The high priest poured incense upon the burning coals in a golden censer. The incense of the censer represents the prayers of the believers in Christ (Psalm 141:2; Luke 1:5-11; Revelation 5:8; 8:3-4). Jesus is our High Priest (Hebrews 3:1) and Mediator (Hebrews 12:24). He lives to make intercession for us (Hebrews 7:22-27).

The high priest can only go within the veil once a year (Hebrews 9:7). By the death of Jesus, the veil was tore apart. We are now able to enter boldly into the veil daily (Matthew 27:50-51; 2 Corinthians 3:14; Hebrews 4:16; 6:13-19; 10:19-22).

The high priest washed himself in water. He must be absolutely cleansed in order to make atonement for the people of Israel. Jesus was purely clean and without sin. He was the perfect sinless Atonement and Sacrifice for our sins. For the believers in Jesus, we are to be washed continually by the water of the Word of God and His Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:11; Ephesians 5:26-27; Titus 3:5; Hebrews 10:22).

The high priest put on holy linen garments. These linen garments represent the purity and righteousness of Christ. The high priest's linen garments were stained with blood as he sacrificed the animals. After the sacrifices were complete, he took off these stained garments, washed himself and put on new garments. The white linen garments are clothes of righteousness (Job 29:14; Psalm 132:9; Isaiah 61:10; Revelation 3:5; 15:6; 19:7-8, 13-15).

After atonement was made, those being atoned for were considered sinless and blameless before God. The believers in Messiah are being presented before God without spot or blemish (Ephesians 5:27) because of the blood of Jesus (1 Peter 1:19).

The blood shed by Jesus is significant:

The bodies of the sin offering, both the bull and the goat, were taken outside the camp where they were burned. Jesus was crucified outside the camp (John 19:17-20; Hebrews 13:10-13).

Burnt offerings were offered. Our bodies are to be living sacrifices to God (Romans 12:1; 1 Peter 2:5). We are to offer up sacrifices of praise to God (Psalm 34:1; Hebrews 13:15-16). Jesus is the Holy Sacrifice of God for us (Hebrews 9:26-28; 10:1-10).

The year of Jubilee was celebrated on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 25:9-11). This was both a year and day of liberty. Jesus came to preach this liberty at His First Coming (Isaiah 61:1-3; Luke 4:17-21).

God told the Israelites to sacrifice an animal as a substitute to die on their behalf for their death penalty. This "a life for a life" principle is the foundation of the sacrificial system. The Torah allows a monetary ransom be paid for an individual deserving death (Exodus 21:28-32). The guilty person therein was the owner of an ox that had killed a person. The owner of the ox was responsible for the death caused by his ox. The money paid in place of the death of the owner was the ransom price.

The Day of Atonement is the tenth day of Tishri. It is significant that the season of repentance (Teshuvah) precedes redemption (Yom Kippur). Animal sacrifices were only appropriate when presented with a contrite and repentant heart (Psalm 51:16-19). God divinely placed Yom Kippur before the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) - The Season of Our Joy. The children of God could only rejoice when they were redeemed with their sins forgiven. Repent >> Redeemed >> Rejoice!

For you shall not go out with haste, nor go by flight; for the LORD will go before you, and the God of Israel will be your rear guard. Behold, My Servant shall deal prudently; He shall be exalted and extolled and be very high. Just as many were astonished at you, so His visage was marred more than any man, and His form more than the sons of men; so shall He sprinkle many nations. Kings shall shut their mouths at Him; for what had not been told them they shall see, and what they had not heard they shall consider. Isaiah 52:12-15

The garments of the high priest were stained with blood after he had performed this sprinkling task. The high priest would hang out his garments. When God accepted the sacrifice, a miracle would take place. His garments would turn from bloodstained red to white. This showed that God had forgiven their sins. When Jesus sprinkles His blood on us (1 Peter 1:2), though our sins are scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool (Isaiah 1:18).

Jesus' garment was stained with His blood when He died upon the tree but His garments are pure white today. White garments represent righteousness before God (Revelation 3:4-5; 7:9,13-14).