Brethren, in just one week from now, we are once again keeping the Feast of Tabernacles. However, before we come to that joyous week, we have to go through the Day of Atonement, which we will observe in just two days.

Have you ever wondered, brethren, why we have to go through the Day of Atonement before we get to the Feast of Tabernacles? Why do we have to fast before we can feast? I believe the answer to that question would give us a better understanding of the true meaning of the Day of Atonement and, in the process, help us appreciate the Feast of Tabernacles better.

The temptation of Adam and Eve

To find the answer to this question, let’s go back to the beginning, to the first book of Genesis, where Satan tempted Adam and Eve. Let’s read Genesis 3:1-6:

¹ Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?”

² And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; ³ but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.’ ”

⁴ Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. ⁵ For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

⁶ So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.

So, the first sin ever committed by man involved eating. Isn’t it interesting brethren, that on the Day of Atonement, we refrain from eating? Thus, if sin entered man by eating, then by fasting, we get rid of sin.

Reason no. 1: Satan needs to be removed as a ruler

Now, who tempted Adam and Eve and influenced them to rebel against God? It is no other than Satan the devil.

The Day of Trumpets pictures the time when Yahshua would return here on earth. Together with His saints, He will establish God’s Kingdom here to start the 1000-year period when Yahshua and His saints will rule on the earth, which is pictured in the Feast of Tabernacles. However, there’s one more thing to do before we can proceed to the Feast.

What is it? It is the removal of Satan. For this world to experience peace, abundance, and life, it must remove the root cause of all the suffering in this world — Satan. That’s exactly what the Day of Atonement pictures.

II Corinthians 4:4 and Revelation 12:9 tell us that the ruler of this world is Satan and he has deceived the whole world! It’s not possible to have two kings ruling on this earth at the same time. One has to go and that is Satan.

Reason no. 2: Mankind must be released from Satan’s slavery

Satan has made slaves out of mankind. Because of his great negative influence, mankind has unknowingly made Satan its master. When Adam and Eve chose to follow Satan rather than Yahweh, our first ancestors became enslaved to Satan, and humanity has remained enslaved ever since.

That’s why, the Day of Atonement also pictures a day of release, a day when this world is finally set free from Satan’s evil influence.

Let’s read Leviticus 25:9-10:

9 Then you shall cause the trumpet of the Jubilee to sound on the tenth day of the seventh month; on the Day of Atonement you shall make the trumpet to sound throughout all your land. 10 And you shall consecrate the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout all the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a Jubilee for you; and each of you shall return to his possession, and each of you shall return to his family.

The reason our world faces financial crises is due to the neglect of observing the Jubilee year. God’s commandment prescribes that every 50 years, debts are to be canceled, possessions that have been sold should be returned, and slaves should be reunited with their families.

Just imagine the transformation if the world were to honor the Jubilee year. It would undoubtedly become a place of peace and harmony. However, such a vision is currently unattainable in a world ruled by Satan. Thus, once Satan is removed, there will be not only freedom from financial debt but also liberation from being enslaved by Satan. At last, this world would truly be free.

Reason 3: Mankind must be reconciled to God

After Satan is removed, there’s another process that should take place. This important process is also part of the Day of Atonement. Without this process, we still can’t proceed and go to the Feast of Tabernacles.

What is it? It is the reconciliation of man to God. Now, you might ask, what is the difference between the reconciliation pictured in the Passover and the reconciliation pictured in the Day of Atonement? I thought we were already reconciled to God during the Passover. Why is it that we are once again reconciling with God during the Day of Atonement?

Here’s the answer: The Passover has only a personal implication, but the Day of Atonement has a universal implication. ALL HUMANITY will finally be reconciled to God and not just the few firstborn of God.

Do you see that, brethren, the deep significance of the Day of Atonement? Remember, when we enter the millennium, the saints are not the only ones who will be there. There will also be human beings who survived the great tribulation and who will be taught by God’s firstfruits.

Reason no. 4: We must develop a humble attitude

Another reason that the Day of Atonement is placed before the Feast of Tabernacles is that we must first be humbled. Pride is what led Satan to rebel against the Most High God, and pride has a unique way of corrupting our character. It can make us resemble Satan in both nature and character.

Before God can use us in teaching the people on this earth, we must have a humble attitude and fasting helps us to develop the attitude of humility.

On the Day of Atonement, we are commanded to fast, refrain from eating food and drinking water from sunset to sunset. Fasting makes us hungry, which reminds us how greatly dependent we are on God.

Consider how a baby relies entirely on their parents. A helpless infant cannot care for themselves; they need their parents’ care and protection. Without anyone to provide for the baby, they would quickly perish.

In the same manner, we are like babies who need the help of the heavenly Father. We can’t live without Him. The problem is when we grow up, we become independent. Little by little, we don’t see the need for our Father’s care and love. So, we tried to live this life apart from God.

We see ourselves as self-sufficient. As we grow up, we become bigger, brighter, and stronger. We accomplish things that we can’t accomplish before. We become proud of our abilities.

We think that we are now something, but in reality, we are nothing without God. We forget that no matter how far we have come, we are still going back to where we came from and that’s the dust. We are made of dust and once we take our final breath, we are all going back to dust.

The Day of Atonement is a yearly reminder that we are made of flesh, that we are mortal, and that our days are limited and finite. As we fast and feel hungry, we become weak, which makes us realize that no matter how strong and healthy we are, we are still going to die without God’s divine providence.

That’s why, the Day of Atonement helps us to be humble and prepares us to enter the Feast of Tabernacles.

Final words

Just to summarize, brethren, in this message, I have shared with you the reasons why the Day of Atonement comes first before the Feast of Tabernacles:

1. Satan needs to be removed as a ruler
2. Mankind must be released from Satan’s slavery
3. Mankind must be reconciled to God
4. We must develop a humble attitude

Once these conditions are met, we can enter the Feast of Tabernacles with great joy, for God has fulfilled His promise through His Son, Yahshua. Finally, this world will have the opportunity to experience peace, harmony, and abundance under the rule of the King of kings and Lord of lords.

With that, I hope that you now have a better understanding of the Day of Atonement. May we remember these lessons as we prepare for our fast and finally reach the Feast of Tabernacles.

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