The Day of Atonement – Scripturally Proven False Teaching

As fall approaches I have begun to read, again, teachings about the Atonement Offering necessary at this time of year. The teachers of this practice claim that this “offering” is necessary in order to receive several blessings from the Lord. My research has found, repeatedly, that this is false teaching and unbiblical. To begin, if we are to continue to celebrate this offering, as the Old Testament commanded, why has the celebration changed? If we go back to the original command, it is clear that this feast was marked by a blood offering, fasting and the command to refrain from ALL work. In Leviticus, when Moses was given the command for the Day of Atonement, it was clear that no one was allowed to work or eat on that day. Why then does this, now widespread, teaching never include these rules? The tenth day of the seventh month on the Hebrew calendar is October 3-4, 2014 (Friday-Saturday). Why then is this “Day of Atonement” conveniently being preached as a September Sunday?

“And the Lord said to Moses, Also the tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement; it shall be a holy [called] assembly, and you shall afflict yourselves [by fasting in penitence and humility] and present an offering made by fire to the Lord. And you shall do no work on this day, for it is the Day of Atonement, to make atonement for you before the Lord your God. For whoever is not afflicted [by fasting in penitence and humility] on this day shall be cut off from among his people [that he may not be included in the atonement made for them]. And whoever does any work on that same day I will destroy from among his people. You shall do no kind of work [on that day]. It is a statute forever throughout your generations in all your dwellings. It shall be to you a Sabbath of rest, and you shall afflict yourselves [by fasting in penitence and humility]. On the ninth day of the month from evening to evening you shall keep your Sabbath.” Leviticus 23: 26-32 Amp

When you move into the New Testament, it is clear that Jesus is the ultimate, atonement for us all. But, no atonement could be made at any time without the shedding of blood.

“Once a year Aaron shall make atonement on its horns. This annual atonement must be made with the blood of the atoning sin offering for the generations to come. It is most holy to the LORD.” Exodus 30:10

“And according to the Law, one may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” Hebrew 9:22

If the shedding of blood is necessary for any atonement, then how can a monetary offering, never mentioned in scripture, be any part of the Day of Atonement? Instead, Scripture clearly states, that the atonement has been satisfied.

“He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.” 1 John 2:2

“This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” 1 John 4:10

Jesus said that we have no ability to “atone” for ourselves.

“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:17-20

The teachers of the “Season of Atonement” state that there are several blessings associated with a monetary atonement offering. They also claim that you will miss these blessings if an offering is not given. I would like to offer, Scripturally, that each of these blessings are already promises to those who make Jesus the Lord of their lives. Although I am a firm believer that “faith without works is dead,” the truth is, there is nothing we can do to receive what is already ours in Christ, except to believe in faith.

1. A Double Portion on the Economy”These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:3“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” John 10:10“And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19
2. Financial Blessing and Fresh Anointing“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33“Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.” 2 Corinthians 4:16
3. Restoration by the Hand of God“And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” 1 Peter 5:10“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28
4. Special Miracles“And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.” Mark 16:17-18“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” Mark 11:24
5. A Divine Presence With You“And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;” John 14:16“Jesus replied, ‘Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.’” John 14:23
6. Blessings in Your Home”For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: ‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, that I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions.'” Acts 2:15-17
7. Deliverance and Freedom“For He delivered (Strong’s #4506: to rescue, to draw out, hence to draw to one’s self, to deliver) us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son.” Colossians 1:13 NASV“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; he has appointed me to preach Good News to the poor; he has sent me to heal the brokenhearted and to announce that captives shall be released and the blind shall see, that the downtrodden shall be freed from their oppressors, and that God is ready to give blessings to all who come to him.” Luke 4:18-19“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” John 8:36

I’m not sure which of these “offering bought” promises bothers me most. But the shear audacity to claim that any of these promises, that Jesus paid so dearly to attain for us, could be purchased with man’s feeble monetary donation! And the claim that you should bring this “offering” to the altar in front of the congregation defies another command of God’s Word:

“Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” Matthew 6:1-4

I am appalled again that this teaching continues each year and struggling members of the body of Christ buy into this church lottery scheme, hoping for things that already belong to them through Jesus blood. Jesus’ last words on the cross were, “It is finished.” Are now being taught that it isn’t? In conclusion,

“Then [the apostles] laid their hands on them one by one, and they received the Holy Spirit. However, when Simon (a practitioner of magical arts) saw that the [Holy] Spirit was imparted through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he brought money and offered it to them, Saying, ‘Grant me also this power and authority, in order that anyone on whom I place my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.’ But Peter said to him, ‘Destruction overtake your money and you, because you imagined you could obtain the [free] gift of God with money! You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is all wrong in God’s sight [it is not straightforward or right or true before God]. So repent of this depravity and wickedness of yours and pray to the Lord that, if possible, this contriving thought and purpose of your heart may be removed and disregarded and forgiven you. For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in a bond forged by iniquity [to fetter souls].’” Acts 8:17-23 Amp

“If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself.^” 1Timothy 6:3-5

I invite and urge you to do your own study on the Atonement and run from such false teaching. Amen!