DAY OF ATONEMENT by J. H. Waggoner

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Sep 16, 1880

DAY OF ATONEMENT.

By J. H. Waggoner

SEPTEMBER 15, in the Jewish calendar, was the day of atonement. In a lengthy article in the Alta upon that subject were the following words:—

"The prayers recited are not for Israel alone, but also for the entire world, it being believed that on yom kippur the whole world receives judgment upon the acts of the preceding year."

This is interesting, as giving the faith of Israel in regard to the intent of their chief solemnity. 1. It is the time of the Judgment. As the cleansing of the sanctuary by the blood of the sin-offering took place on this day, Lev. 16, it is evident that the prophecy of the cleansing of the sanctuary is nothing less than the announcement of the sitting of the Judgment. 2. That it relates altogether to "the acts of the preceding year." It refers to the past—not at all to the future.

In the antitype where the service of the High Priest is "once for all," the day of atonement, or the sitting of the Judgment, closes up human probation, as there is no further priestly service after that. How solemn to reflect that we are in the time spoken of in Dan. 8: 13, 14.

J. H. WAGGONER.