Leviticus 16:30 (KJV) For on that day shall the priest make an atonement for you, to cleanse you, that ye may be clean from all your sins before the Lord.

ABSTRACT

The article “SANCTUARY: ATONEMENT’S SACRED CALL!” explores the deep significance of the Day of Atonement as a divine call to self-examination, communal repentance, and trust in God’s judgment. Drawing from Scripture and inspired writings, it highlights the personal responsibility of confession, the shared duty of spiritual restoration, and the revelation of God’s love within the judgment process. These themes remain vital today, urging individuals and communities to embrace humility, repentance, and reconciliation with God and one another. Ultimately, the atonement reveals God’s active love, calling His people to holiness, transformation, and restoration.

THE SPIRITUAL MEANING OF THE DAY OF ATONEMENT

The Day of Atonement holds a profound significance across religious traditions, especially for those seeking to deepen their spiritual connection with God. Foundational to this solemn occasion is the call to self-reflection and purification, as instructed in Leviticus 23:27: “On the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be a holy convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls.” Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves, declares the inspired pen of Ellen G. White, echoing 2 Corinthians 13:5. Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting, adds Psalm 139:23-24. In the typical service the high priest, having made the atonement for Israel, came forth and blessed the congregation, so Christ, at the close of His work as mediator, will appear, without sin unto salvation (Hebrews 9:28), to bless His waiting people with eternal life (The Great Controversy, p. 485, 1888). The Bible assures us that we are in the great day of atonement, where all afflicted their souls before God, confessed their sins, and came before the Lord with contrition of soul, remorse for their sins, genuine repentance, and living faith in the atoning sacrifice (Our High Calling, p. 370, 1961). This holy day is not merely a ritual but a deeply spiritual exercise requiring a humbling of the heart and a search for divine grace. In The Cross and Its Shadow, Bro. Haskell emphasizes, “Each individual was to afflict his soul—search his heart and put away every sin” (p. 222). This blog explores the Day of Atonement’s spiritual meaning and its broader application to our lives and society, but how does this profound call unfold through individual accountability?

A CALL TO SELF-EXAMINATION

The Day of Atonement teaches the necessity of individual accountability before God. In this sacred observance, we were asked to reflect deeply on our actions and confess our sins. Leviticus 16:29 commands fasting and humility, highlighting the spiritual affliction needed for reconciliation. Bro. Haskell draws a connection to the heavenly sanctuary, where an investigative judgment occurs: “The names of all come up in review before God” (The Cross and Its Shadow, p. 223). But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup, urges 1 Corinthians 11:28. But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another, reinforces Galatians 6:4. Self-examination, with us, may be defined as follows: A strict investigation of our spiritual state, to know whether we are in the faith, to know our defects that we may overcome them, and the improvements that we make, that we may be encouraged thereby, reveals a passage from Sanctification (Sanctification, p. 89, 1864). There is a necessity for close self-examination, and to closely investigate in the light of God’s Word, Am I sound, or am I rotten, at heart? Am I renewed in Christ, or am I still carnal at heart, with an outside, new dress put on? in Messages to Young People (Messages to Young People, p. 83, 1913). As I ponder this, I am reminded that true humility invites God’s transformative power into our lives. In the quiet moments of self-reflection, we find God’s grace ready to cleanse and restore us, yet how does this personal journey extend to our shared life as a community?

COMMUNAL RESPONSIBILITY AND RESTORATION

Beyond personal accountability, the Day of Atonement carries a communal message. It was a time when the nation of Israel came together in repentance, symbolizing collective responsibility. This idea resonates with the church today: “We are laborers together with God” (1 Corinthians 3:9). Sr. White reflects, “No one can be saved in indolence and inactivity. All must act their part in repentance and faith” (The Great Controversy, p. 489). And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching, calls Hebrews 10:24-25. As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God, affirms 1 Peter 4:10. Repentance, as well as forgiveness, is the gift of God through Christ, through the inspired counsel we are told (Faith and Works, p. 38, 1887). Repentance is one of the first fruits of saving grace, where our great Teacher presents the life-giving power of His grace, declaring that through this grace we may live the new life of holiness and purity, a prophetic voice once wrote (God’s Amazing Grace, p. 138, 1973). As a community, are we supporting one another in our spiritual journeys? By sharing burdens, praying for one another, and extending grace, we reflect God’s love in tangible ways. This communal repentance strengthens the bonds of fellowship and renews our collective mission, but in what way does God’s love infuse even the judgment process itself?

GOD’S LOVE IN THE JUDGMENT PROCESS

The Day of Atonement also reveals God’s love through the judgment process. This might seem paradoxical, but consider the assertion that judgment stems from God’s desire for restoration. Ezekiel 33:11 reminds us, “I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live.” Sr. White underscores this in Patriarchs and Prophets: “The object of the work of judgment is not to condemn but to redeem” (p. 389). Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? questions Romans 2:4. Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face, proclaims Psalm 89:14. The more we study the divine character in the light of the cross, the more we see mercy, tenderness, and forgiveness blended with equity and justice, and the more clearly we discern innumerable evidences of a love that is infinite and a tender pity surpassing a mother’s yearning sympathy for her wayward child, in Steps to Christ we read (Steps to Christ, p. 15, 1892). It is the glory of God to be merciful, full of forbearance, kindness, goodness, and truth, but the justice shown in punishing the sinner is as verily the glory of the Lord as is the manifestation of His mercy, through inspired counsel we learn (The Review and Herald, March 10, 1904). God’s love shines through His willingness to offer forgiveness and a pathway to righteousness. How often do we view judgment not as a threat but as an opportunity to experience His grace, and what relevance do these eternal principles hold for our fractured modern world?

LESSONS FOR MODERN SOCIETY

In today’s world, the principles of the Day of Atonement remain relevant. Individual and collective self-examination can address societal issues like injustice and division. For example, conflicts within churches often stem from a lack of humility and genuine repentance. Sr. White advises, “The spirit of true repentance will lead men to confess their faults one to another and pray for one another” (Steps to Christ, p. 37). Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed, exhorts James 5:16. He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? challenges Micah 6:8. Without true repentance, there can be no true conversion, reminds a passage from To Be Like Jesus (To Be Like Jesus, p. 381, 1956). The law of God is an agent in every genuine conversion, where there can be no true repentance without conviction of sin, declares the prophetic voice (The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 4, p. 297, 1884). If we approached interpersonal and societal issues with the same heart of repentance taught by the Day of Atonement, we could bring about healing and unity, so how do these themes ultimately mirror the depth of God’s redeeming love?

HOW THE CONCEPTS REFLECT GOD’S LOVE

The themes of the Day of Atonement—self-examination, communal repentance, and judgment—deeply reflect God’s love. Consider the assertion that God’s love is most evident in His desire for humanity to be reconciled to Him. Evidence of this is seen in Sr. White’s statement: “Every provision has been made to cleanse us from sin and prepare us for heaven” (The Desire of Ages, p. 623). And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation, celebrates 2 Corinthians 5:18. And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven, echoes Colossians 1:20. In like manner you are a sinner, yet God promises to do all this for you through Christ, weaving in Steps to Christ (Steps to Christ, p. 51, 1892). If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness; are you willing to be cleansed from all unrighteousness? the inspired pen queries (That I May Know Him, p. 242, 1964). Through personal repentance, we witness His grace; through communal support, we extend His love to others. The concluding message is clear: God’s love is not passive but active, calling us to transformation and renewal, which leads us to embrace this sacred call in our daily walk.

EMBRACING GOD’S RESTORATION

The Day of Atonement is a powerful reminder of God’s call to holiness and restoration. By engaging in self-examination, fostering communal repentance, and trusting in God’s judgment, we align ourselves with His divine plan. As Sr. White reminds us, “To all who receive Him, He gives power to become sons of God” (Steps to Christ, p. 62). Go to Him, and ask that He will wash away your sins and give you a new heart, then believe that He does this because He has promised, encourages Steps to Christ (Steps to Christ, p. 49, 1892). Strength and grace have been provided through Christ to be brought by ministering angels to every believing soul; none are so sinful that they cannot find strength, purity, and righteousness in Jesus, who died for them, adds the literary witness (Steps to Christ, p. 52, 1892). Let us, as individuals and as a community, embrace the lessons of this sacred day, allowing God’s love to transform our lives and society for His glory.

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SELF-REFLECTION

How can I, in my personal devotional life, delve deeper into these prophetic truths about the Day of Atonement, allowing them to shape my character and priorities?

How can we adapt these complex themes of atonement and restoration to be understandable and relevant to diverse audiences, from seasoned church members to new seekers or those from different faith traditions, without compromising theological accuracy?

What are the most common misconceptions about judgment and repentance in my community, and how can I gently but effectively correct them using Scripture and the writings of Sr. White?

In what practical ways can our local congregations and individual members become more vibrant beacons of truth and hope, living out the reality of Christ’s restorative work and God’s ultimate victory over sin?