The scapegoat

The scapegoat prophetically pictured or foretold a spirit class that form the “evil servant” class, the members of which go into perdition.

The bringing of the live goat and sending him forth for Azazel pictures the “evil servant” class, the chief of that class which is the “man of sin”.

Hence, together, the two goats beautifully pictured the “man Christ Jesus”, unblemished, possessing life-merit that could be freed in behalf of others, while at the same time he was able, while in the days of his flesh, to serve a purpose respecting “Azazel”.

Hence this “live goat” had atoning merit resting upon it and hence power to bear away sins. This fact is shown at verse 10: “But the goat over which came up the lot for Azazel shall he cause to stand alive before Jehovah, to put a propitiatory-covering onn him, to send him away unto Azazel, towards the desert.” (Rotherham’s translation) This goat with atoning merit upon it therefore pictures Jesus.

By enduring the reproaches and suffering without yielding sinfully to the Devil and his organization, Jesus could fulfill the picture of the “scapegoat" or "goat for Azazel” and could perform the part of the sin-bearer to bear away the sins of those who repented and converted and devoted themselves to God.

Therefore, although still alive in the flesh as was the “alive” goat, Jesus carried with him throughout his ministry in the wilderness of Satan’s world the value of this sacrifice and, along with incense of praise in integrity, could use it as a sign in further praise to Jehovah by demonstrating this power and authority he had received from the great Giver of Life, Jehovah God.

All that was prophetic of how God's great High Priest would offer up a sacrifice to atone for mankind's sin and would serve as a real Sin Bearer to carry away mankind's sin into oblivion.

In this manner he made atonement for the sins of the twelve nonpriestly tribes of Israel. A scapegoat, the goat for Azazel, upon whose head the sins of the nation were confessed, was sent away into the trackless wilderness, to disappear forever with the sins of the people. Jesus Christ as God's High Priest will do something like that but more real.

The day continued into the year 33 C.E., during which time he served as the goat "for Azazel," keeping perfect integrity under test and cruel persecution to death by Satan, bearing the sins of the people off into the "wilderness," into oblivion forever.

According to Isaiah's prophecy, chapter fifty-three, Jehovah's "Servant" is the sin-bearer who was typified by the scapegoat of the Atonement Day that continued being observed at Jehovah's temple until the destruction of the city of Jerusalem by the Romans in 70 C.E.