Tradition tells us that God shuts the books of life and death as His last act on the Day of Atonement. At that moment, the fate of every Jewish person is sealed for the coming year. The results of our efforts—repentance, prayer, and fasting—last only a year as the process must be repeated annually. However, as believers in Messiah Jesus, we have complete confidence that Messiah died for our sins “once for all.” We are forgiven! That is the reason I wish my believing friends a Happy New Year and Day of Atonement.
