THE FINAL DAY OF ATONEMENT

 ‘For behold, the stone that I have put before Joshua; on one stone are seven eyes. Behold, I am going to engrave an inscription on it,’ declares the LORD of armies, ‘and I will remove the guilt of that land in one day. (Zechariah 3:9)

The Day of Atonement in the autumn of each year was when the high priest offered sacrifice for the sins of all the people. The fact that it had to be repeated every year proves that it was not a complete and permanent "removal" of sin and guilt. It did not make the worshiper perfect in the sight of God. (See Hebrews 10:1) 

But Zechariah prophesied of "one day" when God would remove the guilt of His people by means of the "Branch," the "Stone" which has "seven eyes," symbolizing omniscience. Can there be any doubt who that Person is or what day guilt was removed?  Sadly, medieval Jewish commentator Rashi can only say: 

“One day; I know not what that day is.”

Albert Barnes follows up with this comment:

 "Ask any Christian child, 'On what day was iniquity removed, not from the land only, but from all lands?' he would say, 'On the day when Jesus died.'”

The great and final Day of Atonement, as well as the final Passover, was that day when Jesus died to "take away the sin of the world" (John 1:29). He bore the sin of the world, all the defilement since Adam's first disobedience, and opened the way of salvation for all who will believe. (John 1:12-13; 3:16)  Jesus's death on the cross fulfilled all sacrifices in "one day."