Seven Blessings of the Atonement

“This can be your breakthrough appointment with the Lord, one of the most significant opportunities in your entire life!”

The month of October begins one of the most historic, sacred seasons of the Jewish year—it has been emblazoned on God’s holy calendar since the days of Moses more than 30 centuries ago.

These coming days are extremely sacred times with God. This is His time to meet with His people. And what happens during this pivotal moment on God’s timetable can change everything for you, your family, your finances, and your future.

The Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashanah) begins at sundown on September 29. It is followed closely by the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), which begins at sunset on Tuesday, October 8, and ends at nightfall on Wednesday, October 9.

The entire season of feasts, which lasts through much of September, is extremely noteworthy, but the Day of Atonement is particularly significant. It’s the day on God’s holy calendar when He speaks peace to His people. This day requires advanced physical and spiritual preparation. The Lord spoke to Moses that the people should make an offering to the Lord on this day (see Leviticus 23:26-28).

Of all the seven yearly appointments with God, the Day of Atonement was the most solemn and awe-filled. It was a time set aside for national and sanctuary cleansing.

“Why does this matter to me?” you may be asking. “I’m not Jewish. Aren’t these feasts only for the children of Israel, God’s chosen people?”

It’s true that the feasts of Israel were all fulfilled in Christ Jesus, and the Day of Atonement was specifically fulfilled when He died on the cross as the supreme sacrifice for our sins. Yes, we are redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ. We don’t have to follow the ancient blood sacrifices for our sins to be atoned.

Still, God established the Day of Atonement to be kept forever:

“You shall keep it as a feast to the LORD throughout your generations. You shall keep it as a feast by an ever-lasting ordinance” (Exodus 12:14, NKJV).

And today we must understand the significance of the blessings God pours out on His people during those special feasts and seasons. We also need to understand the instructions God gave us to follow so we can become who He expects us to be and receive His special blessings on this holy day.

Scripture says the Day of Atonement was one of the three times each year when the Israelites were commanded to bring an offering. After fasting, weeping, mourning, and rending their hearts, then came the time to present an offering.

Why three times a year? There are many references to the number “3” throughout the Scriptures. It’s used 467 times in the Bible and represents the number of completeness. So it is no accident that God directed the children of Israel to bring an offering three specific times of the year.

And the atonement offering continues to be critical for believers today. Please don’t miss this vital point. This offering is your divine appointment with God Himself. It’s part of your preparation for what is to follow.

Day of Atonement Blessings

Joel 2:18-23 gives seven supernatural blessings connected to the Day of Atonement offering:

• A Double-Portion Blessing
  “He will cause the rain to come down for you — The former rain, And the latter rain in the first month” (Joel 2:23). The former rain prepares the land for seed-time, and latter rain prepares it for harvest. During the first month of the Jewish New Year, both rains come together. This double-portion blessing still happens today for those who present a Day of Atonement offering to the Lord.

• God’s Divine Presence
  “I am in the midst of Israel: I am the LORD your God and there is no other” (Joel 2:27). Everywhere you go, His presence goes with you.

• Restoration
  “I will restore to you the years that the locust has eaten” (Joel 2:25 NIV). God promised that He will give back to you whatever the devil has taken away from you.

• Miracles
  “You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, And praise the name of the LORD your God, Who has dealt wondrously with you” (Joel 2:26). God promised not only to provide you with plenty but also that He will deal wondrously with you. Imagine an outpouring beyond anything you’ve know before.

• Financial Outpouring
  “The threshing floors shall be full of wheat, And the vats shall overflow with new wine and oil” (Joel 2:24). If we obey the covenants of God, He promises to open the windows of heaven and pour out a blessing so big that we won’t have room enough to receive it (see Malachi 3:10).

• Blessings upon Your Family
  “I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions. And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days” (Joel 2:28-29). God desires for your family to build a great heritage of faith and follow Him all the days of your life (see Psalm 115:14).

• Deliverance
  “Whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved” (Joel 2:32). This includes those of us who have been “grafted” as wild olive branches into the tree (see Romans 11:11-24), and this promise of deliverance is available to believers everywhere.

All seven blessings of the Day of Atonement offering are for today’s believers. Unlock the door to every blessing God has for you and your loved ones.

This is your appointment with destiny!

God still places significance on His sacred seasons, and the Day of Atonement includes a special offering:

“They shall not appear before the LORD empty-handed. Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD your God” (Deuteronomy 16:16-17).

This could be your month of divine breakthrough.

Begin unleashing the seven blessings of the atonement in your life by planting your Day of Atonement seed to take the Gospel to the world. Then watch what God does!

The Number “3”

Let me share what I believe God is saying is important about this special offering: the number “3.” Why “3”? Because it is the number of completeness. There were three times a year when God commanded His people to bring offerings. “3” is the number of the Trinity, and Jesus rose from death on the third day.

Throughout the Bible, the number “3,” the third day, or the third occurrence of events often signaled that important developments were to follow. The number “3” is repeatedly used in designating significant lengths of time — three days, three weeks, three months, or three years — in the lives of God’s people.

• God appeared to the children of Israel on Mount Sinai in the third month after their departure from Egypt (Exodus 19:1), on the third day after their spiritual preparation (Exodus 19:10-11).

• The Ark of the Covenant contained three sacred objects (Hebrews 9:4).

• Three products — grain, new wine, and oil — of ancient Israel were noted as signs of God’s blessing (Hosea 2:22; Joel 1:10).

• The prophet Hosea spoke of healing and restoration on day 3: “On the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence” (Hosea 6:2).

“3” is a significant number throughout the Bible, but God wants to do an even greater work. Gideon’s small band of 300 was victorious against impossible odds — an opposing army estimated to be at least 135,000 Midianites and Amalekites! The Bible says the multitude was like “grasshoppers” (Judges 7:12).

And during this specific Day of Atonement, I believe God’s blessings on your life will be multiplied significantly. Be part of this remarkable season by planting your most generous offering!

I ask you to pray about sending a Day of Atonement offering.

Whatever offering God places on your heart, do it now! This is truly a holy season. Your life can be changed. It’s already happening for many who have stepped out in faith with their Day of Atonement offering, and it can happen for you too.

That is my prayer for you today!

With great expectation for you and your future,

Benny Hinn