What Really Happened on the Day of Atonement

The Day of Atonement was the highest and holiest day in Israel. At the centre of the camp stood the Tabernacle, where the holy presence of God dwelt among His people. But God’s holiness could not be approached casually. After the death of Nadab and Abihu, Aaron was given a serious warning: he could not simply walk into God’s presence. Atonement was required. In this message, we explore: 1. The Holiness of God - Why God cannot be treated as common or ordinary. 2. God’s Standard of Truth - Why truth is not determined by society, culture, or personal opinion, but by the Word of God. 3. Aaron Needed Covering - Why even the High Priest needed atonement before entering God’s presence. 4. Israel Needed Covering - How the sins and uncleanness of the nation were dealt with on the Day of Atonement. 5. The Scapegoat - The powerful picture of Israel’s sins being placed upon the goat and carried away into the wilderness. 6. Christ, Our Greater Atonement - How the scapegoat points us toward the finished work of Jesus. We are reminded that God’s holiness cannot be redefined, sin cannot be made righteous by society, and truth cannot be determined by popular opinion. Yet in the midst of His holiness, God provided a way for His people to be cleansed, covered, and restored. #gebhardtberndt #empowerchurch #jesus #holiness #mercy #grace