| by Richard Frates (Easley, South Carolina) |
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| The apostles felt privileged to suffer persecution for Christ. Acts 5:41” rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering” for Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives. Philippians 1:29 “It has been granted to you on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him”. Philippians 3:10-11, I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow to attain to the resurrection of the dead.1 Peter 4:1 “Since Christ suffered, arm yourselves with the same attitude”. Leviticus 23:26-27 “The Lord said to Moses – The tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement. Hold a sacred assembly and deny yourselves.” V28 “Do not work on that day, because it is the Day of Atonement, when atonement is made for you before the Lord your God.” The Day of Atonement is an invitation and command, calling believers to: identify with the death and sufferings of Christ by fasting on this day. If not fasting, then how else would you “deny yourselves?” It is also a prophecy that Christ would suffer and has been fulfilled in the sacrifice of the Son of God. The high priest entered the most holy place once a year on the Day of Atonement. Hebrews 9:1-8, Verse 8 “The Holy Spirit was showing by this that – the way – into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed.” John 14:5-6 “Thomas said to him, Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know “the way?”Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. This is teaching that the Most Holy Place was symbolic of the Father’s Presence. We know that eternal life or Salvation, is to know the Father and his Son Christ Jesus. John 17:3 “Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” Leviticus 23:29 “Anyone who does not – deny himself – on that day must be cut off from his people.” Verse 32 “It is a Sabbath of rest for you, and you must deny yourselves. From the evening of the ninth Day of the month until the following evening you are to observe your Sabbath.” Luke 9:21-23: The same command is given in the new testament: When speaking of his death and suffering, Jesus Christ said:Luke 9:23 “If anyone would come after me, he must – “deny himself” – and take up his cross – daily, and follow me”; the same words “deny himself” was also said in Leviticus 23:29. This teaches that we identify, with Christ, in his suffering and death by – denying ourselves – by fasting on the Day of Atonement. The concept of Christians willingly “denying” yourself extends to repentance; that is a lifelong battle. Repentance is, turning away, and denying yourself the sins of this world. The word “daily” that Christ used in Luke 9:23 is referring to “daily” turning away from sin, “denying” yourself. Jesus Christ commands all to “deny” themselves in Luke 13:3 by saying: “unless you repent you too will all perish.” That is the same as saying: Leviticus 23:29 “Anyone who does not – deny himself – on that day must be cut off from his people.” Jesus Christ called on all, to “deny” themselves, at the beginning of the gospel, Matthew 4:17 “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is near.” All those who are called by God are commanded to fast on the Day of Atonement so that believers may identify with Messiah; by taking part in the sufferings of Christ. What other reason would there be for God to say “anyone who does not deny himself must be cut off from his people?” God teaches believers to accept, persecution, hardships and trials in our lives as discipline from God; Hebrews 12:7 “Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons.” Sadly, many Christians today are looking for acceptance by the world. If the world loves you, you do not belong to Christ. We should accept and expect to be rejected and persecuted by the world, as Jesus Christ was, and wear that persecution like a crown. Carrying our trials and sufferings without grumbling is Carrying our cross daily, Luke 9:23. 1 Peter 2:20-21, if you suffer for doing good and endure it, this is commendable before God. “To this you were called, becauseChrist suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in his steps”. 1 Peter 4:12-13 “rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ”. The fulfillment of the Day of Atonement is when God gives the nation of Israel and all Jews his Holy Spirit and reveals the sacrifice of his Son Christ Jesus to them. Ezekiel 36:24-36 is speaking of God’s Holy Spirit being poured on the Jews and the nation of Israel. Verse 25, “I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new Spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. This will be – reversing what the Apostle Paul said in Romans 11:25 NIV “Israel has experienced a hardening in part.” V24 “I will gather you from all the countries and bring you back to your own land.” V27, “I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. This is something new and will be the first time God’s Spirit is given to an entire nation. The Day of Atonement will be a time of National Repentance: V31, “Then you will remember your evil ways and wicked deeds, and you will loath yourselves for your sins and detestable practices.” V32, “Be ashamed and disgraced for your conduct, O house of Israel!” This attitude of repentance will spread to all the remaining nations. Zechariah 12:10 – I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a Spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced”. They will “grieve bitterly for him.” “On that day the weeping in Jerusalem will be great.” Christians should, observe the Day of Atonement, by “denying ourselves” and as we hunger, remember, we are identifying, with the great suffering and death of the Son of God. Isaiah 53:3-12, describes the great suffering of our Savior, Christ Jesus. Leviticus 16:3-22, reveals the way God commanded the priest to sacrifice on the Day of Atonement. Praise the God and Father of our Savior, Christ Jesus. |
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