And it shall be on Aaron when he ministers, and its sound shall be heard when he goes into the Holy Place before the LORD, and when he comes out, so that he does not die. Exodus 28:35

There’s a tradition among some men who suggest that the high priest had a rope placed around his ankle when he ministered in the Holy Place on the Day of Atonement, aka Yom Kippur. They suggest that when the men on the other end of the rope did not hear the sound of the bells, it meant the priest was dead for ministering in some inappropriate way, and therefore, must be pulled from the Holy Place by the rope. This tradition comes from a misunderstanding of the text with an incomplete understanding of Christ’s fulfillment of scripture (John 5:39). First of all, the high priest didn’t wear these holy garments when he ministered in the Holy Place. He bathed himself and put on the linen garments worn by every other priest (Lev 16:4). Moreover, there “shall be no man in the tabernacle of the congregation” when the high priest was ministering the atoning sacrifices (Lev 16:17, KJV). The high priest changes into the linen garments because it foreshadows Christ’s atoning work as Mediator in heaven following His death, resurrection and ascension (1 Tim 2:5).

Aaron, and his progeny wore the “holy garments” (Ex 28:2) containing the breastplate, shoulder pieces, and “coat of checkered work” every day of the week (Ex 29:30), Yom Kippur being the one exception. The holy garments foreshadowed Christ’s ministry on earth, the golden bells representing every heavenly word spoken by the Lord, and the pomegranates in between, representing the fruit of His ministry as the Prophet foretold to come by Moses (Deut 18:15-18). Although the holy garments were never worn in the Holy Place, the golden sound of Christ’s pure gospel resonates eternally in heaven before the throne of God.

The golden bells are heard in heav’n,
For its truth ascends with Christ;
Though rung on earth its sound is giv’n
Eternal praise for His paid price.