The Tabernacle
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Chapter XII THE DAY OF ATONEMENT Another Shadow of the Cross and of Christ's Ret1,rn in Glory Leviticus 16:1-34; 23:26-32 Again and again, throughout this series of studies, we have referred to the one great day in the year when Aaron entered the Holy of Holies to make atonement for the sins of "the whole congregation" of Israel. The very heart of the Gospel message was foreshadowed in the God-given ritual for this Day of Atonement; and no study of the Jewish tabernacle would be complete without some con- sideration of God's law concerning it. In the ceremony of this day, "The Glories of Christ" shone forth in unmis- takable type and shadow-from His cross even unto His return in power and majesty as Israel's Messiah and the world's righteous King. The entire sixteenth chapter of Leviticus is devoted to the ritual for this greatest day in Israel's year. But, if we would learn the lessons God has for us here, we should :first get the message of the twenty-third chapter of Leviticus, where the Day of Atonement is placed in its chronological order, in its relation to all of the seven "feasts of Jehovah," observed annually by devout Jews under the Law of Moses; for the Day of Atonement was one of the seven. Whole volumes have been written on these "feasts of Jehovah." For our purpose here, however, we shall merely outline them briefly, adding a word about the typical sig- nificance of each one. This much is necessary, if we are to catch a glimpse of "The Glories of Christ As Fore- shadowed in the Jewish Tabernacle," in the God-given ceremony of the great Day of Atonement. (271)
When John saw the vision of "The Revelation of Jesus Christ" on the Isle of Patmos, he saw "the temple of God . . . opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his covenant (R. V.) : and there were light- nings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail" (Rev. 11:19). This verse introduces a section of the Revelation which tells of "the great tribulation," called also "the time of Jacob's trouble." And the refer- ence to "the ark of his covenant" is a token of God's faith- fulness in His covenant-relationship with Israel. He will guard His people through that darkest period of her his- tory; and He will take the faithful remnant safely through this time of suffering and sorrow. He can not break His Word! "He is Faithful that Promised" God never breaks His Word! Nor will He fail to meet every need of His blood-bought children, as they approach Him before the mercy seat! The wilderness journey may seem long and weary. Thorns may he in our paths. The desert sands may burn our tired and aching feet. But glory awaits us in the New Jerusalem. And, meanwhile, we have "the throne of grace"! There our risen Lord min- isters to our needs. There He watches over His own. Dear Christian friend in trouble, look up to your Mediator, your Saviour and Lord. His judgment throne has become for you a veritable mercy seat, a throne of grace, indeed. Look up, even "unto Jesus"; and hear Him saying unto you: "Come, ye disconsolate, where'er ye languish; Come to the 111-ercy seat, fervently kneel; Here bring your wounded heart; here tell your anguish; Earth has no sorrows that heaven can not heal."
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