The Significance Of The Feast Of Trumpets

By Matthew Sanders


The Jewish calendar has many special sabbaths, or 'feasts'. These are set apart as days of rest, when no work is to be done, and attention is paid to spiritual things. In the Torah and the Christian Old Testament, there are seven of these special events expressly ordained by the Lord. One of these seven is the Feast of Trumpets, a two-day observance that falls at the new moon of the seventh month, in autumn.

Some of the Jewish feasts are joyous but not this one. The blasts of the shofar, the ancient traditional ram's horn, signal the start of the event. The Hebrew term can mean trumpet or noise in general, like shouting.

The intended role of this feast was to call the people to a time of self-examination and repentance in preparation for the Day of Atonement, which happened later that same month. On the Day of Atonement, no work was to be done, and the priests offered sacrifices and sin offerings on behalf of the people. The Day of Atonement was a high holy day, which was to be taken with the utmost sincerity and solemnity.

The tumult of this feast mirrors the events of war, when the people would be in fear of their lives because the enemy was outside the walls. In the scriptures, the 'watchmen' are urged to stay awake and watch, for the danger is imminent. This sabbath calls the people to repent of their sins, because they are in great spiritual danger.

Since the 'wages of sin are death', this danger is real for the believer. The sacrifices prescribed in the Torah, or what Christians call the old Testament, were designed to atone for sin and obtain forgiveness. Christians believe that the death of Jesus was the final, perfect sacrifice for all sin. Past and future. Those who recognize their need for a savior and who accept Jesus' death and resurrection have found forgiveness.

This solemn day is still practiced by orthodox Jews. Christians see it as a prophetic foreshadowing of end times, when Jesus will return and all people will face the judgement that will determine their destiny. Before the second coming of the Lord, there will be turmoil and great fear. His advent will be announced by a world-shaking trumpet blast.

The Day of Atonement portends the Judgement Day. The sacrifice has already been made and those whose names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life' - meaning that they have believed in Jesus and accepted His death as payment for their sins - will be saved. This is seen as the time for self-examination in light of scripture and for true repentance, a turning away from wicked ways to a life of righteousness.

Many Christians value the Jewish roots of their faith and recognize that the ancient feasts have significance. The special days coincide with the phases of the moon, and the Bible says that significant events are often signaled by 'signs' in the heavens. Reading about the ceremonial observances of Old Testament times gives believers of today an understanding of laws that made up the old covenant and more appreciation for the promises of the new.




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