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Many things in the New Testament are in one way or another connected to things or events mentioned in the Old Testament – and vice versa. A number of things indicate that the Lord's prayer (the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 6), the Sermon on the Mount (chapters 5-7) and the Beatitudes (Matthew 5, verses 3-11), have a connection with the Day of Atonement which the Jews call Yom Kippur (see Leviticus 23). Or at least, it appears that some of the things Jesus said, as recorded in Matthew 5, pointed forward to the future time which that day symbolised.
This essay is a study on how the Lord's Prayer, the Sermon on the Mount and the Beatitudes have a connection with the Old Covenant's Day of Atonement. It will first consider certain things regarding the Day of Atonement which is described in the Old Testament. After that, it will take a closer look at the Sermon on the Mount, including "the nine Beatitudes". The meaning of the Lord's Prayer will also be studied, in depth.
You can find links to other essays in the "holy days" series and in the "covenants" series, in the "Additional reading" section towards the end of this present document. The essay ex05b.htm has more on the Day of Atonement and its symbolism. The essay eb11c.htm has more on prayer.
It was the Day of Atonement that began the "year of Release", every seventh year. In ancient Israel, no money debts could last longer than up to the next year of Release. When the Release was declared on the Day of Atonement (each seventh year), all monetary debts were to be cancelled. Likewise, any Israelite who had sold himself to another Israelite (that is, had made a contract to serve, for paying a debt or whatever), was to be given freedom at the Release which was proclaimed on the Day of Atonement.
Further: Each fiftieth year, the Day of Atonement began a special "Jubilee" year. At that time all slaves, even of foreign origin, were given their freedom, and all land properties (outside cities) were returned to their original owners, or to their families or descendants.
This is about the special trumpet which was sounded on that day:
Leviticus 25:8 'And you shall count seven sabbaths of years for yourself, seven times seven years; and the time of the seven sabbaths of years shall be to you forty-nine years. 9 'Then you shall cause the trumpet of the Jubilee to sound on the tenth day of the seventh month; on the Day of Atonement you shall make the trumpet to sound throughout all your land. 10 'And you shall consecrate the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout all the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a Jubilee for you; and each of you shall return to his possession, and each of you shall return to his family. [...] 13 'In this Year of Jubilee, each of you shall return to his possession. 14 'And if you sell anything to your neighbor or buy from your neighbor's hand, you shall not oppress one another. (NKJV, highlighting added)
There are some interesting passages which may be connected to this Jubilee Year. Isaiah 61 is one of those passages. Jesus read that passage aloud – Luke 4 records that. There is more on this, below.
A note regarding the origin and etymology of the word 'jubilee', or 'jubile' as some older translations have it (Leviticus 25 and 27, and Numbers 36).
The English word "jubilee" comes from the Hebrew yowbel which is thought to have meant "a ram's horn" (used as a horn to blow in, like a trumpet of a kind).
In the Hebrew text of Leviticus 25:9-10 – which is about the Day of Atonement – the words yobel, shofar and teruah appear together, all of them referring to horns which could be sounded by blowing.
Also the horns which were sounded at Jericho were called yowbel (Joshua 6:4-13).
And, even the horn that was heard at Sinai – Exodus 19:13 – was called yowbel.
The LXX (the Septuagint, an ancient Greek translation of the Old Testament) translates yowbel by such words as sêmasia and aphesis.
The book of Luke records how Jesus was given a scroll and read a part of its contents:
Luke 4:17 And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written: 18 "The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; 19 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD." 20 Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him. 21 And He began to say to them, "Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing." (NKJV, highlighting added)
It seems that Jesus was reading from a scroll that contained this portion of the book of Isaiah:
Isaiah 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me; he has sent me to preach glad tidings to the poor, to heal the broken in heart, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind; 2 to declare the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of recompence; to comfort all that mourn; 3 that there should be given to them that mourn in Sion glory instead of ashes, the oil of joy to the mourners, the garment of glory for the spirit of heaviness: and they shall be called generations of righteousness, the planting of the Lord for glory. (LXXE)
A note regarding Luke 4:21 which was quoted above: The good things mentioned in Isaiah 61:1-3 and so on were not yet fulfilled at that time, but the prophetic words in Isaiah 61:1 which foretold that the Anointed would proclaim that Good Message regarding things to come, were fulfilled, in the hearing of those people in that synagogue.
Below, it will be shown in more detail how those things were related to the symbolism and prophetic message of the Old Covenant's Day of Atonement, as well as related to what Jesus spoke about in "the Sermon on the Mount".
The wider context in the book of Isaiah was about how, in the future, the tribes of Israel will be gathered and will then, as a nation, make a new covenant with the Lord. At that time, they will once again live in the (earthly) Promised Land, and will then in that land receive the promised restored blessings. In those days, the other nations will not trouble them any longer.
A note: The ten "lost" tribes of Israel still remain in the dispersion which began when they were driven out from their land around 2700 years ago. They have not received their restored blessings yet; that will only happen after they have returned to the Lord and made a new covenant with him. The essays ey01b.htm and ey06b.htm have more on this.
The Day of Atonement – the Jews call it Yom Kippur – was in several ways a very special high day.
It was a high Sabbath – a day of rest – and no eating and drinking was allowed on that day, from the evening of the ninth day of the Jewish seventh month to the evening of the tenth day.
Certain things indicate that even that fasting part may have been a factor in "the Sermon on the Mount"; there is more on this below. (Regarding prayer and fasting in our day, see the essay eb11c.htm.)
The Old Covenant's ritual on the Day of Atonement included two goats. One of them, the goat for the Lord, was sacrificed at the sanctuary. We read:
Leviticus 16:7 And he shall take the two goats, and set them before Jehovah at the door of the tent of meeting. 8 And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats; one lot for Jehovah, and the other lot for Azazel. 9 And Aaron shall present the goat upon which the lot fell for Jehovah, and offer him for a sin-offering. (ASV)
Regarding the other one, the goat for Azazel: First, all the sins of the nation of Israel were in a solemn manner placed on its head. After that, the goat for Azazel was taken away from the sanctuary, into a wilderness:
Leviticus 16:21 and Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions, even all their sins; and he shall put them upon the head of the goat, and shall send him away by the hand of a man that is in readiness into the wilderness (ASV)
And, even though many bible-translations do not make this clear, Jewish tradition tells us that there in the wilderness, the goat for Azazel was then "let go" by hurling it down from a high cliff, to its death.
A note: Some have suggested that the meaning of the word "Azazel" would have been "the goat which went away", but again, Jewish tradition says that that goat was not left alive. Also: It appears that the word Azazel, also written as Asasel, was a proper name, and referred to a certain wicked being. More: Many bible-translations mislead and call the goat for Azazel by the invented name "scapegoat" (Leviticus 16:8, 10 and 26). Probably, they are in that way copying the Latin Vulgate version that has in Leviticus 16:8 the misleading translation capro emissario (and caprum emissarium in verses 10 and 26) which could be interpreted as "the goat that was sent out". But again, Jewish tradition gives detailed descriptions of how the goat for Azazel was thrust down from a high cliff, to its death. A closer study shows that the Hebrew wording of Leviticus 16:22 is in harmony with this. The essay ex05b.htm has more on this, including an extract from the article on "Azazel" in the Jewish Encyclopedia (1906) which tells in more detail what was done to the goat for Azazel.
So, the goat for Azazel was not a "scapegoat", not in any way or meaning. Instead – as is quite obvious – it was symbolic of someone who was ultimately responsible (guilty) for the Israelites' sins. That is, Satan.
Another note: The "atoning" (purging of sins) was not brought about by the Azazel-goat which was led into a wilderness and then thrust down to its death from a cliff. No, the atoning (cleansing, purging, expiating, reconciling) in that ceremony was brought about by the other goat, "the goat for the Lord" which was sacrificed at the sanctuary and whose blood was then sprinkled on and before the Mercy Seat behind the veil, in the Most Holy Place (Leviticus 16:15).
The goat for the Lord (really, "the goat for Jehovah") which was sacrificed at the sanctuary, was clearly symbolic of Jesus and of how he through his own death would come to pay for the sins of mankind, freeing them from Satan's power. The other goat (the goat for Azazel) obviously symbolised Satan.
It is quite clear that the ceremonies on the Day of Atonement were symbolic, and that certain parts in that ritual pointed to the future, things that were to come. The fate of Satan was portrayed by the goat for Azazel that was taken into a wilderness and thrust to its death. There is a connection between those things, and what Jesus said in the "Sermon on the Mount". There is more on this, below.
Again, the essay ex05b.htm has more on the Day of Atonement and the two goats.
Again, the Old Covenant's Day of Atonement was a day with special trumpets sounding, on the year of the Jubilee. It seems clear that the yowbel horn which was sounded at that time, was symbolic of the trump of God which will be sounded in the future when Jesus comes as the Lord of lords.
Likewise: Some of the rituals performed on the Old Covenant's Day of Atonement clearly pointed to the future time when Satan will be captured and put to death.
A note: On the Day of Atonement, the "goat for Azazel" was indeed put to death, by thrusting it down from a high cliff in a wilderness area. The essay ex05b.htm has more on this. Also: Yes, even Satan can die. The essay ed02c.htm has more on that matter.
Several bible passages show that in the future when Jesus comes, a loud trumpet sound will be heard. In the Old Covenant's ritual, that was symbolised by the yowbel horn which was sounded on the Day of Atonement when a Jubilee year began.
What confuses many people regarding the trumpets of the "end time", is that they have not noticed that there will be more than seven of them, and that there will be even trumpets of God and not only of angels. In other words: The trumpets of the seven angels who are mentioned in the book of Revelation, are not the only ones to be sounded in the "end time". There are at least two more trumpets, and they are trumpets of God, not trumpets of angels.
The essay et06d.htm has more on the "end time" trumpets of different kinds. The essay ex05b.htm has more on the Day of Atonement, including its special trumpet signal. The essay ex04c.htm has more on the Day of Trumpets which had a slightly different message and symbolism. For more on the timing and sequence of the events of the "end time", look under the heading "Time, times, timings" on the index-page keyw-t2.htm.
Matthew 5:1-12
1 And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when
He was seated His disciples came to Him.
2 Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:
3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, For theirs is the
kingdom of heaven.
11 "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil
against you falsely for My sake.
12 "Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so
they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
(NKJV)
It seems that on that occasion, Jesus was teaching his disciples, while at least some in the crowd by the mountain could also hear him.
There are several indications that this may have happened on the Day of Atonement. Or, at least that Jesus' words referred to the ultimate "Day of Atonement" which is to come in the future. Some of that can be seen directly in the above-quoted words. There is more on this, later in this essay.
A side-note: The following verse, Matthew 5:13, mentions salt. The essay eo14c.htm has more on that subject, and on the symbolism of salt in the Bible.
On the etymology (origin and meaning) of the word "beatitudes":
Strictly speaking, the word "beatitudes" is not biblical – and still, in a way, it is that. Explanation: The reason why the first part of Matthew 5 has come to be called "the Beatitudes", is found in the Catholic, Latin Vulgate version which in Matthew 5:3 to 11 translated the Greek word makarios (makarioi) as beati. Here are "the nine beatitudes", Matthew 5 verses 3 through 11, as they appear in the Vulgate:
Matthew 5
3 beati pauperes spiritu quoniam ipsorum est regnum
caelorum
4 beati mites quoniam ipsi possidebunt terram
5 beati qui lugent quoniam ipsi consolabuntur
6 beati qui esuriunt et sitiunt iustitiam quoniam ipsi saturabuntur
7 beati misericordes quia ipsi misericordiam consequentur
8 beati mundo corde quoniam ipsi Deum videbunt
9 beati pacifici quoniam filii Dei vocabuntur
10 beati qui persecutionem patiuntur propter iustitiam quoniam ipsorum est
regnum caelorum
11 beati estis cum maledixerint vobis et persecuti vos fuerint et dixerint
omne malum adversum vos mentientes propter me
(VULG, highlighting added)
(An English translation of this passage is found above.)
All these nine verses in the Vulgate begin with the adjective beati, plural of beatus which meant "happy", "prosperous", "blessed", "fortunate" (related to the verb beo, "to make happy", "to bless", "to gladden", "to gratify", "to refresh"). (The Latin noun beatitudo meant "happiness", "blessedness", and so on.) That is the reason why those nine verses are often called "the Beatitudes", and why some people talk about "the nine Beatitudes".
In the Greek text, those nine verses begin with the word makarioi which likewise meant "happy", "blessed".
More on some of those verses (in English):
Matthew 5:3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted. (NKJV)
Being "poor" in spirit, that is, in contrast to only being "poor" or "lacking" in the flesh.
In verse 3, the Greek word which some have translated as "poor", was ptôchos which in translation refers to "lacking something". Consider this: If someone fasts, he or she "lacks" physical things, food and drink, and is "poor" or "lacking" in the flesh. But, if one longs for a change in who rules this world, or if one longs to a better world, then one is "lacking" (is "poor") on the spiritual level, and hungers and thirsts for a change from evil to good.
Another angle of view: In old Greek, the adjective ptôchos was related to the verb ptôcheuô which had to do with being in bad shape and asking for help, asking for "mercy". And indeed, mercy and help from God is what the oppressed Jews needed in those days – and that is certainly what this world needs today.
Matthew 5:5 Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth. (NKJV)
"Meek": Those who truly humble themselves before God.
Fasting was of course a way to "humble" oneself, and that may have been what the crowd listening to Jesus were doing on that day, but here, Jesus spoke to his disciples about a different, spiritual humility.
Matthew 5:6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled. (NKJV)
Jesus spoke about hungering and thirsting for righteousness – or eventually for justice; the Greek word in question, dikaiosunên, dikaiosunê, had that meaning also.
Instead of merely looking for physical things, such as food and drink, believers should "hunger and thirst" for spiritual things, in Heaven and here on Earth – including "hungering and thirsting" for the day when Jesus comes and liberates mankind and puts an end to the rule of evil powers on this planet.
So, believers should "hunger and thirst" for the day when Jesus comes and launches the ultimate Jubilee year, also called "the acceptable year of the Lord", where it will be Jesus who rules, here on this planet also, just as he already rules in the other parts of God's awesome Reign which has its Headquarters in Heaven. It is only after that, that righteousness (and justice, another meaning of dikaiosunê) will prevail here on Earth.
A note: It is important to understand what "righteousness" really is. The essay eg08b.htm explains that matter. See also the essay eo10d.htm which is about Matthew 6:33, "seeking the Kingdom of God and his righteousness".
Another note: At this moment, this planet is not a part of God's Reign, because rebel spirits are still in control here. The essay eo01b.htm has more on the Reign of God (the Kingdom of God), and considers what, when and where that Reign really is. The essay ew02c.htm has more on the present rulers of this world and who they really represent. The essay ew01b.htm considers why there is so much evil and suffering on this planet today.
Matthew 5:7 Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy. (NKJV)
As was mentioned above, on certain years in the Old Covenant's ritual and practice, the Day of Atonement was a day of forgiving debts and letting people in bondage go free.
The ultimate "Day of Atonement" (the ultimate time of reconciliation) is of course when Jesus comes and captures Satan and frees mankind from him and his cronies, and forgives mankind their sins, and gives this planet a new start.
A note regarding Matthew 5:17-18 and what the phrases 'the Law' and 'the Prophets' really meant and pointed to.
Many have misunderstood this passage:
Matthew 5:17 Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. 18 For truly 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. (VW-2006)
Many people have been caused to misunderstand those words and to think that Jesus supposedly meant that the Old Covenant and its law would remain in force "for ever". But no, that was not what he was saying. This passage explains what he meant:
Luke 24:44 Then He said to them, These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me. (VW-2006, highlighting added)
The phrases "the Law" and "the Prophets" and "the Psalms" were names of certain sections of the Old Testament. What Jesus meant was that he had not come to "do away" with what that book was all about. No, he had come to fulfil what that book had promised and prophesied.
Through his birth as a mortal, through his life and what he did, and then through his death as well as through being raised up by the Father, Jesus fulfilled many of the things which the Old Testament had prophetically pointed to and promised. But, there are many more promises and prophecies which have not been fulfilled yet. In the future, Jesus will bring even those things to their fulfilment.
A note: It is important to understand the matter of the two covenants, old and new. The essays ec01c.htm and ec02d.htm have more on Matthew 5:17, 18 and 19. For more, look under the heading "Covenants" on the index-page keyw-c4.htm.
Matthew 6
9 "In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed
be Your name.
10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors.
13 And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours
is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
(NKJV)
Right now, this world is still controlled and run by wicked spirits and their fleshly cronies. That wicked rule will come to an end when Jesus comes and steps down on the surface of this planet as the Lord of lords.
If one views these things in that context, then one will perhaps understand the things mentioned in that so-called "model prayer" ("the Lord's Prayer"), in a new light.
Jesus said to his disciples:
Matthew 6:9 "In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. (NKJV)
Considering things in our day: Is the Father's name being revered and kept holy, here on Earth today? No. It will only become truly hallowed (revered, respected) when Jesus comes and captures and destroys the wicked spirits who now run this world.
When Jesus comes, he will bring the Reign of God into effect, even here on Earth. But today, this planet is still controlled by wicked spirit rebels.
Anyone who prays, "sanctified be your name", is actually asking for an end to the rule of the wicked spirits here on Earth.
The Old Covenant's Day of Atonement pointed to the future day when that will happen.
A note regarding the word "hallowed" in Matthew 6:9:
The English words "hallowed", "holy" and "sanctified" are used as synonyms, with the same meaning. "Holy" comes from the Old English halig, same as heilig (German and Dutch) and hellig (Norwegian) and helig (Swedish), with uncertain etymology. "Hallowed" comes from the Old English halgian, related to halig. "Sanctified" comes from the Latin sanctifico (sanctus-facio), from sanctus which meant such things as "established as inviolable", "consecrated", "venerable", "sacred" and so on. But, the New Testament manuscripts are written in Greek. In the Greek text of Matthew 6:9, the word in question was hagiazô (hagizô), a verb which meant "to set apart", "to dedicate", "to hallow", "to make sacred", and so on, from hagios which meant something like "devoted".
However, in the case of Matthew 6:9 the verb hagiazô obviously referred to respect and reverence. Some translate it as "sanctified", others as "reverenced", "be kept holy", "be held holy", "be honoured", and so on.
Matthew 6:10 Your kingdom come. [...] (NKJV)
Matthew 6:10 Thy Reign come [...] (YLT)
That is of course asking Jesus to come and to put an end to the evil rebel rule here on Earth, and to bring in God's Reign to this planet.
The Day of Atonement pointed to the future day when that will happen.
The essay eo01b.htm has more on the Reign of God, also called "the kingdom of God", and considers what, when and where that Reign really is.
Matthew 6:10 [...] Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. (NKJV)
Matthew 6:10 [...] Thy will come to pass, as in heaven also on the earth (YLT)
God's will is being done in Heaven, but not here on Earth at this time, because wicked spirits still run this planet. But when Jesus comes and captures and destroys those rebels, then God's will will be done, even here on Earth.
The Day of Atonement and its sounding of the Jubilee trumpets, and other rituals, prophetically pointed to the future day when that will happen.
Matthew 6:11 Give us this day our daily bread. (NKJV)
Now, food is something one easily thinks about, if one fasts. Again: It might be that Jesus spoke those words on the Day of Atonement which was a day of fasting.
Humans are dependent on God, for sustenance – but what mankind really needs is not merely physical bread but also and especially the "Bread of Life", Jesus:
John 6:35 And Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. (NKJV)
The Day of Atonement and the Jubilee pointed to the future time when Jesus comes. (In Isaiah 61:2 and Luke 4:19, the time that was pictured by the Jubilee year, is referred to as "the acceptable year of the Lord" or "the year of the Lord's favour".)
Matthew 6:12 And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. (NKJV)
Again, in ancient Israel, all monetary debts were to be forgiven and cancelled, every seventh year, on the Day of Atonement.
Further, each fiftieth year (the Jubilee year), there was even more – also land properties were to be returned to their original owners (or to their families or descendants), when the Jubilee trumpet was sounded throughout the land, on the Day of Atonement.
Matthew 6:13 And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. (NKJV)
Matthew 6:13 And do not bring us to the time of trial, but rescue us from the evil one. (NRSV)
That is how the Greek can be interpreted, "rescue us from the evil one".
Praying in that manner, is asking God to capture and remove Satan and the wicked spirit rulers who still control this planet.
That is of course a major part of what the Old Covenant's Day of Atonement symbolised: The future day when Jesus comes and frees this world from Satan the evil one, and from all his cronies.
Matthew 6:13 [...] For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. (NKJV)
A note: Some bible-versions omit these words. Here, they are considered to be original (that is, the Greek words hoti sou estin hê basileia kai hê dunamis kai hê doxa eis tous aiônas).
Praying in that manner, means admitting that the right to the rule or reign (basileia), and the power (dunamis) as well as all judicial rights (doxa), belong to the true God who is in Heaven.
(More extensive lexicons of ancient Greek show that the word doxa had several meanings, many of them having to with "opinion" and "judgment". This writer feels it to be likely that in this particular case, the right to judge was being referred to.)
Once more, regarding the phrase "for yours is the kingdom" (that is, the right to rule). The right to reign and to judge belongs to the true God who is in Heaven. And, we know that he has now delegated those things to Jesus, giving that right to him. (See John 5:22 and Matthew 28:18.) However, even though Jesus in Heaven rules over God's awesome Reign, the planet Earth is at this time not a part of that Reign. This world is still controlled by rebel spirits. That is why mankind needs Jesus to come and free this planet from the wicked one (and all his cronies).
So, that part of the Lord's prayer, once more, here in a different translation:
"Rescue us from the evil one – for the Reign and the Power and the Judgment belong to you, to the ages."
Anyone who prays in that manner, acknowledges that those who at this time control this world are rebels, and that the right to rule this world actually belongs to the true God who is in Heaven. That is – one asks that God will use his right and power to rule and to judge, and will remove the rebels, and will in that way extend the Reign of God even to this planet.
And indeed, most of "the Lord's Prayer" is actually about asking the true God who is in Heaven, to send his son Jesus to remove the wicked rulers who still control this planet, and to bring the Reign of God into effect even here:
"Our Father in the Heavens – hallowed be your name. Let your Reign come. Let your will be done here on Earth, as [it is being done] in Heaven. [...] Rescue us from the evil one – for the Reign and the Power and the Judgment belong to you, to the ages."
Then, in the continuation, Jesus explained something important – the matter of not judging others, and forgiving.
As was mentioned above, the Day of Atonement was a special day when debts were to be forgiven (such as, on the years of Release and Jubilee).
Also, on that day, the Israelites were ritually reconciled (atoned, expiated, propitiated) – their sins were forgiven.
(As was explained earlier in this treatise, in the ritual of that day, the reconciling of the Israelites was performed through the sacrifice of "the goat for the Lord" whose blood was taken into the Most Holy Place behind the veil in the sanctuary. But, the responsibility for the Israelites' sins was placed on "the goat for Azazel" which was then taken away from the sanctuary, into a wilderness where it was hurled down from a high cliff, to its death.)
More in Matthew 6 – Jesus continued:
Matthew 6:14 For if you forgive men their offenses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you will not forgive men their offenses, neither will your Father forgive your offenses. (LIT)
Forgiving others is very important – if one wishes that God will forgive one's own sins and offences.
Again, the Day of Atonement was a day of forgiveness, and it pointed to the future time when this world (mankind) will have their sins forgiven and will be reconciled with God.
Jesus continued:
Matthew 7:1 "Do not judge, so that you may not be judged. (NRSV)
Why not?
Well, for the first, let us consider the fact that Jesus said, "for the Reign and the Power and the Judgment belong to you, to the ages" (Matthew 6:13). That is, the right to judge belongs to the true God who is in Heaven.
Thus, men are not to judge others. God will judge all. (Well, he has delegated those things to Jesus.)
Of course, one must continually evaluate others and their sayings and doings and in that way make judgments (assessments), and those assessments must lead to action. But, one must not judge others as to condemn.
And, for the other: If one does not forgive others, how can one then expect one's own offences to be forgiven?
Again, the Day of Atonement was a day of forgiveness. Also: The special Jubilee trumpets which were on certain years sounded on that day, obviously pointed to the future time when Jesus comes, and to the particular Judgment which will take place at that time. But for us humans it is important to remember what Jesus said to his disciples – "if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses" (Matthew 6:14), and, "do not judge, so that you may not be judged" (Matthew 7:1).
The essay ex05b.htm has more on the Old Covenant's Day of Atonement. The essay et07e.htm has more on the different Judgments that are to come. The essay eb11c.htm has more on prayer. The essay ex10d.htm considers whether or not the Old Covenant's high days and other rituals should be observed, in New Covenant times.
Table of contents – What's new here? – Key-word index – Search function – Goal and purpose – Contact, comment, question
If this page did not contain what you were looking for, see the links below, and the key-word index and the table of contents, or use the search function.
Additional reading at the Bible Pages, on related as well as other issues:
For those who are interested: A printable word-search puzzle with words related to the Beatitudes. → puzzle15-p.pdf – Many more bible-based word-search puzzles. → ep01.htm
A clarifying explanation of the short names for the bible-versions quoted or mentioned at this site, such as that NKJV stands for New King James Version, YLT for Young's Literal translation, HCSB for Holman Christian Standard Bible, NRSV for the New Revised Standard Version, and so on. → es09c.htm
The Day of Atonement and its symbolism. (Yom Kippur or the Fast, Leviticus 16:29-31 and 23:27-32.) → ex05b.htm
How should one pray? A study on prayer, prayers and praying. → eb11c.htm
The lost ten tribes of Israel in prophecy. What happened to Israel's northern tribes? Where are they today? Does the Bible give any clues regarding their fate? → ey01b.htm
When will the lost ten tribes of Israel be restored and blessed again? What about the "2520 years" that some talk about? → ey06b.htm
Are angels immortal, or can they die? → ed02c.htm
What does the Bible say about Satan the Devil? Various things regarding mankind's arch-enemy. → ed04c.htm
On different kinds of prophetic trumpets that are mentioned in the Bible – trumps of God, and those of the seven angels. Also, what is the "last" trumpet which the apostle Paul wrote about? → et06d.htm
Check your bible knowledge. A basic self-test with 15 biblical questions (with answers and commentary). → es04b.htm
The Day of Trumpets and its symbolism. (The Feast of Trumpets, Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year.) → ex04c.htm
Regarding the timing and sequence of certain events which the Bible mentions. → keyw-t2.htm (Look under the heading "Time, times, timings".)
What does salt symbolise, in the Bible? (Matthew 5:13, "You are the salt of the earth", Luke 14:34, "If the salt has lost its flavour, how shall it be seasoned", and so on.) → eo14c.htm
How to understand the Bible. Easy keys to interpreting and understanding Scripture in a better and deeper way, by avoiding certain fundamental but common mistakes and errors in bible study. These vital keys are really the basics for objective bible study. Knowing these keys will make many things easier to interpret and comprehend, and one will see several central matters in the Bible from a new and different perspective, especially in connection with the Gospels and the Epistles. → eg02c.htm
What does the word "righteous" really mean? What does the Bible say about righteousness? → eg08b.htm
Matthew 6:33, "But seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you". What did Jesus mean? How were the disciples to go about "seeking the Kingdom"? Also, what did the expression "all these things" really refer to, and when and where were those things to be "added" to those disciples? → eo10d.htm
What is the Kingdom of God? Where is it located? Does it exist already, or is it only going to be established in the future? Or, is it only something "in the hearts of men" as some have claimed, quoting the translation "within you" in Luke 17:21? → eo01b.htm
The so-called "divine right of kings" – is there such a thing? Are kings, rulers and governments appointed by God? → ew02c.htm
Many people wonder, why does God allow evil, sickness, pain, war and suffering? What is the biblical answer – does the Bible explain that matter, or in some way make it understandable? → ew01b.htm
The New Covenant versus the Old Covenant, or the Old Covenant versus the New Covenant. Also, some notes on Matthew 5:17 and 18. → ec01c.htm
Several important points regarding the Old Covenant and the New Covenant. This essay ties in with its companion ec01c.htm (look above) which is about those two covenants and the difference between them. → ec02d.htm
For more on the two covenants, old and new, look under the heading "Covenants" on the index-page keyw-c4.htm.
The Great White Throne Judgment, a time when both living and dead will be judged. When will it take place, where, and who will judge? Also, there is more to take into consideration, because the Bible talks about more than one still future times of judgment. → et07e.htm
What does the Bible say about Heaven? What does it look like? Were the saints to go there, and if so, for how long? What about others? → eb04c.htm
The Promises spoken to Abraham, and the saints' heavenly Rest and Inheritance. How the earthly Land of Israel symbolised and foreshadowed a Promised Land in Heaven. Also, how the words Promise, Inheritance, Rest and Land in certain bible passages point to the same thing. → eb05b.htm
A clarification of the actual nature of the sabbatismos or Rest of Hebrews 4:9. → ex11b.htm
The Old Covenant's high days, those of Leviticus 23, should they be kept in New Covenant times? What about the weekly, ritual rest on the seventh day, the Sabbath? → ex10d.htm – Look also under the heading "High days" on the index-page keyw-h3.htm.
Many talk about "the letter of the law" versus "the spirit of the law" – but those expressions are not found in the Bible. A detailed, down to the core study on 2 Corinthians 3:6-8 and Romans 7:6 and what the apostle Paul really meant and referred to when he wrote about the letter as opposed to the Spirit. → ec13c.htm
On 1 John 3:4 and the translation "whoever commits sin transgresses also the law, for sin is the transgression of the law". What was the apostle John really talking about, and what is the correct translation of the Greek word anomia in that verse? → ec14b.htm
Worshipping God. What does the Bible say about worship, when it comes to New Covenant times? Serving God is something important, for many believers. There is a custom to gather for worship services. Indeed, for many people, worship is the same as going to church or attending church. But, where does the word "worship" really come from, and what does it mean? And, what about praise and giving thanks and "offerings", and so on? In what way and when and where should believers be serving and worshipping God? → ea04c.htm
The meaning of the words Christ, Christian, Messiah and Messias. Also: Did the saints call themselves "Christians" – christianos or christianoi? → eg07b.htm
Info on the goal and purpose of this site, and a contact address.
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The essays at this site are not in "bible lesson" or "bible study course" format, nor are they meant as on-line "bible study classes" of some kind. Even though this site gives ready answers to biblical questions of many kinds, its main goal is providing food for thought on a variety of biblical subjects, and challenging and encouraging people to get started with deep personal bible study and then continue with that. (Many religious organisations and denominations have their bible lessons and correspondence courses; they are ready-made "studies" which are shrewdly constructed and written in such a manner that they lead the reader to conclusions that fit the dogmas of the group in question.) A careful, closer study of the books of the Bible with proper tools will help a believer to gain better and deeper biblical understanding. In that way, one will find out more about what the Bible really says, means and teaches. One can then, with wisdom, use that knowledge as a guide for one's life, instead of accepting as "biblical truths" whatever commercial religion – churches and their ministers (preachers) – have taught and want people to believe.
A more thorough, bible-based study with care and with thought will, not only help one to learn more, but also show one how many a popular belief has no scriptural basis or support but is altogether false and not biblical at all. This applies, not only to prophecy and "end time" related things, but also to many other subjects where prevailing dogmas are often taken "for granted". For this reason, it is extremely important for believers to personally study the Writings, and to thoroughly analyse them down to the smaller details, in order to find out the real facts. For doing that, it is not necessary to know the Hebrew, Greek or Latin languages (even though learning their letters and alphabet can be a good idea); there are modern, advanced tools which can help one to study in an effective way – see the pages es01d.htm and es02c.htm for more on this. The essay eg02c.htm supplies a number of easy, elementary keys to acquiring a better and deeper understanding of the Bible, simply by consciously and methodically avoiding certain usual errors and pitfalls.
This site is non-denominational and non-sectarian. It is not connected to any church, sect or religious organisation or movement. This site looks at things from a biblical perspective, and not from a dogmatic one. It does not claim to be without error or to "know it all" or to have a perfect or complete explanation to all things – it consists of an ongoing bible study that has been made public, and as the study goes on, the contents of these pages are revised and also expanded, with new topics and themes being addressed. Readers are invited and welcome to write to the author with thoughts and comments, or to ask questions or to point out a mistake if they feel that they have found one. For more on this, see the page purpose.htm.
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This page was created or modified 2010-01-29.