Quill used to write Hebrew Scrolls. This quill was used to write part of a Torah Scroll in Dallas, Texas
Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter; Revelation 1:19
This photograph was taken from a Torah Scroll written in Iraq before the 20th century. Notice the lettering on this Scroll shows it was re-lettered in the past to keep it kosher. The “yad” (pointer in the form of a hand) is pointing to the word Mwy which is the beginning of the phrase “Yom Kippur” day of atonement. The Hebrew words are contained in the passage of Leviticus 23:26-32.
This photograph of Leviticus 23 was taken from a Torah Scroll written in Iraq before the 20th century.
The Feast of Atonement from Leviticus 23:26-32 written in English on parchment
The only sacrifice that will ever be provided to forgive mankind of their sinful condition and the results of that condition, was when Jesus offered Himself as “the lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the world” at the Passover. He arose from the dead at the Feast of the First Fruits. This was enough, “Dayenu”, and God was satisfied to let all who believe enter into eternity in His presence.
This feast, the Day of Atonement, is near the end of God’s plan of redemption and is offering mankind the incentive to repent or to change their mind about that sacrifice. This feast is called many things; the Tribulation, the Apocalypse, the time of Jacob’s trouble, the Day of the Lord, the great and dreadful day of the Lord, the 70th week of Daniel.
Great judgments upon mankind should lead people to change their mind, but in most cases they harden themselves and hate God more, e.g. Revelation 16:11, 12 they gnawed their tongues for pain, and blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds.
We do know the chronological order of the Feasts and all the details about the first three. If we compare Scripture with Scripture we know three major events which have not happened yet. First, the Lord will return and temporarily take His people off the Earth. This is called the rapture. We know there is something call the “Time of Jacob’s Trouble” which is the “beginning of sorrows” culminating in the “time of great Tribulation.” We also know there will be a great expected feast of Tabernacles wherein will be peace on Earth. Putting these three things in chronological order on the next two charts we can get a very good idea of how these last three feasts will be fulfilled.
The last feast to be literally fulfilled under the New Covenant was the Feast of Shavuot, Pentecost. The Feast of Atonement will take place in the future after the Feast of Trumpets. Because this feast is in the future, the details are not all clear and there are many opinions about how everything will take place.
The Apostle Paul was looking in the future when he said: “For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. … For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face:” 1 Corinthians 13
We do not know exactly how all the details will be revealed, but we can not say that the doctrine of things to come does not matter. They must be studied and conclusions drawn. Once you find an answer that is in harmony with the Scripture, teach what you know.
Because the Feast of Atonement takes place in the future, there are many opinions about what will happen.
This Jewish calendar wheel shows the proper time for each of the Feasts of the Lord from Leviticus 23.
The Feasts of the Lord follow a logical timeline of events relating to the redemption of mankind.
The Feasts of Leviticus 23 are shown here in their chronological order.
The fifth lesson from Leviticus 23 covers the Day of Atonement.
אך בעשׂור לחדשׁ השׁביעי הזה יום הכפרים הוא מקרא קדשׁ יהיה לכם ועניתם את־נפשׁתיכם והקרבתם אשׁה ליהוה
The Day of Atonement is not a joyous feast, but rather a strict time of affliction for the knowledge of sin.
כי הדם הוא בנפשׁ יכפר
A blood payment is required for sin. The question is, whose blood will be used to make the atonement.
God killed animals to get the skin to clothe Adam and Eve.
Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them. Genesis 3:21
ויעשׂ יהוה אלהים לאדם ולאשׁתו כתנות עור וילבשׁם
This was just a temporary covering which had to renewed over time. Under the Law of Moses, blood sacrifices were made daily, and yet there was always another sin to take care of. For the Day of Atonement each year blood was offered and yet this never took away the sin, it was just covered. What was needed was the people needed to be “born again” to be changed whereby their spirit would never be separated from God again. It was made eternally clean. This “new birth” came about by the blood of The Messiah Jesus as He made the eternal payment for all sin. All who come to Him and believe this are eternally secure.
Hebrews 10:1-4, 11, 12 For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;
And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. Hebrews 9:22
We are bought with a price, the price the Kinsman Redeemer gave for us. He paid to set us free, not simply to have our sin covered as in atonement, but in redemption. He gave the proper price and nothing else may be offered.
All who died in the Lord previous to the offering of Jesus The Messiah their sins were only covered not removed. They had to wait in Paradise, Abraham’s bosom until the proper price was paid.
God’s original plan for the Redemption of the Earth was to offer one sacrifice for all people for all time. That offering was The Messiah Jesus.
As we have previously seen in the Feast of First Fruits none of the Old Testament saints, with the exception of Enoch and Elijah, could be in God’s presence because their sins were not forgiven, they were only covered. They had to wait in a place called Paradise until Jesus made that offering, then “When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive”and took them to Heaven. Ephesians 4:8
When the Old Testament Saints, Adam, Eve, Abraham, Sarah, etc. died they could not go to Heaven because their sins were only covered. The word used for atonement is rpk kaphar which simply means to be covered over. Christ has bought us back as the Kinsman Redeemer. He paid the price.
At Jesus death He went to Paradise to show all that were in Abraham’s bosom that He had paid the price and they were now free to let Him bring them to Heaven.
When Jesus left Paradise He took all the souls with Him. A few received their glorified bodies as the feast of the Omer was fulfilled. Most however are in Heaven awaiting the resurrection to receive their bodies.
When he ascended up on high, HE LED CAPTIVITY CAPTIVE. Ephesians 4:8,9
The Feast of Atonement is not the feast where The Messiah Jesus paid for the sins of the world. He did that at the Feast of Passover. (see that lesson in this series) This feast has an entirely different purpose. It is the “Time of Jacob’s Trouble”.
Because of the offering of God’s only begotten Son sins for believers are completely removed, past present and future. Our spirit is alive to God, never to be separated again.
Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
This is the “gift of salvation”. Will you receive it?
For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Mark 8:36, 37
If you refuse the gift, you still owe for your sins. You don’t have enough to pay even if you give ALL your blood.
Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Acts 4:10-12
The following photograph is of Isaiah chapter 53. This Scroll of Isaiah was written in Russia and came to America from Jerusalem in 2004. The Scroll was used by The Scriptorium in Texas for many years. It is now in a museum at Bob Jones University in Greenville, South Carolina.
The following photograph is of Isaiah chapter 53. This Scroll of Isaiah was written in Russia
Copyright: Art Pat M. Smith, copyright 1992 revelationillustrated.com
As the world draws closer to the Time of Jacob’s Trouble, The Tribulation, the heavens will start shaking and there will be a great increase in the terror this will bring.
The nations will be faced with problems that as there will be great distress but no answer how to solve the problems. For instance since the end of WWII America has gone to war many times without the ability to win the wars. We are perplexed. We could have won any war in a matter of minutes by simply blowing whoever we wished off the map, but that would not have been acceptable. So we fight on with never ending wars perplexed how to end them.
There will be great cataclysms in nature which will cause the “sea and waves roaring” one tsunami after another. All of these things and much more will cause men’s hearts to fail as they see these things coming or the fear of them coming.
Luke 21:25 written in English on parchment
And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. 1 John 2:2
But you must want this redemption, you must see your need for this sacrifice, you must believe what God has said. Acts 2:21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. This need, this want, this believing is called repentance. That is one of the reasons for such judgments in this feast, to lead people to repentance. When people refuse this, then they will stand alone before their Creator.
At this feast God will give many judgments and examples of the cost of entering eternity without having obtained forgiveness for sin.
The Creator whose name is Jehovah chose a group of people to be a kingdom of Priests to the world. This group of people came through the bloodline of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. We call these people the Children of Israel.
Exodus 19:5, 6 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.
ועתה אם שׁמוע תשׁמעו בקלי ושׁמרתם את בריתי והייתם לי סגלה מכל העמים כי לי כל הארץ׃ ואתם תהיו לי ממלכת כהנים וגוי קדושׁ אלה הדברים אשׁר תדבר אל בני ישׂראל׃
To be sure, trough these people the blessings of God have been revealed to the world. Some of these blessings were that though them we have the following:
Many of the blessings given to the Jewish people are listed in this photograph.
Though the Scripture from Exodus 19 was given around 3,500 years ago, much of the time this “kingdom of Priests” has been just as wayward as the rest of the world. Now at the fulfillment of the Feast of Atonement we find God’s plan for setting up His eternal Kingdom coming to fulfillment. To have this eternal Kingdom as He foretold the nation of Israel must have His Law written upon their hearts, not simply on stone. God is about to make this change by opening the hearts of the Children of Israel through what is called the “Time of Jacob’s Trouble.” The world is also given this time to open their hearts in what they call the Great Tribulation.
The Time of Jacob’s Trouble and the Great Tribulation are the same, just different names for the same events.
The Scroll of Zechariah tells of a future horrific holocaust of the Jewish people. During the “Time of Jacob’s Trouble” two thirds of the Jewish nation will be killed. If there were 15 million Jews living when it begins, 10 million will die. Among the Gentile nations there will be over 3.5 billion people die.
This old Scroll of the 12 Prophets was purchased in Jerusalem in 2005.
The following photograph is taken from the Scroll of the 12 Prophets the book of Zechariah. This portion contains verses from Zechariah 13:7 through Zechariah 14:5.
Scroll of the 12 Prophets – Photograph of the book of Zechariah 13:7 through 14:5.
Zechariah 13:7-14:5 Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones. 8 And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the LORD, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein. 9 And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God.1 ¶ Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee. 2 For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city. 3 Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle. 4 And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south. 5 And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the LORD my God shall come, and all the saints with thee.
One of the troubling details of the “time of Jacob’s trouble” is that the Jewish nation as we see it today is not the final gathering of the Jews to their homeland where the Messiah will rule the Earth. That will happen at the beginning of the Feast of tabernacles.
The Jewish nation must exist for the “time of Jacob’s trouble” to occur. Before the Feast of Tabernacles the Jews will build a Temple and they will welcome, and accept one who is the false messiah, known as the Antichrist. In the middle of the seven year security treaty he makes with Israel, he will go into the Temple and cause what is known as “the abomination of desolation”. Jesus told us when you see this happen, flee for your lives; two thirds of the Jews will be killed and well over three billion gentiles will be killed and the Earth will be covered with blood.
THE GREAT DAY OF THE LORD IS NEAR – The time of Jacob’s trouble
Apocalypse, Tribulation, Great Day of the Lord, Time of Jacob’s trouble; all three of these names are synonymous.
Read the book of The Revelation
It is very important for you to read the book of The Revelation. God said the following words: Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.
Don’t let people tell you it is just too confusing and it can mean whatever you think up. If God told us to read it, who do you suspect is the one trying to get you to not read it?
Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy
God gave a word to those who trust in false teachers.
Stand now with thine enchantments, and with the multitude of thy sorceries, wherein thou hast laboured from thy youth; if so be thou shalt be able to profit, if so be thou mayest prevail. Thou art wearied in the multitude of thy counsels. Let now the astrologers, the stargazers, the monthly prognosticators, stand up, and save thee from these things that shall come upon thee. Behold, they shall be as stubble; the fire shall burn them; they shall not deliver themselves from the power of the flame: there shall not be a coal to warm at, nor fire to sit before it. Isaiah 47:12-14
Many people claim to know the future.
The Bible shows us much of the future and everything it says is true.
Because this feast of Atonement is in the future all the details are not clearly seen. There is room for opinion and speculation. However we are given many details of things happening on the Earth at that time. Some of these things will be seen as this lesson progresses.
As you read through the book of The Revelation don’t listen to those who say it is just types and symbols and you can’t understand anything. God said you would be blessed for reading the book. Just believe what it says, literally. If it says it is a crown, it is a crown. If it says it is a throne, it is a throne. If it says it is like or as something, it is like or as that thing. Where confusing language and symbols are used, usually the Bible will give a full explanation of that.
There are some things God has revealed to us, many things He chose not to tell us. We DO KNOW SOME THINGS about the book of The Revelation and what we know is very interesting. Some things are very frightening, such as Revelation 21:8. When I was nine years old I accepted Jesus as my Savior because of that verse.
The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever
There are two ways of interpreting the Scripture.
1. Allegorically – Allegorism is the method of interpretation that regards the words as only vehicles for a secondary, more spiritual, more profound sense. The literal sense of the verse is ignored and the emphasis is placed entirely upon the secondary sense. This is a dangerous method of interpreting any Scripture. The basis of authority ceases to be the Word but becomes whatever is in the interpreter’s mind. He makes it whatever he wants it to be.
2. Literal – The literal method gives to each word the same exact meaning it would have in normal, ordinary, customary usage in speech taking in account common usages such as the metaphor, simile, or personification, etc.
The closer the world gets to the time of “Jacob’s Trouble” (Tribulation), the darker it will become.
This is the time the people of the world will have to start paying the final payment for their sin.
Because of the horrific judgments many people will turn to Jesus The Messiah, the one spoken of in Genesis 3:15 as their Savior.
A blood payment must be paid for sin, your blood or the blood of Christ. Romans 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
During the Tribulation the Earth will be covered with blood.
From space the Earth looks like a beautiful blue sapphire laced with silver.
AT THREE SPECIFIC TIMES during the Tribulation, the world will turn RUBY RED COVERED BY BLOOD.
Approximately 4,000,000,000 (four billion) people will die during the Tribulation.
The book clearly says God is showing us things that will come to pass.
Revelation the phonetic spelling of this Greek word is apokalupsis. It means “An uncovering, removal of a covering, to show”.
This is not God’s concealed book; this is God’s revealed book.
The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand. Revelation 1:1-3
Copyright and credit line: Art used from Pat Marvenko Smith, copyright 1992 revelationillustrated.com
I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, … Revelation 1:9-11
Patmos is a tiny Island off the western coast of Turkey.
Patmos is an Island in the Aegean Sea. It is a Greek Island but is very close to the coast of Turkey. The 13.15 square mile (34 km) island has tourism as it’s main income.
Modern Patmos was made famous by the writing of the book of The Revelation by John. Many tourists visit the island for that reason.
The Revelation
This study is not a word for word comprehensive study of the Feast of Atonement from the book of The Revelation. The main purpose of these lessons is to provide visual media to help understand Bible truth. At the present time only a few highlights are covered. Content will be added as time permits.
1:10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.
Copyright and credit line: Art used from Pat Marvenko Smith, copyright 1992 revelationillustrated.com
1:12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.14 His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.
and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength
People usually think of a church as a building. If this was the true definition of the seven churches mentioned in Revelation chapter one through three then they are no longer in existence. However, the word for church in the Greek Scripture is as follows.
ekklēsía(from ek, “out from and to” and kaléō, “to call”) – properly, people called out from the world and to God, the outcome being the Church (the mystical body of Christ) – i.e. the universal (total) body of believers whom God calls out from the world and into His eternal kingdom.
The word “church” is a called out assembly of believers and there is a very good possibility there are many “born again believers” (John chapter three) in Turkey. Their buildings are of no importance.
John wrote to 7 churches which are in Turkey. Today, most of the cities and all the church buildings are gone.John wrote to 7 churches which are in Turkey. Today, most of the cities and all the church buildings are gone.
