have heard people say there is no such thing as a literal Day of Atonement, but that makes no sense to me, because how can there be a shadow to something that doesn’t even exist? Also the sanctuary building itself shows me there has to be a literal Day of Atonement and cleansing of the sanctuary. The sanctuary is an illustration of the gospel. Many try to tell me the gospel ended at the cross. If that is so then the sanctuary would have ended in the courtyard where the sacrifice was slain. The fact that the sanctuary continues to a holy and most holy place, tells me the gospel goes beyond a literal cross into a literal holy and most holy place. Besides, if the Passover had a literal cross and the Feast of Trumpets has a literal second coming then reason tells me the Day of Atonement must have a literal Day of Atonement as well.
A friend pointed out to me that there was no reason for a literal Day of Atonement beginning in 1844 because sins were forgiven and cleansed right away. There was no need for a cleansing of the sanctuary. Yet Peter refers to a future day of refreshing or cleansing of sin still to come.
Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. Acts 3:19 KJV
Still I have heard people say there is no reason for a Day of Atonement or investigative judgment because God already knows everything and does not need to investigate. However in Genesis 3 God comes into the Garden of Eden to investigate after Adam and Eve disobeyed. Again in Genesis 18:21 God investigates Sodom and Gomorrah. So we cannot say there is no investigation because God already knows. Besides, all arguments aside, Daniel 8:14 says after 2300 days (a day for a year Ezekiel 4:6) the sanctuary shall be cleansed. The prophecy of Daniel 8 and 9 mesh together. If you try to make the cleansing of the sanctuary in 2300 literal days then you have to make the coming of the Messiah in 483 literal days which would make it impossible for Jesus to be our Messiah and Savior. But as Daniel 8 and 9 clearly teach, in A.D. 27 at the beginning of the 70th week, Jesus came as our Messiah and in 1844 He entered the Most Holy Place in heaven to complete the Gospel with the Day of Atonement and Cleansing of the Sanctuary.
Since the Old Testament Day of Atonement was a shadow or illustration of what would occur during the literal Day of Atonement when Jesus entered the Most Holy Place for us, let’s review what happened in that service:
What was to happen at the end of the 2300 days?
The other replied, “It will take 2,300 evenings and mornings; then the Temple will be made right again.” Daniel 8:14 NLT And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed. Daniel 8:14 KJV
Note: The Bible refers to two sanctuaries, one on earth and the other in heaven.
After what, was Moses to build the sanctuary?
“Have the people of Israel build me a holy sanctuary so I can live among them. You must build this Tabernacle and its furnishings exactly according to the pattern I will show you. Exodus 25:8- 9 NLT
Where is the location of the original?
Here is the main point: We have a High Priest who sat down in the place of honor beside the throne of the majestic God in heaven. There he ministers in the heavenly Tabernacle,the true place of worship that was built by the Lord and not by human hands. Hebrews 8:1-2 NLT
They serve in a system of worship that is only a copy, a shadow of the real one in heaven. For when Moses was getting ready to build the Tabernacle, God gave him this warning: “Be sure that you make everything according to the pattern I have shown you here on the mountain.” Hebrews 8:5 NLT
How many apartments did it have?
Hang the inner curtain from clasps, and put the Ark of the Covenant in the room behind it. This curtain will separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place.Exodus 26:33 NLT
When these things were all in place, the priests regularly entered the first room as they performed their religious duties. Hebrews 9:6 NLT
How frequent was it in the second apartment?
But only the high priest ever entered the Most Holy Place, and only once a year. And he always offered blood for his own sins and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance. Hebrews 9:7 NLT
When did the high priest do this?
“On the tenth day of the appointed month in early autumn, you must deny yourselves. Neither native-born Israelites nor foreigners living among you may do any kind of work. This is a permanent law for you. Leviticus 16:29 NLT
What was he doing?
On that day offerings of purification will be made for you, and you will be purified in the Lord’s presence from all your sins. Leviticus 16:30 NLT
How did he do it?
Then he must take the two male goats and present them to the Lord at the entrance of the Tabernacle. He is to cast sacred lots to determine which goat will be reserved as an offering to the Lord and which will carry the sins of the people to the wilderness of Azazel. Aaron will then present as a sin offering the goat chosen by lot for the Lord. Leviticus 16:7-9 NLT
What did he do with the blood?
“Then Aaron must slaughter the first goat as a sin offering for the people and carry its blood behind the inner curtain. There he will sprinkle the goat’s blood over the atonement cover and in front of it, just as he did with the bull’s blood. Through this process, he will purify the Most Holy Place, and he will do the same for the entire Tabernacle, because of the defiling sin and rebellion of the Israelites. Leviticus 16:15-16 NLT
What did he do with the sins?
“When Aaron has finished purifying the Most Holy Place and the Tabernacle and the altar, he must present the live goat. He will lay both of his hands on the goat’s head and confess over it all the wickedness, rebellion, and sins of the people of Israel. In this way, he will transfer the people’s sins to the head of the goat. Then a man specially chosen for the task will drive the goat into the wilderness. As the goat goes into the wilderness, it will carry all the people’s sins upon itself into a desolate land. Leviticus 16:20-22 NLT
“Be careful to celebrate the Day of Atonement on the tenth day of that same month—nine days after the Festival of Trumpets. You must observe it as an official day for holy assembly, a day to deny yourselves and present special gifts to the Lord. Do no work during that entire day because it is the Day of Atonement, when offerings of purification are made for you, making you right with[the Lord your God. All who do not deny themselves that day will be cut off from God’s people. Leviticus 23:27-29 NLT
What happened to those living willfully in open sin?
All who do not deny themselves that day will be cut off from God’s people. And I will destroy anyone among you who does any work on that day. Leviticus 23:29-30 NLT
Note: Jesus has begun the cleansing of the heavenly sanctuary or the blotting out of the record of confessed sins there, as well as from our lives here.
What pronouncement will Jesus soon make?
Let the one who is doing harm continue to do harm; let the one who is vile continue to be vile; let the one who is righteous continue to live righteously; let the one who is holy continue to be holy.” “Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds. Revelation 22:11- 12 NLT
What happens to those still sinning willfully?
And God will provide rest for you who are being persecuted and also for us when the Lord Jesus appears from heaven. He will come with his mighty angels, in flaming fire, bringing judgment on those who don’t know God and on those who refuse to obey the Good News of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with eternal destruction, forever separated from the Lord and from his glorious power. 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9 NLT
What happens to the righteous?
For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the Christians who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 NLT
Which group will you be found in?
“Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’ “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.” Matthew 7:21-27 NLT
What should we be doing in this time of judgment?
“Fear God,” he shouted. “Give glory to him. For the time has come when he will sit as judge. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and all the springs of water.” Revelation 14:7 NLT
What assurance do we have?
So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. Hebrews 4:14-16 NLT
In Light of The Cross 
