The meaning of the Day of Atonement

A Bible Study on Hebrews 9:24

A Bible Study in EasyEnglish (2800 word vocabulary) on the Book of Hebrews

Keith Simons

EasyEnglish is a system of simple English designed by Wycliffe Associates (UK).

Last part: Heaven is a real place (Hebrews 9:23)

Hebrews chapter 9

The meaning of the Day of Atonement

(Hebrews 9:24)

The author of Hebrews now explains the true meaning of the Day of Atonement.

The Day of Atonement was the day when Israel’s chief priest entered the most holy room in the temple (God’s house). It only happened on one day in each year. And on that day, God forgave his people’s sins (wrong and evil deeds). See Hebrews 9:7.

The real meaning is about Christ’s return to heaven after his death. He went to God the Father there. And he did it for us.

All people are guilty of sin. And our sin has ruined our relationship with God. We deserve to die because of our sin. We deserve God’s punishment. But on the cross, Christ suffered the punishment for us (Isaiah 53:4-6). He died because of our sin.

So Christ died for us. But then, he went to God the Father on our behalf. That is why Jesus is our chief priest (Hebrews 4:14). He made it possible for people to have a right relationship with God (Hebrews 9:11-15).

Israel’s chief priest entered that holy room only briefly. He could not remain there. But when Christ entered heaven, God the Father gave him a seat at his own right side (Hebrews 1:3). Christ is still there today. And he is still our chief priest. He continues to pray and to speak to God the Father on our behalf (Hebrews 7:25).

Israel’s chief priest did his work on behalf of the people in Israel. And Christ did his work for all the people who put their trust in him. They are the people who have confessed their sin to God. They have invited him into their lives; and they have begun a new relationship with him. And so God has forgiven all their sin.

More about Hebrews chapter 9 Hebrews 9:1 - The first holy place in this world Hebrews 9:2 - The outer room of the tabernacle Hebrews 9:3 - The Holy of Holies behind the curtain Hebrews 9:4 - What was in the ark of the covenant? Hebrews 9:5 - What was the purpose of the Holy of Holies? Hebrews 9:6 - Israel’s priests and their daily work Hebrews 9:7 - The Day of Atonement Hebrews 9:8 - The way into the holiest place Hebrews 9:9-10 - The parable of God’s house Hebrews 9:11 - The real house of God Hebrews 9:12 - Christ’s work as our chief priest Hebrews 9:13 - Why did animals die as sacrifices? Hebrews 9:14 - The importance of Christ’s death Hebrews 9:15 - A covenant, a mediator, and a death Hebrews 9:16-17 - Christ’s death makes the covenant certain Hebrews 9:18 - Whose blood made the first covenant definite? Hebrews 9:19 - Each person must join in God’s covenant Hebrews 9:20 - The purpose of the communion Hebrews 9:21 - The use of blood in the Bible Hebrews 9:22 - The importance of the blood for Christians Hebrews 9:23 - Heaven is a real place Hebrews 9:24 - The meaning of the Day of Atonement (this page) Hebrews 9:25-26 - Christ: our priest and our sacrifice Hebrews 9:27 - The judgement of God Hebrews 9:28 - Christ died once to save many people

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© 2012, Keith Simons.