Rosh Hashanah, the Feast of Trumpets

Rosh Hashanah, the civil Jewish calendar's new year, begins tonight. Rosh Hashanah is known in scripture as Yom Teruah, the Feast of Trumpets. It is observed on the first two days of Tishri, the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar. Why two days instead of one? The only Biblical feast to come with the new moon, its date could not be calculated exactly during the days of Scripture. One had to watch for the new moon, and its appearance in the sky had to be verified by two or more witnesses. For this reason, the Feast of Trumpets is known as "the feast of which no man knows the day or the hour." Christian friends, does that phrase sound familiar to you? If yes, there's a reason.

In addition to the Shabbat (Sabbath), there are seven yearly Biblical feasts commanded by the Lord, known in Hebrew as HaMoadim, or God's appointed times. And, true to their collective Biblical name, these feasts belong to the Lord. Foundational to all of Scripture, understanding them is essential if you want to truly grasp Biblical prophecy and eschatology.

Jesus Christ, Yeshua HaMashiach, fulfilled (and I do not mean ended, there is a distinct difference) the first four of His feasts with His first coming: Passover (Pesach), Unleavened Bread (Hag Hamatzot), First Fruits (Yom Habikkurim), and Pentecost (Shavuot). The last three will be fulfilled with His second coming: Rosh Hashanah/Yom Teruah (the Feast of Trumpets), Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement), and Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles). His statement that "No man knows the day nor the hour," refers to His fulfillment of the Feast of Trumpets...at the last trump. The statement is true on its surface as well, because He said Himself that only our Heavenly Father knows when He will send His Son to return for His bride here on earth.

Scripture comes alive in amazing ways with mere glimpses of the Hebrew roots, the largely unseen anchor of our faith. Press in; dig deeper. A rabbi once told me that you could spend 70 lifetimes as a Torah student and barely scratch the surface. How much more depth is there to Scripture when you add in the Torah Incarnate, Jesus Christ?

So take a step outside tonight and look up at the starry sky. Spot that new moon if you can, and remember both Jesus' promise in Revelation 22, "Yes, I am coming quickly," and John's response: "Come, Lord Jesus!"

Until His return, L'Shanah Tovah Tikatevu! May you be inscribed [in the (Lamb's) Book of Life] for a new year!