What Was the Day of Atonement?

Leviticus 16 describes the annual sanctuary cleansing, while Leviticus 23 emphasizes solemn self-examination. This reading understands this service as a pattern for judgment, cleansing, and final removal of sin in Christ’s ministry.

In the typology presented here, the Lord’s goat is understood as representing Christ’s atoning sacrifice and the scapegoat associated with Azazel as representing Satan’s final responsibility for sin. Satan does not atone for believers or contribute to their salvation; atonement belongs to Christ alone. Other Christians identify the scapegoat differently.

The service pictures the removal of sin rather than an endless continuation of sacrifice. The connections presented here to Daniel 8:14 and the final heavenly ministry are typological interpretations to be tested in light of Hebrews and the sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice.