There are seven feasts of the Lord. Passover is the first. Unleavened Bread is the second. Firstfruits is the third. Pentecost is the fourth. The Blowing of Trumpets is the fifth. The Day of Atonement is the sixth. Each of the seven portrays an aspect of our salvation.

The Day of Atonement is Yom Kippur of the Jews.

Almost fifty years ago when in Bible school the Lord spoke to us about the Day of Atonement. The Lord said the Day of Atonement represented judgment on the Church.

At that time we had never heard a sermon on the feasts of the Lord. Having been saved only a short time we were in no manner prepared for such a word nor did we understand it.

Now, half a century later, the feasts of the Lord, including the Day of Atonement, appear many times in our teaching and writing.

When we first are saved the Lord requires that we come out from the gross sins of the world and follow Him. He protects us under the blood of the cross. He does not at that time deal with the labyrinth of spiritual darkness in our personality.

When the Lord brought the Jews out of Egypt He did not mention the numerous sins of the people. He told them to come out under the protection of the blood of the lamb.

When the Jews came to Sinai God made them aware of their sins and provided the Day of Atonement. When we receive the Holy Spirit, God begins to make us aware of our sins. He already has provided the spiritual Day of Atonement for us.

The Day of Atonement has two main parts. The first is the forgiveness of sins by means of the blood of the slain goat. The second is the removal of sin by means of the removal of the living goat.

The Christian Church understands very well the forgiveness of sins by means of the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Christian Church only now is beginning to understand the removal of sin as the living Lord Jesus comes to us and receives us to Himself.

The Scriptures speak of the salvation reserved for the last days. "To those who look for Him," the Bible says, "Jesus will appear without sin unto salvation."

The deliverance from sin, the work of the second goat so to speak, has begun. God is beginning to remove the graveclothes of sin from His Church.

If you are a saved person and have God's Holy Spirit dwelling in you, you will notice things are taking place in your life that are bringing forth the sin and rebellion in you. How do I know that? Because this is what is happening with all who are following Jesus.

Don't panic. Name your sin clearly and specifically to the Lord, resolving by His grace never to practice it again. God is faithful and righteous to forgive your sin and cleanse you from all unrighteousness.

Try it and see! It's a new day. The Jubilee of deliverance is here. The Lord Jesus has come to cleanse the royal priesthood. The Lord will receive you to Himself and as He does He will remove your chains. Whomever the Son sets free is free indeed!