The Day of Atonement is a yearly feast instituted by Elohim to completely cover (pay the penalty) for all the sins of the people of Israel. When the Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed in 70 AD, the Jewish people could no longer present the required offerings on the Day of Atonement, so it came to be observed as a day of repentance, self-denial, charitable works, prayer, and fasting.

No work is performed on Yom Kippur. Two goats were elected for the grand ceremony, the high priest would place his hands on the head of the live goat and confess the sins of the whole nation before the altar of burnt offering. The first goat would be offered for the sins of the people and then he would give the live goat to an appointed person who carried it outside the camp and set it free into the wilderness. Symbolically, the “scapegoat” would carry away the sins of the people.

Today, the ten days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are days of repentance, when Jews express remorse for their sins through prayer and fasting. Yom Kippur is the final day of judgment when each person’s fate is sealed by YHWH for the upcoming year

Jewish tradition tells how YHWH opens the Book of Life and studies the words, actions, and thoughts of every person whose name he has written there. If a person’s good deeds outweigh or outnumber their sinful acts, his or her name will remain inscribed in the book for another year.

The blood offering for the sins of Israel pointed to Yeshuatekani being the blood offering for the people and the goat carrying the sins of Israel into the wilderness was called the Azazel goat. Azazel is a demonic entity. The sins of the goat are carried out to the wilderness. For Christians today, Yeshuatekani took all our sins, sending them far away. The Jewish people, however, didn’t have this amazing gift during their time. Therefore, the goat took the weight of their sins.

The Day of Atonement differs from the other festivals because Elohim commands His people to fast (not eat or drink) on this day to draw close to Him. All the other festivals involve enjoying food and drink.

Removing food and drink on this day reminds us that man cannot live by food and water alone, but needs Elohim, who is the creator and sustainer of all things. Atonement also pictures the reconciliation of mankind to Elohim, made possible by the offering of Yeshuatekani Messiah.

The Messianic fulfillment will be Yeshuatekani holding Azazel Goat (Satan) accountable for all the sins by putting him out in the wilderness in the Lake of Fire.